Section Seven

"Yes, yes!" Sarin replied with a wry smile. "I thank Your Majesty for your kind reminder!"

"Very well, where were we?" Lin Feng pondered for a moment. "Ah, right, we were speaking of friendship and convenience. So, Mr. Lord, what kind of convenience do you require our nation to grant you?"

"We hope Your Majesty will grant the British Empire a leased territory, just as you have for the Portuguese!"

"Oh, so that is it," Lin Feng nodded. "That is hardly a major matter. May I ask what you intend to do with this leased territory?"

Seeing that Lin Feng had actually agreed, Sarin was overjoyed and hurriedly explained, "Yes, Your Majesty. We hope to engage in deep, long-term trade with the great Han Empire. As such, we may have many expatriates settling within your borders, so we wish to lease a small plot of land..." He held up his hand, tracing a small circle in the air, "...just a tiny, tiny piece of land to settle our expatriates!"

"Very good, that is no problem at all!" Lin Feng nodded. "I shall mark out a piece of land within Tianjin for you to reside in, and I will dispatch troops to strictly protect their safety!"

Sarin was taken aback. He exchanged a glance with Major Durando and hurriedly said, "Respected Your Majesty, there is no need to trouble the loyal and brave soldiers of the Han Empire. The British Empire's military is capable of protecting its own subjects!" He took off his hat and bowed deeply. "I thank you for your benevolence!"

"Oh, you wish to station your own troops?" Lin Feng smiled faintly. "That is a troublesome matter, and the expenses will not be small!"

"Such expenses are unavoidable; the mission of the British military is to protect its subjects," a look of pride appeared on Durando's face. "We shall build walls and fortifications within the leased territory to ensure our subjects remain in absolute safety!"

"So that is it. Very well! No problem at all," Lin Feng nodded and said cordially, "However, our nation has a vast population. As you know, a great nation with such a large population is difficult to manage, and it is inevitable that some bandits will appear. Since your numbers are small, I fear there may be accidents even if you station your own troops. Therefore, for the safety of our British friends, I have decided to build a large fortress outside the small fortress in your leased territory, to surround and protect your small fortress with strict security!"

Good God, isn't that a prison?! Sarin and Durando looked at each other in dismay and hurriedly declined, "Respected Your Majesty, we are capable of protecting ourselves; there is no need to trouble your country's loyal officers and soldiers!"

"Oh! Look at that, what are you saying?! Our dear British friends are being too polite!" Lin Feng smiled kindly and waved his hand grandly. "It is nothing. I am the master here; providing protection for my guests is my duty. You need not decline!"

Sarin and Durando stared at each other, truly at a loss for words.

"To challenge the seas and conquer nature with wisdom and courage—such an achievement does not belong solely to Mr. Magellan, nor to the Kingdom of Portugal, but to all civilized nations, to all of humanity, and to every one of us. As a member of the civilized nations of the world, we in China certainly ought to commend the Portuguese!" Lin Feng pointed to the naval major. "If you British have made equivalent contributions, feel free to speak up and let me and these merchant friends hear them!"

"Long live the King!" Following these words, the Portuguese were filled with excitement, standing up one after another and shouting in unison, "Long live the King of Han! ...Damn British rogues, how can you compare yourselves to Mr. Magellan?!..."

Ohm added viciously, "Besides plundering on the seas, do you know how to do anything else?!—You are a disgrace to Europeans!"

Lin Feng reached out a hand, pressing it down to quiet the excited Portuguese. "Please, gentlemen! I will not allow you to insult my guests in such a manner!" He turned, bowed slightly to Sarin and Durando, and apologized, "I am very sorry, gentlemen. Perhaps in stating the facts, I have caused some offense to you and your country."

Sarin and Durando were left speechless, silently bowing in return to Lin Feng.

"Oh?" Lin Feng was slightly startled. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded and said, "Show him in."

It was the Portuguese merchant named Ohm. Lin Feng looked at him with some surprise. "Oh, Mr. Ohm, I hear you have something else to discuss with me!"

"Yes, my respected Majesty!" Ohm bowed slightly and nodded. "You are a benevolent and visionary monarch. There is a very important matter that I believe I should inform you of!"

"Oh?—Then I thank you!" Lin Feng watched him calmly.

"It is like this, Your Majesty. Are you aware that your country has many expatriates in Southeast Asia?"

"Of course," Lin Feng nodded in agreement. "There are indeed many overseas Chinese there, mostly from Guangdong and Fujian."

"Yes, Your Majesty, it is excellent that you are aware of this!" Ohm suddenly sighed. "Your Majesty, do you know why there are chambers of commerce from all nations here in Beijing, yet the Spaniards are nowhere to be found? Do you not find that a bit strange?"

"It is a bit odd!" Prompted by him, Lin Feng suddenly recalled the issue. At the grand event just now, most European chambers of commerce in Southeast Asia had arrived. Although those from the Netherlands and other nations had not spoken much, they were, after all, present.

"Your Majesty, it is because they fear you will retaliate against them!" Ohm lowered his head, saying heavily, "This is truly unfortunate news, but I must tell you—this past February, those damned Spanish executioners carried out a mass slaughter of your expatriates on the island of Luzon..."

"What?!!" Lin Feng was shocked and suddenly stood up. "They actually dared to do such a thing?!!"

"Yes! And this is not the first time!" Ohm shook his head. "The Spaniards are just that cruel and despicable. In the past, they even tried to enslave my country, but fortunately, we Portuguese resisted—Your Majesty, you may not know this, but there are many Chinese on the island of Luzon who wield great influence. The Spaniards feared these expatriates would affect their rule, so they launched a bloody massacre. A captain from my chamber of commerce visited Luzon and heard that over thirty thousand of your expatriates were slaughtered in this year's massacre..."

"The bastards!!..." Lin Feng was instantly incensed. He kicked over the table in front of him and roared in anger, "Very well!! ...Those dog-begotten Spanish bastards, I will make them pay soon enough!!..."

Ohm sighed and shook his head. Seeing Lin Feng's rage, he felt no surprise. With so many expatriates slaughtered by another nation, in the eyes of any civilized nation in the world, there was no choice but to declare war.

After venting for a while, Lin Feng stepped down from the dais and grasped Ohm’s hands. "Mr. Ohm, the tens of millions of people of the Han Empire will remember your service. Please rest assured, I shall immediately issue orders to my officials: from this day forward, your Ohm Chamber of Commerce shall be our friend and will enjoy the benefit of reduced tariffs!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ohm bowed. "It is my honor to serve you!"

After Ohm left, Lin Feng immediately turned and shouted angrily, "Li Ergou!!—Prepare the horses!!!"

"Yes, Master!" Li Ergou bowed and asked, "Shall we return to the manor?"

"No!—Go to the General Staff Headquarters, summon Li Guangdi and the others. The imperial court is going to war!!"