Mai Lian went ashore in person and adhered to the necessary diplomatic etiquette. She was indeed a professional diplomat.
No matter whether we are happy or not, we still have to meet.
After meeting the troops defending the city, Mai Lian realized that she was a little arrogant when she was on the boat.
It turned out that she didn't understand China at all, because the army in front of her overturned Mai Lian's understanding of the Chinese.
This was just a group of guards guarding the checkpoint. But their spirit was completely different from the Chinese people I had seen before.
Mai Lian saw confidence, courage and pride in the faces of these people.
Especially these Chinese soldiers. Although they claimed to be Naha City Guards, Mai Lian knew that they were Chinese soldiers.
When these soldiers saw themselves and the American soldiers behind them, there was a hint of provocation in their eyes, with a hint of contempt.
"Oh, my God, are these Chinese crazy? How dare they look at the great American soldiers like this? What kind of people led such an army?" Mai Lian thought in her heart.
Fortunately, Zhang Wenhan came here in person this time. If these Huai navy soldiers were allowed to continue to negotiate with the Americans, something might happen again.
"Hello, Mr. Minister! I am Zhang Wenhan, the mayor of Naha." Zhang Wenhan walked out from behind the checkpoint, stretched out his hand to Mai Lian, and spoke in fluent English.
Mai Lian was fascinated when he saw the other party's actions. He did not expect that the other party spoke so fluent English and seemed to understand Western diplomatic etiquette.
"Hello, Mayor Zhang. Nice to meet you!" Mai Lian quickly responded and stretched out her hand to Zhang Wenhan.
"Mr. Minister, please forgive the rudeness of our city guards. They have just experienced the war and their mood has not calmed down yet." Zhang Wenhan explained.
"You just said that they experienced war. Was there a war in Ryukyu?" Mai Lian asked knowingly.
"Mr. Minister, you must be very tired after coming from a long distance. Come to our city hall in Naha to take a rest. We will host a banquet for your arrival in the evening." Zhang Wenhan did not answer Mailian's question immediately, but addressed him.
invite.
"Oh, it's a great honor. But Mr. Mayor, could you let our soldiers go first? Their offense was just unintentional." Mailian added.
"No problem." Zhang Wenhan said. In fact, the American soldiers who were detained just wanted to give Mai Lian a blow.
Otherwise, he would have thought that Naha City could be bullied by him! This is how relations between countries should proceed, both soft and hard.
People engaged in diplomacy are good at changing their faces. They can switch between red and white faces at will, all according to their own needs and to safeguard their own interests.
Mai Lian, who was arrogant just now, has become much more humble now after assessing the Huai Navy's combat power.
He did not make any more unreasonable demands. After Zhang Wenhan agreed to release him, Mai Lian entered Naha City with 20 guards in accordance with diplomatic practice.
At this time, Zhang Wenhan had already set up a banquet in the city hall. It was said to be the city hall, but in fact it was the original castle lord's palace, which was the seat of the Satsuma Domain's agency for managing Naha City. It is now Zhang Wenhan's temporary office.
Dong Shuheng has agreed to help him build a magnificent city hall. After all, Naha will develop as an open and international metropolis in the future. The city hall cannot be shabby and must meet the needs of future planning and development.
Zhang Wenhan is looking forward to this very much. Everyone in Huaihai Navy knows that their president likes to design buildings, although he can only draw exteriors and knows nothing about building structures.
However, the buildings he designed are all unique in style, practical and elegant.
The banquet was a Chinese meal, and five large round tables were used, one for the chairman and the other four for the entourage.
Mailian naturally sat at the main table. Also sitting at the main table were Zhang Wenhan and Ryukyu Prime Minister Lin Wenxuan.
The Lin family suffered heavy losses this time, but they also won the trust of the King of Ryukyu. After experiencing the pain of losing his son, Lin Wenxuan has now adjusted back and resumed busy political affairs.
Mai Lian saw several white people at the main table, but he didn't recognize them. He could only tell that they were British, French, and Dutch.
Everyone was almost here, and Zhang Wenhan, as the host, began to speak first: "Good evening, gentlemen, everyone. Welcome to the dinner held at Naha City Hall."
"Today, we hold this banquet on the one hand to welcome the U.S. Minister to China, Mr. Malian, for his visit to Ryukyu. On the other hand, as the mayor of the newly established Naha City, I have several important decisions to announce." Zhang Wenhan's speech was very special.
He was brief, smiled when he spoke, and was very approachable.
The people below applauded, but they were all pondering the second half of Zhang Wenhan's words, wondering what these important decisions were.
Mai Lian frowned slightly.
"First of all, I would like to solemnly introduce to you Mr. Malian, the U.S. Minister to China."
Mai Lian stood up and greeted the people around him. He saw the British and French people sitting at the same table with a little disdain in their eyes.
"At the same time, I would also like to introduce to you Mr. Pat, the representative of the British East India Company, Mr. Tracy, the representative of the French business community, and Mr. Emmett, the representative of the Dutch East India Company..." Zhang Wenhan continued to introduce.
Only then did Mailian know why Zhang Wenhan was the first to introduce him. It turned out that he was the only foreigner sitting here who had the status of a diplomat.
The others were all businessmen, at most representatives of large companies. Of course, he did not dare to underestimate these companies.
Take the British East India Company as an example. Its major shareholders are all powerful figures behind the current British government.
Even the current British Indian colonies were received from the British East India Company. The strength of such a company is comparable to that of a country.
Therefore, Mai Lian still greeted a few people politely. As an American, Mai Lian has no habit of discriminating against businessmen. In fact, the country of the United States is controlled by a group of businessmen.
"Mayor Zhang, I think everyone must really want to know the big event you are going to announce first, otherwise everyone may not have the appetite to eat." Mai Lian looked at the people around the table with a smile and said, and everyone listened.
They all nodded.
Although Naha is not as important as Shanghai, its location is very good. To the north is Japan and North Korea, to the west is China's most prosperous eastern coastal area, to the south is the Nanyang, and to the east is the vast Pacific Ocean, directly reaching the American continent.
Therefore, countries with trade shares in the Far East attach great importance to this place, and ships from various countries often dock here.
"I know that everyone must be anxious about our Huaihai Navy taking over Naha. Today I specially invited Mr. Lin, the prime minister of Ryukyu Kingdom, to explain to you the relationship between Ryukyu and China."
Immediately afterwards, Lin Wenxuan recounted the historical facts that the Ryukyu Kingdom was a vassal state of China.
Then there was how the Satsuma Domain of Japan bullied the Ryukyu Kingdom, and the Ryukyu Kingdom asked the suzerain country to send troops to expel the Japanese.
Finally, Lin Wenxuan made it clear that Naha would be handed over to Huai Haijun. Zhang Wenhan was the first mayor of Huai Haijun stationed in Naha.
The foreigners who were doing this suddenly realized that there are many relationships between suzerain states and vassal states in the West, and everyone can understand it.
In other words, the king of Ryukyu is a king entrusted by the emperor of China. He must be loyal to the emperor of China, and the emperor of China will provide him with protection.
"Everyone should know after listening to Mr. Lin's introduction that this military operation of our Huaihai Navy is completely a protective action of the suzerain country against the vassal country." Zhang Wenhan continued after Lin Wenxuan's words.
"Now I want to announce that our Naha City will continue its original free port policy and will be more open."
"In the future, Denaha will be an international free trade city, allowing overseas goods and funds to enter and exit the port area freely. All goods entering and exiting the port area will be exempt from tariffs, and free storage, exhibition, and dismantling of goods will be allowed in the free port.
, modification, repackaging, sorting, processing and manufacturing and other business activities.”
As soon as Zhang Wenhan finished speaking, everyone working below applauded and even cheered loudly. This was really considerate of their businessmen.
Mai Lian also thinks this is good. For the industrially developed United States, it is undoubtedly good news to have such a place where goods can be transferred and processed.
Some people may say that this is not seeking the skin of a tiger and luring a wolf into the house? Will this affect the industrial development of Huaihai Navy?
In fact, Dong Shuheng had specially discussed this point with the senior officials of Huaihai Company and Yangtze River Company.
If these Western countries carry out production activities in Ryukyu, their products will either be shipped from the place of origin, so their transportation costs will definitely be higher than those in Huaihai. If they import raw materials from China, plus the tariffs on raw materials exported from China, the cost will also be higher.
high.
Therefore, their products simply cannot compete with similar products from Huai Haijun.
Therefore, the projects they invest in Naha are either to re-export products to their own country, which will speed up the export of Huai Haijun's raw materials. Or they are to produce China's scarce commodities, such as the cables for Huai Hai Hai's construction of telegraph lines. Huai Hai Hai has nothing to do
Production.
This can also reduce the cost of Huaihai Navy's import of related products.
"Don't worry, everyone, there is more important news, that is, we will also open up the financial industry in Naha, allowing everyone to freely open banks in Naha and conduct free currency exchange business. In the next few years, we will establish a bank in Naha
A stock exchange."
"Boom..." This news is even more explosive. What is Huai Haijun going to do? Is he going to build an Eastern London?
All of you here are smart people in the shopping mall. Thinking of Naha's excellent geographical location, it can be foreseen that this place may be able to catch up with Singapore in the future.
"Everyone, I have some important news to announce here."
What’s more? The people below were so excited that their hearts were about to jump.
In the past, when the Japanese managed Naha, they only allowed the port to dock freely, and even had to pay taxes for landing transactions.
Now that this place is managed by the Chinese, I thought it would be more conservative. Unexpectedly, the newly appointed mayor gave everyone so many surprises as soon as he came in.
The key is that they have long-term plans. Everyone at the table has the illusion that Mayor Zhang is a bit like a salesman, but what he is selling now is a city with unlimited development possibilities in the future.
"Everyone, we in Naha will start an auction of land in the port area at the end of May. Any business entity, no matter which country it is from, can participate in the auction."
While talking, Zhang Wenhan also asked someone to bring out a floor plan. Huai Haijun had used this method of promotion several times.
"As you can see, in the future, Naha's port area will be developed into residential areas, commercial areas, and processing and warehousing areas. All land will be planned and managed by Naha City. And we will also build infrastructure in these areas in the near future."
Zhang Wenhan introduced it patiently and carefully, outlining Naha's future development blueprint for everyone.
He had to work hard because Naha City's urban construction funds must be obtained from these land auctions!
He didn't know why the president could come up with such a method. He felt a bit like a white wolf with nothing. Naha was originally given by the Ryukyu Kingdom to Huai Haijun to manage.
If the president's plan succeeds, not only will Naha's construction funds be available, but the Huaihai Navy will also be able to make a fortune from it.