The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 252 Negotiation

A rising sun popped out from under the sea level, like a ripe salted egg yolk, and then radiated thousands of rays of light, illuminating the undulating sea surface and making golden snakes dance wildly. A group of seagulls flew around above the ship, occasionally landing on the bare mast, looking around furtively, as if trying to find something to eat on the deck.

Zheng Sanxi boasted about Haikou last night, saying that the sail would be repaired before noon the next day. Now it seems that she is going to have a fight, because the five of them have been busy for half a night, and not even one main sail has been completely repaired.

When Jia Huan walked up to him, Zheng Sanxi and another pirate were sorting out the tangled ropes. As soon as they saw Jia Huan, they said sarcastically: "Good morning, Mr. Huan, that... several crossbars of the main mast were broken." , without the tools and materials at hand, it took the boys a long time to repair it."

Jia Huan looked at the five pirates with bloodshot eyes and did not blame them, but asked them to rest first. Zheng Sanxi and others felt ashamed and burst into tears of gratitude. They promised to repair all the sails before sunset, and then went to catch up on their sleep. They were really sleepy.

Tiehu was very anxious because he was worried about the safety of Shitou. He knew that Zheng Sanxi was unreliable, but there was nothing he could do. After all, the five pirates had tried their best and had been busy since midnight, which was obvious to everyone.

Jia Huan suddenly had an idea and asked Dai Shilin to release the imprisoned Dutchmen and ask them to help repair the sails. The ship was originally theirs, so they were naturally more skilled than Zheng Sanxi and others in repairing it.

However, the captain Rohr was not very sensible. When he learned that Jia Huan wanted them to help repair the sail, he took it seriously and said loudly: "It's okay if you want my people to repair the sail, but after the sail is repaired, you have to restore our freedom of."

Jia Huan couldn't help but smile and said: "Your Excellency Luo Er, your idea is too naive. Don't forget that you are prisoners now and have no room for bargaining."

Rohr said proudly: "Even the captives have the right to refuse, oh... Also, according to the Europa Joint Convention, you can't kill the captives, nor can you abuse the captives."

Tiehu couldn't help but said angrily: "Fuck you, what a bullshit agreement. If you keep chirping, believe it or not, I will smash your head to pieces."

Rohr glanced at Iron Tiger, who was holding an iron rod and glaring like a ferocious beast. His momentum suddenly weakened, and he muttered in Dutch: "What a barbarian!"

The iron rod in Tiehu's hand hit the deck with a click, and the solid deck pierced through. Luo Er's expression changed instantly, and he quickly said: "If we want to repair the ship, we must give us food, everyone." We are all so hungry, how can we have the strength to repair the ship?”

This request was reasonable, and Jia Huan readily complied with it. He also very gentlemanly invited the red-bearded Luo Er to have breakfast with him and find out more about the red-bearded man.

On the top deck of the fifth house at the stern, you have a commanding view and a great view. A small wooden table was set up next to the heavy cannon. Jia Huan and the red-bearded Luo Er sat across from each other. The rising sun, the blue sky and the blue sea, the dawn. The wind was blowing gently, which was quite pleasant.

In front of both of them were a few slices of toast and a bottle of butter on plates. Jia Huan skillfully spread a layer of butter on the piece of bread, then sandwiched another piece of bread on top, and said enthusiastically while eating: "You're welcome, Mr. Luo Er!"

"Damn, this food belongs to me, you're so polite!" Luo Er secretly cursed. He also spread a layer of butter on the bread and ate it. At the same time, he asked curiously: "You Jin people also like to eat toast with bread." butter?"

Jia Huan shook his head and said, "That's not true. We are used to eating steamed buns with fillings. We have never thought of baking the flour to eat them."

"That's strange. You actually know how to spread butter and use a knife and fork!" Rolle shook his head in confusion, cutting the bread into strips with a knife, and then put it into his mouth with a fork. Very elegant.

Jia Huan was unmoved and asked, "Is your Excellency Luo Er born into a noble family?"

Rolling his eyes, Luo Er denied: "No, no, no, I'm just an ordinary businessman." After speaking, he glanced at the two Jin soldiers standing not far away from the corner of his eye, and secretly weighed whether he could stand between the two. The soldiers captured Jia Huan before they could react.

Jia Huan seemed to have read through Luo Er's thoughts. He suddenly pulled out the double-barreled short gun from his waist and shot a seagull flying in the sky. Bang!

The smoke rose and a group of seagulls were instantly scared away. Although they missed the hit, it did not affect Jia's suitability. He blew the smoke from the muzzle of the gun, then put the gun back into the holster and said calmly: " I hate the sound of seagulls the most. It’s quiet now. Sir Rohr, please continue to eat.”

Luo Er lowered his eyes sternly and continued to eat his bread honestly, apparently "impressed" by Jia's abundant martial ethics.

Jia Huan followed Luo Er's example and cut the bread into strips, while asking: "I heard Luo Er Kuo tell me last night that he came back from Japan not long ago... oh, is that Japan?"

"Yes!" Rolle replied cautiously, fearing that the guy would suddenly pull out a gun and shoot him in the head.

Jia Huan smiled and said: "I have seen the goods on your ship. The porcelain is produced in our Dajin. Why not buy it directly from Dajin instead of looking far away?"

Luo Er shrugged and said: "I think so, but your Jin Dynasty cannot trade freely. You need a tribute contract issued by your court before you can enter the port to do business. And your Jin Dynasty's tribute contracts were all issued to the Portuguese, so The business has been monopolized by them, and we Dutch can only take other paths.”

"That's it!" Jia Huan said suddenly.

Portugal, also known as France, was the first European country to cross the ocean and come to the East to do business. It was also an old power in Europe. It rose a hundred or two hundred years earlier than the Netherlands, so it monopolized the routes and trade in the East. However, it was prosperous. More than a hundred years later, Portugal has begun to decline, while the Netherlands, known as the "Sea Coachman", is rapidly rising. It has successively established the East India and West India Companies, constantly eating into Portugal's global trade share. There is a strong tendency to catch up from behind.

Because of this, there have been constant frictions and frequent wars between the Netherlands and Portugal. Some time ago, the two countries fought fiercely to compete for the Strait of Malacca. In the end, Portugal was defeated and the Netherlands gained control of Malacca. However, as the saying goes, it is so skinny. Camels are also bigger than horses. Portugal still temporarily monopolizes most of the eastern trade. For example, the trade with Dajin is basically covered by the Portuguese. The Dutch cannot get involved for the time being and can only go to Japan and Luzon. Doing business, or smuggling with the pirates along the coast of Dajin.

"By the way, Mr. Luo Er, there is still an empty floor in your cabin. Why is that? Isn't it a waste to run on empty?" Jia Huan asked again casually.

Rolle said helplessly: "I would like to fill up the cargo, but the supply volume of the cargo owners in Japan is limited, and there are also Spanish merchants competing, so it is difficult to get enough cargo. Fortunately, I can go back to Luzon to load a cargo. Spices are just less profitable, and your Jin porcelain, silk, tea, and raw silk are the most popular and profitable in Europe, but it’s a pity that they are difficult to obtain.”

As the red-bearded Luo Er spoke, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said whimsically: "Master Jia is a capable man. If we can get the goods, how about I give you a share?"

Jia Huan couldn't help but laugh and cry. This guy was really a pure-bred businessman. When he talked about business, he was like a chicken. I'm afraid he had forgotten the current situation. He actually wanted to get himself involved. He said calmly: "No. I’m sorry, I’m not a businessman, I don’t know how to do business, and I have no interest in doing business.”

Luo Er refused to give up and asked, "Is it possible that Mr. Jia is not interested in silver either?"

Jia Huan smiled and said: "That's not true. I am very interested in silver. For example, Mr. Luo Er, you owe me the 30,000 taels of silver compensation and the 30 artillery pieces."

Luo suddenly felt as if his fate was being strangled by the throat. He almost spit out the bread he had eaten. He said with a sad face: "I'm just a small businessman. I don't have that much money, and I can't get that much." Artillery. This bow in July is already my entire property." "Are you serious?" Jia Huan said with a joking expression.

Under Jia Huan's keen gaze, the red-bearded Luo Er felt inexplicably weak and his eyes wandered. He continued to cry and said: "Of course, I only have one bow. If Mr. Jia robs... and detains it, then I'm completely broke, my God, I'm telling the truth, you can't do this, I still have workers and a wife and children to support, and if this ship goes away, I will have nothing."

Jia Huan chuckled and said, "That's none of my business."

Luo was suddenly choked and speechless again. Jia Huan calmly picked up the cup of coffee and took a sip. This kind of coffee brewed directly from coffee beans is very bitter, but very refreshing. It was found in the captain's cabin and should be Rolle's own personal product.

The corner of Luo Er's mouth twitched, and after a long time he said in frustration: "Can it be less? Thirty thousand taels of silver is too much. I really can't borrow that much, let alone thirty artillery pieces."

Jia Huan followed Luo Er's example and shrugged: "Then there is no other way. I have to detain you as slaves to make up for the loss."

Rolle finally couldn't hold it anymore and shouted angrily: "Greedy and despicable guy, what can you lose? My bow, cargo, twenty-six cannons, oh, and the more than 20,000 taels of silver on board are all gone." After being robbed by you, you still want another thirty thousand taels of silver and thirty artillery pieces. Don't you think you are too greedy?"

Jia Huan smiled and waved his hands and said: "Sir, Luo Er, please pay attention to your demeanor. It is really unbecoming of an aristocrat."

"Damn it, you raised by XX!" Rohr cursed in Dutch, took a deep breath and glared at Jia Huan.

Jia Huan raised his eyebrows and said: "Your Excellency Luo Er, I'm afraid I have to make something clear first. First of all, it was Guifune who launched the attack first, right?"

Luo Er's eyes flashed and he said: "That was just a misunderstanding. I have already explained it and apologized to Mr. Jia."

Jia Huan chuckled and said: "If an apology is useful, why do you need guns and guns? No matter whether you misunderstood or harbored evil intentions, my people were killed and injured, and my ship also sank. Isn't it a matter of course to ask for compensation?"

Luo Er frowned and said: "Then I will give you my ship and all the belongings on the ship, and you can just let us go."

Jia Huan chuckled and said: "The ship was captured by us. It is a trophy, not something you gave away. We have an idiom in the Jin State called the winner and the loser. Do you understand? In short, this ship is mine now, and the compensation is still mine. You have to give me something else, otherwise you people won’t be able to leave Dajin and prepare to be slaves for the rest of your life.”

Luo Er's face was extremely ugly. He had also been involved in the business of trafficking black slaves, and even trafficked indigenous people in Southeast Asia. Unexpectedly, one day he himself became a slave.

Jia Huan ate the last piece of bread, then wiped his mouth gracefully with a napkin (handkerchief), and said with a smile: "If Sir Luo Er really can't come up with these silver and artillery, I have a compromise."

Luo Er hurriedly asked: "What can I do?"

Jia Huan calmly said: "Do you or any of your people know how to make cannons? If you can teach us the method of casting these naval guns, you can pay the full ransom. At that time, I will not only let you go, but also give you Zeng Isn’t it fun to send you away on a boat?”

Luo Er's eyes flashed, he glanced at Jia Huan thoughtfully, shook his head and said: "We are just a group of businessmen, how can we know how to make naval guns? Besides, with the smelting level of your Jin country, even if you cast cannons, I can’t give you detailed drawings and various parameters to make it.”

This kind of contempt made Jia Huan a little angry, but the current smelting level of Jin Dynasty is indeed far inferior to that of Westerners. This must be admitted. There is no use in being incompetent and angry, so he can only say coldly: "In that case, then you guys Just stay in Dajin and be a slave for the rest of your life."

Seeing that Jia Huan was about to stand up and leave, Luo Er became anxious and said quickly: "Master Jia, wait a minute, let's talk some more."

Jia Huan sat down calmly with a smile on his face, as if he was convinced of the other party.

"Ten thousand taels of silver, ten naval guns." Luo Er said solemnly.

Jia Huan stood up and left without saying a word. Luo Er couldn't help but secretly screamed, "Damn it, this Eastern boy is so experienced despite his young age. Damn it." He hurriedly said loudly: "Fifteen thousand taels, fifteen naval guns, there really can't be more, otherwise I will kill him." I can’t take it out either.”

After hearing this, Jia Huan sat down again and said calmly: "Twenty thousand taels, twenty naval guns, and teach my people how to operate the guns. This is the most favorable condition."

Luo Er's face was uncertain, and he hesitated for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said: "Okay, it's settled, you let my first mate go first and let him go back to raise money." After saying that, a trace of undetectable light flashed in his eyes. cunning.

Jia Huan smiled and said, "Don't worry, wait until we get to the shore. Besides, there is no ship for you now."

Luo Er hurriedly said: "We have a spare small sailboard on the boat."

"You want your first officer to fly a small sailboard back to the Netherlands?" Jia Huan said in surprise.

Rohr shook his head and said: "That's definitely not possible, it's too far, but we have a supply point in Luzon, so we only need to get to Luzon."

Jia Huan took a look at Luo Er. Luzon is the Philippines, and it is quite far away from the East China Sea. The sea is vast, and with only a small sailboard, it would be difficult for you to sail to Luzon even if you are just a white stripe in the waves. This red-haired The Japanese must be lying. Maybe there are supply points or companions nearby. Wouldn't it be bad if they let the people go at this time and the other side recruits one or two bow gunboats?

Thinking of this, Jia Huan shook his head decisively and refused: "No, let's wait until we reach the shore."

(End of this chapter)