/newmessage.php?tosys=1&title="The Crossing Begins with the Titanic."

Chapter Errors/Click here to report

In the middle of the night, in a luxurious manor house in the city of Maracaibo, the night was quiet, but there were still two stern soldiers standing at the door, their bodies straight and motionless, ready to strangle a malicious intruder.

In the room, the lights were bright, and two men sat opposite each other, one in his fifties, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a majesty of his own.

The other man, in his early thirties, with his feet folded and his hands on his knees, looked at the man opposite, his head slightly hanging and looking respectful, as if waiting for the other to speak.

In front of them was twice as fragrant coffee, but the aroma of coffee wafting through the air didn't attract their attention at all.

Judging from the appearance, the silhouette of the two is a little similar, and it seems that they have a great relationship. In fact, they are a father and son - Juan? Gomez and his son Ronald? Gomez.

After receiving a heavyweight business delegation sent by the William Consortium, the old Gomez hurriedly rushed over secretly from the capital Caracas.

He had to rush over because his troops hadn't been paid for three months, and if enough money hadn't been raised to appease the GIs, Juan? Gomez was about to be overthrown by his subordinates, just like his predecessors.

"These Americans have a lot of appetite, and they really want to swallow Lake Maracaibo!

Before negotiations began, we had already bought a third of the land on the eastern shore of Lake Maracaibo, do you think we are going to agree to their terms? ”

Old Gomez asked, gently putting down the Maracaibo development plan submitted by Gedas.

"Give it to them! The Americans can't stop us if they want us, and even if we don't sell it, the Americans will take it themselves. Didn't they just do it for a while in Puerto Cabello?

But in any case, we must sell for a good price! It's just that you have to get by on the look, and don't be excused by your opponent to attack. ”

Ronald? Gomez replied.

This answer has been in his mind for a long time, he is the governor of the state of Surya and the largest landowner in the Maracaibo region, and it is in his best interest to develop Maracaibo. At the beginning, he was tricked by Shell Oil Company, thinking that the large piece of land seized by force could be sold for a good price, but he did not expect that Shell Oil Company would retreat not long after. Makes Ronald half angry.

Now the arrival of Guedas and others has made Ronald see hope all of a sudden, and he naturally doesn't want to let go of this opportunity.

Knowing the son is more than the father. Old Gomez glanced at his son, and Ronald knew exactly what was going on in his heart. It's just not broken.

However, Ronald has a saying that the old Gomez has a heart, since he can't stop the Americans from reaching out to Lake Maracaibo, he must sell it for a good price. And it's best to be actively involved yourself.

Thinking of this, Old Gomez nodded and said, "That's it for now." Tomorrow you tell them to come over, I think these Yankees are so enthusiastic, of course, it is a bother, but it just so happens that we can also make some requests. ”

The next day. Same room, just two more people, Thomas and Gedas. Here they are here, and here today they are engaged in an unknown traitorous trade with Gomez and his sons.

"Husband of the President, husband of the Governor. I think the terms we have come up with are very favorable, and a $10 million lease on the eastern shore of Lake Maracaibo for 50 years is a very good deal.

At the same time, we will also invest in other industries in Venezuela, build Venezuelan industry, and promote the local economy, what are you waiting for? Guedas said.

"No, no, no! I recognize that your terms are conducive to the development of Venezuela, but it is not appropriate to lease all the land on the eastern shore of Lake Maracaibo. It will definitely attract the opposition of the people. We can't do that. Ronald began.

So the two sides began to bargain.

However, from the beginning, the initiative was on Thomas's side. Thomas, a rogue lawyer, has become a master of eye-to-eye observation, and before he came, he was not only Maracaibo's material. Even Juan? Gomez's situation is also well known.

As soon as he came up, he took the lead and gave it to Juan? Gomez is a dismount.

"Husband President, as far as I know, according to the Washington Protocol signed between you and the United States, Britain, and Germany in 1903, your country's debts should not have been paid off!"

Thomas asked with a smile. Although the smile was charming, Gomez and his son just wanted to smash it on Thomas's handsome face.

After all, Ronald is still young and still cultivating at home, and when he heard Thomas come up, he uncovered his scars, and he couldn't stand the excitement, and stared at Thomas, his eyes full of anger.

After all, old Gomez is accustomed to seeing storms and waves, and although he is a little angry in his heart, he still calms down, otherwise it is impossible to achieve the success of the coup.

"Hehe, thank you Thomas's husband for your concern, I wonder what you can bring to Venezuela?".

Gomez Sr. smiled softly, and Thomas's mention of Venezuela's embarrassment seemed to him to be insignificant.

In fact, the crisis in Venezuela that Thomas just mentioned is well-founded, and it hits the death hole of the elder Gomez.

In 1899, C. Castro seized power in Venezuela and became president. Due to the continuous civil war, production declined, debts were high, and they were unable to repay. Major creditor countries, such as Germany and Britain, demanded repayment of their debts and extorted huge reparations from Venezuela on the grounds that their expatriates had suffered losses in the Venezuelan civil war. In January 1901, Castro's government announced that it would not recognize foreign debts prior to May 1899. In March of the same year, it announced a moratorium on debt payments.

Did Venezuela repay the tricks like this? Britain, Germany and Italy were immediately upset, and they decided to teach C. Castro an unforgettable lesson. On December 7, 1902, the German and British ministers issued an ultimatum to the Venezuelan government in order to demand a debt from Venezuela. Two days later, the German, British, and Italian fleets blockaded the Venezuelan coast, detained Venezuelan naval vessels in the port of La Guairla, sank some ships, and shelled Puerto Cabello.

Later, under the mediation of the Americans, the two sides of the conflict reached the Washington Protocol, in which Germany and Britain agreed to lift the armed blockade and return the seized Venezuelan ships. Under the Protocol, Venezuela was to compensate Britain and Germany with 30 per cent of the customs revenues from La Guaira and Puerto Cabello.

In other words, Venezuela's main customs office has fallen into foreign hands, and in textbook terms, it has begun to become a semi-colony. This is the sad way for small countries, which often become the preys of large ones, and Venezuela is no exception.

This is also the reason why Shell was able to conduct geological expeditions in the Maracaibo area in the first place.

Juan? Gomez was originally a subordinate of former President Fidel Castro, and the reason why he was able to replace him was because he was more knowledgeable and never fought hard against foreigners.

Since the coup d'état of 1908, Juan? Gomez has ruled Venezuela for almost ten years, but warlord rule, years of war, artificial indulgence, etc. have not contributed to the improvement of the country's economy. Gomez's rule grew stronger, so Gomez and his sons needed foreign help to suppress domestic opposition.

175 bargains

175 bargains, to the URL

Genius remembers [Aishang Novel Network] in a second biquge.info provides you with wonderful novels to read.