After a short silence, the three parties, each with their own thoughts, returned to a pleasant exchange.

Because Zhu Daolin forgot to build an inn when he built the wharf, and did not want the guests to live in his own home, after obtaining the consent of the guests, it was decided to provide a row of barracks in the barracks for the crew to live ashore, and the army would arrange for the crew's food and other matters.

Of the more than 1,600 crew members who arrived in nine large and small cargo ships, 120 were retired members of the European navies recruited by Moreno and Sanchez for Zhu Daolin, and some of them were talented crew members who wanted to earn higher salaries.

The two Galen cargo ships that transported the horses and a 450-class two-masted sail warship that had been in the water for three years were the first ships sold to Zhu Daolin, and they were also equipped with 182 copper and cast iron cannons of four calibers sold to Zhu Daolin.

Zhu Daolin discussed with the guests a little, went to the dock to inspect the unloading situation, and then went to Jinling City together, and lived in the beautiful, safe and quiet independent courtyard in the courtyard of Kuixing Tower.

That night, Zhu Daolin, together with Ying Changpei, Zhang Deyi, Yan Yihe and other sworn friends, held a grand welcome banquet for the guests in the East Garden of Kuixing Tower.

At this time, the guests have already taken a comfortable bath, changed into gorgeous clothes, brought in status-symbolizing accessories, and are full of energy and interest, and drink in a warm atmosphere until midnight.

Early the next morning, Zhu Daolin, Ying Changpei and others accompanied the guests to breakfast, and immediately took five four-wheeled carriages to Shangyuan Wharf, where Zhu Daolin personally opened the big iron door of the special warehouse and led the guests into the wide warehouse to inspect the goods.

The guests danced with excitement at the sight of the piles of fine goods, and Moreno, who was in his forties, put down the silver-gray jacquard silk cloth that he had admired for more than five minutes, and picked up a bright and ornate colored silk cloak and praised God's gift loudly.

Sanchez finally saw the porcelain vase of flowers and birds with a red background and boxes of crystal Madonna and Jesus statues that he had always dreamed of. With excitement to the point that their faces turned red and their beards trembled, all the guests forgot their manners, forgot their manners, and fell into irrepressible confusion, driven by a strong desire for possessiveness.

Ying Changpei and Zhang Deyi also shouted and exclaimed, touching this and looking at that. Zhu Daolin, who couldn't put down anything and wanted to see two batches of horses, could not leave, so he could only patiently accompany them to walk around and around among the goods piled up high, and constantly answer their various questions and reply to their various requests from time to time, and before they knew it, a morning passed.

Under Zhu Daolin's repeated requests, the guests reluctantly said goodbye to the full warehouse of goods and followed him back to the main courtyard of Hushan for lunch, but everyone was not in the mood to taste the food at all. Directly at the dinner table, he talked to Zhu Daolin about the specific matters of the distribution of goods.

Zhu Daolin had no choice but to inform the guests of the quantity and quality of all the goods priced at more than 10 million taels of silver, and when he was done, he brought three large trays of gems and jewelry to the back study and put them aside, which immediately blinded everyone's eyes.

Seeing that the guests wanted to stand up, Zhu Daolin made a gesture to please be quiet: "Everyone, the total value of these gems and ornaments is at least more than 3 million taels of silver, but I think, for you." It may be necessary to juggle goods such as silk, porcelain and tea in the dock warehouses. ”

The guests immediately understood what Zhu Daolin was trying to express, smiled and sat down again to consider their ability to pay.

Excited, the Portuguese Moreno asked to return to the ship. After discussing with the captains how to adjust the order of cargo loading, Zhu Daolin happily sent Moleno and his party out of the gate.

Sanchez and Asnar, who were on an important mission, also sent the two attachés away, and then sincerely asked Zhu Daolin to change places so that the most important negotiations of the trip could be held.

Ten minutes later, the historic negotiations took place in Zhu Daolin's back study, represented by Sanchez, director of the East India Company, and Aznar, commercial counselor of the Manila Governor's Palace. On the side of the Ming Empire, there were only Zhu Daolin and his crippled master Ye Liangchen.

After a few pleasantries, Sánchez said very graciously: "Dear friends, allow me to convey the opinion of our esteemed Governor General of the Philippines and of the Church of Manila on the transfer of the Freshwater Port, which is considered by the majority to be of great value to the vast fertile land and endless forests of the Tamsui Harbor and its upper reaches. Far above a crystal carved crucifixion, although this unprecedented crucifix is extremely precious, it is not enough to exchange for a geographically important port and vast land and forest. ”

Zhu Daolin nodded slightly: "I remember that the last time I proposed to buy a freshwater port, I explained to the two of you the idea of building the freshwater port in the northwest corner of Taiwan Island into an oriental free trade port, and sincerely exchanged views with you on the eastern strategy of the Kingdom of Spain, the ambitions of European countries, especially the Dutch East India Company, and the worrying current situation of the island of Taiwan. ”

"Indeed, His Excellency the Governor of Manila and the gentlemen of the Church were very touched upon hearing this, and entrusted me with the utmost respect and good wishes to you." Moleno replied with a smile.

Zhu Daolin thanked him and continued to expound his opinion: "Frankly speaking, the Spanish government and the governor of Manila probably no longer have the energy to take care of the uncontrollable island of Taiwan, otherwise they would not have occupied the ports of Tamsui and Keelung for five years, and there are still no decent military camps, wharves and other necessary facilities to be built, and the total number of Spanish troops stationed in the above two humble ports is decreasing year by year, adding up to less than 200 people. ”

"This symbolic colonial occupation has no meaning for Spain, except for shooting the deer herd on the island to obtain deer skins, it will not bring more benefits, but will always be on guard against the constant attacks of the local natives, and the Dutch have built a strong castle in the south of the island of Taiwan, and are expanding their power to the north step by step, and the port of Tamsui and Keelung has become a burden for you."

While listening, Moleno whispered to Asnar to translate, the expressions of the two became more and more complicated, and they felt that it was very difficult and frustrating to negotiate with Zhu Daolin, in front of Zhu Daolin, who was familiar with the current situation in Europe and the contradictions of various countries, they did not have the slightest sense of superiority, and the little confidence they had left quickly passed away.

In order to ease the atmosphere, Zhu Daolin personally poured most of the half cup of black tea for the two guests, and continued to say unhurriedly: "To say a presumptuous word, it is estimated that at this time, few people in Manila are interested in the island of Taiwan, coupled with the Japanese shogunate regime's policy of closing the country to the outside world, it began to expel Catholic missionaries, brutally persecuted Catholics, and cut off trade with European countries, and the status and significance of Keelung Port and Tamsui Port in Spain's Oriental trade have been lost. ”

Under such circumstances, do the two of them still think that the port of Tamsui, which is only garrisoned by 27 Spanish soldiers, is valuable? As an Oriental who has high respect for the Kingdom of Spain, and as a loyal friend of yours, I understand very well the feelings in your hearts, so I only propose to buy a freshwater port that has not undergone any construction, and support the Kingdom of Spain to continue to retain the Keelung Port and increase its construction efforts, isn't it more advantageous for this win-win pattern? ”

"As long as I invest a huge amount of money and enough manpower to build the Tamsui port into the first free trade port in the East together with the friendly Kingdom of Spain, and sign a friendly trade agreement with the Spanish Governor's Office of Manila in the name of the highest military organ in the south of the Ming Empire, will it be more beneficial to the Spanish government and to you?"

After listening to this, Moleno nodded frequently, and translated Zhu Daolin's meaning to Asnar again, only to see Asnar's chestnut eyes getting brighter and brighter, and he spoke a series of extremely fast Spanish words to Moleno quite excitedly.

Moleno nodded solemnly, turned to Zhu Daolin and said with a sincere smile: "You won my friend, Captain Asnar, on behalf of the Governor of the Philippines in the Spanish colony, would like to pay high tribute to you, and is willing to transfer the Tamsui Port to you at the price of 500,000 Spanish silver coins, and sign a friendly trade and mutual assistance agreement according to your wishes, and jointly build the Tamsui Port into the first free trade port in the East." ”

"We have brought blank documents with the seal and signature of the Governor of the Philippines and are ready to sign the agreement. In terms of transfer settlement, you can make the precious crystal carving "Crucifix" 450,000 Spanish silver coins, and compensate for the shortfall. ”

"Thank you very much!"

Zhu Daolin stood up excitedly, walked to the low cabinet by the wall in a few steps, picked up a tray full of gems and jewelry at random, and walked to Moleno and Asnar, who were full of doubts: "My dear friend, please choose two of your favorite souvenirs, I can only express my gratitude in my heart." ”

Pleasantly surprised, Moleno and Asnar took turns hugging and thanking each other, and then they concentrated on picking two precious gemstone ornaments, admiring them carefully and calmly accepting them in their arms.

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