The sun never sets in America

Chapter 53 Diplomacy

squeak……

A carriage stopped in front of the Spanish-style building of the city hall.

Immediately, guards with guns came to investigate.

But what was waiting for them was a pass with a black cover, the official seal of the city government on it, and even Liu Peng's personal seal engraved on it.

"Wait a moment, I'll go in and notify you." The guard captain looked at the pass in the white man's hand, gave him a deep look, then greeted him politely, and quickly walked into the gate of the city hall.

Harlem stood in front of the city hall gate, looking around very relaxedly. Although he had been here several times, he always felt something different every time he came to Harlem... If nothing else, let’s talk about the door. Two stone lions placed in front of a Western-style building, in this era, not to mention weird, in short, there is a sense of conflict or even blending of Eastern and Western civilizations.

tread... tread...

The footsteps of the guard captain came from inside the door, and then he saw the guard captain walking towards Harlin with a smile on his face.

"Mr. Harlin, please come inside, the ruling lord is waiting for you inside!" the guard captain said to Harin in English very kindly.

"Thank you..." Harlin replied to the guard captain in the Chinese he had recently learned, and then walked into the city hall with his civilized sword made of ivory.

"Recently, the gang of hawkers on East Street have been causing trouble again. We need to suppress it quickly, otherwise these guys will make things worse, and we will be the unlucky ones." Opposite Harlem, two men in reformed Confucian uniforms were walking towards us. Los Angeles officials, as they walked, discussed the trouble caused by vendors on East Street in Los Angeles.

The so-called East Street is actually a flea market in Los Angeles. There are everyone in it, from all walks of life. Basically, you can see everyone you can meet in real life here. Because of this, the security of East Street is also The worst thing about Los Angeles is that some people even made the exaggerated statement that out of ten people on East Street, nine were cheated.

And there are still people who firmly believe in this, which can also reflect the current situation of East Street.

The East Street mainly sells antiques and even legally restricted weapons such as muskets. Every once in a while, the Los Angeles patrol police can catch many vendors and buyers who trade muskets privately, but they still keep banning them...

The reason is the special nature of the land in the Americas. After the Western colonists landed, although they got along well with the Indians at first, after all, the white people had just arrived in a new place and had to observe it. However, over time, the white people became bloodthirsty. Their true nature began to be exposed, and the characteristics of pirate civilization began to emerge... Soon, through one battle after another, the entire America was colonized, and those Indians were either eliminated or surrendered to the white people, and some remained neutral on the surface, but Still paying huge taxes, these phenomena existed in the original California, and they existed together...

The American continent, compared to the Eurasian continent that has been developed for a long time, is relatively closed and primitive, so there are a large number of wild animals in the wild, such as pumas, leopards, American gray wolves, brown bears and other large carnivores, and there are also dissatisfaction with white people. The indigenous Indians, everything reveals that it is really impossible to live without guns in America...

Owning guns is not only a tradition in the United States, but during this period, it was a tradition in the entire Americas.

In this way, after Liujiabao banned gun trading, even if you want to buy a gun, you must explain the reason and report it to the local government.

All this dissatisfied the white people who naturally distrusted the pagans like Liujiabao. Although their guns were confiscated, they still invented another way to own guns, which was black market trading. This is why Liujiabao wanted to The reason for attacking East Street is that this is one of the largest gun trading markets in Los Angeles, and even in California.

When Harlem passed by the two of them, the two local Los Angeles officials immediately shut up, as if what just happened had not happened.

"Who is this foreigner?" One of the officials surnamed Li asked the official surnamed Zhang next to him with a puzzled look on his face as he watched Harin walking calmly in front of him in a suit.

"You ask me, who should I ask." The official surnamed Zhang replied angrily, "I think it is [-]% invited by the ruling lord, or a foreigner, even if it is Marl, Luo Lin, the two propaganda men who serve us It is impossible for an official to come in so easily, and there is no one around him, and he behaves like his own family." Zhang took out the two people who first defected to Liujiapu, Maar and Luo Lin, for comparison, and finally found that Comparing the two of them with the foreigner in front of them, they are completely different and cannot be compared to the same...

"Forget it, never mind, we'd better ask less about the ruling lord's affairs. Knowing too much will do us no good." At this time, the official surnamed Li suddenly said to the official surnamed Zhang, "Let's go back and get the things first." The case on Dongjie Street is over. Damn it, these bastards from Dongjie Street know how to cause trouble for me every day. When they are desperate, I will shut down Dongjie Street and let’s see who can keep calm!!” Official surnamed Li said to me. The gang of hawkers engaged in black trade on East Street cursed. After all, this kind of thing happens every day, not just once or twice. The difference is just that there are more small ones and less big ones.

"Okay, calm down, you have to be patient when dealing with these guys." The official named Zhang smiled and comforted the official named Li, "Let's go, I'll treat you to a drink tonight, in the tavern owned by that French girl. Let me tell you, her figure is considered to be one of the best in our city of Los Angeles." The official named Zhang became excited when he mentioned a French woman named Ruolin. This French woman named Ruolin is in her thirties. , in this era, she should actually be considered an old woman, but she couldn’t resist being well-maintained and in good shape, so she became the favorite of many middle-aged men. The pub she opened called Seine River was full every night... ... Even Los Angeles government officials like Zhang, the official surnamed Zhang, have heard about it. After going there once, they no longer miss Shu.

"You, you... you will die sooner or later from a woman." The official surnamed Li pointed at the official surnamed Zhang, and then said sarcastically.

"I am also promoting Hua-Pakistan friendship!!" Official Zhang replied with a blush, "Hua-Baizhou friendship, Hua-Baizhou friendship..." Official Zhang continued shamelessly.

"Why are you friendly with white people? I think you are only friendly with those white women!!" The official surnamed Li revealed his true colors without hesitation.

.............................................

"I asked why the magpies were chirping on the branches today. It turns out that a distinguished guest is here." After Liu Peng learned the news about Harin's arrival, he waited outside the door of the inner courtyard early. As soon as he saw Harin walking in, he became enthusiastic came forward and said hello.

"Thank you, Lord Consul." Harlem looked at Liu Peng who greeted him warmly and replied somewhat flattered, with even a hint of embarrassment on his face.

"Come on, let's go in and talk first." Liu Peng took Harin directly into his study room instead of the living room or the side room for guests, which shows his trust in Harin.

"Come here, make tea. By the way, I want English black tea with milk." Liu Peng knew Harin's preferences clearly.

"Come, sit down." Liu Peng directly asked Harin to sit on the chair opposite his desk.

"Thank you, Lord Governor..." After Harlem sat down, he expressed his gratitude to Liu Peng for asking him to get him British black tea. He was even a little touched in his heart. After all, whether it was British black tea or milk, it could be seen that Liu Peng attaches great importance to him.

"Mr. Harlin, how are you doing recently?" Liu Peng did not rush to ask about that matter, but instead became concerned about Harin's personal situation to show his care for Harin.

"Fortunately, everything is fine, but my waist is a little sore. Maybe I have been working for a long time." Harin touched his waist and said to Liu Peng.

"I happen to have a master who is good at acupuncture. Let him take a look at Mr. Harin later." Liu Peng heard this and immediately replied to Harin, and even wanted to treat Harin directly.

"Thank you, Lord Governor. I have heard about Eastern acupuncture for a long time. I have to say that it is really a miraculous medical method, as mysterious as the East." After hearing this, Harin first expressed his appreciation for everything Liu Peng had done for him. He expressed his gratitude, and then praised the acupuncture technology, and also used the word "mysterious". Of course, there was another sentence that Harin did not say, that is, in his eyes, Liu Peng was also very mysterious. Don't let him see through it.

"By the way, how's it going with the fleet?" Liu Peng took a sip of the tea that was just delivered to him and asked Harin casually.

After all, apart from diplomacy with the British, what he was most concerned with was the immigration fleet, because it was related to the demographic structure of Liujiabao and the dominance of the Chinese in California.

These are crucial. "It's basically done now!" Upon hearing this, Harin immediately replied to Liu Peng, "We'll leave in three days." Harin continued to answer Liu Peng about the immigration fleet.

"What about the round trip time?" Liu Peng asked Harin again about the round trip time of the fleet. After all, if the time is too long, the immigrants will not be able to bear it on the road.

"Based on my many years of experience at sea, even if you don't dock along the way, it will take more than [-] days, nearly a month. If you dock for repairs, the time will be extended to one and a half months." Harlin thought about it. When he originally went to the Far East for trade, combined with the time this large number of immigrants needed to dock for rest, he came to the conclusion that it was one and a half months. This was because his fleet was relatively familiar with the Pacific routes and the sailors were experienced. If given For those who are novices, or even those who are not familiar with the route, it is considered good to be able to reach America in two months.

"One and a half months at a time, that is to say, it takes three months to go back and forth." After hearing the figure of one and a half months, Liu Peng immediately calculated, "If three months is used as the standard, there are only four opportunities to immigrate a year." At this point, Liu Peng's face was a little solemn. After all, if there are only four opportunities to immigrate, how many immigrants can be brought back in total in a year? Liu Peng knows this problem without even thinking about it. It must be a drop in the bucket with Liujiabao. It is contrary to the big immigration policy.

"The ruling lord made a mistake more than four times." After hearing this, Harin retorted to Liu Peng with a smile. In his opinion, Liu Peng, who usually seemed to know everything, finally touched on a blind spot that he didn't understand. "We are here." It's just one time, but next time we can directly hire the local fleet to help us transport immigrants, this time, not just four times." Harin explained to Liu Peng with a smile, and even revealed in his laughter There was a hint of elation, and even the pleasure of discovering Liu Peng's shortcomings.

"I see, I didn't understand the truth." After Liu Peng heard this, not only was he not unhappy, but he directly accepted his mistake.

This made Harlin's evaluation of Liu Peng even higher.

"But in this way, wouldn't Mr. Harlin earn even less?" Liu Peng then said to Harlin. After all, if the fleet is directly hired in the Far East, then for Harlem, who relies on Liujiabao's large immigration orders, For Lin's fleet, it was definitely a big loss, so Liu Peng asked such a question.

"Haha..." Unexpectedly, Harin burst out laughing after hearing this, which made Liu Peng a little puzzled. After all, it was Harin who suffered the loss, so how could he still laugh?

"Lord Ruling, are we really doing business now?" Harin replied to Liu Peng with a smirk on his face.

"Yes, since Toharin introduced Minister Rashid, the relationship between the two of them has become less and less like a business partner, and more like a political symbiotic relationship... He needs Harlem's help. Liujiabao received international recognition from the British Empire and diplomatic and economic help, and Harlem also hoped to take his career to a higher level. It can be said that the two of them each got what they needed... The earliest immigration businesses, It seems that it has become an accessory..." Liu Peng thought to himself.

"In my opinion, no matter how many immigrants there are or how much money we make, it is still a small business." Harin looked at Liu Peng and continued, "And I also believe that the ruling adults will not let me suffer, and will definitely let me Make a lot of money, right?" Harlem said to Liu Peng with a smile, his tone was both ridiculing and hinting at Liu Peng.

"Mr. Harlin is a friend of our Liujiabao. We always treat our friends preferentially." Hearing this, Liu Peng also showed a smile and replied to Harin, "Mr. Harlin, our Liujiabao recently detected a medium-sized We are looking for someone to develop the gold mine together. I think this is good. Mr. Harlin will use the money to recruit people to develop it. Once developed, we can share half of it with us. What do you think?" Liu Peng took out a mine that had already been mined. The gold mine had been explored by local nobles during the Mexican Republic and was ready to be developed as a reward for Harlem's recent help to Liujiabao.

A medium-sized gold mine is not a big deal.

"Gold mine?" Harlin's eyes shone when he heard the word gold mine. If there was anything about California that attracted him most, besides the growing market, it would be the countless gold mines. Unfortunately, these The gold mines are all in the hands of the Mexicans, and there is no way they can be left to foreigners like them. Even if they know that there are gold mines in that place, they would not dare to mine them. After all, this is the territory of the Mexicans.

Although these Mexicans are not very good at fighting, if they want to punish these foreigners who don't know the heights and heights of the world, they still have ways.

"Isn't 50.00% too high? After all, I am only responsible for digging them out!!" Although he was very happy in his heart, Harlin still looked like he was thinking about Liu Peng on the surface. Liu Peng was very happy after seeing this. funny.

After all, this way of wanting and expressing not wanting is so womanly.

"It's nothing, I said, this is the preferential treatment we give to our friends." Liu Peng replied to Harin with a friendly smile.

"So, thank you to the ruling lord." After saying this, Harlin accepted the gold mine with satisfaction.

"Okay, Mr. Harling, now it's time to talk about the matter between us." After a few casual remarks, Liu Peng finally brought the topic to the most important matter, "After all, there is no There is nothing more important than establishing diplomatic relations with the British Empire." Liu Peng praised the British Empire in front of Harlem, an Englishman.

"Lord Ruling, I have to say that you chose a good time." Harlem replied to Liu Peng with a smile.

"Why do you see it?" Liu Peng asked Harin closely.

"According to the information Governor Ceci Will gave me about the Republic of Mexico, although the Republic of Mexico passed a bill mortgaging the California area in exchange for loans, there was still trouble in recruiting soldiers." Harlin told Liu Peng about his According to the information about the Republic of Mexico obtained from Governor Ceci Weir, "Due to the corruption of those Mexican bureaucrats, this military expenditure of up to 600 million pounds has been embezzled by bureaucrats at all levels of at least 200 million pounds before the conscription began." ." When it comes to corruption in the Republic of Mexico, even Harlin, who thinks he has seen big scenes, does not know whether to admit it or not. When the territory of the Republic of Mexico is occupied and its sovereignty is lost, there are still people who are blatantly embezzling war funds. It is unacceptable. Needless to say, these Mexicans are indeed born bastards! !
Like their original Spanish masters, they were both prodigal sons. The only difference was that Spain was greedy for the money of the American colonies, while the bureaucrats of the Mexican Republic did not even let go of the war funds loaned... Although this is not the case in Europe. It may happen, but for Europe, a place with four wars, embezzling war funds is undoubtedly asking for death. Such people have been killed by their own insiders long ago, and they will never survive now...

"But they still have 400 million pounds, don't they?" Liu Peng said to Harlin with some solemnity. After all, 400 million pounds is equivalent to 400 million Chinese yuan. This is a sum of money that can even occupy many gold mines and rob the entire California. Liujiapu in the area will not be able to pay for it for a while. After all, mining gold mines also takes time, and it is not a cost that does not need to be paid.

"Originally, they wanted to raise this money to raise an army of 10 people, but as you know, in the Republic of Mexico, corruption is everywhere. Even the kettles used for marching and fighting have been used by those unscrupulous people. Bureaucrats have fetched a high price of three pounds, not to mention other things." When it comes to the level of corruption among Mexican bureaucrats, even Harlem can't help but be speechless.

"In addition to these corruptions, the inefficiency of the Mexican Republic's military recruitment bureaucracy also causes their recruitment plans to be blocked in many cities in the Republic of Mexico. The fundamental reason is that the military pay is too low, which makes urban residents unwilling to join the army, or in other words, they are unwilling to serve for Mexico. The Republic is working hard..." Talking about this, Harlin's sarcasm became louder and louder. In his opinion, the Republic of Mexico is already a hopeless country. He must either undergo a major operation from head to toe, or else This country is really, as some people say, a smelly cesspit.

"So they can only go to the countryside to recruit those poor Indo-European hybrids. The quality of these people is generally not as high as that of the people in the city." Harlin continued to talk to Liu Peng about the recruitment of soldiers in the Republic of Mexico, "And with the urinary behavior of those Mexican bureaucrats "It is estimated that just ammunition storage, soldier training, and mutual disputes will take at least two months. In other words, during these two months, you don't have to worry about any crises caused by war." Harlin directly told Liu Peng revealed the core information about the Mexican army given to him by Ceci Weir.

"In these two months, you can do a lot of things, the most important of which is to control the entire California as soon as possible." Harlin asked Liu Peng with an expression that was thinking about Liu Peng, "Second Just to prepare for war, although those Mexicans look like bastards, but in your words, what are they called..." At this point, Harlin suddenly paused, unable to remember the Eastern proverb.

"When a lion fights a rabbit, he must use all his strength." Liu Peng then spoke up.

"Yes, that's it." After hearing this, Harin nodded to Liu Peng, "Your culture is indeed better than those rude Russians and Prussians." Harin then complained about Tsarist Russia and Prussia. stand up.

After all, in the eyes of the British, Tsarist Russia represents barbarism, and Prussia is not much better. After all, the original German regions were originally states, and even Germany was not completely unified. The British looked down upon it even more...

"This is the battle plan for the Republic of Mexico that Governor Ceci Will received. You can take it and study it." Harlin then took out a cowhide book from his arms and handed it to Liu Peng. "I hope it will be useful to you." Harlin said to Liu Peng with a smile.

"Thank you..." Liu Peng solemnly took the cowhide book, opened it and took a look at it, then closed it and replied to Harin with grateful eyes, "Thank you, Mr. Harin. Without Mr. Harin, we would not be able to do anything." It may take a lot of trouble to even establish contact with the British Empire. We will all bear in mind Mr. Haring’s kindness to us at Liujiabao, and we will definitely not treat Mr. Haring badly in the future.” Liu Peng then said to him seriously Harlin promised that after all, Harlin did help them a lot this time. Although it was not in vain and Liujiabao also paid corresponding rewards, this still did not prevent Liu Peng from being grateful to Harlin. After all, it was Code to one code.

"As long as the ruling lord doesn't forget me, after all, I still hope that Liujiabao can continue to win. After all, that is my gold mine." Harin replied to Liu Peng with a smile.

"Mr. Harlin, happy cooperation!!" Liu Peng extended his right hand to Harlin.

“Happy cooperation!!”

Harlin also stretched out his hand and held it tightly with Liu Peng.

(End of this chapter)