Zhao Xuening did not find it strange that Conley said this.
With his unexpected birth, it is no wonder that his father-in-law, Petrus, is not unlucky.
So he smiled slightly self-deprecatingly.
"My father-in-law is really unlucky to have a son-in-law like me."
"That was his own choice, and he can't blame anyone else."
Cornley said: "Sir, regarding the previous war, Amsterdam hopes that it can be treated as if it never happened. The Netherlands can recognize your Lanfang Republic as a formal country, or it can Recognize your regime and live with you as equals."
"oh?"
Zhao Xuening smiled and said: "This is indeed a good thing, but I think, even if your country doesn't recognize it, what can you do to me?"
Cornley was choked, but not angry.
"You are right. The current situation in the Netherlands is indeed not very good. Even if Lanfang is not recognized, ordinary means cannot do anything to Lanfang. But sir, I hope you can understand that although the United Provinces Republic is not as good as before, But even if he tries his best, it’s not something Lan Fang can face.”
Zhao Xuening laughed.
"Are you threatening me?"
Cornley immediately shook his head.
"No, I didn't mean that. I was just stating the facts. Sir, Lanfang is indeed powerful beyond my expectation, but Lanfang is a newly established country after all, and the United Provinces Republic has a profound foundation and vast territory. territory."
"The premise is that you must be able to deal with the British and be able to defend those territories."
Zhao Xuening smiled and said: "Okay, stop talking nonsense and just tell me your purpose of coming here."
Cornley swallowed.
"Amsterdam hopes that you can stand on the Dutch side against the British, cut off all the British tentacles in the Spice Sea, and directly threaten their trade routes with the Qing Dynasty. The Netherlands is willing to ally with you and give you All the support you need.”
Zhao Xuening laughed a few times.
Give me support?
If I really do this, when the British come with their ships and guns, William V and the Seventeenth Gentlemen will probably give me nothing but practical help.
A bunch of trash talkers!
"Mr. Cornley, you should also know how much the British attach importance to their trade with the Qing Dynasty."
"I know, but you should have succeeded before and forced the British to compromise."
"That's not success, that's just a compromise. I've been defeated by the British several times, but my ability to recover is stronger, and the British's main force is in North America."
Zhao Xuening shook his head and said: "Once the war in North America is over, as long as I continue to threaten this trade route, I will inevitably be attacked by the British with all their strength. By then, do you think I can handle it?"
"The British don't have that ability. They have been isolated by the entire Europe and will definitely be hit hard!"
Cornley said excitedly: "You should also have heard that the British's battle in North America did not go well. They were badly beaten by the French. Their navy in North America has failed, and their army has been divided and surrounded by the American militia and the French army. The situation is very bad.
In Europe, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, as well as the Netherlands and Spain have decided to use sanctions to restrict the development of the British. We all believe that a weak Britain is a good Britain. You can maintain confidence in us. ! "
"I know everything you said, and the entire Lanfang senior management knows it. We have had several meetings to study it."
Zhao Xuening smiled and said: "I don't think so. Except for France, it is impossible for other countries to cause any actual losses to Britain. Russia looks strong, but the main force is trapped in the Ottomans. Others, including your country, forgive me. Frankly speaking, they are no match for the British."
Cornley suddenly felt very aggrieved.
"We have fought against the British three times before. Not to mention a complete victory, we were basically able to suppress the British! There is no way those country bumpkins can be our opponents!"
"Now and then, how many years have passed, the British are getting stronger and stronger, but what about your country? With all due respect, your country is constantly being weakened."
Zhao Xuening shook his head and said: "People like me can seize the hegemony of the Spice Sea. Doesn't it mean that there is a big problem within your country? If nothing else, now, your country really dares to send out the last navy to attack Lan Fang? If that is the case, will the British navy in the port do nothing?"
Cornley opened his mouth, he wanted to say something, but he quickly realized something.
His previous guess was correct. The entire Lanfang senior leadership, headed by Zhao Xuening, knew far more about Europe than he imagined.
They are by no means a grassroots team, they are regular troops!
Cornley took a deep breath and calmed down his emotions a little.
"In any case, Mr. President, you relied on the Dutch East India Company to get where you are today. Everything you have comes from the Netherlands, not the British! The British only give you threats, and the Netherlands He is your benefactor, isn't he?"
Doesn't this mean that Guizhou's skills are exhausted? Playing the emotional card?
Playing emotional cards in the game of national interests?
Are you OK?
The level of negotiation is not that good either...
It seems that there is really no one left in the Netherlands.
The country is about to perish.
Zhao Xuening originally thought that Conley, who had traveled thousands of miles from the Netherlands to come to Lanfang, would have something to say, but he ended up saying such vulgar words.
He was a little disappointed and shook his head.
"That's why, Mr. Cornley, I want to advise you not to start a full-scale war with the British in this area of the sea. Maintain the current situation. I am satisfied, the British can accept it, everyone can accept it, and you will still get it. Your share of the income.
I can make money quietly, not as much as before, but at least I still have it. Isn’t this good? If a war breaks out, winning is a small probability event, losing is a high probability event. The British still have India as a base, so they can start the war without dispatching troops from Europe. By then, the Netherlands will really have nothing. "
Although Cornley looked serious, his breathing rhythm was obviously not right.
"No, we will never compromise with the damn British! Mr. President, I solemnly request you to stand on the Dutch side. We can talk about whatever you want. There is nothing we can't talk about!"
"I will not stand for the British. Of course, I will not stand entirely for the Dutch. I am the president of Lanfang, and I stand for Lanfang."
Zhao Xuening shook his head and said: "I will only do things that are beneficial to Lan Fang and help the Netherlands fight against the British. I can't think of any benefits. Even if I get them for a while, I will lose them quickly. The water in the Spice Sea is very deep, Lan Fang It’s very young and we can’t grasp it.”
Cornley looked obviously panicked.
"Can't we talk about this matter?"
"I'm sorry, this is beyond my ability. I have to be responsible for the people of Lanfang. I think this matter should not be within the scope of our negotiations."
"But the British are really not someone to cooperate with friendly people. They are despicable and shameless. They only have money interests in their eyes and nothing else!"
"Me too."
"………………"
Cornley's eyes widened and he was suddenly speechless.
"Mr. President, you..."
"A little joke~ Well, Mr. Cornley, I think this topic can be dropped."
Zhao Xuening raised his hand to stop Conley from continuing, and said slowly: "I don't think the Supreme Consul and the Seventeen Gentlemen fully expect you to achieve this type of cooperation with me, right? What else do you need, you can tell me Come out and let’s talk.”
Cornley was stunned for a moment, sighed like a defeated cock, and covered his face.
"If we can't achieve this kind of cooperation, what else is there to talk about?"
"Yes, such as trade share and the like, I still need to do business with the Japanese in the name of the Netherlands. The Japanese only recognize you, not me. Without your name, I can't do this business. It won’t last long, so make some conditions.”
Zhao Xuening said with a smile: "There is a saying in my hometown that business cannot be done without righteousness. We can still reach cooperation on some less sensitive matters. War cannot be fought, but money can be made together. In this world, There’s nothing more important than money.”
Cornley had a wry smile on his face.
"Sure enough, as the rumors say, Mr. President, you are really a genius."
"No, I'm just a little smarter than the average person."
Zhao Xuening raised the thumb and index finger of his right hand and made a small gesture.
"Just a little bit."
"You are so humble."
Cornley knew that his biggest goal could not be achieved, but at least he had to achieve his second goal.
After a while, Cornley left the President's Office with a tired look on his face. Later, Confidential Secretary-General Chen Liang brought Marek, who had been waiting for a long time, into the President's Office.
