South America, Atacama Desert.

The Atacama Desert is not inland, but in the central coast of South America, stretching about 1,000 kilometers north-south between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, with a total area of ​​about 180,000 square kilometers. It is a narrow coastal desert and one of the driest areas in the world. It is known as the "world's dorm".

The Atacama Desert is located at the junction of Bolivar, Chile and Peru, and its ownership was never clearly defined during the Spanish colonial rule.

After the independence of the Three Kingdoms, Bolivar occupied the Antofagasta region in the central Atacama Desert, Peru occupied the Tarapaca region in the northern desert, and Chile obtained the southern desert.

Although the Three Kingdoms declared sovereignty over the desert areas, the Atacama Desert was desolate and barren, and had little value, and the Three Kingdoms did not pay attention to it, so they were always peaceful.

In 1866, silver mines and copper mines were discovered in the Atacama Desert, and then bird guano and saltpeter with abundant reserves were discovered. Needless to say, silver mines are themselves currency and bird guano is also a popular product. Before chemical fertilizers were invented, bird guano was the best fertilizer. Yuanqi's bird guano business in the South China Sea was very prosperous, and European countries and the United States had a huge demand for bird guano.

As for copper ore and saltpeter, they are extremely important strategic resources and are more popular. In particular, saltpeter is an important raw material for making gunpowder. In addition, the Atacama Desert has a large reserve of saltpeter and high quality, and is favored by major military powers in the world.

With great value, the ownership of the Atacama Desert became more important, and the dispute over the ownership of this desert became sharper.

After many negotiations and negotiations, in 1874, the three countries reached an agreement that in the Atacama saltpeter mine area, Peru controlled Takna, Arica and Tarapaca, Bolivia occupied Antofagasta, and Chile controlled a small remaining saltpeter mine area south of the 24th level of the south latitude.

This result is based on the military alliance between Bolivar and Peru. Therefore, Chile, the strongest military strength among the three countries, is not willing to accept this agreement. It can be said that the outbreak of this Pacific War in South America was long expected.

Atacama Desert, Bolivar, Puerto Antofagasta.

The Port of Antofagasta, located on the Bay of Moreno, is a port city that emerged from the mining of saltpeter, copper and silver mines. Although the city was founded for only ten years, it has become the only and largest port in Bolivar due to the rapid development of the mining industry.

The short streets of Antofagasta are hung with all kinds of written signs, banks, mining companies, shipping companies, railway companies, taverns, brothels, and shops of all sizes.

Of course, the most are mining companies, including dozens of large and small mining companies in the UK, Qing Dynasty, Chile, Bolivaria, America, Spain, France and other countries.

Among all the mining companies, Yuanqi South America Mining Company is the largest and most powerful. The company's headquarters is a three-story red brick building, which stands out in a low building.

Because of the war, Antofagasta became quite depressed. Most companies closed down and evacuated to avoid the war. There were few pedestrians on the streets and many shops closed down. There were no many ships in the originally crowded harbor, and only more than a dozen cargo ships were left with the Yuanqi Sea Soul Flag.

Yuanqi South American Mining Company was not closed, but it also seemed a little deserted because of the evacuation of a large number of South American miners. In the wide manager's room on the second floor, Zhao Shengqiang, who was in his early forties, stood on the balcony with a cigar in his mouth with a look of disappointment and looked at the deserted harbor.

The Chilean Navy fought undeclaredly and sent a fleet to raid the Port of Antofagasta. Because there was no resistance, the damage caused was not great. Although there were also robbery and destruction, they targeted the companies and shops opened by Bolivar, and were very polite to companies from other countries.

This is also the reason why Yuanqi's South American Mining Company was not closed. Zhao Shengqiang firmly believed that the Chilean army did not dare to offend Yuanqi easily. Now no one in the world knows the strength of the Qing Empire's navy. With the strength of the Chilean navy, it is impossible to bear the revenge of the Qing navy.

The reason why Zhao Shengqiang was a little disappointed was that he received a telegram from Shanghai asking him to organize the evacuation as soon as possible, which made him realize that his previous judgment was wrong. The war was very likely to expand, and it may last much longer than expected.

He felt a little reluctant. South American mining companies controlled many mines, and the evacuation caused too much loss!

"Mr. Zhao——." Deputy Manager Zhuang Mingfan walked slowly behind him, "Or what if I call back and explain the situation in detail to the country..."

"No." Zhao Shengqiang said muffled. The amount of copper ore and saltpeter imported from South America every year is very large. How can we not know the situation in China?

"How can I know if I don't try?" Zhuang Mingfan still didn't give up. The loss of evacuation was really unimaginable.

Zhao Shengqiang looked back at the office door and saw that it was closed. He then said softly: "The Chilean army occupied the Puerto Antofagasta, but did not dare to do anything to us. Why do we need to evacuate the country now?"

Zhuang Mingfan's heart was shocked, "Can you send troops to South America?"

"What are you thinking?" Zhao Shengqiang shook his head slowly and said, "The large number of warships and arms purchased by Bolivar and Peru from our country are about to arrive. In addition, I heard that England is also selling warships in large quantities to Chile. This war is expanding. Let us evacuate because we are worried that Chile will be so embarrassed that it will be angrily detained us."

"If Chile dares to seize us, isn't it an excuse to send troops to our country?" Zhuang Mingfan whispered: "The three South American countries have rich mineral deposits, and copper ore and saltpeter mines are strategic resources. This is a rare opportunity to expand their power in South America."

"Are we considering these things?" Zhao Shengqiang said: "Don't think too much, hurry up and take the team to set sail back tomorrow."

"Leading the team?" Zhuang Mingfan said in surprise: "Mr. Zhao won't reply?"

Zhao Shengqiang said: "I want to rush to the capital of Peru - Lima, Bolivar and Peru all need huge amounts of war loans, and we need more mines."

Xinjiang, Gongning City.

Gongning City was built in the 37th year of Qianlong's reign. It is a major area in Xinjiang. It has a very important strategic position. It is also the political, economic, military and industrial center of Xinjiang, and is also one of the main resettlement areas for northwest immigrants.

Since Yuanqi vigorously operated the northwest, he has begun to continuously transport immigrants to the northwest. As the main immigration resettlement area, Gongning City has rapidly expanded its population and developed very rapidly. In just over 20 years, it has increased rapidly from tens of thousands to more than 300,000 now.

It is not only Gongning who grew rapidly, but the population of the entire Xinjiang was in an explosive growth state. When the Qing Dynasty unified Xinjiang, the total population of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang was only more than 300,000. In 1850, the population was only more than one million. In just over twenty years when Yuanqi vigorously developed Xinjiang, the total population of Xinjiang had reached an astonishing more than five million.

With the rapid population growth, the opening of railways, and the introduction of various preferential policies in the border areas, not only greatly promoted the agricultural development of Xinjiang, but also stimulated the industrial development of Xinjiang. Steel plants, power plants, textile factories, wool spinning factories, leather factories, shoe factories, machinery factories, milk factories, meat processing factories, canning factories and other large and small factories are like bamboo shoots after a rain.

Gongning City, which was originally the Northwest Trade Center, has now become the trade center of Central Asia, and its trade volume with Persia, Russia and Ottoman has been increasing steadily year by year.

Xinjiang Governor's Office.

In the signing room, the governor of Xinjiang, Zuo Zongtang, who was over 60 years old, put down the statistical report in his hand and asked slowly: "Where has the special train reached?"

Li Yunlin, an aide who was sorting out the copywriting, looked up at him and said slowly: "Yesterday's telegram showed that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's special train had arrived at Jiayuguan, and the Zhennan King's special train had arrived at Wuwei."

After pondering for a while, Zuo Zongtang said: "If there is a chance, will Yucang be willing to return to the capital or continue to stay in Xinjiang?"

After hearing this, Li Yunlin was stunned and thought to himself whether the Northwest King Cheng's Lord Cheng's government, the king of the Northwest, was going to move? It was not impossible to think about it. After all, Zuo Zongtang had been in charge of Xinjiang for 20 or 30 years, and this situation was definitely impossible in other provinces of the Qing Dynasty. That is, the northwest. Whether in Xinjiang or Anxi, these two officials in the border control for a long time were rare.

If this is true, now is not the time to be humble. After thinking a little, he replied: "The Eurasian Railway is about to be opened, and Xinjiang has more opportunities than the capital. With the talent of students, staying in Xinjiang may be more suitable."

Zuo Zongtang glanced at him and changed his mind, "Southern Xinjiang is also a key immigration resettlement area. The King of Zhennan may also visit privately in condom, so they will sort it out carefully."

"Woo——." As the whistle sounded, a special train ran rapidly on the ground in the Hexi Corridor.

"The Hexi Corridor is a major transportation route between China and the West in history. It is a necessary road from the ancient capital Chang'an to the Western Regions. It was developed by Emperor Wu of Han. It is a necessary place for the Silk Road." Huang Dianyuan looked at the rapid retreat outside the car window, "Even if you take a quick look at the flowers, it will be enough to comfort your life."

Hearing a hint of regret in his tone, Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "The Hexi Corridor is not a resettlement area, but we can stay for two more days in Zhangye and Jiayuguan."

"The Hexi Corridor is a crossroad in the northwest region, which once attracted many nomadic people to flock and fight in blood. The owners here also changed like a lantern. The nomadic tribes with swords and horses here either moved west or merged with other ethnic groups, and scattered with wind and clouds."

Zhao Liewen said with emotion: "Now with the opening of the Northwest Railway, this intersection has become dull."

Yi Zhizu smiled, "Since our dynasty unified Xinjiang, this intersection has lost its due value." After a pause, he continued: "Northwest today, the ethnic structure has also undergone tremendous changes, and the Han people have become major ethnic groups in the northwest."

After hearing this, Huang Dianyuan said in surprise: "Take it serious?"

Yi Zhizu nodded, "In recent years, the continuous large-scale immigration has not only been to develop the northwest, but also to consolidate the northwest. Even in Anxi Province, the proportion of Han people has reached 60%, and Chinese has become the main language."

Huang Dianyuan naturally knew what this meant. He lived in Nanyang for a long time and could be said to have watched Nanyang gradually become Chinese. Today, Nanyang, the Han people have already formed an overwhelming population advantage. If there was a sense of novelty in foreign lands when they first arrived in Nanyang thirty years ago, then there was no difference between Nanyang and Qing provinces now.

What he didn't expect was that the huge Northwest also became like this. How much cost would it cost? The Northwest is not comparable to that of the South Ocean. After all, the conditions in all aspects of the South Ocean are far from comparable to that of the Northwest!

He made great contributions! He sighed in his heart, if this continues, in another twenty or thirty years, the northwest can be said to be as solid as a solid foundation and will be difficult to split!

Zhao Liewen said slowly: "The Anxi Province has always been the focus of competition for the great Eurasian powers, and the shopkeeper mentioned many times that Russia's rise is unstoppable. Students personally think that since this is the case, only when it is completely Chinese can we be safe and worry-free."

Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Ethnic integration cannot be rushed, nor can it be rushed. It will take at least several generations. If you are too hasty, it will easily arouse rebellious mentality."

Zhangye means "breaking the arm of the Huns and Zhang China's arm (arm)".

Zhangye is located in the middle of the Hexi Corridor and is the capital of Ganzhou Prefecture. It was originally the garrison of the Gansu admiral army, which controlled the generals of the four towns of Liangzhou, Suzhou, Xining and Ningxia. The Qing Dynasty's military operations in the west all used Ganzhou as the military adjustment center and logistics supply base, and had an important strategic position. However, its strategic position has declined significantly today.

At the train station, Ganzhou Prefecture Prefecture Prince Gan Wang led a group of civil and military officials to stand on the platform to welcome him. Compared with the special trains of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, all officials attach more importance to the special train of Yishizu. As the King of Zhennan, Yishizu can not only determine their honor and disgrace in one word, but also the God of Wealth, who can determine the rise and fall of the land in one word.

However, the officials were unsure. I wonder if Yi Zhizu would stay in Zhangye for a long time. The prince seemed to be a little free of his wishes all the way. He did not stop for a long time every time he arrived. In some prefectures, he didn't even get out of the car, while in some prefectures and counties, he would stay for several days in a row, which was really confusing.

"Sir." The magistrate Hu Deyong whispered: "The focus of the prince's inspection this time seems to be the key immigration area. Our Ganzhou is not considered a good thing. However, there is a big Buddha temple here, and the reclining Buddha in the temple is the largest in the world..."
Chapter completed!