Chapter 77: Just Bring the People Back, That's All

The Dutch Navy's most advanced warship is the 7,000‑ton "Seven Provinces" class, with a 240‑mm Main Gun and a speed of 18 knots. Compared with the Restoration Ship, it's like the difference between a child and a giant.

"So," the Governor concluded, "militarily we cannot win. Economically we cannot afford it. Politically…"

He gave a wry smile:

"Politically, if we suffer heavy losses here, those gentlemen in The Hague will be the first to strip me of my post. They will say: Fan De Linden, that fool, for a bit of 'face', destroyed the kingdom's most important colony in Yazhou."

The conference room fell silent again.

This time, even Fan Peixi did not roar. He sank into his seat, clasping his hands over his head.

"Then… what do we do?" someone asked softly.

The Governor looked at the clock on the wall: 11:05.

Distance to the deadline: one hour fifteen minutes.

"Fan De Zanden," the Governor said, "if we accept their terms… what is the greatest cost?"

The finance officer calculated quickly: "Compensation is 500,000 shields, a cash outlay. The rights‑protection agreement… may affect tax revenue, but it can be managed. The biggest issue is handing over the military police—this will create domestic political pressure, but will not cause actual economic loss."

"If… if we don't hand over the people?"

"That ship will open fire," Fan De Zanden said, "and then we lose a warship worth 3.2 million shields, we lose the port, we lose trade, we lose at least several hundred lives. In the end, we may still have to hand over the people—but by then, we will have nothing left."

"So what is your suggestion?"

"Agree to them," Fan De Zanden said without hesitation, "agree as soon as possible, before they fire a second round of shells."

"I oppose!" Fan Peixi stood up again, "those are nineteen Dutch soldiers! We cannot—"

"Major!" the Governor raised his voice, "the forty‑seven Chinese yesterday, they are also human! They have parents, children, families! In your eyes, a Dutch life is a life, but a Chinese life is not a life?!"

Those words carried weight.

Fan Peixi froze in place, his face flushed bright red, yet he could not speak.

The Governor took a deep breath and turned to everyone:

"Vote. Those who agree to the terms, raise your hand."

He raised his hand first.

Fan De Zanden raised his hand.

Fan De Bo Ge hesitated briefly, then also raised his hand.

The artillery commander looked at the Governor, then at Fan Peixi, and finally also raised his hand.

Four to one.

"Good." The Governor lowered his hand, "Fan De Zanden, draft the reply. We agree to compensation and rights protection. As for handing over the military police…"

He paused briefly:

"Add one clause: their personal safety must be guaranteed, and the handover must occur after a symbolic trial in a Dutch court. That is the bottom line—the kingdom's dignity must retain at least that point."

"What if the other side refuses?"

"Then…" the Governor closed his eyes, "then let them fire. At least we have stood our ground."

The telegram was delivered to the Restoration Ship at 11:40.

Li Te was in the bridge conference room, eating lunch with several officers—simple rice, vegetables, and salted fish. The Dutch delegates sat opposite, with the same dishes before them, but no one lifted their chopsticks.

When the communications soldier delivered the telegram, Li Te was picking up a piece of salted fish. He set down his chopsticks, took the telegram, and skimmed it quickly.

After reading it, he smiled.

"Mr. Fan De Weier," he pushed the telegram over, "your Governor has agreed to the first two points: compensation and rights protection. But the third point… needs conditions."

Fan De Weier hurriedly took the telegram. After reading it, he exhaled a sigh—at least the Governor had not outright refused.

"Captain," he said cautiously, "guaranteeing the personal safety of the military police is… a basic humanitarian requirement. As for a symbolic trial in a Dutch court… that is also for procedural justice. After the trial, we guarantee the handover."

Li Te remained silent. He lifted his teacup and drank slowly.

The conference room was terrifyingly quiet. Only the low hum from the distant engine room and the sound of waves lapping the hull could be heard.

"Xu Canmo," Li Te finally spoke.

"Present," Xu Wen set down his chopsticks.

"What do you think?"

Xu Wen thought for a few seconds: "From an international law perspective, their demand for guaranteed personal safety and domestic trial rights is reasonable. But the term 'symbolic trial'… leaves room for manipulation. It can be a light sentence, parole, or even a 'breakout'."

"So?"

"So we can agree, but with additional conditions," Xu Wen said, "First, the trial must be conducted under our supervision. Second, the verdict must receive our approval. Third, if after the trial the handover does not occur, we have the right to act on our own."

Li Te nodded, looking at Fan De Weier: "Did you hear?"

Fan De Weier wiped his sweat: "This… this requires a report…"

"You have twenty minutes left," Li Te glanced at the clock, "it is now 11:45. I need a final answer before 12:05."

"Twenty minutes?!"

"Or," Li Te smiled, "I can order the 'Seven Provinces' ship to be blown up right now. Then we can negotiate slowly."

Fan De Weier was about to cry. He rushed back to the radio telegraph, sending the report himself:

【Your Excellency the Governor, the other side agrees to guarantee personal safety, but demands supervision of the trial, approval of the result, and retention of the right to act. Reply within twenty‑five minutes. The situation is extremely critical. Fan De Weier, 11:46】

This time, the reply came quickly.

At 11:55, the telegram arrived.

Fan De Weier snatched it almost as soon as it came. After reading it, he let out a long sigh.

"The Governor has agreed," he handed the telegram to Li Te, "accepting all additional conditions. The trial will be held in the Port Authority conference hall at Pier 3, and you may send five observers. After the trial, the prisoners will be handed over immediately."

Li Te took the telegram, examined it carefully. Then he smiled.

"Had we known this, there would have been no need for the beginning."

He stood up and said to Lin Hai, "Prepare the motor launch. You take twenty men and go ashore with Mr. Fan De Weier to receive them. After the trial, immediately escort the people back."

"Yes!"

He then looked at Xu Wen: "Take four people as observers and attend the trial. Remember, no matter what show they put on, as long as they hand over the person in the end, that's all that matters."

"Understood."

Finally, Li Te walked up to Vandewiele and extended his hand:

"Mr. Vandewiele, a pleasure working with you."

Vandewiele froze for a moment before realizing this was a handshake. He extended his hand and shook Li Te's—the other man's hand was steady and dry, while his own palm was covered in sweat.

"Then... can I leave now?"

"You may." Li Te nodded. "Vice Captain Lin will escort you ashore. But remember, if I don't see the trial begin by twelve-thirty, if I don't see the prisoner brought aboard by two o'clock in the afternoon..."

He didn't finish, but Vandewiele understood.

"Absolutely, absolutely on time."