Governor Juan Salamanca did not expect to receive such an answer. He couldn't help being surprised, just like a soldier who felt a sharp blow from a weapon on the stomach of the armor he was wearing. At least there was something in Weiss's words.
One thing is true: vultures and crows, big and small, are now flying around Sanavria's millions, and almost every imperial subject from Macau to Manila is busy accusing him, no matter how ridiculous it may seem.
The charges were all grandly written into the case file and submitted to the royal prosecutor. Everyone wanted to tear a piece of flesh from the fat corpse of the once richest businessman in the colony, including the governor.
"The accusation against Sanavriya must be tried by the royal court before he can be convicted." Seeing that his purpose of beating his opponent had almost failed, the governor wanted to get rid of this topic as soon as possible.
"He is guilty and he has been convicted. You have exercised your just powers on behalf of His Majesty the King and confiscated his ill-gotten gains."
"Where did you hear this nonsense? The government is just seizing the suspect's property pending trial."
"Who would send temporarily impounded property, such as Sanafriya's merchant ships and yachts, to the Royal Shipyard for repairs, just so that the victims could receive brand-new compensation? This is what I witnessed with my own eyes." Weiss.
He replied: "Your Excellency, all you need now is a perfect trial in absentia. The dead will not quibble."
"It's just a temporary requisition. The colony has a very urgent need for ships that can be used for combat." The governor finally decided to abandon this topic. He pulled the bell rope to call the servant, "Go and get something to drink. No. No wine, just take it."
Australian water.”
The servant of the Governor's Mansion in white uniform brought in a wooden tray, containing two glass bottles sealed with wire corks and two silver cups. The glass of the bottle was covered with large and small water droplets, which must have been freshly taken out of the well water.
.
"You don't mind this little luxury, do you? I personally don't agree with drinking while talking about business." The governor's tone became friendly and gentle, "In such a hot place, such a refreshing enjoyment is so rare. Maybe.
It means nothing to you."
Weiss was smiling and noncommittal. He did disdain the "luxury Australian water". It was just salt soda water that was common in Lingao. Even naturalized workers from better-off families could buy it to cool down and quench their thirst during their breaks.
"Stupid miser. Ignorant Spanish pig," he muttered.
"Even this small enjoyment must be restrained because we have no choice but to do so. The colony's finances have always been very scarce. And now we have to increase expenditures on military projects. We cannot indulge in enjoyment," the governor tried to change
A topic to counterattack: "So some of your behavior here is inappropriate. Now the rich people in Manila are imitating you, from fashionable clothes to gorgeous carriages. Those are fine, but you decorate the bathroom
The method was too inappropriate. Expensive porcelain was used as a tribute bucket, and special water pumps were made to flush the dirt. If the nobles of the entire colony followed suit, how much money would the colony lose? It is simply unimaginable."
"It's not just money, now even the dirt you wash away with the water pump is valuable. We have to collect it like the British do pigeon droppings to make saltpeter. Yes, Sanafriya is guilty, but we can't find it
We have found an agent who can replace him and purchase Indian saltpeter for the government at a reasonable price. Now we either have to find a way to solve the problem ourselves, or we have to endure the high price exploitation by the Indians. Maybe you have a way to help the government of His Majesty's colony get out of trouble.
.We are all obliged to serve God and His Majesty. Isn’t this what you said to Mr. Osvaldo?”
"Of course I can," Weiss narrowed her eyes. The smile that had been hanging on her face finally turned into a mockery, "I'm afraid there are more than you think."
"I don't understand what you mean." the governor said in surprise.
"Please think about it, why is it that a Chinese country farmer squatting in the mud and drinking tea from a coarse porcelain bowl is sent to the king's table after being transported across the ocean to Europe? In Madrid, there is no better place than China.
Satin is a more expensive clothing material. But I have seen those Australians who are entrenched on the coast of China using the same texture of silk to wrap the gunpowder of cannons. Every time they fire a cannon, they can teach a person from Acapulcol or Seville.
Businessmen lamented it to death. Demand brings value, and distance multiplies value. In the same way, the price of iron from Bilbao and copper from Mexico shipped to the Philippines is comparable to that of gold and silver. Indeed, compared with that shipped from China
Iron and mercury, and saltpeter from India, are much closer, but as you can see, these pagans have no conscience and exploit honest and good Christians to an outrageous extent."
"In fact, the colony under your jurisdiction is too dependent on trade with the Chinese. So far, the Philippines has no industry that is self-sufficient. It only plays an insignificant role in the long journey of Chinese goods to the Americas and the mainland of the empire.
The role of transporter. Undoubtedly, this will not be beneficial to your achievements or to the welfare of the colonial people. You also intend to force the people to live frugally and save every peso to strengthen defense projects. If it causes them to complain,
What's the point of adding cannon and battleships if the colonies don't bring them happiness and peace? The enemy doesn't always come from outside."
"You are right," the Governor nodded, and Weiss pointed out a possible danger. Every Philippine Governor-General must be investigated by a special court presided over by his successor when he leaves office. It is not a good thing to offend too many people.
"But is there any other way? Now even transporting subsidies from the Americas has become a dangerous undertaking."
"The best way to maintain a colony and make it prosperous is to establish self-sufficient industries. Haven't you already done that? You allowed the Chinese to leave Parian to engage in agriculture and horticulture, and you also opened factories outside Manila." Look.
When the governor wanted to say something, Weiss raised his hand to stop him, "A good factory is the goose that lays golden eggs. This is the magic weapon for Australians to get rich. They open factories and assemble Chinese porcelain and water pumps into barrels. The Chinese
You are willing to spend more than ten times the price to buy. Of course, building factories and making machines requires a lot of metal, but did God give the Philippines as a barren desert to Your Majesty? You have found gold in Baguio and Palawan.
Since mercury was discovered, doesn't this fertile land contain copper, iron, lead, tin, or all the materials we need? For example, the saltpeter you mentioned repeatedly."
"Are you sure of this?"
"The source of my wealth is not a secret. Gold mines were discovered in Kelantan and diamond mines were discovered on islands near China. There are some Chinese among my men. They are the best miners and technicians. Their families have made a living from mining for generations.
, no one is better at finding mines and digging mines than they are, and they are unique in the technology of using special machines to prevent mines from being flooded. As long as you approve it, I will immediately order them to go to work."
Juan Salamanca tapped the armrest of his seat with his fingers. Weiss saw that his words had had an effect, so he stopped to moisten his throat with salt soda and waited for the other party to speak.
"Mr. Vananova, your proposal is undoubtedly very valuable," the Governor pondered for a moment, "I am just pointing out some situations to you. You have not lived in the Philippines for a long time, and you may not know that the inland mountainous areas of this colony are still inaccessible.
, where untamed barbarians are rampant. Although the Philippine Islands belong to His Majesty's colonies, south of Visayas, ferocious Malay pirates and murderous Moro pagans are scattered everywhere. The army must first defend
In Manila and other important cities, the government cannot deploy its already stretched troops to provide protection for your mining engineers."
"That's not a problem. I'm in a profitable business and I'm also a soldier. I have a small number of Christian soldiers who are strong and loyal enough to protect the mining industry. You don't have to provide ships either, because I
My Esmeralda can be used to transport mining crews and machinery. What I ask for, first of all, is that my men must enjoy the freedom of legal movement throughout the colony, whether along the coast or inland, when surveying the terrain and searching for mineral veins.
They are working for the welfare of the colony and should not be treated rudely like Mr. Brambilla. My personnel have the right to hold the necessary weapons to resist the attacks of barbarians and infidels, so as to save
It is necessary for the government to use force. Finally, if the mining project requires it, if the government can approve me to hire coolies on the spot or directly capture those savages and pagans as slaves, that would be great."
"Very well, do you have any other requests?"
"About the benefits of private investment in mining and legal terms-"
"According to the laws prevailing in the viceroyalties of New Spain and Peru, private mine owners should pay the May Day tax to His Majesty the King's government." The governor picked up a few thin volumes and flipped through them for a while, "However, there is currently no private investment in mining in the Philippine colonies.
Precedent. If you do dig out the minerals that the government needs, as a reward, I have the right to exempt you from mining taxes. As long as you promise to sell all the mined ores to the colonial government."
"At a price that is acceptable to both of us," Weiss said, "I can accept either a verbal price or a written contract."
"You have really helped us a lot. I will immediately tell the secretary to write the official document, and you will get the pass soon."
The two exchanged some more pleasantries, and when Weiss stood up to say goodbye, he heard the governor say: "Thank you very much for your gift, Count."
"Your Excellency, you understand now. What I can provide is much more than you imagined." (To be continued, please search Piao Tian Literature, the novel will be better and updated faster!