I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 362 Protection Fees

The income of the North Borneo Company cannot be compared with that of any enterprise under George's name.

Let’s put it this way, the monthly income of George’s glass factory in St. Petersburg, which produces packaging bottles for cosmetics, is much higher than the annual income of the company in North Borneo.

The glass factory now not only produces cosmetic packaging bottles, but also produces various industrial glasses. The telescopes produced by the Amur Arsenal and the microscopes produced by the St. Petersburg Instrument Factory are also provided by the glass factory.

Let’s not talk about the more profitable sunglasses lenses, as well as various lenses for myopia glasses and reading glasses.

So for ten thousand pounds, not to mention George, not even Gray would look down on him.

George earns more than 10,000 pounds just by taking a nap.

Gent was in complete despair. He had no idea what George was asking for or the future fate of the North Borneo Company.

George was not concerned with the fate of the North Borneo Company.

On July 7, Merit led 30 troops from the Eighth Army of the U.S. Expeditionary Force to arrive in Manila from the United States.

The U.S. and Philippine troops suffered only 119 casualties, while the Spanish defenders suffered 300 casualties.

The industrial strength of the United States has surpassed that of the United Kingdom and ranks first in the world.

In early October, Theodore Roosevelt, who became famous in the Spanish-American War and served as the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Navy, arrived in Vladivostok. While seeking the transfer of naval technology, he hoped to strengthen ties between the Russian and American armies.

On August 8, Spain requested an armistice.

So compared to Americans, a Russian grandson-in-law immediately becomes cute.

Unlike the Russian Empire, which is dominated by the army, since the first U.S. battleship "Maine" was commissioned in 1895, the United States now has 5 battleships and 5 more are under construction.

Not all of the 12 cruisers were built in Vladivostok. Due to the limited slipway of the Vladivostok Shipyard, only four cruisers were built in Vladivostok, and the remaining eight were built by American shipyards.

The outstanding performance of the Vladivostok cruiser in the Battle of Manila and the subsequent confrontation with British and French warships was highly praised by George Dewey.

Similar to the situation in Imperial Russia, the U.S. Navy also takes care of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and has an urgent need for cruisers.

Once the United States begins to build ships with all its strength, the Royal Navy's dominant position in the global ocean will be strongly challenged.

Then the United States' occupation of the Philippines made Britain feel a real threat.

As soon as the battle ended, Dewey tore up the agreement he had reached with the rebels and no longer supported the rebels' founding of the country. He used force to force the rebels to withdraw to the suburbs. The US military established a military government and monopolized Manila.

In October, the United States and Spain began armistice negotiations in Paris.

The Maine had sunk and was not included in the calculation.

The U.S. military also exposed many problems during the Spanish-American War.

If Russian forces invade Southeast Asia, it will sound the alarm for the United Kingdom.

On August 8, the U.S.-Philippine coalition launched a general attack on Manila. The Spanish defenders surrendered after a brief resistance.

While occupying Manila, the U.S. military successively occupied Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands.

In just four months, the Philippines changed hands, and the power structure in Southeast Asia was completely disrupted.

For example, the army is insufficiently prepared, the army-navy coordination is poor, the landing operations are poorly organized, etc. These problems all need to be resolved urgently.

Theodore Roosevelt gave George a large order for 12 cruisers.

The fee that should be paid will definitely not be small.

For this kind of order, the more George the better.

Technology transfer is no problem. Krupp has developed armor steel with similar performance. Even if George does not transfer it, the United States can still go to the Germans.

Artillery technology is the top priority.

Although the main guns used by American battleships applied hydraulic and spring technology, they were essentially retractable guns.

The main gun used by the Vladivostok cruiser is a tube-retractable gun, and the rate of fire is much faster than those fake "tube-retracted" guns.

Controlling technology was the main mission of Theodore Roosevelt's trip.

There was no conflict of interest between the Russian Empire and the United States. George agreed to transfer artillery technology. The only requirement was that the United States could only use it for its own use and could not sell it to others, let alone transfer the technology to other countries.

Theodore Roosevelt wished George had blocked technology.

Once this problem is solved, other problems can be solved.

The Americans were indeed very generous. Including four cruisers, as well as naval guns and armor technology, the Americans paid George a total of 4600 million rubles, of which 2000 million was technology transfer fees.

The boat George Dewey bought was a rush order, so the price was bound to be more expensive.

The Vladivostok Shipyard's current order list is also fully booked. The keel of the cruiser built for the US Navy will not be laid until the end of next year. The price of 600 million rubles per unit is very reasonable.

On the night the contract was signed, George hosted a banquet in honor of Theodore Roosevelt at the Guest House.

Theodore Roosevelt proposed at the dinner that he hoped to send army officers to Amur for exchange and study.

Despite the rich theoretical knowledge of Americans, in fact the United States is neither a land power nor a sea power, and it occupies neither.

The Americans have great ambitions. The army and navy are advancing hand in hand, grasping with both hands, and both hands must be strong.

The Russian Empire is a traditional land power country. It also defeated its sworn enemy in the Tenth Russo-Turkish War, so it naturally became a learning target for the US Army.

For Theodore Roosevelt's sake, George would not refuse to communicate.

There are many benefits to this exchange.

U.S. Army officers studying in Amur will definitely have a better impression of Amur.

After these army officers return to the United States, they will definitely be reused by the US Army. By then, the relationship between Russia and the United States will be further deepened.

The reason why George deliberately made friends with Theodore Roosevelt was that although Theodore Roosevelt had resigned from all public offices because of the Spanish-American War, he would enter politics next. Roosevelt Jr., who would serve four terms in the future, was the nephew of Theodore Roosevelt.

At the banquet, Theodore Roosevelt unabashedly revealed his true feelings to George, saying that after returning to the United States, he would run for governor of New York.

George knew what Theodore Roosevelt meant.

Theodore Roosevelt was born into a wealthy businessman's family. His father was a banker. His family was wealthy and he was no stranger to politics.

If he wanted to enter politics, Theodore Roosevelt's family's little money would not be enough, and he would need a lot of financial support.

George's third uncle Thierry is one of the financial backers of current US President McKinley.

McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt were both members of the Republican Party.

George now finally knew why Theodore Roosevelt gave money so freely.

Since Theodore Roosevelt was so happy, George naturally wanted to reciprocate.

"Then I wish you all your wishes will come true——"

George understands the righteousness, and there is a revolving door of politics and business. George understands what is going on.

"Thank you. When I was serving in the Admiralty, I heard people talking about you many times. Many people said that you were difficult to deal with. I must say that they were wrong. You are easier to deal with than all the British!"

Theodore Roosevelt was good at finding topics.

George's eyes lit up, today is Ruying? Then you have found the right person!
"The British are old-fashioned and arrogant, like gravekeepers in a cemetery. Don't compare them to me."

George hit the nail on the head.

"Hahahaha, as a Dutchman, I should hate you, but I can't hate you at all."

Theodore Roosevelt was already a qualified politician.

Theodore Roosevelt's big stick policy had a profound impact on the United States.

"The Dutch did too bad in the East Indies. They were stuck in their ways and did not want to make progress. The East Indies, like the Philippines, should have a brighter future."

George walked towards him.

After the Spanish-American War, the United States began to actively participate in international affairs and its influence grew.

Coincidentally, the Russian Empire also wanted to break the British blockade and expand its living space.

Although the United States defeated Spain decisively, it was worried about interference from certain countries, and its interests in the Philippines were not stable.

George's interests in East India also needed American support.

Didn't this hit it off right away?

George and Theodore Roosevelt worked well together, but Paul Dent suffered.

Before the threat of the North Borneo Company was resolved, news came from Xanadu that Seymour requested an increase in the cost of the garrison.

Dent went to Gray again, hoping that Gray would mediate and coordinate.

"It is not the duty of the Royal Navy to protect Sabah. Isn't it justifiable to pay extra for stationing sailors?"

Gray had a look of disgust on his face. He couldn't bear to part with this little money. He deserved to be beaten.

Dent was in trouble and couldn't tell.

Oil has not yet been discovered in Sabah. The North Borneo Company's main profit comes from forest resources, and the profits are not huge.

In order to obtain British protection, the North Borneo Company had to pay a large "protection fee" every year, which accounted for a large part of the company's income.

Now that the North Borneo Company is facing threats, Gray claims that the Royal Navy has no obligation to protect Sabah. Is the annual protection fee paid in vain?
"The empire does have the obligation to protect Sabah, but it must go through formal procedures. I don't need to remind you. You also know how long it will take to complete the procedures."

Gray was right, water from afar cannot quench the thirst that is near.

Dent was depressed and came to the bar to get drunk.

Ten thousand pounds can't buy George's forgiveness, but it can make Dent the god of the bar.

“Send the best wine, find the prettiest girls, don’t fool me with watered down vodka and Japanese women—”

Dent has a bottom line.

Throwing out a lot of pounds, Dent was immediately surrounded by warblers.

"Drink all this bottle, and all the money will be yours!"

Dent took out all the anger he had received from Gray in alcohol.

The girl sitting next to Dent fed Dent the champagne in her mouth and whispered in Dent's ear.

"Why don't you talk to me about what's bothering you?"

"What's the use of talking to you? Can you let me meet Grand Duke Yuriev's uncle?"

Dent was drunk and confused.

The girl blinked her big eyes, smiled and nodded.

Dent woke up instantly.

What Gray can't do, what can you, a dancer, do?

Dancing girls really can't do it.

But above the dancers there is the foreman, above the foreman there is the boss, and the boss’s boss can probably give the message.

(End of this chapter)