Duke Kapler finally chose to give in. If the money is gone, you can make it again. If the family honor is gone, it is really gone. It will be extremely difficult to earn it back. At least the little Duke cannot count on it, and the old Duke can't.
Already old.
No one knows what the final price was, but Jeffrey took away six full truckloads of wooden boxes from Duke Kaple's estate. Calculated, it was about one million francs per truckload.
Roque was not in the mood to care about these trivial matters. The world war was finally over, and peace negotiations officially began. Leaders of various countries gathered in Paris. The German government also sent a delegation, but they could not enter the venue. There was not even a hotel arrangement. The French
It was a bit unnatural, and the German delegation was placed in a temporary camp surrounded by barbed wire, just like a prisoner of war camp.
Roque didn't believe it at all when he knew about it, so when he went to Paris, he took a detour to take a look.
It is indeed a temporary camp surrounded by barbed wire. French soldiers are responsible for guarding it. No one is allowed to enter or exit except for vehicles delivering food every day.
Rock didn't know how the German delegation could endure such humiliating treatment. France and Germany are old enemies. The two countries have been hurting each other. After the Franco-Prussian War, Germany humiliated France to its heart's content. Now it is France's turn to humiliate Germany. Before
The Germans are arrogant, and now the French are even more outrageous.
Before Roque came to Paris, British Prime Minister Winston and Foreign Secretary Edward Gray had already arrived in Paris in advance. In order to fully meet the requirements of various countries, the Allied Powers formed a 10-member committee to lead the negotiations. These 10 people were from the United Kingdom and France.
, government leaders or diplomats from Italy, Japan, and the United States.
Although Russia was also a victorious country in name, there were no Russian members in the 10-member committee because the new Russian government withdrew from the war midway.
Although the 10-member Committee tried its best to take care of various countries, Winston was very dissatisfied with the 10-member Committee. For Britain, the 10-member Committee had too many members, and the British had too few members, which could not fully guarantee the British
Interests.
"The French always like to do some unrealistic things. Maybe the French think that the 10-member committee represents fairness and justice. Every country has the right to express their demands freely, but the real world has never been fair. The Japanese want
How much did they contribute to the victory over the Allies? How much did the Italians contribute? But they have as many members as our British Empire. This is simply a humiliation to us!" Winston was furious in the temporary residence.
Although they are all temporary residences, Winston's residence is definitely different from the cage where the German delegation lived. Winston lived in a palace during the Bourbon period.
"I think southern Africa should also have a seat -" Rock tested Winston's bottom line.
Winston immediately jumped up like a cat whose tail was stepped on and glared at Rock with fierce eyes: "What do you want to do? Southern Africa is not a country yet, it is an overseas autonomous territory of the British Empire!"
Rock looked at Winston with disgust. Winston was so excited that he kept getting closer to Rock's face when he was talking. Rock's face was almost touching Winston's face, which made him feel uncomfortable.
Rock felt very bad.
"You are too sensitive. Even if Southern Africa joins the 10-member Committee, it will maintain a united front with the British Empire. The purpose is to safeguard the interests of the British Empire." Rock only fully realized at the end of the world war that as Southern Africa
Its position is becoming more and more important, and the British Empire's desire to control southern Africa is getting stronger and stronger. It is estimated that it is impossible for southern Africa to become independent.
At least it's not possible now.
But we can strive for greater autonomy, such as diplomacy——
"Locke, I know what you are thinking. It's not possible now. Now we must unite to fight against the outside world and strive for as many benefits as possible for the British Empire." Winston quickly calmed down, not only for southern Africa, but also for Canada.
, Australia, New Zealand and other overseas territories, the British government should have already discussed this.
After the outbreak of the World War, in order to gain the full support of the overseas dominions, the British government made many promises to these overseas dominions, including southern Africa, including the diplomatic rights that Rock was obsessed with.
If Southern Africa has diplomatic rights, then when the Kingdom of Congo and the Republic of Congo are established, Southern Africa can directly recognize the independence of the Kingdom of Congo and the Republic of Congo. This will create a fait accompli. If Belgium, as the sovereign state, does not agree -
That's good, get ready to fight!
"I know, but you have to give some benefits to our overseas autonomous territories." Roque is not in a hurry. It is not just southern Africa that wants more power, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and even India are clamoring for independence.
The British government would definitely not let India become independent, otherwise where would it find so many laborers?
The Chinese are willing to immigrate to southern Africa, but few are willing to immigrate to the UK mainland.
With the end of the world war, a war for people has begun.
Germany has now become a defeated country, being put on the chopping block to be slaughtered by others. The talents in Germany have long made Rock salivate. Southern Africa has already begun to take action. Those high-end talents who have settled in Southern Africa are all giving their disciples in Germany a good start.
Write a letter, hoping that they can visit and travel to Southern Africa, and the Southern African federal government will reimburse all expenses.
France was robbing Chinese workers from the Far East, and it was only after it learned more about Chinese workers that the French government realized how useful Chinese workers were.
At least it's easier to use than North Africans and West Africans.
The British government owns India's human resources, so the British government will not participate in the robbery. However, India is now clamoring for independence, and the British government still needs to appease India. After all, after the outbreak of the world war, in order to recruit more Indians, the British government
He promised to give Indians more power.
Of course, that was only a promise made after the outbreak of the world war. The Prime Minister at that time was Asquith, and the current Prime Minister is Winston.
"What more benefits do you want? Look at France now, look at Britain now. There are ruined villages, burned forests, and land polluted by poisonous gas. But your southern Africa was devastated during the world war.
To make war fortune, I only learned a few days ago that before the outbreak of the world war, your southern African federal government still owed 150 million pounds to the British Empire. As a result, the Ministry of Finance calculated a few days ago that it is now the British Empire that owes you southern Africa.
1.35 billion, not to mention Southwest Africa, Tanganyika, Mesopotamia, and Cyprus. We fought life and death with the Germans all for your sake in southern Africa. Not only did you not pay us any wages,
And you still want us to give you money! Can you be more shameless?" Winston was furious, and only realized it later.
Rock smiled sheepishly, seeing how innocent he was, and immediately changed the subject: "What about Canada, Australia and New Zealand?"
Southern Africa did make a lot of war profits through the World War, but Canada, Australia, and New Zealand did not benefit. Moreover, the Canadian Legion and the Anzac Corps also made great sacrifices for the British Empire during the World War. The British government does not need to reward Southern Africa.
, but if Canada and Australia and New Zealand are not rewarded -
I'm afraid Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are going to rebel!
"The British Empire certainly rewards Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but this has nothing to do with you in southern Africa. You have already got what you want." Winston did not relent. As far as the current financial situation of the British government is concerned,
It would be great if the British government did not continue to borrow money from the Southern African federal government.
Speaking of borrowing money, Rock wanted to talk to Winston.
The money that the British government owes the federal government of Southern Africa carries interest, and part of it is owed to the Rand Bank, and the Rand Bank is known for being ruthless, so when will the money be repaid, Rock can have a good relationship with Winston.
Have a chat.
Of course, before that, Rock had something to make clear to Winston: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, there is one thing that must be explained. Southern Africa did make a lot of profits during the world war, but the Southern African federal government, and
The profits made by enterprises in Southern Africa are not given away by the Allied Powers for free. They are all hard-earned money earned by us in Southern Africa and the Southern African federal government. So does this have anything to do with what we are discussing? Canada
Australia and New Zealand did contribute to the British Empire during the World War, but our contribution in southern Africa was even greater. Not only did one million of our people die in the war, but two million were injured. We did our best to meet the needs of the British Empire.
Due to local material needs, I would rather go hungry than ensure supplies to the expeditionary force. My daughter even donated her own piggy bank. You can’t just wipe out all these contributions with just a word!"
Winston knew that he had to do his best to fight for the interests of the British Empire, and Rock certainly knew it too, although this was not actually Rock's job.
Roque's position in the federal government of Southern Africa is the Minister of Defense and the Minister of War. Now he should be the Minister of Foreign Affairs and talk to Winston, but Southern Africa does not have diplomatic autonomy, so it does not even have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs——
"No one can wipe out the contribution of southern Africa. As the Earl of Nyasaland of the British Empire, the British Empire has given you a lot, so you must know how to be grateful. You should be grateful for what you have received now, instead of being greedy and asking for more!" Wen
He is indiscriminate in his words and greedy——
This accusation is a bit harsh.
Rock was originally calm, but after hearing what Winston said, Rock also became angry.
Damn, you said I'm greedy, right?
We in southern Africa should know how to be grateful, right?
