The sun never sets in America

Chapter 117 Territory and Diplomacy

In August in Xijing City, the weather is very hot, and the sunshine is scattered in this city where the old and the new alternate, making people feel like they have traveled through time and space.

Even the feeling of traveling through hundreds of years of changes in America...

Xijing City was the first and largest colonial city in California established by the Spanish. Its place name was Los Angeles, which lasted until the first half of 1840.

In the second half of the year, as the Mexicans were driven away and the Chinese occupied the entire California, this city that hosted two countries and even an era finally changed from the Los Angeles of the Spanish and Mexicans to the Xijing of the Han Dynasty.

Xijing, as its name suggests, is the capital of the West. Geographically, it also symbolizes the status of Han Dynasty on the west coast of America.

If there were still doubts at the beginning, the Sino-Mexican War ended at the beginning of this month and ended with the Han Dynasty seizing 82 square kilometers of Mexican territory.

Including the territory it originally occupied in California and the Baja California Peninsula, the total territory of the Han Kingdom exceeded 130 million square kilometers, making it a veritable American power.

On the stage of American history, there is a brand new player, and this new player used the Republic of Mexico as a stepping stone as soon as it came on.

This is extremely rare in the entire history of the Americas.

Not to mention the legendary rise of the Han Dynasty, in the West, it would be exaggerated and written into an epic.

However, because of their status as pagans, the Han people were selectively ignored by Western countries.

Even the reputation of the Republic of Mexico in the Western world has been greatly reduced. For example, Mexico is a mixed-race country, not pure white, so it was defeated by the Han pagans. These have nothing to do with white people...

But even so, Han Dynasty still entered the field of vision of many Western countries.

Among other things, the Americans peddled the Han threat theory everywhere.

Suggestions that the Han people want to kill all the white people and occupy the Americas are completely false at first sight, but some people really believe them.

For most Western countries, they are much more realistic. After Han defeated Mexico and signed the Sino-Mexican Treaty, many Western countries rushed to establish diplomatic relations with Han.

After all, in this age where interests are paramount, it doesn’t matter whether you are white or a pagan. What matters is that you must have strength, otherwise you will boast that you are in heaven and no one will find fault.

"Mr. Rashid, we will be friends from now on." After Liu Peng signed the document establishing diplomatic relations, he smiled and shook hands with Rashid, the British Minister in Xijing.

"Your Highness, I have to say that you have chosen a good time, before the Americans have the ability to interfere with you..." Rashid, who was transferred to Xijing from Mexico City, smiled and replied to Liu Peng, "You are also very lucky. ." Rashid then released his right hand from Liu Peng and said to Liu Peng.

"Of course, without the help of the British Empire, we would not have won so easily..." Liu Peng certainly understood what Rashid meant, and then replied with the same smile.

"Mr. Rashid, I wish our two countries will always be on the same front." Liu Peng took two goblets from the waiter's dinner plate and handed one of the glasses filled with champagne to Rashid. I wish you all the best for Rasheed and the relationship between China and Britain with great expectations.

"I wish our two countries will continue to be friendly." Rashid took the goblet, then raised the cup and greeted Liu Peng, "I also wish those damn Americans can continue to be unlucky..." Rashid raised his eyebrows. Clink glasses with Liu Peng.

"Ha ha……"

The two looked at each other, and then drank the whole drink. Finally, the banquet for establishing diplomatic relations that had been prepared for a long time ended with the guest of honour.

In another banquet hall, Wan Fang, the new foreign minister of Han, was discussing trade issues with the French minister, the Russian minister, the Austrian minister, and even the Prussian minister.

"Congratulations to your country for winning an incredible war." The French Minister held a red wine glass and congratulated Wan Fang. "Your country has shown the world what a real war is." The French Minister's tone was full of praise for Han. country's compliment.

"Of course, none of this can be compared with the achievements made during Emperor Napoleon's time." Wan Fang did not show any smug expression, but took the opportunity to praise France.

"Of course, no one can compare with Napoleon." The French Minister mentioned Napoleon the Great, who had been dead for decades, with a look of arrogance on his face. After all, the Napoleonic period was France's most proud and memorable era so far. Although He failed, but no one can say that Napoleon failed.

"Mr. Minister, our country is currently under construction, and we need financial support from France." Wan Fang took this opportunity to express the cooperation that Han hoped to achieve with France in front of everyone.

"Finance?" When he heard about finance, the French Minister's eyes lit up. "If we can help Han, we would be honored." The French Minister replied humbly. Although he looked very humble, everyone knew that he was proud.

It was as if he was saying to ministers from other countries: "Look...even an emerging country like Han in the Americas has to ask France for help in building their country. Doesn't this prove the influence of France?"

"We are planning to build a railway from Xijing to Nanmen City recently..." Wan Fang became happy after hearing this, and then put forward the conditions, "We have specially issued railway debt for this railway and hope to get help from your country. ." Wan Fang proposed to the French minister the purpose of Han Dynasty's construction and the fact that it currently lacked funds.

Of course, this sentence was not only spoken to the French minister, but also the ministers from other countries who had been eavesdropping nearby...

After hearing that the Han Dynasty was going to build a railway, everyone's eyes lit up. What is the hottest thing in the world right now, is it colonies or maritime trade? ?

No, it's the railway. Since the invention of the railway, from the original steam train to the present, it can transport materials and manpower across thousands of kilometers. Even the stupidest people understand the importance of railways.

But there is a problem with railways, that is, they are too expensive. It is better to build them in the plains. If the road is slightly bumpy, the price will double. And for most old capitalist countries, the construction of railways needs to involve nobles and wealthy people. In human land, these two items alone are a very troublesome matter.

Fortunately, the rate of return on land during this period has increasingly failed to keep up with industry and commerce. A large number of European aristocratic landowners sold their land in exchange for funds to build factories, which also promoted the construction of railways to a certain extent.

In addition to its strategic significance, railways also contain a large number of economic benefits.

Not mentioning the ticket revenue of the railway itself, but talking about the stimulus to the local economy along the route, it is something that cannot be compared in the past.

In particular, Han State built the railway from Xijing to Nanmen City. What does this mean? It means that the places with the largest population and the most developed economy in Han State will be connected. Moreover, Han State is a country with a long coastline and a large number of excellent ports. .

Once such a country has a railway, its inland industrial products and resources can be transported to the port and out to sea through the railway, and sent to the world. Moreover, Han is also a country of immigrants, which also means that the coastal areas The population will grow very fast. If you add Han's gold mines and the current booming economy...

The ministers from various countries present all understood that in ten years' time, or even sooner, the coast of Han, especially the California area, would become a wealthy area that cannot be ignored in America, just like New York and Virginia in the United States...

"Minister Wan, our country is very interested in the construction of Han State and hopes to join in." The Austrian minister was the first to stand up and express his support for the construction of Han State. "Russia attaches great importance to the relationship with Han..." The Russian minister was not as enthusiastic as the Austro-Hungarian minister, but he also expressed respect for Han.

"The Kingdom of Prussia hopes to negotiate a trade agreement with the Han Kingdom..." The Prussian minister has the lowest status among them, but what he wants is the most affordable, and that is trade.

"Thank you for your support to our Han country. I believe that our cooperation will benefit all our countries..." Wan Fang replied with a smile to the ministers of all countries present, with a warm and polite attitude.

Can't fault it at all.

Then came the diplomatic exchange of cups and cups, everyone was happy, and finally everyone left with a satisfied smile.

This is the reality of this world. When you are beneficial to others, they hold you in the palm of their hands and want to burn incense and kowtow to you. After you are no longer useful, the people who used to be enthusiastic about you will suddenly disappear. Goodbye. It's a stranger.

As is the case with people, so is the country! !
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"Your Highness, this is the diplomatic district planned by our Ministry of Infrastructure in Xijing..." Zhang Bing, Minister of Infrastructure, reported to Liu Peng the current locations of the embassies of various countries.

According to international practice, the host country provides a site, or the embassy stationed in that country purchases an office space (of course, this also means that the place will also become the property of the other country).

Han's current attitude toward legations is that Han will provide a space for free, but the construction will be the responsibility of each country's legation. Once a diplomatic dispute occurs or the legation is sold, Han will take over the country's legation based on the construction cost. If the two countries If the relationship improves, you can also redeem it at the original price.

This rule was also specially made by Liu Peng, in order not to affect future Han diplomacy and possible disputes.

"This area is too close to the government affairs district, which is not good." Seeing that the planned place was just one street away from the government affairs district, Liu Peng immediately frowned and refused, "I think it's better here..." Liu Peng pointed to a place next to Central Street that was still under construction. This area was originally intended to be a food street, but is now designated as a diplomatic district by Liu Peng.

"His Royal Highness is wise!!" Zhang Bing had no dissatisfaction with Liu Peng's opinion. He praised it without thinking, "What is the name of this place?" Zhang Bing then asked Liu Peng.

"Let's call it Shanhai Street..." Liu Peng thought for a while, and then thought of an ancient book he had read, "After all, there are so many countries and races, and you fight for it every day. In fact, it is no different from those monsters in the Book of Mountains and Seas... "Liu Peng replied to Zhang Bing with a smile, with a hint of ridicule on his face.

"The Classic of Mountains and Seas, what a good name!!" Zhang Bing waited for Liu Peng to finish, and immediately agreed to Liu Peng's naming, and also flattered Liu Peng...

"Your Highness, this is the railway plan developed by our Ministry of Infrastructure..." After dealing with diplomatic matters, Zhang Bing submitted the manuscript on railway construction that he had prepared to Liu Peng.

"We plan to build a railway from Xijing to Nanmen and along the way, with a total length of [-] kilometers..." Zhang Bing then reported to Liu Peng the mileage of the railway construction.

"So many?" Hearing this number, Liu Peng was immediately shocked. Don't think that [-] kilometers of railways are not many. In fact, that was in later generations. Now, there are [-] kilometers of railways. We can now call ourselves a major railway country.

The crazy construction of railroads in the Americas started after the westward expansion of the United States. Americans frantically built hundreds of thousands of kilometers of railways, so that in later generations, so many railways were already aging and it was difficult to count them.

"We estimate that our population will further grow in the next few years, and with such a large population scattered in various regions, our current territory is large. Excluding a few new harvest areas that do not need to build railways for the time being, our current territory alone Basically, the California area, these [-] kilometers, can only barely connect big cities and some surrounding towns... As for the vast inland, under the current conditions, it is estimated that it will be difficult to cover..." Zhang Bing explained to Liu Peng why The reason why so many railroads were built.

In fact, it was this number that surprised Liu Peng. Zhang Bing and even many people in the Ministry of Infrastructure were dissatisfied. In their view, railways should be like highways, covering every corner of Han.

But later it was estimated that in order to achieve the level they needed based on the current territorial area, they would need at least [-] kilometers of railways, or even more, because the population of Han and the local administrative areas were constantly expanding...

"How much does this batch of railways cost?" After Liu Peng understood, he asked Zhang Bing about the cost of the railways, "I can tell you that it is difficult for the national treasury to come up with much money at present. At most, I will give you start-up funds. As for the rest, "Yes, there is nothing I can do..." Liu Peng then warned Zhang Bing. This is also true. After all, except for the taxes recently collected and the seizures in the Mexican War, Han Dynasty actually does not have much money anymore. .

If it weren't for a batch of unspent British and French loans, the Han State might have already fallen into a financial crisis.

In a word, the railway can be repaired, but the money cannot be provided. If it is to be provided, it is only a little, not too much! !
"We estimate that the construction cost of the entire railway should be about 200 million Chinese yuan, or 500 Chinese yuan per kilometer." Zhang Bing told Liu Peng the funds needed for railway construction calculated by the Ministry of Infrastructure. , and the average cost of one kilometer, "Of course, this is only the cost of the railway itself. If including the introduction of locomotives, construction technology, factory construction, etc., the total cost of this railway will reach [-] million yuan... ..." Zhang Bing then continued to Liu Peng.

In the end, he couldn't say it anymore. The price was too high. The last time he borrowed money from Britain and France, it was almost the same amount...

"So high??" Liu Peng's face suddenly changed when he heard the figure of 500 million yuan. "We should not have land acquisition problems when building railways. Why is it still so high?" Liu Peng asked Zhang Bing questioned.

In his opinion, the highest cost of railways is not the construction cost of the railway itself, but the road, or strictly speaking, the land acquisition along the way.

This is nothing to the Han State. After all, the Han State has a total population of less than 300 million. This is because those newly added to the territory are included...

The subsequent land redistribution also gave Han officials the opportunity to take control of a large amount of land. If you ask, are there any landowners in Han?

There is, and only one, and that is the Han government itself.

In Liu Peng's view, land is almost free, and the rest is nothing more than manpower and construction materials, but they should not be so expensive.

We must know that later generations of the Manchu and Qing Dynasties spent 700 million taels to build a railway, but most of it was in land acquisition.

"Your Highness, the main reason for our railway's current construction is not the construction cost, but our other expenditure costs..." Zhang Bing looked at Liu Peng, who looked confused and even suspicious, and then explained, "We have never Building a railway, the railway is a completely unfamiliar product to us... A railway includes rails, sleepers, even locomotives, and even construction methods... We don't have any of these, and we need to introduce them." Zhang Bing then explained. That's why it's so expensive.

"And building railways requires a lot of steel. The production capacity of our current steel plants can only maintain current consumption... Once we speed up railway construction, the steel production capacity will definitely not be enough, so we will have to spend another sum of money to expand the steel plants. , and the introduction of steel technology suitable for railway construction... these all require money!!" Zhang Bing continued to explain to Liu Peng.

In the eyes of him and the people at the Ministry of Infrastructure, this is not building a railway. This is clearly recreating an industrial system related to railways.

This fifteen million was not only not unfairly spent, but the attitude towards it made it worth it.

Using 500 million Chinese dollars for an opportunity to independently build railway trains, even increase steel production capacity, and exercise the capabilities of steel companies, in Zhang Bing's opinion, this is really worth it...

There is no better deal in the world than this! !

"I understand..." Liu Peng nodded to Zhang Bing after hearing this, with a clear expression on his face. He originally thought that the problem was construction, but he did not expect that there were such complex industrial issues.

But at the same time, he was very pleased that Han officials could see so clearly and thoroughly when it came to national construction...

　Please give me a reward and make a full order.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)