Chapter 157

Facing the Earl's examination, Lorraine handed in a blank paper and got full marks.

He finally officially became the smuggling agent of count galvis.

The count told him that Queen Mary's messenger had sent the newly formulated interest distribution plan. Once the New Orleans defense war was won, Queen Mary would be responsible for putting the plan in place and ending the interest struggle among the dignitaries.

In the new distribution plan, the count will become the general agent of France's smuggling trade in the new world, obtain 5% of the business, and hand over 30% of the business belonging to the royal family to him.

The royal family has its own appointed agent, so Lorraine will be responsible for 5% of the count.

This list contains 1500 charlville rifles per month, 1000 dragoon pistols, corresponding ammunition and most consumables. All the consignees are the United States Continental Army.

According to the count, these goods are equivalent to 70% of all the assistance provided by France to the Continental Army, and Lorraine will become the largest arms supplier to the U.S. military.

In terms of price, the export price of rifles is 22 pounds, and the purchase price of the United States is 76 pounds; Pistols were sold for ￡ 14 and purchased for ￡ 42; Most of the consumables are produced in the new world, which reduces the freight, about 400 pounds per ship, while the purchase price is 770 pounds.

According to the cargo capacity of the Hanya, all the goods need to be transported in about three times. The cost of the goods is 48200 pounds, the settlement amount is 158310 pounds, and the distributable profit is about 110000 pounds.

Considering the absolute dominant position of the count in this business, Lorraine put forward four or six points. Lorraine took all the risks and obtained 40% of the profits.

However, the count must allow him to pay for goods first and then money, that is, to pay for goods in the settlement cycle, rather than pay money and deliver goods on the one hand like other smugglers.

This is equivalent to Lorraine's privilege of exchanging 10% of the profits for a bag.

Nominally, he took all the risks, but in the process of sailing to return to Hong Kong, he actually gambled on the boat and the count gambled on the gun.

After thinking for a long time, the count finally agreed to Lorraine's only request.

In the count's study, Carmen drafted the agency contract on site. Lorraine and the count solemnly signed the names of Party A and Party B in duplicate, each of which was included in the sealed cans of parchment.

The sacred agreement was reached, and the count poured a second glass of wine for Lorraine.

"Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers. Ken Wei, listen to your reply. You seem to be interested in doing this business for a long time."

Lorraine smiled and raised his glass: "until the United States is independent, I will be the most loyal and just partner of the people of the new world."

The count laughed: "do you know the return rate of the smuggling line from New Orleans to Baltimore?"

"Such a big profit, I estimate, 70%?"

"Twenty." the count said a sensational figure lightly, "this is the return rate of last month. Only one in five businessmen returned to this port."

Lorraine was really shocked: "with a good triple profit line, how can the return rate be so low? Is there a business with higher profit in the Caribbean?"

"No, as far as I know." the count shook his head regretfully, "Since the British changed the commander of the mainland sub fleet, this route has become more and more tense. I heard that one of every three smuggling ships was captured or sunk by the British, and the remaining ships have to deal with pirates, with a loss rate of about 20%. This is a heartbeat journey. Most people don't want to go again after one trip. After all, no matter how much money they earn, they have to spend their lives."

"It seems that governor Drake is really a trouble..."

The day after the conclusion of the contract, the count lived in the front-line accounts under the protection of the guard.

The count once offered to let Lorraine and his sailors jump the queue and participate in the decisive battle as mercenaries in exchange for the existing smuggled goods. Lorraine refused without hesitation.

What he wants is a long-term business. For him, short-term orders that are not cost-effective and may be used as cannon fodder are meaningless and can not produce any temptation.

The decisive battle of the New Orleans defense officially began on the West Bank of Lake Pontchartrain.

On April 5, 1799, the number of mercenaries expanded to 12000, launched an endless impact on the British positions on the vast plain, and the Indian black foot tribe in front of them suffered heavy losses and retreated one after another.

On the 7th, the rear British army joined the battle.

These professional soldiers in bright red uniforms are embedded in the battlefield like ice chisels. Mercenaries have no power to fight back wherever they pass.

On the 8th, the mercenary Corps sent representatives to ask the count to withdraw. The count did not see them, but directly threw the eight representatives into the military court. After a hasty trial, they were hanged at the gate of the barracks for treason.

The mercenaries were silent.

They began to resist, launched a counterattack against the British with the bravest and most desperate attitude, and then hit the stone with an egg and smashed it in front of the British army.

This continued until the 10th. The situation of the war turned unfavorable. The British seemed to kill red eyes, and France was defeated.

Baton Rouge's Legion has sprung up!

Without warning, they appeared in the southwest of the battlefield, cut off the British front like a red knife, and completely surrounded the two whole regiments.

The British anti siege and rescue operations lasted four days.

On the afternoon of the 14th, after repeated unsuccessful rescue, in order to prevent the British troops in the siege from disarming and surrendering to the French, the British commander sent an invitation to negotiate to the count.

The war thus entered a middle period.

On April 17, the British and French armies held a top-level meeting hosted by the Spanish in the center of Lake Pontchartrain, and successfully signed a peace agreement called the Pontchartrain ship peace treaty.

France announced the withdrawal of the siege and the release of all British prisoners in the war. The British side announced that it would give up the purpose of the campaign against New Orleans and release all prisoners.

The black foot tribe became the only one who was sacrificed.

These Indian tribes close to Britain were asked to take full responsibility for their war atrocities and pay 100000 pounds to France, 20000 pounds to the Spanish and 8000 pounds to Britain.

Otherwise, their captives will become slaves, they will also be declared barbarians, and they will no longer receive any assistance and protection from the civilized world.

The war is over.

……

New Orleans are holding a celebration on the parade ground. The protagonist of the celebration is count galvis of France.

huge crowds of people.

Lorraine sat bored in the bow of the Jackdaw holding the invitation to the celebration.

It is close to the parade ground, so even if she is not there, Lorraine can hear the tsunami like cheers and songs on the mountain of the square.

"This city really likes to be lively..." he muttered to himself.

Haina came over with her white ears in her arms, squeezed Lorraine aside and sat down.

"The count invited you. It's impolite for you to stay here."

Lorraine smiled lazily, "you've begun to pay attention to etiquette. Did Carmen tell you?"

Haina simply nodded.

"Did Carmen tell you why I let acharin and Karen go instead of me?"

"She said that the count didn't really share the joy of victory with you. He just wanted you to stand in the square and become one of the cheering crowds."

Lorraine shrugged: "look, I don't like to join the fun. Once there are more people, there is a smell of Sao and sweat everywhere, just like stepping into the gun cabin in the ocean."

"If you say so, it's nothing if you don't go."

"Yes." Lorraine grabbed white ears and collected them. "The official smuggling doesn't start until late June. In the middle, I have to go back to Lucie. You, Noah, pierce, Daniel and acharin will accompany me back. Carmen will stay here. She needs to deal with some business details."

"How do we get back? Rain frog?"

Lorraine asked, "the first ocean going merchant ship of the branch must be handed over to chuck by me. It seems that the president has no vegetarian meal, right?"

Haina tilted her head and thought for a moment: "so."

"It's time for the sailors to get ready. Acharin is expected to be back tomorrow morning. When he comes back, we'll go."

"OK."