Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 621 Li Yuan was still a bit of a coward.

In this negotiation, we undoubtedly held the absolute initiative, but we did not appear aggressive and were willing to save face for the other party.

However, Jia Lian's side had to crush the Ottomans' morale. They needed to make the Ottomans realize that they couldn't succeed on their own and would have to beg for their help to achieve their goals.

The Ottoman Empire still had its pride, after all, it had dominated Europe and caused trouble in various regions for hundreds of years.

Jia Lian's attitude was also very clear: he could help, but the other party should have the right mindset—you're here to ask for help, don't overthink it.

The Ottoman army was far from adequate in terms of both equipment and training, and this fact had to be made clear to the other side.

The military is the most advanced group in any country, and the underlying principle of this negotiation is to influence the military of that country to achieve our objectives.

"Our two countries are thousands of miles apart, with no conflict of interest in geography, but we also have a potential common enemy. This is the basis for our two countries to sit down and talk about cooperation."

Jia Lian spoke slowly and deliberately, and Ibrahim listened carefully, silently nodding in agreement with Jia Lian's statement.

“Our country’s assistance to your country cannot be a one-sided effort; otherwise, it would be difficult for me to persuade the cabinet to agree to the cooperation plan.”

Having said that, Jia Lian paused, looked at Ibrahim, and waited for his reply.

“Our country will offer a huge military procurement order. Your Excellency Pasha can grant your colony on the peninsula an official status, legally defining its ownership. At the same time, we will expand the scope of civilian commercial cooperation between our two countries. I think this is a situation that your country's leadership would like to see.” Ibrahim didn't hold back, and threw out all his cards at once.

Unfortunately, as the party seeking recourse, we were in a very passive position during these negotiations. A military alliance would be the best outcome, but if that's not possible, military cooperation would be a satisfactory compromise.

"Our country has little interest in territories thousands of miles away. The key is the arms procurement deal and civilian commercial cooperation. If these two points are prominent enough, we may be able to negotiate better terms. Take naval warships as an example. As you know, the timber used in shipyards is from designated suppliers, and the materials used to cast naval guns are also from designated suppliers. The production of military uniforms is also part of a chain of interests."

Ibrahim nodded repeatedly as he listened to what Jia Lian said. It was absolutely true, without a single flaw. That's how the high-ranking officials of the Ottoman Empire operated.

The emperor's eggs cost four silver dollars each, which was a reasonable price. They might cost five dollars the next time; once the price goes up, it can't go down. A single ornamental tree can sell for 800,000, not because the tree itself is valuable.

Many things have remained the same throughout history; they haven't changed at all. Why bother raising chickens to lay eggs when you can simply resell them for profit?

If you don't take the money from the imperial court, and I don't take it, how can the adults take it?

These words were very convincing, and Ibrahim completely believed them and was absolutely certain they were true.

"Regarding the purchase price, the accounts should be based on our quoted price, but the specific payment will be at a different price. Is that alright?" Ibrahim decisively stated his conditions. He also had many people to appease; the entire delegation of dozens of people needed to be silenced. He didn't want them to go back home and say anything inappropriate after failing to secure any benefits.

After the two sides fully exchanged their opinions, the tone of the negotiations was set, and how the talks went outside was not important.

As expected, the negotiations outside yielded no results. After the two leaders came out, the argument outside stopped, and both sides returned to a peaceful state.

"It seems that it is difficult for the two sides to reach an agreement. Let's leave it at that for today, go back and discuss it carefully, make good preparations for tomorrow, and continue the discussion the day after tomorrow."

After Jia Lian finished speaking, both parties understood and agreed.

The Minister and Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, along with other key officials, followed Jia Lian to his office. After dismissing everyone around, Jia Lian finally spoke: "Everyone has worked hard. You've all persevered for several days. Once the deal is settled, everyone will benefit. Let me be upfront: when the benefits come, you few can take a larger share, but don't go overboard. The subordinates should also get a share."

"Don't worry, sir, we all understand. Anyone who ruins your plans will be severely punished." Everyone's eyes lit up. The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial took the lead in expressing his opinion, and the others followed suit.

Sure enough, working for Lord Jia will bring plenty of benefits.

Jia Lian smiled and waved his hand, "This is not my business, it's the court's business."

"Yes, yes, it's about the imperial court." Everyone quickly changed their tune.

Jia Lian continued, "Let me set the tone first. First, the military procurement list cannot only include infantry equipment, but also naval warships. If they don't want them, then we won't discuss it. Second, we need to set up a business office in Istanbul so that our businessmen have a place to stay. In terms of military cooperation, we can send a corps of officers to help train the troops and accept their officers to study at the Royal Military Academy."

"We understand!" The officials of the Court of State Ceremonial all agreed.

Upon returning to the embassy, ​​Ibrahim first spoke privately with Muhammad, then convened a meeting of the mission members to report on the contents of his private conversation with Jia Lian.

Finally, let me make one point clear: "Please understand that we are here to ask for a favor. The Zhou Empire has no obligation to help us. They can sell their arms to us or to Tsarist Russia. This negotiation is solely due to the lingering effects of previous arms purchases and the geopolitical conflict arising from the Zhou Empire's land border with Tsarist Russia. We can utilize this, but not excessively. The key to the negotiation is to persuade them with attractive offers and to erode any resistance from the cabinet. Of course, your efforts will not be in vain; I will strive to secure satisfactory benefits for you."

Muhammad then continued, "If everyone agrees, the basis for negotiations can be established. If anyone has differing opinions, please speak up and don't go back home and spread rumors."

Ibrahim added again: "You must say what you have to say now, or you'll become a public enemy once you return home!"

Once an agreement was quickly reached on the spot, things went smoothly. All that remained was figuring out how much each person should receive.

The next day, Jia Lian went to the palace to report to the emperor, explaining everything in detail, even clarifying the matter of asking for benefits from both sides.

Li Yuan was very satisfied and said, "I trust you with your work, my dear minister. As for taking benefits from both sides, it was a last resort. In short, the money comes from the people. I am happy to see the hardworking officials below have the opportunity to improve their lives."

Jia Lian smiled and said, "The success of this matter, whether it is a government-run or private transaction, is thanks to His Majesty's great kindness. The cooperation with the Ottomans further demonstrates His Majesty's wisdom and the strength of our nation."

"You flatter me, my dear minister. I did nothing. It was all the foundation laid by my father." Li Yuan said politely, but he was very pleased in his heart.

After Jia Lian took his leave, Li Yuancai said to Hu Min, "I want to send a few people into the companies under the Research and Development Department. Do you think Jia Buqi will agree?" Hu Min's expression changed from a slightly smooth one to a humble smile, "Lord Jia is a loyal minister, I think he will not refuse."

Li Yuan laughed and said, "That's true. The state-owned enterprises that Jia Buqi mentioned have all their money in bank accounts, and the accounts are clear and traceable. Unlike other government departments, which keep two sets of accounts, one in the open and one in the dark."

Hu Min laughed and said, "Your Majesty, we can find out where the money is used in the state-owned enterprise's accounts, but it will take a lot of effort for Your Majesty to find out where it is used in the Ministry of Revenue's accounts."

Li Yuan said with a wry smile, "You should watch your mouth and not talk nonsense."

Hu Min raised her hand and gently slapped her own mouth: "This servant deserves to die. This servant will definitely keep her mouth shut."

Having been on the throne for less than a year, Li Yuan believed that he did not yet have complete control over the court and was still proceeding cautiously.

Li Yuan was not in a hurry and had enough patience to try to make some adjustments when his current cabinet term expired next year. Right now, the most important thing was to observe the officials in the court and see who were capable, reliable, and loyal. The team left by his father could never be as effective as the team he had personally built.

Li Yuan wasn't idle; at least he had placed trustworthy people in key positions such as the Commander of the Nine Gates and the Capital Garrison.

Safety is the top priority; only after safety issues are resolved can we discuss other matters.

While the current cabinet's inclinations are certainly positive, Li Yuan still prefers to use his own people. What does "own people" mean? Those who went with him when he was exiled to Southeast Asia were his own people.

Unfortunately, such officials are few and far between, and their positions are not high enough. No matter how much they are promoted, their rank will not be high enough for them to enter the cabinet. According to the rules, officials without experience in county, provincial, or ministerial levels are ineligible for cabinet positions.

This was a patch made by the Zhou Dynasty in its rules, unlike the Ming Dynasty, where experience in local government was a necessary qualification for entering the Grand Secretariat. Furthermore, the Ming Dynasty's Grand Secretariat differed significantly from the Zhou Dynasty's. In the Ming Dynasty, the Grand Secretariat was nominally the emperor's secretariat, and its rank was not high. In contrast, the Grand Secretariat ministers of the Zhou Dynasty held the highest rank among civil officials.

After formal negotiations began between the Zhou Empire and the Ottoman Empire, the Russian envoy was the most anxious. He came to the Court of State Ceremonial for several days to negotiate, but was turned away each time.

The reasons are also quite valid. my country adheres to an independent foreign policy, and it is my country's freedom to establish diplomatic relations with whichever country it chooses.

Britain, France, Austria, Prussia, and other countries also expressed their concerns and jointly demanded that the Zhou Empire disclose information about the relevant negotiations.

Following Jia Lian's instructions, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies summoned all the envoys to the Court of State Ceremonies and clearly told them that, firstly, no country had the right to interfere in the diplomatic affairs of the Zhou Empire; secondly, there would be a communiqué, just like the communiqués issued after the establishment of diplomatic relations with other countries. He asked the envoys to wait patiently and not to be impatient.

The subtext is that there's no use in worrying; it won't affect the progress of the matter.

European countries do indeed have a collective memory of a powerful Ottoman Empire.

Since they could not shake the will of the Zhou Empire, they could only write back home as soon as possible to report the matter and hope to do something from the Ottoman Empire.

Negotiations between the two countries are still ongoing, and the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement on many issues, so a protracted struggle is inevitable.

For the Ottomans, there were certain interests that needed to be protected.

After two weeks of back and forth, they finally reached an agreement on most issues. A draft was produced, but its approval still needs to be reviewed by the cabinet and the emperor.

The cabinet didn't voice much opinion on the cooperation agreement. Although they were extremely envious, no one dared to obstruct it because of Jia Lian's influence. Frankly speaking, these overseas interests were all won by Jia Lian himself; others should be content with getting a share, not the lion's share.
In fact, the cabinet members knew better than anyone else that after taking over Southeast Asia, it wasn't just the coastal provinces that benefited; some inland provinces also benefited, and the court's tax revenue increased.

Therefore, by easily tripping people up, you offend many people.

The key point is that Jia Lian is a really troublesome person. Every cabinet minister remembers Jia Lian throwing a teacup at Kong Zhao, which led to the opening of a maritime trade.

As for the canal transport, it continues to operate as before, without any complete collapse. It's just that the areas along the river are not as prosperous as they used to be, and the power and profits of the canal commissioner are far less than before.

Ministers have already submitted memorials suggesting the abolition of the River Conservancy Commissioner and the inclusion of related administrative affairs into the Ministry of Works, in order to prevent laymen from instructing experts.

This matter is still dragging on, and it may take at least ten years to reach a conclusion, mainly because there is no powerful figure in charge. Pan Jixun, who came from the Ministry of Works, is about to retire.

Jia Lian brought the preliminary draft to the palace to report. After listening attentively to Jia Lian's detailed report, Li Yuan couldn't help but slam his hand on the table and said, "I am deeply surprised that this cooperation has secured a military procurement order worth tens of millions of yuan."

"Your Majesty is not satisfied. The Ottoman Empire purchased too few warships, mainly because they requested the transfer of technology. Otherwise, the order could have been larger. What Your Majesty values ​​is not the present, but the next ten years or even longer, so that our products can have another land route to Europe, instead of going by sea around Africa, which adds too much uncertainty."

Li Yuan nodded in agreement, saying, "I am aware of the risks of maritime trade. Back in the South Seas, we would hear news of pirates every now and then, and the South Seas fleet devoted most of its energy to fighting pirates. Western merchant ships are very flexible in switching between being pirate ships and merchant ships."

Jia Lian said, "If it's exclusive commodities like tea, I'm not too worried. Nowadays, the domestic textile industry is largely using large-scale machine production, and conflicts with British merchants are inevitable in both the source of raw materials and the sale of goods. The conflict between the two countries will not erupt in the short term, but small frictions will certainly continue. This is why I strongly advocate for an alliance with the Ottomans."

Li Yuandao said, "In that case, the importance of Myanmar has become clear."

Jia Lian said, "That's true. It's not advisable to provoke Britain for the time being. We should just speed things up internally. The next step could be to consider setting up a shipyard in Burma to facilitate the replenishment and repair of ships for the Nanyang Fleet."

Li Yuandao said, "You once suggested that the term 'naval force' was too narrow in scope, and I wholeheartedly agree. Why not choose a day to change the name to 'Southern Sea Navy'?"

Jia Lian said, "Given that the Naval Academy is named the Royal Naval Academy, I suggest that the Navy be called the Royal Navy, with a dedicated Naval Department directly under Your Majesty."

Li Yuan was immediately overjoyed, but then shook his head: "We can call it the Royal Navy, but let's not provoke the Ministry of War. The Royal Navy can be set up as a division!"

At the crucial moment, Li Yuan still chickened out a bit!
(End of this chapter)