The envoy was stunned for a moment, probably not expecting the governor to suddenly ask about the Australians.

"They are a group of people from overseas, claiming to be descendants of the Great Song Dynasty." The messenger said that he probably realized that he was playing the piano to a cow when he said "Da Song" to a ghost guy, so he changed his words, "that is, they claim to be descendants of the Chinese." ”

This is no different from Li Siya's report. The Governor nodded secretly and asked a few more things about the Australians. The messenger seemed pleased to answer his questions, and told many things about the Australians, most of course, hearsay. Although Liu Xianglao had fought with the Australians, he had no formal contact with this opponent. Most of the news was hearsay, some from people who had been captured during the attack on Bopu and later released, and some from reports from his eyeline.

Although Liu Xianglao withdrew from the Pearl River Estuary due to Zheng Zhilong's pressure before the second anti-encirclement and suppression operation, he avoided a direct conflict with the crossing group. But he laid a lot of eyeliner on the ground. He Rubin was defeated by the crossing group, shelled Humen, and approached the city of Guangzhou. Although the Australians who used to hide in the poor countryside were strong and powerful, he did not expect such a sudden burst of combat power.

Thankfully, the Australians don't seem to intend to be an enemy of him. The fact that they had seized the mouth of the Pearl River certainly annoyed him, but now he did not dare to go to war on both sides under any circumstances. Only deal with Zheng Zhilong first.

The governor listened attentively to the messenger's chatter and did not interrupt him. It was only when the other party stopped that a few questions were asked. Gathering intelligence on Australians is his main interest now. Liu Xiang had a conflict with the Australians, which was something he never expected. The fact that the Chinese government had sent a large army to conquer Lingao, but was defeated by the Australians made him more and more interested.

Although the Dutch rated the Ming army's combat level very lowly, every military operation along the Chinese coast was defeated by the Ming army's seemingly endless human and material resources. As the same outsider, the Australians who occupied a corner of the Ming Dynasty were able to block the tide-like army that made the company frightened at the beginning, and successfully seized a piece of land in China. Carpentere couldn't help but be intrigued.

A war reveals more information than all the intelligence is combined. Morality? Carpenterte had heard a lot about the astonishing level of firearms of the Australians, and the two victories the Australians had fought seemed to say a lot.

Clearly, the Aussie is a strong shili. He rang the bell and summoned the messengers outside.

"Take this gentleman down to rest." He said.

That evening, at a dinner between the Governor and the senior businessmen of Batavia, there was a discussion about how to treat the Australians, whether to help Liu Xianglao, and how to deal with Zheng Zhilong.

The East India Company was weak in the military liliang of Batavia. When the expedition to China was launched a few years ago, only seven ships were sent. When I went on an expedition to Macao, there were only fourteen boats. The total number of army units was considerable, but these companies were scattered among the dozens of East India Company's trading posts throughout Java, which stretched thousands of kilometers across the country. Soldiers recruited from Europe had died like flies in hot and humid climates and unhygienic conditions, and now they were making it difficult for the Governor to replenish the shortage of companies in the various strongholds, and it was difficult for the Governor to launch another major expedition.

As for the auxiliary forces, which consisted of a small number of native natives, no one had much hope for their combat effectiveness. It's hard to say if these natives can even be trusted.

Participating in a military conflict in the South China Sea with limited military liliang was beyond the reach of the Dutch, not to mention that Zheng Zhilong also held the lifeblood of the East India Company's trade with China. Thus the merchants considered the Governor's decision to refuse to send ships directly into the battle was correct. As for whether to aid ships and artillery to Liu Laoxiang, there was a certain amount of controversy among the senior businessmen. Some people believe that artillery is still easy to say, after all, European-style artillery has spread quite widely throughout East Asia. But pirates using European-style ships are still very rare. The sudden addition of two European ships to Liu Xianglao's fleet would seriously irritate Zheng Zhilong and could have an adverse effect on the company.

Several other high-ranking businessmen supported the sale of the ship to Liu Xianglao in order to contain Zheng Zhilong's shili. The governor is on this side.

"Gentlemen, the problem of ships is not a big deal." The Governor tapped lightly on the table and said, "We are not the only ones in the whole of East Asia who can provide ships. The West Bankers, whether in Manila or Macau, were able to provide ships to Liu Xianglao. Let's not forget that in the previous stage of several conflicts between Liu Zheng and Zheng, a Spanish galleon was directly involved in the battle. Even if an official suspects, the biggest suspect is also West Bank. We can totally deny all this. Besides, do you think that Zheng Zhilong will turn his face with us before he has a decisive battle with Liu Xianglao? ”

In addition, it is also beneficial for the company to sell two scrap ships that may only be scrapped for firewood and ship materials. After all, Liu Xianglao is willing to pay cash. As for the problem of sailors, it was up to him to recruit them - whether in Batavia, Manila, or Macau, he could recruit scum of all nationalities who were willing to sail and fight for money.

Everyone finally agreed to the proposal to sell the two ships of Zeal and Vigilance to Liu Xianglao. Including all weapons and nautical equipment on both ships. The zealous is 10,000 Spanish riyals, and the alert is 7,000 Spanish riyals. In addition, 10 bronze 12-pounder naval guns and 24 iron 6-pounder and 12-pounder naval guns were sold to Liu Xianglao. 400 arquebuses.

"Your Excellency, do you think it is possible for Elder Liu Xiang to defeat a single official?" A salesman asked.

"It's hard to say." Morality? Carpentere shook his head and said, "It is said that the strength of the two sides is almost the same. But Yiguan clearly had the upper hand - he had the support of the Chinese court. Moreover, Yiguan has defeated all the opponents in the Fujian Ocean, including those who were once very strong. ”

According to the Governor's opinion, if Liu Xianglao could not win consecutive victories or kill Zheng Zhilong himself in a certain battle, Liu Xianglao would still lose in the end.

A sigh of regret rang out around the table. Liu Xianglao can't be said to be an ally, but with him, Zheng Zhilong's attitude can be loosened. As soon as Liu Xianglao fell, there was no liliang who could contain Zheng Zhilong.

"Gentlemen, even if there is no Liu Xianglao, there are other people on this shijie." Morality? "Have you ever heard of Australians? ”

The Governor sat in a chair with a long window at his desk and could see the city of Batavia, which had been under construction since 1619 and had been continuously expanded and strengthened for more than a decade, and now began to take shape. Morality? Carpentil had no doubt that the future governor sitting in this position would be able to see a more prosperous and great Batavia.

There was a knock on the door outside.

"Come in."

His secretary appeared at the door.

"Your Excellency, the low-level merchant you summoned? Transtron has been summoned. ”

"Ask him to come in."

Fan? Dratron cautiously walked in through the gate. He was in his early thirties, with a stern face, a nobleman from the province of Zeeland, who had served in the navy and fought in war. Now he works as a junior merchant in the East India Company. However, even low-level salesmen are above the level of other ordinary company employees. On the ships of the East India Company, only the merchant had the highest command. In many shops, the clerk has full power.

But as a low-level businessman, Fan? The authority of the Transtron never went beyond a merchant ship. He desperately wished he could become a merchant in a fleet or a trading station. The Dutch East India Company was a very mean company that treated its employees, although the annual dividends paid by the East India Company to its shareholders amounted to several thousand dong per share. However, the remuneration paid to employees is meager. Low-level clerks receive only 20 guilders a month and a food allowance equivalent to a quarter of their salary. You can't make a fortune in the Dutch East India Company's law-abiding service. Climbing to the top as much as possible and using their power to smuggle is their only chance to make a fortune in the Far East.

Fan? Transtron took off his hat and bowed deeply to the Governor.

"Fan? Mr. Transtron. "Virtue? "I now appoint you as a merchant on the Magdeburg. ”

The "Magdeburg" is a "speedboat" - in fact, this kind of ship is neither "fast" nor "boat". This is a kind of flat-bottomed boat often used by the Dutch in the East Indies, with a load of 400~600 tons, a round stern and a high stern. Ships sail at a slow speed and are mainly used as merchant ships and transport vessels. However, because of the short construction period, the large number of cargo, and the need for fewer sailors, it met the needs of the "sea coachman".

Fan? Although Transtron was not promoted to a senior position, the Magdeburg was a large ship, much more important than the small brig in which he was now located. So the order still pleased him.

"Xiexie You, Your Excellency"

"No thanks, thank you to our hosts." The Governor said, "Prepare as soon as you are on board, and I want you to prepare at once to go to Lingao to trade with the Australians." ”

"Lingao?" Fan? Transtron has not heard of this place. The Australian he knows.

"Yes, I will send you the navigators. Your mission is to trade with the Aussies in Lingao and ask as much as you can about them. If possible, find out if they're willing to make a trade deal with us. ”

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"I'll send you a few assistants. When you arrive at Lingao, take them with you and provide them with all the conveniences. ”

One of the people who was sent to the "Magdeburg" was González himself. The governor wanted him to see for himself as an officer the state of the military liliang and the fortification of the docks at Lingao. The other is Leib? Trini. An Italian, professional draftsman. His task was to try to map the port and topographies of Lingao. At the same time, make a picture book of what you see. This was the only way to get an intuitive impression of people from afar in the days when there were no cameras.