Chapter 720

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Branden stared blankly at the Qingzhou City wall.

He had traveled a long way from the Netherlands, risking his life, to reach Qingzhou Province, and all his hardships finally ended at this moment.

“Earl Branden, welcome to Qingzhou Province.” At the city gate stood a young man dressed as a scholar, who greeted Branden in fluent Dutch.

Rhodes was somewhat surprised. He smiled wryly, “It seems I can keep my mouth shut this time.”

The young man’s name was Qiao Chuan. He was a former student of Bowen Academy who had studied Western languages, and he had been prepared by Xiao Ming to receive foreign delegations.

“It’s an honor,” Branden smiled slightly. Then he looked at the cement road beneath his feet and asked, “Is this made of volcanic ash?”

Upon entering Qingzhou Province, he had been interested in this smooth road surface, but to him, it didn’t look like the pozzolana mortar used in Europe.

Qiao Chuan was stunned for a moment. He said, “My Lord Earl, this is paved with cement manufactured in Qingzhou Province.”

“Cement?” Branden silently noted it down. Now he was beginning to believe Black’s words.

Half a year ago, news of Black’s private signing of a contract with the Great Yu Empire reached the Dutch National Assembly, which greatly angered the Assembly.

When Europeans first set foot on the American continent and then went on to colonize Asia, no native people had ever made European nations yield. Members of the Assembly shouted that Black was a disgrace and demanded that he return to the Netherlands for questioning.

At the same time, the Dutch National Assembly, out of caution, dispatched a delegation to the Great Yu Empire to try and understand the truth of the matter.

After explaining, Qiao Chuan smiled and said, “His Majesty is waiting for the envoy in the council hall. Please follow me.”

Branden nodded. Actually, he wanted to learn more about this unfamiliar country. Clearly, this was the first unexpected development in the history of European colonization.

As far as he knew, for hundreds of years, Europe had never failed against people of color, which also led to the rise of Eurocentrism and white supremacy.

Some even more radical opinions suggested that all indigenous people outside Europe should become European slaves.

Before coming, he also held such ideas, but now he was somewhat shaken, for here he found a hint of technology.

After all, the entire Europe was now enthusiastic about various new inventions; from commoners to nobles, they all highly valued technological innovation.

Following Qiao Chuan into the city, Branden did not miss any opportunity to observe this city. When a squad of soldiers passed by, his eyes intently fixed on the flintlock guns in the soldiers’ hands.

And when he saw a horse pulling a field cannon pass by, he was even more astonished beyond measure. Now he finally understood why Claire had chosen to compromise.

With his eyes wide with wonder all the way, Branden soon reached the council hall. At this point, Branden and the four people who came with him entered the council hall.

At this time, Xiao Ming and a group of ministers were waiting for Branden in the council hall. This was a custom for the Great Yu Empire to receive delegations.

The presence of the ministers showed respect for their delegation.

Upon entering the council hall, Branden first glanced at the young man seated on the dragon throne. He was somewhat surprised, as Claire had said, the Emperor of this Great Yu Empire was just a young man in his early twenties.

However, he also knew that these Eastern nations still retained backward state systems. So, he removed his hat with his right hand, bowed, and placed his hat over his chest, performing the noble’s etiquette to Xiao Ming.

He spoke, “Dutch envoy Branden greets the Emperor of the Great Yu Empire.”

Xiao Ming could understand Branden’s words, but the ministers could not. Qiao Chuan then translated.

In the Great Yu Empire, there was no custom of kneeling, so no minister would question why the delegation did not kneel. At the same time, this custom of not kneeling prevented the common people and officials of the Great Yu Empire from developing a severe subservience.

It was precisely because of this that the resistance from the common people and officials to the ideologies he promoted was not very strong at times.

“Dispense with the formalities. Envoy from the Netherlands, having come from afar, what is the purpose of your visit?” After a simple exchange of pleasantries, Xiao Ming got straight to the point.

In fact, there was no need for formalities when meeting a delegation, as they surely had a request since they had come.

Before Branden departed, the parliament had prepared two plans for him. One was to overturn all contracts signed by Claire and demand the Great Yu Empire’s army withdraw from Zeelandia.

Of course, this was based on the premise that the Great Yu Empire was not as formidable as it seemed. The second plan was to strengthen relations with the Great Yu Empire, use the Great Yu Empire’s power in Asia to counter Britain at sea, expand trade in the Great Yu Empire, and establish a permanent negotiation team.

Now, a glimpse of Qingzhou Province’s power had already made him uneasy, so he naturally dared not propose the first plan. So he said, “Your esteemed Majesty, Emperor of the Great Yu Empire, the purpose of dispatching this delegation to Qingzhou is to strengthen commercial and trade relations between our two nations, and we hope to establish a permanent negotiation team in Qingzhou Province.”

“Permanent negotiation team?” Xiao Ming showed an interested expression. This permanent negotiation team was none other than the predecessor of an embassy; the members of the negotiation team were envoys.

“Yes, Your Majesty, the permanent negotiation team is to resolve trade disputes,” Branden said.

Xiao Ming nodded. Because the Netherlands was too far from the Great Yu Empire, trade matters were indeed very troublesome at times. If there were Dutch envoys present, it could save a lot of trouble.

So he said, “This matter is excellent. I grant your request.”

Branden rejoiced. He then said, “This delegation has also brought a large amount of tribute for Your Majesty. Please accept it, Your Majesty.”

Xiao Ming showed an interested expression. He said, “Present it.”

At this moment, Qian Dafu walked out. A short while later, he returned with eunuchs, and a large box was carried in.

Branden then opened the box, took out a round object from inside, and said to Xiao Ming, “Your esteemed Emperor of the Great Yu Empire, this item is called a pocket watch. It can record time. Please accept it, Your Majesty.”

Then Branden took out a music box, turned a button, and the music box emitted melodious music. Branden said, “This is called a music box.”

After putting down the music box, Branden took out exquisite glass crafts, and said seriously, “Your Majesty, this item is very expensive; it is the most precious item among this tribute.”

After speaking, Branden carefully watched Xiao Ming, trying to find a different expression on Xiao Ming’s face, but he was disappointed.

When the pocket watch and music box appeared, the Emperor showed some interest, but when it came to the glass, he had a calm expression.

Branden thought his explanation was wrong, and emphasized, “This is a treasure, worth countless gold.”

Xiao Ming then finally burst into laughter. This Branden had certainly tried to fool the wrong person this time.