"Sun Bin, come sit down and try the Brazilian cocoa tea." After Liu Pu and others left, Li Mingyuan ordered the guards to bring two cups of cocoa tea and greeted them.
Cocoa is one of Brazil's main cash crops and can be made into beverages and highly nutritious food. It is one of the favorite beverages of Europe's upper-class nobility.
Sun Bin picked up the teacup and took a sip of the cocoa tea, then placed the teacup on the desk and waited for Li Mingyuan to speak.
"The mainland and Southeast Asia are far away from Rio Grande do Sul, and the cost of transporting immigrants is huge. However, Chinese immigration is our foundation. We cannot stop the immigration plan just because the transportation cost is huge. You should understand what I mean."
Li Mingyuan didn't keep Sun Bin waiting for long. After sending the guards in the room to guard outside, he said.
"I am not opposed to immigration, but the number of immigrants should be controlled within a certain scale. Moreover, with more than 300,000 people in Rio Grande do Sul, it is already a force that cannot be ignored in the La Plata region. We should take advantage of the relatively large number of immigrants in the surrounding area."
We need to maintain a peaceful and stable international situation, develop domestic economic construction, fully integrate more than 300,000 people into Rio Grande do Sul, stabilize our Chinese base, and then plan to immigrate in batches."
"I have considered your concerns and what I said at the meeting will not change."
Li Mingyuan picked up the teacup calmly, smelled the aroma of cocoa, and continued: "I left you here because I want to hear your opinion on our return to the mainland and Nanyang. There are only two of us in the room. You
You can talk freely."
Sun Bin only talked about a small part of his thoughts in the meeting just now. When Li Mingyuan asked directly, he did not cover up.
"I dare to ask, does the Crown Prince want to return to the mainland and rebuild the Kingdom of Heaven?"
"Haha, why do you have such thoughts?" Li Mingyuan's hand holding the tea cup stopped in mid-air, and the expression on his face changed rapidly.
"When I was wandering around Xinjing a few days ago, I overheard several officers of the National Defense Force discussing the topic of returning to the mainland. I was curious and wanted to know if the Crown Prince supported the fight to return to the mainland."
"I have heard some of what you said, but you are the first person to mention it to me."
Li Mingyuan slowly put down the tea cup and said with a complicated expression: "To be honest with you, after hearing the brothers talk about this matter, I have been very conflicted in my heart.
The mainland is the homeland of overseas Chinese, and rescuing the Chinese brothers and sisters in the mainland is what I have always wanted to do.
However, the Manchus had ruled the Central Plains for two hundred years, and most officials, landlords, and ordinary people agreed with the Manchus' rule. Not long after the Heavenly Kingdom Uprising was suppressed by the Manchus, the uprising initiated by the Nian Army brothers also failed. The Manchu and Qing government and the Han landlords who supported them were in a state of crisis.
During the period of strong strength, only relying on the national defense army could not overthrow the rule of the Manchu Qing Dynasty."
"Your Majesty, you must be aware that you have led the Chinese brothers in South America to go through untold hardships to establish a country. You cannot start a war that is likely to fail out of sympathy for the people of the mainland."
"We can only take things on the mainland one step at a time, but you don't have to worry. The National Defense Forces will not provoke a war with the Qing Dynasty until there is no reliable guarantee."
After ending the discussion on dealing with the Manchus, the conversation returned to the main topic.
"The Nanyang region is the sphere of influence of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France. Whether recruiting Chinese from the mainland or the Nanyang region, they have to go through the colonies controlled by the three countries. Therefore, the attitudes of the three countries have a great influence on the success or failure of our immigration transportation."
"If you were the governor of the Nanyang colonies of the Three Kingdoms, what would you do?" Li Mingyuan asked deliberately.
"The French colonial forces in the Indochina Peninsula, northern Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos have not yet fallen into the hands of the French. Their next move in the Nanyang region should be to completely occupy the three countries in the Indochina Peninsula, and it is unlikely to interfere with the transportation of Chinese
.
After the Netherlands was defeated by Britain, its national strength weakened, and its colonies in India and Africa were successively seized by the British and French powers. The Dutch East Indies became the Netherlands' largest colony with the most economic benefits.
The Dutch state was weak. After ceding Malacca and the northern part of Kalimantan, it was able to continue to rule the remaining areas of the East Indies with the tacit approval of the British. After the late Ming Dynasty, Chinese people immigrated to Southeast Asia on a large scale and formed a huge force.
Several Chinese forces established armed regimes in the East Indies.
The expansion of Chinese power caused panic among the Dutch colonists. Starting more than 40 years ago, the Dutch colonies began to eliminate Chinese forces in a targeted manner. Countries occupied by Chinese such as Nanhua Company and Dai Yanguo were successively annihilated by the Dutch, and the Dutch massacred Chinese people.
Actions are becoming more and more intensive.
Therefore, due to the lack of national strength, the Netherlands definitely does not want to see us operating in the Nanyang region. They will worry that we will unite the scattered Nanyang Chinese and endanger their colonial rule."
"The Dutch are a problem, but there is a Lanfang Company in the East Indies. Do you think they will help us transport immigrants?" Li Mingyuan interrupted Sun Bin and asked.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid you will be disappointed. Before I came to South America four years ago, the fleet stopped in Pontianak for a few days for repairs. At the port, the only Chinese people from Lanfang Company I saw were Dutch, and they even helped me.
The Dutch suppressed the rioting Chinese workers.
Under the command, I went to the port and listened to several free old Chinese people saying that there used to be more than ten Chinese companies in Kalimantan, and several of them were so powerful that they defeated the Lanfang Company. After the Lanfang Company was defeated, they took refuge.
The Dutch helped the Netherlands eliminate other Chinese companies one after another, so the only Chinese company on Kalimantan was Lanfang Company."
"Haha, Lanfang Company turned out to be a slave to the Dutch to survive. I used to look up to them."
In later generations, the Lanfang company was wiped out by the Dutch. Out of sympathy, the news about Lanfang circulated on the Internet was all on the bright side, but did not expose Lanfang's evil deeds of helping outsiders to harm compatriots.
Li Mingyuan was slightly surprised when he learned the true identity of Dao Lanfang Company from Sun Bin. He quickly returned to his normal state of mind and continued to ask: "It seems that we can only find a solution from the British colonies. Sun Bin, the British horses
Are there any old brothers from heaven who come to the colony?"
"After the defeat of the Kingdom of Heaven, some Brothers of the Kingdom of Heaven who were captured by British military uniforms were sold to Caribbean islands and Guyana. Most of the Chinese in the Malayan colonies were ordinary Chinese who went to sea to make a living in the coastal areas. There should not be many Brothers of the Kingdom of Heaven."
Sun Bin thought for a while and replied.
"Nanyang is close to the mainland. The Chinese brothers who fled there may be worried about being hunted down by the Manchu government, so they hid incognito. Sun Bin, I plan to send you to Nanyang to organize immigration while investigating the whereabouts of the old brothers from Heaven."
Li Mingyuan left Ta alone and deliberately asked him about the distribution of forces in Nanyang. Sun Bin already understood that Li Mingyuan wanted to send him to Nanyang.
"My Majesty previously opposed large-scale immigration, and the Crown Prince also entrusted the immigration task to my Majesty. My Majesty will do his best to complete the immigration task and not let the Crown Prince down." Sun Bin had expected it in his heart. After Li Mingyuan proposed the task, he immediately became determined.
Take a stand.
"The forces of England, France and the Netherlands are intertwined in the Nanyang region. The local Chinese and indigenous people do not belong to each other. There are not many talents available in Rio Grande do Sul, so I can only send you out. You won't blame me in your heart, right?"
"The prince trusts his subordinates and entrusts them with important responsibilities. The subordinates are only grateful and have never complained about the prince."
Sun Bin immediately stood up and said seriously.
"There's no need to be so serious. You are loyal and steady, otherwise I wouldn't leave many things to you."
Li Mingyuan encouraged Sun Bin and continued: "Nanyang is the territory of the European powers. If we send too many people, they will be wary, so I will only send you five hundred people, and then you will pretend to be ordinary Chinese businessmen and act in Nanyang.
"
"Five hundred people are enough, but I want to ask the prince for three people."
"Tell me, who do you want?"
"Brother Hou has been a pirate in the Caribbean for several years. There are islands all over the Southeast Asia. Some things that cannot be solved on the table require the help of people like Brother Hou."
"Hou Taiyuan has led hundreds of naval brothers to establish a foothold in the Caribbean and has never been inferior in battles with black pirates. He is a good candidate."
Li Mingyuan nodded and agreed with Sun Bin's opinion.
"I heard that there are two new brothers who came back with Brother Hou, and I want to take them away too."
"Are you talking about Ah Chen and Liang Xing? Ah Chen's right leg was amputated. I'm afraid he can't bear the ocean voyage. Moreover, Chen Sen and Hou Taiyuan recommended him to manage the engineering corps. I agreed with their suggestion. Why don't you take him away?
If it suits you, find someone else!"
Liang Xing himself is an excellent businessman, and Sun Bin will use him when he goes to Nanyang to deal with foreigners. Although Ah Chen has lived overseas for a long time, he is a soldier. Li Mingyuan thinks that sending him to Nanyang will not be of much use, so
Reject Sun Bin's proposal.
"Your Majesty, our first step after arriving in Nanyang is to buy land from the local indigenous Sudan to build a base. Therefore, talents like Ah Chen who are proficient in fortification construction are indispensable. Moreover, when we met Ah Chen two days ago, he also revealed that he went overseas to build a base.
The prince’s service means that the prince does not need to worry too much.”
"We need our own bases and strongholds to transport immigrants. Your consideration is right. I agree with Ah Chen to go with you." Li Mingyuan carefully considered Sun Bin's suggestion, changed his mind, and nodded: "Build a base and
Defense facilities are indispensable, and I will dispatch another hundred engineers to you. When setting off, the troops will be divided into two fleets, and you will be responsible for them when they arrive in Nanyang."
"Thank you for your support, Your Majesty." Sun Bin achieved his goal and was about to say goodbye when he was stopped by Li Mingyuan, "Don't leave in a hurry, I have something else to tell you."
As Li Mingyuan spoke, he took out a hand-drawn map from the study room, spread it on the desk, and explained: "This is the Nanyang map I bought from the British."
Sun Bin walked to the desk and focused his eyes on the map. The map was divided into different areas with three colors. There was also a small area that remained the same and was not marked in color.
"Green is the area actually controlled by the Dutch, red is the British Straits Settlements and North Kalimantan Colony, green is the area currently controlled by the French, and the blank areas are independent or ownerless areas. When you arrive in Nanyang, first go to the white
Establish bases in the area to prevent destruction by foreigners."
Although the three countries on the Indochina Peninsula are not completely controlled by France, France is bound to win over the three countries, so it is painted in light green. Excluding the three countries on the Indochina Peninsula, there are three main unpainted areas. The first area is the central part of the Malay Peninsula, including Selangor.
The four independent indigenous nations of Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Pahang and the Chinese Songkhla regime in Thailand.
The second area is mainly the Pontianak area controlled by Lanfang Company and Natunatu Island, which is temporarily controlled by local Chinese.
The third piece is the remote and barren island of New Guinea.
Among the three white areas, the island of New Guinea is geographically remote, far away from the immigration shipping routes, and it is not easy to survive on the island. Sun Bin was first sent out, and the Lanfang Company took refuge with the Dutch. The risks in Lanfang were greater, and in central Malay
The area was under the rule of the indigenous Sudanese, who allowed the Chinese to purchase land and mine minerals. It was the place chosen by Sun Bin to establish a stronghold and immigration base.
Sun Bin pointed out his choice, but was rejected by Li Mingyuan.
"The four countries in central Malay are sandwiched between Thailand and the British colonies, which can easily lead to war conflicts, and the local gangs are powerful. As outsiders, establishing bases in the central Malay Peninsula will be squeezed and attacked by them, so it is important to stand firm.
Don’t develop your power there before taking the heel.”
The British only allowed the four central Malay countries of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Pahang to remain independent. They used the four countries as buffer zones between Thailand and the Straits Settlements to maintain the stability of the Straits Settlements. Later, civil strife broke out in the four countries, and the indigenous Sudanese and Chinese partisans
Gangs fought against each other, and then the local Chinese leader persuaded the indigenous Sudan to place the country under British protection. From this, the four countries officially became protectorates under the British Straits Settlements.
Although the geographical location of the four countries in the central part of the Malay Peninsula is not as superior as that of the British Straits Settlements, it is also close to the Strait of Malacca and is an ideal transit base for transporting Chinese. Taking the four countries as a base is what Li Mingyuan wants to do, but he has to wait until the time is right and veto it.
At the beginning, the base was built in central Malaysia, and there was only one option left - Natunatu Island.
Natunatu Island covers an area of only 2,100 square kilometers. Due to its proximity to the equator, the island is sparsely populated, with only a few thousand Chinese and a small number of indigenous people.
The land was barren and the economic benefits were limited. The Dutch did not take control of Natuna until they destroyed Lanfang.
The Natuna Islands are currently in an unclaimed land, and the National Defense Forces will seize them first before the Dutch. In the future, the Natuna Islands can become the inherent territory of the Chinese.
“After arriving in Nanyang by ship, you first took control of Natuna Island, then disguised yourself as Chinese businessmen, landed in the Kuching area of North Kalimantan Island by ship, purchased land from the local Sarawak Sultan, and recruited Chinese from nearby areas to establish Chinese communities in Sarawak.
gathering area, while transporting Chinese and supplies to Natuna Island, turning Natuna Island into the first base of the National Defense Force in Southeast Asia."
Sun Bin followed where Li Mingyuan pointed and found a small dot on the map.
"Your Majesty, Natuna is located between Kalimantan and the Malay Peninsula. After we occupy it, will it cause interference from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands?"
"There are many ports in the Malay Peninsula and large islands around Southeast Asia. They will not use Natuna Island as a shipping port. Otherwise, Natuna Island would have been occupied by them long ago, and there would be no chance for us."
Li Mingyuan's words dispelled some of Sun Bin's concerns, but out of his distrust of foreigners, Sun Bin secretly reminded himself that he must be extremely cautious when acting in Nanyang and not reveal his true identity too early, especially not to let the Dutch notice anything unusual.