The communication between Malek, Luo Yingrui and Albert was relatively practical.
They exchanged some views on the possibility of further deepening military cooperation between the two sides.
Although European countries have gradually begun to establish technical barriers and technological monopolies these days, prevention work in this area has only just begun. There are as many loopholes as Paris under the iron heel of the German army in World War II. As long as you have money, all blockades will not work. question.
Therefore, in addition to the military and technical personnel that Zhao Xuening captured and surrendered to him on the battlefield, Zhao Xuening also carried out some military cooperation with the British East India Company through formal and informal channels.
Of course, this was by no means stated openly. It was just a private transaction between some East India Company executives and Zhao Xuening. They reached some technical exchanges through the circulation of gold, quinine, etc., which contributed to the success of Zhao Xuening's subordinates. Technological advances in shipbuilding plants.
Anyway, for these people, is it for the peace and liberation of mankind to come all the way to India?
Of course not, personal interests are the most important.
As for things like loyalty and national interests, I'm sorry, but there is no such thing.
Therefore, golden diplomacy was very successful for Zhao Xuening.
At the same time, Zhao Xuening also mastered the British naval warfare tactics through the teachings of retired officers, and promoted it in the navy, allowing officers and soldiers to learn from the British's advanced experience, and gradually created a serious army. regular navy.
Not to mention compared with the main force of the British navy, at least in the spice sea, his fleet has no opponent.
Faced with such a powerful army, although Marek knew a little about the twists and turns and the secrets of Zhao Xuening and the internal transactions of the East India Company's senior officials, he had no intention of pursuing it or saying anything. He just wanted to There needs to be some cooperation.
For example, if we want to sell some of the latest warships to Lanfang Navy, or the latest naval battle artillery, if we can talk about it, we can happily discuss business together.
However, Luo Yingrui and Albert reacted relatively coldly to these.
the reason is simple.
Zhao Xuening has always emphasized a flexible and independent policy, advocating using the other party's technology for my own use, and after digesting it, it will be my own. If you don't like it, come and beat me. If you can't beat me, don't force me.
Because of the influence of this flexible independent policy, Lanfang Shipyard and Arsenal have achieved a certain scale and can independently produce standard quality Lanfang Type 1 flintlock guns and Lanfang Type 1 field artillery.
Not to mention how superior the performance is, the quality control is absolutely superb.
And it’s not like everyone has put forward higher requirements for performance. The Lanfang II flintlock gun and field gun have entered the testing stage. Two rounds of prototype guns and prototype guns have been produced. They are now undergoing final adjustments and preparing for mass production. Get ready.
Because the demand for mass production of Type 2 guns is relatively high and the requirements for machines are far greater than those of Type 1 guns, and Lanfang is currently unable to produce the latest machines independently, so Zhao Xuening asked Morris to go to the Scottish Caron Company to get the technology and then come back. Digestion.
Now that Morris has fulfilled his mission and brought back Abel Klimans, a technical guru who wants to bring Caron Company to hell, the technical problems have been solved.
Then the research and development of Lanfang II guns will enter the final stage, and production can be expected.
Under this circumstance, Lanfang did not have much demand for external weapons.
It is of course much better to have your own standard weapons than having the weapons in the hands of others.
So Luo Yingrui didn't speak, and Albert began to talk about him and not talk about this aspect.
This situation made Marek realize that Lanfang might have really embarked on an independent path in terms of arms.
Marek didn't know how Zhao Xuening built his own production system, and he no longer cared about it, but Marek knew that it was time to show his trump card.
"Before I set off, Mr. Governor told me that maybe our saltpeter business could be appropriately increased. This seems to be something Lan Fang has always hoped for, right?"
As soon as Marek spoke, Luo Yingrui and Albert immediately cheered up and looked at Marek with shining eyes.
Seeing this, Marek knew that he had made the right bet.
With the gradual control of the Indian subcontinent, the British gradually controlled the land in India and also controlled the land in Bengal. Later, a large amount of saltpetre was discovered in Bengal. From then on, the British no longer lacked raw materials for making gunpowder. .
After Zhao Xuening prepared for independence, he found that he had many resource shortcomings. Fortunately, the spice sea area was rich in products and mineral resources. After a series of mergers and acquisitions, he gradually supplemented all kinds of mineral resources through force.
For example, they defeated the defeated Spaniards by force, seized several copper mines in their hands, and forced them to recognize Lanfang's power and enter the Philippine Islands.
But the saltpetre for making gunpowder that Lan Fang's regime most directly lacked was not so easy to obtain.
In the entire spice sea and Indian Ocean region, there are not many people engaged in saltpeter trade.
Traditionally, the Qing Empire was the main source of saltpeter exports, and the main method of foreign trade was smuggling. After the new era, the British joined this trade and expanded the saltpeter trade.
Therefore, the production of saltpeter is basically a monopoly. Other areas either have no saltpeter or have very little output.
Zhao Xuening dug three feet into the ground and found several relatively small saltpeter mines. The quantity was not enough to support military needs, which forced him to launch a public toilet project and called on everyone to go to public toilets to collect saltpeter resources. But it still feels not enough.
It was basically impossible to buy saltpeter from the Qing Empire, and smuggling through personal relationships was not a long-term solution.
Therefore, Zhao Xuening fought hard to bring the British of the East India Company to the negotiation table, forcing them to use saltpeter resources for themselves in exchange for peace. This was enough to solve the Lanfang regime's saltpeter needs.
However, the British would not supply an unlimited amount of saltpeter to Lanfang. On the one hand, they also needed it themselves, and on the other hand, they were not willing to let Lanfang buy too much to increase reserves and military strength. Therefore, the amount of saltpeter trade between the two sides has not been large.
Morris was entrusted by Zhao Xuening and repeatedly asked the East India Company to increase the amount of trade and even increase money to purchase. However, he was politely rejected by the other party, but he did not expect that this time they would let go.
"Mr. Marek, are you telling the truth? Are you really willing to increase the amount of saltpeter trade?"
Luo Yingrui looked at Marek with burning eyes.
Marek smiled and nodded.
"This can also be regarded as a founding gift from our company to your country on behalf of London. The specific amount can be negotiated. Whatever needs your country has, we can negotiate. There is nothing that cannot be negotiated."
"That would be great."
Luo Yingrui looked at Albert, who responded with an excited expression.
After being happy for a while, Luo Yingrui looked at Marek again.
"Many people have given us founding gifts, but your company's founding gift is really too big. I wonder what your company and London, which it represents, really mean? What do you need from Lanfang? What? How can I help you?"
Marek chuckled.
"Don't worry, this is really just a gift. The company and London have no needs. We just hope to establish a good cooperative relationship with your country and work hand in hand with your country in the spice sea."
"This... doesn't seem to be an area that I can intervene in."
Luo Yingrui narrowed his eyes and said with a smile: "Mr. Marek, should I say these words to Director Chen or the President himself?"
"They all say it, but being able to talk and make friends with Chief Luo and Deputy Chief Theresa is also something I hope to do. After all, this sea area is so big and can accommodate enough people and things."
Marek smiled and said: "I have some status in the company, and I know a lot of people. In the future, if Director Luo and Deputy Minister Theresa have any industrial needs, I am very willing to provide help, and I hope that I can Cooperate a lot with Director Luo and Deputy Minister Theresa and get along well with each other."
"That's it..."
Luo Yingrui looked at Albert, then nodded and shook hands with Marek.
"sure."
After finishing his words with a smile, Marek said goodbye to Luo Yingrui and Albert politely, holding the wine glass and walked towards Chen Qilong, who was chatting with several Filipino visitors.
Looking at Marek's leaving figure, Luo Yingrui approached Albert.
"This Marek doesn't seem to be a simple character. Can we get what we want from him? From what he says, he is very popular in the East India Company? Is it possible for us to bypass the other company and go directly to the East India Company? Can he talk about some cooperation?"
"I only care about technology, you take care of other things. If you want to cooperate with him, you go to Morris and Tang Wenshan."
Albert shook his head: "I hate these English people who smell like money the most. This kind of bastard who only cares about money. I don't want to deal with him anymore."
"Aren't you English yourself?"
"I'm from Lanfang! I have a national ID card!"
Albert glared at Luo Yingrui.
Luo Yingrui immediately raised his hands and surrendered.
"Okay, okay, everything is fine. You will be whoever you say you are. You can take care of the technology and build the second-type guns. I will worry about the other things."
Cornley watched Marek chatting and laughing like a fish in Lanfang's senior officials, but he was a little stuck. This situation made him feel a little anxious.
If he can't win over foreign aid and can only use force against Zhao Xuening directly, it's hard to say whether he will be overthrown by Marek, who is a senior official in Lanfang.
The Netherlands is facing a major threat and can no longer withstand another all-out war. He must ensure that Lan Fang is on the side of the Netherlands. For this reason, he will not hesitate to give more benefits to Zhao Xuening.
