Some reports sent back from Nanyang also aggravated the Nanyang crisis in Dong Shuheng's mind.
Here in China, more weapons, equipment and officers were secretly sent to Nanyang.
Nowadays, apart from fighting Tsarist Russia in the west and north, there are not many battles in China. This just happens to free up a lot of officers.
Huaihai Company's farms no longer send all their grain back home, and they have begun to build their own strategic reserves.
Keep a portion of the farm's output as your own reserves.
At the same time, they also built permanent fortifications in some inland areas.
At critical moments, you can enter and stand by for help, and you can also provide refuge for civilians.
The reason why it was established in the inland area was that the naval forces of Britain and France were relatively strong.
Various Chinese countries have the same arrangement. It’s just that China is just reminding these small Chinese countries. How to do it depends on their own plans.
The content introduced by Wen Xiang basically ended when we arrived in Nanyang.
The missions from some countries in the southwest and western regions have not returned yet, so he is unable to report yet.
Wen Xiang did a very good job in the Lifan Academy.
From his report, Dong Shuheng got a lot of information.
In half a day, the State Council discussed the post-war arrangements for Tsarist Russia, the inauguration ceremony, and sorted out the situation in the surrounding vassal countries.
Next, everyone will listen to a report on the Yellow River management situation.
Today it is Du Hui who will report on the Yellow River management situation.
This is the first time Du Hui has participated in such a high-level meeting. He did not participate in the discussion just now. His level is not yet accessible to those confidential things.
But he waited for a long time, which meant that the meeting lasted for a long time. He knew that these high-level officials must be discussing very important matters.
Du Hui was very excited to be specifically responsible for the Yellow River management project this time.
He has been working hard on this task these days, not daring to make any mistakes.
He knew that China had invested tens of millions of dollars in this project.
Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Factory even provided ten heavy-duty steam-driven cranes specifically for the project.
In this way, they were able to make many of the components for building embankments out of reinforced concrete in advance.
Then use a crane to lift it to the location where it is needed.
"Xiao Du, please briefly talk about the status of the Yellow River control project." Du Hui seemed a little nervous when he saw him.
Dong Shuheng helped him make an opening.
"Yes, President, the Yellow River management project has been going on for four months now. We completed the closure of the levee two months ago before the Yellow River's summer flood season, allowing the Yellow River to return to its southward path."
"The Heze flood storage area project is also progressing simultaneously. The construction of lake embankments around Heze has now been completed."
"To put it graphically, the entire Heze is equivalent to half the size of Poyang Lake, and its maximum water storage depth reaches 150 meters. According to our calculations, it can fully meet the discharge tasks of the Yellow River's once-in-a-hundred-year flood."
"In addition, we have built five large sluices around Heze so that Heze can drain water through the Daqing River and other Shandong water systems when the water level cannot bear it."
"There is also a part of the sluice that plays a role in irrigation. It will connect the irrigation canals in eastern Shandong and eastern Henan to ensure the irrigation function in these areas during the dry season."
"In addition, Heze can also provide more than 20 million tons of river sand every year, which can generate huge economic value. Moreover, this river sand can be mined directly from the bottom of the lake during the dry season when the water level is low. It is very convenient, and Heze has
The water system is connected to the canal, and the transportation of river sand is convenient."
No one expected that Du Hui would talk about economic benefits.
This Heze not only has the function of storing floods, but also has the function of draining sand from the Yellow River.
River sand was an important building material, especially after the use of cement was promoted.
This time, a large amount of cement was used to rebuild the river embankment, making the Yellow River embankment stronger than before.
Du Hui spent his only time talking about the issues of river sand and irrigation. Naturally, he had his own purpose. In fact, he just wanted to let these big guys know that the money invested in regulating the Yellow River was not in vain, and these investments will also generate profits in the future.
.
"Listen, everyone, maybe our Yellow River Control Project can still generate profits!" Dong Shuheng interjected, with a smile on his face as he spoke.
After seeing the president's expression, Du Hui felt relieved.
"Every year during the flood season, we open the dam on the Yellow River leading to Heze. We complete the water storage in Heze and the sediment discharge in the Yellow River."
"According to our previous simulation experiments, this can reduce one-third of the sediment deposition in the Yellow River.
Dong Shuheng shook his head and said: "This kind of sand removal is still treating the symptoms rather than the root cause! I said before that you should start the research work on the project of returning farmland to forest in the upper reaches of the Yellow River."
"Yes, President, we have organized some forestry, water conservancy, and geology scholars from major academies to form a joint expedition team, starting from Henan and carrying out research along the Yellow River upstream."
Du Hui quickly added: "However, this work is a long-term one and cannot be completed quickly. The research work alone is expected to take two years."
"Well, yes, the problem of the Yellow River has been around for thousands of years, no less than in the past few years. This kind of thing cannot be rushed. If you are anxious, you can't do it well. You need to demonstrate it repeatedly." Dong Shuheng nodded and said approvingly.
"By the way, when will the water storage project in Heze be completed?" Dong Shuheng asked.
"It can be completed before November this year, but there are still a few levees that have not been completed."
"Now our migrant workers who built the river embankments have moved downstream to repair the river embankments downstream."
"President, there is one more thing I need to report to you and your Excellencies. The number of migrant workers we mobilized for this project is 97,000, 50 large machines were deployed, and 500,000 tons of cement were used..." Du Hui said.
I need to talk about the consumption this time.
We need to let you guys know where the money is being spent.
The reason why Du Hui was highly valued by Mr. Feng was not only because of his good knowledge.
Another important reason is that he is a careful person and is good at being a person and an official.
Du Hui's report at the meeting today was very short, but all the senior Chinese officials present were very satisfied with it.
He can always hit the point, and what he says can make everyone interested and not boring.
This meeting has been going on for a long time, and a report like this is interspersed in the middle, just to give everyone a break.
If Du Hui continues to count the running accounts according to the script, then it is very likely that everyone will fall asleep while listening.
Then the impression the big guys have on him will definitely be reduced.
Du Hui is still just a trainee director of the Ministry of Water Resources, and he still has a long way to become an official in the future.
After listening to Du Hui's report, it was almost time. Dong Shuheng took everyone to have dinner at the Summer Palace.
This kind of high-level working dinner happens frequently recently. There are too many things to discuss, and often the conversation has to be over. Dong Shuheng usually keeps everyone down for dinner.
Of course, the working meals at Dong Shuheng's place were not as good as the banquets given by the emperor. There were no delicacies from the mountains and seas, and there were no singing and dancing to entertain the guests.
During the work meal, everyone will review what has been discussed.
The meeting continued in the afternoon, and everyone discussed the next diplomatic work.
"Everyone, this world is bigger than we think. The Manchu and Qing Dynasties have helped us break China's dream of being a superior country. We, China, not only need to interact with the vassal countries below, we also need more friends in the world."
"I will focus on China's next diplomatic work - go out and invite in."
"We must play the trade card well so that more countries can recognize China and benefit from interactions with China. At the same time, we must further promote China's trade activities."
"This time we are going to let Qingbei go on a trip to Central Asia, West Asia, Europe, and the Americas. We will see which countries are suitable and willing to be our friends. At the same time, we must also introduce our Chinese
Promote the image."
"Qingbei, please introduce your plans for this diplomatic trip to everyone."
Dong Shuheng looked at Liu Qingbei on the side of the cabinet. Many functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been assigned to the Lifan Yuan. From now on, all matters related to surrounding vassal countries will be handled by the Lifan Yuan, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is only responsible for those countries that have diplomatic relations with them.
diplomatic matters.
To put it simply, far away places are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while nearby places are managed by the Lifan Yuan.
"Yes, President, gentlemen, this diplomatic activity will circle the entire earth. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls it a 'global visit'. The entire diplomatic activity may last more than a year. I may not be able to see you until a year later.
Everyone."
Liu Qingbei continued: "On this visit, we will visit every sovereign country. Starting from the Indian Ocean, the Qajar Dynasty of Iran is the first country we visit. The reason why we visit here first is that we are preparing to build a road.
Trade routes with West and Central Asia.”
This matter was arranged by Dong Shuheng. The Indian Ocean is the territory of the British, but it is also the main route of China's foreign trade. Dong Shuheng naturally does not want his trade routes to be completely controlled by Westerners.
So he thought of the Silk Road, which existed for thousands of years.
Now Zuo Jigao is running the Western Region. Dong Shuheng believes that Zuo Jigao will soon be able to defeat the Kokand Khanate and conquer the two Khanates of Siwa and Bukhara.
At that time, the route to Persia will be opened.
Persia is not a vassal state of China. It was also a big country in history, but now, like Turkey, it is bullied by Tsarist Russia.
Moreover, the Persian nobles lived a luxurious life and liked goods from China, making them a good trading target for China.
Chinese silk, tea, and porcelain are very popular in Persia. Persian carpets are also famous in China.
There are great economic complementarities between the two parties.
The most important thing is that Dong Shuheng hopes to connect to Türkiye in the west through Persia.
These participated in the coalition operations and established a good foundation for relations between China and Turkey. This is the second stop of Liu Qingbei's visit.
Turkey is still a huge empire, and Dong Shuheng will naturally not give up trade ties with Turkey.
Turkey's power directly affects North Africa and is connected to Eastern Europe. If stable trade links can be established with Turkey, it can be used as a transit point for trade with Europe and North Africa.
Let China's overseas trade get rid of the monopoly of Britain and France.
In addition, when China was at war with Britain and France at sea, there was still a trade route to transport Chinese goods out.
This is equivalent to adding an insurance policy to China's trade.
The north of the road to the west is occupied by Tsarist Russia, which means that the north road is blocked.
Only the south is still an old-style feudal empire. These countries are now in a passive position and are suitable partners for communication.
Perhaps in addition to traditional trade supplies, China can also consider developing arms trade with them.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend! A great empire like Turkey is China’s best partner.
This time China sent troops to the Crimean battlefield to show its goodwill to Turkey. For Turkey, having a friend like China is also a good thing.
Turkey is very aware of the covetousness of Britain and France towards Turkey. For them, being able to introduce support from China may be able to change the status quo of the Turkish Empire.
After the defeat of Tsarist Russia, the British and French powers in Turkey will become dominant, which is not what Turkey wants to see.
For a long time to come, the contradiction between China and Tsarist Russia will continue to exist.
Dong Shuheng once heard that whoever controls the Eurasian continent will control the whole world. In the world today, only Tsarist Russia, Britain and China have such potential.
It's just that the areas controlled by Tsarist Russia are all in the north, and the climate and environment are harsh, which inhibits the development of Tsarist Russia.
Now China has gradually gained control over East Asia, Northeast Asia, and also controlled part of Central Asia.
Tsarist Russia controlled northern Asia and part of Central Asia.
South Asia has been basically controlled by the British. The old empires in West Asia and Central Asia are still struggling to support themselves, but the British have been drawing them into their sphere of influence.
The Western European forces represented by Britain and France and Tsarist Russia competed repeatedly in these places.
This is how the Crimean War happened. In Iran, Britain and Russia also started fighting for it long ago.
Dong Shuheng now wants to take advantage of them before they carve up these areas, and take advantage of them.
China has a historical connection with this place.
Moreover, the method Dong Shuheng will take is more gentle.
He will not interact with these countries like a bandit. Instead, he is prepared to interact with Persia and Turkey with the magnanimity of a great Chinese country.
No one can control the entire Eurasian road alone, and Dong Shuheng is very self-aware.
China will not expand indefinitely in the future.
So pulling together these old empires can be regarded as a diplomatic strategy.
"After Turkey, we will directly enter Europe by land. The first stop will be to visit Austria and Hungary. According to news from Europe, Emperor Joseph I of Austria has sent a delegation to visit China."
"This is an old European empire. The Austrian royal family belongs to the Habsburg family. This family is the ancestor of the European royal family. Although it is not as powerful as Britain and France, it has a strong voice in Europe. Even more than Prussia. This Austria has no colonial
Interests. Therefore, there will be no conflicts with China, only interests. It is worthy for us to establish an in-depth relationship." Liu Qingbei continued.
"After Austria, we will visit Prussia, which is our old friend after all. Then France, Britain. After converging the fleet in Britain, we will cross the Atlantic to America."
"The first stop in America is to visit the east coast of the United States. Then we will visit Brazil and Argentina in South America."
"Next, the fleet will continue to circumnavigate the Strait of Magellan. The mission will visit Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and other small countries in South America. The last stop will be a visit to California to express condolences to the Chinese there. Then it will go north to Alaska to inspect the construction of Alaska on behalf of the president.
Condition."
Liu Qingbei just introduced his itinerary.
In fact, his mission this time is far more than that.
This mission is also responsible for cultural and commercial exchanges.
There are many people accompanying him, including some performers and some Chinese scholars. These people will be responsible for Chinese cultural exchanges.
At the same time, there will also be a business delegation and some business exchange activities will be held to allow these emerging domestic capitalists to go out and gain experience.
The West Coast of the United States was specially added to the itinerary, so naturally it’s not just a visit.
Liu Qingbei still has some secret tasks in hand. For example, on the west coast of the United States, people from the Intelligence Department will go to see the construction of Chinese forces on the spot.
In Peru, Liu Qingbei would also secretly meet with Dong Shutong.
Therefore, the scale of this mission is unprecedentedly large, and the composition of the personnel is also very complex.
Dong Shuheng will specially give them two naval steam-driven supply ships, which are safe, stable, faster than ordinary merchant ships, and also have certain protective functions.