The battlefield has not been cleaned up yet, and the notification ship sent by Li Beiji brought news. Fajado, the Spanish envoy who fled back to Madras, requested a truce and conducted peace negotiations. Fajado's initiative surprised Simmons slightly, but he could not agree to Fajado's request. He had the authority to truce, but the Senate was responsible for the peace negotiations. The soldiers were not qualified to negotiate on behalf of the United States, even Simmons, who was a veteran, was the same.

Therefore, the negotiations are divided into two processes, first reaching an armistice agreement in Penang, and then sending representatives to the base camp for peace negotiations.

But there is a key question: Is Fajardo qualified to represent the five countries including the European Combined Fleet? You should know that after the establishment of the Combined Fleet, the only Druittel who has the authority to represent the Combined Fleet. When negotiating after the war, one senior representative of the five countries was required to issue one senior representative. But now the situation is that the ships and officers of France and Denmark have become prisoners, and the senior representatives of the Netherlands and Britain have also been arrested. It is better for the UK to say something, Sir Norton escaped unscathed, and the British East India Company was the victim again. What about the Netherlands? Could it be that the army major stationed in Madras was sent by Fajardo to negotiate?

To put it bluntly, the key lies in who brought the Netherlands negotiations. Although Druittel was alive, he obviously could no longer represent the United Republic of the Netherlands, while Fajado was very active.

"Sir Admiral, we can do this, and the commander of the Joint Fleet will sign an armistice agreement with your country on behalf of the Joint Fleet, and I will go to your country with Mr. Matt Sorco, who is trapped in Batavia, to conduct peace negotiations." Fajado tasted Simmons' tea and nodded slightly: "It tastes very good, very good."

"Commander, are you talking about Lord Raphael?" Simmons asked.

Faha’s multiple key points: “Of course it was him. His command order in the joint fleet was second only to Druitt and Djott. Druitt was captured, and Djott was not sure about his life and death. He could only represent the joint fleet. This was confirmed when the joint fleet was established.”

As he spoke, Fahado changed his subject and said in front of Druittel: "This time, His Excellency Raphael is still in Madras, and he entrusted me to conduct armistice negotiations on behalf of the Joint Fleet."

"After all, you have the final say." Simmons said disdainfully, but he knew in his heart that the armistice was particularly important to the United States, even far beyond the peace negotiations to be held later. You must know that the United States is now like a wide-open bow, and the feathered arrows on it have already targeted the Qing Dynasty's ugly captives. They are waiting for victory at sea and launch an offensive, and the armistice can ensure that the offensive can be launched as soon as possible.

What the United States lacks is time. Every day of delay is a loss of strength to the United States.

The current situation is that the main fleet of the European Combined Fleet has been eliminated, most of the remaining ships are trapped in Madras, and a few have fled to Myanmar and Java. The United States has won the naval battle, but the Europeans still have bargaining chips, that is, to use the remaining warships, especially armed merchant ships and small warships scattered from all over the country to engage in battle and pirate warfare. Although their combat capabilities can be restricted by blocking ports and other methods, it is undeniable that this will greatly limit the United States' combat capabilities on the mainland. Not to mention, the army's equipment mainly comes from base camps, Qiongzhou and Yongning, and the food required for the war is provided by Kowloon and Java. If there is a pirate war, the transportation efficiency will be greatly reduced.

This is also the reason why Simmons or the United States urgently hopes to sign an armistice agreement. As long as the armistice agreement is signed, European ships will not be able to engage in a breaking battle. At least during the validity period of the armistice agreement, the United States can calmly invade the Qing Dynasty occupied areas. Even if it is only half a year, it can launch a powerful strategic offensive to completely change the current balanced situation.

Simmons thought for a while and said, "After saying that, what do you want?"

"First of all, ensure the safety of the lives and property of the owners of the Joint Fleet, maintain their honor and dignity from violation, and especially give the treatment that nobles and religious people in the Fleet." Fahado took out his notebook and read the text according to the book.

Simmons's face turned slightly red and he felt a little embarrassed. As a descendant of Europe, he knew very well that in the wars of European countries, there was no such armistice clause, at least not first.

You should know that the rise of the United States is to step on the bodies of European colonists. Facing Europeans, they will win every battle. The United States Navy and Army have always guaranteed the lives of prisoners. This is a consistent policy, but they will require the opponent to redeem the ransom. From generals to small pawns, they clearly marked the price. As for the property they carry, they will be treated as seized. As for the maintenance of honor and dignity, the United States prison war camps have done it as well. If they say they have not done it or done it, the prison war camps are not allowed to humiliate and abuse them. However, all prison war camps are labor camps, and high-intensity labor is inevitable. As for the nobles and religious people who have been properly treated in the European war, there is no special treatment in the United States prison war camps and they still need to work. Sometimes, in order to avoid aristocrats and religious people inciting the captive emotions, they will be detained and transformed separately.

Of course, the prisoner-of-war camp system has historical limitations. You should know that during the community stage, the United States has insufficient resources in all kinds of resources, and even prisoners are valuable manpower, especially many technical talents, such as shipbuilding, machinery and other factories in the United States. Many of them are European prisoners. After gaining freedom, they chose to stay in the United States. Speaking of which, the first batch of instructors of the United States Navy were Spanish prisoners, and Simmons himself was a prisoner.

In the United States era, the prisoner-of-war camp system improved, but it was still insisted that no one was given privileges, so it was fine for aristocrats, especially religious people. In prisoners of war camps, they were special "problem prisoners of war", which was closely related to the strict religious policies of the United States.

Simmons thought for a while: "We can agree."

"How do you plan to settle those priests, and the treatment of nobles." Fahado asked directly. To put it bluntly, ordinary prisoners of war are just a matter of how much money they spend, and nobles are related to the decency of Europe, and priests are like rats crossing the street in the United States.

"Everyone in our prisoner-of-war camp is equal. If the nobles want better treatment, they can only pay. As long as the money is in place, I promise they can live the king's life. How about it?" Simmons smiled and said, "As for the priests, let's take care of the seriously injured. I think the seriously injured need the care of the Lord more. As for the treatment, treat it as a doctor."

"Okay, we can accept it." Fajardo first looked at Druittel, and chose to agree when he nodded. Simmons looked relaxed and said to himself: "It's not as tough as he is."

Fajado continued: "During the armistice, the personal safety and freedom of all officers and soldiers of the joint fleet must be guaranteed, and the port of Madras must not be blocked."

Simmons immediately said: "People can enter and exit freely, but ships cannot! All warships are not allowed to leave the port. We must check all merchant ships entering and leaving. You can obtain vegetables, meat, wine, clothes and other daily necessities, and you can even do business, but you cannot purchase gunpowder and weapons."

The armistice agreement is just the beginning of peace negotiations. If the peace negotiations collapse, war will begin again. Simmons doesn't want to search for the joint fleet all over the world. At that time, it will be a hit in one go. The most important thing is that if the remnants of the joint fleet leave the port, it will increase the risk of breaking the war. Not to mention other things, in the East, European ships, except for the dozen ships in Madras, the rest are either slow merchant ships or fast but weak schooners. These ships can deal with some unarmed ships. If the ships of Madras leave the port, to be honest, except for the ships protected by the main fleet and the free-trade-class intercontinental trade fleets, the rest of the merchant fleets cannot resist.

Druittel shook his head slightly, Fajardo was about to confront him, Simmons said: "I can tell you two, I have sent a fleet to Penang. Within twenty days, five thousand soldiers will come to Ceylon. They will also bring professional siege artillery and heavy rocket battalions. Perhaps with the current strength of the large fleet, the current strength of the large fleet is unable to capture Fort St. George in Madras, but it is still possible to use rocket launchers to burn out the ships in your harbor. Lord Fajardo, please think carefully."

This must be considered a threat, and this tactic is also very operational, but Simmons lied that Penang had no rocket troops, nor did it have elite troops of 5,000 people. If needed, it would have to be dispatched from the base camp, which would not be available in 10 or 20 days.

In the details, Simmons can give in, but on key issues, Simmons is very tough. Druittel and Fajardo have no choice. Things that cannot be obtained on the battlefield still cannot be obtained after they go to the negotiating table. This is the iron law of war and a game of politics.

The armistice was related to the purpose of the navy of both sides. The negotiations went smoothly, but for how long the armistice was, Simmons and Fajado had another dispute. Fajado meant three months, up to four months. He even thought of a solution for Simmons, first sending representatives from the Dutch warship to Batavia to report the defeat, and then sending the Clippers to send him and Batavia Governor Matt Sokol to Taipei for peace negotiations. After the negotiations, he returned to Madras to terminate the war.

But Simmons requested a truce time of one year, at least ten months. Simmons's reason is very simple. Who can guarantee that Matt Sorco admits failure, who can guarantee that he is willing to go to Taipei for peace negotiations, and who can guarantee that the negotiations can achieve results in a short period of time? No one can guarantee and no one can guarantee, so the two sides have to give enough time to negotiate and negotiate.

Simmons' reason is very convincing, but in essence it is still to fight for time. The key is that no one guarantees that the peace negotiation can be successful. If it is not successful, then there will be another conflict at sea. It is necessary to complete the most critical link in the national liberation plan before the waves begin, that is, to complete a strategic offensive and completely reverse the situation on the mainland. If the peace negotiation is successful, it would be even better. If it is not possible, the United States has already obtained a certain territory on the mainland and has a foundation. Even if those threats appear at sea, it is not enough to determine success or failure.

In the end, after the two sides compromised, the armistice time was set to nine months. Before the armistice ended or the peace negotiations were announced to break down, both sides were not allowed to launch another offensive at sea or on land, nor could they threaten the interests of each other.

The armistice negotiations came to an end and ended successfully. The next step was to prepare for peace negotiations. Simmons would take Druittel and other senior prisoners and Fajado, the Spanish envoy, to the base camp. Before leaving, Simmons split the large fleet and the task of monitoring Madras was still left to Li Beiji. After all, he was the commander of the Indian Ocean Navy of the United States, but his elite troops, especially the first-class second-class battleships, were transferred away. Simmons added to him the ships of the African fleet and some joint fleets.

The main force of the large fleet was handed over to command by Li Jundu, and the most powerful Dragon Fleet in history was reorganized. There were four first-class battleships, six second-class battleships, and eight third-class battleships. In addition, four third-class battleships and twelve armed merchant ships were selected from the joint fleet, and two frigates of 18 frigates were composed of 52 warships. This fleet would go south from Malacca to Java and head to Batavia. All European warships in the fleet were on white flags. This fleet with a total tonnage of more than 80,000 tons was intended to tell Matt Sorko, who was trapped in Batavia that the joint fleet had failed and then invited him to the base camp for peace negotiations.

Of course, Simmons had taken into account that Matt Sorco might refuse peace negotiations and carry out the war to the end, and then the Dragon Fleet would inform him that the United States would be willing to negotiate with other members of the European Union and fight alone with the Netherlands, and that day would be a comprehensive, life-and-death war until the golden dragon flag was inserted into the parliamentary building of the United Republic of the Netherlands.

This is a heavier bargaining chip than 80,000 tons. To put it bluntly, the United Fleet has failed. Spain is determined to be peaceful in these members of the alliance. France and Denmark have no core interests. Only the Netherlands cannot give up the East Indies. At that time, the Netherlands will not have allies. On the contrary, in Europe, due to the failure of the Eastern battlefield, the Netherlands will have many enemies. Not to mention anything else, Britain, coerced by Druittel, will once again launch a challenge to the Netherlands, the maritime overlord, and at the same time engage in wars covering the whole world with China and Britain. Will the Netherlands win?
Chapter completed!