Influenced by the French Ranch Program, British experts and scholars also advocated a "grain self-sufficiency strategy" and suggested that the government open up a granary belonging to Britain in the overseas colonies.

Unlike the French, the British have too many options. With the superiority of the Royal Navy, Britain did not have to worry about food in essence.

Whether it is the Confederate countries in North America, or Argentina and Brazil in South America, they are the breadbasket of Britain.

Even newly developed regions such as New Zealand, Australia, and Canada have the potential to become the breadbasket of the empire.

It's really not good, it's enough to squeeze from India.

Anyway, the population of the British Isles is so small, and the mainland can support 70% of it, and the problem of feeding millions of people is not difficult for John Bull.

No matter how high Britain's food security is, it does not prevent experts and scholars from bragging. As long as the money is in place, there is nothing that cannot be done.

For the sake of the pound, the experts were quick to cite a whole host of reasons, and even the Great Famine in Ireland, which was ashamed to be seen, was brought up to the story.

Before the government could react, the people panicked. I don't know which unscrupulous capitalists are spreading rumors that Russia and Austria are suffering from drought and that the autumn grain harvest in the second half of the year has failed.

Some people believe such absurd rumors, not one or two, because food prices have really risen.

As a lawyer, Bill is much more knowledgeable than ordinary people, and is not affected by rumors and runs to rush to buy food.

"Sir, there have been rumors of drought in Eastern Europe in recent times, and the autumn grain harvest in Russia and Austria has failed, and grain prices in London have risen slightly.

In order to reduce expenses, it is recommended that you stock up on a batch of food first. If you have enough money, you can reserve more and sell it after the price of food has risen sharply. ”

The butler's reminder did not shake Bill's judgment. What kind of drought can cause all the grain harvests in Russia and Austria to be wiped out?

You must know that it is only June, and it has not been long since the grain was planted, and there is still a long time before the autumn grain harvest.

Even if not a drop of rain falls in the first half of the year, as long as there is enough rain in the back, most of the crops can still be saved.

If the grain harvest of the two countries of the Russian-Austrian alliance had failed, the international grain price would have risen long ago.

A small rise?

If it does not rise by three or five times, it will be sorry for the conscience of the capitalists.

Bill smiled and said, "These are rumors, and only an ignorant fool would believe them." If Russia and Austria had failed to harvest grain, they would have stopped exporting grain to the outside world long ago.

Without Russian and Austrian grain, the international grain market will be paralyzed. None of the most sensitive futures markets have reacted, so there's nothing to worry about. ”

It is true that the futures market is indeed the most sensitive. On the contrary, there are signs of a decline in grain production capacity, and the dealers will not give up speculation.

"Yes, sir. I also think that it is impossible for Russia and Austria to have a grain harvest, but it may be true that there is a drought.

Just yesterday, the London Daily newspaper reprinted a copy of the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture's plan to fight drought. If it had not been for the drought, such a plan would not have arisen at all.

With the credibility of the London Daily, they probably wouldn't lie about it. The futures market did not react, and it is likely that the market makers concealed the news. ”

After listening to the butler's explanation, Bill was convinced at once. After all, the futures market is too heavily manipulated by market makers, and many times the ups and downs are really not determined by the market.

After hesitating for a moment, Bill made a decision: "Then go buy a batch of grain first, but you don't need to go to the grain store to buy it, I will contact the wholesaler directly." ”

……

In the spirit of "it is better to believe what is there than not to believe it", there are many people who have made similar decisions.

Anyway, food is a necessity of life, even if the price does not rise in the later period, it is still kept and eaten slowly.

It's better than not being prepared and waiting until the price of food has skyrocketed, and then running to buy food.

Affected by the rush to buy, the price of food in London has been bullish, and more and more people have joined the food rush due to this price increase.

In the Downing Street Prime Minister's residence, the intensifying rush for food has made it difficult for Prime Minister Gladstone to sit still.

The people take food as the sky, which is common in ancient and modern China and abroad.

Just a rumor that can make food prices rise in the UK is enough to prove that Britain's food security is not so precarious.

Gladstone: "What do you think about the recent upheaval of food self-sufficiency and the continuous rise in domestic food prices? ”

How to look, sit and watch.

Everyone present knew very well that it was nothing more than watching the French plan to engage in big farms, and a group of guys who wanted to make profits from it were manipulating public opinion behind the scenes and artificially creating panic.

Agriculture Minister Diez Barrerus: "The government has arranged to refute the rumors, but for the time being, there is little effect, and after a while, the autumn grain will be on the market, and the domestic grain prices will stabilize."

From this fluctuation, it also confirms from the side that our food security is too affected by external influences and is not as stable as we imagined.

Fortunately, this time it was just a rumor, and if Russia and Austria really suffered a major drought, the consequences would be serious.

In terms of security, the French people's food self-sufficiency plan is still very worthy of emulation. ”

Regardless of whether it can make money or not, once the agricultural self-sufficiency program is launched, the Ministry of Agriculture's voice in the government will be greatly increased.

As one of those with a vested interest, Diez Barreiros could not have objected.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Childers warned: "We are not like the French, and a strategic plan that works in France may not work in Britain."

The French are not in the free trade system or anything like that, they have a food self-sufficiency program, they can rely on tariff barriers to protect, and this investment is still guaranteed.

Judging from the current situation, it is inevitable that international grain prices will fall, and market competition will be very fierce in the future.

If we follow suit, we will have to compete directly with the world's major grain-producing countries, and we may not even be able to sell the grain at the cost price.

Financially, it's an investment that's destined to lose money. The domestic market turmoil is only temporary and will soon recover.

There are so many places where Britain can import food, and with the Royal Navy, there is no need to worry about being blocked. ”

While enjoying the benefits of the free trade system, Britain must also be subject to the free trade system.

In normal times, there is nothing wrong with that. Anyway, Britain imports industrial raw materials and grain, which are essential goods, and there is no need for tariff barriers at all.

If you want to achieve food self-sufficiency, you can't do it, and you need to compete directly with the major grain-producing countries, or fight a price war.

Whatever you think, you know that growing food in the colonies will cost more to produce than in other food-exporting countries.

Losing money and earning money, at most reaping the name of food self-sufficiency, in essence, did not have much effect on the growth of the British Empire's national strength.

Foreign Secretary George retorted: "Economically, we may lose money, but politically it's different.

Judging by the performance of the French, they are gradually losing their strength to counterbalance Austria, and the continental balance is being disrupted.

The French agricultural plan, which seemed to be only for their own food security, was in fact an act of revenge against Austria.

If we follow suit, the international grain market will shrink by half. As a result, countries that rely on grain exports will be hit hard.

Austria, the world's largest exporter of agricultural products, has borne the brunt of the competition, which helps to balance the balance of power between France and Austria. ”

Whoever is strong will suppress whomever is the British government's unchanged foreign policy for hundreds of years, and now it is Austria's turn.

The more questions are considered, the harder it is for Prime Minister Gladstone to make a decision. It's not just about money, it's about the political changes in the UK government on the continent.

After hesitating for a moment, Gladstone asked, "What about the reaction of the Russians, has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered it?" ”

This is not a question of suppressing one, but suppressing two major powers at the same time, and Russia and Austria are an invincible combination on the world island.

In case of urgency, people use the war to divert the crisis, regardless of the fact that they will go straight to India, it will be a lot of fun.

Foreign Secretary George shook his head: "The Russian-Austrian alliance has lasted for three generations, and for nearly a hundred years, the interests of the two countries have long been intertwined.

We also put a lot of effort into breaking up this alliance, but now the two countries are still standing together.

What about the diplomacy of the Habsburgs, you will know by turning to the history books. Franz was the best of all monarchs, and it was simply unrealistic to isolate Austria.

The Russian-Austrian alliance will not be separated for a while, and since the beginning of the expansion of the Russians into Central Asia, they have already been our enemies, and if they are offended, they will be offended.

Perhaps after the international grain market shrinks, Russia and Austria will part ways because of their interests in order to compete for the market.

Even if this alliance becomes more consolidated, it will not be much worse than it is now. ”

Threatening India?

If Russia and Austria do not take action, they will not threaten India? Anyway, in George's view, the powerful countries close to India are hidden dangers.

There is no way, the sense of crisis of marine civilization is so strong. Instead of facing a strong Russia and Austria, it is better to face a weakened Russia and Austria.

As long as Austria, the owner of the financier, has no money, the poor Russians will not be able to toss the waves. As for Austria, isn't there still the French holding it back?

Although France's economy is not good, everyone still has no doubt about the combat effectiveness of the French army.

If it weren't for such a big boss, the British would have been unable to sleep for a long time, and the current Austria is much more awesome than the German Second Empire in the same period of history.

After hesitating for a while, Gladstone, who was politically savvy, decided to kick the ball.

"The agricultural self-sufficiency plan involves tens of millions of pounds, and it would be too hasty for a few of us to make a decision.

The Ministry of Agriculture prepares a preliminary plan and submits it to Parliament for consideration, first hearing the views of parliamentarians. ”

……