Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 1796 Fat Meat Delivered to Your Door (First Update, Please Subscribe)
Old friends from the other side of the Pacific haven't arrived yet.

Another old friend who is not far away is coming to visit: Australia.

SEA and Australia have always had extremely close business cooperation. In the past two decades, SEA has been Australia's largest financier, investing in coal, iron, copper, uranium, gold and other mineral resources in Australia.

In the past year alone, SEA imported more than 1.8 million tons of iron ore and 3 million tons of coal from Australia, plus other minerals. It can be said that it is thanks to SEA that Australia has leapt from a country on the back of sheep to a country on a mine cart. To some extent, Australia is SEA's mine cart.

In the past 20 years, SEA's economy has developed rapidly, and so has Australia. To some extent, Australia's economic development has even exceeded that of SEA. After all, Australia has a small population.

It is precisely because of the close economic and trade cooperation and economic complementarity, plus the fact that both are Commonwealth countries, that the relationship between them is very close.

Even a few years ago, SEA reached an agreement with Australia and New Zealand to formally establish intelligence cooperation and set up intelligence sharing and personnel exchange mechanisms to jointly respond to the Soviet threat.

To a certain extent, the SEA, Australia and the almost non-existent New Zealand constitute the cornerstone of the free world in the Western Pacific region.

However, unlike SEA which has the reputation of being the "right hand of the free world", Australia is definitely the thugs of the free world and will really take action when something happens - in Vietnam, there were thousands of Australian troops bleeding for the free world!
So, he is the real right hand.

To put it bluntly, the reason why Australia is so active is because of fear. More than a decade ago, in order to ensure its own security, Australia signed a military alliance treaty with the United States. The US-Australia military alliance is the cornerstone of Australia's national security. This is also the reason why they deployed a large number of troops to Vietnam. Australia believes that this is their obligation and responsibility as an ally.

In fact, as an ally, Australia is still very competent.

However, this kind of competence is often betrayed, just like the Australian Imperial Army was wasted as artillery during World War I, but they were stubborn and didn't care.

And now?

The reason why John Gregory Gorton visited Chang'an was actually very simple - the United States was abandoning Saigon.

"Sir, you must have seen Nixon's speech. He has decided to abandon Saigon."

In the reception room of the official residence, John Gregory Gorton looked at Li Yian with a serious expression and a solemn tone. To be honest, he didn't care about Saigon at all. What he cared about was... the Western Pacific, or in other words, Australia's own safety.

"Yes, I have seen his New Year's speech...end the war at all costs."

Li Yian said sarcastically:

"The price will definitely not be borne by the United States, but most likely by us. After all, we will have to face more severe regional pressure next, especially after the withdrawal of the United States."

"Yes, sir. After Nixon chose to withdraw from Saigon, they did not just withdraw from Saigon, but from the entire Western Pacific region. According to the intelligence we have, Nixon is likely to withdraw from the entire Western Pacific region."

John Greg Gorton turned his eyes to Li Yian. The gentleman in front of him was a legendary figure even in Australia, not only because he was Princess Margaret's husband, but more importantly because of the miracles he created.

And Australia has benefited greatly from it over the years.

"Withdraw from the entire Western Pacific region..."

Li Yian pretended to be surprised and said:

"What does he want to do? Want to abandon all his allies?"

In fact, Li Yian already knew Nixon’s plan—Europe first!

Nixon planned to abandon "loss-making" Asia and focus his attention on Europe. In another world, he and Carter did not implement this plan because there was too much opposition and mainly because there was no one to take over.

But now, they have found a buyer - SEA.

"Instead of simply abandoning them, they want SEA to assume regional security responsibilities and obligations,"

John looked at Li Yian and said:

"That is to say, Your Excellency, your SEA will be responsible for the security of the entire Western Pacific region."

"But the United States pulled out, and he wanted to push us to the forefront against the Soviet Union after their defeat in Vietnam!"

Li Yian snorted, then said:

"Is this his plan?"

"Yes, we will be forced to face all the pressure, so..."

John Gray Gorton looked at Li Yian and said:

"I think we need to communicate about this change so that we can solve future problems." To put it bluntly, the reason why Gorton came here was to seek security. After the United States backed down, Australia needed a new umbrella of protection. The United Kingdom was too far away and could not be relied upon militarily, so SEA was the most suitable.

“That is to say, we need to build a Western Pacific security system without the United States. Your Excellency, I believe that the SEA should assume this responsibility and play a corresponding role.”

Well, this is flattery...

Faced with the compliment, Li Yian fell into deep thought. He was considering the pros and cons of this matter, and also considering Gordon - this guy could be called a legend.

He was a landowner who was married to Comey, an airman who was shot down in World War II but survived, a man who became prime minister because his predecessor accidentally drowned, he once admitted that he was an alcoholic and had an affair with his secretary, and he was the only person in Australian history to become prime minister while being a senator.

In short, his life is a legend.

Perhaps, it was precisely because of this legend that Gordon ran to Chang'an to seek protection here. What was the biggest impact of World War II on Australia?
Australia understands one thing - even if it is independent of the world, it will still be threatened by war, so it will cling to the thigh of the United States. Now that it can no longer cling to the thigh of the United States, it will take decisive action and choose the thigh of SEA.

In fact, Li Yian has always coveted Australia. Anyone would be the same. After all, Australia has such a vast territory, such rich resources, and such a small population.

If it had been 100 years ago, if we hadn't annexed Australia, we would have felt guilty about being so close to it.

But now it is the second half of the 20th century, and territorial expansion is obviously unrealistic. SEA has been jumping back and forth, but it can still make friends with the whole world. To put it bluntly, it is because Li Yian knows where their bottom line is - not seeking territorial expansion. This is also the rule of the post-war world. Any country that wants to break this rule will inevitably pay a price.

Unless one day you have the power to break the rules, you must abide by the basic rules of this world. It has nothing to do with anything else. It is purely reality. The reality is... at least in the next half century, no country has the power to break the world rules without paying a price.

Therefore, Li Yian has always been mainly focusing on commercial investment in Australia. His early investment in iron ore relied on the title of Princess Margaret. As a loyal dog of the empire, Australia respects the British royal family far more than the British themselves. Therefore, with the princess around, there is no need to worry that Australia will dare to swallow up iron ore and other minerals.

As for later, after Miss Ping came into being, it was up to us to rely on our own fists to protect our overseas interests. Moreover, SEA is now certified by the British royal family and Downing Street - a core member of the Commonwealth with the same status as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

When the Commonwealth meetings are held, SEA always sits in the front row. There is nothing we can do about it. Even Great Britain cannot do without the fist of SEA.

So, we are all relatives...

However, just because they are relatives, they care about their family's one-third acre of land. Li Yian has been thinking about Australia for many years.

Annexation is unrealistic, but strengthening cooperation and even integration of the two countries, like the European Community, is not impossible.

Suddenly, an idea flashed in Li Yian’s mind - what if a small federation was created under the Commonwealth?
Little Federation...

Thinking this in his mind, Li Yian's eyes changed as he looked at Gordon.

"Building a security system in the Western Pacific..."

Li Yian pondered for a moment, then looked at Gordon in front of him and said.

"We do need to consider the security issues of the entire Western Pacific region after the United States leaves. After all, the Russians have already raised their military boots to the Pacific Ocean. If we do not build a security system of our own, how can we resist them when Russia launches a war against us in the future?"

Then Li Yian talked about the regional situation. In his words, the situation in the Western Pacific region can be described as being in danger. After all, the bluff of the United States has been seen through by outsiders. In this case, Vietnam is just the beginning. First Vietnam, then the entire Southeast Asia, and then SEA, that is, Australia.

In a word, the danger now is very great, and it can even be said that it far exceeds the danger on the eve of World War II.

So we must make plans early. Of course, Gordon strongly agrees with Li Yian's judgment, which is also the fundamental reason why he came here.

As a fighter pilot, what sense of security did he have? He was well aware of the Russians' desire for expansion and the possible harm of war. It was precisely to avoid the outbreak of war that he came here.

"Yes, sir, so we need to work together to ensure peace in the region so that we can keep ourselves safe."

A consensus was reached quickly, which made Gordon very happy. He even felt that the trip was worthwhile. At this time, he heard Li Yian say:

"but……"

Although it was just two words, Gordon's heart trembled when he heard them.

Now what but?
Don't think so, I've come to your door, let's work together to protect ourselves.

Just as Gordon was thinking this in his heart, Li Yian continued.

"We have to think further ahead. Our problems are not just security issues, but also economic and other aspects. I think we should further strengthen cooperation in all aspects."

(End of this chapter)