Chapter 93

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"Sir, there's something I want to discuss with you," Liu Peng said with a serious expression.

Seeing Liu Peng's solemn face, Zhu Jishi reined in his thoughts and nodded, "What is it? Go ahead."

"Have you heard of the Republic of Lanfang?" Liu Peng asked with a bright look.

"Republic of Lanfang? Where is it?" Zhu Jishi looked puzzled.

"It's in Borneo," Han Si, who was standing by, interjected, "Sir, the Lanfang Republic isn't really a country in the true sense. It's more like a gang or a company, a territory established by a group of Hakka people from Guangdong in the South Seas. However, in recent years, it has declined and become a vassal of the Dutch. Their leader is now a Dutch-appointed regent, flying the Dutch flag and paying annual tribute to the Dutch.

Moreover, the people of Lanfang are quite spineless. They have been trying to align with the Qing Dynasty, hoping to incorporate the territory of West Borneo into the Qing Empire. Since the founding leader Luo Fangbo, they have been sending envoys to Guangzhou for decades, but the Qing emperors have ignored them."

"Is that true?" Zhu Jishi knew where West Borneo was—it's the area of present-day Kalimantan in Indonesia, guarding the entrance to the Strait of Malacca, a prime piece of land. It was offered to them, yet the Qing emperor refused?

"Decades ago? Which Qing emperor rejected it?" Zhu Jishi asked.

"Emperor Qianlong," Liu Peng continued, "Lanfang has always communicated with the Qing government through our Thirteen Factories. Wu Hao is now the head of the Thirteen Factories, so I know a lot about Lanfang. Just before the Opium War, Lanfang sent people to Guangzhou to offer their territory and allegiance, and I was responsible for receiving them."

"Still rejected?"

"Of course, they didn't even get to see Governor-General Lin," Liu Peng said with a bitter smile.

"Why would that be?" Zhu Jishi was puzzled. Emperor Daoguang was timid, and the Qing Dynasty had already weakened under his rule, so it was understandable that he wouldn't dare to incorporate Lanfang. But Emperor Qianlong was in the height of the Qing Dynasty's prosperity, known for his ten great military campaigns. Why wouldn't he accept Lanfang? Was he afraid of the Dutch? But in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Dutch were already a weak nation, even once conquered by Napoleon!

Liu Peng shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Who knows what Emperor Qianlong was thinking? To push away a territory that was offered to him..."

"It's because Lanfang is a Han Chinese state!" Han Si snorted, "The Qing treated us Han Chinese like internal enemies! Even if a state was established overseas, it would still be a threat to the Qing Dynasty. But those spineless people of Lanfang kept trying to curry favor with the Qing! In my opinion, let them be destroyed by the Dutch!"

"Ha, it's not just the Dutch now," Liu Peng stroked his chin and said, "When I passed through the South Seas, a kingdom called Sarawak was established north of Lanfang. The king of Sarawak is a British man named James Brooke."

"A British man?" Zhu Jishi frowned. A British man actually established a kingdom in Borneo! Did this happen in the original history?

"Sir, Lanfang is now surrounded on all sides by the Dutch, the British, and the native Borneans supported by the Dutch. The Qing Dynasty ignores them, perhaps this is our opportunity!" Liu Peng pondered.

"Where's the opportunity?" Zhu Jishi thought, his military strength was not yet sufficient to support Lanfang, let alone seize this small Chinese state.

Liu Peng mused, "Sir, just because Lanfang can't align with the Qing doesn't mean they can't align with the British. If Sir can help Lanfang establish ties with the British and become a vassal of the British Empire, then Sir's position in the South Seas could be greatly strengthened."

"Align with the British?" Zhu Jishi frowned, "That's not easy." He thought, if Napoleon III were to be restored, he could introduce Lanfang to the French. But the British...

"Sir, I think it's worth a try," Han Si interjected, "Whether it succeeds or not, it will show goodwill to the British monarch, proving our loyalty to the British Empire!"

"This..." He turned to look at Maria Clementina, who was sitting beside him, "Maria, what do you think? Can the Lanfang Republic become a British vassal? If the British accept Lanfang's allegiance, will they lose their state?"

"It's hard to say," Maria Clementina shook her head, "Using British power to block the Dutch ambitions isn't a particularly good idea, but the ultimate fate of the Lanfang Republic depends on them. External forces can only help temporarily. Additionally..."

She thought for a moment and looked at Liu Peng, "Mr. Liu, can you represent Lanfang?"

This was a problem. The Dutch had not formally incorporated Lanfang's territory into the Dutch East Indies, only stationing small garrisons in Kuching and Sambas within Lanfang's jurisdiction. Thus, Lanfang was still "free" to align with Queen Victoria, and the Dutch wouldn't dare object—historically, the Dutch, wary of the Qing, did not attack Lanfang until 1886.

Moreover, Lanfang's territory wasn't particularly valuable. The only thing that attracted the Dutch was some gold mines, but the profits were limited. Liu Peng told Zhu Jishi that the total value of gold mined annually in all the Chinese mines in Lanfang's jurisdiction was only a few million silver dollars, including the salaries of several thousand miners, leaving a modest profit.

Additionally, Lanfang's jurisdiction was not very peaceful. Chinese companies (Tian Di Hui) opposing both the Dutch and Lanfang still held significant territory and frequently engaged in skirmishes. If the Dutch were to annex all of Lanfang, they would need to commit a large military force, which would be very costly. For the Dutch, Lanfang was a bone that was neither tasty nor worth discarding. If the British intervened, the Dutch would likely back off.

But the question was, would Lanfang agree to become a British vassal?

Liu Peng smiled, "Madam, this deal with the British is like getting something for nothing. We can connect the British Empire with Lanfang. If the deal goes through, Sir can at least secure a port in Lanfang, giving us our own territory."

Hearing about the territory, Zhu Jishi's face showed excitement, "That's a good idea. Let's try it. Mu Wen, write a letter in the name of the Republic of Lanfang, with a respectful tone. I'll take it to Windsor Castle tomorrow."

"Letter? I don't know how to write one," Liu Peng smiled bitterly, "Western letters have their own rules."

"Jason, I'll draft it. Mr. Liu can translate it into Chinese," Maria Clementina smiled at Zhu Jishi, "Britain is a kingdom. If Lanfang is to submit, it would be best as a grand duchy."

"A grand duchy is a monarchy, right?" Zhu Jishi reminded, "Lanfang is currently a republic."

"That's perfect," Maria smiled, "The president of Lanfang can become a grand duke with the backing of the British Empire. Who would refuse such an offer?"

Zhu Jishi was taken aback, but after some thought, he agreed. With the title of a grand duke of a British vassal state, the Chinese leaders in Lanfang would be overjoyed and might even embrace him. If this major deal succeeded, not only would he gain a small territory, but his prestige among the Chinese in the South Seas would also be established!