Steel Dynasty - Chapter 449

[Chapter 449 Final Negotiation]

Relanja City.

The cold north wind blew by, and Claire tightened her windbreaker. Rhodes stood beside him and described to him everything he saw in Qingzhou.

“Generally speaking, the development of the Qi King’s fiefdom is a bit deformed. They have a strong military industry foundation, but the people’s livelihood industry is far behind Europe. The people in Qingzhou are more civilized than other places, but they are also not comparable to Europe.” Rhodes recalled what he saw in Qingzhou.

Claire frowned, “This King of Qi is really born for war. He invested too much money in war but ignored the foundation of a country. On the contrary, we in the Netherlands invested too much money in social welfare.” He ignored the threat of war and the people’s livelihood, which led to the current predicament. “

“In this way, we can really complement each other,” Rhodes said self-deprecatingly: “But we really have to agree to King Qi’s request to withdraw from Re. The army of Lanzhe City? In this case, our merchant ships are like unprotected children.”

After Rhodes talked about the negotiation process and the subsequent inspection of Qingzhou, Claire’s expression relaxed, and he said to Rhodes: “Luo. De, you are still suitable to be a businessman rather than a politician. This King of Qi is very unusual. This is just his negotiation calculation. Now he is just testing our reaction at the minimum. If he really doesn’t leave us any room, , I won’t waste any more time with you.”

Rhodes paused for a moment. He was just an employee of a Dutch trading company, and his status as the Dutch ambassador was just to facilitate dealing with neighboring countries. He shrugged and asked: “I don’t think so. This King Qi is very tough.”

“The party with the advantage will always be tough, but I think it is necessary to make a final attempt. We are all nobles, so we may have something in common.” Claire laughed. , “Well, let’s go to Dengzhou again. Whether the negotiation can be successful depends on this time.”

Rhodes sighed, “Your Majesty, why should we negotiate with them? Maybe we will lose nothing through the war.”

“No. , you are wrong, we will lose more.” Claire’s eyes were profound. He looked at Sakai holding a matchlock in the city and said: “The ambition of the Japanese country is growing day by day, and this beast we have raised will eventually engulf us. , and now the British are also extending their tentacles to East Asia. The British are too powerful and our fleet is no match, so we need an ally even more.”

Rhodes nodded and said: “In this case, I hope God will do it this time. It can give us good luck.”

After saying that, Rhodes went down from the chief’s office to the city.

“Ambassador Rhodes, how are you? Are we about to start a war? We can’t wait any longer.” Sakai licked his lips, a dangerous light flashing in his slender triangular eyes.

Rhodes said: “We have no plan to go to war with King Qi, and this King Qi is very powerful.”

Sakai rolled his eyes, “So you are ready to continue negotiations? This is really a stupid decision.”

“Please pay attention. Your words, Sakai, we paid a lot of money to hire you not to let you participate in our decision-making.” Rhodes’ words contained a strong warning.

Like Claire, they all felt that Sakai was trying to interfere with their decisions in East Asia, and the shadow of Yamada Nobunaga loomed behind this. They always wanted the Dutch to go to war with Great Chongqing.

Perhaps Claire is right, what they should be more wary of is the Japanese expansion ambitions.

After two days of preparation, Claire led the fleet to go north again. Seven days later, they once again arrived at the sea outside Dengzhou City.

Qingzhou.

As soon as the New Year is over, the government offices quickly resume operations. In fact, due to the lack of entertainment activities, the New Year flavor in Dayu only lasts for three or four days. Once the excitement is over, the people hide in their homes and bake briquettes on the stove. Don’t want to come out.

During the Chinese New Year, Xiao Ming really had some leisure time. He accompanied Fei Yue’er to play around in Qingzhou City. The two of them were relaxed and leisurely until news came from Dengzhou this time.

“Earl Claire?” Xiao Ming chewed on the suffix of this name. The title of earl was rare even in Europe. This Claire was also a respected person in the Netherlands.

More than a month has passed since the last negotiation. This time, Claire arrived in Dengzhou in person to bring an end to the negotiation.

After pondering for a while, he said to the post general who came to report: “You should go ahead and tell Earl Clare that the king will go to Dengzhou to meet him in person and let him stay in Dengzhou for a few days.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Jiang nodded and turned to leave.

When the post was about to leave, Fei Yue’er said at this time: “Your Highness is going out again?”

“Yes, this negotiation is very important. If we can negotiate, we can avoid a war.” Xiao Ming said.

Hearing this, Fei Yue’er knew that this matter was of great importance, and she said sensibly: “In this case, I will ask my servants to pack your things for Your Highness.”

“Don’t you want to go, Princess?” Xiao Ming was startled and said with a smile.

“Am I going too?” Fei Yue’er was a little surprised.

Xiao Ming nodded, “I’m afraid there are a lot of things that need to be dealt with when I go to Dengzhou this time, and I need to stay for a few days. Princess, why don’t you go with me, so that you can also see what the Dutch are like. ?”

Fei Yueer said happily after hearing this: “Yes, Your Highness, I will go back and prepare now.”

After that, she picked up her skirt and ran back to the bedroom to pack her things.

Seeing this, Xiao Ming smiled helplessly. After all, Fei Yue’er was deeply influenced by the Three Cardinal Guidelines and Five Permanent Rules of the Great Chongqing Kingdom, and she always adhered to the idea that women stay at home and never go out.

She wouldn’t have taken the initiative to mention it unless Xiao Ming said it. Now that Xiao Ming said this, she was naturally overjoyed.

After packing up, Xiao Ming went to Dengzhou the next day under the protection of five thousand musketeers. Three days later, he returned to Dengzhou again.

“Your Highness, Count Clare is already waiting at the government office.” As soon as he entered Dengzhou City, Yang Chengye immediately reported the situation of the Dutch to Xiao Ming.

This time the Dutch did not send soldiers to the city. Only Rhodes and Claire entered Dengzhou City with four soldiers.

He nodded and said to Fei Yue’er: “Princess, you go to the camp to rest for now. I will go to meet the Dutch first.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Fei Yue’er said softly in the sedan chair.

Following Yang Chengye, Xiao Ming returned to Dengzhou Mansion Office again after two months. At this time, he met Rhodes and a European who was slightly fat but looked somewhat graceful.

“His Royal Highness King Qi, this is Earl Clare, the Dutch Governor of East Asian Affairs.” Rhodes said respectfully.

When Xiao Ming was looking at Claire, Claire was also looking at Xiao Ming. At this time, he said: “It’s an honor to meet you, His Highness King Qi.”

(End of this chapter)