1850 American Gold Tycoon.

Chapter 403 Governor of Hong Kong
"Your Excellency, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Liang Yao met with Hong Kong Governor Wen Xian in Pontianak City.

Bonham was born in a prominent family in Gendershire, England, whose family made a fortune in slave trading in the early years.

But Wen Xian's decent manners, meticulous attire, and British aristocratic demeanor make it difficult to associate him with the image of a hardworking businessman.

This is also a true portrayal of many British nobles, who look glamorous and polite on the surface.

But their ancestors, including themselves, all made their fortunes by operating shady businesses, and few of the sources of the first pot of gold were clean.

In his early years, Bonham served as a scribe for the British East India Company in Sumatra, and then served in Singapore, and briefly served as Governor of the Straits, in charge of colonial affairs in Malacca and Singapore.

Bonham's rich working experience in Southeast Asia made him familiar with Southeast Asian countries and even the specific situation of his competitor, the Dutch East India Company.

"Since ancient times, a hero was born in a young age, and Wen was lucky in his life to meet the youngest general in the United States." Wen Xian said with a smile on his face.

If Wen Xian talked to him in Chinese, Liang Yao would not be too surprised.

After all, there are not a few China hands in the UK, and there are also many high-level people in the British East India Company who can speak Chinese.

But Wen Xian spoke fluent Cantonese, and it didn't sound awkward, which surprised Liang Yao.

Wen Xian's smile is very kind, giving people a kind feeling.

Liang Yao knew that this was just an illusion. During his tenure as Governor of Hong Kong, Wen Xian also served as Minister Plenipotentiary and Director of Commercial Affairs in China.And these jobs are done better than his predecessors.

Such a person is by no means a good role to deal with.

"Your Excellency Governor, please sit down. I think Your Excellency Governor came to Pontianak not to talk about these things with me."

Reaching out his hand not to hit the smiling face, Liang Yao also smiled and invited Wen Xian to sit down, and ordered someone to serve Wen Xian tea.

"I am deeply surprised that the American authorities suddenly sent troops to Borneo. I don't know why your Excellency provoked a dispute with the Netherlands for no reason?" Wenham said intentionally or unintentionally.

After speaking, Wen Xian paid attention to Liang Yao's reaction.

"Why did the British Empire declare war on the Qing Dynasty without any reason or warning?" Liang Yao asked calmly.

"Of course it is to protect the safety of the people of the British Empire in China and to defend the right of the British Empire to free trade." Wenham replied without thinking.

"Since this is the case, our purpose is the same as that of the British Empire. The purpose of sending troops to Borneo this time is to protect the safety of American citizens doing business in Borneo, as well as the right to free trade.

It is not once or twice that the Dutch and Indian authorities massacred our American nationals. We have warned them several times, but they still turn a deaf ear to it. I don’t think your government will stand idly by if this happens. "

Liang Yao took a sip of tea and said.

"As far as I know, there are no American immigrants in West Borneo." Wen Xian said with a frown.

The reason given by Liang Yao seemed a little weak to Wen Xian.

Liang Yao took his time, looked directly into Wen Xian's eyes, and asked Wen Xian back.

"Your Excellency, do you think I look more like an expatriate from the Qing Dynasty or from the United States?"

Wen Xian was at a loss for words.

On the surface, Liang Yao is naturally more like an expatriate from the Qing Dynasty, but it is only on the surface.

Wen Xian suddenly realized that there are not only Yankees and Dixies in the United States, but also Chinese immigrants on the west coast, which are already a force to be reckoned with.

"The general of the United States is of course an American hahaha." Wen Xian laughed loudly to defuse the embarrassing atmosphere.

"Your Excellency, I don't think the reason why we sent troops to Borneo is not your top concern."

After playing Tai Chi with Wen Xian for a while, and after a few words of politeness, Liang Yao cut to the topic of this conversation.

"Compared to these insignificant issues, I think you should be more concerned about the issue of the Brooke Dynasty in Sarawak."

The Brooke dynasty in Sarawak, a "dynasty" established by the British, is the protectorate of the British Empire. It is also the starting point for the British colonization of North Borneo and the core interests of the British Empire in Borneo.

The Brooke Dynasty is not so much a dynasty as it is a colonial stronghold of the British Empire in North Borneo.

"What do you think of the Brook Dynasty?" Wen Xian was looking forward to Liang Yao's attitude towards the Brook Dynasty.

"As long as your country supports us in defending the protection of the nationals and protecting the rights and interests of free trade, we also support your country's legal rule over the Sarawak region, trade and jointly develop these barren lands."

As he said that, Liang Yao asked Deng Wenkang to fetch the map, took out the pen in his breast pocket, and after thinking for a while, he drew a circle on the map that was slightly larger than the actual control area of ​​the Brooke Dynasty in the Sarawak area.

Wen Xian is not very opposed to the boundary drawn by Liang Yao, nor is he very satisfied.

Wen Xian shook his head, then pointed to the Brunei Sultanate on the map and said: "West Borneo belongs to you, North Borneo belongs to the Brook Dynasty, and we will not ask about the ownership of South Borneo and East Borneo. "

Bonham hoped to bring the entire North Borneo area under the rule of the British Empire.

The issue of North Borneo's ownership has touched Liang Yao's core interests.

This time, the top leaders in California are willing to organize armed forces to follow Liang Yao to expedition to Borneo. The most important reason is for the oil in North Borneo.

If the British took Borneo, Liang Yao would not be able to explain to the California high-level.

On the issue of whose sphere of influence North Borneo belongs to, Liang Yao will never back down.

"Your country has acquired tens of thousands of square kilometers of land without sending a single soldier, I think you can also explain to Her Majesty the Queen.

If you are negotiating with representatives of the Dutch and Indian authorities, I think the Batavia side will never give such generous terms. What they want is the entire island of Borneo. "Liang Yao said very seriously.

"Furthermore, the Brunei Sultanate is still in existence, and its strength is the highest among the chiefdoms. I heard that the Brooke Dynasty did not gain much advantage in fighting the Brunei Sultanate. It is too early to talk about the ownership of North Borneo. "

Britain is now deeply mired in the quagmire of the Crimean War, and the Far East and Southeast Asian issues are not the focus of Britain's attention.

The reason why Liang Yao chose to send troops to Borneo at this time was because Britain and France were deeply involved in the Crimean War and could not free up their hands to interfere too much in the affairs of East Asia and Southeast Asia.

"What do you mean?" Wen Xian asked, staring at the map.

The sphere of influence defined by Liang Yao can indeed allow Wen Xian to have a satisfactory explanation for London, but he, and London, want more territory.

No country thinks its territory and colonies are small.

"First occupier, first served."

Liang Yao also stared at the North Borneo area on the map and said.

Wen Xian didn't know what kind of medicine was sold in Liang Yao's gourd, but he was satisfied with the answer.

Liang Yao is now going to fight against the Dutch and Indian authorities, and Wen Xian does not believe that Liang Yao can divide his troops to conquer the Brunei Sultanate when his troops are stretched.

Liang Yao's thoughts coincided with Wen Xian's. Liang Yao also believed that Britain was unable to send troops to conquer North Borneo at this time.

Britain has countless colonies around the world, which can be an advantage, but at some point, it may not be a disadvantage.

(End of this chapter)