In the direction that Sarmento pointed to his companions were Peternats and other Dutchmen who were talking to the English.

As the head of the Dutch East India Company in Taiwan, Peter Natz was indeed the highest-ranking Dutch official in Beijing. But whether he can represent Batavia in the Chinese initiative of the maritime trade dispute mediation tribunal is still in some dispute.

Although there were many deficiencies in the management of the European overseas trade colonial companies in this era, there were often some bold captains and merchants who signed some agreements with the indigenous kingdoms in the name of the colonial companies or kingdoms, which may not have the force of law. Anything that is in favor of the company or the kingdom will be retroactively recognized; In the case of an unfavorable agreement, the parties will be arrested and tried.

However, the management system of the Dutch East India Company was the best among the trading colonial companies of the time, and the governor's district of Taiwan, not far from Batavia, actually did not have the power to sign any agreements on behalf of the company.

Peternats, who signed a trade deal with the Ming Dynasty, is to some extent seen as an agent of Batavia, not just a Taiwanese governor. Before Batavia sent a formal note to Daming, he could still act on behalf of Batavia, which was also a recognition of the company's signing of a trade agreement with Daming.

From Batavia's point of view, joining this maritime trade dispute mediation tribunal initiated by the Chinese is actually tying one's hands and feet. After the Dutch East India Company gained a foothold in Batavia, the company's goal was to incorporate the entire Spice Islands into its colonial possessions, and even to monopolize maritime trade throughout East and Southeast Asia.

There was little need for the powerful East India Company to mediate with others, and artillery and the fleet were the company's best tools for resolving maritime trade disputes.

Colleagues in the company, who occupy a dominant position near the Sunda Strait, naturally think so, but Peternats, who is the governor of Taiwan, does not see it that way.

When the Taiwan Governor's District was established in Taiwan, Batavia wanted to skip the Philippine Islands, which were occupied by the Spaniards, and directly start trade with China. At first, Batavia did not think of establishing a new colony in Taiwan, but wanted to seize the well-equipped Macau in the hands of the Portuguese, but was repulsed by the Portuguese.

Next, the Dutch, who had retreated from Macao, tried to occupy the Penghu Islands, but were again expelled by the Chinese, and finally had to choose Dayuan Port to build a colonial port belonging to the Dutch.

When the Dutch came to Taiwan, this huge island, apart from some natives, was mostly only a few Chinese pirates and mainland immigrants. Therefore, when the Dutch built the port of Dayuan and the castle of Geranza, the main object of defense was the colonists from Europe, and there was no other major threat.

But when China loosened its grip on overseas trade and began to vigorously resettle and develop the island, the island, which was once ruled by mountains and forests, changed rapidly. The Dutch's colonial exploration of the interior of Taiwan, centered on Dayuangang, was soon blocked.

It is clear that Taiwan's natives are more willing to get close to those Chinese than their red hairy people. In just three years, Chinese immigrants appeared on the line between Luermen and the Taijiang River, cutting off the direction of the Dutch to expand their influence into the interior of Taiwan, and also violating the agreement signed between the two sides.

The threat from the land far exceeded the threat from the sea, and the castle of Geranza, which was used to defend the port of Dayuan, was not even a single fortress.

Under the attack of the Chinese and the Spaniards, the emergence of such a maritime trade dispute mediation tribunal is simply a timely rain for the Dutch Taiwan Governor's District.

As for whether Batavia will blame him for this, Petroc is not very worried. As a hero who signed a trade deal with China, he felt that he would be reprimanded by the company at best, but at least he kept the governor's district in Taiwan.

And the good relations with the Chinese side can also allow him to obtain a steady stream of benefits, and he is naturally willing to obey the orders of the Chinese, stand in line for this maritime court, and endorse the British.

Peternats' touting of the tribunal for the mediation of maritime trade disputes surprised Methwold and other Britons. For a maritime trading company that gained wealth through overseas colonial trade, when did the Dutch East India Company respect the law?

Even the British East India Company, which is now weak, operates overseas on the principle of trading with the indigenous kingdoms that cannot be defeated, and for those indigenous tribes that can be defeated, it is natural to turn them into colonies.

As for using the law to mediate trade disputes, only young people who are not deeply involved in the world will believe in this kind of thing.

Methwold and other Britons can't help but look at each other, but their lack of belief in the law to solve trade disputes does not mean that they are unwilling to accept the establishment of this mediation tribunal.

The British East India Company, which was weak, was like a gang of traders in the Indian and South Seas, unable to compete fairly with the Dutch, Portuguese, and Spaniards, who had long established themselves in those places.

Now that the Dutch were willing to tie their hands and feet, Methwold felt that he could not find a reason to refuse.

Seeing Methwold nodding, Peternats finally breathed a sigh of relief, and he felt that he had completed the task, and after talking to Methwold for a few words, he turned and left.

Robert Robert, the director of the Beijing Commercial Pavilion, looked at the back of the Dutch who left with displeasure, and said to Methwald: "Although the plan of the mediation court was proposed by the Chinese, the attitude of the Dutch is too strange, I don't think we need to be so anxious to agree to join this court." ”

Wilson, the director of the Beijing Commercial Center, disagreed: "The attitude of the Dutch is indeed a bit strange, but I don't think the idea of establishing a mediation court is not bad." In the Far East, we are the weakest of the people, and the presence of this tribunal provides a security guarantee for the growth of the company and prevents the recurrence of incidents similar to those in Ambon. ”

Robert squinted at Wilson and said, "You still remember the incident on Ambon Island, so how can you still support joining forces with these Dutch, the souls of our compatriots may still be wandering on Ambon Island..."

Methwald stopped the two from continuing to quarrel, and then he opened his mouth and persuaded: "Okay, about the matter of Ambon, you better talk less, and don't look at what kind of place this is, do you want those Chinese to see us clearly?" ”

Robert, who was unwilling, muttered, "But didn't His Majesty the Emperor already know?" ”

Methwold stared at him fiercely, and when he saw him, he lowered his head, and then reprimanded in a low voice: "His Majesty the Emperor knows that it is true, but most of the Chinese in the capital do not know, do you want them to know too?" ”

Although Wilson and Robert disagreed, in this foreign land far from his homeland, he could rely on these companions, so he couldn't help but relieve Robert: "Don't you think it's a little strange, Mr. Methwald? ”

Methwold's attention was really attracted by Wilson, and he asked with some curiosity: "Oh, what do you think is strange?" ”

Wilson shrugged his shoulders and said, "Our British East India Company is the weakest one in the Far East, but His Majesty the Emperor has always benefited us.

Mr. Methwold, you have had the most contact with His Majesty the Emperor, what do you think of His Majesty the Emperor about our company? Don't you think it's strange that he has given us so many benefits and yet rarely asks us for any overseas curiosities? ”

Methwold looked down at the wine glass in his hand, and the scarlet liquor in the glass formed a small vortex under his constant shaking, which seemed to attract all his attention.

After a long time, Methwald looked up and said, "What you said is not bad, His Majesty the Emperor of China is indeed quite strange, I have been wandering overseas for so many years, and I have seen many indigenous chieftains or kings.

Most of them are only concerned with whether we can bring them new treasures from overseas, or hear about the wonders of the sea. They don't care about our civilization and origin, only this emperor His Majesty is different.

He knew where we came from, he admired our civilization and, most importantly, he had a good opinion of England. Whatever the emperor wanted, with his support, the company would be able to gain a foothold in the Far East.

Of course, we still have a long way to go in dealing with China in the future, and it will be beneficial for us to know more about the personality of His Majesty the Emperor and how we should deal with ourselves in our future dealings with China.

I have decided that I will follow His Majesty the Emperor north to participate in this northern military exercise. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I can not only learn more about His Majesty the Emperor's personality, but also see the strength of the ** team..."

Ye Yuxuan got up from the pavilion and looked behind him, just in time to see Peternats toasting to him, he couldn't help but turn his head and said to Zheng Cai with a smile: "It seems that there is no problem with the establishment of the mediation court, and then let's prepare to celebrate the happy event attached to the Ryukyu Domain." ”

Zheng Cai also nodded and responded: "Yes, it is said that everything is difficult at the beginning, and we have finally made a good start." Next, it's time to celebrate today's happy event. ”

Zheng Cai held a banquet in the mansion today, naturally not just to let these people come over to greet and socialize. The main purpose of this banquet was to celebrate the dedication of the Ryukyu king's son to annex the land, and the Ryukyu Kingdom was officially incorporated into the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, the prince of the Ryukyus was the guest of honor at this banquet, and when the prince of the Ryukyus rushed to the Zheng Mansion from the palace, Zheng Cai and Ye Yuxuan naturally led people to greet him.