Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 309: Cotton, military rations, are these going to be used to go to war with the United States?

"The Bank of Moscow can open a branch in Penang. There is no problem with that. We also welcome Soviet oil and other metal minerals to be settled and delivered on the Penang exchange for futures and spot trading."

It was not surprising to Zheng Yi that the main purpose of the secret talks between him and the Soviet envoy was for these things.

The Soviet Union was a major oil exporter. Even under the Iron Curtain, it was actually selling oil to Europe through various means. Moreover, it is far from the time when the Iron Curtain was at its thickest. In fact, because of Zheng Yi, the relationship between the two superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States, is much more relaxed than in history.

The increase in oil prices, at least in the so-called free world, is definitely a very good thing for the Soviet Union. They are naturally happy to see it happen and are willing to cooperate with Zheng Yi, and Zheng Yi actually needs their cooperation.

As for the construction of the Bank of Moscow, it is actually something that everyone needs. Historically, this bank was also built in Singapore. The listing of Soviet-Russian oil futures on the Penang Stock Exchange is a good thing for both parties. Penang has actually become a window opened by both sides of the Iron Curtain, which is actually a very good thing.

At least it is unlikely that this place will become a battlefield, just like Singapore in history. Unless it is absolutely necessary, neither side will choose to cause trouble here.

Just as the female spy said, they were not enemies. Zheng Yi even allowed them to set up a liaison station in Penang openly. Next time they wanted to ask for a meeting, they would not have to use such a scary method.

It's easy to cause psychological trauma to people.

"By the way, Mr. Zheng, we have another unwelcome request. Your company is already at the forefront of the world in the civilian use of nuclear energy. Could you share some of your technology with us? We are willing to exchange our other technologies for it."

Zheng Yi seemed quite generous about this, saying, "In principle, I personally agree to communicate with you on the issue of nuclear energy utilization. No matter what, using nuclear energy to benefit humanity rather than destroy it is always a good thing."

This is actually the basis for SAARC to stand tall in the world. After all, they can build nuclear power plants by themselves. Although they are still far from being able to produce nuclear bombs, everyone knows that this is not too difficult for SAARC.

Not only these Chinese in Southeast Asia, in fact, those capitalists in the United States, especially Rockefeller and others, are extremely interested in this aspect. They have approached him many times, hoping that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation can research its own nuclear bombs.

After all, the SAARC belongs to everyone, not Zheng Yi, and the US nuclear bombs belong to the country, not to capitalists like them.

On the contrary, Zheng Yi has been suppressing these ambitious people who are ready to make moves, telling them not to do this thing at all, as it is still too sensitive.

"Mr. Zheng, will you liberate all of Africa next?"

Zheng Yi was also blunt: "It's hard to say. It depends on the specific situation. After all, the situation in Africa is too complicated. Moreover, the French are clearly retreating. Those in power in South Africa have been compradors to France for too long. The internal conflicts are also quite complicated. So I don't dare to act rashly."

"You know, the Southern African Alliance is essentially a commercial alliance. Most of my direct forces are in Southeast Asia. To put it bluntly, whether to make a move depends on whether the place is valuable, or whether the management costs can be recovered. After all, South Africa doesn't have as valuable oil fields as North Africa. You can't start a war just for a few bananas. Unlike you, who are all fighting for ideals, we are just fighting for desires."

The Soviet envoy smiled and said, "Mr. Zheng is too modest. In fact, we have always evaluated you and the Southern Alliance. Our evaluation of the Southern Alliance is neutral, with both advantages and disadvantages for us. However, we still have a good impression of you personally. We are also old friends."

"As far as I know, your homeland is undergoing a tremendous change. A large number of reactionaries have fled to Southeast Asia, including Penang and Singapore. How do you plan to resettle these people?"

Zheng Yi: "How else can I resettle them? They come with money, and as long as they can afford commercial housing in Penang, I welcome them. So, are you collecting their debts for them?"

"No, I was just asking. Mr. Zheng seems to be a patriot, and your political stance seems to have some similarities with ours, so I thought..."

Zheng Yi heard this and interrupted with a smile, "Sorry, I'm not an idealist. I also know that many of the Chinese who have recently fled to Southeast Asia are considered scum in China, not to mention that many of them simply bring national treasury with them."

"But Penang is positioned as a financial free port. Money and people can come and go freely. I cannot restrict money for any reason. Whether it's domestic or foreign, people from all over the world, as long as they bring money into Penang, I have to welcome them."

"Some people came with money, and I didn't stop them. But some people chose to take money or technology back with them. Honestly, I hated this process, because those who gave up everything in Southeast Asia and returned home at this time, in my opinion, are at least people of noble character and worthy of respect."

"On the contrary, many of those who have recently come to SAARC, especially those who can afford to buy houses in Penang, are morally corrupt. This is not good for the long-term development of SAARC. But I can't do anything about it. If you are lobbying for people in our country, then forget it. To be honest, it's not your turn. You may know that even my eldest brother's son, Jilong, has returned."

"As for my ideology... Ideology, to put it bluntly, is what the US says it is. If they say you have a free economy, you have one. If they say you don't, you don't. Our SAARC economy is so successful, so of course it's a free market economy."

Strictly speaking, this is a question of definitional power. Many people tend to ignore the US's definitional hegemony when talking about US hegemony.

The simplest question is, are the economic development models of postwar Japan and South Korea truly so-called free market economies? Especially Japan.

If we really talk about ideology, Japan is far more like the Soviet Union than the United States.

But the United States says it has a free market economy, and they themselves also say they have a free market economy.

On the contrary, the ideologies and political models of those countries in Africa and Latin America are very similar to those of the United States, or even exactly the same.

But the United States can insist that it is not freedom and democracy, not a civilized world, and even insist that it was the Soviet Union's little brother who did not hesitate to take action to start the war.

What a bullshit ideology! It's nothing but the confusion of the authorities. If they really talk about ideology, why didn't we see the Soviet Union supporting Japan?
Of course, he also understood what the envoy meant. To put it bluntly, everyone could see that Zheng Yi was a patriot, and everyone hoped to gain some real benefits through Zheng Yi's nationalism.

Giving benefits to the domestic country is equivalent to giving benefits to the Soviet Union, especially in terms of technology. With the domestic industrial capacity, it is impossible to digest any technology, and then we will have to find the big brother to share it.

Zheng Yi actually really wanted to help, but the timing was not yet ripe and he had no choice.

"Well, since you put it that way... then, can I buy some cotton from you on their behalf? Your country will be in urgent need of large quantities of cotton-padded clothes in the near future."

Zheng Yi was stunned when he heard this, and stood up immediately: "What did you say, cotton-padded jacket? Or do you want to fight?"

"Oh? Mr. Zheng, have you guessed something?"

Zheng Yi's face turned gloomy when he heard this.

"Mr. Zheng, I can't tell you too much. After all, this is actually our state secret. I'm just asking you to buy some cotton clothes out of personal feelings. Of course, if you guessed it yourself, Mr. Zheng, I can't do anything about it. It has nothing to do with me."

Zheng Yi nodded when he heard this, sat down again and tried to remain calm.

Cotton. It's really hard to deal with the Soviet Union right now. Although the Soviet Union is also vigorously promoting its own domestic cotton and has a large cotton planting base in Uzbekistan, after all, the promotion and planting time is still young, and the output is just starting to increase. Their own domestic demand is really too great, so supporting them is bound to be painful.

"I see. I'll stock up on some cotton."

He originally thought that the war in history would not be fought. After all, history has changed beyond recognition, the United States has not entered McCarthyism, and the Democratic Party is about to be out of office.

The Second Middle East War is about to break out, and the British are starting to assemble their troops!
Of course, if you think about it, you will understand that the more the Democrats and the Republicans win, the more they will do something to show their existence.

Since they only know how to do these empty things, they will naturally try their best to find something to do and take part in it personally. It is not impossible. This is also an opportunity handed to the Democratic Party.

It is beneficial to this year's election.

"These parasites in the Democratic Party will not only erode the country for the sake of their party's interests, they will even disregard the world. They are a bunch of useless bastards who can do nothing but embezzle and curry favor with voters!"

The Soviet envoy smiled, knowing that Zheng Yi had understood everything he meant, so he said no more. However, he couldn't help but be surprised at Zheng Yi's sharpness in his heart.

"Does the Persian Gulf require help from our Soviet navy?"

"No need, we can handle the situation here."

After that, the two of them left without talking about anything else.

Zheng Yi almost immediately contacted Penang and requested to purchase large quantities of cotton futures. He even placed large orders for cotton clothes with factories in Johor and Siam.

Although there are textile factories everywhere in Nanyang now, most of them do not have many orders for cotton-padded clothes. After all, there is no need for cotton-padded clothes in Nanyang.

People in Penang were also a little confused and had no idea what was going on. How could cotton be used in the Middle East?

In fact, cotton is not easy to get. It is the early 50s. Egypt grows long-staple cotton, which is sold as luxury goods. The focus is on quality rather than quality. The world's largest cotton producer is the United States. The United States' cotton production accounts for more than 40% of the world's total, and its exports account for more than 60% of the world's total. Apart from the United States, India is the only major cotton exporter in the world.

India's cotton production is about 300 million bales, or more than tons, which is quite a bit less than that of the United States and the Soviet Union. But fortunately, India has little domestic demand, so most of it can be exported as long as it pays extra money.

After all, World War II had just ended, and cotton planting was a relatively high-end thing in the world.

"Uncle, the British are forcing the Suez Canal, apparently trying to take it back."

A few days later, when Zheng Yi was still busy, Li Jianqiao came over.

"It doesn't matter. They're struggling to survive. Let them do whatever they want."

Egypt now has the help of General Wei. Although it still cannot prevent the British navy from entering the Suez Canal area, it can definitely stop the British by setting up troops on the shore and blocking them layer by layer.

Historically, the British were able to win successive military victories in the Second Middle East War because Israel had helped the British. However, in this time and space, Israel not only did not help Britain, but instead sent planes to bomb the British navy.

Fatty Qiu is not crazy after all. He dares to take action against Egypt and Iran, but he absolutely dares not send troops to attack Israel. After all, the British loan of more than 10 billion US dollars has not yet been fully received.

"Let them fight. It doesn't matter at all. As long as the British army cannot enter Cairo, the longer this war lasts, the more serious the inflation in Europe will become. The British are now affecting the interests of the entire Europe."

"The blockade of the Suez Canal has caused a drop of at least 3% in the number of cargo ships traveling to and from Europe, and a rise in freight rates of over 40%, especially for oil. The Middle East and Africa are refusing to ship oil to Europe, and our Nanyang oil supply is even less likely to be sold. If American oil doesn't go through the Suez Canal, the cost will be even higher."

"Besides, this would actually be beneficial to the development of Tunisia. If the war lasts longer, Mediterranean trade will flourish. The British won't be able to get supplies from land, and they don't even have enough oil. What's the point of them occupying a broken canal? How long can they hold out if they have to transport supplies from the UK? Is Britain rich now?"

After all, this was only the early 50s, and Britain itself was in ruins. In fact, people in Britain had already started to make trouble with Fatty Qiu.

The huge colonial empire was more of a burden than a benefit to Britain. What a bullshit imperial glory.

"The British are just clowns right now. Don't bother with them. Right now, cotton-padded clothes are the most important thing. Also, get all the food processing factories in Sunshine, Alor Setar, and Singkawang to produce some military rations for me. I'll pay for it. Urgent."

Hearing this, Li Jianqiao did not move, but frowned deeply.

"what happened?"

"Are the cotton-padded clothes and military rations...support for the country?"

Zheng Yi was stunned for a moment, then looked at Li Jianqiao with a smile: "You have made progress. Then tell me where you used it."

"Then it can only be the Peninsula, but...right now, the North is winning victory after victory, and the South is about to collapse. So...if we really need to use these things, who will be the opponent?"

Zheng Yi: "What do you think?"

"It can't be...it can't be...America."

Zheng Yi: "It's all uncertain, so I'm prepared for any eventuality."

"Sir, if it's really the United States, we...we...didn't you say we are the Americans' running dogs? Then what are these things? Are we fighting the Americans? If the Americans regard us as enemies, the Southern Association for Regional Cooperation will probably be in danger of destruction. Are you sure you want to take such a big risk and continue to prepare so many things?"

Hearing this, Zheng Yi just smiled and patted Li Jianqiao on the shoulder without saying anything.

At this moment, even the secretary who had been following him for many years didn't know what he was thinking.

(End of this chapter)