That night, Xiang Xiaoqiang sent a telegram to Zhu Yourong, reporting the fruitful results of today's negotiations. After the telegram was sent, there was no reply for a long time. After a while, the telegram was sent back, asking to confirm the conditions again to make sure they were not sent in error.
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It is conceivable that Zhu Yourong was surprised and pleasantly surprised after receiving the news. It is conceivable that the old cabinet ministers who were waiting for the outcome of the negotiations gathered in the imperial study room in the Forbidden City and heard Zhu Yourong read out these favorable conditions to them and sent the telegram to them.
When the telegram was circulated to them, the imperial study was filled with joy...so much so that some mature and prudent ministers worried that the telegram had been sent in error and asked to confirm it again.
Pay an indemnity of 120 million Mingyang, cede the Surabaya Port on Batavia Island, cede the Pontianak Port on Borneo, and most importantly, cede the entire Pazia Island...
It is really unexpected that such a large amount of things will arrive in one day. This is in line with the Ming Dynasty’s bottom line: to pay 100 million Mingyang in compensation, to establish military ports and military bases in Surabaya, Medan, and Pontianak, and 80% of Pazia Island
oil fields, 60% of rubber interests... compared to that, it is too much.
At first, the Ming Dynasty cabinet was not sure how much blood the Netherlands could shed, and did not dare to ask for too high a price. Regarding Pazia Island, they originally only dared to ask for the oil and rubber mining and management rights, but they did not dare to ask for all of them. They just asked for a percentage. Now they can
Well, after negotiating with Xiang Xiaoqiang for a day, he took over the entire Pazia Island.
There is also the issue of Surabaya, Medan, and Pontianak. Originally, military bases were to be built in those places, which was similar to setting aside a concession next to the port, but now it has become a ceded port city. Medan is in Pazia.
Needless to say, the island, now even Pontianak and Surabaya, with cities and ports, will always belong to the Ming Dynasty. The three most important islands in the East Indies are also the three most important islands in Southeast Asia: Batavia Island
, Pazia Island, and Borneo are now within the Ming Dynasty's sphere of influence.
All this has far exceeded original expectations
After a while, Batavia's confirmation telegram was sent back again, reiterating that those conditions were correct. In addition, he expressed his opinion to Xiaoqiang. Since the Dutch promised too generously, Ming could not be so happy.
It's better to ask for some more things. On the one hand, Daming can get more benefits, and on the other hand, it can also give Holland a psychological comfort. Otherwise, when it sees Daming agreeing the next day, it will definitely wonder whether it is giving to Holland.
It's too much, could I have given less?
Zhu Yourong immediately convened a cabinet meeting to discuss this issue. Most of the cabinet ministers believed that the Netherlands had been squeezed dry, and that it had spent everything it could in order to redeem Batavia Island.
It has bottomed out. It’s time to give it up now. If you continue to ask for more, it will be easy to push the Netherlands into a hurry and simply give up Batavia Island. Then Ming will have no use holding a Batavia Island and it will be smashed.
In his hand. If Ming Dynasty took action to seize other islands as Xiang Xiaoqiang said, it would be too irritating to Britain.
After hearing this, Zhu Yourong felt that it made sense. In addition, her kind nature also told her that such vicious blackmail was not appropriate.
But Shen Rongxuan once again sided with Xiang Xiaoqiang.
"The worries of Your Majesty and your Lordships are all reasonable. However..." He stood up, walked to the large map of Southeast Asia on the wall, picked up the instruction stick and said, "I think it is not right for Xiang Xiaoqiang to suggest that we make some more demands. It’s not that the demands are excessive. I think he just doesn’t want to make a gesture of agreeing. Diplomatic negotiations are the same as business negotiations. The most taboo is to agree to the other party’s conditions. We should understand this.
"So I think what we need to do now is not to agree happily or to ask for more small things, but to ask for some small things that are more acceptable to the Netherlands and are important to us. Haha , I remember that when I was in college, I was relatively poor. Going to the store to buy something was always a game. In the end, if the price couldn't be reduced, I would ask the boss to give me something as a gift, and the boss would usually agree."
Everyone laughed, and Shen Rongxuan also smiled and continued:
"Of course we can't ask for Borneo or anything else from the Netherlands. Then the Netherlands might really give up Batavia. I think, first of all, we can further increase the amount of compensation. At present, the Netherlands has given 120 million, and we have paid The price came out to be 180 million. We can ask the Netherlands to give 180 million."
Then he drew a circle around Pazia Island with his pointing stick:
“Also, there are a series of small islands around Pazia: Simeulu Island, Mentawai Islands, Engano Island, Linga Islands, Riau Islands, and Anambas across the Karimata Strait. Islands, Natuna Islands, Temeilan Islands, Badas Islands, Bangka Island, Belitung Island, we can all come down. These small islands are scattered around Pazia Island, as well as Pazia Island and Between Borneo, if we take Pazia, these small islands will not mean much to the Netherlands, it can easily be given to us.
"But these small islands are of great significance to us. Especially the series of islands in the Karimata Strait. Although the Karimata Strait is called a 'strait', it is more than two hundred nautical miles wide. Batavia Island If a ship wants to sail out of the Java Sea, whether it wants to go west through the Strait of Malacca and enter the Indian Ocean, or if it wants to go north through the South China Sea and enter the Pacific Ocean, it can only go through the Karimata Strait. If the ship from Batavia Island does not go through the Karimata Strait, The Mata Strait can only go eastward through the entire East Indies, looping around thousands of kilometers from New Guinea and Australia.
"The Karimata Strait is so important, and this series of islands lie across this sea area, like a fence, guarding the broad strait. We can choose suitable islands to build fortresses and forts, so that when necessary , you can even use artillery to block this sea area. Here, Bangka Island and Belitung Island are the closest to Batavia Island, and they are relatively large and flat. We can build an airport on the island, which can cover a wider area. Area. Including the western half of Batavia Island, which is also within the combat radius of our aircraft.
"In addition, since the Netherlands has already promised us the Pontianak in Borneo, we can ask for a larger area to include the coast and islands more than 100 kilometers south of the Pontianak. In this way, the eastern part of the strait The end is also under our control, and the entire Karimata Strait is firmly under our control."
After Shen Rongxuan finished speaking, he looked around at everyone and listened to their opinions.
Some ministers were a little worried when they heard that these islands were so important. One of them said hesitantly:
"Mr. Shen Ge, since the strategic location of these islands is so important, how can the Netherlands be willing to give it to us like this? Are our hopes too high?"
Shen Rongxuan smiled and said:
"Speaking of its important strategic location, in the entire East Indies, which island is as good as Pazia Island? Pazia Island and the Malay Peninsula form the Strait of Malacca. Owning Pazia Island is equivalent to owning half of Malacca. Strait. The Netherlands gave us even the most important island of Pazia. These small islands should not care so much. Moreover, these small islands cannot play their strategic role in the hands of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is on the mainland of East India. The navy and air force are so weak. They don't have the power to build or operate airports and fortresses on these islands. But we can... And don't forget, the person negotiating with them is Xiang Xiaoqiang. Did you see it? He is very He's good at blackmailing. Haha, I think if we let him let go, he might even blackmail half of Borneo."
The ministers laughed again.
Zhu Yourong thought for a while and came up with something:
"My dear friends, I have a concern. If we return Batavia Island to the Netherlands, how can we ensure the future safety and status of the Chinese compatriots on Batavia Island?"
To be honest, this issue is not within the scope of consideration of these ministers. In their view, it is not very good for His Majesty, who has always been diplomatically shrewd, to raise this issue. Since the Ming Dynasty has formed a strong military presence in the East Indies, and this A big fight was fought to protect the Chinese. Even a three-year-old child knows that the Chinese in East India will be as safe as in a safe from now on.
But Zhu Yourong pondered for a while and said with a smile:
"My dear friends, I have an idea. I don't know if it's good or not right now. Can you please help me see what it's like."
The ministers looked at each other, and Shen Rongxuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please speak."
Zhu Yourong lowered his head and played with the tea cup habitually, thinking as he said:
"Well... I would like to add a few things: First, the Chinese under the Dutch rule in East India will be able to own weapons, that is, guns and ammunition, for self-defense in the future. The natives will not be able to own these things. Second, in the future, the Dutch will Under the rule of East India, Chinese people must be allowed to enter the government and serve as government officials, and the police must also give priority to Chinese people. Chinese people must be allowed to establish their own schools, newspapers, radio stations, and societies, including political societies... In other words, to comprehensively improve the local presence of Chinese people The importance in society ensures that the power and status of the Chinese are higher than those of the local indigenous people... What do you think, dear friends?"
As soon as Zhu Yourong finished speaking, the ministers started whispering. Zhu Yourong's heart sank, and she was a little worried, fearing that the ministers would think her suggestion was too naive. But soon she found that the ministers' faces were full of admiration.
These experienced old men could see at a glance that Zhu Yourong's proposal would have a more profound impact on East India than cutting off a few islands. This would allow the Chinese to enter the mainstream of local society as a powerful force, and then gradually Controlling the lifeblood of the Dutch East Indies. In the future, as their mother country, the Ming Dynasty will be more convenient to control, penetrate, or encroach on the Dutch East Indies.
What’s even better is that with this massacre of China, Ming Dynasty seems more confident in raising these demands. Even in the eyes of international public opinion, this is purely to protect the interests of local expatriates, and the motive seems very simple, far more than ceding islands. More words come out.
Shen Rongxuan looked at Zhu Yourong. He didn't know if Zhu Yourong had thought of so much when he proposed this. But there is no doubt that this will be the most valuable request.
…
The next day, March 15, Xiang Xiaoqiang and Feinberg held the last negotiation. This negotiation went extremely smoothly, without the smell of gunpowder from yesterday. Perhaps the Netherlands would do anything to get Batavia Island back. Perhaps in their view, these demands were not excessive at all. After expressing his willingness to give up Batavia Island to Xiaoqiang and setting out these conditions, Feinberg happily went to send a report to the country. An hour later, he came back with a very relaxed expression and fully accepted Daming's conditions.
Xiang Xiaoqiang and the two advisors were also relieved. Xiang Xiaoqiang immediately arranged a simple and solemn ceremony in the Governor's Mansion, and both parties signed the document.
The officer next to him held up champagne and poured a glass for each of them.
Xiang Xiaoqiang smiled broadly, picked up the cup and said:
"Mr. Feinberg, this bottle of champagne is now yours for me to drink."
Feinberg understood that this sentence meant that Batavia Island is still yours from now on, and the Governor's Palace and the wine in the Governor's Palace are also yours again.
He was so happy that although the Kingdom of the Netherlands paid a heavy price, Batavia Island was finally back, and the Kingdom's colonial rule in the East Indies could continue.
Xiang Xiaoqiang and the two advisors were also happy from ear to ear. After two days of negotiations, they negotiated for so many Southeast Asian territories, so many oil fields and rubber forests, and two military ports for the Ming Empire. and military bases, and even negotiated for 180 million yuan.
The nature of this merit is that of opening up new territories, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe it as "great achievements."
Moreover, Ming Dynasty had its own oil base, which solved the oil problem.
At present, the annual oil production of the East Indies is more than 6 million tons, 80% of which comes from Pazia Island, which already belongs to the Ming Dynasty. The current annual oil consumption of the Ming Dynasty is 2.7 million tons to 3 million tons, which is the consumption in peacetime Xiang Xiaoqiang knows that Japan's annual oil consumption during the same period was 1.7 million tons to 1.8 million tons. In formal history, by July 1941, Japan's annual oil consumption, which entered a state of war, was 5 million tons. The Ming Army's Motorization is much higher than that of Japan. It can be deduced from this that if the Ming Dynasty carried out the Northern Expedition and entered a state of all-out war, the annual oil consumption would not be less than 10 million tons.
The current annual oil production in Pazia may only be more than 5 million tons, but this is when the international oil price is currently in a downturn, and oil costs a few cents a barrel. All major oil-producing areas are reducing production. The production capacity of the Pazia oil field can be It's far more than that. It is very realistic to increase production when the war starts and reach an annual output of more than 10 million tons.
This also brings a diplomatic benefit. Originally, the most important task that Ming Dynasty sent to Xiaoqiang to visit Germany was to try to introduce Germany's coal-to-oil technology. This technology is the best in the world in Germany. But this Technology can be called the treasure of Germany. If you want to get it, you can imagine how much price you have to pay and how many concessions you have to make on other issues. But now, Ming Dynasty has its own large oil base, so there is no longer any urgency. If you need this technology, you will have a lot more cards to play, which can be exchanged for more other technologies.
…
That night, Xiang Xiaoqiang and Feinberg jointly held a press conference to inform the world of the huge changes in Southeast Asia. Then a grand dinner and dance were held to celebrate the Ming and Dutch countries shaking hands and making peace.
They will select a date to re-send ambassadors to each other and restore diplomatic relations.
At the same time, in Nanjing, Zhu Yourong, who has always loved to play, was not willing to let this opportunity pass, and immediately held a grand dinner and dance to celebrate. This event is indeed worthy of celebration.
At around 11 o'clock in the evening, after the dinners and dances in the two cities were over, Xiang Xiaoqiang received a telegram from the Fourteenth Princess. She found out at the dance that Zhu Yourong was going to make Xiang Xiaoqiang an earl, and at the same time make three other people.
The consultant is a viscount. The confirmation may be announced soon. In other words, Xiang Xiaoqiang will go to Germany with a noble title. Xiang Xiaoqiang and Qiu Qiu will be respectfully called "Mr. Earl" and "Countess"
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Although he did not get a title of marquis, Xiang Xiaoqiang was satisfied. He knew that he was just negotiating. Although his contribution was great, it did not reach the level of a title. Zheng Gongyin was the uncle of the Queen, but he was just a title. If he wanted to be granted a title of marquis, hum.
Hum, let’s catch Zhu Yourong first and then talk about it.