Riding through the emerald sea, Song Xiance climbed onto the bow of the boat with the help of the rope nets dropped by the sailors of the "Rubney". He glanced back at the dock behind him, and calmly walked into the captain's room at the stern of the ship under a hostile gaze.

Unlike the Dutchman outside, the Dutchman who was waiting for him in the captain's room was obviously much more amiable. When Song Xiance heard the Dutchman introduce himself as Peter Natz, he finally remembered something. Looking at the other party's tentative eyes, Song Xiance couldn't help but look at him and said, "If you can understand Chinese, can we talk about it alone?" ”

Peternatz finally breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, this was indeed an envoy from China, otherwise he would not have known his name. He waved his hand and asked everyone else in the cabin to retreat, leaving only Song Xiance and himself, and then said casually: "It seems that Mr. Song has heard of my name?" ”

Song Xiance sat down on the wooden chair fixed on the floor, gently patted the armrests on both sides with both hands and said: "This chair is really good, Your Majesty mentioned your name to me, I originally thought that I would have to go to the Netherlands to meet you, but I really didn't expect to meet you here so coincidentally." ”

Peter Natz smiled awkwardly, also sat down, and said to Song Xiance: "It seems that Your Majesty values Your Excellency very much, I thought that this time at least one official who is familiar with me will be sent over." I am sorry to intercept your fleet in this way, as I feel it necessary to meet with the Ming mission to prevent any misunderstanding.

Because according to the order I have received, I will lead this fleet south to seize Jinghai City, and use it as a hole card to go to China to negotiate with the imperial court. I've always been worried that I would be misunderstood by His Majesty, but now it's easy to meet you. I wonder if you can tell me how far the war between Batavia and China has been going on? In addition, by the way, the news of our fleet heading south will be transmitted to Jinghai City..."

Thanks to the slow sailing speed of the fleet, the news of the surrender of the Batavian defenders had reached Song Xiance's ears. Although he still did not know the outcome of this negotiation, he did know where the emperor's bottom line was.

Therefore, after thinking for a moment, he said to Peternats: "The war is over, I don't think it is a good idea for you to take the fleet south to attack Jinghai City." His Majesty had no intention of seizing the entire Spice Islands and driving the Dutch East India Company out of Southeast Asia.

But if you continue to attack Jinghai City after the war is over, it will undoubtedly complicate the situation. There is a risk of a renewed breakdown of the peace that has been reached, which I don't think your directors would be happy to see. It is in the best interest of your directors and Daming to stop this offensive. ”

The corners of Peternats' mouth twitched, and then he looked at Song Xiance in embarrassment and said: "I'm afraid this won't work, I received an order to take the fleet south, capture Jinghai City, and then go to China to negotiate..."

Song Xiance interrupted him disapprerovingly and said, "The empire gives you an allowance of 1,600 guilders every year, but it's not up to you to say it's not okay. Besides, you should be in Amsterdam, not back to Asia.

Think about it yourself, even if you go back to Asia and become the governor of Batavia, is it still subject to the seventeen directors of Amsterdam? What's more, what is there to be in the current governor of Batavia, are you going to take the responsibility of signing and admitting defeat? ”

Peter Natz was dumbfounded, in fact he did not want to accept the mission. But compared with the seventeen directors, he, the newly promoted representative of the Estates-General of the Dutch Province, was still a small person who was ignored, and he naturally did not dare to refuse such an order.

Peter Natz has made a lot of money in Taiwan over the years, especially in the war against Japan, which has allowed him to gain a lot of money. When he left Asia and returned to Amsterdam, his assets reached around 100,000 guilders.

However, after deducting 20% of the water, he could only get 80,000 guilders in Amsterdam. But for Peternatz, it's still worth it. Returning to Amsterdam with 80,000 guilders, he not only faces the climate threat of nature, but also the danger of pirate interception in the Indian Ocean and off the west coast of Africa.

Moreover, 80,000 guilders is a very large number, and the annual salary of ordinary citizens in Amsterdam at this time is only about 150 guilders a year, and it is only 6-8,000 guilders to buy a mansion in the city center. If Peternac runs back to the countryside to live a leisurely rural life, 80,000 guilders will be enough for him to live a good life.

However, Peternac did not want to be an ordinary person, and upon his return to Amsterdam he began to seek the position of delegate to the Estates-General of the Dutch provinces, which cost him nearly one-eighth of his fortune. And the Dutchman's craze for tulips also made him invest nearly half of his fortune, plus he bought a mansion in the city center after he returned, and spent 7,570 guilders.

In other words, in just two or three years, he has already spent more than half of the wealth he got from Asia. And as long as he wants to get ahead politically, it is inevitable to spend a lot of money to make friends with the delegates and the family of the Regents of Amsterdam.

The annual allowance given to him by China is a large amount of money for him. After leaving Asia, Peternats never did anything to Daming, even if he connected Daming Bank and Amsterdam City Bank, he was paid separately.

Therefore, for Song Xiance's reprimand, Peter Natz did not dare to show the slightest dissatisfaction, but was worried that the other party would use this as an excuse to stop his allowance.

Looking at Peternats's confused appearance, Song Xiance couldn't help but smile and said: "Why don't you tell me all about the situation in Amsterdam and the orders given to you by the seventeen-member board of directors, maybe I can find you a convincing reason to return." ”

Peternatz and Song Xiance looked at each other for a moment, then looked away, lowered their heads and told each other about the information they needed.

Song Xiance listened very carefully, and asked him a lot of questions from time to time, and after talking for almost an hour, Song Xiance supported his chin with his fist and said with a smile: "I think you will return to Amsterdam with the fleet with me, and you should not be questioned."

According to the information you provided, even the fleet you led was unaware of the war in Asia, and they only followed the company's orders to seize a stronghold that was conducive to the company's sea navigation. Moreover, the company has issued a gag order to you and those who know about the war in Asia, asking you not to discuss the war until you have arrived in China.

In connection with what you just said, Amsterdam is in chaos because of the collapse of tulip prices, and even the company's stock has fallen quite a bit. It seems that these seventeen directors are also in trouble at the moment, and if the news of Batavia's defeat spreads and the company's stock continues to fall, then it may be difficult for them to sit in their current positions.

So, in the name of protecting the Chinese mission visiting Amsterdam, you can return with me. The seventeen directors of your company would not have wanted me to speak of the war in the East in the presence of the delegates of the Estates-General of the Dutch province and the citizens of the Estates-General. ”

Peter Natz paused for a moment, but felt that Song Xiance's proposal was still very convincing. But he was still a little worried, and asked, "But if these gentlemen ask you about the outcome of the negotiations on this war, what are you going to say?" ”

Song Xiance stood up, looked at him and said, "Of course it's a delay, the result of the negotiation should come soon, we just need to delay until that time." I think I've been here long enough to stay until I go back, and the people on the docks will be in a hurry. How long will it take you to convince this fleet to return? ”

Peter Natz thought about it for a long time, and finally decided to obey Song Xiance's advice, and a full wallet obviously gave him more courage than the anger of the seventeen gentlemen.

Before leaving the cabin, Song Xiance suddenly turned back to him and said, "Mr. Nats, your current position does not seem to meet the expectations of the Empire. If you can compile a copy of the personnel information of the delegates to the Estates-General of the Dutch provinces, I would be happy to help you rise to a more prominent position. ”

"Thank you Mr. Song for your kindness, and I will send you the information of these representatives as soon as I arrive in Amsterdam." Peter Natz said with a smile of patience.

Although the United Republic of the Seven Provinces has been formed, the minds that control the country are a group of businessmen who have moved everything in the mall to the Estates-General. Therefore, as long as you have money, you can basically have the greatest voice in the meeting. Compared to those wealthy businessmen, a huge country standing behind him obviously gave him a better chance of standing out in parliament.

While the Dutch fleet was returning home with the Chinese and British fleets, Zheng Zhilong was also leading five ships into Manila Bay and anchored near the mouth of the river.

After receiving the news of the Natives rebellion in the Central Plains, although this sudden news disrupted Coquela's plan, and many inland Natives had not yet completed communication, it did not stop Coquela's anticipation of this Natives rebellion.

Just when he sent people to contact the native tribes in the Neihu area, planning to let them attack Balian, and then personally send troops to sack Balian City, Zheng Zhilong's arrival made him have to stop his plan, especially since the other party brought all gunboats, and it was far away from the range of the Manila Battery, which obviously had some bad intentions.

Coquilla could only bite the bullet and send people to negotiate, trying to drive Zheng Zhilong's fleet away. But Zheng Zhilong didn't even show his face, but just sent one of his subordinates to meet the envoy, saying that they had come to protect the expatriates of Balian, and had no other meaning, so Manila could rest assured.

Coqueira was naturally unreassured, although Manila's cannon was facing the Balian City, but he didn't have the courage to fire in front of the Ming army. And at this moment, letting the natives of Neihu go to attack Balian gave the Ming army an excuse to go ashore. Therefore, Coquilla could only send people to continue to contact the indigenous tribes in the interior, so that they could join the indigenous rebellion in the Central Plains, so as to wait for the Ming army to return to Lingayan Harbor to rescue people.

However, just as Coqueilla was shrinking its forces to Manila and conniving at the Luzon natives' rebellion, two Japanese wings originally stationed in Java arrived at the port of Lingayan on a Chinese merchant ship.