Chapter 706: Wherever the sun and the moon shine, it is the bright land (Second update, please subscribe)
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
In the pavilion of the royal manor, Emperor Zhu said while looking at the chessboard.
"Now we have to consider the issue of energy security. Now our coal almost all comes from the North Sea, and in the future with the development of industry, our demand for coal will only increase. The North Sea is currently the only place that may be able to supply enough coal like Daming in the future."
After placing a chess piece, Emperor Zhu thought for a while and said.
"So we have to find a new source of coal and not just rely on the North Sea."
"Your Majesty, so far, we have not found any large coal mines anywhere else."
As the general manager of Northern Mining, Zhu Mansen also feels a little helpless.
"In the past few years, we have been looking for coal mines, but the results are always unsatisfactory. In the past few years, although we have built 13 new coal mines, there is no large coal mine. According to the research of experts in the institute, the lack of large coal mines may be related to the geology of South America. It does not have the geological conditions for the production of large coal mines. So I think the efforts to find coal mines in the southern territory can come to an end for the time being."
Although geology is just beginning, the judgment of those experts and scholars is undoubtedly correct. Even in the 21st century, the lack of coal mines still restricts the economic development of South America. In fact, South America is a "god-given land". It has the same rainy and hot seasons, the most vast black soil in the world, and world-class copper, gold, silver and iron mines are right at home. The oil and gas reserves on the continent and the continental shelf are also qualified. If shale oil is included, the reserves are catching up with the United States. The only problem is that there are too few coal mines, and it is difficult to start heavy industry.
Just like Brazil, despite having world-class iron ore, its steel industry is not well developed. In the 21st century, its steel industry still mainly uses charcoal to make iron, and even has dedicated eucalyptus forests for iron-making.
If they had a choice, why would they use charcoal to smelt iron?
But Brazil and South American countries had no choice, which is one of the reasons why South American countries missed the industrial revolution - lack of natural resources.
The same problem also became a problem for Ming. Although Ming obtained sufficient coal supply through the Northern Territory, it was too far away from the mainland, increasing the potential threat of war with the United States. The coal mines in the Northern Territory could not be the only option for Ming.
"Then take a longer-term view and look for coal mines elsewhere."
Emperor Zhu thought for a moment, threw the chess piece into the box, and then spoke to the female official beside him.
"Bring me the map."
After taking the map, he pointed at the unfolded map and said.
“Go to Africa and try it.”
Then he pointed to the location of another world, Namibia, on the map and said.
"Whale Bay, also known as Walvis Bay, is a natural harbor. We can land here and move inland after acquiring this land. My goal is..."
Emperor Zhu pointed to the blank area in the center of the map of southern Africa. In this era, the interior of Africa was completely blank. Now he was pointing to the location of Botswana in another world.
"This is close to the Cape Colony. As we all know, there are abundant coal resources in the Cape Colony. I think there should be abundant coal in this area as well."
The answer is of course yes. According to exploration in the 21st century, Botswana has 212 billion tons of coal resources, and most of those coal mines are shallow and suitable for open-pit mining.
Of course, in addition to this, there are also extremely rich diamond mines, copper mines and other mineral resources in the area. Such a mineral treasure land must of course be left to Daming itself.
"Your Majesty, this place is adjacent to the Cape Colony. If we establish our settlement there, it is very likely to cause conflict with the British."
Li Manson said this, of course not because he is British. In fact, no one discriminates against the British more than him, because he is Irish.
14 years ago, he came to Nanhua because he suffered discrimination in British companies because of his Irish identity. But here he not only did not suffer any discrimination, but also became the general manager of a mining company.
Of course, he was grateful to the Ming Dynasty and the emperor. No one else could give him such trust except the Ming Dynasty, which was why he was more like a Ming Dynasty person than many Ming Dynasty people. Not only did he give himself a name, but he also married a Ming Dynasty wife and even learned to play Go.
Now he thinks of himself as a true Ming Dynasty person, or at least no different from the Ming Dynasty people.
"I can't care about that now."
Emperor Zhu shook his head and said decisively.
"The fundamental reason why we didn't take action here in the past was because we were concerned about the British. But now the relationship between us and the British, and you too, won't be much better without this colony. Compared to diplomatic tensions, the coal mines there are more important to us now. After all, it concerns our national security."
In fact, sometimes, there are too many concerns. Although the Germans were able to turn Namibia into German West Africa under the noses of the British, the Ming Dynasty can also turn that land into Ming Dynasty's West Africa.
The British are definitely unhappy. What does their happiness have to do with the Ming Dynasty?
The British will be unhappy about many things in the future. So, while they are still weak, even if there are some conflicts with them now, they may not dare to break off relations.
After all, I have the advantage now!
"Compared to the Congo River Basin, which is densely covered with tropical rainforests, the climate here is better and more suitable for building railways. We can build a railway from here all the way to the heart of Africa, starting from Walvis Bay."
Emperor Zhu's finger moved upwards across the blank space in the heart of the African continent, and finally reached the location of Tanzania in later generations.
"Then all the way to Dar es Salaam... We have already established a commercial anchorage there. The next step is to make it our land. We can use a railway to connect West Africa and East Africa. In this way, the African continent will be ours."
Why share Africa with others?
In this world, only children can answer multiple-choice questions. For Emperor Zhu, there is only one thought in his mind - I want them all!
Yes, what the Ming Dynasty needs is not just to have one or several colonies in Africa forever. As long as there is an opportunity, it will do everything possible to plant the Ming Dynasty's sun and moon flags on this blank space.
"Wherever the sun and moon shine, it is bright land!"
After saying this, Emperor Zhu looked at the lake not far away with a look full of desire. Now the white-fin dolphin and the Chinese sturgeon have already survived on this land. They are as tenacious as the Chinese people. As long as there is a suitable environment and space, they can survive.
What Emperor Zhu needs now is to create a good living environment and living space. The Chinese nation deserves to have its own living space in this world.
(End of this chapter)
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