Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 552: The Aftermath of the Paraguayan War

"Your Excellency, Baron, your country is really well-informed. The Paraguayan war was still in the mediation stage, but you decided to send a delegation to visit. I wonder when your delegation will arrive in Han?"

In the foreign guest reception area, British Ambassador Hermes asked calmly.

"It's almost there. It's expected to arrive in a week."

Baron Robert, the German ambassador to the Han Kingdom, glanced at him and asked, "Your country is also very active. Not only has it taken the lead in the mediation of the war in South America, but I heard that in recent days, it has also met frequently with Mr. Tang, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Han Kingdom. I just don't know what the content of the talks is."

"There is nothing to hide. The Han Kingdom intends to expand its overseas commercial market, so it privately seeks the Empire's opinion."

"Oh, I wonder in which regions the Han Kingdom wants to expand its commercial market?"

"Where else can we go? Influenced by the war in Paraguay and instigated by the United States, South American countries such as Chile, Peru, and Bolivia have successively raised the entry threshold for Chinese goods. Without the potential market of South America, and the continued expansion of Chinese industrial capacity, Chinese can only focus on other regions. Currently, Chinese hopes to use Lan Fang and Songkhla, two areas with large Chinese populations, as transit points to sell light industrial products such as grain, ready-made cloth, and rubber products to the Far East, North Korea, Siam and other countries."

"Hasn't the Han Chinese always done this? They use the immigrant transport fleet to transport light industrial products to Songkhla and Lan Fang, and then use the two places as commodity distribution bases to sell all kinds of light industrial products to various coastal areas in Southeast Asia and the Far East."

The French envoy shook his head and said indifferently: "Han is located in South America, tens of thousands of miles away from Southeast Asia and the Far East. If the fleet's main task is not to transport immigrants on the return trip, it would not make much money even if it does not lose money if it simply transports light industrial products after deducting the transportation costs."

"Yes, the Han people are also aware of this problem, so they plan to transfer some of the light industrial machinery and equipment in the civilian field to Lan Fang and establish a production base in Lan Fang."

"Lan Fang? The Lan Fang Grand Commandery on Kalimantan? Kalimantan has a hot climate and barren land. Only a few coastal areas are suitable for human habitation. Those Chinese cannot survive on the Far East mainland, so they are willing to settle in such a hellhole. Under such climatic conditions, it is good enough for them to barely survive. They are also planning to build factories? Develop light industrial industries?

It may sound a bit rude, but the fact is that, so far, no country has established a complete set of industrial industries in tropical regions, even light industries such as food processing, printing and dyeing textiles, and salt purification. "

French Ambassador Jacques Chirac raised his chin.

"The Chinese are well-known for their hard work and perseverance. Maybe they can overcome the hot climate and harsh natural environment and establish a light industrial system in Kalimantan."

The German ambassador was not concerned about the matter and joked: "His Majesty the Emperor of Han is a man of magical means and is good at creating miracles. Perhaps with the support of Han, Lan Fang can also replicate the miracle of Han's development and become the first tropical industrial country. Even if it is only the most basic industrial country with light industry as the core, it is also a remarkable achievement.

Mr. Hermes, aren't you worried that the Lanfang Grand Unification State's successful establishment of a light industrial system will threaten your country's economic market in Southeast Asia and the Far East?"

"Your Excellency, Baron, you underestimate the strength and confidence of the British Empire. In international trade, the British Empire has always advocated the principle of open door and free trade. Please do not forget that the goods of your country, including the United States, Italy, Austria-Hungary and other countries, can flow into the Far East continent because of the full support of the British Empire."

British Ambassador Hermes said proudly. Hermes had reason to be proud, because since the first industrial revolution, Britain's comprehensive strength has leapt to the first place in the world, becoming the only superpower in the 1900th century. In semi-independent regions such as the Far East, Indochina, and the American continent, Britain was confident in its own industrial commodity strength and proposed open door and free trade. Until the s, with the development of the second industrial revolution, the rise of emerging industrial countries represented by the United States, Germany, Russia and even Japan, Britain's advantages were gradually offset, and it was difficult to maintain the suppression of late-developing industrial powers, resulting in the bankruptcy of the free trade policy.

In the Americas, after the Venezuelan crisis, Britain officially gave up its dominance in the Americas, and the South American continent gradually became a dumping ground and backyard for the United States' industrial products.

In the Far East, Japan, Russia, Germany and other countries successively joined the ranks of dividing up the East Asian powers, and the strategy of economic market unification and free trade of the East Asian powers led by Britain also declared bankruptcy.

As a late-developing country with the greatest development potential, the United States entered the Far East later than Britain, Russia, France, Japan and other countries. Therefore, faced with the unfavorable situation of various countries dividing the territory of the East Asian power, Britain put forward its proposition of open door and free trade.

At present, although Britain has realized that the rise of emerging industrial countries will offset the irreversible trend of its own advantages, and has officially made the strategic decision to gradually give up its dominance in the Americas, the time is still in 1890. It has not experienced the impact of events such as the Venezuelan crisis and the Boer War. Looking around, Britain is still the unique superpower. From the bottom to the top, whether it is the most ordinary British people or government officials like Hermes, they all have a natural confidence in Britain's strength. As long as they abide by the rules set by the British Empire, in the economic market dominated by Britain, the British are not afraid of commercial competition from other countries, even Germany and the United States, which have the greatest development potential. Britain is not afraid.

"On the principle of maintaining the existing order in the Far East and Southeast Asia, the British Empire welcomes the entry of goods from any civilized country. It is obvious that the Han Kingdom, which is carrying out reforms and institutional reforms, is a civilized country that respects and abides by international trade rules. The British Empire also welcomes the entry of Han goods."

Hermes looked calm and confident, but he was actually a little uneasy in his heart.

A few days ago, Tang Jingsong, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Han Kingdom, paid a private visit and informed him of the plans and trends of the Han Kingdom in Southeast Asia and the Far East.

The Han State's notice covers a wide range of content. Just the industrial transfer and the establishment of a light industrial base in Lan Fang will have little impact on Britain. After all, Britain is the first-mover country in traditional light industrial fields such as printing and dyeing, textiles, and salt purification. The First Industrial Revolution also expanded and spread from printing and dyeing and textiles. In the traditional light industrial field, Britain has more than 100 years of technological accumulation. In this regard, Britain is not worried.

However, the Lan Fang referendum to join the Han Kingdom and the Han Kingdom's control over the Lan Fang moved from behind the scenes to the front stage, which would have a certain impact on the international order in Southeast Asia and the Far East. Hermes was worried that the Han Kingdom's actions would stimulate the ambitions of some countries, which would in turn cause a chain reaction and cause the situation in Southeast Asia to get out of control.

At the same time, Songkhla was also a region controlled by the Han Kingdom. If the situation in Songkhla changed due to the Lan Fang referendum and affected the stability of the Straits Settlements, it would be even more unacceptable to Britain.

Fortunately, the Emperor of Han was aware of the sensitivity of Lan Fang and Songkhla, and made many assurances and promises to Britain. It is believed that after the telegram arrives in London, Buckingham Palace will respond and handle it appropriately.

"The Americans also call themselves a 'civilized country' and are shouting around the world that they are the leaders and arbitrators of order in the Americas. Now the Americans have expanded their influence to southern South America and established a military base in the Republic of Brazil. According to feedback from the Kingdom of Spain, the US government has been meddling in the Cuban riots. The Spanish government has solid evidence that the United States has provided weapons and intelligence support to Cuban rebels. A large number of light and heavy weapons have been sent to the hands of the rebels through maritime smuggling channels. The Spanish government advocates that civilized powers such as Britain, France, and Germany form a coordination committee to stop the barbaric behavior of the United States."

The German ambassador spoke up.

"Mr. Hermes, I need to remind you that the Americans have gained huge benefits in the Paraguayan War. Now not only your country, but also the commercial activities of France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the Americas are being squeezed out by American capital.

The profits from the Paraguayan War fueled the Americans' ambition to dominate the Americas. Moreover, judging from the Cuban incident, the Americans' ambitions are not limited to the economic market, but also extend to territory. The United States has long been interested in Cuba. If the Americans continue to expand their influence, the interests of European countries in the Americas will be damaged. I suggest that we respond to the Kingdom of Spain's advocacy and establish a coordination committee to interfere with and stop the Americans' expansion. By the way, the coordination committee can invite the Han Kingdom to join. After all, the Han Kingdom is the most influential country in South America. With the participation of the Han Kingdom, the coordination work will surely be smoother. "

The French ambassador echoed.