Back to the end of Ming Dynasty to be a warlord

Chapter 355 Business Negotiation
Realizing that he seemed to have lost his composure, Jones couldn't help but feel nervous. Western aristocrats are very polite. A small faux pas will be regarded as disrespect and have serious consequences. He secretly glanced at Yang Chao. Fortunately, The earl of Daming didn't seem to care much about this, so he couldn't help but feel lucky.

Then Jones unabashedly expressed the demands of the East India Company, they hoped to sign a trade treaty with the Ming Dynasty, but this was rejected by Yang Chao, but Yang Chao said that he personally welcomes the Dutch to trade.

He also explained to the Dutch the current situation of the Shibo Division, and told Jones bluntly that the tariffs collected by the Shibo Division were military expenditures given to him by the imperial court. Yes, but the imperial court does not care about maritime trade.

This made Jones unbelievable. The only customs in a country was handed over to one person, and it was a huge country like the Ming Dynasty. He looked at Yang Chao's expression full of awe. In his opinion, owning the wealth of the Ming Dynasty Customs, It is simply unimaginable.

Then he discussed with Yang Chao, or asked for advice, what kind of goods Daming needed. He listed a lot of things, such as glass balls and chiming bells.

Yang Chao shook his head when he heard this. The Dutch people regarded the Ming Dynasty as an aborigine who had never seen the world, and the chime bell was nothing more than that. The glass ball was just a trick to deceive black Africans and American Indians. Even Indians couldn’t be fooled. , and want to lie to Daming people?

"Okay, Benjue won't say goodbye to you, you should know that Daming is at war, right?"

Jones nodded.

Yang Chao said again: "Don't you think war is the best trade opportunity?"

Jones nodded desperately. He knew all too well that the 30-year war was going on in Europe, but this did not stop the Dutch from making a fortune. Although the Dutch also participated this time and were affected a lot, all other wars were fought by the Dutch. Great opportunity to make a fortune.

But Jones is still cautious, the country of Daming is too different from other countries he has seen.

Can't help asking carefully: "Your Excellency, what you mean is that Daming is willing to purchase military supplies from the Netherlands?"

Yang Chao shook his head: "To be precise, it's me. I have an army of one hundred thousand under my command. If your goods are worthy of my purchase, I don't mind equipping my army! As for the money, I don't think that's a problem."

Jones nodded more vigorously, and it was a joke to withdraw money from the people who controlled Daming Customs.

But he was still worried: "Your Excellency, what you mean is that you are willing to purchase military supplies from the Netherlands to equip your army?"

Yang Chao shook his head again: "That depends on whether your Dutch goods are worth my purchase."

As a representative of the East India Company, Jones is not only because he can speak Chinese, but because he is a shrewd business representative. He is really proficient in business.

He knew all too well what materials were needed for the war, and immediately smiled: "Your Excellency, you can rest assured that we Dutch can provide satisfactory military supplies to the whole of Europe, and I believe Your Excellency the Earl will also be satisfied."

Of course, the productivity of the Netherlands itself may not be that strong, but they control the transportation. They can purchase arms from Sweden and Venice and sell them to any monarch in Europe.

Yang Chao nodded: "As long as I am satisfied, I am willing to purchase."

Jones said: "I don't know what kind of military supplies you want?"

Yang Chao never mentioned what exactly he needed, because he didn't know much about European weapons and weapons in this era, and he didn't plan to buy a lot from Europe. A few samples were enough. If he thought it was worth equipping, Daming's Skilled craftsmen can definitely imitate them. Among other things, under the craftsman household system, Daming has the largest group of craftsmen in the world.

Yang Chao shook his head: "I don't know the military situation in the Netherlands, so I can't make a conclusion. But for now, I hope to buy a batch of warships!"

battleship? !
When they heard about the warship, Jones and Zheng Hongkui couldn't help but look at each other. This is really too sensitive. The strength of these two parties is equivalent to controlling the entire eastern trade. quite sensitive.

"That's right, it's a warship! Don't you Dutch have warships?"

Jones quickly shook his head: "Your Excellency, you probably don't know much about the Netherlands. We have the largest shipyard in the world, and we can manufacture any number of warships."

"That's why you don't want to sell it?"

Yang Chao asked, showing displeasure on purpose.

Jones quickly denied: "No, no, no, that's absolutely not the case. I just don't know what the earl's purpose is for buying the warship?"

Yang Chao said with a smile: "Isn't that obvious enough? Our country is in a time of war. Do we still need a reason to build a navy?"

Jones nodded. He still couldn't make up his mind on this point. If he sold warships to Daming and he was unwilling to trade after building a powerful navy, then it would be more troublesome. He couldn't help making eye contact with Zheng Hongkui again.

Yang Chao knew that if these two sea forces did not communicate well, it would be impossible to rashly introduce new forces.

He waved his hand: "Okay, I'm sorry I'm busy with military affairs, so I can't sit with you. Let me take my leave first, and we can talk about it another day!"

After speaking, he left, as if he was not in a hurry.

The Dutchman did not leave, and had an impatient exchange with Zheng Hongkui. Both of them said that they had to report to their superiors. Jones wanted to report to the East India Company, and Zheng Hongkui had to let Zheng Zhilong know.

In fact, Jones came here on behalf of the East India Company, and the purpose was to sign a trade treaty. They heard that Daming had opened a shipping department, and thought they would open customs trade, so they couldn't wait to come. Jones didn't have any power, but he Appointed plenipotentiary representatives of the East India Company to negotiate.

It turned out that the Ming Dynasty did not open the customs, but completely handed over the customs to an earl, and the earl expressed interest in doing business with the Dutch, needed some military supplies, and made it clear that he would purchase warships, but there was a problem with the warships , It is indeed beyond Jones' authority. If it is in Europe, they will undoubtedly provide warships to other countries, but in the East, he has a bit of trouble.

Not only were they worried about the emergence of competitors from the East India Company, but the key point was that they had to consider the attitude of the Zheng family. It must be known that the sale of warships by the Dutch would not only affect themselves, but also Zheng Zhilong, a trading partner.

Although Yang Chao's order request could not be met immediately, Jones didn't want to wait for the East India Company's reply, so he continued to invite Yang Chao to talk the next day.

Yang Chao refused to come, and kept him out for three days before meeting him again.

"Your Excellency, forgive me. Your Majesty and the Prince of East India are deeply worried about your purpose of purchasing warships. If it is convenient for you, can you specifically disclose your clear purpose of forming a navy."

Yang Chao laughed: "I think Mr. Jones is overthinking. Are you afraid that the Lord's establishment of a navy will hinder the interests of the Netherlands in the East?"

Jones is not ambiguous, and Westerners feel confident when talking about interests.

"That's right. The interests of the Netherlands in the east cannot be violated. So I have some concerns, and I hope the earl will understand."

Yang Chao nodded: "You can rest assured that I have no intention of offending the interests of the Dutch. On the contrary, I am full of expectations for cooperation with the Dutch."

Yang Chao knew very well that the Zheng family's route to Japan alone might not allow Shibo to collect 500 million customs duties every year, but the Dutch are different. They are coachmen on the sea, and they have the resources of the entire world. , although Japan’s silver output was the largest in the world in this era, the silver in the Americas should not be underestimated, and compared to silver, Westerners prefer gold, and they are more willing to trade with silver.

Jones is still not very relieved: "Would you like to sign a treaty with the East India Company on this issue. Divide the scope of their respective interests, and neither party will violate the other's core interests!"

Yang Chao nodded: "Of course!"

Let the Dutch take the bait first, relying on Yang Chao's strength that can't even deter pirates, even if he wants to invade the Dutch, he can't do it.

Then Jones began to discuss with Yang Chao point by point.

During the period, Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Sen were specially invited to participate.

It seems that the Dutch already have a tacit understanding with the Zheng family. No wonder the Zheng family would introduce the Dutch. Yang Chao couldn't figure out what kind of tacit understanding it was. In his opinion, no matter what price the Dutch paid, it was not enough. Let the Zheng family lose the privilege of trading with the Dutch.

After more than half a month of discussion, Yang Chao and the Dutch reached an agreement. If the navy formed by Yang Chao wants to take military action against the South China Sea, he must notify the Dutch East India Company and obtain the understanding of the East India Company before he can act. Bearing the same obligation, the Dutch also asked the Zheng family to sign the treaty.

However, Yang Chao vetoed the Dutch request that the treaty must be approved by the Ming emperor. This kind of thing cannot be let the emperor, to be precise, let the civil servants know, otherwise the hat of a private communication will be deducted, and then the group will attack In short, although Yang Chao believes that there is no harm in communicating with Westerners, he can't stand the strange worldview of the civil servants of the Ming Dynasty.

Yang Chao said that with the seal of Uncle Zhongyi, he would be able to pass through the customs without hindrance. After Zheng Hongkui's guarantee and coordination, Jones had to accept the condition that only the seal of Uncle Zhongyi be stamped on the contract.

After the talks, the treaty was drawn up and written in Chinese and French. The reason for the French was that Yang Chao could only understand French and English, and the Dutch firmly disagreed with using English, and Yang Chao could not understand the Dutch language, nor did he understand it. Ken agreed, and finally adopted Chinese and French forms.

After signing the treaty, Jones held a celebration dinner in accordance with the Dutch custom. Of course, the scale was a bit small, because the Dutch were also cautious in the Nobile House, fearing that they would be discovered by Daming’s caring people and cause trouble. Jones still understands Daming’s national conditions very well. .

At the banquet, Jones asked Yang Chao how many warships he needed to order.

Yang Chao said: "Ten ships. But it must be a big ship with more than [-] materials. At least one of them is [-] materials!"

Jones and Zheng Hongkui ignored it, and then they were relieved: "No problem!"

Yang Chao said again: "I reminded Mr. Jones that our treaty must come into effect after the Dutch travel the warship contract, otherwise the lord has the right to question the credibility of the Dutch, and this treaty is also invalid."

Jones said with a smile: "The reputation of the Dutch is their life. Your Excellency the Earl can rest assured about this."

Yang Chao nodded and said: "I also hope that you will deliver the warship as soon as possible, and it is best to let me see the warship within a month!"

Jones wondered: "Your Excellency, you don't know something. It takes at least half a year to manufacture a ship, and it takes at least half a year to a year to drive it from the Netherlands to Daming, so it will take a year at the fastest to deliver it. Honestly. It is said that I hope that the treaty will enter into force as soon as possible than your Excellency.”

Yang Chao shook his head and said, "I can accept old ships, let alone the East India Company, there are not even ten ships in the East?"

Old ship!

Jones really didn't expect this, but since Yang Chao is willing to accept it, it depends on whether the East India Company is willing to accept it.

He could only say that he would report Yang Chao's request to the East India Company.

"Okay, then I wish us a happy cooperation!"

After everything was finalized, Yang Chao raised his cup.

(End of this chapter)