Chapter 58

Xiao Letian was so amused by Huo Ruo Han's words that he almost burst out laughing. He thought to himself, "You, a diplomat, are actually talking about morality? When you were plotting with Britain and France to undermine the Qing Dynasty, did you think about morality then?"

"Your Excellency, your interpretation really surprises me. This is a very normal business deal. How can you associate it with crime and conspiracy? Aren't I just trying to regulate the Qing financial market? Do you think the current outdated financial system of the Qing is very advanced?"

On the surface, Xiao Letian was very polite and respectful, but in his heart, he was already cursing, "You old fox, I don't believe you can't see how juicy the bone I've thrown to you is. You can open up the commercial barriers of the Qing without using military force, isn't this exactly what you've been dreaming of? You can't act so high and mighty in negotiations; be careful you don't overdo it and snap."

Xiao Letian didn't know that Huo Ruo Han was also in turmoil. He never expected Xiao Letian to propose the industrial special zone, such a big pie. The envoy was truly moved, but he clearly remembered the telegram from the President.

"I will repay your private kindness with my life, but I cannot trade my morality. My hands cannot support any ambitious person. May God bless Xiao Letian!"

With just this one sentence, Huo Ruo Han immediately understood the underlying message from President Lincoln. The President wasn't unwilling to sell these things to Xiao Letian, but he wanted to follow legal procedures. This kind of business, which is only for government-level transactions, cannot be conducted by a civilian like Xiao Letian.

Still, it's a moral obsession. This kind of statesman, whose moral obsession is beyond the imagination of ordinary people, is somewhat stubborn but can't help but be admired.

The envoy Huo Ruo Han shook his head again. "Mr. Xiao, to be honest, the President doesn't care about the conditions you want. It doesn't affect American interests; on the contrary, as you said, it would be very beneficial... However, for the President, the identity you use to purchase is a very important issue..."

In the end, Envoy Huo Ruo Han gritted his teeth and said firmly, "To reach a deal, there are only two conditions. First, you must obtain a trading authorization letter from the Qing government, or you must become a high-ranking official at the governor level. Then, it's not just clipper ships; we can even consider selling you warships..."

"Secondly, you must guarantee that your actions are not to conspire to overthrow your mother country. If such signs are detected, the United States will immediately stop the transaction..."

Xiao Letian sighed deeply. The United States at this time was completely different from the United States that had experienced two world wars and was full of hegemonic ambitions. The United States at this time was a country with a pioneering and innovative spirit, and even in terms of morality, it was very strict with itself. This was the starting point for the rise of a future great power.

In real history, the United States, after Lincoln maintained national unity, entered a fast track of development. Relying on vast territory and abundant resources, and with no historical burden as an immigrant country, it rapidly became one of the most powerful countries in the world in less than fifty years from the Civil War to World War I.

After World War I, the United States unhesitatingly became the world's hegemon, with the world's strongest comprehensive national power. What is even more incredible is that after World War I, isolationism was prevalent in the United States, and Americans had little interest in international affairs until World War II, mostly just doing business.

It wasn't until the Pearl Harbor incident that the United States officially entered the war, and by then, World War II was already halfway through.

Xiao Letian always felt that the United States before and after World War II were two completely different countries. Before World War II, the United States rarely showed a hegemonic image in the world; it was more like a young talent with strict morals. After World War II, the United States had become a degenerate old man, bullying men and women all over the world.

Now is not the time to think so far ahead. From Huo Ruo Han's tone, Xiao Letian heard a firmness. He knew this should be the President's final conditions, and the negotiations had already reached a deadlock.

"Get an authorization letter from the Qing? Or become a governor?" Xiao Letian smiled bitterly at the envoy. "How likely do you think these two things are?" Xiao Letian's question was met with Huo Ruo Han's shaking head and a bitter smile.

Getting an authorization letter from the Empress Dowager or Yixin would be a joke, almost like suicide. And the Qing governors were all high-ranking officials, the peak of local officials. For Xiao Letian, a foreigner, to become one? There's not even a window, let alone a door.

The silence in the room lasted for ten minutes. Xiao Letian thought carefully and then suddenly laughed. "Mr. Envoy, thank you for taking the time to meet me despite your busy schedule. Please also convey my respect to the President. As for the President's requirements, I think I can give you an answer in a month..."

At this moment, Xiao Letian suddenly grinned slyly. "Becoming a governor might be difficult, but I think I have the fate of a prime minister. Maybe in a month, I'll be talking business with you as a prime minister..."

Huo Ruo Han and Lewis were stunned. They thought Xiao Letian had gone mad. You're not even a ninth-rank official, and you want to be a high-ranking official? Besides, the Qing doesn't even have the position of prime minister. Are you talking about a Grand Secretary of the Military Affairs Office? That's even more ridiculous; you can't even become a governor, let alone a Grand Secretary.

The first unofficial negotiation between Xiao Letian and the U.S. government ended in confusion for the envoy. When Huo Ruo Han and Lewis were escorted by the embassy guards into an inconspicuous Qing carriage and left, a breathless young apprentice suddenly ran up from the other end of the street.

"Boss... Old Boss... You should come and see..." When the young apprentice ran to the entrance of the Coastal Tower, he saw Xiao Letian. The apprentice, who had fought in the mountain temple, knew that this was the real boss, so he quickly bowed. "Greetings, Master Xiao..."

"Cut the formalities, what's going on?" Fan Lian asked.

"Oh no, Boss, just now, a manure cart suddenly overturned in front of our shop, and the street is full of filth. We went out to reason, but a group of ruffians came, and we got into a fight after a few words..."

"Damn... Didn't I tell you that the trading company hasn't opened yet, and you should handle things peacefully? Just give them money, and it will be fine."

"Boss, it won't work. The locals say they are all under Xiao Biansun. We sent a red envelope for the door visit the day before yesterday, four hundred silver dollars, which is a big gift in Beijing, but it still didn't work. They are still causing trouble for us..."

Xiao Letian's eyes widened. "Oh, they're treating us like country bumpkins? Long, you know the underworld, go and investigate..." Xiang Shaolong bowed and spurred his horse straight to the trading company.

Xiao Letian's trading company had a very俗气 (vulgar) name, as if he was afraid people wouldn't know it was his. He named it 'Letian Trading Company.' The sign was already wrapped in red silk, waiting for Xiao Letian to unveil it on a good day.

The Letian Trading Company was very close to the Coastal Tower, on the same street. In a short while, they saw the chaotic scene at the entrance.

In front of the trading company, a manure cart pulled by a donkey had overturned, and the yellow, sticky waste was spread all over the ground, the stench making Xiao Letian's head hurt. A dirty old man was standing on the cart, cursing loudly. In front of him, a dozen ruffians were stepping in the filth, trying to rush into the shop.

At this moment, the ten musketeers guarding the trading company, led by Luo Huo, formed a half-circle at the entrance, blocking the ruffians' advance. The young men were already furious, pounding the ruffians' heads with their fists.

"Oh! You startled my donkey and overturned my cart, and you dare to hit people? Is there no law? Fellow countrymen, are you just going to stand there and watch? Let the outsiders bully us... Come on, attack! Splash the manure on the red silk, on the sign, and see how they can open their business..."

The thin man on the cart was clearly the leader, now desperately inciting the surrounding people to join in. In the crowd, some idle ruffians echoed, shouting that outsiders were bullying the locals, and they were quite successful in swaying some of the people.

The ten men led by Luo Huo were so angry that they were about to explode. They were just employees, but they were experienced caravan guards who had killed before. Once their blood was up, their fighting power was far beyond that of street thugs. Despite being outnumbered, they held the line firmly, and the ruffians couldn't get close to the entrance after multiple attempts.

The thin man on the cart was also getting desperate. He was a capable subordinate of Xiao Biansun, known as Dirty Rat. In Tanggu, he handled all the dirty work. Today, Xiao Biansun had given him a strict order: the manure must be splashed on the red silk-wrapped sign, making Xiao Letian's trading company a laughingstock in Tanggu before it even opened, and making all the merchants hate it.

Xiao Letian shouldn't underestimate this. Even in modern society, business requires a good reputation. If customers know that your business was splashed with manure before it even opened, your credibility would be zero.

"Damn, are you all standing there like dead men? Attack..." Xiao Letian was so angry and overwhelmed by the stench that he was almost in a daze. The guards around him were already fuming, waiting for Xiao Letian's command to charge.

At this moment, Fan Lian suddenly shouted, "No one move! If we start a fight before the business opens, who will dare to do business with us? Peace is the best policy; we must endure this..."

"Old Boss, are you crazy? They are bullying us right at the door, and we should be like turtles?" The young guards were furious and wanted to charge forward, but Fan Lian, with some unknown strength, blocked their horses and refused to let them pass.

At this moment, Xiang Shaolong spoke, "Listen to the old boss. We can't let our trading company become a laughingstock in Tanggu before it opens. Remember, the foreigners are watching..."

Xiang Shaolong dismounted and easily squeezed through the crowd into a small alley. He looked up at the cursing Dirty Rat and gave a low hum. "Hmph..." This sound was like a sonic weapon, making Dirty Rat shiver and the onlookers feel a jolt in their hearts.

Xiang Shaolong's left thumb and middle finger formed a ring, placed on the third button of his chest, and made a simple gesture. Dirty Rat immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

Ignoring the filth, Dirty Rat jumped into the manure, bowed, and rapidly made several hand gestures. The two of them, like deaf-mutes, communicated in sign language.

In less than three minutes, Dirty Rat was drenched in sweat. Finally, he made a deep bow and, without a word, led the ruffians to right the cart and left.

Xiao Letian was stunned. "That's it? Just some sign language and they left?"

Fan Lian, a seasoned veteran, whispered in Xiao Letian's ear, "This is the secret language used by the salt and canal gangs. It seems that Dragon is of high rank, and these guys can't afford to offend him..."

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