Cohen had already heard Li Chengyan say at the beginning that Daming had three conditions for the boycott of the army this time.

The first two are already so embarrassing, and as for the last one of them, it is definitely not easy to know without even thinking about it.

Sure enough, Li Chengyan's understatement attitude made Cohen want to hack the guy opposite: "The last condition is very simple, hand over your logbook and chart, and then there will be no other conditions." ”

Ignoring Cohen, who had an ugly face, Li Chengyan continued: "By the way, as a friend, I personally give you a piece of advice. ”

Cohen said with a dark face, "Please speak?" ”

Li Chengyan said: "In the future, whenever the Daming Dragon Banner is everywhere, it is better to retreat, otherwise if there is any misunderstanding, it will not be good for everyone's face." ”

The furious Cohen resisted the urge to flip the table and sneered: "If Da Ming puts forward such three embarrassing conditions, then I don't think there is anything to talk about, everyone might as well compete on the battlefield!" ”

After Li Chengyan got up, he bowed slightly, stretched out his hand and pointed to the cabin door: "Then please go back!" Give you Dutch a day to prepare, and tomorrow at this time, our Daming South China Sea Fleet will officially attack you! ”

Miscalculated!

Originally, seeing that Li Chengyan was so young and handsome, he must have been the favored minister of the Ming Emperor, or a male favorite, as long as this kind of person was scared, he would not have the courage to be so arrogant.

But I never thought that this person would be so strong, and he would go to war if he didn't agree with him, and he didn't leave himself the slightest room for bargaining!

Although I was furious in my heart, I just went back like this, and the consequences were conceivable.

After taking a few deep breaths, Cohen took off his hat again and said to Li Chengyan: "I was rude just now, please forgive me." ”

Li Chengyan didn't even mean to give Cohen any face, and after turning around and sitting down, he sneered: "So, Mr. Cohen has no objection to the three conditions I just mentioned?" ”

Cohen wanted to curse, but he didn't.

Holding back his anger, it was not until his face turned red that Cohen spoke again, "Sorry, honorable Mr. Emissary.

It's not that I don't want to agree to your conditions, it's really powerless.

As for the second and third points you raised, we can actually do it, even if we have been operating in Batavia for decades, we are willing to give it up.

But for the first one, we really can't agree to your request. ”

Seeing that Li Chengyan's face began to turn from sunny to cloudy, Cohen hurriedly said: "It's not that we don't want to agree to your first request, but we really can't help it."

Japan, which was originally trading with us, closed off the country, and the Ming Dynasty was in a state of hostility with our East India Company, so there was not much silver in the whole of Batavia.

In fact, the whole of Batavia was now only able to come up with five million taels of silver, and the equivalent of five million taels of silver.

In addition to this, the East India Company in the Dutch headquarters was actively expanding, and all the silver was used for circulation, and there was no surplus silver at this time, except for goods.

And Batavia is also because it is going to become the new headquarters and center of gravity, so it only has five million taels of silver.

I have no intention of concealing the present situation, but the East India Company does not even have much money to pay dividends to its shareholders. ”

Li Chengyan didn't care and said, "So what? What does it have to do with my Daming? ”

Cohen was stunned by Li Chengyan's words, he really didn't expect this young guy in front of him to be so difficult.

After a pause, Cohen spoke, "I have a proposal, I wonder if Mr. Emissary will be interested?" ”

Li Chengyan nodded and said, "Please speak." ”

Cohen said: "We are willing to pay four million taels of silver, plus five million taels of goods, and give you another 500,000 taels personally, you see?" ”

Li Chengyan sneered: "Give me 500,000 taels? You're thinking too much.

Silver, this thing, is dazzling and dazzling, and everyone likes it. But if you have a life to take this silver, you have to have a life to spend it!

If Mr. Cohen's so-called proposal is just to buy me off with 500,000 taels, then forget it! ”

Cohen said: "800,000 taels! As far as I know, with the amount of 800,000 taels, even if you are the prime minister for life, you will not get so much salary! ”

Li Chengyan still shook his head and said: "Of course, the first assistant of a lifetime can't get 800,000 taels, but no matter how much you get, it is a peace of mind, and no one in the world will have any objections."

But if he takes the 800,000 taels, in addition to being skinned and grassed, Li will not have a second end.

Moreover, this responsibility is not only unaffordable for Li himself, but even affects Li's family. ”

Cohen saw that Li Chengyan's attitude finally changed a little, and although he refused, it was not as difficult to speak as just now, so he smiled and said: "Today's matter, out of my mouth, into your ears, in addition, no third person will know, what are you worried about?" ”

Li Chengyan sneered: "In addition to you and me, there will be at least two pairs of ears in this cabin listening to you and me talking and making records, why doesn't anyone else know?" ”

His face changed again, and Li Chengyan continued: "Let's ask Mr. Cohen to say something useful, don't waste time by saying nonsense like this!" ”

In desperation, Cohen had no choice but to speak, "In that case, then I have one last proposal." ”

Seeing that Li Chengyan didn't speak, Cohen gritted his teeth and said, "You should know that for any fleet, nautical charts are extremely important treasures. If you are not sure, you can check with your fleet governor. ”

Li Chengyan said expressionlessly: "Li naturally knows the importance of the chart, otherwise there would be no third condition."

But what I want to tell Mr. Cohen is that I have had the charts of the world since the Yongle period in the Ming Dynasty, and I want your charts this time, just to take them back and compare them, and it is not a treasure that must be wanted. ”

Cohen nodded and said, "I believe Mr. Envoy's statement that your navy already has charts.

But after so many years, the situation at sea has long been ever-changing, and how can the old charts compare with the latest ones?

And in addition to that, I can mark the countries you pass through along the chart, as well as their approximate military strength.

Presumably such a chart will satisfy His Majesty the Emperor and the military of your country? ”

Li Chengyan nodded and said: "For such a chart, I can personally make the decision, and the military compensation can be reduced to 16 million taels."

A few charts were exchanged for four million taels, and you made a lot of money! ”

Cohen shook his head and said, "No, my friend, I can add to you the details of the sea area and their military distribution of those vampires in Spain.

Oh yes, Spain is the same country that is now at war with your other fleet in Luzon, which you call the Franciscan.

For such a chart, it is not too much to describe it as a priceless treasure, right? ”

Li Chengyan finally looked interested in Cohen's face as Cohen expected: "Then Mr. Governor, how much compensation do you want to use it to compensate?" ”

"Eight million taels!"

Seeing that Li Chengyan was interested, Cohen immediately hit the snake and raised the price to eight million taels—even if his psychological price was only three million taels before.

Li Chengyan sneered: "Eight million taels? Why don't you grab it? Two million taels! ”

Cohen naturally couldn't agree to the price of four million taels, which was already much lower than his psychological expectations: "Six million taels!" After all, this is Spain's maritime details, as well as military distribution details.

With such a chart, it is certain that your country will be able to make many fewer detours when attacking Spain, and the reduction in casualties among soldiers will be immeasurable! ”

Li Chengyan's expression finally changed: "Well, I have to admit that the statement of reducing the casualties of soldiers moved me, and this is also what His Majesty the Emperor of our country hopes to see."

All the charts, together with the detailed charts and military distributions of Spain, cost four million taels.

Therefore, you still need to compensate me for the military expenses of 12 million and 20,000 silver! ”

Cohen's face suddenly swelled like a pig's liver.

I just said six million taels, but now it's four million taels, and you still look like you've picked up a big bargain?

Who picked up the big bargain?

Once again, Cohen had the idea of turning the table and not talking: "Mr. Emissary, I have told you again and again just now that the current East India Company cannot afford such a high amount of indemnity, but can only afford five million taels of silver and five million taels of goods!" ”

Li Chengyan put on a mocking expression: "Goods? I have a lot of resources, why do I need any of your goods? It was given to the people of the Ming Dynasty for nothing, but I am afraid that no one can look at it! ”

Although he admitted that what Li Chengyan said was right, Cohen could not afford the indemnity of 12 million taels of silver at the moment, and the entire East India Company could not bear it.

After thinking about it, Cohen simply spoke: "If your country doesn't want the goods, then we can only bear the indemnity of five million taels of silver, and there will be no more!" ”

Li Chengyan said: "Then there is nothing to talk about!" ”

Li Chengyan got up again, and Cohen once again retreated: "However, I still have a way, I hope Mr. Messenger can be accommodating?" ”

Seeing that Li Chengyan sat back in his seat again, Cohen hurriedly spoke: "I am willing to use the reputation of the East India Company as a guarantee to sign an IOU of seven million taels of silver, which will be repaid in seven years, and one million taels per year!" ”

Li Chengyan nodded and said, "That's right, there is always a solution to things, isn't it?" However, what is the credit of your company, Li does not know, and it is useful to sign a peace agreement with your company instead of signing a contract with your government? ”

Cohen nodded and said proudly, "Naturally, it works!" The East India Company was the first company to have the right to enter into foreign contracts! You can check this for yourself. ”

Li Chengyan saw that it was almost over, and there was no hope of squeezing more oil and water from the barbarian in front of him, so he no longer forced Cohen: "In this case, I can sign a contract with your company on behalf of my Ming cabinet, and the arrears are seven million taels, which will be paid off in seven years." ”

After finishing speaking, Li Chengyan sneered again: "Of course, your company can also try to repay the debt, presumably the southern admiral of the East China Sea Fleet will be very happy!" ”

Cohen's face turned red again: "It's not fair! Mr. Emissary, I represent the East India Company, and you are only signing contracts with us on behalf of your Cabinet? Your Majesty the Emperor will not endorse this treaty? ”

Li Chengyan said: "So what? Do you still want to sign a contract with His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty?

You're welcome, don't say it's your company, even if the king of your country is there, it's just that, if you want to sign a contract with Your Majesty, you don't have that qualification yet! ”

Cohen was speechless again.

However, in order to allow the more than 20,000 Dutch here in Batavia to return to their hometown, the Batavia Contract was finally signed with Lee Seung-yan.

The contract stipulated that the Dutch East India Company was required to pay five million taels of silver within one month and to evacuate all personnel in Batavia within three months.

As for the nautical chart, it naturally came into the hands of Nan Juyi after the contract was signed, and then it was copied into six copies, one was handed over to the palace, two were handed over to the North and South Military Governments, and three copies were given to the three fleets of the North Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea.

After signing the contract, Li Chengyan's task was completed, and he naturally returned to the Ming Dynasty to hand over to Emperor Chongzhen, while Nan Juyi stayed with the East China Sea Fleet, responsible for monitoring Cohen and other Dutchmen to get out of the way and take over the whole of Batavia by the way.

After receiving Li Chengyan's recital and Jinyiwei's information, Emperor Chongzhen was naturally extremely satisfied with Li Chengyan's behavior of knocking out the Dutch for an additional 2 million taels of silver and many charts, and praised Li Chengyan's refusal of the Dutchman's bribe of 500,000 taels of silver.

For a guy like Li Chengyan who thinks about the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chongzhen will naturally not be stingy with rewards, and even instructed: "Spread my will, reward one million taels of silver, a pair of jade Ruyi, a pair of brocade forging, a pair of palace lights, and two palace flowers!" ”

Other things are good to say, this pair of silver and jade Ruyi is a reward, but it has caused the court to start blushing - since Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne, there are only a handful of jade Ruyi rewarded.

And Jade Ruyi is different from other things, this thing can basically represent the emperor's attention and favor to a courtier, not to mention a million taels of silver!

It's not that one million taels of silver is so remarkable, after all, even the bigger wealthy merchants can take it out for a million taels of silver.

The key is that this million taels of silver was rewarded by His Majesty the Emperor, and there is no psychological pressure to spend it, so there is no need to worry about when the Jinyi Wei and the fans of the East and West Factory will come to the door.

And Emperor Chongzhen also wanted to use this to convey a signal - there is no need to be greedy for silver, do a good job, and I will reward more things!

PS: The third update. In a while, if the time comes, the fourth update will be released before 12 o'clock.