Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 2085 Geographic term Italy?

On November 1689, 11, it was already the second day after arriving in Zuocheng County.

Luis Almeida wandered around by himself.Young people who come to the East Bank for the first time are full of curiosity about everything here, so they like to look around whenever they have time to satisfy their curiosity.He only has one day, and after one day, he will board a train and head east to Ping'an County, order all kinds of best-selling goods in the Old World, including soda ash, steel bars, printed cloth, and medicines, and then hire a ship to transport them to Zhenhai Port. In the temporarily rented warehouse, when I return to Lisbon, I will load the merchant ship.

Could it be that if you come to the east bank, how can you return empty-handed?It is human nature to buy some best-selling products on the east coast and return to Portugal to subsidize the travel expenses.Anyway, before he came here, he had already obtained the special authorization from King Pedro, so he specially rented a large ship with a full [-] tons in order to allow the ship to load more cargo when sailing and returning. No need!

Zheng Dexiang will not accompany Louis on these tours and purchases.The two sides have made an appointment to meet at the Portuguese embassy in Dongfang Port on November 11, and then meet with Li Qing, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the East Coast, and make a preliminary statement.Regarding this matter, Zheng Dexiang thought that there was nothing wrong with it. He had seen Luis Almeida's performance along the way, and felt that this young man had already been shocked by the strength of the East Bank. Coupled with the changing situation of the country, The seven or eight small islands of the Portuguese Cape Verde Islands cannot escape the palms of people on the east coast.It's ridiculous that William III actually wanted to interfere and disturb the good things of the people on the Yellow East Bank, haha, how can it be that simple?I will give you a good look in the future!

After bidding farewell to Luis Almeida, Zheng Dexiang did not leave. Instead, he went to the headquarters of the forest development company in the northern suburbs of the county to visit its general manager Gian Luca, a cunning Italian old man.

The forest development company moved its headquarters from Jiaohe County to this place last year in order to develop nearby forests and other resources.The Zuocheng County government recently leased a large piece of land to them. The lease term is as long as 50 years, and the rent is very low. It can be said that they are very sincere. Developed to make it a fertile farmland that can be cultivated, laying a good foundation for nationalization after the lease expires in 50 years.Zuocheng County currently only has a population of 6, but the county covers an area of ​​more than [-] square kilometers. The population density is less than three people per square kilometer, which is really vast and sparsely populated.Therefore, in order to develop the vast wasteland in the county, it is still necessary to rely on external forces. The forest development company that has worked quietly on the east coast for many years is undoubtedly a very good partner, so the two parties signed a land lease development agreement a few months ago. Fully develop the forest and swamp area in the north of Zuocheng County.

To be honest, if this kind of agreement was more than ten years ago, the forest development company would not be too cold.Because the cost of the initial investment is too high, it seems a bit unworthy.However, as the situation in Europe is becoming more and more turbulent, Italian capital has already understood that there are really fewer and fewer investments with a stable return, and some may even lose their money.Against such a background, the forest development company with a dividend rate as high as 1688% in 7 has shown a little advantage, that is, the political situation on the east coast is too stable, and the policy is too stable, so the company can Regarded as a long-term stable cash cow, this is a very high-quality asset for investors who like to pursue steady income in a steady stream.

In this way, you can understand that last year, the forest development company simultaneously issued additional shares in seven cities including Genoa*, Florence, Milan, Venice, Lucca, Naples and Palermo, raising more than 500 million bank lire at once. The grand occasion.The turbulent situation in Europe has prompted insecure Italian businessmen to start transferring assets overseas. Many people understand the lesson of not putting all eggs in one basket, and Italian businessmen have set a practical example in this regard.

The Forest Development Company, which had raised a huge amount of funds, originally planned to continue developing the remaining areas of Jiaohe and Hualong counties. However, under the coordination of the Jiaohe District Administrative Office, they came to Zuocheng County and signed a contract for some forests in the northern area, The development agreement of the swamp has officially shifted its focus here.

Of course, this is not to say that they will give up their business in Jiaohe and Hualong counties. In fact, that is impossible. It is the highest quality asset of their company at present, and it produces a large amount of wheat, rice, corn and other cash crops, and timber every year. The production capacity of the company is quite large, and the terminal and railway transportation are also operating very well. How could it be possible to give up?They just invested most of the funds raised in Zuocheng County to reopen the second battlefield, and the old battlefield still had to continue fighting.

It is worth mentioning that, according to the agreement signed by the two parties, the forest development company needs to be solely responsible for the introduction of labor (mainly from Italy). As for labor tools and daily necessities, they can be purchased locally on the east coast, which are easy to use and cheap.This special development model is actually equivalent to an alternative labor brokerage company. They all import manpower from the old continent. There isn't much of a difference.

The Italian laborers introduced by the forest development company are managed by themselves, but they need to file and send a roster to the local government on the east coast.These Italian laborers also enjoy the rights conferred by the Homestead Law. After working for seven years, they can apply for East Coast citizenship and become official East Coast nationals.Of course, compared with the former three major labor brokerage companies, the conditions of the forest development company are better, the management is more relaxed, and the salary is more generous, which is more generous.

For those Italians who have successfully naturalized, the east bank government is more tolerant, allowing them to settle in Jiaohe, Hualong and other places nearby, that is, the places where they used their lives to open up wasteland, allowing them to settle and live there.That's why when Zheng Dexiang, Almeida and others came by train yesterday, they saw a lot of buildings full of Italian style on both sides.

The East Coast government is really tolerant and kind to the forest development company!

Zheng Dexiang came to the headquarters of the forest development company today not to discuss business, but to discuss some political matters with Gianluca, the helmsman, such as the future of the Apennine Peninsula and so on.

"Mr. Zheng, this is the third time you have come to see me." Gianluca, who was already half bald on the top of his head, stood up, shook hands with Zheng Dexiang, and said, "I have sorted out the contents of our conversations the first two times and sent them back to you." Italy. To be honest, the investors behind me are very interested and think this is a feasible solution, but it is also very difficult and needs to be discussed in the long run.”

"Everything is always difficult at the beginning, Mr. Gianluca." Zheng Dexiang hung his coat on the hanger, then pulled out a chair and sat down, and said with a smile: "Genoa, Tuscany, Savoy, Modena and Venice form an offensive and defensive alliance, which is very beneficial to all of you. In such a turbulent situation, you all know that the French may go south to Italy at any time, and all Italians may lose their freedom. Slavery. If you don't unite now, when will you be? When the French are at the gates?"

"But things are not that bad." Gianluca spread his hands and said helplessly: "The French are fighting in the German region, and they are still interested in the Southern Netherlands. Italy can only be ranked on their conquest list." To the third and fourth places. And, you have to take into account the complex historical grievances between these countries. I am from Lucca, and I will say it directly. Na has doubts, and Savoy is a little self-admired. The situation here is too complicated, and it is difficult for ordinary people to settle various problems between them."

"Isn't it okay when foreign enemies are watching? I hope you can help us determine the framework as soon as possible, that is, who should be persuaded, and those differences should be bridged, so that all parties can strengthen trust and establish offensive and defensive alliances?" Zheng Dexiang listened to Ji'an Luca is still the same old-fashioned thing, and immediately interrupted: "You don't need to introduce the history of the Italians' grievances, I have already studied this. Now we need to actively face the problem. Our country has been in business for so long, and the investors behind it come from various city-states, and even the monarchy, which fully shows that you can sit down and discuss and reach a consensus for a goal, right?"

"It seems absurd to use capital to promote political alliances." Gianluca still frowned, and said unfavorably: "I am not optimistic, but I will actively cooperate with your work. Italy's economy is very good, but He is a dwarf in politics, and it is indeed not a bad idea to unite some city-states to form an alliance-like organization."

"No, Gianluca, you have not deeply realized that there is no stronger relationship than common interests. The forest development company is a link that connects many political entities in northern Italy. Now the company continues to make profits and develop a Good luck, everyone is in a good mood, which is actually conducive to increasing the sense of identity." Zheng Dexiang said: "There is the threat of French aggression outside, our east coast is the glue inside, and there are common economic ties. A military and political alliance is still possible. Or even if not now, the conditions will always be right in the future, won't they?"

"You can try it, but I'm really not optimistic. I know the Italians too well." Gianluca still insisted on his opinion.

"Okay, let's not talk about this for now, let's talk about your company's operations." Zheng Dexiang changed the subject and said, "Signed such a big agreement with Zuocheng County, what will you do?"

"What else can I do?" Gianluca sighed and said, "There is a reason to develop the northern part of Zuocheng County. Your Ministry of Communications is probably looking at the Forest Railway again. They want to extend this railway to the west. Extending all the way to the banks of the Wujiang River in the northwest of Houqiu County, linking the railway and water transportation. God, this is another bottomless pit. I don’t know how much money will be spent to fill it. Our company’s operating profit is affected by the drop in food prices , the decline has been relatively severe. Although a sum of money was recently raised this time, it cannot be spent in these places at will. Cutting trees, leveling the roadbed, and repairing the railway, these three steps, 500 million lire Funding is not enough, far from enough.”

"Haha, railway construction is not a loss-making business. Isn't your forest railway profitable now?" Zheng Dexiang laughed when he heard it. The Italians helped them open up wasteland and build roads for free.

"I can only say that there is no loss." Gianluca corrected a bit, and then emphasized: "It is not impossible to repair the railway, but it needs to be done step by step. We must wait for the development of the surrounding areas to reach a certain level and generate a certain demand for material transportation. , and then start investing in this area, you must not put the cart before the horse."

"It's up to you. Anyway, this matter is out of my control. You need to communicate with the officials of the Jiaohe District Administrative Office. They definitely don't think so." Zheng Dexiang said: "I can guess what they will say,' Mr. Gianluca, where is the corporate social responsibility?' Haha, this must be very interesting! Forest Development Corporation is an old company with a long history, hope you can play them."

"Okay, I'm leaving, Mr. Gianluca." Zheng Dexiang chatted with him about his life on the East Bank, seeing that it was getting late, he got up and said, "I hope you will prepare all the materials as soon as possible. One of my colleagues will stay here for a while, and when you finish sorting it out, hand it over to him. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will make a prudent assessment of this, and then prescribe the right medicine. Don't look like that, Mr. Gianluca, this Facts are very important to Italians, and you have made an outstanding contribution that deserves to be remembered in history. Italy should not be just a geographical term or an ethnic term, should it?"

"Italy has been just a geographical term for a long time, and there is no possibility of unity in the short term. In this regard, the Germans in the north are much better than us. Their city-states and kings often help each other and form military forces together. And political alliances, to safeguard their own interests. But Italy seems to be difficult to do this, and I don’t know why, maybe it can only be classified as history and tradition? It can only be explained in this way.” Gianluca replied: "But I will definitely work hard. Although I am very pessimistic, I am willing to give it a try. What if it succeeds?"

(End of this chapter)