Chapter 396 Expanding 600,000 Land (Third update, please subscribe)
There is no winter in Nanyang, and there are no four seasons, 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 have had enough of days like this.
“This is our opportunity!”
Li Guoren, who was sitting in the car, looked away from the window.
Now, the time is ripe!
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.
He knew that the upcoming negotiations would be 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!
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.
Ten minutes later, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the first round of negotiations finally began.
"Mr. Minister, we all know that the United States has decided to stop aid to your country. If you do not withdraw your troops from Java, the difficulties you will face will far exceed any period in history."
Looking at Dutch Foreign Minister Stick, Li Guoren said meaningfully.
“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!”
< br>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.
Now for them, there is only one choice left, which is to maximize their interests.
"I think so too."
Stick nodded. Facing 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 In principle, I agreed to Nanyang's suggestion. In fact, when I was destined to lose something, I tried my best to gain some benefits.
"If you have no objections, we can discuss some issues first. Of course, these issues must be of great concern to us..."
Because both parties are willing to reach an agreement, so Stick seemed very polite and offered both cigarettes and cigars to Li Guoren. Although he knew that the other person only smoked, he was still polite, and then he took a cigar and started smoking it, blowing out smoke rings and waving politely. He waved his hands 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 are in Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands and There is a lot of investment in the West Irian region, so in this case we need to take into account your specific local interests.”
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.
Of course, we will definitely face a series of problems in the future.
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.
Both sides need to find an excuse first.
“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 protect the local people through the authorization of the United Nations. vote on their fate.”
Li Guoren strengthened his tone meaningfully. Continue:
“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 rule in the area. The colonial rule in that area allowed the locals to control their destiny! ”
You see, everyone follows the trend and considers the interests of the local people.
“Yes, this is a choice that is in the interest of everyone.”
These high-sounding words are all said to the outside world, but they are just to cover up, just to cover up, but... the strong betrayal of the weak.
But this is the truest aspect of international politics.
“$400 million!”
Unexpectedly, Stick made an offer directly.
“We believe that this is in line with the price of Dutch assets in those areas.”
Yes, the money was not a land transaction, but was transferred together with the Dutch transfer of governance rights. Whether the official assets, at least worth that much money, doesn't matter. Importantly, at least on the surface, this is not land transaction money. "$400 million!"
Li Guoren's tone was filled with ridicule.
“I think if there was an anti-colonial wave there, you might spend so much money there.”
Stick raised his eyebrows slightly in understanding, as if he wanted to ask, Are you making a threat?
But Li Guoren looked at him and said.
"Your Excellency, I come here with sincerity. We are willing to give you the compensation within our ability, but the quotation you made is obviously impossible to accept. After all, it is not a bill."
What bill?
Of course it was the bill issued by the North Borneo Company to the Dutch.
Don’t you feel embarrassed when you mention this now? I have the nerve to say that I am a lion with a big mouth.
Please show some face!
"Yes, you can make random bills, but you can't ask for money randomly!"
If it had been anyone else, he would have been embarrassed, but what Li Guoren said was righteous.
“80 million US dollars.”
“Impossible, that’s 600,000 square kilometers!”
Stic 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, it is not appropriate to explain this amount of money in more detail. New era value. 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,”
Stic said with a cigar between his fingers,
“Since we are going to come up with a package to solve all the problems, both our countries have We have received benefits. Therefore, we can consider 50% cash and 50% goods. The type of goods will be determined by our further negotiation. This price should be very suitable!”
When he said these words, Stick kept looking at the other party, 350 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$100 million, 20% cash, 80% barter, and a twenty-year interest-free payment period."
Stick moved his shoulders in dissatisfaction, put out the cigar with a quick movement, and pressed the cigarette butt into the crystal glass ashtray.
“$300 million, 30% cash.”
He said,
"$105 million!, 15% cash, 85% barter, thirty years interest-free payment period."
"$250 million..."
In this way, the two sides talked back and forth, and finally when it was approaching noon, Stick finally said after thinking for a while.
“I will report the conditions you propose 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$135 million. The Kingdom of the Netherlands handed over the governance of the islands to the North Borneo Company. Payment is 10% cash, 90% barter, with a twenty-five-year interest-free payment period.
“I think,”
Stic said after the contract was signed,
“After transferring the governance of these areas to you, you will definitely be able to provide for yourself. Achieving great benefits”
“But it will also bring endless troubles”
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)