Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 541 Cooperation
"Dear guests, please go to the private room upstairs." Mei Dongxing and others walked into the inn, and the sharp-eyed waiter rushed forward and greeted them.

"Where is your shopkeeper Zhao? It just so happens that I am returning to China with a few close friends today. Tell your shopkeeper Zhao to serve one portion of each of your restaurant's signature dishes. If the taste is not authentic, Mei will not pay."

"Hey, Boss Mei, all the bosses, a distinguished guest has arrived, a distinguished guest has arrived."

A middle-aged man walked out of the backyard of the inn, facing Mei Dongxing and the others, and said with a smile, "Boss Mei is a rare guest. He comes to our inn twice a year. In previous years, he came before and after the New Year. Why did he come earlier this year?"

"My business changed temporarily, so I returned to China early to handle some chores. Boss Zhao, we have Sichuan cuisine, Anhui cuisine, Shandong cuisine, Hunan cuisine, and Cantonese cuisine in Chang'an. But the taste is still your Anhui cuisine, which tastes authentic and suits my taste. Some of the guests invited by Mr. Mei today are authentic people from southern Anhui. Boss Zhao has to make good arrangements today. If the taste is not as good as before, I will not come to your inn to treat guests to dinner in the future."

"Boss Mei, that's not right. I guarantee that you will be satisfied and happy with your meal. If the food doesn't taste authentic, I won't charge you a penny."

"No, Mr. Zhao, I'm just joking with you, don't take it seriously. It's not easy to run a restaurant business, it's smoky and hot, and you're sweating in the kitchen. Just prepare your specialty dishes, and we'll go sit down on the second floor first."

"Shunzi, quickly lead Boss Mei and the other distinguished guests to the private room on the second floor."

"Hey, boss. Sir, please come this way."

After the waiter arranged for Mei Dongxing and the others to arrive, he came to the innkeeper and asked during a break, "Boss, this Mei is dressed plainly and only comes to our inn twice a year. Why are you so welcoming to him?"

"Shunzi, I am shortsighted, let me ask you, what is the most important thing in running an inn business?"

"Welcoming and seeing off guests, harmony brings wealth?"

"You missed the point. If you want to do business well, first of all, you need to have good eyesight and be able to judge people accurately. Let me ask you, what kind of business do Boss Mei and the others who came in with him look like they are in?"

"Boss Mei said he was a businessman, but there was always an inexplicable temperament in his eyes. And that middle-aged man was tall and strong, dignified and self-respecting. He said he was a businessman, but he looked more like a soldier, and an officer or general of a high rank."

"Right, now you understand."

"I understand now, thank you for your guidance."
"Master Wu Wu?"

Mei Dongxing and others had just sat down at a table when a voice suddenly came from the nearby room.

"Who is your Excellency?"

Wu Diaoqing, who was in charge of the business affairs of the Far East, North Korea, and Japan, looked at the door and saw a man wearing traditional Korean clothes and long hair. He was surprised and said, "It is indeed Lord Wu. You are not mistaken. I am Jin Zhichang. Under the coordination of Lord Wu, I have done several business deals with merchants from your country."

"I remember now, Mr. Kim from Busan."

Wu Diaoqing recalled for a moment and smiled.

"Master Li, Master Park, Mr. Wu Yuan, the next room is Master Wu who is in charge of the business affairs of the Far East of the Han Empire."

Jin Zhichang shouted to the nearby room, then said with a smile: "Master Wu, all the masters, I dare not deceive you. I went to your country to discuss important matters with your court. Today I happened to meet Master Wu, so I just revealed the purpose of this trip."

"Since we have something important to discuss, there is no need to rush to eat. Waiter, please find a quieter room with more space."

Wu Diaoqing shouted outside, and then under the arrangement of the innkeeper, everyone went downstairs to a room in the backyard.

"Lord Wu, this is Lord Lee Wanyong of the Kingdom. He has visited Japan and the United States on behalf of the Kingdom's government and is well versed in the reform policy. This is Lord Park Jae-beom, who studied in the United States for three years and is currently the head of the Kingdom's Censorate. This is Mr. Wuyuan Zhang Chengye, a master of painting in the Kingdom, with profound knowledge of Chinese studies and advanced painting skills."

Jin Zhichang introduced to everyone.

"I have long heard of your great names. I wonder what has brought you all here from afar to the Han Kingdom?" After listening to Jin Zhichang's words, Wu Diaoqing briefly introduced the official identities of Mei Dongxing and others, and then asked directly.

"Your country has a vast territory and abundant resources. We are here this time to develop closer cooperation with you in the economic field."

"Oh, Your Excellency, in what areas do you want to establish cooperation with the Empire?"

"In the fields of food procurement and transportation, rubber, chemicals, and agricultural product processing."

"This is not difficult. Tomorrow I will introduce you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce to communicate with Directors Tang and Chen in person."

After Wu Diaoqing finished speaking, he saw that everyone was still standing still, so he smiled and said, "Do you have anything else to say?"

"Lord Wu, Korea and your country have the same cultural customs. Your country has made great achievements in reform and innovation, which has inspired people. Therefore, we request that we send students to your country to learn about your reform system in order to enrich the country and strengthen the people."

Li Wanyong took a step forward and said earnestly.

"Sir Li, I heard that some people in your court are against immigration cooperation between our two countries. I wonder how you would explain this?"

Wu Diaoqing's expression changed and he asked.

"Lord Wu has misunderstood. It was Yu Jijun, Park Young-soo, Xu Guangfan, Zhang Bo and other traitors who were instructed by the Japanese to speak nonsense in the court. Your Majesty the King and the Queen both highly respect the wisdom and bravery of your emperor and value the cooperative relationship with your country. We came to South America this time because we were assigned by the Queen to discuss cooperation with your court."

"It turns out that the Japanese are the ones who are interfering."

Wu Diaoqing relaxed his tone and said with a smile on his face, "The Kingdom of Korea is located between the Qing court, Japan, and Russia. It is understandable that it is cautious. However, your country has suffered frequent famines in recent years and the people are living in poverty. Based on the principle of voluntariness, the Empire actively accepts female immigrants of marriageable age and provides them with food and material subsidies for the stability of your country. If there is no food and material imported by the Empire, those poor people, not to mention their daughters, will starve to death or freeze to death. Everything the Empire does is essentially for the good of your country. Don't let the instigation of people with ulterior motives destroy the cooperative relationship between the two countries."

"The Kingdom of Korea will always remember the help of the Han Empire. In the Kingdom, some families who have relatives with your country's citizens often receive grain, clothes, food, local specialties, etc. mailed back from your country. They are also often grateful for the kindness of your court."

Jin Zhichang lowered his posture and replied in a flattering manner.

"There is no problem in trading grain with your country. Given the common culture and long-standing friendship between our two countries, the price of grain can be calculated according to the best export price. However, I am afraid that we will not be able to deliver grain to your country in the next three months. The evacuation of the imperial army in the Republic of Brazil is in full swing, and there is a great demand for ships. We are unable to spare any ships for grain trade transportation for the time being."

"Don't worry. After we report back to His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Princess and establish a formal cooperative relationship with your country, we can purchase food in time."

"Mr. Li, Mr. Park, Mr. Wuyuan, Mr. Jin, since your country is considering establishing close cooperation with the Empire, then there is no need to worry about the problem of grain transportation. The Empire's shipbuilding industry is technologically advanced and has the technical background and ability to independently build 5200-ton ocean-going ships.

In order to save transportation costs and time, it is recommended that your country purchase 5200-ton ocean-going ships directly from major shipyards in the empire. When departing from the Far East, the fleet will be hired by the empire to assist in transporting Chinese immigrants from the Far East and Southeast Asia. The hiring fee will be negotiated to ensure that your country will not lose money.
Arrive in South America, settle the immigrants, and then transport rice back from the mainland. This operation will solve your country's food shortage problem and assist the Empire in transporting immigrants. In terms of transportation costs, considering your country's assistance, the Empire will give further discounts. Your Excellency can consider it carefully. "

Mei Dongxing turned around and suggested.

"Thank you, Lord Mei, for your advice. After I return to the kingdom, I will definitely convey Lord Mei's suggestions to His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Princess."

"Lord Mei, General Li, Director Huang, today is the best day. Since we happened to meet Lord Li and Lord Park today, we might as well go to the palace after lunch to report to His Majesty on the Kingdom of Korea's efforts to deepen cooperation between the two countries, so that we can set the cooperation charter as soon as possible."

"It's important, so let's do as Director Wu suggests. After we finish our meal, don't waste any time, let's go straight to the palace to see the emperor."

Mei Dongxing nodded.

"Thank you, my Lords."
(End of this chapter)