Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 557 Far East Layout
Both Han and Germany were late-developing industrial powers. In the economic field, cooperation outweighed competition. There was also close cooperation in overseas colonial management, military, and political fields.

Because of the common interests, the German delegation was warmly received by the Han government as soon as it arrived. At the same time, cooperation issues in various fields of concern to both sides were also included in the discussion.

In mid-May 1890, after a month of communication and coordination, the two parties reached an agreement on a cooperation agreement. The Han Kingdom bought Bougainville Island and its affiliated Buka Island in the east of German New Guinea from Germany for 5 million Han Yuan. The total area of ​​the two islands was close to 1 square kilometers. Due to the hot climate and the distance from the continental zone, there were only a few thousand indigenous people on the island.

At the same time, Han State also completed a transaction cooperation with Germany on key construction technology and core equipment for 10,000-ton ships using technologies such as anti-tropical disease drug production technology, new dye formulas, and smokeless gunpowder formulas.

As a beneficiary of the cooperation, Germany not only obtained funds and technology through colonial transactions and technology exchanges, but also gained the understanding and support of the Han Dynasty for expanding its colonial power in South America at the diplomatic and military levels.

After the cooperation agreement was reached, the German delegation continued to stay in the mainland of Han for exchanges and visits, and the details of the cooperation were also transmitted to Germany via telegram.

In late May, the German government approved a foreign investment budget review and prepared to provide Haiti with an additional amount of approximately 5 million marks to expand the Port-au-Prince port project.

In early June, after talks with Britain, France, Portugal and other countries, the Han State bought land ranging from hundreds of thousands of square meters to several square kilometers in Tonga, Fiji, Vatuanu, Solomon Islands and other South Pacific islands from various countries at prices ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of Han Yuan, for use as immigration transit stations.

By late June, the demolition and relocation work in the area occupied by the Republic of Brazil was coming to an end. Hundreds of large and small ships were freed from the busy equipment transfer work and were used again for immigrant transportation.

In Asuncion, the capital of the Kingdom of Paraguay, the first group of new immigrants who were assigned here on ocean transport ships have been here for nearly two months.

Like other new immigrants, Zhu Zhan'ao spent a month adapting and resting before taking a train and then an inland ship to this new and unfamiliar land.

The city of Asuncion and the Royal Palace were burned and destroyed by the retreating Brazilian Republican Army, and the surrounding areas were almost turned into a wasteland due to the impact of the war. During the two months that Zhu Zhan'ao had been in Asuncion, the most important thing he did every day was to clean up and move the damaged rubble and bricks, and to reclaim the woods and grasslands that were designated as arable areas.

We start work on time at 5 am every day and finish at pm. Because we are close to a tributary of the Paraguay River, materials and equipment can be easily transported, and the reclamation work progresses smoothly, and overtime is rarely needed.

After finishing work at five o'clock, when it was still early, when Zhu Zhan'ao was in a good mood, he would take a few brothers who had immigrated from his hometown in Qi and Lu to fish in the nearby river or hunt in the forest east of the settlement.

The population of the Kingdom of Paraguay is sparse. After the war, the total population of 120 million square kilometers of land, excluding the blacks and black-mixed people who will be forcibly relocated, is less than 20, which is nearly one-third less than the data estimated by the Han government beforehand. This also shows the extent of the damage caused by the war to the Kingdom of Paraguay.

The population of Paraguay has been greatly reduced, but it has provided convenience for Zhu Zhan'ao and others. Every time they go to the river, they can always harvest a lot of fish. The fish they catch generally weigh several kilograms or dozens of kilograms. If they are lucky, they can also encounter freshwater fish weighing more than 100 kilograms. As for small fish weighing less than two or three kilograms, even if they are caught with fishing nets, they will be put back into the water. With more large fish, Zhu Zhan'ao and others have become more discerning and no longer look down on those small fish.

Unlike fishing, in the forests near the settlements, in addition to foxes, wolves, rabbits, pheasants, wild deer and other animals, there are also many poisonous insects and poisonous substances. Therefore, every time they enter the forest, everyone is very careful, and the range of activities is also controlled within 20 kilometers of the settlement. Without the permission of the militia reserve platoon leader in charge of military training in the settlement, no one dares to enter the depths of the forest.

Within two months, Zhu Zhan'ao and his companions entered the forest about seven or eight times. Except for the first two times when they returned empty-handed, they were able to obtain good prey every time in the following times. In the process of hunting at the edge of the forest, everyone became more and more proficient in the use of rifles. It can be said that the small-scale hunting activities presided over and guided by the settlement militia platoon leader and spontaneously organized by the new immigrants were more like an informal military skills training than a leisure and relaxation activity. Through hunting and exploration of the surrounding terrain, the basic military skills of the young and strong immigrants were cultivated.

Peaceful days always pass quickly. After leaving his hometown and no longer being wanted and pursued by the Qing court, Zhu Zhan'ao let down his guard and worries. Even though the work during the day was not easy, after five o'clock in the evening, after dinner, lying in the makeshift house, he still felt the long-lost peace and stability.

Working from sunrise to sunset, the moment I stepped onto the immigration fleet, the local life advocated by the employees of the Han Ocean Shipping Company, who were responsible for the management of immigration affairs, was gradually being fulfilled. In the near future, I would own land, houses, and properties. This kind of life was exactly what I had dreamed of before.

However, while feeling satisfied, he also felt a sense of regret and unwillingness when he saw the Han officers, soldiers, businessmen, and technicians who were about his age achieving success in their respective fields.

Isn't it a pity to waste such a good time in the fields?

In his hometown of Qi and Lu, although there was no hope of advancement, he still dared to take the risk, join the peasant army and launch an uprising.

The current situation is completely different from what it was before. If I don’t make good use of my skills, give full play to my strengths, build a career, and live a mediocre life, won’t I regret it?
Zhu Zhan'ao was thinking about his future, staring blankly outside the cabin, in the direction of the forest. He didn't know how long he stayed there. As the sky gradually darkened, a man came out of the cabin. He was the captain in charge of the military training of the immigrant reserve. After he came in, he asked everyone directly, "Who is Zhu Zhan'ao?"

"Captain Chen, it's me."

Zhu Zhan'ao came to his senses and replied.

"Platoon Leader Zhang wants to see you. Come with me."

"Okay, Captain Chen."

Zhu Zhan'ao followed him to another wooden house and walked in.

"Platoon Leader Zhang, the people are here."

"Captain Chen, please go down first. I have something to discuss with Brother Zhu."

"Yes, Platoon Leader Zhang."

"Brother Zhu, come, there is a stool next to you, sit down first."

The militia platoon leader greeted him, "Brother Zhu is from Jiaozhou, Qilu. Have you ever participated in the peasant uprising in He County?"

"Yes, I followed Brother Ding and participated in the uprising two years ago, but it was unsuccessful."

"Local tyrants and evil gentry colluded with the Qing court. Without external intervention, it would be very difficult to start an uprising, and it would be normal for it to fail."

The militia platoon leader exchanged a few pleasantries and got straight to the point: "The higher-ups have assigned us a task to recruit young and strong immigrants from Jiaozhou to return to the local area to perform intelligence gathering and undercover missions. I've seen your previous experience and I think you're a good candidate. I called you here today to hear your true thoughts. Do you dare to go back to your hometown in Jiaozhou and help the empire establish new underground forces and armed bases there?"

"Platoon Leader Zhang, you should know my situation. My brothers and I immigrated overseas because we were wanted. If we go back, I'm afraid..."

"Don't worry about the wanted person. There will be someone to help you solve it. You just need to follow the instructions and do your job well in hiding.

Brother Zhu, although this matter has certain risks, if it is done, it will also be of great benefit to your future development. I think this is a good opportunity to make achievements and I hope you can seize it. "

"Thank you for your respect, Platoon Leader Zhang. Being fussy is not what a real man should do. Since the wanted issue is being solved with the help of the higher-ups, I, Zhu Zhan'ao, have nothing to say. I'll go back. At most, I can drag a few Qing Dynasty lackeys with me! It's not a loss at all."

"Good! A good man should be clean and decisive. Although the specific mission is unclear, according to the Empire's usual practices, there shouldn't be much danger, Brother Zhu. You should prepare for a while. I will report you and the names of several other people in the settlement together. If you pass the assessment, I will officially notify you."

"Thank you, Platoon Leader Zhang."

"You're welcome. We all serve the Empire."