Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 359 Cagayan

Tongzhou Islands, Cagayan de Oro

This port is an inland port about ten kilometers from the bay. Not far from the port is an extended urban building, with buildings of different heights scattered under the coconut trees.

The King of Chu and his entourage arrived on board the Royal Navy's latest 2300-ton ironclad gunboats, the Huashan and Hengshan, accompanied by 320 officers and soldiers of the Royal Guards Division and dozens of attendants.

Arriving in the evening

The wind and waves on the sea were already very strong, dark clouds were rolling in the sky, and the howling winds exceeded level 7, indicating that a storm was coming.

The welcoming ceremony at the dock ended hastily, and the group took a carriage into the city. When the carriage was halfway there, it was hit by an unexpected downpour.

The strong wind and heavy rain raged, and the raindrops hit the carriage, making a loud "crackling" sound. The coachman and armed guards sitting outside were instantly soaked.

After arriving at the palace

It was completely dark and the entourage had settled down. King Zheng Guohui of Chu told Cagayan Governor Cao Yuxiu and others not to serve him and to leave first.

The palaces in various parts of the Chu State were all purchased or newly built by the Royal Household Department. Some of them were ancient historical buildings, such as the Cebu Palace, which was the original site of the Spanish Governor's Palace in the early days and is a typical Baroque palace building.

The current Cagayan Palace is a Chinese classical garden building built later. The meeting hall in front was built according to the regulations of the prince-level Yin'an Hall. It is strictly regulated with golden tiles, red pillars and white walls.

The side courtyards on the left and right can accommodate accompanying personnel and royal guards. The courtyard at the back has winding paths and twists and turns. The courtyard, built with Taihu stones specially transported from southern China, has a strong Jiangnan courtyard style.

The imperial palaces, farms and mausoleums across the country were all under the jurisdiction of the Royal Household Department, with a special Palace and Pavilion Department responsible for their management, and the Royal Guards sent troops to guard them.

After dinner, King Zheng Guohui of Chu sat on the couch and was about to pick up some local development information of Cagayan to read when he saw the tall figure of Major General Zheng Shan wandering around the door.

So he put down the documents in his hand and shouted, "Ashan, why are you still hanging around here so late instead of going to rest?"

Upon hearing this, Major General Zheng Shan hurried in, stood at attention, saluted, and replied, "Your Majesty, I have nothing to do this evening. I was worried about others being careless in your service, so I kept an eye on it myself."

"I know you're so thoughtful. Go wait in the guard room." After giving the order, King Zheng Guohui of Chu saw Major General Zheng Shan still standing there, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated, so he asked, "Um...is there anything else?"

"Um... here are a pair of golden cats respectfully presented to you. The maids have already inspected them, but I took the liberty of sending them to the palace to warm the bed. Your Majesty, please punish me."

"Oh!" King Zheng Guohui of Chu looked at Major General Zheng Shan again with great interest. Seeing the embarrassment on his face, he smiled and said, "I understand. Get lost now. Don't do these things anymore."

"I obey your command and get out of here now." Major General Zheng Shan cursed, and all the bones in his body felt lighter. He turned around and left happily.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu didn't care about these little things. He picked up the document again and read it carefully.

Cagayan and Palawan were both conquered in August 1866, exactly three years ago.

Cagayan Province has a flat terrain with many hilly plains and a crisscrossing water network, making it very suitable for the development of the agricultural industry. It is one of the fastest-growing areas in recent years.

There were originally no Chinese immigrants in the area, only more than 3 indigenous people. Conditions in all aspects were extremely backward, and infrastructure was zero.

Everything started from scratch. To date, Cagayan has developed into one province and six counties, with a total population of 61.2, 1766 kilometers of urban and rural roads, 327 bridges, 31 large and small reservoirs, and millions of acres of arable land.

The population of Cagayan Province has reached 22.5, and various economic indicators have developed rapidly. It has also developed a unique glass and ceramic industry with hundreds of workshops of various sizes.

The glassware and ceramic products produced here are famous for their low prices and good quality. They are not only popular in China, but also sold in large quantities to surrounding areas of Southeast Asia and even as far as the Indian subcontinent.

A new export model has been developed locally, in which tropical fruits pickled in sugar are sealed in small-mouthed ceramic jars, which can hold more than 100 pounds of sweet fruits and melons. After being tightly packed on wooden frames, the jars are shipped.

Tropical fruits pickled in syrup have an antiseptic effect in themselves, and the ceramic jars are well sealed, so they will not deteriorate when placed in the cabin for long-distance transportation.

Such tropical fruit products are very popular in the white areas of Kolkata, with considerable sales volume, and are almost a must-have for white colonists' dinners.

It is even favored by the British Royal Navy and listed as one of the Royal Navy's supplies. It is purchased in large quantities all year round and supplied to fleets carrying out missions around the world.

These large ceramic jars, which could hold 100 or even 200 pounds, not only transported tropical fruits and vegetables, but also opened up the market themselves.

In Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, there is a huge demand for these ceramic jars that can store large amounts of clean water.

Those ceramic jars that have been used to sell tropical fruits and vegetables have a very high value for continued use.

Driven by demand

Cagayan has developed ceramic jars of various sizes that can hold 30 pounds, 50 pounds, 100 pounds, 150 pounds, 200 pounds, 300 pounds and 500 pounds, which, along with various porcelain and glassware, are major local exports.

In two months, once the Suez Canal officially opens, these excellent agricultural products will be exported to Europe, a much larger market. The rise of Cagayan's ceramic and glass industry has spurred the proliferation of vinegar and sauce factories across the country, with dozens of distilleries now operating. It has also alleviated the nationwide shortage of household glass and ceramic utensils, a truly significant achievement.

Ceramics, which were originally a bulk product imported from the mainland, are now only focused on importing high-end products and antiques. Under the impact of cheap Cagayan ceramics, there is no room for huge profits in mid- and low-end ceramic products.

The first two years

Many Chinese immigrant families only have one bowl. After the meal is cooked, the men eat, then the children eat, and after the children finish eating, the women eat. The whole family shares one bowl. This situation is quite common.

Today, things have changed. A set of 36 porcelain pieces produced in Cagayan, including 12 bowls, 12 plates and 12 spoons, costs only one dollar and 2 cents in a department store.

One yuan and 2 cents is one silver dollar plus two ten-cent copper coins, which most families can afford.

The entire Cagayan province's ceramic industry is an emerging industry developed under the leadership of Governor Cao Yuxiu. It is now growing in scale, and the next step is to focus on developing the marine fishing industry.

Three shipyards have emerged along the Cagayan River, mostly building small and medium-sized single-masted wooden fishing boats, as well as inland river vessels of less than one or two hundred tons to meet the material transportation needs of various counties.

Don't underestimate these. Cagayan Province has convenient water transportation conditions due to its extensive water network, so it has developed a new industry called cement ships.

Building ships with cement is fast and efficient, with a carrying capacity of tens of tons and a maximum of just over a hundred tons, making it very suitable for inland shipping with relatively small waves.

Add a wooden oar at the stern of the boat, and transport rice, pigs, and sheep back and forth for only a few steamed buns.

The only drawback of cement ships is that they have poor ability to withstand wind and waves, and cannot enter the sea, let alone near-shore shipping.

A slightly stronger wind and waves can sink the entire ship.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu felt more and more satisfied as he read through these materials.

Cagayan relies on the excellent local farming conditions, takes agriculture as its main industry, strengthens the construction of farmland water conservancy facilities, pays attention to the construction of roads, reservoirs and irrigation ditches, and develops millions of acres of fertile land.

on the basis of

Developing a more mature cattle, sheep, pig and poultry industry that can supply eggs and meat to Cebu and Batangas provinces on a large scale, thereby increasing production and income for local people, is a very good initiative.

The local pillar glass and ceramic industry has created nearly 3 jobs, driven the development of industries such as mining, shipping and shipbuilding, and promoted the prosperity of the city of Cagayan, which made King Zheng Guohui of Chu even more interested in it.

After the Cagayan Cement Plant was put into operation, it not only greatly promoted urban construction, reservoir and road and bridge construction, but also developed a unique cement ship industry, which is commendable.

In today's era

Cement ships are rare things, and their appearance proves that the wisdom of the Chinese people is always worth looking forward to.

This typical case can serve as an advanced teaching material for administrative schools, so that more officials can be educated and inspired, and support innovative ideas in actual governance.

"Your Majesty, it's late. Please go to bed." The voice of Major General Zheng Shan came from outside the door.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu then raised his head from the documents and looked at the Western clock. It was already past 9 o'clock in the evening.

He put down the documents in his hand, stood up and stretched his sore neck, then gave the order;
"It's time to rest. Tell him to wash up."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon, more than ten palace maids came in one after another holding golden basins and jade cups, helped His Majesty undress, bathed his feet, cleansed his face, and then quietly left after washing up.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu walked back into the bedroom. The curtains in the bedroom were drawn low. The sounds of strong winds and heavy rain coming from outside were mostly reduced when he entered here, and it seemed much quieter.

There were two three-headed golden candlesticks on the table in the bedroom. In the candlelight, the maids presented exquisite cakes and freshly brewed tea, and helped King Zheng Guohui of Chu take off his outer clothes.

Zheng Guohui drank a sip of tea and walked towards the couch.

Lifting the soft curtains, two golden-haired girls were sleeping under the thin quilt on the couch. Their beautiful big blue eyes were looking out with some fear.

Seeing Zheng Guohui's tall figure appear, he was so scared that he hid under the thin blanket.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu had earlier received a report from Major General Zheng Shan, and knew that the pair of golden cats were both virgins, so he was not too surprised.

To him, these women were just appendages of power.

Once you have tasted the intoxicating power, mere beauties are no match for you.

(End of this chapter)