Federal capital, stock exchange market.

Orderly carriages pass in front of the market, and the doors are crowded and the transactions are light.

In the past two years, the "Defection to the Nuhai" plan has brought back more than 100,000 people from Guangdong in an orderly manner, and hundreds of thousands of people are temporarily living on Hainan Island waiting for transportation.

At the same time, more than 400,000 taels of silver and some silk and other high-value booty were obtained from several prefectures and counties, including Guangzhou.

The Confederation respects private property rights and certainly does not rob outright. Nanyang Bank uses bank bills, and the government uses "land tickets" in the three districts of Tunan, Houjiang and Borneo to exchange for payment to immigrants.

A secondary market has been established in the capital, where semi-compulsory and semi-free-haired securities can be traded.

In the state of war, of course, there were not many people trading, and most of the transaction prices were lower than the issue price.

Orderly retracts his gaze.

Spain was a great power, and Madrid's financial resources could not have sent a large fleet and army on an expedition across the ocean, and the forces they had to devote to the Far East were always limited.

But before the end of the war, Spain was like a sword hanging over the head of the Federation, and the merchants were always low in confidence, and the price of assets naturally did not rise.

"Is there no one buying land in Borneo at such a low price?"

Lynch: "I know of a Siamese merchant who bought more than 30,000 acres and the people around him laughed at him for being crazy. ”

Shou order: "If it doesn't work like this, tell the IRS that the deed tax and stamp duty on securities transactions will be exempted for 5 years." ”

Lynch: "Yes, Your Excellency. ”

Orderly: "After this is done, you can let it go." ”

"Your Excellency?"

"Get ready to go to China and take over as the chief executive of Jonesy."

"To Hainan Island? Sir, I thought it would be Kuching. Philip has been working on his return to China lately. ”

"I thought about it for a long time, you understand Chinese, Rega doesn't. He's better suited to Kuching, or you go to Jonesy. ”

"Understood, I'll prepare as soon as possible."

The carriage stopped at the Cabinet building and pushed the doors open.

The guards saluted with their guns and tapped the brim of their hats with their scepters. The iron heels of their boots clattered against the granite floor, echoing through the hallways.

Everyone has arrived, and they sit down at the head of the round table.

"Gentlemen, let's get started."

First of all, Li Junchang reported on the food problem.

"We only have Houjiang Prefecture to achieve food self-sufficiency, and this year's agricultural tax can collect 200,000 stone of rice to be shipped to Hainan, as we all know, this is not enough. Hainan still needs 600,000 stones, and mainland China and Borneo need 400,000 stones. In other words, we need 1 million stone of rice. To buy and transport this grain, we need 500,000-600,000 taels of silver, and the silver brought by the consuls from Canton is only enough for this year's expenses. In the foreseeable next three to four years, we will have a shortfall of 2 million taels in food. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the central government's overall revenue, including trade and gold mines, is less than 1 million taels a year, and most of it is used for military and administrative expenditures, and the pressure is too great. ”

Shou Xiang knocked on the table, "There is no way, it can only be held on, the Senate has long reached a consensus, and there are people who have money." ”

Li Junchang: "I understand, so we can only borrow money." ”

"Who do you want to borrow?"

"The British, the Dutch, the Siamese, the Indians, whoever has the money to borrow it."

Orderly: "How much debt do we have now?" ”

"Excluding Nanyang Bank, our government debt is already 4 million taels. If I could, I would like to end the war with Spain as soon as possible and save on military spending. ”

"We'll talk about the war later, and you can hurry up with the matter of borrowing money."

"Okay."

Prime Minister Marmont smiled wryly, "You really left me a mess." ”

"Kuching's copper-gold mines will be able to increase their production this year, and the pressure will be eased. ”

"Kuching itself also needs money, and the central government has limited income."

"After these years, we recuperate."

"That's all there is to it."

The second report was made by Boggs, Taiwan's commercial representative.

Since the Kuching copper-gold mine and gold mine were put into operation, Taiwan has no longer sent copper ingots to the mainland, and all the production has been retained.

The situation in the Taiwan Strait is complicated, and various forces inside and outside the island are ready to move.

"Last year, we suppressed more than 40 mutinies on the island, most of which were in collusion with forces outside the island."

Boggs's remarks sparked a flurry.

Order: "What do you need?" ”

"Two additional battalions of the Nanyang Army will be dispatched, and we will be responsible for the military expenses."

Orderly looked at Army Commander Holren.

The army commander nodded, "It doesn't cost money, I can draw a Sikh battalion and a native battalion." ”

The Federation admitted many Indian Sikhs and allowed them to practice their religion freely on the condition that they serve in the Army. The Sikhs are brave and good at fighting, and the key is cheap, and the army likes to use it as an auxiliary force.

Taiwan is more easily connected to the mainland than Nanyang, where the population is close to 400,000. The Chinese are very good at farming, thanks to the introduction of high-yield crops in Taiwan for nearly a decade, the grain is barely self-sufficient, but the standard of living is not as high as Nanyang. Moreover, this food balance is dangerous and cannot withstand floods and droughts.

The third report was made by Philby, Senior Commercial Representative in India.

"John's Company wants to get more silk, and tea is selling better than expected, and the British want us to add to last year's example."

"Tell the British that tea is not a problem, and now we can meet this amount of goods with our own production. As for silk, we have silk weavers, we have machines and land, but we need start-up capital. If the British want more, they will invest in it themselves. ”

"I'll go back to Madras to see Greenham."

After Philby, the various colonial departments reported on some economic, trade, defense, and administrative work, and most of the cabinets had finalized the decision, and there was no need to worry about order, and it was enough to sign and seal it. Internal order is basically ignored.

Colonial and trade representatives exited the room after their presentations, followed by a joint meeting of the headquarters and the Cabinet.

Orderly: "Tell me about the navy, what happened in last year's naval battle?" ”

Sterling stood up, "I apologize to everyone on behalf of the Navy. Last year, 3 Spanish Galen warships broke into the coast of Annam and Quang Nam, 2 waves of transport convoys were attacked, and most of the transport ships turned offshore at the right time, but 21 ships were still sunk by enemy ships, with more than 5,000 casualties. ”

More transport ships ran aground, and most of the people on board were taken in by Quang Nam and arrived at Hou Giang by land. The Federation paid a large ransom to Quang Nam for this.

Marmont said: "The navy did its best, the enemy ships did not fight with us, only attacked the transport fleet. After the naval sortie, the Spaniards took advantage of the north wind to move south and shelled Kuching. I just returned home with a southerly wind. ”

Orderly waved his hand, "There is no point in holding accountable." The Navy takes 7% of its military spending every year, and I wonder what the Navy will do this year? ”

Sterling: "We have drawn up a battle plan to send 3 Goddess-class and 7 frigates and 4 notification ships to join forces with the Sulu people into the Philippine Inland Sea to attack Cebu and Iloilo. ”

The route was too long, and the navy could not send capital ships to escort the huge fleet of immigrants, so Stirling had no choice but to take the initiative to find the Spaniards.

Orderly: "I'm okay with that. I want to remind you that we bought the goddess class for war, not to look good on the dock. ”

Sterling: "Yes, I'll pass that on to the captains. ”

"Taiwan's two cruisers will be outfitted this year, and if the situation allows, you will go north to Taiwan to rest after fighting the Philippines. The migrant fleet will be waiting for you to return with you in Qiongzhou. ”

The naval battle plan was based on the windy period, and the navy judged that it was unlikely that the Spaniards would come during the southerly period.

The Spaniards did not have a safe haven on the western side of the South China Sea, and Quang Nam would not allow European warships to enter the port. Spain is more likely to choose to go south to Houjiang during the northerly wind period.

The meeting ended with personnel adjustments.

Philip. Edward was transferred back to the Navy, promoted to brigadier general, and served as the head of the military order at the base camp.

Westheim was promoted to major general and chief of staff of the base camp.

Langemann, commander of the 1st Regiment of the Army, was promoted to brigadier general and served as commander of the 1st Brigade. The brigade-level establishment has appeared several times in the army, but it was a temporary establishment in wartime and was withdrawn as soon as the battle was completed. This is the official establishment, and it is difficult to be fully established for the time being, so I will first study more advanced army synthetic unit tactics with the Army Non-commissioned Officer School.

Rejah was appointed Deputy Administrator of Kuching and presided over the colony of Borneo, and Tiki was promoted to Commander of Defence in Kuching.

Lynch served as deputy administrator of Qiongxi and presided over the colony of Hainan.

Robert was appointed Commander of the Andaman Garrison and was responsible for the defense of the West Coast.

Li Jun was often transferred to the chief executive of Houjiang to replace Lin Tongwen, and Lin Tongwen was appointed separately.

The remaining army and navy officers who did not move in their posts were all promoted by one rank.

This personnel adjustment has been studied and brewed for nearly 2 years, and the rumors have long been released, except for the reversal of Rega and Lynch, the rest are basically consistent with the rumors.

When the meeting was adjourned, only Order and Marmont were left in the room.

Marmont handed Shou a glass of wine.

"I didn't expect you to resign."

"I have made a promise, and I do not intend to ruin my reputation for trustworthiness."

"The Senate will be pleased with that."

"That's exactly what I wanted, Zachary. From the Caribbean to the South China Sea, it was not easy for the old brothers to go all the way. ”

"Yes, when you set out from Paradise Island, no one could have imagined that you would lead everyone to this point."

Orderly raised a glass to Marmont.

"Captain Marmont, together we have crossed the South Pole, across Cape Horn, across the Pacific Ocean. The people on board were united, safely overcoming all the crises and building the country. If we are to keep this country moving forward smoothly and towards a more brilliant tomorrow, we must continue to remain united. ”

"I understand, Captain Orderly."

"It's a heavy burden, good luck."

Marmont said with some emotion, "Actually, sometimes I am jealous of you, not because of your calm judgment and foresight, nor because of navigation. ”

"Oh?"

"It's because of your youth, orderliness. You're only 30 years old, right? ”

“32。”

"yes, you see my hair is gray."

Marmont was 25 years old at the time of the battle of La Rochelle, and now 23 years later, he is 48 years old. The upheaval of his early years hurt his health, which is why he stopped going to sea later.

"Don't work too hard, you can do both."

Marmont smiled bitterly: "This stall you left me, I will be good after I finish the world." ”

"Cheers, Zachary, be optimistic."

"Cheers."

Shou Zhi stood up, "The mansion is yours, Your Excellency Archon Marmont. ”

"It's the provisional consul, Your Excellency Order, and tomorrow there will be an election by the Senate."

……

The next day, the Senate Assembly.

The second term of consulship was ended.

Marmont nominated and promoted to Marquis of Lingwei, Admiral. Following the example of Rome, he was awarded the title of chief senator of the Senate for his meritorious service to the founding of the country, and served as the chairman of the Senate China Affairs Committee and the governor of the new territory.

Zachary. Marmont took over as consul without suspense. Lin Tongwen took over as premier.

This is the result of a compromise.

Drap and Cochlin retired, Marmont received most of the ministerial positions in the cabinet, and most of the governors of the local territories also followed Marmont's path.

Chinese account for most of the federal economy, and Lin Tongwen, as the earliest Chinese businessman to cooperate, took over as prime minister.

Shou Zhi had far-reaching influence on the three colonies of Taiwan, Houjiang, and Kuching, and the rights and interests of Hainan were directly under his control. As for the governor of the new realm, those who understand know that it refers to King's Landing.

Whether it's a monarchy or a republic, politics relies on compromise.

The Ming Dynasty is a monarchy, but the power held by Chongzhen is not even worthy of the bearded head of state, the bearded iron and the loving father.

Shou ordered to leave the venue, closed the car door, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Shangchuan, let's go back to the Ling Acropolis."