Section 189 is sky-high asking price

After some haggling, the peacemakers in the city finally came to an agreement. The calculation was over, and he ordered someone to call Steward Yan.

This Yan steward, nicknamed Yan xiǎo hat, is not only because he always wears a ** unified hat, but also contains other people's opinions on his way of dealing with people - of course, not positively.

Yan Xiǎo hat is one of Gao Ju's cronies, who was in charge of monitoring Wen Desi and others at the beginning, and often used various excuses to spy on them, so he has an old relationship with Australians, is more familiar with the situation of Australians, and is quite clever. If the original shopkeeper Wen and others were also in the fleet, Yan Xiǎo hat himself was the most haode proof.

In addition, Yan Xiǎo hat has long been out of his nationality, and theoretically he is not a slave of his Gao family. In case something goes wrong during the period, it is relatively easy to wash.

He rewarded Yan xiǎo with ten taels of silver, and told him to go out of the city after dark to the Australian camp.

Yan Xiǎo hat was a little frightened, this kind of thing of passing through the war zone to the enemy's camp has only been seen in books, and he has been so rash in the past, and he will not be directly beheaded.

"You don't have to worry, the thief is an Australian, a subordinate of the Wen shopkeeper, and they all know you. How can it harm you? ”

"Is it Master Wen?" Yan Xiǎo hat was surprised, "They have such a powerful firearm?" "In the past few months, the news that the thieves have conquered all along the Pearl River and are invincible has spread throughout Guangzhou.

"Can't anyone who can make Australian oddities make a few cannons?" Gao Ju snorted, "You can rest assured that you can go boldly, I can't treat you badly." When you go, you see people, and you say ......"

At the moment, the next contact and meeting between the two sides will be replaced one by one.

"If they don't want to do that, you bring back the message from the Australians. Just tell me 1510. Don't leave a piece of paper, you know? ”

"Yes, sir," Yan xiǎo hat said, "but sir, in case the shopkeeper is not in the army—I heard that he is actually the prime minister of Australia or something—how can the xiǎo people prove themselves?" ”

"Don't worry, the Australians will be waiting for you to go." "When the time comes, they will naturally ask you a lot of things, and you will answer them truthfully - don't lie, don't make it up, say as much as you know, and say you don't know if you don't know." Naturally, they believe in you. ”

"Yes, xiǎo's understood." Yan Xiǎo felt unreliable that Master Gao was so confident, but he still accepted it - he was also half an outlaw, and he knew that this thing was by no means a benefit of a few dozen taels of silver, but a great benefit to his future.

At the end of the third watch, the Fubiao guerrillas, who were in charge of guarding the southern city, were personally taken care of, and several soldiers took Yan Xiǎo down to the city. It was dark outside the city, but the banks of Henan on the other side of the Pearl River were brightly lit, and this was where the Australian military camp was. Led by a guide waiting under the city, Yan stumbled all the way to the riverbank, where a fishing boat had already been prepared.

Shortly after rowing out, the fishing boat had just crossed the center of the river when it was stopped by a patrolling xiǎo boat. Two Australian sailors armed with machetes and short-barreled rifles leaped over, each short xiǎojīng, wearing the same blue and white jackets, and wide-brimmed straw hats, all dressed in odd but clean clothes. Several fishermen quickly knelt on the ground and did not move. Yan Xiǎo hat boldly explained the intention.

"You get on our ship. We'll take you. An Australian sailor at the head said, which allowed him to change trains, "What did you bring?" ”

Yan Xiǎo hat hurriedly took out a tael of silver: "Buy a bowl of wine for a few vice masters to drink." ”

"Keep the money for yourself, we won't need it." The sailor at the head waved his hand expressionlessly, "You, sit down here and don't move." He said, pointing to a row of seats at the back of the boat.

"Yes, yes." Yan Xiǎo hat quickly sat down on the bench with a fixed wooden bar. It's really rare to not collect cash. Thinking that the Australians were very rich, they fed the soldiers with all the silver. A glass lamp hangs from the stern of the xiǎo boat, which illuminates it brightly. The boat looked rather xiǎo, could seat a dozen people at most, and it seemed to be made of wood under its tentacles, and there was a black thing with an iron chimney on it. It was like a stove - a hot breath hit him and he knew he was right.

"Open the boat," the sailor beckoned, and sat down across from Yan Xiǎo hat. A thick smoke mixed with sparks suddenly came out of the chimney, and Yan Xiǎo only felt that his whole body rushed forward, and then he slammed back, and the xiǎo boat made a "sudden" sound and sailed forward.

The news that the thieves had ships with sails and oars and were driven by fire had long been spread in Guangzhou. Yan Xiǎo didn't expect that he would be the first to enjoy the treatment of taking a "steamer", and he was a little curious in addition to being worried, and he didn't care about the night, and looked around. The sailors on board seemed accustomed to his curiosity and did not stop him from watching.

Yan Xiǎo hat was sent to the barracks of the restaurant where the headquarters was located, where he was first subjected to a full body examination, and all the belongings on his body were removed before being sent to Wen Dehei.

Yan Xiǎo hat had already recognized Wen Desi, and he knelt down and kowtowed to Wen Desi and the others, very respectful, deeply afraid of being suspicious, not only would the task be difficult to accomplish, but even Xiǎo's life would not be guaranteed.

Wen Deji remembered him, but he didn't remember his name. Yan Xiǎo hat hurriedly confessed to understand. He also asked about Gao Ju's age, business, wife and men, and Yan Xiǎo told them one by one, and there was no mistake. He also ordered someone to send the general file of Gao Ju collected and compiled by the Intelligence Bureau, from which he found the materials and photos of Yan Xiǎo's hat, and after comparing them, it was proved that he was Gao Ju's steward. He was then taken into another tent and guarded by several soldiers. It was up to someone who specialized in mén to negotiate with him - Yan Xiǎo's hat was of a very low level, and his intention was only to discuss the preparations for the negotiation, and there was no need for Wen Desi and others to come out in person.

Yan Xiǎo hat made a lofty suggestion, and the negotiation venue was set up in a nunnery in Henan

It was agreed that the two sides would meet the next night in a nunnery on Henan Island called Lianhuājīng. It's not far from the city, so it's easy to get around.

"What? Negotiate in a nunnery. There are no bad intentions in this exaltation. Chen Haiyang was a little worried.

"You don't know the tone here, it's not a real nunnery." Wen Desi is a native of Guangzhou, and he knows a lot about all kinds of wind and snow moon, sound dogs and horses in the history of Guangzhou, "This is a service industry with a Buddha mén brand. The nuns inside all wore their hair. ”

"You mean?" Chen Haiyang didn't know that there was such a tone in the history of Guangzhou.

"That's right," Wen Desi nodded, "this business used to be very prosperous in Guangzhou. Holding up such a rich guy, he has probably done such a tune, maybe he is still a benefactor in the nunnery. That's why we went there to meet him. ”

"It's wonderful to negotiate in the JIN."

"But it's safe. The enjoyment inside should also be first-class. "It's just not necessarily to our appetite." ”

At that moment, Chen Haiyang called the political security commissioner who accompanied the fleet's operation and asked him to send someone to the lotus huājīng house early the next morning to arrange the security work.

The next night, Gao Ju came as promised. The two sides began secret negotiations in this jīng house.

Gao Ju had already passed the gas with Li Fengjie and others beforehand, and the first condition of the government was that the Australian fleet should withdraw from the provincial river, and it was best to withdraw from the Pearl River estuary. Other details are negotiable, but this one should be handled as soon as possible. The longer the Australians' fleet stayed in White Goose Pond, the more difficult it became for him to play in the future.

Generally speaking, Li Fengjie and others still think that the Australians will angrily raise troops to attack Guangzhou because of Wang Zunde's "unauthorized border provocation" and Tian Da's good fortune in Guangzhou, so the conditions he gave to the list of promises are only: Zizi can resume business on the same day, and all the seized real estate and those who make money will be returned; After the seizure, the goods that have not had time to be sold will be returned together, and the goods that have been sold cannot be recovered, and the government will compensate 10,000 taels of silver; Australians and ships can freely enter and leave Canton for trade in the name of local agents, and the government will not arrest and prohibit them.

These three articles were jointly formulated by Li Fengjie with the participation of his staff. The aides believed that the overseas merchants were only seeking the right to trade with the Ming, and that the Australians would be satisfied, if they were given this power, which had hitherto only been enjoyed by the Portuguese.

As for the return of the house, the compensation of a small amount of silver and the like is just to show the "sincerity" of the Guangdong side.

Of course, Wen Deji is not satisfied with such conditions. Not only was he dissatisfied, but the Senate would never be satisfied. According to the concept of a considerable number of people in the Senate, it is necessary to sign a Ming version of the "Treaty of Nanjing", specifically the compensation for land cession, trade between five ports, and so on.

However, at the working meeting of the Executive Committee, everyone thought that this was unlikely, especially in the special historical environment of the Ming Dynasty, neither Li Fengjie nor Wang Zunde had the courage to do such a thing. If you really want to force some unequal treaty, the result of zuihou is to break up in two and create an embarrassing situation of no war and no peace.

After repeated consultations, the Senate set the minimum requirements for the negotiations: first, the two sides should immediately end the state of war and trade would return to normal - after all, Lingao was still a regime highly dependent on foreign trade. This was the primary objective of the Pearl River Campaign. Secondly, it is confirmed that Hong Kong Island and the surrounding outlying islands belong to the Travers, and that officers and men shall not make any threat of force against the area and the ships sailing in the area.

As for the latter article, it can be signed without being written, as long as the two parties reach a tacit understanding. You must know that such a land cession treaty, even Chongzhen himself may not dare to agree.

These articles are put forward one by one. Obviously, there is no disagreement between the parties on Article 1. However, for the cession of Hong Kong Island and the surrounding outlying islands, this greatly exceeds the bearing capacity of Gao Gao -- you must know that the Portuguese spent a lot of effort in order to get the territory of Macao, and they are still worried that they will be expelled by the Ming Dynasty from time to time. Lantau Island alone is larger than Hong Kong Island

Daming doesn't care about the coastal islands on weekdays, and it's almost a self-defeating attitude during his tenure. Most of the officials in Guangdong, including Li Fengjie, did not care about the number of islands in the province or the conditions and products of the people on the islands. But to cut the land is a great taboo of the Ming court.

Gao Ju didn't dare to agree at all, he was silent for a long time before he said: "Treasurer Wen, it is easy for you to realize whatever you want today, money, money, slaves and maids." It's just that this land cut, Lord Futai will never dare to agree. ”

"This, you can discuss it slowly, we are not in a hurry." Wen Deji smiled and looked at the presiding meditation room - the decoration was very clean and elegant, and the dim sum on the table was also beautiful and delicious, "It's so comfortable here, we have been squatting in Lingao for two or three years, and we can't be happy to be here for a few months?" ”

"Yes, yes, it's nature." I thought to myself, it seems that this condition is not so easy to discuss. He had to say that he would ask Li Fengjie for instructions on this matter, but before asking for instructions, he hoped that the Australians would withdraw from the province as soon as possible, so as not to impose martial law in Guangzhou for too long and Li Fujun would not be treated well.

"It's okay to quit the provincial river. It's just that we have come all the way like this, and if we withdraw from the army just by relying on your high father's words, we will not be able to replace us in front of the Senate. ”

Gao Ju knew that this was to prescribe another condition, no matter what the condition was, Li Fengjie took the withdrawal of the Australians as the first priority.

The conditions put forward by Wen Desi were: Guangzhou immediately paid 300,000 taels of ransom for the city; dismiss all the remaining water warriors; Batteries that have already been destroyed along the route are not to be rebuilt.

As soon as the payment is paid, the task force will immediately withdraw from the provincial river, and as for the details, negotiations can continue in Australia.

"Three hundred thousand taels?" Li Fengjie almost screamed out—this was simply a lion's mouth. He originally thought that a free entry and exit of Guangzhou for trade would smooth everything out, but he didn't expect that the other party would ask for a ransom fee of 300,000 taels when he opened his mouth, and you must know that all the cash in the treasury of Guangdong is only 370,000 taels. Not to mention that it can't be given at all, and even if it does, it can't find a name to reimburse such a huge amount of expenses.

Li Fengjie patted the table and said angrily: "I don't know that it is a great grace for them to come to Guangzhou to trade, they are still not satisfied, just ignore them, see what they can do, I don't believe that their dozens of ships, thousands of people can rely on a few mén cannons to enter Guangzhou"

Gao Ju was silent, and he also felt that this condition was a little harsh. However, if it weren't for the fact that the army had to "clean up the thieves", the Australians would never have come to Guangzhou if their business was doing well; If Li Fengjie had been more decisive in negotiating peace a few months ago, instead of blindly delaying it, and had sent people to Lingao for peace talks at that time, I am afraid that he would not have made a fuss with soldiers coming to the city and wanted to form an alliance under the city.

300,000 taels of silver, the government is categorically unable to take out, thinking highly, even if it really has to be taken out, zuihou is not left on the head of the rich businessmen in the city - for the sake of this thief, the Gao family started with "Lezhu military salary" and went to "Xiangzhu Jiangfang" not long ago, and extorted no less than 20,000 taels from the government before and after. As soon as the opening of these 300,000 taels is opened, I'm afraid I will have to take out a few thousand taels.

Li Fengjie closed his eyes silently for a long time before he opened his eyes and said, "The thief really said that he would withdraw after taking the silver?" ”

"Exactly." Gao Ju elaborated on the conditions of Wen Desi, "After they withdraw from the provincial river, other conditions can be negotiated slowly in Haojingao." ”

Li Fengjie thought for a while with a wooden face: "Do Australians talk about it?" ”

"Australians build a country based on business, and honesty is the foundation."

"But as the old saying goes, there is no business." Li Fengjie muttered, as if he had forgotten that the tall official opposite was a "businessman".

Gao Ji sneered secretly. Li Fengjie is already poor in donkey skills, and he still has to put on a look of not being surprised and becoming a bamboo in Xiōng. The officials really have a very good face.

It's not that there is no way, but with a high status, no matter what ideas Li Fengjie has come up with, it will not be good, and if it is not done well, it will endanger his own interests. After thinking about it for a while, he decided not to say anything for the time being, and simply said goodbye and went home.

Of course, Li Fengjie couldn't think of any clever plan. The number of 300,000 taels weighed heavily on his heart. Give the money, and he will not take it; Without giving money, these insatiable Australians would never quit their troops - they had extorted countless food and goods in Sixiang, and they could stay here for as long as they wanted.

He gathered a few of his cronies together to discuss what to do. Some people say that the thieves are just lying and intimidating, and they will never really attack Guangzhou; Some said that it was better not to give a reply for the time being, and to dry it first to see the thief's reaction; Some people also suggested whether to let the high-ranking officials go to the counteroffer. See if you can make a discount; Others propose to follow the old rules and let the big families take out the money.

He Chengzong has not spoken: 300,000 taels was nothing in this Guangzhou city in the past, as long as the big businessmen in the city are gathered and the crisis they are facing, it is not difficult to raise. But now it is different, within a year this year, the big families have been squeezed back and forth several times, and it is already difficult to think about them to come out with the money -- these big families are not xiǎo businessmen with meager capital, most of them have big backers in the provincial level and in the north and south of the capital, and it is impossible to provoke them.

After a while, he spoke: "With today's plan, I'm afraid it's very difficult to talk to the big families again. Only borrowed"

"Borrow?"

"Yes." He Chengzong nodded and said, "Don't say 300,000 taels in the city, you can take out 3 million taels, now gather the big households, know the benefits first, and then let each family lend money to the government, have the government as a guarantee, and give some interest as appropriate-this is a good thing for both the public and the big families, and the big families will definitely be happy." ”

The governor came forward to borrow money, and this guarantee was always full. And there is also an implicit warning not to "toast and not eat and drink", and the big ones will not be ignorant.