mage in the late qing dynasty

Chapter 1094 Indonesian Concession
Zhao Chuanxin shook off the ashes from his cigarette: "Okay, Jacob, see you on the battlefield."

Jacob Capellen was stunned: "No, you can't do this."

Zhao Chuanxin laughed: "I was just teasing you."

"..."

Zhao Chuanxin was much more restrained this time, not only because of Wilhelmina, but also because he had in-depth cooperation with many Dutch businessmen.

The wireless broadcasting developed by Nikola Tesla and Philips Laboratories will be put into use this year.

Wireless technology will also be used on warships.

Although it was a little later than foreign countries, because Zhao Chuanxin made circuit boards, he had enough momentum and it was not impossible to overtake others.

As for whether we can be far ahead, that is another matter to be discussed.

Furthermore, Zhao Chuanxin does not have the energy and manpower to control Indonesia.

He said: "The war is over, but you have to pay compensation for the dead."

Jacob Capellen was upset.

He came here to seek compensation and an explanation.

But if you think about it carefully, Zhao Chuanxin is an avenger, and he rarely takes the initiative to attack other countries.

This time it was the Netherlands that was wrong.

He wanted to make specious arguments and confuse right and wrong.

But let's be honest.

He doesn't dare!
It is said that people who do this in front of Zhao Chuanxin usually end up in a miserable state.

"Compensation, how much?" Jacob Capellen asked with his Adam's apple moving.

"I roughly estimated last night that Surabaya is just the right place to compensate us."

"..." Jacob Capellen flatly refused: "That's impossible."

Zhao Chuanxin smiled slightly: "Okay, okay, don't be anxious, let's discuss it properly."

"How to discuss?"

"I can't pay for it, so I'll just rent it. The annual rent is 500 dollars, and the lease term is years."

"What's the difference between this and sending it?"

Zhao Chuanxin's eyes widened: "You should be careful with your words. In our place, the rent for the concessions of the great powers is only 1500 copper coins per acre. I offer 500 dollars, which is an internationally recognized fair price. If you say it's less, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, the United States, and Russia will not agree!"

"..."

"..."

Jacob Capellen forgot his fear and stared at Zhao Chuanxin.

He thought what Zhao Chuanxin said was particularly funny.

When will your country

Do we have the qualifications to colonize and establish concessions in other countries?
Are you worthy?

Zhao Chuanxin went up and slapped Jacob Capellen: "Are you worthy enough to look down on Zhao?"

Jacob Capellen was stunned, covering his face and said aggrievedly: "I didn't say anything?"

"It's no use saying it in your heart."

"I……"

Jacob Capellen couldn't make a decision, so he had to go back and report to his superiors.

He reported this to Alexander Idenburg, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies.

Alexander Idenburg reported back home and Dutch Prime Minister Jan Simskerk convened an emergency discussion in parliament.

There was chaos in the upper and lower houses.

Jane Simscock stressed: "Zhao Chuanxin is undoubtedly dangerous. If a war can be avoided, I am willing to sacrifice this place."

Surabaya has the second largest port in Indonesia, Tanjung Perak Port.

It is the most important transportation hub and cargo distribution center in East Java.

and so.

"I disagree."

"If we give it up, the loss will be too great for us to bear."

The opposition voices threatened to blow the roof off the parliament.

Jane Simscock said with a serious face, "I think I know Zhao Chuanxin better than anyone here. He always fights first and then negotiates. But this time, the damage he caused was not that great, but he was able to bargain with us calmly. This is all because of our queen and our princess. I think it's more because of the princess."

Everyone was silent.

Jane Simscock distributed information to everyone.

The above records the casualties caused by Zhao Chuanxin's rampage in New York, as well as the property losses in New York.

In order to convince the House of Commons, he also included the losses from the Wall Street financial crisis.

This is somewhat shocking.

As high as 170 million?

The casualties among Mexico’s former rebels are even more appalling, and the civilian casualties are horrifying.

The data for Berlin and Tsarist Russia are equally eye-catching.

Jan Simscock did not accuse Zhao Chuanxin of any crime based on the Japanese data. He only counted the losses suffered by Tokyo, Japan, in terms of the loss of southern Sakhalin and Hokkaido, as well as the losses in a series of explosions in Tokyo.

But everyone understood that Jane Simscock believed that it was all done by Zhao Chuanxin.

If Zhao Chuanxin gave the Netherlands this treatment and they compromised afterwards, then they were obviously shameless.

“Even if we can designate this place as a concession, we cannot give him the customs sovereignty of Tanjung Perak Port. This is our bottom line.”

……

The local Chinese dignitaries from Surabaya gathered at the office.

Chen Diqiang couldn't get a seat at this moment.

The leader was Huang Xilai, a local Chinese celebrity, followed by Huang Xilai's son Huang Jinduo.

On the other side is Peng Jiancong, a representative of rubber tappers and tailors.

Sit in order.

Huang Xilai bowed to Zhao Chuanxin and said, "Mr. Zhao, do you really think that the Netherlands will agree to rent Surabaya to us?"

Everyone looked embarrassed.

They all seem like fairy tales.

It’s like being used to playing a passive role, and suddenly taking the initiative feels awkward.

Even I feel that I am unworthy.

Aren’t we the victims?
Why are the liberated serfs singing?
Zhao Chuanxin looked at the young Peng Jiancong and asked, "What do you think?"

Peng Jiancong said stiffly: "Mr. Zhao, no matter what you say, I believe you."

Huang Xilai: “…”

He was a little unhappy.

Isn't this sabotage?

I don't believe it, but you do?
Zhao Chuanxin smiled and said, "First of all, we have confirmed one thing. The Dutch dare not use force."

Just this point makes everyone feel excited.

It seemed as if some great diplomatic victory had been achieved.

Zhao Chuanxin continued, "Since the military and police in Surabaya have been paralyzed, I see some Indonesian natives stealing and even robbing on the streets. Although they dare not rob our Chinese shops, it still has a bad impact.

Therefore, I propose that we Chinese temporarily form a patrol police department."

It was just like after accepting the British Concession in Hankou, the first thing Zhao Chuanxin did was to ask Liu Huaqiang to set up a patrol police bureau.

The crowd was in an uproar.

Is this really possible?

But then I thought, Mr. Zhao said it was temporary.

This way everyone won’t feel so anxious.

So they all nodded in agreement.

Zhao Chuanxin added: "After maintaining public order, the first thing to do is to restore business order. First, to ensure that the residents of Surabaya have enough food, drink, defecation, urination and sleep. Second, before reaching a conclusion with the Dutch side, we have to take over taxation and customs."

Huang Xilai took a breath, and Peng Jiancong and others felt even more uneasy.

My goodness, we haven’t even reached a conclusion yet, but we’re already making enemies with the Dutch colonial authorities?

It would be fine if they just collected local taxes, but they actually wanted to take over customs rights?

Tanjung Perah Port is a large port with huge throughput.

Money moves people's hearts.

Although it was a bit risky, Huang Xilai, who was famous locally, had already made up his mind.

The ancestors of the Huang family were extraordinary. Their family tree can be traced back to the Song Dynasty, and their branch had a glorious record in history of having 16 Jinshi (imperial examination candidates) elected as Jinshi.

In modern times, there are hundreds of thousands of descendants of the Huang family distributed in various countries in Southeast Asia.

Huang Xilai's direct descendants will be among the top five richest people in Indonesia in the future.

Huang Xilai asked carefully: "What if the Dutch send gunboats into the port?"

Zhao Chuanxin said calmly: "Shen Zhi!"

……

Despite Li Guangzong's reply to Wang Chonghui, Wang Chonghui continued to send telegrams to the capital.

Yuan Weiting ignored it, but Sun Gongwu took it very seriously.

He convened a cabinet meeting to determine the negotiation conditions for the Netherlands and ordered the governors of coastal areas to prohibit Chinese workers from working in Dutch territories.

At this time, Yuan Weiting, who received the news that Sun Gongwu was going to hold a cabinet meeting, began to face the matter with some dissatisfaction.

He was just about to give an order to have someone reply to Nanjing.

The content of the telegram has been drafted - when overseas Chinese are in trouble, we must do our best to rescue them.

But before he could send it out, someone came to tell him: "It's bad. Zhao Chuanxin went to Indonesia and killed hundreds of local soldiers and police. Now he has occupied Surabaya. The Dutch side notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly condemning Zhao Chuanxin's unreasonable and indiscriminate killing..."

Yuan Weiting felt unhappy when he heard the three words "Zhao Chuanxin".

He frowned, "Zhao Tan Gong, Zhao Tan Gong, why are you everywhere? For matters like this, the country will come forward to negotiate. Who do you think you are?"

The subordinates complained in their hearts: Wang Chonghui sent several telegrams every day, but you ignored them. Now you blame Zhao Chuanxin?
Are we just going to sit back and watch the overseas Chinese in Surabaya suffer?
Yuan Weiting tore up the prepared report and wrote a new one.

The telegram was stern and Yuan Weiting demanded that Zhao Chuanxin, the governor of Lubin Prefecture, return home immediately.

I am the big boss now, and you are just the governor of Lubin Prefecture. Do you dare to disobey my orders?
Of course, this telegram was sent to Wang Chonghui.

Wang Chonghui received two telegrams at the same time.

One letter was forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by overseas Chinese in Surabaya through the Overseas Chinese Federation.

The other letter came from Yuan Weiting in Beijing.

The overseas Chinese in Surabaya told Wang Chonghui: "Mr. Zhao wants to set up a concession in Surabaya..."

Wang Chonghui was stunned.

A few days ago, Li Guangzong told him to just wait for news from the Dutch.

Sure enough, the Dutch consul sent a note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking Zhao Chuanxin to stop the killings...

Now, Zhao Chuanxin wants to set up a concession directly.

Speaking of concessions, he was not unfamiliar with them, but usually the foreign powers set up concessions in China. This was the first time in history that a concession was set up abroad. In front of a group of subordinates, Wang Chonghui's mouth almost opened wide.

He didn't dare laugh, for fear that if he did, his mouth would stretch to his ears.

He had to maintain his dignity.

He coughed twice and whispered to his subordinates, "Forward this telegram to all reporters. From now on, we will follow Zhao Chuanxin's example and hold a press conference whenever we have time."

Although Yuan Weiting emphasized the need to block the news, the news of the Si Shui massacre had already leaked and appeared in major newspapers.

It was done by the Overseas Chinese Federation.

people

In the first year of the Yuan Dynasty, domestic newspapers and periodicals presented a situation of "all supporting reform and a hundred schools of thought contending with each other".

The people in the country were naturally outraged, and demonstrations were inevitable.

Wang Chonghui was secretly happy.

He was curious about how people would react when they saw the news.

However, he must also take Yuan Weiting's telegram seriously.

Moreover, he also felt that it was unrealistic to set up a concession in Surabaya.

He sent a telegram to the overseas Chinese in Surabaya saying: "I want to inform Governor Zhao that the cabinet meeting has decided on three items: 1. Compensation for property losses. 2. Compensation for victims. 3. Restoration of human rights, equal treatment of overseas Chinese with European and Japanese. Now that the situation has been pacified, the most important thing is to maintain order and reassure the people. If the Dutch side accepts the three conditions, and the Dutch side's wish is fulfilled, Governor Zhao can return to his country and will be respected by all people..."

The telegram tactfully told Zhao Chuanxin that it was okay and he should not make any trouble. As long as the result was good, he would be a hero when he came back.

People in coastal areas are particularly concerned about this matter.

Because many people go out to work.

It’s scary to think about being bullied outside and even in danger of losing your life.

However, Zhao Chuanxin has become a solid supporter of overseas Chinese.

Zhao Chuanxin received this telegram a day later, which was shown to him by Chen Diqiang.

After reading it, Zhao Chuanxin threw it into the trash can.

Chen Diqiang: “…”

At this time, Huang Xilai, Peng Jiancong and others rushed into the office: "Mr. Zhao, Jacob Capellen is here again."

Zhao Chuanxin didn't even bother to stand up: "Let him in."

Jacob Capellen was welcomed into the house by Huang Xilai and others.

Both sides sat down.

A group of overseas Chinese gathered outside to watch the fun, eager to know the outcome of the negotiations.

Jacob Capellen was very displeased when he saw the commotion.

But Zhao Chuanxin did not chase them away and allowed them to sit in.

Jacob Capellen had no choice but to say, "Mr. Zhao, we agree to set up a concession in Surabaya."

As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Do you believe it?
"Holland actually agreed?"

"Did I hear correctly?"

"From now on, will we Chinese have the final say in Surabaya?"

Zhao Chuanxin's face remained calm. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and looked at Jacob Capellen quietly.

He knows the foreigners too well.

Sure enough, Jacob Capellen said again: "But we, the Netherlands, want to control the customs rights of the Port of Tanjung Perah."

Although Huang Xilai is older, he does not have the same temperament as Zhao Chuanxin. Upon hearing this, his heart fell from the top of the mountain to halfway up the mountain.

This was far from what he expected.

His Huang family is a prominent family in Indonesia, and Zhao Chuanxin's establishment of a concession here is inseparable from his Huang family.

This branch of the Huang family can rise to prominence by relying on customs power.

Zhao Chuanxin took two puffs of his cigarette and flicked the ash: "No."

In one word, simple, clear and no nonsense.

"..." Jacob Capellen took a deep breath and took out a letter from his arms. "This is the letter from Queen Wilhelmina to Mr. Zhao."

It was called a letter, but it was actually a telegram from Wilhelmina.

Zhao Chuanxin took two more puffs of his cigarette and flicked the ash: "I won't watch it."

"..."

Blanch!
Everyone present was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

A few days ago, there were beatings to death, and even the local director was "imprinted" on the wall with a wooden hammer by Zhao Chuanxin's order.

Now the "Bastard Wall" has become a terrifying tourist attraction in Surabaya.

Every day people stop to watch and marvel at it.

The current scene seems like the couple is angry with each other.

Jacob Capellen said helplessly: "Mr. Zhao, you'd better take a look."

"No need. I'll go find her myself in a few days and tell her in person if I have anything to say."

"have a look."

Zhao Chuanxin said firmly: "No."

This really confused Jacob Capellen.

Wilhelmina's letter was the work of the Dutch Governor-General Jan Simskerk.

But what if Zhao Chuanxin doesn’t accept the challenge?
No one told Jacob Capellen what to do next.

He remembered something and had an idea: "There are also words in the letter from the princess. The princess is really a genius, the most outstanding genius in the Netherlands. I have never seen a child so smart. The princess is the pride of us Dutch..."

He didn't lie either.

Although he had never seen the princess, he had heard many people praise her intelligence.

He could speak and was bilingual before he was one year old.

The amount of words a one-year-old can recognize would put many adults to shame.

The princess was naughty, but she was very kind to the guards and servants of Noordeinborg.

Zhao Chuanxin's face was relieved by the flattery. "Let me see it."

Jacob Capellen breathed a sigh of relief.

Sure enough, we still have to sacrifice the princess.

The first part of the telegram was written by Wilhelmina: Privately, you totally disregarded the feelings between us. Publicly, hundreds of people paid for the lives of three people, hundreds of people paid for the compensation of three people, isn't that enough? Now add the concession treaty, isn't that enough? If you insist on having the customs rights, then you will never see me again.

Then Zhao Lingjun said: Dad, how many days has it been? Has it been a month?

Zhao Chuanxin didn't take Wilhelmina's words seriously at all.

When Zhao Chuanxin saw what his daughter said later, he was happy.

He tapped his fingers on the table and said to Jacob Capellen: "First, Dutch gunboats are not allowed to enter Tanjung Pera Port. Second, all the military and police stationed in Surabaya are Chinese, including those protecting the customs. Fourth, except for the customs, the Dutch are not allowed to interfere in all government affairs within the concession, including taxation within the concession."

Jacob Capellen was delighted.

This was a result he could accept.

He nodded quickly: "Okay."

In fact, Zhao Chuanxin's original intention was to scare the Dutch.

If they are afraid, they will really take away the customs power.

On the contrary, if he took a step back, the Dutch side would readily agree to other conditions.

It turned out to be true.

Because the Netherlands was afraid that he would act recklessly like he did in Mexico.

Zhao Chuanxin can do such a thing as just demarcating a state.

Jacob Capellen suddenly said: "But without the deterrence of naval power, the port will not be safe after all."

Zhao Chuanxin bared his teeth and said, "No problem. This year we will send two gunboats to sea, one of which will be stationed here."

Jacob Capellen's heart skipped a beat.

Zhao Chuanxin has started playing Battleship now?
This is bad news for the world.

He wanted to refuse, but Zhao Chuanxin said with a half-smile: "If I can sink a warship, I can certainly build one."

Jacob Capellen heard the implication and dared not speak.

……

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Chonghui's hands were shaking as he held the telegram: "Governor Zhao actually did it. He made a name for himself overseas, made a name for himself overseas..."

In the capital, Yuan Weiting held the telegram, his nostrils flared and his breathing became heavier.

His subordinates couldn't even guess whether he was excited or angry.

That's a good thing.

Conventionally, what Zhao Chuanxin did would not implicate the country, but he happened to stand up for overseas Chinese, which definitely made him famous overseas.

They neither had to bear the consequences nor enjoyed a great diplomatic victory.

But Yuan Weiting hated Zhao Chuanxin very much.

Like Wang Chonghui, he didn't think the Netherlands would agree, and he had never thought that it would be possible to set up concessions in another country's colonial territories.

Only Zhao Chuanxin could come up with such a cool move.

He was also angry that Zhao Chuanxin disobeyed his order to return to the country and acted on his own.

This shows that Zhao Chuanxin has the same character as in the previous dynasty - uncontrollable.

So Yuan Weiting hated!
……

Zhao Chuanxin overlooked one thing.

The news that he and the overseas Chinese in Surabaya signed a concession agreement with Dutch representatives soon spread back to China and was reported by major newspapers.

Subsequently, the news that Zhao Chuanxin and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands had a daughter, Juliana Emma Wilhelmina Zhao, also spread widely.

People not only felt relieved, but also had more topics to talk about after dinner.

"I heard that Mr. Zhao has not married yet. Others slander him for being a homosexual and having homosexual tendencies. Some also say that he is impotent. But it turns out that ordinary people don't like him. He only wants a queen when he wants a woman..."

"I never expected that Zhao Chuanxin and the Queen of the Netherlands..."

"The Dutch princess's name is too long, I can't remember it. But I saw in another newspaper that the Dutch princess has a Chinese name, Zhao Lingjun. This is another way to show off her power overseas..."

The domestic newspaper opinion field was most lively when Yuan Weiting first came to power.

Later, Yuan Weiting made many stupid moves and would censor newspapers.

Because there were too many people who were against Yuan.

But he doesn't dare now.

Zhao Chuanxin doesn't care if others curse him on the public screen of the Internet, but he strictly prohibits the appearance of content related to his feelings on the public screen of the Internet.

But there is the telegraph, which spreads information a little slower than the Internet companies, but not much slower.

The next day, newspapers outside the Great Wall reported the incident.

Outside the Great Wall was Lao Zhao’s home turf, and the romantic story between him and the Queen of the Netherlands quickly became popular outside the Great Wall, even overshadowing the shock of Zhao Chuanxin setting up a concession in Surabaya, Dutch Indonesia!

Miao Cuihua, Rebecca Levy, and Gulizar all saw it...

(End of this chapter)