1850 American Gold Tycoon.

Chapter 673 The Emperor's Visit

"Our company has been doing business in Australia since 1851, and our contribution to Australia's development is obvious to all," Martin said in a resounding voice.

"Our company has always been law-abiding. In 1856, you demanded an entry tax of 5 pounds for each incoming Chinese. After negotiation, we accepted an entry tax of 2 pounds for each Chinese.

Now you don't even discuss it with us, and the new immigration restriction bill directly increases the entry tax from the original 2 pounds to 25 pounds.

It also restricts all types of merchant ships to only carry one Chinese person per 100 tons entering Australian ports. With all due respect, our company cannot and will not accept such rude and discriminatory terms! "

The claim that Umbrella Corporation is law-abiding is debatable. Umbrella Corporation was able to gain a foothold in Australia, where prisoners were swarming, monopolize the Australian gold mining industry, and compete with the British East India Company in Australia. Naturally, it is not a good company.

But what Martin said was also true. On the surface, Umbrella Corporation did comply with the laws of the Australian colonial authorities. In addition, the laws of the British Empire were known to be very flexible. In the final analysis, Umbrella Corporation was indeed a law-abiding company.

Henry Buckley knew that the fundamental conflict between them and Umbrella Corporation this time was not whether Umbrella Corporation complied with the laws of the Australian colonies and paid taxes in full and on time, but that Australia's population structure caused concerns in London.

Excluding the indigenous people, there are now 150 million white immigrants from Britain, Ireland and continental Europe in Australia. The remaining major ethnic groups are Chinese and to white people from the Americas.

Obviously, London believed that such a population structure was not conducive to their rule over Australia. Buckley's predecessor, Governor Augustus, was dismissed from office by the Imperial Cabinet on the grounds that he accepted huge bribes during his tenure, was unable to effectively manage the colonies, and had an overly close personal relationship with Liang Yao.

The charge against Augustus was that he accepted bribes, which was completely unfounded. The term "honest" was not associated with the governor of the British Empire. The underlying reason for Augustus' dismissal was that he failed to control the population structure of the Australian colonies.

"Laws are fixed, but people are flexible," Buckley said.

"In 1856, there was a provision in Victoria that only one Chinese person could enter the port for every tons of cargo. In the end, you might as well bypass the legal provisions and enter the port from the ports in your region? Similarly, Mr. Martin, we have not restricted your company from recruiting employees of other ethnic groups to work in Australia.

The new immigration restriction bill restricts Chinese people from entering Australia, but you can hire Europeans, Americans, or even Japanese and Southeast Asian natives to come to Australia to work for you. "

"Sir, don't you think this is absurd? If these white prisoners in Australia could build Australia well, why did you introduce Chinese immigrants in the first place?" Martin sneered.

"Martin, you are white too, why do you have to work for the Chinese?" Barkley tried to win over Martin.

Martin is the head of Umbrella Corporation in Australia. If we can successfully win over Martin, solving the Chinese problem in Australia will be twice as effective with half the effort. Of course, it will be a great achievement.

"If you are willing to serve the British Empire, I assure you that our great British Empire can not only give you a governor-general in Australia, but Her Majesty the Queen will not be stingy with the title. Martin, you are Irish, and we are compatriots after all."

Seeing that Martin was unmoved, Barkley played the compatriot card, trying to close the distance between the two.

"Compatriots? When my father, mother, and sister starved to death in Ireland, you English people didn't treat us as compatriots." Martin stood up and said in a very clear attitude, "Sir, please be careful with your words. I am now a citizen of the American Republic, and I only serve the American Republic!"

Whether it is out of personal feelings or objective considerations, Martin will not make the foolish decision to betray Umbrella and Liang Yao. On the one hand, his family is in California, and on the other hand, more than 90% of Umbrella's employees in Australia are Chinese, and these people will not follow him to pledge allegiance to the British.

Most importantly, Liang Yao gave him trust and a sense of belonging when he was in the most difficult time, which was something the British could not give him. Martin was not dissatisfied with his current situation.

Besides, the promises made by the people of England seemed to him worthless.

"That's a pity, Mr. Martin. We are not on the same page. I'm afraid we can't continue the conversation." Barkley shrugged his shoulders to express his regret.

London's treatment of the former Governor-General Augustus has sent a very clear signal to the governors-general of Australia. Even though the queen is far away, Barclay dare not go against the will of London.

The Qing government had never been interested in overseas Chinese, and the only new regime in America that could provide protection for overseas Chinese was mired in civil war. Buckley himself believed that now was the best time to solve the problem of Chinese in Australia.

On May 1861, 5, Napoleon III, Emperor of the Second French Empire, visited the new American Republic by special train after completing his expedition to Mexico.

The American Republic attached great importance to the visit of the French Emperor. This was the first time that a leader of a major country had visited the American Republic since its establishment. The American Republic received Napoleon III in the largest city, San Francisco, with the highest standards.

To welcome Napoleon III, Jinshan Central Railway Station has been closed since yesterday. The white star flag and the tricolor flag are hung everywhere in the railway station, and a huge color portrait of the two heads of state is hung in the center of the railway station building.

Vice President and Senate President Fremont, Secretary of State Pan Zhengwei, Speaker of the House of Representatives Wu Yuanhua, Secretary of the Interior Gu Wen and other American Republic dignitaries, as well as Liang Yao's parents and wife, all arrived at the Central Railway Station in advance to wait for the arrival of Emperor Napoleon III. French Ambassador Le Goff also arrived at Jinshan Central Railway Station with French embassy staff.

"play music!"

As soon as Napoleon III's special train stopped at the station, Fremont personally gave orders to the musicians who were already ready.

The musicians immediately played the "Imperial March" which they had rehearsed for a long time, and Napoleon III walked down from the train to the high-pitched and solemn melody. His shiny eyes stepped on the red carpet, a confident smile appeared on his solemn face, and he calmly waved to everyone.

Following behind him was a team of French Royal Guards in neat uniforms. The tall and well-proportioned members of the Royal Guard held a golden-topped flagpole with the Imperial tricolor flag hanging on it, which fluttered in the wind.

After reviewing the honor guard of the Republic of America, Zoe held a silver-edged welcome scroll, saluted respectfully to the French emperor, and spoke in French with a Breton accent: "Welcome, Your Majesty. It is an honor for all citizens of our country to have you visit our country! My husband, the President of our country, is now at the front line. He is very sorry that he cannot be there to greet you. Here, I deeply apologize to you."

"Our French girls are so dignified and proper."

Napoleon III understood the current situation faced by the American Republic. Influenced by his uncle, Napoleon III himself liked to lead the army in person and do everything by himself. Liang Yao was unable to be present to greet him in person, and Napoleon III did not care too much.

(End of this chapter)