Chapter 1737: The Fish Takes the Bait

At this time, Australia.

Above the residence of Earl Howard.

As a general on Tasmania, Li He originally had no authority to interfere with the power of merchants located on the Australian mainland.

However, because Li He was in charge of the customs in Tasmania, this was also a shipping route that many merchants had to pass through.

Howard, this major Plantation Owner, also needed to use sea transport and frequently passed through Tasmania's shipping lanes.

Li He only needed to use a little bit of power to make Earl Howard personally invite Li He to his residence as a guest.

Li He sat in the main seat at Howard's residence.

He was sipping tea on one side while questioning the standing Earl Howard.

"Respected Earl Howard, what exactly is the matter for which you invited me here?"

Earl Howard smiled, looked at Li He, and said with extreme respect: "General Li He, I just wanted to understand a few things; I hope General Li He will not take offense."

"As you know, I have a batch of goods that need to go out from the port of Tasmania, but I have encountered a small problem now."

"I would like to ask General Li He to resolve it; as long as General Li He can agree to it, I am willing to offer money, gold, and silver."

Upon hearing this, Li He's expression changed immediately.

"Howard, are you trying to bribe me?"

"Let me tell you, this trick is not an effective Method; do you think a dignified general like me would care for that bit of money of yours?"

Howard was greatly alarmed; he had never dealt with Li He before.

Previously, Howard did not use the shipping routes on Tasmania at all; if it weren't for his cooperation with Delu, he probably wouldn't even know who Li He was.

This was his first time dealing with Li He, and he had no idea what the other party's character was.

He had thought that he would be as easy to bribe as other officials in Australia, but now it seemed that Li He was not that kind of person.

Howard apologized with a smile: "Hehe, General, please calm your anger; it was my rashness just now."

"It's just that the ship is loaded with textiles; if they stay at sea for too long, they will get damp, and the appearance will not be good by then. I am just waiting for these goods to be moved."

"So I implore you, my lord, to spare my life and let these goods leave the port."

Hearing these words, Li He's expression softened slightly, and he said indifferently: "Do you know why your Merchant Ship was detained?"

It was precisely because he was very confused about this point that Howard invited Li He to be a guest at his residence.

He had paid all the taxes and such that he was supposed to pay.

There shouldn't be any contraband on his ship, and this time he borrowed Delu's shipping route because of his cooperation with Delu, as the cost of departing from here was relatively much cheaper.

Other than thinking that Li He wanted to extort some money from him, he couldn't think of any other reason.

"Hehehe, General, you are making things difficult for me."

Li He looked at Howard and said indifferently: "There is no problem with your ship and cargo; logically speaking, you should be allowed to pass, but this cargo of yours is actually intended to be shipped to France, and that will not do."

Howard was stunned. These textiles were indeed to be sold to France, but that was only out of commercial cooperation; what was wrong with that?

"I don't quite understand. I am just doing business; these goods being bought by the French should not have violated the decree issued by His Majesty."

Li He laughed and said indifferently: "To tell you the truth, a large number of strange French people have recently been smuggled ashore in Tasmania, and we are investigating where these French people are coming from."

"Your ship is bound for France, and after multiple inspections, some French people would inexplicably appear on your ship as well."

"That is why your ship was detained."

"Do you know the reason now?"

Earl Howard panicked all of a sudden and immediately said: "My lord, I am wronged."

"

It is true that my ship frequently travels to and from France, but those strange French people only boarded my ship after they had obtained Australian immigration qualifications."

"Moreover, these people were originally supposed to board Delu's Merchant Ship, but due to some circumstances, Delu's ship could not carry them, so I took them."

"These matters have little to do with us."

Hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Li He's eyes, and he asked: "You said these people were on Delu's ship?"

"Tell me honestly what exactly is going on."

Howard blurted it all out: "I have a cooperative relationship with Delu, and my ship also frequently helps Delu transport people from mainland France to Europe; of course, he pays me a certain shipping fee."

"My lord, my cooperation with Delu is very simple; I am just borrowing his pier. Apart from these matters, we have no other business dealings."

Hearing this, Li He had understood most of it.

He did not know why Delu needed to establish this kind of trade relationship with Earl Howard for a long time, or even needed Earl Howard's ship to secretly transport people from France.

"My lord, can my ship be released now? I haven't hidden anything regarding these matters and have told you everything, my lord."

Li He glanced at him, got up to leave, and said as he walked: "Your matter is considered over. Everything you said is true; it seems those suddenly appearing French people were not caused by you."

"I still have things to do, so I won't disturb you further."

After saying this, Li He got up and left.

After watching Li He leave, Howard suddenly grabbed the cup Li He had used to drink tea and smashed it down violently!

"I am a dignified British Noble Count; when have I ever suffered such grievances? Even when I left Britain, I never had such treatment!"

Earl Howard looked at the back of Li He, who had long since disappeared, and instructed his servant: "Tell Delu that I have handled his matter; I hope he can quickly complete the things he promised me."

A flash of viciousness appeared in Earl Howard's eyes; without the Dragon Flame Army, now even a small general dared to treat him like this.

However, once Delu's plan was successfully implemented, Li He would have a hard time!

Li He sat in the Horse Carriage, thinking about why Delu wanted to mobilize so many people from France during this period.

These people were indeed not illegal smugglers; they all had entry permits.

But this was a bit counterproductive for Delu; obtaining entry permits required paying a large sum of money, and so many French people could not possibly be here to help Delu with labor.

The labor force on the island was even cheaper for Delu.

Furthermore, although Delu had immigrated so many French people, these people were not in his Factory, which meant it was very likely that Delu was currently providing the capital for these people to live.

For a merchant, this is a matter from which almost no return can be gained.

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