Volume 2: Soaring! The Overlord of the Region Chapter 340 The Beginning of the Industrial Revolution (Part 3)
"Philip, you've got me a little confused. On the one hand, you said that the only person who can pose a threat to our business in the future is the Chinese. On the other hand, you said that if the war situation in East Asia is obviously unfavorable to Japan and Thailand, we will turn around and help the Chinese?"
"No contradiction." Philip habitually lifted his nose without glasses and smiled, "Because the Chinese are our biggest threat, so when our country just experienced a war and the Atlantic Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet had not recovered, we transferred some warships to strengthen the Manila Fleet. However, East Asia is too far away from us. With the existing technical conditions, we cannot fully deploy our forces to East Asia.
Therefore, if Japan, Thailand and the Manila Fleet still cannot win, then we have to face the reality - the Chinese are our biggest threat, and the one hiding in the Caucasus is our real threat. Given our limited strength, if we cannot suppress the Chinese in a short period of time, why not do business with him, and then continue to strengthen our strength and kill the Ottomans first? "
"Speaking of this." Rudolf's interest was clearly piqued. "Our relative in Bohemia completely ignores the religious reconciliation we advocate in Western Europe and continues to suppress Protestants. Recently, I heard that his fanatical faith has flared up again, and he actually demanded the return of church property throughout the Czech Republic. In addition to returning all the land and property that the secular world had previously occupied from the church to the church, he also wants to increase taxes on Protestants... Alas, this religious war seems unavoidable."
"Well, I have been looking forward to this war. War is the catalyst for promoting the unification of Europe."
"I agree with this point of view. However, if this war breaks out, I guess the guy hiding in Transcaucasus will come to disrupt it."
"Ah, you mean that Ibrahim?" Philip smiled. "Thanks to the excellent work of our spies, I have obtained comprehensive intelligence on that guy. Generally speaking, he did a good job in Tbilisi, but he started too late. Moreover, his vision was too small. Seeing his arrangements, I am full of confidence in killing this guy in the future."
"Oh?" Rudolf did not agree with what he said, but instead asked, "Why do you say that? I think that since he was not born into the Sultan's royal family, it is already quite good that he has achieved this level today."
" Dear Rudolf." Philip patted him on the shoulder. "The symbol of the First Industrial Revolution was naturally the large-scale application of steam engines, which gave mankind an endless source of power that was not restricted by natural conditions. But!"
He spread his hands and said, "In the plane of history, Europe had been prepared for the arrival of the Industrial Revolution in terms of culture, economy, politics, military, and market through the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, the Reformation, and the Thirty Years' War. Therefore, the first industrial revolution started in Europe, which was a natural choice of history. And that Yibrahim? Haha, he should have been a scholar of science and engineering before he traveled through time. However, it is not enough for him to simply engage in machinery... I heard that he started with light industry, woolen textiles and cotton textiles. Haha, these things produced with steam engines must be very cheap, but these things cannot be protected without the protection of political status and military capabilities. Moreover, when production reaches a certain level, it naturally needs to be expanded. Where is the labor force? Where is the market? These still need swords to be taken by capital."
"So that's how it is." Rudolf thought for a moment and said, "I'm just a pure soldier, I don't really understand these things. But now we even have steam locomotives for locomotives, so there shouldn't be any problem with steam engines for general production, right?"
"Except for the ship steam engine which still needs testing, there are no problems with other steam engines used in general factories."
"What about when we use steam engines on a large scale?"
"Hahaha, Rudolph, the fact that you can ask such a question shows that you have made progress."
Philip continued, "Before you traveled through time, did you look at the economies of the EU countries, except for Germany and France, and see if the economies of other countries were getting worse and worse?"
"Well... yes. Because the economies of various countries are getting worse and worse, we have no choice but to take the initiative to get closer to China."
"Why is that?"
"Why?"
"Because after the EU achieves economic integration, Germany, which has a relatively complete industrial system and a strong real economy, can use the EU to suck the blood of all member countries!"
"…What about France?"
"The reason why France is doing well in the EU is that, on the one hand, their industry and real economy are doing well. On the other hand, they firmly control their former colonies in West Africa and can suck blood from West African countries unscrupulously!
So you see, other countries can do whatever they want, but if anyone dares to attack West Africa, France will fight them to the death. And what about Germany? Although the Germans often give money to some EU countries for subsidies. But as long as this country remains in the EU, it will make the extra money back sooner or later! "
"Ah, I understand. Philip, when you set up the Justice League, you actually had the idea of using steam engines to completely bind the economies of the countries in the league together!"
"Hahaha, yes. Unified currency and unified tariffs are the greatest weapons for us who are leading in productivity! After Professor Galileo's interview today, steam engines will be put into use on a large scale. My plan is to set up various steam engine factories in Spain as much as possible. And our railways will be gradually promoted to the whole of Europe. After that, the whole of Europe, America, and Africa will all be dumping grounds for our products!"
"Africa?"
"Yes, Rudolf, you have to make one thing clear. An alliance where we take all the advantages will not last long. I have already negotiated with the British. They will gradually withdraw from America. As compensation, I support them in developing colonies in Africa. America will only belong to Spain from now on!"
"Can I understand it this way? Through the Industrial Revolution, our products will destroy the handicraft workshops in Western European countries. As compensation, we will build railways for them and support them in opening up colonies in Africa. After the railways are built, they will be further sucked dry by us. And after they arrive in Africa, they will become more dependent on our military products... After several cycles like this. Although we still cannot completely annex these countries, their economy, politics, and military will be completely tied to us, and it will be difficult ."
"Yes, Rudolf! As a historian, I agree very much with the saying 'the economic base determines the superstructure'. The Industrial Revolution is not simply about building some factories, producing more products, and making more money. Instead, it is about creating a good opportunity for mankind to enter a new era through this social change. Use these things to help us better integrate Western Europe. After all, we in Europe have never had a tradition of centralization, and in terms of national governance, we are naturally much weaker than the Chinese time traveler. If don't solve this problem well, we will not be able to cope with the final decisive battle between Chinese and Western civilizations in the future!"
