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- The richness of the New World in North America has contributed to the century-old hegemony of an emerging country. When people open world geography books, they have to salivate at the wonderful numbers on this land.
When Columbus first set foot on the New World, his first words included admiration for the local vegetation, even though he only settled on a small island.
¡°In the following decades or hundreds of years, adventurers from Europe landed on the North American continent one after another. They did not find the gold they dreamed of there, but they were shocked by the virgin forest as far as the eye could see. Compared with the European continent, which has been mature and developed for thousands of years, the virgin forests of the New World left a profound impression on the first Europeans.
¡°¡The forests here are so terrifyingly wide that a squirrel can reach all the way from the east coast of New England to the Mississippi River without ever setting foot on the ground!¡±
An 18th-century European explorer wrote this in his diary, but it was not enough to describe to future generations the magnificent primeval forests of the North American continent at that time.
Compared with the 33% forest coverage rate of the United States in the 21st century, the forest coverage rate of the original North American continent is even more exaggerated. Almost all of the Great River Plains and east of the Mississippi River are virgin forests that are difficult to walk through. It is no exaggeration to say that the history of European colonists' exploration of the North American continent is an unprecedented history of deforestation.
This is indeed the case. Rough statistics from historical data show that in less than three hundred years from the beginning of the 17th century to the end of the 19th century, the area of ??deforestation for agricultural development alone in the United States exceeded 1 million square kilometers, almost as much as All virgin forests owned by China.
(Note: China began large-scale artificial afforestation at the end of the 20th century and became the world's number one artificial forest country. By the beginning of the 21st century, the forest coverage rate gradually recovered to close to 20%, but the proportion of original forest was less than half, and Europe had long lost It has covered more than 90% of the original forests. Timber was one of North America's most important export commodities to Europe from the 17th to the 19th century. It was also the material basis for the United States' shipbuilding, which accounted for more than half of the world's total during the same period.)
With such lush primeval forests, the Indian civilization on the east coast of North America was naturally constrained by geographical development. Their primitive and arduous life of fishing and hunting made them isolated from the rest of the world. Their level of civilization development was significantly lower than that of the great river plains of central North America and the southwestern part of North America. fellow Indians in the south and south.
Maddeningly dense primeval forests and swamps cover almost the entire east coast of North America. This geographical condition also made the first batch of European colonization activities in North America very difficult. If you open a historical geography atlas, you will find that many of the earliest European colonial strongholds were located in very strange locations.
There are desolate sandbar islands, fragmented headlands, and coastal estuary wetlands that are constantly flooded. Looking at it from today's perspective. The locations of these early colonies were obviously not the best, and it would be an understatement to say they were the worst. But if we go back to that time, it was one of the few places where Europeans could settle down safely on the coast of North America. The prosperous areas on the east coast of North America hundreds of years later were the result of generations of colonists fighting their way out of the siege of nature.
This situation has naturally become an important geographical constraint for Huamei's development in North America, resulting in Huamei's development being unable to spread its business in a short period of time. The planning and establishment of every new town will cause the survey department of the Ministry of Land and Resources to run up and down the fine map data that have been reproduced from later generations. The reference significance also declined sharply in the 17th century.
The primitive forest landscape also makes the agricultural expansion of every gorgeous town surrounded by forests extremely slow. More than 20 years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, Huamei has developed less than one million acres of agricultural and animal husbandry land in North America, thanks to a large investment in manpower and material resources.
The high degree of local urbanization is not so much Huamei¡¯s leap-forward development idea. Rather, it is a choice that is not possible under objective environmental conditions. After all, Huamei's senior management has not yet imitated the Europeans' determination to carve out a bloody road through hundreds of years of deforestation.
¡¡
If the limited swamps and meadow wetlands around Porter City and Jersey City in Songzhou can be drained and reclaimed, thus becoming the granary for the early development of Huamei, then it will be almost difficult for Haimen City in Haizhou (later Portland, Maine) to develop agriculture.
As the forefront of the "approach strategy" to Quebec, France. Haimen City was established seven years ago. After difficult expansion, the total urban area is less than 3 square kilometers. But it has a permanent population of 10,500, and its urban population density ranks first in Haizhou.
With a forest coverage rate of more than 80% in the 21st century, Haimen City has left its traditional agricultural economy behind since the day it was founded. The limited agriculture consists of small-scale potato planting and livestock dairying. Instead, It is a large-scale forest industry adapted to local conditions.
Like many Chinese and American local towns, Haimen City also has a number of local investors, the largest of which is based on forest industry.Huamei Wood Industry Group in the field of wood. In order to facilitate business development, the group directly moved several of its most important processing and manufacturing departments from Porter City, Songzhou to Haimen City in 1642, bringing a large amount of investment to the local area and directly or indirectly creating at least 20% of jobs. .
In addition to the vast forest farms purchased at low prices, Huamei Wood Industry Group has a complete set of forest industry production lines in the industrial park on the outskirts of Haimen City. Plants for log processing, plate processing, furniture manufacturing, papermaking, and wood retorting occupy more than half of the land in Haimen Industrial Park.
In just a few years, Haimen City's total forest industry output value has entered the top three in the country, becoming the lifeblood of Huamei Wood Industry Group. Even many urban construction and development projects in Haimen City were contracted by real estate subsidiaries of Huamei Wood Industry Group. .
Although the forest industry accounts for a very low proportion in the entire industrial system of Huamei, in this city, with the eldest daughter of Deng Mingquan, chairman of the board of directors of Huamei Wood Industry Group, marrying Haimen Mayor Zhou Bitang, the Deng family is like a local emperor, in the local business world. He has a very high say in political circles.
Since Haimen City became the second trade port in Haizhou opened to the outside world, the Deng family not only monopolized most of the industrial capital in Haimen City, but also took away most of the trade share between Haimen City and the French colony of Quebec.
The vast majority of Quebec¡¯s import and export trade falls on the Haimen Import and Export Trading Company controlled by the Deng family. Although Quebec's import and export trade volume is better than nothing for Huamei, for the Deng family, it is a small world that cannot be influenced by others.
In the Haizhou local council election after the New Year¡¯s Day in 1646, the two state legislators from Haimen City were all supported by the Deng family. Even several state legislators in Qingcheng City had close contacts with the Deng family.
¡¡
January 20, 1646, Saturday, great cold.
Although it is a seaport city, Haimen City does have a typical continental climate. At this moment, the cold wind is biting and the sky is full of ice and snow. Except for the ice-free harbor, the cold snow in the sky is gradually turning the entire city white at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The harsh weather in winter has almost prevented the vast majority of port ships from sailing and dock loading and unloading work. At a glance, a sparse number of small fishing boats can be seen leaning on both sides of the snow-white dock pier, and a few gorgeous or European merchant ships are also quietly nestled beside the dock. , there was hardly anyone around, and the busyness of the past seemed to have been blown away by the cold wind.
On the sea level in the southeast direction. A few streaks of messy black smoke gradually appeared, and a line of steam fleets was sailing with difficulty in the howling cold wind and undulating waves.
As the distance got closer, a majestic fleet appeared in the eyes of the Maritime Safety Administration observer at the Haimen City Port Lighthouse. The leading battleship's foremast clearly hung the flagship flag of the Chinese and American Navy's home fleet.
The leading general flagship is the Nuwa, the first ship of the Nuwa-class second-class light cruiser that was recently commissioned last year, with a full load displacement of more than 4,200 tons, followed closely by the same-class ship Xingtian. After that, there are three Peace-class third-class light cruisers with a full load displacement of more than 2,800 tons, namely Mir, Divine and Dawn.
The three Peace-class light cruisers are further improved and enlarged versions of the Princess-class light cruiser, and they still have traditional wooden shells and iron-frame structures. The two dark Nuwa-class light cruisers are the first generation of Chinese and American quasi-ironclad ships.
Each one is currently the most cutting-edge warship of the Chinese and American Navy. Every ship was fully staffed and decorated. Every ship. They are all expensive battleships that are reluctant to sail too much. Except for necessary training, they spend most of their time in their home ports as strategic reserves.
When approaching the port, the fleet slowed down. The leading flagship Nuwa sounded the whistle, and suddenly a large number of figures standing in the wind and snow suddenly appeared in the originally empty port. At the head of the crowd was Haimen Mayor Zhou Bitang.
The main force of the Huamei Home Fleet is slowly entering the port one after another. A few panicked European faces also appeared behind the windows of several hotel dormitories in a port hotel for crews.
"Oh God, it's the Yankee fleet. It's really surprising. These hateful and beautiful warships But what did they come to the north for? Isn't this their traditional winter break?" A French captain Looking at the dark light cruiser Nuwa in the distance with a look of astonishment, he turned back to ask his companions.
"If Mr. Captain Peake can connect the warship in front of him with the suspension of our port license by local officials, it will explain everything Damn it, they actually think that the cloth and grain shipped to Quebec on the ship are export prohibited items ! These renegade guys have violated the Treaty of Friendship between the United States and France that they signed with His Excellency Cardinal Mazarin without any guilt!"
A French royal agent who specializes in trade between China, the United States and Quebec took a fierce sip of wine, as if he was still thinking of the Haimen City customs official.That cold, awkward French.
"You mean, they plan to go to Quebec? God, are there Atlantic pirates there? Or is what happened in Nantes true and they plan to take revenge in Quebec?"
The French captain was surprised again. Although he had not returned to Europe in the past few months, he still knew a little bit about the rumors coming from Europe. It was hard for him to imagine that these two countries that had established close trade relations would end up because of a group of stupid low-level people. The behavior of the mob turned against each other.
"Maybe it's true, but they can't get more compensation from Quebec, right? Apart from a bunch of beggars, frozen salted fish and wood, there aren't many valuable things there." Another younger Frenchman the fur trader muttered.
"They banned us from importing cloth and grain to Quebec, and even banned us from leaving the port. I'm afraid it's not a simple fault Gentlemen, maybe we will face an unprecedented dilemma, but in any case, these troubles are caused by those bastards in Nantes This guy caused it, we should contact the local people with status, at least they should allow us to return to Europe."
"Yes, we should visit the mayor. It is said that the mayor's wife is from the Deng family. Maybe we can get help from her!"
¡°What a smart suggestion!¡±
The French people in the room nodded. They all agreed with the proposer.
¡¡
The main force of the Huamei Home Fleet stationed in Haimen Port, and then began the slow winter maintenance. However, judging from the preparation status of the entire fleet, this is definitely not a simple transfer or winter training.
After all, in the past many years, no such large naval fleet would go to Haimen City, close to the French colony of Quebec, to spend the winter. This is obviously against common sense.
At the same time, a small fleet led by the light cruiser Princess Anyi, the flagship of the Chinese and American Caribbean Fleet, also appeared overseas in St. Augustine on the Florida Peninsula, arousing the vigilance of the local French colonists.
During the French armed invasion of the former Spanish Florida peninsula colony, this was the first time that the Chinese and American Caribbean fleet cruised to this area. Its significance naturally frightened the French who had occupied Fort St. Augustine for many years.
During the cruise period, all French merchant ships are prohibited from entering or leaving St. Augustine. It was the announcement issued by Rear Admiral Wang Zhihua, commander of the Chinese and American Caribbean Fleet, who was sitting on the Anyi Princess, and was delivered to the French by messenger.
It is said that the Chinese and American Marine Corps have completed their final training and assembly in Jiangcheng City, Jiangzhou, and may join the Chinese and American Caribbean Fleet at any time.
Is this the beginning of an open military battle with France for Florida?
Rumors spread quickly and slowly, and the French in St. Augustine didn¡¯t even know anything about what happened in the port of Nantes in mainland France a few months ago. The hearts of the French people in Fort St. Augustine were instantly in their throats.
This is not over yet. Three Alfalfa-class frigates of the Chinese and American Home Fleet have prepared and set off from the US-owned Azores Naval Base at this moment, openly escorting a transport fleet composed of four ocean-going merchant ships, and headed towards Spain in a swaggering way. Depart from the port of La Coru?a on the northwest coast of the mainland.
After consultations with the Kingdom of Spain. This gorgeous fleet will directly enter the port of A Coru?a. This is the second time that the Chinese and American navies have reached a military cooperation agreement with the Kingdom of Spain since the Irish War ten years ago, deploying military forces to the Spanish mainland.
The merchant fleet officially escorted by the Chinese and American navies carries a large amount of civilian or military supplies, and there is no disguise at all when setting sail. The Chinese and American Navy publicly announced that this fleet will be anchored in A Coru?a. And be ready to sail to the port of La Rochelle, which is being besieged by French royal troops. All supplies will be transported to the local French Protestant rebel army.
From north to south, from east to west, gorgeous navies appeared around the French forces on both sides of the Atlantic. This is probably the first time that China and the United States have treated a European country aggressively since the founding of the People's Republic of China, and it is currently the number one military power in Europe. The scale of its naval mobilization completely exceeded that of the Irish War against England.
This gesture is undoubtedly paving the way for the upcoming US-France diplomatic negotiation meeting in Nantes. It seems that the Chinese and American military have almost lost patience with France's dilutive attitude in handling the Nantes incident.
One country was ecstatic about the gorgeous display of belligerence against France, and that was the Kingdom of Spain. Spain has been hoping for many years to launch a formal military alliance with China and the United States to deal with France, and this is the perfect opportunity.
What country is Huamei? Not to mention that it first showed its prowess in the Irish War and demonstrated its strong maritime warfare capabilities, it is currently the richest country in Europe second only to the Netherlands.
And what about Spain? After successive defeats on land and at sea, it has lost all strategic initiative and is currently just relying on its old foundation to survive. The Holy Roman Empire of the Alliance was riddled with holes by the Kingdom of Sweden and the Protestant Allies. Vienna, the capital, may be overrun by the Swedish army at any time, leaving little power to fight back.
In order to seize the opportunity, the Spanish royal family not only readily agreed to the Chinese and American Navy¡¯s request to enter the Port of A Coru?a, but also appointed the Duke of Santa Cruz as the host of the Chinese and American Navy.
Who is the Duke of Santa Cruz?
That is a top Spanish aristocrat with half the pedigree of the Chinese and American nobles. His father is the Chinese and American Minister of Foreign Affairs Shi Wenbo, and his newlywed wife is the princess Sofia of the Princely Kingdom of Emden, which is now in full swing in Germany! His sister Sianli is the wife of Prince Rupert of Emden!
Once this messy relationship unfolds, he becomes an absolute heavyweight politician!
It is said that the Spanish royal family even plans to appoint the Duke of Santa Cruz as the commander-in-chief of a Spanish regiment. As for how much military talent the young Duke of Santa Cruz possesses, the Spanish royal family will not consider it!
¡°For a time, from Lisbon to Seville, from Nantes to Antwerp, from Amsterdam to London, rumors about China and the United States planning to go to full-scale war with France and officially join the European war were rampant.
It is foreseeable that the Habsburg dynasty, which rules the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Spain, will definitely have a boost in military morale. However, anti-Habsburg forces such as France and Sweden, which had already begun to show internal conflicts due to conflicts of interests in the later stages of the war, The alliance will inevitably loosen.
Entering Europe in 1646, in the final stage when the people at the bottom were tired of war, there seemed to be the possibility of unexpected changes. (To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature. The novels will be better and updated faster! - Didn't finish reading? Add this book to your favoritesI'm a member and bookmarked this chapterCopy the address of this book and recommend it to your friends for pointsChapter error? Click here to report
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