Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 490 Return
During his visit to Russia, King Zheng Guohui of Chu had the most vivid impression that Russia was like the northern version of the Qing Dynasty.

Or ignoring the racial differences, the aristocracy and landlord class in Tsarist Russia were high and mighty, living a life of luxury and debauchery, which was in sharp contrast to the middle and lower classes.

Whether in St. Petersburg or in other cities and villages, ragged poor people can be seen everywhere, and from time to time you can see people who have frozen to death on the road, most of them buried in the snow.

The entire country was filled with conservatism, backwardness and ignorance. Only in a few places like Odessa along the Caspian Sea and St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea coast could the capital of the great powers, mainly France, uncover a tiny corner of this huge feudal empire.

No wonder the Russian Empire only lasted a dozen years longer than the Qing Dynasty before its corrupt rule fell apart.

Everything has its own inherent laws.

The tidal wave of Russian serf soldiers that terrified the whole of Europe could fight for a whole day in extremely cold weather, almost without fear of life or death, as long as they were given a piece of black bread mixed with sawdust.

Even if they were hungry, they could survive in the trenches for days or even longer.

It was not that these Tsarist Russian serf soldiers were like this by nature, but that they grew up in an extremely difficult and cruel environment, and their wills had been tempered like dried rubber bands, turning them into numb war machines.

Located in a cold and high-latitude region, grain production is generally low. The memory of cold and hunger has accompanied most ordinary Russians throughout their lives. They generally yearn for the warm Mediterranean region, sunshine and bread.

This explains the "westward policy" that Tsarist Russia has been adhering to for more than two hundred years. Westward, westward, and westward, it launched ten consecutive wars against the Ottoman Empire, one every twenty to thirty years.

Through the efforts of generations, the Russian Empire finally occupied the fertile Ukrainian plains, eliminated the Tatars and occupied Crimea, defeated the Ottoman Empire, acquired many ports along the Black Sea coast, and marched to the gates of Istanbul several times.

Only by being there in person can you truly appreciate Tsarist Russia’s obsession with the warm Mediterranean.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu did not sympathize with the Russians. During his visit, Tsar Alexander III and a group of court officials solemnly raised the issue of oil trade disputes with the State of Chu.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu's answer was very simple:
"Your Majesty, I suggest that you send an independent delegation to Texas to conduct an on-site inspection."

"There, Americans have recently opened thousands of new oil wells and are continuously investing massive amounts of capital. The potential for oil production growth is staggering, and this is only the beginning."

"When a table originally set for three people suddenly has dozens of Americans, everyone goes hungry."

Tsar Nicholas III was silent for a long time before he frowned and asked, "Is this why Chu State initiated the oil trade war?"

"That's right. Since no one can eat this meal, why not overturn the table and let no one eat it?" King Zheng Guohui of Chu gave a firm answer.

After considering it, Tsar Nicholas III suggested, "Could we bring the Americans in and negotiate with the three parties on oil trade and European market share, with limited exploitation? This might be a feasible solution."

King Zheng Guohui of Chu shook his head, expressing pessimism. "With all due respect, while Tsarist Russia and the State of Chu are indeed capable of controlling production, this is practically unrealistic in the United States. As long as profits are substantial, the US government has no ability to restrict capital investment. This is a false proposition."

"Is there really no other way?"

"With all due respect, the European oil market is bound to deteriorate and enter an era of disorder and a race to the bottom. This is not something you or I can change; it is inevitable."

"Your Majesty, are you so pessimistic about the European oil market?"

"That's about right. Even if it wasn't the Chu State that came to disrupt the market, the Americans would have done the same. Within two or three years at the earliest, and five or six at the latest, the entire oil market price system will collapse. It's a sure thing."

"That's really a shame, those damn Americans! They're spreading ridiculous rhetoric about freedom and equality everywhere, inciting the untouchables to rebel against the government, and spreading poisonous and terrible ideas. They want to destroy everything. These rhetoric can't turn into bread, damn it!"

Alexander III became excited as he spoke, waving his arms to emphasize his words, and his face turned red with excitement.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu politely agreed with a few words and said no more.

he knows very well
After leaving the magnificent East Palace, these Tsarist Russian monarchs and ministers would also criticize the actions of the Chu State and express great indignation.

The contradiction between the two sides was naturally irreconcilable. Tsarist Russia's "Westward Policy" seriously affected the territorial security of the Ottoman Empire and also affected the Balkan policies of the great powers such as Britain, France, and Austria-Hungary. The Crimean War made the contradiction explicit.

Tsarist Russia's new "Eastward Policy" seriously affected the territorial security of the Qing Empire and also affected the concerns of neighboring Fuso, Chu, Britain and France, but it was not made explicit.

The Russo-Japanese War that broke out more than a decade later was the Eastern version of the Crimean War.

From an international strategic perspective

The "Eastern Proximity Policy" made Tsarist Russia and the State of Chu almost naturally hostile to each other, and it was also the real strategic consideration of Britain in supporting Fuso. Britain needed to put a dog to guard the door in East Asia.

Then why didn’t Britain guard against the State of Chu?

This is really unfair to the British. The British have always wanted to restrict the State of Chu. They even took action 20 years ago and formed the Anglo-French coalition to try to interrupt the rise of the State of Chu.

Everyone knows the final result: both Britain and France failed.

From now on
The booming development of the Chu State entered an unrestricted free zone. It rose rapidly with sparks and lightning, and expanded its colonies to Central and South America along the Pacific route, which was unstoppable.

At that time, the British-raised Fusang was still a mewling puppy. They could only watch helplessly as the Chu State rode away in a cloud of dust, and there was nothing they could do.

Looking around the entire Nanyang region
Including the Dutch colonists, as well as the Kingdom of Siam, the Kingdom of Vietnam, the Kingdom of Burma and many indigenous kingdoms in West Malaya, none of them could fight.

The British, like a skilled cook, could not cook without rice, so they changed their strategy: if they could not conquer the Chu State, they would bring it into the alliance. They turned the Chu State into a close partner, and together they promoted free and open international trade.

As long as a second Fuso appears in the Nanyang region, Britain will not hesitate at all, but will turn around and support this rival of Chu and implement the Nanyang version of the "European balance policy."

Past history has long proven that this is the "regional balance policy" that best suits the interests of the British Empire.

The original purpose of supporting the Chu State's entry into Central America and condoning its further colonial expansion was to promote the "North American version of the European balance policy."

It is absolutely not in the interests of the United States to dominate the world. By introducing a powerful competitor of the same level, the shrewd Britain can play both sides and have a stronger voice in the region.

What's the saying?

The most skilled hunters often appear as prey.

The maps that King Zheng Guohui of Chu had been looking at for more than 20 years were not in vain. He anticipated the British predictions and acted accordingly, focusing on suppressing the "Eastward Policy".

The territory of Chu extended along the Pacific route to Hawaii, landed in Central America from Nicaragua, and then annexed the three small Central American countries of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.

at the same time
He launched a desert expedition to South America, cutting off the southernmost triangle area of ​​South America and turning it into the vast Viceroyalty of Patagonia, a new paradise for Chinese immigrants.

Taking advantage of the deterioration of diplomatic relations with Colombia, the US annexed Costa Rica by pretending to be at the expense of Guo, and then launched a large-scale invasion of Colombia.

All of this did not cause much stir internationally.

No matter how strongly the United States protested, dozens of diplomatic protests a year, the Chu State turned a deaf ear, and the international community seemed to have forgotten the situation in Central and South America.

The colonial expansion of the Chu State in the above-mentioned areas was very smooth, which was inseparable from the secret cooperation of Britain.

nowadays

The United States is very nervous about Chu's actions in Central America and the Caribbean, especially the movements of Chinese immigrants, and is keeping a close eye on them.

There are even many American congressmen and domestic radicals who are shouting, "If the Chu State dares to invade Cuba and Puerto Rico, the United States will fight. Cut off its claws reaching out to the Caribbean region and contribute to regional peace."

The British secretly added:

Keep supporting the Chu State. If you see any reason, go for it. I'll handle the European and international impact for you. Don't worry, it's okay.

This was in stark contrast to Britain's attitude of strictly restricting Chu's colonial expansion in the East Indies.

The world is like a chess game, and no one is immune.

King Zheng Guohui of Chu took the bait thrown by the British step by step and very steadily. At the same time, he showed a strong interest in Cuba and opened the door for some Chinese businessmen to go to Cuba to run plantations.

Such actions have further exacerbated friction with the United States.

Americans' dissatisfaction with the Chu State became increasingly strong, not only on the issues of Central America and the Caribbean, but also on the issue of taxation on Pacific routes.

The Chu State imposed heavy taxes on American dealers who exported crude oil to the Far East via the Pacific route, which made it impossible for Texas crude oil to open up the Far East market no matter how cheap it was.

Today, the Far East market is exclusively dominated by Chu State's Bandar Seri Begawan crude oil. There is only one supplier from the entire Far East to Southeast Asia, so the price is naturally high and the profits are huge.

Even if the United States is jealous, it cannot get it, so you can imagine how angry it is.

in the original history
In the sixth year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1867), oil capital from foreign powers entered the Chinese mainland market for the first time, and customs records showed the first import of about 107 tons of "foreign oil".

By the 1894th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu (24), China had imported 800 tons of foreign oil, which had developed from kerosene alone to kerosene, gasoline, and lubricating oil, consuming million taels of silver.

By the end of this century, the import volume of "kerosene" reached 76.7 tons, consuming more than 5800 million taels of silver.

After that, the amount of imported kerosene continued to rise, reaching an average of more than 100 million tons per year, and a maximum of 200 million tons, with a value of 1.97 million taels of silver.

Among them, due to the presence of American oil companies such as Mobil and Detroit, gas stations can be seen everywhere in Asia, and Mobil's labels are almost everywhere in the streets and alleys, forming a monopoly in mainland China, and kerosene prices are always high.

Today's historical trajectory has taken a small turn and become very different from the original history.

The Chu State completely controlled the important Pacific shipping routes, imposed heavy taxes on any imported American oil, and classified oil tankers as dangerous goods ships, charging extremely high fees for port services such as port entry, pilotage, anchorage, and supply.

The processing of certificates at various ports is extremely slow. An American oil tanker was once stranded in Hawaii for one year and seven months due to incomplete documents, ship safety loopholes and crew issues. It was only allowed to return after paying a high premium.

There was no need to continue the rest of the journey, as we could not pass through either Saipan or Midway Island.

This was equivalent to closing the entire Pacific route to American oil tankers. Although it was not stated explicitly, Chu's intention to monopolize the Far East market was clearly revealed.

When it comes to trade disputes, neither country is in a good position.

The United States imposed a high tariff of 120% on imported Chu cars and tractors. Chu, in turn, imposed a high tariff of 210% on American oil and refined oil products, which is the highest in the world.

Just hurt each other, who's afraid of who?

The entire Far East and Southeast Asia oil market, including the Indian subcontinent, was monopolized by the Chu State. Local oil products always maintained a high price of 52 to 53 silver dollars per barrel and were not affected by competition from the European market.

The closer the distance, the higher the price. This is the excess profit of monopoly.

In today's history
Bandar Seri Begawan oil was the first foreign oil to enter the northern Chinese mainland. To this day, an average of nearly 20 tons are imported into the northern Chinese mainland each year, with a value of about million taels of silver.

Although the total amount is not large, the profit is very considerable.

Including the markets of Fuso, Korea, Ryukyu, Siam, French Southeast Peninsula, British India, the British Straits Governor-General's Office and the Governor-General's Office of the East Indies, the total export volume was about 52 tons, worth about million silver dollars or equivalent currency.

some of

Barter trade accounted for more than 40%, with Indian cotton, jute and spices, women from Fusang and the Korean Peninsula, French machinery and equipment and colonial minerals all playing a major role in the barter trade.

September 1th, 2025

After staying one day longer than the scheduled visit, the Chu King's fleet set sail from the port of Neva and began its long return journey.

The fleet crossed the Baltic Sea and the North Sea without stopping, entered the Mediterranean Sea, and went directly to Dinghai Port through the Suez Canal. It took 12 days and sailed more than 4370 kilometers, demonstrating its strong long-distance navigation capabilities.

After arriving at Dinghai Port, the Chu King's fleet replenished its supplies for two days and then set sail again on its return journey.

After a 14-day transoceanic voyage, the fleet arrived at the inconspicuous Maldives Islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean, where they resupplied again and set sail again just one day later.

January 1885, 16

After a long journey of 7 months and days to Europe, the King of Chu's fleet returned safely and docked steadily at the Manila port, receiving a warm welcome from the people like a pilgrimage. The scene was filled with a strong sense of joy.

Facing those sincere faces and eager gazes, King Zheng Guohui of Chu simply smiled and said, "I am back."

The scene erupted in thunderous cheers, one wave higher than the other, and the echoes lasted for a long time.

(End of this chapter)