Chapter 851 A pragmatic decision
In fact, there are only a few powerful countries after World War II, and all the powerful countries have the same idea: we must become stronger and restrict the development of other countries.
There are basically only a few countries whose shipwrecks during the entire World War II period. When formulating new rules, they will naturally be in their favor, including the "ownership and protection of warship sunken ships."
The one that is more unlucky is Germany.
Although Germany lost a large number of warships during World War I and World War II, such as the famous battleship "Bismarck", because they were a defeated country, they did not enjoy the provisions of this protection treaty.
Take the battleship Bismarck, for example. It was also discovered by an American ocean exploration company. The discoverer was none other than Robert Ballard, the same man who discovered the Titanic. Even more ridiculous: this was clearly a German warship, yet it's now being run as a profitable tourist attraction by an American company.
Germany is actually quite miserable.
Since the end of World War II, the Germans have been carrying a heavy burden, apologizing everywhere and being cautious, for fear of being labeled as "starting a world war" again. They reflect on the war every day while making a fortune in silence.
But you can't just shout slogans and not do anything, right? So Germany became Europe's largest refugee-hosting country, and the social problems these refugees brought with them have left the German people reeling: law-abiding refugees have taken jobs from locals, while lawless ones have created public security problems. That's unacceptable, no matter what you do.
The most crucial issue is the spread of so-called "neoliberalism" in Europe. All kinds of weird things have emerged, such as those who shout about environmental protection every day, those who are anti-vaccine, those who say the earth is flat, birds are not real, and so on. So now the right wing is rising among the German people.
In fact, if we look at it from an objective historical perspective, today's Germany is very similar to Germany after World War I.
The various World War II treaties restricting Germany mirror the Treaty of Versailles; the situation of Jews in Germany then is similar to the refugee situation today; the Spanish flu back then is now facing a global pandemic; the Great Depression back then is now also the beginning of a German economic downturn; and domestic conflicts are numerous. So it's no surprise that the right wing is on the rise.
They say where there's oppression there's resistance. Take shipwreck salvaging, for example: The British say they don't allow others to salvage their warships, but what about them themselves? Where does their country get their low-cost steel? Much of it comes from stolen German shipwrecks!
Now that the UK has left the EU, the Germans have figured it out. How can there be such harmony? How much revenue can ten sunken ships generate? Not to mention the direct monetary gains, there's also the capital market gains! If managed well, they could even reap a share of the UK's profits in the capital market!
The most important thing is regional influence.
This was a great opportunity to unite the entire EU and enhance its leadership within it. Germany and France had been arguing over who should rule the EU. Although Xiao Peng made his fortune in France, the French were not as bold as the Germans in directly committing such significant financial resources to bring Xiao Peng along.
There's no way. The French are not as pragmatic as the Germans. They are too arrogant and are probably still waiting for Xiao Peng to find them!
Facts have proved that the Germans have a unique vision. Xiao Peng took out ten sunken ships at once and asked them to salvage them. As long as they salvaged the sunken ships, they would make a lot of money!
And the most amazing thing is that the coordinates of the ten shipwrecks given by Xiao Peng are all within the German territorial waters, and the British can’t stop them even if they want to!
It turns out that many of the investors behind the Three States Alliance are just thinking about making a quick buck and then withdrawing. What they are really thinking about now is how to hold on to Xiao Peng.
Xiao Peng had given them ten sunken ships for a reason: the Tri-State Salvage Alliance currently had twelve marine vessels, yet Xiao Peng had only provided ten. The two ships that hadn't participated in the first salvage operation, besides the Dutch Ifrit, had another ship. These two ships had one thing in common: they had both troubled Xiao Peng in the Black Sea before!
What does this mean? Xiao Peng still has the coordinates of the shipwrecks. They can't figure out how Xiao Peng knows so many coordinates of the shipwrecks.
Fabian couldn't understand this either. "Xiao, you gave them so many shipwreck coordinates at once. What's going to happen to our future salvage work? Do you want to let others do the work and we won't do it?"
"Who said that?" Xiao Peng said, "Although I keep clamoring for retirement, I really don't want to spend my twenties enjoying a life of seclusion. We're heading to the South Atlantic Anomaly next. The sea conditions there are a bit complicated, so the Luna and Calypso need to go together! Right now, Chen Cheng and Ma Xiao are carrying out various supply operations on the ships. We'll leave once they're done. Find another ship to continue filming your documentary."
Fabian's eyes lit up after hearing this: "Are we going to do something big this time?"
Xiao Peng smiled and said, "I have plans for this. So, take advantage of these few days to say goodbye to your actresses. Don't worry about the shipwreck coordinates I gave the Germans. Let me put it this way, I have the coordinates of at least two million shipwrecks in my head right now."
"What the hell?" Fabian was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Xiao, what happened to you after returning from the Caribbean? They say that those who survive a disaster will have good fortune in the future, but how did surviving a disaster give you a sense of humor?"
Xiao Peng was also stunned: "What? The change is obvious?"
Fabian spread his hands and said, "Of course, but it's understandable. After all, someone almost lost their life. People are bound to change."
Xiao Peng smiled but said nothing. In the Caribbean Sea, he was blocked by two wolf eels and almost fed to fish. Later, some things happened and he was able to escape. However, he couldn't tell anyone about this. To be precise, even if he told it, no one would believe it.
But there was one thing he hadn't lied to Fabian: after that day's experience, he now knew the coordinates of almost every shipwreck in the world. Giving the Germans ten ships was just the beginning; he had a big plan!
Fabian said, "Okay, don't stay at home all day. We're going out to sea in a few days, right?"
"We?" Xiao Peng was stunned. "What do you mean by we?"
Fabian said, "Isn't the purpose of making this documentary to deceive people? Now that the purpose has been achieved, let others do it. I want to go to the sea with them. Don't say I have the most relaxed time all day!"
"You are not allowed to bring girls on board!" Xiao Peng said directly.
"Huh?" Fabian was stunned. "Isn't this too cruel? Who the hell made this decision?"
At this time, Abby's voice came from the door: "Of course it's me!"
Fabian was surprised to see Abby: "Huh? Didn't you go riding? Why are you back?"
"You're here so we came back! What if you lead our Xiao Peng astray?"
“…”
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The author has something to say:
Well, Lao Yang might need two days off this month: one for getting glasses, and one for a physical. I'm not sure which day it will be yet, so I'm giving you a heads up...
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