"General Zheng, our fleet only came out to sweep up pirates, but because of the mistakes of some people, we had some misunderstandings with your army. "Our company is also very saddened by this misunderstanding www.biquge.info Harén Putmans," replied Harén Putmans. ”

"You mean that you took the initiative to attack our army's garrison in Xiamen because of a misunderstanding?" Zheng Zhilong asked with a sneer.

"Yes, General Zheng. I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. Jaén Putmans seemed embarrassed to reply, "Because of our mistake, we used an outdated chart. According to that chart, Xiamen Island was entrenched by pirates...... In any case, this is indeed a tragedy caused by our mistakes, and our company is willing to take responsibility and give appropriate compensation. ”

"What compensation are you going to make? How much silver is a boat? How much silver is a person? Zheng Zhilong continued to ask with a sneer.

"General Zheng, let's not be in such a hurry to talk about money, it's too vulgar, and talking about money hurts feelings, let's talk about our cooperation." Hahn Putmans said with a grin.

"My brother is settling accounts, and besides, I have no feelings to talk about with you, and if Mr. Putmans intends to talk about feelings with me, then I will ask you to go back. I don't talk about feelings here, I don't talk about feelings hurt money, do you say yes? ”

"General Zheng, you are right, but starting from the money, we need to talk about cooperation first. As far as I know, this tragic misunderstanding between us has taken a huge toll on both of us. To be honest, although the East India Company is willing to take its responsibility and give you reasonable compensation, we have also suffered a great loss, and the operation of the company has been greatly affected, and we are not financially surplus. Therefore, although we are very willing to take responsibility, in the current situation, I am afraid that it will be difficult for us to come up with enough compensation to show our sincerity. For this reason, it is necessary to cooperate with each other so that our company can be able to assume the responsibility of such compensation. Jaén Putmans said.

Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong smiled. He stretched out his hand and stroked his beard and said, "What you said is a bit sincere. Well, what kind of charter do you have over there, you can tell me. ”

Hahn Putmans immediately replied, "General Zheng, that's what we think. We hope that trade with China can be carried out under the supervision of the general, and that each trade general can take a part of the money from it as compensation for this misunderstanding, and I think that if the trade volume is large enough, it will be beneficial to both of us. Personally, I believe that this is the best option that balances the interests of both of us. I don't know what you think, General. ”

"China has always imposed a maritime ban, and the matter of maritime trade is not something that a local military attache like me can calculate." Zheng Zhilong said, "If you want to enter the port of Daming for sea trade, this is absolutely unacceptable." ”

Haan Putmans understood that Zheng Zhilong's refusal was for the Dutch to enter the Ming port to trade directly with Ming merchants. But Zheng Zhilong did not refuse to trade with the Dutch. He knew what Zheng Zhilong meant that trade was okay, but it had to be through Zheng Zhilong. This situation was also expected by the East India Company, and it was acceptable to the East India Company. However, there is no reason to agree to a negotiation immediately, and it is always necessary to bargain.

"But General Zheng, if there is no trade, it will be difficult for us to make meaningful reparations." Haan Putmans said.

Sure enough, after smiling a little, Zheng Zhilong replied: "Since you are the representative of the East India Company, then you should also know that although on the surface, we prohibit maritime trade, that is to say, whether it is your country, the Spaniards, or the Portuguese, they cannot trade with my Ming Dynasty." But as you know, the Spaniards and the Portuguese have always had a lot of trade with me. The imperial court took a blind eye to these trades - ah, don't you understand the meaning of this sentence? This means that if the Spaniards and Portuguese are honest and don't cause trouble, the court will pretend that they don't know anything. But this kind of thing can only be done, not said in the open. Moreover, you have recently attacked the sailors of the imperial court, and in such a situation, it is impossible for you to get into a port like Quanzhou for trade, so the trade can only be done through some workarounds. Do you understand? ”

"General Zheng, I don't know what your so-called workaround is." Jayn Püttmans asked.

"Before the misunderstanding happened, weren't you actually trading with my Ming merchants?" Zheng Zhilong asked rhetorically.

"That kind of trade is too small to meet the needs of both of us...... said Haan Putmans.

"Since trade is good for both of us, the question of quantity is negotiable. But ......" Zheng Zhilong finally said the sentence that Hahn Puttmans had been waiting for for a long time, and of course, Zheng Zhilong was followed by a long "but" after this sentence.

"General Zheng still has any questions?" Jayn Püttmans asked.

"First of all, in view of your previous unfriendly behavior, I do not think that your company's ships of all kinds, especially armed ships, should no longer appear in the waters near my Daming. Because once these ships appear and are seen by others, it can cause a lot of trouble. After all, any maritime trade in my Ming Dynasty will not see the light of day. ”

"But how can we trade without ships? And without armed ships, how can the safety of merchant ships be guaranteed? Haan Putmans was a little surprised by Zheng Zhilong's request.

"You can rent Chinese ships or ships from Japan, the Ryukyus, Korea, and the like." Zheng Zhilong said disapprehantly, "As for security, this is the second issue we want to talk about." The threat posed by pirates near our Daming Sea is too great for trade between the two sides. Therefore, we must cooperate to eliminate the pirate gang led by Liu Xiang...... There are rumors that your company and Liu Xiang are in the same group? ”

"General Zheng, it is our common responsibility to fight piracy, and we are willing to cooperate with Daming as much as possible. After all, pirates are bastards who should be hung on the gallows and dried, and are responsible for sabotaging trade. We, the East India Company, were fully in favor of a harsh, merciless crackdown on pirates. It's just that if our armed ships can't get close to Chinese waters, then how can we effectively cooperate with the general? In addition, the requirement that Chinese ships must be used for trade should be considered. If so, the company will be less profitable. It will also affect the mutual interests of both of us. Hahn Putmans first sold Liu Xiang without hesitation, and after the defeat in this battle, Liu Xiang was not worth much. What is it to sell a dog for the good of the company? As the saying goes, when the dog is sold, it is less hateful, in fact, even if it is won, when the time is right, Liu Xiang needs to be cleaned up. It's just that Hahn Putmans still has a lot to say about the later Ming version of the nautical regulations.

"I know everything you said, and I've thought about it." Zheng Zhilong said, "You also know the power in my hands, as long as you don't bring docks and supplies to those pirates, my fleet is enough to destroy them." On this issue, I only need you to assure you that Liu Xiang and other pirate ships and men cannot enter any of your ports or trade points, and you should not have any trade with them, and you must not cooperate in any way, including intelligence. For the rest, let me bear the responsibility of fighting them at sea, who made me Zheng Zhilong always be a kind person. As for the latter question, I certainly know that there is an additional cost to hire a Chinese boat, but it is important for me to explain it to the above. Moreover, although our sailing ships are a little worse than your ships in terms of downwind speed, they need fewer sailors and consume fewer materials, which can also save a little. Coming and going, even if you count the rent difference, it's not much. You see, as a winner, I've shown enough leniency, haven't I? Aren't you impressed? Don't you feel like you should take a step back? And I'm sure you'll have more to gain from trade once our agreement is fully reached than you did before this war. Even if you are defeated this time, you will get even more than you have won, are you not satisfied? Don't be too greedy, which is one of the worst original sins in the Bible. So you don't have to worry about these little things. ”

"General Zheng, we admire your magnanimity very much. But trade is fair......" says Hahn Puttmans.

"You mean to say that I have been unjust to you?" Zheng Zhilong scolded angrily, "If you think so, then you can leave now." However, I suggest that you do not go to Taiwan, and that it is better to go back to Batavia, because tomorrow morning, those strongholds in Taiwan will be removed. Hehe......" Zheng Zhilong suddenly laughed, "Maybe you don't know yet, someone has already come to the door and expressed their willingness to unite with our Ming Dynasty to uproot you from the South Seas." So I suggest you don't stop when you get back to Batavia and take a boat back to Tessie. Because maybe in a month or two, Batavia will face an attack and a long siege. By that time, the Dutch, who were still in Batavia, had either surrendered or starved there. My brothers found this to be a very attractive plan, and it would not only get me a higher position, but also a ...... Our allies are also willing to give me a large share of the benefits in return. ”

"General, General Zheng, what are you talking about...... Don't be fooled by the Spaniards. Those Spaniards are liars and what they say is not even as reliable as a prostitute. Woman. Apparently, the news made Haan Putmans a little flustered. However, he quickly stabilized his emotions and began to think in his head about the truth of the news and how to avoid such a situation.