Chapter 1187 – Free Movement of Information

“Oh, a very dry answer.” Norman Brooke smiled slightly, but there was nothing special to indicate, “As the Cabinet Secretary who has to overview the whole situation, what do you think of the current situation? Whether it’s to the enemy camp or the free world.”

“Actually for the Soviet bloc, we can’t fight them in Europe. People have to live on land after all.” Alan Wilson mused for a moment, “But in other directions, it is possible to take risks to an appropriate degree. Since we can’t solve the Soviet Union, let’s think of a solution in other directions.”

At the critical moment, Allen Wilson still had to show some reliability, and couldn’t shed a bit of his so-called objectivity and impartiality.

The strategy of keeping a close eye on the boss and slamming the hammer on the second will not change, just as it did in the twenty-first century as well.

And all have a great chance of victory, now the Soviet Union is strong, it is not suitable for Europe and the Soviet Union don’t have a headache.

A different place would be a good place to fight without regard to repercussions, and anyway, the overall economic strength of the free world is much higher, and the more people who die, the better. It all boils down to nothing more than a number.

Nuclear war is an option where everyone might die together, whereas conventional war is much more certain.

Not only is this what is being done now, but it’s what the US will be doing decades from now, only in Europe. To be fair this strategy has been implemented a little late, the Soviet Union was forced to join the Cold War just before it started to recover from the Patriotic War.

That’s quite different from being treated that way in the twenty-first century when its opponents had already grown up.

At this moment, just as at that moment, from the perspective of the United States, the Old Continent, even if a billion or eight hundred million die, what does it matter, it’s better that you all die than that I die.

“As for our camp, I feel that the United States may push Britain more and more, so that Britain and the United States are tied together. Although I have always advocated a special relationship between Britain and the United States, with this outbreak of the Cuban Missile Crisis, it would be better to keep America’s strategic weapons off British soil. Britain will be a staunch ally of the United States, but we will not be a follower and will not sacrifice ourselves to fulfill America’s grandiose blueprints.”

Finishing his thoughts, Alan Wilson was not without some nervousness in his mind, wondering what Norman Brooke would think.

“With the strong economic power of the free world to suppress the Soviet Union, using military power to bleed the Soviet Union some powerful allies?” Norman Brooke summarized the inquiry, “Is that right?”

“It wasn’t the free world, it was the United States.” Alan Wilson replied compassionately, “Being the boss has to be about being the boss, Britain has to accept the reality that we are now more suited to being a staunch ally. Some times America’s, and maybe some times France’s.”

After careful consideration, although Alan Wilson wanted to return to the majesty of the Sunset Empire, but also to accept the reality. Could the United States rule the world with one-third of its economy? It was impossible.

The military field was not left behind, it was just a matter of adding weight to Britain, telling America that Britain was a force that could change the balance of power, and only then would America dare not go too far against Britain.

This answer made Norman Brooke very satisfied, holding a glass of wine, said, “Well, we do not talk about too serious things, today is just a casual chat, within two months, may only be the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference, and the negotiations with the United States is worth caring about. What comes after that is what you should be concerned about. As Cabinet Secretary, you need to be firm with politicians.”

“Of course, there’s no room for ambiguity.” Alan Wilson’s face was solemn, “And tactful, gentle and sophisticated.”

“Especially reliable!” Norman Brooke added with a wry smile, “It is therefore my duty, to recommend to the Prime Minister a Cabinet Secretary who fully meets these qualifications.”

“This one? I wonder if there is, now, one?” Alan Wilson’s heart thumped, and a rare hint of nervousness appeared.

“You see, the real beauty of our business is not in finding the right answer, but in finding the right question.” Norman Brooke said with a nonchalant reminder, “Let’s see who can find the key question.”

Alan Wilson raised one eyebrow and drained the liquid from his glass, he got the point, “Right Sir Norman, now for a different question, what are you going to do when you retire?”

“Very good question, very well asked, maybe something to do.” Norman Brooke muttered to himself with a thoughtful look on his face.

“Maybe there are things for you to do, to continue to serve your country, whoever your successor is. Maybe someone will hold the cards for you, uh, convince you to take them.”

Norman Brooke nodded his head and said with an approving face, “I do have some plans, you see, I’ve been asked to be chairman of Lloyds Bank and there’s a place for me in British Petroleum. However, I think that a chairmanship of a non-profit organization of the Crown should reflect my loyalty to the Crown. If possible, honorary chancellor of Cambridge University? Deputy Governor of the Bank of England too?”

“Very challenging!” Alan Wilson added with a smile.

“Challenging, very good.” Norman Brooke was amused, “And the Chairman of the National Security Council. Chairman of the Overseas Oversight Committee too?”

“Opportunities to benefit the public.” At some point Alan Wilson had taken out the diary he carried with him, “I see someone must be putting these jobs in place for you.”

“If Alan can think of it that way, I’m very relieved.” Norman Brooke nodded, “Actually, I’m getting old, and I’ve been observing a lot of things less accurately. Perhaps some of the suggestions that I once made, if known to the general public, would create certain misunderstandings. As you know, times have changed, and under the circumstances those suggestions were very responsible, very sensible and reasonable.”

“That’s true, we can’t look at the situation then in the light of now.” Alan Wilson nodded in recognition.

“Take, for example, the suppression of the strike movement, which of course had to be moderately armed for safety’s sake, but suggesting the arming of heavy machine-guns would?”

Allen Wilson replied solemnly, “There is absolutely no need for this matter to be disclosed, there is no need for the citizens to know, what do these stupid people know? Wake up and eat and eat and sleep, they don’t even realize they are living.”

“There are other things in the colonial sphere that some of the so-called enlightened people may now find unacceptable. Curmudgeonly looking at the impending merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, if there is one person who can be Secretary General of the Commonwealth?”

“I really can’t imagine anyone better suited to be the Commonwealth Secretary General than Sir Norman.” Alan Wilson spoke in some awe, “The Commonwealth Secretary General needs to mediate the affairs of the Commonwealth countries, and has to possess a high level of skill and keen judgment rich management experience, others are not suitable.”

“Do you think so too?” Norman Brooke smiled and nodded, “Then I’ll take your word for it ……”

“I see the qualified successor, will certainly properly keep these affairs for Sir, and said the Commonwealth issue. In fact, Sir Norman, as you know, there is an integrated conglomerate in this country with a wide range of design businesses, including automotive, chemical, steel, oil mining, and even food security and aircraft manufacturing.”

“That said, a business of such importance to the country deserves to be extraordinarily loved by the government. Of course the owners of this business have never been above board, working for the good of Britain entirely on their own personal merits. But as a British-owned business of such importance, we can’t just ignore it because it doesn’t need it, and the government has always been supportive of stellar business development.”

Norman Brooke nodded his head and promised, “There’s nothing wrong with that, such an enterprise even if it doesn’t need anything in itself, the country should still give proper support and protection, otherwise it will affect every aspect of Britain. Whether it be the aristocracy or the toiling masses.”

“Of course I personally have nothing to do with this business in fact, but according to some unverifiable rumors, this business needs an executive director who cares about the overall level of development, not the minute adjustments of minutiae.” Alan Wilson followed his lead, “I have a feeling that Sir’s retirement will be more colorful.”

“Oh yeah, that’s exciting to hear.” Norman Brooke poured another glass, then blushed, “I and the vast majority of my colleagues agree that you are the first candidate for Cabinet Secretary. There will be some slight controversy over age, but Whitehall also needs a young face to inform the outside world of Whitehall’s determination to rejuvenate.”

“I wonder how many other candidates there are?” Alan Wilson felt it was better to ask the important questions to get the heart in the right place.

“For the time being I can’t think of anyone else.” Norman Brooke answered with a tone of you don’t worry.

“Honorable Sir, I have another suggestion now. Can we set up a new department called the Freedom of Information Movement Association.” Alan Wilson spoke, “Today’s opposition party is tomorrow’s ruling party, if Whitehall does this, it may cause those politicians who are full of support to harbor doubts, but if this association is led by someone who has already faded out of the public’s view, there will be much less resistance. It would also ensure that freedom of information is not abused.”

“Good idea!” Norman Brooke shook his head in exclamation, more than satisfied with the next Cabinet Secretary, and offered to raise his glass, “Here’s to reliable government for generations to come, cheers.”

“And to freedom of information.” Alan Wilson similarly raised his glass, and the two exchanged a wink, “In the national interest.”

Alan Wilson was very sincere at the moment, leaving Norman Brooke’s house with a drunken stupor, his entire body weight being supported by Vivien Leigh’s petite body, and slurring something about dreams and blueprints.

“Well, know your dreams, your blueprints.” The Great British Treasure propped up the man’s body, as comforting as a good wife and mother, and helped the man to the edge of the bed.

Alan Wilson grabbed Vivienne in his arms, “Vivienne, let me hold you for a moment.”