What is imperialism?

Imperialism may be the behavior of a country, but more often than not, ordinary people use it as a criterion. What is this criterion?

Of course, the interests of the empire come first. This is what we call imperialism. In fact, the reason why imperialism can run rampant is not only due to the country's strength, but also due to the countless imperialists who have the great cause of the empire in mind.

Just like the problem Sun Chenglin is facing now, if he was just the president of the railway company, Li Haoze's suggestion would undoubtedly be the simplest, most convenient, and least expensive.

But he is a typical imperialist, and the kind who puts imperial interests above all else. In the case of a conflict with imperial interests, he certainly would not choose this seemingly simplest and least expensive method.

"Indeed, just as you said, we support a few rebels, provide them with funds and weapons, set up training camps in the southern rain forest to train them, and even send black warriors to directly help them overthrow Barrios's regime. Then we can get everything we need - the free transfer of railways and railway land, etc. However, this is not a good thing for the empire."

how so?

Li Haoze looked at the president in confusion. He really couldn't see any conflict between this matter and the interests of the empire.

"There's nothing wrong with your idea."

Sun Chenglin said,

"Many people think this way, and their starting point is correct, but we have to consider another point, that is, the future and long-term goals. After all, we are not just a railway company, but a link in the overall interests of the entire empire."

When he said the words "overall interests of the empire", he waved his hands to emphasize his words in his luxurious office.

"What is the overall interest of the empire? For us, it is the future 'Pan-American Railway'."

Sun Chenglin continued,

"We all know that the Pan-American Railway is the most important means for the Empire to reach the entire Americas, at least from the Empire's homeland to Mexico. During the construction of the railway, we can not only obtain the land along the railway on both sides, but also obtain the mining rights along the line. With the construction of the railway, not only can the Empire's goods penetrate into various countries, but the Empire will also gradually influence and control all aspects of them through the railway. It must be said that once the "Pan-American Railway" concept proposed by Your Majesty is realized, the entire American continent from the homeland to Mexico will be under our control!"

The idea of ​​the "Pan-American Railway" was first proposed by Emperor Zhu ten years ago. In fact, he had ulterior motives from the very beginning when he proposed this idea.

railway!

It is the most important land transportation in this era. In order to encourage the construction of railways, countries would give large tracts of state-owned land to railway companies and support them in purchasing land at a low price. This is the so-called "dependency" of this era. In the dependency, everything belongs to the railway company, and the railway company builds streets, houses and even police stations there.

For the empire, the "Pan-American Railway" was a giant leech that sucked the economic resources of America. At the same time, the Pan-American Railway was not just a railway management company, but the general hub of the empire's economic aggression against America, similar in nature to the East India Company established by Britain in India.

But what in the end?

It will become the bridgehead for the Imperial invasion, Vanguard!

"If you use your method, the success rate is very high, but in the future we will have to face El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica in addition to Guatemala. It is time-consuming and laborious for us to subvert one country after another, and it is also easy to cause opposition from the United States or other powers. The current relationship between the empire and the powers seems normal, but it is actually very tense. Therefore, I think we can reach out to Central America by supporting Barrios to rebuild the "Central American Federation" through force, and it won't even attract the attention of the outside world. We will lay railways to the five countries and control the transportation lifeline of the five countries."

This is a typical imperialist idea. Many things do not necessarily need to be done by oneself. All you need to do is support agents. After listening to the president's idea, Li Haoze thought about it and said.

"President, rebuilding the Five-Nation Federation with Barrios will not cause interference from the outside world, but Barrios is an ambitious man. How could he be willing to act as our agent? After the Five-Nation Federation is rebuilt, will it have an uncertain impact on the interests of the empire? Especially as the national strength grows, will Barrios betray us? These are all unknowns."

"Unknown number..."

Sun Chenglin leaned his head back on the leather chair, which made him feel quite comfortable.

"You are right. There are indeed such unknowns. However, don't forget that several decades ago, when they first gained independence, they first merged into Mexico, then separated from Mexico and formed the United Provinces of Central America. Later, the country was named the Federation of Central American Republics. However, due to the conflicts between different regions within the country, it only lasted for 17 and a half years before splitting into five countries."

With the corners of his lips raised slightly, Sun Chenglin said in a not without sarcasm tone.

"In the final analysis, their division is still due to the huge division of interests. After independence, each of these countries has its own power group, the so-called "Caudillo". Warlords, senior military officers and local armed leaders dominate one side and form a strong force. They control the political power from the central to the local level, control the national economy, occupy resources, control finances, crack down on dissidents internally, conquer and kill Indians. From the way they exercise power, it can be seen that they are not qualified to manage a piece of garbage in the country. Barrios is a typical example. He seems to be promoting reforms, suppressing local caudillos and expelling the church, but in fact, he just wants to consolidate his power, overthrow a group of old caudillos, and support a group of new caudillos. In any case, the result is that the civilians suffer."

"Even if Barrios conquers the other four countries by force, he will certainly distribute the land to his generals. Those generals will become new caudillos and will continue to exploit the common people. Those who lose power and land will certainly continue to resist. In this case, how can their rule be stable? Without a stable domestic situation, how can a country rise? Moreover, the subsequent civil unrest will not only increase the suffering of the common people, but also increase their dependence on us."

After saying this, he stood up with a smile, walked to the window and looked down at the crowded street below. Mexico was also a country controlled by caudillo leaders.

"And this is a win-win for us. One day, when we come, they will welcome us."

Then he spoke calmly.

"I remember that many years ago, His Majesty once said that our goal is not to occupy the entire America, but to destroy this corrupt system that has caused all the people to suffer!"