Sima Rulan said: "Mr. Gongola guessed it right. We really have something else to do here and we need your help."
Gongola said: "Oh? I don't know what it is?"
Sima Rulan took out a piece of paper from her sleeve, handed it to Gongola, and said: "In order to fight against the pirates of the 'Black Dragon Palace', our 'Wanjintang' recently decided to build a large warship called Zhan.
Dragon Ship. On this piece of paper, we wrote down several matters that we urgently need help with. Today Lan'er and Mr. Hua came here just to ask for Mr. Gongola's generous help."
Gongola took the paper and read it in front of his eyes. The smile on his face immediately disappeared. He handed the paper back to Sima Rulan and said, "Sorry, these days
There is nothing I can do about it.”
As an experienced businessman, if you encounter conditions that you definitely cannot agree to, the best way is to refuse directly without leaving any room. Gongola obviously knows this well, so he can say the word "no" faster than anyone else.
.
Sima Rulan was not a businessman, so of course he didn't know the secret. He was quite surprised by Gongola's attitude changing so quickly. However, Hua Bushi smiled slightly, reached out and took the paper back, and said: "Mr. Gongola can't agree to this."
, but do you think we can’t pay enough?”
To build a dragon-slaying ship, silver is not enough. There are still many problems that cannot be solved with silver. What is written on this piece of paper are the most important items of hiring top shipbuilders and purchasing the most advanced Western artillery.
A vexing problem.
Gongola said: "These things are not just a matter of cost. I am just a businessman. I have always only sold ships and goods, and will not participate in wars. If I help you build such a warship, it will be against the law."
It violates my usual principles of doing business, so I cannot agree."
Sima Rulan said: "If we cannot build the dragon-slaying ship, we will not be able to fight against the pirates' giant shark warships, and Okura City will not be safe. Doesn't Mr. Gongola think that the pirates of the 'Black Dragon Palace' should be eliminated?"
"
Gongola said: "That group of pirates should indeed be eliminated, but this matter is not my responsibility. Shipbuilding technicians and artillery manufacturing technology are related to the maritime interests of our Kingdom of Spain. I hope you can understand and don't force it."
It’s difficult for me.”
When Gongola said this, it was obvious that there was no possibility of agreeing at all. Sima Rulan couldn't help but show a look of disappointment on her face. However, Hua Bushi, who was standing next to her, was just the opposite, with an expression of great interest and a hint of discouragement.
Neither.
What Hua Bushi was most worried about was not that Gongola refused to agree, but that the Spanish shipowner did not have the ability to achieve these things. You must know that top shipbuilding technicians and the most advanced firearms, even in Western kingdoms such as Spain, only
It will be in the hands of a very few people. Even if Gongola is a noble and has a blood relationship with the current King of Spain, Felix III, he may not be able to get it.
However, from Gongola's words just now, Hua Bushi could tell that the other party was not unable, but just unwilling to agree, which made the young master feel much more at ease.
Hua Bushi smiled slightly and said: "Of course I understand what Mr. Gongola means. We don't mean to force others to do anything. Since doing business, you have to be willing to do it. Okura City is a place of free trade. In this section
Mr. Gongora need not worry."
He changed the subject and added: "It's just that we have made up our minds to fight the 'Black Dragon Palace'. We must build the Dragon-Slaying Ship. We are determined to gain the skills of shipbuilding technicians and firearms manufacturing. We also hope that Mr. Gongola can
clear!"
Gongola had previously heard Hua Bushi say that he would not force others to do anything, and he was relieved. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, the young master said something very tough again, which made him nervous. After all, Okura City is in the "Ten Thousand Years of War".
Under the control of "Jintang", no matter how tough Gongola's backstage is, he still has to be cautious on other people's territory.
He asked cautiously: "What does Mr. Hua mean by saying that?"
Hua Bushi said: "The implication of what I'm saying is that to resolve this matter, we have to find a method that is acceptable to both you and me. I think we might as well have a bet?"
Gongola shook his head repeatedly and said, "Sorry, I am a devout Catholic. According to the canon, I cannot gamble with others."
Hua Bushi said: "Is it possible that Mr. Gongola has so little confidence in Gia Luoli that he dare not bet with me on the outcome of the Dog King War?"
Gongola's expression changed and he said, "Mr. Hua wants to bet on the outcome of the duel between Gialuoli and the princess's dog king?"
Hua Bushi said: "Exactly. If Mr. Gongola refuses to give us any chance and we don't get what we want, not only will I and Miss Lan'er not be willing to give in, but there will also be thousands of people in the 'Wanjintang' in the city."
None of the disciples can agree! But if we lose the bet, we will have nothing to say and we will never mention this matter to Mr. Gongola again!"
What he said was a combination of soft and hard tactics. Although he did not say it explicitly, he hinted that if Gongola was unwilling to gamble, "Wanjintang" would definitely not be willing to give up.
The expression on Gongola's face was uncertain, and after a while he said: "I'm sorry, I still can't agree. Although I have 100% confidence that Gialuoli will win the title of Dog King, but the shipbuilding skills and skills you want
The technology of making firearms is not something that can be used as a bet. If you want to use coercion, our Spanish Armada cannot agree to it!"
A smile appeared on Hua Bushi's face again, and he said: "This is a serious statement! Gambling is also a consensual thing, how can I force it? What Mr. Gongola said is true, what we want is indeed valuable.
, it’s difficult to measure it with silver taels, so the bet we made is certainly extraordinary.”
He glanced at Sima Rulan beside him and said: "I have already discussed it with Miss Lan'er. The bet is the exclusive trading rights of Okura Port. If we lose the bet, we will be in Okura Port from now on."
Chinese merchants in the port can only trade with Spanish merchant ships and are no longer allowed to do business with fleets of other countries."
After hearing this, Gongola's eyes finally began to shine.
Today's Okura City is home to most of the giant merchants from all over the Ming Dynasty. The various goods traded in Hong Kong every year are worth more than tens of millions of silver taels, and the competition among merchants from Western countries has become increasingly fierce.
.In fact, Gongora is enemies with the Dutch East India Company, as well as merchants from Great Britain, France and other countries. If it can obtain the exclusive trading rights in Okura Port, it means that all Chinese merchants in the city can only trade from
The value of the goods purchased from Gongola is simply inestimable!
At this time, all I heard was Hua Bushi saying: "But since Mr. Gongola insists not to gamble, the matter has to be dropped. Miss Lan'er, I think we should leave first and go to Governor Coan of the Dutch East India Company."
If you pay me a visit, maybe he will be a little more understanding and courteous!"
"Wait a minute!" Gongola's voice was a little hoarse, obviously because he was too nervous and excited, "Mr. Hua just said about the exclusive trading rights, are you serious?"
Hua Bushi said: "I take it seriously, do I seem to be joking?"
Gongola said: "Then if Gialuoli wins the princess in the dog fighting ring and seizes the dog king, won't you not only lose the shipbuilding skills and artillery, but also lose the exclusive trading rights of Okura Port?"
Hua Bushi smiled slightly and said: "The so-called admitting the bet and admitting defeat is what she should do if the princess really loses."
Gongola said: "'Okura City' is under the control of 'Wanjintang'. If you lose, who can guarantee that you will not regret it?"
Without a sufficient price, the Spanish nobleman would certainly not make a pointless bet, but now that the conditions offered by Hua Bushi were so tempting, Gongola began to worry that the other party would not abide by the bet and regret it. After all, Gialuo Li
His strength is indeed much better than that of the princess, and he can basically win the dog king battle. As an expert in dog training, Gongola knows this clearly.
Hua Bushi said: "'Wanjintang' has always attached great importance to trust in Okura City for so many years. How has it ever done anything to regret a breach of contract? If Mr. Gongola doesn't believe it, we can establish a contract certificate, sign it by both parties, and put it down."
What do you think about making this matter public and letting all the merchants in Okura City know about it?"
Reputation is very important to merchants engaged in shipping and cargo trading. If the bet between the two parties is made public and "Manjindo" loses and then breaks the contract and fails to comply, the reputation of "Manjindo" will be ruined immediately in Okura Castle. And "Manjindo"
Not only is he the lord of this city, but he is also the Baidao sect in the world. He should not do such a blatant breach of trust easily.
At this time, Gongola had been mostly persuaded, and turned to Sima Rulan and asked: "Does Miss Sima agree with what Mr. Hua said and won't she regret it?"
Sima Rulan said: "Mr. Gongola can rest assured, Mr. Hua's decision is Lan'er's decision, and you will never regret it!"
When she said this, her beautiful eyes looked at Hua Bushi, but they were full of tenderness.
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Half an hour later, Hua Bushi and Sima Rulan came out of Gongola's mansion, with a bet signed by both parties in their pockets.
The bet stated in the bet that the two sides would decide the outcome of the dog king battle at the "Purple Sky Conference". The bet placed by the "Wanjintang" side was the exclusive trading rights of Okura Port, while the bet placed by Gongola was,
It was to help the other party hire 20 top shipbuilding technicians from Spain, as well as 300 of the latest ship-borne artillery and 300 smooth-bore flintlock muskets.
The conditions for flintlock muskets were not originally on that piece of paper, but Hua Bushi added them later.