To the south of Nakanoshima, at a restaurant near Yodowatsubashi, Methwald was talking to Hopkinshire and other East India Company employees.

A few days ago, a major battle between the coalition fleet and the Seto Inland Sea Force allowed the coalition forces to completely control the sea lanes in the Kansai region of Osaka. This news also made the daimyo of the Western countries, who had already been shaken, even more wait-and-see.

Just as these daimyo of the Western Kingdom were hurrying to make contact with the coalition forces, Methwald also had a basic understanding of the current situation in Osaka. On this day, after hearing that the fleet had returned to Osaka from Awaji, he rushed to the port to learn more about the naval battle from Hopkinshire and others.

Hopkinshire was naturally happy to boast about his exploits in front of his superiors, and in fact he commanded the battle very well, killing the main force of the Seto Inland Sea naval force with only a few minor casualties.

“… Those Japanese jumped under our boat, but they couldn't climb our shipside, and we were shot one by one with muskets and fell into the sea, like monkeys hunting in the mountains and forests... A monkey is a monkey, and he can't even make sake well, so can this be considered wine..."The dry-mouthed Hopkinshire couldn't help but continue to complain after taking a sip of sake.

Methwold interrupted him impatiently and said, "Alright, Mr. Hill, your exploits will be noted by the company." But I want you to be careful with your words and don't talk about the yellow-skinned monkey in front of our Chinese allies all day long, because our allies won't like your foul language. ”

Hopkins Hill shrugged his shoulders and said disappreciatively, "Okay, I'll take notice." But I don't think these Chinese are much better than the Japanese. If at sea, I can deal with ten of them with one boat. Their clumsy way of manoeuvring makes us a captain on their ship, even if we find a random sailor from Manchester..."

Robert, who was sitting next to Methwold, interrupted him unceremoniously and said, "Come on, even if we defeat the entire Japanese navy, we won't get the gold and silver we want."

Without relying on the victories of the Chinese on land, we would not have been able to squeeze out even a single copper plate in Japan. What's more, I don't think Japan has a so-called navy, Mr. Hill, I think you should recognize the reality first..."

Methwald stretched out his hand to stop the two from continuing to argue, and while calling the second child outside to come in and settle the bill, he said to the two: "That's all for today's lunch, Robert and I will go back to the city first." And Ciel, you go back to the ship first, and replenish the supplies that are missing on the ship, and maybe we will leave again soon. ”

The British in the room finally quieted down, and the owner of the restaurant walked into the room with an abacus and said politely to the British: "It's a total of 476 Wen, what money do the guests plan to pay with?" ”

Methwold took out a rectangular leather wallet from his bosom and asked the boss curiously, "What kind of money is used, is there a different price?" ”

The boss said with a smile: "Recently, there have been a lot of Tang people in Osaka, as well as the same Nanban people as the guests, if you pay with gold, silver and copper coins, it will naturally not change, but if you pay with Daming Yuan, there will probably be some discrepancies."

Although the town government stipulates that one large Ming Yuan can be exchanged for 800 copper coins, there are some differences in the exchange rate between silver dollars and paper money.

Here in the shop, a Ming silver dollar can be used as an 820 copper coin; However, a one-yuan Daming Yuan can only be used as a copper coin for 780 Wen copper coins. If the guests have any opinions, they can also go to the two merchants opposite to exchange the copper coins and then settle the bill. ”

Methwald took out a one-yuan bill from his wallet and gave it to the boss, and couldn't help but ask again: "The fineness and weight of the Daming silver dollar don't seem to be much better than that of Douding silver, why is it more than the copper coin exchanged for Douding silver?" ”

The boss checked the banknote in his hand, and quickly replied: "The Daming silver dollar is much more beautiful than the bean Ding silver, and the fineness is relatively stable, so everyone likes to collect the silver dollar..."

After Methwold and Robert came out of the restaurant, Robert accidentally stepped into the mud puddle on the road, and suddenly frowned and buckled the mud from the stake on the side of the road, and complained to his companions: "Damn it, can't they pave the same stone slabs as in the city, I am starting to miss Beijing." ”

Methwold stood on the side of the road and waited for him, and replied mockingly: "Robert, you have been in Beijing for too long, have you forgotten the bad roads of London?" I think it's really necessary to let you leave Beijing for three months a year, otherwise you won't be able to stand the harsh life of ocean voyages next time. ”

Robert cautiously walked around the small puddle in front of him, frowned at Methwold, and complained, "You are such a good boss, and in such a situation, you don't forget to remind me of the sacrifice it takes to return to London." In fact, I also doubt that I will be able to adapt to life in China if I stay in Beijing like this.

But Mr. Methwold, what have you come to after studying China for so long? To be honest, the longer I stay in Beijing, the less I think this country will become our true friend. ”

Methwold, who was about to walk forward, couldn't help but stop and say to him when he heard this: "How can you have such an idea? ”

Robert turned his head to look in the direction of the harbor, and although it was far away, he could faintly see the sailing ships moored in the harbor. He stretched out his hand and pointed to the sailboats and said, "Look at those sailboats, when we first arrived in Tianjin, the Chinese only had the kind of small boats with low sides, which were not much better than the current Japanese ships."

But in the past three years, the country has been able to build soft sailing boats that are as good as we are. When I saw these ships, I was reminded of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth, before Her Royal Highness ascended the throne, the British Navy was useless, but after Her Highness ascended the throne, the British Navy miraculously defeated the Invincible Armada.

Today's China is a recreation of Queen Elizabeth's reign, when His Majesty the Emperor reorganized his navy and then sent troops to conquer Japan. But around Britain, there are several maritime powers that obstruct it. But in China's neighborhood, there is no country that can be called a maritime power.

To be honest, I'm worried about whether such a large and unfettered eastern country will be willing to share the same sea with us once it becomes a maritime power. The Ottoman Empire was never willing to share anything with others. ”

Methwold looked at the sailboats in the harbor, looked at the pedestrians on the surrounding streets, and said meaningfully: "What you said may be possible in the future, but China is not our problem now."

As the Chinese say, they, like us, fell behind in the Age of Discovery, and the most fertile land in the world was occupied by the Spaniards, the Portuguese, and the Dutch.

If the rise of the Chinese navy threatens anyone first, it must be the Dutch, who now master maritime trade. There was only one strait between Britain and the Netherlands, and if we wanted to take our rightful share of power from the maritime trade, it was inevitable to attack the Dutch.

With the present strength of the British, it was impossible to bring down the Dutch alone. And under the threat of the Spaniards and the Habsburgs, Britain could not openly break with the Dutch.

I do think that as long as the Chinese continue to expand their maritime power in this way, the first to attract attacks will inevitably be the arrogant Dutch. This is really good news for the company.

In order to counter the pressure of the Chinese, the Dutch will inevitably draw people from other places, which will give the company opportunities in other regions. And the bad relations with the Dutch will make those Chinese rely more on companies as transit agents for goods.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about the future, and the most important thing is to take care of the current interests first. ”

Robert was silent for a moment, then reached out and took off his hat and nodded to Methwold, saying, "It seems that you have already decided which side we should be on after this war." I will support your decision. ”

Methwold bowed to him, then turned away a little, and walked side by side with Robert towards the city, where he continued: "The outcome of this war has already been decided in Peking, and we have only witnessed how His Majesty's subordinates of the Emperor have turned a plan into reality. What other place can we choose from other than the winner's side?

But this war has taught me a lot, Robert, have you ever thought that this war plan can actually be used between the various princely states on the Indian continent as well?

Although the Mughal Empire occupies most of the Indian continent, there are still large and small princely states on that continent, and the status of Emperor Shah Jahan in the empire and the status of the shogunate in Japan is actually not much stronger. If a huge force invades India, do you think the Shah Jahan Emperor will need the help of the company? ”

Robert said with some confusion at first: "The invasion of a huge force? On the periphery of the Mughal Empire, no one except the Safavid Empire could invade it. But Abbasid the Great is dead, his son is vying for the throne, and with the Ottomans on the sidelines, it may be difficult to launch another attack..."

But soon Robert was suddenly shocked: "God, are you talking about letting China attack the Mughal Empire, which is separated by a large peninsula?" ”

Methwold said disapprerovantly: "As long as it is an ambitious monarch, even if it is half a world away, he will organize a large army to satisfy his **, not to mention just a large peninsula."

His Majesty the Emperor is so young, how can he not have a meritorious person? Since he was able to send troops to conquer Japan, he would not be without caring about the richer Indian continent.

As the supreme supreme of China, he has power that we cannot imagine, and if this supreme can arouse his interest in the Indian continent, then the company will reap unimaginable benefits in this war..."