Sometimes, there are things that can be said differently or done differently.

For example, the issue of Ceylon, Zhang Bin wants to use this as a military base for westward colonization or a springboard for westward expansion, and a large number of troops are stationed here, if he tells Portugal, this Ceylon I will help you fight back is mine, Portugal can only grit its teeth and agree, but they will definitely be quite uncomfortable in their hearts, because he is no different from the hungry wolves of the anti-Habsburg coalition.

However, Zhang Bin didn't say so, nor did he do it, he just let the Dutch go, and Portugal, which had little strength in itself, would definitely try his best to beg him to send heavy troops to garrison here.

In this way, Portugal's feelings are completely different, not only will they not feel guilty, but they will also be grateful to Zhang Bin!

Schwila really didn't expect Zhang Bin to play this hand with him, and he didn't expect that as soon as he left, Zhang Bin had already arranged the defense of Colombo.

He was in a hurry at this moment, if the Dutch fleet really didn't leave the waters near Ceylon as Zhang Bin guessed, he didn't know what to do, because they couldn't beat the Dutch at all!

Fortunately, Goa is only more than a thousand miles away from Ceylon, and because the light ironclad ship is relatively small in size and has less load than the Zhenyuan cruiser and Weiyuan battleship, the sailing speed is much faster than that of these two super giant ships, and in the evening of the same day, before it gets dark, hundreds of light ironclad ships have already arrived at the port of Goa.

The Portuguese garrison stationed in the port of Goa was really startled by the hundred light ironclad ships at first, but they also knew that Portugal was seeking help from the Ming Empire, and they also knew that this kind of super-fast, sailless warship was unique to the Ming Empire, so they did not take any drastic actions.

They were even more relieved when the light ironclad docked and Schvera and his party jumped off the ship.

The Ming Empire is really on their side, haven't you seen that they all sent warships to escort the Governor of Macao, Shi Weila!

Svera didn't have time to ramble with the defenders of the docks, so he said hello and headed straight for the Goa City Governor's Palace with his entourage.

At this time, the governor of Goa, Conde, was enjoying dinner alone, he heard that the guards informed that Svera was coming, he couldn't help but put down the knife and fork in his hand, ripped off the napkin around his neck, walked to the door quickly, and said in surprise: "Svera, my friend, why did you come back so soon, could it be that the matter of the Ming Empire has been negotiated?" ”

Although Svera was anxious, he did not forget the etiquette, he was a count, a nobleman, and the power of the governor of Goa did not know how many times greater than him.

He seriously stroked his chest, and then reported: "Your Excellency, the Ming Empire has indeed agreed to form an alliance with us, and they have sent a navy to help us recover Ceylon, but we have a big problem that has not been solved. ”

The Ming Empire has indeed agreed to form an alliance with Portugal, and has already sent a navy to help them recover Ceylon, which is already the best news, as for any trouble, Conde does not think that there can be any big trouble.

He excitedly patted Svera's shoulder and said, "Svera, my friend, don't be so polite, you haven't eaten yet, come, eat with me, I'm thinking it's boring to drink alone." ”

After that, he put his arms around Shi Wei and walked inside, he pushed Shi Wei La to the chair on the other side of the table, ordered someone to serve a dinner, and personally poured Shi Wei a glass of wine, then sat down and asked with interest: "What are the conditions for the Ming Empire to send troops?" ”

Schvera patiently replied: "The conditions of the Ming Empire are not excessive, they only ask us to open all the colonies and allow their merchants to do business freely. ”

Kong Dede couldn't help but be surprised: "Oh, they really only have this condition, and nothing else?" ”

Shi Weila nodded helplessly and said: "Yes, there are no other conditions, just this one condition, His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Empire has already signed the alliance treaty, as long as His Majesty the King signs and agrees." ”

Kong Dede was stunned when he heard this, there was such a cheap thing, he thought about it, and asked cautiously: "Really, how many troops is the Ming Empire ready to send to help us?" ”

Shi Vera nodded again and said, "Really, the Ming Empire is ready to send 100,000 troops to help us deter those hungry wolves." ”

100,000 troops!

Kong Dede was dumbfounded and said: "Send 100,000 troops, Svera, you're not joking with me, are you?" ”

Svera frowned and said, "Really, Your Excellency the Earl, will I joke with you about this kind of thing?" The Duke of Wei Guo of the Ming Empire has already led an army to help us recover Ceylon, and the army he led is more than 100,000! ”

When Kong Dede heard this, he was overjoyed and said: "Then what are you doing with a sad face, you have made a great contribution, do you know, maybe the next time we meet, I will call you Your Excellency the Earl, come, let's toast, I wish you the honor of the earl." ”

Schwiela raised his glass and drank all the liquor in the glass, then shook his head and said with a wry smile: "Your Excellency the Earl, we are in big trouble, the Dutch stationed in Colombo are gone, and I haven't seen the shadow of their warship all the way, they must have run to some island near Ceylon to hide!" ”

When Comde heard this, he almost didn't squirt out the wine he had just drunk, he wiped his mouth and frowned: "The Dutch really ran away?" You didn't meet their ships? ”

Schwila shook his head and said: "No, the port of Colombo is empty, there is not a single ship, and the soldiers of the Ming Empire did not encounter resistance at all when they landed." ”

Now even Comde became sad, of course he knew how many warships of the Dutch East India Company were in Colombo, and he had dozens of armed merchant ships under his command, and he was not an opponent at all, so it was really a big trouble.

He thought for a moment, and then asked with a little hope: "If we ask the Ming Empire to help us garrison Ceylon, will they agree?" ”

Shi Vera guessed: "This, you may agree, His Royal Highness the Wei Guo Gong of the Ming Empire seems to have a good impression of us Portugal, and he said when I came over that he would try his best to send troops to help us defend." ”

And such a good thing?

Kong Dede wondered: "Did you give him any benefits?" ”

"I told him that if the Ming Empire agreed to form an alliance with us, we would share half of the cinnamon produced there after Ceylon was recaptured," Schvera recalled. ”

So that's the case, Kong Dede gritted his teeth and nodded: "Okay, if you divide half of him, you will share half of him, I believe that His Majesty will not care about these hundreds of thousands of taels." ”

Early the next morning, Conde boarded the light ironclad with his entourage and Schwila and headed straight for Ceylon.

At about mid-afternoon, the fleet arrived in Colombo, and when Conde saw the dense Ming warships, he let go of most of his heart, and even put on a flattering smile on his face when he got off the ship.

Zhang Bin didn't put up any shelf, when he heard that Conde was coming, he ran to the dock to greet him in person, and he smiled from afar: "Schwila, this is Count Conde, right?" ”

After condescension stopped Schvira's retelling, and after confirming that this was His Royal Highness the Duke of Weiguo of the Ming Empire, he immediately solemnly stroked his chest and said humbly: "Your Royal Highness, it's a pleasure to meet you." ”

Seeing this, Zhang Bin couldn't help but feel proud in his heart.

It's done, everything is under control, just look at his expression, you know that he is here to beg someone.