Chapter 836 Trading

The population figure is somewhat exaggerated, but when it comes to colonies, it is much more than that. The question is, Pierre was frightened, what is the concept of a country with a population of 20,000? What's worse is that Daming showed not only economic strength, but also military invincibility.

Pierre didn't say much, but asked for a room and stayed quietly. When dusk came out, his expression changed dramatically, and he was again full of fortitude, and when he faced Madame Rambouillet, he said firmly: "I think I know what to do, so what do you hope for, Madame?" ”

The exchange of benefits is the most effective means, and everyone knows this. Madame Rambouillet smiled and said, "I feel French first and then a woman." Pierre sighed and said, "Your honorable lady makes me feel terrified when you say this. ”

This noble lady, who is famous in Paris, smiled slightly at this moment: "Dear Lord Pierre, I don't think it's the best time yet, so don't you worry?" Pierre shook his head firmly: "I'm even more worried." ”

"Alas, the big guys are like that, let's put it that way, all I ask is to make sure that I can get on with my current life."

At this time, Pierre was relieved, nodded and said: "I am relieved to say this, thank you for the help provided by Madame, I think His Majesty the Emperor will not let your efforts go to waste." The Marquise bowed slightly: "That's exactly what I thought." ”

There are only a handful of noble ladies in Angra de Grasmo, and the mainstream of those who participate in the ball are still some official couples. As an outsider. Although the ball held by Madame Rambouillet has the essence of dominating the crowd, it cannot stand the existence of Zhang Guangde, a big financier. Even if it's pinching your nose. Even some unqualified businessmen bring women uninvited.

If you were to see the ball in Paris, at Madame Rambouillet's estate, you would not see the poor little nobles. But here, some small nobles had the opportunity to participate, and they worked hard to encourage the women around them to invite Zhang Guangde to dance. The ball was held in the garden, and Zhang Guangde was the guest of honor. Just by taking a look, it disappeared into the gate, shattering the glass heart on the ground. Zhang Guangde's battlefield was in the upstairs study, as a secret envoy of Pierre. Didn't appear in front of everyone.

"Sorry, two of the most distinguished guests, I'm leaving for a moment." The Marquise was really empathetic and took the initiative to close the door and retreat. Go downstairs and greet the "guests".

"Your Excellency Zhang Guangde. It seems that we have a space for open communication. "Pierre, knowing that he didn't have any advantages, abandoned all his reserve and became more proactive. In this regard, Zhang Guangde did not hold the shelf, but returned the favor with a smile and said lightly: "I think so too, if Your Excellency can make me feel that my work is fruitful, I will report to the cabinet next time." I will focus on the importance of the strategic partnership between Denmark and France. The Ming Dynasty is the largest power in Asia. In today's world, a great European power is needed as a friend. ”

There is a premise for this, that is, Zhang Guangde's interests. Pierre knew this and immediately made a positive response: "I think the current trade relations between Ming and France need to be strengthened, and aside from the tax issue, there should be a port on the west coast of France that can directly berth merchant ships from Daming, instead of going to Porto Sangra Heromas." ”

"It's a good idea, but I think it would be a more favorable situation for both parties if French merchants went to India or Xinghai City and brought the Ming goods back to Europe to sell. What I mean by this is that Your Excellency should be very clear that Europe has no unrealistic ideas for the Ming Dynasty except for commercial interests. ”

"I think we can wait until Your Excellency arrives in Paris, because there are the most pressing issues that need to be solved."

"I can give you a copy of the purchase price of the Spaniards, and in return, I need a return of five percent of the total transaction amount." When Zhang Guangde suddenly became very crisp, the roots of Pierre's teeth itched so much, it is understandable to ask for a rebate, you don't reduce the price at all, how can I give you such a high rebate?

Although he was annoyed, Pierre still said calmly: "I don't think the proportion of the rebate is a problem, but the specific unit price is up for debate?" Zhang Guangde showed an impatient expression, looked back, stood up and said, "I'm sorry, I need to leave for a while." Pierre stood and nodded: "You're welcome." ”

The moment the door closed, Pierre heard Zhang Guangde say: "Damn, didn't you make it clear to him?" Hearing this, Pierre's face showed a look of victory, and the pretty widow was exactly what she thought.

Twenty minutes later, Zhang Guangde came back, nodded slightly with displeasure on his face, and said: "The price can be one percent, and the process of the transaction will be handled by the Marquise, and your country will not worry about other things." This is a final condition, and I think you can provide the figures that your country needs. Pierre sensed that Zhang Guangde's inner impatience had reached a critical point, and knew that if it were not for the appeasement of the Marquise, the deal would not have been discussed. The battle under the city of Luxembourg was enough to send a few ambitious countries in Europe to the city. Soon after the end of the Thirty Years' War, the rearmament of European countries was never a short-term act.

When the ball was over, Pierre mingled among the visitors, quietly boarded the carriage, and left the mansion.

Zhang Guangde, a "lust and ghost", was lying on the marquise's big bed after the ball, smoking a cigarette very unobtrusively, and speaking to the noble lady who was lying on her body with undissipated passion: "I have agreed to your request, if you can't do my request, don't blame me for not giving face." The Marquise whispered, "Will you go back at night?" ”

Zhang Guangde snuffed out the cigarette butt fiercely, got up and said, "When I get to Paris, there will be a chance." Daming is not France, there are people in the concession who are staring at my behavior, and I don't want to lose this rich position. ”

Half a month passed quickly, and people came and went in the concession, but they all returned disappointed. this day. The appearance of two French-flagged battleships on the concession pier in Port-in-Marísmo immediately attracted the attention of all parties. The next day, an astonishing piece of news broke. Zhang Guangde, as Daming's foreign minister in Europe, will personally go to Paris to pay a useful visit to Ming and France on diplomatic relations. Zhang Guangde was escorted on the trip by two Ming warships, and among the accompanying personnel, the noblewoman of Parisian high society and the pretty widow Madame Rambouillet presented herself as a victor in front of everyone. Holding the arm of his best friend's man, he boarded a battleship that made the whole of Europe look at him.

No major diplomatic relationship can be accomplished in one or two contacts. Not to mention the traffic in this era, from Europe to Daming, I am embarrassed to say that my ship is fast if I don't run for half a year. When it was learned that the foreign ministers of the Ming Empire were tending to the foreign policy of France, Louis XIV made a decisive and astonishing move. Greet the visit of the Ming Minister of Foreign Affairs Plenipotentiary in Europe with a high standard.

The day Zhang Guangde arrived on the outskirts of Paris. The road was crowded with people and cheers. The mighty French cavalry, dressed in colorful costumes, opened the way in front and behind, and the tall horses pulled the luxurious carriages, slowly passing through the crowd and entering the city of Paris amid the cheers of the people.

In between the carriages, Zhang Guangde was accompanied by the Marquise de Rambouillet, who was hailed as the most successful social noblewoman in Paris. The woman had not yet returned to Paris, and the whole high society had only passed on to her great exploits. 5,000 flintlock pistols made by the Ming Dynasty. Two hundred field guns, as well as more than a dozen Ming officers as instructors, are considered to be one of the greatest achievements of French diplomacy in this century.

The most satisfying thing for the Marquise is not the kickbacks, but her status in the top social circles in Paris has reached its peak, even in the face of the Empress, the Marquise has enough confidence not to grovel to curry.

The French Emperor Louis XIV was most satisfied not with the arms deal, but with an investment intention from the Ming Dynasty, although it was hung in the name of the Marquise de Rambouillet, but this cement production enterprise opened the prelude to the Ming Dynasty's investment in the technology industry in France. Although whether to invest still needs to be negotiated, Louis XIV, who has been envious of Daming's technological level for a long time, will never let this investment be ruined.

When the Louvre came into view, the carriage had to stop because Louis XIV had taken the Empress out to greet him.

Zhang Guangde was dressed in a Ming naval uniform (the traditional official uniform really didn't like the Tang costume was not formal enough), with a general star on his shoulder, and when facing Louis XIV, Zhang Guangde took off his hat and bowed, performing a European etiquette. This made Louis XIV very satisfied, of course, because he did not know that the officials of the Ming Dynasty had to bow down to the emperor on such occasions before.

Leaving aside the diplomatic events that shook Europe in Paris, there is not much to praise here except hypocritical diplomacy and essential exchange of interests. Five months later, thousands of miles away in the Huating New District, a steamship docked at the dock. After the boat docked at the dock, a fast horse came out of the dock and ran towards Ning Yuan.

"After more than a year of hard work, the reorganization of the Japanese expeditionary force in India has been completed, but there is still a lot of work to be done to transport these more than 50,000 people and equipment to Africa. The original plan was for a two-year preparation period, but now it seems that the official expedition will not be until the middle of next year. At present, the biggest pressure is still from transportation. After the steamship proved its superiority, Huating New District Shipyard, Jiaozhou Shipyard and Lushun Shipyard, the three major shipbuilding groups, solved the problem of funds to expand production through listing and financing. However, to really start to explode production, it seems that only Huating New Area Shipbuilding Group has achieved the expected effect. After discussion, out of prudence, the Navy proposed to revise the date of the official expedition to February of the following year. ”

Chen Xie sat still, leaning on the back of the chair and closing his eyes, no one knew what he was thinking. Chen Zilong, who spoke, did not look very good. After not knowing that Chai Mi was expensive, and after he really started to preside over the daily work of the alliance, Chen Zilong deeply realized that any major move was not so easy. As far as the expedition to Africa is concerned, when Chen Zilong was ordered to inspect the major shipyards, he found that what the major shipyards lacked now was not money and technology, but the supply of steam turbines. The reason for the shortage of steam turbines is not a financial problem, but a huge shortage of skilled workers.

Although Chen Xie has been promoting the development of vocational and technical education, problems arise when it is really necessary to explode production.

When it comes to such a major issue, the senior officials of the navy and the army sit together and dare not tear each other down in front of Chen Xie. This caused Chen Zilong to finish speaking, Chen Xie waited for a long time without any movement. I had to sit up straight, look around, and said, "Let's talk about it first, what is your reason?" ”

Navy Commander Jiang Fangcheng pretended to be dumb and glanced at Chief of Staff Li Dangdang, who was the first batch of captains of the Dengzhou Naval Division. It replaced the Portuguese and became the pillar of the Ming Navy. Li Dangdang, who was not very willing, stood up and said: "Back to Grandpa, the key is the lack of capacity." Sailing ships are limited by monsoons, and the steamship navy has only twelve transports and only one battleship, and it is still your flagship ....... Li Dangdang shut up in time, Chen Xie's face was too calm and frightened.

These guys, as soon as they pout their butts, they know what shit they're pulling. If it were normal, Chen Xie would not be angry, in the face of such a big event, he was still playing this kind of trick, this is really unbearable.

"Chief of the General Staff of the Soviet Union, draft an order." As soon as Chen Xie spoke, although his tone was still calm, everyone knew that something big was going to happen, Su Haochen stood up and said: "Grandpa, changing generals in battle is a taboo for soldiers." Chen Xie continued quietly: "I can tolerate the selfishness of all of you here, but I can't tolerate the delay of military affairs because of personal selfishness. After saying this, as soon as they turned their heads, Jiang Fangcheng and Li Dangdang both stood as straight as javelins, sweat like rain, dripping down their foreheads.

"There is no distinction between public and private, and the priorities are unknown, do you all think that the current country of the Ming Empire is like an iron bucket? If I'm not mistaken, the disaster of the construction of slaves and the rebellion of the rogues have only been twenty years since they were pacified, right? It seems that everyone has forgotten the history of the fragility of the Ming army. is rich, and he is unwilling to earn money for his life, and he is not willing to give up the rights in his hands. is in a high position, and there are only the interests of a small group in his eyes, hehehe. When Chen Xie let out a sneer, the dozen or so generals present all stood up. The only one who can remain calm is Chen Zilong. It's not persuasion, it's not persuasion, it's quite embarrassing, after all, these people are the foundation of Chen Xie's beginnings. The intimacy is different, Chen Xie will point at their noses and scold their mothers, but they will not treat Chen Zilong. (To be continued......)