MLMD -Chapter 455 Negotiation

“What… you want to drive the Dutch out together with us?!”

Yue Yang couldn’t help but smile. Was this Andoni completely out of his mind? Hadn’t he made it perfectly clear to Major Bater Busby last time? And now he was making such a brainless request again. Was he really that foolish, or did he think Yue Yang himself was a fool?

“Yes, Your Excellency the Marquis!” Andoni continued as if he hadn’t noticed the disdain flicker in Yue Yang’s eyes. “General, please allow me to finish what I have to say.”

“Very well… speak. I want to hear an explanation from your mouth that satisfies me. Otherwise, I will take your words as a provocation against my country. You should know that last time, I made it very clear to Major Bater Busby: Dayuan is an inseparable and sacred territory of the Ming. Any attempt to occupy it is a violation of our sovereignty, and we reserve the right to respond by any means necessary, including force. I won’t hide it from you… recently, my troops have eliminated the Tatars to the north, and over a hundred thousand elite soldiers are now at alert.”

A threat… Yue Yang’s words were a naked threat. After spending so many years in this timeline and rising to a high position, Yue Yang now exuded the aura of a true leader. Though he himself may not notice it, those around him certainly did. Only Yue Yang’s family dared still joke with him from time to time; everyone else had long stopped.

For Andoni, Yue Yang now appeared as a commanding and imposing figure issuing a declaration: Do not ignore my warning, or I will strike fatally. Swallowing nervously and taking a deep breath, Andoni said, “Your Excellency the Marquis, please forgive my bluntness. We have no intention of challenging your authority. I am merely stating a fact: although Dayuan is close to the Ming, the inhabitants are mostly locals, and the Ming has no official institutions stationed there. Therefore, sending troops there from our country is not improper. Our mutual enemies are the greedy Dutch and their ally Zheng Zhilong, who has been harassing your fleet these past days. Since we share common enemies and interests, why shouldn’t we join forces to eliminate these threats?”

Yue Yang had to admit, Andoni’s words were straightforward and compelling, though he found them somewhat exasperating. China had always prioritized the land and neglected the seas—not entirely the fault of past rulers. For thousands of years, China was a self-sufficient agrarian civilization, poorly informed about the wider world, and lacking the adventurous spirit of the West. Thus, anything beyond the mainland was often dismissed. History in another timeline had already proven this: ceding Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau were decisions made with little consideration.

From the perspective of Western adventurers, if you abandon a place, why should I not occupy it? You shouldn’t be so overbearing.

Yue Yang thought for a moment and decided not to overthink it. He said directly, “Very well, Your Excellency Andoni, let’s not dwell on this issue. I believe two years from now, you’ll come to me to discuss it yourself. Now, tell me why I should deploy troops with you. Understand that I will not act without sufficient benefit.”

“Still a Ming official, huh? Talking about benefits right from the start?”

Andoni was amazed. Compared to other Ming officials he had dealt with, Yue Yang was completely unconventional—so blunt in putting interests on the table. Suddenly, he missed the officials he used to ridicule; in comparison, they seemed much more endearing.

“This… is the kind of person who’s my true opponent,” Andoni thought, calming himself and carefully formulating a reply. “Your Excellency the Marquis, first I must admit that you are the most exceptional and difficult official I’ve ever met.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Yue Yang shrugged.

Seeing Yue Yang’s expressionless face, Andoni gritted his teeth: “The key is… we can share sufficient benefits!”

“Go on,” Yue Yang remained indifferent.

“Marquis, I know you are a highly influential noble in your country, and the emperor even married his eldest daughter to you. Yet, as far as I know, you do not have a fief of your own. Don’t you wish to personally secure one?”

Hearing this, Yue Yang’s pupils slightly contracted. Andoni had hit a nerve.

Having been appointed by Spain as Governor of Dayuan, Andoni’s sharpness was unquestionable. He had been carefully observing Yue Yang’s every move, and seeing the flicker in Yue Yang’s eyes, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy. He had reached the right point.

Encouraged, he continued persuasively, “Marquis, as far as I know, your country does not grant fiefs to nobles. If you join us in driving the pirates out of southwestern Dayuan, we can share all the benefits with you. For example, after expelling the Dutch, I can hand over Zeelandia or Fort Provintia to you!” Andoni smiled, offering what he believed was his most sincere proposal.

“Hand over one of those two forts to me?” Yue Yang sneered. “I see no sincerity in your words. Both Zeelandia and Provintia lie in southern Dayuan. You expect me to share southern profits after driving out the Dutch? Impossible! You already control Keelung and Tamsui; now you want the south too?”

“It is what we deserve!” Andoni said calmly. “Since we contribute, we share the rewards, don’t we?”

“No… no,” Yue Yang shook his head faintly. “I cannot give you these two cities. Let me make it clear: if you want me to send troops to expel the East India Company’s vampires from Dayuan, you must offer sufficient stakes. Zeelandia and Provintia are just the baseline for cooperation. If you quarrel over this, then you may as well leave.”

Bater Busby, hearing Yue Yang’s aggressive tone and seeing the governor frown, stepped forward: “Your Excellency the Marquis, forgive my frankness, but inviting you to send troops and promising part of the gains is already very sincere. Yet you act so greedily. This is unfair. God, in creating humanity, also set forth principles, yet you violate them!”

“Principles?”

Yue Yang first paused, then laughed uproariously as if hearing the best joke in the world, his body rocking back and forth.

After a long moment, he calmed down and said to the still indignant major, “Major, let me tell you a fact: in this world, principles are always made by the strong. Their reach is only as far as cannon fire. Beyond that, principles are merely a piece of cloth on a prostitute.”

“Principles only within cannon range…” Andoni, a high-ranking Spanish official stationed in the East, had insights beyond those of a pure soldier like Bater Busby. He shook his head slightly and spoke sincerely, “Your Excellency the Marquis, you are wise. What you say makes sense. Then, if you help us drive the Dutch out of Dayuan, we will relinquish Zeelandia and Provintia entirely to you!”

“Governor…” Bater Busby opened his mouth but froze when he saw Andoni glare at him. He lowered his head obediently.

“Very well, let me be clear,” Yue Yang said calmly, not showing happiness. “It seems we have reached an agreement, Your Excellency Andoni. When do you wish for me to dispatch troops?”

“As soon as possible!” Andoni said decisively. “Ideally, next month, we would see your soldiers.”

At that time, the Spaniards and Dutch occupied Taipei and Tainan, respectively. Though the Spaniards arrived earlier, giving them the supposed first-mover advantage, the reality was different. Despite controlling northern Taiwan, the Dutch allied with Zheng Zhilong and Ming merchants along the Fujian and Jiangsu-Zhejiang coasts to block Spanish trade, severely threatening Spanish interests in Manila. Supply costs were high, and trade with Ming or Japan was restricted. Since 1629, silver production in the Americas had declined, worsening Manila’s economy. Northern Taiwan’s operations depended on subsidies from the Philippines, which itself was strapped for resources to handle conflicts with Muslims. The Spaniards were struggling.

To cut costs, the Governor of the Philippines, Coquira, reduced northern Taiwan’s garrison, dismantling Fort San Domingo in Tamsui and leaving troops only in Keelung. The resulting weakened defenses immediately attracted Dutch attention. Since 1638, the Dutch had frequently tested Taipei with small-scale attacks, giving Andoni a headache—hence this visit to Weihaiwei.

After explaining this, Andoni noticed Yue Yang’s slightly teasing expression and felt strangely as if the Marquis of Ming had seen through him—every secret laid bare. He couldn’t recall the last time he felt this way.

Just as he scolded himself inwardly for this sudden emotion, Yue Yang spoke: “Very well. Since you’ve agreed to my conditions, I can also promise: by the end of next month, I will dispatch a fleet of no fewer than thirty warships and five thousand soldiers to join you in expelling the Dutch.”

Yue Yang inwardly sighed: if his navy were stronger, he wouldn’t need to cooperate with the Spaniards—he could drive out both the Dutch and the Spaniards himself. For now, he would work with the Spaniards, and in a couple of years, when stronger, he could take Taipei and Manila entirely.

“That’s wonderful!”

Hearing this, Andoni, normally reserved, was thrilled. He stood, saluted formally, and said excitedly: “Esteemed Marquis, on behalf of the King and people of Spain, I thank you for your assistance!”

To their surprise, Yue Yang also stood, raising his right hand to his forehead and returning a suave military salute. “No need for thanks, Your Excellency. I intend to keep my promise.”

Andoni’s astonishment flickered. Based on his knowledge of Ming customs, their army typically saluted with crossed arms or kneeled. Yet here was a Marquis performing a Western military salute with apparent ease—not a mere courtesy. He dismissed the thought as minor, overtaken by joy.

With formal matters settled, the atmosphere lightened. Andoni sipped the now-cold tea and smiled at Yue Yang: “Marquis, I heard from Lawrence that you are well-versed in Europe and America. I am amazed. May I ask when you visited Europe?”

“Haha…” Yue Yang laughed heartily. “Your Excellency Andoni, we have a saying in Ming: a scholar need not travel far to know the world. Meaning, if one reads enough, even at home, one can understand global affairs. Coincidentally, I passed the Xiucai exams.”

Everyone present secretly cursed in their minds. This man was sly, not telling a single truth. There was no way reading books alone could make him this knowledgeable about Europe, especially the intricacies of royal families. Their vigilance increased; clearly, he must have had sources in Europe.

“Marquis, I brought a group of merchants with me. They hope for your permission to issue trade licenses, allowing them to freely purchase goods in Shandong. May we grant this?”

“Of course. As long as they pay the deposit and taxes, I have no objection.” Yue Yang naturally approved of commerce—regional development depended on merchants, and without them, who would sell the goods he brought from the modern world?

Andoni’s heart leapt. Weihaiwei had already become a favorite location for Spanish merchants. Goods of almost artistic quality thrilled them. Half a year later, those who first shipped these goods back to Europe made enormous profits, sometimes 10–20 times their investment. Spain now widely knew of the distant Ming Empire, a place where one shipload could yield a lifetime of wealth.

As Governor of Dayuan, Andoni also wanted a share of this feast and had every reason to be pleased.

By midday, Yue Yang, as host, served a delicious lunch before sending the satisfied guests on their way.

Returning to his study, Yue Yang intended to nap but saw Zhu Meichu, her belly slightly rounded, enter.

She seemed flustered, her delicate face flushed, tiny beads of sweat on her nose. Yue Yang stood, helped her sit, and asked curiously, “Meichu, shouldn’t you be resting?”

After a pause, Zhu Meichu asked, “Husband, I heard the foreigners came to invite you to join their campaign against the Dutch. Is that true?”

“Yes.” Yue Yang nodded. It wasn’t surprising she knew; her personal maid, Xiaoyu, had served him at lunch and surely reported back.

“So… you’ll leave me again to go to war?” Her eyes reflected anxiety and unease.

Yue Yang understood. A fourteen-year-old girl, newly married and pregnant, had become clingy these days. The thought of leaving her distressed him. He smiled, embracing her tiny frame, comforting her: “Meichu, don’t worry. I won’t be gone long, and I’ll bring you the best gifts when I return.”