Chapter 189: Asking Prices Across the Sky
The peacemakers in the city finally reached an agreement after some bargaining. [Read the latest chapter] The calculation is over, Gao Ju ordered someone to call Guanshi Yan over.
Manager Yan is nicknamed Yan Xiaomao, not only because he always wears a uniform hat, but also because it also contains other people's opinions of his conduct - which is of course not positive.
Yan Xiaomao was one of Gao Zhi's cronies. He was originally responsible for monitoring Wen Desi and others. He often used various excuses to go in and out of their side to spy on news. Therefore, he was familiar with the Australians and was familiar with their situation. And quite clever. If the original shopkeeper Wen and others were also in the fleet, Yan Xiaomao himself is the best proof.
In addition, Yan Xiaomao had been expelled from his country long ago, so theoretically he was no longer a slave of his Gao family. If something goes wrong during this period, it will be relatively simple to clean it up.
He rewarded Yan Xiaomao with ten taels of silver and asked him to go out of the city to the Australian camp after dark.
Yan Xiaomao was a little frightened. He had only seen this kind of thing going through the war zone to the enemy's camp in books. If he went there hastily like this, he might be beheaded directly.
"Don't worry, the thieves are from Australia, and they are the subordinates of Shopkeeper Wen. They all know you. How could they harm you?"
"Is it Mr. Wen?" Yan Xiaomao asked in surprise, "Do they have such powerful firearms?" In the past few months, the news that the Kun bandits were invincible along the Pearl River has spread throughout Guangzhou.
"The person who can make Australia's rare goods, can't he make a few cannons?" Gao Li snorted, "You can go boldly and confidently, I won't treat you badly. After you go and meet people, you will Put it this way..."
At this moment, the next steps of contact and meeting between the two parties were explained one by one.
"If they are unwilling to do this, you can bring back the message from the Australians. Just tell me everything. No scraps of paper are allowed, do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," said Yan Xiaomao, "but sir, if shopkeeper Wen and the others are not in the army - I heard that he is actually the Prime Minister of Australia or something - how can I prove myself?"
"Don't worry, the Australians may be waiting for you to go." Gao Zhixiong said confidently, "They will naturally ask you many things, and you will answer them truthfully. ——Don’t lie and don’t make it up. Say as much as you know. If you don’t know, just say you don’t know. They will naturally believe you.”
"Yes, I understand." Yan Xiaomao felt that it was unreliable for Mr. Gao to be so confident, but he still agreed - he was also half a desperado, and he knew that this matter would definitely not cost dozens of taels of silver. The benefits are great for your future.
At nearly three o'clock, the Fubiao guerrillas responsible for guarding Nancheng took care of themselves, and several soldiers lowered Yan Xiao's hat down to the city. It was dark outside the city, but the lights along the Henan coast across the Pearl River were brightly lit. This was where the Australian military camp was located. Yan Xiaomao was led by the guide waiting at the bottom of the city and stumbled all the way to the river bank, where a fishing boat had already been prepared.
Shortly after the fishing boat rowed out, it was stopped by a patrol boat as soon as it crossed the middle of the river. Two Australian sailors armed with machetes and carrying short-barreled rifles jumped past. They were all short-sleeved and wearing the same blue and white short coats and domed wide-brimmed straw hats. Weird but clean. Several fishermen quickly knelt down on the ground and remained motionless. Yan Xiaomao bravely stated his intention.
"You get on our ship. We will take you there." said an Australian sailor, and then asked him to transfer, "What did you bring?"
Yan Xiaomao quickly took out a tael of silver and said, "Buy a bowl of wine for the deputy masters."
"Keep the money for yourself, we won't need it." Sailor Wei waved his hand expressionlessly, "You are not allowed to sit down here." 1ua pointed to a row of seats at the stern of the boat.
"Is the hat hurriedly sat down on the bench with fixed wooden slats? It's really rare that they don't accept money. I guess Australians are very rich, and they even feed the soldiers with money. The small boat's A glass lamp hung on the stern of the boat, which illuminated it brightly. The boat looked quite small, and could only seat a dozen people at most. It seemed to be made of wood under the tentacles, and there was a dark thing in the middle with a root standing on it. The iron chimney was like a stove - a blast of hot air let him know that his guess was correct.
"Sail the boat!" the sailor greeted and sat down opposite Yan Xiaomao. A thick smoke mixed with sparks suddenly burst out of the chimney. Yan Xiaomao felt his whole body rush forward, then paused backwards, and the boat made a "chug" sound and sailed forward. .
It has long been known in Guangzhou that the Kun thieves had ships powered by fire without sails or oars. Yan Xiaomao didn't expect that he would be the first to enjoy the privilege of riding a "steamboat". Apart from being anxious, he was also a little curious and looked around regardless of the night. The sailors on the ship seemed to be accustomed to his curiosity and did not stop him from watching.
Yan Xiaomao was sent to the barracks of the restaurant where the headquarters was located. Here he first underwent a full body examination and all his belongings were removed before being sent to Wen Desi.
Yan Xiaomao had already recognized Wen Desi. He knelt down and kowtowed to Wen Desi and others, very respectfully. He was deeply afraid of being suspected. Not only would the task be difficult, but his life would also be in danger.
As expected, Wen Desi remembered him, but not his name. Yan Xiaomao quickly informed him. He then asked about Gao Ju's age, business, wife and employees, and Yan Xiaomao reported them one by one, without any mistakes. He also ordered someone to send the general dossier of Gao Ju collected and compiled by the Intelligence Bureau, from which he found materials and photos of Yan Xiaomao. After comparison, it was proved that he was Gao Ju's manager. He was then taken into another tent and guarded by several soldiers. It was up to the specialized personnel to negotiate with him - Yan Xiaomao was of a very low level, and his purpose was only to discuss preparations for the negotiation, so there was no need for Wen Desi and others to take action in person.
Yan Xiaomao put forward a high-level proposal, and the negotiation venue was to be set up in a nunnery in Henan Province.
It was agreed that the two parties would meet at a nunnery called Lianhuajīngshe on Henan Island the next night. It's not far from the city, so it's quite convenient to get there.
"What? Gao Zhixuan is negotiating in the nunnery. Does Gao Zhi have any bad intentions?" Chen Haiyang was a little worried.
"You don't know the tone here. This is not a real nunnery." Wen Desi is a native of Guangzhou and knows a lot about the various winds, snows, moons, and dogs and horses in Guangzhou's history. "This is a hanging Buddha. A mén brand service industry. The nuns there all have wives."
"You mean?" Chen Haiyang didn't know that there was such a tone in Guangzhou's history.
"That's right," Wen Desi nodded, "This business was very prosperous in Guangzhou in the past. Such a wealthy man like Gao Zhi probably made such arrangements, and maybe he was a benefactor of the nunnery. That's why. Let’s go there and meet him.”
"It's really wonderful to negotiate in the hospital."
"But it's very safe. The food inside should be first-class." Wen Desi said, "It just may not be to our liking."
At that moment, Chen Haiyang called the political security commissioner who was accompanying the fleet and asked him to send people to Lianhuajīng House to arrange security work early the next morning.
The next night, Gao Ji came as expected. The two sides launched secret negotiations in this mansion.
Gao Ju had already negotiated with Li Fengjie and others beforehand. The government's important condition was that the Australian fleet withdraw from the provincial river, preferably from the Pearl River Estuary. All other details are easy to discuss, but this one needs to be handled as soon as possible. The longer the Australian fleet stays in Baietan, the harder it will be for him to justify his subsequent reports.
Generally speaking, Li Fengjie and others still believe that the Australians angrily raised troops to attack Guangzhou because of Wang Zunde's "provocation" and Tian Da's success in Guangzhou. Therefore, he gave high-level promises The conditions are just that: Zizihao can resume business on the same day, and all the seized properties and money-making guys will be returned; the goods that have been sold after the seizure will be returned together, and the goods that have been sold cannot be recovered, and the government will compensate 10,000 taels of silver; Australians and people Ships can freely enter and exit Guangzhou for trade as long as they act as local agents, and the government will never arrest or prohibit them.
These three items were jointly formulated by Li Fengjie with the participation of his staff. The staff believe that overseas merchants are just seeking the power to trade with the Ming Dynasty. As long as they are given this power, the Australians will be satisfied - you must know that this kind of power has only been enjoyed by the Portuguese so far.
As for returning the house and compensating a small amount of money, it is just to show the "sincerity" of Guangdong.
Of course Wen Desi was not satisfied with such conditions. Not only was he dissatisfied, the Senate would never be satisfied either. According to the concept of a considerable number of people in the Senate, a Ming Dynasty version of the "Treaty of Nanjing" would have to be signed. Specifically, it would cede territory and pay compensation, and allow five ports to trade.
However, at the working meeting of the Executive Committee, everyone believed that this was impossible, especially under the special historical environment of the Ming Dynasty. Neither Li Fengjie nor Wang Zunde had the courage to do such a thing. If we really force an unequal treaty, the end result will be a breakup and an embarrassing situation of no war and no peace.
After repeated consultations, the Senate set the minimum requirement for negotiations: the two sides should immediately end the war and return trade to normal - after all, Lingao is a regime that relies heavily on foreign trade. This is the main goal of the Pearl River Campaign. Secondly, it is confirmed that Hong Kong Island and surrounding outlying islands belong to the public, and officers and soldiers are not allowed to make any force threats to this area and ships sailing in this area.
As for the latter article, it does not need to be signed in writing, as long as both parties reach a tacit understanding. You must know that even Chongzhen himself may not dare to agree to such a land cession treaty.
At that moment, Wen Desi put forward these points one by one. Obviously, there is no disagreement between the two parties on the first point. But for the cession of Hong Kong Island and surrounding outlying islands, this is far beyond Gao Li's ability to bear - you must know that the Portuguese spent a lot of effort to obtain Hao Jing Ao, and they are still worried that they will be attacked by the Ming Dynasty. It would be better for the Australians to expel Hong Kong and the entire island of Hong Kong and dozens of surrounding islands as soon as they open their mouth. Lantau Island alone is larger than Hong Kong Island
Ming Dynasty did not pay much attention to the coastal islands, and almost had a self-destructive attitude during the term. Including Li Fengjie, most officials in Guangdong are not concerned about how many islands there are in the province or what the people's conditions and products are like on the islands. But to cede territory was a taboo against the Ming court.
Gao Ju didn't dare agree to it at all. He pondered for a long time before saying, "Shopkeeper Wen, it's actually easy for you to have anything, money, slaves, and maidservants you want. It's just that Mr. Futai would never dare to agree to this cession of land."
"You can discuss this slowly, we are not in a hurry." Wen Desi smiled and looked at the Zen room hosted by him - it was very clean and elegantly decorated, and the snacks on the table were also delicious. "It's so comfortable here. , we have been squatting in that small place in Lingao for two or three years, how can we not relax here for a few months?"
"Yes, yes, this is natural." Gao Zhang thought to himself that this condition is not so easy to negotiate. He had no choice but to ask Li Fengjie for instructions on this matter. However, before asking for instructions, he hoped that the Australians could withdraw from the province as soon as possible to avoid being under martial law in Guangzhou for too long and not being treated well by Li Fujun.
"There is nothing wrong with withdrawing from the province. It's just that we have come all the way here. If we retreat just based on your words, we won't be able to explain it in front of the Senate."
Gao Ju knew that other conditions were coming. No matter what the conditions were, Li Fengjie made the withdrawal of the Australian troops his first priority.
The conditions put forward by Wen Desi were: Guangzhou should immediately pay a city redemption fee of 300,000 taels; all remaining Shuiyong should be dismissed; and the forts that had been destroyed along the way should not be rebuilt.
As long as the payment is paid in full, the task force will immediately withdraw from the province, and detailed negotiations can continue in Macao.
"Three hundred thousand taels?" Li Fengjie almost shouted - this was like a lion opening his mouth. He originally thought that allowing free trade in and out of Guangzhou would settle everything, but he didn't expect that the other party would ask for a city redemption fee of 300,000 taels. You must know that the total cash in the Guangdong treasury is only 370,000 taels. Not to mention that you can't give it at all, even if you give it, you can't find a way to reimburse such a huge expense.
Li Fengjie shook the table and said angrily: "I don't know what the heavens and the earth have allowed them to come to Guangzhou to trade. It is a great favor. They are not satisfied and just ignore them. See what they can do. I don't believe their dozens of ships and thousands of guns." Can a man invade Guangzhou with just a few cannons?"
Gao Zhang remained silent. He also felt that this condition was a bit harsh. However, if it weren't for the fact that he went to Zhijun to "clear out the thieves", the Australian business would never have come to Guangzhou. Instead of blindly delaying it and sending people to Lingao for peace talks at that time, I'm afraid it wouldn't have resulted in the troops approaching the city and forming an alliance below the city.
The government would definitely not be able to take out the three hundred thousand taels of silver. Gao Gao thought, even if he was forced to take it out, it would not end up in the hands of the wealthy businessmen in the city. For the matter of this thief, the Gao family started from " Starting from "Happy to help the army pay", to "Xiangzhu Jiangfang" not long ago, he extorted no less than 20,000 taels from the government. Once the 300,000 taels are opened, I'm afraid I'll have to spend another several thousand taels.
Li Fengjie closed his eyes in silence for a long time, then opened his eyes and said, "Kun thief really said he would retreat after taking the money?"
"Exactly." Gao Ju explained Wen Desi's conditions in detail, "After they withdraw from Shenghe, other conditions can be negotiated slowly in Haojing'ao."
Li Fengjie pondered for a long time with a wooden face: "Do Australians keep their word?"
"Australians built their country on business, and integrity is fundamental."
"But as the old saying goes, there is no business without business." Li Fengjie murmured, seeming to have forgotten that the tall official opposite was a "businessman."
Gao Zhang sneered secretly. Li Fengjie was already at the end of his rope, and he still had to act calm and confident. As expected, all officials have a very thick skin.
There was no way to do it, but with his high status, no matter what advice he gave Li Fengjie, it would be bad, and it might even endanger his own interests. He thought twice and decided not to say anything for the time being, and simply said goodbye and went home.
Of course, Li Fengjie couldn't think of any clever ideas. The number three hundred thousand taels weighed heavily on his heart. If you give them money, he won't be able to get it out; if you don't give them money, this group of greedy Australians will never retreat - they have extorted countless grains and property in Sixiang, and they can stay here as long as they want.
He summoned several of his close aides to discuss how to respond. Some people said that the Kun thief was just a false threat and would never actually attack Guangzhou; some said that it would be better not to give a reply for the time being and wait to see the Kun thief's reaction; some also suggested that high-ranking officials should make counter-offers. . See if you can get a discount; others suggest following the old rules and letting the big players take out the money.
He Chengzong never spoke: Three hundred thousand taels was nothing in the city of Guangzhou in the past. As long as the big businessmen in the city gathered together and told them about the crisis they were facing, it would not be difficult to raise money. But things are different now. Within this year, we have squeezed the big households several times, and it is already difficult to force them to take out the money - these big households are not small businessmen with meager capital, most of them are provincial-level officials. He has huge backers in the northern and southern capitals, so it would be impossible to offend them.
After a while, he said: "With the current plan, it will be very difficult to ask the big investors. The only way is to borrow it."
"borrow?"
Chengzong nodded and said, "Not to mention 300,000 taels in the city, we can also get 3 million taels. Now we will gather the big families to know their interests first, and then let each family borrow money from the government. With the government as a guarantee, we can decide as appropriate." Give some more interest - this is something that benefits both the public and the private sector, and the big investors will definitely be happy."
When the governor's office comes to lend money, the guarantee is always sufficient. Moreover, there is also an implicit warning not to "drink a fine wine if you don't eat the toast", which the big players will not understand.
