Chapter 868 Killing Two Birds at One Time

The difference between Canada and Australia is that Australia is an island country.

Being an island country means having nowhere to go and having to rely on the navy.

At this time, Britain was very confident in its navy. After all, it was the world's number one navy with 33 battleships, not including the backward pre-dreadnoughts. The total tonnage of the navy reached an astonishing 2.71 million tons.

Under this circumstance, Britain was very confident in Australia, providing it with weapons and production rights.

If Australia resists, just send the navy to surround it.

Canada is different. It is adjacent to the United States in America and is a country that may escape from Britain and throw itself into the arms of the United States at any time.

Therefore, Britain has always been wary of Canada and consciously restricted Canada's military industrial development.

The more my opponent fears something, the more I should give it to him, thought Ciel.

In addition, the reason why Canada joined the American camp after breaking away from Britain was that it was too close to the United States and the gap between them was too big, so it could not catch up or defeat the United States at all.

In this case, lying down and hugging someone's thighs is the best and only option.

What Charles needs to do now is to give Canada hope.

If Shire can help Canada build a strong industry or even have a slight lead in technology, enabling it to compete with the United States, or if the United States has to pay a heavy price to defeat it, then the two old enemies are less likely to be at odds with each other.

(Note: There was a war between the United States and Canada, and both sides captured each other's capitals, burned, killed and looted)

Before Charles finished his cup of coffee, Major General Liam came back, with excitement, desire, and even greed in his eyes.

"Your Excellency, Lieutenant General." Major General Liam said, "I just spoke to the Prime Minister on the phone. He very much welcomes Bernard's cooperation with Canada and authorized me to discuss relevant matters with you."

"Very good." Charles nodded: "But I want to know, you only need the right to produce rifles?"

Major General Liam stared at Charles with his mouth open. It took him a long while to react. “You, you mean, you can give us the production rights for other equipment?”

"Of course." Charles spread his hands generously: "Why not? You are allies. Helping you build military industry is in the interests of France and the Allies."

"Of course, Lieutenant General." Major General Liam's face was full of smiles, and his eyes were shining: "Thank you very much!"

It would be great to be an ally of France. Charles could potentially help support our entire military industry.

Liam never thought that war could have such unexpected benefits.

"Well," Major General Liam said hesitantly, "let's talk about the price. You know, due to financial problems, we may only be able to choose part of them..."

“That’s exactly one of the problems, Major General.” Ciel interrupted Liam: “How are you going to settle this?”

This stumped Liam.

It is impossible to use Canadian dollars. There is not much trading volume between France and Canada, and it is impossible to travel thousands of miles to Canada with Canadian dollars to buy things.

After thinking for a moment, Liam asked, "In pounds?"

The British pound was the core currency during this period, and about 60% of global international trade was conducted in British pound.

Charles shook his head slightly. "You know, the pound has been depreciating due to the war. We don't have much demand for British supplies."

Britain's own supplies are all shipped from the United States, so what else can it sell to France?

Liam asked again, "So, in US dollars?"

Charles smiled. "I'd love to accept US dollars, but do you have that many?"

There is no problem with spending US dollars, as Bernard's company still owes the United States a loan.

But Canada was a British colony, and its foreign affairs and trade were mostly controlled by the British, so the Canadian government had very few US dollars.

Major General Liam was a little embarrassed: "You are right, Lieutenant General, this is not a suitable choice either."

"How about this," Charles suggested: "It would be different if the Canadian side could allow Bernard to purchase assets such as companies, real estate and mineral resources. This means we can settle in Canadian dollars and then purchase assets with Canadian dollars."

Major General Liam was stunned: "But Lieutenant General, you know, we have no control over mineral resources."

The United Kingdom and Canada signed the Imperial Resources Mobilization Act, which stipulates that the United Kingdom can have priority access to Canadian mineral assets, especially strategic metals nickel and copper.

Charles sighed, unbuttoned his raincoat, took out a prepared price list from his pocket and handed it over:

"That seems to be unavoidable. This is the equipment production rights and price I originally wanted to give your country."

"It's a pity that you don't have anything to trade with Bernard Company."

"If you think of something to trade someday, feel free to contact me!"

Having said that, Charles stood up and left without any hesitation, as if he had given up hope on this transaction.

But that's not the case.

Shire's prices to Canada are very attractive, almost half price.

The only problem is that Canada must take the resources and minerals back from the British colonists before purchasing these things.

Then give them to Charles.

By spending a little money, you can provoke a conflict between Canada and Britain, obtain Canada's minerals to strangle its lifeline, and help Canada grow into an enemy of the United States.

Why not kill two birds with one stone?

…

Sure enough, Liam's eyes widened when he took the list from Ciel.

The licensed production cost of the M1 rifle was only 100,000 Canadian dollars, and he heard that the United States wanted to purchase the production rights for 300,000 US dollars but was rejected.

(Note: During World War I, 1 Canadian dollar was approximately equal to 1 U.S. dollar)

There are also mortars, "Saint-Etienne 2" light machine guns, submachine guns, grenades...

The most outrageous thing is that Liam also saw the authorized production of the "Camel" fighter listed below, which only costs 300,000 Canadian dollars!

"My God, this is a Camel fighter." Liam exclaimed, "I can't believe it. This is the most advanced fighter. The United States doesn't even have it."

Major General Liam, who had participated in the battle, knew that if Canada had the Camel fighter, it would have air superiority.

By then, not only will it be possible to break away from British control, but it will also be possible to prevent the United States from invading in possible future wars.

Major General Liam was extremely excited. This was true independence.

Not only independence, Canada has the potential to develop into a powerful country!

"No, no, we must take these equipment." Major General Liam walked quickly into the telecommunications room with a list:

"Send a telegram to the Prime Minister: The transaction list given to us by Charles includes the production rights of a full set of light equipment, as well as the Camel fighter."

"The prices are within our reach, I mean, they're reasonable and even cheap."

"The problem is that we have to regain control of the mineral resources and then use them to trade with the Shire!"

(End of this chapter)