After putting down the binoculars, Marek took a deep breath.
He had only been in Seoul for a few hours, and he didn't have a full understanding of the country of Lanfang.
Before this, he had only been to a few of Lanfang's stronghold cities, and had no in-depth understanding of Lanfang's politics, economy, and military. But based on today's military parade, he was sure that this sea area, As long as there is a force that Lan Fang wants to attack, it will be difficult for the opponent to compete.
In particular, the number of such an army must definitely exceed 10,000. As for the specific number, some people predict that it is 30,000. However, Zhao Xuening has never disclosed the total number of Lanfang's army, but comprehensive analysis shows that it is absolute to exceed 10,000.
An army of 10,000 people with this kind of fighting strength is already very powerful.
Unless Lan Fang decides to go on an expedition to India and fight the British army in India, the outcome is uncertain. At least the British army in India still has a considerable number and combat effectiveness, and the British army that conquered the subcontinent also has considerable logistical support locally.
But apart from that, leaving India, even the British army was not absolutely sure that it could defeat Lan Fang's army in other battlefields.
As we all know, Zhao Xuening started his career in the navy. Lanfang has a relatively large navy, with more than 300 warships of various types, and its combat effectiveness will only be stronger than that of the army, not weaker.
In the Spice Sea, the Netherlands has been crippled by Zhao Xuening, and Spain and Portugal were crippled more than a hundred years ago. It is impossible for these three forces to compete with Zhao Xuening. Only the United Kingdom based in India can Fighting with Zhao Xuening.
But fighting with Zhao Xuening is definitely not what London is looking forward to. London, which is stuck in the quagmire of the North American continent, has no desire to restart the war in the Spice Sea. They need the stability of this route.
Therefore, Marek decided to seriously discuss the terms of cooperation with Zhao Xuening. As long as they were not excessive, both the company and London would accept it.
Cornley was similar. After realizing Lan Fang's strength, Cornley believed that he must win over Zhao Xuening and let Zhao Xuening fight against the British in the Spice Sea to protect the interests of the Netherlands.
After the military parade, Zhao Xuening announced that the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China has entered the second half with guests who were either deep-minded or amazed. Everyone can happily enjoy Lanfang's special delicacies and have a relaxing social banquet, and then...
Everyone goes back to their own homes, each looking for his own mother.
I'm going to start governing the country. Don't bother me if you have nothing else to do.
Needless to say, Lanfang's state banquet was pretty good.
Lanfang's land is basically located in a tropical rainforest, with high temperatures, abundant rain, low wind and high humidity. Therefore, the diet is mainly salty, sour and spicy, with heavy emphasis on spices to stimulate appetite and preserve food for a longer period of time. .
As for the ingredients, in addition to many locally produced vegetables and fruits, the staple food is mainly rice, and the main meats are mainly fish, chicken and beef.
It is worth mentioning that since Lanfang Company took over Borneo, under the auspices of Zhao Xuening, the chefs of Lanfang pooled their brains and developed a series of dishes that are now known as Lanfang cuisine.
For example, pineapple seafood fried rice, curry beef stew, curry pan-fried fish, etc.
In addition, because it is located in the tropics, sauce is an indispensable and important food for the local aborigines.
After the colonists arrived, they had to accept this food custom. Lanfang naturally also accepted a wide variety of sauces, such as fish sauce, shrimp sauce, meat sauce, etc., to accompany meals or preserve food.
Because of the excellent shelf life of sauce, Lanfang troops will use sauce as an important part of military meals, and even vegetables will be made into vegetable sauce to provide to the army to help the army replenish essential elements.
Although the taste is somewhat strong, in this climate, the taste is not strong, and the body is not necessarily healthy, so the guests all ate with gusto. The only regret is that Zhao Xuening provided them with too few types of drinks.
Zhao Xuening does not drink alcohol. He drinks tea and some fruit juice every day.
Under his leadership, most of Lanfang's troops also stopped drinking and drank tea and juice as their main drinks. For example, Zhao Xuening is drinking happily now with a glass of coconut water.
He took Annie to drink coconut water and eat Annie's favorite pan-fried fish with curry.
"I still remember when we first dated on the ship, you made me curry pan-fried fish with your own hands. I can't forget the taste of it now. This one is not as delicious as the one you made."
Annie looked at Zhao Xuening with a smile, recalling the romance of the past.
Zhao Xuening smiled and patted Annie's hand.
"If you want to eat it, I'll make it for you when I'm free. Isn't it just a pan-fried fish? It's very simple."
"Then I'll just wait."
"no problem."
The two smiled at each other and continued to enjoy the food.
The surrounding guests saw that Zhao Xuening and Anni were deeply in love, and for a while they were embarrassed to bring their single, unmarried daughter to come forward and interrupt the love talk between the couple.
There are no mandatory provisions on monogamy in the current laws of Lanfang. Because of the large number of Chinese people, monogamy and multiple concubines are a common practice. Those who are capable can take concubines, and those who are not capable can live with one wife.
Zhao Xuening did not have high requirements for his subordinates in this regard. Just don't rape women and don't mess with them. Therefore, there are also many concubines among his subordinates. For example, Chu Teng and Li Chuang each have three concubines.
For President Lan Fang, who has only one wife, of course there will be people who want to take advantage of their outstanding daughters to gain power, but Zhao Xuening does not seem to give them a chance, so they can only settle for the next best thing and find Lan Fang, who is not yet married. Senior military and political leaders are looking to see if there is an opportunity to go further.
In a word.
They want to improve too much.
However, Zhao Xuening was indifferent to this way of advancement.
After excluding these boring progressives, he valued two special guests, Cornley and Marek. Although in his heart, Lanfang's attitude had already been determined by the forces represented by these two people, but Surface work still needs to be done.
At least we can't make some people wary prematurely, in case they don't get a good price.
So in the second half of the banquet, Annie and Zhao Xuening kissed goodbye and went back to nurse the baby. After Zhao Xuening sent Annie away, he immediately exuded the aura of "come and chat with me" and quickly attracted the attention of Cornley and Marek, and then they They approached Zhao Xuening in unison.
Of course, Zhao Xuening also quietly approached them.
"You two, how was today's banquet? Are you satisfied with the food?"
Marek smiled broadly.
"I couldn't be more satisfied. It's much better than the food I had in India. I don't know why, but those Indians always like to make whole food into paste. It's okay to eat it once or twice. But if you eat too much, you can't help it." I started to miss the richer taste, and Lan Fang Cuisine greatly satisfied me."
Cornley smiled like a chrysanthemum.
"I have long heard of the reputation of Lan Fong cuisine, and now I have tried it. It is indeed very delicious. I can't bear to eat it. I have never eaten such delicious food since I left Europe and came to the East Indies. Mr. President, you can I really enjoy it!”
Listening to the two people's unabashed rainbow farts, Zhao Xuening just laughed.
"These are not expensive dishes, and the ingredients are all available everywhere in Lanfang. I just made some adjustments according to my personal preferences and tastes. It's good if you two like them, otherwise I, the host, will not be able to entertain guests." Zhou, there is going to be a diplomatic dispute, hahahahahaha!"
Seeing Zhao Xuening laughing, Cornley and Marek also laughed, but they still had some opinions in their hearts——
Who dares to have a diplomatic dispute with you?
Now we all have to beg you and coax you!
Of course, Zhao Xuening did not have Prime Minister Cao's special ability to do bad things with just a smile. Cornley and Marek successively invited him to talk to him alone.
"Starting tomorrow, I will be carrying out very heavy work. Generally, if you want to make an appointment with me, you need to consult with my confidential secretary-general to make arrangements. After all, I have too many things to do."
Zhao Xuening looked at the two of them with a smile, and then laughed and said: "Of course, you two are my distinguished guests, and it is my honor to share my time. In this case, I will set aside time for you two alone. "
Conley and Marek were overjoyed, shook hands with Zhao Xuening, and then agreed on a time.
Right now.
Zhao Xuening’s reason was that it’s better to choose the day than to hit it. Since you want to talk, don’t hold it back. Then he asked Cornley and Marek to play a rock-paper-scissors game. Cornley won, so Marek could only lead With an anxious expression, he watched Connli being brought into his office by Zhao Xuening.
Cornley came to President Lanfang's office for the first time. When he entered, he felt that the office did not feel luxurious. Instead, it seemed simple, or full of work atmosphere.
Compared with the offices he saw in other aristocratic homes that were full of luxurious furniture, the most in Zhao Xuening's office were cabinets for files. His desk was piled with files. It can be imagined that he must be very diligent.
"I'm sorry, we just founded the country and there were too many things going on, so the office was quite messy, and I didn't like others moving my files, so I didn't let anyone come in to deal with it."
Zhao Xuening simply picked up a few documents scattered on a chair, glanced at them, sorted them out, and threw them back on the table.
"Please take a seat."
"Thanks."
Cornelius sat down slightly uneasily, while Zhao Xuening pulled up a chair and sat across from Cornelius with a smile, looking at him with a smile.
"I heard that you were entrusted by the Supreme Consul and the Seventeen Gentlemen. I think what you want to talk to me about should be a more important topic. Therefore, let's skip the boring politeness and tell you what you have to say directly. , our time is precious.”
Cornley was stunned for a moment, then reacted and nodded.
"Since Mr. President said this, I won't say anything else. I am indeed entrusted by the Supreme Consul and the Seventeen Gentlemen. I have also been fully appointed by them to be fully responsible for handling matters here. Petru Si is out, and now, I am in charge of the highest power in Batavia."
