Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 1070 European Union (First update, please subscribe)
Ideals are beautiful, but reality is cruel.

Although Li Yian hoped to take advantage of Britain's strategic contraction to expand its influence in Iraq and other regions, things were far from as simple as he imagined.

"Sir, in Iraq, the locals do not like the presence of foreigners, including the British. Although Britain reoccupied Iraq during World War II, they negotiated the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq after the war. Although Britain tried to supervise its army and control its foreign affairs through the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty, and still tied it to Britain in terms of military supplies and training. However, the strong reaction to the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty was that local nationalists launched a rebellion to protest Britain's continued presence in Iraq. In order to appease the rebels, Sayyid announced his rejection of the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty."

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Li Guoren knows much more about Iraq than Li Yian. That is why he immediately expressed his opposition when he learned that you intend to interfere in Iraq.

After returning to the official residence from the Olympic Village construction site, he immediately gave Your Excellency a separate report on this issue.

"During last year's 'Canal Crisis', Iraq, as an ally of Britain, supported Britain, which also led to widespread opposition among its people, most of whom sympathized with Egypt and responded to the pan-Arab ideology. At the same time, Britain dominated all areas of Iraqi governance: national politics and reform, regional politics, and economic policy. Therefore, many Iraqis are very dissatisfied with the presence of Western powers in the region, especially the British, and this dissatisfaction is precisely the potential cause of unrest in their hearts."

Looking at the silent Excellency, Li Guoren emphasized his point.

"Iraq is now actually the eve of a storm. It is not the best time for us to enter Iraq. We can neither replace Britain's traditional influence nor make up for the local people's dissatisfaction with Western powers. We may even bring disaster upon ourselves and turn ourselves into a target."

After hearing Li Guoren's objection, Li Yian slowly stood up from his desk and paced around the office. He stood in front of the window, staring at the sapphire-colored sky. Then he thought about the revolution in Iraq next year and the subsequent political changes.

Seeing that you were standing by the window and seemed to be thinking about something, Li Guoren thought for a moment and then explained.

"Sir, in my opinion, if we enter Iraq, we should do so after the rebellion, not before. After the rebellion, we enter as saviors and can gain gratitude from some people. Before the rebellion, we are the enemy of everyone, even at the invitation of the royal family, of course..."

Although Li Guoren's suggestion seems very cruel, this is the truest side of the international diplomatic game. Any country considers maximizing its own interests, and the fate of other countries is not important at all.

Looking at the gentleman who remained silent, Li Guoren emphasized.

"Even if King Faisal II invited him, he just hoped to get more loans from Southeast Asia and seek military and economic help. As for other things... there might be military cooperation, but that's it!"

In fact, this is the most typical characteristic of small countries seeking help from big countries - they want big countries to provide various kinds of help, but they don’t want big countries to interfere in their politics, and they don’t want big countries to be guests in their homes. They can help them with development and construction, but not the military.

But without troops stationed there, how can we guarantee everything?

"So, my suggestion is that we and Iraq just need to follow the established plan and strengthen our economic cooperation. As for the rest, we just need to wait for the right time."

Recalling the development of the situation in Iraq in the next few years, Li Yian turned around, nodded slightly, and said:
"Thank you for your explanation. Indeed, there is not much we can do now. Well, let's leave it at that for now on the issue of Iraq. Let time and the future take care of it."

As for Princess Addis and the child, we just need to protect their safety. There are many ways to protect their safety, so there is no need to worry at all. If it really doesn't work, we can invite her to Nanyang next year.

Walking back to his desk, Li Yian pulled the report in front of him and glanced through it again:
"On April 4, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg signed the Treaty on the European Economic Community in Rome, Italy, deciding to unify the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Atomic Energy Community and the European Economic Community, collectively known as the European Community. This treaty is the basic treaty for establishing the European Economic Community. According to the treaty, it will take effect on January 25 next year, and the European Economic Community will be established at the same time. ..."

The content of this report is very simple. It is a simple analysis of the impact of the emergence of the European Community on Europe. However, the diplomatic elites of the Nanyang Ministry of Foreign Affairs only saw the benefits of the emergence of the economic community for the reconstruction of the European economy, but they emphasized more on the imbalance in economic development among countries and the differences in economic interests under the common framework, but did not see the more far-reaching future.

After World War II, the European powers represented by Britain and France were replaced by the United States and the Soviet Union, two superpowers that dominated the world. In order to ensure their own security, European countries put forward the proposition of "Europe is Europe for Europeans" and embarked on the road of unity and self-strengthening. This road of unity and self-strengthening later became the European Union.

He nodded toward the table.

"I have read the report. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' view on the European Economic Community is still superficial. Perhaps there are serious historical issues between France and Germany. But is this irreconcilable? Economic differences and political differences will eventually give in to reality - that is, European countries represented by France hope to increase their voice under the American order. Therefore, they will have differences, but they will eventually resolve them through negotiation, and..."

After a slight pause, Li Yian said.

"We also need to see that although Germany and France were mortal enemies during the two world wars, as time went on and the communication between the two peoples deepened, their views also changed, from "I am German" and "I am French" to "I am European". The social background of this change in viewpoint is the formation of a united Europe."

This is an inevitable trend. Under the promotion of politicians from various countries, although the consciousness of Europeans has not been strengthened into the consciousness of a country, the consciousness of Europeans has quietly formed. This is the fundamental premise for the establishment of the European Union more than 30 years later.

"European Union?"

Li Guoren was stunned and said in surprise,
"That seems unlikely. After all, their two countries are sworn enemies." "There is no such thing as eternal hatred."

Taking a puff of his cigar, Li Yian's tone carried a wisdom that allowed him to see through the future.

Neither the United States nor the Soviet Union realized the intention of those in Western Europe who were committed to building the European Economic Community - to establish the European Union! At the beginning, they thought it was just for economic development, and at most they wanted to increase their voice in diplomacy.

That’s all, but the veteran politicians in Europe were surprisingly shrewd and spent more than 30 years planning everything.

"Did you know about the Anglo-French merger?"

"what?"

Li Guoren said in surprise.

"The Anglo-French merger? When did this happen?"

This story, which sounds a bit ridiculous, is actually true. At least it actually happened in another world. Just after Britain and France suffered the defeat in Suez, the French Prime Minister took the initiative to propose a "Anglo-French merger."

Recalling the information he had read in another world, and combining it with the visit of the French Prime Minister to London more than two months ago, Li Yian said while holding a cigar:
"After the Geneva Conference, because France's interests were seriously neglected and even violated, and its own strength meant that it did not have much say in international affairs, French Prime Minister Guy Mollet proposed during his visit to Britain that France merge with Britain and accept the Queen of England as the head of the merged country. Of course, his proposal was to increase his diplomatic voice and fight against the world hegemony of the United States and the Soviet Union!"

Listening to your introduction, Li Guoren was completely dumbfounded. Not only was he dumbfounded, even Li Yian was stunned when he saw this story for the first time - France wants to recognize the Queen of England as the head of state, isn't this fucking bullshit?
But the reality is so absurd and wonderful. If it weren't for the fact that this incident came from the memoirs of then British Prime Minister Robert Anthony Eden, I'm afraid everyone would think it was nonsense.

"Then the British must have refused!"

After a moment of shock, Li Guoren made his judgment directly. He glanced at the report on the desk and said:

"Otherwise, the French wouldn't have established the European Economic Community!"

"You are right. Although British Prime Minister Eden politely rejected this proposal, Moller still did not give up!"

With a smile on his face, Li Yian took a puff of his cigar and continued:
"He then proposed that France join the Commonwealth, but was still rejected."

"Eden will definitely not agree to this, because with our existence, the Commonwealth is no longer dominated by Britain alone. If France comes along, the Commonwealth will be in chaos!"

Li Guoren frowned, and when he thought about the current negotiations on the "Indian Ocean Bank" and other matters, he sighed helplessly in his heart.

"After all, no country will give up its dominant position!"

"So the discussion about the merger of Britain and France was not discussed anymore... and then."

Li Yian said, tapping his finger on the desk.

"So now we see them signing the Treaty of Rome and establishing the European Economic Community, which is France's second best option after failing to merge with the UK. With the promotion of France, Germany and other countries, they will further develop into the European Community and then the European Union."

Listening to your analysis, Li Guoren frowned and said:
"This seems like a long time,"

With a slight smile, Li Yian said:
"Yes, many things take time... Time will change everything, including Britain!"

Exhaling a puff of cigarette, the change that Li Yian mentioned refers to both Britain's later initiative to seek to join the European Community, and the reality that Britain will accept Nanyang replacing its position within the Commonwealth in the future. After all, this world has always been one that speaks based on strength.

(End of this chapter)