Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 329 Taking refuge
The Nanyang strategy was a century-long plan for the development of the Han Dynasty. Songkhla and Lan Fang were both important parts of the Nanyang strategy. The Han Dynasty's layout and planning for various parts of Nanyang were formulated with an eye on international changes in the next few decades to a hundred years. The Lan Fang Company was located in the northwest of Borneo Island, across the sea from the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra Island. It was a nail for Chinese immigrants to enter the East Indies.

Stabilizing the political situation in Lan Fang and preventing the Dutch colonists from annexing the Lan Fang Company are of great strategic significance in the long run.

In the next thirty to forty years, World War I broke out, and the ruling foundations of Britain, France, and the Netherlands in Southeast Asia were weakened. Indigenous nationalism in Southeast Asia rose. If we can take advantage of the opportunity, when the Han country's strength expanded, we can use Lan Fang and Songkhla as bridgeheads to expand the ruling scope of the two Chinese regimes, and bring the central part of the Malay Peninsula, including Penang, Kedah, Perak and other areas, under the rule of the Songkhla Wu family, to create a Malay Peninsula Chinese country with a land area of ​​more than 10 square kilometers. At the same time, relying on the population advantage of the Chinese on the island of Borneo, , waiting for an opportunity to integrate the Dutch colonies of Borneo and Sulawesi into a Chinese country. In this way, after the First World War and the subsequent Second World War, after more than 70 years of development, the Han Kingdom's land area, population, economy, politics, industry, etc. can roughly reach the level of a first-class power. Then, with the help of its control and influence in the two Chinese countries in Southeast Asia, the Han Kingdom's influence will be extended from its strongholds in French Polynesia, Samoa, Fiji and other places in the South Pacific to Southeast Asia and East Asia, laying the foundation for the competition among major powers in the second half of the th century and the beginning of the st century.

Expanding from the inside out and using the last twenty years of the 19th century to recuperate and develop comprehensive local strength was the first plan of the Hundred Years National Policy. Guided by the goals of the "National Policy", the Taiping Society under the command of Liang Xing adhered to the low-key and secretive code of conduct and silently provided meticulous and precise services for the overall development of the country.

Lan Fang sent someone to contact the Lord of Songkhla, obviously wanting to first establish a relationship with Wu Jin, and then use Wu Jin to get in touch with the Nanyang Legion.

It is easier to get things done with someone in the court. Liang Xing understood the thoughts of the Lan Fang Chinese, so he simply went with Wu Jin to meet them, which also saved them from unnecessary calculations and planning.

"Everyone, this is Lord Liang from the Han Kingdom. I heard that you are all talented people from Southeast Asia who came to Songkhla to invest and do business. Lord Liang came here specially to meet you."

Wu Jin and Liang Xing walked into the reception room. After briefly introducing Liang Xing's identity and background, Wu Jin looked at the seven people who stood up to greet them and said, "The four heads of the family, Luo, Chen, Jiang, and Gu, have a long family history. A hundred years ago, the Lan Fang Company was established by the ancestors of the four heads of the family. The other three heads of the family are also Lan Fang's wise men, and are respected by the Chinese in the Nanyang region."

"Thank you, Lord Wu. You and the other lords and generals of the Nanyang Army are the great heroes and heroes among the Nanyang Chinese. I, a simple country bumpkin, dare not be compared with you."

A Lanfang Chinese merchant bowed and flattered, "We heard that His Royal Highness the King of Han led the heroes to defeat the British army. We, the overseas survivors, are very happy. We wanted to take the opportunity of His Royal Highness the King of Han marrying a wife and the Lord of Songkhla unifying the Central Malay Peninsula to donate some military pay to show our gratitude. However, we did not expect to see Lord Liang here. If we had known that Lord Liang was coming, we would have prepared some generous gifts to honor Lord Liang."

"Overseas Chinese are all one family. Master Zhou, there is no need to be so polite."

Liang Xing chuckled, invited everyone to take a seat, and said, "City Lord Wu and I appreciate your kindness, but it only takes three to four thousand troops to pacify the indigenous forces in Yala, Taogong, Pattani, Kelantan, and Songkhla. The war is expected to be resolved within twenty days. In addition, City Lord Wu has already prepared sufficient food and supplies in advance, so there is no need to waste your money."

"Marching and fighting requires money everywhere. Having more money for military supplies can also provide more security, right? Lord Wu, don't you think so?"

"Sir Liang, since it's hard to refuse their kindness, how about accepting their money?"

There was no reason to return the money that was right in front of him. After coordinating some postures with Liang Xing, Wu Jin turned to Liang Xing and asked.

"You are all so kind-hearted. I, Liang, would not want to ruin your kindness. Well, I will accept your financial support for the time being, and repay you one by one after the war is over."

"As it should be. It is our honor to be able to do our part for City Lord Wu and Lord Liang."

Luo Yibo spoke on behalf of the other six people, "Lord Liang, City Lord Wu, this is a list of the number of the seven families with a total of 100 million taels of silver. The silver is all in the inn at Songkhla Port. I will ask the accompanying guys to move the silver to the City Lord's Mansion for you later. What do you think?"

"There's no need to go to such great lengths. Find two men to lead the way. City Lord Wu and I will each send a team of soldiers to the inn. We can just move the silver away, saving your men the trouble."

"Everything is subject to Lord Liang's arrangements."

After handing out the silver, Luo Yibo felt relieved. After chatting with everyone, Luo Yibo took the lead in bringing up the real purpose of coming to Songkhla. "To be honest with Lord Liang and City Lord Wu, the family heads in Lan Fang have always admired His Royal Highness the King of Han and the officers and soldiers of the Nanyang Corps. Six years ago, when Lord Mei sent people to contact the Lan Fang Company, I and the other six family heads all supported the establishment of a cooperative relationship with the Nanyang Corps. However, due to the obstruction of Liu Asheng and his son, the cooperation was not finally achieved. In recent years, the Liu family and his son have been getting closer and closer to the Dutch. Because I and the six family heads supported the cooperation between Lan Fang and the Nanyang Corps, which went against his wishes, we have been secretly suppressed by him. Now the combined strength of the seven families has been weakened by at least 30% compared to six years ago. Inside and outside Nanyang, except for the generals of the Nanyang Corps, no one can stop the Liu family and his son from selling out the Lan Fang Company and currying favor with the Dutch.

Sir Liang, we know that we did something wrong before, and we dare not ask for the full support of the Nanyang Army. However, since we are all overseas Chinese, we hope that you can help the 300 Chinese in Lan Fang once. We don't ask for too much help, as long as you agree to sell us breech-loading rifles. The price is decided by the Nanyang Army, and we will never bargain. "

"We also know a little about the evil deeds done by Liu Asheng and his son. It was only after hearing what Patriarch Luo said today that we realized that the situation of Lan Fang Company has deteriorated to such an extent."

Liang Xing sighed and said, "The Nanyang Army is not short of three to five hundred breech-loading rifles, but relying solely on the armed forces and hundreds of muskets controlled by the seven families, I'm afraid they won't be able to overthrow the Liu family father and son."

"Please give me some advice, Sir Liang."

"I can't say I'm giving you advice, I'm just pointing out a clear path for you."

Liang Xing slowed down his speech and continued, "In this world of great contention, the South Seas have undergone drastic changes in just a few years. Annan, Vientiane, Funan, and the East Indies cannot escape the fate of the kingdom. The Lan Fang Company is facing enemies on three sides. If it wants to maintain the current autonomous situation, it must eliminate the pro-Dutch forces such as the Liu family father and son, and at the same time, reorganize the military, purchase weapons and equipment from abroad to equip the troops, and prepare in advance to resist the invasion of the Dutch colonists."

"Thank you for your advice, Lord Liang. If we can eliminate the Liu family and take control of Lan Fang, we will definitely take over the entire territory of Lan Fang Company and annex the South American Han Kingdom."

The Lan Fang Company did not have many bargaining chips, and realizing the true intention behind Liang Xing's words, Luo Yibo could only use the entire Lan Fang Company to impress the other party.

"You don't have to submit to the Han Kingdom, but if the Lan Fang Company wants to get help from the Nanyang Army, it must agree to my three conditions."

"Sir, please speak."

"After changing the political system of the Lan Fang Company and overthrowing the rule of the Liu family, the Lan Fang Company will set up the position of local king in imitation of Songkhla. Your families will nominate several candidates, and finally Your Highness will determine the appropriate candidate.

Second, reorganize the Lan Fang army and establish a standing army of about 3000 people. Weapons, equipment and military instructors will be provided by the Han State, and the Lan Fang will use mineral resources to pay for the purchase of weapons and equipment. Of course, the Han State will sell weapons and ammunition to the Lan Fang at preferential prices.

Third, we will carry out economic and military reforms in accordance with the Han system. Diplomatic and military actions must be notified to the Nanyang Army in advance, and the final action plan will be decided by the Nanyang Army and the Lan Fang. "

Agreeing to Liang Xing's conditions would also cause Lan Fang to lose its independent economic, military, and political autonomy, but compared to what they had lost, at least the Han Kingdom would not annex Lan Fang, and the political and economic interests of the Lan Fang upper ruling class would be preserved. And the most important point was that by abandoning the weird Lan Fang company system and becoming a hereditary local king, they would be the actual rulers of Lan Fang. In the future, when Lan Fang became independent or upgraded to a principality or a kingdom, then he, Luo Yibo, would be the rightful ruler of a country!
Considering the notoriety left by the Dutch massacre of the Chinese and the conditions Liang Xing tailored for him to change the political system of Lan Fang, Luo Yibo believed that with the influence and appeal of the Luo family and himself, if things were done, he would be the one to ascend to the high position of the Lan Fang hereditary ruler!

After thinking silently for about twenty minutes, he looked up and found that everyone's eyes were focused on him. Luo Yibo solemnly promised, "We can accept all the conditions proposed by Sir Liang, but the Luo family and the other six families are short of good hands. I hope you can send a group of people as soon as possible to help us deal with the Liu family father and son."

"This is not difficult. Brother Chen has a group of good soldiers transferred from the mainland. If they can take action, as long as you can provide accurate information about the daily travel of Liu's father and son, it will be easy to kill Liu Asheng and his son."

Liang Xing smiled calmly.

(End of this chapter)