Chapter 173 Draw a few circles in the Pacific Ocean (first update, please subscribe)
“We would rather bring in Chinese coolies!”
Suddenly, after a moment of silence, Pasmedon, who had a somewhat strange expression on his face, laughed. His smile seemed to be a bit self-deprecating. Then, he looked at Russell and said.
"I think, maybe we are thinking too much, Russell. If they just want to bring in Chinese coolies, we don't need to consider them at all. You know, after all, they are just some Chinese coolies..."
His tone was filled with a sense of superiority, and even his tone became disdainful, as if all his previous worries had become a joke.
In the eyes of the British at that time, what kind of people were the Chinese coolies?
They may be diligent, hardworking, and even able to endure hardships that others cannot endure, but in the eyes of the British, those stupid and opium-addicted Chinese coolies will never pose any threat to Britain.
Even the American Company, at this moment, has become a real "trading company." It is impossible for him to bring much change to Britain's business, because their choice determines everything.
If they had brought in a large number of European immigrants, that might have been a cause for alarm, but what about Chinese workers? In Southeast Asia, in the Straits Settlements, there were too many Chinese workers, and they could not possibly pose any threat to the cause of the empire.
"Yes, they are just a group of Chinese coolies, Mr. Prime Minister. As we all know, Chinese coolies are the cheapest labor force in the world, even cheaper than black slaves. I think this is why the American company chose Chinese coolies. However, Mr. Prime Minister, I am worried about what kind of changes will the influx of a large number of Chinese coolies bring to the Pampas and how will the Argentines react?"
Russell's reminder made Pasmedon smile.
"That's the Argentines' business. If necessary, they will speak with guns. As for the American Company... from this point of view, it's just a trading company chasing profits! It's not worth our investment of too much energy. Let's get back to the original topic - the telegraph company. We should use this matter to put some sand between the French and the Americans."
It is called sand, but after a long time, the sand will turn into stone, into nails... All this needs time to ferment...
…
For Zhu Xianhai, who was far away in the Southern Hemisphere, he had no idea that racial prejudice in London led the British to make misjudgments. In fact, there were countless similar "misjudgments" in history.
But what is certain is that any object that is "misjudged" has already started ambitious plans from the very beginning.
"migrant!"
In the small conference room next to Zhu Xianhai's office, there is a large map hanging on the wall. After several months of improvement, he finally drew a clue on the map. However, this clue is kept confidential and will not be shown to outsiders. Even his "European staff officers" are unaware of the existence of this map.
"Look at this map."
Pointing to the map on the wall, Zhu Xianhai said to Li Hoian.
"This is?"
Staring at the points marked on the map, Li Huian was a little confused, but after a moment, he guessed it.
"These places are all on the immigration routes. Could it be that the Lord intends to set up a port here?"
In the past year, Li Hui'an has been in charge of the company's immigration department, responsible for the introduction and transportation of immigrants and their registration at the port. He is no stranger to the immigration ship routes.
"However, my lord, it seems that the current route of the clipper ship is to enter the South China Sea, through the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. There seems to be no suitable port to stop at on this route."
Li Hoian was telling the truth. After the "colonial baptism" of the Age of Discovery, the islands in the Indian Ocean had long been occupied by Britain, France, Portugal and other countries, without even a scrap of leftovers left.
"If we take the Pacific route, although Araucaní is closer to China, it is thousands of kilometers from Araucaní to South China by land, and we have to cross mountains and ridges. If we travel long distances by land, not only will the cost be greater, but the mortality rate may also increase further."
"railway!"
Zhu Xianhai said directly,
"For now, the best option for clipper ships is to take the Indian Ocean route, but in the future, steamships like the Great Eastern will definitely take the Pacific route, which is shorter and takes less time. The railway on the Linhai side has already started construction, and the railway on the Nanhua side has also begun to measure the route. Within three to five years at most, this railway will be completed. By then, the Pacific route will replace the old route, but we must be prepared in advance!"
"Prepare in advance?"
Li Huian said, staring at the islands marked on the map.
"My Lord, do you want to set up transit ports in these places?"
Li Huian's answer made Zhu Xianhai nod his head with satisfaction.
"It's almost like a transit port, like here..."
Zhu Xianhai pointed to the north of the New Guinea Islands north of Australia and said.
"Immigrants don't have to rest here, but those who are weak can disembark here and rest. They can either settle down there or come to Nanhua and continue sailing east. Ports can also be established in Tonga, Samoa, Polynesia, Easter Island and other places, and the weak and sick can settle down and rest directly on the island."
Zhu Xianhai's plan is to use these immigrants to "string" a line in the Pacific Ocean, with one end connected to China and the other end connected to the New World. The existence of this line composed of islands will ensure that Nanhua has a steady stream of immigrants to the greatest extent.
"The key to Nanhua's future survival lies in the number of Chinese immigrants. Only with more Chinese immigrants can Nanhua gain a foothold in this land. We have reached a consensus on this point a long time ago. In order to increase the number of immigrants, in addition to the Great Eastern, the company has also purchased more ships in the UK. They have all been converted into immigration ships for transporting immigrants."
Zhu Xianhai used British loans to purchase merchant ships, which were then used to transport laborers. In order to increase the speed of immigration, he spent a lot of money, more than 200,000 pounds, to purchase and order more than 30 clipper ships for transporting immigrants.
"According to previous calculations by the Immigration Department, once all the merchant ships we purchased are put into use, they will bring about 200,000 immigrants to South China each year. About 10% of the immigrants will be at sea for various reasons."
Zhu Xianhai said after looking at Li Huian.
"10% means nearly 20,000 people! Maybe we can't do more, but if we let them get to shore in time to rest and recuperate, at least some people can be saved. If the mortality rate is reduced to 5%, it means bringing in 10,000 more immigrants every year!"
Ten thousand more immigrants!
Even if these immigrants are scattered on the islands along the Pacific Ocean, they are still a help to Nanhua!
Looking at the points on the map, Li Hui was puzzled.
"But, my lord, these places belong to other people. Will they allow us to go in?"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
