Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 2411

On October 1700, 10, Cai Zhenguo, the plenipotentiary special envoy of the East Coast Republic of China to Europe, came to Danji Port again and stayed at the Danji Hotel where Fenelon and his party once stayed.

His eyebrows were a little sad, because this might be the last time he exercised the power of a plenipotentiary envoy.Political struggles are turbulent, and everyone is involved in them, often involuntarily.I have been in Europe for so many years, I have long been used to everything in it, and I am fascinated by the great pleasure brought by power, but now it is over.According to the secret letter sent by the mainland, the new plenipotentiary envoy will soon be selected. If there is no accident, he will arrive in Europe with the naval fleet in a few months.At that time, no matter how reluctant he is, he can only drop everything and return to his homeland—seeing that the final drama is about to begin, how can this not make people feel depressed and lamented?

Today he came to Danji County. In addition to inspecting the local construction work, he also brought a gift, that is, the total amount of assistance from Haji County exceeded 25 yuan, including: wheat worth 12 yuan, Livestock worth [-] won, salt and other daily necessities worth [-] won, and acceptance bills worth [-] won issued by the Public Savings Bank.

Speaking of it, this can be regarded as his parting gift.Haji County has been developing well in recent years. Not only has it become the grain trading center of the Black Sea, but now livestock, salt and wine are gradually being traded locally.In order to build these new wholesale centers, after friendly negotiations, the East Coast Republic of China and the Crimean Khanate signed a lease agreement to expand the area of ​​Haji County to more than [-] square kilometers. - anyway, there are still many barren hills and grasslands around, which are not of great value to the Tatars. In exchange for people from the east coast to help them improve the technology and equipment of factories related to grain deep processing and leather processing industry, it is still very Cost-effective.

At this time, we also have to talk about the Crimean Khanate, which is now undergoing gradual reforms.The current total population of this country has exceeded 130 million (excluding the 150 million people in Western Ukraine managed by the suzerain), and there are about 80 people living on the northern shore of the Black Sea, most of whom are engaged in grain planting and animal husbandry, and the resulting processing industry.On the Crimea peninsula, because of the existence of the capital, Bekkisarai, there is also a population of about 50. The animal husbandry and grain planting industries are equally important. However, in recent years, there have also been a large number of farmers who grow fruits, such as grapes, etc. , after all, the local environment is very suitable for the growth of such crops.

The industrial facilities of the Crimean peninsula are no worse than those on the northern shore of the Black Sea.With the help of the people on the east coast, the Great Khan established many state-owned factories, including wineries, saltworks, flour mills, cannery, leather factory, iron factory (using iron ore imported from Kaffa) and so on.Some of these goods were consumed locally, and some were sold to the Ukrainian steppes, the Caucasus, Ottoman Turkey, and other countries in the Danube valley.

Dongan people regularly inspect and evaluate these factories and give suggestions for improvement.Last year, they suggested that the Great Khan grant the status of freedmen to the slave workers in the factory in order to improve production efficiency.After careful consideration, Gelai Khan accepted this suggestion and started to act.As a result, the basis for the existence of slavery in the Crimean Khanate began to disintegrate bit by bit.The plan of the people on the east coast is to first force the factory to abolish slavery by changing the social economy and organizational form, then expand to other industries step by step, and finally attack the agricultural estates on the northern shore of the Black Sea, which use the most slaves.

There is no doubt that the abolition of slavery was a far-reaching social revolution for the Crimean Khanate, which would inevitably arouse strong opposition from the conservative class.But in essence, this matter is a great benefit for Dahan himself and investors in industry and commerce.Glei Khan has long been very dissatisfied with the manor owners who hold a large number of slaves on the northern shore of the Black Sea, because they are authentic and powerful factions that are enough to threaten the rule of Bekkisalay.

But the root of this disease was planted at the end of the Golden Horde. In order to win over these feudal nobles of Eastern European origin, the ancestors of the Great Khan promised them various privileges. Up to now, they have become standard separatist princes.Although these princes are very obedient and have brought troops to serve the king in all previous wars, as far as Gelai Dahan himself is concerned, he still hopes to see them disband their tribes, free their slaves, and become a rich man.

In addition, after decades of continuous transformation by the people on the east coast, there are now a group of people investing in industry and commerce in the Crimean Khanate.Most of these people come from foreign countries, with the east coast and Italy being the most, followed by Turkey. They have taken a fancy to the rich local agricultural resources, and then invested heavily, either building factories or doing wholesale logistics, but no matter which one, it actually requires a lot of money. labor force.But where is the workforce?In the hands of the slave master!Therefore, they also sincerely support the slavery reform policy of the Great Khan, and if necessary, it is not impossible to pay money and goods.What's more, the powerful East Coast Republic stood behind them, unequivocally supporting the reforms of the Great Khan. Is there a thicker thigh than this?

The Great Khan has a new army trained by the East Bank, has modern officials trained by the East Bank, has monopolized the procurement power of military equipment, and has a righteous name. Not a big problem.

Turmoil in the reform process is inevitable.However, under the suppression of powerful forces, and then using flexible political skills to divide and win over opponents, losses can still be minimized.Fortunately, the Crimean Khanate is now on such a correct path. The government's finances have been greatly improved, and the income from industry and commerce has gradually increased, and it no longer relies purely on the old-fashioned poll tax.

The great development of the Crimean Khanate is undoubtedly a major benefit to Haji County.The South China Sea Transportation Company has set up a special branch here—in fact, the ownership of most of the wharves in this port is not in the hands of the Haji County government, but in the hands of the South China Sea Transportation Company—currently it owns more than a dozen ships of various sizes.Although they are all old sailing ships eliminated locally, their transportation volume is sufficient and their competitiveness in the Black Sea region is extremely strong.There used to be some Turkish ships in the local area, but now almost all of them have disappeared. Even the supply and transportation of the so-called Turkish troops stationed in Azov and Kaffa have been entrusted to the South China Sea Transportation Company.

It is said that the Nanhai Transportation Company is very optimistic about the business prospects of the Black Sea region. It just so happens that the headquarters has accepted one steam ship after another. Except for some old ships that are in good condition and continue to be used, the rest have begun to be disposed of.Enterprises such as the Bank of Taiwan, the Caribbean Shipping Company, and the East African Transportation Company have flocked to pick up the foreign goods, and bought them at an ultra-low price to deal with the residual value to enrich their own transportation capabilities.As the South Sea Company's own child, the Haji-based branch naturally also received some benefits. More than ten sailboats and motorboats will arrive one after another within a few months, directly doubling its transportation capacity.

The great development of the shipping industry is undoubtedly a prerequisite for foreign trade.Think about it, if there are not enough transport ships, how can the agricultural products of the Crimean Khanate be transported to Italy?If there is no such thing as a monopoly of transportation capacity, how can the Crimeans be willing to carry out grain distribution in Haji County?These are all complementary things. Haji County prospered due to shipping, which in turn led to bulk commodity trade, and bulk commodity trade gave birth to the prosperity of the financial industry. This prosperity in turn drives urban construction and other aspects, attracting capital and talents. Continuous inflow, this is the so-called virtuous circle.

The material assistance of 25 yuan is certainly not a small expense for the Haji County government, but it is definitely not unbearable.When they issue a bond in the financial market, it can be fully absorbed in about five or six years, and the economic pressure is not great.Moreover, once Ceuta and Danji counties are developed, it will be a good thing for the future of Haji County, because they can allow Haji County's commercial tentacles to penetrate into North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. predictable things.

Compared with the Crimean Khanate, which is determined to reform, the old Turkish Empire has hardly changed much.The Koprulu family exhausted their efforts to keep the position of the Grand Vizier. The local governors and warlords were half-hearted and only cared about gaining benefits for themselves. Intensified.In addition, the Ganishari Army and Spasi Army, which were too big to lose their tails, continued to raise wages and mutiny. The government spent a lot of energy and money to appease them, and at the same time granted many official positions, which further exacerbated the chaos in the political arena.

Of course, we must not forget the poor external environment of the Ottoman Turkish Empire.The threat of the Austrians has never been ruled out, depressing news is constantly coming from the battlefield, Poland and Russia are also eyeing them, and the Christians in the territory are also ready to move.In such an environment of internal and external troubles, how can the reform of this big country continue?How can power grow without reform?Not only can it not grow, but it may even decline!

The strength of the Crimean Khanate is increasing day by day, and the strength of the suzerain state is declining day by day. Under the ebb and flow, won't something interesting happen in a few years?Don't forget, the strength of the big shit-stirring stick on the east coast has been growing steadily in the Black Sea region.The Navy will soon be stationed in Haji Port. After so many years of struggle, the officials trained for the Crimean Khanate have gradually taken up the backbone of the government. The Khan family has always had a close relationship with the East Bank. I am afraid that the Crimean Khanate will have two sovereign states.As for which of the two is more effective in speaking, it is actually a very interesting thing, and it all depends on the extent to which the national strength and influence of the East Coast have grown.

Today is the day of family reunion, I wish you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival in Ussuriysk^-^

(End of this chapter)