No one expected that Gong Cheng would use such an opening statement to conduct such an important negotiation. Gong Cheng would have so many words about betrayal.
"Who built the Old Summer Palace? It was built with the hard-earned money of Han people all over the world. Do you really think that the Manchus would feel bad if they burned it? Compared with their Guozuo, what is the value of a courtyard?"
"Millions of war reparations are nothing. Who pays the final bill? It's not the Han people's taxes. Do any of the Manchu ancestors pay taxes?"
"I, Gong Cheng, have now become a traitor that people are criticizing. But think about it, even if I don't sell this country, do you think they are full of people who won't sell it? Who is in charge of the Qing Customs now? That is the Irishman He Germany is in charge, and all the customs and customs areas have been sold to foreigners, and you said they would care about a shabby yard."
"Why should I, Gong Cheng, carry this shit? Even if I, Gong Cheng, didn't come forward in the war six years ago, there would still be Wang Cheng and Li Cheng... who would come forward. Otherwise, the Manchu men would roll up their sleeves and sell it themselves. Can't you?"
"What bullshit national justice, bah, that's all bluffing. What is a country? A country is just a group of people ascending to the top to squeeze another wave of people in the name of justice. The people are cattle and sheep, and the emperor is a bandit. Six years. The previous war had already made the Manchus figure it out..."
"In the past, the Manchus brought the Mongolians, Tibetans and a large number of foreigners to eat us Han people together. Now there are a group of Western bandits who also want to get a share of the pie. At first, the Manchus were unwilling, but in the end, the Western bandits punched us. Fat Beat, please accept it now."
"Hey..." Gong Cheng sighed. "Look, these Manchus have finally figured it out. They will definitely not be able to defeat the foreigners. They can only bring chairs for the foreigners to eat together at the table. They All I want is for the foreign adults to have some respect, but don’t completely squeeze them under the table.”
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty... the Manchu court has already started selling it in person, and I, a second-rate dealer, are no longer worth anything. The British have vague intentions of abandoning me. I have to find a way for myself to support myself in old age."
"I don't dare to count on foreigners. These bastards only care about profit. If they need you, you will be a distinguished guest. If they don't, you will be a homeless dog... After thinking about it, we are of the same culture and species and are the most reliable. Your Majesty, I am willing I will give you all the details of the French to bring peace to Ryukyu, and I just want the decrepit old loser to have a place to retire in Naha City."
At this point, Gong Cheng fell to his knees and cried so miserably that everyone's heart palpitated.
"Your Majesty, please get up. Please get up quickly." King Shangtai was still young. Seeing the old man in front of him crying so miserably, his heart immediately softened. However, the young king did not notice that when Gong Cheng was helped up. At that time, those eyes showed the light of a hungry wolf.
The negotiation has now officially entered the main course stage, and the two sides started to smooth out the details one by one in a quarrel. The Japanese foreign soldier Shimazu Dairo on the side was already dumbfounded. For the first time, he discovered that these high-ranking big shots were actually the same as those selling goods in the market. bargain.
"The French are really unable to defeat them. It's not that they suffered too many casualties but that there is a problem in the rear. In India, which is also known as Tianzhu in ancient times, the British are competing with the French. The fleet attacking Ryukyu today is all French. Transferred from India..."
"Yes, yes, your Majesty is right. The French's rear area is already empty. They appear to be aggressive on the surface, but in their hearts they are afraid that the British will raid their home base..."
"The French really have no time to waste. They are extremely eager to go back now, so this is really the best time to negotiate..."
"One hundred thousand taels, I am proud to make the decision. How about making the war compensation to one hundred thousand taels? It's not much. It's really not much. The French also want to step down. They also want to save face. So do the soldiers who died. I need compensation."
"What? Why don't you ask the French to pay compensation to Ryukyu? Aren't you being arrogant? If you have this kind of mentality, the French will not leave if they are forced to do so. When the time comes, we Ryukyu will fight to the death and end up with a big problem. It’s us who are losing.”
"Weak countries have no diplomacy. Isn't this the bloody reality? Let alone Ryukyu, how about the Qing Dynasty, you still have to pinch your nose and admit it... Well, how about I give you one hundred thousand taels and negotiate it in installments? Three years to pay off, this is the minimum condition..."
Shimazu Dalang was dumbfounded. He found that the old man Gong Cheng was really eloquent. He spoke clearly and logically one by one, and analyzed everything from your point of view. , so that you don’t feel any opposition at all.
The current Shimazu Dalang saved Gong Cheng's life because of his betrayal, so he was naturally qualified to observe the negotiation at close range. He stood behind King Shangtai like a steel javelin, although the surrounding imperial guards were throwing their weight at him. His eyes were a little complicated, but his expression didn't change at all.
"I know what you are thinking, and I also know what you are scolding in your heart. Isn't it a traitor? I can bear this curse. For the sake of the belief in my heart, I will become a traitor today."
Time passed minute by minute, and amid the bickering between the two sides, the amount of Ryukyu compensation to the French was reduced to 100,000 Mexican eagle oceans, and was paid back in three years.
The French envoy signed a friendship agreement with the King of Ryukyu on behalf of His Majesty the French Emperor. France recognized Ryukyu's independent sovereignty, Ryukyu also opened its ports to France, and commercial exchanges between the two sides adopted most-favored-nation treatment.
The final agreement was to be signed at Ryukyu Pier three days later, but at this time the negotiations suddenly reached a deadlock.
"Your Majesty, this signing ceremony must be grand and extremely grand. This is the last request of Special Envoy Molière. If the French are not satisfied, I'm afraid all the previous conditions will come to nothing."
"Shengda, what kind of Shanda law is implemented according to which country's standards?" Cai Mao sensitively felt that there was something wrong with this request, and old shopkeeper Fan Jian also narrowed his eyes.
People who have been in business for many years are consciously very sensitive. He can feel every change on the negotiation table. The old shopkeeper knows that the final request in the negotiation is often the biggest trap.
Dozens of previous agreements have been reached with difficulty, and there is only one last condition left. It is like climbing a mountain and only one step is needed to reach the top. At this time, no one is willing to give up the previous efforts. People's emotions are quite intense at this moment. Relaxed and sensitive.
A true negotiator is always good at seizing every flaw in the opponent's psychology, and it is the last tremor that they are looking for.
Gong Cheng pretended to be relaxed and opened the folding fan to fan himself in the hot air. "The French envoy had to make such a request as a last resort. You must know that Napoleon III is a man who cares about face. He is not the kind of emperor who inherits the throne. His ascension to the throne Relying on conspiracy and betrayal, it can be said that he stepped on countless corpses to ascend to the throne."
"Such a person is extremely sensitive, because the opposition forces under his rule have always been strong. If he wants to secure the throne, he must win one victory after another, because only victory is his only way to stabilize people's hearts."
Gong Cheng beat his subordinates with the bone of his fan and said thoughtfully, "The grander the agreement, the easier it will be for the French media to make a fuss about it. It is not impossible for them to whitewash a big victory by then... Three days later , on the Ryukyu dock, Special Envoy Molière, Admiral Bruce, and a pair of honor guards will attend the signing ceremony..."
“When the time comes, there will naturally be professional photographers recording the entire ceremony, and these will become weapons for the French to stabilize domestic people’s hearts... Then there will be a grand military parade, where the armies of the two countries will perform parades together, and then have a dinner together. This is also the meaning of letting go of grudges when we meet again."
At this point, Fan Yan suddenly said, "It's not appropriate, it's not appropriate. The French want a grand ceremony, it's okay. We, Lotte & Foreign Company, have the money, so we can give a grand ceremony, but it's really inappropriate to lead troops to the island..." "
The old shopkeeper couldn't tell what was wrong, but he was vaguely worried in his heart, and Gong Cheng laughed, "You're worrying too much, you're worrying too much. The French landing on the island will only be one or two hundred honor guards. When the time comes, Ryukyu will be willing to It doesn’t matter if you send a thousand or two thousand, the military parade is just a European tradition..."
At this point, Gong Cheng felt that it was time to bring out the last trump card. He threw the folding fan on the coffee table with a clatter and said with a cold face, "Your Majesty, gentlemen, we can't delay it any longer. If we sign the agreement early, not only the people of Ryukyu will be blessed." , and Xiao Letian and Prime Minister Xiao are also blessed."
"What, what did you say, say it again..." Ryukyu monarchs and ministers all stood up and exclaimed.
Gong Cheng sighed, "Hey... Let me tell you the truth, Prime Minister Xiao did not die in Europe at all. How could he die so easily... But if you drag on, Xiao Letian will die." Gotta die.”
"The British are still telling me the truth. If the time estimation is correct, Xiao Letian should be on his way back to China now, on the sea... and the French are chasing him all over the world, including the Atlantic Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet. , including the Indian Ocean Fleet, are waiting for Xiao Letian to arrive..."
"Sign it, sign the agreement quickly. As long as it is signed in black and white, no matter how shameless the French are, they will not dare to blatantly chase and kill the prime minister of a country on the sea."
This was the last straw that broke the psychological defenses of Ryukyu's monarchs and ministers. The news that Xiao Letian was still alive struck their hearts like a thunder.
What made them even more unexpected was that Xiao Letian was now in danger. The French warships were chasing him all over the sea. Now even the old shopkeeper was shaken. It didn't matter whether Ryukyu was destroyed or not. What was important was that my uncle could win. While alive, my daughter cannot remain a widow.
Before King Shangtai could speak, Fan Jian agreed, "Arrange it immediately. It won't take three days. The time is set to be the morning of the day after tomorrow. We'll see you at Naha Pier."
"Okay, have a good time...Your Majesty, what do you mean." Gong Cheng turned to stare at King Shangtai.
The young king sighed slightly, "Come here, prepare a banquet. I want to reward Mr. Gong."
When it was done, Gong Banlun was so happy that he almost jumped up in his heart. He looked calm on the outside, but in his heart he was so happy that he wanted to sing.
