Suddenly, after a moment of silence, Pasmeton, who had a strange expression, 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 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 certain sense of superiority, and even his tone became dismissive, as if all the previous worries had turned into a joke.
In the eyes of British people of this era, what kind of people were Chinese coolies?
They may be diligent, they may be hard-working, and they may even be able to withstand hardships that others cannot bear, but in the eyes of the British, those stupid and opium-loving Chinese coolies will never pose any threat to Britain.
Even the American Company, at this moment, became a real "trading company". It had no possibility of bringing many changes to Britain's cause, because their choice was doomed.
If they introduce a large number of European immigrants, it may make people wary, but what about Chinese workers? In Southeast Asia and the Straits Settlements, there are too many Chinese workers, and it is impossible for them to pose any threat to the empire's cause.
"Yes, it's 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 the reason why American companies chose Chinese coolies. However, Mr. Prime Minister
, what I’m worried about is the influx of a large number of Chinese coolies into the Pampas, what kind of changes will it bring there, and what kind of reaction will the Argentinians make?”
Russell's reminder made Pasmeton smile.
"That is a matter for the Argentines. If necessary, they will speak with guns. As for the American Company...from this point of view, it is just a trading company chasing profits! It is not worth our investment.
energy. Let us return to the original topic - the telegraph company, we should use this matter to put some sand between the French and the Americans."
It is said to be sand, but over time, the sand will turn into stones and nails... all of this takes time to ferment...
…
For Zhu Xianhai, who is far away in the southern hemisphere, he has no idea that racial prejudice in London caused the British to make misjudgments. In fact, there are countless similar "misjudgements" in history.
But what is certain is that anyone who is "mistaken" has already started a lofty plan from the beginning.
"migrant!"
In the small conference room next to Zhu Xianhai's office, there was a large map hanging. After several months of improvement, he finally strung a line on the map. However, this line was confidential and would not be shown on the map.
Outsiders, even his "European staff officers", did not know the existence of this map.
"Look at this map."
Pointing to the map on the wall, Zhu Xianhai said to Li Hui'an.
"This is?"
Staring at the points marked on the map, Li Hui'an was a little confused, but after a while, he figured it out.
"These places are on the immigration route. Could it be that the Lord plans to set up a port here?"
In the past year, Li Hui'an has been in charge of the company's immigration department. He is responsible for the introduction, transportation and port registration of immigrants. He is no stranger to immigration ship routes.
"However, my lord, it seems that the current route of clipper ships is to enter the South China Sea and pass through the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. There does not seem to be a suitable port on this route to dock."
Li Hui'an was telling the truth. After the "colonial baptism" of the Age of Discovery, the islands in the Indian Ocean had been almost completely occupied by Britain, France, Portugal and other countries, and not even a few scraps were left behind.
“If we take the Pacific route, although Araucaní is closer to China, the land route from Araucania to Nanhua is thousands of kilometers, and we have to cross mountains and ridges. If we travel a long distance by land, not only will the cost be higher, but also
And the mortality rate may also increase further."
"railway!"
Zhu Xianhai said directly,
"For now, clipper ships taking the Indian Ocean route are the best choice, but in the future steam ships like the "Great Eastern" will definitely take the Pacific route. Its distance is shorter and it takes longer.
Short, now the railway on the Linhai side has started construction, and the railway on the Nanhua side has also started measuring 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 prepare in advance!”
"prepare in advance?"
Li Hui'an said while staring at the islands marked on the map.
"My Lord wants to set up transit ports in these places?"
Li Hui'an's answer made Zhu Xianhai nodded happily.
"It's almost a transit port, like here..."
Zhu Xianhai pointed to the north of the New Guinea Islands in northern Australia and said.
"Immigrants do not necessarily need to rest here, but those who are weak can disembark here and rest for a while. They can either settle locally or come to Nanhua, and then continue sailing eastward, or they can also visit Tonga and Samoa.
And ports were set up in Polynesia, Easter Island and other places, and the weak and sick patients settled directly on the islands to rest and recuperate.”
Zhu Xianhai's plan is to use these immigrants to "string" a line in the Pacific Ocean, connecting China at one end and the New World at the other end. The existence of this line composed of islands will maximize the guarantee of Nanhua's possessions.
A steady stream of immigrants.
"The key to Nanhua's future survival lies in the number of Chinese immigrants. Only with more Chinese immigrants can Nanhua gain a foothold on this land. We have reached a consensus on this point long ago. In order to increase the number of immigrants, in addition to the Great Eastern
In addition, the company also purchased more ships in the UK, and they were converted into immigration ships for transporting immigrants."
Using British loans to buy merchant ships, and then using the merchant ships to transport laborers, in order to increase the speed of immigration, Zhu Xianhai can be said to have spent a lot of money. He spent more than 200,000 pounds to purchase and order more than 30 ships.
Clipper ships, used to transport immigrants.
"According to previous calculations by the Immigration Department, when all the merchant ships we purchased are put into use, we will be able to bring about 200,000 immigrants to Nanhua every year, and about 10% of the immigrants will be at sea for various reasons."
After glancing at Li Hui'an, Zhu Xianhai said.
"10%, that's nearly 20,000 people! Maybe we can't do more, but if we let them go to the shore to rest and recuperate in time, at least some people can be saved. If the mortality rate is reduced to 5%, then
This is equivalent to introducing 10,000 more immigrants every year!”
Ten thousand more immigrants!
Even if these immigrants are scattered on the islands along the Pacific Ocean, it is still a help to Nanhua!
Looking at several points on the map, Li Huixi asked doubtfully.
"But, my lord, these places belong to other people, will they allow us to go in?"
