Then Zhao Hao changed the subject and said seriously, "But there is a very important reason why I set up all nine cities on the coast instead of inland. Taiwan is a place with miasma, and the situation becomes more serious the further inland you go. Especially in a place like this with dense forests and swamps, if we rashly migrate on a large scale, infectious diseases will definitely break out and kill tens of thousands of people."

"Is that so..." Fatty Tang was horrified and hugged his arms tightly. "Will the situation be better at the seaside?"

"Of course it's much better." Zhao Hao nodded and said, "There are no forests near the sea, the air is fresh, and it has been developed by the indigenous people for many years, so the miasma is of course much lighter."

"Then let's not put it here for now." Tang Youde said readily.

"It doesn't matter if it's placed here, but we must first improve the infrastructure, especially the sewers. Rainwater and sewage must be separated, so there will be no waterlogging during heavy rains and no accumulation of water during light rains. We also need to build enough toilets to ensure that feces are returned to the toilets like in Kunshan. We also need to regularly exterminate rats and mosquitoes on a large scale to curb the occurrence of various infectious diseases at the source." Zhao Hao solemnly reminded: "Of course, we also need strong medical and epidemic prevention departments. Remember, we want the people of Daming to live a happy life, not to let them die!"

"I understand, sir, rest assured, I will be careful." Tang Youde nodded heavily, not daring to mention the matter of setting up a city here. He pointed to the lower reaches of the Dahan River and changed the subject: "By the way, sir, what about that plain? It looks much larger than the Taipei Basin."

"It is much bigger, but it is far inferior to the Taipei Basin, which has fertile soil and abundant water." Zhao Hao shook his head slightly and said, "It is called Taoyuan Terrace, and the land is mainly red soil. Red soil is easy to harden, so the rain cannot penetrate, and the water flows into the sea in vain. Therefore, the soil is dry and barren, and the harvest is very poor."

"That's such a pity." Tang Youde sighed. This was the first time he had seen such a large and flat land in Taiwan.

"There's nothing to regret. We just need to find ways to increase revenue and reduce expenditure." Zhao Hao knew the solution and said, "Taiwan has abundant rainfall. Farmers just need to dig more ponds in the fields to store rainwater. Moreover, the east of Taiwan Island is high and the west is low, so the height difference is quite large. When the time is right, the Management Committee can take the lead in building a dam to intercept the water of Dahan River. In the rainy season, the sluice gates can be closed to store water, and in the dry season, water can be diverted for irrigation. Then, won't we have no worries about drought or flood?"

"Wow..." Tang Youde was full of admiration and said, "Young Master, you really know everything and can do everything! With such courage and vision, you deserve to have such a big career!"

"Hey, don't say that. Even if I can see farther, I'm just standing on the shoulders of giants." Zhao Hao said modestly.

The so-called giant does not refer to the little Japan, but to the great working people. If you don't believe me, look at Taoyuan from the satellite map. The dense and dotted spots are all reservoirs dug by the locals.

Although the dam was indeed built during the Japanese occupation, Cao Jin, the governor of Danshui, had already proposed a complete plan. But you know what happened to Daiqing...

~~

After Master Zhao returned from Mengjia, the next day, the Western Fleet left Tamsui and headed south as planned.

As for the Eastern Fleet, it set out yesterday under the leadership of Wang Rulong.

The Western Fleet sailed south with the help of the north wind and soon arrived at Taoyuan. Surprisingly, in the telescope, there were many aboriginal villages on the red land, and there was smoke from cooking.

After asking the Ketagalan guide on board, I learned that the land in Taoyuan had a poor harvest, and even pirates were unwilling to make their home here. The indigenous people here... mainly the Ketagalan and the Dajia tribe, were basically not harassed, which was a blessing in disguise.

Ninety miles south of Taoyuan, the scenery changes: the broad plain turns into hills, and two rivers flow from the distant mountains, forming a narrow plain shaped like a dustpan.

This is Hsinchu. Because it is an alluvial plain formed by two rivers, the land here is fertile and the water is abundant. Natural disasters rarely occur here, which can be said to be a treasure land.

Since it is a precious land, it must have been occupied by someone long ago.

According to the confessions of the captured Japanese pirates and confirmed by the reconnaissance team that set out in advance, there was a group of pirates of unknown origin entrenched here.

How can I allow others to snore beside my bed... Cross it out and change it to: In the spirit of eliminating violence and upholding justice, the brave coast guard officers and soldiers are determined to annihilate them.

The Coast Guard fleet fired several rounds of salvos, smashing the ships at the dock to pieces. The sea lord "Yi Tiao Chai" who was entrenched in Hsinchu led his people to surrender.

A battle in which there was no loss, which took no more than half an hour from start to finish.

The pirates didn't suffer much loss. Because the sea masters were very sensible, and when they saw that the enemy was too strong to defeat, they immediately surrendered. Of course, this was excepted when the government troops came to attack, because the government troops would not let them survive...

The fleet anchored in Hsinchu for a day, loading all the spoils, captives, and the captives' families onto several paddle boats and sending them back to Naha for custody.

In the Battle of Amami, the Ryukyu navy was unscathed and was directly listed by Zhao Hao as a support fleet, responsible for transporting supplies, ammunition and spoils of war to the coast guard fleet.

Of course, it is in the official name of Ryukyu.

Besides, Young Master Zhao never does anything for free. The money he gets from a mission is equivalent to their income for several years. Since they don't have to fight, of course they are very active.

~~

Hsinchu is good, but it is too far away from northern Taiwan and the environment is relatively closed, so it will definitely be ranked last in the development order.

Master Zhao went up to the sky to observe the topography of Hsinchu and asked surveyors to draw a map. Then the fleet continued to move south.

After Hsinchu, the hills started to rise and fall, with more mountains and fewer plains. Zhao Hao knew that Miaoli had arrived. In fact, the natural environment here was not bad, and the climate conditions were suitable for growing sugarcane. But the same problem as Hsinchu, the narrow plain was surrounded by mountains, and there was no dream linkage or radiation effect, so he would not consider it for the time being.

The reason why he was so extravagant and wasteful was that after a few dozen miles past Miaoli was the Taichung Basin, which was twice as large as the Taipei Basin!

This basin of more than 400 square kilometers is crisscrossed with streams, providing sufficient water for agricultural irrigation. The superior natural conditions are conducive to the cultivation of a variety of crops in the basin, and it is a major production area of ​​rice and sugarcane.

These two crops are both deadly to Mr. Zhao. The former is self-evident. If you want to feed 200 million people in the Ming Dynasty in Xiaobinghe, you must firmly grasp the high-yield three-season rice area like this. The latter is related to Mr. Zhao's ideal! Let the rich people all over the world use insulin... Oh no, let them have enough white sugar to enjoy!

Sugar is one of the most important and profitable commodities in the Age of Discovery, and it can also open up the tea trade, so Master Zhao must make it a pillar industry.

Taiwan's title of "Oriental Sweet Island" is not given for nothing. When the Dutch were in Taiwan, they could produce 4,800 tons of sugar annually by recruiting tens of thousands of Han Chinese to farm in Taiwan. Later, during the Ming Zheng period, as the number of immigrants increased, the annual output of sugar reached 18,000 tons. This sugar was mainly exported to Japan, and the demand was still far from meeting the supply. The magic of sugar is evident...

"This is a fucking treasure pot..." Zhao Hao's saliva was about to flow down through the telescope.

Unfortunately, all good places have owners. The Taichung Basin is a Feng Shui treasure land, which is a paradise on Taiwan Island. Naturally, someone has already occupied it.

"Which group of pirates are these? Kill them!" Tang Youde said arrogantly.

"If they were pirates, it would be easy, but unfortunately they are not." Zhao Hao sighed helplessly, "According to intelligence, there is a large tribal alliance called 'Eighteen Societies' in this area, and its leader is called Big Belly King. As the name suggests, there are eighteen villages that directly obey his orders, and there are more than a dozen villages that have formed alliances with him. They attack and defend each other, and advance and retreat together, leaving those sea lords helpless."

"It sounds a bit like Meng Huo and the chiefs of the thirty-six villages and the masters of the seventy-two caves." Tang Youde couldn't help but exclaimed.

"About the same." Zhao Hao nodded and said, "There are more than 50,000 to 60,000 people in total, and they are scattered in such a vast basin. It is difficult to subdue them with brute force alone."

Of course, it was difficult to subdue them. This tribal alliance, which was later called the "Big Belly Kingdom" by some scholars on the island with ulterior motives, was indeed a very difficult one. In another period of history, they fought fiercely with the Dutch, Zheng Chenggong, and the Qing Dynasty. Although they lost miserably every time and had to surrender, they always had a strong xenophobia. They did not allow the Dutch to preach in their territory, nor did they pay tribute to the Ming Zheng regime. Later, they rebelled against the Qing Dynasty until they were completely eliminated during the Yongzheng period...

Therefore, the combat mission of the Western Fleet did not include attacking the Taichung Basin.

"But the plan to establish Taichung City during the 25th period will not change." Looking at the gradually receding cornucopia, Master Zhao solemnly instructed Tang Youde, "Winning over, dividing, seizing, or attacking, I don't care what method you use, you must take over Taichung Plain for me! If the Eighteen Big Belly Clubs are willing to cooperate, that's great. If they don't want to cooperate, just move them out!"

Under the veil of tenderness, Mr. Zhao actually still adheres to the principle of Shunchang and Xiangwang...

"Yes." Tang Youde responded quickly, and then smiled awkwardly, "I wonder how many soldiers you will assign to Taiwan?"

"According to the rules, each city should be equipped with a security squadron when it is established, and then gradually increase to a security brigade as the population grows." Zhao Hao thought for a moment and said, "But the situation on Taiwan Island is more complicated. How about this, I will equip you with three brigades from the beginning, all of which are good guys trained by Jiangnan Security Group. Is that enough?"

"Enough, enough, too much!" Tang Youde was overjoyed when he heard this. A security squadron has 200 people, and a security brigade includes five squadrons, which is 1,000 people! A full 3,000 strictly trained and well-equipped security forces would be an elite force anywhere. Putting them on Taiwan Island is actually a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

"Young Master is so good to us Old Tang. If I don't make a name for myself in Taiwan, I will jump into the sea and never see the people of Jiangdong again!"

"Haha, okay, you said that." Zhao Hao said to Secretary Ma with a smile, "Write this down."

"Sir, I am so..." Fatty Tang's chin trembled with fear, and then he smiled bitterly and said, "Okay, just consider it as a military order from me."

"Hahaha, bright and clear!" Zhao Hao patted his belly happily and said, "Don't be too nervous. The Eighteen Societies and the Big-Bellied King in the Taichung Basin are still Pingpu people who can communicate. And I heard that the leading village seems to be new immigrants from Fujian. If you appeal to their emotions and interests, and wield the carrot and the stick, you may be able to subdue them."

"In short, your attitude should be correct, your methods should be flexible, and also..."

"Try not to dirty your hands." Tang Youde continued with a smile.

"Good job, you guys are all able to answer quickly." Zhao Hao laughed and said, "That's right, then I'll wait for good news."

ps. This is a very difficult picture to write. I spent many days looking up information. But it is worth it to let everyone know about Taiwan. The other paragraphs are just a quick overview, because the natives on the island are really too weak. Two thousand Dutch people can rule most of Taiwan. There is no need to describe it in detail. Let's get it done quickly so that we can get into the main plot. There is one more update, a few hundred words short.