Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 189 The Royal Party of Bordeaux

The war between France and Spain has not affected the prosperity of Bordeaux.As the leading commercial port in France, the number of trade ships entering and leaving Bordeaux every day is still increasing. The tax collectors are weak when they collect tariffs, and there is a thriving scene everywhere.

It's just that people from the east coast are missing from this prosperity.Since the naval escort fleet sent [-] cotton cloths, a batch of food and munitions at the beginning of the year, no ships from the east coast have docked.Xu Xin still remembers the tragic appearance of the escort squadron that had just been in the port.After unloading the cargo and hastily repairing it, the entire fleet quietly left the Port of Bordeaux in the dead of night, moving as stealthily as if they were thieves.

In this regard, as the person in charge of the Bordeaux Commercial Station, Xu Xin expressed his helplessness.The [-] bolts of cotton cloth brought in at the beginning of the year had already been sold out. On behalf of the Pasquale family, Julian had come to the store to meet with Xu Xin several times. The cotton market is dominated by textiles from the Netherlands.Even that old fellow Ludwig invested in the expansion of a textile factory, hired dozens of full-time workers, purchased a batch of high-priced textile machines from the Netherlands, and started a decent cotton business.During the vacuum period when people from the east coast were absent, he actually managed to earn some money from the cracks in Dutch goods.

It is now September, and there is still no news from the mainland.Xu Xin heard bits and pieces of news about the mainland from the ships of other countries that called at the port. Among them, the most talked about by sailors from various countries, and the most exciting thing for Xu Xin and others was that the naval fleet attacked and burned the British ship. Gambia's business station this news.

After hearing the news, Julian expressed optimism that the war might end within this year.Because the situation in the UK is becoming more and more tense, rational British businessmen obviously cannot tolerate being stuck in the quagmire of war on the east coast for a long time, and they will definitely find a way to end this increasingly meaningless war.As for the conflict of interests with the people on the east coast, the only way is to find a way to reconcile with each other. There is no way, who told you that you didn't make the people on the east coast submit to you through war?Since people cannot be subdued, the only way these shrewd businessmen would choose is to acknowledge their existence and divide their respective interests through interest coordination.

Today is another sunny day, Bordeaux in late summer and early autumn is charming.Under the escort of Shinzaemon and Kojiro, Xu Xin was about to go out to hunt in the countryside with Julian and others, but unexpectedly an unexpected visitor came to the door suddenly.Xu Xin couldn't ignore the status of this person, so he had no choice but to send his personal servant to Julian's house to announce that he would be absent from the hunting trip, and to express his sincere apology.

"Mr. Abraham, your visit surprised me..." Xu Xin was still wearing a red hunting suit, and just as he was about to go out, Abraham, the British diplomatic envoy in Bordeaux, came to visit, so he didn't even have time to change his clothes.

"Please forgive me for taking the liberty to visit, Mr. Xu." Abraham took off his top hat, and greeted Xu Xin slightly, "I am deeply disturbed to interrupt your hunting feast, maybe I should come at another time."

"Don't pay too much attention, Mr. Abraham." Xu Xin stretched out his right hand, invited Abraham to sit down, and then said with a smile: "Perhaps I should invite you to join us in our hunting operations. I heard that you led a team to explore the Guinea region when you were young. And you have fought against the local aboriginal blacks, I think your skills must be very good."

"Hehe, hunting is a grand event for you young people. I'm old, and now I seldom even ride a horse. I can only sit quietly in the garden and read a book like an old man in my twilight. I really don't have the energy to do something. Intense exercise." Abraham said with a smile.

After the two of them talked nonsense, Xu Xin took the initiative to provoke the topic: "Mr. Abraham, I don't know what is the purpose of your visit today? Could it be about the diplomatic affairs between our two countries?"

"It can be said that." Abraham pondered for a while before he said: "I don't know Mr. Xu Xin, what do you think of our Baron House (the British House of Lords, which is also called the Baron House because its members are all nobles), the House of Commons (there are many members) What is the perception of these institutions and their members as knights or representatives of the burghers?"

"I'm sorry, I know very little about them, and I'm afraid I can't answer your question, Mr. Abraham." Xu Xin answered carefully, "But based on the country's position, I have a natural dislike for them, because the funds they invest in Colonial or trading companies are at war with my country. I wish they went bankrupt tomorrow lol, please forgive my rudeness and disrespect, I really don't owe them any kindness. They are a bunch of eyes only A vampire who knows money is dirtier and shameless than a Jew."

"Your frankness is commendable." Abraham's words surprised Xu Xin slightly, and he continued: "These people are a group of profit-seeking businessmen, and they will not let go of any opportunity to make money. But once the country encounters a disaster Or in a crisis, they will stand back confidently and order others to deal with the mess. They are so shameless and greedy, many evil things are caused by them, may God forgive them.”

Xu Xin was a little taken aback, he didn't expect Abraham, an old British man, to come and say such a thing to him.Is he out of his mind?Or are you frightened by hearing that our naval fleet has attacked their trading post, and now come here to make connections?Xu Xin smiled to himself, he is not the protagonist of Xiaobai's obscene novel, could it be that the IQ of the Englishman in front of him dropped to the level of 5 just by letting go of his arrogance?This is obviously impossible.

Then, his reason for coming is worthy of scrutiny, let's see how he continues to speak.

"Yes, they despicably launched an unjust war against our country, causing a large number of casualties of innocent people, and stopping normal commerce and trade. We had to fight. This is a tragedy. The loss of both of us is immeasurable. I hope this meaningless war will end soon." Xu Xin followed Abraham's words.

"Yes, this wrong war has been going on for a long time, and it's time for someone to right this wrong."

"We on the East Coast love peace, but we alone cannot end this war."

"Maybe I can find a way to dredge the upper-level relationship, so that this war that both sides are overwhelmed will end as soon as possible."

After hearing these words fluttering out of Abraham's mouth, Xu Xin even suspected that he had heard it wrong.Are the British really going to be unable to hold on, and are more eager to end the war than ourselves?This is too incredible.

"Conditions? I mean what conditions do you need?" Xu Xin asked with a little shortness of breath, "There is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. I don't think Mr. Abraham personally came to help us for no reason. Let's just say it , what conditions do you need? I think I will carefully consider it."

"I need 4000 of the latest flintlock muskets, 50 high-quality Army field guns from the East Coast, and [-] sabers, and maybe some armor and hand bombs..." Abraham said softly, "I know You shipped a batch of excellent East Coast weapons to Bordeaux more than half a year ago, and the French government later bought a third of them for the war with the Spaniards, and most of the rest are still stored in your warehouse I know you want to hoard these things and sell them at a good price, how about it, can you transfer it to us?"

"You want to deal with the Scots?" Xu Xin suddenly woke up, "Your king wants to attack the Scottish Presbyterians? The war is about to start?"

"People from the east coast, I have to admit that your sense of smell is very sensitive." Abraham chuckled, and then said: "Yes, that's right. Those stubborn Scots have always refused to accept the orders of Archbishop Lauder, in order to protect the bishop and the king. authority, we have no choice but to resort to force and rise up against these obstinate heretics."

"I understand your urgency to maintain the authority of the king." Xu Xin said while scolding the bullshit authority of the king of England in his heart, "but a real question is, do you have money? I mean you have money to buy these weapons Is it? As you said, I am a businessman, and I hoard weapons to sell them at a good price. Can you, or the forces you represent, afford them? To tell you the truth, Mr. Abraham, in my warehouse There are also 1500 flintlock muskets, 30 pieces of artillery of various types, 3000 sabers, and [-] suits of armor. The total value of these goods exceeds [-] pounds according to the market value. This is a huge wealth, I am not sure Can you afford it?"

"You don't have to worry about the payment, young man." Abraham continued to say slowly, "We can pay part of the cash, and the rest can be paid for by goods or real estate. Of course, we have settled the relationship between your country and the East India Company for you. Should you sell us these weapons at a reasonable price? Otherwise, we can buy them from the Dutch."

"The goods can be used as part of the payment, but not more than half. Also, we don't accept real estate as a payment for goods. Of course, if you can really persuade those businessmen to conclude a peace treaty with our country, I will I think I can sell you this batch of high-quality weapons at a favorable price within the scope of my own authority, and assume the obligation of confidentiality." Xu Xin said decisively after thinking about it.

"Then, I think I can go back to work on this matter now." Abraham stood up with satisfaction and said to Xu Xin.

"Okay. Finally, Mr. Abraham, I would like to take the liberty of asking you a question." Xu Xin also stood up, looked at Abraham's old face, and said.

"Of course, as long as I can answer." Abraham put on his top hat and looked at Xu Xin with a smile.

"Are you the Royal Party?"

"I am the Royal Party!"

(End of this chapter)