Chapter 600: Huadu

The naval battle at Liao nei qundao was a great victory, Batam Island was thoroughly secured, the Malay Peninsula was gradually cleared, and the entirety of Thailand was reclaimed.

Nanko's sphere of influence kept expanding, and the matter of establishing a capital finally made it onto Jiang Anguo's agenda.

Throughout Nanko, many people suggested setting the capital in Singapore.

This is the foundation of Nanko's rise: Chinese make up over 70%, the people's hearts are with it, and it possesses the Malajia haixia, a world‑class waterway; transportation is convenient, commerce flourishes, making it Nanko's key outward‑contact window.

In fact, when Jiang Anguo first came to Singapore, he also considered this.

He thought of designating Singapore as the capital.

Jiang Zhiyuan's fleet could dock at Singapore and also move southward to attack the Dongyindu qundao.

But during the subsequent Thailand campaign, he changed his mind.

Jiang Anguo had already reached a different conclusion; Singapore shifted from the top choice to the second position.

When he grew from a military Commander into Nanko's core decision‑maker, controlling the Chinese forces across Southeast Asia, he truly grasped the importance of the word "balance."

Chen Jiageng sat in the seat of President of Nanhua, yet most of Nanko's military authority and economic resources came from Jiang Anguo.

Jiang Anguo sat in the Singapore command headquarters' study, looking at the Southeast Asia map on the desk, his fingertips repeatedly tracing the locations of Singapore and Huadu (formerly Manggu), his expression steady.

"Commander, Mr. Chen Jiageng has arrived," the adjutant reported softly.

Jiang Anguo lifted his head and said, "Please let him in."

A moment later, Chen Jiageng pushed the door open, his face showing a hint of urgency, and he held a proposal document concerning the capital.

It explicitly proposed setting the capital in Singapore, listing many of Singapore's advantages.

"Anguo, I know you are weighing the great matter of the capital," Chen Jiageng said after sitting down, his tone earnest and a bit urgent, gently pushing the proposal onto Jiang Anguo's desk.

"Singapore is the root of Nanko's rise, Chinese make up over 70%, and the people's hearts are united."

Chen Jiageng continued, "Moreover, the Malajia haixia is a natural waterway, linking Asia to the east and Europe to the west; whether as a hub for foreign trade or for military deployment, it is an ideal location. Placing the capital here is entirely logical."

Jiang Anguo's lips curled into a gentle yet firm smile; he did not rush to rebut, but raised his hand to tap Singapore on the map, his tone steady and earnest: "Mr. Jiageng, I have taken your intentions and the advantages you mentioned to heart, and I fully agree."

Jiang Anguo did not address Chen Jiageng as "President."

"The Malajia haixia is our lifeline; Singapore's thriving commerce and mobilizable populace are undeniable,"

"But you might calmly consider that Singapore has two inescapable limitations, destined to make it unable to bear the capital's responsibilities."

Chen Jiageng's brows furrowed slightly, his body leaning forward a bit, his tone tinged with doubt and humility: "I am willing to hear the details; please, Anguo, speak plainly—I also wish to hear your considerations."

"First, it is the key to the balance of power."

Jiang Anguo's tone instantly grew somber, his expression serious, "Singapore can be called Nanko's starting point; it gathers many elders who follow you. If the capital is set there, the Singapore faction's power will only grow stronger, and over time a situation where the tail becomes too heavy to lift will arise, which would harm Nanko's overall stability."

It was while Jiang Anguo was comparing Singapore and Huadu that he realized Chen Jiageng was surrounded by too many people from Singapore.

These individuals wield excessive influence in Nanko's government, forcing Jiang Anguo to raise his guard.

When starting out, a county‑level person is indeed capable in combat and can easily unite outwardly.

But if economic development remains in the hands of this same group, that is not a good sign!

"Mr. Jiageng, as Nanko's decision‑maker, you cannot focus solely on immediate stability; you must consider future generations and Nanko's long‑term development, curb the expansion of a single power, and allow regional forces to check each other and develop cooperatively."

Chen Jiageng looked at the young man in disbelief; he had never considered this issue.

He himself had even thought Singapore was the most suitable city to serve as Nanko's capital.

But now, after hearing Jiang Anguo, Chen Jiageng understood—indeed!

The development of power requires mutual balance.

Jiang Anguo paused, his tone slightly softer yet still firm: "Second, there are geographic and developmental limitations. Singapore is merely a small island of just over 700 square kilometers; although its population is dense and commerce thriving, this cramped area is its greatest shackles."

"Even counting Xinshan to the north does no good; the Malay Peninsula is mountainous, terrain rugged, with little arable land and poor transport, unable to support Singapore's expansion. In the long run, its development will inevitably be trapped by geography."

Chen Jiageng silently rubbed his fingertips, slowly nodding, his tone mixing agreement with concern: "What you mention are indeed Singapore's hard flaws—the bottleneck of limited territory is hard to overcome. Apart from Singapore, which other city could shoulder the capital's responsibilities?"

Jiang Anguo instantly raised his hand, his gaze fixed on Huadu on the map, his voice unmistakably certain: "Huadu, formerly Manggu."

"Here and Singapore differ vastly, and Huadu holds irreplaceable advantages. Huadu lies in the Meinanhe sanzhou, with flat terrain, fertile soil, covering a full 1,500 square kilometers—more than twice Singapore's area."

Jiang Anguo knew a later estimate: Singapore has about six million people, while Manggu has nine million.

"Given Huadu's (formerly Manggu) size and geography, its future development potential is limitless."

He stood, walked to the map, his finger slowly tracing Huadu's outline, patiently explaining: "Singapore's problem lies at its core—its smallness."

"Overcrowded, whether in urban expansion, industrial layout, or population capacity, it is all constrained."

Singapore's sole advantage is its port.

"Huadu is different; it has ample space, can radiate northward to Myanmar, connect westward to the Malay Peninsula, and rely eastward on Nan hua wan, allowing development in all directions without pressure. More importantly, the arable land of the Meinanhe sanzhou can provide Nanko with abundant food security—a point Singapore can never match."

"Moreover, Nan hua wan (formerly Taiguo wan)'s fishery resources are also a major support for Huadu," Jiang Anguo added, his tone calm and confident.

"Its abundant fisheries can both secure the livelihood of the people and stimulate fish‑product processing, shipping and related industries, bolstering Huadu's economic growth."

"More crucially, Huadu sits at the heart of Southeast Asia, linking Myanmar, Thailand, and the Malay Peninsula, making it easier for us to coordinate regional forces and consolidate Nanko's rule—vital for our fledgling nation."

Jiang Anguo felt that his initial consideration of Singapore was still petty.

After seizing all of Thailand, he believed Huadu was the most suitable place for the capital.