Hearing Wei Qingmu's question, Bruce Van Diemen sighed again!
How could the situation here in Europe not affect the East India Company? The Dutch East India Company said it was a commercial institution and a joint-stock company, but in fact it was backed by the big tree of the United Provinces of the Netherlands... Now that the Republic is in turmoil, the East India Company is certainly panicked!
Moreover, the East India Company is a listed company! As early as 1602, East India Company shares were traded on the Amsterdam stock market and have been trading for more than 60 years.
During these 60 years, the company's shares changed hands and dispersed repeatedly, and almost all Amsterdam businessmen were shareholders of the company.
This means that the Ming Emperor, who owned 20% of the shares of the East India Company, could acquire the shares of the East India Company on the Amsterdam stock market, and finally achieve the goal of becoming the company's controlling shareholder.
Taking into account the upcoming war in the Spanish Netherlands and the difficult situation that the United Provinces of the Netherlands will face, it is very likely that the East India Company shares will be sold off in large quantities by shareholders.
Therefore, the possibility that this valuable joint-stock company will be controlled by the Ming Emperor in the future is too great...
"Mr. Dimen, what are you worried about?" Wei Qingmu asked with a smile, "Just tell me!"
Bruce Van Diemen smiled bitterly: "It's not that I'm worried about anything, but the board of directors hopes to split the company into two parts: the East India Trading Company and the Indian Trading Company... The former is responsible for the Strait of Malacca and the areas east of it. trade, including the Strait of Malacca and its eastward trade with Europe; the latter is responsible for trade in the Indian Ocean."
In fact, the real purpose of the Dutch to split up the East India Company was to not want the Ming Emperor to interfere with their robbery business with the Dashun Empire.
The Ming Emperor and the Dashun Emperor's grandson became accomplices in robbing India because of the East India Company. This was a bit ridiculous, and even the Dutch, who were all about business, found it unreliable.
"That's right..." Wei Qingmu thought for a while, "That's okay, but the private placement of 20% of the shares is a bit small. After all, your East India Company lost the war!"
"snort!"
Bruce Van Diemen snorted, but still nodded.
It is a fact that we lost the fight!
It is a reality that we can no longer fight!
The Republic of the Netherlands now needs to concentrate on coping with the changes in Europe, and is no longer able to compete with the Ming Empire in the East.
Wei Qingmu smiled and said: "His Majesty the Emperor will not ask for more...how about 30%?"
"No, this is too much!" Bruce Van Diemen said, "The maximum is 22%."
"Haha," Wei Qingmu smiled and shook his head, "Bruce, I think you still don't understand... His Majesty's participation in the India Company as a shareholder is actually to protect the East India Company! With the Ming Emperor's participation in the company, this company It will transform from a Dutch company into an international company!
This means that when the Republic of the Netherlands goes to war with Britain or France, the Ming Empire and other neutral countries can intervene to ensure the normal operation of the company. "
"A maximum of 25% is not allowed to further seek to increase the company's shares," Bruce Van Diemen said. "This is the bottom line of the board of directors... Moreover, the emperor can only appoint one director to the company."
"Okay, 25%, just 25%... There is no problem in appointing a director." Wei Qingmu said, "But we have another requirement, that is, the East India Company's headquarters in the East must be moved to Temasek Island .”
Although there will be a "free city" on Temasek Island, the owner of this city is undoubtedly the Celestial Empire, and Zhu Cixiang has many ways to make this free city obey his will.
Therefore, once the foundation of the Dutch East India Company was moved from Batavia to Temasek, it would be equivalent to entering Zhu Cihong's control!
Its comprehensive fall, oh, it should be comprehensive internationalization, is a matter of time.
In addition, Temasek City, which welcomed the East India Company's settlement, will surely grow rapidly and become the second largest city in Shanghai in the near future.
"So," Bruce Van Diemen asked, "who owns Batavia?"
“Batavia is of course the property of the East India Company!” Wei Qingmu said with certainty, “The company fully possesses the administrative and judicial power of the city and can continue to have land troops in Batavia.
Moreover, the Ming Dynasty will not interfere with the East India Company's actions on Java Island, nor will it seek vassal states or colonies on Java Island! "
What this means is that the East India Company can continue to do whatever it wants on the island of Java, and the Great Tomorrow will not interfere... Anyway, the East India Company will become a large "international" company sooner or later, so it is up to it It's pretty good to control Java Island.
"So what about the company's interests in the Maguru Islands and Banda Islands?" Bruce Van Diemen asked again.
The Maguru and Banda Islands are the so-called Spice Islands and are the most important source of profit for the East India Company east of Malacca.
"They are still owned by the East India Company," Wei Qingmu said. "These two islands are also owned by the company, and the Ming court will not interfere."
Bruce Van Diemen nodded, "So... who will His Majesty the Emperor appoint as the director of the company?"
Wei Qingmu pointed at himself with a smile, "Xia Guan will serve as a director of the company."
Bruce Van Diemen smiled and said: "Then I wish us a happy cooperation!"
The meeting between Bruce and Wei Qingmu ended here. After leaving the Ming Dynasty Embassy, he did not go to the seat of the East India Company's board of directors, but went straight to the official residence of the Speaker of the Grand Council, John de Wit.
"25%..." After listening to Bruce Van Diemen's report, John DeWitt still sighed, "He is still the largest shareholder of the company! Bruce, how do you think he will use it?" The company taken away from us?”
"Take it away?" Bruce Van Diemen was stunned. "Your Majesty the Speaker, do you think we will eventually lose the East India Company?"
De Wit, who has a pointed nose and chin, looked a little melancholy, "Isn't it possible? You don't think he would be willing to be a major shareholder without much decision-making power, do you?"
"The Chancellor..." Bruce Van Diemen also frowned, "I think he will take further action when we finally conflict with France!"
De Wit remained silent.
Bruce Van Diemen whispered: "Unless we can rebuild the Army as soon as possible, otherwise..."
"We don't need a strong army," De Wit shook his head. "Because our strength is limited, it is impossible to maintain a strong army and navy at the same time... and the Grand Council will allocate funds for us and the Netherlands." A series of fortresses will be built in the border areas. These fortresses will be equipped with 18-pound cannons, and all cannons will be equipped with explosive shells. Relying on these fortresses, our land security is guaranteed."
After hearing the words of the Grand Chancellor, Bruce Van Diemen was startled, "Grand Chancellor, are we ready to accept the prospect of the Spanish Netherlands being occupied by France?"
De Wit sighed and said: "After all, little Cromwell is not as good as his father. He is not very interested in the affairs of the European continent. Now he only thinks about his colonies in the New World and the elimination of those conquered by Spain." The protected British royalists... Maybe after the royalists in the Spanish Netherlands are eliminated, he will intervene, but until then, he will just wait and see what happens.
And Sweden...I think they don't dare to have a heavy-casualty contest with the army established by Prince Condé for Louis XIV, right? Their difficulties are similar to ours, both are that their population is too small. "
"What about Austria?" Bruce Van Diemen said, "Their strength seems to have recovered a bit, and they even tied with the Ottoman Empire in 1664."
"We can't count on it..." De Witt said, "The empire has become a piece of scattered sand. Austria can't stand alone, and it is also restrained by the Ottomans. So we can only make plans to become neighbors with the French, and then Let’s take another step and see!”
