Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 165 Diplomatic Protest

"Thank God!" Xu Xin clasped his palms together when he saw the familiar naval officers who traveled through the ship get off the ship, and he couldn't stop saying the blessings of the Bodhisattva.

"Okay, old Xu, don't talk about it." Wang Tiehammer with a bandage on his head grabbed him, and then said in a low voice: "The goods on the ship will be quickly transported to the trading station by hand. Also, in the fleet Many brothers were injured, some of them were not serious. Go to the city to find some doctors, charge a high price, and let them come. These injured brothers were born and died together, and several of them have died in the past two days , and there are more than a dozen that are hard to say that they are out of danger now, it is only one that can be saved."

Xu Xin nodded, and quickly ordered someone to do it.He can be considered a celebrity with a small status in the city now, and it doesn't take much to invite a few doctors to come over.

"Those injured brothers will be arranged to recuperate in the commercial station for the time being." Wang Tiehammer continued, "Also, after the two ships of the South China Sea Company are unloaded, you should arrange people to load supplies on the ship as soon as possible. There are also immigrants, and the speed needs to be reduced." Hurry up and try to get it done tomorrow."

"What? Are you leaving tomorrow?" Xu Xin said in amazement.

"We have formed such a big rift with the British, what if we don't run away as soon as possible? Now that Lao Han's ship has sunk, our escort force is even weaker. The British's lair is nearby, and we must evacuate as soon as possible!" Wang Tiehammer has no doubts He said, "If the Pasquale family's payment is settled, let me take it back. Lao Xu, let me tell you the truth. From this battle, we can see that the British have a lot of determination. The next time they come to Bordeaux, it may not be what they want." Time. How about you go back with us this time?"

"No!" Xu Xin also said resolutely, "The Bordeaux Commercial Station took the country several years to establish, and it would be a pity to give it up. Besides, I stay here, and I can still spread the word for the country at critical moments."

"Words? Are there British people in the city?"

"Of course." Xu Xin said as a matter of course, "Where are the official British diplomats, responsible for the import and export of British goods, and regulating the business behavior of domestic businessmen in Bordeaux. How about I find a way to contact them?"

"I can't decide this. You are the plenipotentiary, so you can figure it out." Wang Tiehammer touched the wound on his forehead and said, "We can't afford to fight like this. How many people, ships, and British people consume us?" Not to mention that such a blockade will completely cut off trade, and the domestic economy may be very difficult. Of course, don’t let us down, or the British won’t take us seriously.”

"I'll take care of it." Xu Xin nodded, "Then, I won't waste your time. I'll organize people to deliver the goods right away. Gunpowder, pig iron, flax, copper, lead, tin, and graphite are all made in China. Urgently needed supplies. I also ask Julian to settle the payment today, and you should leave early tomorrow."

After returning to the commercial station, Xu Xin arranged manpower to do various things, and at the same time drafted a strongly worded letter of protest, which he planned to submit to the British diplomats in Bordeaux.After finishing writing, Xu Xin read through it twice, and after confirming that it was correct, he put it in his leather briefcase, then got into the four-wheeled carriage in the commercial station, and headed for the residence of the British diplomatic envoy.

The residence of the British diplomatic envoy soon arrived.One of Xu Xin's attendants got off the carriage and walked straight to the gate.

A middle-aged British man stepped forward at the gate, looked at the young man with a Latin face suspiciously, and asked in a questioning tone: "Young man, I think maybe you went to the wrong place. .This is the residence of Mr. Abraham, the diplomatic consul of the Kingdom of England in Bordeaux, are you sure you are here?"

The young man walked up to him, bowed slightly, and said, "Good day, sir. I am Konstantin, the diplomatic assistant to the plenipotentiary representative of the East Coast Republic of China in Bordeaux. My superior wants to have a frank talk with Mr. Abraham." Is it possible to arrange a meeting?"

The face of the middle-aged man changed slightly after hearing the words "Eastern China Republic": "Mr. Abraham is dealing with official business, and I'm not sure if he can find time to meet with you. In fact, I don't think there is anything left between the two parties. It is negotiable. Some merchants and merchants who run business in the American colonies and the directors of the Merchant Adventurer Company complained to Mr. Abraham about the piracy of your navy. Mr. Abraham accepted their complaints. As an honest gentleman, I think he Wouldn't have any contact with someone from a pirate country, it would damage his reputation."

Constantine waited expressionlessly for the middle-aged man to finish speaking, then took out the diplomatic protest letter written by Xu Xin from his briefcase, handed it to the middle-aged man, and said: "It's really a pity that Mr. Abraham has serious concerns about our country. Prejudice, which affects his judgment. Then, please submit this letter to Mr. Abraham, and we will wait here for 15 minutes. If Mr. Abraham still refuses to meet, we will leave, and all consequences arising from it It will be borne by Mr Abraham."

The middle-aged man gave Konstantin a surprised look, then hurried away.

Xu Xin, who was wearing a black woolen coat, got out of the carriage, and Kojiro and Shinzaemon were closely guarding him on the left and right.The weather was relatively cold, and the white steam exhaled by the three of them was floating in the air.

Ten minutes later, the middle-aged man hurried over and said, "Mr. Abraham asked Mr. Xu Xin, the plenipotentiary representative of the East Coast Republic of China, to come to the study to discuss."

Xu Xin nodded, and walked in with the middle-aged man.

Abraham is an old man with a gray beard. He has served as a British envoy in Bordeaux for several years, and he is known for his profound knowledge and impartiality.

"Good day, Mr. Abraham." Xu Xin took off his beaver fur hat, and bowed slightly to Abraham politely.

"Good day, Mr. Xu." Abraham held a pipe in his hand and wore a well-made wool and silk blended gown. He waved casually to the surrounding seats and said, "Please sit down."

Xu Xin sat down unceremoniously, and then asked straight to the point: "Dear Mr. Abraham, what is your reply to the letter of protest submitted by our country?"

Abraham did not answer Xu Xin's words, but ordered the servant to bring a pot of tea, and then said: "This is a famous tea called Tieguanyin in the Far East. I think you will like it, Mr. Xu. Come on, I am very happy." Enjoy its fragrance."

Xu Xin took a sip patiently, and then continued to ask: "Mr. Abraham, about our country..."

"You don't mind?" Abraham shook the pipe in his hand, and interrupted Xu Xin's question with a smile.

"Please go ahead." Xu Xin's face was interrupted twice, and his momentum was frustrated.He could only sit there depressed, and simply drank tea with his head depressed.

Abraham smoked his pipe leisurely, the curling smoke looked so blurred under the sunlight, and the room seemed a little quiet for a while.

"Virginia shredded tobacco is my favorite, ha ha." Abraham said suddenly with a smile, "it has the pure flavor of the origin, and it costs 4 sous a pack. Of course, two years ago, its price was only 3 sous a pack." bag, the price reached 8 sous a pack at the peak last year. The reason why the price fluctuates so violently is because everyone on the east coast artificially obstructed the normal circulation of goods, and the merchant ships of the Morris Stone Tucker Company were attacked for no reason. In response to your attack, the council of the company, which suffered heavy losses, had to decide to raise prices to make up for the loss, which caused a lot of complaints from our customers."

"Mr. Abraham, your words are a very serious accusation, and I have to express my strong indignation to you." Xu Xin raised his voice and said: "Our government has always advocated the principle of free trade, and invested in protecting the normal trade of merchant ships from various countries. A lot of energy, and will never do some inappropriate behavior that damages the reputation of the country. On the contrary, this time, our country’s merchant ships that normally go to Bordeaux for trade have been harassed and attacked by your ships many times along the way. We have caused considerable loss of property and personnel. Here, I formally protest to your government, requesting your government to strictly restrain the pirate alliance headed by the East India Company and Maurice Stone Tucker Company, and Compensate our government for the corresponding losses. Otherwise, according to the principle of reciprocity, our government will reserve all rights to freedom of action.”

"Young people are always so angry." Abraham continued to smoke his pipe, and said leisurely: "I'm sorry, the great Kingdom of England does not accept any form of threat. If your government insists on going its own way and blocking normal trade, any As the situation worsens and expands, perhaps our government will take decisive measures to stop all this at the request of the merchants. I believe that if His Majesty the King really makes a decision, then it will be a big deal for your government. A total disaster."

Having said that, there is no need to continue.

Xu Xin stood up, put on his hat, and nodded politely to Abraham, but said unceremoniously: "Our government also does not accept any form of threat. Since your government blackmailed us by resorting to force, Then let the cannon do the talking. Farewell, Mr. Abraham, and I hope you can still be so leisurely when we meet next time."

After Xu Xin turned and left, Abraham still sat motionless on the chair, with the pipe still stuck in the corner of his mouth.

"Paul, where is Walter?" After a long time, Abraham suddenly asked the servant.

"Mr. Walter has gone to La Rochelle." The servant quickly replied, "The battleship 'Knight' was seriously damaged, and it may take several months of repairs before it can be dispatched again. Mr. Walter is currently supervising the French repairs there. What about the ships. Yesterday, Mr. Hamilton of the East India implicitly expressed his dissatisfaction with Mr. Walter. He believed that it was Mr. Walter's command error that caused the East India Company to lose two warships and more than 100 sailors. The ships of the Tun Tucker Company were unscathed..."

"Enough, Paul, I will write a letter to you in a while. You will take the merchant ship of the Merchant Adventurer Company back this afternoon and give the letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Remember, the letter is in the hands of the Bishop. before anyone can see it." Abraham looked into Paul's eyes and said word by word.

"As ordered."

(End of this chapter)