1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 2436
Shi Diwen and Qu Yutong were limited by the power they possessed, and the countermeasures they could use must be limited to the local area, and there was no way to rise to a higher level.Moreover, the means used should not be too radical, otherwise the further intensification of the conflict may lead to conflict between the two countries. Even if Shi Diwen is not afraid, Qu Yutong may not be willing to see such a result.All he wants is to try his best to keep his official position and financial resources, but he doesn't want Haihan to really launch a war against Daming.

The solution they proposed can be said to have taken into account the interests and scruples of all parties, but it does not mean that this is a perfect plan. It is precisely because too many compromises have been made that there will be many links in the implementation process. There are risks and vulnerabilities.As a bystander, Tao Donglai naturally noticed these problems more clearly, so he didn't agree with their ideas.

Qu Yutong was also quite depressed at this time, his face was pale, and he said listlessly: "Could it be that we really want to hand over the Ningbo Mansion? This... well, I really don't want to be reconciled!"

Tao Donglai shook his head slightly and said: "You don't need to give up in a hurry, this matter is not at the end of the mountain yet."

When the two of them heard Tao Donglai's words, it seemed that things were turning for the better. Shi Diwen quickly asked, "Boss Tao, what do you mean, there are other ways to resolve this crisis?"

Tao Donglai nodded slightly and said, "If your opponent is really Yang Sichang, then maybe things will turn around."

Qu Yutong didn't care too much at the moment, he immediately got up and gave a deep bow and said, "Master Tao, please tell me what you need to do next to resolve the immediate crisis. I will definitely cooperate with you!"

Tao Donglai waved his hands and said, "What you have to do now is to not do anything and wait for the news first."

"Waiting for news? Where are you waiting for news?" Qu Yutong asked in confusion.

Tao Donglai pointed to his nose and said, "Wait for my news. Recently, there are some things to discuss between our country and Ming Dynasty. At that time, the issue of trade relations between the two countries should also be discussed. I will find an opportunity to mention the Ningbo side. Mr. Qu is extremely important to the trade between the two countries, and our country will of course support Mr. Qu to stay in office."

Qu Yutong heard Xiange and knew it: "It turns out that Master Tao will meet Yang Sichang when he comes to Daming this time?"

Tao Donglai's tone was very strict, and he didn't answer his question directly: "It's not yet decided whether to see him or not. But Mr. Qu, don't worry, the problem you encountered is indeed a big deal in Ningbo, but it will be put on a bigger scale." From the perspective of the environment, it is actually not that difficult to solve. Taking ten thousand steps back, even if the prefect of Ningbo wants to change people, Mr. Qu does not have to worry about retreating. There are good prospects for development.”

Qu Yutong quickly responded: "Master Tao is really flattering you, Naqu is waiting for the good news in Ningbo."

Tao Donglai appreciated Qu Yutong quite a bit. This person was able to resolutely marry Shi Diwen a few years ago. His foresight and courage can be regarded as the best among Ming officials, and he has served as the prefect of Ningbo for several years. In [-], he has good experience in governing the local area. If Haihan can be recruited as a local official, he should be able to adapt quickly.Of course, in order to play its greatest role, it seems that it is better to continue to stay in the seat of Ningbo prefect.With him in Ningbo, Haihan's trade in Jiangsu and Zhejiang will be more secure.

Shi Diwen was not in a hurry to ask. The solution Tao Donglai said reminded him of some information he had, but it was not convenient to discuss it in front of Qu Yutong, an outsider.

It was not easy for Qu Yutong to travel all the way from Ningbo City, so Shi Diwen naturally wanted to host a banquet.However, considering that Tao Donglai's itinerary was kept confidential and some sensitive topics might be discussed, he did not arrange to accompany the guests.Even Qu Yutong's staff member He Xiao didn't come to the table, Shi Diwen arranged for his confidant Duan Tiancheng to receive him on his behalf.

Qu Yutong was naturally a little curious about why Tao Donglai came to Zhoushan, and he seemed to have a meeting with high-ranking figures in Ming Dynasty earlier, so he immediately inquired about the news.However, Tao Donglai still has a very strict tone, going around and just not responding positively.Seeing that Shi Diwen didn't intend to help, Qu Yutong probably expected that the matter was a bit sensitive, so he wisely didn't ask further.

Although Tao Donglai avoided answering, Qu Yutong could actually guess something.In the past few months, the Qing army has ravaged Shandong. Seeing that after the local chaos, countless people will be displaced. It is difficult to make a living, so they can only go out to escape. Haihan has always coveted the population of Daming, and every year he tries every means to introduce immigrants from Daming. How can he let it go? Such a great opportunity.Tao Donglai's appearance in Zhoushan at this time may be related to the large number of immigrants arriving in Dinghai Port recently.

But these reasons are not important, as long as Haihan can help him keep his official position, Qu Yutong doesn't care how many people will flow from Daming to Haihan.To put it bluntly, the imperial court certainly did not have enough capacity to help the refugees. If Haihan hadn't picked up these refugees, quite a few of them would either have died of hunger or cold, or would have become bandits in order to survive.Being placed overseas by Haihan, at least he can save his life first, and from a certain point of view, it also helped Daming solve the hidden dangers that were difficult to deal with.

Tao Donglai took the initiative to mention some progress of Haihan's current resettlement of refugees: "Recently, a large number of immigrants from our country will be resettled to Taiwan Island, and the labor force is relatively sufficient. Is Mr. Qu interested in buying some more local industries?"

Qu Yutong quickly responded: "This business of getting rich, of course, the official is disrespectful. How about building a plantation as before?"

Tao Donglai said: "Of course Mr. Qu can choose what kind of project to operate. Just contact the relevant department for specific matters. Shi Diwen, please help arrange it."

Shi Diwen nodded and said: "No problem, I will ask Yang Yun from the Ministry of Commerce to contact Mr. He later, and follow the previous rules. If Master Qu has any requirements, just say it."

One of the reasons why Qu Yutong can gain Haihan's full trust is that he has already invested and operated some industries in Haihan's ruled area, mainly cash crop plantations.In Kaohsiung alone, there are plantations with an area of ​​more than [-] mu, and more than [-] local people are employed to manage these industries.Although the operating costs have not yet been recovered, the long-term profit prospects are promising, and Haihan is escorting the company, so there is no need to worry about losing money in this transaction.

The more properties Qu Yutong has in Haihan, the more trust he can get will naturally increase.He also understands that the benefits he can get from participating in the development of Haihan Colony through this kind of investment are far from economical.Tao Donglai had just said earlier that he would try his best to keep Qu Yutong's official position. Now when he mentioned the matter of investing in plantations in Taiwan, Qu Yutong would of course reciprocate, and he agreed decisively.

The related affairs have always been connected by He Xiao and Yang Yun of the Zhoushan Management Committee. Both parties are familiar with each other, and there are ready-made cooperation plans. The Han Ministry of Commerce, and then there will be someone to handle the relevant affairs. He only needs to send someone to the local supervision.After the plantation began to harvest, Haihan officials would come forward to buy it, and the payment would be transferred through the bank. After the settlement, Qu Yutong could withdraw the cash in Ningbo.Basically, he didn't need to worry about the whole process. He really had no reason to refuse such a convenient and profitable transaction.

This kind of cooperation is also very profitable for Haihan. As long as the unowned land in the colony is used, it can attract Ming investors to invest in the development of these areas. Immigrants in the region provide livelihoods, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.And after the various economic crops planted in these plantations are harvested, Haihan officials will also purchase them, and then sell them to the market after deep processing, and the income is also extremely considerable.

While gaining economic benefits, Haihan will also firmly bind the interests of investors with himself through this kind of cooperation, and there are many of them who are officials in Daming like Qu Yutong.These officials couldn't stand the temptation, and even their family property had been transferred to Haihan's territory, so their position was self-evident.

After the meal, Qu Yutong took the initiative to bid farewell to Tao Donglai and Shi Diwen, and prepared to return to Ningbo first, leaving He Xiao to deal with follow-up affairs in Zhoushan.The reason why he is so anxious to go back is because the official situation is not stable recently, and some rumors will inevitably spread if someone wants to pry his seat, so even when he came to Zhoushan this time, he quietly left the city at night, not wanting the outside world to know his movements , so as not to fall into any pretext of colluding with Haihan.

After Qu Yutong left, Shi Diwen asked Tao Donglai about the doubts in his heart: "President Tao, are you really planning to meet with the high-level officials of Ming Dynasty this time when you go north?"

Tao Donglai nodded slightly and said: "At present, I have this plan, but it is not certain whether it will be successful or not."

"How do you say that?"

Tao Donglai explained: "The meeting with the high-level officials of Ming Dynasty needs to be arranged a few months in advance. But Shandong is currently in chaos, and the situation in the north is more complicated. Whom can Daming send out for the meeting, and there is no confirmed candidate yet."

Shi Diwen said: "Isn't it possible that after you arrive in Shandong, you are not sure how long you have to wait before seeing the representative sent by Daming?"

Tao Donglai shook his head and said, "Shandong shouldn't be the place for the talks. Fushan County has taken in too many refugees, and the environment is complicated. It's not suitable for arranging talks. I'm going to put the meeting place in Jinzhou."

"Golden State?" Shi Diwen couldn't help raising his eyebrows: "That may become a three-party negotiation!"

"Maybe it's the Quartet." Tao Donglai replied: "North Korea will definitely pay attention to this meeting, and it would be inappropriate to exclude them. I plan to let North Korea send envoys to participate, even if there is no speech without them Right, but at least you will stand in line, right?"

Shi Diwen laughed and said, "It's true!"

In fact, it was not Haihan who proposed the high-level meeting first, but Manqing.When the high-level Manchu and Qing realized that the war with Haihan had no chance of winning, and that the confrontation in Liaodong would be more and more unfavorable to their own side, they planned to cease the war and negotiate a peace.

In the winter that just passed, while the Manchu Qing was sending troops to attack Daming, it was gratifying that Huang Taiji was ordered to go to Jinzhou to start peace talks with Chen Yixin.However, Shang Kexin's temptation did not immediately achieve the progress that Huang Taiji expected, and it could even be said that it was not too smooth. In front of the envoys he sent, Chen Yixin did not show his willingness to negotiate peace, and directly offered to cede the entire Liaodong Peninsula to Haihan. The sky-high price conditions persuade the other party to dismiss.But at the same time, Chen Yixin also notified the executive committee of this unexpected news, and let the executive committee decide whether to use this opportunity to seek more benefits.

For Haihan, the reasons and intentions of the Manchus for peace talks were not difficult to understand, but the terms of the peace talks they could come up with were not convincing. Daming came to persuade Haihan to cease the war on condition that it could not be agreed.

After considering the current international environment and the trend of the situation, the Executive Committee believes that if it is used properly, it may be able to obtain great benefits from the peace talks, but the source of this benefit may not necessarily be the Qing Dynasty.

If Haihan negotiates peace with the Manchu Qing, then the last people who want to see this happen must be Ming and North Korea.Without the assistance of Haihan, neither of these two countries can deal with the powerful enemy of the Manchu Qing alone. Once Haihan lets go, then they will be in great trouble.So as long as the two countries know that Haihan intends to start peace talks with the Manchu Qing, it is enough to make them sleepless.

Then let Da Ming and North Korea join in, and it will form a situation that is extremely beneficial to Hai Han.Leaving aside North Korea, which is weak in national power, the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty are like two ends of a seesaw. Whoever can give Haihan better conditions will have the opportunity to step on the ground safely, and the conditions are not high enough. If it is the other party, it can only hang in the air first, waiting for the choice of fate.

And North Korea, which is not qualified to sit on an equal footing with these three powerful countries, can only cling to Haihan's thigh, because the only one among the three countries that can guarantee North Korea's safety is Haihan.Even if Haihan finally chooses to cease war with the Manchus, North Korea can only stick close to Haihan unconditionally, so that the Manchus will depend on their masters to fight dogs, at least they can keep North Korea's own safety.As for a target like Daming who has become a mud bodhisattva crossing the river and cannot protect himself, North Korea will never choose the wrong camp at this juncture, even if it has sympathy for it.

Holding the four-party meeting will undoubtedly give Haihan the opportunity to maximize the benefits in this chaotic situation.And for such a big event, if only a few generals of the military presided over it in the north, it would seem that they did not pay enough attention to it, so Tao Donglai went north in person to preside over this important meeting.However, in order to ensure Tao Donglai's personal safety, Haihan did not announce the matter to the outside world, and even the itinerary along the way was kept secret.

(End of this chapter)