Xinshun 1730

Chapter 645 Rare Mutual Trust

Liu Yu has seen many intrigues.

In the face of foreign enemies, they first think about defrauding "our own people". This is almost the normal state of the courts of various countries at this time, and there is no exception in China and the West.

It's just that today Liu Yu really didn't want to make the Dutch "insiders" cheat each other.

Earl Bentinck's idea of ​​the Regents pitting the Orange faction, if Liu Yu knew his inner thoughts, would definitely laugh at Earl Bentinck for being too conservative.

It is really not on the same level as the pit he imagined.

But it cannot be said that Bentinck's thinking is unreasonable. Even if the Netherlands chooses to be neutral, it is tantamount to standing in line.

The internal fragmentation of the Netherlands is too severe, and internal chaos is almost inevitable in the case of a choice between being pro-British or pro-French.

But at this time, many Dutch people have not yet accepted their fate, or they have not yet gotten used to the fact that the Netherlands is no longer a big country.

Social awareness always lags behind the material foundation. There are still many people in the Netherlands who have social awareness and think that the Netherlands should be a big country that can catch up with the Premier League.

This is the basic condition within the Netherlands for this coup.Without this psychological basis, paying tribute is such a big deal under the mentality of knowing that it is a small country.Only a dignified citizen would strongly oppose this matter.

Liu Yu didn't expect the William Orange faction to accept the tariff agreement he proposed with a big mouth. He still placed his bet on the fact that Prussia betrayed the alliance halfway and pitted France.

The United Kingdom has been appeasement and mediation. Once Austria accepts the United Kingdom's mediation and cedes Silesia to Prussia, the Orange faction will definitely get the information from the United Kingdom first. After all, it is the relationship between the father-in-law and the son-in-law. With the Netherlands paying for Ollie to fight against France.

He was here to deliver "ammunition" for the Orangemen.

"Are you sure you will not accept tariff agreements and free trade treaties?"

Earl Bentinck thought, anyway, the Regency oligarchs would definitely not accept it.

Anyway, the situation on my own side is different from that in Russia. In Russia, Elizabeth herself wants to be in the top position, while in the Netherlands, she can be in the top position but doesn't want to jump into the fire pit.

"Master Marquis, this matter is related to the core interests of the Netherlands, no matter who it is, it is unacceptable. However, another proposal of yours is suitable for trade... With all due respect, as a big country, your country is the strongest in the East. In such a large empire, it is not impossible for the East India Company to reach a suitable trade agreement with your country."

Liu Yu could hear Bentinck playing tricks, and said with a faint smile: "Don't you think I don't know? The East India Company has independent diplomatic rights. At that time, will it be the East India Company's tribute? Or the Dutch State's tribute? The difference here is too big."

"The Holy Son of Heaven sent me to visit the countries of Europe this time, precisely to spread the power of heaven to the distant regions. If it's just a tribute from the East India Company, what's the point? I can't explain it to the Son of Heaven."

"I am here this time to let the countries of Europe recognize the Celestial Dynasty and know the majesty of the Celestial Dynasty."

"The Netherlands has only two paths, either the tribute trade, which spreads the prestige of the Celestial Empire; or the tariff agreement, which benefits the Celestial Empire."

"You can't go on like this. You have gained both real benefits and fame."

"Before, all countries sent envoys to the capital, but you, the Netherlands, sent envoys from the East India Company."

"When the emperor found out, he was extremely furious. He originally thought that the special envoy of the East India Company was the special envoy of the Netherlands, but fortunately some envoys from other countries made it clear that the emperor knew the difference. How can he not be angry?"

He also explained clearly why he was so "harsh" on the Netherlands, which is really the case when it comes to talking about it.

Both Britain and France and Russia, which had great conflicts of interest with Dashun, sent official envoys.

Only the Netherlands, got an envoy from the East India Company and went there.

If this matter is broken and explained clearly, it will definitely cause quite a lot of dissatisfaction in the court.

Although Dashun has banned religion, but for more than a hundred years, Catholic missionaries have basically monopolized the exchanges between China and the West, and the reputation of the Netherlands is really bad.

Coupled with the many criminal records, if it is true, there must be someone clamoring to cut off the trade with the Netherlands.

From a legal point of view, VOC is not so much a company, but actually more like a subsidiary state of the Netherlands, or more precisely, a feudal town or Jiedushi.

You can have an army, you can set your own taxes, you can conduct your own diplomacy.

If the East India Company pays tribute to Dashun, the Netherlands not only does not lose face, but also gains face: this is considered to be on an equal footing with the most magnificent crown in the East.

But this is not important, Liu Yu didn't care about this false name in his original intention, he just deliberately spoke clearly to lay a foundation for the future.

If the day comes when Prussia turns its back on the alliance and Britain and the Netherlands declare war on France, I am afraid that the Orange faction will not have enough "political sensitivity" to take advantage of this opportunity.

The opportunity Liu Yu was waiting for was external conditions.

Once Austria accepts the mediation of the United Kingdom and cuts off Silesia and Prussia first, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands will definitely be excited. Without Prussia, they will fight France together. Isn't that going all out?
But only relying on this external condition, the Orange faction still needs a chance to come to power.That is, even if Prussia broke away from the alliance and negotiated peace privately, it was still very easy for France to fight Austria and the Netherlands.

Normally, only when the Regents were beaten by France and the Netherlands itself was threatened, would the Dutch people despair and let William of Orange "add a yellow robe" to lead the Dutch army to defeat France.

But, that would be too late.It will take three to five years anyway, and the variables are huge.

So he has to use this external condition to create opportunities for the Orange faction internally.

It now appears that the governor of the seven provinces is a fire pit, and the Orange faction does not want to jump into it.

A Franco-Prussian League is making great strides, and now it is firmly standing in the UK, which is a brain problem.

The two matters in Russia are still in the fog, and all countries are guessing what kind of agreement Liu Yu and the French ambassador reached with the Russian empress.

This is the time difference Liu Yu is looking for.

Once the Russian Empress showed her policy of governing the country, she would not accommodate France, and all countries would understand that Liu Yu might have been "played" by the Empress.

Moreover, if Prussia were to break the alliance and negotiate a separate peace, the consuls of the seven provinces at this time would not be a pit of fire, but a perfect throne.

Without Liu Yu giving the Orange faction an opportunity to create internal public opinion, it would not be so easy for the Orange faction to come to power.

Now that he has directly stated this issue of "national honor", he is sending ammunition to Orange to incite the emotions of the people in the future.

Once the external situation changes, it is necessary to take advantage of the fact that the Orange faction is pro-British and can know that Prussia has accepted the mediation of the United Kingdom earlier than the Regency faction, so that the Orange faction can see the opportunity. The heavy ammunition "National Constitution" kicked away the Regency faction in one fell swoop.

At that time, the situation will change, and the Orange faction will change from "do not want to come to power" to "want to come to power".

And if the situation changes, the Regents will immediately change from the current "sitting on the fence without offense" to "declaring war on France for the glory of the Netherlands".

At this time, the public opinion bomb created by myself can help the Orange faction take a step ahead.

It's just that, now, Earl Bentinck doesn't want to say anything about it.

Instead, he desperately wanted to downplay the matter.

Because he didn't think it was a good thing to come to power at this time, not only could he not use this to criticize the Regents, but he had to speak for the Regents, lest the public be dissatisfied and insist on pushing the Orangemen to power.

If the emotions are really aroused, and the people insist on sending the Orange to power to fight for the "dignity of a great power" for the Netherlands, will they go or not?

If not, the people will be disappointed, and I am afraid that they will no longer pin their hopes on the Orange family who can lead the Netherlands back to the golden age in their hearts.

If it is up, whoever wins will die in this situation.At least the current situation is unsolvable. You can't declare war on France when the Franco-Prussian Alliance is advancing triumphantly, right?

Now the anti-French alliance has not officially declared war on France, but only sent troops and money in the name of the "State Decree" army, and has repeatedly reiterated that it is not declaring war on France, but only to defend the implementation of the State Decree.

Unless the Franco-Prussian League disintegrates, no one dares to formally declare war on France, and can only play this kind of underhanded side-kicking.

"Lord Marquis, if you say so, I think you can also get what you want from the Great Speaker. We are not opposed to the trade. If you think the East India Company's tribute is not suitable, the Netherlands can certainly choose Tribute."

"We will neither betray the core interests of the Netherlands. Of course, we will not challenge the regents on this matter. This is the only thing we can guarantee."

"If you really just want a tariff agreement, then you're going to have to look elsewhere."

"If you are worried that we will take the opportunity to attack the regents because of reasons such as 'national honor', then you don't have to worry at all."

"His Royal Highness William is only the consul of the three provinces, and will abide by the laws of the republic, and will not betray the interests of the republic for the crown."

Bentinck carefully considered the current situation and wanted to test Liu Yu's true thoughts.

Liu Yu deliberately remained silent for a moment, as if this was his real intention.

Although the silence was only for a short moment, in Earl Bentinck's view, it seemed to show Liu Yu's true attitude.

This short silence also greatly increased Earl Bentinck's confidence, feeling that he had seen through Liu Yu's true thoughts.

Perhaps, Liu Yu is not stupid. He should know that a tariff agreement and free trade are absolutely impossible. He just doesn't want the VOC, a subordinate government of the Seven Provinces Republic, to pay tribute, so he came to exert pressure on both sides.

Or maybe, Liu Yu tried to replicate the coup in Russia, thinking that William was also trying to ascend to the position of governor of the seven provinces, so as to exchange the tariff agreement and free trade for the support of Liu Yu, the master of the coup.

In any case, Earl Bentinck bit down on the tone of not agreeing to the tariff agreement, and clearly expressed the meaning of "this is not a bargain, it is really a firm rejection".

Count Bentinck certainly did not understand tribute.

He thought that this might be a matter of legal documents. The difference is that the official seal on the legal documents is the company seal of the East India Company?Or the national seal of the Republic of Seven Provinces?

But in fact, paying tribute is by no means a simple question of whose official seal should be printed.

Liu Yu didn't say clearly that he would wait for an opportunity to tell the whole Netherlands and even European countries, but it would definitely not be now.

For now, just to warn them.The big news is yet to come.

After a moment of silence, Liu Yu showed a little disappointment, and asked deliberately: "Is there really anyone who can resist the temptation of the throne of the Seven Provinces Consul?"

Earl Bentinck immediately said: "Master Marquis, you may not be able to understand that the Orange family's love and loyalty to the motherland are above everything else."

"There are some bottom lines that we cannot exchange."

Liu Yu thought in his heart, yes, he was too loyal, so loyal that William II went to England to become king and raised Britain with the blood of the Netherlands, he was really loyal to the motherland; so loyal that the entire faction tried their best to destroy the "Republic of Batavia BC "The legend destroyed the formation of the Dutch think community.

There was infinite contempt in my heart and I wanted to laugh, but there was still a look of astonishment and admiration on my face for a moment.

"That is to say, there is absolutely no way for us to reach an agreement on the tariff agreement, is it? I am not here today to bargain. If you don't agree, I will really leave. And there will be absolutely no second chance .”

Take out an attitude like going to a street stall to buy something, and pretend to leave, expecting the stall owner to keep it.

However, this time, before Earl Bentinck could say anything, William, who had been silent all this time, expressed the meaning of "go well, don't see him off".

Liu Yu didn't stay there either, and broke up unhappy, leaving with great fanfare and resentment.

He came and went quickly, so it was inevitable that people would have two guesses.

Or, they happily reached some secret deal with the Orange faction.

Or, nothing was negotiated, and the negotiation broke down directly.

However, such speculation hardly appeared in the upper echelons of the Netherlands.

Here Liu Yu has just gotten into the carriage, while Earl Bentinck has sent someone to communicate with the Regency oligarchs about the purpose of Liu Yu's visit.

He explained in detail what Liu Yu talked about, what conditions he proposed, and how William firmly rejected Liu Yu's temptation.

Although there were many conflicts between the Regent faction and the Orange faction, the Orange faction didn't want to get involved in the muddy water at this time, nor did they want to be used as a weapon by Liu Yu.

The most important thing is that the Orange faction notified the Regency faction that they would not take the opportunity to make trouble when the tributary state insulted the state system.

The two sides don't have much mutual trust, but they are both the upper ruling class. At this moment, they stand together by coincidence.

The Orange faction was worried that the Regency faction was worried that the Orange faction would take the opportunity to make trouble. If they really delayed this matter, who knew what kind of moth Liu Yu would do.

Everyone is a shareholder, and if Dashun cut off its trade with the Netherlands, no one will feel good.

Who has trouble with money?Especially the Netherlands, a country where money is status.

After receiving the news, Great Speaker Anthony was not surprised.

And I also believe in the sincerity of the Orange faction. Even if the two sides do not have any political mutual trust, this specific matter involves the interests of both parties, and the interests of the two parties can rarely be in agreement, so there is no need to doubt it.

"As expected, it is impossible for anyone to sign a customs agreement with the Dashun Empire. Now, the Marquis who has controlled everything in Russia and changed Russia has returned in despair. Now, he finally knows how to talk .”

Facing the convened directors of the East India Company, the Great Speaker made such comments.

However, the directors of the East India Company were still worried.

"My lord the Great Speaker, tariff agreements and free trade will, of course, destroy the East India Company."

"However, being able to cooperate with trade is not a good thing."

"It took the company a long time to finally strengthen its control over Batavia with the help of the Ostend company's tea incident."

"Once the Kanko trade is started, Batavia's status will rise again. Once the direct flight trade is cancelled, the trade with China must rely on Batavia's influence."

The Great Speaker also knew that this incident would indeed contribute to the rise of local forces in Batavia, and it would have been very difficult for the local government to control it there.

Now that Dashun is doing this, it is equivalent to reducing the control of the Batavia region by the central government that was so easy to establish.

It was originally planned to use the tea incident as an opportunity to gradually close the status of Batavia as a transit port, so that the company headquarters can slowly clean up the already corrupt Batavia through direct trade.

Now the direct flight trade must be cancelled, and the company headquarters in Batavia really dare not move.

"If you can only choose one of two bad things, I think it's better to choose the one with the lesser harm. What's the attitude of the company's board of directors?"

The director of the East India Company said helplessly: "The board of directors can't do anything about it. We have already lost trade with Japan, and it is impossible to lose trade with China again. The company cannot afford such a loss."

"It took the company 100 years to finally gain an advantage in trade with China. It also paid a huge price for monopolizing tea. In any case, it cannot give up."

"No matter what, the Inter-Provincial Assembly must agree to Dashun's conditions. The only thing we can do is to strive for some conditions that are favorable to us in terms of the quantity and form of trade."

The directors of the East India Company said "to promise" rather than "should promise" in a suggestive nature.

The Great Speaker also understood the power of the East India Company, but he did not agree to the request of the East India Company. Instead, he asked what the "favorable conditions" the East India Company's board of directors hoped for.

"Your Excellency, Great Speaker, Liu Yu's speech in Batavia is quite strong. He wants to obtain complete initiative in trade, including the establishment of a joint fleet between the two sides to suppress smuggling, and try to eliminate smuggling trade, so that Dashun can fully control trade. initiative."

"Once the smuggling is controlled, Dashun will take advantage of their monopoly position in trade goods and gain the initiative. And they can sanction us at any time in the future."

"The East India Company should not be seized by others."

"So, at least in terms of forming a joint fleet and stationing anti-smuggling patrols, Liu Yu cannot be promised."

"In this way, if something goes wrong, we can still use smuggling to ensure the supply of goods."

The board of directors of the East India Company still grasped the key point of this matter, but the speaker Anthony did not agree, but warned the East India Company.

"Actually, the Inter-Provincial Council may not be able to hold a lengthy negotiation with Dashun on this matter, nor will it choose to confront Dashun on this matter. Even if the Lord Marquis has run into a wall with the Orange family, his arrogance It's reduced a lot, but we still don't have the initiative."

"Moreover, the Federal Provincial Council will choose to agree to Dashun's conditions as soon as possible, and handle this matter as low-key as possible."

"The Orange family has agreed that they will not cause trouble by 'the status of the tributary state is degrading the state'."

"The board of directors should also be aware that not to mention the entire seven provinces, there are many people in Amsterdam alone who are quite dissatisfied with the monopoly position of the East India Company."

"It's rare for the Orange family and us to stand together. But we also have to face another force. The Orange family will not take the opportunity to make trouble, but the other force may not."

"So, keep this matter as low-key as possible and don't delay it any longer. Although Liu Yu's arrogance has been suppressed this time, I'm afraid he won't give up so easily."

"The style of the Marquis is very strange and difficult to figure out. Once we argue too much on details, such as the issue of smuggling, we cannot meet his requirements..."

Anthony sighed and asked: "Once the Marquis really canceled the trade and imposed an embargo on us in a rage, can you imagine the turmoil in the Amsterdam stock market after the news came out? Can you imagine the investment Will there be any kind of panic in the stock market when investors learn that trade with China has been banned, and that they may even need to increase troops and build ships to maintain smuggling routes?"

"So, taking advantage of his arrogance being suppressed, he will not insist on the opportunity of tariff agreement and free trade, and reach a trade-worthy agreement as low-key as possible."

"Sign up as soon as possible and send him away instead of provoking him."

"What he did in Russia made me feel a little panicked. It seems that he is in despair now, but the initiative of the negotiation is still in his hands. He is already quite dissatisfied if he does not have a tariff agreement. Concession on the issue of anti-smuggling and trade initiative?"

(End of this chapter)