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Once a reputation is tarnished, whether the Kwantung Army can still hold its ground is uncertain, and it remains to be seen if His Majesty will, in a fit of rage, demand a seppuku. However, General Kujou now only associates him with the Gendarmerie, which is not to expose these stains but rather to offer him an opportunity—a chance to reverse the image of the Kwantung Army.
"General Kujou, you are too kind. Please, have a seat. Everything regarding the Kwantung Army is not difficult!"
Upon hearing General Kujou's words, Mutou Nobuyoshi visibly relaxed and quickly sat down properly, ready to listen to Your Excellency's guidance. Seeing Mutou Nobuyoshi so receptive, Kujou knew his approach was working.
"General Kujou, do you know why India is referred to as the jewel in the crown of the British Empire?"
India possesses a vast population and rich resources. It provided Britain with a plethora of materials such as cotton, hemp, tea, and spices. The hemp industry in India was crucial for Britain's textile industry, with large quantities of high-quality hemp being shipped to Britain for processing into products like sacks and ropes. At the same time, India served as a significant market for British goods. Industrial products from Britain, such as textiles and machinery, could be sold in India's expansive market, bringing enormous profits to British capitalists. Through trade surpluses, Britain reaped substantial economic benefits from India; this economic significance was akin to the most dazzling jewel on a crown.
"It seems that General Kujou has conducted thorough research on India!"
"Your Excellency overestimates me."
"Then do you know what Britain has invested in India?"
"Ah, Your Excellency, Mitsuyoshi has not been informed; I only know about the railways that were built."
"In fact, Britain's contributions to India extend far beyond just constructing thousands of miles of railways! They also increased the irrigated land area in India. Statistics show that by a certain year, Britain had expanded India's irrigated land area eightfold, reaching a total that significantly promoted agricultural development and improved production stability while impacting India's economic structure."
"Moreover, by the 19th century, Britain's investments in India's infrastructure, irrigation, and industry reached billions of pounds; by another year, this figure had risen further. These investments facilitated the growth of related industries in India."
"Additionally, Britain established several modern industrial enterprises in India—such as textile mills, steel plants, and coal mines—initiating industrialization and cultivating a large workforce."
"So then, General Kujou, what have we invested in Manchuria? The Middle East Railway was built during the Manchu period by the Russian Empire; coal mines were exploited during the Russian Empire era. In a certain year alone, Anshan Ironworks and Benxi Lake Coal and Iron Company produced enough iron to reach tens of thousands of tons! But is this sufficient? Is our industrial capacity in Manchuria truly adequate?"
"Modern warfare is fundamentally a war of steel. In World War I alone, metal consumption reached millions of tons! If Manchuria lacks sufficient industrial capacity when our empire goes to war in the future, will we have enough steel supplies for military factories? Will we have enough military supplies for our troops? Will we have enough food for our army? Are we expected to fight against the Soviet Army wielding bamboo spears? I only ask you this: General Kujou, how many trucks does the Kwantung Army possess? Fewer than a thousand! We occupy such vast territory yet lack complete industrial capability! Don’t even mention the Navy clamoring daily for giant cannons and battleships; aside from those outdated weapons from Shenyang Arsenal, we can't even produce more advanced firearms! We in Manchuria are unworthy of even being called the jewel on His Majesty's crown!"
After this outburst, Mutou Nobuyoshi and Ninomiya Kenichi fell into deep contemplation because Kujou Yuuma was absolutely correct.
"Your Excellency, please teach us!" Both Mutou Nobuyoshi and Ninomiya Kenichi bowed their heads eagerly.
"We need to invest! Invest in Manchuria! We must establish an industrial system that is not merely basic or light industry but a comprehensive system capable of producing tanks, armored vehicles, aircraft, individual combat weapons, military supplies—everything our army requires! We must make Manchuria the most powerful industrial base of the empire! At the same time, we need to vigorously cultivate fertile black land for food production! Furthermore, we should hand over land to farmers so they can have ownership rights for a certain period; this will motivate them sufficiently. We will only collect half of their harvest as tax! Don’t underestimate this because these are all newly added farmlands that won’t appear on paper! Do you understand?"
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