The Australian Revolution of 1828

October 11, 1828, Xunyang County Port.

"Brother Guochang, we've been waiting for you for a long time!"

The speaker was Zhang Zhenghe, the current magistrate of Xunyang County, who had been waiting at the port for half an hour to receive Wei Guochang.

The two men were of similar age and both lived in territories outside of Hanyang, controlling important nodes on the shipping routes. Naturally, they were subject to provocations from foreign powers, and their contact was very frequent.

Perhaps guessing Zhang Zhenghe's intention in personally going to the port to receive him, Wei Guochang also behaved very politely, saying, "Brother Zhenghe, why bother with this!"

"We are both officials in the same court, there's no need for such formalities."

Zhang Zhenghe had previously worked in immigration, and the two had worked together before. However, when Han Qingyun took over as the governor of Hanyang, Zhang was transferred to the position of deputy director of the former Civil Affairs Bureau, and then to his current position as magistrate of Xunyang County.

It can be said that his official career was very smooth, almost like a meteoric rise to power.

Having suddenly taken over the position of county magistrate, Zhang Zhenghe was under considerable pressure.

We must not only manage the agriculture of Xunyang County to provide Hanyang with agricultural products such as rice and sugarcane, but also guard against provocations from foreigners in Southeast Asia.

If the dimensions are not properly grasped, it will not only affect the ruling order of Hanyang, but may also trigger conflict between the two sides and cause chaos at the key points of the shipping route.

This is something Zhang Zhenghe cares about and pays close attention to.

While a garrison command was established in Xunyang County, the garrison command also had to take care of the defense of Zhaoyang County, which did lead to a situation where one could not do everything at once.

Moreover, the two places are far apart, making it difficult to form a pincer movement and rely on each other.

Therefore, the two corresponded frequently and tried their best to coordinate and communicate with each other, so that Xunyang County could provide grain to solve the grain shortage problem in Zhaoyang County.

Meanwhile, Zhaoyang County sent a group of immigrants to Xunyang County to address its population structure issues.

After boarding the carriage together, Zhang Zhenghe raised his doubts about returning to Hanyang, saying, "Brother Guochang, His Majesty summoned us to attend the economic conference, which seems to indicate that he has different views on Zhaoyang and Xunyang."

What's your opinion on this?

How else can we interpret it?

The official document from the Ministry of Civil Affairs has stated that some military adjustments will be made to the two counties, and the officials in charge of the two counties are ordered to be prepared and take appropriate measures.

Since it's both a military and an economic conference, it must be viewed from both military and economic perspectives!

Having worked in trade for a long time, Wei Guochang naturally developed his own understanding, saying, "Zhaoyang County is located in the heart of Southeast Asia, practically a crossroads of international trade routes."

"If it were built into a military fortress and a fleet were stationed there, even the foreigners would be uneasy."

"The problem is that this place is too small, making it difficult to replenish supplies such as food and weapons, which hinders its ability to gain momentum."

"Xunyang County, on the other hand, is located on the periphery of international trade routes and is therefore less important. It is estimated that countries such as Britain and the Netherlands will not pay too much attention to it."

"His Majesty summoned us back to Hanyang, saying it was to attend the 1828 economic conference, which probably also indicates a change in the perception of the two places."

"I can't say for sure, but we'll know when we get back to Hanyang."

Xunyang is in a better position, but Zhaoyang County is far from Hanyang, so it not only faces great defensive pressure but also has a weak ability to protect itself.

For this reason, Han Qingyun also prepared to adjust the positioning of Zhaoyang County to prevent the escalation of conflicts in the Southeast Asian region.

At this time, Britain was conserving its strength and digesting the newly acquired Assam, and had no intention of launching a new round of colonial expansion wars.

France is currently expanding its influence in areas such as Da Nang, but its strength has diminished considerably, and it has no immediate plans to annex Annam.

Apart from the Netherlands, which is currently engaged in a fierce battle on Java Island, the rest of the Southeast Asian region has become relatively stable. It is really not advisable to take any aggressive actions that could escalate regional conflicts.

The focus should be on developing national strength, especially in areas such as ports, population, and industry. Once the nation's strength has increased, it will be able to face countries like England and the Netherlands without fear, and that will be the time for the Xia Kingdom to truly shine.

Therefore, Han Qingyun issued a document summoning Zhang Zhenghe and Wei Guochang back to Hanyang to attend a relevant economic conference.

After hearing this analysis, Zhang Zhenghe suddenly understood and said, "Brother Guochang's insight is brilliant; it has enlightened me greatly."

Wei Guochang's analysis is from a military perspective, which naturally has its merits.

However, this cannot be taken as fact, and I dare not make any guarantees. I said, "I was just saying it casually, and you can just listen to it, my dear brother."

"Let's rest tonight, we still have a long journey ahead tomorrow."

"Once we reach Hanyang, everything will become clear."

Upon arriving at the post station specially set up for Xia officials, Zhang Zhenghe arranged for food and rest for the night.

The next day, the two, accompanied by their attendants, boarded a merchant ship and rushed back to Hanyang.

On October 18, 1828, the Xia Kingdom held its first economic conference, the topic of which was economic development, and the conference was chaired by Han Qingyun.

The meeting was attended by ministers from various departments and county officials, including Grand Secretary Luo Bingzhong, Finance Minister Chen Anguo, Mining Minister Cui Wenzheng, Industry Minister Meng Xiong, and dozens of others.

Before the meeting, Han Qingyun gave a brief speech, summarizing the economic development situation in the first three quarters of 1828.

As of October 1, 1828, a total of approximately 31,000 women of marriageable age from Xunyang had immigrated, and all of them had now registered their marriages, receiving approximately 155 million silver dollars in marriage agency fees.

In addition, more than 8700 women of marriageable age immigrated from countries such as the Ryukyu Kingdom, Annam Kingdom, Joseon Kingdom, and Japan. All of them have now registered their marriages, and the marriage agency fees received amounted to approximately 78 silver dollars.

17,000 Chinese men immigrated from areas such as Qingting, Lanfang, Batavia, Annam, and Zhaoyang County. A total of 227 million silver dollars were loaned out at an annual interest rate of 5%. Over five years, the interest generated would amount to 567,500 silver dollars, or approximately 113,500 silver dollars per year.

These three items constitute immigrant income, totaling approximately 245 million silver dollars annually.

As for the gold mines, production increased from 30,000 taels before the arrival of laborers to 110,000 taels. By the end of September, a total of 390,000 taels of gold had been produced, equivalent to approximately 936 million silver dollars.

In addition, 1.3 head of cattle were exported to the Ryukyu Kingdom, Annam Kingdom, Joseon Kingdom, and Japan, generating revenue of 33 silver dollars. Approximately 7000 horses were exported, generating revenue of 29 silver dollars.

The combined trade revenue amounted to approximately 62 silver dollars.

Income must be accompanied by expenditure; this is the basic logic for maintaining operations.

Firstly, regarding immigration, the main method involved bribing Qing officials and merchants. Xia State's total expenditure in the first three quarters was approximately 81 silver dollars.

Secondly, in terms of trade, the main expenditures were the import of textiles, tea, porcelain and other goods from the Qing government, as well as grain from Batavia, sugarcane from Lanfang, and limestone from Lombok, totaling approximately 182 million silver dollars.

The order was issued to purchase 19 industrial equipment, including steam engines, drilling machines, and lathes, from British India, at a cost of approximately 53 silver dollars.

Thirdly, in terms of salaries, the expenditure for miners, sailors, soldiers, and officials amounted to 810 million silver dollars.

In addition to expenditures and revenues, Xia Guo Coal and Iron has also made significant progress, with an annual coal production of nearly 9.3 tons.

The existing three furnaces produce approximately 2200 tons of pig iron, and the fourth furnace, which is under construction, is expected to be completed by mid-1829, with an estimated annual output of about 900 tons of pig iron.

It can be said that the Xia Kingdom's economy is developing well, especially the income from immigration, which has increased year by year and become the second largest source of income after the gold mines.