"Sir Harrison, have you gained something?" Mr. Charles, who was talking a lot, turned back after hearing the news. After saying that, he asked the servant to give Major General Harrison a cup of coffee: "The coffee grown by the East Coast in New China Island is not bad. You can try it. Well, the price is much cheaper than the tea in the London pharmacy. It is a good drink in general."

Major General Harrison nodded, then turned his eyes to the two merchants sitting opposite him. He knew these two, colonial merchants who had been operating the East trade for many years: John Hill and George Hampton. They expanded their operations on the cotton and tobacco plantations in Virginia through the wealth accumulated by the East trade. They are no longer ordinary small merchants, which can be seen from the fact that they can sit opposite Mr. Charles and have a conversation.

However, Major General Harrison and these merchants have never said anything. In the eyes of Republican officers like him, these people are all profiteers who steal state property. For example, he knew that many of the goods imported by these two people from the East Coast were not transported to London as required to pay tariffs, and then shipped to North American colonies to sell them. Sometimes (of course not at all times) "simplified" the itinerary and transported some East Coast goods directly to the remote coast of New England or Virginia, and then slowly digested them secretly. This is not naked smuggling? At present, the maritime courts in North America are collecting evidence and intending to sue these two profiteers, but this is not worthy of being told to outsiders.

The two "promiscuous merchants" were somewhat nervous about Major General Harrison's arrival. After all, this person's reputation is really that good. Not to mention medium-sized merchants like them, even those big merchants in the parliament, who had never been swept out by the Republican soldiers led by this major general? I was so impressed!

"Nothing gains." Major General Harrison sat in a chair with a blank expression, sighed, and said, "It is not the time to talk about this matter, and I will explain it to you later. So, where are you talking about now? About South Africa? Is there any problem?"

"Yes, about South Africa's question. Mr. Charles believes that the existence of South African colonies is more critical, because it can allow our merchant ships to rest or avoid wind and waves when passing here. This is crucial for East India trade with increasing trade volume. You must know that we are now starting to restore the mall in Banten. In the future, the import of pepper, clove, and nutmeg will increase, which will bring a steady stream of profits to England." John Hill said in a slightly flattering tone. "Sir Harrison, England needs South Africa and East India trade. A considerable proportion of the wealth of the United Province comes from East India trade. England will inevitably not let the Dutch monopolize this trade."

Harrison just nodded slightly when he heard this, but he didn't say anything. Although East India trade is good for the country, he probably has the most benefits. The merchants and congressmen who are called "prodigal merchants" and "breastern bosses" by the Duke of the National Guard. Thinking of the poor Republican soldiers fighting with the Dutch at sea, the rich men making a fortune in the rear. How can Major General Harrison balance it? Even though his family background is pretty good, he is sitting on the side of the Republican soldiers. He dislikes these promiscuous merchants. The Duke of the National Guardians are working hard for the country. The promiscuous merchants are not even willing to pay military expenses. How can this be done!

"The Duke of the National Guard should send more new model army veterans to South Africa, at least more than 2,000 pounds of huge investment in construction and immigration every year. This money can be raised in China. I believe many businessmen will be happy. In this way, our power in South Africa can catch up with the Dutch in a few years. Although there is still some gap with the power of the East Coast people, it is no longer in a state of stagnation." George Hapton also spoke at the right time.

"The East India Company was once looked at with disgust because many people believed that some of its imported goods hindered the consumption of our own products in Manchester; some people also believed that many silver coins were taken away by the East India Company, but they did not consider the business activities of the East India Company and made these gold and silver dollars return to the UK exponentially. East India trade is crucial because it affects other trades. We exchange silk fabrics and Indian floral fabrics for Dutch goods; we buy Silesian, Saxony and Bohemian linens in Germany at preferential prices; we can also exchange luxury goods with France for East India products, although this is not good for the people to develop a thrifty atmosphere in Germany; we can also exchange luxury goods with France.

Since we shipped a lot of East India silk (imported from Persia and South Asia, Britain called Persia, Ceylon, India and Indonesia trade collectively East India trade), silk imported from France and Italy (the two countries raised their own silkworms) immediately dropped by more than 30%. "Mr. Charles obviously agreed to increase investment in East India trade, and he continued to say: "For the blessing of the Dutch. In recent years, the price of spices has been maintained at a high level (the Dutch even cut off many lilac trees in order to maintain the price), which gave us enough profit margins, so we can take out a considerable portion of the money from this money to expand the operation of South African colonies, which will be beneficial to the future."

"If our colonies are careful to prevent them from being invaded and attacked by foreigners, as their population increases, they will consume more domestic industrial products than our existing personnel can make. They also produce all kinds of specialty goods that are indispensable to Europe but cannot be produced. Therefore, with our diligent operation, they will sooner or later become an inexhaustible treasure house of wealth for the mother country. New England and Virginia, and South Africa will be like this." Mr. Charles is a staunch trader and colonist, and is particularly keen on developing overseas trade and colonization: "Our love for the ocean is of course the Dutch is the same so that we can turn all kinds of goods from one

The country is transported to another country, for this purpose. Our ports are safer and more comfortable than the Netherlands. If our colonial trade is fully developed, the capital required will exceed the amount we are currently in control, and the goods consumed will exceed the amount we can manufacture and provide at reasonable prices. Now there are more than 100,000 North American colonies of long-term settlers (referring to whites), providing more than 700,000 pounds of direct and indirect benefits to the local area every year. If we manage the South African colonies well, we will inevitably provide a large amount of profit for the local area in the future. At least, the 100,000 pounds of funds invested in the early stage of the year can be slowly earned back."

"Yes, it would be great if South Africa could develop into a powerful territory like New England." John Hill was a little excited when he talked about this: "His Excellency Robert Sedgwick led his army to occupy the French Arcadia more than two years ago. Now our territory in North America is unprecedentedly vast. Cotton, tobacco, dyes, grains, wood and other commodities are imported into the local area, which has effectively boosted the domestic economy. It is just that some provisions of the Law of Navigation are too strict, and it hinders the level of trade activity, which is a bit regrettable."

As the three talked, they became more and more emotional. George Hampton said that the British Navy was planning a major action. Sometimes they were planning to build a Spanish treasure fleet (although it was extremely difficult because they could not grasp the whereabouts of the treasure fleet), and sometimes they said that they were planning to point their finger at San Juan or Hispaniola after consolidating Jamaica. In short, they were riding on Spain to shit. Spain was in a deep and uneasy. It was no longer a concern. Perhaps the only one who could stop the great England was the Dutch.

Mr. Charles chatted with Hill and others for a while before sending the two away, then walked back, looked at Major General Harrison and said with a wry smile: "They are too optimistic, but at least this is a positive emotion, isn't it? Then, Sir Harrison, have you just returned from Blanco and brought me bad news?"

"It's not good news." Major General Harrison's face became a little active at this time, and he only heard him say, "Blanco refused to help us install people. But this is not the most critical. The most critical thing is that he analyzed from some of the rumors circulating on the East Coast that this pagan country is likely to intervene in the war between England and Spain, but he doesn't know how much they will intervene and how determined their government is. The Duke of the National Guard must be very in need of more accurate information, because it is impossible to make correct decisions without this."

"This is a new situation, sir." Mr. Charles immediately took it seriously. "If the East Coast people intervened in the war, how much would they do? Go to war with the English Navy? Help the Spaniards to regain Jamaica? Or simply capture our colonies in South Africa?"

"The possibility is not high. The East Coast people should not go directly to war with us in a short period of time. They are not stupid, because we can easily cut off their trade routes in Europe, causing them to lose at least 750,000 pounds of wealth every year." Major General Harrison flatly ruled out this possibility and said: "But they may help the Spanish defend San Juan, Cuba or Hispaniola. Once this happens, it will be difficult for our squadron in Jamaica to make a difference. It is better to transfer back to the Mediterranean and block Spain with His Excellency Black's main fleet. The specific release of the Spanish Treasure Fleet

Although we don’t know the date of the flight, the general route is still clear. We can wait near Cadiz or Canary Islands, it depends on luck. Perhaps God’s favor may be. As for the real threats of the East Coast people, I think we must pay attention to it, but we should not take the initiative to provoke, but should try our best to avoid the deteriorating relationship with the East Coast, causing the outbreak of war. Of course, we can be tough on the surface. The civilian government of the East Coast people seems to be relatively weak. They may be unstable because they are reluctant to let the collapse of the European market, so that we will have a chance to breathe. As long as Spain surrenders, we can free up our hands..."

Although he was not very concerned about the merchants talking about colonial trade, Major General Harrison was still very good at judging the situation when England was facing a dangerous situation, and his suggestion made Mr. Charles fall into deep thought. (~^~)
Chapter completed!