Chapter 191 Who is the real victim? (First update, please subscribe)
Buffett came back, and together with him came not only technical personnel hired from Britain, France, Prussia and other countries, but also Count Bruno and others from Russia.
After Count Bruno and his party, as guests, were settled in the Atlantic Hotel, Buffett told him the purpose of the Russians' visit.
“Alaska!”
In an instant, Zhu Xianhai was dumbfounded.
"You mean, the Russians are going to sell Alaska to us!"
For a moment, Zhu Xianhai almost yelled out "Hurry up and take out the money."
The purchase of Alaska was the most cost-effective investment made by the United States in the 19th century. Except for Napoleon's sale of Louisiana, no other transaction could be compared to it.
"Yes, that guy kept pestering me when he was in London. Although I rejected him sternly, the suggestions he made later forced me to consider them. After all, we all know that Nanhua is just a company. If there is a country supporting us, it may not be a bad thing."
Then Buffett told him the promises mentioned by Count Bruno one by one. When he was talking, Zhu Xianhai just smiled and said nothing. He waited until he finished speaking before speaking.
"Russia's promises are worthless!"
Of course it’s worthless!
Russia has always changed its mind faster than turning the pages of a book. It does not take the treaty seriously at all. What is perfidy? That is Russia's name, and the straw treaty is its nickname.
Historically, what was Russia thinking when it sold Alaska to the United States? Wasn't it because it was difficult to develop such a poor place, not only for Russia, but also for the United States. Once Russia is fully recovered and can take back Alaska at any time, will it still care about the previous sales contract?
To put it bluntly, the so-called selling of Alaska was just a strategic contraction of Russia during a special period, with the purpose of counterattack. This was exactly the same as the purpose of Lenin signing the Treaty of Bristol with Germany and the treaty between the steel and the mustache, and the calculation was more sure of victory.
"Now, Russia is coming to us like a dog-skin plaster, wanting to sell Alaska to the American Corporation. To put it bluntly, it is because it will be easier to tear up the treaty in the future. Buffett, what do you think we can do if Russia gets through the current financial crisis and tears up the treaty?"
Zhu Xianhai sneered.
"All of Europe knows that Russia is best at breaking treaties. Even if they don't break the treaty in the future, when we are threatened by external forces, will they abide by the treaty and send a fleet to support us?"
“This, this…”
Buffett was immediately stunned. He had never thought about this.
"But, but their fleet did arrive in New York!"
"Russia did mobilize its fleet to bypass the United States, but it was more for political purposes. The disastrous defeat in the Crimean War forced Russia to show its presence on the international stage! In the unforeseeable future... it is not certain whether they will mobilize their fleet to support us!"
Zhu Xianhai smiled and said.
"But it doesn't matter at all."
Before Buffett could react, Zhu Xianhai laughed.
“Because we’re definitely going to buy Alaska!”
Why not buy it? Good business like this that comes to your doorstep is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"What?"
Buffett opened his eyes and said urgently.
"Well, it would be a loss to buy that place. Without Russia's promise, it's worthless!"
"Worthless? Russia's promises were worthless before, but what about Alaska?"
Zhu Xianhai laughed.
"That's not necessarily the case!"
How could it be worthless?
After the Americans spent $7.2 million to buy Alaska, they soon discovered the rich fishery resources there. The salmon fishing and processing industry has gradually become the pillar industry of Alaska since the Americans settled there. By 1900, more than 50 salmon canning factories had been built throughout Alaska. The annual export of canned salmon is worth tens of millions of dollars.
In addition, starting in 1897, gold mines were discovered in the Yukon region of Alaska, and the gold rush brought a large population to Alaska. When the gold rush faded, abundant oil was discovered. The worthless permafrost became a resource hotspot that everyone envied. While Russia was regretting and crying that it had been cheated, it completely forgot the original intention of selling Alaska.
As for the Russians' regret, that was after the discovery of gold and oil in Alaska. And when the Americans directly deployed nuclear missiles and bombers there after World War II, the Russians regretted it even more.
But that’s all for the future.
Now, no matter who gets Alaska, it is a barren land of no value. From the economic to the military perspective, it is worthless.
But that is definitely in the hands of others. In my own hands, Alaska is simply a treasure land.
"But, what if, as you said, the Russians tear up the treaty in the future and demand that we return Arras?"
Buffett's question made Zhu Xianhai laugh.
"That depends on their luck!"
luck……
In the final analysis, man proposes, God disposes!
Russia's initial calculations were very shrewd. They felt that they had a chance to "recover" Alaska. They sold the land now only out of necessity, or just to solve the problem of ideology. When they had more money and the country's strength increased in the future, they would tear up the treaty. What's the big deal about taking Alaska back?
The whole world knows that the Russian treaty was signed with the intention of tearing it up in the future.
Unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes. Not only did the reforms of the Russian Empire ultimately fail, but the power balance between the United States and Russia also changed dramatically in the second half of the 19th century. In the 20th century, after Russia was defeated by Japan and the subsequent revolution, it finally lost the opportunity to "recover" Alaska.
"If we are lucky, I think this is possible, but I think we are luckier than Russia! For example, now..."
Zhu Xianhai smiled.
"To put it bluntly, the reason why Count Bruno is so anxious is that the Russian Empire, which is already impoverished and financially exhausted, has tightened its finances to the point where it can no longer sustain itself. We should seize this opportunity to bargain with them."
Compared with Russia in 1867, Russia's finances are now tighter and it naturally needs more money. In another world, in order to sell Alaska to the United States, which had just finished the war, they even spent money to bribe the American media to create momentum!
As for the so-called "selling Alaska to the United States to contain the British naval power" analyzed by later generations, it is completely imaginary - the US Navy was almost completely disbanded in 1867, and only a dozen wooden ships were left in the entire navy. How could it contain Britain?
The reason why Russia sold it... to put it bluntly, is because the United States is the only one that can pay and has the opportunity to "tear up" the treaty in the future.
The British and French can afford to pay, but the question is, can Russia afford to provoke them in the future? They can’t afford to provoke them now, and they will certainly not be able to provoke them in the future!
At that time, the United States was the only "sucker" in the world.
Well, I’m afraid that in the eyes of the Russians, Nanhua is now just another scapegoat replacing the United States!
But the facts prove that the Russians themselves are the ones who are being taken advantage of... and the biggest ones!
Of course, Russia would never think so, otherwise it would not be looking for this sucker all over the world.
Zhu Xianhai said with a sneer on his face.
"Tell Count Bruno that we are willing to negotiate with them on the purchase of Alaska!"
I have set up a book club: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
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