As a general on the island of Tasmania, Li He originally had no power to interfere with the rights of merchants on the Australian mainland.
However, because Li He was in charge of Tasmania's customs, this was also a route that many merchants must pass through.
Howard, a large plantation owner, also needed to ship his goods by sea, often through Tasmania.
Li He only needs to use a little power to get Earl Howard to personally invite Li He to his mansion.
Li He sat on the main seat in Howard's mansion.
While sipping tea, he asked Earl Howard who was standing.
"Dear Earl Howard, why did you invite me here?"
Earl Howard smiled, looked at Li He, and said with great respect: "General Li He, I just want to know something, and I hope General Li He won't take offense."
"As you know, I have a shipment that needs to be shipped out of the Tasmanian port, but now I'm encountering a little problem."
"I would like to ask General Li He to solve the problem. As long as General Li He agrees, I am willing to offer money, gold and silver."
When Li He heard this, his expression suddenly changed.
"Howard, are you trying to bribe me?"
"Let me tell you, this trick doesn't work. Does my majestic general like your little money?"
Howard was shocked. He had never dealt with Li He.
In the past, Howard never traveled via the Tasmanian route. If it weren't for his cooperation with Drew, he probably wouldn't even know about Li He.
This was his first time dealing with Li He, and he had no idea what his character was.
I thought he would be as easy to accept bribes from me as other Australian officials, but now it seems that Li He is not that kind of person.
Howard smiled apologetically and said: "Haha, general, calm down, it was just a villain's rashness."
"It's just that the cargo on the ship is full of textiles. If it is left at sea for a long time, the tide will return. At that time, the sales will not be good, so the villain will wait for these goods to move."
"So I beg you, sir, to spare this villain's life and let these goods leave the port."
After hearing these words, Li He's expression softened a bit, and he said calmly: "Do you know why your merchant ship was impounded?"
It was precisely because he was very confused about this point that Howard invited Li He to his house as a guest.
I have paid all my taxes and everything else.
There should be no prohibited items on my ship. This time I borrowed Drew's route because I cooperated with Drew. The cost of departure from here will be relatively cheaper.
Apart from thinking that Li He wanted to extort some money from him, he couldn't think of any other reason.
"Hehehe, General, you are making things difficult for me."
Li He looked at Howard and said calmly: "There is no problem with your ship and cargo. Logically speaking, you should be released, but you actually want to transport the cargo to France. This is not allowed."
Howard was stunned. These textiles were indeed going to be sold to France, but that was only for commercial cooperation. What's wrong with that?