Chapter 931: Interest comes first
The Haihan side gave a very frank statement, clearly stating that they were passing through Batavia Port on their way south for military exercises. But the East India Company would naturally not easily believe such a statement - your fucking cannons were set up at my door, and you still told me that you were passing by? Traveling thousands of miles to come here to "pass by" is quite sincere.
Yan Chujie refused to admit Haihan's "sinister intentions", and Fan Diemen did not have the confidence to continue questioning, so he could only change the subject: "Then please explain the purpose of arranging this meeting, General Yan!"
"Our purpose is very simple, that is, we hope that both parties can strengthen communication, let go of some unpleasantness in the past, and open up a new stage of mutually beneficial cooperation." Yan Chujie said sternly: "The Netherlands and we Haihan are both peoples who are good at maritime trade. Although there are There are competitions and even conflicts, but we always believe that there is a lot of room for cooperation and we can achieve peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.”
Fan Diemen frowned after listening to Su Keyi's translation. He didn't quite understand why Haihan would make such a statement, and actually proposed a truce and cooperation. This was not like Haihan's style. When Haihan had the upper hand on FJ Ambon Island several times before, he always faced the East India Company with a domineering attitude. In November last year, Haihan's Fourth Fleet blocked the entrance to Da Yuan Port and forced Da Yuan Commander Hans to sign a peace agreement. It was a genuine alliance under the city. Hans signed the agreement reluctantly, so that he could save three acres of land in Damuan Port from being pushed over by Hai Hanping. It is precisely because of this that when Van Diemen asked Su Keyi for his opinion, he would be particularly angry when he heard him mention the words "alliance under the city".
"There must be a conspiracy!" What Van Diemen was thinking about at this time was not how to discuss the cooperation they mentioned with the Haihan people, but he had deep doubts about the purpose of the Haihan people's move. Judging from what the Haihan people have done in the past, there is no reason for them to take the initiative to show favor to the East India Company at this time - unless there are some interests that are greater and more important than defeating the East India Company, they will weigh it. Then I chose the path of peace.
"Then I would like to hear if you have any constructive suggestions?" Since the Haihan people are not directly looking for trouble, Fan Diemen is not so anxious and plans to calm down and deal with Yan Chujie.
Yan Chujie said: "As far as I know, except for the colonial point of Taiyuan Port on Taiwan Island, most of the other control areas of your company are around the Java Sea. Your cargo ships can only go north to Da Yuan when the monsoon direction is suitable. To carry out trade in places like Yuan, Ryukyu, and Japan, we have to wait until the right season for the return trip. Isn’t it an exaggeration to say that traveling back and forth twice a year is the limit?”
The voyage from Batavia to Damuan Port is two thousand nautical miles, and the distance from Damuan Port to Hirado is still thousands of nautical miles. To complete such a long trade route, for the sailing ships and navigation of this era Both are great tests. Due to the performance limitations of Dutch sailing ships, the voyage could only be completed by relying on monsoon winds in the right season, so the efficiency of transporting goods was extremely limited. Of course, this is one of the reasons why goods from the Far East can be sold at high prices after being shipped back to Europe. After all, things are rare and expensive. In this era of limited transportation capacity, the problem of imbalance between supply and demand cannot be solved, and the price can only be left to the market. to decide.
Of course, the East India Company also tried to increase cargo volume to obtain more profits, but all they could do was to increase ships. As for increasing cargo ship frequency across seasons, they were unable to accomplish it based on their capabilities. Although what Yan Chujie said is a bit harsh, it is indeed the current actual situation, and in most of the years after the Northeast Asia route was opened, two round-trip freight arrangements have not been completed.
However, as the Governor of the East India Company, Van Diemen would not easily weaken his position in front of his opponents. He asked noncommittally: "I have nothing to say about our company's freight arrangements. What exactly does General Yan want to say?"
Yan Chujie said: "What I want to say is that we have ways to increase the amount of goods shipped to Batavia from the above places every year by two to three times, or even more. Of course, this requires your cooperation."< br>
Van Diemen couldn't hide his surprise after hearing this: "I would like to ask General Yan how to do it?"
Yan Chujie said: "It's very simple. Just leave the freight north of Batavia to Haihan. You only need to place an order with us, and we will complete everything from procurement to transportation. Our sailboats are not affected by the monsoon. restrictions, we can travel to and from this route in any season, and there are enough supply points to stop along the way. In this regard, I think we have many important conditions that you lack.”
Van Diemen couldn't help but take a breath after hearing this. Yan Chujie's proposal was not about business cooperation, but he clearly wanted to completely eliminate the East India Company's influence in Northeast Asia. If all the freight tasks were handed over to Haihan, then Taiwan's Taiyuan Port and Japan's Hirado Trading Station, which the East India Company had spent many years operating, would completely lose their meaning of existence. In recent years, the East India Company and its Western competitors have been fighting back and forth on the seas of the Far East. Isn't it just to compete for control of sea routes? This Haihan man was quite direct. He wanted to knock out the East India Company in just a few words, and he was able to openly call it cooperation. Van Diemen was amazed by how thick-skinned and sinister he was.
Of course, what Yan Chujie said does exist objectively. The inherent flaws in the sail design of the Dutch sailing ship doomed its sailing performance to be inferior to that of the Haihan sailing ship. In the past, the Netherlands had a supply port in the South China Sea, the Ambunas Islands. It can be docked. After losing this place, the Dutch sailing ship was unable to obtain supplies for an extra week on the route between Batavia and Damian Port. The cargo ship had to use more space to add a crew of people here. The supplies required within a period of time, and the value of the cargo lost due to this is also an amount that cannot be ignored. In contrast, Haihan, which has multiple supply ports in the South China Sea, does have its unique advantages on this route.
"With all due respect, General Yan's cooperation proposal is too insincere." Van Diemen tried to keep a calm tone and retorted: "If you want to cooperate with us in shipping, then you should ask us Open supply ports such as Ampurna Island instead of trying to crudely replace our maritime transport qualifications in this area. Although the East India Company has not many ships, it is not enough to need help from outsiders!"
Yan Chujie said calmly: "Mr. Governor, the method I propose is the best way to resolve the dispute between us. You can save a lot of shipping capacity and engage in shipping to the west of Sumatra. This way you can ensure that there is enough We will use the transportation capacity to absorb the various goods that will be shipped to Batavia in the future. We are responsible for the maritime transportation in an area. Isn’t this very reasonable?” Van Diemen just wanted to curse after hearing this. The Haihan people's ambition to monopolize shipping in the Far East was already obvious, but Yan Chujie could still speak so confidently, as if this arrangement was for the East India Company.
But Van Diemen didn't dare to stand up to Yan Chujie. He was still a little worried that the Haihan people would take action if they disagreed. The city of Batavia, which had not yet healed from old wounds, might not be able to stop these wolves and tigers. Van Diemen thought for a while and then came up with a more euphemistic statement: "General Yan, the East India Company has formed trading partnerships with many countries in the Far East. Haihan wants to exclude us from the game. Is it right?" Have you asked these countries for their ideas? Can you ensure that they will be willing to cooperate with you? ”
"I don't think this is a big problem." Yan Chujie retorted without giving in: "When it comes to doing business with the Ming Dynasty and surrounding countries, we Han people have thousands of years more experience than you. Before your merchant ships come, Maritime trade in this region has existed for a long time before the Far East. If I remember correctly, the East India Company was only established thirty years ago. I don't think your company's trading relations are irreplaceable. What you can do in the Far East, Haihan can do, and will do better than you. But what we can do, you may not be able to do.”
"General Yan, I hope you and your companions will not overestimate your abilities. We Dutch have traveled all over the world. There is nothing we have not seen before, and there is nothing we dare not try. ! We respect Haihan, but we are not afraid of you!" Fan Diemen slowly clenched his fists under the table, staring straight at Yan Chujie, unwilling to give in anymore.
Yan Chujie smiled and said: "With all due respect, you may not have understood the current situation. Don't you realize that in recent years, more and more countries in the Far East have joined our Haihan camp?" Do you think it is Haihan who is compressing your living space, but in fact it is a choice made by many countries, but Haihan is the one who is at the forefront this time. If you want to hear their opinions from the generals who captured the city and the wealthy businessmen of the Ming Dynasty, I can arrange a meeting with you right away.”
Seeing Yan Chujie's confident look, Van Diemen didn't seem to be praising Haikou. He also knew how much influence Haihan had in the countries of Ming Dynasty, Annan, and Champa. If Haihan extended an invitation, it would be reasonable for dignitaries from these countries to go south with his fleet. As for the position of these people, there is no need to ask. How could they offend the Haihan people for the East India Company? As stakeholders, they must be wearing the same pants as the Haihan people.
However, Van Diemen would not admit defeat and still argued forcefully: "We also have trade relations with Ryukyu, RB and other countries. Your statement is a bit biased."
A confident smile appeared on Yan Chujie's face again: "Maybe Mr. Governor is not very clear about some recent changes in the international situation. This year, we captured two strongholds established by the Spanish in the northern part of Taiwan Island, and then outside Hangzhou Bay in the Ming Dynasty. We have captured the Zhoushan Islands. When it comes to Japan and Ryukyu, we are much closer than you. Both of these two countries have deep connections with China, and it is much easier for us to communicate with them than you are in terms of financial resources. In terms of business strategy, I don’t think anyone dares to boast that Haikou is better than Haihan. To be honest, I can’t think of any reason why businessmen from these two countries should choose your side between you and me. If You know, please tell me.”
"You..." Van Diemen was so angry that his nails were digging into the flesh of his palms. He was actually very aware of what happened along the coast of the Ming Dynasty in the first half of the year. He was very gloating about what happened to the Spaniards at that time, but Unexpectedly, when the Haihan people showed off this matter, I couldn't even find the slightest bit of happiness.
How close the Zhoushan Islands and the Spanish strongholds in Taipei are to Ryukyu and Japan are clearly marked on the East India Company's charts, and Van Diemen has studied the situation in this area more than once. He knew very well that Yan Chujie was not bragging on this matter. After Haihan occupied these two areas, he indeed had a superior geographical advantage over the East India Company. With Haihan's financial resources and business skills, it is not impossible to replace the trading status and role of the East India Company in Northeast Asia.
But what makes Van Diemen feel sad is that even though he is very aware of the Haihan people's tricks, he has no way to fight back, and even verbal counterattacks are very weak. Seeing the proud look on Yan Chujie's face, Fan Diemen really wanted to flip the table and leave, but he also knew that it was easy for him to fall out, but it was difficult to stop Haihan's ambition. If he just walked away, Haihan would It’s really hard to predict what tricks will come out next. If the Haihan people get angry and launch an offensive against Batavia City, then he, the governor, will be in big trouble.
"General Yan, since you took the initiative to propose this meeting, I tentatively believe that you are indeed sincere in cooperating with us, but the plan you proposed is really outrageous. Please forgive me and I cannot accept it. I think if you If you really want to reach an agreement, you should come up with a more feasible plan." Van Diemen paused and said in a more serious tone: "The basis of cooperation is that both parties can benefit. If all these benefits are taken by you. If we go, then the basis for cooperation will no longer be established. I hope General Yan will realize this.”
Van Diemen's reaction was basically as expected by Yan Chujie. After arriving in Batavia, he would propose talks to the East India Company. Of course, it was not a temporary initiative, but a project that had been planned before going south. To this end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Shipping, the Ministry of Security and other departments held several coordination meetings, gathering a group of elites to discuss strategies during negotiations with the Dutch.
In the chapter, riben is a sensitive word and will be automatically replaced, so from this chapter onwards it will be replaced with Japanese. Please forgive me
(End of chapter)