Maori on friendly terms

Joseph raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are the United Kingdom this tough?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Talleyrand nodded. "Perhaps we should increase our investment in Mysore and make the United Kingdom suffer more before they return to the negotiating table."

Joseph's bottom line for negotiations was that United Kingdom recognize France influence in Algiers, Tunisia, and Tripoli.

Algiers is an important grain-producing region, several times the size of Tunisia, and is one of the largest and most fertile areas in North Africa.

Tripoli, being adjacent to Egypt, was an important stepping stone for the later opening of the Suez Canal.

Historically, Napoleon briefly set foot in Egypt, but because his foothold in North Africa was not solid, coupled with the navy's poor performance, he ultimately missed a golden opportunity to threaten United Kingdom by opening the Suez Canal.

Of course, if we could acquire islands in the Caribbean Sea, then Tripoli could be put on hold for the time being. White Sugar is a luxury item these days, and Caribbean Sea islands that can produce large quantities of Sugar Cane are extremely valuable.

Joseph for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "No, Archbishop Talleyrand, our operations in India need to be scaled back."

"Huh? Why is that?"

Joseph smiled. "Our goal is not to drive the United Kingdom out of India."

Not to mention that United Kingdom would definitely fight France to the death for India, after losing United Kingdom's restraint, it would not be in France's interest for Mysore to conquer the entire Indian Peninsula — Mysore had access to Europe technology, and given Tiger of Mysore Tipu Sultan's personal abilities, it was quite possible.

A powerful India empire would inevitably move north and encroach upon Central Asia, which would bring enormous trouble to the whole of Europe. Therefore, it is best for India to remain as it is now, scattered like stars in the sky.

"What we need to do is make the United Kingdom pay a higher price," Joseph continued, "And the cost of attacking is far higher than that of defending."

"Have the Marquis de Lafayette set up defenses as soon as possible, let the United Kingdom attack, and at the same time, destroy as United Kingdom supplies as possible. The military will teach the United Kingdom a lesson they won't forget."

In fact, there was another important reason why he did this – Mysore simply couldn't defeat the United Kingdom.

After all, United Kingdom is still the world's leading superpower. Although the raid on Mysore yielded some results, United Kingdom is now getting serious.

Given Mysore's strength, continuing the offensive would easily allow the United Kingdom to seize an opportunity and wipe him out.

A step-by-step defensive strategy, which would greatly deplete United Kingdom military funds, was Tipu Sultan's most sensible tactic. Moreover, Joseph had prepared a "secret weapon" for him. Judging by the time, those men should have arrived in India by now.

Joseph then remembered something else and instructed Talleyrand, "By the way, given the United Kingdom habits, they are very likely to cause trouble for the Southern Netherlands. You need to go to the German States, as well as the countries of Northern Europe and Eastern Europe, as soon as possible to inform their King..."

India.

A small schooner sped towards the port of Mangalore, northwest of Mysore.

The ship was flying the Russia flag, and the Gemini Trading Company logo was displayed on its hull.

On the deck, several dark-skinned, muscular men with faces covered in intricate tattoos gazed at the Mysore Defense Force lined up to welcome them on the dock.

One of the middle-aged men, whose waist was as thick as a bucket, pointed to Islam- style building in the distance and spoke a string of obscure and difficult-to-understand words.

The young man beside him said in broken French, "Uncle Magnus, Mr. Marion du Fresne told us to speak as much French as possible, have you forgotten again?"

"Oh, yes." Magnus gave an apologetic smile and started speaking broken French, "Those houses are really peculiar. Even more peculiar than the ones the Development Team built in town. But they're beautiful."

The "Development Team" he referred to was the colonization team that arrived in New Zealand with Marion du Fresne.

After receiving a piece of land from the Maori, they renamed it the Development Team and began building a town there.

With the assistance of a large, almost free, Maori labor force— Maori they got along very well with, often working a day just to get a few glasses of Wine and listen to the stories told by the Development Team members.

Although the Development Team finished telling the entire story of ""Refining the Firmament"" and "The Lord of the Mysteries" from memory in two and a half months, and had to make up their own stories to continue the plot, the Maori people still listened with great interest.

Many Maori people also learned French by listening to stories.

Especially after the first Wool harvest this year, the Maori people who received their wages were overjoyed— the France paid them large quantities of iron farm tools, horses, and beautiful clothes, which are luxuries that can be passed down for generations in any Maori tribe.

After hearing the news, the Maori tribes that had not previously cooperated with the Development Team rushed to offer to raise sheep for the France, even voluntarily lowering their wages.

Marion du Fresne generously maintained the previous payment, as it was already very low and there wasn't much room for further savings, and signed sheep-raising agreements with more Maori tribes.

After more than half a year of operation, sheep can now be seen in most parts of New Zealand North Island.

The only factor now limiting the size of New Zealand's sheep population has become the rate of reproduction.

As soon as a sheep is born, the Maori people rush to "adopt" it and take meticulous care of it. In addition, New Zealand's abundant pastures and climate, which are extremely suitable for sheep to grow, result in sheep here producing nearly 20% more wool than their United Kingdom counterparts!

On the ship's deck, another tall, young Maori man tugged at his coat—he was clearly unaccustomed to wearing such heavy clothing all day—and said with some worry to Magnus, "Lord Magnus, the Pimeki are making trouble lately. If they come to our tribe for revenge, and we happen to be away from home..."

He was referring to Pimeisi when he said it was New Zealand's South Island. Historically, the North Island frequently attacked the South Island, but the latter would also gather strength to fight back.

Magnus laughed and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Nikau Marion du Fresne is calling on all tribes to sign a ' Common Declaration,' and from now on, all conflicts between tribes will be adjudicated by the ' Tribal Council.'"

"Marion du Fresne had already gone to the South Island before we set off, and I think the Waitaha tribe will likely join the Common Declaration as well."

Nikau was still worried and asked, "But what if Waitaha refuses?"

"Hmph," Magnus scoffed, "To refuse Mr. Marion du Fresne is to make an enemy of all the tribes. Moreover, they will lose their opportunity to raise sheep as a result."

"Nikau, do you think they will attack Yamotu?"

Yamotu is the place where their tribe lives.

Upon hearing "they're not allowed to raise sheep," the young man immediately nodded confidently. "That definitely won't happen."