Chapter 508

The Dutch need time to replenish the losses from this naval battle and prepare their defenses.

The Great Ming Navy needs to rest; do not look only at the great victory, but Taiwan has just been recovered and requires pacification, administration, and so on.

As for the rest, such as controlling the main ports and extending their reach outward.

All of this requires time.

Therefore, both sides hope to sign this peace agreement.

Even though inside the hall, this solemn place once again turned into a marketplace like haggling vendors.

Both sides also patiently ground through the process slowly.

If they cannot reach an agreement in one day, then two days.

If tempers flare today, then calm down and talk again after a day.

It was under such circumstances that the negotiations between Great Ming and the Dutch first settled on war reparations, demanding fifty-six million taels.

Far exceeding the expected three million taels.

Afterwards, the third point regarding the division of spheres of influence saw Great Ming forces stationing themselves at the Strait of Malacca and controlling vital and important ports such as Lu Song.

And establishing supply stations, forward outposts, and so on.

At the start, many Dutch disagreed, and even though major issues were easy to discuss, this division of spheres of influence on minor issues was almost haggled over place by place.

The Dutch very much wanted to maintain a strong stance.

However, they had already failed, and the Far East fleet was basically annihilated, leaving their strength suddenly in a vacuum.

Even if they wanted to be tough again, they had no backbone.

They could only retreat step by step before the even tougher Su Qiao.

However, this negotiation exhausted a great deal of energy for both sides.

Basically, when the last clause was finished, whether Great Ming people or Dutch, dark circles hung heavily under everyone's eyes.

Everyone was exhausted, and their voices were a bit hoarse.

Truly, there was constant arguing, and one always had to guard against the other side setting traps with conditions and so on.

After more than half a month of debate, everyone had become thinner.

Once the negotiations finally ended, the Great Ming people held a banquet together to celebrate.

The Dutch left with pale, despondent faces.

But the Dutch also temporarily gained the guarantee of "peace" and could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

……

The matter at the tail of Quanzhou was roughly cleaned up by Su Qiao.

Eunuch Wu Xiuyue urged Su Qiao to return to the capital as soon as possible.

Su Qiao, who originally intended to return, naturally did not refuse.

After saying goodbye to the Zheng family members who were also going to the capital, he packed his things, quickly left Quanzhou Prefecture, and headed toward Fuzhou.

Before leaving, one had to say goodbye to Sun Chuanting.

Sun Chuanting had stayed in the southeast much longer than Su Qiao.

From last year until now, it has been more than a year.

And during this more than year, except for the northern guard post problems which had not yet been thoroughly improved, the dilapidated southern guard posts were all sorted out by him.

Even some officials who merely occupied their posts without doing any work were cleaned out by him.

Sun Chuanting had previously helped Su Qiao two or three times.

Before departing, one naturally had to say hello.

Upon arriving at Fuzhou Prefecture, Sun Chuanting very happily welcomed him into his own courtyard.

"Grand Councilor Sun, I am returning to the capital to report on my duties, and I specifically came to visit you before leaving; the improvement of the southern guard posts is truly The merit of Grand Councilor Sun!"

"Alas, you flatter me, you flatter me; I eat the ruler's salary and serve the ruler's affairs, I merely did my best!"

Sun Chuanting hurriedly spoke modestly.

"Grand Councilor Sun has been away from the capital for more than a year, and now with these achievements, I am deeply impressed."

"Great Official Su is too polite; although Great Official Su has not stayed in Fujian as long as this old man, you have handled great matters, and this old man also admires Great Official Su!"

After being praised inexplicably by Su Qiao, even Sun Chuanting himself, who was very calm, could not help but feel somewhat happy in his heart.

Everyone is willing to hear flattering good words!

After paying a couple more compliments, Su Qiao revealed his true intentions.

"Grand Councilor Sun, your news is well-informed; I wish to ask, does Your Majesty intend to take action against Japan, do you know?"

Su Qiao asked Sun Chuanting tentatively.

Suddenly waking him up from his elation.

"This old man knows; could it not be a suggestion from Great Official Su?"

Sun Chuanting first nodded, then fixed Su Qiao with a suspicious gaze and asked.

Su Qiao shook his head and denied it without thinking.

"Grand Councilor Sun is wronging me; I learned of this matter from Eunuch Wu who came to deliver the imperial decree."

"Oh, is that so!"

It was unknown whether Sun Chuanting truly believed him or was just perfunctory.

Su Qiao probed further, "Then what does Grand Councilor Sun think of Your Majesty's action; is it feasible?"

"Taking action against Japan?"

Sun Chuanting asked Su Qiao with a calm expression.

Su Qiao nodded.

"If it's beneficial to the Great Ming, then it's doable!"

Su Qiao immediately understood what Sun Chuanting meant.

……

They stayed in Fuzhou city for one day, and on the second day they took their leave and departed.

On the road back to the capital, Su Qiao, Eunuch Wu, and the Zheng family members all traveled together.

The Zheng family had the most people!

Because Zheng Zhilong had achieved great merit, he would certainly have to meet Zhu Youjian in person to receive his reward.

Moreover, Zheng Zhilong was well versed in the ways of being an official. Upon receiving the imperial edict requiring him to enter the capital, he immediately decided to move his whole family into the capital to reside.

Only this way would a commander like him, who commanded a large force of troops, put Your Majesty at ease and make him feel he was safe.

It would also earn him a high official position.

With the Zheng family accompanying them on the road, Su Qiao and the others wouldn't be bored.

Sitting on a riverboat, they reached Jin Ling in just several days' time.

After resting one day in Jin Ling, they would continue by waterway to the capital.

It was unclear whether it was because of the large number of people, or because of the many guards.

Even though Su Qiao had not arranged the full ceremonial escort for the imperial envoy, having the Embroidered Uniform Guard wear plain clothes.

The return journey was also smooth sailing, without encountering any trouble.

Many people even kept well away from Su Qiao's party because of their large escort.

It wasn't until the thirteenth day of the eighth month that they finally arrived at the south gate of Jingcheng.

"Mm, finally back!"

362, and already want to attack the Eastern Sea!

Looking at Jingcheng right before his eyes, Su Qiao felt he would never leave again, even if beaten to death.

Going out to travel for a couple of days every now and then was fine, but staying down south for almost a whole year like this—apart from the toil and worry, the food and lodging were also unfamiliar.

Although the capital didn't have scenery as beautiful as Quanzhou's.

But the capital was comfortable.

His whole person relaxed a few degrees.

After the carriage and wagon convoy of the group passed through the south gate, Su Qiao, who was sitting inside the carriage, called out to Zheng Sen, who was riding a horse outside.

"Zheng Sen!"

"Mr.!" Hearing Su Qiao call him, Zheng Sen quickly urged his horse over.

Lifting the carriage curtain, he said to Zheng Sen outside the window: "Go ask your father where he plans to settle. Does he want to temporarily stay at my residence for now, and once we find a house, move over?"