Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 249 Colonial Transactions (Part )
ps: Thanks to my classmates Woziluzhu and Shuyepiopiaishihenian for their support of 100 Qidian coins!
The turbulent black rebellion in Brazil attracted considerable attention from the governments of Paraguay and Han. At the same time, after two or three months of sea voyage, Hu Yaqi, Li Han and their party arrived in Marseille, France. Later, Li Han stayed in Marseille to receive two completed ironclad ships, while Hu Yaqi continued sailing with the fleet and arrived in the German capital of Berlin on July 4.

At noon on July 8, at the administrative building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin, Germany.

"I'm sorry, sir, the Prime Minister is currently discussing important matters with diplomats from the United Kingdom and the Russian Empire and cannot meet with you.
The transaction issue you raised last time will be resolved through a meeting between you and me."

Hu Yaqi waited in the reception room for more than half an hour, and then saw a German official in his forties walking towards him.

The translator relayed the German official's words, and Hu Yaqi said seriously, "This matter is of great importance. Can you make a decision on behalf of your prime minister?"

"The Prime Minister has authorized me to take full responsibility for the transaction agreement with you. You should not doubt this."

The German official raised his beard and said proudly, "His Majesty William and the Prime Minister have already seen the data you provided. His Majesty believes that as long as the data you provide is true and accurate, the German Empire is willing to exchange appropriate benefits for Cameroon's large aluminum mine.

However, before we formally discuss the transaction agreement, you should provide evidence to prove the existence of a large aluminum mine in Cameroon. Otherwise, it will be difficult for both His Majesty and the Prime Minister to fully believe your words. "

"Of course, the Han Kingdom will not joke about such a big thing, but before both parties agree to the transaction agreement, we can only provide some information about the aluminum mine. As for the accuracy of the information, you can order your country's Chamber of Commerce in Cameroon to verify it. However, according to my speculation, your country may have already done so, otherwise you would not be sitting here."

"Zhao, you are an excellent diplomat."

The German official nodded, changed his condescending attitude, sat opposite Hu Yaqi, and said in an equal tone, "According to the data you provided, Cameroon's aluminum reserves exceed 500 million tons, which is the largest aluminum mine that has been discovered. I am very curious, since your country discovered Cameroon's aluminum mine in advance, why are you willing to exchange it with the German Empire?"

"The benefits of Cameroon's aluminum mines are indeed very attractive, but the Han country is weak and does not have the strength to swallow such huge benefits.

That is why His Majesty the King of Han intends to transfer the aluminum mine."

"You have a proverb that a weak person is not guilty of anything, but when he possesses a valuable treasure, it will attract the attention of others and eventually bring disaster upon himself."

The German official quoted a Chinese proverb in German, and then continued, "His Majesty the King of Han made a very wise choice. The German Empire is a civilized European power and will not commit despicable acts of robbery. However, if Britain and France get the news that your country has discovered aluminum mines in Cameroon, they will probably send soldiers to rob them directly. For the sake of profit, England and France can do anything."

Germany had been unified for less than ten years and did not have any overseas colonies. It was envious and jealous of the practice of colonial countries such as Britain and France to gain profits by exploiting the people in the colonies. Therefore, seeing the German officials' sarcastic expressions towards Britain and France, Hu Yaqi nodded to deal with it, and then said, "Before leaving, His Majesty the King of Han instructed me that once the transaction agreement is signed, Han will transfer the complete information of Cameroon aluminum mines to your country, and then the strongholds occupied by Han in Cameroon will also be sold to your country's Chamber of Commerce in Cameroon as part of the transaction.

Your Excellency, the Han government is participating in the transaction with full sincerity, and we hope that your country can also show sincerity in equal transactions. "

"What are your terms of trade?"

"The economic value of Cameroon aluminum mines is huge, but considering that the German Empire needs a lot of funds for domestic development, the Han government does not require your country to pay for the purchase of Cameroon aluminum mines."

Hu Yaji paused, took a map from his attendant, spread it on the table, and continued, "Han has hundreds of thousands of Chinese immigrants every year, and needs enough overseas coastal trade bases to provide supplies, so His Majesty the King of Han hopes to exchange the control of several island bases from your country and your support for Han's occupation of the Congo colony by selling Cameroon aluminum mines.

"Are these the only two conditions you have?"

“There are only two main conditions.”

Hu Yaji nodded and said, "There is another small problem related to your country's economic cooperation. His Majesty the King of Han believes that the price of machinery and equipment sold to Han is higher than the price sold to other European countries. Therefore, he hopes that you will lower the export price of machinery and equipment for the sake of the good cooperation between the two countries."

"The issue of economic cooperation is easy to handle. After the transaction agreement is signed, our Empire's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will notify domestic merchants to appropriately reduce the prices of goods exported to your country."

After the unification of Germany, it quickly became an emerging power in Europe. The rapidly growing population and improved transportation facilities provided a favorable foundation for the rise of German industry. The products produced by German industry exceeded the consumption range of its own people and quickly spread to other countries and regions. Therefore, it was very cost-effective to appropriately lower export prices and maintain a thriving industrial market like the Han Dynasty.

The German officials had no objection to the general conditions proposed by Hu Yaqi. Next, Hu Yaqi looked at the map and outlined several islands in the Pacific region.

“According to the terms of the transaction, the German Empire needs to transfer the control of the outposts on the other side of Zilu Island and Zanzibar Island to the Han government, and the land and commercial outposts purchased by your merchants in Samoa and Tonga will be taken over by the Han Ocean Shipping Company.

"

As soon as Hu Yaqi finished speaking, the German official immediately waved his hand in objection.

"Zilu Island can be transferred to the Han government for jurisdiction, but the lands of Zanzibar, Samoa, and Tonga belong to the German Church of Hamburg and Bresse. The imperial government cannot forcibly deprive the church of its land. Hu, I cannot fully agree to your terms."

"Zanzibar Island is geographically important. The Han Kingdom can give up its claim to the Zanzibar stronghold, but your country needs to guarantee the Han Kingdom's right to resupply in Zanzibar. Secondly, Samoa and Tonga are located deep in the Pacific Ocean, with a small area and scarce resources. They have limited economic and strategic significance to the German Empire. Giving up the strongholds in Samoa and Tonga will not have any impact on your country. As for your country's strongholds in Samoa and Tonga, which belong to the church, I think it should not be difficult to seize the dominance of the strongholds from the church as long as your government is willing."

Church organizations and missionaries during the colonial period were one aspect, but the main focus was on colonial infiltration. There were many such examples in the Nanyang region. Hu Yaji had been dealing with foreigners in Nanyang for decades and could see through their excuses at a glance.

“Sir, in order to facilitate your church to clean up their property in Samoa, Tonga, and Zibo, the Han Kingdom is willing to take a step back and take over the three bases in two years.

This is the final bottom line of the Han State, and I hope you will consider it carefully."

"Your request exceeds the scope of authorization given by the Prime Minister. I need to convey your conditions to His Majesty and the Prime Minister."

The German official stood up and said, "Your Excellency, please rest in Berlin for a few days. I believe you will receive accurate news soon."

"Thank you. I hope the cooperation between the two parties will be successful." Hu Yaji stood up, shook hands with the other party and left the reception room.

(End of this chapter)