Episode 59 That's it

That night, Xiang Xiaoqiang sent a report to Zhu Yourong, and after the telegram was sent, there was no call back for a long time. It was a long time before the telegram came back, asking for a second confirmation of the conditions and that there was no mistake.

It can be imagined what kind of surprise and surprise Zhu Yourong was after receiving this news. One can imagine how ecstatic the cabinet was when the old cabinet men who were waiting for the results of the negotiations gathered in the imperial study in the Forbidden City and heard Zhu Yourong read these favorable conditions to them and circulated the telegram to them. …… So much so that some veteran ministers were worried that the telegram had been sent by mistake and asked for confirmation again.

An indemnity of 120 million Mingyang, the port of Surabaya on the island of Batavia, the port of Pontianak on Borneo, and most importantly, the entire island of Pazia......

It was a surprise that there was such a large amount of stuff in one day. This is the bottom line of the Ming Dynasty: pay 100 million Ming Yang, establish military ports and military bases in Surabaya, Medan, and Pontianak, and 80% of the oil fields and 60% of the rubber rights and interests on Pazia Island...... In comparison, it is too much more.

At first, the Ming cabinet did not know how much blood the Netherlands could produce, and did not dare to ask for too much black. Regarding Pazia Island, I only dared to ask for the right to mine and operate petroleum and rubber, but I didn't dare to ask for all of it, but I just asked for a percentage, but now it's good, I talked to Xiaoqiang for a day's judgment, and I took the whole of Pazia Island.

There is also the issue of Surabaya, Medan, and Pontianak, where military bases were originally built, and it was only akin to a concession on the edge of the port, but now it has become a ceded port city. Needless to say, Medan is on the island of Pazia, and now even Pontianak and Surabaya are also cities and ports, and they will always belong to the Ming Dynasty. The three most important islands in the East Indies and the three most important islands in the South Sea: Batavia, Pazia, and Borneo are now within the Ming sphere of influence.

All this has far exceeded the original expectations

After a while, Batavia's confirmation telegram was sent back again, reiterating that it was those conditions, not a word. In addition, he expressed his opinion to Xiaoqiang, in view of the fact that the Netherlands agreed too generously, Daming's side can't accept it so happily, and it's better to ask for some more things. On the one hand, Daming can get more benefits, on the other hand, it is also a psychological comfort to the Netherlands, otherwise the next day it will see Daming agree, and it will wonder if it has given too much, whether it could have given less.

Zhu Yourong immediately convened a meeting of the Imperial Cabinet to discuss this issue. Most of the cabinet ministers agreed that the Netherlands had been drained and that it had bottomed out everything it could to redeem Batavia. Now you should take it when you see it. If you ask for it again, it is easy to force the Netherlands to rush and simply give up Batavia Island, so that it is useless for the Ming to hold a Batavia Island, and it will be smashed in his hands. If it is really like what Xiang Xiaoqiang said, if Da Ming went to grab other islands by himself, it would be too exciting for the British.

Zhu Yourong listened to it and felt that it was very reasonable. In addition, her kind nature also told her that it was not appropriate to extort such viciously.

But Shen Rongxuan once again stood on Xiang Xiaoqiang's side.

"Your Majesty and your lordships are justified in their fears. But......" he stood up, walked over to the large map of Southeast Asia on the wall, picked up the baton and said, "I don't think it's too much to suggest to Xiaoqiang that we make some more demands. I think he just didn't want to say yes. Diplomatic negotiations, like business negotiations, are the most taboo in agreeing to the other party's conditions. We should understand this.

"So I don't think what we're doing now is to say yes happily. It's not that the lion opens his mouth, but that he wants more small things, some small things that are more acceptable to the Netherlands and important to us. Hehe, I remember when I was in college, I was relatively poor, and it was a game to buy things in the store, and in the end, the price couldn't be cut, so I would ask the boss to send something small as a gift, and the boss would generally agree. ”

Everyone laughed, and Shen Rongxuan also smiled, and continued:

"Of course we can't talk to the Netherlands about Borneo or anything. Then the Netherlands might have really given up on Batavia. I think first of all, we can further increase the amount of compensation. At present, the Netherlands has given 120 million, and we have quoted 180 million. We could ask the Netherlands for 180 million. ”

Then he made a circle around the island of Pazia with an indicator stick:

"Also, a series of small islands around Pazia: Simeru Island, Mentawai Islands, Ngano Islands, Linga Islands, Riau Islands, as well as the Anambas, Natuna Islands, Tamilan Islands, Baddas Islands, Bangka Islands, Belitung Islands, we can all come down to the Karimata Strait. These islets are scattered around the island of Pazia, and between the island of Pazia and Borneo, and if we take the Pazia, these islets are of little significance to the Netherlands, and it can be easily given to us.

"But these islands mean a lot to us. In particular, a series of islands in the Karimata Strait. Although the Karimata Strait is called the 'Strait', it is more than 200 nautical miles wide. Batavian ships want to sail out of the Java Sea, whether they want to go west through the Strait of Malacca into the Indian Ocean, or north through the South China Sea into the Pacific Ocean, only through the Karimata Strait. If the ships of Batavia did not pass through the Karimata Strait, they would have to go east through the entire East Indies, a few thousand kilometres more from New Guinea and Australia.

"The Kalimata Strait is so important, and this series of archipelagos that line the sea is like a fence that holds the wide strait. We can choose suitable islands to build forts, forts, and even blockade the sea with artillery if necessary. Here, Bangka Island and Belitung Island, which are the closest to Batavia, are relatively large and flat, and we can build airports on the island, which can cover a wider area. Including the western half of the island of Batavia, which is also within the combat radius of our aircraft.

"In addition, since the Netherlands has already given us Pontianak in Borneo, we can ask for a larger area to include the coast and islands more than a hundred kilometers south of Pontianak. In this way, the eastern end of the strait is also under our control, and the entire Karimata Strait is firmly under our control. ”

After Shen Rongxuan finished speaking, he looked around at everyone and listened to their opinions.

Some ministers were apprehensive when they heard that the islands were so important to him. One of them hesitated and said:

"Elder Shen Ge, since the strategic location of these islands is so important, how can the Netherlands give it to us like this? Are we wishing for something too high? ”

Shen Rongxuan smiled:

"When it comes to strategic location, what other island in the entire East Indies is better than Pazia? The island of Pazia and the Malay Peninsula together form the Strait of Malacca, and owning the island of Pazia is equivalent to owning half of the Strait of Malacca. The Netherlands even gave us the most important islands of Pazia, which should not care so much. Moreover, these small islands are in the hands of the Dutch and do not play their strategic role. The Dutch were so weak in the East Indies that they did not have the strength to build or operate airfield forts on the islands. But we can. …… And don't forget that it was Xiang Xiaoqiang who negotiated with them. Do you see that? He is very good at blackmail. Hehe, I think if we let him go and blackmail, he might even be blackmailing half of Borneo. ”

The ministers burst into laughter again.

Zhu Yourong thought for a while and put forward one:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have a concern. If we return Batavia Island to the Netherlands, how can we guarantee the future safety and status of the Chinese compatriots on Batavia? ”

Truth be told, this issue is not on the minds of these ministers. In their opinion, His Majesty, who has always been diplomatically shrewd, really did not raise this question. Now that the Ming Dynasty has formed a strong military presence in the East Indies, and this time it has already fought to protect the Chinese, three-year-old children know that the East Indies Chinese will be as safe in the future.

But Zhu Yourong pondered for a while and said with a smile:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have an idea, I think about it now, I don't know if it's good or not, how about you help me see it."

The ministers looked at each other, and Shen Rongxuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please speak." ”

Zhu Yourong lowered his head, his hand habitually played with the tea cup, and said while thinking:

"Hmm...... I would like to add the following: First, the Chinese under the rule of the East Indies and the Netherlands can have weapons in the future, that is, guns and ammunition, for self-defense. And the natives can't have these things. Second, in the future in the East Indies under Dutch rule, Chinese should be allowed to enter the government, and the police should also give priority to recruiting Chinese. Chinese should be allowed to set up their own schools, newspapers, radio stations, and clubs, including political ones...... In other words, to comprehensively increase the importance of the Chinese in the local society, and to ensure that the power and status of the Chinese are higher than the local natives. …… What do you think? ”

As soon as Zhu Yourong finished speaking, the ministers whispered. Zhu Yourong's heart sank, and he was still a little worried, afraid that the ministers would think that his suggestion was too naïve. But she soon found that the ministers had more admiration on their faces.

These experienced old men could see at a glance that Zhu Yourong's suggestion had a more far-reaching impact on the East Indies than the cession of a few islands. This would allow the Chinese to enter the mainstream of local society as a powerful force, and then gradually control the lifeblood of the Dutch East Indies. In the future, as their home country, the Ming Dynasty will be more convenient for the Dutch East Indies to control, infiltrate, or encroach.

What's even better is that with this Tuhua storm, Da Ming is even more justified when he mentions these requests. Even in the eyes of international public opinion, this is a purely existential protection of the interests of the local diaspora, and the motive appears very simple, far more than the cession of the islands.

Shen Rongxuan looked at Zhu Yourong, he didn't know if Zhu Yourong had thought of so much when he brought these up. But there is no doubt that this will be the most valuable one.

……

The next day, March 15, the last negotiations between Xiang Xiaoqiang and Feinberg took place. The negotiations went exceptionally smoothly, and the smell of yesterday's gunpowder was completely lost. Maybe it was the spirit of the Netherlands to do anything to get back Batavia, or maybe it was in their opinion that these demands were not too much, just after expressing to Xiaoqiang that he was willing to give up Batavia Island and made these conditions, Feinberg went to report to China very happily, and an hour later, he came back with a very relaxed expression and accepted Daming's conditions in full.

Xiang Xiaoqiang and the two advisers were also relieved. Xiang Xiaoqiang immediately arranged a concise and solemn ceremony in the governor's palace, and both sides signed the document.

The officer next to him took champagne and poured a glass for each of them.

Xiang Xiaoqiang smiled, picked up the cup and said:

"Mr. Feinberg, this bottle of champagne is now what you invited me to drink."

Feinberg understood that this sentence meant that Batavia was yours from now on, and that the wine in the Governor's Mansion and the Governor's Mansion was yours again.

He was so happy that although the Kingdom of the Netherlands had paid a heavy price, after all, it was necessary to return to the island of Batavia, and the Kingdom's colonial rule in the East Indies could continue.

Xiang Xiaoqiang and the two advisors were also so happy that they couldn't keep their mouths together. In two days of negotiations, a few people negotiated so many Nanyang territories, so many oil fields and rubber forests, two military ports and military bases, and 180 million Ming Oceans for the Ming Empire.

The nature of this credit is to expand the territory, and it is not an exaggeration to describe it as "great achievements".

Moreover, Daming has its own oil base, which has since solved the oil problem.

At present, the East Indies produce more than 6 million tons of oil annually, 80% of which comes from the island of Pazia, which already belongs to the Ming Dynasty. At present, the annual consumption of oil in Daming is 2.7 million tons to 3 million tons, which is the consumption in peacetime. Xiang Xiaoqiang knew that Japan's annual oil consumption during the same period was 1.7 million tons to 1.8 million tons, and in the regular history, by July 1941, Japan's annual oil consumption in a state of war was 5 million tons. The motorization of the Ming army was much higher than that of Japan, and it was calculated that if the Ming Dynasty carried out the Northern Expedition and entered a state of full-scale war, the annual consumption of oil would not be less than 10 million tons.

At present, the annual oil output of Pazia may only be more than 5 million tons, but this is the current time when international oil prices are sluggish and oil is a few cents a barrel, and all major oil-producing areas are reducing production. The production capacity of the Pazia field is much more than that. It is realistic to increase production at the beginning of the war, and the annual output will reach more than 10 million tons.

There is also a diplomatic benefit. Originally, the most important task of Daming to send Xiaoqiang to visit Germany this time was to try to introduce German coal-to-oil technology. This technology is the first in the world in Germany. But this technology can be called the treasure of Germany's house, and if you want to get it, you can imagine how much it will cost and how many concessions will be made on other issues. But now, Daming has its own big oil base, and there is no longer an urgent need for this technology, and there are a lot more cards to play in his hand, which can be exchanged for more other technologies.

……

That night, Xiang Xiaoqiang and Feinberg jointly held a press conference to inform the world of the huge changes in Southeast Asia. Then there was a grand dinner and dance to celebrate the handshake and return to peace between the two countries, and the exchange of ambassadors and the restoration of diplomatic relations at a later date.

At the same time, in Nanjing, Zhu Yourong, who has always loved fun, was unwilling to let go of this opportunity, and immediately held a grand dinner and dance to celebrate. This is indeed a cause for celebration.

At about eleven o'clock in the evening, after the dinner and dance parties in the two cities were "over", Xiang Xiaoqiang received a telegram from Fourteen Gege. At the ball, she found out that Zhu Yourong was going to make Xiang Xiaoqiang an earl, and at the same time make the other three advisors viscounts. Confirmation is likely to be announced soon. In other words, Xiang Xiaoqiang's visit to Germany will take the title of nobility. Xiang Xiaoqiang and Qiu Yu will be respectfully called "Mr. Count" and "Countess".

Although there is no marquis, Xiang Xiaoqiang is also content. He knew that he was just negotiating, and although the credit was great, it was not to the extent of being a marquis. Zheng Gongyin is the empress's uncle, but he is just a waiter. If you want to seal the marquis, hum, let's chase Zhu Yourong first.