From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 794

The ship of Fuzhou Baochuan Factory was finally launched. In addition to the initial more than 2,000 people, the four generals are still selecting suitable talents to come and train them.

This is what they should do. Zhou Yuan staying here is of no use for the time being.

Going to meet McPherson does not mean that he wants to peacefully resolve the dispute at sea, because this possibility is too small.

The main reason is that Chaozhou merchants have reached the brink of collapse, and silver is needed everywhere. Export has become an urgent problem to be solved, which is extremely urgent.

Zhou Yuan hopes to find a breakthrough from McPherson, even if it is a short-term breakthrough, it can solve the urgent problem.

At noon on June 13, the sun was shining and the sea breeze was warm.

The dock of Fuzhou Prefecture has been emptied of people. The ten Portuguese cannons that Guan Lu transported from Fuzhou Baochuan Factory overnight have been set up and aimed at the long table placed in advance at the dock.

At the same time, the huge battleship on the sea is also enough to put pressure on people.

The muzzle of the Portuguese cannon is also aimed at the place of negotiation.

They also had to ensure McPherson's safety, fearing that Zhou Yuan would behead him.

There were countless people on the ship, and there were officials and guards of all sizes on the dock.

Zhou Yuan and Li Yu'an walked side by side, striding towards the long table. The sun shone on their shoulders, seeming to be filled with golden light.

The officials of Fuzhou Prefecture were all sweating, fearing that the other side would open fire directly.

Of course, McPherson had also gotten off the ship and boarded the dock. He also brought someone with him, a tall man who seemed to be able to help him block bullets at any time.

Without any accidents, the four of them finally sat down.

McPherson was still the same, with a drowsy expression and wrinkled eyes, but the occasional flash of brilliance made people dare not ignore his wisdom.

Zhou Yuan once made the most comprehensive judgment on this person, and finally came to a conclusion-heavy swords have no edges, and great ingenuity is not skillful.

He did not do anything out of the ordinary, nor did he have special wisdom, nor did he excel in any field, but he did not make mistakes.

He has never made any mistakes, at least from his perspective, he has never made a wrong decision.

Defeating the Guangdong Navy, signing a treaty, opening up a trading port, and controlling the maritime power of Dajin, all aspects are extremely complete.

He gives people a feeling that "I can do it too."

But when you really stand in his position, you will know what the gap is.

"It is true that heroes are born young."

McPherson smiled slowly and applauded Zhou Yuan: "At a young age, you have fought in the south and the north, and you are invincible. Zhou Yuan, you are a hero of Dajin."

Zhou Yuan said: "You came here just to praise me?"

McPherson smiled and said: "I never hesitate to praise heroes, just like I never hesitate to despise the weak."

"I am of noble birth, but I also started from the bottom of the army. I have come to where I am today by relying on an impartial heart."

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said: "So how do you plan to deal with the more than a thousand Portuguese merchants? Smart You wouldn't let them die, would you? "

McPherson sighed and said, "You see, this is your excellence. I think any other general would not be so bold to control all of us in the shortest time and strangle me."

"You guessed right, Mr. Zhou Yuan. Among these more than a thousand people, there are indeed many big families from Portugal, and even some people are of very noble origin. Even I don't want to offend them."

"If I let them all die, I will soon receive the king's transfer order and return to the country to be punished."

He looked at Zhou Yuan and said, "So, you have hostages in your hands, you can make conditions, and I may agree to them."

Zhou Yuan said, "I want you to take your fleet back to France, are you willing?"

McPherson said, "If I can save the lives of more than a thousand compatriots, why not? Can my personal achievements and interests compare to so many lives?"

"If you are willing to release them, I am certainly willing to evacuate."

"It's just... Zhou Yuan, you may not trust me."

Zhou Yuan tapped the table lightly and said, "Let's talk about something practical. I want to speak out, you If you want to protect people, I will give you people, and you export them to me. It's that simple."

McPherson laughed and said, "There are not only me on the sea, but also the Dutch and pirates. If I don't do anything to you, what about others?"

Zhou Yuan said, "We also have battleships. I can't hide this news from you."

McPherson said, "Who knows? At least I haven't seen your ships so far."

"Of course, I came here to negotiate with sincerity. If you hand over our compatriots, I can give you half a year for your export."

"But I can only guarantee myselfI won't attack you, but I won't guarantee other forces. "

"That's fair, isn't it?"

Zhou Yuan shook his head slowly and said softly, "I don't trust your words. I need to see something more practical."

McPherson said, "If I understand correctly, you mean that you won't release the hostages for the time being, but export first?"

Zhou Yuan said, "Of course."

"Okay."

McPherson squinted, rubbed his palms slowly, and said softly, "You can go out to sea tomorrow. My battleship will return to Haojing and will not come out recently."

"But...how can you guarantee that you will release people after exporting?"

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "You don't trust me either."

"I have a good idea."

McPherson said lightly, "You hand over some people, and I will let you export some goods. I know the amount of stockpiled by Chaozhou merchants. Let's do it in proportion."

"How many people do you give me, and how much goods do I let you export. You choose the goods and I choose the people. "

"You don't have to worry about me going back on my word. After all, you already have a ship. I don't have to fight you to the death and let others benefit. This is an ancient proverb in your East."

Zhou Yuan thought for a while before saying, "The place to hand over the people is in Xiangzhou."

McPherson said, "Then the place where you ship the goods must be in Xiangzhou."

Zhou Yuan said, "What if you block my cargo ship after I get the people?"

McPherson said, "What if you don't give me the people after I go out to sea?"

The two looked at each other, their eyes met, and they saw the coldness in each other's eyes.

After a long time, McPherson said, "Hand over the people in Xiangzhou, and ship the goods in Fuzhou, no problem."

Zhou Yuan said, "I choose the people, you choose the goods."

McPherson shook his head and said, "Any goods can be sold for money. After all, they are all silk, porcelain and tea, but people are divided into noble and humble. This is unfair. "

Zhou Yuan said: "In fact, when you sit at this table, you should know that this negotiation is not fair."

"I kill ten people every day, how long can you last with me?"

McPherson said coldly: "How long do you think Chao merchants can last? Can they last three months?"

Zhou Yuan said: "If Chao merchants are destroyed, Dajin can bear it, but if your people are all dead, can you bear it? Ms. Kolodiya is ready to write a letter. She will give the letter to the Dutch and let them take it back to Portugal. Don't try to hide it."

McPherson said: "The Dutch specialize in doing charity?"

Zhou Yuan said: "What if I give them goods?"

Hearing this, McPherson stood up and said: "Do as you say."

"But Zhou Yuan, as your predecessor, I want to tell you that the sea is different from the mainland. There are many things to pay attention to here."

Zhou Yuan said: "Then let's wait and see."

"Okay, wait and see."