The Rise of Ming Dynasty 1646

Chapter 609 Daming Says It!

Back then, the Helan people were defeated by Zheng Zhilong's fleet in Liuluo Bay. As a last resort, they had to pay a large amount of tax to the Zheng family every year or buy their goods at a high price, equivalent to more than one million taels of silver, so that they could continue to monopolize the maritime trade of the Ming Dynasty.

After Zheng Zhilong defected to the Qing Dynasty, the Helan people who had lost their "care" were really happy for a few months. In East Asia, they could do whatever they wanted and made a lot of money.

But after learning about the terrifying strength of the Daming Navy and shipbuilding, they can only throw away their illusions and honestly pay money to maintain their maritime status.In their view, Zheng Zhilong relied on a tragic war to obtain the benefits, and Daming can only have them through negotiations. This is already a great concession and sincerity on the part of the officials.

Unexpectedly, Huang Zongxi still sneered, "You guys are easy to calculate. Let me ask you, what is the value of the goods that go into and out of Ming Dynasty every year?"

He didn't wait for Bertman to reply, and then continued: "At least 3000 million taels! The profit of this sea business is more than [-]%. You monopolize the business of Daming and other countries. How rich is your annual income, but you only take this little Sending Da Ming a small amount of money, are you treating everyone else as fools?!"

Bertman said bitterly in his heart that this official of the Ming Dynasty knew the trade in the Far East very well, and it seemed unlikely that he would try to fool him.Judging from the meaning of his words, I am afraid that the number he wants is far more than one million taels.

In fact, what Huang Zongxi said is not accurate. Although maritime trade is profitable, [-]% is an extremely conservative calculation. Usually, [-]% profit is trivial, and [-] times profit is not uncommon, but at the same time, the risk is also huge.

With the sailing ability of the seventeenth century, from Daming to Japan, if ten ships go to sea, seven of them can return safely.The loss of the ship, cargo, and pensions for the crew are all large expenditures, so the Helan people only got three to four million taels in their hands.In addition, the 400 million foreign trade volume of Daming is not entirely monopolized by the Helan people. Spain and Portugal also account for a large part, and even the private merchant ships of Ming Dynasty that ventured out to sea also have a small share.

Bertman had no choice but to ask cautiously: "Then according to Master Huang, how much tax does your country want to collect?"

"Eight to nine million taels." Huang Zongxi said casually.

"This is absolutely impossible!" Bertman almost vomited blood. 700 million taels!This meant that the East India Company had to pay back money to Daming.

Huang Zongxi didn't take it as disobedience, he seemed to have expected this reaction, and said with a smile, "It's too bad for us if you give less, and you don't want more. How about this, you don't have to pay taxes."

Bertman was taken aback, knowing that he must have something to say, "What about the conditions?"

"In the future, you don't have to work hard to 'responsible' for Daming's business, whoever's goods will be transported by yourself." Huang Zongxi said unhurriedly, "Helan people can go to Guangzhou to sell goods, and in the west, you and Frangji people's goods will be transported." Ships can also come to Xiamen and Ningbo, and all countries pay customs duties according to the law, and do business with Ming Dynasty. Of course, Ming Dynasty's merchant ships also have to pass through all places without hindrance.

"Since everyone wants to do business in peace, if anyone uses force to dominate the market or oppress other countries, it will be breaking the rules, even if it is against Daming, the court will never tolerate it!"

With a few light words, he ended the East Asian trade monopoly that He Lan had worked so hard to build.

"This, this won't work! The trade in the Far East is the East India Company..." Bertman said in the middle of the speech, and said angrily, "Where is your co-regent? I want to see him, and I want to protest to him in person!"

"His Royal Highness is a member of the country, so you can see him when you meet?" Huang Zongxi glanced at him disdainfully, "To tell you the truth, what I said just now is what His Highness meant.

"He also said that this is the condition. If you agree, you can sign a trade agreement based on it. If you don't agree, then please go back. Frangji has already entered into a trade agreement with Daming, and Ezebania will sign it later.

"At that time, only the Helan family will not be qualified to do business in Daming."

"We can raise taxes, 150 million taels! As long as..."

"900 million taels a year." Huang Zongxi interrupted him, "Otherwise, if you want to do business with Daming, you have to follow our rules."

In fact, for Zhu Linmei, this is already very polite to the Helan people.The current main task of the Daming Navy is still to assist the Ming army in attacking Jianlu, and has no time to deal with the Helan people for the time being.When the pressure on the north is not so great, the navy will immediately go south to recover Taiwan.

Not to mention the issue of national unification, just letting He Lan, the sea king of the seventeenth century, entrenched next to Daming's couch, would be a disaster sooner or later.Their fleets would plunder everywhere at any time, posing a threat to Daming's maritime trade at any time.

At the same time, Taiwan is indeed a treasure island, rich in resources, copper, sugar, wood and even oil are produced, and there is a large amount of arable land. In addition, the climate is suitable and the grain output is extremely high. It can be used as one of the granaries of the Ming Dynasty.In addition, Taiwan's geographical location is also very important. It guards the Taiwan Strait, the main communication route between Southeast Asia, Japan, Ryukyu, and North Korea. As long as Taiwan is recovered, it is equivalent to mastering the trade lifeline of the above three countries.

Bertman took a few deep breaths, "180 million taels, this is the bottom line for a senior..."

Huang Zongxi glanced at the sky outside the window, "These are the conditions, it's up to you what to do."

"This allows me to go back and report to the company and the Council of Members."

"No rush." ​​Huang Zongxi said, "However, I will be free for a few days, and I will go to Zhangzhou at the end of the month to arrange the opening of a new trading port. I am afraid that I will not be able to return until two or three months."

"I, I will as soon as possible."

Seeing that Bertman had finished talking about trade matters, Owat's assistant Haimo hurried forward a few steps, bowed slightly to Huang Zongxi and said, "Master Huang, we can talk about trade matters slowly, but your country detains ten of our country. Many citizens still hope to return them as soon as possible. In the sincerity of the friendship between the two sides, we will not pursue this matter any further.”

"Detain the Helan people? Why don't I know?"

"It's Reverend John and Mr. Fambier."

"Ah, I almost forgot if you didn't tell me." Huang Zongxi immediately darkened his face, "These people colluded with the scum of the Ming Dynasty, went deep into the shipyard and other important places to steal secret information, and obtained the stolen goods. They have confessed and the Ministry of Criminal Justice sentenced them to death. Beheaded, he will be sent to the execution ground next year."

"This! There must be a misunderstanding," Haimo said anxiously, "You can't..." This John is a senior intelligence officer of the East India Company, and he is a relative of the governor of Batavia. He took it back.

"These thieves also confessed that they were all appointed by the East India Company," Huang Zongxi continued, "you have to give Daming a reasonable explanation for this."

Haimo couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat, thinking that this person didn't want to come, why did it cause a diplomatic conflict...

(End of this chapter)