Chapter 1534 Local Separatism

For Qu Yutong, in addition to earning huge profits from the various trade projects he cooperates with Haihan, he can also get Haihan to help him personally in various aspects. For example, if Qu Yutong needs some road paving and repairs,

To pave the way for him to make progress through political achievements such as building bridges, relieving victims, suppressing bandits and so on, Haihan is undoubtedly an excellent candidate for leverage. Moreover, the Haihan people are not as difficult to deal with as the local gentry, as long as they talk

If the conditions are good, everything can be done properly.

In addition, Qu Yutong had seen Haihan's intimate private army trained for Xu Xinsu in Zhoushan, and he had already planned to follow suit, seek military assistance from Haihan, and train an armed force that only obeyed his orders.

troops to buy insurance for himself and his family. Otherwise, if one day the court wants to liquidate him for having liaisons with foreign countries, he may not even be able to escape from the city of Ningbo. Of course, the formation and maintenance of such a private armed force requires a lot of effort.

Even if he is a fourth-grade prefect, his family property is far from enough to support this kind of use, so he must conduct in-depth cooperation with Haihan in trade and use the profits earned from business to subsidize the expenses of establishing a private armed force.

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At present, Qu Yutong has secretly selected more than 200 young men to Zhoushan Island to receive military training provided by Haihan through clan relations. Most of them are younger generations of the clan. Even Shi Diwen is not interested in the cost because of his personal relationship.

Even with certain discounts, the monthly expenses for food, accommodation and training for this group of people on the island are still a very considerable amount, which basically accounts for about 40% of Qu Yutong's gross profit from trade, which is not a pain in the ass.

It's definitely a lie.

But Qu Yutong also heard from Shi Diwen a lot about the benefits of owning a private armed force, especially when the import and export trade between the two countries is still dominated by smuggling. Having a private armed force is equivalent to being in this semi-

Open trade has great convenience. Xu Xinsu of Fujian is the best example. He was originally one of the most famous large-scale merchants in Fujian. After relying on Haihan as a backer, his strength has increased even more. In just a few years,

In a matter of years, the geographical scope of its commercial shipping routes has skyrocketed from the southeastern waters of the Ming Dynasty to the control areas of Haihan. Even the Haihan colonies in the South China Sea, which are thousands of miles away from the Ming Dynasty, are more or less protected by Xu.

The industries in which the company invests.

Although it is not practical for Qu Yutong to expand his business to the scale of Xu Xinsu, he also hopes that he can make full use of the power at hand when he is in office and create an industry for his family and future generations that can last for several generations.

At the very least, they have to acquire several thousand acres of plantations overseas, so that even if the next generation fails to live up to expectations, at least they can still maintain their wealth for one generation.

Of course, now that Shi Diwen has this relationship, Qu Yutong has more confidence in speaking and doing things. After all, in the Zhejiang waters, Shi Diwen represents the chief executive of the Haihan Kingdom, and he has military and political control, and his power is even greater than that of the Ming Dynasty.

The princes canonized by the royal family are still older. Therefore, Qu Yutong can get a detailed explanation from Shi Diwen about the future direction of the relationship between Haihan and Ming Dynasty, which will definitely be much faster than formal official channels.

Regarding Qu Yutong's concerns, Shi Diwen also expressed his understanding: "The stability of trade is the most important thing for the Executive Committee. No matter what the relationship between the two countries is in the future, trade will be an eternal theme. It is just a matter of scale.

That’s all.”

Qu Yutong didn't quite understand Shi Diwen's rhetoric, so he asked tentatively: "Can General Shi explain it more clearly?"

Shi Diwen said: "To put it simply, we will continue to do business as before. The difference is probably that the agent qualifications will be re-examined, but it should not have an impact on Mr. Qu. After all, the cooperative relationship between us is different."

Qu Yutong nodded slightly and felt relieved. He actually didn't want Shi Diwen to explain the Haihan Executive Committee's decree word for word. He just wanted to get reassurance from the other party. As long as Shi Diwen could give it

He thinks a promise to keep the situation stable is enough. After all, Haihan people have always had outstanding credibility, and as long as it is an outspoken promise, there will generally be no big problems, not to mention that there is an in-law relationship between him and Shi Diwen

, this is much stronger than a pure interest relationship.

Several issues that Qu Yutong was worried about were quickly resolved, and the heart hanging in his throat was finally returned to its original position. However, Shi Diwen had other things to inform him during this trip.

"Master Qu, there is still something important that I need to discuss with you." Shi Diwen quickly introduced the topic: "You also know the situation of Zhoushan Islands and Shipu Port. The Executive Committee attaches great importance to this place.

Therefore, we are prepared to declare sovereignty over these two places, and in the future diplomatic agreement with Ming Dynasty, these two places will be included in the agreement as the territory of Haihan."

Qu Yutong's expression immediately became a little unnatural: "The two places mentioned by General Shi are both under the jurisdiction of Ningbo Prefecture. If we follow your country's wishes, wouldn't I become a Ming Dynasty official?"

Guilty minister? It's impossible, this is absolutely impossible. I hope General Shi will write to your country's executive committee to oppose this unwise move."

Of course, Shi Diwen would not change his mind just because of these two words from Qu Yutong, and continued: "What are you worried about, Mr. Qu? Is the imperial court going to convict you? Please rest assured that we are negotiating with the Ming Dynasty court."

, will put forward some conditions, including retaining the existing officials of Ningbo Prefecture and not changing them at will."

Qu Yutong's face turned even more ugly: "Wouldn't this be putting me on the fire? Isn't it right?"

Shi Diwen shook his head and said: "Master Qu, your thinking is still the same as before, and you have not kept up with the development of the times! Think about it, does the Ming Dynasty want ministers who can fight against our country, or ministers who can communicate with our country? Liaodong

The region is now waiting for our army to put out the fire, so for a maritime supply line that is thousands of miles long from our mainland to Liaodong, our country requires several coastal ports as a guarantee. Isn’t this condition excessive?"

Qu Yutong knew that if he wanted to argue about this kind of issue, he would probably not be able to argue with a knowledgeable high-ranking Haihan official like Shi Diwen, but he really didn't want to be blamed for losing his country during his tenure, so he still planned to persuade him.

Shi Diwen, give up this arrangement that will prevent him from stepping down. He thought for a while and changed to a more compromise statement: "General Shi, is there any other way to ensure your country's control over these places?"

, and allow it to remain on the territory of the Ming Dynasty."

Shi Diwen slowly shook his head and said: "Master Qu, I am not afraid to tell you that the two places I just mentioned are the goals that our country must win. Even if we use force, we must take down these two places.

Of course, I believe that the dispute over the ownership of these two places will not break out into armed conflict, and your court will definitely choose to compromise in the end."

"How can you see it?" Qu Yutong asked unwillingly.

"It's very simple. The envoys your country sent to Liaodong to contact our country have already stated your country's attitude, that is, our actual occupied areas in Shandong and Liaodong can be regarded as being controlled by our country.

Because the war in Liaodong has not yet ended, it is difficult to divide the boundaries. However, it has basically been determined that the area south of the Jinzhou Isthmus will be included in our country. The situation in Shandong is also similar, and most of the areas in Fushan County, Dengzhou will probably be included.

Our country.”

Only then did Shi Diwen reveal shocking inside information to Qu Yutong, with the purpose of knocking the enemy out of the country and letting him know that he had already grasped the bottom line of the Ming Dynasty: "Zhejiang is not the only place that wants to be ceded to our country.

As far as the land is concerned, there are other places to the south and north that need to complete the same arrangements.”

Although Shi Diwen's words were a bit shocking, Qu Yutong still believed that he would not talk about such a big thing. It's just that this kind of agreement to cede territory was too unbelievable to Ming Dynasty, and he couldn't imagine that this kind of exchange terms would eventually end.

How can I write it down in black and white?

However, Shi Diwen quickly answered his confusion: "The agreement will be divided into two parts, one will be made public to the world, and the other will be a secret agreement between the two countries, and the part about the territory will only be kept privately."

appeared in this agreement. So Lord Qu had better keep this secret. Once it spreads, I don’t know how many unlucky people will be killed."

"I understand, I understand!" Qu Yutong has been in the officialdom for many years, so he naturally knows how involved it is. Even a fourth-grade official like him will wear a black gauze hat on his head if he is identified as the source of the leak.

It won't be saved.

But in fact, if you think about it carefully, this kind of non-public agreement is almost like hiding one's ears and stealing the bell. As time goes by, people all over the world will still notice that Ming has completely given up on these places. Shi Diwen's explanation for this is that Ming now has no regard for Haihan

The need for military assistance is too urgent. Even if you anesthetize yourself, you can only agree to Haihan's territorial request first.

As for the true ownership of these areas in the future, Daming's idea is actually the same as Haihan's, that is, whoever is stronger has the final say. Daming believes that sooner or later, it will be able to defeat its opponents in the north and quell the civil strife in the Central Plains, and then it will be free to deal with these issues.

Territorial disputes are not too late. Of course, people like Haihan are more aware of the trend of history. It will be difficult for the Ming Dynasty to return to the national power of its strong period in the future. It is basically impossible to take back the land from the increasingly powerful Haihan.

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If the Ming Dynasty can really solve its internal and external troubles in a few years, the national power of Haihan at that time will definitely be far beyond the current level. Even if it cannot complete the feat of snake swallowing the elephant by then, it will still want to create some places on the coastline of the Ming Dynasty.

The separatist forces will not be too difficult to implement.

Now Shi Diwen wants to make Qu Yutong understand the truth. Haihan's request for these two places in Ningbo is not, as he said, prepared to proceed through negotiations with the Ningbo government, but Haihan has unilaterally

He made a decision and informed the prefect of this conclusion. There was no room for bargaining in this matter, and this was a national-level agreement. Seriously speaking, Qu Yutong was not qualified to participate in it.

Shi Diwen saw that Qu Yutong had understood what he was saying, and his tone softened: "Master Qu, I have said it before, and now I am emphasizing that the diplomatic agreement between our country and Ming Dynasty will not affect you.

Your plan to make a fortune will not have any negative impact on your official position. If your court has any objections to this, we will also exert diplomatic pressure to protect you. Although you are an official of the Ming Dynasty, it will not affect your official position.

Our country also has meritorious deeds, and we will not give up on you, let alone let you take the blame."

Shi Diwen has been in contact with Qu Yutong for a long time, and he knows very well what the old fox is worried about. In the final analysis, he is still afraid that Haihan will abandon him as a partner. If this matter is not made clear, Qu Yutong is afraid that what will happen next

For a period of time, I couldn't eat well and couldn't sleep, and I thought about this problem all the time.

After listening to these words, Qu Yutong finally showed a smile on his face: "General Shi's words are too outrageous. How can I be such a snobbish person? Besides, given the friendship between you and me, I

There’s no need to worry about taking the blame. Just kidding, just kidding!”

Shi Diwen laughed a few times, but in his heart he understood that everyone was talking nicely, but in fact they were just using each other as a tool to achieve their own goals. He didn't have any strong likes or dislikes towards Qu Yutong, it was just work needs

It’s just a matter of maintaining this relationship. It’s best if Qu Yutong can understand and cooperate. If he really can’t figure it out, then Shi Diwen will still remove this stumbling block without politeness.

After the two talked about business, Qu Yutong hosted a banquet in honor of Shi Diwen. However, because Shi Diwen's identity was relatively sensitive, he did not find any more guests to accompany him. He just asked his servants to go to the brothel in the city to pick up two of them in advance.

A Qinghuan who could sing came over to keep him company. Shi Diwen was actually not very interested in this kind of entertainment, but since Qu Yutong had already arranged it, he would not refuse the other party's kindness, lest Qu Yutong worry about it.

When Shi Diwen came to Ningbo, he did more than just meet with Qu Yutong. In addition to political consultations, he also shouldered the task of expanding the scope of trade. Although the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries has a great impact on officials like Qu Yutong,

It will not have much impact on the industry it operates, but if you look at it from the perspective of the entire market, there will still be relatively obvious changes. After the scale of Haihan's product output increases, the dealer's profits will definitely decrease

, and some weak dealers may even be gradually squeezed out of the market.

During this period, Haihan has spared no effort to integrate various industries in coastal states in order to gradually control the social economy of these areas. As long as it can monopolize some basic livelihood industries, Haihan will implement further measures in the future.

It is much easier. Moreover, the Ministry of Commerce has been planning this for many years, and is just waiting to reap the huge operating profits after achieving monopoly. When Shi Diwen comes here, he will hold talks with the main operators of some industries in Ningbo.
Chapter completed!