Chapter 650: Ice and Fire
Once a world war broke out, the only two routes planned were the Atlantic route, which was easily blocked by the British Navy. However, because the United States was a country that could change the course of the world war, the British Navy did not take a hard approach.
The other route was to enter the Persian Gulf via the Pacific Ocean and deliver supplies to the Ottoman Empire. The problem was still the British Navy. The existence of the British Navy was the reason why the slave owners were so eager to keep the Kingdom of Italy in the Central Powers.
In the hope of a domino effect, the French Navy would not be strong enough to suppress the Italian Navy and the Austro-Hungarian Navy, and would inevitably need the assistance of the British Royal Navy. However, the British Navy's assistance would have to maintain the advantage of the German High Seas Fleet, the most powerful Allied force, and it could only draw on warships deployed at other bases around the world.
In this way, the British Navy's control over the world will be weakened, and the United States will have smoother business on both ends. The two camps will be balanced in strength, and perhaps a world war will be enough to make the United States a global power.
Good news always comes one after another. The two Courbet-class battleships ordered by the United Company in France have been launched. Upon hearing the good news, the slave owner hugged Anne and kissed her hard on her red lips.
At this time, especially on naval issues, any move to bring the two camps closer to a balance is precious. Although the indicators and data of the Courbet-class battleships are difficult to describe, they are still battleships after all.
"If the war breaks out, it would be even better if we could lease the two battleships from the Beiyang government. It's not that we can't negotiate. They will just rust if they are left in the port. It's better for me to keep the ocean routes open." Sheffield asked himself, as long as the price is right, it's not that we can't negotiate. The two battleships were built by his own shipyard. What's wrong with borrowing them back for use? It's not like he won't pay rent, right?
"Dear John, how is your hospital construction going? Do you have any connections in the current Chinese government that can be used?" Sheffield, who was cramming at the last minute, once again discovered the value of Rockefeller Jr. and made the call without hesitation.
"You called for no good reason. Just tell me what your purpose is." Rockefeller Jr. said unhappily, "You are living an easy life now. I heard that you are filming a movie in your own estate?"
"I can't take a break yet. Today's rest is for tomorrow's busyness. I don't have much time to rest." Sheffield was unhappy when he heard it. He worked hard every day to reduce the parasites on Mother Earth. How could he have nothing to do? Who dares to say that killing people is not a big deal?
But for Edith Rockefeller's sake, he could let it slide with the oil tycoon. They were all family, not only relatives, but also class solidarity. It was much more useful to speak out the truth than to be hypocritically polite.
After getting the list of contacts from Rockefeller Jr., he hung up the phone without hesitation. In the affairs of the United States, he could share profits with other large companies, and even give up shares in United Motors in exchange for unity among monopoly capitalists, but on the issue of internationalization, he didn't need to be so affectionate.
In developing overseas markets, everyone relies on their own abilities, and it is normal to trip each other up. Don't even mention cooperation, as that would be considered awkward. It took Sheffield three days to organize a group of decent sailors to go to the Beiyang government to fulfill the follow-up of the contract, which was to help the Beiyang Navy maximize the combat effectiveness of its warships. Among them was Mr. Rand, who was responsible for borrowing warships at specific times.
"You build warships and you have to pay rent for them? I've always admired your business skills, but I don't understand it this time." When Rand contacted Sheffield, his tone was as if he had seen aliens.
"Am I a person who abides by business rules? There's nothing wrong with doing things for money. And I won't offend other countries without reason." Sheffield gave his own explanation and urged Rand to get on the road quickly and stop asking so much nonsense.
Hearing his partner speak in this tone, the slave owner couldn't help but think of the British traitor Churchill. Although the Ottoman Empire was ruled by the pro-German faction before the war, the overall strength of the Allies was stronger. The Ottoman Empire did not necessarily have to oppose the Allies. At least it was possible to collect money from both sides and secretly restore its strength.
But the extraordinary Churchill believed that the Ottoman Empire was not worth two battleships. Not only did he not give them the battleships, he was unwilling to even refund the advance payment. As a result, the Ottoman Empire joined the Allies in anger and blocked the extremely important Eastern Front of the Russian Empire. Facing the siege of the Allies alone, the Russian Empire collapsed first in the world war.
If it weren't for the United States, the rebellious son, supporting its father, the 300-year-old British Empire would have been gone.
When the slave owner heard his partner say this, he immediately thought of Churchill's miraculous operation. Not scolding him on the spot was already a sign of respect for this partner. But after calming down, he called Rand again and asked him to have a good talk after arriving in the East, and everything should be based on business rules. Finally, he said, "I am not so poor that I can't pay the rent. The reputation of the joint company is more important than anything else."
Even a rotten ship has its own shortcomings. Just looking at the Ottoman Empire's performance in the Italo-Turkish War, it is not impossible for Churchill not to take the Ottoman Empire seriously, but the counterattack of a dying empire is quite powerful enough.
Therefore, smart people should stay away from such a declining empire. European countries in the East were quite restrained in this regard. Otherwise, they would have given up the short and quick war and forced the Qing Dynasty to fight hard in the name of establishing colonies. If the British had come to attack with this purpose, the French would have become the world hegemon after the war.
"What kind of partner did I find?" The slave owner couldn't help but complain to his wife, "With this level, Rand Corporation deserves to be acquired by me, not the other way around."
"You seem to be afraid of pushing any country to the point of despair." Anne said in a teasing tone, "This is the national condition of this country. Wilson just expressed his apology to Colombia and is preparing to allocate compensation."
"We can't force a big country like this that is still in the agricultural sector to fight to the death." Sheffield whispered, "Of course, the Columbia incident was just a way for the federal government to look better on paper. You may see the consequences of forcing a country like that to fight to the death in the future."
After the Italo-Turkish War, the Royal Navy's warships were even less sufficient. Perhaps Churchill would have felt more justified in seizing the Ottoman Empire's battleships.
The United Company's industries were adjusted to cope with the war, and the slave owners were completely in a state of doomsday carnival. In London, the European powers and the Balkan Alliance were still blushing, and he was watching the rising movie box office.
As expected, the black riots caused the box office of the second part of The Birth of a Nation to explode, and the sales exceeded 20 million US dollars. In the early 20th century, there was a nationwide movie-watching craze. President Wilson invited directors and movie actors to the White House, and Sheffield also brought Anne to the party as an investor.
At the White House banquet, Sheffield and David Griffith talked about the future development of movies. At the same time, the set of the movie "The Time Machine" had been completed and even filming had begun.
President Wilson was very interested and expressed his willingness to contribute to the box office once the film was released. With President Wilson's support, the box office was almost guaranteed. A crowd of people, including White House staff and film actors, watched this three-and-a-half-hour movie in the White House.
"It doesn't look like this is your first time filming a movie," Anne said softly, holding her husband's hand, "but you know what, you look really good in your uniform. It's like it's really happening."
"If I can't even act out my own life, how can that be justified?" Sheffield said complacently, "That's life."
Halfway through the movie, Sheffield left the theater and a figure followed him out without Anne noticing.
This was not the first time the slave owner came to the White House, so he certainly knew where the bathroom was. When he turned around, he saw Mary Pickford following him in. He shuddered with fear and lowered his voice, "Why did you follow me in?"
"I just wanted to meet you. Anne is very beautiful." Mary Pickford spoke without any context. Suddenly, she turned around and lifted up her long skirt, and said, "Father, this is the White House."
One hand quickly covered the American sweetheart's mouth, and Sheffield lowered his voice and said, "Didn't I tell you not to scream like that? It makes me angry!" As he said that, he straightened his waist to show that he was really angry.
In America, the long London Conference came to an end, but soon, the war broke out again. After the signing of the London Peace Treaty, the position of Austria-Hungary and Germany in the Balkan Peninsula was greatly weakened due to the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. They originally hoped to get help from the Ottoman Empire when fighting with the Russian Empire, but once they went to war with Russia, the Balkan League would seriously threaten the rear of Austria-Hungary. Therefore, Germany and Austria-Hungary took advantage of the contradictions within the Balkan League caused by the uneven division of the Ottoman Empire's occupied territories, and tried their best to incite Bulgaria to oppose other allies.
Under the instigation of Germany and Austria, Bulgaria, which was confident of its strength, took the initiative and suddenly launched an attack on Serbia and Greece. Soon, Romania and Montenegro joined the war and joined Serbia. The Ottoman Empire also wanted to take the opportunity to regain lost territory, and the Second Balkan War broke out.
While war clouds were gathering in Europe, the United States was still enjoying peace and prosperity. The first movie in which Sheffield played a leading role, The Time Machine, which was billed as a hardcore science fiction movie, was officially released. It followed closely on the heels of The Birth of a Nation Part II which was released a few months ago and aroused everyone's admiration. With half sea and half fire, Europe and America presented completely different scenery.
(End of this chapter)
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