Chapter 432: Three Bottom Lines
The solemn and imposing soldiers made Lord Rod feel a bit uneasy.
The young Prince of Qi’s first words sent a cold sweat down Rhodes’s back. He did not know much about the Great Yu Empire and did not understand the prince’s purpose—was he preparing for revenge? Or was it just a test?
After a moment of silence, Rhodes spoke cautiously, “Your Highness, the war with the King of Chu was not started by us. It was the King of Chu who has long planned to monopolize maritime trade.”
At this moment, everyone was standing outside the prefecture office in Dengzhou. Xiao Ming sneered and said, “Ambassador, let’s talk inside. I know your Dutch people very well.”
Rhodes was startled but followed Xiao Ming into the prefecture office.
Everyone took their seats. The guards served tea. Xiao Ming took a small sip and said, “You have twelve warships in East Asia. Ryukyu and Nagasaki are your two supply points in this region. On Ryukyu Island, you built two castles—one at the southern end and one at the northern end. Among the ten thousand troops stationed there, only about three thousand are real Dutch soldiers; the rest are native Ryukyuans and, of course, the hired Japanese pirates, right?”
Xiao Ming said nothing more, but Rhodes cold sweat kept increasing. He looked at Xiao Ming in disbelief and asked, “Are you spying on us?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I am spying on you just as you spy on me,” Xiao Ming said calmly.
Rhodes was shocked and speechless. His thoughts were confused. Facing this young vassal prince, he could not remain as calm as when he faced the King of Chu. It seemed this young prince had seen through him completely.
“Tell me, what is the purpose of your visit?” Xiao Ming said.