Although Cai Daoxian is soft-hearted, he has no plans to retire in South Africa. But if you want to return to China, you have to show something. Although Yuan Chonghuan's proposal was somewhat unkind, it solved the dilemma faced by the colony and catered to the desires of the colonial officers and soldiers. These Ming soldiers who came to serve in the colonies naturally did not endure such a lonely life far from home in order to defend the motherland.

"Yes, my lord, then I'll go back and write a plan first, and then ask the adults for advice." After all, Cai Daoxian still did not have the courage to contradict the bureaucrats of the entire colony, so he chose to accept it.

However, Yuan Chonghuan did not let him leave immediately, but suddenly said to him: "Most of the big river in the north flows in the desert, so let's call it Shahe, choose a suitable place at the mouth of the river to build a fortress, and transfer a squadron to garrison it locally, the name of the fortress can be called Fengdu."

The big river in the east comes from the high mountains on the bank, which is called Yangjiang, and a fort is also built at the mouth of the river, and a squadron is transferred to garrison, and the name of the fortress is called Shijie. When you go back, draw a sketch map showing that the area between the Shahe River and the Yangjiang River is the territory of my Viceroyalty of South Africa. Stick a note in a public notice booth in the city, and note next to it: From now on, any foreigner or group that enters the area without permission from the Governor's Palace to explore or trade will be regarded as an invasion, and the Governor's Palace will impose different punishments ranging from fines to death for those caught in the invaders.

In addition, notify the Jinghai City Council and ask them to review and approve the compulsory military service system and militia bill as soon as possible. With the exception of slaves, artisans, scholars, and the disabled, any man who has reached the age of seventeen and has not yet reached the age of 45 must serve for five years in batches, and retired soldiers must also join the militia. Any man who dares to rebel against the bill will be repossessed of the land and houses allocated by Jinghai City, and he and his immediate family members will be evicted. ”

Cai Daoxian's eyelids jumped suddenly, and then he said in a while: "The exiled scholars in my country, the local Buddhism, Taoism, and foreign missionaries also have to serve?" Conscripting so many soldiers at once may damage local agricultural production. ”

"The Dutch are about to occupy all the Portuguese colonies in the north, although we are now at peace with the Dutch, but now that we have received so many Portuguese who have fled from the northern colonies, God knows if the commander of the Dutch fleet will make any impulsive choice, be prepared?

In addition, the Bantu people went south to the Crocodile River and drove the natives south of the Crocodile River to our border. There is an increasing number of cases of cattle being stolen across borders by the Bouman people, not only from the Nama but also from our colonial villages. If we say that the Namahs will fight back, they may not gather to attack our village. Therefore, it is time to focus on safety, not to regret the loss..."

Under Yuan Chonghuan's teaching, Cai Daoxian could only nod his head again and again, reviewing himself or not being thoughtful. Just when Cai Daoxian wanted to retire and leave, Yuan Chonghuan asked him again: "Yu Tingji's side, is there still no news coming back?" ”

When Cai Daoxian heard this question, he also said with a wry smile: "The Portuguese given by Mo Sanbi have blocked almost all the passages to the plateau between the Zambezi River and the Limpopo River, and it seems that they have taken the Monomotapa Kingdom in the region as their own taboo, and do not allow other foreign forces to contact the Monomotapa Kingdom. After several attempts in the Senate, he was unable to establish contact with the ruler of the Monomotapa Kingdom, and is still stranded in the Eswatini region. ”

After hearing this, Yuan Chonghuan also said quietly: "According to those Portuguese, the Portuguese merchants given by Mo Sanbi export 60,000 ounces of gold from Clemanet every year, which is equivalent to 60,000 taels for us. According to the domestic or European gold and silver price, it is 900,000 taels of silver. Last year, Jinghai City's public financial expenditure was only 90,000 taels of silver. With such a huge sum of money coming into their accounts every year, these Portuguese people are naturally very nervous.

Forget it, let Senator Yu come back first, and leave one or two officers and businessmen over there. Let's wait until our side has dealt with the land issue with the Nama people first, and then find a way to contact the ruler of the Monomotapa Kingdom. ”

Cai Daoxian also nodded and said: "The Portuguese have been operating here for hundreds of years, and now the king of the Monomotapa Kingdom is supported by the Portuguese, even if we contact this king, I am afraid it will be difficult to obtain any fair trade agreement." It's better to withdraw the Senate first, and then find a way to stabilize the internal situation on our side..."

Provin, the owner of the Grasse. After disembarking from the ship to register, Joseph went to the business district not far from the pier, where he found a neat and elegant looking restaurant, and ate the most satisfying meal since he left China. When he came out of the dining room with a full hiccups, he realized that the sky had darkened a little, but the main street was surprisingly lit up.

Provins. After only a few glances, Joseph recognized that the street lamps here were no different from the kerosene street lamps he had seen in Shanghai, Tianjin, and Malacca. Obviously, this cheap lighting fuel has begun to benefit the African region.

"The mayor of Paris should have come to see the public street lighting that even a colony has, but Paris is still asking its citizens to take on this obligation." Provins. Joseph couldn't help but mutter.

Beginning in 1417, in order to brighten up the winter nights in London, the Lord Mayor of London, Henry . Barton issued an order for Londoners to hang lamps outside to deter thieves at night and to point passers-by in the right direction. The French also took this approach, and the citizens of Paris were required to install lighting fixtures outside their windows facing the street.

However, this requirement obviously does not make London and Paris a city that never sleeps, after all, citizens cannot spend money to serve others in vain, and in both cities, only the streets of the rich areas can have the lights that go out all year round. As for the poor areas, where people struggle to fill their own stomachs, where can they take care of the needs of others.

In Provins. According to Joseph, the city officials in Paris were too lazy to think about the people as well as a colonial government. As he walked down the street, he pondered this question when he suddenly noticed that there was a French sign hanging on one side of the street.

Provins. Joseph paused, then turned on the light to make out the words on it, "Rooster Bar". I heard faint music coming from the side street. Joseph immediately walked into the side street curiously. After he pushed open the door of the bar, a wave of heat and noise suddenly rushed to his face, and the space inside the bar with a small façade was very spacious, as if three or four rooms were open.

There were about seven or eight tables inside, but only half of them were full. There is also a musician dressed like a Spaniard in the corner who plays the lute to himself, the sound of the piano is melodious but not high-pitched, which can be relaxing without interfering with the conversation of the guests.

Provins. Joseph walked up to the musician and stopped to listen for a while, and when the song was finished, he clapped his hands gently, took out a Spanish silver coin from his pocket, threw it on the table beside him, and said, "Please have another piece of music." ”

Just as the musician stood up to thank him, Provin. Joseph had already turned his head to the bar on his right, and after taking a seat on the bench in front of the bar, he said briskly to the bartender, "Today is my lucky day to be able to return safely from the East to the Atlantic." So give me a cup of Trinity, and I'm going to treat the whole audience to a drink..."

Provins. Joseph apparently knew how to make friends with strangers in the bar, and with just a cheap rum, he was already a familiar stranger in the bar, and everyone raised a glass to celebrate his safe return from the East.

Provins. Joseph did not rush to join the conversation circle of other drinkers, he sat at the bar and listened to everyone's conversation slowly, and it took a long time to choose a person, and took his glass and walked to a table not far from the bar, where the two Portuguese were drinking.

Provins. Joseph saluted the two and then said: "Two friends, I am a businessman who has been away from Europe for three years, and I just accidentally heard that you two seem to have just left Lisbon, I wonder if I can ask you what news there has been in Europe in the past three years?" ”

For Provins. Joseph, a generous French merchant, was welcomed by two Portuguese, and one of the younger Portuguese was quick to say: "The biggest news in Europe now is the independence of the Kingdom of Portugal from the Spaniards last December, and the accession of the Duke of Bragança to the throne of His Majesty João IV in January this year..."

But another older Portuguese interrupted him dismissively and said, "But what's the use of that? The Duke of Bragança received the crown, but one by one the kingdom's overseas colonies were conquered by the Dutch. On the coast of Africa north from Jinghai City, which colony is still in the hands of our Portuguese? ”

The young Portuguese was obviously opposed to the decadent attitude of the elders, and could not help but retort angrily, watching the quarrel between the two tilt the topic in some unknowable direction. Joseph hurriedly calmed down the two of them in a round game, and then quickly changed the subject: "So how is the war in Europe going now?" Is it almost over? ”

The older Portuguese shook his head and said, "You have also heard that the Dutch are refusing to recognize the Kingdom of Portugal as independent, and are urgently attacking our colonies in Africa, and how can the war in Europe end.

However, I think the current situation in the Kingdom of Spain is not good, in addition to the independence of our country, Catalonia, Sicily, Naples and other places are also opposing King Philip. On the French side, the young Duke of Anchien defeated the city of Arras in his first battle, and the Spanish army fighting in the Spanish Netherlands lost his armor.

Since last year, Spain has not heard much good news in any battlefield, except for the Netherlands, which is guarded by the Flemish army. France's allies, Sweden and the Netherlands, are also coming with frequent news of victory, and it seems that this war is really coming to an end. ”

( = )