Cornelius Lansing sneered: "The God of God is God, and Caesar is Caesar, it is obvious that God of God is not owned by the Holy See.

Now these people in the Holy See can do anything without any bottom line for gold and silver coins. Obviously, they have turned against God, and they are the sinners who should be on the stake!"

Lansing's words immediately aroused a large number of consent.

For the senior executives of the East India Company, it is actually not important whether to believe in God or betray God. What is important is that the yellow and white gold and silver coins must not be snatched away by the Holy See, absolutely not.

Cohen knocked the table with his pipe again and said with a smile: "Very good, gentlemen, it seems you have reached an agreement, aren't you?"

After a pause, Cohen continued: "If all the gentlemen have no other opinions, then I will go to Li from the Ming Empire for negotiations based on these conditions?"

Lansing shrugged indifferently and smiled: "It doesn't matter. As long as the Ming Empire will not cut off our supply of goods, all the remaining issues will be easy to discuss.

I think if they are willing to give us exclusive trade rights to Fushou cream and muskets, it is not impossible to negotiate even if they raise some prices."

Cohen shook his head and said, "Lansing, you think things are too simple. First of all, the Ming Empire cannot give us exclusive trade rights.

Now the arms of the Ming Empire were sold to the Holy Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, the Holy See, and our hands. In this way, everyone would wave their gold and silver coins to beg the Ming Empire to sell the arms to us.

If we are given exclusive trade rights, their sales on arms will be subject to us, and they will not be able to see this."

As he spoke, a hint of sadness appeared on Cohen's face: "Gentlemen, the Ming Empire hopes that Europe will be in chaos, and it is best to continue to be in chaos. We are just chess pieces they have laid out."

Lansing's face still had that indifferent look: "Mr. Cohen, there is nothing in this world that cannot be dealt with by silver coins. Even if you have a huge sin, you can buy indulgences and go to heaven.

In fact, the Ming Empire is a paradise, so why should we go far and wide? I believe that with your friendship with Mr. Li, the Ming Empire, it is not too difficult to help us get a household registration in the Ming Dynasty. At most, it is just a matter of how much silver coins we need to spend."

Lansing's voice had just fallen, and the conference room, which was already a little noisy, suddenly calmed down.

Alfred Balfour frowned and said, "So, by your point, is to give up the Netherlands? We have grown up here since we were young, and now we are going to give up suddenly?"

Lansing said: "Give up, or die, I believe this is not a very difficult multiple-choice question. In fact, I believe you have already seen that the Ming Empire did not want to see a unified Europe, they would rather let Europe continue to be in chaos.

In a short period of time, through the continuous trade support between us and the Ming Empire and the vassal states, we may not see anything, but after a while, the Netherlands will be dragged into the quagmire of war.

Do we have the ability to stop this from happening? Even if there is, the Dutch authorities will follow our opinions? You know, now the Dutch authorities are planning to tear off a piece of meat from those British people."

Cohen nodded and said, "Where are the other gentlemen? What do you think?"

Balfer said: "Lansing, all of this is just a hypothesis and cannot be regarded as a reason for us to spend money to obtain the Ming Dynasty household registration now, right? You know, they always regard us as barbarians."

Pointing to the exquisite cups placed on the table and the silk clothes on his body, Lansing sneered: "In front of the Ming Empire, what qualifications do we have to say that we are not barbarians? Perhaps this is our opportunity to integrate into the Ming Dynasty and into the civilized world?"

Holding the edge of the table, Lansing said lightly: "Gentlemen, I'm just saying so much, and it's the last time I'm talking about this question. Sorry, I have something to do, so I'll leave first."

After nodding to the others, Lansing left the conference room directly. Among the remaining sixteen people, many began to accuse Lansing of her attitude and choice.

Cohen rubbed his brows, knocked hard on the table twice before saying, "Okay, gentlemen, let's all the topics come first.

If, I mean, if anyone agrees with Lansing’s proposal, I can come to me privately, and I will find a way to do this.

Of course, no matter what the final result is, it will not delay our current transaction with the Ming Empire, nor will it affect our income. Let’s have a breakup."

When Cohen returned to his office, the muscles on his face couldn't help but twitch. Lansing had already taken out the little tea that Li Chengyan gave him and soaked it...

After silenced for the tea leaves that were almost equivalent to gold, Cohen shook his head, walked to his seat and sat down, and smiled: "How likely do you think things will be successful?"

Lansing gently blew the teacup like a Ming people. His awkward movement made Cohen frown again: "Don't worry, try this tea first, it's really a rare treasure."

Seeing that Cohen still frowned and did not speak, Lansing continued, "Believe me, no one will look far, especially when heaven is approaching.

And those people dared to even hang their own ropes, and what's the big deal about selling them? Taking advantage of our usefulness to the Ming Empire now, the conditions proposed are very likely to be approved by the Ming Empire.

If we delay for a longer time, when we really use nothing, I think we will lose the chance of survival."

Cohen frowned and said, "But, will there be a reserved place for us in heaven?"

Lansing still smiled and said, "You have the most contact with that Ming Empire Li, and I believe you should have an evaluation in your heart.

There is no problem in this world that money cannot solve. If there is, it only means that you don’t pay enough money. Even if it is in heaven, if you have enough money, God will personally lead you to heaven."

Cohen said: "Hope, you know, the attitude of the Ming Empire is to keep Europe in chaos. Whether it is the Germanic barbarians of the Holy Roman Empire, the priests of the Holy Roman Empire, or the vassal states where we are, it is best if these three parties can be defeated at the same time, the best ending is."

Lansing shrugged and smiled, "So, we want to sell more arms and longevity cream for the Ming Empire, so that they can see the value of our existence."

After nodding, Cohen said, "Okay, Mr. Lansing, now you can leave my office. Remember to ask your secretary to send me the tea fee, only one hundred silver coins!"

With a puff, Lansing couldn't help but spew the tea in her mouth: "One hundred silver coins? Why don't you grab it?"

Cohen lit the pipe and said meaningfully: "This is faster than grabbing, right?"

After seeing Lansing away, Cohen returned to his desk again, smoking his pipe while falling into deep thought.

The East India Company has changed a little, making it feel unfamiliar to itself, and the people inside are divided into two factions, one supports the full reversal towards the Ming Dynasty, while the other supports the protection of the Netherlands.

The two sides are now in a similar situation, which makes them feel a little unsure of the hysteria, and they have to test these gentlemen through Lansing.

As for the result of the test, even if Lansing didn't say it, he knew it clearly. The reason why he gave Lansing more opportunities to perform was just to make use of it.

Motherland? What is that?

Cohen said he was not very concerned about the Netherlands. In fact, not many of the people present today, except for the fifteen gentlemen who were not in charge of Lansing and himself, even the gentlemen who had previously shouted to defend the Netherlands.

If there is a paradise in the world, it must be the Ming Dynasty. There is hope that you can enter heaven when you are alive. Who would be willing to wait until you die before going?

The biggest problem now is whether the Ming Empire can give itself the identity of the Ming people. The remaining problems are actually not big problems.

Before Cohen could figure it out, the knock-knock knock on the door woke Cohen from his thoughts.

After lit the pipe that was almost extinguished again, Cohen said in a deep voice: "Please come in!"

The one who pushed the door in was Billy Banks. As soon as he entered the door, Banks expressed his attitude: "Cohen, my old friend, now I need your help."

Cohen smiled and said, "Of course, for the sake of our time looking for women together, no matter whether you want to borrow money or have any other requests, I will try my best to satisfy you."

Banks smiled and said, "The heaven in heaven belongs to God, and the heaven on earth belongs to the Ming Empire. I want to go to heaven when I am alive, instead of going through judgment after death."

Cohen nodded and said, "Of course, I believe no one doesn't want to go to heaven alive. After all, it's unknown whether there is heaven after death."

Banks said: "Then, please help me get some Ming quotas."

After counting on his fingers for a long time, Banks continued: "I need fifty places for one hundred taels, including my wife, mistress, and my children."

But Cohen shook his head and said, "One hundred taels of gold, not one hundred taels of silver, are you still sure you need fifty places?"

With a bang, Banks stood up and exclaimed: "You only said one hundred taels, but you didn't say one hundred taels of gold!"

"Hmm?" Cohen smiled and said, "Have I ever said it was one hundred taels of silver? Dear Banks, I only said it was one hundred taels, but in fact, whether it was gold or silver, it was decided by the Ming Empire, not me.

The reason why I bought 100 taels of gold from you now is just to prevent it. What if the price required by Ming people is higher?"

Waving his hand, he signaled Banks not to speak for now, Cohen continued: "You know, the civilians of the Ming Dynasty have had a piece of land from the day they were born without paying any taxes and fees, and all their income belongs to them.

From the day the children of civilians of the Ming Dynasty would be protected by millions of troops, protected by their emperors, and had legal right to study, examination, and official positions. These were written in their constitution.

Also walking on the street, when you have a conflict with a civilian from the Ming Dynasty, there is no doubt that whether it is your fault or not, it will definitely be your fault, because their government will be indefinitely biased to them, and this biased behavior will be encouraged by His Majesty the Emperor.

Even if you are sailing on the ocean, as long as your merchant ship is hung with the flag of the Ming Empire, believe me, no pirate will be full and go to trouble you.

Because that means they will be subjected to the navy of the Ming Empire and the pirates of the Ming Empire, endless pursuit from sea to land, until the pirates who offended the Ming people and their families were piled into pyramids.

And I lived in Ming Dynasty for a while, do you know what they would do at night? Studying, going out to drink, or going to play with women in a prostitute, are all sacred and legal rights given to them by the Constitution, as long as they go home before eleven o'clock in the evening or find a place to live.

So they can have a fun binge before 11 o'clock in the evening, and as long as there is enough money in their pockets, they can spend it like this every day.

Believe me, let alone eleven o'clock in the evening. Even in the Netherlands, do you still dare to go out alone after 8 o'clock in the evening?"

As he spoke, Cohen smiled with envious eyes and said with a rather self-deprecating smile: "Do you know, when I walked alone on the streets of their capital at nine o'clock in the evening, I wish I was a Ming people born in the Ming Empire and grew up in the Ming Empire, even a commoner.

Because there is no need to worry about war, no need to worry about robbers, and no need to worry about any accidents, their government always needs to maintain their security and power.

Of course, all this does not include me, nor you, nor everyone in our East India Company. Because we do not have the Ming Dynasty household registration, we are regarded as barbarians by them, just like the Indians killed by the British.

Perhaps one day in the future, when the Ming army came to Europe, many Europeans would be killed like Indians as barbarians, but no one could guarantee your safety.

Do you know what I felt when I heard that Cromwell brought five regiments of troops? I felt it was funny! Yes, in the Far East, their standing army was millions, and their reserve army was also millions, and their territory was several times that of the entire European continent!

So, no matter what, I will find a way to get my Ming family registration for myself and my family, even if I lose everything, I have nothing to do with it."
Chapter completed!