On November 12, 1902, towards the end of the year 1902, Australia welcomed an unexpected guest.

Earlier this year, the island nation signed a treaty of alliance with the British Empire. The purpose of this treaty of alliance was to curb the expansion of Tsarist Russia in East Asia, as well as to protect the interests of both countries.

In fact, this treaty would also lead to the Russo-Japanese War two years later, and after the defeat of the Tsarist Far East army, the island nation would also be officially recognized by the other powers, and would become one of the great powers in terms of strength and status.

However, this has no effect on Arthur and Australia, whose current sphere of influence is only in Oceania, not even in Southeast Asia, let alone more distant East Asia.

But Arthur didn't expect Australia to welcome the island nation as well.

This is a fleet from an island nation, and most of the warships in the fleet are new warships made in the United Kingdom, and even the naval soldiers are specially sent to the United Kingdom for training.

Because of the reason for smashing the pot and selling iron to build the navy from top to bottom, the scale of the navy of the island country is still quite large, and it can even be compared with some major powers.

Arthur didn't understand the purpose of the island mission, but he still asked Steward Hunter Hunter to greet the mission with a smile on the surface.

At the same time, Arthur also ordered the deputy minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accompany him to find out the intentions of the mission of the island nation as soon as possible.

As a result, a meaningful business negotiation began in the Australian government building.

The meeting was attended by Australia's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Prince Hunt, the head of the island mission, Koichiro Yuzawa, and diplomatic envoy Toshiyo Hirano.

As soon as he came up, Koichiro Yuzawa behaved very respectfully, even though the island nation far surpassed Australia in terms of strength, he still said respectfully: "Honorable Australian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Hunt, the palace steward, please allow me to express my high respect for Australia and His Royal Highness the Duke." ”

"Australia has a good relationship with the British Empire, and our island nation has just concluded a treaty of alliance with the British Empire. As the saying goes, a friend is a friend, and I think we can also establish a friendly treaty to strengthen our cooperation. Koichiro Yuzawa said straight to the point.

"Mr. Koichiro Yuzawa, we have some understanding of your request. I wonder what you mean by cooperation? Australia's Under Minister for Foreign Affairs asked with a skillful smile.

"Australia is a thriving and rich mining country, and many of the minerals we need at the moment. I think we can establish a trade treaty between us to strengthen the relationship between our two countries and at the same time solve our mineral shortage. Koichiro Yuzawa said.

Although the island country has gone through decades of restoration, it has established a certain scale of industry and embarked on the road of Westernization and rise.

However, because the land area of the island country is not large and it is a long and narrow island country, the domestic mineral resources are not abundant, and the development of industry is also limited in disguise.

Take the current steel production that can measure the industrial level, although the annual output of steel mills in island countries can reach more than 50,000 tons, and even increase production can exceed 100,000 tons.

However, there are not so many iron ore and coal mines in the island country, which also leads to the actual steel production of the island country at present, and the amount of steel produced by the island country depends entirely on the supply of coal mines and iron ore.

Australia is much happier in this regard. After more than two years of industrial development, Australia's iron ore and coal supply is unlimited, although steel production is only about 61,000 tons and 93,000 tons.

Even at present, Australia's steel production has surpassed that of island countries, although it is still too far behind the European powers, but it is barely able to reach the level of ordinary European countries.

You know, Australia's industrial development has only been more than two years, and both island and European countries have consumed decades.

This is Australia's innate advantage, which is unique in terms of minerals.

Australia's Under Minister for Foreign Affairs nodded flatly, but he was thinking about the problem inside.

Prior to this negotiation, Arthur had specifically informed that the island nation was a country full of beasts, and that Australia could not become an ally with it.

Although Arthur did not explicitly reject the possible trade with the island nation, it can be seen from Arthur's attitude that it may not be so simple for the island country to obtain Australia's mineral resources for nothing.

"Mr. Koichiro Yuzawa, to tell you the truth, Australia does have relatively rich mineral resources. However, there is a serious problem at present, that is, because of the population, the amount of mining in Australia is insufficient. In addition to ensuring the supply of Australian industry, I am afraid that there are not many that can be distributed to the island nation. The Deputy Foreign Minister thought for a moment before he smiled and spoke.

"If your country is short on manpower, we can send a group of miners to help Australia with production. Of course, the minerals produced still belong to Australia, and your country only needs to pay the wages of these miners. Koichiro Yuzawa proposed.

As the situation between the island nation and Russia becomes more and more intense, the possibility of war cannot be ruled out.

In the event of war, the reserve and supply of various resources will be a big problem for resource-poor island nations.

After receiving a large amount of financial assistance from the United Kingdom and the United States, the island countries are not short of funds at present, but rather short distances and very effective sources of material supply.

Although both the United States and the British Empire were able to provide the corresponding supplies, the asking prices in both countries were relatively dark, and the distance was relatively long, and the transportation was not convenient.

Australia is the only country that is relatively close to the island country and has rich mineral resources.

And Australia and Britain have a very good relationship, and the island nation and Britain have just signed an alliance.

In the eyes of the island nation, Australia is an excellent supplier of mineral resources, which is why this diplomatic mission came to Australia.

"That's not necessary, Mr. Koichiro Yuzawa. We will solve the production of mineral resources in Australia by ourselves, and we do not need to use your country's help for the time being. We are also happy to export some of your mineral resources to your country, and even let some factories give up some of their supplies at any cost. But you know, those capitalists who have no interests and will not back down, maybe there will be an increase in the price of raw materials. But please rest assured, no matter how high the price is, it will not exceed twice the original price, and we will organize people to expand the scale of production as soon as possible. The Deputy Foreign Minister said with a smile on his face.

I would like to ask you two questions, one is that a book friend proposed to change the name of this book, and the title of the book has nothing to do with the content at present. I don't know what you think, but I do have this plan, but I have to ask your opinion first. Second, I have also revised it, and the marriage with the Queen of the Netherlands has been canceled, I don't know if you have noticed. Are there any recommendations for marriage? At present, I am looking at the female aristocracy on the Tsarist side, and you can also make suggestions if you have any suggestions.

(End of chapter)