The sun never sets in America

Chapter 309 Han Philippines

The sea off Manila was "crowded" and the entire beach was packed with people.

"Look, it's so big!!"

"Yes, the Han people's warships are really big, much bigger than ours!!"

"Well, I heard that there is a war in the Americas. Cuba and Puerto Rico have been occupied by the Americans. It seems that we in the Philippines cannot hide."

"Forget it, it is better to let the Han population rule than the Americans. It is said that the Americans killed many people in Cuba. If we let them rule, we will all die!!"

"That's right, let's just let the Han people rule."

On the beach, a group of white Filipinos who were "worried" about Spain's "future" were discussing the current situation.

On August 25, the 18th year of Longwu, the United States officially announced the end of the Caribbean War, which also meant that the two Spanish colonies of Cuba and Puerto Rico had officially fallen, or in American terms, they "abandoned darkness and turned to light."

Originally, according to the original plan of the United States, an expeditionary fleet should be organized on the 20th to attack the Philippines, the last Spanish "property".

But when Han joined this "just action", the situation changed.

Han, carrying the flag of "justice", first issued the so-called four-nation treaty statement, claiming that everything was acting in accordance with the treaty regulations.

Then he dragged a group of South American boys to make a so-called "claim" against Spain, demanding compensation from Spain for the property plundered during the colonial period in the Americas.

Then there was a "moral" offensive, and finally a compensation worth 500 million pounds was handed over to the Kingdom of Spain, requiring Spain to "apologise" and "compensate".

As for how this 500 million pounds came from, the Spaniards still don’t understand it now, and the Chinese explanation for this is:

"The wealth that Spain plundered in America is more than 500 million pounds. The reason why it demands so much compensation is not that the Spanish colonies owe so much, but that considering Spain's finances, this amount of money can just be repaid in fifty years."

Yes, half a billion pounds is still "reduced".

When the Spaniards looked at the compensation list, they vomited blood on the spot, "Hey guys, what are the island natives? What qualifications do they have to ask me to pay compensation?" ?

Also, why 400 million of them were given to the Han State? Aren’t you a later person? ?

The explanation given by Han Dynasty is:

"The Kingdom of Spain caused great harm to the Indians in America. The Han State has the right to rule the Indians, so the bulk of the money should be given to the Han State."

The reason for this is still the Indian Protector Treaty signed with the United States during the Sino-American conflict a few years ago.

(Han automatically gained the protection rights of the entire American Indian)

This series of "operations" dazzled the British who were watching from the outside, and also made the "impatient" United States know what true shamelessness is.

Since then, Han announced that it would conduct exercises in the Pacific region, and its attitude towards the Philippines has always been to encircle rather than attack.

The reason for this is because the Han military department has calculated an account. According to the current population and economic situation of the Philippines, if there is a big fight, both human losses and economic losses will definitely be huge.

As for the positioning of the Philippines, the Han Dynasty has always had a very clear understanding, that is, it is a colony.

Yes, it is a colony, not the second Lanfang or the second Xianbei Dudufu as some people claim.

The reason for this is because of the uniqueness of the Philippines.

Although the Philippines has a good geographical location, it is in the Far East and the core area of ​​Southeast Asia. From a trade perspective, it is not bad.

Coupled with the special local geographical environment, it is very suitable for the production of cane sugar and rubber, and even a lot of arable land can be developed.

Logically speaking, it should be regarded as a land of abundance.

During the Spanish rule, this was indeed the case. This place also contributed more than 20 million yuan in tax revenue to the entire Kingdom of Spain every year, which can be described as a golden rooster.

But if according to the views of some people in the Han Dynasty, the Philippines is turned into a governor's palace, then several problems will arise, including construction and benefits.

If the Philippines is regarded as the governor's office, then the Philippines is the official overseas territory of Han and is an indivisible part.

Then a question will arise, whether to spend money on construction, whether to engage in large-scale immigration, and whether to develop various local industries.

Immigration will encounter two problems, that is, the local indigenous people of the Philippines, and the original local economic system, which is the one left by the Spaniards.

That economic system was simple and convenient, basically a tax farming system, and it also implemented a colonial system in which Filipinos ruled Filipinos.

Whether this system is good or not is not important. The most important thing is that it is the best system currently implemented in Han Dynasty.

If we really follow the "whimsical" and "dramatic" decisions of some people in Han Dynasty.

So there are basically two situations. One is that the transformation is successful and the Philippines becomes the next Lanfang. The second is that the transformation is unsuccessful. Han will be like the United States in the original time and space, losing all his money in the hot land of the Philippines.

(After the United States ruled the Philippines in the original time and space, it was basically in a state of loss, which was the main reason why the United States later let go)

If the Han Dynasty wanted to avoid that kind of "loss" situation, it could not follow the original method of "one size fits all" for colonies like the Philippines, which had been ruled by the Spanish for hundreds of years.

Instead, we should keep pace with the times! !

This is also the reason why Han Dynasty quietly established a colonial ministry after announcing the Pacific Exercise.

Although the Colonial Department currently only has a few dozen people, large and small, and the minister also serves as the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, it can reflect the change in Han's attitude.

The first to capture such changes was the United Kingdom, currently the largest colonial empire in the world.

After the establishment of the Colonial Office in Han, there were rounds of discussions in the UK about whether Han would "conflict" with British strategy.

Even in the eyes of some radicals, the Han Dynasty was an obvious signal of "war" and must be stopped.

Because according to their estimates, once the Han Dynasty embarks on the path of colonial expansion, it will definitely exert its power around the world. In this way, a collision with the United Kingdom will be inevitable.

Therefore, it is very necessary to cut off the threat of Han Dynasty to the British colonies in advance.

However, the opposition believes that although the Han Dynasty hopes to join the ranks of colonial expansion, they have no experience in managing colonies. They may encounter a "nail" in the Philippines and retreat.

What's more, according to the current "situation" of the Han State in the Americas, it is impossible for the Han State to expand globally freely, because according to the British's private intelligence assessment, the expansion of the Han State has actually reached the limit of its current national power.

As long as the United States is still there, or as long as the United States does not weaken, at least half, or even two-thirds, of Han's national power can only be placed in the Americas and cannot be used around the world.

It can be seen from the Han Navy that the strength of the Pacific Fleet is obviously weaker than that of the Atlantic Fleet.

The Han army is basically on the front line of the Han-American border. It is impossible for the British not to know these verifiable data.

In this way, these have become the best proof for some British people's "theory of the powerlessness of the Han Dynasty".

And it was also under this "dilemma" that Han was able to besiege the Philippines under limited circumstances and make up for the last shortcoming in the Pacific strategy.

.............................................

Madrid, a Spanish city with a long history, is a symbol of the entire Kingdom of Spain.

Throughout August, this city, full of romantic charm from the Iberian Peninsula, seemed to have suddenly fallen from summer to winter.

Pedestrians on the street are all "preoccupied."

The people who opposed the war, from the streets to the end of the streets, could no longer be "pacified" by the police alone. The army could only be mobilized from outside the city to stop those "treacherous people".

The news in newspapers is becoming more and more exaggerated:

(Madrid Post: Cuba and Puerto Rico have fallen, the next step will be the Philippines)

(Iberian News: American countries collectively claim 500 million pounds. It is reported that the money will be repaid in 50 years, with interest, exceeding one billion pounds)

(Catalan News: We are close to losing everything except the surrender agreement)

(Catalonia Kommersant: It’s time to say goodbye to this damn Spain. Catalans don’t have to pay for the consequences caused by the Spaniards. Long live Catalonia’s independence!!)

In such an atmosphere of "pessimism", "anger" and "accusation", the whole of Spain has experienced rounds of turmoil.

In the Spanish Congress, there are still rounds of wrangling over whether to send an expeditionary fleet to retake Cuba and Puerto Rico.

In the end, it often ends with a big scuffle between "leather shoes".

At the Royal Palace in Madrid, Queen Isabella II of the Bourbon Dynasty was having an urgent meeting with her Prime Minister Gonzalo.

“Prime Minister, are we really going to lose the Philippines??”

Isabella II asked some "unbearable" questions.

Gonzalo nodded indifferently, breaking Isabella II's last illusion.

“So, at what price will it be sold in the Philippines??”

Since there is no way to stop the "trading", Isabella can only place her hope on the price, hoping that these Han people will not be too "cruel" and leave the last trace of face to the Kingdom of Spain. "Fifty-five million pounds, this is the last offer from the Han people."

(equivalent to 33 million Chinese dollars)

When Gonzalo said the number, Isabella shouted like a shrew:

"God, these Han Chinese are even more shameful than those damn bankers, they are just a bunch of bastards!!"

"They are robbers!!"

Looking at Her Majesty the Queen who looked like a "crazy woman" in front of her, Gonzalo reluctantly persuaded:

"Your Majesty, this is the best treatment we can get. The Americans and Cuba only have this amount."

Not to mention the United States, I'm fine. When I mentioned the United States, Isabella II's face turned ashen instantly as if she had been poisoned.

After the Spanish-American War started, all she heard were bad words such as "defeat," "retreat," "give up," and "failure."

Even when she learned that those who opposed the war asked her to step down, Isabella II immediately believed that all this was caused by the Americans. In her heart, the United States had nothing to do with the "robbers". Makes no difference.

Later, in order to maintain a trace of "respect", the United States also proposed to purchase Cuba and Puerto Rico. However, in order to punish Spain for its "invasion" of the United States, it provided Cuba with 40 million Chinese dollars per year, but only 5 million pounds. Han purchased the Philippines for half a million pounds less.

Puerto Rico, on the other hand, is only willing to give one million pounds, which is almost equivalent to begging for food.

If you compare it like this, you will find that the Han Dynasty, which also "takes advantage of others", is actually the most "benevolent and righteous".

It is a first for a bandit to compare who is more "benevolent and righteous".

Thinking of this, Isabella could only order in a "trembling" voice:

"Tell the Han people that we agree, but we have a requirement. They must guarantee the Kingdom of Spain and the Spanish property in the Philippines. This is our bottom line."

"Yes, I understand, Her Majesty the Queen!!" Gonzalo bent down and left the palace that symbolized "rights".

"what!!"

In the palace, Isabella II’s shouts continued to be heard.

…………

Xijing Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, this is the telegram just sent from the Atlantic."

Wen Ting took a not-so-confidential document, bent her waist, and respectfully delivered it to Liu Peng's desk.

"Ha ha……"

Looking at the terms and prices of the Philippine transaction, Liu Peng burst into laughter, causing Wen Ting next to her to keep raising her head secretly.

After laughing, Liu Peng put the telegram on the table and told Wen Ting:

"When I called back, I said that we could comply with the Spaniards' requirements, but the land owned by the local Spaniards must be restricted. Any land exceeding 500 acres needs to be handed over. The local plantations that have been developed can be allowed to continue operating, but they must Pay back this year’s taxes.”

"Local churches can also be retained, but starting from the end of this year, local Catholic missionaries must be carried out in accordance with the Han Dynasty's Religious Management Law without any violation."

"The local government buildings and assets belonging to the Kingdom of Spain must be handed over completely without any damage or intentional destruction. Once discovered, the corresponding losses will be deducted from the transaction price."

Liu Peng glanced at Wen Ting, who was taking notes quickly, and added a few words at the end:

"In addition, local military facilities, as well as soldiers and police, must ensure their integrity when receiving money from the Han State. There cannot be any looseness or chaos, and local security must be maintained."

"Weapons used by the military and police must also be registered and no leakage is allowed."

Liu Peng rambled for a few words, and the shorthand pencil in Wen Ting's hand rubbed into "flowers".

By the time I finished writing, I had written at least three pages of cheat sheets.

After everything was settled, Liu Peng seemed to have thought of something and gave another instruction:

"Tell the Spaniards that this must be done before the Americans do."

Wen Ting glanced at Liu Peng in surprise, and then nodded vigorously.

...............

In the Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain, an agreement that will go down in history is being signed.

The situation of the two parties can be seen in the expressions of Han Chinese Foreign Minister Gu Yunxiao and Spanish Prime Minister Gonzalo signing the contract.

Gu Yunxiao's face was full of smiles. The pen in his hand was "dragon and snake flying" and he wrote his name in regular script with the word "joyful".

On the opposite side, Gonzalo had a sad face, and the hand holding the pen even trembled obviously, so that the Latin letters he signed at the end were not very coherent.

When everything was over and documents were exchanged, Gu Yunxiao shook hands with Gonzalo opposite him with a happy face, and kept saying "thank you", "congratulations" and "blessings to Spain".

Gonzalo responded reluctantly.

Before leaving, Colonel Gu Yun couldn't help but ask: "How is your discussion with the Americans going?"

It's okay not to say it. When he mentioned this, Gonzalo's whole person changed and he answered in a "strong" tone:

“Everything is normal!!”

Seeing Gonzalo's strong expression, Gu Yunxiao shook hands one last time, said "good luck" in Spanish, and left the palace, which has been written into Spanish history.

At exactly 2 o'clock in the afternoon on September 1st, Han and Western countries issued a diplomatic agreement. After "friendly" consultations and constructive "discussions", the above agreement was reached.

Han Guo paid 35 million Chinese yuan to Spain in three installments, equivalent to 5.5 million pounds. The first batch of 1.5 million pounds will be paid on the day of signing and will be deposited into a British bank in Spain.

The second batch was paid after Han took over the Philippines, totaling two million pounds.

The remaining two million, which is the last payment, will be paid after Han ensures that Spain fulfills its internal treaty.

Of course, this is an internal agreement, and the only thing that can be announced to the outside world is the Hanxi transaction and the so-called ensuring the safety of Spanish property and lives.

But this treaty alone was enough to make Han stand out.

The first to bear the brunt is the United States. The United States is very satisfied with the current situation. Cuba has been captured. A few days ago, Puerto Rico and some Caribbean islands were captured.

No matter how you put it, it’s a big win! !

But when it came out that the Philippines Treaty between Han and Spain was signed, the entire United States "exploded."

Relying on the military exploits of the United States, Han took over the Philippines, which the United States wanted so much, without firing a shot, and completely completed its blockade of the Pacific region.

This means that the future of the United States can really only be in the Atlantic Ocean.

For Americans who are committed to developing the two oceans, this is simply a "bolt from the blue."

"Go to hell, you Han thieves!!"

“Damn it, you guys can’t do anything but steal!!”

"Fakeer, the pig of Han..."

"Fight the Han Empire!!"

Outside the Han embassy in New York, there were abusive crowds everywhere, holding various banners and venting their "hatred" against the Han Dynasty.

Minister Xing Zhaokong of the Han Dynasty looked at the Americans outside, a disdainful smile appeared on his face, took one last look, "swipe", and closed the curtains.

In the dimly lit minister's office, Xing Zhaokong's rough voice came:

"Notify the NYPD and tell them to evacuate those bastards immediately or I will issue a diplomatic inquiry to the White House!!"

Twenty minutes later, New York police officers armed with batons "evacuated" the "patriots."

It's like a Chaplin comedy.

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(End of this chapter)