Obviously, Marek was anxious about Zhao Xuening talking to Cornley first.
As soon as he entered the door, he showed a very urgent attitude.
"Mr. President, no matter what Cornley said to you just now, I hope you can listen carefully to my appeal and my conditions."
Marek got straight to the point: "The current situation in the UK may not look so good, but you have to believe that, except for France, no European country can pose an actual threat to the UK. Even France, they have too much time to take care of themselves. Internal The problem is far bigger than the UK!
In this war for the North American colonies, the opposition within France is very strong. They will not be able to hold on for long. The Russians, Swedes, Danes and Spanish are all weak and cannot really send troops to threaten Britain. Therefore, you Don't let Cornley fool you! "
Before Zhao Xuening opened his mouth, Marek started chattering a lot. He looked very anxious, but in fact he was very anxious.
He was really worried that Zhao Xuening would be fully co-opted by the Dutch and send troops out of the Malacca Strait to threaten their Eastern trade routes. If that were the case, Britain's already fragile wartime economy would definitely suffer heavy losses.
There is even a possibility of collapse.
Now that Britain is already threatened economically by the alliance led by Russia, and is being targeted militarily by the alliance between the French and the United States, it really does not want to make any more enemies.
Zhao Xuening felt Marek's eagerness, smiled, and poured Marek a cup of tea himself.
"Mr. Marek, don't be so impatient. We can talk about it slowly if there is anything."
Marek looked at the tea cup in front of him, calmed down a little, and nodded.
"Okay, Mr. President, just now, did Cornley ask you to form an alliance with the Netherlands and jointly attack the United Kingdom?"
"yes."
"What do you think of this?"
Marek looked at Zhao Xuening nervously: "I really hope you can carefully consider this suggestion. The Netherlands is no longer the Netherlands a hundred years ago, and the United Kingdom is no longer the United Kingdom a hundred years ago. "
"Well, I agree with this conclusion."
Zhao Xuening smiled and said: "Since I can succeed, it means that the sea coachman can no longer come back."
"So, you won't make an alliance with the Netherlands, right?"
Marek looked at Zhao Xuening in surprise: "You are really a wise leader!"
"Don't rush to praise me, Mr. Marek."
Zhao Xuening shook his head and said: "Not alliance with the Netherlands does not mean that I will stand on your side. After all, the relationship between me and your country was not very good before. We have fought many times. I I have killed many of you, and many soldiers have died in your hands.”
Marek nodded.
"I also feel very sorry for this, but war cannot be without death. Both parties involved in the war are well aware of this. Life and death on the battlefield cannot really be regarded as a reason for hostility. It is more important between countries. It should be something else, shouldn’t it?”
This level is obviously a level higher than Cornley.
It's interesting to negotiate with people like this.
Zhao Xuening nodded with satisfaction.
"You are right, Mr. Marek. Between countries, the most important thing is indeed other things. So Mr. Marek, I ask myself that there are no big rivals in the Spice Sea. If your country wants me not to fight with Nigeria, If the Delan Alliance is on your side, what can it offer Lan Fang?"
Marek took a deep breath.
"You probably don't know yet. Just now, when I was talking to the Director General and Deputy Minister of Industry of your country, I told them that the company is preparing to increase the export quota of saltpeter from your country. The specific quota can be negotiated. At present, Said, the upper limit is very high.”
"This also costs money, not for free."
“The price can be negotiated, and some things cannot be bought simply with money.”
"I admit that."
Zhao Xuening put down the tea cup in his hand and continued to lean on the chair and look at Marek: "So what does your country need from our country? Can I know?"
"Our country's requirements for your country are not difficult compared to the military strength displayed by your country."
Marek whispered: "Our country's idea is that we hope that your country can assist our country in eliminating all the influence of the Netherlands in the Spice Sea and even in India, Ceylon and other places. The United Kingdom recognizes the legitimacy of your country and is willing to cooperate with your country." countries to form an alliance.”
"The Netherlands has similar requirements for me."
Zhao Xuening smiled and said: "Compared to the requirements of the Netherlands, your country's requirements are indeed not difficult for me, but there is a price to pay. And you know very well that the Governor of Batavia belongs to my wife. Father, we are related."
"Most of the royal families in Europe are relatives, but this does not prevent them from starting wars with each other."
Malek said seriously: "Mr. President, our country is very sincere."
"Is it just to recognize my country and increase the sale of the share of saltpeter?"
Zhao Xuening shook his head and said: "This is not sincerity, but it makes me feel threatened. I don't like the feeling of being threatened."
"Please don't misunderstand, this is not a threat, but a discussion."
Marek pursed his lips and said, "If you are willing to agree, then our country is willing to share the Netherlands' colonies in the entire East with your country."
"What kind of sharing method?"
Zhao Xuening sat up straight, looked at Marek with burning eyes, and asked, "Do you have a suitable plan?"
Seeing that Zhao Xuening was obviously tempted by this proposal, Marek became excited.
"Of course, as long as you are willing to cooperate with our army in fighting, the entire East Indies will be yours."
"It's basically all mine now."
Zhao Xuening leaned back on his chair again and said with a smile: "As long as I am willing, within three months, I can make all the Dutch people in the East Indies see God. In two months, all the Dutch people in India will see God." The Teran people also want to meet their God, and there is no need for your army to be dispatched.
Mr. Marek, you are negotiating with me with something that already belongs to me, and you still think it is a reward for me. Is your country a little too confident and proud? This attitude and this condition do not satisfy me, and after all, I am the son-in-law of a Dutchman. "
Marek gulped.
He knew what Zhao Xuening said was true.
This thing really does not satisfy Zhao Xuening, but the British are also quite greedy and want to occupy some places controlled by the Dutch. Even the British in the Malacca area want to get their hands on it.
Now, Malacca is under the control of Zhao Xuening. British merchant ships passing through need to pay a certain tax. If it were not for the saltpeter trade, Zhao Xuening may further increase the tax amount.
This makes the British very uncomfortable.
But they are not sure that they can seize the Strait of Malacca by force. If the ship capsizes and Zhao Xuening turns against them and completely cuts off the Eastern trade route, London will explode.
"So what do you want?"
Zhao Xuening took a deep breath.
"The place I conquer belongs to me."
Marek immediately shook his head.
"This... is not very likely. You have to know that there are some places that would be unacceptable to London if handed over to you."
“If I try my best and I don’t get what I want, then why should I try my best?”
Zhao Xuening spread his hands and smiled: "In war, people will die, and if we don't get corresponding benefits, how can I explain it to my army? Can you answer this question for me, Mr. Marek?"
"Of course I know this. Of course your country is qualified to get what you want, but our country will also contribute. You want to get everything. I can't explain it to London."
Marek whispered: "You may also know that the North American war is relatively difficult for Britain. Even if it wins, Britain's interests in North America will suffer huge losses, so London urgently needs to obtain more benefits to make up for the losses. , this is the fundamental purpose of the London operation, and it is not something I can shake."
"The Netherlands is no longer viable, and its colonies will be yours sooner or later."
Zhao Xuening shook his head and smiled: "As far as I know, in addition to the East Indies and India, there are many colonies in the Netherlands. Those under the East India Company belong to me, and those under the West India Company belong to you. Isn't that enough? One east and one west, very suitable.”
Marek hesitated slightly, but still shook his head.
"Mr. President, I'm afraid this is not possible. Although your country is strong in the East Indies,... London does not think that your country has greater strength to control the trade of the entire Dutch East India Company."
Do you think I can't do it?
Can a man say no?
Zhao Xuening folded his hands on his chest and looked at Marek with an unkind expression.
"Lanfang is a small country. I admit that it is not as powerful as Britain. I also admit that, but Mr. Marek, mobilize all your forces to attack your country's power in India, and cut off the trade route between your country and the Qing Dynasty, so that tea can reach I can still do such small things like North America and London.”
Marek sat up immediately.
"Mr. President, London has no intention of breaking with you. Please believe in London's sincerity!"
"Sincerity? I can't see it. You want me to send troops, but you don't want me to get what I want. You also threaten me. Do you think this will satisfy me?"
Zhao Xuening said seriously: "Stop your capitalist behavior. It doesn't work here. I'll give you one last chance. If you still can't satisfy me, I will seriously consider Amsterdam's plan."
Seeing Zhao Xuening's firm statement, Marek knew that it was time to show his trump card. If he didn't show his trump card, Zhao Xuening might really get angry.
So Marek took a deep breath.
"London's bottom line is that with Bengal as the dividing line, all the colonies and trade in the Netherlands to the east belong to you, and everything to the west, including Ceylon, belongs to the United Kingdom. Our country will not threaten the Japanese trade routes you control. , and you cannot threaten the trade routes between our country and the Qing Dynasty.
Moreover, regarding the current tax in the Malacca area, our two countries need to mutually agree on the share. Neither party can unilaterally increase or reduce the tax amount. If our merchant ships are in danger within the other's sphere of influence, both parties have the ability to launch rescue operations. obligation. "
Malek revealed some, but not all, of his cards.
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PS: Although the chicken noodle soup I had this morning tasted good, I still felt a little unsatisfied and itchy my heart, so I added another chapter.
