Chapter 10, Trade

Perhaps others are not familiar with this law firm, but Thompson, as a New Yorker, is no stranger to it; he has even commissioned this well-known New York law firm to pursue a debt on his behalf. In Shanghai, those "temporary judges" acting on behalf of the consuls may tend to protect the interests of expatriates, but in New York, judges are accountable to the law. No judge would make a mistake in a commercial dispute where the facts are clear, as such a ruling could potentially affect the interests of tens of thousands of banks or individual creditors.

With a shift in the conversation, Thompson asked Zhu Yifeng in response.

But the question is, what does he need? Indeed, there is a backlog of old goods in the company's warehouse, such as North American furs with moth holes, as well as cotton fabric that has been unsold for nearly a year. Hmm, and some opium; no, the market for opium is quite good, so that does not need to be considered

Thompson's change in expression was not lost on Zhu Yifeng, who merely smiled and gazed at him.

Mr. Thompson, if I am not mistaken, there are some weapons stored in your warehouse

Mr. Zhu

Nodding slightly, Zhu Yifeng continued to speak

I believe that there is absolutely no need for us to act this way. Please trust me, Mr. Zhu, that credibility is fundamental for every businessman. This is also the reason for my long-term cooperation with your esteemed father. At the same time, I hope you can understand that due to the operational issues the company is facing, we have been unable to make timely repayments. However, I am confident that we will be able to negotiate a solution regarding the repayment issue.

How much do you have, I want how much!

Now Zhu Yifeng is rather grateful to his so-called cheap old man, who, when Shanghai had just opened its port, secured a "perpetual lease" on that piece of land from the British consulate and built a warehouse for the storage of goods for small and medium foreign merchants. Meanwhile, Thompson's weapons have been stored in the warehouse all along, and every month, he has to pay several hundred yuan in rent. If it were not for his knowledge of this matter, how could he have taken the initiative to come forward

Providing appropriate compensation, Thompson did not feel any resistance; in fact, he viewed it as a means to resolve this debt

Weapons

However, for Zhu Yifeng, this is a business opportunity

At present, it is not only these foreigners who are unaware of the Taiping Army; even the gentry in Shanghai County are equally ignorant of this impending calamity that will claim the lives of over one hundred million Chinese people over the course of more than a decade.

The look of surprise on Thompson's face was entirely within his expectations. The acceptance of Western weapons by the Chinese people is a gradual process, and this process is slow. At least prior to the Huai Army, the Qing military had never accepted European and American weapons. In contrast, the Taiping Army, as rebels, welcomed Western weapons with great enthusiasm. Moreover, those foreign adventurers also saw business opportunities in the war. Less than half a month after the Taiping Army occupied Nanjing, adventurous merchants began selling large quantities of weapons to the Taiping Army. From that point on, the highly profitable arms trade became active between arms dealers and the Taiping Army.

Thompson widened his eyes, hardly able to believe what he was hearing. What was he saying? Was he preparing to sue in the United States?

Mr. Thompson, I am a businessman and must protect my own interests

However, this all occurred several months later, at least after the occupation of Nanjing and after the "rebellion" became known to the merchants within the Shanghai concession

Thompson noticed that while he was speaking, Zhu Yifeng had already walked to the side of the ship where the cannons were located, seemingly assessing the few cannons used for defending against pirates

Product

I believe there must be law firms in the United States willing to act as my litigation representatives, such as the Gote Law Firm. What do you think?

As long as it is cheaper than the market price, what about those weapons that were purchased back then at a price almost equivalent to "scrap metal"? Now, as long as that batch of weapons can be disposed of, a substantial amount of funds can be recovered

"Muskets, cannons, gunpowder, in short, whatever you have, I want that much!"

Are you sure?

Damn it

The reason for his agitation was quite simple—four years ago, as a businessman, upon learning that the United States had defeated Mexico, the first thing that came to his mind was the tens of thousands of weapons seized from Mexico. These weapons were sufficiently inexpensive, and more importantly, after witnessing the backward and primitive Chinese army, he believed that the Chinese, having experienced the war with Britain, would certainly purchase weapons from Europe. Thus, he bought the weapons seized from the Mexican army at an extremely low price, almost akin to "scrap metal". These weapons were sufficiently inexpensive, and more importantly, after witnessing the backward and primitive Chinese army, he believed that the Chinese, having experienced the war with Britain, would certainly purchase weapons from Europe. Thus, he bought the weapons seized from the Mexican army at an extremely low price, almost akin to "scrap metal".

Of course

The other party's "lion's mouth wide open" instead frightened Thompson, who could not discern the other party's intentions at all. Did he not know that arms are an even harder-to-sell "non-bestselling commodity" than cotton?

Suppressing the excitement within, Thompson cautiously inquired

Of course, of course, Mr. Zhu, please rest assured, we are old friends! Regarding the price, I will naturally offer you the most favorable price!

Mr. Zhu, may I ask what other compensation you are referring to

However, I hope you can offer me the best price! After all, both you and I are well aware that those weapons have been in stock for a long time and may have already rusted

Now! ... Finally, someone wants to purchase those weapons, no, not to purchase, but to offset debts, so ...? ... Why refuse him

According to the current market price, this ship is worth at most 10,000 yuan. If we deduct the berthing fees and maintenance costs, the compensation I receive will not exceed 6,000 yuan. Perhaps, in Shanghai, that so-called 'court' would accept this form of compensation, but what about in the United States? My friend, how would the courts in the United States handle this?

Zhu Yifeng, fully aware that he must not miss this excellent opportunity, paused for a moment before continuing to speak

Within the next three months, the remaining payment will be handed over to you. If possible, we can sign the contract now

Zhu Yifeng did not directly answer his question, but instead looked at the merchant ship that was about to belong to him and said

Although those rifles were merely modified flintlock guns and old artillery from the Napoleonic Wars, he believed that they were sufficient to meet the needs of the Chinese people. It is worth noting that the Mexican army resisted the American forces with such rifles.

With his eyes wide open, Thompson could hardly believe the words he was hearing. What? What was he saying? He, he wanted weapons. He intended to use weapons to offset this debt.

Of course

I do not know what kind of goods you hope to obtain. I hope you can understand, my friend, that currently, there are not many valuable items in my warehouse, just some cotton fabric, and, well, some furs...

What!

Thompson seemed to be trying to avoid his aggressive gaze. At first, he thought Zhu Yifeng was just bluffing, but the moment Zhu mentioned the Gao Te Law Firm, he realized that this Chinese man was serious. If he had not been well-prepared, how could he possibly know about the Gao Te Law Firm?

Repaying debts with goods or real estate is the most common method for foreign firms to settle outstanding debts owed to Chinese merchants. This approach not only conserves capital and clears unsellable inventory but also avoids legal disputes. Even the so-called "courts" where consuls act as judges tacitly condone this form of "deception." Over the years, countless foreign firms have used unsold cotton cloth and even pianos to offset debts amounting to tens or even hundreds of thousands of yuan. Even the so-called "courts" where consuls act as judges tacitly condone this form of "deception." Over the years, countless foreign firms have used unsold cotton cloth and even pianos to offset debts amounting to tens or even hundreds of thousands of yuan

Zhu Yifeng nodded affirmatively and then casually remarked

In fact, Zhu Yifeng's knowledge of this law firm is very simple—through the newspaper! He learned about this law firm from the newspaper, and this is at most just an attempt

However, the outcome was entirely unexpected for him—despite suffering a defeat, the Chinese had no intention of purchasing weapons from foreign merchants. They might consider buying items such as the Carronade during the war or just after its conclusion, but they had absolutely no interest in rifles or field artillery from Europe and America. This directly led to Thompson's "disaster"—a vast quantity of weapons remained stockpiled in the warehouse, sitting there for four years!

However, I hope you can understand that I cannot give you this sum of money right now. However, I can first pay a deposit of 20% and then collect all the goods

Approaching Thompson, Zhu Yifeng stared at him, his tone devoid of any politeness

You, are you sure

Mr. Zhu, this, this, I think, I feel, we ... ...

Although Zhu Yifeng did not have close ties with Thompson, he was aware that this American, in addition to being a businessman and an opium dealer, had also attempted to become an arms dealer. The weapons he possessed were either stored in someone else's warehouse or kept in the Zhu family's warehouse

Inwardly cursing under his breath, Thompson's expression changed repeatedly at that moment

What is the best price

Zhu Yifeng's words immediately plunged Thompson into deep contemplation