Chapter 219 Gunboat Diplomacy (Fourth update, please subscribe)

"It doesn't matter whether they are relatives or not!"

Standing on the deck of the Flying Dragon, Li Ziqin sneered softly, holding a cigarette between his fingers.

"What's important is an excuse. We were either deceived by foreigners or trafficked to Peru. What kind of life are we living? We are neither human nor ghost. With an excuse, we can intervene to rescue our compatriots. The Lord's meaning is very clear. Rescue them and bring them to Nanhua!"

Li Ziqin was born a Chinese worker on the Chincha Islands. Unlike others, he was originally a scholar who went to the provincial capital to take the imperial examination. However, he was abducted by human traffickers and sold to a piglet house, and then sold to Peru as a piglet. From then on, he dug guano on the island day and night, leading a life worse than death. He almost lost his life countless times. If he had not been rescued by the people sent by his lord, he would have died on the guano island long ago.

Now, since there is a chance to rescue those compatriots once and for all, how could he miss this opportunity?

"But what if the Peruvians don't want to?"

In fact, Li Xuelin didn't need to ask this question at all. He certainly knew the answer. If they didn't want to, then let them be willing!

Sometimes the answer is so simple!

"Do they...have a choice now?"

Li Ziqin sneered.

"You know, this world is ruled by strength. Otherwise, Commander Li, why do you think those white people should be so polite to us?"

…

As a special envoy, Mario once again came to the office of Foreign Minister Juan. As usual, after Mario entered the room, Juan warmly welcomed his arrival, but soon his expression became a little stiff.

"You mean the Chinese indentured laborers?"

Juan's reaction arc was so slow that he couldn't even react. Why did the other party bring up this matter? What did those Chinese workers have to do with the American company?

If I remember correctly, American companies also seem to use a lot of Chinese workers! They even brought in hundreds of thousands of Chinese workers!

"Yes, as a special envoy, I have the responsibility to protect the legitimate rights and interests of immigrants. However, after arriving in Lima, some Chinese immigrants submitted reports claiming that their relatives were kidnapped by illegal businessmen and trafficked to Peru in the name of "contract laborers". Therefore, I think it is my responsibility to understand this matter and ask your country to investigate it. Of course, Mr. Minister, we fully respect your laws, but I think we must understand the relevant situation for the sake of our friendship."

Juan was very surprised because the other party would make such a request at this time, and it was for the Chinese. However, thinking that this company has a large number of Chinese immigrants, and even their company boss is Chinese, Juan seemed to understand, so he immediately denied it.

"Of course, nothing is more important than our friendship, but Mr. Envoy, I can guarantee that all indentured laborers are legally introduced according to the contract, and there is absolutely no deception!"

"But, Your Excellency, the petition clearly mentions the names of the other party. There are hundreds of people involved. They were all kidnapped or deceived. I have a letter of help they passed on to others. Not only that, they also suffered various abuses, Your Excellency."

"Sir, this is impossible!"

Juan emphasized again.

"A letter for help? Where are they?"

"In the mines of the Chincha Islands."

"Chincha Islands?"

Juan shrugged.

"I'm sorry, but the place is now under Spanish occupation, so it's hard for me to verify this. And even if you investigate, you will find that the so-called letter for help is just a lie, and the so-called abuse is all fabricated rumors. If you don't believe me, you can go to the island to investigate!"

Go investigate on the island!

Mario, the special envoy, looked a little unhappy. He didn't expect the negotiations to turn out like this.

He expected the categorical denial, but he didn't expect the other party to pass the buck and investigate on the island. Now the Chincha Islands are under the occupation of the Spanish.

Taking a deep breath, Mario stood up and spoke.

"In that case, let's go to the island to investigate! I think the final results of the investigation will prove whether what they said is a rumor or not!"

What!

Now it was Juan's turn to be dumbfounded. Would they really go to the island to investigate? Probably not!

The Spanish will not let them onto the island!

…

For hundreds of thousands of years, millions of seabirds have been circling and living near the Chincha Islands. Often, a single bird would bring with it a large flock of them, truly making people realize what it means to block out the sun from the sky. When the birds land, they are so dense that one can hardly see the color of the ground.

This archipelago is less than 20 kilometers away from the Peruvian mainland. Although it does not look very impressive, it is called "the cow of Peru". As the world's most important guano producing area, countless seabirds have left a layer of feces tens of meters thick on the islands over the past millions of years. Although the stench from the islands makes it difficult to approach, guano is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other elements, and is a rare natural fertilizer. Therefore, more than 20 years ago, Europeans used guano here as fertilizer to increase crop yields. In the past few decades, the mining of guano in the Chincha Islands has long become the economic pillar of Peru, and the amount of guano sales even accounted for more than 70% of Peru's fiscal revenue.

Because the guano on the islands is extremely important to the Peruvian government, more than three months ago, in order to force the Peruvian government to make concessions, the Spanish fleet invaded and occupied the islands, not only arresting Peruvian officials on board, but also sending 400 marines to raise the Spanish flag on the islands. For the Spanish, these islands are an important negotiating tool.

Of course, it would be even better if we could take the archipelago from Peru, but this is just a thought, after all, everyone knows that the Peruvians will never cede this treasure trove.

Under the scorching sun, the marines on the "White Queen" anchored in Pisco Bay were yawning lazily in the sun. Although the warship was hundreds of meters away from the island, the stench was still blown in from time to time by the sea breeze.

This taste is so strong!

The rush will stop drowsing immediately.

“Damn it…”

Suddenly, a sailor cursed loudly, "Guan shit!" The guano falling from the sky hit him directly in the face. He should have been used to this. After all, there was guano everywhere on the deck, sails, and masts.

Before he could wipe the bird droppings off his face, a cry of surprise suddenly came from the lookout tower.

"An unknown fleet has been spotted in the north!"

There will be another update at 8pm! Please subscribe, please reward, please do whatever you want! I have set up a book club: 335260551, everyone is welcome to join, discuss the plot together, and deduce the plot.

(End of this chapter)