Dressed as the Queen Mother to grasp the script of a strong country

Chapter 23 World Island Theory

Since the speed of transportation determines the failure of a war, Liang Meng couldn't help but think of Mackinder's land power theory, Mahan's sea power theory, and Spegelman's marginal zone theory.

The speed of transportation determines the outcome of a war.

The methods of warfare in agricultural societies were infantry and nomadic cavalry, that is, the Mongols of the Yuan Dynasty fought on horseback and the dynasties under the rule of the Han people did not rely on horses to fight.

When fighting on horseback, you can run back and forth on a horse, which is fast and can be transported quickly, so the cavalry can defeat the infantry.

Mackinder regarded the continents and countries of the world as islands one by one. Among all the islands, the largest island is Eurasia, which is also called the World Island by Mackinder.

Eurasia is a large continent with a large population and abundant resources. Therefore, one can conclude that whoever controls the World Island can dominate the world.

Mackinder further divided the world island into the heartland, the inner crescent edge zone, and the outer crescent edge zone.

The heart of the World Island: the Eastern European Plains in the west, the Siberian Plateau in the east, the Arctic Ocean in the north, and the Iranian Plateau in the south.

That is, the Soviet Union, Mongolia, northwest China, Afghanistan, and Iran. This area is not bordered by the ocean and is suitable for nomadic life.

Surrounding the heartland is a place suitable for agricultural development, called the inner crescent edge zone, that is, China, India, etc. This zone has a vast land and a long coastline, but also because its terrain is suitable for agricultural development, the way of war It is mainly infantry, so the nomadic cavalry can penetrate into the agricultural areas and affect their infantry, thereby defeating the infantry and dominating the World Island.

The outer crescent edge refers to the places that nomadic people cannot reach with their horses, that is, Japan, Britain, etc.

Medkin then came to the conclusion that whoever obtains the heartland can occupy the World Island.

The Eastern European Plain in this heartland can connect Europe and Asia. In the Yuan Dynasty, the Mongols reached Europe through the Eastern European Plain, which means that the Eastern European Plain is the gateway between Europe and Asia.

This may be why Moscow, the capital of Russia, is here.

Medkin then came to another conclusion: whoever gets the Eastern European plains can get the heartland.

This is the land power theory.

With the development of the steam age, Magellan and Columbus sailed, and ship technology developed.

Compared with cavalry, sea transportation is faster.

In response to this, Mahan proposed the theory of sea power.

When the two countries are at war, they need to transport food, and transporting food leads to two things.

One is transportation.

The other is food.

Suppose two countries are at war. One country has undeveloped ships, relies only on cavalry, and only has its own food. The other country has developed ships, and this country with developed ships controls the resources and food of multiple countries.

Then a country with developed steamships will defeat a country with underdeveloped ships in terms of transportation and food reserves, and the country with underdeveloped food will lose in the war.

This is why it is difficult for two fists to defeat four hands. This is also the reason why the Qing Dynasty failed in the war between the Qing Dynasty and the British.

Finally, Mahan proposed the theory of sea power.

Whoever controls the choke channels, canals and routes at the core of the world controls the world's energy transportation.

Whoever controls the world's energy transportation will control the security lifeline of all countries in the world.

Whoever controls the security lifeblood of all countries in the world controls the whole world.

Controlling transportation, that is, waterways, means controlling key ports, which means fast transportation; controlling energy means controlling food, which means controlling the country, which ultimately led to colonization.

And controlling the country where the port is located also controls the port. Invading by force, and then controlling the country, becomes a choice, and colonization is formed.

Countries around the world launched colonial force actions against ports such as the Suez Canal and the Strait of Malacca. Since then, these ports and countries have no longer been peaceful.

A country controls the world if it controls the world's key ports.

But on the other hand, as long as you control a key port, you also have a chokehold.

Competition for ports requires countries to compete with each other through military strength. Military strength requires the development of a navy, a vast land, a sufficient population, and a broad coastline (that is, the ability to control maritime arteries.)
This is Mahan's theory of sea power.

Since developing a navy requires a vast landmass, a sufficient population, and a vast coastline, there are many countries that meet these points, including Russia, China, etc.Spigelman proposed the fringe zone theory for the United States. In order to become the world's hegemon, the United States is conducting vertical and horizontal alliances.

Speigman combined Mackinder's land power theory with Mahan's sea power theory.

Eurasia is the world island. If you master the world island, you will master the world. As Mahan proposed, if you master the ports, you will master the world. Ports are generally located in the coastal areas of Eurasia, that is, within the Eurasian continent. Whoever controls the crescent edge zone, that is, whoever controls the inner crescent edge zone, controls Eurasia and controls the world.

Whoever unifies or integrates the eastern and western fringes of Eurasia (whether by force or peaceful means) will control the most potential region of the world.

Whoever controls the most potential areas of the world can become a world power on the Eurasian continent.

Whoever can become a world power in Eurasia will become the most powerful challenger to the United States.

This is Speigman’s theory of the fringe.

This is why the United States has been harassing the South China Sea, and this is why the Palestinian-Israeli conflict continues to occur.

After Liang Meng thought about the world island theory, he decided to develop canals and cavalry. Only by increasing the speed of transportation can the winning rate of the war be improved.

He also made up his mind to strengthen the research and development of firearms and quickly enter the steam age so that it would be possible to develop ships.

Today's ships are rafts, which rely on water to float. Later, they were sailboats, which relied on wind power. Only ships in the steam age did not need to rely on water and wind, and were controlled by water and wind.

Only with ships can we develop a navy.

In the agricultural era, that is, the era of Dajin, the only way to improve military strength was through canals, cavalry, and firearms.

Ships and railways can only be achieved in the industrial era. Liang Meng feels that there is a long way to go.

Liang dreamed and fell asleep.

early morning
"Madam, Mr. Gongsun left early this morning." Hongyu said.

When Liang Meng told Gongsun Moli, the Grand Canal and other things that would benefit the country and the people waiting for him, Gongsun Mo couldn't wait to use his talents. Liang Meng, who originally wanted to inspect the river topography with Gongsun Mo, had no choice but to let it go. Gongsun Mo investigated alone.

Although Liang Meng is a person in modern society, his knowledge of everything is only limited to what he has seen and has a little understanding of. He does not understand the professional knowledge of water conservancy, canals, firearms, etc., and cannot provide much help. He can only provide Inspiration and insight ultimately depend on the talents of this era.

"Remember to ask He San to send someone to protect Gongsun Mo." Liang Meng said worriedly.

"Yes, I will tell He San right now." Hongyu said before opening the door and leaving.

As soon as Hongyu opened the door, she saw He San who was about to knock on the door.

The two looked awkwardly at each other.

He San reacted and said, "I have something to report to Madam."

"What happened?" Liang Meng said.

"Your Majesty, yesterday's supervisor was killed at home last night," He San said.

Hongyu exclaimed: "He was killed, who did it?"

"No clues were left at the scene." He San said.

Liang Meng thought in his heart, who killed him?

Everyone did not stop in Peixian County and continued on their way.

Liang Meng, who was sitting in the carriage, was very depressed. It had been several months since he went out to search, and he only found Gongsun Mo, but not wheat, rice, or firearms manufacturing talents.Liang Meng couldn't help but feel depressed.

"Mother, are you unhappy?" Ninth Princess asked.

"No." Liang Meng said.

"Madam, the inn is just ahead. Let's stop and rest at the inn," Hongyu said.

"Okay, let's rest at the inn." Liang Meng still couldn't get used to this dizzying carriage.

Everyone stopped at the inn.

"Sit here, please." The waiter greeted enthusiastically.

Liang Meng sat down with everyone.

"A few of our guests are foreigners," the waiter said.

"How can you be sure that we are not locals coming back from other places?" Hongyu said.

"Hey, I've seen too many people coming and going back home, and you don't look like me at all?" the waiter asked.

"You're really good as a waiter." Ninth Princess said.

The waiter scratched his head in embarrassment.

"You foreigners have come to our Jinshui City at the right time." The waiter said.

"How do you say it? Is there anything interesting?" Ninth Princess asked.

"This period is our annual blessing lantern festival in Jinshui City." The waiter said.

"Praying for the Festival of Lights? What is the Festival of Praying for the Lights?" asked the Ninth Princess.

The waiter hesitated deliberately, waiting for our reward.

"Here, take it, you can talk now." Hongyu handed the copper coin to the waiter and said.

"This so-called Blessing of Lights Festival is..." After receiving the reward, the waiter introduced the Blessing of Lights Festival with satisfaction.

Liang dreamed: "It turns out that this Lantern Festival is about the Golden Bamboo Mountain not far from Jinshui City. There is a century-old Taoist temple on the mountain called the Exalted Immortal Temple. This Lantern Festival is to go up the mountain to pray for blessings. When the Lantern Festival comes, The patrons of the Banished Immortal Temple will parade through the streets, and the people of Jinshui can also watch the lantern festival, guess lantern riddles, pray for blessings, etc. on this day."

After hearing the waiter's introduction, the Ninth Princess looked forward to it and looked at Liang Meng eagerly: "Mother, Jinshui City is not far from us. Jing Huan has never seen a blessing lantern festival. How about we go and have a look."

"Madam, yes, yes, we are tired of traveling every day, so why not go to the lantern festival to have a lot of fun when we finally come across it," said Hongyu.

"Well, let's go to Jinshui City to have a look." Liang Meng also felt that the daily life was too tiring and tiring, so he agreed.

"Mother, that's great." Ninth Princess cheered.

"Waiter, hurry up and prepare some good food for us." He San urged with a smile.

"Yes, sir, just wait a moment," the waiter said.

After saying this, the waiter left and gave instructions.

There were three people at the table next to Liang Meng and others talking: "This new miracle doctor in Jinshui City is really a living Bodhisattva!"

"Yes, yes, he is truly a living Bodhisattva who saves suffering."

"Still a young girl."

"It's a pity that he is covered with a veil, so I don't know what he looks like."

The two people next to him immediately stopped him and said, "Stop your crooked heart."

The person who was stopped immediately said with shame: "It's a joke, it's a joke."

Everyone continued to talk.

"I wonder where this living Bodhisattva came from?"

"I heard that I traveled around the mountains and rivers with my master to treat illnesses and save people. I won't stay in our Jinshui City for too long."

"I wonder how good their medical skills are?"

"The master no longer treats patients. All his female disciples are doing so."

"I know that. He is really a wonderful rejuvenator and has superb medical skills."

"is it?"

"Why, can't I still lie to you?"

"Don't dare, don't dare. He is a miracle doctor at such a young age. It's really admirable, admirable."

"Mother, they are talking about the miracle doctor in Jinshui City." Ninth Princess said.

Liang Meng nodded.

Unexpectedly, this small Jinshui City is still full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons.

"Mom, let's go to Jinshui City after dinner. My daughter wants to see what the living Bodhisattva medical sister looks like." Ninth Princess said with interest.

"Okay, okay." Liang Meng said dotingly.

After everyone rested at the inn, they headed towards Jinshui City.

Jinshui City

"Master Magistrate, is the information you have received accurate? The Queen Mother and the Ninth Princess will pay a private visit to Jinshui City incognito?" Everyone has been waiting at the gate of the city for a long time. As the Shen family, a large family located in Jinshui City, Shen Wei, the head of the Shen family He said slightly impatiently.

"How can there be any room for error in such a big matter?" Liu Hongsheng, the prefect, said slightly angrily.

Mr. Liu Hongsheng thought in his heart that Pei County officials were killed, and Prince Su, Prince Li, and Prince Jing led the troops to divide the territory. Although the Queen Mother's whereabouts were not disclosed at all, he had already received the news that the Queen Mother would pass through Jinshui City. Just be careful and send this big Buddha of the Queen Mother away safely.

Everyone was still standing at the city gate, waiting for the Queen Mother's arrival.

"Coming, coming." Xiaosi shouted.

"Madam, there is a large group of people standing at the gate of Jinshui City." Hongyu felt strange when she saw the people standing at the gate of Jinshui City and said to Liang Meng.

"Let me take a look." Ninth Princess said.

"Mother, why are there so many people?" Ninth Princess asked.

"It seems that our whereabouts have been exposed. They got the news and came to greet us specially." Liang Meng said.

"Whereabouts exposed? We have always been careful, how could it be exposed." Hongyu said.

"As long as there are footprints, there will be times when they are exposed. Don't be so weird. Water will cover you, and soldiers will stop you." Liang Meng said.

Liang Meng thought in his heart that he didn't expect that what happened in Pei County would lead these officials and families to infer that he was not in the imperial city.

Regarding Gongsun Mo's matter, Liang Meng could have chosen to reveal her identity as the Queen Mother directly in the execution ground to protect Gongsun Mo. However, in order not to expose the whereabouts of her private visit incognito, Liang Meng chose to rob the execution ground, which even the old fox could not hide. Like an official.

(End of this chapter)