Chapter 1683: Customs

At this time, Australia.

In the waters near Australia, France secretly entered Australian territory.

Disguised as Delu's Merchant Ship, they were not discovered to have any abnormalities by Xie Fang's navy.

This was not because Xie Fang's navy was not diligent, but because under Xie Fang's military leasing policy, the number of naval personnel maintaining basic national defense was simply insufficient.

And that was not all.

As an important major taxpayer for the Xie Fang government, Delu belonged to the group of people who paid their taxes most diligently.

Xie Fang had specifically tacitly approved some of his privileges, such as his Merchant Ship not needing to undergo naval inspections at sea.

He only needed to present proof when entering the port.

These French troops disguised as Delu's Merchant Ship were led by an old French general—Huo En.

This old general was a big name in French naval warfare.

His military achievements were outstanding, and France had spared no expense this time against Australia.

They sent him to serve as the vanguard force this time.

France's strongest branch was the army; there were only three ships in total disguised as Delu's Merchant Ship this time.

As the vanguard force, they were to occupy the small islands surrounding Australia.

Although Australia was vast in area, it possessed over two thousand islands in its surroundings.

According to the previously drafted plan, they would land on Tasmania, an island near Australia.

This island belonged to the Xie Fang government, but now Delu had deployed industries on it.

He had become the biggest capitalist on this island, controlling the island's economic lifeline.

Although this island was ostensibly under Xie Fang's rule, in reality, Delu had already controlled the island's economy.

Only militarily was it not controlled by Delu.

If the military leasing policy were still in effect, the Longyan Navy on this island would also not be under Xie Fang's jurisdiction.

Delu had been standing at the port for a long time to welcome the warships from France.

Finally, at 3:15 PM, Delu saw the sails rising on the horizon; they were indeed the Flag of France.

Delu stood in awe, and a smile appeared on his face unconsciously.

He had waited too long for this day; ever since Xie Fang established a regime here and announced that dual citizenship was allowed, he had been sent here by the Prime Minister to infiltrate Australia.

Just in case, but he never expected to stay until now.

Too much time had passed.

The massive French warships were about to enter the port, but they received a notice from the Xie Fang navy!

"Listen, people on the ship, present your port entry permit."

Huo En looked at the Longyan Navy blocking his path, and looking at their equipment, a look of envy appeared instantly.

The strength of the Longyan Navy was something they in France had already experienced many times, especially the Longyan Yinzhou ship, which had a hull made of hard steel, while their ships were still made of wood.

They were simply not in the same league!

However, at the thought that France would soon obtain this equipment as well, a greedy smile appeared on Huo En's face.

Huo En sent someone to pilot a small wooden boat to deliver the port entry permit that Delu had given them long ago into the hands of the Longyan Navy.

The Longyan Navy took a look at the name on the permit, which was written as Delu; he looked at the warships behind and smiled, saying, "Delu's Merchant Ship?"

"Boss Delu is wealthy and imposing, purchasing three merchant ships at once?" The Longyan Navy cast his gaze on the Flag of France and laughed, "It is not that we are intentionally making things difficult."

"According to current regulations, only domestic merchant ships can enter the port. Since these are French ships, if you want to enter the port, you must register and undergo the Longyan Navy's on-board inspection before you can enter the port."

After obtaining this information, the person sent to deliver the permit immediately told this news to the old general Huo En on the ship.

After hearing this, Huo En frowned deeply.

Registration was a minor matter, but the Longyan Navy's on-board inspection was the one thing that could not be allowed to happen.

Among their three warships, they were carrying a large amount of weapons and nearly thirty thousand soldiers.

There was not a single bit of merchandise.

If this were discovered, let alone landing, they would definitely be wiped out by the Longyan Legion.

"How did that guy Delu mess this up!"

"He didn't even handle this small matter well!"

Huo En slammed the table in anger, furrowed his brow, and pondered a Method!

"Send someone to notify Delu and tell him to find a way."

The crewman agreed and immediately took a small boat to cross the Longyan Navy's blockade in the evening.

Since the afternoon, Delu had been watching the French warships that were about to enter the port being intercepted at sea, and they were not permitted to go ashore.

He did not even know what had happened.

As time passed, the French ships remained at sea and did not enter the port; it was already dark, and Delu felt a surge of anxiety.

Usually, when his merchant ships entered the port, there was no Longyan Navy obstruction or inspection at all.

What was going on today, and why had they not been cleared to enter yet?

Delu could not understand.

Just at this moment, a crewman piloted a small boat to shore quietly, found Delu, and said anxiously, "General Huo En has been intercepted by the Longyan Navy."

"They raised several requirements, and we can only enter the port if we meet them."

"Our ships must be registered in Australia, and if we want to stay in Australia for a long time, we need to change to the Australian Flag."

Upon hearing this, Delu frowned; these requirements had never been imposed on him before.

Delu said in a deep voice, "These are easy to handle; I will go do it immediately!"

"Wait, there is one more condition that the General absolutely has no way to accept."

"The Longyan Navy is demanding to board the ship for inspection. You know what is on board; they absolutely cannot come aboard. Otherwise, if the secret is exposed, our vanguard will be completely wiped out!"

"You won't be able to escape responsibility either!"

Delu was stunned for a moment and hurriedly asked, "Did that Longyan Navy really say that?"

"Yes, they did."

Delu's expression changed instantly, and he was very surprised; these policies did not exist in normal times, especially the ship inspection.

In ordinary times, he had never even heard of such policies.

Delu frowned, realizing that the matter might not be as simple as he had imagined.

Could it be that his operational plan had been exposed?

Looking at the French warships still on the sea, he guessed that it might not be that the operation was exposed; if it had truly been exposed, given Xie Fang's personality, these three ships would have been sunk by him before they even entered the waters of Australia.

If the plan was not exposed, then what could it be?

Delu thought of the series of policies Xie Fang had recently introduced.

In particular, the two decisions to cancel military leasing and increase taxes on merchants had caused dissatisfaction among many wealthy businessmen.

Delu wondered if it was some trick Xie Fang was playing.

The goal was to tell them who was in charge in Australia.

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