Chapter 1165 Collateral

Trade with East Africa and the United States is the life-saving straw for Russia's industry and commerce today, especially trade with East Africa, which maintains the stability of Russia's internal society today.

For example, the large amounts of food and materials needed by the Russian army on the front line need to be provided by East Africa. Although Russia's food production can theoretically be self-sufficient, poor transportation and a bloated and decaying logistics system make it impossible for Russia's rear food to reach the front line and supply the front line. The needs of the military and the western industrial cluster.

This led to the Russian troops on the front line even eating East African wheat bread, which was simply unimaginable for Russia, a major grain-producing country. Before the war, Russia produced almost one-fifth of the world's wheat.

The prices of domestic industrial products in Russia have increased wildly with the advent of the war. For example, the price of boots has increased by more than 200%, and the price of matches has increased by more than 300%. Now that it is winter, both of these are indispensable. basic supplies, this is the result of the import of a large amount of East African goods.

This is true for industry and agriculture, and Russia's poor military-industrial capabilities are most vividly reflected on the battlefield. Although Russia mobilizes a large number of troops, at least a quarter of the Russian army is not equipped with rifles.

From ordinary ammunition to telephone wires, almost nothing is in short supply. The number of heavy weapons is already small, and one less one is damaged. The Russian army on the front line even has the situation where less than three artillery shells can be fired every day. .

This resulted in East Africa’s commodity exports to Russia being dominated by military supplies and semi-finished products, a situation that did not exist for other great powers. However, exports to other countries were dominated by raw materials and light industrial products.

As the war progressed, many participating countries gave up some unimportant civilian industrial production, but the production capacity of heavy industry was basically met, while Russia's light industry and heavy industry did not meet the standards.

All in all, Russia's disintegration in the war in the previous life was not unjust. At least from the current East African perspective, Russia's internal situation is already very bad. However, most officials do not know that Russia's lower limit is far beyond this.

…

After the internal meeting of the East African government, Ernst met with Franz IV and his entourage at the Rhine Palace, and started some detailed negotiations around the Basda Railway.

At this time, Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire were simply not able to support the construction of the Basra Railway due to war reasons, and the Ottoman Empire did not have the ability to build railways independently, so the construction of the Basra Railway could only fall on the "neutral" country of East Africa.

"The funds and labor are provided by the Ottoman Empire, and we in East Africa are responsible for providing technology, materials, engineers and other important links."

"Of course, based on the economic capabilities of the Ottoman Empire, we can lend money to the Ottoman Empire, but there must be collateral."

The conditions provided by East Africa are in line with common sense, but the collateral makes the Ottoman Empire more difficult. The money is definitely not enough. After all, the Ottoman Empire's finances are already in difficulty, and now they have to prepare for war, and they can't afford a penny.

The Ottoman envoy Alleludd looked at Franz IV with a troubled expression, obviously wanting Franz IV to help intercede.

So Franz IV had to come forward again. He said to Ernst: "Your Majesty, it is obviously impossible for the Ottoman Empire to come up with such a huge sum of money due to the war, so can it wait until the war is over? Slowly repaid by the Ottoman government.”

Ernst rejected it flatly: "This is definitely not possible. Your Majesty the Grand Duke, you must also know that the Basra Railway is not a simple railway line. It involves the game between various big countries."

"Although this railway is endorsed by Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, Britain, France and Russia will definitely not agree to the construction and opening of this railway."

"So we are under huge political pressure to build the Basra Railway. Although East Africa is the leading power in the Indian Ocean region, Britain's strength in the Indian Ocean cannot be ignored."

"Especially in the Persian Gulf, the UK has many military bases and colonies. Our East African ships are at risk of being attacked every time they pass through the Persian Gulf."

This is naturally a fact, but it is also an excuse made by Ernst. After all, the Ottoman Empire in its previous life was dismembered directly after the war. If the outcome of the Ottoman Empire is still the same, East Africa will not be able to obtain actual benefits in advance. There is no proof of death.

"Then does your Majesty think the Ottoman Empire can have anything worthy of East Africa's interest as collateral?" Franz IV could only ask.

Of course, there is. As one of the largest countries in the world, the Ottoman Empire has a strong family background. There must be something that East Africa can like.

Ernst pretended to meditate for a long time, which made Franz IV and Alleludd feel very nervous.

Alleludd just hopes that the appetite of the East Africans will not be too big. To be honest, the Ottoman Empire has regarded this war as a battle of national destiny and has put all its wealth on the line.

Therefore, the Basra Railway must be built, so that trade between East Africa and the Ottoman Empire can be guaranteed to be smooth and the worries of the Ottoman Empire can be solved.

After pretending to think for half an hour, Ernst said: "How about using the territory as collateral?"

Although Ernst's tone was very calm when he said it, it also made Elelulud break into a cold sweat. Territory has always been an untouchable forbidden zone for all countries.

Franz IV seemed a bit bland, after all, this was a matter for the Ottoman Empire.

Alleludd could only bite the bullet and ask: "I wonder if His Majesty plans to use that territory as collateral?"

Looking at the nervous Elerud, Ernst pretended to be relaxed and said: "There is no need to be nervous. Naturally, we in East Africa will not do anything too extreme. As for the collateral, I think your country is in this small country in the northwest corner of the Persian Gulf. It’s a nice place, how do you feel?”

Ernst asked, pointing to the west coast of the Persian Gulf on the map and the coast of Saudi Arabia in his previous life. At this time, the coast of Saudi Arabia was still under the control of the Ottoman Empire and was not a very important place.

The area that Ernst asked for made some sense in Elerud's eyes, because this land was very close to the Tonkin Gulf territory in East Africa, and was only separated by the power of Rashid Emir. Isn't that right? It shows that East Africa wants to expand its territory in the Beibu Gulf.

The Rashid Emir State is a family-ruled country that relies on the existence of the Ottoman Empire. It is regarded as a satellite state of the Ottoman Empire. Later, Saudi Arabia defeated this country and thus snatched a large amount of land from the Rashid Emir State, including A string of oil-producing areas.

Of course, today the Ottoman Empire still controls most of the coastal areas, while the Rashid Emir State is mainly located inland, and has an outlet to the sea in the area close to Qatar and Bahrain.

Ellerud said: "If it is just this small area, then there is indeed a basis for negotiation, but on this matter, I need to seek advice from the country."

Today, in the Persian Gulf region, except for Basra, Kuwait and other northern coasts, which are important seaports for the Ottoman Empire, other places do not have much value in the eyes of the Ottoman Empire.

Moreover, the area sought by East Africa is not large. It is completely desert. It can be regarded as a scrap of the empire. If it is used as a mortgage for the construction of the Basra Railway, at least for Elerud, it is not too much.

Ernst, who succeeded in his conspiracy, said with a smile: "If your country can assign this land to East Africa, we can completely use this area as payment for the Basra Railway. In this way, East Africa will expand its interests in the Persian Gulf region. , and your country has opened up the last section of the Baghdad railway to the Persian Gulf, which is very beneficial to both parties.”

Based on the previous negotiations, Ernst chose to continue to increase the stakes. If he could directly obtain the sovereignty of the Persian Gulf coast, it would be much better than wrangling in the future. East Africa was nothing more than helping the Ottoman Empire build a road of less than 700 kilometers at its own expense. Railway, this deal would definitely be a huge profit in Ernst's opinion if it came to fruition.