Chapter 47 Justification

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister

……

At present, we have 300,000 vehicles, almost all of our warships are fueled by burning heavy oil, and the oil fields under our indirect control are confined to the Dominion of Dutch Borneo. Device: No ads, full text, more

It is believed that with the expansion of China's automobile holdings, merchant tonnage, and navy, China's oil consumption will inevitably be further increased. According to the forecast made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, in 10 years, China's annual oil demand will exceed 15 million tons, and in 20 years, it will reach 30 million tons.

The only thing that is foreseeable is that oil is becoming the world's most important energy source, and a safe, reliable and sufficient supply of new fuels is increasingly becoming a critical condition for the success or failure of a country.

Although in the past few years, China has invested a lot of money in Northeast China, Xinjiang and other places for oil exploration, however, China's oil output and reserves are still very limited, and in terms of geology, China is limited by geological factors, China is an oil-poor country, which is indisputable.

However, given that our country does not have a military presence in the two places, therefore, in view of the uncertainties in the future, once war breaks out, it may affect our oil supply, and it is imperative that we do not hesitate to act as soon as possible to establish oil reserves in our country for no less than three years, which is of course a costly project. But this is a critical event that has a bearing on the future of the country.

If we do not build up oil reserves now, then once the situation is tense in the future, then our navy, air force, and army will all be deficient in war capability due to lack of fuel, and a large number of automobiles, planes, and warships will be reduced to waste due to lack of fuel.

…… At present, the war in Europe is raging, and China's strategic goal in this war is not only to use the special market of the war to fully develop its own industry and promote the development of its own industrial economy. We should not only use the war to overtake our industrial competitors, but also take advantage of the favorable opportunity for the European countries to be drawn into the war and withdraw their forces from places in the Near East and elsewhere, so as to gain absolute control over precious resources through war.

After the outbreak of the European War, oil and petroleum products began to be listed as the main items necessary for the Entente, and oil could be used to fight wars and to win wars. Without oil, how can the mobility of the fleet, the transportation of the army and the production of all kinds of fried yào be guaranteed?

Now that this precious resource has been proven to be a strategic raw material for future economic development, it can be said that oil will be part of China's future participation in the world's "great game" -- to create a new Chinese empire in the world, once China masters the world's oil supply, then no one will dare to challenge China in the next few decades, and this will be a new world order led by China.

After thorough geological research and investigation, we believe that the most promising area of oil to the world is undoubtedly the Near East region controlled by the Ottoman Turkish Empire, which borders Bōs, and now that our country has declared war on Germany, a declaration of war on the Ottoman Turkish Empire will be inevitable, therefore, we believe that our country should send troops to occupy the Near East region before Britain and France and other countries intervene in the Near East, and control the oil in the undeveloped Bōs Bay after the war, while securing the supply of oil to our country. Make full use of this precious resource to ensure the smooth implementation of our future strategy......"

On September 12, the 10th year of the empire, the China Institute of Geostrategy sent a letter to Yuan Shikai, the prime minister of the empire, which was classified as top secret

The smoke of the cigarette rose in Chen Moran's fingertips, he sometimes looked at the letter in his hand, and sometimes cast his eyes on the map on the wall, on which he could clearly see the Ottoman Empire's collapse across Eurasia, and the most popular of them was the Arab region called the "Near East" by Europeans, under that piece of yellow sand, there are hundreds of billions ∴35686688 of tons of oil buried

Oil is the mother of industry, the source of power, no country can do without oil, especially for China, once upon a time in later generations, Chinese there seemed to be proud to say, "throw the hat of the oil-poor country to the Pacific Ocean", and then export oil to foreign countries at a low price, but decades later, China needs to import oil from abroad at a high price, China is essentially an "oil-poor country", which is not controversial in later generations. …,

Originally, I thought that no one would notice the black gold buried under the barren desert of the Arab region, but I never thought that the geologists of the Imperial Academy of Sciences believed that there was oil buried in the Arab region through geological and data analysis, and in addition to some oil seedlings, more importantly, the oil exploration activities of the Chinese Bō Oil Company in Bōs, so that they had every reason to believe that there was also a large amount of oil buried in the Arab region.

If Chinese geologists could make this conclusion, wouldn't the geologists and explorers of the Royal Academy of Sciences come to the same conclusion?

Looking at the map, from Aden to Qatar, from the Arabian Peninsula to the Indian Ocean to the Gulf of Bōs, almost all of the coasts were British colonies, which meant that once China sent troops into the Arabian Peninsula, it would inevitably clash with the British.

"From the second half of the 19th century. During this period, one of the important national policies of the Ottoman Empire was to take full control of the Gulf region, including Kuwait. In 1869~1872, during the reign of Medhat Pasha in Baghdad, this national policy of the Ottoman Empire was implemented, and in 1870, Medhat Pasha declared Kuwait a province of the Ottoman Empire, under the jurisdiction of Basra, and in the name of the Ottoman Empire, set up some administrative institutions in Kuwait, and awarded the rank of Kuwaiti Mai Gaom (lieutenant colonel) to the sheikh of Kuwait. Although Kuwait did not really use this title and did not pay tribute to the empire, the Ottoman Empire, which claimed sovereignty over Kuwait, listed it as an imperial province under the jurisdiction of Basra,"

As for His Majesty's question, Hua Linyi, who was one of the few "studied" in the Ottoman Empire and worked in the Ottoman Legation for several years, can be said to be an expert on Chinese Near Eastern issues, although he was curious why His Majesty mentioned Kuwait, he still started with the history of Kuwait.

"In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the British included Kuwait in their sphere of influence. In 1899, with the rise of the Islamic revival movement, in order to avoid trouble with the Ottoman Empire, the British government secretly signed an agreement with the Kuwaiti sheikh, and as a result of this secret agreement between the British and Kuwait, the relationship between Kuwait and Britain on the one hand, and the Ottoman Empire and Germany on the other, was in crisis. In 1900, a German delegation came to Kuwait to negotiate with the Kuwaiti sheikh to purchase a piece of land for the construction of the Baghdad Railway, but the Kuwaiti sheikh refused to meet him. In 1901, after the Ottoman Empire sent troops to Kuwait to drive out the Kuwaiti sheikh, Britain immediately made its secret relationship with the Kuwaiti sheikh public. In 1902, the Ottoman Empire retreated from the northern border of Kuwait, and Kuwait-Austrian relations changed from then on. Kuwait existed as an emirate under the control of the Ottoman Empire, and since then it has existed as an entity in the region with certain natural borders, and last month, the Ottoman Empire declared war on the British, Mubarak? Root? In accordance with the Anglo-Kuwait Conservation Treaty, the Sabah chieftain immediately occupied the islands of um Qasr, Safwan, and Bubiyan upon notice from the British, and cooperated with the sheikhs in other regions who were connected to the British government to send troops to prevent the Ottomans from providing supplies to Basra. ”

After quietly waiting for Hua Lin to finish speaking, Chen Moran asked with a slight frown.

"So, that is, it is impossible for us to send troops to occupy Kuwait, right?"

Occupy Kuwait, this is a wish of Chen Moran in the original intention, compared to the occupation of the whole of Arabia, he is more inclined to control the Arab region, rather than occupy the Arab region, after all, that will lead to the possibility of China becoming the hardest hit area of "terrorism" in the future, and the occupation of the whole of Arabia will cause a strong reaction from Britain, France and other countries, compared with the occupation, through the dispatch of troops to the Arab region, and then support the local government, the implementation of indirect control over the Arab region, and the stationing of heavy troops in a certain position to form a deterrent, It is the most advantageous option for China, of course, in the meantime, in exchange for loans and military aid, they can transfer some "barren deserts" to China.

"Your Majesty"

His Majesty's words only made Hua Lin stunned for a moment, occupying Kuwait

"Unless we risk conflict with Britain"

At the risk of conflict with the British

Chen Moran, who was no longer speechless, frowned and looked at the foreign ministry report in his hand, in fact, even as an emperor, this foreign ministry report was the first time he saw it, just like the letter from the Institute of Geostrategic Studies to the former prime minister Yuan Shikai, many times, as an emperor, he does not necessarily know everything, and there is no need to report everything as a courtier, like this kind of external jiāo report will not come out of his hands at all, and will only appear in front of him when needed. …,

"The Kingdom of Najd?"

Looking at the Najd mentioned in the report, Chen Moran couldn't help but be stunned, there are too many unfamiliar countries and regions in Arabia in this era, which is obviously another one, but then, the appearance of a name made him stunned.

"Ibn? Saudi"

Although the name is very unfamiliar, the name "Saudi Arabia" is very familiar, and in later generations, the largest and richest country on the Arabian Peninsula is "Saudi Arabia." In doubt, he looked at the report in his hand intently.

"In 1811, the House of Saud established the Wahhabi dynasty in the Arabian Peninsula, the First Saudi Kingdom, and nine years later, the First Kingdom was established by the Governor of Egypt, Mohammed? Ali collapsed, and the First Saudi Kingdom perished...... In 1891, the Second Saudi Kingdom was destroyed by the Rashid family. Saudi Arabia went into exile with his father and later went into exile in Kuwait......"

The following information, in Chen Moran's view, is almost entirely a storyline in a legendary novel.

"On a crescent moon night in 1902, Ibn ? Saudi Arabia led more than 40 people to raid Riyadh from Kuwait, infiltrated the city of Riyadh, attacked and killed the governor of Riyadh appointed by the Rashid family, and took control of the old base of the Saudi family.

Then, Ibn? Saudi Arabia is based in Riyadh, Ibn ? The Saudis began a conquest of the Arab tribes around Riyadh. Faced with pressure from the Ottoman Turkish Empire, he wrote to the Ottoman Governor of Basra, hoping to become a vassal of the Empire. In the second year of the empire, his rule over the Najd region was recognized by the Ottoman Empire, and with its support, he continued to expand his power in the surrounding areas. Hart used Wahhabi religion to consolidate his rule. In the sixth year of the empire it established a religious organization called Ikhwan? In this way, Taushit, yù, broke down the clan barriers, united the tribes by religion, and attached themselves to the Ottoman Empire, unifying the Najd region.

Since the eighth year of the empire, Ibn ? The Saudis established a series of hijilai, an agricultural reclamation area of Ikhwan with a military quality, which was a religious, political, and military organization. He commanded the theologian Ibn ? Abdu? Based on the teachings of the Hanbali school of jurisprudence, Latif compiled popular religious texts warning people not to believe in multiple gods, calling for worship of Allah and observance of the rules. He also sent missionaries to various places to preach Wahhabi tenets, persuade members of the Yòu clan to join the "Ikhwan", tell them that the Arabian Peninsula was facing threats from Turks and European pagans, and demand that the tribes stop killing each other and fight together. To further eliminate the division of the clan tribes, subdue the rebellious bedouins.

In the eighth year of the empire, it organized the establishment of the "Ikhwan" agricultural reclamation area "Hijilai". "Hijilai" means "migration", that is, the Bedouins moved from the nomadic desert area to settle in the reclamation area and engage in agriculture. The Hijlai was also a Wahhabi mission and military organization. Saudi expansion provided a jīng sharp force.

Najd is inland, Ibn? The Saudis wanted access to the sea, but the coastal areas of the Arabian Peninsula were occupied by Britain and Ottoman Turkey, respectively. After much deliberation, Ibn? The Saudis decided to move closer to the British. In 1911 he came into contact with the British in Kuwait, with the tacit approval of the British. In the ninth year of the empire, upon learning of the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkan Wars, Ibn ? Saudi Arabia sent troops to the Al Ahsa region in the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. The Saudi army was defeated, and a bullet hit the magazine hanging from his waist, detonating the bullet in the magazine, blasting a hole in his abdomen and leaking out of his intestines. In order to stabilize the morale of the army, he endured severe pain and stuffed his intestines back, bandaged them with a belt, and then ordered his subordinates to find him an NV, saying that he was going to get married that night. Ibn? The news of Saudi Arabia's marriage spread quickly, and the unknown enemy judged that he was fine. In fact, Ibn was seriously wounded? The Saudis did not even touch the bride, but urgently arranged for the withdrawal of the army. ……”

Finally finished reading such a report, which was almost like a legendary novel, Chen Moran suddenly remembered something.

"Hasa is an Ottoman territory?"

"Yes, Your Majesty"

After receiving an affirmative answer, Chen Moran's finger tapped the report, and from time to time he turned his gaze to the map.

"I remember, a month ago, we had a trading house in Al Ahsa that was shelled, right?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already lodged a protest with the Ottoman Empire"...,

In response to His Majesty's question, Hua Linyi remembered an unconfirmed piece of information known only to a very small number of people within the Outer Ministry, and that the Cabinet seemed ready to declare war on the Ottoman Empire on the grounds that the trading company had been shelled. Although it was very far-fetched to declare war on a country on this ground, Hua Linyi understood that the cabinet only needed a reason, and the shelling of the Al Ahsa Trading Company, which caused the death of Chinese businessmen, was only one reason.

"Hmmm......"

Nodding, Chen Moran got up and walked towards the map, and at the same time as he stood up, Hua Linyi also stood up.

"Where is the trading company in Al Ahsa that was shelled?"

"Harad is the largest city in Al Ahsa, and it's right here in the Yeblin Oasis."

Pointing to a location on the map, Warin said that Harad, located on the edge of the Dasa region, was one of the most important Ottoman strongholds in Hassa. Saudi troops conquered.

"Congress, soon we will pass a resolution, after which we will declare war on the Ottoman Empire, and of course this will be after our fleet and land forces reach the Bay of Bōs"

Looking at the map, Chen Moran revealed a secret without concealment.

"Of course, the reason for the declaration of war was that they attacked our merchants, but I think ......"

Looking at the Najd Kingdom on the map, Chen Moran squeezed out a smile on his face.

"It should be common sense that the Ottoman Empire, as the defending side, would never send shells to the trading companies, but to the attacking side, that is, outside the city, so I think that once we have a foothold in Al Ahsa, then we must send an investigation team to investigate who hit us with the shells and who is the real culprit who killed the Chinese merchants,......

From His Majesty's words, Hua Lin understood what His Majesty meant, and at this time, people with a little common sense understood the meaning of His Majesty's words - he wanted to use the same incident to make Najd, a small and weak country, pay the price

Why?

Hua Lin looked at His Majesty, as if he wanted to get an answer from him, but he saw His Majesty standing in front of the map, but he was staring at the map on the wall motionlessly.

Oil is the blood of industry, Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly the world's largest blood donor, where are Saudi Arabia's oil fields? Perhaps the exact location Chen Moran does not know, but he knows that most of Saudi Arabia's oil fields are in the Bōs Bay area and the border areas between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and Iraq, and if Najd is responsible for the Chinese businessmen, they can be forced to withdraw from the Al Ahsa area, and even obtain some land ceded, or at least oil exploration rights.