Iron Dynasty Chapter 1031

“Your Majesty, I fear this might just be a British scheme to stir up trouble.”

Within the Imperial Study, Cui Shang’an delivered the Southeast Asian intelligence to Xiao Ming. Even though the telegraph had sped up message delivery considerably, by the moment the General Staff obtained Lei Ming’s battle report, that unforeseen incident was already half a month in the past, given the vast three thousand li (roughly 1,500 km) separation between Indonesia and Guangzhou.

Xiao Ming let out a soft hum and tossed the battle report onto the desk. He declared, “I’d rather take it as truth than risk ignoring it. The Netherlands has never sat well with me. In Europe, it’s merely a minor nation, and its naval power has waned, leaving it vulnerable to bending under the might of stronger powers.”

“Yet launching a war against the Dutch could disrupt our rubber trade,” Cui Shang’an expressed concern. Rubber had woven itself into every corner of industry, its significance growing ever more vital.

Despite years of rubber dealings with the Dutch, supplies still fell short of the Empire’s demands, keeping prices for rubber goods steep across the realm.

The mention fueled Xiao Ming’s irritation further. Addressing Cui Shang’an, he stated, “Never assume friendships exist between nations. The Dutch grasp this truth well. They’ve profited immensely from the rubber trade, showing no mercy in their pricing against us. Had I fretted over rubber stalling the Empire’s industrial progress, I’d have ended this lopsided exchange ages ago.”

In modern times, a ton of rubber fetched around 15,000, but in this scarce era, the Dutch proved even harsher, charging 1,000 dragon coins per ton—nearly gold’s weight in rubber.

Confronted by such a massive trade imbalance, his frustration had simmered for years. Now, with a remedy in mind, he pressed on, “I’ve devised a fix for this issue. Once the Golden Tent falls, the grasslands will belong to the Empire. Near Tian Shan grows a plant called rubber grass. Should the rubber trade halt, rubber grass can serve as a temporary substitute. Furthermore, the Empire has spent years planting rubber trees. Hainan now boasts expansive rubber groves. From seedling to yield takes just six years, and those years have elapsed, allowing us to start reaping. Combined with rubber grass, the Empire’s homegrown rubber ought to suffice for present needs.”

“Rubber grass,” Cui Shang’an murmured in astonishment. He realized how much he still had to learn.

Xiao Ming affirmed with a nod and elaborated, “This rubber grass thrives around the Tian Shan region, sprouting as robustly as common pasture. Its cycle is brief, permitting rotational planting akin to grass for grazing. It resembles a dandelion in appearance. Following the Golden Tent’s capitulation, I’ve dispatched slaves to Tian Shan for setting up rubber grass fields. Harvests should appear this year.”

Cui Shang’an exhaled in relief, his concerns dissolving away. Smiling, he remarked, “After enduring the Dutch’s extortion for so long, the Empire can at last ease up. Thus, we hold no dread of them. With firm proof in hand, we’ll expel the Dutch entirely from Asia.”

“True or false, dispatch orders at once for the Ryukyu garrison to heighten vigilance to the utmost. Should the Dutch stir, wipe them out without delay,” Xiao Ming commanded icily.

Solemnity etched Cui Shang’an’s face as he replied, “Understood.”

…

Zeelandia.

Restlessness gripped Eric as he paced the Governor’s Office. Word of Newland City’s fall had arrived, filling him with deep unease.

Alongside the Chinese Empire’s boasts of triumph spread whispers of a cryptic letter discovered on Newland’s Governor.

Uncertain if these tales stemmed from deliberate spreads or careless slips, he pondered.

“Governor Eric, our window is narrowing. Though undesired, as Dutchmen we must heed Parliament’s call.”

Stephen regarded Eric. Just eighteen days prior, he’d landed in Zeelandia to relay Parliament’s fresh directive.

“A pack of lunatics! You fail to grasp the dread of the Chinese Empire! Britain and France are shoving us toward ruin!” Eric raged.

Helplessness crossed Stephen’s features. He advised, “Eric, as a loyal Dutchman, prioritize your people’s security. Sticking to ties with the Chinese Empire risks British sea blockades and French land assaults. Can we repel France? Trade gains with the Chinese are handsome, but national survival trumps all. The hour demands your choice. That letter they uncovered likely details Dutch politics. Delay further, and it may prove fatal.”

Eric’s face shifted through turmoil. Per Parliament’s scheme, they’d first neutralize Zeelandia’s imperial troops, then rally ships and forces from Manila and Malaysia to strike Singapore. Securing Malacca would draw British and French aid, using it as a frontline to halt the Chinese Empire’s push west.

Stephen’s persuasive words drew a heavy sigh from Eric. He warned, “Stephen, grasp the fallout of this path. The Netherlands will forfeit Manila, Indonesia, and Asian trade lanes forever.”

“Britain and France promise shares of their African and American colonies as recompense. Eric, broaden your view. Asia lies too distant for us, whereas Britain and France neighbor perilously close.”

Glancing back at the crimson dusk beyond the pane, Eric gave a faint nod. He’d wavered on this for ages, but resolve now seemed imperative. The letter’s revelations could doom them, a gamble he wouldn’t take.

Before the Chinese Empire readied fully, they must flee Zeelandia.

“Very well, we strike this very night. May God guide us safely home to the Netherlands.” Determination hardened Eric’s gaze. The Netherlands was his homeland, his kin in Amsterdam. He wouldn’t forsake them.

Stephen released a quiet breath of ease. Upon arrival, he’d misjudged Eric’s terror of the Chinese Empire. At last, his task was fulfilled.

Now, Eric eyed the imperial guards outside the Governor’s Office and added, “Escaping unscathed seems unlikely, but our troops shan’t perish pointlessly. At minimum, seize the Chinese Empire’s Han-style rifles and machine guns.”

A gleam sparked in Stephen’s eyes. “Indeed, those would fetch fortunes in Europe. Eric, you’ll etch your name boldly in Dutch annals.”