Chapter 1449: Extorting Money at the Negotiating Table

The wind today is quite boisterous; Captain Gelin and Captain Qiaozhi both felt a hint of chill.

It is already late autumn.

If winter sets in, this mountain warfare will be difficult to fight.

Mountain warfare in winter is extremely disadvantageous for the British.

Not to mention the lack of clothing and food, more importantly, the cold makes movement in the mountains even more difficult.

It would be best to end this gold mine struggle with the French before winter arrives.

The Longyan Factory must be built, and Longyan Cannonballs must also be obtained.

Captain Qiaozhi had already anticipated that this gold mine conflict between the British and the French was merely a prelude.

It is said that the French and the British are fighting fiercely on the European continent, and although they, far away in America, have not been affected yet.

But that is only a matter of time; the British and the French will definitely have a large-scale battle in America.

Therefore, long-term cooperation with Longyan City is essential now.

Thinking of this, Captain Qiaozhi sighed; now they must cede a portion of their interests to Longyan City.

"Captain Gelin, I think this matter can be discussed; the French cannot pull too much of a gap ahead of us British."

"We not only urgently need the Longyan equipment now, but I fear we will also need it very much in the future; I have a premonition that the French will definitely have a major battle with us."

After Captain Qiaozhi expressed his thoughts, Captain Gelin's already heavy face became even heavier.

Although he did not want to admit it, in such matters, Captain Qiaozhi's brain was indeed much more useful than his.

"Let's do it according to your wishes; although we have received great authorization this time, making such concessions will surely lead to being scolded by Kelinxi upon returning."

"It's fine, I'll take the blame when the time comes!" Captain Qiaozhi said righteously.

Captain Gelin was somewhat moved.

"Who told you I'm your 'daddy'," Captain Qiaozhi said, imitating Captain Gelin's voice.

Captain Gelin:...

Captain Gelin was instantly furious, chasing Captain Qiaozhi to beat him, and claiming he would beat Captain Qiaozhi's dog brains out!

Captain Qiaozhi hurriedly slipped into the room.

Captain Gelin stormed into the room.

The two of them still maintained a very harmonious appearance while guarding Qingyang Shuo.

Captain Qiaozhi looked at Qingyang Shuo with a smile, and just as Captain Gelin rushed in, he stepped forward to pull over a chair and sit down.

He did not give Captain Gelin a chance to play tricks behind his back.

Captain Gelin also sat down, but after sitting down, he stepped on Captain Qiaozhi's shoe with one foot.

Captain Qiaozhi glanced at him, endured it without speaking, and said to Qingyang Shuo: "Sir, we have thought about it, and this matter can be discussed."

As he spoke, Captain Qiaozhi stood up, and Captain Gelin had to move his foot away from Captain Qiaozhi.

Captain Qiaozhi stood up and looked at Mr. Qingyang Shuo, saying: "We can provide all the help Longyan City needs; Longyan provides the technology, but we must ensure that the weapons produced by these Arsenals will not be given to others."

Qingyang Shuo nodded; such a request was very reasonable and logical, and he said indifferently: "No problem."

What Longyan had always wanted was never the Arsenal, but raw materials. Among the factories built in Yun City, there were Longyan Arsenals, but they lacked raw materials.

Lacking various mineral deposits, the Arsenals built in Yun City had no way to start production at all.

Now that he had opened up the British, he could fully rely on his technological advantage to obtain several times the raw materials from the British and transport them to the Arsenals in Yun City.

To strengthen Longyan's influence in America.

This is more than just getting something for nothing... this is simply getting something for nothing!

The two British men before him still did not know what conditions they had given away.

Captain Qiaozhi knew what conditions he had given away; he quickly calculated in his heart and sighed. This time, the British would likely have to pay in

quite a lot of genuine materials.

But there was nothing he could do; Longyan held the technology, and how much material was needed was basically up to the other party.

They, the British, did not even have the ability to refute; the reason being that the things belonged to the other party.

But now, if they were to build an Arsenal, it would likely be too late in terms of time.

The French could launch a counterattack at any time.

Captain Qiaozhi added: "Qingyang Xiansheng, the cooperation between the British and Longyan is considered settled. As for the remaining details, we British will send people to Longyan City to discuss them. It's just that we British are currently lacking Longyan Cannonballs and are in urgent need."

Qingyang Shuo was overjoyed, but remained expressionless. He said faintly: "It is not that our Longyan City is stingy, it is just that we are currently short of equipment, and Longyan City also lacks funds..."

This was almost explicitly hinting to the two captains.

Captain Qiaozhi and Captain Gelin looked at each other, their brows slightly furrowed, and asked: "What does Sir want?"

Qingyang Shuo nodded, very satisfied with these two British men who understood as soon as they were prompted.

Not bad, they are two talents worth molding.

Qingyang Shuo stretched out a finger and shook it.

Captain Qiaozhi asked cautiously: "Ten Silver Coins for one cannonball?"

Qingyang Shuo shook his finger, indicating that was not correct.

Captain Qiaozhi did not understand; he thought this was a very reasonable price, and asked tentatively: "One hundred?"

Qingyang Shuo shook his head.

Captain Qiaozhi's heart sank. One hundred Silver Coins was already a very high price. The current productivity in America is not good, and an ordinary person would not earn one hundred Silver Coins in a lifetime.

As for the price of gold, gold has too many uses, and things like Gold Coins are rarely used for trading, but there are exchange rates.

According to the current gold transaction price, it is almost one to one thousand!

It is terrifyingly high.

"Then what is it?"

"One Longyan Cannon, one Gold Coin, one hundred Silver Coins—that is merely the manufacturing cost!"

"And for that price, there is no bargaining!"

Captain Qiaozhi nearly fell over when he heard this rhetoric from Qingyang Shuo; he stared at this City Lord of Longyan City in astonishment.

"Are your Cannonballs made of gold, or are they made of silver?" Captain Gelin could not help but curse.

Qingyang Shuo glanced at him and sneered: "Neither, they are made of iron, but that is the price!"

Captain Gelin opened his mouth, but he could not bring himself to curse.

Right now, the Cannonballs were being held by the other party; how could you curse?

Moreover, this was the only place in the world that had these Cannonballs; there were no other branches, so what could you do?

Do you want them or not?

Captain Gelin thought for a moment and kept his mouth shut; he could not let this hard-won deal fall through just like that.

Thinking of this.

Captain Gelin said nothing more.

And he could not think of anything to say.

Captain Qiaozhi was deeply shocked; one Gold Coin for one Cannonball—this was simply robbery!

No, this was exactly robbery.

But given the current situation, this money had to be paid!

"Fine... fine, one Gold Coin it is."

"Then let's start with one hundred."

Upon hearing this, Qingyang Shuo was stunned; what did he mean by "let's start with one hundred"?

He had still underestimated the wealth and arrogance of Britain, and he instantly felt a bit of regret, then, under the astonished gazes of Captain Qiaozhi and Captain Gelin.

Qingyang Shuo shamelessly held up two fingers, his face calm and his heart steady.