Chapter 325 Vampires

"If there's a 10% profit, it ensures widespread use; with a 20% profit, it becomes active; at 50% profit, it takes risks; for a 100% profit, it dares to trample on all human laws; with a 300% profit, it dares to commit any crime, even the risk of hanging."

The love for money is the nature of capitalists, and protecting wealth is their essence. For the sake of more wealth, they are even willing to disregard the overall interests of the country.

In the original timeline, before the outbreak of World War II, American capital provided Germany with a significant amount of funds and technology.

As a result, due to Japan being a problematic ally, Germany was forced to declare war on the United States, and the Americans paid the price of 135,000 deaths and 451,000 injuries on the Western European battlefield. It turned into a tragedy where they ended up paying to help the enemy produce weapons to use against themselves.

Of course, the current American businessmen could not foresee what would happen in the future. They only knew that the war initiated by the Germans brought them substantial profits, making other colleagues envy them to the point of turning red with jealousy.

In addition, Wilhelm deliberately lowered tariffs for American businessmen, offering various preferential policies. Up to now, there are more than 200 American companies of all sizes operating within German territory, and many investors are eager to join them to get a piece of the action.

It is not an exaggeration to say that these American companies have become the war accomplices of Germany, turning into disguised invaders. Unfortunately, these unscrupulous individuals can't see the cities destroyed in an instant or the displaced refugees. All they see are the green US dollars, glittering gold, and the black-and-white stock contracts.

"Your Highness, the DuPont Company from the United States wants to acquire shares in a French chemical factory." The German Minister of Economic Affairs and Minister of Finance reported the results of the new round of trade negotiations with the Americans to Wilhelm. "American steel giants are also showing great interest in French companies."

"Approve them." Wilhelm nodded without hesitation.

"But, Your Highness..." Economic Minister Walther Funk hesitated for a moment and asked, "The demands made by the Americans already far exceed what they have invested. Why should we tolerate these greedy vampires?"

Why?

Wilhelm couldn't help but bitterly smile in his heart.

Because he's afraid!!

Even if he didn't come from the future, anyone with a bit of intelligence would fear the enormous war potential of the United States, just thinking about it would send shivers down one's spine.

The United States possesses unique geographical advantages, diverse resources, a massive population base, and an advanced industrial foundation; these are infinite sources of war potential.

Once this war machine starts operating, aircraft carriers can be launched endlessly like dumplings. Tiger tanks are formidable, but Americans can easily deal with one Tiger tank using ten tanks. The annual production of military aircraft is 100,000, with the B-29 Super Fortress alone producing four thousand per year. So far, Germany has not managed to equip every soldier with a semi-automatic firearm, while the United States can effortlessly equip a few million troops with the semi-automatic M1 Garand.

Once the United States joins the war now, Germany has no hope, and Wilhelm might as well shoot himself.

Only by ending the war in Europe and consolidating the entire strength of Europe can there be the ability to contend with the United States.

Fortunately, up until now, isolationism has prevailed in the United States, and it has not demonstrated the ability to lead globally in various wars. Plus, the continuous wealth makes the big capitalists in the United States eager for the European war to continue, as they are not willing to interfere in the European war and cut off their own money-making paths. After all, those monopolizing big capitalists are the ones who truly influence U.S. politics and control the country.

However, he cannot openly tell his subordinates that he is afraid of the United States; he can only use a more subtle wording. "It's precisely because they are 'greedy vampires' that I must be more indulgent towards them. If they were a group of patriots, they would have started assisting Britain to counter us Germans long ago. The outcome for Germany would be the same as in the last world war. But now? It's these vampires who are supporting us in waging this war. Isn't that like spending some money to gain an ally? I think it's a great deal. So, as long as their demands are not too excessive, I will agree to all of them. Rest assured, I have never made a loss in any deal. Whatever the Americans have swallowed today, in less than three years, they will have to spit out twice as much."

The Roosevelt family seems to be naturally inclined towards war. On February 5, 1898, the USS Maine battleship exploded. Theodore Roosevelt, then the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, took advantage of the absence of the Secretary of the Navy that day and issued a mobilization order to the U.S. Navy worldwide, requesting Congress to authorize a war. Successfully putting the United States on a war footing without President William McKinley's permission.

After the outbreak of the war, Theodore Roosevelt resigned from the Navy Department and joined a volunteer cavalry called the "Rough Riders," personally leading charges into battle. Later, Theodore Roosevelt engaged in "gunboat diplomacy" and, after becoming president, proposed a corollary to the "Monroe Doctrine," empowering the United States to intervene in small countries unable to pay international debts, thereby maintaining the economic stability of these countries. This "Roosevelt Corollary" served as a supplement to the "Monroe Doctrine," paving the way for future U.S. military interventions in other countries. After leaving office, Roosevelt became a prominent advocate for the United States entering World War I.

As for Franklin D. Roosevelt, it goes without saying. This crippled man explicitly stated that the United States must engage in "speaking softly" diplomatically while wielding a "big stick." His "world blueprint" reflected his ambition to establish a world political and economic order centered around the United States.

With such ambitions, he would not stand by and watch Germany dominate half the world. However, Wilhelm is curious about how Roosevelt in this alternate timeline would lead the United States into the war. Another "USS Maine incident"? The "9/11 incident"? Or a direct declaration of war?

It doesn't matter; even if Roosevelt can't come up with a method, Wilhelm will force the United States to declare war on Germany. Once the U.S. declares war, all loans, stocks, and other assets in Germany will be null and void, and American companies in Germany will be nationalized by the government. Then, Germany can bring out the nuclear bombs, and Wilhelm doesn't believe Roosevelt would be less fanatical than the Japanese, shouting about total annihilation.

At that time, the United States will have to pay a hefty war indemnity. No money? Then cede territory! First, transfer Alaska, bought for 7.2 million dollars, back to Germany at the original price, and then hand over several key locations like Hawaii to Germany. By then, Roosevelt won't be a hero but a traitor!

Just thinking about it is quite exciting!

Seeing Wilhelm's face displaying a sinister and cunning smile, the Minister of Economic Affairs and the Minister of Finance couldn't help but mourn for those American vampires in their hearts. I'm afraid many of them will have to jump off buildings when the time comes.

Since Wilhelm's support is available, the agreement with the Americans proceeds smoothly.

The American businessmen happily obtained gold, dollars, and stock contracts. Meanwhile, various industrial products, production technologies, and raw materials from Germany continued to flow steadily into their hands.