I believe that while military force cannot solve all problems, especially when it comes to maintaining control over occupied colonies, such as resolving internal conflicts. However, military force does serve as a backstop strategy. When other strategies fail or there are severe internal conflicts, military action can indeed abate further losses. So, while military force isn’t most nations’ first choice due to its high cost, it remains an essential tool not only during colonial establishment but also in specific extreme situations.
The case of China and the British is an interesting example. Britain initially introduced large quantities of opium into China through the East India Company for trade, gaining a significant amount of revenue. However, there’s an intense internal opposition in China that eventually led to the destruction of most of the opium. In response, Britain used military power and started the First Opium War. ~~And the consequence is significant, the British gained even more through the Treaty of Nanjing after the opium war. ~~
This serves as a classic example of when indirect economic control was ineffective; military force became a useful backup strategy.