Chapter 2974

The accommodation prepared by Xingdao for friendly troops coming from afar are of the same standard as the local garrison. According to Roger, in order to welcome their arrival, the local troops were specially adjusted and part of the barracks was freed up for resettlement.

them.

However, Qian Tiandun did not fully believe this statement, because some of the camps looked too clean and new, and did not look like anyone had lived there for a long time.

Qian Tiandun believed that this was more likely to be a barracks prepared by Xingdao in advance for future military expansion, and it came in handy at this time.

But looking at the scale of the construction of the new camp, Qian Tiandun concluded that Xingdao's plan might not be a small-scale expansion of the army in units of battalions and companies, but rather a big move.

Considering the population and industrial status of Xingdao, Qian Tiandun couldn't help but wonder whether Xingdao's economy could afford such a huge military expenditure.

"Should more than half of Xingdao's fiscal revenue be invested in military expenditures?" Qian Tiandun asked Zhuangruo unintentionally.

Tan Juren responded: "Ten years ago, it was probably the situation you mentioned, Lao Qian, but now, the situation is different. Our financial situation is much better than before. Especially the mining, shipbuilding and shipping trade.

It has created very considerable income for Xingdao.”

Tan Juren did not disclose specific figures, but judging from his rather proud expression, this was probably not bragging.

As far as Chan Tin Tun knows so far, Sing Tao owns the Dumai oil field in the Strait of Malacca, the bauxite mine on Bintan Island, and several mines operating in Kelantan.

However, this may not be all mining under the control of Sing Tao. After all, Sing Tao's jurisdiction includes the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra Island, and Java Island. There may be more like Kelantan that cooperate with local rulers.

Mined mines.

Qian Tiandun, who has lived in the north, knows firsthand how profitable mining is. About half of the fiscal revenue in the early days of the establishment of the Northern Region came from the mines and smelting workshops in Denglai. Such income

The structure also further promoted the Haihan Army's move to occupy the Liaohe Plain to the north - the coal and iron ore resources there are much richer than those in the two states of Denglai.

"Are there any large coal mines near Xingdao?" Qian Tiandun asked curiously. Since smelting is to be developed, coal burning is indispensable. If it is too far away, the freight cost will be too high and it will be uneconomical.

"Yes!" Tan Juren nodded and said: "There are large coal mines in the central and southern parts of Sumatra across the strait, and the veins are on the surface, making open-pit mining very convenient. Aceh and Banten are happy to develop these coal mines with us.

, it is not even necessary to use large cargo ships to ship from the origin to Xingdao, which is also very convenient for them.”

Sumatra, the sixth largest island in the world, is rich in mining resources. Currently, the northern two-thirds of the island belongs to the Kingdom of Aceh, and the southern third belongs to the Kingdom of Banten.

Although the relationship between the two countries and Haihan cannot be said to be very harmonious, no one can refuse considerable economic benefits, so they often cooperate with Haihan in the mining field. Haihan provides exploration and mining technology, and the host country provides manpower.

Rather, they form a complementary relationship.

So far, due to limited capabilities, Haihan can only develop mineral deposits located in some coastal areas that are easy to mine. But even so, it is enough for Xingdao to earn stable and huge profits.

Of course, as time goes by, if the Singdao jurisdiction has a larger population and no longer needs to rely on other countries to provide labor, then it is not certain whether these projects will continue in the current cooperative management mode.

On the way back to the city after visiting the military camp, Roger personally introduced the current general situation of Xingdao to Qian Tiandun.

Xingdao is the core of the entire administrative region. The island is divided into Dongcheng District and Xicheng District. The east side is a military area designated for garrison troops, including military bases, military ports, shipyards, and what is known as the largest prison in the South China Sea.

—Changi Prison.

The west side is where the civil port, commercial area, residential area, and various administrative agencies are located. The official residences of Roger and Tan Juren are also located in Xicheng District.

Apart from Star Island, there are not many areas actually controlled by the region, including a series of islands from the south of Star Island to Bangka Belitung Island, as well as some coastal areas in central and southern Sumatra.

In terms of expansion results, the land area occupied by the Xingdao Region is not large, which is far less than the Northern Region, Donghai Region, Liangguangdao and other administrative regions developed in the mainland, and even much worse than the Luzon Region.

.

And Roger obviously cannot be satisfied with this situation. After accumulating strength and sending troops to annex more land, it is almost inevitable that he will take measures. It's just that the focus of Haihan's development has been in the north in the past few years, lacking a suitable opportunity to launch it.

.

But now Qian Tiandun has arrived with his special warfare division, and the Executive Committee has also approved the action plan for various ministries in the South China Sea to expand their military preparations and take the initiative to attack. This is the opportunity that Xingdao has been waiting for many years.

"Since I came to Xingdao at the end of 1633, for more than 20 years, Xingdao has been focusing on military construction. All the industries we have developed here have also served military purposes."

Facing Qian Tiandun, Roger spoke his mind frankly: "To be honest, I envy you for being able to show your talents in the north. If I had chosen to go to the north to develop, I might have achieved my goal of establishing a career long ago."

Qian Tiandun smiled and said: "Everyone is doing their best to guard the border for the country. There is no distinction between superior and inferior. Besides, the environment of Yixing Island can develop into the current situation. I also admire your actions. If it were me here

Here, we may not be able to achieve such results.”

Roger understood that the other party was just speaking for the occasion, waved his hand and said: "Going overseas is not only for the country, but also for yourself. Now there is an additional one, which is to benefit future generations. In any case, the Xingdao Region cannot just guard this.

I can live my whole life on one-third of an acre. It’s such a big place, but it won’t be enough to divide the inheritance for my children when I die.”

Qian Tiandun smiled and said, "How many children do you have? Are you worried that your property will not be enough in the future?"

Roger chuckled dryly and raised a finger.

Qian Tiandun guessed: "It can't be an only child, right? Is it ten? That is indeed enough!"

Roger then announced the correct answer: "To be precise, eleven, one is still in the belly and will be born around the Spring Festival next year. Can you understand my pressure?"

Qian Tiandun shook his head after hearing this and said: "There is a whole football team! You are so prolific... I think it is better to make a will as soon as possible, otherwise we will have to fight over the family property in the future!"
Chapter completed!