Chapter 767 Negotiation and Compromise
For indigenous people with extremely limited living resources, a delicious meal may be enough to change their view of the world. Most of the world they knew in the past was limited to a radius of dozens of miles, but when the Haihan people opened the window to the outside world for them and tasted some sweetness, many people would not be content to live in the mountains and forests. I spent my life in a hurry.
After filling their stomachs, the three indigenous representatives left the Haihan camp with satisfaction. Before leaving, they packed up all the unfinished food and drinks and took them away. Qian Tiandun would not be stingy with this effort. If the mission did not require it, he would even have the idea of leaving the fleet's cooking team here for a period of time to help these natives correct their very unhealthy eating habits.
"Pack your bags, get on the ship and get ready to set off." After handling this matter, Qian Tiandun immediately ordered the fleet to prepare and set off. The deadline agreed with the Dutch in Taimuang Port has passed by one day, and it is time to listen to the answer given by the Dutch.
Yesterday, one of the two reconnaissance boats left in Taiyuan Port went south to Dagou Port to report on the situation in the past two days. The Dutch did not make any drastic reaction. All the armed merchant ships stayed in the port and never left the dock. , it seems that he does not intend to use strong methods to fight Haihan.
The fleet went all the way north along the coastline and soon arrived outside Da Yuan Port. The Dutch were very conscious this time. Without waiting for Haihan to make any move, they sent a small boat to Haihan's fleet, and the messenger was still Philip, the merchant who had dealt with Haihan before.
"Lord Hans agrees in principle to reach a long-term peace agreement with you, but the details of the exchange conditions need to be modified." Philip respectfully presented Qian Tiandun's personal letter from Chief Hans.
However, although Qian Tiandun is a high-ranking military official, his foreign language proficiency is only at the level of being able to recite twenty-six English letters. This letter seems to him to be not much different from the Bible, so among them The content still needs to be dictated by Philip and then translated.
"Reduce the number of immigrants provided to us every month?" Qian Tiandun shook his head after listening to Philip's story: "Mr. Philip, it was you who said you would provide us with at least a thousand immigrants with specified conditions every month, so we have I am interested in negotiating with you. If these basic conditions cannot be fulfilled, then there is no need for us to continue the negotiation.”
Philip was in trouble and couldn't tell. Of course, this condition was not what he took for granted, but Hans's own idea, and he hinted that he could exaggerate appropriately. However, during the negotiation process, Philip found that Haihan was aggressive and did not dare to add fuel to the fire. He generally followed Hans' words. But the problem is that after the talks, Hans went back and reported. Hans said that in actual operation, it was impossible to meet such conditions. The number might be barely enough, but if all the immigration types were designated by Haihan, it would definitely not be possible.
Of course, leadership mistakes still have to be made up for by subordinates, so the unlucky Philip has to play the role of tinker again - if he can't make up for it, it is very likely that he will have to work full-time again, changing from tinkering to tinkering. Take the blame.
"Dear General Qian, we don't mean any disrespect, but there are still some difficulties in reaching the number of immigrants we agreed on before, and it is unlikely that you will all specify the types of immigrants." Philip could only accompany him carefully. explained.
"You are viciously consuming your credit!" Qian Tiandun accused unceremoniously: "If you can't even comply with the conditions you proposed a few days ago, then how can I trust you to comply with our Where is the agreement that was negotiated? I entered into this negotiation with you based on my trust in the East India Company’s business reputation, but I didn’t expect you to be such a businessman!”
Philip could not refute the situation and could only continue to argue: "There are some misunderstandings... Some of our merchant ships and personnel who were originally engaged in transactions with Japan, North Korea and other countries have recently been transferred back to Badawi Asia, so there will be some disconnect in immigration matters... But General Qian, please don’t doubt our sincerity, we can slowly negotiate the specific conditions!”
Qian Tiandun shook his head and said: "I am somewhat interested in the conditions you proposed before, but if you can't do it now, you have to halve the previously negotiated conditions. I'm sorry, but I can't accept this new condition. . If you can’t show the corresponding sincerity, there is no need for us to continue talking.”
While Philip scolded Hans in his heart for causing harm to others, he continued to persuade Qian Tiandun with a smile on his face: "General Qian, the conditions are negotiable. I have taken the initiative to visit again and again, which is also a reflection of our sincerity... How about... Will we supply an additional 100 immigrants every month?”
Qian Tiandun said with a straight face: "Mr. Philip, what we are talking about now is a transaction, and we are not without money. If you add a thousand people, I will give you a thousand people's money. Can you be more relaxed? It's so stumbling. Is it interesting to talk about it? ”
According to the transaction conditions previously agreed upon by both parties, after Haihanfang obtains qualified immigrants, it still has to pay certain fees to the Dutch, which naturally includes the cost of the Dutch organizing the transportation of immigrants from Northeast Asian countries. However, Li Dou, who was in charge of the negotiations at that time, had already lowered the unit price very low. The Dutch could only protect their capital in this transaction, and there was really no profit to speak of. Moreover, considering the fact that large-scale transportation of immigrants to the Haihan people is tantamount to accelerating suicide, the Dutch are not willing to do this kind of trade of blood transfusions to their opponents in exchange for their own living space. The sentiments of the Han people living in Hainan are as long as they are not allowed to take radical measures against Damuan Port in the short term. Besides, even if more immigrants are sent to Haihan, it is obvious that Haihan will not be satisfied with the current sphere of influence, and will only accelerate the encroachment of the area surrounding the Dutch rule.
For Heihan, what is more important is not the total number of immigrants that the Dutch can provide, but the part of the immigrants that can be specified. These immigrants with certain specialties or skills are the talents that Haihan is willing to pay to introduce. Otherwise, it would be better to directly absorb war refugees from the Ming Dynasty without distinction, and the cost will be lower.
In addition, there is now another reason why Qian Tiandun must continue the negotiation or the peace between the two parties, and that is Haihan's future colonial development of the Dagougang area on the west coast of Taiwan Island. Although if the Haihan militia really wanted to use force, it would not be impossible to capture Taiyuan Port, but the war price paid for this would not necessarily be cost-effective. After Qian Tiandun visited the site, he believed that even if Taiyuan Port was conquered, the environment at Dagou Port would not be more suitable for long-term construction. Moreover, based on the current strength of Taiyuan Port, it was actually not as good as before by the military. The threat was so great as expected. Of course, this is also related to the previous war in Batavia. After all, the East India Company's main trunk was seriously damaged, and branches and leaves such as Damuan Port will naturally be affected by this. Judging from the intelligence obtained, the East India Company will definitely not be able to recover within one or two years. The current attitude of Taiyuan Port also reflects its declining strength and serious lack of confidence. Since it is no longer possible to threaten the security of the Penghu base, Qian Tiandun will naturally revise the military's previous plan. War is just a tool to achieve political goals, but if the goal can be achieved at the negotiation table, there is no need to use this last resort.
What Qian Tiandun wants to achieve now is to suppress the influence of Damuan Port in Fujian waters as much as possible and gradually let Haihan control this area. At the same time, a colonial point must be built on the island of Taiwan to form a Haihan sub-base with real production and self-sustainability capabilities in the southeastern coastal areas of the mainland. After all, Penghu is too small. It can be used as a military base and immigration transfer center, but there is no room for development. If we want to transfer the construction model from Sanya, we still have to put it in a place like Dagougang.
On the basis of meeting these conditions, if more value can be squeezed out of the Dutch, for example, by obtaining some higher-quality immigrants from several small countries in Northeast Asia through their channels, it will basically be considered an additional gain. part.
November 11, 1632, the twenty-ninth day of September in the fifth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty. Qian Tiandun, the commander of the Penghu base of the Haihan Militia, and Hans, the chief executive of the East India Company, met on the Sankunyu sandbank outside Danyuan Port and signed the "Haihan-Netherlands" which was later known as the "Singles' Day Agreement" "Penghu Supplementary Clauses to the Armistice Agreement".
The content of this "Supplementary Clause" is mainly the exchange conditions negotiated by the two parties this time, that is, the Dutch side will provide long-term immigrants in exchange for the Haihan side's commitment not to take any form of hostile action in the Taiyuan Port area.
Although the scale of immigrant supply finally negotiated by the Dutch did not reach the original promised number, Qian Tiandun was basically satisfied. No less than 800 immigrants will be transported to Penghu by Dutch merchant ships every month, of which the number of immigrants of the type designated by Haihan will be no less than 200. This number is definitely not comparable to the war refugees recruited from the coast of Shandong, but it is still a useful supplement to some extent. Especially since Qian Tiandun has reported to the executive committee and is preparing to open a branch base in the Dagougang area, the continuous introduction of immigrants is particularly important.
The Dutch also got the peace they wanted. Haihan promised that the area south of Zengwen Creek and north of Erren Creek, which spanned about forty miles, belonged to the East India Company. However, this peace is only temporary, because the supplementary terms are only valid for two years. After two years, the two parties will decide whether to renew or terminate the contract depending on the actual situation.
Of course, the Dutch wanted to sign the agreement for a longer period of time, but Qian Tiandun only gave them two options, one was for two years, and the other was not to sign. The helpless Dutch could only choose to accept the former.
The reason why Qian Tiandun chose the time point of two years was to draw on the early experience of Sanya and Heitu Port. Two years was enough for Haihan to build a large-scale colonial port in the Dagougang area. At that time, whether it is to continue to squeeze the Dutch or to expel them from Taiwan Island as the situation changes, the initiative will be in the hands of Haihan.
"It's a pleasure to cooperate. I hope the agreement we signed today will become the basis for the future development of bilateral relations." After Qian Tiandun signed the agreement, he stood up and extended his hand to Hans with a smile on his face.
Hans was a little surprised that this Haihan officer could understand this kind of Western social etiquette, but he still squeezed out a wry smile and shook hands with Qian Tiandun: "General Qian, I am a peace-loving person. I hope this agreement can make The peace between us lasts longer ”
Qian Tiandun raised his eyebrows, but out of courtesy did not refute his statement in person. This Dutchman actually had the nerve to say that he loved peace. It seemed that he had consciously forgotten the fact that last summer he sent an armed fleet to assist Shibazhi in the war, but was defeated by the Haihan warship and fled. However, Hans probably didn't know very well that the officer who commanded the battle on Haihan's side last year was Qian Tiandun in front of him.
Of course, Qian Tiandun would not believe the Western colonists' show of weakness. If the Dutch had won last summer's battle, and if Batavia had not suffered that tragic battle this year, Hans probably would not have treated him so condescendingly. this negotiation. What is more likely to happen is that the Dutch mobilized troops from the South China Sea to move northward and expel Haihan from Penghu and even the Fujian Strait.
Of course, this hypothetical situation is no longer possible in this time and space. The Dutch are slow to follow step by step. Although they entered the Fujian Strait to run colonies several years earlier than Haihan, the current situation is that Haihan is catching up. , and gradually replaced the East India Company's influence in this region. After the Haihan colony in the Dagougang area is established, it will basically become a foregone conclusion that Haihan will come from behind.
Of course, Qian Tiandun's signing of this agreement with the East India Company was not his personal wanton act, but had been authorized by the Executive Committee. The military insisted on implementing the development plan of "first to the east, then to the north" and first selected Taiwan Island as the next colonial point. In the end, the civilian authorities were unable to defeat the military and agreed that Qian Tiandun would negotiate with the Dutch in Fujian for local settlement. Negotiate governance issues.
There is no doubt that the negotiation hosted by Qian Tiandun allowed Haihan to take advantage of it. Moreover, even the colonial sites had been inspected on the spot and a decision had been made. The Executive Committee had nothing to find fault with. . In addition to authorizing Qian Tiandun, all the Executive Committee can do is to get the civil affairs, shipping and other departments to start taking action to prepare the materials and corresponding professionals needed for the initial development of the first Haihan colony on the island of Taiwan. . After the springboard for this step is set up, Haihan can continue to expand his sphere of influence northward with confidence and boldness.
(End of chapter)