Chapter 238 Gifts!
Liang Pengfei smiled and looked at the scene in front of him. He, who was proficient in Western languages, could not understand French. However, he did not show it, because he did not have the habit of showing his cards once, which was the habit of his many dangerous career in his previous life.
"What's the matter? Your subordinate seems to be very dissatisfied. Do you want to try our Qing Dynasty's naval guns?" Wu Liang was like a catty of gunpowder just poured in. He still spoke extremely loudly and his expression was still extremely arrogant, but Liang Pengfei smiled and didn't say anything, because Wu Liang's appearance was arranged in advance. Anyway, he had to find a reason to show the arrogance and domineering of the officials of the Qing Dynasty, as well as that kind of greed. With barbarism.
Anyway, in a word, let those Westerners despise the better. Wu Liang can only do it according to Liang Pengfei's instructions. As for the reason, I'm afraid that only the roundworms in Liang Pengfei's stomach will understand what he wants to do.
"Of course not, my general, my subordinates don't have any malice. General Liang, let's talk about business. Our His Majesty's requirements are actually quite simple. This is an imperial edict signed by our His Majesty. Please have a look." In desperation, Macartney, who had always been a standard British aristocratic gentleman, decided not to argue with the two arrogant and arrogant Qing people in front of him. He took out the imperial edict of His Majesty and handed it over to Liang Pengfei.
Liang Pengfei looked at the beautiful handwriting. After seeing the content inside, the corners of Liang Pengfei's mouth bent into a strange arc. He gently played the national letter signed by King George III of England with his finger: "Wow, you have so many requests. I don't think your requests can be passed."
"General, this is not much. Our requirements are quite simple. It can be said that this is just some of the necessary foundations for diplomacy and trade between our European countries." Macartney looked so respectful. But in fact, there is a little drum in his heart, because in the end, according to the requirements of the East India Company, after consulting the parties, he has added a few more on the original basis.
"Increase your UK's trade share? There is also this article. If your British businessmen commit crimes within the territory of our Qing Dynasty in the future, they must be handed over to you for trial?! Do you think it's possible?" Liang Pengfei laughed. Behind him, several English-speaking subordinates couldn't help showing a contemptuous expression. In that way, it seemed that the British's behavior was just a short man who wanted to climb on the elephant's back to play with a big knife.
"This is an international practice, General Liang." At this time, Stangdong, who was scratching his itchy scalp under the wig, stood up. As an important employee of the East India Company in Macao, he was much more well-informed. Since you are proficient in our language, you should also know some of our history of Europe. Please believe me. This requirement is a diplomatic practice in our Europe.
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As the largest opium smuggler of the East India Company, Shilka was cleared along the coast of Guangdong last year. Shirka and hundreds of his men did not survive. All of them were executed and the goods were confiscated.
You should know that European goods are difficult to sell in Qing, and the crazy obsession of British aristocrats and civilians with silk, tea and porcelain in the East has increased the trade deficit of Britain's with Qing Dynasty year by year. It is for this reason that the East India Company has found that After opium smuggling was profitable, with the acquiescence and even hint of high-level officials, opium was planted in India to smuggle China a few years ago.
is to win back the trade balance between the two countries through opium drugs. Although the Qing Dynasty explicitly banned it, the East India Company, which has been working with Qing officials for many years, is very clear that the ban is just a piece of paper in the eyes of the corrupt officials of the Qing Dynasty.
However, they still dare not be too angry with this huge empire and quietly open the market through smuggling channels. In the past two years, the profits from the opium trade have attracted the attention of the senior management of East India. Therefore, opium has accounted for a large proportion of the East India Company's trade with the Qing Dynasty, but it is still It was entered through smuggling channels.
And the Sharka, who has been engaged in the opium trade from the beginning, has been engaged in the smuggling trade for many years, which has enabled him to easily import opium into the country through smuggling channels. It is precisely because of this that the East India Company fully supports the smuggling tycoon, who is trusted by the senior management of the East India Company.
But who would have thought that last year, when the opium had an unprecedented harvest last year, Shirka almost once scraped off all the opium and went to the Qing Dynasty. As a result, people were gone and the goods were gone, making the East India Company' loss on opium alone reach more than one million pounds.
After the news that no one could survive, the news of Shirka and his party, who secretly smuggled opium for the East India Company, came back to India, the senior management of the East India Company was almost stunned by the news, and then angry. If it hadn't been for the strong opposition of several of them, including Sdendon and others, it might have been last year. The East India Company may send the British Empire's fleet in Indochina, with the Hindustan as its flagship, to Guangzhou.
However, although the efforts of Sdangdong and others have temporarily extinguished the anger of the East India Company, their dissatisfaction with the Qing Dynasty has become their consensus. Towards the end of the year, the share of trade purchased by the United Kingdom from the thirteen banks of Guangzhou was suddenly cut by 20% and a half, which surprised and dissatisfied. However, several times, representing the interests of those Hong Kong businessmen subordinate to the East India Company, Shi Dangdong found Ye Shanglin and Pan Youdu, and the two gave him an answer. The case seems to be very consistent. The amount of trade share has something to do with the bids of businessmen in other European countries.
Although Sgtong was willing to pay the same price, or even slightly higher, to obtain the trade shares divided by those countries, the two were unwilling. Instead, they declined Sgtong's request on the grounds that they had signed a contract and could not be changed.
This made Sdang very dissatisfied, but he had no way. Although the reduction of trade share was still short and did not have much impact, it was enough to make the senior management of the East India Company vigilant again.
At this time, Macartney, who went to the east by the order of His Majesty the King and the Parliament, came to India. Naturally, Stangdong would not miss this opportunity. Therefore, at the request of him and the East India Company, for the benefit of the empire, Macartney decided to put East India again. The company's requirements have been added to the national letter.
Liang Pengfei stretched out a finger and shook it with Macartney. Unfortunately, this is the East. Good luck. This is what I want to tell you." After Liang Pengfei said such a light word, he returned the national letter to Macartney.
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Some stunned Macartney took the national letter, but he didn't quite understand the meaning of Liang Pengfei's words, and Si Dangdong next to him explained to him in French: "Mr. Count, don't worry, Orientals like to pretend to be unpredictable, which often makes people confused."
Although Macartney still had many questions in his heart, he decided to put it aside at this time. Otherwise, it would be quite impolite to talk to himself in words that the other party did not understand in front of the other party. He didn't want to provoke the general of the Qing Dynasty.
Liang Pengfei took out a pack of cigarettes from his arms with a smile. After tearing the seal, he nodded himself. The fragrance of tobacco made the smokers present couldn't help swallowing their saliva.
"It seems that gentlemen are very interested in the cigarettes I smoke. In this case, monk, give these British gentlemen two boxes and bring them up." Liang Pengfei glanced at the monk Chen behind him.
Soon, two boxes of cigarettes were placed on the deck. The bag of beautifully packaged and novel cigarettes were handed to the hands of the members of the British envoys who were crowded on the deck to watch the fun. Soon, the deck was almost covered with smoke. If there happened to be a traveler who landed on the sea at this time. Maybe I thought I had met a steam sailboat powered by coal.
"Your generosity really moved me, Mr. General, this thing is a little less spicy and energetic than a pipe, but it makes people feel very fresh and pleasant. I have received such a gift in India, but it's a pity that it's too little, and I finished it in two days." Macartney let the smoke spew out of his mouth, and looked at the cigarette in his hand.
"Since Mr. Ambassador likes it, you can rest assured that when I arrive in Macao, I will send more to you and your subordinates. You know, we Orientals have always been very hospitable." Liang Pengfei laughed, but there was a bright light in his eyes.
"Well, there is one more thing now, that is, I need to check and comprehensively inspect all your warships. First, it is to see what gifts you have prepared for our respected Emperor. Second, I need to check whether your subordinates's warships carry contraband, such as opium. "." After Liang Peng flew his cigarette butt, he cleared his throat and said straight to Macartney.
"Opium?" Si Dangdong was shaking his fingers with a cigarette, and his smiling face couldn't help but stiffen. Your Excellency, I think you are mistaken. This is our country's mission fleet, not a smuggling merchant ship. How can there be such a thing?
"Damn it, does he think our British Empire even carries opium on the diplomatic fleet? This idea is so nonsense that it is simply an insult to the diplomatic envoys of the British Empire. Baron Stone East thought so in his heart.
And the faces of the members of the mission who slightly changed their attitude towards Liang Pengfei because of Liang Pengfei's generosity showed absurdity and anger, as if they had been engaged in opium smuggling for many years. They were a group of pure people who were as pure as angels.
"So you mean that as British envoys, you actually know that your people are smuggling opium into our country?" Liang Pengfei tilted his head and looked at Si Dangdong. The smile on his face was like a fox playing with its prey.
(to be continued)