In terms of diplomacy, unlike other allies who were keen on flexing their muscles on the international stage, Australia's performance had always been low key. This was partly because of its unique geographical location, and partly because its people were not interested in international affairs.
Jokingly speaking, when the Australian government was trying to win a seat on the UN Security Council, the opposition Abbott mocked the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for spending too much time overseas and was far away from global action to solve the problem of climate change.
Compared to the United Kingdom, France, and America who would make a fuss about Hua during every election, Australia was undoubtedly a docile sheep. However, this sheep has a good Marine power.
At present, the Royal Australian Navy possessed six "Collins" -class conventional submarines, four "Adelaide" -class frigates, eight "Anzac" -class frigates, eight landing ships, eight mine warfare ships, and other equipment. It was not an exaggeration to call it the most powerful naval force in the Pacific Ocean.
Not only that, the Australian Navy was currently promoting the "SEA1400" and "SEA1000" plans, which would cost 7.5 billion USD and 37 billion USD respectively to build a total of three "Hobart" -class Aegis destroyers and twelve "Collins" -class submarines to replace the original equipment. Adhering to the strategy of reinventing in 2020 and reinventing in 2030, they would aggressively implement the modernization of the navy …
But all of this required money.
Compared to the moderate foreign policy and the not so loose finance, the determination to strengthen the navy could be said to be ambitious.
Because of this, how to properly deal with the old warships had always been a problem for Canberra. If Country F was willing to buy the old scrap metal back, the Australian government had no reason to reject.
As to the "additional condition" of changing their stance on the current situation in the Western Pacific, it was obviously not that difficult for the Australian side to accept since Xin was only a small country with a population of twenty thousand.
And Jiang Chen was going to sabotage the arms sales agreement and ruin the deal.
…
Canberra, the capital of Australia.
A taxi stopped outside a Burger King restaurant in the suburbs.
The door opened and a middle-aged man in a gray trench coat walked in front of the door. After he examined the decor of the restaurant, he cautiously looked back.
After he confirmed there were no reporters following him, he opened the door and walked into the restaurant. He didn't order anything and went straight to the seat at the end. He looked at the black man sitting across from him.
Barkary, Celestial Trade's department manager.
"Barkary?" The middle-aged man took out his phone, looked at Barkary, and lowered his voice.
"That's right, you must be Brody." Barkary extended his right hand.
Brody, a Liberal Party member of parliament, of the party's prestige only of Of Of Malcolm.
After a moment of hesitation, Brody shook his hand and stared into his eyes.
"Manager of Celestial Trade? Of Australia doesn't need security, I'm afraid I can't help. "
Barkary smiled and put his arm on the table.
"But of of of of of of," Barkary said.
Broof of of of of of of of, of Jiang of of of of of of.
Barkary grinned, revealing his white teeth. "I heard that you have a decommissioned MEKO-200 frigate —"
"No way. The ship has already been sold to Country F. It's impossible to sell it to you. If that's what you came for, then we have nothing to talk about. "Brodie immediately understood what he wanted to say, and so he waved his hand.
"200 jobs in your district," Barkary said with a smile.
Brody was about to get up, but he sat down again with a frown.
For a councilor, there was nothing he cared about more than his own district. Although he was disdainful of Barkary's suggestion, he still sat down and was ready to listen.
"You don't understand the situation, Mr. Barkary. I can't convince the senate to sell a warship to a country we are not familiar with. Even if it is a warship that has already been retired, no one can, "Brody said.
"I didn't say to sell to the country." Barkary shook his head.
"Private is also not possible."
Brody was about to get up, but Barkary immediately pulled him back and signaled him to give him ten minutes.
Barkary smiled as the councilor sat back in his chair.
"Our boss plans to spend 5 million USD to purchase a bankrupt amusement park in New South Wales, use the name of the amusement park to purchase the warship from the Australian government, and then convert it into a military museum. This is not against the military regulations because the warship is purchased by an Australian company, and it is for civilian use. "
At this point, Barkary stopped talking and smiled at Brody's eyes that were gradually brightening. He knew that the member of parliament in front of him was already tempted.
After thinking for a moment, Brody asked in an undertone.
"How much do you plan to pay for this warship?"
"11 million USD," Barkary said.
Brody shook his head. "I can only reveal that Country F's offer is no less than 15 million USD. I'm afraid I can't convince the prime minister with this offer."
"Only eleven million USD?" Barkary asked with a smile.
"What do you mean?" Brody raised an eyebrow.
"This year is an election year. Do you think the voters want to see a prime minister that sells warships to a neighboring country that is passionate about disrupting the regional situation, or a prime minister that is committed to improving employment and maintaining regional stability? Think about it, the prime minister is not a businessman. The people don't care how much you sell the warship for, as long as the number is not ridiculously low. "
Because of the length of service, second-hand warships weren't worth much. The "Hamilton" class patrol ship that Country F purchased from the UA was around 10 million USD. Australia's warship may have been in service for a relatively short time, but it was definitely not worth 15 million USD. The reason why Country F was willing to pay 15 million USD was because Australia agreed to keep the weapons and radar on the warship.
When selling the warship, Australia was also bearing a diplomatic risk because this could be viewed as a provocation by Hua. Therefore, the proposal itself was highly controversial in the Australian Prime Minister's Office.
As a politician, Brody obviously didn't think of this. The reason why he didn't say it was because he wanted to fight for more benefits. Due to the impact of the drop in iron and aluminum ore prices, Australia's economic data for 2015 was barely satisfactory. In this environment, it was obvious which option was more favored by the voters.
Seeing that Barkary made it clear, Brody's eyes unnaturally wandered. His index finger kept tapping on the table as he weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
"This military sale is led by the UA. We can't disregard the feelings of our allies." Brody lowered his voice.
Barkary smiled and moved his chair away.
"Mr. Brody, do you think the UA or the upcoming 2016 election is more important? If you can't be re-elected in this election, your diplomatic efforts will only pave the way for the next Labor Party. If you don't think my proposal is attractive at all, of course, we can go to the Labor Party. I'm sure they will seize this opportunity. "
Barkary stood up.
But this time, it was Brody who stopped him.
Seeing the expression of the parliament member, a victorious smile appeared on Barkary's face.
He knew that he successfully convinced him.
…
The rain outside the window was still heavy. In the distance, a few silver snake-shaped lightning bolts could be vaguely seen.
Jiang Chen laid naked on the soft bed with the blanket covering his stomach. He held the phone in his hand and looked very comfortable.
"It's done. Parliament member Brody said he will discuss this with the party leader."
"Very good. 16 million USD has been transferred to your account. You're responsible for pulling the strings and buying the closed amusement park and the decommissioned warship." Lying on the bed in the mansion, Jiang Chen held the phone and gave orders to Barkary in Australia.
If the monkeys in country F found out their warship became an amusement park, what would they think? It didn't matter if the amusement park made a profit or not, but to solve Xin's diplomatic dilemma, he must pull Australia off the chariot of country F.
13 million USD, Jiang Chen could still afford it.
"Also, what do you think of Brody?" Jiang Chen asked.
"Cunning." Barkary only used one word to describe him.
"What about his influence within the party?"
"His prestige is only second to the party leader Malcolm. He helped Malcolm win the election in 2013."
"Build a good relationship with that parliament member Brody. We will need him in the future. Also, subtly ask him if he is interested in running for party leader. We can provide campaign funds. "Jiang Chen had a dubious smile on his face.
"Okay," Barkary replied concisely.
Jiang Chen hung up the phone and let out a long breath.
Without the participation of Australia, country F's so-called economic blockade was just empty talk.
At this moment, the blanket that was curled up under his waist moved and slowly rose up.
A corner of the bedding was lifted, revealing a pretty face. A pair of sapphire-like eyes stared into his, moving up and down with an extremely rhythmic rhythm.
Jiang Chen held his breath, smiled, and caressed Ayesha's dark brown hair.
"Good girl, I still have to make a phone call —"
But just as his fingertips touched the edge of the strand of hair, a numbing sensation like ants crawling spread from his cerebral cortex. Jiang Chen tightened his back muscles as if he was electrocuted.
He trembled violently and gulped a few times …
Facing the cold but passionate gaze, Jiang Chen took a deep breath and threw the phone to the side.
What happened next was not worth mentioning.
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