From Chief to Ball

Not long ago, the Portuguese built a fortress in Shalian, preached everywhere nearby, and even robbed them as pirates.

He needs an ally who can contain Portugal, especially an ally who is good at using muskets and cannons and has a fleet that can counter the Portuguese, as a means of check and balance.

At the same time, I also hope that an ally can help him to some extent in the war. The Portuguese expanded in Myanmar, and there are various hatreds between Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand.

The originally chosen target was the Dutch, but the Dutch didn't care too much about it. Obviously they were unwilling to get involved in these things of little interest, and were only interested in the spice trade.

But right now, this organization that calls itself the Huaxia Republic Nanyang Trading Company is completely different.

After some forms of documents, he took the lead in expressing that he was only here for trade, and that he was very interested in Thailand's saltpeter, tin, lead, ivory, teak and other goods. At the same time, the company's main business was guns, cotton cloth, etc. Things that can communicate with each other.

Secondly, the company expressed its recognition and recognition of the King of Thailand's rule over Thailand, and hoped to sign a treaty to ensure that in addition to trade, as long as it is within the territory of Thailand, it will abide by the king's laws of Thailand.At the same time, because they do not believe in any religion, they will not spread any religion and will not interfere with the beliefs of Thai people.

If there is a rebellion in the country, since the company agrees with the rule of the King of Thailand, it will support the King of Thailand to suppress the rebellious states, and will never sell weapons or accept employment from the rebellious states.

In addition, I sincerely invite the King of Thailand to send envoys to visit the capital of the Republic, and if possible, establish an embassy in Ayutthaya.

If His Majesty the King of Thailand can allow the establishment of a business hall, he also hopes that companies can be allowed to build hospitals and schools near the business hall and not carry out missionary activities.

For some minerals such as tin and lead, you can buy a batch of mining tools and improve smelting technology from Nanyang Trading Company, and even develop some unmanned mines by Nanyang Company, and pay the prescribed taxes and fees in accordance with Thailand's royal law.

At the same time, I hope His Majesty the King of Thailand can go to Daming with the company to carry out tribute trade, take the company's fleet and protect the safety of the King of Thailand's envoys.

After these documents, there are a lot of gifts, which have not been sent by other countries.For the King of Thailand, gifts are not necessarily something to be valued. As long as you have money, you can buy many things. However, this kind of good and friendly attitude is completely different from that of the Portuguese and the Dutch.

The difference stems from the fact that Thailand is already a centralized country at this time, not the tribes in Africa, and also from the fact that the Republic is not a country like Britain and the Netherlands, where local resources are insufficient and the handicraft industry is underdeveloped and they are still staring at spices. If the 100% tariff protection is not used, the cotton cloth from the Indian state will bankrupt the British cotton spinning industry at this time.

As a representative of factory owners and workshop owners, what Chen Jian wanted was a market, cheap raw materials, and a harmonious foothold.Get aggressive, and soon people will close the country.It doesn't matter to the Dutch that they are so ruthless and low-level exploited like the Dutch in Indonesia. Anyway, it is a commercial capitalist country, and if you make a profit, you will run away and die.

Chapter 44 Kneel or not

Ergatuo Salud was still hesitant at this moment.

The Dutch have been active here for a long time, and have been attacking the Portuguese since four years ago. This was only understood and confirmed after several years of contact.

Even though he has some understanding of Europe, he doesn't know anything about this country that suddenly appeared.

Now there is a lot of waste waiting to be done, not only wanting to develop trade, but also trying to drive away tigers and wolves.

Erga Tuo Salud had to admit that the conditions offered by these people who appeared suddenly were very generous, and they expressed great interest in the trade of their own country.

This is different from those Dutch people who want spices.In addition to spices, they also mainly contacted local Chinese or Japanese businessmen in Pattani, using this as a springboard, and lacked sufficient interest in goods from Thailand.

If what these documents say is true, then the problem is simple.

After thinking for a while, Ergatuo Shalu decided to personally meet the envoys sent by this group of people.

……

The envoy was naturally not Chen Jian. Before the envoy traveled from Pattani to Ayutthaya, there was also an internal discussion.

It's not about policy or treaties, and there's nothing against those things in the fleet.They were not familiar with this place, and basically it was Chen Jian who was making up his mind. In view of Chen Jian's consistent performance and reputation, they chose to trust him, and Chen Jian would give sufficient explanations before making comments.

However, other problems arose.

After setting sail from Mincheng, the people in the fleet saw the outside world and had a general understanding of the outside world. A cultural or customary conflict inevitably emerged.

For example, what is the etiquette when the envoy meets the King of Thailand?What should it be?This requires a justifiable reason, and it does not provide a precedent for future contacts. It is also a task for the officials of the Ministry of Rites who followed Chen Jian.

What kind of etiquette to meet?Is it the habit of respecting each other?Or stick to your own habits?And which one should I choose for my own habits?

Since one wants to integrate into the world and become a part of the dominant world, these things must be considered.

Or, rely on influence to make everyone agree.Since there are differences and disputes, then unify and everything will be stable.

However, there is no such capability at present, and neither force nor cultural influence is enough to achieve it.

The basis for discussion of any issue must be based on reality.Today's reality is that everyone is different, each has his own habits, and each has his own customs. How do we face the reality based on this?

The accompanying officials from the Ministry of Rites first raised questions.

"The etiquette here is completely different from ours. What kind of etiquette should we use to meet the current king of Thailand? And the legendary China in the future? These are like two completely different worlds."

Chen Jian asked: "How can there be two completely different worlds? The reality is that there is only such a world. This is an unchangeable science. We are all in this world."

"Mr. Chen, this is not the case. For example, Bidanian is a vassal state of Thailand. Theoretically, the status of this vassal state is lower than that of Thailand. How should we treat the relationship between a vassal state and a big country? Are we equal to the controlling country? If we are equal to the controlling country, aren’t we also a bit higher than the subordinate country?”

Frowning, Chen Jian also said in doubt: "I don't know this question either. Let's not talk about this for now, let's talk about etiquette first. Since the current reality is like this, the world is still divided, and each has its own way. The system has not been fully connected, so it must be based on this fact."

"Take etiquette as an example. You insist on using our own etiquette to meet the monarchs of other countries. I disagree with this for the time being. To achieve this, the only way to do this is to make our habits and etiquettes become the habits and etiquette of the world, but Now we don't have this strength. You don't deny this, do you?"

At this point, everyone at the meeting nodded and said, "That's true. Just like Pattani, apart from their own army, there are other countries. With our current navy and army, the number of troops stationed in this area is only 2000." People, it may be difficult to rely on this kind of people to make them agree."

Chen Jian said with a smile: "Fists are important, but things other than fists are also important. There is no rush for this kind of thing. In this case, let me give an inappropriate example. If you say...well, if you say, let's show friendship, The most formal etiquette is to take off your pants and kiss the other person's ass. So, if we go to another country at this time, in order to express our friendship, we must take off the pants of the monarch of the other country and kiss him Where's the ass?"

A group of people were laughing there, and Chen Jian said again: "Look, isn't this a problem?"

One person shook his head and said, "That's not what I said. Since the world is no longer the original corners, but united into a whole. Then, just like people, the relationship between countries is the same as that between people. It's the same. But now, all this has just begun. Countries like people also need honor, respect, and recognition among each other. So this kind of honor recognition and respect needs to be viewed from the perspective of others? Or should we first look at our own? The people of the country are responsible? Mr. Chen, you have to know that we are not representing ourselves, but the people behind us. If someone treats us with the etiquette that the people of the country consider humiliating, then we are not the only ones who are insulted."

Chen Jian waved his hand and said, "You're wrong. We went there on our own initiative, not others begging us to go, isn't it a bit extreme for you to think so? I don't want a group of young people to throw bombs into my carriage after I go back. "

Lan Qi, who has been silent for a long time, sighed and said: "This is not a question of whether to throw a bomb or not, but if the country is compared to an individual person, then what kind of attitude should the envoy, as the representative of the country, face? To the monarchs of other countries? If the envoy represents himself, then there is nothing wrong with respecting the customs of the other party and saluting according to the local custom of treating the monarch. However, if the envoy represents the country behind him, then why should he face him with an inferior attitude? To the monarch of this country? Since they are equal, shouldn’t they be treated with the etiquette of equals?”

Seeing that Chen Jian seemed to want to object, Lan Qi smiled and said: "This is not your problem, nor is it a problem of an ethnic group, but a problem of human equality. Of course, this is meaningless. You say That’s right, we went there on our own initiative, not because others begged us to come. Besides, people don’t believe in equality, so how can countries believe it? So, just like what you said in the Netherlands Like Glacius, the basis of the international law recognized by the world is either the tributary system under the pressure of force or culture, the pope's system, or there are equal people first, and then these equal people conclude a sovereign state. International law based on natural rights can then be considered.”

Finally, she spread her hands and said helplessly, "What I'm talking about is theory, not solving practical problems."

There was silence for a while, Chen Jian looked around and saw those who were silent, this question involved many things.

One person couldn't bear this silence, and finally said: "Mr. Chen, don't mention Mr. Lan Qi's theories for now, let's talk about the most practical ones."

"please say."

"Mr. Chen, here, you are the representative of the people's council and the king. All the treaties involved will be signed by you in the end. This will be recorded in the history books. It is true that interests are very important, but honor or The perceived insult is also very important. We will listen to you unless any decision is particularly insulting to the dignity and interests of the people of the country. In this matter, it is not that serious, but you can only make the decision. If a hundred years later, someone reads the history books, points to your name, and scolds you for insulting the people of the country, have you thought about this problem?"

Another person echoed: "That's right, Mr. Chen, those treaties and etiquette formulations and observances will leave your name after all. Once in the future, everyone will be as you said, and countries will be equal in name." People look through the history books and see that you, Mr. Chen, let the envoys of your country kneel in front of the monarchs of other countries, what do you do? Besides, we all know that your party is the most advocating equality. Why do you Will you back down like this? We can't figure it out."

"And, as Mr. Lan Qi said, is this kind of etiquette based on the country? Or is it at the moment of saluting that you degrade yourself to a separate person instead of representing the country? Respect the local laws, your words It can be interpreted as: Yes, we came here by ourselves, not invited by others, so we need to respect the local laws. But, can the issue of etiquette also be explained in this way?"

Chen Jian was stunned for a moment, nodded and said: "I understand. Then let's do it, it's my personal decision. The accompanying documents, record it."

The accompanying document came over and asked, "How do you remember?"

"Remember everything you just said. In addition, everyone stopped. Chen Jian believed that this move would be beneficial to the people of the country and the collection of the people, that is, the country, based on the rights granted by the people's council and the king, so he decided to respect the rights of the rest of the countries. Etiquette. You write it, and I will sign it after I finish it."

Smiling, while waiting for the accompanying documents to be recorded, Chen Jian let out a hey quietly.

After the accompanying document recorded all this, Chen Jian signed his name and stamped his seal on the pen, raised the paper in his hand and said, "Okay, this matter is settled. But It’s just a temporary policy. I hope that the future world will be dominated by our rules and etiquette, but it can’t be done now. So let’s do this, and hope that the people of the country will work hard when we go back, instead of using this helpless method.”