Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 475 Promise them, the increased oil production can't be transported out!

After listening to Sultan's account, Qin Liang's expression grew increasingly serious.

The Americans are getting anxious! They're terrified that the Soviets will develop the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program and gain the upper hand in the Cold War, so they've started using economic means to pressure the Soviets!

Or rather, the Reagan administration has been pondering these things since it took office, and now it has reached the point where it is about to reveal its true intentions!

Sha is the American's knife. As a knife, they cannot have their own thoughts and can only accept things habitually. The problem is, Sha is not a knife, and he is unwilling to be manipulated by the Americans.

However, they had no other ideas, so they came to the Easterners for advice, and Qin Liang was the first person they thought of.

All we can say now is that they definitely found the right person!

Qin Liang cannot let this happen!
A powerful Soviet Union would not be good for us, but a fragmented CIS would be even worse!

As long as the Soviet Union existed, the Americans had to treat us politely and consider us as someone to be courted. But if the Soviet Union were gone...

"Lower oil prices will not benefit you, Sha, nor will they benefit OPEC. We absolutely cannot be manipulated by the Americans!"

“Yes,” Sultan nodded, “Nobody wants to either, but if we don’t agree to their demand, we’ll have to cut off arms deals with the East, otherwise… the Americans will definitely be unhappy, and we…”

"Then let's increase oil production."

What?
Sultan's eyes widened. "You change your tune the moment we talk about Eastern interests? Qin, you're our best friend! You can't do this!"
"This is a grand conspiracy meticulously planned by the Americans. I suspect that not only Saudi Arabia is threatened, but other countries, such as Qatar and Bahrain, are also threatened. If you don't increase production, they will. If you want to stabilize oil prices, you have to continue to reduce production. Otherwise, all the oil wells may have to be shut down."

Sultan's expression changed drastically.

Those countries really are America's lackeys, and it's quite possible that they've been dissatisfied with the quotas given by OPEC.

By the time……

Even if Sha wants to control oil prices, he is powerless. The increased oil production from these countries is enough to make Sha reduce production to the point of stopping production and still not be able to stabilize oil prices!
So... is increasing oil production already irreversible?
"Then let's..."

"Although these countries produce a lot of oil, they also have a major flaw: if maritime transport routes are blocked, then any increase in oil production is meaningless..."

Sultan felt his heart pounding violently. Doing this was somewhat unfair to his friends, and... was it appropriate to make a deal with someone more terrifying than a viper in order to stabilize oil prices and for the sake of OPEC as a whole?

You should know that there is an old Arabic proverb: If you find a poisonous snake and a Persian in the desert, don't hesitate, kill the Persian first!
"You mean, secretly support Langtuo and have them completely blockade the Persian Gulf, preventing the oil from being transported out?"

No matter how much production is increased, it will be useless. Crude oil produced by countries along the Persian Gulf must pass through the Strait of Hormuz to be transported out.

Previously, the Iran-Iraq war on ships was already raging. Now... should we make things more difficult for them and prevent them from transporting oil?
That's all Sultan could think of!
Qin Liang shook his head: "No, no, of course you can't trade with Lang Tuo. You are sworn enemies. If this gets out, how will you get along with the other brothers?"

Sultan nodded, then asked with even greater confusion, "Then... what should we do?"

Are there many Cape-size oil tankers in the world?

The ocean is vast, but there are only a few key shipping routes. Therefore, the ships sailing around the world can be divided into only a few types.

Those ships that can pass through the Suez Canal are called Suez-type ships. Simply put, their maximum design capacity is 150,000 tons, with a total length of 274 meters, a width of 48 meters, and a draft of 58 inches.

How about widening the Suez Canal?
Of course, that's possible. However, if the Suez Canal is widened, shipowners will build larger ships. In short, the goal is to maximize profits by setting the largest possible ship size while still meeting navigation requirements.

As a result, ships with larger displacements cannot pass through the Suez Canal and can only detour around the southern tip of Africa via the Cape of Good Hope.

This would require a significant increase in shipping routes!
How much more? From 5,500 kilometers to 8,000 kilometers!

After all, the Suez Canal provides direct access to the Mediterranean Sea, and the countries along the Mediterranean coast are the closest to it.

If you go around to the southern tip of Africa, then the Mediterranean coastal countries are the furthest, and ships have to pass through the Strait of Gibraltar to get in!
During the Middle East wars, Egypt closed the Suez Canal, which led some international shipowners to start building ships specifically designed to sail to the Cape of Good Hope.

Although it's a longer route, there are no canals to restrict it, so the Cape of Good Hope ships are getting bigger and bigger!
To date, there are more than 20 giant oil tankers with a deadweight tonnage of 400,000 tons, and the largest even has a deadweight tonnage of 500,000 to 600,000 tons!
Upon hearing Qin Liang's question, Sultan pondered for a moment and replied, "I am not in charge of oil, but I know roughly that there should be about a hundred Cape-size oil tankers in the world."

"Buy them all!"

Sultan's eyes widened.

Mr. Sha is rich, but... he can't just spend money recklessly. For example, why is he buying those oil tankers now?
Mr. Sha doesn't like secondhand goods. If needed, we can make new ones!

“If you accept the Americans’ proposal to increase oil production, then the Suez Canal will become unusable for various reasons and you will have to go around the Cape of Good Hope. As a result, there will be a shortage of global oil tanker capacity. All the Cape-size tankers will be in your hands, and your crude oil can still be transported normally. Other countries… will have no use producing it!”

Sultan realized that Easterners were indeed clever.

If we don't offend the Americans, you say you want us to increase production, but how do we increase production?

However, the blockage of global freight routes has nothing to do with us!
In the past, when we were using the Suez Canal, there were enough tankers. But now that we are going around to the Cape of Good Hope, there aren't enough tankers!
Insufficient transportation capacity means that any increase in oil production is just a pipe dream!
"However... the Suez Canal may be congested, but it won't be stuck for too long, right? Unless it's blown up, but... we can't do anything to betray our own people."

After Eto's betrayal, they no longer considered him a brother, but they were still of the same race.

"It depends on the type of congestion. What if a container ship happens to be sideways, completely blocking the road? And the cargo on board is scattered everywhere? That would be a very difficult situation to handle..."

Sultan only felt waves of...

"It won't be easy to alleviate the congestion there for at least three to five months. In other words, it will delay things for at least six months. After six months, when the Suez Canal opens, other problems will arise, such as in North and South Yemen and Somalia. There might be people there who hold grudges and secretly plant mines in the waterway..."

With the exit to the Gulf of Aden blocked, we'll have to go through the Cape of Good Hope, and the transport capacity will still be insufficient!
“A Cape-size oil tanker takes about five years to build, so during those five years, any increase in oil production will be a joke because it can’t be transported out. And after five years… the US will have a new leader again!”

Sultan's expression was complicated.

"Qin, the methods you've suggested can indeed solve our pressing problems, but... what if the Americans discover that we're operating in secret..."

They want it all... Qin Liang was helpless. You have abundant wealth, but you are all docile sheep... or maybe even docile camels!
"If you are unwilling to handle this tanker procurement, you can entrust it to my wife. Her Pacific Trading Company can set up a maritime transportation branch. As for other projects, you don't need to worry about them. For example, the North and South Yemen projects were definitely driven by the Soviets."

Soviets!
Increasing oil production and lowering oil prices was a way to hurt the Soviets, so... the whole conspiracy was orchestrated by the Russians!
A smile finally appeared on Sultan's face: "That's right, this is a proper way to handle it. Qin, thank you for everything you've done for us."

"It's alright, as long as you don't think my schemes are too... despicable. This is all for our friends. If you're unwilling to confront us head-on, then we can only take a roundabout approach. If we in the East were to encounter this kind of problem, we would definitely fight it squarely."

"Of course, Qin, we are extremely grateful, how could we doubt your character?"

As he spoke, Sultan sniffed the air, as if he could smell something fragrant.
"This is……"

"Hot pot mutton is a specialty of our East, Your Highness Sultan, please eat here with me later."

"it is good!"

The Little Sheep Hot Pot of this era was truly delicious, with excellent broth and authentic sauces, far superior to brands from later generations!

Sultan ate with great relish.

After we've eaten and drunk our fill, we'll go back and use the Beidou terminal to send the plans back from here!
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and Sultan returned to his country on this day. When he arrived at the palace, he saw Hume-Holand standing there, looking arrogant.

"You won't agree to either of these conditions? If so, you'll no longer be good friends of the United States!"

"Wait, what's going on?"

"Your Highness Sultan? You've returned just in time. We Americans and Sha have had a friendship for so many years. Now, your side actually wants to purchase large quantities of weapons from the East, and even cooperate with the East. This... this is simply a betrayal of us!"

"No, no, you must have misunderstood!"

Sultan broke out in a cold sweat. After learning what had happened, his expression changed several times before he finally spoke. "Cooperation with the East cannot be terminated, but we must also consider the feelings of our American friends. Therefore, I believe that, given the current situation, increasing oil production is our only option."

“No, absolutely not! If you decide to increase production, I will resign as Minister of Oil!” Yamani vehemently opposed.

“If cooperation with the East is terminated, then I will resign as Minister of Defense!” Sultan also lost his temper.

Seeing this situation, Hume Holland was secretly pleased. This was the best possible outcome. Sha had to agree to one!
“It seems we should choose to increase oil production,” Foreign Minister Fahd said, standing up. “That concludes today’s meeting!”

Sha was forced to agree to increase oil production!
The United States' economic strategy can continue!
When the news reached back, the White House erupted in jubilation.

East, Chang'an.

Qin Liang had just returned when he saw a group of Russian faces.

"Mr. Honkyo, what's wrong with you? You don't look well."

"Qin, the S-300 system that intercepts Scud missiles belongs to us, how could you... how could you..."

Of course, Kyodo's expression was not good. During the military parade, the HQ-9 missile from the East made a public appearance and even boasted that this missile could intercept a Scud missile!

It's obvious that this is S-300 technology!
You used our money to develop the technology, and now you've claimed it as your own!
Honkyo is furious!
"What's wrong? Your S-300 missile system can intercept Scud missiles, so why can't our HQ-9 intercept them?"

"Of course you can intercept it, but you're using our technology to intercept it, isn't that... isn't that..."

"Is it something?"

"Isn't this a bit too much?"

"What's wrong with that? You don't think we copied your S-300, do you?" Qin Liang rolled his eyes at the other party: "Mr. Benjing, if I may be frank, your S-300 missiles are already outdated to us! We don't want to reduce the performance of our weapons."

What?
The Russians opened their eyes wide.

"That launch tube is the same as ours, and you still say it's not a copy of ours?"

"Okay, let's talk about the projectile body first. Our projectile body is 6.5 meters long. What is yours?"

The S-300 missile body length varies depending on the missile, while the conventional 48N6 missile is 7.5 meters.

Because it was one meter longer, when the Type 051C destroyer started construction, it had to occupy the hangar at the back to insert the missiles, while ours could directly penetrate the hull and be flush with the deck.

Does the difference in missile length mean it's not a knock-off?

The Russians were clearly unwilling to accept this.

"Don't be fooled by its short length; its range is longer than yours. The specific data is confidential, but I can guarantee that it performs better than your missiles."

The Russians fell silent.

The missile is short but has a long range! This is definitely not a knock-off; where can you find a knock-off that outperforms the original?
"As for the guidance system, that's even more classified. You all know how advanced our Eastern electronic technology is. I can say that our missiles are an order of magnitude better than yours in terms of accuracy and anti-jamming capabilities, so..."

The Russians had complicated expressions. The S-300, their most powerful air defense missile system developed with the combined efforts of the entire nation, was actually inferior to that of the East!

This……

"Everyone, is there anything else?"

"us……"

"If you have nothing else, I do have something I need to convey to the Soviet government through you, to express the goodwill of Northwestern Polytechnical University."

"You said."

"The Americans have proposed a completely new plan to cripple your country's problems, one that will economically cripple you..."

The Russians were stunned.

They certainly know what their country is like: a developed heavy industry, a lack of light industry, and a heavy reliance on imports for daily necessities. Right now, they're surviving entirely on energy exports; what if energy becomes worthless...?

"Then what do we do?"

"There is a solution, but... you'll have to be discreet about it..."

"Okay, I'll go back right away." Benjing knew how important this matter was, and he had to get back quickly.

As for whether the S-300 missile was copied by the East... we'll have to clarify when we get back that the East didn't copy it at all; they didn't want to reduce the performance of their product!

Qin Liang certainly wouldn't personally get involved; he'd let the Russians handle this dirty work, for the sake of their country!
As for their own side... the most the Americans could find out was that the Pacific Trading Company spent a huge sum of money to acquire all the Capesize oil tankers in the world. Where the money came from, they didn't know, but...

This is Dongfang's foresight; this is Dongfang's response to anticipated risks. So what? Is making money wrong?
Hong Kong.

"Hello, Mr. Dong."

"Ms. Yang, it's a pleasure to meet you. It's a real shame that your husband couldn't come with you."

Yang Duo'er was somewhat surprised. This shipping magnate from Hong Kong was no ordinary person. He could be considered one of the world's seven great shipping magnates, a modern-day Zheng He. This man actually knew her!
No, no, I still know Brother Liangzi!

"Mr. Dong, do you know my husband?"

"Yes, Britain was severely weakened in the Falklands War, and the negotiations in Hong Kong went very smoothly. We Hong Kongers have long wanted to return to the embrace of our motherland, so we naturally inquired about many details. The victory of the crying nation is inseparable from Northwestern Polytechnical University, and President Qin is the soul of Northwestern Polytechnical University."

"Thank you for your kind offer."

"Ms. Yang, please feel free to ask if there's anything you need during your visit."

"In 1980, the total global tanker capacity reached 3.4 million tons, while the demand for capacity that year was less than 1.5 million tons. The supertankers in your possession have hardly been put into operation since you acquired them. It is a waste to keep these ships in your hands. You might as well sell them to our Pacific Trading Company."

The world's largest oil tanker, the Sea Giant, belongs to this shipping magnate.

When it was being built, the Greek shipowner commissioned Sumitomo Heavy Industries of the island nation to build it. Three years later, the shipowner no longer wanted it because he had no money! So, the current shipping magnate took over and demanded modifications, lengthening it and increasing its deadweight tonnage from 440,000 tons to 560,000 tons.

The Sea Giant was launched in 81 and became a hot topic in the shipping industry that year.

Unfortunately, this oil tanker was born at the wrong time. The global economic shock caused a sharp drop in demand for crude oil. The oil tankers built when oil prices were high in previous years resulted in overcapacity, and in recent years, few oil transporters have been able to make a profit.

In recent years, old oil tankers have been continuously phased out, reducing shipping capacity, and overall supply still exceeds demand.

In the two years following its commissioning, the Sea Giant only served two crude oil transport needs. In the latter half of 1983, the shipping magnate leased the Sea Giant to Pemex (Mexico's state-owned oil company) to store crude oil, making it the world's largest floating oil tanker.

Now, this ship is truly a double-edged sword for the shipping magnate.

"What...why do you want this ship?" The shipping magnate wanted to sell, but he still needed to find out the reason.

"I dare to tell you its purpose, do you... dare to listen?"

(End of this chapter)