Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 2342

"Is it all clear now? Money is what fights in modern warfare." Huang Hanhua put a report on the table, rubbed his temples, and said wearily.This is not good for getting older. The day before yesterday I went outside to inspect, and the boats and cars were tiring. I had a meeting last night until midnight, and I met with the military today. The body really couldn't take it anymore.

"After several years of war, the English government has a debt of 3000 million yen, the French government has a debt of more than 4000 million yen, the United Provinces has a debt of 800 million yen, and Austria, the least, has a debt of 1000 million yen. Do you think they don't want to continue fighting? With the personality of Louis XIV, how can he stop if he doesn’t do his best? Let alone part of the territory he has acquired.” Huang Hanhua lit a cigarette and said: “There are only years of domestic famine, a sharp drop in population, and foreign battlefields. In the world, [-] soldiers are killed and injured every year, and they owe a huge amount of debt financially. Only when there is nothing to borrow, can this war madman calm down and think about whether peace is more beneficial. We have also accumulated debts of about [-] million yuan. , Fortunately, others owe us nearly ten million yuan, and the burden is not very heavy. But, everyone should think carefully, if we don't exercise restraint, then the debt will increase very quickly."

Huang Hanhua's words made the military staff furious.Lieutenant General Zhou Yu, Chief of the Joint Staff Headquarters, signaled others not to intervene with his eyes, and then slowly said: "Committee Huang, that's not how it is actually calculated. If you choose a good partner in a war, it is actually a huge profit to buy money like Spain. If the American colonies in the United States are taken by us, it will be a great thing to benefit future generations. Is it really a lot to spend [-] million or [-] million military expenditures? Can our country not afford it?"

"Chief of Staff Zhou, don't run on me with such words. I agree to fight Spain. But how to fight and when to fight, this needs to be studied carefully. I came to your regular meeting today for no other purpose. I just want everyone to know that war is not a dinner party, but bloodshed and money. Bloodshed, hehe, you guys are not very particular about the 'soldier spirit', I think you probably don't care, but I care about spending money! Now Hai The Army has expanded its military twice, and military expenditures have already accounted for two-thirds of the budget. In addition, you have to pay for your special additional military expenditures. This is a waste of money. You see, the cost of an ironclad warship is hundreds of thousands, and now it is You are allowed to build the 'Yingtian' and 'Chang'an', a total of five ironclad warships, isn't this a big deal?"

It is said that the East Coast Navy is now very obsessed with ironclad warships.After the "Bianliang" was built, the Navy found many problems, and fed back to the shipyard to modify the design. After a lot of trouble, this was the improved version of the "Daimyo" and "Luoyang". Empty was born.As a result, after the development of technology, the navy regretted it again, and had new requirements, so the design department started a new design, focusing on improving the protection of key parts, using new armor, and the power system has also been improved. In short It is a big change, which is why the navy requires the construction of the latest improved "Yingtian" and "Chang'an" - the "Daming" and "Luoyang" that have already started construction on the berth can only use the old design , so a total of five ironclad ships have three different models, resulting in high overall costs and a lot of complaints from the financial department.

But there is no way.Ironclad battleships are the trump card and core combat power of the East Coast Navy, and they must be built, no matter how much money is spent.On this point, the Ministry of Finance, which has been appropriating funds-although it is often delayed and in arrears, is not short-is sensible and beyond reproach.

"Ironclad battleships must be built. In fact, I think five ships are still a little less." Lieutenant General Zhou Yu said without any concession: "I hope that Commissioner Huang will not stop this kind of important weapon from the perspective of the overall situation. I believe that the construction of These investments in warships will not be in vain, and our navy has ten times, one hundred times the confidence to get it back for the country."

"Okay, okay, Commissar Zhou, I didn't come to tell you to cut shipbuilding funds. I, Huang Hanhua, won't renege on your money. The purpose of my coming today is to give you an idea of ​​what to do in the future. How much will it cost for a battle? Is [-] million won enough?" Huang Hanhua said straightforwardly: "Two hundred million is really the limit. Not only does it need to issue a large amount of public bonds, but it also needs to increase taxes. There can be no more."

"Twenty million yuan is probably not enough." Lieutenant General Zhou Yu said in a deep voice, "A salvo of the 'Executive Committee'-class battleships costs several hundred yuan. We have so many warships. If we really want to fight people in an all-out war, the navy, army and It will cost a lot to go to battle with a large number of militiamen, and then requisition civilian ships, civilian vehicles, and even teachers. And if it is delayed for several years, I think it is best to prepare more than [-] million yuan in war funds, which can only be more, not less.”

"I said, do you understand the principle of currency? Do you know what kind of impact the extra [-] million yuan banknotes will have when they are put into the market? Forget it, alas, talking about finance with you warriors is like playing the piano against the cow. It's meaningless, useless Huang Hanhua said a little irritably: "Furthermore, you all know that wars cost a lot of money, but do you know that it will also cost a lot of money to establish a new international order after the war? A base of [-] million yuan, or even more So much! How can the government have so much money? Now it’s credit currency that’s losing money. If it’s still a metal currency like before, I’m afraid it’s going to be a waste of money. "

Huang Hanhua was really shocked by the previous anti-French alliance war.After a few years of fighting, the four major countries are dying, the government is heavily indebted, and the people are impoverished.The Dutch are expected to be able to absorb their debts in 1707, and England is expected to absorb their debts in 1706. It may be easier for Austria, after all, with less debt and many dutiful sons paying tribute.As for France, it is uncertain. It is difficult to repay the debt in ten years. In the end, most of them are bad debts. The Italians, Dutch, Spaniards, and Germans will be cheated again, but this is not without cost. The next time the French take on debt, the interest rates will be staggeringly high.

In fact, just compare it with the East Coast.The interest rate of public bonds issued by the East Coast government is generally between 3% and 6%. Foreigners lend to the East Coast government or businessmen with very low interest rates. This is the benefit of a good reputation.Once the French renege on their debts, if they want to borrow money in the international market in the future, it will be very difficult if the interest rate does not exceed 15%. Of course, they may not care.

"Not everything can be measured from the perspective of money." Lieutenant General Zhou Yu said: "Land and resources are always the most important property. Although the territory on the east coast is large, not an inch is superfluous, and even now it is far from enough .We also need to occupy a wider land, control more international trade routes, and master more abundant resources. Only by doing the above can we calmly establish a new world order. The new order is not from your government department Do you like to mention the most words? East Coast, Shunguo, Qingguo, Mingguo, Korea, Free State and other overseas colonies, these people who speak Chinese and use Chinese characters are a circle, Courland, United Provinces, Italy, Ottoman, Croatia Relatively close forces such as Rimia and the Oirat Khanate are the second-tier circle, other civilized countries are the third-tier circle, and the outermost circle is what everyone wants and wants. To dominate these circles, we must First of all, we need to build ourselves strong enough, a lot of land, a lot of population, a lot of money, advanced industrial technology, super strong military power, and cultural charm that surpasses others. This is the first reason for us to stand on top of the world. Participating in the War of the Spanish Succession is just the first step in the first step. Commissioner Huang, in fact, our navy is not warlike, but we do not shy away from war. Take action when it is time to do so, and don’t think about it for a while. Gains and losses, doing big things and sacrificing one's life is not a good thing."

Huang Hanhua was laughed at by these words, but he didn't refute anything.It has always been the goal of the East Coast government to establish a leading same-cultural circle on the East Coast, and then use this circle to rule other circles.And each circle has rankings, profit distribution, and order, which requires careful planning and design, but it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a long-term plan.Therefore, participating in the Spanish Succession War is really only the first step of the East Coast strategy. Helping the expansion of the Zheng and Nanming remnants in Fujian and allowing the people of Denglai and Ningshao to emigrate to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Manchuria and Mongolia is also part of this strategy. , the purpose is to expand the living space of the population of the same culture and the same species.And the larger the living space, the population will naturally multiply and increase slowly, not to mention the resources such as minerals and farmland, which must have increased. In this way, the overall power will naturally be stronger, and it will be easier to suppress or say Squeeze other circles.

In a circle of the same language and the same race, everyone can discuss everything.Even if the east coast declines in the future, it can only be replaced by other forces in this circle, and will not be ridden on the head by any European country. This is certain.Of course, it is absolutely impossible for the people on the east coast to believe that there will be power to replace them, not even for mainland China, which seems to have the greatest potential. For a long, long time.

"No matter what. I plan expenditures through fiscal revenue and national construction outline. 2000 million yuan in war funds is that much. If you think it is not enough, you can find your own way. Isn't it possible to support war with war? Issue the army Don’t you know how to vote? Didn’t you play this hand very well before? Do you want me to teach you?” Huang Hanhua laughed and scolded: “Don’t pretend to be innocent one by one. Starting this year, the State Administration of Precious Metals will Print [-] million won banknotes, which will be stored in the Army’s No. [-] Prison and will not be put on the market for the time being. They are special military expenses for war. After the war begins, the opportunity to print banknotes will be accelerated, until [-] million won. If you don’t have enough money, find a way for yourself Is it difficult to get some money in a place full of wars and horses?"

"Why is your white shirt more ruthless than our martial arts?" Lieutenant General Zhou Yu leaned on the back of the chair and said with a smile: "Then let's do this first. However, the military expenses for the early stage shipbuilding must be allocated in time. If there is a transfer, it won’t work if you don’t have money.”

(End of this chapter)