Greece to roman road

With the start of refinery construction, Greece is about to become an oil producer.

Then, the development of Greece's domestic industries closely related to oil has entered a countdown.

By 1899, tractors received a warm welcome from farmers, and gasoline prices were very cheap (the original tractors used gasoline engines). Greek tractors imported from the United States were very popular. In two years, more than 400 units were imported.

These tractors are especially popular among agricultural cooperatives.

Due to the sparse population in Albania, the Greek government organized more than 20,000 people, some retired soldiers, and most young people who hoped to obtain land, to enter Albania to reclaim wasteland.

The land area of ​​agricultural cooperatives is large and connected, so it is more convenient to use tractors for farming.

On April 23, Constantine discussed state affairs with the Prime Minister in the conference room of the Palace in Syntagma Square.

"Prime Minister, I heard that the recent land reclamation activities in Albania have been very fruitful?" Constantine asked Alexandros.

In the past two years, as the government personally organized the evacuation of people to Albania, almost no people immigrated to North America.

Those who originally planned to immigrate actively signed up to participate in land reclamation activities after learning about the government's land bill.

"Yes, in the past two years, according to government statistics, more than 30,000 Greeks have immigrated to Albania," Alexandros said happily.

With the smooth progress of the reform, Greece's civil service system has begun to take shape, and the high government administrative expenses have been initially curbed. The Greek government's fiscal revenue has increased rapidly. It is estimated that throughout 1899, the Greek government's Tax revenue will reach a record high of 380 million drachmas.

Now that the government has sufficient financial resources, the Greek government has given strong support to the reclamation team in Albania and provided subsidies to various cooperatives to help them survive the initial difficult period.

"As far as I know, in cooperatives, tractors imported from the United States are very popular with farmers. The Hellenic Petroleum Company's refinery in Ferry is about to be completed and will be put into normal operation soon. Will your government consider it? , to support Greece’s own oil-related industries,” Constantine said.

Even after Greece became financially comfortable, Constantine still did not agree with the army's opinions. Under tremendous pressure, he rejected the army's request to immediately increase military spending.

Europe is currently in a rare period of peace. As the second industrial revolution blows the clarion call, the economies of all major countries are developing rapidly.

Under this circumstance, Constantine decided to use more of the government's revenue to develop the domestic economy rather than the army.

"Your Highness, do you mean to support the establishment of a tractor factory in Greece?" Alexandros said.

The United States has the largest arable land area in the world, and with the help of tractors, it is glowing with terrifying agricultural potential.

With its vast land, the demand for tractors is more urgent than in other countries.

At the end of the 19th century, American tractors were not only popular among farmers in the United States, but also flourished in the international market. Brazil, Argentina, Russia, and France, all major agricultural countries, almost all imported tractors from the United States.

In contrast, since most European countries have relatively dense populations and the demand for tractors is not so urgent, the development of the tractor industry lags behind that of the United States.

"Yes, you also know that with the increase in agricultural cooperatives, Greece's demand for tractors will further increase," Constantine said.

In fact, Constantine decided to let Greece develop the tractor industry as soon as possible. In addition to agricultural needs, there was also a military factor, which was the close relationship between tanks and tractors.

If Greece can have a mature tractor industry, the Greek army will be even more powerful in subsequent European wars.

Even if a tractor cannot be quickly converted into a tank, using a tractor to tow heavy artillery or transport weapons and ammunition is still very suitable on the battlefield.

Alexandros considered Constantine's advice.

In the past two years, the Greeks have reclaimed 17,000 hectares of land in Albania, almost all of which were attributed to agricultural cooperatives.

Moreover, according to government officials sent to Albania, Albania's land potential is far from being fully developed.

The large-scale increase in cultivated land and sufficient food supply will lead to a reduction in domestic food prices in Greece. This will also be conducive to the government's policy of encouraging childbirth, making the government's population policy more effective with half the effort, and promoting the rapid growth of the Greek population.

In addition, Greece's domestic oil mining industry has developed, so it is indeed more appropriate to support the tractor industry.

Andros is a master's student majoring in mechanics at the University of Athens in Greece. He has always been interested in machinery, especially the research on tractors. With the funding of the University of Athens, the research has been going smoothly.

When word spread that the government was interested in supporting a tractor factory in Greece, Andros volunteered and applied to Prime Minister Alexandros.

After receiving the news, Constantine and Prime Minister Alexandros went to the suburbs of Athens in person to watch Andros' tractor demonstration.

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In a farm south of Athens, Constantine and the Prime Minister watched the clicking tractor dragging an iron plow, plowing a deep ravine on the originally flat land of the farm.

The Prime Minister and Constantine looked at each other, nodded to each other, and then Constantine waved to Andros on the tractor, calling him over.

Andros was born into a large Greek family. His family was originally the Fanar people of the Ottoman Empire (a large Greek Christian family living in Constantinople). After Greece became independent, they immigrated to Greece.

"Mr. Andros, tell us what you think," Alexandros said kindly.

Andros's face turned red. He took two deep breaths and calmed down before saying, "Actually, tractors are not a new thing. After the invention of the steam engine, some people have been trying to make tractors to replace farmers and remove them from heavy work. Free from farm work”

"It's just that because the fuel of the steam engine is coal, it has always been very large, and the tractor made from it is incredibly heavy. Due to the limitation of the steam engine, the steam tractor has never been recognized."

"Since the invention of the internal combustion engine, many inventors have placed their hopes on the internal combustion engine because of its small size."

"Well, Mr. Andros, you also know that the government will promote the use of tractors in Greece. This is an opportunity for you," Constantine said.

"Your Royal Highness, we can directly imitate American tractors. For example, the tractors produced by the American Halbert Company, which imports the most in Greece, are very suitable," Andros said excitedly.

"What are you going to do with the matching parts?" Constantine asked.

Greece’s domestic heavy industry capacity is weak. With just a tractor factory, it is simply unrealistic for Andros to build a complete tractor parts industry in Greece. Even if the Greek government is willing to provide sufficient subsidy funds, it will not be possible to establish it.

"Your Highness, I plan to import parts from abroad initially and assemble them in Greece. After the factory has gained some experience, I will organize the production of some key parts, such as gasoline engines. As for other less important parts, According to economic principles, either produce it yourself or purchase it from abroad.”

The Prime Minister, who was quite satisfied with the inspection, agreed that the Greek government would subsidize 4,000 drachmas for every tractor leaving the factory.

At the same time, a loan of 7 million drachmas from the Royal Bank of Greece, guaranteed by the government, was used for the initial capital to establish the factory.

Constantine, on the other hand, found a senior manager with management capabilities from the Greek Steel Factory to help Andros manage the factory.