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Chapter 1303 Greg 2
"No, it's not the lighter's problem, it's you. As someone who travels on the sea all year round, a windproof lighter is my true friend."

Wang Datou did not hear any valuable information from Greg's story. European countries have not been idle in recent years, and often sent special personnel to Asia in various identities, and even to important ports and capitals of the Ming Dynasty.

Some specialize in collecting commodity information, while others want to spy on restricted technical details and military deployments. Songjiang Shipyard alone catches more than a dozen snoopers every year, so a few people commissioned by the British Admiralty are nothing.

But as an intelligence officer, patience is a very important virtue. Even if no valuable intelligence is obtained, one must remain calm. Then a silver lighter appeared in his hand. Its appearance was similar to the one Greg used, but the strange thing was that it could light the tobacco normally under the strong sea breeze.

"Windproof lighter... Unfortunately, only big shots like you can get it. In my mind, its value is not as good as a box of ordinary matches." Greg stared at the incandescent flame carefully, his greedy eyes gradually calmed down, and he spread his hands, not even interested in asking the price.

"Hahaha, it seems you haven't been to the Ming mainland for a long time. This is a new model that was just launched last year. The price is more than twice that of the old model. Although it is very expensive, it still sells well.

Most of the buyers come from the navy and merchants, and you have seen the specific benefits. If you can provide more information about the Persians, I can help you get the supply, and it should sell well in Europe."

After so many years, Wang Datou's most skilled trick has not been improved, and it is still the old trick of tempting people with benefits.

"I haven't finished my story yet. You will definitely be interested after hearing it! Can you let me try?" But the old routine does work. As soon as Greg heard the source of the goods, the light in his eyes was rekindled.

Lighters were sold from Asia to Europe a long time ago. At the beginning, the profits were indeed considerable, and the cost was very low. They were small in size, easy to transport, and had almost zero loss, making them the most suitable for long-distance transportation.

But this business only lasted for a few years before no one did it anymore, because the Europeans were able to imitate it, and the effect was basically the same or even better, while the price was only half of the imported ones.

This lighter is indeed different. The place where it catches fire is no longer a cotton core, but a metal mesh. It is not necessary to understand the principle that makes the metal mesh emit an incandescent flame. It is only necessary to make sure that Europe cannot copy it in a short time. This is a good business that can be done for at least a few years.

"Take it as a gift. My name is on it." Wang Datou was very generous and casually gave away the sterling silver lighter bestowed by the emperor.

"The world is big, but sometimes it is also small. The guide hired by the Portuguese governor happened to be familiar with the British captain, so he hired his ship. But the three passengers refused very firmly, and they switched to a Portuguese cargo ship.

But this action completely aroused the interest of the British captain, or perhaps annoyed him. He couldn't understand why people from his hometown would rather trust outsiders than board his ship again.

So this guy found the Portuguese captain, made up a story about overdue payment, and asked him to find out more about the three passengers along the way.

You have to know that we, who travel on the sea all year round, have a tacit sense of trust with each other, regardless of our nationality and ethnicity. The Portuguese captain knew the British captain, and after receiving a box of good cigars, he immediately began to pay attention to the details of the three passengers.

His method was exactly the same as the British captain's. He bribed two Arab interpreters to eavesdrop on the daily conversations of the three people. As a result, he got something before arriving at Fao Port. Their destination was not Fao Port, but they had to hire a ship from Fao Port to go to Baghdad City. "

With the heavy texture of the lighter, Greg's speaking speed increased significantly, and he quickly finished telling a not-so-exciting story.

"Go on!" Wang Datou finally understood the story. "No, the three passengers dismissed the guide after landing at Faw Harbor and disappeared." Greg's attention was somewhat distracted since he got the windproof lighter, and he kept playing with it in his hand.

"These seemingly plausible news don't seem to be enough to get my friend to provide the supply!" Wang Datou raised his eyebrows and stopped raising the price.

"Your Excellency, although no one knows where these three people went, who they met, and what they said, they still had to leave. Perhaps because they were all British, they boarded the British captain's ship again in about a month.

Judging from their tone and expression, they were in a good mood, and in fact they were indeed happy. They must have met some important people and received many gifts, including a short knife with an ivory and gem handle.

You have to know that we are just businessmen and cannot get too much in-depth information. But I believe you can feel some truth from these details that is not consistent with the rumors outside. "

Even though he was threatened severely, Greg still did not reveal more information. But he was not discouraged, but full of hope, as if he was very confident in the quality of his products.

"…This is the first transaction between us. I am willing to honor my promise in good faith for the sake of continued cooperation in the future. But there is one question I don't quite understand. Why are Safi Shah and his ministers willing to take great risks and ignore the goodwill of the Ming Empire? Isn't this a bit unreasonable?"

Wang Datou was silent for a while, then he put on his harmless smile again and ended the bargaining in a soothing tone. Then he changed his face and started talking to a friend, intending to listen to the opinions of outsiders.

"My company and I deeply respect your generosity. If your Majesty were here, he would certainly find it very reasonable." Having got what he wanted, Greg smiled more brightly.

In fact, he was not sure whether he could reach a deal. He said so much just to evaluate this big man with a very special identity and privileges.

If the other party is worthy of cooperation, the company will have a more stable backing in the Asian waters in the future and can devote its full efforts with greater peace of mind.

If he is just a bureaucrat who looks good and follows the rules, he should think more about his options. After all, no one can accurately predict the outcome of this war, so we cannot bet all our money on such a person.

"How can you say that!"

But Wang Datou was not so relaxed, and his face immediately fell. If Greg did not have a sufficient reason, then this was a blatant provocation and he must be punished and warned!

The issue of Persia's position concerns the overall strategic focus of the empire, and the specific work is still under his own responsibility. It must be foolproof and no details can be ignored.

But after going around in circles and talking so much, and giving up a lot of interests, in the end all he got was vague guesses and a few ridicules. No matter how patient he was, he couldn't resist a little temper.

(End of this chapter)