Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 573 A good deal, buying Java Island for 150 million pounds!

Before the Spring Festival, Suzhou is full of vitality and everything is flourishing.

Jiangnan Textile Factory with 50 steam engines
A manager walked into the noisy spinning workshop, stood on a chair, and shouted at the top of his voice:

"The machine cannot stop because there are ships waiting outside to pick up the goods."

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. From today until the Lantern Festival, everyone's wages will be tripled."

"On New Year's Eve, our factory held a banquet, and all the workers on duty came to the table to eat. There was plenty of chicken, duck, fish and meat."

Everyone nodded.

A large banner hung overhead:
Output! Output! More output!

……

Outside the factory, there is a notice:

~Any factory staff who can increase production and upgrade technology will be rewarded with 20 to 1000 taels of silver depending on the effectiveness once the plan is adopted.

The bounty is real and the efficiency is super high.

Report in the morning, get reward in the morning, and start making improvements at noon.

The enthusiasm of front-line workers has been fully mobilized, and they can indeed find many pain points that affect production when dealing with machines.

The steam engine can provide power, but there are still many unreasonable designs in the power transmission and production links.

Improve and improve again.

Just to increase production.

Factories even sent undercover agents to learn from their peers.

If one family improves, every family will improve.

This is how an arms race works. Once it starts, it cannot be stopped. Anyone who does not follow will be killed by their peers.

……

Not only the Jiangnan Textile Factory, but hundreds of light and heavy industrial factories within the Wu State were caught in production anxiety.

The originator of this practice - Emperor Wu.

Method - monetary incentives.

By order,

The Procurement Office was located at the Xujiang Wharf on the Grand Canal, and used the first batch of 1500 million taels of silver borrowed from the "Loan Agreement" to pay for the goods. They would take in as much as the money came.

Cotton products and iron products are the main purchase items, and there are more than 20 kinds of daily necessities.

Whoever has greater production capacity can take away more money.

……

Go to Guandong and Southeast Asia.

In the face of the tide of the times, opportunities and risks coexist, and countless gaps are waiting to be filled.

Wu Ting has announced to the world,

Whether you are a civil servant, military officer, soldier, merchant, skilled worker, farmer, or even a beggar, as long as you are willing to join the immigration wave and accept the arrangements of the court, you can achieve a small class leap on the day you disembark.

At the worst, you will be given 50 acres of land.

Those who actively apply for immigration are divided into two categories:

One is the denominator and the other is the numerator.

The denominator is a large number of ordinary immigrants, while the numerator is officials, patrolmen, skilled workers, and businessmen.

Through the numerator, the imperial will is sunk to the denominator.

In short,

The denominators are mostly people in financial difficulties, and what attracts them is to own their own land.

……

The Propaganda Department went all out and exaggerated.

In the mouths of those storytellers.

The style of painting outside the pass is like this:
The black soil is so thick that you can squeeze out oil and it stretches as far as the eye can see. Even if you stick a chopstick in it, it will sprout. But when you go there, everyone will enclose the land and it is all ownerless fertile farmland.

If you want to eat white rice, grow your own.

If you want to eat meat, go to the mountains and dig some pits.

If you want to eat fish, cast a net and catch them.

If you want to build a house or make a fire, you can cut down trees yourself. There are trees everywhere.

The painting style of Nanyang is like this:
It is warm all year round and there is no winter.

Three crops a year, no drought.

The government allowed each household to capture two natives to use as oxen for farming.

The folk propaganda lasted for several months.
Wu Ting finally stirred up the topic of immigration, leaving the public with a vague impression - if you go abroad, you will be a superior person?

……

Wu Dinh Tan established the Ministry of Colonies, and His Majesty personally took on the role to show his determination.

Many people from various provinces signed up.

The people of Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian have adapted to the hot and humid climate and try their best to go to Southeast Asia.

People from Hubei, Anhui and Jiangxi are enduring the cold and are arranged to go outside the Great Wall as much as possible.

Only in Jiangnan, the response was mediocre, even cold. People in Jiangnan have always been like this, and they don't care about the outside world.

Outside the Great Wall? Pah.

Nanyang? Pah pah pah.

No matter how much you say, I think there is a better place than Jiangnan. I won't move even if I die.

It’s better to let our fellow villagers have such a good opportunity.

……

Small-scale immigration from the south did not conflict with the existing arrangement of filling the areas outside the Great Wall with refugees from the north. Similarly, it did not conflict with the existing arrangement of giving land in Southeast Asia to big merchants.

The starting point is: adding sand.

Nanyang and the areas outside the Great Wall must not be united as one; restrictions are necessary.

There is only one person in the empire who can call the wind and rain, and that is Your Majesty!
In a radical atmosphere,
Wu's old friend, Adelaide, the governor of the Saxon East India Company, is here again.

This was his third visit to Jiangnan, and both sides had already established good mutual trust.

The purpose of his trip was to sell Java Island as soon as possible in exchange for war funds!

……

The negotiations went smoothly and easily.

Finance Minister Hu Xueyu and Vice Navy Minister Liu Wu came out to receive him.

Both parties were merely carrying out a secret plan that had been agreed upon long ago - each 10 square kilometers of colonies would be sold at pounds.

This price is equivalent to that of a latest-model first-class sailing battleship.

"My two ministers, after a rough estimate, the area of ​​Java Island is about 15 to 20 square kilometers. Following the instructions of the King and the Prime Minister, we attach great importance to the friendly relations between the two countries, ahem. Therefore, the price is 150 million pounds."

Hu Xueyu nodded and added:

"The price is fine, but it cannot be paid in one lump sum. It must be paid in installments. My Lord Earl, please don't be nervous. After all, our army has not yet set foot in Java. I wonder what the situation is over there?"

Adelaide thought for a moment and said:
"What does your country mean?"

"The warships of the East India Company will provide escort to transport our people to Batavia. The number is tentatively 3 to 5 people. We will pay once each batch is sent."

"As you wish, my dear minister."

……

150 million pounds is equivalent to approximately 450 million taels of silver, and the two parties agreed to pay it off in 12 installments.

but,

Adelaide strongly demanded that 200 million taels of silver be exchanged for physical goods.

Out of friendship, Hu Xueyu readily agreed.

Both sides tacitly agreed that in this way, Downing Street would receive 150 million pounds of war funds, not a penny less.

The company's top executives, led by Adelaide, can also share profits of 30 pounds.

It can be said to be a perfect and typical international business transaction.

Diplomacy in the 18th century was still relatively simple. Everything could be sold, including land, slaves, and everything.

When the contract was signed, Adelaide was the first to raise the glass.

"To the friendship between our two countries and to the health of His Majesty the Emperor Wu, cheers!"

"cheers!"

Everyone involved in the negotiations drank it all in one gulp!

……

After the banquet, there was a private chat.

Fewer constraints, more information.

"Your Excellency, could you please tell me about the progress of the Royal Navy in the South Seas?"

"This was a perfect overseas operation. Eight warships of the Royal Navy cooperated with the company's mercenaries to sink 8 Dutch warships, capture three fortresses, kill 11 Dutch soldiers, capture more than 3 people, and seize more than 900 merchant ships."

"Has your army taken Malacca?"

"Yes."

Adelaide smiled brightly, proud to be a Saxon noble.

Under his command, the company's mercenaries seized the East-West shipping hub at the cost of 1500 men.

Although the Citigroup war remains a quagmire, there is finally a bright spot in the East.

Downing Street will be cheering itself.

……

I hope my allies live well, but I also don't want them to live so well. "It's not simple, it's not simple." Hu Xueyu asked absentmindedly, sourly, "What about Java?"

"The Royal Navy fought bravely, first defeating the Dutch fleet and gaining control of the sea, bombarding the port of Batavia and sending mercenaries to land. The Governor of Batavia was a true gentleman. He did not resist and directly raised the white flag."

"So smooth?"

"Ah, it wasn't all smooth sailing. In the fight for control of the sea, the company lost several of its best new warships, consumed a large amount of ammunition, and the pensions for the mercenaries were a large sum. We even lost two majors, more than ten lieutenants, and hundreds of excellent sailors. Damn it~"

Hu Xueyu: “…”

……

Adelaide didn't blush and her heart didn't beat.

Then he continued to talk about an interesting thing:
"However, with your country's assistance, London has changed its war strategy in the Citi Colony."

"Oh?"

"Because the Kingdom's army is limited in number, the Prime Minister hired 15000 Hessian soldiers to join the war."

"Hessen?"

"A small, mountainous, poor German principality, just like your neighbor Fuso's daimyo."

"The Hessian soldiers are good at fighting?"

"The main thing is that they can endure hardships, are not afraid of death, and are cheap."

Hu Xueyu couldn't help but ask:

"The Duchy of Hesse is willing?"

"Count Ludwig was overjoyed and demanded a large sum of gold from London. In addition, the clothing, weapons, salaries, and pensions of the Hessian soldiers were all borne by London. You may not know that Hesse was too poor, and the only material they could take out for exchange was people!"

Hu Xueyu suddenly realized~
This is a good idea, good.

The regular Wu army is too expensive and too costly. In the future, I can suggest that Your Majesty get some very cheap cannon fodder to fight overseas.

There are such people in the world.

How wonderful it would be if everyone had a flintlock rifle and a bayonet, and fought fiercely, not caring about life and death.

……

"Mr. Count, I have a request."

"please say."

"I have a few relatives who want to start a small business under your rule and sell some valuable goods."

"Don't worry, your relatives are my relatives."

"thanks for your care."

The two old foxes chatted and laughed, and continued to talk about the world situation.

The Treaty of Transferring the Java Colony from the Saxons to the Wu Kingdom was approved the next day, and the Emperor of Wu signed and stamped it with the imperial seal.

moment,

The news reached the foreign trading houses in Songjiang Prefecture.

All countries were shocked and began to inquire about the inside story behind the treaty.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told all foreign merchants in public:
This is just an ordinary business transaction and has nothing to do with the empire's position or war.

The State of Wu adhered to a peaceful and liberal foreign policy, hoping to expand exchanges with European countries in the military, economic, cultural and other fields between the royal family and the civilian levels.

At the same time, free trade is advocated.

This idea is very advanced and rare. Although no one has responded, it is worth mentioning it first and considering publishing it in European newspapers and bragging about it.

……

Afterwards, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urgently summoned Dutch merchants in Wu.

The Dutch, led by business representative Peter, had not slept well recently, had dark circles under their eyes, and looked very haggard. They were very afraid that they would be captured by Wu Ting and handed over to the Saxons.

however,
The official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was amiable and told everyone present.

"The Wu Kingdom has no plans to launch a war against any country in the near future. The best proof of this is that it has acquired overseas colonies by purchasing them instead of seizing them through war."

"The purchase of Java does not mean any ill will towards the Netherlands."

"On the contrary, Dutch merchants in the Empire and Java continue to enjoy all rights and can act as they wish in the commercial field without any discrimination. Everything remains the same."

At last,
She also handed Pete a gold-embossed invitation with a smile.

"You are invited to attend His Majesty's New Year party on time."

……

What do Dutch businessmen think?
Of course, it is to grasp the life-saving straw tightly.

London has officially declared war on Amsterdam.

The Royal Navy bombarded Dutch merchant ships all over the world, detained Dutch businessmen, and attacked Dutch colonies.

It would be safest to stay in Wu before the war between the two countries ended. Merchant ships flying the Dutch flag would become prey for the Royal Navy on the South China Sea route.

……

The solution is to hang the flag of Wu.

After Pete paid a visit and had secret talks with the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Shipping Association, the two parties signed a contract to jointly operate several mature commercial routes.

Guangzhou - Batavia

Guangzhou - Manila
Taicang - Nagasaki

This year,

The Tokugawa shogunate was extremely wary of Qing and Wu, neither showing goodwill to nor offending either side.

The sense of alienation is particularly strong.

The shogunate even began to strictly control the scale of maritime trade between the two sides, adding artillery batteries and increasing coastal patrols.

The Wu court believed that the Tokugawa shogunate was hostile.

It is unknown where the hostility comes from.

The friendship between the Netherlands and Fuso was unique. The Netherlands was the only Western merchant that Fuso, a country that was closed to the outside world, could accept. There was even a so-called "Dutch learning" in Nagasaki.

Cooperation, win-win.

Wu Ting used the Dutch connections and shipping experience to move further into the ocean.

The Dutch took advantage of Wu Ting's protection and continued to make money safely.

So far,

Emperor Wu's plan went exactly as planned, and he began to make large-scale moves towards the South Pacific.

……

The twelfth lunar month is supposed to be a relaxing and leisurely month.

The Wu court was extremely busy.

Officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Navy kept going in and out of the palace to update the latest progress of the Northern Expedition.

"According to your majesty's instructions, the new recruits who have completed three months of training will be organized into the 3th, 8th, and 9th field corps. In addition, the light cavalry corps will be expanded to 10 people, and the missing war horses will be temporarily supplemented by Yunnan horses."

"Are the clothing, weapons, ammunition, tools, and all kinds of baggage in place?"

"Your Majesty, we still need 2%."

"pay close attention."

……

"Your Majesty, what arrangements should be made for the navy?"

"After the army takes control of Batavia, the Nanyang Fleet will consider moving half of its ships to Batavia. All large warships of the remaining fleet will gather in Chongming before the fifth day of the first lunar month and prepare to go north. The Yangtze River Fleet (inland river fleet) will be stationed in Yueyang to defend Sichuan."

"Your Majesty, the 2nd Army Corps stationed in northern Anhui and Hu Zhihuang's troops have asked again when to launch the attack?"

"The fifth day of the first lunar month is a good day for deploying troops. Before that, the Second Army must clear northern Anhui and not allow a fire to start in the backyard."

"Your Majesty, how much of the grain reserves in the southern provinces are left?"

Li Yu had a clear mind and did not hesitate:

"3%!"

"The rest of the stored grain was transported north to resettle the refugees. Food is people's hearts. Without food, even if the Northern Expedition succeeds, order in the Central Plains, Shandong and Zhili cannot be restored.

"Let Fucheng be promoted to the post of Governor of Guangdong and concurrently Minister of Commerce. He should organize and coordinate Guangdong merchants to buy grain from Southeast Asia. The more the better. We must import 8000 million shi within half a year. In addition, let rice merchants from various countries in Southeast Asia transport more rice. Those who take the initiative to share my worries will have their benefits in the future."

"Inform Huang Si that all the surplus grain produced on Dayuan Island must be transported to the mainland. Anyone who smuggles rice will be killed, no matter who it is."

Economic Minister Fan Jing volunteered:

"Your Majesty, I would like to leave Beijing and head south to Guangzhou to organize immigration to Java."

Industry Minister Du Ren also stood up:
"I would like to inspect the major factories in Hangzhou, Huzhou, Ma'anshan, Daye and Guangzhou to solve problems, supervise production, expand production capacity, and ensure that Your Majesty has continuous military supplies for the Northern Expedition."

……

Looking at everyone, Li Yu smiled and said:
"Thank you for your hard work. For the sake of the empire, we will gather together at the Spring Festival next year."

"Long live, long live!"

The ministers cheered.

The Military Advocate General finally spoke:
"Your Majesty, how should we deal with Captain Wang Ren, who was fully responsible for the defeat at Port Arthur?"

Li Yu said calmly:
"Military law is ruthless! He has killed more than a thousand elite soldiers. He has no reason to live."

"It will be carried out after the first month of the lunar year. Inform the family and ask them to take advantage of this month to leave a child. This is for the sake of his uncle."

Everyone was silent and the atmosphere was a little awkward.

……

Li Yu continued to dictate:

"In addition, Shi Lingyang is posthumously awarded the title of Minister of the Imperial Navy and the title of Duke. The Keelung Coal Mine is awarded to the Shi family, and 10 children of the Shi family are selected to study in the Civil Service School. Shi Bingren is notified to return to Suzhou and be granted the hereditary title of Duke of Jinghai. I will appoint him as the Governor of Batavia and the commander of the South China Sea Fleet."

"From today on, the Strait Fleet will be abolished. Half of the warships will be given to the South China Sea Fleet, and half to the Garrison Fleet. All former members of the Shi family can freely choose to join the South China Sea Fleet or the Garrison Fleet."

"Your Majesty is holy."

(End of this chapter)