Li Junwei nodded slightly and thought for a moment. Obviously, the wealth belonging to the King and the Fahado family in the Havana fleet should only occupy a small part. A little more or less is nothing to Li Junwei. So Li Junwei asked: "Anton, how much wealth does the King and you have on the ship?"

When Antonio saw that Li Junwei was interested in discussing, he immediately said: "As far as I know, the king's property is about 2.7 million imperial silver dollars. These parts are taxes from the two Governors' districts. However, due to the war in Peru, the taxes were much less, and the rest were donated by the squire and nobles of New Spain. There were also valuable goods, which was difficult to estimate. After all, there were two different prices in Havana and Sevilla. But referring to the past, these goods would be sold in Sevilla and Amsterdam for no less than 900,000 imperial silver dollars.

Our family has little income in the colony, and they may not even have a hundred thousand silver dollars in cash, mainly goods, cochineal insects, cinchona bark, etc. The overall value is between 400,000 and 600,000."

Li Junwei didn't expect that there would be so many, he said, "Okay, Anton, is our friendship more than five million taels of silver?"

"I'm sorry, but before coming, my father said, let me tell the truth, I'm indeed telling the truth." Antonio said helplessly.

Li Junwei smiled: "Actually, you know that if you want to end the war with Spain, you don't necessarily need to compromise with you. In fact, the empire's envoy should be in Paris now. As long as we allied with France, I think Spain will also withdraw from the war. By the way, the king of Portugal, Pedro, also intends to form an alliance with us."

Antonio knew very well that what Li Junwei said was half true, but he could not find any reason to refute. Antonio was not sure whether Portugal would form an alliance with China to target Spain, but he believed that France would definitely be willing to add up to the world's largest power and Europe's largest power to attack a fiscally bankrupt Spain, and the ending would needless to say.

"You are right, a noble prince. My father knows this, so before coming, remind me not to be clever and talk more about feelings and less politics with you. Everything depends on you. We only hope to protect our Kingdom of Spain in the favor of your country." Antonio said humbly.

Li Junwei smiled: "You don't have to show weakness and betrayal. It's really five million, not a small amount. More importantly, I am too greedy for money and belong to the iron rooster. Do you know that the iron rooster is not a penny. If you want to take five million from me, you always have to do something to compensate me, right?"

"It depends on your instructions, as long as I can do it." Antonio said bluntly. He really dared not use tricks. He has done nothing to make money from the white wolf, but the prince in front of him is not a white wolf, but an iron rooster.

Li Junwei thought for a long time before he said, "Actually, the key to this matter is how I can give you five million taels with peace of mind, right?"

"It's for the Kingdom of Spain." Antonio pointed out the difference, and then said, "If the saying of giving me can make you happy, that's also possible."

Li Junwei nodded slightly and said, "Anton, you can join the group."

"What does it mean to join the gang?" Antonio was a little confused, and then remembered a possibility: "No, no, Your Highness Yu, you can choose to reject me, but I cannot betray Spain, that is my mother country."

Li Junwei interrupted his explanation and said, "I think you misunderstood. I didn't let you join our country. That's right, the war on the offensive of Havana encountered a little twists and turns. If it continues, it will take two months or even half a year to resolve. I don't like the wet weather in the Caribbean, so I hope you can join in and assist us in the offensive of Havana. After the matter is completed, the bridge will return to the bridge road and the road will be back to the road. What promises you is yours, and the rest belongs to me. How about it?"

Only then did Antonio realize that Li Junwei asked him to help him conquer Cuba. In essence, this was a kind of betrayal, selling the interests of the colonies and domestic nobles, and repaying the losses of the king and the Fajado family. Antonio had countless thoughts in his mind. In fact, before coming, his father Fajado had this intention. His trip was not to protect the Kingdom of Spain, but to protect the Spanish finances, that's all. He did have some orders authorized to sign with the king, and it was indeed possible to do this, but in the face of Li Junwei's voluntary request, Antonio hesitated.

"What can I do for you, and what authority can you give me?" Antonio chose to discuss with Li Junwei sincerely. He said: "Although I have received some authorization from His Majesty the King, you know that I cannot persuade the gentlemen of Havana to surrender in the name of the king, unless you can protect the lives and property of all people."

Li Junwei said, "My purpose is the merchant fleet in the port of Havana. This way, I can promise a few things.

I protect the safety and freedom of all people. Secondly, I protect the safety of the property of the locals in Cuba. Thirdly, as long as it is not excessive, the person who assists you in doing this, everything of his can be protected."

After hearing this, Antonio nodded slightly, feeling that there was still some operational space. Those merchants, gentry and nobles would not care about the king's laws for their own interests. However, the army and officials were different. With the king's laws, Li Junwei could guarantee their private property and safety, so these people had room for surrender. Antonio asked on his own initiative: "The people and property of the Cuban Governor's Office will be protected, right?"

Li Junwei focused on it. Cuba is still quite rich. It is a sugar jar from America. But in essence, Havana is still a service-oriented city. It provides return services to the dual fleets, which is somewhat similar to the Panama region. The trade season is extremely popular and prosperous. After the trade ends, it will become a ruin. This service-oriented city is exactly what the empire needs, especially the shipyard comparable to that of Europe, which has greatly helped the expeditionary fleet stay here for a long time.

Relatively speaking, there are no similar facilities in ports in the Caribbean region of the United Kingdom, France and other countries.

Antonio asked again: "Will the Empire seize this island?"

Li Junwei shook his head again: "No, all we want is Panama. As for the West Indies... Oh, by the way, I heard that the Spanish regard the Florida Peninsula as part of it. If that's the case, then we only need Florida."

Seeing Antonio hesitating, Li Junwei said: "Do you need me to give you a written promise?"

"No, no need." Antonio shook his head. He knew that King Yu didn't care about this. If necessary, even the treaties between countries could be violated, let alone written commitments. The treaties were used to tear them down. Antonio vaguely remembered what Li Junwei said. After thinking about it, Antonio said, "Your Highness, I will do my best. I want to go back to my ship to get something, and then sneak into Havana secretly. I hope your army can provide assistance."

"We always need to make an appointment for a time." Li Junwei reminded.

"I will give you a reply within seven days." Antonio said directly. When Li Junwei thought that seven days would not delay Zhao Longcheng's combat plan, he immediately agreed. After arranging Antonio, Li Su came to Li Junwei. Li Junwei looked at him for a while and asked, "You have heard what I and him say, why don't you have any objections? I remember you always have opinions."

"No, no, I have gradually understood your good intentions." Li Su responded in a low voice. Since he came to the Caribbean Sea and contacted so many local pirates, Li Su understood that the military operations in the Americas commanded by King Yu were essentially no different from pirates except Panama and Chile. He occupied the area, plundered wealth as much as possible, and then evacuated at the right time, leaving a lot of messes. However, unlike ordinary pirates who often targeted a port and a city, the strength of the empire could sweep a governor's area.

And more and more news came from behind to make him clear how expensive it is to rule a colony, especially to rule the colony with the power of the state.

"Actually, I think we can capture Havana even without Antonio's assistance. Not to mention that he may not be able to work, so what if it is effective? The consumption of continuing the war will not exceed five million. As for the death of soldiers, most of them are just some Yi joining the army. Are you right, prince?" Li Su asked carefully.

Li Junwei nodded: "Indeed, life is not enough to be cherished and expenses are not enough to be taken into consideration. But Antonio said one thing correctly. Assuming that the wealth belonging to Spain in this fleet cannot be returned, the Spanish Kingdom will definitely go bankrupt and may be destroyed. Such an ending is very unfavorable to us. If the Spanish Kingdom is destroyed, from the current continental situation, France, which has the advantage of the battlefield and has inherited power, may gain the Spanish Kingdom and all its colonies."

"I don't think it's anything. We can negotiate with King Louis to give him the Spanish land, and we want the interests of the colonies." Li Su put forward his own opinions.

Li Junwei shook his head: "But we didn't think of this before, more importantly, the negotiations between the envoy and King Louis were very unsuccessful. The Sun King was arrogant and he was too arrogant. The news I received from Paris and Lisbon that King Louis refused to cooperate with us unless we could share the colonies occupied by the Americas to him. This guy wanted to make a fortune, thinking that we had something to ask for, and believed that we were using the war in the continental region to explore America and took advantage of France. Do you think such a person would agree with your suggestion?

Only children will choose, and this old turtleman wants everything. What is more important to the empire is that we cannot accept that France dominates Europe. Even if your plan is established, it will be unfavorable for us. It will force us to the point where we must personally rule the new world, or sell the colonies to other countries. Obviously, maintaining the balance of continental power and dealing with the cowardly and corrupt Kingdom of Spain is more in line with the interests of the empire."

Just three days later, Antonio sneaked out of Havana Harbor and returned to the Weiyuan, but he did not bring any smooth news.

"There are three most important people in Havana, Governor Dias, Army Commander of the Great Fleet Moya and Navy Commander of the Great Fleet Herrera. Among them, Dias is a friend of his father, and he was even more accused by his father. As the governor, his duty is only to protect the security of the Cuban governor's jurisdiction and is not responsible for the large fleet. After learning that you are willing to protect the property and personal safety of all people in the Cuban governor's district, Governor Dias is willing to only perform the things within his duties, but you need to make more convincing guarantees.

But the two commanders were very unsuccessful. General Moya refused to surrender to the empire, but he was willing to protect the king's property at the expense of other interests. He was a loyal man...." Antonio introduced to Li Junwei in detail.

"Where is the fleet commander Herrera?" Li Junwei asked back.

Antonio said: "I didn't contact him at all. Herrera didn't know my arrival. This man was completely unworthy of our trust. He was an extreme Catholic and would never cooperate with the Empire. Moreover, he and his family also had a lot of interests in the large fleet. The hatred between his Francis family and your country has been at least forty-five years. His grandfather was once a captain of a cruise ship and died in the Battle of Guam. The biggest hatred occurred in the city of Acapulco. When General Zhao Longcheng launched a revenge on the Governor of New Spain, he and his brother's family were killed, and only two children were spared. I think it would be better to conceal him."

Li Su noticed one thing: "In other words, the officers of the large fleet do not know what you are working with us yet."

"Yes, in Havana, I acted in the name of Queen Mother Anna." Antonio said: "Governor Dias has an old age with my family, and is timid and greedy. It's okay to know this, but the two commanders, one is a pedantic loyal minister and the other is extremely stubborn. It's better not to know it if you know it."

Li Junwei nodded slightly and thought about this matter, while Antonio said: "Persuading, or ordering the large fleet to surrender in the name of the king, is not sure even if it is just ordering the escort fleet to surrender. I don't want to take risks, so I thought of a little change and ask Your Highness to make a decision."
Chapter completed!