Chapter 2780
Although he has learned about the Satsuma Domain's arrival in Hangzhou, Masuyama Masato does not intend to meet with the Satsuma Domain's envoys in private. Not only will that not solve the current problem, but it is likely to make the shogunate further passive.
The Satsuma clan and the shogunate have always seemed to be inseparable. If Masuyama Masari planned to use the authority of the shogunate to pressure the other party to give up contact with Kaihan, he would probably only be asking for trouble. Moreover, once such a request is made, it will easily arouse the other party's vigilance and hostility, and the effect may be counterproductive.
A more feasible way is to learn from Haihan about the purchase projects of Satsuma Domain, and then take targeted measures. Of course, there is also a difficulty in this, and that is how to get the shrewd Haihan people to reveal such confidential information.
That night Zengshan Zhengli tossed and turned on the couch, unable to come up with a foolproof plan. Although he was entrusted with important tasks by the shogunate, he lacked diplomatic experience, and his opponent was a high-ranking official from Haihan who was extremely difficult to deal with. This matter was extremely difficult for him.
When Masato Masuyama walked into the conference room the next day, his bloodshot eyes immediately attracted Bai Kesi's attention: "Master Masuyama, it looks like you haven't had a good rest! Is there anything we haven't done well in our reception work?" Is it in place?”
After listening to the translation, Masuyama Masato could only force a smile and said: "Thank you, Mr. Bai, for your concern! The reason why I didn't have a good rest has nothing to do with your country's reception, but I am worried that there are too many differences in opinions between us, which will affect this The implementation process of the sub-arms deal ”
Baikes smiled and said: "As long as we can maintain the current good communication model, I think our differences will be eliminated soon. After all, the ultimate goal of both of us is to reach a deal, not to decide the winner at the negotiation table."
Masato Masuyama curled his lips subconsciously after listening. He did not agree with Bai Kesi's statement. In fact, the other party refused to give up any ground at the negotiation table and vetoed all the conditions he proposed. It was difficult for him not to understand it. It's a form of bullying.
He really wanted to ask one more question, if Haihan had no intention of making any concessions or adjustments, then what was the point of holding negotiations? Is it just to make Masato Masuyama hit a wall here and have his will collapse?
Bai Kesi had no intention of debating with him, and quickly brought the topic to the arms purchase project where the two sides still had differences.
In previous negotiations, the two parties had roughly determined the content of the transaction. But after arriving in Hangzhou, the sales list provided by Haihan added new options that dazzled Masato Masari. Although these options are actually based on a limited number of designated equipment, and are just differences in specific configurations, they will undoubtedly increase the military purchase budget a lot.
For example, the Type 29 flintlock rifle that the shogunate planned to purchase actually had several options to enhance combat performance on top of the original basic model, such as an adjustable sight with a shooting sight, an integrated folding bayonet, and a rifle cleaning tool. Paper shells, custom-loaded ammunition, etc., and each item may be subdivided into several configurations of different levels.
The Sanyi artillery provides a variety of fixed and mobile gun mounts to choose from to adapt to different combat environments and needs. The gun body can be made of cast iron, bronze, or higher-grade gun steel. The combat performance and corresponding price are naturally progressive.
Metal armor, which seems to be the simplest, also has thickened versions on top of the basic ones, reinforced versions with more protective parts, and luxurious versions with more sophisticated craftsmanship, and can even be customized on demand. It is worth mentioning that after arriving in Hangzhou, Masuyama Masato had already received a set of high-end armor that was completely tailored to his figure. He conservatively estimated that this set of armor would be worth at least one thousand taels of silver in Japan, but Bai Kesi pointed out that He refused to accept it, saying it was a personal gift to him. Although this is not enough to put Masuyama Masato under the pressure of "taking advantage of others", the additional options provided by Haihanxin really make it very difficult for him - if you choose, you have to pay extra, if you don't choose, it will always be It feels like money was spent but I didn’t buy a complete weapon.
Although there are some simple accessories that seem to be easy to imitate, who can be sure whether the performance of the imitation products can reach the level of the original products? By then, if domestic imitation is not available and you come to Haihan to buy these accessories separately, it will definitely not be at the current package price.
Masato Masuyama was not a military expert, and he did not dare to make blind choices with his eyes closed. Fortunately, there were several officers leading troops in the mission he led, who could provide some reference opinions, but these opinions were limited to army equipment.
What really caused Masuyama Masato a headache was the combat ship that the shogunate most urgently wanted to purchase.
Haihan currently only agrees to sell exploration-class warships and weapons to the shogunate, and provide follow-up personnel training and ship upgrade services. Of course, these services require additional money to purchase. The large battleships Masato Masuyama is interested in are not for sale, the breech-loaded ship-borne artillery with stronger combat performance is not for sale, and the steam-powered propulsion system that can significantly increase the speed is not for sale.
Although Haihan also provided a variety of additional upgrade options for the exploration-class warships, the lack of those not-for-sale items inevitably made Masato Masuyama greatly disappointed.
Baikes insisted that the delivery period of new ships could not be effectively shortened, which was contrary to the expectations of the shogunate. This was also the focus of Masuyama Masato's confrontation with Baikes in the past few days.
But today, Bai Kesi still did not make concessions. Instead, he brought some bad news to Masuyama Masato: "Master Masuyama, there is one thing I must remind you. In the previous negotiations, we suggested that your country consider Purchase second-hand warships to shorten the required delivery period. But now the situation has changed. In the short term, your country may no longer have the opportunity to purchase second-hand warships and can only choose to purchase new ships.”
Although Masuyama Masato had not originally planned to buy a second-hand warship as his first choice, he was still shocked when he heard Bai Kesi's words and asked: "Why is this?"
Bai Kesi explained calmly: "This is because a new buyer has come to Hangzhou. This buyer may not be as sensitive to the old and new issues of warships as the shogunate. He is willing to consider purchasing a batch of second-hand warships from our country so that he can form a team as soon as possible." A reliable maritime armed force.”
"New buyer?" Masuyama Masato was stunned at first, and then his expression changed. The new buyer that Bai Kesi said came so coincidentally, and his purpose was clear. He wanted to buy warships, even second-hand ships. , who else besides Satsuma Domain?
If the Satsuma clan rushes to form an armed fleet before the shogunate, it will not be good news. It will only further aggravate the local separatism in the Kyushu region, and this is exactly what Masuyama Masato wants to prevent.
"Master Bai, you can't do this!" Masuyama Masato was really anxious now.
(End of chapter)