Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 2193 March of Suffering ([-])

"Commissioner Xiao, is there a lot of pressure to turn the regional policy?" On December 1692, 12, Zhu Minghao, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asked with a smile in the office of the Yicheng County District Administrative Office.

Zhu Minghao is the upcoming East Coast ambassador to Persia. He comes from a diplomatic family and is proficient in multiple languages. He is a newly rising talent in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is not even 30 years old.This time, the Persian Safavid Dynasty and the East Coast Republic officially established diplomatic relations and sent ambassadors to each other. This Zhu was appointed by Foreign Minister Gao Wengang to take up the post in Isfahan as the ambassador to Persia, which is an important experience.

From Dongfang Port to Persia, it is natural to pass through South Africa.Zhu Minghao, who was on a naval frigate, took advantage of the time when the ship was docked for maintenance, went ashore to visit his father's close friend Xiao Jingzong, Commissioner Xiao, and gave him a gift from his hometown, which made Xiao very happy for a while.

In Xiao Jingzong's office today, the two sides also had a chat.Commissioner Xiao wanted to know some regular or gossip news about the capital and even the central government from Zhu Minghao, and Zhu Minghao also wanted to know some things about Indian Ocean trade and the Persian Kingdom from the old man.

"Who says it's not? The policy changes as soon as it is said, and it doesn't leave us with any buffer space. The cadres in the whole region are very distressed. Many previous investments have been wasted, or they can't be used temporarily, alas. "Because the two families are good friends, Xiao Jingzong spoke more casually in front of Zhu Minghao, only to hear him say: "Don't talk about anything else. Just focus on the reservoirs, roads, Infrastructure such as post stations, outposts, farms, fairs, hotels, shops, etc., will probably not be able to function effectively due to the lack of sufficient pioneer population and customers."

"Aren't there still many gold diggers? Don't they have strong spending power?" Zhu Minghao asked doubtfully.

"You can't expect gold diggers to farm the land. They are all used to being wild and lawless, not high-quality pioneers. They basically only consume, and don't expect anything else." Xiao Jingzong lit a cigarette, looked at Zhu Minghao, Said: "Most of the pioneer population will now turn to the north for resettlement. This is the principle set by the Government Affairs Council, and we cannot disobey it. It is a pity to say that the whole region has worked hard for so many years, and finally the superiors agreed to detain more people passing through the Far East. The immigrants were trying to show their strengths, but the policy changed, and all of them had to be filled along the marching railway line."

Zhu Minghao nodded silently upon hearing this.But he felt that the Yicheng District Administrative Office would not lose much, after all, the local government invested in them to build the railway.Many cases in the local and overseas colonies prove that the railway may be a financial burden when the population is not dense enough at the beginning, but if the population on both sides increases and the economy develops slowly, its value will be infinitely increased and it will contribute a lot to the finance. Income—this is not only the profit of the railway itself, but also the tax revenue from the accelerated development of the local economy—so in the long run, the marching railway is a gift from the executive committee to the general public in Yicheng. There is no doubt about this point, and I believe Xiao Jingzong also understands this point deep in his heart.

"Moreover, the most unacceptable thing is that the annual financial appropriation of 100 million promised by the Ministry of Finance is nothing but empty talk! I have already asked my finance director, and the Ministry of Finance called the East Coast Agricultural Bank in four batches of 50 yuan. In addition, the East African Transportation Company brought a batch of grain, textiles and labor tools, the total value of which was only tens of thousands of yuan. That is to say, the Ministry of Finance only issued us 1692 yuan in money and goods in 60. , [-]% less than the original promise, which is unreasonable!" Xiao Jingzong said with some dissatisfaction.

In fact, the main reason why Xiao Jingzong was so angry was that he originally wanted to embezzle part of the funds for local construction.Now the Nghe Seng Railway has been opened to traffic, the Ng Seng Iron Works has started construction, and Ng Seng Port has just been expanded, but the largest state-owned enterprises in these three regions (Ng Seng Coal Mine has been taken away by the Ministry of Coal because of its good coal quality) are still It needs to continue to invest funds to maintain operations, but the region's finances are tight, so it can only find a way towards these earmarked funds.

Xiao Jingzong is very clear that there are more than 3 immigrants of various types living near Guanghui City, and about 2 people live in Yicheng and Chenggao counties. The total of 6 or 150 people a year actually costs less than 60 million. (Including the part that Hezhong, Yicheng and Xinhua Island need to bear).Even taking into account the cost of fighting and buying land and property, it would be enough to spend a million yuan a year, which gave the regional administration a great deal of room for maneuver.But who would have thought that the bureaucrats of the local Ministry of Finance were so shameless that they only sent 5000 yuan over!The Hezhong area distributed 15 yuan in money and food, which was only a little more than half of the stipulated amount.Xinhua Island is richer and more honest, but they only sent 6 yuan in cash and [-] yuan worth of grain, wood, and building materials. They even took some spices, sugar, and coffee to cover the debt. What a fart!Are the Indians and Island Banners so extravagant that they need to enjoy a lot of spices to cook their food?

Calculated in this way, the three aspects actually only sent a total of about 90 yuan to the account of the Yicheng District Administrative Office. It is enough, but there is really not much money left for other things. After all, this year The thousands of newcomers were penniless, and many of them were not in good health. They had to be given nutritional supplements and medical treatment, which cost a lot of money.

The only advantage is that the 10 yuan that should have been borne by the Yicheng District Administrative Office can be saved and used for other purposes.The urban sewage facilities in Yicheng Port are a bit old. In addition, a new water supply plant and a sewage treatment plant are to be built. It was originally planned to be renovated this year and next. Lin Chaoen, the mayor of Yicheng County and the deputy commissioner of the district administrative office, cursed at her mother.Fortunately, they were lucky. They saved 20 yuan this year, and it is expected to save 10 yuan next year. The money came out, which is great!

"Uncle Xiao, the orders from above cannot be disobeyed, we can only slowly figure out a way. Besides, now is the critical moment—" Zhu Minghao wisely did not continue at this point, but he believed that Xiao Jingzong understood what he meant.

Of course Xiao Jingzong understood what he meant!He has been working as the commissioner of the Ghee Seng District Administrative Office for many years, but he has never had the opportunity to go further.The main reason is that there are too few "radish pits", that is, there are too few high-level official positions, and there are not enough promotions for the vast number of bureau-level cadres. It has to be said that it is a pity.

Xiao Jingzong has been active in the past few years, and once had the opportunity to return to the local ministries and commissions.Especially last year, he was beckoned to be the director of the newly-established Public Assets Management Committee, which is also a ministerial position with real power, but Xiao Jingzong gave up and wanted to be the top leader in an overseas colony.

For Xiao Jingzong's choice, many local people feel sorry for him, because this is a high-ranking position that many people can't wait for. He actually gave up and gave it up to others. It has to be said that it is surprising.However, some people think that Xiao Jingzong is more ambitious and wants to climb to a higher level than senior officials.After all, becoming the director of the Public Assets Management Committee means that the possibility of him entering the executive committee is greatly reduced.With the current political traditions on the east coast, if you don’t have experience in governing overseas colonies, it’s very difficult to become one of the nine members of the Executive Committee, unless you are a professional official in the field of diplomacy, justice or finance, but Xiao Jingzong is obviously not .

Therefore, he can only follow the traditional route honestly, first serve as the leader in an overseas colony, and complete at least one five-year term, and then look at the opportunity and luck to see if he can return to the mainland and get a promotion, enter the executive committee, and become a member of the executive committee. One of the nine bigwigs at the top of the power, there is no other way.

Xiao Jingzong has basically made up his mind to go to the Far East or the Pacific Ocean to serve, which cost his family a lot of political resources.Therefore, at this juncture, even if he doesn't want to, he has to implement any local policies to the letter. Otherwise, if he offends a certain boss, his transfer may be ruined.

"Let's not talk about this." Xiao Jingzong waved his hand when he heard the words, and said, "Talk about your going to Persia to take up the post. How about it, do you have a plan in mind? Do you need any help?"

"I have also done a little research on the Persian Safavid dynasty, and I feel that this country is currently at a delicate crossroads, which is a bit like the period from prosperity to decline during the Northern Song Dynasty in China. All kinds of contradictions emerge in endlessly, but the bureaucracy is very corrupt and incompetent. Those with vested interests are unwilling to give up their own interests, and are even willing to fight against the royal power. To be honest, this country is a bit dangerous, but it is not irreparable. In short, it depends on them After the ruling class." Zhu Minghao said: "Of course, our country has no intention of interfering in their internal affairs. After I take office, I will strictly follow the orders of the ministry to improve the relationship with the upper class in Persia and strengthen the relationship between the two. The strength of trade between countries, and crack down on other countries or companies that covet Persian trade. In addition, the Bahrain Island proposed by the navy has also been approved, and I will also focus on it. "

"Bahrain? Are you sure? If it succeeds, it will be a great political achievement." Xiao Jingzong asked with a change of expression.

"It's still possible." Zhu Minghao replied in a deep voice: "Strictly speaking, Bahrain Island is not actually the land of the Persian Kingdom. They just sent troops to land on the island in the early years, and then asked the natives on the island to It’s all about surrender. Fortunately, we didn’t compete with them for this island, so we have been ruling it muddle-headedly for so many years. In fact, this island is not very useful to them, and they don’t care much about it. If the conditions are not met, it can be controlled through diplomatic or commercial means, which is not difficult at all."

"It's good if you have this confidence. The Persians are not people who don't eat fireworks. They have a large number of hostile forces in Central Asia. They are enemies with the Ottoman Empire in the west. The relationship in the direction of India is also very bad. Even Kalme in the north Crosacks and Cossacks will plunder this country from time to time. These are all known from the Persian merchants who traded in Xinhua Island, and they should generally be correct. So, as long as you think of a way, this problem is really not difficult to solve.” Xiao Jingzong smiled and said: "And after you have made achievements as the Persian ambassador, you may be able to get into the eyes of some big shots. At this time, if you do more activities and transfer to Europe, the room for future growth will open up. Work hard, Xiao Zhu, I am optimistic about you, really."

"Okay, you went to Persia to take a job, and I have to worry about the mess in front of me. Tens of thousands of Indians, mestizos, resettlement of the Eight Banners of the island, and going north made my head dizzy. In addition, there is a shortage of immigrants. Things are also a headache, alas, what a trouble." Xiao Jingzong stubbed out his cigarette butt, and said in distress, after speaking, he seemed to remember something, and asked: "By the way, Xiao Zhu, do you know some people who specialize in human trade? The merchant? I need it here, as long as the price is not too outrageous, I can squeeze out some, how about it, is there any?"

"Uncle Xiao, I really know a few." Zhu Minghao laughed when he heard that, and said, "Wang Bingji and Zhang Yilan, I played polo with them a few times when I was in China, and they are relatively well-known in this field. In addition, there is also my little boy, Man Xiaofeng, who runs the business in Courland. He has also started to get involved in this area recently. He has five ships under his banner, all of which can sail on oceans. Uncle Xiao, if you need it, I can take them introduce to you."

"Ah, Man Xiaofeng, if you count the time, he seems to be in Xinhua Island recently. If he returns, there is still a high possibility that he will stop at Yicheng Port. Uncle Xiao, you can ask the people from the Port Authority to pay more attention. , I will also write a letter to stay here, then you can talk to him directly. He is more adventurous and is very interested in going to the place where his ancestors lived (mainland China). I think you are still very cooperative Basic." Finally, Zhu Minghao added.

(End of this chapter)