Reborn in Brazil As a Plutocrat Chapter 521

  Chapter 521 Opportunities to enter the UK tobacco market

   Fang Lang has his own reasons for asking Fit Henderson to help open a cigar store.

  Since tobacco was introduced to Europe in the 16th century, Britain began to export tobacco to the colonies, and gradually established a monopoly position in the tobacco trade.

   But in the early 17th century, other European countries also began to enter the tobacco trade market and threatened the British monopoly. To protect its own interests, the British government began to regulate tobacco to ensure its control of the colonial tobacco trade.

  The main means of control is to impose high taxes on foreign tobacco sold to Britain and its colonies.

  In 1901, the American Tobacco Company used its powerful power to compete with British tobacco companies by using price reductions, free gifts and sales discounts as weapons.

  British tobacco companies felt strong pressure. As a last resort, the thirteen largest tobacco companies in the UK held a meeting at the Queen's Hotel in Birmingham, and finally reached a merger agreement at this meeting.

  The merged British Tobacco Company was renamed Imperial Tobacco, and other tobacco companies chose to join in succession.

   Throughout 1901 to September 1902, Imperial Tobacco and the American Tobacco Company launched a vigorous trade war all over the world. In the end, this trade war ended in the victory of Imperial Tobacco.

  In 1902, a delegation from Imperial Tobacco visited the United States. After the defeat in Britain, American Tobacco decided to negotiate with Imperial Tobacco.

  In September 1902, the two parties reached an agreement that the American Tobacco Company would give up its commercial activities in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In addition to the tobacco leaf procurement business, Imperial Tobacco also canceled its plan to enter the American market.

  Imperial Tobacco acquired the rights to sell American products in the UK, and American Tobacco acquired the rights to sell Imperial products in the United States. A new company, British American Tobacco Limited, is incorporated in the United Kingdom.

  Through the cooperation between Imperial Tobacco and British American Tobacco, they have established a near-monopoly tobacco network in Europe and America. The company's business began to develop rapidly.

  Of course, the development of anything cannot be smooth sailing, because of the emergence of the anti-monopoly bill, the business of the two companies has been affected to a certain extent.

  The Second World War had a profound impact on the tobacco company, and its business in Europe was severely damaged. In the Far East, BAT lost touch with the companies occupied by the Japanese.

  In 1937, the company sold more than 55 billion cigarettes in its hometown. Since then, due to the Japanese invasion, sales of British American Tobacco in its hometown have been interrupted for more than four years.

  After the end of World War II, the trading environment was extremely difficult. Tobacco companies have to contend with inflation, high leaf prices and the need to rebuild assets lost in the war, all of which have weighed on earnings.

   It is under such circumstances that Fangyuan Group Tobacco Company, which has mastered Brazil's tobacco resources, has the opportunity to take advantage of the momentum to rise.

   At the same time, there was another American tobacco company called Philip Morris.

   When it comes to the name of this company, many people may not be familiar with it, but the product under this company is definitely the top name, that is "Marlboro" cigarettes.

  The three companies mentioned here are the global tobacco giants that have always been among the top three in the world.

  According to Fang Lang's plan, it was originally planned to take advantage of the opportunity of the European aid plan to extend the tentacles of Fangyuan Tobacco Company to the UK.

   But this time he didn't come here for this purpose, but he didn't expect that Mr. Fit Henderson would take the initiative to propose a cigar tasting meeting for his products.

   Fang Lang immediately realized that this was a great opportunity for Fangyuan Tobacco Company to enter the British market.

   And it is actually very convenient for his Fangyuan Tobacco to enter the British market, because Fangyuan Tobacco has already occupied a considerable market in other European countries.

   After all, his products followed the footsteps of the Allied Forces and entered Europe step by step. Now Fangyuan Tobacco in Italy, Germany, and France has obtained sales licenses.

  It is really not too simple to transfer goods from France to the UK for sale.

   The Hendersons of course have a certain understanding of the British tobacco market. After hearing Fang Lang's words, the two looked at each other and nodded indifferently:

   "No problem, you can open the store with confidence, and our Henderson family promises to help you settle the formalities."

   Fang Lang heard the words, glanced at Fit Henderson and Mrs. Henderson, and smiled happily:

   "Then thank you very much!"

In fact, from the eye contact between the two, Fang Lang already felt that he was invited to come to the UK this time. It should be the opinion of Fett Henderson and Mrs. Henderson. As for the specific reason, he still does not know for the time being .

   Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to go to the airport to meet them in person. It is absolutely possible for them to entertain Reinhardt at home after Reinhardt takes them home.

   In this way, Fang Lang will never have any opinions.

  According to Fang Lang's understanding, this situation now belongs to the meaning of "Being courteous to others, one must ask for something".

  However, when the other party didn't speak, Fang Lang was happy to pretend to be ignorant, waiting to see when the other party couldn't help it and opened his mouth.

   Seeing Fang Lang's happy smile, Fett Henderson coughed lightly and continued with a smile on his face:

   "Fang, as far as I know, you are now a rear admiral in Brazil, leading a complete aircraft carrier battle group, right?"

   I don't know whether the other party is going to talk about business, or to make homework, Fang Lang still pretends to be heartless and simply replied:

   "Yes, but my aircraft carrier battle group is still in the initial stage, and even the naval aviation has not yet completed training.

   Therefore, no real combat effectiveness has been formed. Compared with the British Royal Navy fleet under Uncle Henderson, it is really not the same. "

  The British navy has dominated the world for a hundred years, and of course it has its own pride. Although its performance in the second war was not as impressive as that of the US military, it is still a real naval power in the world.

  So, what Fang Lang said was definitely not a compliment.

   After hearing Fang Lang's words, Fetter Henderson also seemed to be very useful, and said with a smile on his face:

   "A ten-year army, a century-old navy. If the navy wants to form a combat capability, it really can't be achieved overnight, but it doesn't matter. With the relationship between our two families, if your fleet encounters problems, you can bring them up.

  Where I can help, I will never refuse. "

  Hearing this, Fang Lang's heart moved. Could it be that the other party wants to promote exchanges between the navies of the two countries? Want to increase the influence of the British Navy over the Brazilian Navy?

  As mentioned in the previous article, although the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States is consistent in the general direction, they also have their own small calculations.

  If there is an opportunity to insert a nail in the backyard of the United States and South America, Britain is absolutely happy to see it. After all, World War II had drained the last of Britain's strength.

  They can no longer maintain the tough stance of the empire on which the sun never sets. Coupled with the continuous decolonization actions of the United States, it is obviously further weakening the strength and influence of the United Kingdom.

  This forced the United Kingdom to start using its global political influence to act as a global shit-stirring stick.

   And enhancing the influence of the United Kingdom in South America, the sphere of influence of the United States, is obviously an indispensable part of the shit-stirring plan.

   If Fang Lang remembers correctly, Brazil's first aircraft carrier in later generations was the giant-class aircraft carrier "Avenger" sold to Brazil by the United Kingdom.

  Of course, these are just flashing through Fang Lang's mind.

  Although the relationship between Brazil and the United States is now good, its own fleet has also made rapid progress because of the presence of American instructors. But it was impossible for Fang Lang to refuse the Chief of Staff of the Royal Navy's offer to help.

  This is the same as not putting all eggs in one basket.

  In international relations, it is impossible for Brazil to only have good relations with the United States without in-depth exchanges with other countries.

   If you can take advantage of this opportunity to establish contact with the British Navy, it will be of great benefit to Brazil and no harm.

  So, he said without hesitation:

   "Really? If I can get the help of the Royal Navy, I really wish for it.

   When I came to the UK this time, the Ministry of Defense arranged for me to visit the British shipyard. I wonder if Uncle Henderson can help arrange it. "

   Fang Lang's words obviously shocked Fit Henderson, and his sitting posture unconsciously corrected a little.

   "Oh! Fang, you are here this time, and you also have the task of visiting the British shipyard?

  As far as I know, your Brazilian navy's warships seem to be purchased from the United States. Why did your Ministry of Defense arrange for you to visit our British shipyard? "

  The other party's performance made Fang Lang firmer in his guess in his heart.

   Maybe the British, like the Yankees, want to sell some obsolete warships to Brazil.

  But I am the major shareholder of Shata Company, how could I harm my company's interests and push Brazil to purchase warships from the UK!

   Didn't you say that the British M16 intelligence agency is very powerful? How come you don't even know that you are a shareholder of Shata Corporation?

  However, since the other party asked Fang Lang's purpose of visiting the British shipyard, Fang Lang was not going to hide it, and said frankly:

   "Uncle Henderson must know about my Universal Shipyard?"

   Seeing the other party nodded, Fang Lang continued.

  “Our family has established a joint venture with Global Shipyard to establish a shipyard in Brazil. In addition to undertaking the manufacturing business of some container cargo ships, we recently received an order from the Brazilian Ministry of the Navy to start the construction plan of the first autonomous destroyer.

  However, this destroyer was built after imitating the American Fletcher-class destroyer. It is not the most advanced destroyer, so this time I came to the UK to visit the shipyard, just to learn and absorb some of the latest British destroyer construction knowledge.

   See if we can provide some reference for our own destroyer. "

   Fang Lang's words disappointed Fett Henderson, who had been a little excited, for an instant, and his posture just sitting upright relaxed a little.

   Seeing this situation, Fang Lang reconfirmed his guess in his heart.

   "The Fletcher-class destroyer is already the most advanced destroyer! Now Reinhardt and the others are still using this type of destroyer to perform missions."

  Hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help being taken aback. When did the requirements of the British Empire become so low? The Fletcher-class destroyer can indeed be said to be one of the most successful destroyers in World War II.

   But it is definitely not the most advanced now!

  People in the United States have already sold the Fletcher class clearance sale. The new Keeling-class destroyers have long been in service. You, the majestic British Royal Navy, even said that the Fletcher-class destroyers are the most advanced. Isn't this lying with your eyes open?

In fact, this is also because Fang Lang doesn't know much about the situation in Britain. World War II has emptied the last bit of the empire on which the sun never sets. Coupled with the sluggish economy of the British economy traumatized by the war, it is no longer able to maintain huge military expenditures. The strength naturally goes from bad to worse.

  In the more than 70 years after World War II, the United Kingdom has only built 29 destroyers of 4 types. There are 8 "County" class destroyers, 1 Type 82 "Bristol" class destroyer, 14 Type 42 "Sheffield" class destroyers, and 6 Type 45 "Bold" class destroyers.

   Not to mention compared with the superpowers of the Cold War era such as the United States and the Soviet Union, it is far inferior to the current East Asian countries.

  (end of this chapter)

Chapter end