Chapter 1123: State the Purpose
William felt that he was increasingly unable to see through Xiao Peng and had no idea what was going on in his mind.
This Vermeer painting has been in the Villa Eikenhorst. When Xiao Peng found out that it was an authentic work, he donated it without even thinking about it. It seems that Xiao Peng is not the kind of miser who haggles over every penny - he is not unaware of the value of this painting; but why is Xiao Peng unwilling to compromise on other issues?
"That's a simple question," Xiao Peng answered William. "Of course it's because of dignity! Stephen, you guys disappoint me so much. I thought I had Lower Saxony and other states backing me up. I didn't expect my heart to sink when I learned what you were doing. You really are the type who can only share adversity, not prosperity."
His next words were addressed to Stephen Weil, founder of the Tri-State Salvage Alliance and governor of Lower Saxony, who had already arrived in the Netherlands.
Hearing Xiao Peng's comments, Stephen Weir was also helpless: "Brother Xiao, you have to consider us. This matter is indeed of great help to our economy, but your identity as a Daxia..."
Xiao Peng waved his hand and said, "Governor Weir, don't say anything. I've already left this industry. Is this the reason you're holding me back from returning to China? Can't I just quit?"
William glared at Stephen Weir fiercely. They had already thought of how to ease the conflict with Xiao Peng, but they didn't expect that Stephen Weir was still unwilling to give up and wanted to see if Xiao Peng would give in!
How could this young man possibly think of giving in?
"Brother Xiao!" Stephen Weir said with a smile, "Um...Xiao, the Tri-State Alliance's work went very well last year. You'll get a good dividend at the end of the year."
"Oh." Xiao Peng said calmly, "The Three States Salvage Alliance knows my account number. Just transfer the money directly to me. I'll handle the tax return myself. William, it was you who prevented me from returning to China, right? You kept me here for two days just for this cocktail party? I don't understand what you're doing."
After hearing this, William said seriously, "Xiao, in fact, none of us want to see this happen. We are here to ask you to stay and continue to work in the ocean exploration industry."
Xiao Peng shook his head like a rattle. "Come on, I've lost the case in the UK, Portugal, and Spain—or I'm unilaterally declaring my defeat without being present! Are the laws here a joke? And how can I, working in this industry in Europe, bypass these three countries?"
Stephen Weir said: "Xiao, the European Court of Justice has overturned the decisions of Portugal and Spain, but the UK...they have nothing to do with the EU!"
William nodded and said, "The biggest problem you're facing now comes from the UK. After all, the Tri-State Salvage Alliance has salvaged mostly British shipwrecks from World War II this year. We've had a lot of arguments with the British over this. And then there are the NGOs that are looking for trouble at sea..."
Billy also said at this time: "The fishing war between us and the UK is getting more and more intense. This is further increasing operating costs."
Xiao Peng was stunned: "What does this have to do with France?"
Billy chuckled and said, "The Tri-State Salvage Alliance could become the European Union Salvage Alliance. We're already at odds with the Brits! Let's cut off Jersey's power first! We're firmly on your side this time!"
Xiao Peng laughed after hearing Billy's words. Cut off the power supply to Jersey Island first? You're amazing!
The English Channel separates the UK and France, so who can fish in the Channel is a big issue. So the two countries signed a Common Fisheries Policy in 1973, and also opened up fishing rights to other European countries. This caused many British fishermen to complain, which is why they are staunch supporters of Brexit!
France has a vested interest in the Common Fisheries Policy, but there's a problem: France has closed fishing seasons, prohibiting fishing to allow marine life to recover, while the UK doesn't, leading to frequent overfishing. Even if Brexit hadn't happened, fishermen from both sides have clashed countless times. Things like throwing dead fish and rocks are minor incidents, but the most brutal incident was when dozens of French fishing boats rammed a British vessel. What a spectacle!
The fishery dispute between the two sides has been going on for so long, and the ultimate culprit is actually Jersey.
Jersey is right next to the Normandy Peninsula in France and can be seen with the naked eye when the weather is clear - but this Jersey Island belongs to the United Kingdom.
According to international practice, the exclusive economic zone within 200 nautical miles around the country's islands is under the jurisdiction of the islands, which means that the waters around Jersey belong to the United Kingdom, not France.
When the heir to the Duchy of Normandy became King of England, Jersey, as part of the Duchy of Normandy, also became part of England. Although the French reconquered Normandy in 1204, they forgot about the Channel Islands, including Jersey. So, even though this island is right on France's doorstep and originally belonged to France, it actually belongs to England.
Xiao Peng really wants to ask the British: Why is your Jersey Island natural and our South China Sea a disputed area?
However, their head of state is not Queen Elizabeth II of England, but Queen Elizabeth II of Normandy. This is because Jersey has always followed the Salic Law of Succession, which was enacted in the late Merovingian dynasty of the Frankish Kingdom. According to this law, men should inherit their ancestors' estates, while women can only inherit personal property and not territory. For some old families, they would let female heirs inherit male titles to obtain territory. Just like in some places in Albania, women who want to inherit family property must take the oath of virginity like Ilka.
Countless powerful queens have emerged in European history, but France has never had one, precisely because of this law. This is because, since the fifth century AD, the French throne has always been inherited through male succession!
Jersey is right on France's doorstep, in Normandy. So, according to international convention, all the territorial waters on France's doorstep belong to the UK! How could this be possible? So, the two countries collaborated on a common fisheries policy.
However, even with the "cooperation", there are still constant fishery disputes between the two sides every year. Things finally became interesting after the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
Under the Brexit agreement, EU fishermen seeking access to Jersey's waters must submit an application to the UK. A new fishing permit system has also been established: this season, 344 French fishing vessels applied to Jersey, but only a paltry 41 were allowed in. This raises the question: French fishermen can't fish on French coasts?
Warships and other things from both sides have gone there...
Xiao Peng asked in confusion: "Billy, since you are in such a bad situation with the British, why are you still helping them?"
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