Temasek Peninsula in Southeast Asia, the free territory of Lan Fong.

Among all the forces supported by Huamei in the Far East, Liu Xiang's Lanfang Free Territory is the smallest in area and the least populated. But because of Liu Xiang's unbreakable pirate habits, Lan Fang has become the most rude and unreasonable family in the entire Southeast Asian territory.

Having only been established in the southernmost part of Temasek for six or seven years, Liu Xiang, who has been heavily indebted behind the scenes, has worked hard to expand his territory. Coupled with the thousands of Catholic Japanese exiles or ronins who were expelled by the Tokugawa shogunate, there are only 70,000 official lords in the entire Lanfang territory at present, but Liu Xiang has an army with a total strength of more than 6,000, and the ratio of soldiers to civilians is extremely exaggerated.

In addition to a wave of large-scale refugee inflow from the Ming Dynasty, Liu Xiang's main source of population acquisition was the smuggling of piglets from the mainland, and some Han people who had migrated from the Ming Dynasty in Annam, Siam, Chenla and other places in the past hundred years also became Liu Xiang's population acquisition targets. It's just that Liu Xiang's means of obtaining it are a bit inhumane, and if it doesn't make sense with money, it is robbery and kidnapping.

Taking Huamei Blackwater Security Company as a model, Liu Xiang will never be stingy with his military investment. The 34A rear-loading flintlock pistol plus the ornate fine canvas uniform, rucksack and canvas cap, except for the weapons and light blue uniforms that are different from the imitation subjects, the entire army in Lanfang's territory is the style of a lively, large-scale mercenary brigade of the Huamei Blackwater Security Company.

Every year after the rainy season, Liew Huong would drive his army into the interior of the Temasek Peninsula, invading the Kingdom of Johor, Malay. The madness of burning, killing, looting, seizing land, and selling indigenous slaves far exceeded that of the Portuguese colonizers who invaded Malacca.

Today, Lan Fong occupies a quarter of the land area on the Temasek Peninsula in the later state of Johor, and has not only encircled the resource-rich Kota Tinggi, but also incorporated Mersing in the northeast, thus becoming the hegemon of the southern Temasek Peninsula.

At sea, Liu Xiang's experienced small navy composed of pirates and bandits was even more unscrupulous, relying on Huamei's favoritism and several thousand-ton schooner cruisers purchased from Huamei loans. High-profile activities at the eastern and western ends of the Temasek Strait and in the surrounding waters, collecting traffic protection fees for passing merchant vessels.

The Navy's maritime activities have even penetrated into the northern tip of the Temasek Strait, and there have been maritime conflicts with the Sultanate of Aceh on the island of Sumatra, which is in its prime. In the past year, even Portuguese, English and Dutch merchant ships entering and leaving the Temasek Strait have been repeatedly blackmailed and intercepted by the Lan Fong navy. As long as it is not a merchant ship flying the flag of China and the United States, it will directly fire a cannon to warn the ship to stop, and then it will forcibly pay tolls, and if there is a slight lack of cooperation, the whole ship will often be seized or even bloodshed.

Faced with such a quasi-state of outlaws, the Portuguese Governors of Goa, Malacca, and Macau were furious. Even the Dutch East India Company in Batavia has more than once united to issue strong complaints to Huamei, hoping that Huamei will come forward to make the big pirate leader restrain himself. The reason for this is that Liu Xiang's ambitions have violated the colonial interests of the above-mentioned European forces in Southeast Asia.

In the face of Huamei's side knocks, Liu Xiang is doing everything possible to welcome and pack tickets, but often it doesn't take much time, and she relapses. In the face of such a charming and oily little brother, sometimes even the beauty side can't cry or laugh. However, Liu Xiang's expansion ambitions were in line with the strategic expectations of the high-level Chinese and American leaders, so he complained about Portugal and other European powers in the Far East. It was only under the pretext of "neutrality" that a pacifying détente strategy was adopted.

In addition to trade taxes and maritime protection fees, rice, abaca products, rubber, coconut oil and tin ingots are the top five exports of Liew Huong's Lanfang territory, and small-scale iron ore mining in Kota Tinggi has recently begun with the support of Huamei. With the help of large-scale slave farming farms at almost no cost. Rice has become the largest beneficiary of these industries. Over the past two years, Lanfang has exported more than 10,000 tonnes of rice, making it the third-largest importer of rice to Huamei in Southeast Asia, of which about 70% has been paid directly to Huamei OUCC in the form of debt repayment.

Take advantage of Huamei's support for yourself. Liu Xiang has replaced the Portuguese in Macau as the largest agent of luxury goods in the Southeast Peninsula. When Huamei severely restricted the arms trade of the Ming Dynasty, a large number of 21B flintlock pistols and 12-pounder cannons that were supposed to be imported into the Ming Dynasty began to smuggle into Annam, where the warlords of the north and the south were fighting. Whether it is the Trung clan in the north or the Nguyen clan in the south. spared no effort to buy Huamei military equipment from Liu Xiang.

In addition to the gold or silver hard currency, which was stretched thin during the long war, Annan also used the population that Liu Xiang needed to pay for arms. The scarcity of war-torn men made women an important export to Lanfang from Annam, and the Ming Dynasty refugees who had flowed into Annam in large numbers over the past few decades became another hard currency. No matter how many tragedies will happen in this process, the north and the south, Annan and Lan Fang will each take what they need.

In fact, it is not only Annan, but also Temasek's solid territory, the northern part of Lanfang's territory, Champang, Chenla, Siam, Myanmar, Nanzhang and other countries are Liu Xiang's active trade partners, and Huamei also appreciates Liu Xiang's behavior of large-scale expansion, and OUCC Group is more willing to let Liu Xiang share the export business of various commodities as the general agent of the Southeast Peninsula.

Liu Xiang's acquaintance and development have enabled the Oriental Union Group's economic development support for Lanfang to enter the second stage ahead of schedule. In addition to supporting the other party to introduce more Daming population, OUCC has also increased investment in Lanfang's basic industries to expand the output of rice, rubber, iron ore and tin ore in Lanfang. Although they are all extremely low-level agricultural and industrial raw material production projects, these are labor-intensive industries that do not require much technology, and are very suitable for the current situation of Lanfang's large-scale use of Malay indigenous slaves.

According to the content of the "Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Mutual Assistance between China and the United States" signed by Huamei and Lan Fang, Lan Fang will face the terms of the 20-year customs tariff mortgage for the huge Sino-American debt that Lan Fang is carrying. Although Liu Xiang knew the huge benefits contained in it with little understanding, he also had to hand over the customs and tax management power to Huamei, and Huamei's explanation was more tactful, saying that it would help Lanfang establish an advanced and healthy customs and taxation system while ensuring the safety of loan repayment.

In fact, Huamei's behind-the-scenes control of Lanfang is far more than the customs, from the military to internal affairs, Huamei's consultants are involved, many of whom are employees of the Oriental Union Group. Even Liu Xiang's home. There is a so-called Huamei family counselor who is responsible for teaching Liu Xiang's children.

……

On Saturday, August 19, 1645, the 28th day of the leap month of the first year of Hongguang in the Ming Empire.

Temasek Port, the capital of the Lanfang Territory, which does not have four seasons all year round, has expanded its port area in a few years to have a bit of a gorgeous port style. Several long-arm slings of light steam or animal powered cranes were carried up and down, and countless Malay indigenous slaves were driven to and from the port storage area under leather whips, transporting rice and other products from inland slave farms to the port merchant ships.

A Daifuku ship returning from the north of Annam docked at the port, and a column of yellow-skinned Annam women disembarked. The Lan Fang soldiers on the dock let out a playful laugh, which frightened the faces of these Annan women who had left their homes and were trafficked. This is a close second. is a small number of Daming refugees with their families, their faces are not good-looking, and it seems that they have gone through many hardships when they go to Temasek.

The last to disembark were ten sealed heavy wooden boxes. As soon as they saw the seal on the wooden box, dozens of Lan Fang soldiers hurriedly raised their weapons under the leadership of the officer, and then carefully escorted towards the largest building in the port area. These chests contained the fruits of Lan Phuong's trade with the Nguyen and Trung clans, who had divided the north and south of Annam, and contained five tons of silver.

The procession escorting Silver through the port area, led by the officer, kept raising his whip in his hand and shouting to drive away those who stood in his way, and the native slave laborers along the way feared being whipped. They all avoided it in fear.

The largest building in the port area is the Temasek Customs House, which covers five acres and is four storeys high. Although the roof of the building hangs the flag of Lanfang's territory. But the guards at the gate are the mercenaries of the Huamei Blackwater Security Company. A few Nanyang Chinese and European merchants wandered through the office hall, bags of silver coins or raw silver nuggets poured into the counter, and then they were given a certificate of duty payment allowing goods to go ashore or ships to leave port.

In the topmost office, two European men dressed as businessmen looked at the busy port in the distance with mixed feelings. Without exception, there was a hint of jealousy and anger on their faces. In the corner, an official from Lanfang was smiling and drinking tea with a Chinese diplomat, and he was cold to a few Europeans in front of the window.

"Mr. Theo. If we hold back any longer, maybe the entire trade profits of Southeast Asia will be usurped by the Yankees and that damn pirate boss in the future! The Dutch East India Company's commercial representative in Temasek stole back to a corner behind him, lowered his voice, and had a look of extreme disgust on his face.

"Mr. Pearson, at least you still have Batavia and Ambon, the Maluku Islands......" the representative of Malacca, Portugal, looked dejected, completely devoid of hostility towards the once greatest enemy, "With the support of the Americans, Liu Xiang's ambitions have been swelling. If this mediation fails, I think I will have to go to Macau again and persuade His Excellency Governor Schrobao to join us in abandoning all business cooperation with the OUCC in the Far East, and forcing them to put pressure on Liu Xiang! ”

"Do you think today is an amicable mediation? I don't think so...... If it's going to be a swap, almost all of the big guys here treat us like clowns, they think we have nothing. ”

The representative of the Dutch East India Company shrugged his shoulders and continued to irritate the Portuguese in a self-deprecating tone.

If Liu Xiang was just a bully, it was the gradual expansion of the East Union in the Far East that really worried the officials of the Portuguese East India colonies and the Dutch East India Company.

Today, Huamei is not only openly claiming the vast archipelago between Temasek and Borneo as its sovereign territory, but is also infiltrating the traditional commercial spheres of influence of Portugal and the Netherlands.

The year before last, the Huamei Oriental Union Group established a trading station in Brunei, North Borneo, followed by the establishment of a trading station in Malzene, South Borneo, last year, directly squeezing the trade space of the Dutch East India Company, which was far less developed than the same period in history.

As for Portugal and the Netherlands' accusation that the OUCC "lacks self-discipline", the Chinese and American authorities only explained it with reasonable non-governmental business competition, and then immediately sent the Asian fleet to visit Batavia. Both Portugal and the Netherlands could only swallow their voices at this implied military ostentation.

……

“…… Lord Jin, this land in the north is all fought by my Lanfang disciples with a knife and a gun. Besides, isn't it also our Han family who arrived first, and when it won't be the turn of those Francos to call the shots, right? ”

"I will reflect your opinion to the country. I am confident that the Cabinet will respect the demands of the Free Territory of Lanfong and work with friendly countries to formulate a peace-building plan for Temasek Peninsula. ”

With a formatted smile on his face, Jin Xiaohan kept nodding to the henchmen sent by Liu Xiang.

"Oh, then the next official thanked Lord Jin on behalf of the lord of the country!"

The basic position was recognized by the other party, and the Lan Fang official was overjoyed, and hurriedly thanked him, and then glanced coldly at the two Europeans opposite, and finally left the room with square steps.

"The rulers here don't have any sincerity to have an honest exchange with us, dear Mr. Kim!" When the Lanfang officials left, Pearson, the representative of the Dutch East India Company, finally couldn't help but shout.

"Yes. Their insatiable greed has already encroached on Portuguese interests in Malacca and the entire Far East! Once again, Malacca belongs to the Kingdom of Portugal, it was, is, and will be! The Portuguese representative from Malacca spoke in a bad tone, and there was a slight hostility in his eyes when he looked at Jin Xiaohan.

Looking at the two Europeans who came from afar and had a big outbreak, Jin Xiaohan just smiled silently, as if he was watching a rare drama.

"Ahem...... I'm sorry, Mr. Kim. So Mr. Pearson and I want to confirm, what is the purpose of this meeting? Why did Liu Xiang refuse to meet with us? ”

Seeing Jin Xiaohan sitting firmly on Mount Tai, the Portuguese representative realized that he had lost his temper just now, so he suppressed his inner dissatisfaction. The tone was much calmer.

"Quite simply, he is now personally leading his army to fight the barbarians in the north, and today's meeting has nothing to do with him, but we have more important matters to discuss together."

Jin Xiaohan made a gesture of please. Then he took out a copy of the article from the briefcase beside him.

Theo and Pearson, who had been dealing with Chinese and American diplomats for many years, quickly smelled a hint of familiarity from Jin Xiaohan's expression and movements, which was a prelude to the beginning of the distribution of spoils. The two looked at each other. Then he adjusted his feelings extremely quickly, and gathered around Jin Xiaohan one after another.

"Mr. Pearson, Mr. Theo, do you remember the exchange you had with Mr. Fan a few years ago? Now His Excellency the Prime Minister has authorized me to deal with the trade dilemma with Japan and to initiate the relevant plan. If you are interested, you can take a look at the proposal first. ”

Jin Xiaohan put Wen Jiàn in front of the two Europeans, and then drank tea to himself.

Japan's trade profits have been one of the highest in the world for most of the past half century. The Kingdom of Portugal was undoubtedly the biggest loser of Japan's seclusion, while the Netherlands, although they enjoyed the qualification granted by the Japanese shogunate to enter Nagasaki and Japan for a limited period of trade with Nagasaki every year, the conditions were very harsh, and the scale and profits of trade were greatly reduced.

Flipping through a few pages of the Latin version of Japan's Trade Liberalization Plan, the faces of the Portuguese and Dutch grew smiling.

"Uh...... I would like to confirm why we are only given a trading quota of up to three merchant ships per year for the East India Company. This is clearly not in line with the tone of our cooperation! Seeing the end, Pearson couldn't help but ask.

"Even at the height of the trade, the Dutch East India Company's fleet to Nagasaki, Japan, was recorded at its peak of three vessels per year, so this figure is reasonable. Moreover, didn't the Dutch East India Company also have the rights and interests in the future Nagasaki Trade Concession? Jin Xiaohan poured a full glass of wine for the other party with a smile, and looked at the Portuguese who was still frowning on the side, "Mr. Theo, do you think this plan is feasible?" ”

"Portugal's three places are not enough, I think it should be increased to five, oh no, ten!" Theo's eyes flashed with greed, and his fat fingers swiped back and forth on Wen Jiàn.

"Mr. Theo, for God's sake, please stop in moderation! What we need is an honest attitude of cooperation, not blind greed! Pearson couldn't help but knock on the table, and the previous attitude of hatred and hatred suddenly disappeared, as if the Portuguese in front of him had become the long-cherished enemy of many years ago.

"In this case, our country is willing to transfer the exclusive distribution rights of some categories of goods exported to Japan in the Ming Dynasty to Portuguese friends. As far as I know, these were all monopolized by the Zheng family in the past. It seems that he has already guessed the appetite of the Portuguese, and after pondering for a moment, Jin Xiaohan threw a bombshell.

"God, it's not fair!"

As soon as he heard that Huamei had given the Portuguese such a great benefit, the representative of the Dutch East India Company was immediately dissatisfied. Everyone knew that this plan would completely eliminate Zheng Zhilong, the biggest competitor in the past, but they never expected that Huamei would immediately transfer some of it to the Portuguese, and the Dutch East India Company would not even be able to drink soup.

"The two of you can negotiate privately, and maybe we can find a better point of fairness." Throwing a bone out, seeing that the two families immediately got up on the spot dog-eat-dog, Jin Xiaohan was extremely happy.

"I think there should be more details on this plan!"

Theo and Pearson both put forward the same opinion after a while of scolding, and Jin Xiaohan really started to pay attention at this time.

……

Removing the Zheng Zhilong Group, the three companies of Huamei, Portugal, and the Dutch East India Company will divide up the Japanese trade, and it is still a full-scale trade, so there is almost no need to think about how much profit margin there will be. Huamei's Far East strategy plan for Japan's trade switch immediately aroused the boundless lust of the representatives of the Portuguese and Dutch East India Company.

Negotiations at Temasek Customs' top floor lasted for a week, and after a three-party battle of words, Kim Xiaohan finally reached the "Japan Tradeswitch Cooperation Agreement" with Portugal and the Dutch East India Company on behalf of the Chinese and American Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce.

1. The East India Company of China, Portugal, and the Netherlands was to form a joint fleet and go to Edo, Japan, in the spring of 1646, to force the Tokugawa shogunate to abandon its position of seclusion and seclusion, and to use all means, including force, if necessary.

2. The three parties shall establish a free trade concession zone in Nagasaki, Kyushu, and may send permanent representatives to be responsible for Japanese trade.

3. The Portuguese and Dutch East India Companies each have the right to trade in up to three merchant ships per year, and the excess must be chartered by Chinese merchant ships, which is not subject to this clause.

Fourth, the customs of the free trade concession was set up by representatives of the three parties, with Portugal and the Dutch East India Company each receiving 10% of the customs revenue from the customs duties, Huamei receiving 50%, and the remaining 30% going to the Japanese side.

5. The Portuguese and Dutch East India Companies each obtained the exclusive right to distribute certain categories of goods exported by the Ming Dynasty to Japan, and the detailed types of goods are shown in the Appendix.

6. Huami shall be independent of Japan's subsequent foreign affairs and shall not be restricted by this Agreement.

Seven......

More than a dozen terms of the agreement were sprinkled around, even if Japan's trade interests were divided in advance, and the Japanese shogunate, the real party, was completely ignorant.

As for Huamei, who has the largest share of the treaty and has the final decision and interpretation of the treaty, in fact, Theo and Pearson know in their hearts that it is an unshakable result, because they alone will never be able to achieve such an attractive prospect. First of all, excluding Zheng Zhilong's group, it is by no means such a simple matter, with the military strength of the Dutch East India Company and Portugal in the Far East, they are not Zheng Zhilong's opponents.

Secondly, even if the number of merchant ships arriving in Hong Kong is limited, being able to enter the Nagasaki Free Trade Concession and divide the customs tariffs is equivalent to having a steady income from the long stream, and the Portuguese and Dutch East India Companies are still relatively satisfied with the broth that Huamei ceded.

Finally, and most importantly, Japan's trade switch can also temporarily alleviate the squeeze on Portugal and the Dutch East India Company since Huamei supported Lanfang, so that Huamei can gradually complete its overall strategy east of the Indian Ocean in the coming decades. (To be continued......)

PS: The first round of sincerity~~~