Chapter 3574
Chapter 3574
Chapter 3574
For Schneider, who is in charge of Hai Han’s finances, the thing he dislikes most about his job is the large expenses that suddenly pop up unplanned and must be allocated in a short period of time.
The group where this situation occurs most often is, of course, the military, especially overseas troops.
Any large-scale military operation of overseas troops often requires millions of dollars in military expenditure, but not all such operations can be scheduled for implementation one or two years in advance and the corresponding military expenditures calculated.
More often, local garrison commanders would apply to the Ministry of Defense and the Executive Committee when they realized the situation was favorable, so as not to miss the opportunity. However, this would inevitably disrupt the arrangements made by the financial department, and even force them to fill the sudden hole by digging east to patch west.
Schneider has been in the executive committee for so many years, so he is of course very familiar with this. Just by listening to the tone of Yan Chujie's voice, he knew what was going to happen next, so he quickly interrupted him.
Yan Chujie argued: "Wherever the Special Operations Division's troops go, that's where our trade reaches. The money we invest in the military can be recovered through future international trade!"
Schneider retorted: "That depends on whether there is an environment for trade activities in the local area... The Special Operations Division has occupied the islands at the northern end of Malacca for a year and a half, and now they have not even achieved self-sufficiency in basic supplies, let alone profits!"
"It has been half a year since the Special Operations Division landed on Ceylon. Have we made any money from there? It is said that Ceylon produces gemstones, but the value of the gemstones shipped back to the country cannot even cover the expenses of fighting in Colombo."
"If entering the Indian Ocean could bring us considerable economic benefits, then Xingdao would not give up halfway and transfer all its resources and goals to the New World in the South!"
What Schneider said was true. Yan Chujie had no choice but to bring out some truth: "If we don't open up the Indian Ocean route, how can we set foot in the Middle East? If we don't control the Middle East, how can we enter the Mediterranean and Africa in the future? This money has to be spent. The sooner you invest, the sooner you will benefit, Old Shi!"
Schneider raised his hand and interrupted Yan Chujie again: "I am not opposed to the long-term strategy of heading west to the Indian Ocean, establishing colonies, and controlling key waterways, but is the special operations division's action really that urgent? If they occupy one or two more places this year, can they bring more benefits to the country?"
"My suggestion is that the Special Operations Division should proceed step by step and not disrupt the normal rhythm and plan. If Qian Tiandun wants to abandon Xingdao and seek help from the Executive Committee, he should submit a report through formal channels, explain the action plan and its necessity, so that the Executive Committee will have more basis to judge whether it is worth investing funds to support him."
In the final analysis, Schneider was still unwilling to use the national treasury to cover the losses of Xingdao and the Special Operations Division. This was his duty, and every word he said made sense, so no one could refute him.
However, the Executive Committee is mostly composed of people with military backgrounds, so there will still be people who stand up to support Yan Chujie.
Shi Diwen stood up decisively at this time: "Old Shi, you value economic benefits, which we understand, but don't just look at short-term benefits. The impact of what we are doing now may last for hundreds or thousands of years, or even longer. Economic benefits should not be the first consideration at the moment."
"Just like the civil war we triggered in Japan, in the short term it seems that only the military industry and shipbuilding industry have gained actual benefits, but in the long run, if we can eliminate this hidden danger in the East China Sea, there will be less trouble in the future."
"The strategy we are implementing in the Indian Ocean is exactly the same. The real benefits may only gradually emerge after ten, twenty, or even a hundred years. But if we can do it but don't do it, we will be handing these regions over to the Europeans!"
Schneider shook his head again and again and said, "I'm not against sending troops to fight for the world, but do you have to rush at this moment? External military operations should be decided by the Executive Committee, not by the generals stationed abroad." When both sides held their own opinions and were deadlocked, Tao Donglai finally spoke up: "Okay, stop arguing. After so many years of arguing, have you ever convinced the other side?"
"Now the East China Sea, the South Pacific, and the Indian Ocean all require more domestic resources. Which action is not for the long-term development of the country? No matter how difficult it is, we still have to invest when it's time!"
After Tao Donglai spoke, Schneider's tone softened significantly: "Old Tao, you are right, but the fiscal budget is limited, and the resources that can be provided domestically are also limited. It is not easy to force all three directions to start!"
Tao Donglai said: "For the supply of military equipment, Lao Bai and Lao Qiao, you have worked so hard. Let's see if we can increase the production capacity in the short term."
Bai Kesi and Qiao Zhiya both agreed, but they also knew that this was not an easy task. Increasing the production capacity of industrial products is not as simple as just a few words.
To increase production capacity, we must first increase the labor input and improve work efficiency. Some industries must set up new production lines and increase investment in raw materials. These measures also mean that more funds are needed.
"As for the funds, even if we put all of us together, we are not as capable as you, Old Shi. You have to take action yourself to solve the current difficulties!"
Tao Donglai put a high hat on Schneider's head, and Schneider couldn't refuse. Several people in the military camp also followed suit and immediately took turns to flatter Schneider.
Schneider sighed and replied, "You guys always give me problems. Have you ever thought that I'm old and can't do it anymore?"
Although Schneider complained, when everyone heard what he said, they knew that he had not refused this difficult task, and they immediately felt relieved.
Tao Donglai's praise was not an exaggeration. When it came to raising and mobilizing funds, Schneider was indeed Hai Han's foremost expert. Even in the entire world, there were very few people like Schneider who could mobilize the wealth of a huge empire with a single warrant and influence financial measures that affected the lives of tens of millions of people.
After thinking for a while, Schneider quickly came up with a preliminary plan.
First, the Ministry of Finance will take the lead in publicly issuing South China Sea Development Bonds and Indian Ocean Development Bonds in China to raise some funds for actions in these two directions.
Second, on the grounds of insufficient domestic production capacity, the United States will raise the prices of various materials and weapons and equipment needed by Japan, further squeezing Japan's financial resources.
The third is to adjust the domestic expenditure budget and cut funds in some areas where the demand is not so urgent.
Fourth, lower the entry threshold, introduce private capital, and participate in foreign colonial development projects.
(End of this chapter)