Buffett is back, and coming to South China with him are not only technicians hired from Britain, France, Prussia and other countries, but also Count Bruno and others from Russia.
After Count Bruno and his 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 the words "Hurry up and pay for it".
The purchase of Alaska was the most cost-effective investment made by American imperialism in the 19th century. Except for Napoleon's prodigal sale of Louisiana, there was no other transaction that could compare with it.
"Yes, that guy kept pestering me when he was in London. Although I sternly refused, the suggestion he made later made me have to consider it. After all, we all know that Nanhua is just a company. If there is
If a country supports us, maybe it's not a bad thing."
Then Buffett stated the promises mentioned by Count Bruno one by one. When he spoke, Zhu Xianhai just smiled and said nothing, and waited until he finished speaking before speaking.
“Russia’s promises are worthless!”
Of course it’s worthless!
Russia has always turned its back quickly than turning over a book. It doesn't take treaties seriously at all. What is treachery? That is Russia's name, and the Papyrus Treaty is its nickname.
Historically, what was Russia's intention when it sold Alaska to the United States? Wasn't it because it was such a poor place that was difficult to develop? This is not only a problem for Russia, but even for the United States, it may not be able to develop it for a while. When Russia is full
After blood resurrection, he can take back Alaska at any time. Will he still care about the sales contract?
To put it bluntly, the so-called betrayal of Alaska is just Russia's strategic contraction in a special period, in order to better counterattack. This is exactly the same as the purpose of Lenin's signing of the Bristol Peace Treaty with Germany, and the signing of the treaty between Steel and Mustache, and it is calculated
is more certain to win.
"Now, Russia is coming to your door like a dog-skin plaster, and wants to sell Alaska to the American Company. To put it bluntly, it is because it will be more convenient to tear up the treaty in the future. Buffett, you said that if Russia gets through the current financial crisis in the future, then it will be easy
What can we do if we tear up the treaty?"
Zhu Xianhai sneered.
"The whole of Europe knows that Russia is best at tearing up treaties. Even if they do not tear up treaties in the future and we are threatened by external threats, 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 before.
"But, their fleet has indeed arrived in New York!"
"Russia has indeed mobilized its fleet to divert its fleet to the United States, but this is more for political purposes. The disastrous defeat in the Crimean War has made Russia need to show its presence on the international stage! In the unforeseen future...
It’s not certain whether they will mobilize their troops and send a fleet to give us a platform!”
Zhu Xianhai smiled and said.
"However, this is no hindrance at all."
Before Buffett could react, Zhu Xianhai smiled.
"Because we are definitely going to buy Alaska!"
Why not buy? A good deal like this delivered to your doorstep is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"What?"
Buffett's eyes opened and he said anxiously.
"Well, you'll lose money if you buy that place. Without Russia's commitment, it's worthless!"
"Worthless? The promise of Russia was worthless before, but what about that place in Alaska?"
Zhu Xianhai laughed loudly.
"That's not necessarily the case!"
How could it be worthless?
After the Americans spent $7.2 million to buy Alaska, they quickly discovered the rich local fishery resources. The salmon fishing and processing industry began with the arrival of Americans and gradually became a pillar industry in Alaska. By 1900, in the entire Alaska region,
More than 50 salmon canneries have been built. The export of canned salmon is worth tens of millions of dollars every year.
And starting in 1897, people discovered gold mines in the Yukon Territory of Alaska. The gold rush brought a large population to Alaska. After the gold rush subsided, rich oil and worthless frozen soil were discovered.
It became a hot resource land that everyone envied. While Russia regretted it and shouted that they had been cheated, they completely forgot their original intention of selling Alaska.
As for the Russians' regrets, that was only after the discovery of gold mines and oil in Alaska. After World War II, the Americans directly deployed nuclear missiles and bombers there, and the Russians regretted it even more.
But that's all for the future.
Now, no matter who hands it, Alaska is a barren land with little value. From an economic to military perspective, it is worthless.
But it must be in the hands of others and in our 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……
At the end of the day, it’s better to be judged by God than by man!
Russia's calculations at the beginning were very shrewd. He felt that he had a chance to "recover" Alaska. He was selling this land now, but it was just out of necessity, or it was just to understand the difficulties of consciousness so that he could use it in the future.
Now that we have money and the country's strength has increased, if we tear up the treaty and take back Alaska, what's the big deal?
Just as the whole world knows that the Russian treaty was to be torn up in the future from the day it was signed...
Unfortunately, fate is not as good as fate. Not only did the reform of the Russian Empire ultimately fail, but the balance of power between the United States and Russia underwent earth-shaking changes in the second half of the 19th century. By the 20th century, Russia had lost to Japan.
After that day, coupled with the subsequent revolution, the opportunity to "recover" Alaska was finally lost.
"If we are lucky, I think it will be possible, but I think we have better luck than Russia! For example, now..."
Zhu Xianhai smiled.
"The reason why Count Bruno is so eager, to put it bluntly, is that the Russian Empire, which has already exhausted its people and money, has tightened its finances to an unsustainable level. We just seize this opportunity to have a good time with them."
Compared with Russia in 1867, Russia's finances are tighter now 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 went to the extent of spending money to bribe American public opinion.
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 conjecture - in 1867, the U.S. Navy was almost completely disbanded, and there were only a dozen wooden-hulled ships left in the entire navy.
Contain Britain.
The reason why Russia sold... To put it bluntly, is because the United States is the only one that can afford the money and will have the opportunity to "tear up" the treaty in the future.
Both the British and the French can afford it. The question is, can they afford to offend Russia in the future? If they can’t afford to offend Russia now, they will definitely afford it even more in the future!
At that time, the United States will be the only "big bully" in the world.
Well, I'm afraid now in the eyes of the Russians, Nanhua is another enemy of the United States!
But it turns out that the Russians themselves are the ones who were taken advantage of... and the biggest one!
Of course, Russia would never think so, otherwise the whole world would not be looking for this scapegoat.
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!"