Chapter 40 UK Consent

Constantine's affirmative answer made Banning feel more at ease.

But when he heard Constantine asking him to find a way to let all countries allow the Congo Commission to collect tariffs, he was really helpless for a while.

According to the current situation, the Congo Commission is likely to obtain management rights, but it is a bit too much for all countries to allow them to collect tariffs.

Originally, the Congo Commission's acquisition of Congo management rights was a kind of opportunistic trick. Everyone planned to use Congo as a buffer zone to prevent future conflicts between countries in central Africa.

The reason why the French agreed was because Constantine gave them the right of first refusal and they were unwilling to make a big move.

If the British government agrees this time, I am afraid that the protests of Germany and France will play a greater role.

Since there is the management of the Congo Commission, everyone can still trade freely. For all countries, they can save a lot of initial investment costs and directly enjoy the ready-made ones. Why not do it?

If the management of the Congo Commission does not satisfy everyone at that time, the issue of management rights may be full of twists and turns.

But now that the Congo Commission has announced that it will collect tariffs, I'm afraid that everyone's attitude towards the Congo Commission will not be so positive.

Because this is to collect money directly from the pockets of merchants from various countries. After all, it is a Congo market of 20 million people. It would be a pity to lose it. Those unsalable, inferior, and dusty goods in Europe that are stored in warehouses, these Africans probably won't dislike it.

"Your Excellency, if we openly announce that we will collect tariffs in Congo now, I'm afraid that our acquisition of Congo's management rights will be changed."

"I think it should be done in stages, and when the management rights are stable, we will propose tariffs."

"Anyway, by then, the Congo Commission will have firmly controlled the Congo region. If they don't agree to collect tariffs, then the Congo Commission will not be able to effectively manage the local situation due to its weak financial resources, and they won't be able to do business happily."

"Over time, I'm not afraid that they will not agree to collect tariffs," Banning said.

"Your Excellency," Gladstone came in again when the two continued to discuss countermeasures.

"Mr. Prime Minister, what is your answer?" Constantine asked hurriedly.

"You are the winner today. I have to say that this is a genius plan. Who could have believed that millions of square kilometers of land would belong to you in the future?" Prime Minister Gladstone praised.

"You really should be a diplomat. Your ability to maneuver is not inferior to those veterans who have been immersed in the diplomatic field for many years."

"Defeat one by one, divide and win over, and share the benefits. These combined means are really beautiful and are simply perfect diplomatic means."

"If you like, you can come to work in the British government's Foreign Ministry." Gladstone did not forget to make a British humor.

"Thank you for your praise, Mr. Prime Minister. So, you agree that the Congo Commission has the right to manage Congo?"

"Yes, I just communicated with the French and German governments through telegrams. They all agreed that the Congo Commission should manage Congo," Gladstone replied.

"To be honest, this is a fantastic victory. You know, when I heard that a privately sponsored organization was competing with France and Portugal for the ownership of the Congo River Basin"

"My first thought was to organize the French to expand in Africa and support the Portuguese claims"

"The success of either of them would not be beyond my expectations, but your Congo Commission, a private organization that I didn't care about at all, succeeded" Gladstone said in a surprised tone.

"Congratulations, under the premise of opening a free trade zone in Congo, there will be no doubt about the management rights, but for other details, you may have to contact other countries participating in the Berlin Conference"

"Thank you very much for your support. This is a win-win situation. The hard work of the Congo Commission in Africa for many years has finally been recognized by everyone, and the industries and commerce of various countries will get a vast African market, and Africans will be accepted by the civilized world, and no longer in a primitive state of ignorance" Constantine did not think he had taken any big advantage.

Countries don't have to do anything, just talk and get a ready-made free trade market. It's hard to say who is taking advantage.

After receiving a positive response from the British government, Constantine and Banning split up. Banning went to Berlin to continue participating in the meeting and negotiate details with various countries.

Constantine himself went to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, to meet with King Leopold II of Belgium.

Together with Schmidt, they took a ship across the English Channel and arrived in Antwerp on the other side of the channel. The two took a train to Brussels.

With the help of the Brussels ambassador, the two went to the scheduled location, the Brussels Theater.

Under the guidance of the theater waiter, the two were taken to a private room, where Leopold, the King of Belgium, was sitting on the sofa calmly.

"Your Majesty, we..."

"Shh, the show is about to start," Leopold interrupted Constantine, just concentrating on the direction of the stage.

Since this guy is so interested and asked me to come and watch the dance, I had no choice but to accompany him.

The light on the stage was dim, and the performance hall suddenly became quiet. The curtain slowly opened, and I saw male and female dancers standing on the stage.

After the salute, the music slowly played, and the dancing men and women followed the rhythm of the music. The men showed the beauty of strength and sturdiness, and the women showed the beauty of weakness and sexiness. The combination of strength and softness revealed the charm of dance.

Although Constantine studied more military politics in this life and was an outsider to dance, he could still see that the performers had profound skills.

"Look at her, how beautiful she is, just like an angel," Leopold muttered to himself with an obsessed look.

Constantine looked helpless, and this guy seemed to be chasing stars.

"Which dancer is this?" Constantine asked curiously.

"Cleo, a dancer from Paris, but her reputation is better than dance. I wonder how many people want to see her?" Leopold said.

"What do you want to do by inviting me here?" Constantine said impatiently.

He ran all the way from London to Brussels, and it seemed that he was here to accompany her to watch the performance.

"You should know what you did," Leopold said sinisterly.

After he said this, although his face was expressionless, Constantine was indeed shocked. Could it be about the Cameron expedition?

Stanley had returned to Athens to seek help from him before, because the Cameron expedition funded by Leopold had plans to set foot in Congo, and he had specially sent 500 professional military personnel from the Royal Guards to support them.

Could it be that he was not clean and was noticed by Leopold?