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Chapter 1062 Another Pounds

"Friendship is between individuals, and interests are between countries. I am now the emperor of the Ming Empire, and your wife is the representative of the King of France, so friendship does not count!"

Unfortunately, she met an opponent who was completely inhumane and shameless. If these two qualities were used in normal times, he would be a scumbag. But if used in the field of diplomacy, he must be a master negotiator.

"…This is my first time in your country, and King Louis doesn't know much about the East. Your Majesty, just tell me what you want, and I will convey it verbatim." Seeing that the emperor was not buying it, the Duchess had to give up her idea of ​​taking advantage and gave up the power to make an offer.

"In fact, my request is very simple. The Empire will send 20 observers to the front line with the French army, but they will not participate in the battle. The French army must also try its best to protect their safety.

I have no other intention, I just want to see how the Spanish army fights so that I can prepare for possible conflicts in the future.

Also needed was detailed intelligence on the Spanish and Portuguese colonies in the New World, again in preparation for the future.

I personally suggest that this matter should not be made public. It would be best to bring the imperial officer back to France in your private capacity, and then find a way to have King Louis arrange for him to join the French army.

If these conditions can be met, I will personally present to King Louis a gift of oriental goods worth £5, such as spices, tobacco, cocoa powder, sugar, silk, glassware, clocks, etc., which will be delivered by ship sent by Governor Cohen when you return to France.

In addition, in order to express my personal and Queen's welcome to your visit, according to imperial etiquette, we will also present you with cash or goods worth 1 pounds. The specific choice is up to you!"

Take negotiation, for example. If both parties are trying to get something for nothing, the process will be very boring and difficult. But if one party controls a lot of resources and is willing to pay, it will be very easy.

After Hong Tao ascended the throne, he had gone through countless negotiations, including with ministers in the court and with the leaders of foreign tribes, and most of them achieved the expected goals. It was not because of superb negotiation skills, but because of the sharing of benefits.

He controls a lot of resources and can make all kinds of exchanges, including equal and unequal ones. As long as the other party does not reach the state of having no desires, it is usually difficult to be immune.

"……It's that simple?"

The Duchess was no exception. When she heard that she could also get a huge sum of money, it didn't matter how much the King of France could get. With this batch of goods, she could call the shots for a long time after returning to France.

"What is simple for you may not be simple for me."

"No king or queen would refuse such generous conditions. But the number of people sent by Your Majesty is a bit too many. Can it be reduced to about 10? In this way, I can bring them back to Paris as an escort without asking anyone and recommend them to the king and queen!"

In order to get the goods as soon as possible, the Duchess decided not to hesitate any longer and acted decisively with great courage. She even agreed without asking the king and queen for their opinions.

"Then we have finished discussing our official business. Now, as friends, we can talk about some relaxing and pleasant topics, such as interesting stories about European courts. Please come in. The Queen has specially arranged some wine and food, all of which are imperial specialties. Let's eat and chat." Hong Tao was also very straightforward. He didn't ask the other party to write any documents and finalized the big deal of tens of thousands of pounds. At the same time, he glanced at Wang Chengen, who nodded calmly, indicating that everything was ready, and walked out first.

The Duchess of Chevreuse stayed in the harem until the afternoon, when she was escorted out of the North Palace Gate by the young eunuch of the Cuju team, carrying a large bag of gifts from the Queen, including several sets of court costumes, perfumes, soaps, etc.

During this period, Hong Tao only talked with Wang Chengen for about an hour before lunch about the different characteristics of the courts of various European countries, and was called away by Wang Chengen because he had official business to deal with. He never showed up again. The remaining specific issues, such as the selection and transportation of goods, were handled by Prince Duan.

On the afternoon of the next day, when the representatives of the four countries entered the palace and met the Emperor of the Ming Empire, they learned that the negotiations were presided over by the Minister of Rites. Everyone went through the formalities in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and then left the palace and went to the Ministry of Rites by the same route.

Next, the Ministry of Rites and the General Staff were responsible for negotiating issues such as the course of the war, responsibilities and obligations, and the handling of prisoners of war. The two sides argued for nine days and still failed to reach a complete agreement.

The Ming Empire's representatives took a tough stance, offering no apology or compensation, but only promising to return some of the prisoners of war and not to repeat the mistake. If any more European warships, including privateers, passed through Enniao Harbor and headed east, they would still be mercilessly attacked by the Imperial Navy.

However, on some issues, such as sending envoys to the Ming Empire, merchant ships entering the Indian Ocean, and establishing an Asia-Europe trade warehouse in Enniao Port, the parties reached consensus to varying degrees.

However, these are basically empty promises. Neither the Spanish nor the English representatives have the power to make decisions. They will bring the negotiation results back to their country, and only after the king's approval can they choose the time and place to sign the formal agreement again.

"Did Silva tell you about tulip futures? I suggest you deal with it quickly. It's just a personal advice. In return, I want a detailed introduction to the colonies of Spain and Portugal in the New World. Although the East India Company has little business in the New World, it shouldn't be difficult to get it."

The night before the European delegation left, Cohen came to say goodbye to the emperor. As soon as they met, he was slapped and rubbed. The rub was not free, he had to pay for it.

"Your Majesty, do you really intend to join the war in Europe?"

Cohen had visited Silva the day after arriving in Beijing regarding the tulip futures, and had no objection to what he heard. But he was still very surprised to be asked for detailed information about the New World, and blurted out a question that should not have been asked.

"Don't you think it's wrong?" Regardless of whether he should ask or not, Hong Tao now knows that the Duchess of Chevreuse's purpose of coming is not particularly secret.

“…From my personal and company perspectives, we don’t want the Empire to be directly involved in the war in Europe. That would restrict normal trade and cause huge losses!

The Empire cannot obtain the benefits it deserves from this war. No matter who wins or loses, it has nothing to do with your Majesty's Empire, unless it can occupy a place in Europe. But your Majesty should know that this possibility is very, very small and very, very uncertain. "

After a brief thought, Cohen decided to tell the truth. The issue of whether to persuade the Ming Empire to participate in the European war had been discussed in the East India Company ten years ago and has not stopped until now.

(End of this chapter)