I

"The other side wants to negotiate?"

"Yes, the red-haired governor said he wanted to negotiate."

"Go to the island and invite Dr. Zheng here."

Zheng Guozhong's current official position is Yuanwailang of the Ministry of Rites, which is equivalent to the deputy director of a central agency. He had managed the industrial and commercial department in Fujian and was familiar with Manila trade, so he was appointed as the envoy of the festival. He also presided over the canonization of the kings of Brunei and Sulu.

Under the protection of several soldiers, Zheng Guozhong crossed the obstacles beside the moat and came to the center of the bridge on the moat.

Governor Coquilla also came over. There were tables and chairs on the bridge, and the two parties sat there to negotiate.

Through translation, both parties exchanged names and positions.

Immediately, Coquilla said: "In view of the massacre of Tang people by Pampanga soldiers, we feel very sad and compassionate, and at the same time extend our most sincere apology to your country..."

"We've already laid siege to the city, so stop talking nonsense like this!" Zheng Guozhong interrupted directly.

Coquilla was surprised: "Your envoy can actually speak Spanish."

Zheng Guozhong said expressionlessly: "I have lived in Manila for four years. One of the Chinese who were killed last year was my uncle. So, how can you be willing to surrender? Just come up with the conditions and don't talk nonsense. The nonsense about soldiers killing Han people.”

Coquilla was immediately speechless, and several congressmen involved in the negotiations were also stunned, not knowing what to do.

China's chief negotiator turned out to be the family members of the victims of the Chinese massacre.

After a while of silence, Coquilla said: "As long as your country withdraws its troops from Manila, we are willing to compensate you for 50,000 pesos in losses. At the same time, we will ensure the safety of the Chinese in Manila. From now on, the Chinese will be taxed the same as the Spaniards and will not be taxed again. Extra taxes.”

50,000 Spanish pesos is 40,000 taels of silver.

Zheng Guozhong sneered contemptuously: "Is this your sincerity? Surrender should look like surrender. Don't even think about bargaining!"

Spain's talk of surrender at this time is exactly the same as the Dutch's talk of surrender more than 20 years ago.

It's clear that I'm desperate, but I still don't have the slightest bit of sincerity. The only difference is that after the Dutch negotiations collapsed, the enemy withdrew due to lack of food and supplies, but now it is impossible for China to withdraw its troops.

Coquilla continued to test: "How about compensation of 100,000 pesos?"

Zheng Guozhong said: "Luzon Island is decided by China!"

Coquilla suddenly felt despair. If he lost Luzon Island, he might go to jail for the rest of his life.

Since Portugal became independent from Spain, the Netherlands has continued to dominate the island of Java, sending troops to intercept Spanish ships every year and ousting Spanish outlying strongholds every year. In order to maintain Manila's rule, 40% of the silver production in the Americas every year is shipped directly to Manila for administrative expenses and military expenses.

One can imagine how much the Spanish royal family values ​​the Philippines!

Of course, corruption is also very serious. 40% of America's silver production is shipped to Manila every year and is quickly consumed. They say they are recruiting troops and building warships, but Manila's military strength is still like this.

Although the Spanish royal family had a monopoly on the galleons trade, the annual smuggling was extremely alarming, all done by colonial officials from the Americas and the Philippines.

Coquilla forced himself to calm down: "Don't forget, once our country loses Manila, the silver wire trade will be completely cut off. By then, Chinese merchants will also suffer heavy losses, and China's raw silk will completely lose the American market."

The galleon trade was also called the "silver silk trade". The main commodities were Chinese raw silk and American silver.

Among them, Hu silk has the largest proportion, that is, raw silk from Huzhou Prefecture.

If the silver wire trade is cut off, a large number of workers in Huzhou Prefecture and surrounding areas will inevitably lose their jobs in the short term, and the income of farmers who grow mulberry and raise silkworms will also drop sharply.

In addition, workers and peasants in Guangdong and surrounding provinces will also suffer certain losses. Because raw silk from Guangdong has a market share second only to Hu silk, and Guangdong raw silk is shipped from Jiangxi, Hunan and other places.

Zheng Guozhong said disdainfully: "How can the interests of businessmen be compared with the majesty of the imperial court?"

Coquilla was speechless. He felt like a fool when discussing business interests with Chinese officials.

Zheng Guozhong wants to kill all these bastards, but he has an important task. That is to throw the Spanish governor and army to the Philippine Islands further south without affecting the situation of the war.

Spain must be beaten, but it cannot be beaten to death with a stick, and the Netherlands cannot be allowed to dominate.

Zheng Zhilong and Nanyang merchants provided Zhao Han with a lot of information. Based on this information, Zhao Han repeatedly discussed with the cabinet and calculated the most beneficial outcome for China. That is: China occupies Luzon Island, the Netherlands occupies the southern region of Mindanao, and Spain continues to occupy the southern islands.

As a result, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sulu will fall into a long-term melee.

China is the sovereign state of Brunei and Sulu and can intervene in the war at any time based on its own interests.

At the same time, Spain was able to survive and continue to maintain the silver wire trade, bringing a large amount of American silver to China, and shipping Chinese goods to the American market.

As an emperor, Zhao Han could not only think about revenge, but also had to take the overall situation into consideration.

If Spain is completely driven out of Nanyang, both China and Spain will lose in the overall and long-term perspective, and the only real winner will be the Netherlands.

"stop!"

"Step aside!"

The Dutch navy and army commanders finally came in a hurry when they learned of the negotiations between China and Spain.

However, it was blocked from the outside and couldn't get close at all.

Zheng Guozhong smiled and ordered: "Let them come over."

There were three Dutch negotiators. In addition to the navy and army commanders, the real leader of the negotiations was Kui Yi.

According to later transliteration standards, Kuyi should be translated as Kuayite. Historically, Zheng Chenggong recovered Taiwan from this man, but at this time, Kui Yi was only a "high-level businessman" of the East India Company.

"Please sit down." Zheng Guozhong said.

Kui asked straight to the point: "Excuse me, what were you talking about just now?"

Zheng Guozhong said: "Spain will compensate my country 100,000 pesos and the Chinese troops will withdraw from Luzon."

"Don't be fooled by them!" Kui Yi said immediately.

Once China withdraws its troops, the Netherlands will have no choice but to withdraw its troops, and it will not gain much benefit.

Because of the southern archipelago of the Philippines, there are troops stationed at various strongholds. There has been no news about the Spanish fleet for a long time. Most of them are gathering troops in the southern archipelago. It is likely that there will be thousands of Spanish troops gathered.

When the time comes, the Netherlands will not be able to handle the withdrawal of the Chinese navy and army.

Coquilla, the Spanish governor, did not pay attention to the Dutch at all. He glanced at Kuiyi and said: "Spain only negotiates with China, and you can just sit here and observe."

Kueyi retorted: "China and the Netherlands are allies, and the Netherlands has the right to participate in negotiations and share the benefits of the war."

Zheng Guozhong emphasized again: "Luzon Island must be added to China. China will definitely want Mindoro Island as well."

Mindoro Island, whether you want it or not, the price is really high during negotiations.

Coquilla said: "This is impossible. As long as the Chinese troops withdraw from Manila, Tortoiseshell City and Luzon Island to the north, Spain will recognize that it belongs to China."

"Manila should belong to the Netherlands!" Kueyi couldn't help but say.

All three countries need Manila, which is the center of Nanyang trade.

"Then let's continue fighting," Zheng Guozhong said.

After another struggle, the negotiations still broke down, and Spain refused to give up Manila.

In the endless siege of the city, half of the rainy season passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period, the Spanish fleet went to Samar Island to mobilize troops, leaving only 20 soldiers to defend each stronghold on the island.

Unexpectedly, in one of the strongholds, there was a tip from the indigenous servant army, and a large number of indigenous warriors took advantage of the rainy season to come and kill. The 20 Spanish soldiers were unable to defend, and the native servants were unwilling to sacrifice their lives, so the stronghold was captured by the native rebels.

The Spanish fleet, which originally mobilized troops to go north, received the news before they could get far, and had no choice but to lead the army back.

The Spanish quickly recaptured the stronghold and carried out massacres nearby. Thousands of natives suffered bloody revenge.

After this incident, the Spanish fleet did not dare to send too many troops, leaving 30 soldiers to garrison each stronghold. It was delayed until the end of the rainy season, and a Spanish army of 1,100 men was mobilized and transported by the fleet to Mindoro Island, preparing to go to rescue Manila.

The Second Battle of Manila breaks out.

Without much fighting, China and the Netherlands have occupied Corregidor Island and are guarding the throat of Manila Bay.

Part of the Chinese and Dutch fleets withdrew to Manila Bay, and part of it retreated to the northern seas. As long as the Spanish fleet dares to come in, it will be attacked from the front and rear by the fleets of the two countries, and the coastal defense artillery on Corregidor Island will also bombard the Spanish fleet.

The experienced Spanish fleet commander, after seeing some enemy ships heading north, decisively chose to return with the fleet.

The 1,100 Spanish Army troops gathered in the south could not be transported to Manila at all. They even dare not land in advance, because Luzon Island at this time is full of mountains and forests, and transportation is inconvenient. A random landing is likely to annihilate the entire army.

The battle situation was deadlocked again.

The Dutch returned to Batavia, got the governor's latest bottom line for negotiations, and convened representatives from several countries to sit at the negotiating table again.

This time, representatives from Brunei and Sulu also participated.

Zheng Guozhong directly took out a map of Nanyang and circled it with a quill pen: "Luzon Island and Mindoro Island are all owned by China..."

"Wait a minute," Coquilla interrupted immediately, "Mindoro Island cannot be handed over to China."

Zheng Guozhong asked: "In other words, Spain agrees to hand over Luzon Island?"

Coquilla remained silent, acquiescing, and the food stored in his castle could last for another two months.

If we don’t negotiate the terms at this time, and we’re in a desperate situation two months later, I’m afraid Chinese officials will be even more aggressive.

Zheng Guozhong added: "Zamboanga must be returned to Sulu."

The Sulu negotiator was overjoyed. He didn't expect that the Chinese father could actually throw a bone out.

Coquilla did not refuse, because Spain has never firmly occupied the entire peninsula where Zamboanga is located. It is often defeated this year and lost again the next year. The resistance of the people of Sulu is very troublesome.

Kueyi interjected: "The Netherlands should set up a base in Zamboanga and jointly manage this port with Sulu."

Zheng Guozhong asked the Sulu envoy: "Do you agree?"

Sulu also wanted to introduce the Netherlands to check the expansion of Spain, and nodded: "The Netherlands can be allowed to trade in Zamboanga, but it cannot interfere with the management of the port, nor can it build churches at will."

Kui Yi was very unhappy: "The Netherlands has suffered huge losses. Is this all they have left?"

Zheng Guozhong drew a circle in the southern part of Mindanao and said: "This place belongs to the Netherlands."

Everyone has no objection. It does not belong to any country. They are all extremely primitive indigenous tribes.

"It's not enough," Kueyi said, pointing to Busuanga Island. "This island should also belong to the Netherlands."

This island is very magical. It is adjacent to Sulu to the southwest and Mindoro to the northeast. It is not particularly far from Manila, but so far it is not occupied by any country.

After half a month of negotiations, the Manila Five-Nation Agreement was released:

First, Spain admitted defeat and compensated China and the Netherlands each with 10,000 pesos (8,000 taels of silver) for their military expenses, and compensated Brunei and Sulu each with 100 pesos for their military expenses.

Second, Luzon was placed under Chinese rule, and Busuanga and southern Mindanao were placed under Dutch rule. The western peninsula of Mindanao, the territory near Zamboanga, should be returned to the Sultanate of Sulu by Spain.

Third, the Netherlands could establish a trading post in Zamboanga, but it was not allowed to garrison troops, build churches, or participate in port management.

Fourth, the Netherlands has exclusive rights to trade in Brunei and Sulu. The spices and gemstones of Brunei and Sulu are jointly monopolized by China and the Netherlands, and no country is allowed to participate.

Fifth, Spain will establish the Governor's Palace in Cebu Port, and Manila's silver wire trade will be transferred to Cebu Port in the future. No country is allowed to attack Cebu Port, otherwise it will be equivalent to declaring war on China, the Netherlands and Spain.

Sixth, Spain and the Netherlands recognize China as the suzerainty of Brunei and Sulu. Based on the existing borders, Spain and the Netherlands are not allowed to expand in Brunei and Sulu without authorization, otherwise it will be equivalent to declaring war on China.

Seventh, the Netherlands abolished the additional tax imposed on the Chinese in Batavia.

Eighth, stop killing the Spaniards in Luzon and allow the Spaniards to evacuate with their property (except in Manila, the Spaniards in the castle are not allowed to take away any property).

This agreement was signed by the Governor of the Philippines, and the King of Spain would probably not acknowledge it.

But you still have to admit it, otherwise it will be war.

Moreover, it is very likely that the Spanish king did not acknowledge his fault and resumed trade while at war.

Officials like Governor Coquilla could only leave with some documents. The wealth they robbed and accumulated was divided between China and the Netherlands: China accounted for 50%, the Netherlands accounted for 35%, and Brunei and Sulu together accounted for 5%. , and the remaining 10% was distributed to the indigenous people participating in the war.

Coquilla sent a messenger to tell the planters to evacuate.

As a result, news was received one after another that the Spanish plantations near Manila had long been robbed.

It has nothing to do with the Chinese army, it is a good thing done by Chinese refugees.