The northern capital of the Ming Empire and Paris, France, were both brightly lit after nightfall. The former was even more so than the latter. Street lights illuminated first and second class streets until dawn, while in Paris, only first class streets were equipped with street lights.
This is mainly because the installed capacity of the power plant is limited, and it can only barely supply power to the palaces, official residences, and entertainment venues in the city. Unlike Beidu, the difference between day and night is not very big.
All residences in Beidu New Town can now use electric lighting. Unless residents or tenants want to save money, they will use oil lamps.
In the Ming Empire, almost all owners of high-end residences had given up oil lamps and used electric lamps. Only poor families who were scrimping on food and clothing had no other choice.
Poverty is also relative. The poor in Beijing are actually richer than the poor in Paris. At least one person in every household has a relatively stable job and the whole family will not go hungry.
Foreign guests rarely see locals using candles, and the price of glass-shaded oil lamps has long been low enough for ordinary people to afford them.
After industrial refining, the price of kerosene is lower than that of candles. If you buy more at one time, you can also enjoy gifts or discounts, making the latter only a decoration for weddings and funerals.
Kolbe envied the installed capacity of Beidu Power Plant, and even more envied the Ming Empire's own oil fields with large reserves.
Unlike mainland France, coal was not scarce, but generators had to be imported from the Ming Empire.
As for the large oil fields, let alone large oil fields. If you want to reach the level of popularity of oil lamps like the Ming Empire, you can only import kerosene in ships from the Ottomans.
The only good thing is that France and the Ottoman Empire have been reconciled for hundreds of years. Although both sides have their own opinions, in general, they are not so hostile.
Now it is much more convenient to import crude oil and refined oil products from the other party, and the price is not high, so you will not be ripped off by the other party for no reason.
At Colbert's suggestion, Louis XIV had already approved the establishment of a petroleum refining and chemical plant in the northern French port of Le Havre, and then transported the refined oil to Paris via the Seine River.
The southern refinery is built in the port of Marseille, and oil extracted from local oil fields can be sent to Lyon.
However, the combined scale of the three refining and chemical plants is not as good as the one in Tianjin, and is estimated to be less than one-fifth of the total refining capacity of the Ming Empire.
The Ming Empire built a giant refining and chemical plant in each coastal province to supply the refined oil products needed by the province.
There were also two of the world's largest refining and chemical plants built in Ottoman Kuwait, which could supply the needs of the entire Ottoman Empire and use the remainder for export.
In addition, I heard that similar factories have been built in Bahrain, Qatar and the Horn of Persia that have already been occupied.
This layout made Kolbe couldn't help but feel that what will determine the future ranking of global countries is not the number of coal and troops, but oil and industrial strength!
There is nothing more terrifying than having these two things at the same time, and it just so happened that the Ming Empire was in this state.
Oil reserves rank second in the world!
Its oil extraction and refining capabilities rank first in the world!
Its industrial level and scale rank first in the world!
The level and scale of the military industry are not only the first in the world, but also the second place is out of sight...
According to intelligence, the Ming Empire had at least twenty shipyards capable of building 10,000-ton ironclads, a hundred shipyards capable of building four-thousand-ton ironclads, and approximately three hundred shipyards capable of building two-thousand-ton and larger ironclads.
This means that as long as the Ming Empire is not defeated by the opponent within five or six years, the opponent will be attacked by more than 300 armored ships!
Or attack from land and not fight a naval battle at all?
That might be even more miserable than dying in a sea battle!
Now the Ming Empire's air force has both aircraft and airships, the army is equipped with second-generation steam tanks, the infantry has achieved the goal of replacing all its personnel with revolvers and magazine-type rifles, and it also has at least 300,000 heavy cavalry.
How to fight this kind of land battle?
I am afraid that no general can guarantee victory against the Ming Empire with such a large army and advanced weapons and equipment. Maybe even a draw is a luxury...
If you feel that the land battle is difficult to win, then go back and try to win the naval battle.
First, we must consider how to defeat the Ming Empire Navy, which has more than 80 ironclad ships!
I heard that the emperor of the Ming Dynasty also planned to build a fleet of one thousand iron merchant ships in twenty years.
Once a war breaks out, wouldn't these iron merchant ships be armored ships if they are equipped with artillery and missiles?
How terrible does this have to be?
A thousand ironclads!
Just thinking about the huge number can make the enemy collapse directly...
Tourville has now been stimulated to the point of depression and even autism.
The fleet of the Ming Empire was so powerful that he was jealous. Zimin of the Ming Empire was also richer than his French counterparts, at least he had enough food and clothing.
Nothing makes Tourville feel more anxious and helpless than seeing a powerful and growing empire.
The important thing is that its emperor not only understood military affairs, but also understood economics, which made the Ming Empire stronger and stronger, and there was no sign of dilapidation due to years of foreign conquests that resulted in making ends meet.
I heard from the ambassador that even though the emperor's reputation has almost reached its peak and he has become the object of worship for ordinary people, he is still modest and prudent and does not take credit for himself.
Perhaps compared to his own Majesty, the emperor's only shortcoming is that he has too many spouses...
Tourville didn't mind this kind of thing.
If the emperor really only has one woman, but this woman is infertile or can only give birth to a daughter, or gives birth to a stupid son, that will be the tragedy of the empire!
The family's territory is large enough, no matter how many sons they have, they will still have fiefdoms in the future. This is obvious.
Heart of beauty in everyone.
For example, His Majesty has already put on stockings and high heels...
After visiting the Ming Empire, Kolbe felt that instead of thinking about how to catch up with the Ming Empire, he should consider how to maintain his second position in the world.
As long as the Ming Empire could support the Dutch navy and help the Ottomans achieve industrialization, everyone in France should work hard and never rest on its laurels.
The problem is that I am getting old and there is not much time left. Where His Majesty will go in the future is beyond my ability to foresee.
Prime Minister Mazarin recommended himself to His Majesty back then. Who can I recommend to His Majesty now?
If we only consider candidates for the nobility, I'm afraid France's future will be in jeopardy!
Prince Kong Dai had never been to the Eastern World, let alone the Ming Empire.
That's why they are so domineering and domineering in North America, acting as they please, with no regard for the Ming Empire's face.
The ultimate consequence of going your own way is an irreversible outcome.
After meeting the emperor before, Colbert was surprised by his appearance, which was almost that of a twenty-year-old young man.
Fang Yizhi, who has become Prime Minister, also looks much younger than when he was in France. This may be the legendary magical power!
Later, Kolbe learned from the ambassador that there really was a magic medicine in the world, but the price was beyond imagination.
Fifty million silver coins!
It is absolutely acceptable to ordinary people. Even the king of a country, unless he is the king of a big country, cannot afford a bottle.
The benefit you enjoy is rejuvenation!
It is said that one bottle can only make people look two or three years younger, but for the dying super rich, it is very worth it.
The emperor of the Ming Empire did not force anyone to do anything. Even if the other party bought souvenirs worth 50 million, he could still get a bottle!
The annual trade volume between France and the Ming Empire is close to 50 million silver coins.
Although not all transactions were cash, slaves and goods accounted for a large part, but the total amount should be about the same.
Kolbe planned to buy a bottle from Emperor Haojing!
Even if you bring it to Louis XIV to drink, you have done your best.
"No problem, but I want to remind you that once the medicine is made, it will be most effective if taken immediately. The medicine's effectiveness will be reduced by half every day, and the medicine's effectiveness the day after tomorrow will only be 25% of today's!"
Seeing that this would-be friend has worked hard to increase the bilateral trade volume and this time bought goods worth 35 million silver coins, Emperor Haojing can give him a bottle.
"..."
Kolbe did not expect such bizarre precautions, and felt very helpless.
Seeing the ambassadors around him looking at him longingly, Kolbe decided to drink half a bottle each, if it would be effective.
"You can drink one bottle per person, or you can drink one bottle for two people. As for confidentiality matters, I don't need to say more."
Emperor Haojing saw through the other party's thoughts at a glance, so he gave a kind reminder.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Kolbe took the dark brown test tube, looked at it carefully, and shook it gently with his hand to feel the weight inside.
After looking at the ambassador, he opened the cork, raised his neck and took a sip, then handed it to the other party.
"Thank you!"
The ambassador was extremely grateful. After thanking him, he drank it all in one gulp. He couldn't bear to throw away the drippings and kept licking them with his tongue.
This time I won’t take the relatively young Tourville to “dine” with me. I believe this junior will not be resentful.
"The effect of the medicine varies from person to person. I don't know how it feels specifically. You two can just go back and experience it slowly. I can only guarantee that the medicine I am giving you is not a fake medicine!"
If you want to drink again, just buy something worth 50 million!
If you don’t have money and come to me to ask for alms, that’s definitely not possible!
Colbert exchanged greetings with the emperor again, and then took his leave with the ambassador.
If the medicine was very effective, he decided to invite His Majesty the King to taste it and visit the Ming Empire if he had the opportunity.
His Majesty is younger than the emperor, so he does not need to take medicine, but it is still necessary to examine the world hegemon.
The strength of the overlord can be reflected in abstract numbers, or it can be seen intuitively with the eyes.
If you can combine the two, you will have a deeper understanding of the overlord's strength.
Colbert even wanted to facilitate the first meeting between the emperor and the king, and then see if the misunderstanding in North America could be resolved once and for all.
He did not think that His Majesty would instruct Kong Dai to lead his troops to attack the Ming Empire's vassal states in North America, but if he offended the Ming Empire, His Majesty would definitely have to pay for Kong Dai's actions.
If this matter can be resolved within ten years, or even five years, even if some concessions are made in North America, Kolbe feels that it will be very worthwhile.
The eldest brother has now destroyed Russia and is very close to the third brother Holland and the fourth brother Ottoman, which makes France, the second child, very uncomfortable.
Even if France could form an alliance with the fifth Holy Roman Empire, sixth Spain, seventh Sweden, eighth Poli, and ninth Britain, they would still not be able to defeat the boss together, let alone the boss has allies.
As long as the boss is willing, the global ranking can be refreshed at any time!
Poli was in danger under the attack of the Qing army, and Vienna, the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, was also besieged by the Austrian army.
If France doesn't find a way out in advance and just wants to eat more and occupy more, it may end up being beaten up by the opponent.
The strength of the French Army is now No. 1 in Europe and No. 2 in the world.
This was without the outbreak of the Second European War.
After the fight, even if you are still number one in Europe, you have to put quotation marks on it.
Especially after the Qing army in the east formed an alliance with the Austrian army and had millions of troops, the situation was not optimistic.
The Qing cavalry had defeated the Polish Hussars and became the second most mobile force on the European battlefield, second only to the French dragoons.
The Austrian army was equipped with a large number of tanks purchased from the Ming Empire, which caused heavy damage to the coalition forces in the battles of Budapest and Vienna.
When these two forces unite, it will not be easy for Poli and the Holy Roman Empire to deal with it.
If France sends troops, it will have to bear the cost of tens of thousands of casualties.
On the contrary, Boli and the Holy Roman Empire in the east are likely to be severely damaged or even destroyed.
The attitude of the Ming army, which has captured Smolensk and established a bridgehead on the east coast of the Baltic Sea, is critical.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to buy medicine, Kolbe also learned about Emperor Haojing's attitude.
If possible, the Ming army will not continue to advance westward and maintain the border at the Smolensk line for a long time.
If someone thinks they can take the opportunity to sneak attack the Ming army, or even launch a large-scale counterattack.
Then the western border of the Ming Empire may have moved westward to the Oder River or even the Elbe River!
The swamps near Minsk provide a good natural border.
The north belongs to Sweden, the east belongs to the Ming Empire, and the west can belong to Boli.
However, Alexey and the defeated generals under his command should not try to take advantage of this area, otherwise they will be severely punished!
Emperor Haojing never joked about this kind of issue!
The Northern Line Railway has been built through the Ural Mountains and is expected to be connected to Moscow in another two years.
By then, it will only take half a month to transport troops from Beidu to Moscow!
Judging from the mobilization time, this is no slower than Western countries mobilizing soldiers to fight in Moscow.
Kolbe felt that in another ten years, the emperor might even build a railway to Warsaw...
It seems that this is the real purpose and significance of the advent of railways and trains!
Just wish yourself luck, Sobieski!
If you don't take the initiative to provoke the emperor, you may be able to live a few more years.
If something goes wrong, France will not dare to contain this scourge.
Colbert thought that he might as well let Sobieski go to North America and find the company of Charles II or Charles II!
"Your Majesty, let Kolbe take the medicine. If word spreads, I don't know if it will cause other countries to be against the Ming Dynasty..."
After Kolbe left, Fang Yizhi felt that the matter seemed a bit uncontrollable.
"Ai Qing thinks, 'There is no need for disaster, but there is unevenness of the problem?'"
"Exactly!"
"Ai Qing, do you remember the story about two peaches killing three men?"
"...Your Majesty is wise!"
