Chapter 2233

However, according to the information Li Zhi learned, the country of these Dutch people is tens of thousands of miles away. What came to the east was just an organization composed of a group of armed merchants, which was equivalent to a large business house. They had to compete with Haihan

Such a confrontation between regional powers will naturally be very difficult.

But if you look at it from another angle, it seems that the situation was similar when Haihan started. The Haihan people claimed that they came from the Haihan Kingdom on the other side of the ocean. When they first arrived in the Ming Dynasty, they also started out as traders and gradually developed and expanded.

Sanya established political power.

They also developed as armed maritime merchants in a strange environment. What the Dutch failed to do, the Haihan people did very well. But Haihan obviously did not relax his vigilance. Regarding the same transnational trade by sea,

The Dutch, who are the main business, have set many thresholds to restrict its development.

Li Zhen again compared it with his own country. Haihan obviously adopted a supportive policy towards North Korea and helped North Korea complete the exploration and mining preparations for iron ore in the lower reaches of the Datong River, instead of trying every means to control it like it did with the Dutch.

its way of obtaining steel.

This is probably how allies are treated! Li Zhi couldn't help but feel a little warm when he thought about this. If Haihan controls key industries such as salt and iron in North Korea, it will probably be difficult for North Korea, which is on the weaker side, to resist, but Haihan

He did not take advantage of others' danger to take such measures, which shows that this ally is indeed worthy of trust.

If Li Zhen's economics were more sophisticated, he might slowly realize that although Haihan's approach to North Korea is relatively gentle, his purpose is still to have sufficient influence in industries such as salt and iron that involve the national economy and people's livelihood.

A considerable part of the salt fields, mines and various supporting facilities built by North Korea in cooperation with Haihan in the Datong River Basin were provided by Haihan with production technology and start-up funds, and these preferential conditions are not provided to North Korea in vain. In the future, these industries

A certain percentage of the proceeds will be attributed to Haihan.

And because North Korea borrowed heavily from Haihan after the war to rebuild and maintain the operation of government agencies at all levels, Haihan's financial institutions and systems also took this opportunity to enter the almost completely blank market in North Korea.

Over time, Haihan's influence in North Korea will become more and more significant with the development of these industries. Supplemented by exchanges and training in trade, culture, education, military and other fields, Haihan will be able to control North Korea relatively easily and make it a

Haihan's Servant Kingdom.

Although Haihan's operation routine is a bit complicated and the results are definitely not as fast as military occupation, there has been a relatively successful example before this, which is Annan Kingdom across the sea from Hainan Island.

The process of Haihan exerting influence on Annan has many similarities with the current measures taken against North Korea. When Haihan intervened in Annan, Annan was also in the midst of war. Haihan sent troops to assist it in quelling the domestic war.

Annan gained a large population, resources and several natural seaports with excellent conditions. In the post-war reconstruction of Annan, Haihan was also actively involved. Haihan's work can be seen in almost all important industries and areas related to the national economy and people's livelihood.

imprint.

Several years after the implementation of these measures in Haihan, the most direct effect is that at least 70% of the young officials who are slightly famous in Annan's military and political circles have the experience of studying abroad or receiving specialized training in Haihan. In addition, the current

Annan's rulers had a good relationship with Haihan's high-level officials, and the entire ruling class's position was obviously in favor of Haihan, which made Annan one of Haihan's earliest loyal supporters.

Haihan has benefited greatly from this process, including population, markets, various natural resources, multiple natural seaports, and firm allies... With such a successful model, Haihan will naturally expect to implement this set of operation plans.

Applying it to other countries, and the situation North Korea encountered last year, it was a godsend for Haihan.

Therefore, despite all the difficulties in sending troops to North Korea at that time, Haihan quickly organized a powerful expeditionary force to go to North Korea. In addition to curbing the Qing army's southward offensive, the more important purpose was to take this opportunity to make North Korea

Completely integrated into the international system constructed by Haihan.

It's just that the methods deployed by Haihan's top leaders were so sophisticated that the ruling class, including Li Zhi, did not fully realize the mystery. Therefore, whether it was participating in post-war reconstruction or arranging to study abroad in Sanya, Li Zhi believed that Haihan

These measures taken by the Han Dynasty were all to help North Korea obtain better development opportunities, so he was grateful for this and did not doubt that there was another purpose.

In Li Zhi's view, countries like the Netherlands, which are clearly targeted by Haihan, are outsiders who have not yet been recognized by Haihan, while countries such as Annan and North Korea are "ones" that Haihan trusts, and can have success.

Qualified to learn various advanced technologies from Haihan, purchase arms, and obtain military asylum from Haihan.

"Sir Tian, ​​if the Dutch are completely subdued and show obedience to your country like the Portuguese, will your country's attitude towards them change?" Li Zhi asked curiously.

Tian Zheng responded: "Master Ning once said that there are no permanent opponents, only permanent interests. When necessary, opponents can also become allies, so our country's attitude towards the Netherlands will not be static and will depend on the international situation.

Make timely adjustments as changes occur.”

Li Zhi thought for a while and then said: "As for the relationship between your country and our country..."

"It's the same reason." Tian Zheng guessed what Li Zhi wanted to say after listening to half of it, and interrupted the conversation and replied: "If one day your country is no longer willing to ally with our country for the sake of greater interests, then our country will definitely

We will make some adjustments to this. But Your Majesty, you can rest assured that as long as your country does not take the initiative to change the status quo, our country will never take any unfriendly measures against your country."

Tian Zheng's statement is actually very vague. It is difficult to have a clear definition of what unfriendly measures are. However, Li Xie was very impressed by what he said and believed that this was a clear statement made by Tian Zheng on behalf of Haihan officials.

After expressing his stance, he felt quite relieved at the moment.

Tian Zhengdao: "In fact, Your Majesty, you don't have to worry. Our two countries have similar cultures and have fought side by side. There will be more and more trade and cultural exchanges in the future. The diplomatic relations between the two countries will only get better and better. It is unlikely to happen."

The special situation that the Crown Prince is thinking of."

"This is naturally the best." Li Zhen nodded and said: "When I return to China in the future, I will naturally continue to vigorously promote friendly exchanges between the two countries."

Tian Zhengdao: "The prince is interested! However, while the prince is in Sanya, it is best not to take the initiative to provoke the Ming envoys. If it hurts the peace, it will not be easy for us to be caught in the middle."

Li Zhi's anger had calmed down a long time ago. Hearing this, he responded: "Although Mr. Fei deliberately provoked today's incident, I am indeed not calm enough. If Mr. Tian hadn't happened to show up, I would have really been killed.

He has plotted against him! If I encounter him again in the future, I will take a long detour to avoid it, so as not to make things difficult for the gentlemen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Another day later, two sailboats flying the flag of Furifeng slowly sailed into the Port of Victory. Li Nai stood on the bow of the ship and looked at the port, which was as lively as ever, and felt a sense of intimacy in his heart.

Over the past few years, he has spent almost half of his time in Sanya, watching with his own eyes how this place has gradually transformed from a small port that has just completed land reclamation to the most prosperous trading port in the South China Sea, and he is partly responsible for this.

His contribution gave him a sense of pride as a master.

Although he has not spent as much time in Sanya in the past two or three years as before, every time he comes here, he still feels as familiar as going home.

Li Nai purchased land in Sanya very early and built a business inn and dock storage facilities for Furifeng. Later, he also built a private manor at the foot of the mountain to facilitate his long stay in Sanya.

But in fact, in his early years, he often did not stay in the business inn or his own manor. Instead, he went to Fort Victory to spend the night and chatted with the senior officials of Haihan about various topics from north to south. He was also one of the very few who was qualified to stay in Fort Victory.

One of the foreigners staying overnight.

However, this kind of special treatment gradually expired later. It was not that Li Nai lost the trust of Haihan's senior officials, but that these people each had private estates and families, and they were still willing to live in the relatively simple Victory Fort.

There were fewer and fewer people. Later, only the officials on duty from various departments would stay in the fort overnight. If Li Nai went to visit at night, it would be suspected of affecting other people's work, so he slowly

I changed my previous practice and only visited Fort Victory during the day.

Most powerful merchants have their own dedicated terminals in Sanya, but these dedicated terminals are generally located at Sanya Port and its upstream Linchun River and along the Sanya River. Furifeng is one of the few that can operate in Shengli.

Merchants with dedicated terminals in the port.

Although Li Nai informed Sanya of his itinerary in advance, all he could tell was the departure time. As for the arrival time, it was difficult to specify a certain day and time, so when the ship docked, there were only

Two of Fulifeng's own stewards were waiting with a few servants, but no official people came here in advance to wait.

Li Nai didn't take it seriously either. He came to Sanya so frequently that the authorities would no longer arrange special welcome activities for him. He usually rested for a while after arriving, and then went to visit the senior officials of Haihan on his own.

However, before the people on the pier had tied up the cables and set up the gangplank, they saw someone hurriedly coming from the direction of the port center. After arriving, they hurriedly asked the steward on the pier: "Is this Young Master Li San?"

ship?"

Li Nai saw it clearly on the boat, so he greeted loudly: "Master Tian, ​​it's me!"

The person who came was none other than Tian Zheng. After he had a serious talk with the Joseon Crown Prince Li Zhen the day before yesterday, he reported the contents of the conversation to Ning Qi. After hearing this, Ning Qi also greatly appreciated his approach and asked him to

Continue to follow up and arrange a meeting between Li Nai and the Crown Prince of Joseon.

Tian Zheng couldn't grasp the exact time of Li Nai's arrival at the port, so he could only use the stupid method of waiting and wait by himself at the Shengli Port area. He knew that Li Nai's arrival must be at Furifeng's private dock, so he decided to wait for the arrival of Li Nai at the port area.

Wait at the port center not far away. If you see a ship docking here, come over to confirm.

After setting up the gangplank and descending to the shore, Li Nai met Tian Zheng again and said, "Why is Mr. Tian so free today and even came to the dock to wait for me? Is it possible that someone is anxious to see me?"

Tian Zheng responded with a smile: "There is indeed someone who wants to see you, but it's not the person you want."

Li Nai's question was of course referring to the big shots in Fort Victory, and Tian Zheng knew this very well, so he gave this half-joking answer.

Li Nai, such a shrewd person, was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then responded with a smile: "I wonder which country's dignitary wants to see me?"

Tian Zheng didn't expect the other party to reveal the secret, and asked in shock: "Why did the third young master make such a judgment?"

"It's very simple. Since it's not the adults in Fort Victory who want to see me, and you, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are arranged to pick up the ship, it's obviously because an important figure in a certain country wants to see me, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to be the intermediary to make arrangements. Why?

So, Mr. Tian, ​​is my guess correct?" When Li Nai heard Tian Zheng's question, he was basically convinced that his guess was right, and he briefly explained his thinking.

Tian Zheng praised: "The third young master is so clever and clever, I really admire you! You are right, there is an important person from another country who wants to see you, but if you can guess who it is, how about giving you a banquet?"

This time Li Nai did not respond to him immediately. Instead, he took a moment to think carefully before tentatively asking: "Then let me make a random guess... is it the crown prince of Joseon?"

Tian Zheng's eyes nearly popped out of his sockets: "Third Young Master is such a genius! How did you guess it?"

I wanted to arrange a meeting for the Joseon Crown Prince and the Third Young Master Fulifeng. After several rounds of calculations, only two or three people knew the exact information. Li Nai had just arrived at the port, and Tian Zheng watched him get off the boat with his own eyes. Obviously, he would not

What news had been obtained before this? Tian Zheng couldn't help but be surprised that this could be guessed.

Li Nai smiled and said: "Both the Dutch and the Portuguese know how to find me, and you don't need to make arrangements for me. As for Annan, let alone it. The young prince and I are old acquaintances. If he comes to Sanya and wants to see me,

I will definitely ask my followers to send invitations through posts, and there is no need to ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to come forward. Based on this calculation, excluding all the people who have personal relationships with me, it seems that only the North Korean prince who is currently studying in Sanya is not too familiar.

But I remember that when I came to Sanya at the beginning of the year, I had a pretty good chat with the North Korean prince. I also attended a private dinner hosted by him. Maybe this young man would be interested in chatting with me again.

, but he can’t leave in Sanya, so he probably can only wait for me to come and make such arrangements.”

Although Li Nai was guessing, the line of reasoning was very clear. After hearing this, Tian Zheng could only admire the other party's superior intelligence.
Chapter completed!