Shanghai, after more than ten years of hard work by Li Weiguo, has now exceeded 5 million, becoming the world's first super metropolis in the mid-19th century.

More than ten years ago, Shanghai was still a small county with a population of only 30,000 and a radius of five kilometers. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom War created a miracle in which the population of this small county exceeded 5 million, and became the only metropolis in the world with a population of more than 5 million.

Of course, if it were just that small county town with a radius of five kilometers would definitely not be able to accommodate five million people. Now Shanghai County has been upgraded to Shanghai Prefecture, the location of the comprehensive government of the Governor of Jiangnan, the Governor of Liangjiang, and the Minister of Nanyang, and it is also the political, economic and military center of the ten southern provinces.

It is precisely because of this particularity that Shanghai has undergone three major expansions in a row. The original Shanghai county town is only 5 kilometers in radius, but now it has 50 kilometers in radius. It has included the original concessions of Britain, France and the United States, and even spans the Huangpu River, Pudong, and Sichuan sand into the city.

Except for the inner city, there are no bungalows in the outer city, and they are all replaced by high-rise buildings to relieve the huge population pressure.

From a military perspective, a metropolis with a population of five million is not desirable, because once a war breaks out, the population density is too high, which can easily cause greater casualties among civilians, especially the rapid development of hot weapons, which is much more lethal than cold weapons.

For Shanghai, it is located in the East China Plain area, surrounded by the sea on both sides and the Yangtze River on one side. It is flat and has no danger to defend. It becomes a densely populated area, which is equivalent to increasing a huge military burden.

There are pros and cons. At first, Li Weiguo was still skeptical about building a big Shanghai, but soon he thought about it. Now it is not old China, and it is impossible for Shanghai to repeat the mistake of being destroyed by the Japanese army. Li Weiguo himself should have the confidence to protect Shanghai. If he can't even protect a Shanghai, then don't talk about the king's hegemony.

Li Weiguo lost his knot and let Fu Xuexian and others build Shanghai.

Of course, Li Weiguo received huge political and economic returns when sending out military adverse factors.

Politically, after the implementation of the Great Shanghai Plan, it accepted a large number of refugees from Jiangnan, allowing the people to live and work in peace and stability and avoid the destruction of war. Millions of ordinary people moved to Shanghai from all over the country because they heard that Li Weiguo was benevolent and righteous, stable under his rule and rich in life, so they came to Shanghai for the reputation of Li Weiguo. If Li Weiguo did not expand the Great Shanghai, then millions of refugees would not be able to be resettled, and Li Weiguo's reputation of benevolence and righteousness would be destroyed. Therefore, the Great Shanghai Plan was finally successful, and millions of refugees were properly resettled, creating a world record of 5 million people in Shanghai, and at the same time, it also created Li Weiguo's reputation of benevolence and righteousness, supported by the people, and its reputation was at its peak.

Economically, after the implementation of the Greater Shanghai Plan, at the beginning, an average of 500,000 or 600,000 people flocked to Shanghai every year, and food, clothing, housing and transportation were in full swing. Faced with this situation, Fu Xuexian, who was responsible for implementing the Greater Shanghai Plan, was almost scared to death because the cost of providing relief to refugees alone was millions of yuan.

Fortunately, Li Weiguo's vault has sufficient funds. Every year, just printing illegal banknotes can make huge profits of tens of millions of yuan from overseas. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank monopolizes the national finance. The booming development of Jiangwan Industrial Zone has also made a considerable annual profit, which makes it sufficient funds to resettle refugees and will not cause a mutiny from refugees.

Work-for-relief is a people's livelihood strategy formulated by Li Weiguo when he was a county magistrate in Chongming. It can not only concentrate labor on various constructions, but also solve the living problems of the people. It can stabilize social security and improve people's expectations, and win multiple goals at one fell swoop. Millions of refugees provide cheap labor for the construction of the Greater Shanghai project. After the six major expansions of the Jiangwan Industrial Zone, the production capacity is huge, and there is overcapacity of bulk industrial products such as steel, cement, and textiles. The fierce competition in overseas markets can just expand domestic demand and drive Shanghai's economic growth.

As a result, three large-scale urban expansions were built, new outer city walls were built, wide roads, flood control and drainage underground passages were built in the city, tens of thousands of buildings for millions of refugees, urban subways and other urban infrastructure construction, which consumed the excess production capacity of the industrial zone, and completed the large-scale urban expansion, successfully resettled millions of people.

It can be said that the early investment was huge, with a total expenditure of 120 million yuan in more than ten years, but in recent years, the investment has become less and less. In turn, millions of Shanghai citizens have begun to feed back the Shanghai finances, causing the Shanghai fiscal deficit to disappear. Moreover, the tax alone is as high as 20 million yuan. In less than five years, all the huge funds invested by Li Weiguo that year will be recovered.

This is the advantage brought by a huge population. Because cities with five million people live in food, clothing, housing and transportation, and the cost of oil, salt, rice, flour and furniture for daily use need to be purchased. This promotes the development of urban business. The government can impose a large amount of commercial income tax. When tap water, gas, gas lamps, subway and other infrastructure are put into use, the people cannot do without it and have to pay money to the government.

Although tap water costs one cent per ton, gas costs 30 cent per cubic meter, subway tickets only cost five cents a coin, these are all small money, but if you multiply by five million people, it will be a large amount of money. Multiply by three hundred and sixty-five days a year, it will be a huge amount of money.

These are the huge population advantages that can feed back the investment in urban construction. If the cycle continues, the development of the city will become like a snowball, getting bigger and bigger, and eventually become the takeoff of Shanghai's economy.

Today, Shanghai’s landmark buildings are no longer the headquarters building of the AIIB. The eight-story bank building is no longer uncommon. In the most prosperous commercial area, there are already 30-story high buildings, becoming a new landmark in Shanghai. In comparison, in New York, the United States at the same time, its most prosperous Fifth Street tallest building was only 18-story Rockefeller Center. Compared with Shanghai, it is simply weak.

Standing at the highest point of Sheshan, Li Weiguo looked at the big Shanghai under his feet, feeling a lot of emotion.

This is the big Shanghai he created with one hand. The feeling is more enjoyable, proud and more fulfilling than playing a simulated city.

However, the more prosperous Shanghai is, the more worried Li Weiguo is that once a war breaks out, he will be afraid of being destroyed by the enemy.

The richer the more stingy the more successful the career, the more afraid of losing it. People have the same heart and same principles, and will remain unchanged forever.

"Prince, I just received the news that the parliaments of Britain and France have passed the declaration of war."

Cheng Kun, deputy director of the Intelligence Department of SHIELD, came to report to Li Weiguo. Now that SHIELD's overseas intelligence has been handed over to Cheng Kun, the domestic intelligence work is still under Li Jing's management.

On the surface, it seems that the division of labor is different, but in fact Li Weiguo has begun to separate the power departments of SHIELD. One is internal and the other is external, which is a trade-off.

"The news came so quickly! In just a few days, the parliaments of Britain and France made a decision! This is not like their style!"

The person who spoke was Li Hongzao, who was transferred from the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi to the Governor of Liangjiang and returned to Shanghai.

This was Li Weiguo's arrangement, because the war was about to break out, Shanghai and Liangjiang needed a capable governor to preside over government affairs, and Li Hongzao was undoubtedly the most qualified.

Li Hongzao was also very happy about this. Because in Li Weiguo's circle, the Governor of Liangjiang was the largest and highest-ranking governor, just like the Governor Zhili was the highest-ranking governor of the Qing Dynasty.

"Mr. Li doesn't know that the British have laid the telegram line to Singapore, so the news is transmitted so quickly!" Cheng Kun explained immediately.

Li Hongzao suddenly realized and was not surprised, because during the year and a half he had been in charge of Guangdong and Guangxi, building railways and laying telegraph lines were top-notch major events, and he was still very clear about the communication speed of telegraphs.

"The telecommunications era is coming!"

Li Weiguo smiled and said, "The last time Britain and France chose us for a full year. Now that they have telegram communication methods, they have reacted in just three days. It seems that Britain and France are prepared for this time!"

"Come prepared, I think it's almost the same as if I'm going to be beaten!"

Zhang Xiaoliu curled his lips and said with disdain. If Zhang Xiaoliu was afraid of foreigners ten years ago, then now Zhang Xiaoliu has regarded foreigners as a punching bag and abused them as much as he wants.

As the commander of the First Front Army of the South China Sea Army, Zhang Xiaoliu was naturally full of confidence. Similarly, since the Battle of Songhu, the officers and soldiers of the entire South China Sea Army were no longer afraid of foreigners, and even the common people straightened their backs and nodded to foreigners.

This is a change in the state of mind. It represents strong strength and self-confidence.

However, Li Weiguo wanted to talk about Zhang Xiaoliu. It is okay to be proud, but you should not be arrogant and despise the enemy.

He said: "We should despise the enemy strategically, but we should pay attention to the enemy tactically, otherwise the arrogant army will be defeated."

"Yes!" Zhang Xiaoliu responded immediately. He spent most of his time studying in recent years. He just obtained a diploma and bachelor's degree from Danfu University last year. This is a great fortune for Zhang Xiaoliu, a small figure from the Li family who was born as a slave. His overall temperament has also changed greatly, and he has officially entered the ranks of elites from an ordinary person.

Li Weiguo was still very satisfied with Zhang Xiaoliu's humble attitude.

"Where do you think the British and French coalition forces will attack this time?"

Zhang Xiaoliu thought for a while and replied: "In the early stages of the outbreak of the war, it is possible for all provinces in the southeast coastal areas. As the war progresses, it will focus on attacking Shanghai."

"Oh, how can I see it?" Li Weiguo asked with a smile.

Li Hongzao, Fu Xuexian and Cheng Kun on the side also raised their ears, wanting to see how many talented people the most trusted around King Wu are. After all, Zhang Xiaoliu was a slave of the Li family and has now been in charge of the commander of the First Front Army, in charge of the 200,000 troops of the four most elite troops and eight towns under Li Weiguo. He is a military giant, and not everyone is convinced of him.

Zhang Xiaoliu said: "According to the overall plan of the king, the imperial army represented by Yixin, Li Hongzhang's Yan army, and the British and French coalition forces, these three forces are our enemies, but Yixin wants Li Hongzhang and the British and French coalition forces to fight us first, so he can reap the benefits of the fisherman, so the Manchu and Mongolian Eight Banners Army of the court will not take action first. Li Hongzhang must know Yixin's abacus, but he cannot send troops. In order not to let Yixin get a bargain, Li Hongzhang will take risks and plan to fight quickly. Before Yixin reacts, he will use Wu Zhiqiang's Fourth Army as an internal response and attempt to fight to Shanghai. Similarly, Britain and France will not be so stupid that they are used by Yixin as a gun, so the British and French coalition forces will not launch a decisive battle against us from the beginning. The biggest possibility is to restrain our army's forces and watch the Chinese civil war. At the critical moment, the British and French coalition forces will take action with the goal of destroying our China."

After a pause, Zhang Xiaoliu concluded: "So, I think the British and French coalition forces will raid the southeast coastal provinces at the beginning and give full play to the advantages of their fleets. Once the prince here fights Yi Xin and Li Hongzhang, no matter who wins or loses, the British and French coalition forces will sweep over to occupy Shanghai and avenge their former revenge."

Li Weiguo smiled, but asked the others: "What do you think?"

Li Hongzao said in admiration: "The analysis of Commander Zhang is very reasonable, I admire you!"

"I'm going to discuss it!" Fu Xuexian and Cheng Kun also nodded, both of whom were surprised. Unexpectedly, this slave from the Li family had already made a big comeback after years of study.

"Not bad! Not bad!" Li Weiguo nodded and was very happy to defeat Zhang Xiaoliu.

Fu Xuexian suddenly frowned and said, "If the war starts in Shanghai, it will have a great impact on Shanghai's economy!"

Li Hongzao also said: "The last time Chuansha and Pudong were a wasteland, and the decisive battle with the British and French coalition forces did not affect the economy. But now most areas of Chuansha and Pudong have planned to enter the Shanghai urban area and start war here, which will cause great damage and great economic losses."

Zhang Xiaoliu said without caring: "The three city walls in Shanghai are all very tall and strong. The artillery of the British and French forces is still direct-fired and cannot be shot into the city. As for the industrial zone, there is no one in Pudong, and they are all on the south bank of the Huangpu River, so there should be little loss."

When Li Weiguo started to build Shanghai, because of his weak strength at that time, he took defense and counterattack as the starting point, which was to build the city walls of Shanghai with tall and solid use reinforced concrete to water them all as the first line of defense against foreign invasions. At the same time, wooden houses were no longer allowed in the city, and newly built houses must be reinforced concrete buildings. This was also Li Weiguo's lack of confidence at that time. He thought that once the city wall could not be defended, the army retreated into the city area and relied on reinforced concrete houses to carry out urban street fighting, and built Shanghai into Stalingrad in the East.

The plan was conservative at that time, and I didn’t expect to easily win the Battle of Shanghai. If I do it again, Li Weiguo would be reluctant to let it go. After all, even if I could win the defense battle like Stalingrad, a prosperous metropolis would be destroyed. For Li Weiguo, he would feel very distressed.

Li Weiguo then said: "This time, the British and French coalition forces will not be allowed to land easily. The battlefield is placed near the coastline to ensure that the city is not affected."

Li Hongzao worried: "But, when fighting near the coastline, the navies of Britain and France are too strong. Are our troops at a disadvantage?"

This is a flaw. Without the control of the sea, fighting near the coastline will inevitably lead to a loss.

However, Li Weiguo was not afraid, he was confident because the East China Sea Fleet had a huge killer weapon.

"It's okay, this time the East China Sea Fleet will participate in the war and cooperate with the coastal defense forces, shallow seas and coastline minefields. Even if the British and French coalition forces land successfully, they will have to pay a heavy price."

According to Li Weiguo's plan, the British and French coalition forces would consume a large amount of troops in order to land. After the remaining troops landed, they would also be surrounded by the superior forces of the Nanyang Army, quickly ending the war and reducing the destructiveness and impact of the war to the lowest line.

The more economic prosperity, the less we can’t fight a war, because the losses are too great, so I feel sorry!

Therefore, Li Weiguo's strategic policy is to end the war as quickly as possible.

At this moment, the personal soldiers of the King of Wu's Mansion urgently asked for a visit.

"Report to the prince, the court's wedding team has arrived. The princess asks the prince to return quickly!"

Li Weiguo immediately smiled bitterly. This day has come, and it is another headache. (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!