Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 558: Development of Patagonia and Departure of the Ocean-going Fleet

As time enters July, the northern region is still full of green trees, flowers, birdsong and fragrance, but the Patagonia region far away is already covered with snow, a scene of severe winter.

The area of ​​the Patagonia Plateau under the actual control of the Han Dynasty was close to 60 square kilometers. After years of continuous immigration and naturalization education, the local population broke through 1889 in 50, a historic high. Among them, there were about 46 Chinese, 3 naturalized Indians, and a small number of Indians living in remote areas such as Anzhou and Shouzhou. Due to the harsh natural environment, they still maintained their primitive living habits.

The economy of the Patagonia Plateau is mainly based on agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries.

Among them, the plateau on the southern foot of the eastern Andes Mountains has abundant rainfall and abundant pasture. It is the largest sheep-raising area in southern Han State. It mainly raises dual-purpose sheep and wool-producing Merino sheep. The number of sheep raised and wool production accounts for about 25% of the country.

The Xizhou Valley has abundant sunlight and convenient irrigation, making it one of the main fruit and vegetable production bases in the country. Fruits include grapes, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, etc. Most of the picked fruits are processed into canned fruits and fruit wine, and then transported to the central and southern parts of the country or overseas by rail and sea.

The eastern side of the plateau has a long coastline and abundant fishery resources. About 30% of the fishery resources in the local area are concentrated in the waters near Patagonia, where there are precious cod, salmon, trout and sperm whales. Along with the development of offshore fishing, light industry represented by fishery product processing has also developed to a certain extent.

The development of Patagonia is positioned as an agricultural, animal husbandry and fishery base. Due to natural conditions, the basic industrial level is average. Except for some mining areas, which have some supporting mining and smelting equipment, other areas only have some meat refrigeration, food processing and other industries. The people living here mainly use horses, mules, alpacas, guanacos and other livestock for transportation in their daily lives.

50 people spread over 60 square kilometers of land still seemed sparse and insufficient. The commander of the Atlantic Fleet of the Han Navy, Hou Taiyuan, the captain of the Chaoyang, Chen Shiding, and others stood in the flagship command room and looked out, and all they saw was a desolate and primitive scene.

"Captain Chen, the Patagonia region has been developing for 10 years. Although there has been some progress, it is still much slower than the core areas in the central part of the mainland."

Hou Taiyuan looked towards the coast and spoke.

"Yes, we returned from the Republic of Brazil and sailed south. Except for a few fairly large towns in the coastal areas of Western and Golden States, most of the other areas still retain their original appearance."

"In the final analysis, it is still because of the insufficient population. If the population is sufficient, according to the large railway plan planned by the imperial government, starting from Xuanyang City in Pingzhou, passing through Xizhou and Jinzhou, and ending at Huining City in Shouzhou, the construction of the southern main line railway will be completed. The development process of the Patagonia region can also be greatly improved, and the output of agriculture, animal husbandry, mining and other industries in the inland areas of Patagonia can also be transported out more efficiently."

"Population is the foundation of development. Your Majesty has established an ocean-going fleet and made friendly visits to countries along the routes in order to promote national prestige and also to serve immigrants."

"The Imperial Navy has been developing for 20 years. It's time to step out of the Americas and see the outside world."

As a veteran general who joined the Han Navy in its early days, Hou Taiyuan witnessed the process of the navy's growth from weak to strong. Although the current size and strength of the navy cannot be compared with first-class powers such as Britain, France and Germany, it is already the seventh largest naval power in the world. The strength on paper alone makes all naval officers and soldiers feel proud and confident.

"Commander, Captain, we expect to reach the Anzhou Strait in half a day."

The navigator of the Chaoyang came to the command room and reported to the two.

"Commander, it's getting late. Do you want to stop and rest for the night? Then set off tomorrow morning and cross the Anzhou Strait."

"Yes, we have plenty of time. The fleet will sail to the eastern port of Huining City ahead and rest for a night. Let the soldiers get a good night's sleep."

"Yes, Commander, Captain." After receiving the order, the navigator saluted and turned to leave.

"Shi Ding, how long have you been away from the Far East Continent?"

Hou Taiyuan suddenly asked.

"Commander, the Chen family moved to Annan since our great-grandfather and settled there for decades. In total, we have been away from the Far East for about 50 years."

"50 years, time has passed so quickly. After the fall of the Heavenly Kingdom, I have been away overseas for more than 20 years. I wonder what the Far East Continent looks like now."

Hou Taiyuan sighed.

"The Qing court is strong on the outside but weak on the inside, rebellious on the inside and tolerant on the outside. The foundation of its rule is shaky. Perhaps in another three to five years, or ten years, the Empire will have a chance to intervene in the Far East and completely end the Qing court's rule."

"Shi Ding, you still don't understand. It's not difficult to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. With the current strength of the Empire and the strength of the ocean-going fleet, we can destroy the main force of the Qing Dynasty's navy in one fell swoop. If we add 3 army field troops, we can go straight down the coast and capture the Forbidden City. However, the situation in the Far East is complicated. Britain, France, Germany, Russia and other countries will not allow the Empire to destroy the Qing Dynasty. Moreover, in the Far East, the conservative forces are stubborn and the people are not enlightened. Overthrowing the Qing Dynasty at this point in time will only aggravate the chaos in the Central Plains, which is not good for the overall situation.

Furthermore, South America is still facing threats from the United States. If the main force of the Empire's navy is tied down in the Far East, and the navy in the mainland is insufficient, the United States may take the opportunity to launch a blockade and attack on the Empire. At that time, without the support and supplies from the mainland, the navy in the Far East will find it difficult to maintain long-term operations. "

"Shi Ding has been taught."

"The empire's overall strength is constantly improving, and its influence on the Chinese in the Far East is getting deeper and deeper. As time goes by, the number of civilized people in the Central Plains will increase, and the Qing court's rule will not last long. However, as an old man of the Heavenly Kingdom, I still hope that before retiring, I can have the opportunity to lead the fleet, return to the Far East, and fight head-on with the Qing court to avenge my brothers who died tragically in the Heavenly Kingdom."

The number of Taiping remnants continuing to serve in the Han Kingdom's army and navy is getting smaller and smaller, but because they are veterans of the uprising, many of them are in high positions. People like Hou Taiyuan and the Wang brothers have reached the army level and are already inside the military. Except for Li Mingyuan, the core senior officials still have the idea of ​​returning to the Far East to take revenge deep in their hearts, but in the previous twenty years, the Han Kingdom was not strong enough and faced many threats from foreign enemies. The survival crisis had not yet been resolved, so they had no time to settle accounts with the Qing court. Now, Li Mingyuan personally instructed the formation of an ocean-going fleet for a global visit, and many generals who came from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had the idea of ​​revenge again.

However, Hou Taiyuan has experienced more than 20 years of military career, and his mind and character are no longer the same as when he was young. Even if he has some ideas in his mind, they do not affect his normal judgment.

"Your Majesty has instructed us to establish an underground armed base in the Far East. We have also brought hundreds of young and strong fighters from coastal areas into our fleet. We don't have the opportunity to fight the Qing court directly this time, but next time, when the time is right, His Majesty will launch the backup plan. We will definitely destroy the Qing court in one battle and arrest those high-ranking officials of the Qing court. Let them experience the punishment that was imposed on the brothers of the Heavenly Kingdom."

"The time won't be too far away. Your Majesty has deduced that the situation in the Far East may change in the next three to five years. Maybe there will be an opportunity then."

"I've waited for more than 20 years, so I don't mind waiting another 3-5 years."

Hou Taiyuan waved his hands, forcibly suppressing the complicated emotions in his heart, and ordered: "Shi Ding, the sky is getting dark, and it is estimated that we are not far from Huining Port. Remind all warships to pay attention to the hydrological conditions and sail carefully."

"Yes, Commander."