Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 179 Homeland: Diplomacy ([-])

For nearly two months from the end of May 1637, with the emptiness of the coastal defense after the navy left, the activities of those British joint-stock company ships near the east coast gradually became more frequent, and then reached the peak in mid-July. climax.For this reason, the trade in Colonia City had to be temporarily closed, which declared the disappearance of the last source of income on the east coast.

In order to solve this passive situation, the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of War jointly organized an operation to open up a land trade line. Matsumori's two major lines of communication to restore trade currently under the threat of pirates.

While the east coast is in dire straits, the lives of the British are not easy at present.The traditional struggle between the king and the parliament, which began with Charles I's father James I, gradually escalated, and the contradictions between the two sides became more and more acute as the king wanted to crusade against the Scots Presbyterians.The atmosphere among Britain's emerging big bourgeois businessmen, enlightened and conservative aristocracy, and the church was becoming increasingly tense. Some pessimistic people even believed that war would break out between the two sides sooner or later.

As an important force in the parliament, the attention of the colonial trading company was gradually attracted by the increasingly tense domestic situation. As for the east coast, which was more than 1 nautical miles away, who cared?Moreover, the alliance of companies headed by the East India Company has invested no less than [-] pounds in order to block and strangle the sea lines of communication of the people on the east coast, and has also paid a considerable price for the sinking of several ships and the casualties of hundreds of sailors. .

It's fine to invest money, as long as it can squeeze the textiles of the East Coast people out of the European and New World markets, even an additional [-] pounds is worthwhile.This upfront investment is not expensive for the large market worth hundreds of thousands of pounds that the two parties are competing for.But the Englishman has counted thousands of times, but he has not counted a dark horse from the lowlands-the Dutchman.

Yes, that's right!The Dutch took advantage of the market vacuum left after the textiles on the east coast withdrew from Europe and the New World, and by virtue of their superior textile technology and domestic developed transportation capacity, they seized these markets in the first time and firmly secured the British goods. Stand firmly at the door.

The British guy, who is not a human being inside and outside, was suddenly depressed. He spent his own money and effort to fight against the people on the east coast, but it was the Dutch who benefited in the end.In addition, an incident that broke out in the country at this time intensified the tension between the parliament and the king. Therefore, the East India Companies had the intention of withdrawing from the east coast.

Of course, how to get out is also a technical task.At least for now, the British still have an absolute advantage in the sea, completely cutting off the lifeline that the people on the east coast rely on for survival. The East India Company can fully use this advantage to grab enough benefits from the people on the east coast to make up for their own losses. .

After the government of the people on the east coast once again expressed their sincerity for peace talks through the Portuguese, the British East India Company finally "reluctantly" agreed to this "excessive" request, and they sent two representatives to San Vicente— A negotiating place for appointments with East Coasters.

On the balcony, the two British envoys were chatting relaxedly.

"Cheney, Mr. Hampton of Buckinghamshire was convicted by the Treasury Court. Seven of the twelve judges bowed to the king's pressure. They believed that the king's collection of ship taxes was perfectly legal." Seeing that it was still early, Senator Russell Smith from the East India Company Council held a cup of coffee and chatted with his companion while drinking.

"It's ridiculous!" Cheney Coward, a big businessman of the Merchant Adventurer Company, sneered, and then said: "Mr. Hampton's defense lawyer, Mr. Oliver John, claimed that he was intimidated by an unknown person before appearing in court." , but no one paid any attention to him. Some of the twelve judges were close friends of Lord Coventry, Lord of the King's Seal, and some were followers of the Earl of Manchester, the King's lackey, and the remaining few honest gentlemen were powerless to make changes. The old It's a shame that our traditions have been ruthlessly trampled on."

"The king has collected a ship tax for three consecutive years, and he is trying to turn this temporary tax into a regular tax. Moreover, the scope of tax collection last year is no longer limited to the coastal counties, even subjects who are inland have to pay Ship tax, which has seriously violated the Magna Carta of Freedom and the ancient tradition. The king's appetite is getting bigger and bigger, and his behavior is getting more and more unscrupulous. We must restrict him through parliament." Russell Smith is the next The member of the House of Representatives is a staunch parliamentarian who has been advocating the restriction of royal power to people.

"Since three years ago, the king has collected hundreds of thousands of pounds in ship taxes so far, but the royal family's debts have continued unabated. The debts in the London area alone exceed 30 pounds. Extravagant, excessive collection, contempt for tradition, Moreover, the king openly expresses his envy of the absolute power of the French and Spanish monarchs, and even tries to form a large standing army. No wonder the gentlemen of the company want to get out of this quagmire on the east coast, and throw 200 pounds a day in this quagmire If it were me, I would not be able to tolerate such a loss-making business." Coward said a little discouraged, "Not to mention that the despicable Dutch are still watching our jokes behind their backs, East Coast The human fleet has not been wiped out by us, and everything is terrible."

"The gentlemen of this company's council agree that it is time to end the idle games with the East Coasters. The king is raising his own army, which is dangerous. In order to ensure that liberty is not trampled upon, we must invest our limited funds in More important. Otherwise, we will all live in misery every day like those knights and barons who were wantonly blackmailed by the king and carried huge debts." When it comes to the plight of those little nobles who are heavily in debt, both of them feel sympathy .

"Gentlemen, the negotiating envoys from the East Coast have arrived." Blanco Almeida walked gently into the balcony and said to the two Englishmen.

"Ah, Blanco, you don't have to be so restrained. Are the people from the east coast here? Then let them come over. The fresh air on the balcony is a good place to negotiate." Russell Smith raised his hand Coffee, said with a smile.

Blanco nodded, then turned and walked out.After a while, two East Coast negotiators walked in.

Gao Mo and Bai Siwen arrived in San Vicente only this morning.Due to the blockade of the sea route, the two of them, under the escort of two platoons of cavalry, rode their horses all the way across the Gerard Mountains, and arrived at San Vicente in southern Brazil after untold hardships.

The journey is long and dangerous, but in order to end the war as soon as possible and solve the domestic economic difficulties, the hard work is nothing.The two set off from Dongfang Port on August 8. After half a month of long-distance horseback riding, the saddle had worn out layers of skin and flesh on their crotches, and they felt a little bow-legged when they first got off the horse.Moreover, Gao Mo even had two blisters at the corners of his mouth because of his anxiety to get angry.

The Englishman didn't even rise to show due courtesy when the two dusty East Coast representatives entered the room.Only Blanco graciously invited them to sit on the balcony, and even brought them a pot of tea from the Far East.

After Blanco made a brief introduction for both parties, he left, and then the negotiating parties quickly got to the point.

"Mr. Smith, we came here with great sincerity for this peace talk. I hope you will be careful with your words and deeds, and don't ask for some untimely conditions. That will make us doubt your sincerity." Gao As the main negotiator, Morgan took the lead in speaking to the British.

"The victor has the right to make reasonable suggestions." Smith raised his head reservedly, looked at Gao Mo with his green eyes, and said, "Then, let's get straight to the point. We can make appropriate suggestions on the April request. Concession, that is, the amount of compensation can be reduced to 4 pounds, and part of the market in the New World can be transferred to you from the East Coast at your discretion. However, you must share the latest textile technology with us. This condition is not negotiable. Please seriously consider it .”

"Sorry, I'm not authorized to negotiate any textile technology transfer agreement. Regarding this point, we don't think any negotiation is possible." Gao Mo refused.Just kidding, let you Britons master the latest textile machinery and technology, with your huge number of workers, strong financial strength and extensive connections, how can we East Coast people get along?

"Eastern coasters, don't say no so quickly. In fact, if we wanted to, you'd be locked down in the South Atlantic forever, and you wouldn't earn a penny. I'd like to lower your The amount of compensation is not impossible. Anyway, my conditions are already very lenient, think about it carefully, people from the east coast, and stop trying to provoke our endurance." Russell Smith said with a seemingly accentuated tone, but From his words, it can still be heard that they have made certain concessions.

But their conditions are unacceptable.Spinning machines, looms, and cotton gins are strictly confidential technologies on the East Coast, and no one has the right to trade them.

Gao Mo and Bai Siwen looked at each other, and they both saw the helplessness in each other's eyes. "Mr. Smith, I'm sorry, the latest textile technology is our country's core secret, and we cannot accept the consequences of its spread. Moreover, the amount of compensation of 10 pounds is too high. We are willing to fight for the protracted war between the two sides." Some humanitarian compensation, but the amount will not exceed [-] pounds. Sorry, [-] pounds is unacceptable to us."

"Then, can I think that this negotiation is over? The two sides have not reached any positive agreement, and the war will continue?" Cheney Coward, who had been silent all this time, spoke.

"I'm sorry! We did come here with sincerity..." Gao Mo said, looking into each other's eyes.

(End of this chapter)