Throughout history, there have been two main models for managing tributary states or colonies.
One model is like the adventurers of the Age of Exploration, who engaged in plunderous exploitation, taking everything they could from the locals and leaving them nothing. This is a brutal and uncivilized approach that is unsustainable.
During the colonial era, industrial nations like Britain and France adopted a more moderate approach to conquering underdeveloped agricultural nations.
They ensured the locals could survive while extracting resources like minerals, spices, and food from their colonies.
This way, the natives wouldn't resist too fiercely, and everyone could live. But Lu Chen's plan was even more ambitious.
"Ning Hai, Ping Hai, in addition to managing agricultural matters here, you will be responsible for managing all aspects of the Demon Slayer world."
"I'll explain their development plan to you, just follow it."
He spread out a world map.
"First, we need to raise their technological level. We need to bring the whole world up to the industrial age, especially the agricultural nations in Asia and Africa. They're too far behind."
"Then, we'll build them tractors, harvesters, and other agricultural equipment. We'll teach them modern agricultural production. They can get fertilizers from industrial nations. They can spare some for them."
"We'll also build railroads, creating railway networks between the major industrial centers in each country."
"Electricity is also important. If necessary, we can send the Bries to help them set up power grids. It's simple for the Bries, they can do it quickly."
"Medical care is also important. Remember to teach them to boil water, and have the Port Area make some penicillin and malaria vaccines…"
"???"
Ning Hai and Ping Hai were speechless.
"Commander, are you doing charity? I thought you were going to plunder them!"
It sounded like they were supporting their infrastructure development, completely different from the image they had of beating up the entire world and forcing them to be their dogs.
"We beat them up to make it easier to manage. Otherwise, they'll resent us and cause trouble behind our backs."
Lu Chen replied with a smile.
"You have to give them a carrot after the stick. If you want to manage an entire world, you can't just rely on brute force."
"And I'm emphasizing this again, we want to achieve sustainable development in the Demon Slayer world."
In the early 20th century, advanced nations like Great Britain, Eagle House, and France had already completed their industrialization.
Nations like Japan and Russia were struggling in a semi-industrial, semi-agricultural state.
Furthermore, a large number of underdeveloped agricultural nations, even primitive tribes, existed in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
It wouldn't be easy to extract anything from these countries.
So, it's better to bring them to the industrial age directly.
With increased productivity, agricultural and industrial output will be higher, and Lu Chen will have more resources to draw upon.
Just like when the cake grows bigger, everyone can get a bigger slice.
When ordinary people see their living standards improve, they won't resent their overlord's rule, but will instead be grateful and thank the Heavenly Army for bringing them electricity, penicillin, and fertilizer.
Finally, we can turn the Demon Slayer world into a stable rear base.
Win-win, even win-win-win.
This is far more advanced than plundering colonialism.
"Wow, that's complicated…"
"We'll go back and think about it…"
Ning Hai and Ping Hai were confused, they took the plans Lu Chen gave them and left.
…
After making arrangements for future work.
Lu Chen checked the progress of the Port Area and the local area in the past month.
Construction of the capital city was almost complete, the industrial zone was already in operation, and the residential and administrative areas had all been built.
However, the population was still low, with less than 600 people including the newly added Bries and Manjous.
It felt a bit too empty in a gigantic city of 50,000 square kilometers.
Even the little yellow chicks had their own duplex villas, although they preferred to live in the nests they built themselves.
The Port Area was still diligently experimenting with new weapons, dispatching several teams of Ship Girl flight troops every day to clear the surrounding waters and harass the Big Eyes.
The Sirens' cannons couldn't reach the sky, and the anti-aircraft cannons and fighter jets couldn't break through the Ship Girls' defenses.
For a while, the Port Area's range of activities expanded considerably.
They were also continuing to research and experiment with more advanced and portable weapons, preferably ones that could defeat high-level Sirens.
Overall, the development of both sides was going well. With the resources from the Demon Slayer world flowing back here, and an entire world as a rear base, Lu Chen believed that they could quickly reach the space age.
"Where's my Gundam?"
He suddenly remembered something.
Before they left, Akashi was working on a Gundam. Now that the Ship Girl flight troops were built, he wondered how the Gundam was doing.
Soon, he reached the area near Akashi's workshop.
Bang—Bang—Bang—
A series of clanging sounds came from inside, like something being forged.
"Hello? Akashi?"
Lu Chen knocked on the door.
"Commander, welcome home meow."
The beast-eared Ship Girl opened the door with a snap.
"Choose your combat unit, and remember to pay me meow."