Peter Sunkun was a little stunned, and didn't understand why Jian Chen's attitude was so resolute.

Although he is young and promising, he is not a diplomat after all, and these foggy diplomatic rhetoric makes it difficult for employees from companies that have always followed the use of force to solve all problems.

Is it supporting the UK? Or support the Netherlands?

"You see, I'm not just a businessman, I'm a member of the National Council of the Republic, and I can't take a position on this matter. I have my tendencies, but they can only be tendencies, and I must abide by this norm before the National Assembly makes a decision. Of course, cooperation between companies and private individuals is another matter, and I can call the shots when it comes to supporting some of the firearms, gunpowder, and goods. ”

Peterson breathed a sigh of relief, as long as Jian Chen remained neutral and did not lean towards the British, the company was still sure to gain a foothold in Jakarta within ten years. Future wars are inevitable, but with the support of these people, the certainty of victory will be greater.

"Mr. Chen, then you mean that as long as there are treaties signed with independent countries before, the rest of the people have no right to interfere?"

"Yes."

"So you recognize the series of treaties that our company has signed in Banten, Banda, and Jakarta?"

"Yes. Even if the British had signed the rest of their treaties, we would still recognize your treaties. There are still some differences. The relationship between Banten and Jakarta is different from that of the Ming Empire, so we agree with the treaties you signed with Jakarta, but we will not agree with any treaties you have signed with the rest of the Ming Empire's tributary system alone. ”

"For example?"

"For example, the Ryukyus, Korea and several other identified tributary states. Including trade with them, a treaty had to be concluded with the Ming Empire, and not with them alone in any form, that would be null and void. In the same way, the Ming Empire's lands, including Taiwan, which we are leased, were granted the right by the Ming Emperor to garrison and administer the place, so I will cooperate with the Ming Empire's army to repel any enemy who does not occupy this place through legal means, which is one of our obligations under the treaty. I ask you to make it clear to the Governor that even if there is a war, it will not be a war between the Republic and a third party, but a war between the Ming Empire and a third party, and that we are only fulfilling our obligations by abiding by the treaty with the Ming Empire, and not declaring war on a third party. ”

"Mr. Chen, the company has no interest in occupying this place. What the company needs is spice trade, and it will abide by the treaty with Mr. Chen, as long as Mr. Chen does not get involved in the spice trade with Europe, we will not get involved in the trade north of Pattani. But...... Excludes Japan. Japan is an independent country, and they sent people to Pattanii to invite us to set up a trading house......"

Jian Chen smiled: "Of course, there is no formal tributary relationship and vassal documents between Japan and the Ming Empire. Your business dealings with Japan are your freedom, and we have no right to interfere with them. But Taiwan and the Ryukyus are a different story. There can be no doubt that the Republic has obtained from the Ming Empire the obligation and right to lease Taiwan and protect the Ryukyus, and unless the Ming Empire withdraws this right, we cannot give it up or allow the rest to get involved. ”

"I will convey Mr. Chen's meaning to the Governor."

"Please be sure to convey that I don't want something to cause unhappiness or termination of cooperation between the two parties. Your merchant fleet to Japan can stay here for a while, repair the ships and set off, and I will send craftsmen to support them. ”

"Thank you. The company will respect and cherish this friendship. In addition, the company has a small request. ”

"Say."

"The company expects its ships to be qualified for supplies, shelter, and repairs as they pass through your country's colonies at the ends of the earth. It is also hoped that countries that are not treaty parties with your country will pass through, and that they will be given supplies and safe haven treatment. When we came, there were storms and waves there, but luckily there were interns from Guiguo and Mr. Chen's company on board, and they were treated very well there. ”

It's been three years since I left there, and I don't know what has changed there, but Chen Jian is still very happy to hear that the Dutch are asking for supplies or docking at the ends of the earth.

"Of course you can. You are there to replenish and drive consumption there, and of course we welcome it. But please restrain the sailors of your company, where as the territory actually controlled by the republic, please obey the local laws. ”

"Of course, of course. It is not the land of barbarians. We will, of course, abide by the decree of autonomy there. ”

The two of them talked about some of the rest of the matter, and it was getting dark, but there was still a lot to talk about.

"Well, then, you will rest here, and a series of co-operation agreements between companies may be concluded, including the exchange of spices for cotton cloth, rice, and other handicrafts, and the specific prices shall be fixed. When I return, I will also send someone to meet your governor, and upon my return the plenipotentiary here will be qualified to enter into agreements between companies. But one thing to be clear, after I'm gone, the two signatories will only be the Governors of Asia, not the Board of Directors. ”

"I'll pass it on."

That night, Chen Jian arranged a dinner with the special entertainment funds of the Fujian Maritime Trading Company, which was attended by many people, and also introduced the establishment of the trading company at the dinner, and introduced some maritime shareholders and people from the Dutch side.

The next day, Chen Jian went to see the British representatives, and the same rhetoric was the same, only declaring neutrality and upholding the dignity of the law, and unless the Dutch found conclusive evidence that the massacre was related to the British, they would urge the Dutch to release the British ships.

To both the British and the Dutch, Chen Jian is a businessman who pays attention to the law or the system is not quite like a businessman, and this feeling has also won the respect of both parties. Of course, the charisma of personality shines only under the drill of muskets and cannons behind and the cover of warships.

It's just that such an upright person, full of words such as sovereignty, non-interference, and respect, secretly began to sow many dirty seeds for returning home.

A few days later, various agreements were reached verbally, and Chen Jian sent someone to follow Peter Sunkun to the seat of the governor of the Dutch Indian Company.

However, as soon as these people left, Chen Jian found the group of people who packed their bags and prepared to return home along the Pacific route that had been opened.

Of course, he also had to go back, but not in the first batch, but left three ships to unload their cargo, only to prepare fresh water and food, and to prepare to continue south. From Ambon to Australia, not on the Great Barrier Reef, around New Zealand and then to Chile, and finally back home.

The first group of returnees was divided into two groups, a group of warships and four hundred soldiers who had returned first, their wives here, and a group of homesick sailors.

The shares here have been given away by Chen Jian, and the excess salary paid by circumnavigating the world has also allowed them to live a better life when they go back, but they are still eager to get rich, and Chen Jian has also given them such an opportunity.

During the night, the first batch of returning officers and several captains were called over by Jian Chen and took out a letter with a personal seal of six thousand silver coins.

"Before leaving, I want you to do one more thing. This matter had to be kept secret and could only be told to the soldiers and sailors when they were at sea. Once you're done, set sail back home and don't stop here. Don't publicize it when you go back, otherwise it may cause war. It was a private matter, and the six thousand silver coins were my personal hire. ”

Naturally, the officers and captains accepted the personal seal letter without the slightest hesitation.

"Outside were docked ships sent by the Dutch to Japan to establish a trading house, with silver, spices, and the rest of the goods on board. Seize the opportunity at sea and kill them when you are sure that they are unlikely to be discovered. They had only four cannons on them, and there were not many arquebuses, and even fewer sailors. I have counted their numbers, and you will count them when you start. ”

Several officers laughed and said, "Mr. Chen finally allowed us to rob?" The soldiers were already itching their hands, and the sailors were looking forward to getting some more money to go back. I've heard that some of them are going to go back and buy some land in the archipelago to build plantations. ”

Jian Chen also smiled and said: "After going back, be more restrained, we have signed the Anti-Piracy Convention with Spain, and the people of the Nanyang Trading Company are not as good at talking as me, and if they dare to harm their interests, they will definitely be hanged and hanged." Whether you continue to serve in the army after you go back, you are all the first people to sail around the world, and your future is limitless. It is best for sailors to be willing to go to the Nanyang Trading Company, and it is okay to be willing to open up plantations, we are not all the way, and after returning to friendship, I can't control the rest. In short, being a pirate has no future, if there is no trade agreement with Spain, the state and the company will encourage it, but if you have signed it, you will find death. I will write a few letters of recommendation, and you will get a good position in Nanyang. ”

"Thank you, Mr. Chen. We wanted to stay here, but it didn't seem like Mr. Chan wanted to. ”

"Here? Nanyang Company is more profitable, and there is a partisan purpose here, after all, it is not a pure profit purpose, and it is not appropriate for you to stay here. ”

One of the captains asked, "Is Mr. Chen worried about the Dutch trading with Japan?" ”

"Why. In the future, it will also be necessary to squeeze out Portuguese, Spaniards, or Ming Empire smugglers who are not part of the company. This is also a good thing for everyone, and there will be more dividends in the future. I have already equipped your ship with some cargo that the Dutch ship has, and in any case, remember that what you have on your ship will be kept, and what you don't have on your ship will sink to the bottom of the sea, no matter how expensive it is. It's a secret, and everyone forgets about it when they leave the sea. ”

"But, Mr. Chen, even if you sink this time, the Netherlands will still send someone next time."

"Next time? Then I don't know when. Now it is inconvenient to come and go, but after three or two years have passed, some things can come clearly. Now they are all scrambling for time, and the difference will get farther and farther away after three or two years. For you, money and goods are in hand, and for us, the company is profitable. Now that you know why, you can better understand what to do, right? ”

Everyone nodded, "Simple." Shipwrecks, counts dead bodies to make sure none are left, and sadds stones into the sea. The goods and silver coins were snatched and distributed among all employees. Cargo that was not available on the ship or a Dutch specialty was sunk into the sea. After the robbery, he immediately returned to his homeland to the west, and if the ship was damaged, he stayed on the islands of the Ryukyus to repair it by himself, and did not return to the port. When they reached the sea, it was read out and said that it was the impromptu initiative of the officers and captains, and that it was voted on by the crew and soldiers. When he returned, he said that the 6,000 silver coins were the friendship money that Mr. Chen gave to everyone. ”

Jian Chen laughed and said, "There won't be sailors or soldiers who don't agree with a sense of justice, right?" ”

"I have seen the kind of people Mr. Chen said, but they were all left by you in Wangbei City or joined your peripheral organizations, but there are none on this group of ships. As for those who go back, if they don't have enough stocks and silver coins this time, they will definitely be pirates along the way. All I can imagine is cheering, and no one will be timid to say that this is not good......"

Everyone laughed, and Jian Chen shook hands with them one by one and said, "Then have a good trip." See you again when you return to China in the future, and you should drink and talk happily. Send a blessing you like: I wish you a promotion and prosperity. ”

They all returned the favor with an equally important blessing: "May the equality you have hoped for will one day be realized." ”