July 20, 1659, Maolin Port, light rain.

In this commercial city that was "happy" given to the shield-shaped badge by King Philip of Spain, there are now 600 European settlers (far exceeding the standard for 50 European immigrant families in the New World to set up towns). Most of these Europeans from Andalusia and Aragon are naturally undoubtedly Spanish, and this is indeed in line with the Spanish Kingdom's consistent closed and conservative immigration policy.

According to the regulations of the Kingdom of Spain, the area of ​​each town must be at least four square meters. Of course, this is all the area including town buildings and many farmland along the avenue. Maolin City undoubtedly meets this standard because it is built on land over five meters - there are not many other things in the New World, that is, there is a lot of land.

Maolin City is a city that flourished because of business. The city now has more than 800 buildings (including 5 churches and monasteries), but only a few of them are public buildings - such as public toilets, bathhouses, vegetable markets, etc. - in terms of urban design and function, it is too many people on the East Coast. By the way, the entire Maolin City is now under the jurisdiction of the Santiago Trial Court District, but it is usually a Peninsula named Constantine de Owando to manage daily affairs. For this guy, even Baron Bravo believes that he can't afford to offend him, and his background cannot be underestimated.

The permanent residents of the entire city have so far exceeded 6,000 (it is already a small city in the New World in the Southern World), of which about 40% are Spanish, 40% are Indians or mixed-race Indians, and they are mostly Spanish servants. As for the remaining 20%, they are naturally the East Coast people living in the city as employees of the South Railway Company (of course, many of them are just nominal employees of the South Railway). Most of them are mainly business-oriented, and many are small merchants such as vegetable vendors and butchers, maintaining the basic operation of this commercial city.

In addition to these citizens, among the vast forests and fields in the suburbs of Maolin City, more and more people on the east coast illegally crossed the border and settled in recent years. In the early days, most of them were mostly immigrants from the Ming Dynasty, but in recent years, more and more new generations on the east coast went out to make a living because they could not wait for the opportunity to divide the commons in their hometowns. Many of them naturally came to Maolin City in Chile, a city full of opportunities in the legend of some people who are interested.

The number of these illegal immigrants is so large that no one on the East Coast can effectively count their number, so they can only estimate that they are about 6,000 or 7,000 people. These people usually grow potatoes and wheat, grazle cattle and sheep, and occasionally go out to sea to fish. In addition to their own consumption, the agricultural products they earn are also sold in Maolin City through small East Coast vendors, which strongly supports the city - although Maolin City still needs to import a large amount of food from Peru every year as a supplement.

Liu Ang, president of the Southern Railway Company, was invited to Maolin City. The main tasks were two. One was to further discuss business cooperation matters, and the other was to negotiate with the Spaniards about the increasing number of illegal settlers on the east coast. Because recently, many priests in the city were very dissatisfied with the refusal of the pagans in the suburbs to convert to God, and have begun to unite to put pressure on the actual manager of the city, Owando, to demand that he take courage to expel the East coast like the Peninsula expel the Moors and Jews, otherwise Maolin City would no longer be owned by the Lord.

You must not think that these priests do not have this ability. In fact, they not only have an absolute advantage in the religious field, but also have a great influence in business. Because many Spanish merchants donate land and property to the church before they die, and with the tithe tax collection, the Catholic churches in the Old World and the New World are really rich. Although the Pope does not allow priests to lend directly, they cannot resist these people lending indirectly through various forms such as acceptance bills. In addition, the income from the large amount of real estate in hand, the impact of these people on Spanish business must not be underestimated. This will unite to attack the pagans on the East Coast, so colonial officials will never dare to turn a blind eye.

The negotiations between the two sides are located in Maolin Customs - a customs managed by the Southern Railway Company. The annual import and export tariff income is more than 200,000 yuan. A famous gold-climbing machine - Constantine de Aowando is a short and concise peninsula man, who is also very cunning and philanthropist, which makes Liu Ang suspect that he is the agent of a major figure in the West Indian Affairs Department.

"The priests have reason to complain, because they found that even the wine for mass is imported from you now." Ovando asked lightly, sniffing the green tea brought by the East Coast people, with a little aristocratic demeanor: "What seems to be a new product? You imported from the East yourself? It smells more fragrant than the goods imported from Manila. I like it very much, do you still?"

"How much do you need?" Liu Ang had just recovered from the cold, but his body was still a little weak. He said weakly at this moment: "Dear Lord Owando, regarding the recent complaints of the priests, what is your attitude as the official agent of your country? Do you also ask our farmers to leave the land they have been farming for many years?"

"The opinions of the church must be taken seriously." In fact, Ovando also scratched his head at the moment, "If - I mean - if - these peasants from your country can convert to God..."

"In fact, this is completely impossible." Liu Ang directly cut off the other party's words and said: "I say again that these farmers have been farming here for many years, and they have paid the fees to your country's officials in order to obtain these lands, and many of them are even unreasonable. Now these priests want them to withdraw at a word? Sorry, we are not Moors, let alone Jews. We stick to our property, and I believe our government will also support us."

After hearing this, Owando subconsciously looked at the towering mast of the guard gunboat in the east coast of the harbor outside the window - this was a third fleet sail gunboat, patrolling the southern waters of Chile all year round to strike French or Portuguese pirates who were roaming from time to time - and suddenly felt very impressed. In fact, as a philanthropist and a less devout believer (of course, this is shameless), he was also very embarrassed about this matter. Why are everyone causing trouble for him? Why can't he be happy to do business and make a fortune? Politics, religions, races, Owando felt that he had enough, but he undoubtedly had to continue to bear it until the problem was solved.

"What are you going to do? I don't want to bother Ambassador Bravo and the Governor General for this little thing, and if I want to go to Lima, I will definitely not go alone." After saying that, Liu Ang also looked at the east coast gunboats parked quietly in the harbor outside the window: "Our farmers are so docile, providing such convenience for the lives of Maolin urban residents. Now they want them to leave their only land. I'm sorry, I really can't bear to accept such an ending. In fact, I heard that someone has recently called for the distribution of rifles to these bullied farmers, but I don't agree with this, because I respect your sovereignty over Maolin City."

Owando was a little dumbfounded. Liu Ang, the president of the Southern Railway who negotiated with him, looked sick, but his words were so frightening that he was now seriously considering whether it was really to drive away these pagan peasants as the priests said. Of course, he knew that this was impossible in the short term, because it would cause serious consequences and he could not bear it. King Philip might be able to bear it, but he would definitely deal with him and even the Governor of Lima as a scapegoat. Therefore, he must try his best to save himself.

"There is only one way." Owando suddenly took a big sip of green tea and said helplessly: "The priests are not a solid piece of iron. In fact, we can contact some of them. You did not do well before and turned a blind eye to the olive branches that some priests extended. In fact, many of them have a family behind them doing business or mining. You should start from this. In addition, for those priests who have dedicated everything and even their souls to the Lord, I have no good way, so I can only bear it. Well, maybe you can symbolically give up some land outside Maolin City, but I can apply for the Governor to compensate you twice or even more arable land or pastures in other places. This should give all parties a step down. How about it?"

"You are a very good practical talent. You are not stubborn and know how to adapt. I admire you very much, but your plan still cannot satisfy me." Liu Ang said without any concessions. "In fact, I have spent a week or even longer to arrive here, not to discuss a compromise plan with you. We can give you a list of commercial interests. I will send people to contact them. Isn't it just money! But the land outside Maolin City must not be refunded. I support our farmers in sticking to their own property and interests. As for what you said, more land is allocated to our farmers for farming, I am very interested. Maybe we can discuss this issue in a more in-depth way. Of course, this is indispensable for your benefits."

As soon as Liu Ang finished speaking, a financial official of Nantik Railway quietly stepped forward and placed a La Plata bank draft worth 40,000 riyals (about 5,000 silver pesos) in the center of the table. The intention was already very obvious. As long as Mr. Owando was willing to handle these things for Nantik Railway Company, the money would be the first deposit in advance.
Chapter completed!