I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 804 Instigating Rebellion
There are some people in the UK now who blame Stanley Baldwin for the country's poor current situation.

This is unfair. Britain's predicament was not caused by a single British person, and no one can lead Britain out of the quagmire.

Britain's rapid rise thanks to the Industrial Revolution was itself a historical accident.

The decline of Britain was also inevitable. The World War was not the main culprit for the decline of Britain, but it objectively greatly accelerated the process of Britain's decline.

On September 9, at the same time as Baldwin visited the United States, former Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes, as a special envoy of current Prime Minister Stanley Bruce, met with Western Australian Prime Minister Gordon in Coconut City.

At this time, it had been more than two months since the Battle of Perth, and there was less and less information about the British counterattack. Public opinion generally believed that London had lost its ability to counterattack.

Canberra did not take things too far. Billy Hughes arrived in Coconut City secretly without any fanfare and stayed at the East India Hotel.

Gordon also stayed at the East India Hotel.

Compared with two months ago, Gordon was in high spirits. His main purpose of coming to Coconut City this time was to sign an agreement on comprehensive and in-depth economic and trade cooperation with the Grand Duchy of Yuriev, and he only met Billy Hughes by chance.

The Minister of Commerce of the Grand Duchy of Yuriev, Brack, welcomed Billy Hughes' arrival and took the initiative to invite Billy Hughes to attend the signing ceremony between the Grand Duchy of Yuriev and Theo.

"Sorry, I just want an undisturbed trip and don't want to get involved in any political activities."

Billy Hughes flatly refused.

"I understand your feelings, but please believe that the Grand Duchy of Yuriev is absolutely capable of protecting its partners."

There is no need for Black to rush, as Canberra will come to Coconut City for negotiations sooner or later.

Russia also needs Australian wool and wheat.

Selling wool and wheat to the Grand Duchy of Yuriev will bring more profits to Australian government farmers. Once the farmers realize this, they will force Canberra to take the initiative to cooperate with the Grand Duchy of Yuriev.

This is the characteristic of elected governments. If Australian politicians ignore public opinion, they will not get votes.

If Billy Hughes doesn't take the bait, Canberra will have to work hard to gain better bargaining chips even if it wants to join the Russian camp.

The situation is now becoming increasingly clear. Britain and France are unable to take care of themselves, and Russia is rapidly expanding its sphere of influence. If they cannot defeat them, they will have to join.

The impact of the British defeat at Perth was more serious than expected.

If the independence of South Africa and Egypt sounded the death knell for the fall of the British Empire.

Ireland and Theo set the best example for all the British colonies.

Just after the Battle of Perth ended, major uprisings against British colonial rule broke out in Ghana and Kenya in Africa, and Iqra and Yemen were also ready to move.

To make matters worse, the Kingdom of Italy also began to show its fangs towards the British Empire, invading southern Somalia and endangering Britain's colonial rule in northern Somalia.

It is really regrettable that India, which has always been clamoring to become a dominion, is still honestly practicing non-violent non-cooperation when the Commonwealth is in turmoil.

After the celebratory reception held by the Grand Duchy of Yuriev for the signing ceremony, Billy Hughes finally got the chance to meet Gordon alone.

Billy Hughes and Gordon were once colleagues and were no strangers to each other.

Gordon, who had just signed, was very happy. He shook Billy Hughes' hand and shouted that he wanted to buy Billy Hughes a drink.

Billy Hughes was helpless. It seemed that Gordon was drunk and not fit to communicate.

Gordon did drink a lot, but it was definitely not to drown his sorrows.

"Billy, I'm so happy today. I got the advance payment from the Russians. I can finally send the overdue pensions to the mothers who lost their sons. This is not my fault, but it is my responsibility."

Gordon's words were filled with deep hatred for Britain.

The consequences of Britain's broken promise were ultimately borne by the Australians, and Gordon himself had relatives who died in the war in Europe.

"Congratulations--" Billy Hughes smiled bitterly.

Billy Hughes was Prime Minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923.

If anyone is to be held accountable, Billy Hughes bears greater responsibility.

"Don't congratulate me. This is not the result I want. Henk told me that I should use the money to buy more fighter jets and armored vehicles, but that is not what I want. This is a debt we owe, don't you understand? It's not just a debt of money, but also a debt of conscience."

Henk was a friend of Gordon's and served as Foreign Minister in the Western Austrian government.

Billy Hughes was speechless. The debt of conscience he owed was no less than Gordon's.

"I know what you want to say to me, and I also know that the Russians have ulterior motives, but at least the Russians can treat us more fairly instead of just exploiting and demanding -"

Gordon kept on talking, not caring that this was Russian territory.

"I don't want to be manipulated like a slave anymore. Damn the Prime Minister, damn the King—"

Gordon was drunk and started swearing.

Billy Hughes spent a long time alone on the hotel balcony that night.

The next day, Gordon got up near noon and invited Billy Hughes to have lunch.

After lunch, Gordon will leave Coconut City by plane.

"Sorry, I drank too much yesterday-"

Gordon apologized for his gaffe last night.

"Don't apologize, I understand how you feel."

Billy Hughes is still very understanding.

"You don't understand enough. If you can negotiate with the Russians on an equal footing, you will understand the meaning of respect."

Gordon said meaningfully.

“Do you feel that the negotiations between you and the Russians were equal?”

Billy Hughes calmly said that there could be no real equality between Theo and Grand Duchy Yuriev.

"So what? Sell wool and ore to the Russians. The Russians will give me a better price than London. Theo can also get better quality goods from the Grand Duchy of Yuriev at a lower cost, bringing a better quality of life to the people of Theo. As for equality - hehe -"

Gordon didn't argue. They were all dogs, but some dogs ate meat and bones every day, while others only had leftovers.

"At least we're all British—"

Billy Hughes' usual speech suddenly stopped working.

Australians consider themselves British too.

But does the British treat Australians as their own people?

"Billy, I have always respected you, and Australians respect you too. Don't let down those who respect you."

Billy Hughes never expected that Gordon would actually turn against him.

What horrified Billy Hughes was that he was not disgusted by Gordon's rebellion.

(End of this chapter)