The atmosphere in the hall seemed to solidify all of a sudden. Ling Tianfang and Bo Jinchen knew that if they did not come forward at this time, Lei Cangpu's suggestion would end in vain. They also knew that since this year, the two canals The excavation project started almost at the same time, and the improvement project of the Shan River was also fully launched. At the same time, the road project from Hanzhong via Tiannan and Central South to Western Samoa was also launched as a strategic highway project. Not only did the project require a large amount of labor, but more importantly, the empire also issued additional construction bonds to make up for the funding gap despite insufficient finances. In order to stabilize the people's hearts, the empire did not require people from all over the country to work in the form of labor like the former dynasty. In addition to recruiting a large number of prisoners from the Japanese army and the Machi Khan army, most of the remaining labor force was half-conscripted and half-recruited. methods to make up for it, which also makes the imperial financial allocation more constrained, and the large-scale weapon replacement of the army and navy is also a huge expense. The construction of the navy has always been fully guaranteed, although there will be delays from time to time, but overall , the funds are still not in arrears, and it is not easy to do this.
But as Lei Cangpu said, the importance of the New World is becoming increasingly prominent, and the expansion and competition for the New World by various countries are becoming increasingly fierce. If the army is not fully prepared in advance, once a conflict breaks out, the empire will fall into a passive situation, and then the military will It is the responsibility of both sides, and in order to avoid this phenomenon, it is imperative to form an independent Latin Ocean fleet, and it must be done quickly. In Bo Jinchen's words, it is the responsibility of the Privy Council whether to put forward this proposal, and it is the responsibility of His Majesty the Emperor to agree or disagree after clarifying the interests. After His Majesty the Emperor agrees, the issue of implementation intensity of the Government Affairs Council and the Ministry of Finance will be the responsibility of the Government Affairs Council. All parties need to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations, only in this way can they be considered conscientious.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say." Ling Tianfang took a deep breath and finally came out.
"Say." Wu Feng also knew that the number one figure in the Privy Council would inevitably come forward at the critical moment. Deep down in his heart, he supported the establishment of the Latin Ocean Fleet, but the empire was not a one-word statement, and the Government Affairs Council also had its own difficulties and considerations. If you want to convince them, you have to come up with something that can really impress them.
"I believe that the establishment of the Latin Ocean Fleet is urgent and must be carried out immediately. The sooner the better, otherwise we will be at a disadvantage in the future competition in the New World. This will have a great impact on the destiny of the empire in the next ten years or even decades and centuries. ." Ling Tianfang's deafening words stunned all the ministers.
"Oh? Is it so serious?" Wu Feng also deliberately guided the other party's words, "Then I want to listen carefully to you to explain the whole story."
"Your Majesty, the current financial situation of the empire is indeed in some difficulties, but this is not caused by natural disasters, but due to the empire's series of large investments in infrastructure this year. In fact, as far as I know, the empire's fiscal and tax revenue this year The treasury situation has been in a healthy growth momentum, which also proves that the empire's economy is in a good growth period. In this case, even if the finance does not have enough funds for a while, with the good domestic economy of the empire, The situation. Whether it is borrowing from commercial banks or issuing national bonds, I believe that the funding problem can be completely solved. If the financial department still finds it difficult to do so, I can lobby and find people who are willing to lend money to the imperial finance."
Ling Tianfang's words were full of provocation, and he was obviously speaking to the important officials in the government. While Wu Feng secretly chuckled, Xiao Sutian and others secretly frowned. Isn't this a slap in the Government Affairs Council's face by asking people from the Privy Council to lobby for loans? Of course they know that money cannot be borrowed or raised. It's that they are no longer willing to spend money for military reasons.
"Of course some people may say that this is not a question of money, but a question of whether it is necessary to form a separate Latin Ocean fleet now. I think there is no need to ask this question. Let's take a look at the current situation in the New World." Ling Tian Fang obviously came well prepared. A map was unfolded in the main hall, and two honor guards were temporarily used as helpers. "Everyone, this is the new continent we have been able to explore so far. You can take a look. There are almost no gaps in the New World from the area north of the fourth degree north latitude. You can see that these spots represent the actual control areas of various countries here, and the surrounding areas are their spheres of influence."
"The Kingdom of Leeds controls almost the entire western part of the New World, including the nearby islands, the Famini Empire controls most of the northwest, the Kingdom of Barotse and the Babylonian Federation control most of the northern area, well, there are also the Saladins The Adrians also occupied a corner. The Adrians occupied some important islands in the northern part of the New World. The Augsburgs and West Orans occupied most of the northeast. We also got a corner. It can be said that the five powerful countries in the Western Continent except the Han Dynasty Apart from the Sen Alliance, the other four countries have already fully exerted their efforts in the New World, as well as the Saladins, Adrias, West Orans, and Babylonians. They all realize the importance of the New World. Isn't this enough? Will it prove the value of the New World?"
"Some people may say that the empire is now developing well in the New World. Is it necessary to rush to establish a new team at this time?" Ling Tianfang saw the ministers gathered around him, and he was obviously worried about this. I was very interested in the color-coded map that clearly divided the spheres of influence of each country, and I was also very happy. As long as everyone's interest was aroused, this problem would be much easier to solve, "Then let's take a look at the situation of our empire. "
"Please see, this brown area represents the sphere of influence of our empire. It cannot be denied that due to His Majesty the Emperor's foresight, the empire's early investment was quite timely and achieved satisfactory returns. The entire eastern part of the New World is It is under the empire's sphere of influence. Starting from Galeyu in the northeast corner, it has become the bridgehead for the confrontation between our empire and the powerful countries in the Western Continent. The main strength of our Marine Corps is currently concentrated in that area to deal with various threats. This kind of conflict may break out. The sphere of influence is only a general division and has not been diplomatically recognized by all countries. To truly prove that it belongs to us, we can only prove it through military presence." Ling Tianfang began to move his fingers southward. "This is Sabana, the largest town and the most important base of the empire in the New World. It is not far from Mangadishu. Currently, there is a link from East Tai Moya and Moro to Sabana via Sikkim. Regular passenger route, another route is from Sikkim along the Latin Ocean coast, passing through Taungoo, Chennai, Aqaba, Baidi and then south to Sabana. This route is further and takes about ten days longer. It takes a lot of time, but it’s much more comfortable.”
"Further south is Mountbatten, which is very popular now. The population here was less than 2,000 half a year ago, but now it has exceeded 5,000. Several gold mines have been discovered around Mountbatten, attracting a large number of immigrants. Gold mining, as well as rhinoceros horns and ivory are also specialties here, which can be said to be a wealthy place. Two hundred and thirty nautical miles south from Mountbatten is Wetu. There are currently less than 1,500 residents here, most of whom collect amber. , ivory small traders and the indigenous people who serve them. The Marine Corps stationed a regiment here. Because of the difficulty in supplying supplies, it was not possible to expand the scale for a while. From here, you can go west deep into the hinterland and reach the Masha at the southern end of the Great Lakes Region. Lake Ravi, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Congo, and Lake Malawi constitute the main lakes in the Great Lakes Region. The three major lakes are connected by long and narrow waterways. From Mountbatten to the west, you can reach Lake Tanganyika. Around this Great Lakes Region They are all endless tropical forests and plains with fertile soil and rich products, thus forming a sphere of influence for the empire in the central part of the New World."
"Well, in this Great Lakes area, have we established a colony here?" Wu Feng nodded and asked.
"For the time being, only a small settlement has been established on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. There are no permanent residents yet, and only a brigade of Marine Corps soldiers are stationed." Ling Tianfang also knew that this was His Majesty the Emperor's intention to help him, "From Weitu To the south is Assab. Assab has a very small population now, only 500 people. There is a brigade of Marine Corps stationed there. Further to the south is Lilac Island. As you probably all know, although Lilac Island has been discovered now, due to The geographical location is too far away, and it is difficult for our shipping power to reach this area for a while, so the development is still in words. Currently, there are about a thousand residents on Lilac Island who pick and process spices. The Imperial Marine Corps is here There is a military garrison and they are currently expanding the port on Lilac Island, and are also exploring direct routes from Lilac Island to Mangadishu and Sikkim." Ling Tian finished with a breath.
"Tian Fang, I remember that our expedition team seemed to have arrived in this area a year ago. Why are we still staying here one year later?" Wu Feng asked intentionally.
"Your Majesty, we have not invested much force in the New World in the past year. The main reason is because the investment is too small. Our naval surveying ships are limited in number, small in scale and long in age, such as the one from Dingxiang Island to Sikkim Port. We have failed to explore the route several times. If this route can be successfully mapped, it will undoubtedly greatly speed up the empire’s exploration and development of the southern part of the New World. By then, the price of spices in the empire will not have risen so fiercely. ”