"Your Excellency the Governor, I have come on behalf of our Kingdom of Great Britain to negotiate with you about the trade between the two countries." After listening to Mader's questioning, Richard replied with a smile.

"Trade? It seems that our country has not cut off trade with your country, right? There should be nothing unusual about the trade between our two countries, sir, what is there to negotiate? Mader asked, looking puzzled.

"That's right. It is true that there has been no conflict of any kind between your country and our country, and that trade between our two countries has always been relatively peaceful, but, with the shrewdness of His Excellency the Governor, I am sure that you are well aware of the commercial advantages of your country...... The exquisite and luxurious goods of your country are in short supply in our West! Richard glanced at Mader, saw that the other party's face seemed to be a little colorful, his heart was a little calm, and suddenly his voice changed, and continued: "However, I don't know if Your Excellency is clear that the shortage of these commodities has caused a competition between our European countries and a competition for your country's commodity resources. And, because of this phenomenon, commodity prices in your country have now begun to gradually decline and have a tendency to be further depressed......"

"Wait! You say that the shortage of supply is causing prices to fall? Mader grinned and looked at Richard questioningly, "Your Excellency, I don't understand what you mean by that?" I've never heard of a situation where demand outstrips supply and prices go down. I hope you'd better have proof of this, otherwise, the official will have to think that you are belittling me and my intelligence! Even if you are a British envoy, this is not something that can be taken on casually. Hope you understand! ”

"Don't dare. Your Excellency, I have no intention of daring to despise you. I say that, of course, for a reason. I hope you'll get me to the end! Richard said with a slight bow.

"Good! I'll listen to what you have to say! Ma De snorted slightly coldly and said.

"Your Excellency Governor, the consequences of the competition of the Western countries for your country's commodity resources, if understood as a general rule, should indeed lead to a further increase in the price of your country's goods. However, I would like to ask you, have there been any signs of an increase in the prices of your country's commodities over the past few years? Richard asked Marder with a smile.

"This ......" Ma De closed his eyes and thought for a moment, a little discouraged: "Yes, yes, yes!" However, there don't seem to be many types. ”

"Yes, there are, but not many. Moreover, the export prices of most commodities not only did not rise, but, on the contrary, decreased somewhat. Richard smiled and then asked Mader, "Your Excellency, I wonder if you know the cause of this phenomenon?" ”

"Listen up!" Ma De Zhengse said.

"Your Excellency, the reason is very simple: we European merchants are very shrewd. Although because of the great advantages of your country's goods, they are in short supply in the European market and cannot reach saturation for a long time. However, the merchants of various countries are well aware that if they compete with each other, it will certainly increase the export price of your country's goods, and thus dilute their profits. So, there is also an agreement between these merchants to jointly maintain or even lower the price of these goods in order to obtain the maximum net profit. Richard said.

"I see! ......" Mader smacked his lips, he really hadn't noticed the situation. Because the price of Chinese goods sold to Western merchants has not been low, and his attention has not been paid much attention to this aspect, but mainly on domestic commercial development. Coupled with the grading of commodities, the overall profit of commodity exports has risen, and it is naturally even more impossible for him to pay attention to this aspect. But now it seems that he is still being put on the side by those European merchants, although this is also a normal commodity competition, but he feels that it is his own side that suffers. "We have to find a way to earn back all the losses we have lost! Those Europeans can't be too complacent. He mused.

"Your Excellency the Governor! Are you wondering how you can avoid these situations? Richard looked at Mader's expression and suddenly asked with a smile again.

"Uh...... Hehe, Sir is very good at reading faces! Yes, I do! Anyway, the initiative is in his own hands, so Ma De replied very simply, and there was no denial at all.

"Hehe, Your Excellency the Governor, do you think you will succeed?" Richard asked with a smile.

"What? Don't your Excellency Sir think that I can't fight you merchants from Europe? Mader laughed.

"Don't dare. The contemptible people admired the shrewdness of His Excellency the Governor. Some people even say that you are a business genius, and this is contemptible and agreeable. However, I still have a suggestion that I would like to say to Your Excellency, I wonder if Your Excellency the Governor would like to hear it. Richard asked again.

"Oh? Is it unreasonable, Sir Chad, are you going to help me come up with an idea? I'm going to have to listen to it. Ma De smiled and made a "please" gesture and said.

"Your Excellency the Governor, I am not going to discuss with you how we can change the current situation. I just hope that your country will sign a treaty with my government that will grant us exclusive rights to your silk, raw silk, porcelain, tea, and other goods! Richard didn't pay attention to Mader's teasing, just said with a smile.

"Franchise? You're so breathy! Ma De was stunned for a moment, and then he almost scolded! He originally had a good impression of this Richard, but after listening to this sentence just now, his perception of Richard had completely changed. He was now certain that, no matter how well this guy behaved, he was still a greedy robber beneath the gentleman's garb he wore on the outside. Franchise? If all the goods exported from China to Europe were to be monopolized by the British, the profits would be enough for the British to do anything.

"Sir Richard, do you want to cause war?" Glancing at Richard silently, Mader asked coldly.

"I'm sorry. I don't understand what you mean, Your Excellency the Governor! Richard replied.

"Although trade with our country is not the largest import between European countries, if you really monopolize this financial resource, will your country not be afraid that the rest of Europe will be dissatisfied with it, and even attack you en masse?" Mader asked.

"Your Excellency the Governor. Although our Kingdom of Great Britain is also part of Europe, our land is not connected to the European continent. If the European countries want to do anything with us, they must first cross the English Channel. There, the Royal Navy of our Kingdom of Great Britain. Moreover, the combined strength of the European countries in the Indian Ocean is not comparable to that of our Kingdom of Great Britain. Therefore, we are not at all afraid of threats from countries. What's more, now that all the countries of Europe are at war with France, there is no time for anything else! Richard said with some pride.

"It turns out that your country wants to fish in troubled waters. Yes, the melee between the nations is indeed a rare opportunity. But how can you take the price of goods in our country up a notch? Mader didn't dwell on the question he had just asked, and then asked another question.

"China can sign a treaty with your country, as long as your country grants our country the exclusive right to franchise our goods and masters the exclusive sales channels, the price will naturally be set by our two countries!" Richard said.

"And then when you have fully mastered this channel, you can then lower the price of goods in our country in turn, right?" Ma De asked with a smile.

"No, no, no, Your Excellency. Since the treaty has been signed, it is natural that everything should be carried out in accordance with the treaty! How could we do that kind of defaulting thing? That's not what a gentleman should do. Richard said, waving his hand.

"Treaties? Sorry, I never put my hopes on a piece of paper, especially one without any guarantees! …… Sir Richard, if that's all you are here for, I think you could hire a ship and go back to Europe. I can't even get this suggestion here, so I don't want the ministers in Beijing to agree to it. Mader picked up his teacup.

"Your Excellency, I don't understand why you can't trust us, you know? By doing so, you're giving up a huge profit! Richard didn't hurry, but said slowly.

"Of course I do. However, it's better to give up a huge profit than a myriad of relatively small ones, isn't it? Mader took a sip of tea and said without looking up.

"Your Excellency the Governor, it makes me very sad that you do not believe us. I can understand your thoughts, though. I know it's not either of our fault. This is mainly because the exchanges between our two countries are too short to build mutual trust! …… It's a shame. Richard didn't dwell on it, but said with a little disappointment.

I also regret it...... "I'm sorry you're a big-headed ghost!" Mader rolled his eyelids and said playfully. He was waiting for Richard's next performance.

"Your Excellency the Governor, since you do not agree to grant our exclusive privilege, we will no longer insist on it. However, in order to promote mutual understanding between your country and my country, and to enhance the friendship between our two countries, I hope that you will lobby His Majesty the Emperor of your country to establish diplomatic ties with our country, and of course, it is better that both sides can establish embassies for each other! ”

"What? Embassy? …… Sir Sir, did I hear you right? Mader asked, surprised.

"The embassy, of course. Is there anything wrong with it, Your Excellency the Governor? Richard didn't expect such a big reaction from Mader, and asked in confusion.

"Hehe, embassy...... Interesting. Sir Sir, it seems that you do not know my country! Ma De looked at Richard with some amusement, shook his head, and continued: "Since the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, unified China, my country has always been above any other country around it. A strong centralized power has never allowed any country or power to be compared to it...... This situation has lasted for thousands of years, and thousands of years of historical precipitation have made our country, from the emperor to the common people, have a kind of arrogance from the bottom of their hearts: we are the heavenly kingdom high above. Other countries, no matter where they come from, only have the status of vassals! …… Pardon me, Mr. Richard, do you think it is possible for equality between nations to exist between our two countries? …… I have to say, you are lucky, I am a tolerant person, if you make this request in front of other officials, then, congratulations! You have only one way to go back to China! ”

“…… Hehe, the emperor and the people of your country are indeed qualified to think like this, this is the power of the strong. I understand very well. Richard laughed dryly, his face flushed slightly.

"Can you understand?" Ma De was stunned for a moment, and then his eyes widened a little unnaturally. If Richard's words just now were normal for a diplomat, then his answer was too unexpected for Mader. Although the temper of the Europeans is not very admirable to Mader, Richard's obvious weakness is too abnormal. At this time, even if this Englishman did not brush his sleeves away, he should have stood up angrily. You know, Britain is now so-so and can be regarded as a world-class power, as a representative of the country, how can it be so weak?

"Your Excellency the Governor. Since it is not possible to establish such diplomatic relations with your country at the ambassadorial level, I wonder if you can allow our country to set up consulates in several of your treaty ports? As you know, it is very important for our country to establish certain channels of communication with your country. Before Mader could react, Richard continued.

"Consulate?" This kid is getting more and more interesting. Mader's original intention was to hit Richard hard, and then find an opportunity to give him a few sweet dates, promise him some innocuous conditions, and take the opportunity to get some good things from England, but now it seems that this Richard has made up his mind to show weakness and curry favor with himself. This is not the character of an English pirate. Could it be that he had any other intentions that could not be achieved? Or rather...... The few things I just denied are not the bottom of this British!

"Yes, Your Excellency the Governor. I know that your country has always been a well-known 'country of etiquette'. My country is very sincere in establishing certain ties with your country. I don't think your country will refuse my country's wishes again, will you? Richard continued.

"Of course not! ......" Mader laughed, then suddenly threw his hand at Richard again, and said, "Sir Excellency, I must say, I admire your bearing very much! Please forgive me for those hurtful words just now! I hope you don't take those words to heart. ”

"Huh? No, no, no, Your Excellency the Governor, you have not harmed me! The situation suddenly took a turn for the worse, and this time it was Richard's turn to widen his eyes. What's going on with this Mader? Haven't Chinese officials always liked to be above others, not to mention what Ma De just said in the name of the state? Did you not do enough to let the other party see that something was wrong?

"Your Excellency, you don't have to say that, I was rude just now. I hurt your feelings for your country. Ma De looked sincere, "As a citizen of a country, I must be very unhappy with the words I just said, and I can still feel this." ”

"Ah, this ......" Richard was a little at a loss for a moment, Mader used to have a condescending face, but now he suddenly became the same peaceful and polite appearance as he is now, and the rate of change was a little too large. His complex, sleek personality compared to the average European, could not easily withstand such a sudden change...... It's so unnatural.

"I agree with the establishment of a consulate in my country, but, Sir Richard, it is useless to obtain my consent. It's not something I can decide on alone. You still have to go to Beijing and get the consent of His Majesty the Emperor! Mader continued.

"Of course! I will go to Beijing. Of course, I hope that Your Excellency the Governor will be able to introduce me. Richard replied a little dazedly.

"Of course. By the way, Sir Sir, would you like me to give you some precautions? How about that as compensation for my rude behavior? Mader said with a smile again.

"This ...... It is a great honor to be contemptible. "Don't Orientals think with their brains? The more Richard thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong with Mader's sudden enthusiasm, and he even felt a little scalp explode. However, if you reject Mader's kindness, it seems that it is easy to offend people...... The present situation is obvious, offending Mader, the mission of this trip will definitely fail; Don't offend Mader, but there is still a few percent hope of success. There is simply no choice in what to do.

"Is it a clumsy decision?" Richard suddenly wanted to punch himself in the head, why did he feel a little out of turn?

"Sir Sir, the power of our country is concentrated in the hands of His Majesty the Emperor, and if you can please Your Majesty the Emperor, everything is possible...... I think I have to tell you that our emperor didn't care much about Western things, he was most interested in Western science...... He is highly accomplished in this area. I don't know if you have heard of the deeds of John Tang and Nan Huairen? Or are they Bai Jin and Zhang Cheng from France? Relying on the scholarship they have mastered, they are very valued by His Majesty the Emperor......" While Richard was still confused, Mader's voice sounded again.