Zhenjiang and Nanjing have always maintained contact. Under normal circumstances, Zhou Peigong only needs to contact Nanjing through an envoy. However, this time Zhou Peigong returned to Nanjing with Deng Ming's war threat and ultimatum to discuss the matter with Jiang Guozhu. After hearing about Deng Ming's new conditions, the governor of Jiang Ning was also a little surprised. He didn't understand why the other party suddenly became so tough, as if he would re-enter the war overnight.

So far, Zhou Peigong has performed very well. The secret envoy sent by Jiang Guozhu in the past could not make any arguments. He basically accepted the conditions offered by Deng Ming when the situation was bad. Zhou Peigong not only could constantly make counter-suggestions to force Deng Ming to reconsider the conditions, but also gained some favorable terms for Nanjing.

"Why did Deng Ming suddenly start a fight?" Jiang Guozhu thought of the first thing he thought was Zhou Peigong, an expert on Deng Ming's problem.

"Because Zheng Chenggong wrote to him from Fujian." Zhou Peigong reposted Deng Ming's words to Jiang Guozhu in an invigorating manner, pointing out that Zheng Chenggong's victory in Fujian made Deng Ming more confident: "However, the officials believe that Deng Ming is not very sure now. Although he said it fiercely, he was not sure that what Zheng Chenggong told him was the truth."

"Oh." Jiang Guozhu hesitated and asked back, "How can I see it?"

"If Deng Ming believed in Zheng Chenggong's victory, he would not have just one Chongming Island. Anyway, we have no reinforcements for the time being, and Zhang Huangyan has no worries. Let's not say that we cannot take back Chongming Island, it is even difficult to force him to give up Zhenjiang. If Deng Ming was convinced that Zheng Chenggong did not exaggerate, he would not only ask Chongming Island, but also ask us for a redemption fee for Zhenjiang."

"It's right," Jiang Guozhu nodded. Zhou Peigong's description of Deng Ming was very consistent with his impression of the latter. I heard that Deng Ming knocked Lin Qilong hard in Yangzhou not long ago: "Then is he still trying to test us for this opinion now?"

"Yes, Deng Ming now thinks that Zheng Chenggong may really win, but the results of the battle are also suspected of exaggeration. He is bluffing us now, hoping that we also think that Zheng Chenggong has won a great victory and agreed to his request in fear. When he dared not ask for redemption of city expenses, he was worried that if the conditions were too excessive and Zheng Chenggong did not win a great victory, we would repent in anger. Now Deng Ming pays great attention to grasping the standards: even if we just believe that Zheng Chenggong won in Fujian, we agreed to his conditions, but because this condition is not too excessive, we may suffer little in the future and stop tangling with him with the idea that it is better to have less than more things."

The key is that Jiang Guozhu and Zhou Peigong knew that Zheng Chenggong's victory was probably not a rumor. The ban on the sea that the court hinted to the governor was equivalent to admitting to them the destruction of the navy in the five provinces.

"So the officials think we should agree to Deng Ming's terms. If Deng Ming confirms that what Zheng Chenggong said is true, then the conditions he proposed will probably be much more harsh." In Zhou Peigong's view, Deng Ming's requirements were very restrained, much less than what Zhou Peigong expected. Therefore, Zhou Peigong suspected that Deng Ming and Zheng Chenggong had a gap, or that Deng Ming knew what difficulties Zheng Chenggong had, so even if Zheng Chenggong won a great victory in Fujian, Deng Ming did not think that he could wait for Zheng Chenggong to enter the Yangtze River again and then sign a city alliance.

"Well." Jiang Guozhu couldn't help but express his conspiracy. He had to admit that this kind of intrigue at the negotiating table was not his strength. The traditional rules have always been to win all the winners: "Will Deng Ming repent after confirming the news?"

"Deng Ming is a trustworthy person." Zhou Peigong said meaningfully.

Jiang Guozhu had nothing to refute this. Since Deng Ming's chance of breaking the contract was very small, Zhou Peigong's proposal was very attractive. He decided to make an agreement that was not very disadvantaged when Deng Ming was not very clear about the real situation in Fujian to avoid greater losses in a more unfavorable situation.

"If Deng Ming wants to introduce Zheng Chenggong to Chongming, we need to notify us one year in advance. What do the governor think of this proposal?" Zhou Peigong looked at the words and felt that Jiang Guozhu had basically agreed, so he came up with another solution to the potential threat.

"One year? Deng Ming would never agree." Jiang Guozhu shouted in surprise: "What's the use of mentioning this?"

"Yes, he may not agree, but in this way he will have to come up with counter-suggestions. Even if he doesn't get it for a year, half a year, or three months, isn't that okay?" Zhou Peigong felt very hard, so he had to hand over all negotiation skills to Jiangnan step by step. Like Zhang Changgeng in the past, Jiang Guozhu would not abide by any agreement when he was in an advantage, so he did not believe that the other party would abide by any agreement when he was in a disadvantage. Now he has met Deng Ming, a rare person who is trustworthy, but the habits and thinking patterns he has developed over the years have caused Jiang Guozhu not to know how to use even the simplest trading strategy to the enemy.

"Oh, yes, I forgot again. Deng Ming will abide by the agreement." Jiang Guozhu gently patted his forehead and signaled that Zhou Peigong could continue talking.

"Deng Ming attaches great importance to commerce. We can allow his fleet to continue sailing on the Yangtze River, but we cannot protect them for free. We should set taxes. He will need to pay taxes to us when he passes the country in the future." Zhou Peigong's suggestion this time was not entirely for Jiang Guozhu's sake, including his own safety. Sooner or later, this matter will involve more and more people. If Tong Deng in Wuchang was completely supported by Zhang Changgeng's own pocket, it would probably not be able to maintain it. Zhang Changgeng not only would not be willing to maintain the status quo, but would tear up the treaty every day: "These taxes can be used to buy insiders and prevent rumors that are unfavorable to the governor from leaking out. If the court heard any rumors and sent people to investigate, we could also have a fund to deal with it."

Wuchang has summarized a lot of experience and lessons in the past two years. As an expert on Deng Ming’s issue, Zhou Peigong is both a decision-maker and can access all reports. He is absolutely wise to talk about various precautions. Jiang Guozhu had no room to interrupt, and finally said that he would leave it to Zhou Peigong for full disposal.

After Zhou Peigong left, Jiang Guozhu felt it was necessary to re-evaluate Zhou Peigong:

"When I borrowed him, although I had guessed that he would be a little clever, I valued more the Governor of Huguang behind him. At that time, I felt that although my talks with Deng Ming were not going well, there were always a few capable people among my staff." When I heard Zhou Peigong introduce the experience of Wuchang, Jiang Guozhu gradually changed his initial contempt for negotiation skills and found that this was actually a science, not the simple blackmail and rogue he misunderstood earlier: "Our dynasty and the Ming Dynasty have been fighting for many years, and no matter the outcome, they were unable to reach an end, and they could not even negotiate, because the Ming Dynasty did not believe that our dynasty would abide by it.

Anyway, if you have to raise soldiers or not, it would be better not to talk, so it would be better not to talk, so it would save the military from being tired. Our dynasty also does not believe that the Ming Dynasty will keep its promises, and occasionally releases calls for negotiations, that is, to numb the Ming Dynasty. Because we know that the other party will not have any sincerity, this paralysis method with little effect is also lazy to use. But Deng Ming is different. He is weak or strong, and he will negotiate as long as he has the opportunity. As he said, he pursues both sides and benefits. Deng Ming is willing to help us hide the truth from Beijing, and in order to continue trading, he also keeps his promise."

Because no matter what the enemy says, they will not believe it, and will only speculate on the intention with the greatest malicious intention, the effect of the miracle in military tactics is getting lower and lower. Now when the enemy shows an honest businessman side, the effect of this strategy is not only not increasing, but is even more minimal. Because not complying with the treaty will result in violent revenge. Instead of regretting it afterwards, it is better to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement from the beginning.

In this way, the significance of Zhou Peigong became extremely important. Jiang Guozhu seriously thought about the inside and outside of the Liangjiang Governor's Office, but he did not find a person with the ability to be comparable to Zhou Peigong, at least not yet.

"When Duke Zhou Pei, I gave him the seal of the governor, mainly for Zhang Changgeng behind him, and I wanted to compete with Zhang Chao. I couldn't let Zhang Chao turn Huguang into his alliance. But now it seems that Duke Zhou Pei himself is worthy of winning..." Duke Zhou Pei not only showed his strong ability to figure out people's hearts, but also showed Jiang Guozhu his economic mind and political sense. He not only could reach an agreement with Deng Ming, but also conceived the means of recovery in advance so that he would not rush to cover it up after a problem arises.

"Let's observe him for a while." Jiang Guozhu became tempted to love talent. If Zhou Peigong's future performance is as outstanding as ever, the Governor of Jiangning plans to put Zhou Pei Gonglong under his own position. Now the political and military situation in Liangjiang is complicated. Jiang Guozhu really feels like walking on thin ice when walking on it. He really needs some right-hand assistants to help him overcome the difficulties.

...

Zhenjiang, waiting for Zhou Peigong to repent and start negotiations again, Deng Ming had already begun to try to support the pro-Ming business group in Jiangnan. Once the Qing Dynasty suppressed the maritime trade merchants, a large number of commercial banks would go bankrupt, a large number of accounting rooms, and the guys would be unemployed. These people lost their peaceful lives and would definitely complain about the Beijing court. It would be fine if no one was recruited, but now Deng Ming will not only absorb these unemployed people, but also guide them to fight against Beijing.

In addition to their work expertise, shopkeepers, accountants and friends also have a large number of production resources - Deng Ming never believed in the saying "the world's products are certain". Business damage will inevitably lead to a regression in industry and agriculture. After the cessation of maritime trade, craftsmen who rely on exports will be unemployed. If they cannot find the land, they have to sell themselves as slaves or beg for food; a large number of farmers who grow mulberry cotton will also be seriously damaged. Many people may have planted cash crops for generations and no longer know how to produce food.

These people will become product providers in Deng Ming's plan.
Chapter completed!