Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 396: Six hundred thousand to expand the land (Third update, please subscribe)

There is no winter or four seasons in Nanyang, only the warm sun.

This winter is cold for most people.

The same is true for the Dutch. Like other countries in Europe, in the fourth year after the war, the Dutch still implemented a strict material rationing system.

The shadow of poverty and hunger still hangs over this land.

On the street, as the cars drove by, a long line of people with banners passed by - those who opposed remaining in the Netherlands. In the past year, the Dutch had spent half of their Marshall Plan aid. The funds were spent on the Dutch East Indies, where Dutch men died and bled, while women and children endured hunger and cold.

They had had enough of days like this.

"This is our chance!"

Li Guoren, who was sitting in the car, looked away from the window.

Now, the time is right!

Because both parties were willing to reach an agreement, Stick seemed very polite and offered cigarettes and cigars to Li Guoren. Although he knew that the other party only smoked, he was still polite, and then he took a cigar and started smoking. He blew out the smoke ring, waved his hands politely a few times to prevent the smoke from blowing in front of the guests, opened his mouth and said with a smile:

"Well, Mr. General, we all know that you have large investments in Sulawesi, Maluku Islands and West Irian. Therefore, in this case, we need to consider your special local interests." Benefit."

This is the premise for the two sides to negotiate - Nanyang has special interests in those areas, so this is not a betrayal, it is just a normal diplomatic negotiation between the two countries.

How many diplomats have had such an opportunity throughout the ages?

Although he was excited, Li Guoren still tried to calm down. The next negotiation was very critical.

Dozens of minutes later, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the first round of negotiations finally began.

For example, what about international public opinion, what about the United States, what about the United Nations, in a word, the sale of colonies is not that easy.

Of course, we will definitely face a series of problems in the future.

"It's not just special interests. We also have a large number of compatriots in the local area, even accounting for the vast majority of the local population. From this point of view, we can completely vote on the fate of the local area with the authorization of the United Nations."

Li Guoren, who said nothing, just sat motionless, wearing a single-breasted black coat with all buttons fastened, and a dark gray hat, staring straight ahead without blinking.

"But we believe that for reasons of peace, we will end your local rule by giving the Netherlands a sum of money and hand over the governance to us, thereby ending your colonial rule in that area and allowing the locals to Be able to control their destiny!"

Now for them, there is only one option left, which is to maximize their interests.

Looking at Dutch Foreign Minister Stick, Li Guoren said meaningfully.

Both sides need to find an excuse first.

You see, everyone is following the trend and considering the interests of the local people.

He knew that the upcoming negotiations would become his lifelong glory. If successful, he would even become the most outstanding diplomat in the history of the Tang Dynasty - expanding 600,000 square kilometers of land!

"As I said before, now is the time to consider the interests of the Netherlands. If something must be abandoned, then the best choice should be to maximize the benefits as much as possible!"

"Mr. Minister, we all know that the United States has decided to stop aid to your country. If you do not withdraw its troops from Java, the difficulties you will face will be far greater than any period in history."

"I think so."

Is this diplomatic talk? No, it's just stating a fact. The fact is that the Dutch no longer have the financial and material resources to support their rule over the Dutch East Indies.

Stick nodded. Faced with pressure from the United Nations, the United States, Britain and other countries, as well as domestic pressure, the Netherlands has decided to make concessions on the Java issue. At the same time, the cabinet has also agreed in principle to Nanyang's suggestions. In fact, it is doomed. When you are about to lose something, try to gain some benefits as much as possible.

Li Guoren strengthened his tone meaningfully. Go on:

"If you have no objections, we can discuss some issues first. Of course, these issues must be of great concern to us..."

"Yes, it is in everyone's interest."

These high-sounding words are all said to the outside world, but they are just to cover up, just to deceive others, just...the betrayal of the weak by the strong.

But this is the truest aspect of international politics.

"$4 billion!"

Surprisingly Stick made an offer directly.

"We believe this is in line with Dutch asset prices in those areas."

Yes, the money is not a land transaction, but official assets transferred together with the transfer of governance in the Netherlands. Whether it is worth at least that much money is not important. Importantly, at least on the surface, this is not land transaction money. "$4 million!"

Li Guoren's tone was filled with ridicule.

"I think if there had been an anti-colonial wave there, you might have spent that much money there."

Stick raised his eyebrows slightly in acknowledgment, as if he wanted to ask, are you making a threat?

But Li Guoren looked at him and said.

"Your Excellency, I am here with sincerity. We are willing to give you the compensation within our ability, but the price you quoted is obviously impossible to accept. After all, it is not a bill."

What bill?

Of course it was the original bill issued by the North Borneo Company to the Dutch.

Now that you mention this, your face gets hot, don't you feel embarrassed? I have the nerve to say that I am a lion with a big mouth.

You should have some face!

"Yes, you can write random bills, but you can't ask for money randomly!"

If it were anyone else, he would have been embarrassed long ago, but what Li Guoren said was righteous.

"$8000 million."

"Impossible, that's 600,000 square kilometers!"

Stick reminded him and quickly added.

"Our various assets on 600,000 square kilometers of land are definitely not worth just that little money."

In the current world situation, stating this amount of money in more detail would be inconsistent with new age values. It's best to cover it up first. He made a vague gesture, half-circled the cigar between his fingers, and began to ramble on about their investment in those lands and the future profits.

"I believe,"

Holding the cigar between his fingers, Stick said,

"Since we are going to introduce a package plan to solve all the problems, both our countries have benefited. Therefore, we can consider 50% cash, 50% goods, and the type of goods will be determined by our further negotiation, $3.5 million! This price It should be very suitable!”

When he said these words, Stick kept looking at the other party, 3.5 million US dollars, he himself did not believe that those bird places were worth so much money.

Li Guoren smiled and looked at the guy with his big mouth.

"Suitable? I think the suitable value should be my previous price. To show our sincerity, it is US$1 million, 20% cash, 80% barter, and a twenty-year interest-free payment period."

Stick moved his shoulders dissatisfied, put out the cigar with a quick movement, and pressed the cigarette butt into the crystal glass ashtray.

"$3 million, 30% cash."

he said,

"$1.05 million!, 15% cash, 85% barter, thirty-year interest-free payment period."

"$2.5 million..."

In this way, the two sides talked back and forth, and finally near noon, Stick finally said after thinking for a while.

"I will report the conditions you offer to the cabinet."

A few hours later, the two parties reached an agreement - North Borneo Company will acquire all the Dutch islands including the Natuna Islands, Sulawesi, the Irian area west of the Maluku Islands and their affiliated islands for US$1.35 million. The Kingdom of the Netherlands handed over the governance of the islands to the North Borneo Company. The payment method is, 10% cash, 90% barter, with a twenty-five-year interest-free payment period.

"I think,"

After the contract was signed, Stick said,

"After transferring the governance of these areas to you, you will definitely be able to obtain great benefits for yourself."

"But it will also bring endless trouble!"

Li Guoren shrugged his shoulders and said.

"It's just that misfortune lies where blessings depend, and blessing lies where misfortune lies... Who knows?"

(End of this chapter)