155 Underwater work in Spain(1)
The stadium, where Easterfield’s main basketball game takes place, boasts a huge size that can mobilize a whopping 30,000 spectators.
The stadium was fully equipped with fans as well as ventilation facilities, so it was difficult to feel the heat even in California’s scorching sun.
Lee Hwan and the Spanish delegation sat in such a basketball arena.
The eyes of the delegation turned to Lee Hwan’s tattoo.
Lee Hwan said with a smile.
“this? On both chests, there is a shujak and a white tiger, and on the back are the Four Heavenly Kings from oriental folktales. Both legs are engraved with Blue Dragon and Hyeonmu. Oh, by the way, a giraffe and a phoenix are depicted on the body.”
“… … okay. It’s awesome.”
“Isn’t it more scary than that?”
“Oh, that’s dignified. They say at Easterfield, the more tattoos they have, the more they count as a soldier with a higher major.”
“Well, it’s like that. There must be more tattoos than this on the body of the old veterans?”
To the Spaniards, the tattoos of Yi Hwan and his men might seem incomprehensible, but the behavior of the Spanish nobles wearing such ridiculous clothes did not seem normal to the Easterfield soldiers.
Everything is relative, but understanding and accepting it was not as easy as it sounds.
“Anyway, what is the purpose of the trade treaty?”
“It is a treaty signed to maximize mutual benefit. I think it will certainly be of benefit to you as well.”
“No, not for superficial reasons. Please explain the real reason.”
“… … That’s the real reason. Your Majesty, we are only here to increase our profits.”
“Because Portugal is doing well, isn’t it a stomach ache?”
“It’s all, I can’t stand it!”
The economic gap between Spain and Portugal began to widen at some point.
In less than 10 years, Portugal had already paid off all its national debts, and its treasury was about to burst with a surplus every year.
In the eyes of Spain looking at Portugal, of course, jealousy could spread.
But really, there was something more important to Spain than jealousy.
It was economic development.
“Through the inflow of oil, we also want to build a large-scale industrial area in Spain. If necessary, Spain can also invest in the pipeline business.”
“Well, the oil pipeline business is run by rich people in Africa, so that’s fine.”
“Is that so?”
“Anyway, if you really want to achieve economic development, wouldn’t it make sense to give us something first?”
There is not much left of Spain now.
If Spain wanted to trade properly with the Federation, it would have to give up foreign territories.
The Spanish envoys promised to dedicate what little was left to Yi Hwan.
“This is an official request. Instead of handing over the foreign territories of the Kingdom of Spain to Easterfield, I would like you to allow a customs zone to be established there.”
“Hmm, a special customs zone?”
“If you give me one tanker, I will give you as much territory as you want.”
Recently, Lee Hwan has been passionate about oil field development, and a significant amount of oil is being drilled in the Americas as well.
The reason they gave up overseas territories and set up a special customs zone was to import oil from there without tariffs.
First off, Lee Hwan refused.
“That would be a little difficult.”
“… … Hana, Your Majesty! We, Spain, have contributed to the economic development of Easterfield so far! Just look over it!”
“It’s economic development. Yeah, you’ve been dealing with us for quite some time. I have also won a lot of construction orders.”
“If you look at even such a contribution, I will never forget it until the day I die!”
They were more muddy than I thought, but Spain’s argument wasn’t entirely wrong either.
After all, it was clear that Spain had money for Easterfield.
Lee Hwan thought for a moment.
What is the best way to get the most from Spain at this moment?
he drew the grave
“Okay, then let’s do this.”
“Wow, do you have any conditions?! Whatever the conditions, I will converge!”
“Let us build our factories in Spain.”
“Oh oh!”
“However, I need to lower the wage level a bit.”
“If you say lowering the wage level… … .”
“It means lowering wages so that it can be seen as an area with a lot more merit than a factory in the Commonwealth of Easterfield. Wouldn’t it be possible to realize that there is something big in our Federation and invest in it?”
Spain was currently in a state of great national power, and in order to offset it, it was necessary to maximize its productive power.
In order to do that, policies should be devised in a way that lowers wages and mobilizes manpower as much as possible.
Lee Hwan was convinced that if such a policy was followed, the economy would naturally revive and Easterfield would not suffer any losses.
“If we cut wages to half that of Easterfield… … .”
“To 1/3rd the level.”
“… … If you cut it by 1/3, is it possible to make a financial investment?”
“Sure. As long as the Spanish side gives us the right to set up a bank.”
“It’s not even a problem.”
“Then, of course, the deal is established.”
“But can I raise my wages later?”
“A rise that is too steep will never be good for you. Our businesses will never stand still.”
Easterfield’s wages were 100% difficult to keep up with, even with the best-paid Swedish engineers.
Even though Easterfield treats them well, it was a different story when they set up factories abroad.
As cheaply as possible, but as efficiently as possible, that was the strategy and industry motto of Easterfield SOEs.
However, this did not mean that the wages Easterfield offered were small.
In the local area, if you work hard, you can buy a house and it is enough money for your family to earn a living.
If Easterfield’s public corporation had not offered a reasonable amount, it would have been absurd to pursue an octopus-style expansion as it is now.
“Then, are you signing a mutual treaty?”
“Yeah, let me do that.”
“The castle is doomed!”
“Well, anyway, then I have to go play basketball.”
The king does not have enough tattoos to play a bizarre sport called basketball.
It was an act that could not be understood by aristocrats who did not walk more than three treasures.
But still, they watched it until the basketball was over.
Even if it was bizarre, he thought that he had something to learn because it was done by the absolutes of this world.
***
In the summer of 1836, Easterfield’s private fleet arrived in the southern Qing dynasty and established itself on two islands.
They quickly began to seize the island, led by large guns and ironclad ships, and the powerless Qing dynasty had no choice but to give up its place.
Thus, on July 2nd, the Easterfield Federal Private Fleet bases were established in Taiwan and Hainan.
Yi Gak visited the base to celebrate the 10th Fleet’s expedition to the south of the Qing Dynasty.
A relative of the king and a pivotal force that commands the 9th Fleet.
Joao Fernandez asked Lee Gak to take over the final command of the 10th Fleet.
“It would be a supreme honor if the Grand Duke and Prince converged even the final command of the 10th Fleet.”
“Do you dare ask me to lead? Do you need to?”
“The influx of soldiers from now on are from pirates. No matter how powerful a private fleet is, they need solidarity to unite them, and honestly, I know that it is too much for a small person. That is why I am asking you this without any hesitation.”
The attitude of knowing one’s own shortcomings and trying to correct them was really worthy of applause.
Lee Gak decided to comply with Joao Fernandes’ request.
“I see. If the lord said so.”
“Ah, I know that your Majesty also thinks very positively of the Grand Duke taking command of the 10th Fleet.”
“… … Your Majesty?”
“Yes that’s right. The 10th Fleet will play an important role in Asia in the future, and how would you feel if the king’s servant took over it?”
Lee Gak’s feelings for his nephew, not knowing anything else, were truly terrifying.
There was nothing that he couldn’t do unless he gave him the name Lee Hwan.
“If your Highness says so, there is nothing I can do. I will do my best to organize the navy.”
“thank you!”
“I have nothing to be thankful for. It’s for His Majesty, what?”
Now, the command of the 10th Fleet had passed to Lee Gak.
The commanders of the 10th Fleet knew Lee Gak’s reputation all too well, so there was no dissatisfaction with his leadership.
No, it was rather reassuring.
At the 10th Fleet Integration Meeting convened that afternoon, Lee Gak gave the first order to the fleet.
“Our 10th Fleet was established to unite Japanese and South China Sea pirates. Of course you will have to fight the pirates, and some may have to fight the blue navy. As much as you always risk your life, danger will always follow you.”
“Well.”
“But this one thing is for sure. It means that Qing has a lot of money, and that we can legally plunder it.”
“Oh oh… … !”
“Be sure to inform the soldiers who will come in the future about this one thing. With us, you will be able to gain more wealth than any pirate or any warlord.”
“I will be loyal!”
“For reference, we do not plunder people and we do not rape women. They are soldiers who never burn ships and houses, and never do anything dishonorable. It’s a nationally recognized pirate, but keep that in mind. That way, when we return to the mainland, we can spend our money confidently and earn a reputation with the wealth we have accumulated. It doesn’t matter now where you each come from. From now on, everyone in Easterfield can become rich and live while listening to the lilies.”
“Oooh!”
Lee Gak knew very well how to inspire people.
Joao Fernandez was well aware of it, so he pushed his career forward more than his career.
Now he will lead the fleet according to Yi Gak’s orders.
However, the detailed operation could also be obtained from Lee Gak.
“Grand Duke, where would you like to attack first?”
Now that the hierarchical relationship was clear, Lee Gak gave orders to Joao Fernandes as superior.
“First, let’s start by clearing out the pirates in this area, and on the other hand, we will divide the army into two parts to explore and destroy Japan.”
“Are you talking at the same time?”
“While we were here, we found out about 90% of the location of the pirate den.”
“Ah, of course!”
“Now that I just have to land, I think it would be such a big deal.”
“Then I will obey the commander’s orders. From now on, I will become the commander’s limb, so please call me as the deputy commander if you wish.”
“Yeah, I see. Deputy commander, good luck.”
“thank you!”