Somalia is a place of wealth within the empire, but such wealth comes at a price. It smuggles to the Arabian Peninsula and the Mesopotamia, or goes deep into the Persian Kingdom to smuggle business. Every year, hundreds or thousands of mercenaries die here, burying their bones in yellow sand.

Li Yong knew clearly;

This important business that supports Somalia's economy will not last long.

This affected the relationship between the Ocean Empire and the Ottoman Empire, and also made Britain and Germany, which had great influence in the Kingdom of Iran, disliked and frequently exerted diplomatic pressure.

The Ottoman Empire, known as the "Sick Man of West Asia", could ignore it, but Britain and Germany could not take it lightly. The smuggling business between Humen and Xi'an was already limited, and the smuggling channels deep into the Kingdom of Iran began to be represented by locals to avoid being slandered.

In terms of development potential, Somalia is far inferior to Mozambique, regardless of population, environment or resources.

In the past two years, the Mozambique region has developed very rapidly.

Especially after the war in South Africa started, the economy of Mozambique rose straight like a rocket, and many private capital in Somalia was even attracted to the local area to develop.

Somalia has equally obvious advantages and disadvantages;

The advantage is naturally a superior geographical location. By entering the Suez Canal from the Red Sea, you can connect to Europe with amazing consumption capacity. As long as you have products with strong competitiveness, you will not have to worry about sales.

For example, the popular canned seafood, which produces and sells as much as you want, has almost unlimited market potential.

The main problem now is that Somalia cannot produce any competitive products.

In Somalia, you can enter the Mesopotamia by crossing the Arabian Sea northward. The Ottoman Empire's rule was full of holes and loopholes everywhere, which gave armed smuggling trade a great opportunity.

The disadvantages of Somalia are also very obvious. Djibouti is drought and rainy, and the oasis area is limited, mainly concentrated around Xi'an City. The climate here is hot and the desert is surrounded by Gobi. It is large deserts east and south, which are not suitable for human survival at all.

The city has a limited size and population that can be carried, which is also a major problem that Xi'an has to face.

Extending from the Djibouti region to the northwest plateau, the Eritrea region along the Red Sea coast has increased rainfall and a cool and pleasant climate. It has large areas of pastures and plains between the mountains and ridges, and is a rare and good place in the Horn of Africa.

Therefore, the railway from Xi'an extends northwest to cities such as Asab, Ed and Humen. Now the railway continues to extend northwest from Humen Pass, reaching Qiliying, Yangweibao, Bishuihu Town and other towns. The railways and highways basically follow the coast of the Red Sea, in the shape of a "one".

This fertile plateau area is the focus of Somalia's future development. After more than ten years of construction, it has begun to take shape. It has dense pastures and plantations, rich in grapes, apples, wheat and sorghum, and herds of cattle and sheep. The Red Sea fishing industry is developed.

This is all favorable on the one hand, but due to the geographical conditions of the plateau mountains, seven mountains and one water are divided into two parts, and the scope of suitable agriculture and animal husbandry is limited. The agricultural and animal husbandry output can only meet the needs of the local population in Somalia and have the ability to export a small amount.

Relying solely on the Red Sea fishing industry and port transit trade, it is unable to support the nearly 2 million people in Somalia. With the influx of a large number of Italian immigrants, handicrafts such as leather, clothing, shoes, and glass gradually flourished, but this is only a beneficial supplement and cannot become the dominant industry.

Li Yong is now the mayor of Humen and is preparing to run for Somalia's governor. The chances of winning are high. He hopes to make more contributions to this land he loves.

Therefore, he must find a suitable path for the future development of Somalia.

Due to geographical conditions, the vast majority of the land in Somalia is deserted, the Gobi and barren mountains without grass. The only way to make a decision is Djibouti, which is the narrow striped area on the Red Coast that belongs to Eritrea, with a total area of ​​about 73,000 square kilometers.

It is suitable for farmland, and it is less than 15,000 square kilometers.

It is a good idea to develop fruit forest planting in mountainous areas.

But this can solve the limited employment population. Judging from the existing conditions, there are 10,000 or 20,000 people at the highest.

After thinking about it, Li Yong focused his goal on the tobacco industry.

In the Ocean Empire

The government imposes heavy taxes on the tobacco industry, but does not restrict the development of private cigarette factories. If the strategy of "borrowing chickens and laying eggs" can be adopted, and to develop tobacco plantations in the Luzon Islands and set up factories to produce in Somalia, not only can the government obtain high taxes, but it can also solve the problem of a large number of employed people.

Li Yong personally took the lead and joined hands with dozens of top figures in Somalia to form a Somali company. His confidants are all important shareholders of the company, in order to operate a 500,000-acre forest project in the Legaspi area of ​​northern Manila.

A few days later

The project approval progress was smooth. Li Yong and his in-laws Baron Lei Xiaopeng were having a leisurely afternoon tea, and they were in a very good mood.

"To be honest with Brother Lei, after more than ten years of separation, I couldn't recognize Honghe Valley City when I came back this time. It turned out that the north bank was a piece of farmland and vegetable fields, and I couldn't even hit anyone with a stick. Now it has become a prosperous city with high-rise buildings, as well as the river tunnels and subways. It's really eye-opening!"

"Brother, you have to come back and see more. After all, this is the heart of the empire. If you don't move for a long time, you won't know who you are."

"Haha... forget it, there are many nobles and wealthy families here, which onion am I?" Li Yong shook his head with a sigh. Australia is too far apart from Somalia, and it is not easy to go back and forth. This time, after completing the acquisition of the Luzon Islands tobacco plantation, I don't know the year of the Monkey and Horse Month next time.

Li Yong couldn't find a sense of belonging in this bustling metropolis, but it was Humen and Xi'an, the cities he had devoted all his efforts, which made him very attached.

Baron Lei Xiaopeng knew his old brother's thoughts well, so he stopped persuading him, but instead said: "Brother, where has the matter been going?"

"The Property Rights Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has agreed to hold a special land auction in the Luzon Islands, taking out a plot of land with a total area of ​​about 850,000 acres. The 500,000 acres of forest in the Legazbe area are divided into two targets, one with a 330,000 acres and the other with a 170,000 acres. We are bound to win the public auction."

"If this is the price is too high?"

"Brother Lei, in fact, it is not true that there are not many people who are really interested in such a large area of ​​land, and even fewer people who are able to eat. Such a large plot is only suitable for agricultural and animal husbandry development. According to normal income calculation, the land value is limited, and no one will throw money into the water."

"That's good, that's good..."

Lei Xiaopeng is not good at business affairs, and when he heard Li Yong say this, he felt relieved.

He has participated in heavy shares in Somalia and is one of the board members. His interests are of concern and he has to care about it no matter what.

The two were chatting leisurely, and the butler of the Lei Mansion suddenly walked in from outside in a hurry. Seeing Li Yong hesitating, he still handed the telegram in his hand.

"Sir, this is a telegram sent from South Africa. Please check it out."

"oh."

Li Yong took the telegram and glanced, his expression suddenly became solemn. Lei Xiaopeng took the telegram with some confusion and looked at it, and his face changed suddenly. "Jianyang was captured in South Africa and is not in danger of his life yet. What's going on?"

"Hey, I often walk by the river, so there is no one who doesn't have wet feet." Li Yong responded with a lonely expression.

"Then... I need to rescue the child quickly!" Lei Xiaopeng was really anxious. Li Jianyang was his son-in-law.

The telegram is very brief;

During a military operation in Bloemfontein, he fell into a Boer trap. 37 people died in a team of 117 people, 56 were captured in the accident, and only 24 people escaped. Li Jianyang happened to be one of the captured people.

"Hey... It's a pity that we are thousands of miles away, and it's beyond reach!" Li Yong's face was cold, he stood up and walked a few steps, and said carefully. "Now he can't be confused. Jianyang, a child, has been with me since childhood. He has experienced many times since he was born and died. He has a lot of experience. As long as it is not exposed, there will be no danger for the time being. The Boers must not dare to stay in the same place. They will hide everywhere with their captives. He will find an opportunity to escape by himself."

"How can this work?" The anxiety on Lei Xiaopeng's face was fully revealed.

Li Yong said calmly, "Brother Lei, if we act heavily at the moment of the day, it will alert the Boers and realize that there are important figures among the captives. I will call on the mercenary team on the front line of South Africa to chase them. They will grasp the measure and force the Boers to move constantly, creating opportunities for Jianyang and others to escape."

"Can you put pressure on the Boers through the Imperial Foreign Ministry to fight for the exchange of prisoners?"

"This is only the last move, and it is not suitable to move lightly for the time being."

"That's all...that's all."

"Brother Lei, since Jianyang has eaten this bowl of rice, he must have the awareness of putting his head on his belt. If he can't escape, it's his life. I will let the Boer people bury him."

Li Yong was very cold at this time, his tone was cold, as if the cold wind in the 39th heaven blew across the wilderness, containing endless murderous intent.

Baron Lei Xiaopeng was stunned for a moment when he heard this, frowned and thought about it, but he was really helpless.

He now has no soldiers and soldiers, and the empire has no troops in South Africa. The rescue operation has to rely on British or mercenary teams. He, a general who retreated to the second line, has no choice.

Perhaps Li Yong's actions were the right response, but when he thought that if this child had a few shortcomings and his daughter would have to be a widow at a young age, his heart was as heavy as a big stone, and his face was full of sorrow.

"Brother Lei, please forgive me for saying goodbye." Li Yong turned around and strode away.

He wanted to immediately call the South African front and organize a force to chase the Boer guerrillas in Bloemfontein, forcing them to keep escaping.

Today, the British have implemented a cruel suppression policy against the Boers. There are more Boers who die in concentration camps, and there are more elderly, weak, women and children than on the battlefield, and the hatred between the two sides is irreconcilable.

It is not a good idea to put pressure through diplomatic means.

You should know that mercenaries cannot receive treatment from prisoners of war. Li Jianyang faces a very dangerous situation and may have life worries at any time.
Chapter completed!