Zhang Hao smiled bitterly and nodded: "Dad, the principle of the atomic bomb is not complicated. The difficulty is mainly in purifying raw materials, which tests industrial capabilities.
This is not a problem at all for the Europeans. They have no shortage of technology and nuclear materials, and they can produce a batch of nuclear weapons in two or three years."
"Then why are you compromising? Hurry up and bulldoze them. We can't let them become powerful."
Zhang Chongxin was a little anxious.
"Dad, there is no naval escort or logistical support. No matter how many troops you send there, you will die. The Europeans are not as weak as we thought."
"Then just bomb them with nuclear warheads and force them to surrender." Zhang Chongxin said boldly.
Zhang Hao was startled: "Dad, are you too casual? Let's ignore the abolition of the nuclear treaty. What if the Europeans also have nuclear weapons?"
"Do they have it?"
"Since they dare to be independent, they must have a trump card in their hands. They have probably already figured out how to deal with the federal nuclear blackmail. Nuclear weapons are not omnipotent."
Zhang Hao shook his head.
"Fuck, according to what you say, then you can only just watch and let them be independent?"
Zhang Chongxin was unwilling to give up.
Zhang Hao recalled his experience in the dream, and suddenly felt blessed: "Dad, I think this matter is not necessarily a bad thing for us."
"How do you say that?" Steve was very curious.
"Speak quickly and stop being so pretentious."
Zhang Chongxin followed closely and urged.
"Dad, Steven, think about it, if the Europeans are really independent, it means that the Federation will no longer have to bear the food pressure in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, which is equivalent to reducing our burden."
Zhang Chongxin interrupted directly: "Why didn't you say that you lost the Middle East oil depot? This matter is indeed beneficial to us in the short term, but from a long-term perspective, we will definitely suffer a loss, and a big loss."
The importance of energy is self-evident.
Especially now, its importance is even greater than before the outbreak of new energy vehicles. For a long time to come, whoever controls energy will control the world.
"Dad, oil can be obtained through trade. If it doesn't work, isn't there still the other side? The oil reserves on the other side are also considerable, not to mention we still have more than 70% to 80% of coal resources, so we will not be short of energy."
Zhang Hao explained in detail.
"That's too cheap for them. A land as big as Africa is equivalent to cutting off one-third of the federal land at once." Zhang Chongxin said in pain.
I didn't feel it before, but now that it's my own turn to take charge of the Federation, I finally feel the pain of separatism. No wonder the other side of the Taiwan Strait has been tirelessly working hard to crack down on various independence movements.
This is probably called 'not in charge of one's duties'.
When Steven heard this, he immediately helped and comforted him: "Dad, isn't there a famous saying in the East? It's called 'If you want to wear a crown, you must bear its weight.' Am I right?"
Zhang Chongxin shook his head.
Steven continued: "It is definitely not that easy for the Europeans to monopolize Africa. They also have to bear the burden of countless refugees on that land. I don't think they can relax, and maybe there will be trouble."
As we all know, Africans generally have low cultural literacy, and managing them is not an easy task.
If you are not careful, it may have the opposite effect.
"Shit!" Zhang Chongxin swore directly and said angrily: "Do you think the Europeans are so kind? They themselves started from the slave trade. Looking at their previous actions, you don't have to think about it to know that the African people
It’s going to be a disaster.”
"That shouldn't happen, right?"
Steven couldn't help but be a little surprised.
More than 150 years have passed since the abolition movement, and it is no longer the barbaric era it once was.
Zhang Hao couldn't help but sigh: "Steven, Europa does not have sufficient food reserves. If a famine occurs, it might really be possible."
In order to maintain unity, the Federation, even if it cannot be a bowl of water, at least cannot go too far. In contrast, the Europeans have no such concerns.
Most likely, as colonists, they wished all Africans would die so that there would be no future troubles.
"Oh, this is a naked regression of civilization. I really didn't expect to see this day with my own eyes."
Steven couldn't help but sigh.
Unlike ordinary people, as a writer, he is very sensitive to these social phenomena.
"There is a saying that 'productivity determines production relations'. At present, productivity is declining seriously. If the pressure of survival cannot be solved, similar things will probably happen one after another in the future."
Zhang Hao echoed.
In the dream, many disadvantaged areas become more difficult as time goes by, and the more difficult the situation is, the more serious the population loss becomes, forming a vicious cycle.
If I remember correctly, in the year he "passed away", more than three-quarters of the original thirty-six regions had ceased to exist in name only and became desolate and uninhabited areas.
Zhang Chongxin has never been a person who likes empty talk. He doesn't want to dwell on these nonsense anymore. No matter where the war ends up, it will be fine as long as it does not affect their family.
"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Do you think the price of gold will continue to rise in the future?"
"Dad, I think it's over. If it continues to rise, it's not a matter of making more or less. It's because the economy really can't sustain it, and we're probably going to have unprecedented inflation."
Steven shook his head.
Zhang Chongxin nodded and turned to look at his son:
"Xiaohao, what do you think?"
"I don't know much about the gold market, so I can't say for sure." Zhang Hao shrugged, "However, what Steven said makes sense. If gold continues to rise like this, something will happen sooner or later, and the higher ups will never stand idly by."
"You two mean to stop as soon as we get along?"
Zhang Chongxin was a little reluctant to give up.
In the past week, the store followed the trend and stocked up a lot of gold, and really made a fortune.
Zhang Hao immediately advised: "Dad, I suggest you take advantage of the high price and sell all the gold quickly. Leaving this batch of gold in the store is a big hidden danger in itself."
"What do you know?" Zhang Chongxin scolded his son, and then said earnestly: "If the federal currency becomes waste paper, our family will suffer great losses. If we hoard more gold, we will have more confidence in our hearts."
This is not impossible. Europa has actually split away. If the other party announces that it will abandon the use of federal currency, the impact will be too bad.
The federal currency may become waste paper at any time, which is also the direct cause of the skyrocketing gold price.
"Dad, I think you are overthinking. If the federal currency really becomes waste paper, it will be of no benefit to anyone. Even if the Europeans want to issue their own currency, it will be in the future, definitely not now.
Besides, it would be terrible if the authorities suddenly announced a ban on private holding of gold. With so much gold on hand, we would not be able to find a buyer for a while."
"What are you afraid of? At worst, I can collect it myself."
Zhang Chongxin said with disdain on his face.
Gold is a hard currency, why are you afraid that it won’t be sold?
Zhang Hao smiled bitterly: "Dad, you didn't hear me clearly. What I said was prohibition of holding, not prohibition of trading. Don't get confused."
"If we don't tell ourselves, how can the officials come to our door?" Zhang Chongxin said nonchalantly.
"What if someone reports it? With so many employees in the store and the bank, how can such a large amount be concealed? Don't be regarded as a typical example!"
"You just said it was possible..."
Zhang Chongxin became hesitant.
Steven took over the words: "Dad, our store is not short of money, so there is no need to take risks. If this incident affects Zhang Hao's business, it will not be beautiful."
"Yes, Dad!"
Zhang Hao nodded in agreement and then comforted him:
"Even if the federal currency really becomes waste paper, it will definitely be a bad thing for me. I still owe tens of billions of foreign debts, and I can pay them back casually.
For example, I just borrowed an interest-free loan of 18 billion from the bank last week. The more the currency depreciates, the more I earn. It is simply a win."
Zhang Chongxin was immediately diverted: "What did you do again? Why did you borrow so much money?"
Zhang Hao had no choice but to briefly introduce the affairs of the ocean-going fleet.
Steven tried to remind: "You must be careful about this matter. Those privateer fleets are used to stealing. Be careful that they deliberately leak the news and take advantage of it."
"Probably not. The military is involved here, and they don't dare to do anything wrong."
Zhang Hao shook his head and explained casually.
"Military?" Zhang Chongxin waved his hand and said angrily: "The military has almost lost its face. The navy will rebel if they say it. The army is not much better. Even half a million people can't defend the base. How can we still do it?"
What can you expect?”
"Dad, I just guessed that the base might have been lost, I didn't say for sure." Zhang Hao quickly corrected him.
"I think it's almost the same. The higher-ups may have received the news a long time ago, but they just deliberately concealed it and didn't report it."
Zhang Chongxin looked confident.
"I say dad, you should hurry up and get rid of all the gold! If you really lose money, no matter how much you lose, I will replenish it for you later." Zhang Hao advised again.
"Supply me? This store belongs to you. Is it interesting to turn left hand to right hand?" Zhang Chongxin waved his hand impatiently, "Okay, I will contact the bank later."
"Hey, dad, just think about it!"
Zhang Hao couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief.
Recently, in order to ensure the safety of his father, he specially temporarily transferred a dozen security guards from the group headquarters. It can be said that he has good intentions.
Zhang Chongxin waved his hand: "Big Pudding and the others are about to finish school, please go back quickly!"
Since Yang Huaqing became pregnant, Zhang Hao took the initiative to take over this important task.
"Dad, won't you go back with me?"
"No, as I said, I have to contact the bank later. Please remember to tell your mother for me that I may have to work overtime tonight so that she doesn't have to wait for me to have dinner together." Zhang Chongxin replied.
.
Zhang Hao nodded, and then warned: "Dad, drink less alcohol at night."
"I know, don't wait any longer and set off quickly! The road is very congested, so don't waste time."
Since the war broke out, there has been another round of crazy buying in the market. If not for the lack of money in everyone's pockets, the buying event would have been even more intense than last time.
By contrast, blocking traffic is just one of many negative impacts.
…
On the way home, the streets were indeed crowded with people.
The freezing cold weather could not stop the crazy people.
Looking around, everyone has big bags and small bags. If there were not enough police, the zero-dollar shopping incident would probably happen again.
Captain Fang felt as if he was facing a formidable enemy, staring out the window to prevent anyone from attacking the car.
"Lao Fang, relax, there are so many police outside, nothing will happen." Zhang Hao comforted softly.
Fang Zhigang shook his head solemnly: "Director Zhang, be careful and you will make no big mistake. Last night, I heard from my daughter-in-law that there was a serious accident in the southern suburbs, and many people were injured or killed."
"What happened? Why wasn't it reported on TV?"
Zhang Hao instantly became serious.
I would like to mention here that I don’t know whether it was a technical failure or a deliberate move by the superiors. Communications and the Internet were interrupted three days ago, and television, radio and newspapers became the only news channels.
"Director Zhang, at this time, how could the higher-ups add fuel to the fire? My daughter-in-law also heard the news from relatives, and their family happens to live in the southern suburbs."
Fang Zhigang quickly explained.
Zhang Hao listened thoughtfully, and then asked: "I'm very curious, there are so many police forces in the city, how did this happen?"
"Speaking of which, it's all the refugees who are taking advantage of the situation. First of all, they don't have a job, and naturally they don't have much savings. Secondly, they don't have any food at home, so they basically live on their own. Do you think they can not panic?"
Fang Zhigang replied.
It is impossible to say who is right or wrong in this matter. If we want to blame it, we can only blame this cruel world, which makes people unable to control themselves.
Zhang Hao was noncommittal.
He has seen many such things in his dreams, and has even experienced it several times in person. That kind of precarious life is really torturous. Some people with poor psychological quality may even be driven crazy.
When Fang Zhigang saw that the big boss was silent, he thought he had said something wrong, so he quickly changed the topic:
"Director Zhang, can I ask you a question?"
Zhang Hao smiled: "Just ask!"
"Now that money is worthless, do you think it is better for me to buy gold or treasury bonds?"
"What do you think?"
Zhang Hao asked curiously.
Fang Zhigang did not hide anything: "I personally prefer to buy government bonds, but my mother-in-law insists on buying gold."
"Gold is very popular now. Isn't it good to buy gold?" Zhang Hao said in surprise.
"Director Zhang, the price of gold is too high, and I'm afraid of taking over from a high position." Fang Zhigang smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Then you are not afraid that the federal currency will become waste paper?"
"Director Zhang, you don't know something. Because of the lack of money, the Federation issued a large number of value-preserving bonds before. As long as the Federation is still there, there is no fear of default."
Fang Zhigang never believed that the federation would disintegrate. In his opinion, buying national bonds was safer than buying gold. This was the real way to avoid risks.
Zhang Hao said with great interest: "Why don't you buy other things? Look at the street, everyone is going crazy."
"It's not that I won't buy it, it's that the good stuff has been robbed long ago. Instead of wasting money, it's better to find a reliable investment channel."
Fang Zhigang had seen a lot of big things in the world with Zhang Hao, so he still had a calm mind, so he did not follow the crowd.