Chapter 721

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“Hahaha…”

The ministers in the council hall all laughed. If it had been several years ago, they would surely have regarded this glass as an unparalleled treasure. But now, as glass gradually became a common item in Qingzhou Province, they would not be as ignorant as before.

Branden awkwardly held the glass artwork. This glass artwork resembled a mountain peak and was a cheap item in the Netherlands. But he believed that the natives of the East did not possess such things.

“Esteemed Emperor, is this item truly so laughable?” The ministers’ mocking smiles left him somewhat bewildered.

Xiao Ming ceased his smile. He then said to Branden, “Dutch envoy, the item in your hand is called glass. In your country, this is merely a cheap item. Are you trying to humiliate me with this?”

Branden’s heart suddenly tightened. Just as Claire had said, this Emperor of the Great Yu Empire seemed to have an astonishing understanding of the West.

Putting away his disrespectful thoughts, Branden respectfully said, “Forgive me, esteemed Emperor. Perhaps glass is not very valuable in the West, but it is rarely seen in the East, so in my opinion, it is not cheap.”

“Every envoy has a glib tongue, but this time you are mistaken. In my Great Yu Empire, glass is merely a common item. If the envoy wishes, I can give you some in return.”

Branden opened his mouth. He had already been surprised enough upon entering Qingzhou City, but now one thing after another continued to exceed his understanding. At this moment, he finally acknowledged from the bottom of his heart that this Great Yu Empire was somewhat different from other Eastern countries.

“That’s not necessary.” Branden was somewhat apprehensive. He had expected the gifts he brought this time to greatly please this Emperor. But now, this Emperor was looking at the items he had presented with a gaze as if they were garbage.

Xiao Ming showed a slight smile. This Dutch envoy had come from afar, and he could not let him lose face, so he said against his true feelings, “I really like your gifts. In return, I will also give you some gifts to take back.”

Branden’s heart leaped with joy. As far as he knew, Eastern monarchies were very generous, and often the gifts brought by envoys would be repaid tenfold.

Presenting gifts was merely the first task for a diplomatic envoy. This time, the Dutch envoy’s arrival naturally involved more important matters.

So Xiao Ming asked, “Has the envoy come to the Great Yu Empire merely for the matter of the permanent negotiation team?”

“Not just that. We hope to establish a deeper friendship with the Great Yu Empire.” Branden said seriously, “We are very interested in trade with your esteemed country, and also hope that both sides can cooperate in jointly addressing maritime threats.”

“Maritime threats?” Xiao Ming asked, “Are you referring to the British?”

“Not only them, but also the French, Spanish, and Portuguese,” Branden said. The decline of the Netherlands meant that maritime trade routes were no longer safe. European countries were now fiercely contending for colonies in Asia, which filled the seas with the smell of gunpowder. Their merchant ships often encountered attacks from privateers at sea.

Xiao Ming frowned. Branden’s words indicated that many colonizers had already appeared in Asia. However, it was impossible for Branden to bind him to the Dutch warship.

The reason was simple: between nations, there was eternal interest, not friendship. He was using the Dutch, and likewise, the Dutch were using him.

So, he never intended to put all his eggs in one basket. Perhaps the Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch had conflicts, but this did not affect his establishing relations with these countries; diplomacy was never a single option.

However, the British had now shown him blatant hostility. Since both the Netherlands and he were displeased with the British’s domineering behavior, he could still accept dealing with the British together. However, he could not become an enemy of all of the Netherlands’ enemies for this, as it did not serve his interests.

So he said, “I can guarantee the safety of Dutch merchant ships within the Great Yu Empire’s territory, and will jointly address threats from the British with your esteemed country.”

Branden’s pupils contracted. He understood what this Emperor of the Great Yu Empire meant. Currently, Dutch trade with the Great Yu Empire basically involved Dutch merchant ships transporting porcelain, tea, and other goods from the Great Yu Empire, and at the same time transporting various ores back.

Simply put, the shipping lanes outside the Great Yu Empire were plied by Dutch merchant ships. This Emperor of the Great Yu Empire was clearly unwilling to dispatch a fleet to escort ships all the way from the Great Yu Empire to the Netherlands.

Branden had anticipated this outcome. Although the Netherlands was in decline, a lean camel was still bigger than a horse; they could still deal with the threats from other countries at sea.

He raised this point merely to show off by borrowing influence from others.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Branden bowed once again to Xiao Ming. For now, he had no further demands.

Xiao Ming nodded slightly. He said to Pang Yukun, “Senior Grand Secretary Pang, you are responsible for arranging the accommodation for the Dutch delegation.”

Pang Yukun bowed in affirmation, leading Branden out of the council hall.

After seeing the delegation off, Fei Ji said, “Your Majesty, these western nations are fickle in nature and utterly untrustworthy. One must be extremely careful in dealing with them.”

Xiao Ming nodded. He never believed the Dutch would look up to the people of the Great Yu Empire. This was currently the peak of the Western white supremacy theory.

The Dutch collaborated with him mostly because of money. If European countries collectively decided to attack the Great Yu Empire, he believed the Netherlands would unhesitatingly rush forward to take a bite.

After all, for Europeans, the Great Yu Empire challenged their authority in the world.

“Elder Fei, you are thoughtful. I will not trust the Dutch, nor will I discuss friendship with them. For me, both sides are merely using each other at this moment.”

Fei Ji nodded. Xiao Ming’s methods were now increasingly mature, truly embodying the demeanor of a monarch.

Meanwhile, Pang Yukun arranged for Branden and his party to stay at the Wei Family Restaurant.

When Branden saw the glass windows of the Wei Family Restaurant and the porcelain toilets in the rooms, he fell silent once again for a long time.

“The Great Yu Empire is a threat.”

Finally, Branden uttered a sentence.

His accompanying member said, “That’s right, this Great Yu Empire will sooner or later contend with our European countries for colonies. By then, no one in Asia will be its match. We must unite with other countries to guard against this.”

Branden deeply agreed. He had never considered the Great Yu Empire an ally. His European superiority made him look down on this Great Yu Empire, just like a city dweller despising a country bumpkin.

And when this country bumpkin possessed something they also had, this mindset was tinged with a hint of bitterness.

He complained, “How did the Great Yu Empire master European technology? This is truly perplexing. Could it be the work of that secret society?”