At this time, Australia.
Above Earl Howard's mansion.
As a general on the island of Tasmania, Li He originally had no power to interfere with the rights of merchants on the Australian mainland.
However, because Li He is in charge of Tasmania's customs, this is also a route that many merchants must pass through.
Howard, a large plantation owner, also needed to be transported by sea, often via Tasmania.
Li He only needs to use a little power to get Earl Howard to personally invite Li He to his mansion.
Li He sat on the main seat in Howard's mansion.
He asked Earl Howard who was standing while sipping tea.
"Dear Earl Howard, why did you invite me here?"
Earl Howard smiled, looked at Li He, and said with great respect: "General Li He, I just want to know something. I hope General Li He won't take offense."
"As you know, I have a shipment that needs to be shipped out of the Tasmanian port, but now I'm encountering a little problem."
"I would like to ask General Li He to solve the problem. As long as General Li He agrees, I am willing to offer money, gold and silver."
When Li He heard this, his expression suddenly changed.
"Howard, are you trying to bribe me?"
"Tell you, this trick doesn't work. Does my majestic general like your little money?"
Howard was shocked. He had never dealt with Li He.
In the past, Howard never traveled via the Tasmanian route. If he hadn't cooperated with Drew, he probably wouldn't have known about Li He.
This was his first time dealing with Li He, and he had no idea what his character was.
I thought he would be as easy to accept bribes from me as other Australian officials, but now it seems that Li He is not that kind of person.
Howard smiled apologetically and said: "Haha, general, calm down, it was just a villain's rashness."
"It's just that the cargo on the ship is full of textiles. If it is left at sea for a long time, the tide will return. At that time, the sales will not be good, so the villain will wait for these goods to be moved."
"So I beg you, sir, to spare the villain's life and let these goods leave the port."
After hearing these words, Li He's expression softened a bit, and he said calmly: "Do you know why your merchant ship was impounded?"
It was precisely because he was very confused about this that Howard invited Li He to his house as a guest.
I paid all my taxes and everything else.
There should be no prohibited items on my ship. I borrowed Drew's route this time because I cooperated with Drew. The cost of departure from here will be relatively cheaper.
Apart from thinking that Li He wanted to extort some money from him, he couldn't think of any other reason.
"Hehehe, General, you are making things difficult for me."
Li He looked at Howard and said calmly: "There are no problems with your ship and cargo. Logically speaking, you should be released, but you actually want to transport the cargo to France. This is not allowed."
Howard was stunned. These textiles were indeed going to be sold to France, but that was only for commercial cooperation. What's wrong with that?
"I don't quite understand. I'm just doing business. These goods purchased by France should not violate the regulations issued by His Majesty."
Li He laughed and said lightly: "To tell you the truth, a large number of strange French people have been sneaking ashore in Tasmania recently. We are investigating where these French people come from."
"Your ship is bound for France. After many inspections, there will be some French people on your ship for no reason."
"That's why your ship was impounded."
"Do you know the reason now?"
Earl Howard suddenly panicked and said immediately: "My lord, you are unjust."
"My ship often travels to and from France, but those unfamiliar French people only boarded my ship after they obtained Australian immigration qualifications."
"And these people were supposed to board Drew's merchant ship, but due to some circumstances, Drew's ship couldn't carry them, so I took them with me."
"These things have little to do with us."
Hearing these words, Li He's eyes flashed with light and he asked: "You said these people are people on Drew's ship?"
"Explain what exactly happened. Tell me honestly."
Howard said it all: "Drew and I have a cooperative relationship. My ship often helps Drew transport people from France to Europe. Of course, he will pay me a certain shipping fee."
"Sir, my cooperation with Drew is very simple. I just borrowed his dock. Apart from these things, we have no other business dealings."
After hearing this sentence, Li He already understood it almost.
He didn't know why Drew needed to establish such a trade relationship with Earl Howard for a long time, and even needed Earl Howard's ship to secretly transport people from France.
"Sir, can you let my ship go now? I have nothing to hide in these matters. I have told you everything."
Li He glanced at him, stood up and left. As he left, he said, "Your matter is over. What you said is true. It seems that those French people who suddenly appeared were not caused by you."
"I have something else to do, so I won't bother you."
After saying this, Li He stood up and left.
After watching Li He leave, Drew suddenly grabbed the cup Li He used to drink tea and slammed it!
"I, the noble Earl of Britain, have never been treated like this before. Even when I left Britain, I have never been treated like this!"
Earl Howard looked at Li He's long-disappeared back and ordered his servant: "Tell Drew that I helped him with his matter. I hope he can quickly complete what he promised me."
There was a flash of viciousness in Earl Howard's eyes. Without the Dragon Flame Army, a little general would dare to do this to him now.
However, when Drew's plan is successfully implemented, Li He will feel better!
Li He was sitting on the carriage, thinking about why Drew had to deploy a large number of people from France during this period.
These people are indeed not illegal immigrants. They all have entry permits.
But this is not worth the gain for Drew. To apply for an entry permit, you have to pay a large sum of money. It is impossible for so many French people to come to help Drew work.
Labor on the island was cheaper for Drew.
And not only that, although Drew has immigrated so many French people, there are no such people in his factory, which means that it is very possible that Drew's people may now be provided with capital and livelihood by him.
For a businessman, this is something that has almost no return.
