America 1919

Chapter 1616 - 594: Donnie’s Chips (2)

For a business partnership, getting involved in an unfathomable whirlpool—even if Waldorf Astor is willing, the interest groups behind him are not!

This fundamentally does not align with their interests.

Donnie smiled and said, "Indeed, if it was merely to oppose you for a business partnership, it would certainly be unrealistic.

But, Duke, before you went to Mexico, weren’t you discussing pushing for pension reform in the United Kingdom? This reform just happens to hit the interests of the new nobility.

It’s causing a major uproar, isn’t it?"

The current House of Lords in the United Kingdom is not yet the mascot it becomes in later generations; its powers have not been entirely replaced by the House of Commons.

The current House of Lords in the United Kingdom is still an institution with enormous influence and power.

All British nobles hope to join the House of Lords.

And consider joining the House of Lords a matter of pride.

Now, led by Joe Charles, the old nobility is actively promoting pension reform, but this reform directly hits the pain points of the new nobility.

This means more expenses for the new noble’s enterprises!

Therefore, when the old nobility proposed this reform in the House of Lords, it was immediately opposed by the new nobility!

The two sides are in fierce disagreement!

"Under normal circumstances, they might not side with me, but given the current situation, as long as I’m willing to offer some benefit, I think they would definitely enjoy seeing you suffer!

After all, it would please them to see you suffer!"

Donnie’s words made Joe Charles’ face start to darken.

Should have known better than to propose this policy at this time!

"We would rather give up on pushing the pension reform plan than sacrifice interests in Mexico!"

Donnie chuckled and said, "Duke, I always believed that this negotiation is candid.

Why do you now resort to such convoluted arguments?

When you present such interests, it represents the interests of countless people.

Under the pressure of these people’s interests, you can only proceed with this proposal. If you retreat, those who support you will go crazy!"

Led by Joe Charles, the old British nobility, their proposal for pension reform was not truly for the welfare of the elderly in the United Kingdom.

Nor was it just to oppose Waldorf Astor’s new generation of nobility.

When a political group proposes a bill, it must stem from the fact that this bill can bring enough benefits to this political group.

And represents the interests of different strata backing this group.

By the time the bill is proposed, it actually signifies that their entire interest group operates frantically.

Thus, in this matter, Joe Charles and his people can only proceed with this proposal.

They may lose in this push, but they absolutely cannot give up halfway!

Joe Charles no longer has the confidence and composure he once possessed.

At this moment, he looks sullen and unwell!

"McDonald will help us!"

Joe Charles could only play his second card!

British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald!

Donnie, when dealing with the Keswick family in Hong Kong, had already clashed with Ramsay MacDonald.

That time, after the situation was set and some sacrifices were made, McDonald abandoned his relationship with the Keswick family.

Donnie nodded and said, "Indeed, Prime Minister McDonald, when he withdrew from the Labour Party and gained the King’s support, it was with the help of you, Duke."

Ramsay MacDonald successfully ran for British Prime Minister in 1929.

But he faced the global financial crisis triggered by the United States financial crisis.

During the financial crisis, the United Kingdom suffered significant losses.

During this period, the Labour Party-led British cabinet faced serious divisions in dealing with the financial crisis.

Ramsay MacDonald had no solutions and thus played a clever strategy.

On the surface, he presented his resignation to George V but secretly reached an agreement with George V.

Form a new government and create the National Labour Party.

Formally split from the Labour Party.

And under the King’s directive, formed a new cabinet with the Conservative Party and Liberal Party!

After this event, Ramsay MacDonald was called the biggest traitor in the history of the British Labour Party!

During this process, Joe Charles and the old nobility provided substantial support to Ramsay MacDonald.

Seeing Donnie endorse his view, Joe Charles finally smiled; any previous shortcomings were unimportant.

As long as the core power is in his hands, other disadvantages can be reclaimed with absolute authority.

However, Joe Charles’ smile quickly froze as he didn’t see any worry from Donnie regarding this matter.

"Duke, you indeed helped Prime Minister McDonald quite a bit in this matter.

But ultimately, the final decision lay with His Majesty George V, am I wrong?"

Donnie said relaxedly.

Joe Charles felt a bad premonition rise because Donnie was displaying such calmness.

Calmness that suggests he still holds some trump card.

But...

"Mr. Block, no matter your relationship with His Majesty, he will not stand by your side!"

Joe Charles confidently declared.

The British royal family’s power comes from many sources, among which the most important is the support from the old nobility in the House of Lords.

Therefore, Joe Charles was confident that despite Donnie having some interest relations with George V, George V could not side with Donnie.

The benefits are not equal.

Donnie smiled and said, "Maybe, Duke, if you take a look at the contents of this file, you wouldn’t be so sure!"

After speaking, Donnie signaled with his eyes towards the file in front of him.

Joe Charles’ expression slightly changed...maybe Donnie was not just bluffing.

He picked up the file on the table, opened it, and took out the documents inside.

As he saw the contents, his expression gradually turned heavy.

"This... where did you get these things?"

In the end, Joe Charles didn’t read all the document contents, but he already knew, if revealed,.

The entire British royal family might become the laughingstock of the United Kingdom...no, of Europe, and even the whole world.

From then on, the British royal family would no longer have any authority.

If George V saw this, to ensure the royal dignity, he could abandon any domestic interest group.

More importantly, they cannot allow these documents to be exposed!

Their power also comes from the British royal family—they are mutually reliant.

They reinforce the royal patriarchic prestige in the United Kingdom, the royal provides them with corresponding powers.

Everyone gets what they need.

Donnie easily said, "Where they came from isn’t important, what matters is these things must not be seen by ordinary people, am I right!"

Joe Charles’ face turned somber, naturally knowing these things.

Donnie continued to smile: "Alright, now at least on this matter, we have reached an agreement!"

Joe Charles did not speak; upon seeing the file contents, in this fight, his side had already lost.

Donnie kept on: "Duke, you are the only one who has seen this document!"

Joe Charles’ expression changed once more, he had long since lost his noble composure.

Donnie always manages to strike a chord in his heart.

But it no longer mattered; Joe Charles’ heart was pounding wildly, and if he’s the sole witness to the document.

Then there’s a lot of operational potential involved.

"Mr. Block, what do you mean?"

Donnie replied, "I never planned to be enemies with you, Duke, nor the interest groups behind you; this time I’m talking cooperation. But for cooperation, you always have to show the others your hand!"