Chapter 937 Sneak Attack on Luzon Island

At the Palace of Versailles, a group of quasi-allies backed down. The Japanese government still insisted on fulfilling the agreement. Napoleon IV was so moved that he raised diplomatic relations with Japan for the first time ever.

Substantial rewards are also indispensable. The French government now needs to set an example and let everyone know that it is beneficial to cooperate with them, so as to attract more collaborators and reverse political passivity.

Because of the war, France is not rich now, but a dead camel is bigger than a horse. Even plucking a hair is a huge benefit for the Japanese government.

Besides, besides money, there is something called technology in this world. Even in this era of loose technological blockades, it is still difficult for Asian countries to introduce advanced technologies.

Not to mention the difficulty of communication, even if someone sells technology, you still need the ability to identify authenticity and a bulging wallet.

If you look at the industrial development history of the Meiji Restoration, you will find that this is also a history of the Japanese government's tricks. Many of the imported technical equipment will face acclimatization when they arrive in Japan.

Perhaps it was because they suffered a lot in the early stage and were deceived, so that the Japanese in later generations could become self-reliant and catch up, bridging the gap between the two sides.

It is rare to get on the line with the European powers, and the Japanese will naturally not give up this good opportunity. Ichiro Honda, the Japanese minister in Paris, who didn't know the domestic plan, was exchanging contracts with the French in high spirits at the moment.

The cover is impressively the "French Technical Assistance Treaty to Japan", which contains thousands of various civilian and military technologies, including almost all the technologies on the world's bad streets.

In theory, as long as the Japanese introduce and digest these technologies, they can advance to a third-rate industrial country, and the process of industrialization can be shortened by at least ten years.

As for more advanced technology, it is not that they, a country that has not completed industrialization, are qualified to peep. Basic industries are not up to standard, and many advanced technologies cannot be used even if they are obtained.

Unfortunately, the reality is cruel. This treaty, which seems to be crucial to Japan, is mostly impossible to implement.

The French are not philanthropists. The so-called technical assistance was established after the Japanese government declared war on Austria. How much to give depends on the performance of the Japanese army on the battlefield.

...

The sea is blue, the sky is vast, and the red sun only shows half of the face, wiping a sunset glow, like a colorful veil, and even the sea water has been dyed golden yellow.

The sky gradually dimmed, and with the roar of ships, the pier, which had been silent, became noisy again.

A group of ragged workers stood up at this moment and looked into the distance, their eyes full of hope.

The work on the pier is not easy to do, not to mention the hard work, and it is not stable. Even in the prosperous island of Luzon, there is no guarantee of daily chores.

When it is busy, there may be hundreds of merchant ships transiting here a day, and there is endless work. In my spare time, it may not be open for ten days and a half months.

Because of the war, the trade lines in the Southeast Asian region were also depressed. The merchant ships that run the single gang have not dared to go to sea easily.

France and Austria have played pirate tactics in the South China Sea, and now they have developed to the point where they have made mistakes and never let them go.

When encountering a real pirate, the big deal is robbery, and the chance of survival is not low; when encountering such a fake pirate, it is usually finished with people and ships.

In the face of two big rogues, no one can do anything but let the pirates take the blame.

At present, those who are able to trade in the South China Sea are all moving together with large fleets. Usually, a neutral country's navy is invited to send warships to escort them, so that they can pass through safely.

In this context, the once prosperous Luzon Island has also become depressed. There are fewer ships passing by, and it is naturally difficult for the workers on the docks.

From the perspective of clothing, it can be roughly judged that these workers have the most mixed races, followed by Chinese, followed by Japanese, and a small number of whites.

This is also in line with the situation in Luzon, where the Spaniards ruled for hundreds of years, civilization is still only passed on in cities, and most of the local indigenous people are in the tribal era.

Since it is a tribe, you don't need to expect them to come out to find work. Anyway, wild plants and fruits are enough to fill everyone's stomach, so there is no need to work hard.

There are circles everywhere, and small docks are no exception. Also at the bottom of the society, they are divided into three, six, nine, etc., and you can tell by looking at their clothes.

This is Spain's territory, and the status of white people is naturally the highest. They also seek a living on the wharf, but most of them are in management, and very few are working as coolies.

The rest of the status is similar. When you live more, you can be friends, and when you live less, you are competitors. For their livelihood, various groups clashed privately.

The prosperity of Luzon Island is built on the port. The Spaniards did not pay attention to developing the local economy, and there are not many jobs.

Compared with entering mines and plantations, although living on the dock is unstable, the income is higher.

Those who can stand here are the victors in the struggle. So they not only have to support themselves, but also support the gang leaders behind them.

As the distance got closer, the hull of the ship was faintly visible. A middle-aged man sighed: "Don't look at it, this is the job of the Japanese warship without us."

To discuss life on the pier, the most important thing is vision. What business needs to be grabbed, and what business can be accepted, we must make accurate judgments.

For example, now, the Japanese warships are coming, and there is basically no business. Even if it is docking for supplies, it will use priority Japanese laborers.

Merchant ships as well

Applicable, these years go to sea to make a living, Asians are all vulnerable groups, and they must stick together to survive. Clan, fellow villagers, and gangs are indispensable.

The young man who was eager to try returned to the place and replied helplessly: "I know Uncle Liu. We haven't received a few business orders this month, and we still have to pay interest to the gang.

I don't know when such a day will be. If it goes on like this, we are going to drink the northwest wind. "

Everyone sat on the ground in twos and threes, and some people took out a big cigarette and smoked it, breathing the smoke to numb their nerves, in order to escape the sorrow of reality.

Seeing this scene, the middle-aged man frowned and said impatiently: "Deng Mazi, put away your big cigarettes. When are you still smoking this stuff, you don't need to spend money, you can eat it later. what."

After speaking, the middle-aged man kicked over. These days, dock workers are mostly single men, one person can feed the whole family without hunger, the work is hard and tiring, and smoking heavy cigarettes is very common.

Although Spain is also a signatory to the International Smoking Ban Regulations, it was more due to pressure from public opinion, or to give Austria a face, and it was not really implemented.

Now, there are only a few European countries that have truly completed the anti-smoking campaign, and only one Austria has been involved in the anti-smoking campaign in the colonies.

The Vienna government's unlimited accountability bill, regardless of the time and place, will pull out the drug criminals and shoot targets, making opium dealers all over the world timid, and only then can the opium flooding be curbed.

Yes, just curb the drug epidemic. The secret drug trade still exists, but the government has cracked down too hard, and drug trafficking in Austria has become the most dangerous occupation in the world.

Originally a middle-aged man was one of them, but after having a small family, he had to support his family, so he endured to quit smoking.

Because of his perseverance in quitting smoking and his mature and steady work, the middle-aged man was chosen by a fellow clan in the gang and became a small leader on the dock.

In a sense, middle-aged men are also beneficiaries of the Austrian anti-smoking campaign.

Since the establishment of Lanfang Province, it has become the center of the gathering of Nanyang Chinese. After all, there are too few safe places these days. Every once in a while, the colonists will launch anti-China campaigns to harvest wealth.

Lanfang Province bears the flag of Austria to the outside world, so there is no need to worry about the threat of foreign enemies; internally, it is a province of self-government, influenced by Austria, and it also plays the rule of law.

Regardless of the law, at least there are rules of the game, and there is no need to worry about security.

With a safe investment environment, Chinese capital who lacks a sense of security naturally flocks in, which directly drives the economic development of Lanfang Province.

Up to now, the large Chinese families in the Nanyang region have basically moved their nests to Borneo.

Although it is an autonomous province, the Chinese have a natural reverence for imperial power. The emperor ordered the smoking ban, and the self-government did not have the guts to say no.

Coupled with the promotion of people of insight and the Austrian navy's attack on tobacco ships, which restricted the import of opium, the anti-smoking campaign in Lanfang Province has also been completed well.

Opium sellers were shot, and opium smokers were forcibly sent to drug rehab centers. Regardless of identity or identity, they have passively quit smoking, and gang leaders are naturally indispensable among them.

After all, the Hongmen, the largest gang in Nanyang, is essentially controlled by several big families. The upper levels have all quit smoking, and the gang members below are naturally affected as well.

Moreover, the anti-smoking campaign is not only about smoking cessation, but also accompanied by a lot of publicity. By now, everyone has become accustomed to despising smoking big cigarettes, just like everyone in later generations resents drug use.

It's hard to persuade a damned ghost. Seeing that his words were taken as deaf ears, the middle-aged man frowned, turned around and walked away.

"You don't want to imitate him. If he goes on like this, he will die in the streets sooner or later. As for the issue of money, I will communicate with the gang. We are all fellow villagers, and the gang will not let you starve to death."

This year's Hongmen is not only a simple gang organization, but also a gathering place for township parties. Most of the Hongmen in various places have no binding force on each other, but only bear a common brand.

This gives him different attributes. While collecting protection fees, he also undertakes the responsibility of social assistance, such as helping compatriots who have just arrived in Nanyang to settle down and find jobs.

...

Unlike commercial ships, warships must negotiate in advance if they want to dock. Undoubtedly, this Japanese fleet was an uninvited guest.

Communication was useless. Although the Banya Empire was in decline, it did not take the Japanese seriously, so it was impossible to agree to lend a port to them as a transit point.

Even if Britain and France come forward, the situation on the European battlefield is becoming more and more obvious. It is enough to save face if you don't get down on the French. How is it possible to stand on the side of France?

Seeing that the negotiation did not come to fruition, Fleet Commander Ito Yuheng gave a cold order: "Give the prepared gifts to the Spaniards and tell them that we are just docking to buy some supplies, and it will not be delayed for long, before dark. will leave without causing any trouble for him.

Inform the army to prepare, and take action as soon as it touches the shore to catch the enemy by surprise. "

It is impossible to leave before dark. Ito Yuheng specially chose this time, as long as he got to the shore, he would drag it until it was dark.

The Spaniards have been operating in Luzon for a long time. Although the shore artillery on the island is old, its power cannot be underestimated. If it is a strong attack, the Japanese army is bound to pay a heavy price.

As for Spain's Philippine fleet, a group of obsolete sailing warships, and two old-fashioned ironclad ships, Ito Yuheng did not take it seriously.

Japan's wealth is limited, and this war must be resolved quickly. The core of the Philippines is on Luzon Island, as long as it is taken here, the rest will be easy.

Money can make a ghost run the mill, not to mention that it is only a short-term docking supply?

The Japanese government went south this time in the name of encircling and suppressing pirates, and went to Austria on the bright side. The Spaniards did not realize the danger at all, and even subconsciously, they never thought that the Japanese could bring them a threat.

Although the Japanese fleet in front of them was too large, they still took it for granted that the Japanese would not dare to challenge Spain. It can only be said that the days of peace have been too long, and they have lost their sense of crisis.

On the island, Japanese ronin in twos and threes began to gather at the tavern. This is not the first time, drinking a drink in the evening seems to be a Japanese habit.

If someone with a heart pays attention, they will find that these people are different from ordinary people. They are all like chicken blood, and their eyes are full of murderous intent.

...

"Some of us have been here for more than ten years, and some of us just arrived last month. Everyone's purpose here is to help the empire capture the South China Sea and drive away the white invaders.

The opportunity finally came today, our fleet is outside, and we will launch a general attack at night. Our task is to take down the Governor's Palace and the Municipal Building before the battle, and disrupt the enemy's chain of command.

Time is running out, now start distributing weapons..."