Chapter 1659 Start of Work
Derison, as a young man, was inherently arrogant, and at the same time, the people of East Africa did indeed have a psychological advantage over Japan.
Therefore, at this time, some people said that Japan would launch a war against East Africa. Not to mention the East Africans themselves, probably the vast majority of people in the world would find it hard to understand.
Commander-in-Chief Yodl shared this view, believing that Japan would not take such a crazy action.
"Japan is a country with a high risk-taking mentality. The two wars at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries played a huge role in its rise to power, and Japan won both of them."
"However, the two opponents it chose were also in rather special circumstances. At that time, the Far Eastern Empire itself was already in a state of terminal illness. In fact, since it was defeated by the British in the 1840s, the weakness of the Far Eastern Empire had been completely exposed."
"From then until today, almost any powerful nation with considerable strength has been able to gain an advantage over the Far Eastern Empire."
"Therefore, in the late 19th century, Japan took the lead in reforms and reshaped its national politics. By the end of the 19th century, Japan had become a semi-industrialized country, while the Far Eastern Empire had not yet shaken off its status as an agricultural country."
"The Far Eastern Empire in the 1990s, although it had a certain degree of industrialization and introduced some advanced technologies, was at most equivalent to Japan before 1880."
Japan's Meiji Restoration began in 1868, meaning that twelve years had passed from 1868 to 1880.
Ten years is enough time to bring about tremendous changes to the face of a country, especially an emerging one.
Just like the Soviet Union today, it took less than twenty years for Tsarist Russia to complete two Five-Year Plans and transform from an extremely backward agricultural country into a newly emerging industrial country.
Not to mention the early Soviet Union (Russia), whose focus of development was not on the economy, but on civil war, eliminating the remnants of Tsarist Russia, consolidating its power, and preventing external interference.
Even after the complete elimination of the remaining Russian armed forces, the Soviet Union still did not have a good opportunity for development. Until the Great Depression of 1929, the West strengthened its blockade and vigilance against the Soviet Union.
However, when the Soviet Union shifted its focus entirely to industrial development, coupled with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented by the global economic crisis, the Soviet Union underwent a complete transformation within ten years.
In the past, the conditions for Japan's Meiji Restoration were no worse than those of the Soviet Union.
Internally, the abolition of feudalism and the establishment of a centralized system resolved internal conflicts. As a result, Japan at the time of the Meiji Restoration was a young, dynamic, more united, and highly efficient country.
In contrast, although the Far Eastern empires also launched the Self-Strengthening Movement, it was still led by enlightened people from the old class. The old class was not broken, which meant that the reforms would be hesitant and reluctant.
One actively learns new systems, new ideas, and new technologies, while the other passively comes into contact with them; their motivations are completely different.
This enabled Japan to establish its own industrial system before 1880, including industries such as textiles, cement, glass, military industry, and shipbuilding, while also vigorously developing railway, telegraph, and postal systems.
Meanwhile, the Far Eastern empires of the same period were still making slow and hesitant progress on these tasks until the end of the 19th century.
Next, from 1880 to 1905, this was another important turning point for the fate of the two countries. Japan had already laid the foundation, so from the 1880s onwards, Japan's industry entered a take-off stage.
The "Industrial Development" initiative, spearheaded by the Japanese government, allowed the entire Japanese society to witness the results of the reforms, prompting private capital to also begin investing and producing industries with great effort.
By 1905, some industrial sectors in Japan had achieved full mechanization of production, and basic industries closely related to war potential, such as steel, shipbuilding, military industry, and machinery manufacturing, had made rapid progress.
Externally, Japan's external environment during the Meiji Restoration was extremely favorable. Importantly, Britain intentionally supported Japan to balance the Far Eastern empires, Tsarist Russia, and the United States.
Late 19th century Britain was not in such a severe decline as it is now; it was at its peak, and its industry at that time could still suppress countries like Germany.
Therefore, with the support of the British, Japan was able to smoothly introduce various of the world's most advanced new technologies and mechanical equipment at the time.
Commander-in-Chief Yodl said, "Japan is not a small country. Its territory and population could be considered a major power in Europe."
"Therefore, after Japan's rapid industrialization at the end of the 19th century, it was destined to become the most powerful country in Asia. Apart from its size and resource advantages, the Far Eastern Empire was left behind by Japan in almost all other areas."
"Therefore, it is not surprising at all that Japan defeated the Far Eastern Empire at the end of the 19th century."
"Moreover, Japan's goal at that time was merely to defeat the Far Eastern Empire, not to launch a full-scale war against it as it is now."
"By targeting a single point and achieving victory against a declining and aging empire, although it surprised people at the time, in retrospect, it is entirely logical."
"The same principle applies to Japan's subsequent war against Tsarist Russia. Moreover, Tsarist Russia's focus was in Europe, so it was quite reasonable for Tsarist Russia to lose the war."
Japan's two wars at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries were truly astonishing in the world at the time, but looking back more than 20 years later, they don't seem so strange at all.
However, Commander-in-Chief Yodl changed the subject.
"Japan was able to defeat the Far Eastern empires and Tsarist Russia at the time, which was indeed something to be proud of. However, if Japan had chosen the United States, Britain, or us as its opponent instead of these two countries, the situation might have been completely different."
"Even before World War I, Britain's national strength was constantly rising, while the United States and we are emerging powers in the world. They are completely different from the Far Eastern empires and Tsarist Russia of the past."
"At that time, if Japan had chosen East Africa as its opponent, there might have been a chance to defeat us, but it wouldn't have crippled the empire. At most, it would have only delayed the empire's entry into the Pacific."
Although East Africa developed rapidly from the late 19th to the early 20th century, it was far from reaching world-class levels, let alone going to the Pacific region to fight a war with Japan.
At that time, East Africa did not have a significant advantage over Japan, especially in terms of naval power.
If Japan were an Indian Ocean nation, East Africa would naturally have been confident of defeating Japan at that time. However, as a Pacific nation, Japan made it difficult for East Africa to suppress its local power.
Moreover, the "dragon" in East Africa at that time was not very strong, while the United States and Britain were the main contenders. Japan certainly did not have the ability to challenge either of them.
At the time, Britain held Japan's economic lifeline in its hands, its military strength in the Far East was considerable, and the Royal Navy held a very solid position as the world's leading navy.
Therefore, if Russia had been replaced by Britain as Japan's opponent, Japan's chances of winning would have been extremely low.
The British Royal Navy was far more powerful than the Russian Navy, and Britain itself had numerous military bases in the Far East, which could support the Royal Navy's expeditions.
The United States, needless to say, is the most powerful country on the Pacific coast. Even today, its Pacific Fleet is not as strong as the Japanese Combined Fleet, but this does not diminish the United States' position in the Pacific region.
Even East Africa cannot challenge the United States' prestige in the Pacific region. No matter how confident the East African Navy is, it can only establish local advantages around the South China Sea. As for other places, if the two countries go to war, they will basically become the spoils of war for the Americans in the first instance.
For example, East Africa knows Alaska, northern Hawaii, and those islands in the South Pacific very well, but East Africa is betting that the United States will not dare to break off relations with East Africa.
Ultimately, East Africa's strength is supported by its strong homeland. As long as there is no trouble on the East African continent, its overseas interests can be protected, and even if they are lost, they can be regained.
Commander-in-Chief Yodl said, "Japan's naval power in the Pacific has surpassed that of the Empire, but this is all that Japan has left."
"Even if our navy doesn't have a significant advantage over Japan overall, it's just that the Empire hasn't gone all out. Once war breaks out, the Imperial Navy can expand rapidly, and it's only a matter of time before it becomes the world's number one navy."
"With domestic shipyards operating at full capacity, even industrial powerhouses like the United States and Germany would find it difficult to compete with us in terms of warship construction speed."
"We are the world's largest steel producer and have the world's largest workforce, as well as abundant other resources."
"So, Derison, as you said, I may have been a little too anxious before."
Derison joked, "That's right, Uncle Yodl. I think you probably drank too much before, which is why you're thinking such nonsense."
After some discussion, the uncle and nephew in the Pacific Fleet finally reached a consensus: there would be no war in the Pacific.
So the Pacific Fleet will continue as before, enjoying life as usual.
...
The Pacific Fleet showed no vigilance or sense of security, but the situation was quite different for the East African governments.
After the construction of the "Central Asia Highway" was finalized, East Africa began preparations for its commencement in August 1937.
This is a rather amazing project.
The East African government plans to build two routes, one to the north and one to the south, totaling more than 3,000 kilometers, connecting to the Far Eastern Empire from Shule and Ili respectively.
The Central Asian Highway starts from Gwadar, passes through Kandahar, then reaches Kabul, and finally enters Soviet territory, connecting to the Soviet road network, and finally enters the northwest of the Far Eastern Empire.
This highway will be built through cooperation between East Africa and the Soviet Union. East Africa will be fully responsible for the construction work in Balochistan and Afghanistan, while the Soviet Union will not obstruct East Africa's highway construction activities in Afghanistan.
As for the construction of the Central Asian highways within the Soviet Union, it was entirely the responsibility of the Soviet Union, and the northern route, including the highways within the Far Eastern Empire, would also be led by the Soviet Union.
East Africa, Rhine City.
Crown Prince Frederick and Ernst discussed the arrangements for the Central Asian Railway.
"The Soviet Union will complete the construction of the Central Asian section of the highway within its borders according to the plans of both countries, and promises to allow our country to pass through once the highway is completed."
"Of course, the Soviet Union was also worried that the Empire's use of the Central Asian Highway would have a negative impact on the politics within their territory."
"Therefore, the Soviet side emphasized that this highway could only be used for our 'trade activities' with the Far Eastern Empire, and was subject to strict Soviet supervision."
"They demanded that we prohibit contact with ethnic and local powers in Central Asia under Soviet rule, including normal trade activities."
"However, we also demand that the Soviet Union take responsibility for maintaining the security of the Central Asian highways, including highway maintenance, combating bandits and other destabilizing factors, and ensuring the safety of life and property of East African citizens."
In the eyes of the Soviets, the Central Asian Highway was already a huge concession to East Africa, even tantamount to giving up Afghanistan, their traditional sphere of influence, and letting East Africa in.
Although East Africa does not have such ideas, after all, Crown Prince Friedrich and Ernst had previously reached a consensus not to get deeply involved in Afghan affairs.
However, even if East Africa made a verbal promise, the Soviets probably wouldn't believe it. In that case, East Africa might as well go along with it and acquiesce.
Even so, Afghanistan is not entirely under the control of the two countries. Britain's influence in Afghanistan is not insignificant, but it is unnecessary for Britain to offend the Soviet Union and East Africa over this matter.
At the same time, Britain was also happy to see East Africa enter Afghanistan, which meant that East Africa could become a buffer zone between the Soviet Union and South Asia in the future.
However, like the Soviet Union, the British also made some assumptions. Their goal in Afghanistan was simply to build a land route to the Far Eastern empire.
Once the war in the Far East subsides, this land route will likely have completed its historical mission and been abandoned by East Africa.
Crown Prince Frederick said, "In order to open this highway as soon as possible and to reduce construction costs, we will make use of the existing road network in Central Asia for the section we are responsible for. At most, we will increase investment in some mountainous areas with complex geological conditions and areas with very poor road conditions."
"The section of the Central Asian highway that the Soviet Union was responsible for might be different from ours, but if they really did that, it would be a good thing for us."
The construction of the Central Asia Highway in East Africa is entirely a "one-off deal." They would be satisfied if the highway could be operated for a few years after its completion.
The Soviet Union clearly had a different view on this highway. First, the section under Soviet responsibility was entirely within Soviet territory, which meant that the Central Asian Highway was not just a project primarily constructed by East Africa.
It also became a livelihood project for improving transportation in the Soviet Union, since Central Asia was a very poor and backward region in the Soviet Union with poor transportation conditions.
Therefore, taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the construction of the Central Asian Highway, the Soviet government had the idea of carefully developing the section of this highway within its own territory.
Besides considerations of people's livelihood and transportation, the Soviet Union also had its own strategic ideas about the Central Asian Highway.
The current threat from Germany is that if Germany declares war on the Soviet Union, trade routes in the European part of the Soviet Union could be cut off by Germany.
Therefore, under the influence of this potential threat, the Soviet Union's view on the Central Asian Highway underwent a certain change.
If this highway is successfully built, it may become an important channel for communication between the Soviet Union and the world in the future. With the help of the Central Asian Highway, the Soviet Union could acquire some important strategic resources through trade in the Indian Ocean.
In addition, the construction of the Central Asian Highway will also facilitate future connections between the Soviet Union and the Far Eastern Empire. The Slavs' attention to, or rather their covetousness of, the Far Eastern Empire has never been endless.
Even though the Soviet Union was far more morally upright than Tsarist Russia, deep down they probably still wanted to control the Far Eastern empire.
(End of this chapter)
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