There has been something wrong with the atmosphere in Batavia lately, and there has been a noticeably less deal between the Dutch and the Australians, and it seems that there is a little unpleasantness between the two sides through the fact that the merchants who have traded in the Far East know a little.

Van Dimen can be said to have a great grudge against Australians, and he will never stop complaining about Australia every day when he is not in his governor's palace.

Finally waited for Zhao Shijie's arrival, and without being informed by the Australians, he sent Brown to the dock to meet the Australian representative.

Although the Netherlands suffered a lot of losses at the hands of Zhao Shijie, it also signed a lot of contracts from him, which can be said to be basically flat.

"Minister Zhao welcomes you." Brown stretched out his hand and walked up to shake hands with Zhao Shijie, who came down from the cabin, to welcome him.

However, the expression on his face did not show any welcome, it is estimated that he has already begun to scold in his heart, Brown, who has dealt with Zhao Shijie the most, has a great headache for this person, this eloquent person, can always say that the dead are alive, and the most important thing is that the other party can make it acceptable.

"Hey, Brown, I'm afraid you don't really want to see me, I guess it's me who hates seeing me the most this time."

Brown, who was pierced through his thoughts, smiled to hide his embarrassment.

"Ou, Zhao, you are so humorous, how could I not want to see my old friend."

After a while of greetings between the two sides, Zhao Shijie did not get into the carriage of the embassy, but directly got into Brown's carriage.

"It's really just a misunderstanding, Brown, you have to know that if we act after informing you, then it will be too late, you have to fully understand that."

In the carriage, Zhao Shijie was very sorry to explain to Brown why the Australians landed on Dayuan Island.

But Brown didn't think so. This was clearly a premeditated act, and everything can be explained from their actions and the arrangements made by the deployment of troops.

"Okay, friend, I believe this is a misunderstanding, but can you tell me when Australia is going to evacuate Dayuan Island?"

Australia has not thought about the withdrawal of troops at all. Of course, Zhao Shijie would not tell him, but looked at the other party's eyes politely.

"Brown, don't you think that the withdrawal of Australia at this time will give Zheng Zhilong a chance? I feel that we should continue to stay and help our allies defend, and we also have a responsibility and an obligation. ”

This is a bit of a strong word, and Brown is very angry and said: We have the ability to ensure the safety of Dayuan Island, and we also have the ability to fight against Zheng Zhilong, so there is no need to trouble you, but before the other party could speak, he continued to speak.

"I think Your Excellency the Governor will agree. The security of Dayuan Island is related to the strength of the alliance between you and us, so we must be accountable to our allies, and you should be happy that the Australian Department of Defence has deployed a force from the mainland to Dayuan to prepare for a long-term presence here. ”

Ha, happy, Brown's heart is almost scolding, how does the word happy sound so awkward. Can you be happy? How happy do you make me do this, isn't this naked coercion!

The conversation in the carriage was not a success. But basically I also understood the other party's certain thoughts, through communication, Brown knew that the Australians were not going to withdraw from Dayuan Island, and Zhao Shijie knew that the other party wanted Australia to withdraw very much, and this was the current situation.

Although it is only a bottom-out, the next negotiations have not yet begun. It can be said that it is not over.

After having dinner at the place where Brown had arranged a reception, the two sides did not continue to talk about the matter of Dayuan Island, but started a round of discussions about the cooperation project of the steamship.

"Zhao. I think Australia should increase its production of steam engines and expand its shipyards again to meet the current demand for ships. ”

Brown took a sip of his coffee. The first steamship that is about to be assembled has entered the final stage, and the trial voyage is about to begin, and it can be officially delivered when the trial is successful.

That's why Brown proposed that although the two countries cooperated on steamships, there was a limit to the number of steam engines that the Australians could provide each year, no more than 100 of them could be produced in a year, of which only 60 could go to the shipyards in Malacca, and the other 40 were Spanish.

Although the production can be increased, You Nanzhe and his sister plan to increase the meaning of this increase, but put more experience on their own shipyards in Australia.

This is clearly inconsistent with the aim of the Dutch to quickly replace the fleet.

"Brown, I can only tell you about this question, the production in Australia is too low, you may not know the time it takes for a steam engine to go from steel to molding, 100 units a year is already the limit, if it is exceeded, I am afraid that the workers will fall into strike."

Zhao Shijie shrugged his shoulders and said sorry, not that he didn't want to, but that the workers' limit had been reached.

Of course, Brown also knew that it would be difficult to convince the other party, and he was just changing the subject.

"That's really a pity, Zhao, let's talk about your conditions, what kind of conditions do you need to exit Dayuan Island?"

The topic returned to the senior members again, and Zhao Shijie also began to get serious: "To tell you the truth, Australia does not plan to withdraw its troops, and the Congress has passed a bill on compensation, which is to compensate you for the lease of the senior members." ”

Hearing this, the muscles on Brown's face trembled slightly, but he did not show any unhappiness.

"Are you really going to end the lend-lease agreement?"

"Yes, but considering our alliance, you have two choices, one is to accept the reparations, and the other is to continue to have a common interest with Australia to remain here, but the troops on the island must be withdrawn, and as for the property and people, we will guarantee their safety and not be affected."

Brown could not agree to this condition immediately, he had to consult with Van Dimen before deciding, although many of the other party's opinions and decisions were put forward by him, but this is a matter of procedure, no leader wants to be ignored, his own decision power is used by his subordinates.

You may discuss with the Governor, if you agree, that we will provide as many as five more steam engines per year as we can, what do you think of the terms?

Five steam engines, Brown's eyes lit up, he heard it right, the Australians actually agreed to five steam engines, but thinking of the terms of exchange, Brown still said very cautiously: "I need to discuss with the governor, if there is no problem, we will sign a contract, you see how it is." ”

"Of course," Zhao Shijie replied with a smile on his face. (To be continued......)