What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 607 Bonds? Deployment Fees?

Three days later, as the Qi Jiguang quietly sailed into the shipyard's dry dock at night, Zhao Hande also flew to Goose City again.

The more than 700 tons of gold reserves caused a great stir, which not only meant funds, but also represented that Southeast Asia truly possessed extremely strong resources.

Judging from Tang Wen's unwavering reaction, Nanyang probably needs more than 5000 tons of gold reserves to dare to do this.

However, considering the intricate connections between the Lost Empire and it, the source of the gold may be even broader:

If the elites who formed the Lost Empire had truly gained the approval or assistance of Lao Xi, it's possible they would have taken away a great deal of gold.

After all, during Hans's peak, he occupied so much of his neighbors' territory, and much of their gold was transported to Berlin.

Previously, it was generally believed that this gold might have been returned or taken over by the Allies after the war, but now it seems that a large portion of it may have secretly left with the exiled elites. This could explain why the Lost Empire was able to survive the most difficult initial stage and had the capital to connect with Southeast Asia to survive and grow stronger.

In conclusion, the status of Southeast Asia is unshakeable, and we must do everything we can to maintain good relations with it.

Although the three-year plan of 1000 billion yuan proposed by the bank president was less of a burden, it was still rejected by higher authorities after careful consideration. Zhao Hande brought unconditional funding and a promise:
At any time, Gaijin can withdraw interest-free and indefinite loans from the four major banks until the amount reaches 1000 billion yuan;
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The domestic government will pay close attention to the economic situation in Southeast Asia and provide assistance, while also closely monitoring its stability.

Tang Wen keenly sensed that the last half of the second clause was the most costly and important, which meant that the fleet was very likely to be dispatched for patrol.

Aid to the economy of Southeast Asia was a pre-existing plan, originally part of the original plan, but in this plan, thanks to Tang Wen's reminder, it was implemented earlier and more meticulously.

In fact, a large number of domestic traders have already been guided to purchase various supplies and seafood and agricultural products from Southeast Asia. Although it cannot be called a rescue, it has at least given the authorities some hope of catching their breath.

And the navy...

According to Tang Wen, the 001 Taishan (i.e., the Yamato Modern Kai) and the first 055 ship Guangyi are about to enter service, while the 002 Huashan will be slightly later.

These two warships were launched before July last year. Due to the more complex reality and the emergence of the Lost Empire, the sea trials have been accelerated and are expected to be completed in February. After that, they will be repainted and slightly maintained before being delivered to the Navy and will be commissioned around March.

The air combat capabilities of the 002 Huashan battleship were not highly anticipated, especially since the J-7J's less-than-ideal takeoff and landing performance was a further blow to the Huashan's shortened deck.

最终海军为其配备了4架T/A4E和临时改造的2架海直9搜救直升机，因为定位更复杂需要延后到4月服役。

In addition, the second Type 055 destroyer is still undergoing sea trials and has not yet been named. It is expected to enter service in June or July.

That is, as of April, the Navy had two arsenal battleships and one air defense destroyer.

Tang Wen expressed his gratitude, but he actually knew that these warships were somewhat underwhelming:
Due to time constraints, these warships are all equipped with the 343 radar. The advanced Dongda Shen-Dun 346 Hai Zhi Xing radar has not yet been successfully developed. For example, the 101 ship is only one-third loaded with ammunition. With the 343 radar and C-band radar working together, it can only achieve a maximum air defense network of 110 kilometers, and even that is not perfect.

The two battleships were loaded with even less ammunition. The Taishan was loaded with nearly 400 missiles, and the Huashan with more than 200. Both were only loaded to less than 1/5 capacity. At the same time, the C301 heavy supersonic anti-ship missiles used by the two battleships were still undecided.

In a real naval battle, three warships would take at least two or three years to become usable, but if they are only used for patrolling the surrounding area, their deterrent power is more than enough!

What's so special about sending HMS Hood with the British? Even in a pure armor-piercing battle, both HMS Huashan and HMS Taishan could easily crush Hood, especially HMS Huashan's 610mm super gun, which is known as the ultimate fantasy of BB enthusiasts worldwide.

Tang Wen even speculated that even if Gaijin didn't intervene, as long as the two battleships made a friendly visit south, many hidden schemes could be eliminated without a trace.

However, the progress of the Type 011 aircraft carrier is slow:
The trouble with the 002 Huashan and 011 Guangsheng lies in their carrier-based aircraft. In the year since the J-7J's maiden flight in February last year, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group has been manually developing and improving eight carrier-based aircraft and delivering them. In addition, they have also developed the two-seat carrier-based trainer JL-9, codenamed Mountain Eagle, based on the J-7J.

(J-7J in this timeline)

A total of 12 J-7J and Mountain Eagle aircraft were manufactured, plus the batch of T/A4Js converted from A4s. That was just enough to train pilots, and it was still a long way from achieving combat capability.

Furthermore, because the J-7's operational role did not take ground attack into account, the J-7J does not yet have a decent air-launched anti-ship missile, so the Guang Sheng can only temporarily perform air superiority missions (unless it is to fire rockets).

Given the unreliability of carrier-based aircraft, the first aircraft carrier to enter service, the Guangdong-class carrier, is estimated to not be able to assemble a full complement of personnel and combat-ready carrier-based aircraft until 99.

Even so, she cannot undertake any combat missions, because with the commencement of construction/ordering of the Type 012 and Type 013 aircraft carriers, this light aircraft carrier will have to focus all its efforts on training pilots for the subsequent aircraft carriers, and will be used primarily for training for at least three years.

With such high-intensity use, the Guang Sheng ship must be maintained on time, which can easily take another six months to a year... Even with optimistic estimates, the navy's current warships will not be able to achieve 100% combat capability until around 2002.

At this moment, the century-old navy has a concrete concept, and even with sufficient equipment, the process of personnel integration and training is still a long one.

Tang Wenzheng was pondering whether he could find a way to procure a group of personnel to help train the modern navy, but Zhao Hande brought up arms sales instead:
"Boeing has contacted you, right? They'll give us CH47Ds immediately if you add $500 million to the price."

"I've heard rumors, but 500 million is too expensive. A new one only costs 2500 million."

Tang Wencai had just learned of this news, but he clearly already knew what Prism Building was thinking:
Selling CH47Ds is far more powerful than any sanctions. India has been aggressively exerting influence internationally recently, trying every possible means to sabotage this deal.

He didn't care about Prism Building's little scheme—or rather, the stakes weren't high enough. The Chinook held a far lower position in his heart than the C17 or the uncensored F18C.

However, Zhao Hande winked and said:

"But the Army wants to buy them because these helicopters have already been produced and delivered to the Imperial Army. Although they are all called CH47D, they are definitely of better quality and have more advanced internal electronic systems."

We found out there are 20 available, and buying them all would only cost an extra $100 million.

Tang Wen's eyes widened instantly, staring at him in disbelief:
When will Lao Zhao be able to say something like "only one hundred million US dollars"? How can he so easily talk about such a large amount of foreign exchange?

The Peace Pearl only cost a few hundred million dollars, how could the army be so extravagant?

But Zhao Hande quickly explained the reason:
The trial issuance of US dollar bonds was a huge success.

Domestically, the government ultimately adhered to Tang Wen's proposal of a five-year term and a 6.5% interest rate, issuing $50 billion in bonds. Initially, the government was quite apprehensive and planned to have the government buy a batch to cover the shortfall, but to everyone's surprise, the bonds were sold out immediately as soon as they were released.

It's important to know that this $50 billion is targeted at overseas buyers, who are foreigners and overseas Chinese!
The $50 billion invested in the market was absorbed in the blink of an eye, a success that is hard to believe!

The influx of $50 billion and over 700 tons of gold emboldened the authorities to loosen their grip on fiscal matters. However, the military, having just completed its honeymoon period, then offered a suggestion: they worried that the arms sale was essentially an attempt to extort India, and that if Prism Building succeeded, it would certainly sabotage the deal. They urged the military to find a way to acquire the advanced equipment as quickly as possible.

While an additional $500 million is a lot, the price of $3000 million per CH-47D is already quite reasonable!
There is never a market price for arms trade. It varies depending on the trading partner and the current situation. In fact, the Army would be willing to buy a single aircraft for $4000 million. These things are simply priceless.

Besides the Empire, who else can sell heavy helicopters of this caliber?

Moreover, another characteristic of the arms trade is that buying more does not necessarily mean buying cheaper. Buying 5 CH-47Ds and buying 20 are completely different things, and even if the latter is sold at a higher price, it is still reasonable.

Paying an extra $100 million would immediately secure a high-altitude army aviation regiment; such a rare opportunity is too good to be true if one is concerned about money.

Furthermore, what Tang Wen was unaware of was that due to the Christmas campaign launched by the Third Fleet, the country once again decided to increase its investment in the navy and air force. The army's share was much smaller than in the original timeline, and if they didn't provide some compensation, there would be complaints from below.

With five billion US dollars in hand, Zhao Hande was beaming and telling Tang Wen about his next plan:
"You don't know, these five billion US dollars in bonds are extremely popular among overseas Chinese, especially those in Southeast Asia. I'm even planning to add another five billion!"

Tang Wen was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then suddenly laughed as if he had just realized something:
"Old Zhao, you have to give me a cut. I helped you sell at least half of the government bonds!"

……

A few days ago, Jakarta

“Father, two more plantations have to be closed. They are too remote and the profits can’t even cover the transportation costs.”

Lin Jiayao sat wearily at the table, opposite the Lin family head, who was dressed in a Tang suit and resting with his eyes closed.

Upon hearing his words, the latter slowly opened his eyes:

"It can't be turned off."

“But nobody is buying now… Oh, the mainland will buy some, but the quantity is too small. Our big customers are canceling their orders, crop prices are falling, but gasoline prices are rising… There has been no profit in the past week, and continuing to operate will only result in more and more losses.”

"Don't turn it off!"

Hearing his father repeat those three words, Lin Jiayao could only lower his head and smile bitterly.

He knew the reason, of course. Closing the plantation would mean laying off the workers, and they didn't want to lose their jobs to support their families. Laying them all off would definitely cause trouble.

Some people can be calmed down when they cause trouble, but what if the authorities get involved...?

Seeing his only son in a dilemma, the Lin family head took the initiative to comfort him:

“The plantation won’t lose much money; it can always recover in a year or two. What I’m more worried about is…”

He didn't finish speaking, but both father and son looked up at each other at the same time, and sighed in unison:
"Ugh……"

Although the Lin family has been established for over a hundred years, they are still regarded as outsiders and are always the first to be targeted.

Compared to the destruction of one's family and the loss of loved ones, a little bit of property is nothing.

Just as the two were sighing, the Lin family head suddenly received news:
Mainland China plans to issue US dollar bonds to overseas investors.

This kind of thing has happened before, even dating back to sixty or seventy years ago. But this time it's different not only because the bond amount is large, but also because the interest rate is extremely high. It's definitely a sure thing to make a profit!
However, the suspicious and often scammed Chinese also have their doubts:
The purpose of dollar bonds is, of course, to collect foreign exchange. With such high profits, is there any possibility of defaulting on the debt or a conspiracy?
The exaggerated figures and tempting interest rates were completely at odds with the conservative policies they had in mind. Although the group of wealthy overseas businessmen were tempted, they did not understand why, so they asked the head of the Lin family, the president of the largest business association in Java, to find out some inside information.

The Lin family head was also puzzled. He asked around but couldn't get any answers. Suddenly, he thought of Gai Jin, who seemed to be discussing oil deals again recently, and remembered Tang Wen, whom he had seen at the warship launching ceremony.

The latter, of course, knew that this was the reason he had instigated it, but considering the Lin family's status and the identity of the Lin family head, he devised a plan:
"Old Lin, haven't you realized this is to save your life!"

Patriarch Lin: "Huh?"

"Think about it, how much overseas Chinese have supported the country over the past century? The country remembers it all. Do you think such high interest rates are just to keep extracting money from overseas? You're wrong!"

Think about your situation. Did you buy bonds? Think more carefully!

Tang Wen deliberately played the riddle-solving connoisseur, and the key point was that the Lin family head actually fell for it and started a brainstorming session:
His predicament, the national debt… he suddenly thought of the magnificent fleet in Victoria Harbour last July. Could it be…?

Yes, absolutely!
Although he was outnumbered and outgunned, he might have been backed by a top Asian navy with 100,000-ton battleships!
Since the successive commissioning of battleships, aircraft carriers, and missile cruisers (Type 055), although the world generally believes that its technical level is far inferior to that of the Self-Defense Forces, everyone has assumed that the Tokyo Navy has the qualifications to enter the blue sea and is not much worse than the Self-Defense Forces.

If this force is stationed in Southeast Asia, those rats who secretly only want to use underhanded methods will be suppressed!

Warships always need a legitimate reason to set sail. Purchasing bonds is not only equivalent to registering them on the mainland, but also equivalent to providing the warships' departure fees!

Moreover, Tang Wen's position in their hearts is not ordinary. Prism Building considers him a front man, and in their eyes, he is pretty much the same, just saying some inconvenient things for the government!

Seeing that he did not answer for a long time, Tang Wen continued:

"The government is issuing bonds now only because it is temporarily short of foreign exchange. In order to prevent everyone from suffering losses, it has deliberately raised interest rates. How could it possibly break its promise?"
You've both made money and built a lasting friendship by buying bonds!

The Lin family head understood.

After expressing their gratitude repeatedly, the Lin family immediately convened the Chamber of Commerce. After explaining the reasons, they took the lead in purchasing $3000 million in bonds. The other members of the Chamber of Commerce, who were already in a state of panic, were also excited to hear that they could spend money to hire a warship. They also began to purchase bonds in large quantities, or even borrow money.

After all, bonds not only have to be repaid, but also have interest paid every year. Buying $1000 million in bonds will yield $65 in interest every year, which is higher than conservative financial management and lower than ordinary investment. Buying them is a sure way to make money!

These days, the purchasing power of the US dollar is still very strong, so there's no need to worry about it depreciating!
The Jakarta Chamber of Commerce, scrambling to purchase foreign exchange for their own safety and fortune, also reminded families in other regions:
If you don't buy bonds today, your warships will never dock at your territory again!
Under this driving force, nearly $30 billion was absorbed by Southeast Asia, while the remainder was silently devoured by Wall Street.
No one doubts the reputation and solvency of the University of Tokyo. After all, it scrimped and saved to pay off its debt to its elder brother, thus establishing a good credit record that is widely recognized internationally. It would never ruin its reputation.

(End of this chapter)