Chapter 3658
Realizing that he was going to be a tool man, Dong Shangyi immediately stepped into the role and expressed to Qian Tiandun that he was willing to purchase the gems produced in Ceylon Island at a reasonable price.
Dong Shangyi's current focus is not how much profit he can make from selling these gems, but to consolidate the cooperative relationship with the special warfare division through this trade.
Besides, since Fulifeng seems to be able to make a profit from it, then of course Fujian's commercial banks can also do it. The difference is just making more and less.
Qian Tiandun was also very satisfied with Dong Shangyi's knowledge and interest. He could feel Fujian's sincerity in trying every possible means to promote cooperation, and the assistance that the other party could provide in aspects such as shipbuilding, immigration, commerce, and shipping were exactly the resources that the special warfare division urgently needed.
After reaching the intention, there is no need to rush into discussing the specific transaction details. As Qian Tiandun, he will not bargain with Dong Shangyi personally, and relevant people will follow up.
Dong Shangyi prepared many cooperation projects when he came, but the gem trade was not at all in his plan. It can be said to be an unexpected surprise.
He suddenly thought of another thing. Portugal and the Netherlands came to Ceylon earlier than Haihan, and a large-scale armed conflict broke out. It seemed that they were mostly fighting for control of the island's gem trade.
However, after the special forces arrived here, the gem trade in Ceylon Island gained a new player, Haihan, and the Dutch seemed to have been kicked out. With the completion of Hambantota Port, I am afraid that even the Portuguese's right to speak here will be slowly reduced, and the gem trade will gradually become a resource exclusively controlled by the special warfare division.
Dong Shangyi felt relaxed and boldly asked about the future expansion plans of the special warfare division. He knew that with Qian Tiandun's style, he would definitely not stop at a small place like Ceylon Island, and there would definitely be follow-up plans.
Qian Tiandun wanted to test him, pointing to the huge chart of the Indian Ocean on the wall and asked: "In your opinion, where should the special operations division settle next to have the most strategic value?"
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Dong Shangyi also noticed Qian Tiandun's intention. After carefully studying the sea map, he solemnly responded: "I believe that according to the general's idea of controlling the sea area through routes, the next foothold should be here!"
After Dong Shangyi finished speaking, he pointed to a certain place on the map. Qian Tiandun nodded slightly to express his approval.
The place Dong Shangyi was referring to was a coast more than six thousand miles west of Ceylon Island on the west side of the Indian Ocean. To be precise, this coast is the easternmost point of the African continent.
Qian Tiandun immediately signaled for him to express his opinion.
Dong Shangyi said: "The geographical situation between this place and Ceylon Island is just like that of Ceylon Island and Phuket Island. To the north is a huge bay relying on the mainland, and to the south is the boundless ocean. The general said before that between the two points Between them, a straight line is the shortest. It is believed that as long as a route is established between these two places, the development methods of Ceylon and Phuket can be replicated, while at the same time exerting influence on the bay area north of the route.”
Gao Qiaonan, who was watching, suddenly interjected: "There is a vast continent next to Ceylon Island. Why should we go thousands of miles away in one step?"
Dong Shangyi thought about this very clearly and immediately explained: "The special warfare division chose Ceylon Island instead of the triangular land next to it. In addition to the gem resources on the island, there must be other reasons... Next A bold guess, or the general does not want to conflict with the local country." Qian Tiandun shook his head slightly, indicating that his guess was not correct.
Dong Shangyi added: "Maybe the Westerners have already established colonies there, and the general is afraid of this?"
Qian Tiandun smiled and said: "They have indeed built many colonies in the area, but it is not something that makes me afraid."
Dong Shangyi gave up guessing the riddle and said: "I am stupid, please give me some advice from the general."
Qian Tiandun said: "Actually, the two reasons you just mentioned are not unreasonable, but they are not the fundamental reasons for my decision. The reason why I did not enter the continent next to me is actually very simple. I just don't like it. It’s just this place.”
"Ah?" Dong Shangyi speculated on many possibilities in his mind, but he never thought that Qian Tiandun would come up with such a ridiculous reason.
Qian Tiandun said: "Although this triangular continent is vast, it does not have many valuable properties, and the indigenous people are lazy by nature and difficult to discipline. If a colonial stronghold is established there, I am afraid that not only will it not be able to utilize the local manpower, but it will It will be tired and affect the combat effectiveness of the special operations division.”
Dong Shangyi couldn't help but wonder how bad the indigenous people in this place were, which made Qian Tiandun avoid them and not even show interest in developing the local area.
It would not be wrong to say that Qian Tiandun had no interest in occupying the Indian Peninsula. After the special warfare division established a foothold on Ceylon Island, Qian Tiandun also considered whether to follow the example of Western countries and establish colonies on the coastline of the Indian peninsula.
But then the indigenous laborers sent to Hambantota from Portugal made Qian Tiandun realize that the Ah San of this era was of the same origin as the Ah San of the time and space before he traveled, and even more so because of the lack of hundreds of years of civilizational evolution. Raw vulgarity.
If he had to rely on such a group of people to build overseas colonies, Qian Tiandun thought that he might be pissed to death. He also seemed to understand why European countries such as Portugal, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom had settled on the Indian Peninsula for a long time, but they had never been able to make any decent achievements.
Therefore, in Qian Tiandun's opinion, it would be better to save the effort of going to the Indian Peninsula and directly cross the Arabian Sea and enter the Middle East.
Although most of the Arabian Peninsula is desert, Qian Tiandun, as a traveler, understands the endless wealth hidden under the desert. Controlling the Arabian Peninsula is far more valuable than the Indian Peninsula. It can ensure that Haihan will obtain a stable energy supply for hundreds of years to come and take the lead in entering the real industrial era.
Moreover, the location of the Arabian Peninsula is the key area that truly connects Europe and Asia. Regardless of the fact that ships from Europe to Asia now have to go around Africa, as long as Haihan can control the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea between the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent, it will only be a matter of time before the canal connecting the Mediterranean is opened.
Qian Tiandun may not be able to see the day when the canal is opened to navigation, but he knows that he can see the Hainan and Han flags flying on the edge of the Mediterranean in his lifetime.
The premise is that the expansion speed of the special operations division must be fast enough. While he can still move, these areas along the way will be brought under Haihan's control, and real sea control will be established from the Strait of Malacca to the Mediterranean Sea.