Chapter 1686: Scheming

At this moment, on the other side of the world.

Australia.

At this moment, Delu was rushing at full speed toward the Imperial Palace of Xie Fang.

Traveling from Tasmania to Sydney, the speed of the ship at sea was destined to be slow, but fortunately, the distance traveled at sea was not long, so by the time dawn broke, Delu had just arrived in Sydney.

After landing at Sydney Port, Delu immediately sprinted toward the Imperial Palace of Xie Fang.

Although he had experienced a high-intensity schedule without closing his eyes for a day and a night, this was a matter of no Method.

He had to be fast; for every minute Huo En stayed at sea, he was in danger for another minute.

If Huo En were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Thinking of this, Delu's speed increased by another notch; although he had reached Sydney, the city of Sydney was very large.

The palace of Xie Fang was built in the middle of Sydney.

Soon, Delu arrived at the palace of Xie Fang.

But Xie Fang was the Sovereign, and not just anyone could see him.

However, Delu was a major taxpayer in Australia, contributing a large amount of money to Xie Fang every year, as far as Xie Fang was concerned.

Such a major household naturally had to enjoy some privileges.

He had once issued an order to Delu, permitting him to enter and exit the Imperial Palace freely without reporting.

After Delu arrived, he immediately rushed into the Imperial Palace to meet Xie Fang.

It must be said that the money Delu had donated to Xie Fang over these years did not seem to have been wasted now, relying on the original decree of Xie Fang.

Delu soon met the current ruler of the Australian Government, Xie Fang.

Inside the study of Xie Fang.

After Delu saw him, he put away his previous hurried appearance and said with utmost respect: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Xie Fang was looking at the files; he raised his head to glance at Delu, and seeing his hurried complexion, bloodshot eyes, and the very haggard look on his entire face, he smiled slightly.

He could not help but ask: "Isn't this Delu? Rise. What is the matter that you are looking for Us so urgently?"

Delu did not dare to rise, still keeping his head lowered as he said: "Your Majesty, this servant does not dare."

Xie Fang was taken aback and looked at Delu with interest; he did not yet know what had happened, so he asked: "You do not dare? Then there must be a matter."

"Speak, what is the matter?"

Upon hearing these words, Delu then said: "Your Majesty, my three Merchant Ships have been detained at the port and are not allowed to enter."

"It is not that my paperwork is incomplete; Your Majesty, you know me. To say nothing else, I have never missed a single piece of paperwork for the Merchant Ships; it has always been the most complete."

"I do not dare to blame the garrison commander Li He; after all, they are acting under orders."

"Only then did I think that I seemed to have a sum of taxes unpaid, so I hurried over to pay the taxes."

"Your Majesty, look, this is my tax payment."

Xie Fang watched as Delu had people carry in a large wooden chest. Delu opened it himself, and inside, glittering Gold Coins flashed, causing Xie Fang to reveal a hint of joy.

Regarding the policy of increasing taxes he had pushed, few of those merchants dared to obey his orders.

Especially those large Merchant Households.

Therefore, Xie Fang had increased the Operation conditions for customs and Factorys, with the goal of not letting these Merchant Households have an easy time.

Thereby achieving the goal of making them pay the taxes.

He had not expected this Delu to surrender so quickly; it seemed his policy implementation was already beginning to show results.

Seeing this scene, Xie Fang laughed: "Not bad, you still understand Us."

"Many thanks for the praise, Your Majesty," Delu said ingratiatingly.

"Then, Your Majesty, what about my three ships?"

Xie Fang understood his meaning; since the money had been paid, the problem with these three ships was no longer a problem.

After all, the economy of Tasmania still needed Delu to keep it in Operation, and Xie Fang's goal had originally been to make these large Merchant Households pay their taxes.

"You may go back; I will have Li He let your ships enter the port."

Delu said again: "Your Majesty, you also know that General Li He is a bit upright and stubborn."

"He insists on inspecting my ships."

"Your Majesty, it is not that I do not trust the Longyan Navy, but the cargo on my ships cannot involve the privacy of the sellers; it cannot be known by others, and it cannot be inspected."

Xie Fang looked at Delu without thinking too much; although he wanted to break some of the laws he had established, he did not want to break the free trade principles of Australia.

Regarding the issue of goods, although he had clearly stipulated it in the laws he set, there had never been any inspections.

If it involved the secrets of these merchants, Xie Fang had never inquired about it.

He waved his hand: "Since that is the case, then I will issue an Imperial Edict for you, telling him not to inspect your cargo."

"Many thanks, Your Majesty!" Delu felt a surge of joy.

"Go down," Xie Fang waved his hand.

Delu immediately took his leave, and once the Imperial Edict was in hand, he hurried out of the palace, drove to the Sydney Port, boarded his ship, and left.

……

At this moment, on the other side of the world.

Europe.

Britain.

Stephenson came to the home of Newton in the evening; this time, the atmosphere at the dinner table seemed somewhat heavy.

"Have you decided?" Mo Cheng looked at Stephenson and said.

Stephenson nodded and said extremely seriously: "Yes, the prototype of the Dreadnought-class Battleship has been completed, and the Steam Engine research of Longyan no longer needs me."

"You all know that in Britain, I have no Method to conduct research; it is time to leave for Longyan."

Regarding Stephenson's decision, Mo Cheng looked at him, thought for a moment, and then said, "Your current status is rather sensitive; if you go to Longyan, it is very likely you will be caught."

"It's fine. Regarding this matter, Brother Newton has already prepared a Method for me."

"A captain he knows has a ship that needs to head to Longyan for business in the next few days, and I will go with him."

Newton said, "You can be absolutely assured regarding this captain's safety; he is my friend."

"I once helped him improve his cargo ship."

After hearing this, Mo Cheng pondered for a moment: "Brother Stephenson, if you want to go to Longyan, I can help you write a letter to assist you in entering Longyan."

"After you arrive in Longyan, go to a place called Liangzhou and find a person named Liu Dahao there; he will help you enter the Laboratory in Liangzhou."

Stephenson thanked him: "Thank you, Mo Cheng."

"This is something I should do for you."

"However, you must remember that after arriving in Longyan, go find him first. He still has some fame in Longyan, so he should be easy to find for an outsider like you."

Mo Cheng urged him repeatedly, and Stephenson took note of every word Mo Cheng said.

Mo Cheng asked again: "When are you departing?"

"Tonight; the ship leaves port tonight."

"So urgent, alright..." Mo Cheng glanced at Hu Xi'er, and Hu Xi'er nodded; she took a thick stack of banknotes out from inside the room.

"If you go to Longyan, Britain currency will be of no use. This is Longyan money; take it and use it."

"Additionally, I have two letters here that need you to deliver."

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