Iron Dynasty

Chapter 1109

A subtle fragrance wafted from the teacups on the conference table, calming the mind.

After reaching a consensus on the issues of patent fees and extradition, Xiao Ming brought up another major topic for this meeting: war reparations.

The Empire had, after all, wasted a lot of ammunition in the battle in Southeast Asia. This ammunition was all real money, and it was impossible for him to pay for it all himself.

Brooke’s face fell. Of all the topics, this was undoubtedly the most humiliating one. However, he knew that this topic was unavoidable.

To reach a ceasefire agreement and to prevent their colonial interests in South America and Africa from being further harmed, they had no choice but to accept it.

“Then how much in war reparations does Your Majesty want?” Brooke’s voice sounded as if it were being squeezed out of his throat.

Xiao Ming’s expression remained calm. “The war reparations this time include two parts: land and money. In terms of money, you will have to pay a total of thirty million pounds in reparations. As for how the five of you divide this thirty million pounds is your own business.”

Brooke’s back broke out in a cold sweat when he heard this. Thirty million pounds in reparations was not a small amount. This would be a heavy burden on Britain’s treasury. But fortunately, this time the reparations would be borne jointly by the five countries. If that were the case, it would not be so difficult, and the price was also quite fair.

“Thirty million, we accept!” Brooke agreed repeatedly. He understood this emperor very well. If he were to continue bargaining, the price would probably be raised even higher.

Xiao Ming raised his eyebrows. The negotiation this time was surprisingly smooth in his opinion, which was enough to show that these Western powers had been intimidated by him.

He motioned to Qian Dafu, who then took out a world map and spread it on the negotiating table.

Brooke frowned at the sight of the map. He immediately realized something and immediately refused, “Your Majesty, we, Britain, will never cede any of our land. If Your Majesty insists on this, then Your Majesty must be prepared to step over the corpses of the British to occupy Britain.”

Xiao Ming glanced at Brooke. Just as he had expected, the British were very sensitive about their homeland. He smiled faintly. “I have not finished speaking yet. What are you so anxious about? Your country’s land is small and you don’t have many resources. I don’t care for it at all. What I want is a portion of your overseas colonies. You took these by force. Is it too much to ask you to give a little to us?”

Brooke calmed down. He looked at the world map and indeed found many small dots circled on the American and African colonies.

It was not just Britain, but also France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal’s colonies that had these small dots.

“The red dots you see are the lands that we need. This is nothing compared to your vast colonies in Africa and America, right?” Xiao Ming said cunningly.

The land he wanted was indeed not much, just like sesame seeds on a cake. But these sesame seeds that he wanted were not simple.

This was because they were all areas in America and Africa where minerals were concentrated. By controlling these strongholds, they would be controlling most of the resources.

As for the other desolate territories, they were not worth much. After all, the Empire’s population was limited, and there was already too much excess farmland.

Moreover, the Empire was now preparing to become an industrial nation. They were going to exchange industrial goods for cheap agricultural products.

This meant that as long as they sold their industrial products, the farmers of the world would all be working for the Empire.

Brooke breathed a slight sigh of relief. They had also considered this situation before coming here. He also had the authority to agree to it.

Compared to his original assumptions, the Empire’s asking price was not high this time. He agreed readily. “If it is just the area of these small dots, there is no problem.”

Xiao Ming laughed heartily. He said, “In that case, the negotiation between us has ended perfectly.”

Brooke stood up happily. “I hope Your Majesty can sign the treaty and no longer attack Britain and Britain’s colonies.”

Pang Yukun then handed a treaty in both Chinese and English to Brooke. Since Britain had basically agreed to the Empire’s conditions, there was no need to change this treaty.

“The Treaty of India?” Brooke took it and read it carefully.

The content of this treaty was similar to what was discussed in the negotiation. It demanded that Britain officially recognize the Chinese Empire’s occupation of Australia and India. Of course, the most important thing was the ceasefire clause.

Australia and India were now in the hands of the Chinese Empire. Whether he admitted it or not, it was a fact. After carefully reading the agreement, he signed the treaty.

Xiao Ming took the treaty and also signed his name on it.

The negotiation with Britain was over. Brooke did not want to stay in the meeting room for another minute. He pushed the door open and left with his envoys.

Xiao Yi asked at this time, “Imperial Father, Britain is so arrogant. Why did you not stipulate how much Britain had to pay in reparations to punish them?”

“This is the deeper reason that you need to understand. If the Empire were to do that, the five countries’ resentment towards the Empire would be even deeper. But by letting them divide it themselves, they will surely fight among themselves over how much each country should pay in reparations.”

Xiao Yi was enlightened. “In that case, they will have another obstacle to forming an alliance.”

Xiao Ming nodded slightly.

Just at this moment, the door to the meeting room was pushed open. Rhodes came in, and the negotiation with the Netherlands officially began.

The demands Xiao Ming made on him were generally similar to those he made on Brooke. The only difference was that Rhodes hoped to continue the rubber trade with the Empire.

He naturally agreed to this condition. Although the Empire now had its own rubber plantations and rubber grass plantations, the Empire’s industry was developing rapidly, and the demand for rubber was huge. The domestic supply was gradually becoming insufficient.

However, compared to the previously expensive price of rubber, Xiao Ming used the momentum of this war to fiercely suppress the price of Dutch rubber.

He even made the price of Dutch rubber lower than the price of domestic rubber.

In the end, Rhodes left with a sigh. The natural rubber business was a highly profitable one, and even though the price was lower, they still could not refuse the rubber trade.

This was because the total amount of rubber needed by all of Europe was still less than what the Empire needed.

After seeing Rhodes off, Spain and Portugal were next. The negotiations with them were as smooth as with Britain and the Netherlands.

But when it came to France, the negotiation fell into a difficult situation for the first time.

“Your Majesty, our administrator, André, refuses to pay war reparations unless the Empire guarantees that it will not attack French Indochina.” Henry’s tone was firm.

However, he then changed his tone. “André is a fool. His arrogance will bring disaster to both countries. I hope Your Majesty can support me in overthrowing André. If you do, I will agree to all the conditions today.”

Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun exchanged glances. A look of interest appeared in their eyes.