Chapter 1807: Counter-Sanctions

At this time, Europe.

Under Liu Zheng's strategy, Saxony has already become a key military stronghold for Longyan in Europe.

The entirety of Saxony has had a large number of Longyan military bases constructed within it.

Liu Zheng also shifted the entire strategic base from the ports of Austria into the territory of Saxony.

Following the surrender of the King of Saxony and this series of actions by Liu Zheng, the impact on the allied nations of the France-Austria-Russia Alliance has been immense.

Saxony is also a Catholic country.

But now Saxony has completely submitted to Liu Zheng, and the France-Austria-Russia Alliance has united to impose so-called sanctions on Saxony and Longyan.

They will increase tariffs on Longyan goods sold within their borders and add more restrictive conditions.

They are even preparing to freeze the assets of Longyan merchants within their countries to hold Longyan in check.

Regarding the tricks of these France-Austria-Russia allied nations, Liu Zheng treats them as nothing more than a fart.

Now, the items peddled by Longyan merchants have already permeated every aspect of every country; this is no longer something that can be restricted just by wanting to.

For example, Longyan soap—this is not a necessity, but it is a thing that life requires.

Before soap, European Nobles used so-called essential oils and perfume to cover up the body odor brought about by not bathing for long periods.

But ever since soap came into existence, this thing not only cleans well when bathing, but also carries a scent.

It is deeply loved by European Nobles and commoners, especially by women.

It has now become a necessity in life; if this kind of thing were to be restricted, a substitute would be needed.

But even after experiencing the Industrial Revolution, in terms of the craftsmanship for manufacturing soap.

The goods of European countries have absolutely no ability to compete with those of Longyan.

Restricting it directly would instead cause the situation within their own countries to deteriorate.

Li Hongtian stepped forward to report: "These countries are deliberately targeting our Longyan, and some countries are even withholding payments for our Longyan goods, which makes our Longyan merchants very distressed."

"Lord Liu Zheng, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Liu Zheng sneered and said: "Simple. Since the France-Austria-Russia Alliance is restricting the sale of our goods, then we simply won't sell to them."

"Cut off trade with them."

Li Hongtian frowned and said again: "The France-Austria-Russia Alliance nations possess a large number of Colonial Areas overseas; that is where our Longyan makes the most"

"money."

"Such a blanket ban will affect our Longyan merchants, and many merchants spent too much to come to Europe to do business. If we issue an order to ban it, I fear many, many Longyan merchants will lose everything!"

Liu Zheng shook his head: "No, only restrict trade within the home territories of these countries. We will continue to trade with their Colonial Areas, and we will publicize this matter."

"Let more people know."

"As time goes on, these countries will need to spend a large amount of money to purchase our goods at high prices from their own overseas colonies."

"Think about it, Lord Li. Under the urgent demands of the masses, purchasing goods that could have been cheaper at high prices from overseas colonies."

"How long can these so-called Sovereign States of the Colonial Areas hold out?"

"The ultimate profit will only be ours."

Liu Zheng smiled and sat down as if nothing had happened to admire the books taken from the treasury of the King of Saxony.

Li Hongtian bowed slightly, retreated, and closed the door.

Currently, various European countries are preparing to restore their strength through various trades. If their economies are dealt a heavy blow at this time, they will suffer greatly in this war.

……

Li Hongtian announced Longyan's latest policy.

It attracted the attention of many European Nobles because this will directly affect their income situation.

It will affect their business.

Jiang Xuelan, who had just returned from Iceland, received this news and almost laughed out loud.

She had just signed an agreement with Jones in Iceland.

Iceland's development is backward, and from Jones, she learned that Iceland is a Colonial Area of Denmark, but that is a power Denmark has never exercised.

It is equivalent to Iceland being a land without an owner. Now that Longyan has issued such a ban.

Other merchants might still need to peddle goods to the colonies and then sell the goods from these colonies to the Sovereign State.

It is equivalent to exporting for domestic sale and then re-exporting.

Although one can earn more money, this entire process is not only troublesome and time-consuming, but also requires bearing more taxes.

But if Jiang Xuelan were to sell directly to these countries at high prices from the region of Iceland.

Not only would there be no taxes, there wouldn't even be customs.

The business-savvy Jiang Xuelan left to find

her business partner in Europe, Pano.

"Oh, Pano, I'm afraid we have to terminate our cooperation," Jiang Xuelan said apologetically.

Pano spread his hands and asked in confusion: "Is it because of that ban issued by Longyan?"

"Oh, dear Miss Jiang, you can completely ignore this ban. Didn't our France also issue such an order? But no one takes these things seriously."

"What we advocate is free trade; you understand this."

Pano spoke earnestly. He really wanted to keep Jiang Xuelan. For him, Jiang Xuelan is a rising Longyan merchant who needs to quickly open up the market in Europe, so in terms of goods, she buys the same items more cheaply.

The quality is better.

If she also stops doing business with them, Pano will suffer a serious blow.

This is something Pano absolutely cannot accept.

The sanction orders issued by the France-Austria-Russia Alliance nations against Longyan are not seen as a gospel by merchants like them.

Merchants pursue profit; for them, these Longyan goods allow them to make money.

That is the best commodity; they do not care much about anything else.

In the end, it was just as they had anticipated: Longyan truly issued a ban.

It prohibited doing business with local merchants from their allied nations, such as Fao'e.

This would cause a massive void to appear in the market, and in the absence of substitutes, such a void would be the most profitable.

There are some people who are in urgent need of these products.

He still needs to repurchase from the colonies, but for the same item, they need to spend more money.

For these merchants, this entails extremely high risks and obstacles.

Therefore, retaining every single Longyan merchant is very important.

Jiang Xuelan looked at Pano's appearance before her, smiled faintly, and sipped her tea.

Thinking back to when she first arrived to do business, these Europeans had a very terrible attitude toward her.

The goods in her hands could only be sold off after being driven down to the lowest possible price.

For Jiang Xuelan, that was a dark memory.

She set down her teacup, crossed her hands in front of her face, and smiled: "My apologies, Lord Pano, this is our Longyan ban; it is effective for all Longyan merchants, and naturally, that includes me."

"However, I will establish an exchange in Iceland, where you will be able to buy my goods."