Taipei, Keelung Port.

The autumn rain was pouring down, and a misty mist shrouded the Peace Fort.

There is a protruding verandah on the right side of the bamboo garden, and if it weren't for the rain and fog blocking the view, you could see the Nanhai being overhauled in the dockyard.

Hui Xiang debugs the strings of the zither, which is a newly made guzheng. From the 15 strings of Zhejiang Zheng to 21 strings, the wire imitation European piano is made of copper, and the music is brighter than the silk strings. Metal strings are also stronger than silk strings and can withstand intense fingering and strumming.

The sound of the zither is like water.

Sitting on a bamboo sofa with a blanket on his lap and a pot of fragrant oolong tea in front of him. He was intently playing with the model ship in his hand.

Taipei is building its own three-masted conversion Yahat. According to the design, it was a three-masted ship with a keel of 20 meters, a hull of 28 meters, a maximum width of 8 meters, and a draft of more than 3 meters, and the craftsmen said that the deadweight ton was about 250, and the gun deck could be equipped with six 4-pounder or 6-pounder guns. The aft deck and the forward half of the ship can accommodate four swing guns.

In order to save valuable canvas, the ship's foremast mainmast has only 2 sails, and the trailmast has only 1 oblique truss sail, no top sail, and the first mast is changed from 1 crosssail to 2 docket sails.

In this era, there were no standard drawings for shipbuilding, and designers could only build ships that they were proficient in. Maiden recruited three German craftsmen who had worked in Batavia, and they would only make light Yahat.

This is an armed merchant ship that combines freight, self-defense and cost well, and it cannot be a professional warship, but it allows shipwrights from the mainland to accumulate experience in building multi-deck European ships.

The battle at the mouth of the Pearl River once again proved that the battle for supremacy at sea relies on three-masted ships, and the two old Changzi-class ships of the local navy are nearing the end of their service life, and can only occasionally find a sense of existence in the Gulf of Siam. Although the Melville is a three-masted ship, it only has a large internal space, and its real combat power is not much stronger than that of a frigate.

In fact, the federal navy had only three main cruisers that could sail long distances, and the Lima was lost in the First Battle of the Pearl River Estuary, and now only the two regular warships captured from Spain, the Nanhai and the Raphael, are still maintaining their combat effectiveness because of their dense ribs and strong hulls. Building only frigates is a helpless move to fill the density of routes, and large ships must be built, and the British cannot be counted on all, so they have to think of some other way.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door outside, and Hui Xiang got up, "Master Gan is here." ”

Shou Zhi did not spend much time in Taiwan. Gan Weijian accompanies Hui Xiang to practice the piano every day, and this eunuch who is good at Chinese and Western music and rhythm has a relationship with Hui Xiang as a teacher and friend.

The sound of footsteps came, and the ship model was put down in order, and it was not only Gan Weijian who came, but also Kou Baimen.

Unlike Huixiang's other friends, Kou Baimen was a prisoner of war when she came to Taiwan, and her personal belongings were confiscated at the same time as she was captured. If it weren't for Hui Xiang's care, she would have married some soldier or immigrant by now and lived a hard life.

Kou Baimen has been wandering for too long, enjoying himself in it, and he can't return to the life of ordinary people. After going to immigrant Zhuangtun to teach for a few days, Kou Baimen felt that he was about to lose his breath. Therefore, she asked for Huixiang, hoping to change her own situation through her channels.

I still have to give my woman's face, and I happen to be orderly and have the intention to promote Taipei's cultural undertakings, so I asked Taipei to invest and build a high-end club in the slowest section of the freshwater river.

There are many Jiangnan immigrants in Taipei, and they have copied the old courtyard of Nanqu, even if it is only three points of god, it will bring them comfort in their hearts.

A country should not only be blood and fire, but also a talented man and a beautiful woman. If it is done well, in the troubled times, this small quiet place can even become a business card of Taipei. evoked the memories of countless mainland gentry, officials and people, and attracted them to immigrate spontaneously.

How to run an entertainment venue, pirates naturally do not understand. This can only be handed over to the insider, and Kou Baimen has just become the best candidate.

Pick up the teacup and blow away the tea leaves floating on the water. Shou Xuan said softly: "Xinnanqu is handed over to you, and I will take off your slavery after you do it." ”

Kou Baimen bowed down, "The grace of the lord of the country, Baimen will never forget." ”

Shou Xuan snorted, and Song Huixiang hurriedly helped his friend up.

After talking about Kou Baimen, it was the turn of the newly composed tune. Shou Xiang strives to instill his own musical aesthetic habits in this era, the rhythm must be fast, the tune must be exciting, and the difficulty of the arranger is so high that it is beyond the ability of a single musician.

Gan Weijian studied piano with Ricci and Ricci when he was young, and he knew a little Spanish, and he interacted with Spanish musicians who were retained in Taipei, and recently achieved some results.

"Has there been progress in adapting the ancient song "General's Order"?"

Gan Weijian has never been able to change some habits from the court, and he is still bowing his head at the moment.

"Yes, sir." Gan Weijian handed the score to Hui Xiang, and tried it out with a guzheng on the spot.

The smooth music sounded, Shou ordered to close his eyes, and silently accompanied the lyrics in his heart. What he wanted was the popular Cantonese song of later generations.

"Arrogant and arrogant laughter, hot blood is better than red sunshine ......"

Because it is adapted from "General Order", the key to starting with the guzheng is to be powerful, and do not pursue the fingering change of the performance.

"Let Haitian gather energy for me and open up the world. Go for my ideals, (see the blue waves rising), and see the blue sky vast and mighty. ”

This section of Hui Xiang used a flowing left and right fingers to rotate and advance, and the momentum came out.

The "...... at the end Hot blood and hot intestines, hot is better than red sunshine. ”

Hui Xiang used both remote fingers and strumming strings, and by the end of the day, beads of sweat had oozing out of her face.

Shou handed over the tea and said softly, "Hard work." ”

The woman smiled beautifully, "It's better to give me the piano, and if you replace it with my original zither, the string will have to break." ”

Gan Weijian has also seen the lyrics, and probably knows what Shou Xiang wants, "My lord, I feel that this song will work better if it is paired with suona and war drums." ”

"Master Gan, you go to Taipei Mansion to find someone, there must be people who can play suona and war drums among the new immigrants."

What is needed to keep the order is a military song, and the tune does not have to be exactly the same as that of later generations.

The same is true for the next song "The Great Wall Will Never Fall", this song is more suitable for this era than "Men Should Be Self-Improvement". Order's demands on these two pieces are the highest, and he doesn't rush them out until he achieves the effect he wants.

The eunuch arranges the music, the woman plays, and the music comes out smoothly, but it always makes the order feel less masculine. Maybe someone who has come back from the battlefield should be involved.

There is no hurry in the matter of military songs, and the order is in order to achieve the best effect.

In the afternoon, a military and political meeting was held at the official residence of the chief executive in Taipei.

Taipei's Big Three, Ernst. Feng. Morality. Maiden, Ludwig. Filhoff, René. Allemand.

Commander of the Reinforcement Fleet, Grenville. Collingwood, Philip. Edward, Thomas. Merlot and Harris. Acton.

Commander of the 1st Army Regiment Karl. Langemann.

Although there were losses in the battle of the Pearl River Estuary, the main combat mission was still completed, and 93% of the rice was delivered to the ports of Taipei, which was life-saving food. In contrast, the loss of a Lima has become less acceptable.

Before the formal meeting, everyone needs to connect with the feelings.

Shou Xiang first asked about the situation of the newly shipped cinchona saplings. The native cinchona trees are fully mature this year, and the seeds and seedlings have been shipped in large quantities to Houjiang, Hainan and Taiwan. These newly conquered regions were more desperate than the native thirst for cinchona.

Maiden: "New cinchona nurseries have opened in Taipei, Yilan, Hualien and Taichung, and I would like to thank the Senate on behalf of Taipei. ”

Collingwood smiled, "Ernst, you have a lot to thank. It's useless to just talk, you have to come up with something practical. ”

Melo also continued: "Yes, everyone is rich, you can't eat alone in Taipei." ”

Maiden spread his hands, "Gentlemen, if you want a few women, I will try my best to arrange them, but you have been here for so many days, you should be able to see that Taipei is still in the investment stage, and there is not much profit." ”

"Not only do we have no money, but we owe a lot of debt." Allems, the thick-eyed Frenchman, is now sitting completely on Taipei's side.

Collingwood took out a piece of paper and handed it over, "I brought a lot of tasks entrusted by the patriarchs this time, Taiwan Development Bank, Taipei Reclamation Company, and there are many local people who want to buy shares." ”

Maiden took it, his brow furrowed, it was a list he couldn't refuse.

Philip leaned forward, "We intend to take on a portion of your debts on the condition that we accept our stake in our personal capacity......"

Shou Xuan knew their plans, and the Australian expedition could not be just a matter for Taipei, and it had to be supported by the mainland. From a business point of view, the conditions put forward by some of the local patriarchs were harsh, but even he could hardly refuse.

Most people want to buy shares in the Taiwan Development Bank, and only a few people think of the Taipei Reclamation Company. The officers in front of him were among them.

"We don't know what the Taipei Reclamation Company wants to do, but since the consul has personally invested in this company, we also want to get involved. We pledged the shares of the Nanyang Bank and the local estate, and handed over the money to you. Melo glanced at Shou Order, "I personally feel very curious, since it is reclamation in Taipei, why did you buy two cutting-edge warships of the navy?" ”

In fact, Shou Xian didn't have many shares by himself, and he mainly invested money in the name of Hui Xiang. It seems that the local officers are well aware of these things.

Seeing that Maiden was still bargaining, Shou ordered and waved his hand to stop him, "The specific conditions will be discussed slowly later." ”

Orderly spread out charts on the table of the seas east of the Philippines, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and Eastern Australia. ”

"Gentlemen, I will tell you in detail about the mission of the Taipei Reclamation Company today, but you must swear to secrecy. The secrecy of this mission is addressed to the Dutch, and I hope that you will attach great importance to it, and you must not say it when you return home. ”

The officers nodded their heads.

"The purpose of the Taipei Reclamation Company is to develop the gold ...... in Eastern Australia"

The order began with a start, and the details were added by Maiden.

Gold lifts everyone's spirits.

When Collingwood had finished, he searched carefully on the charts to find the bay behind the Lihir Islands and Fraser Island in Eastern Australia.

"It's really hidden, and if the charts were accurate, it would take the Dutch years to find such a location, even if they knew it."

Order: "When it comes to exploring new routes, we also need to spend a lot of time and money. ”

Collingwood smiled, "It's okay, we trust the Archon's vision." ”

Philip: "If these two gold mines are developed, how much will they produce?" ”

"If you put in 20,000 people, you can produce about 1 million pounds worth of gold a year." ”

That's 300-4 million taels of silver.

Carl Langman felt like he was about to suffocate, and the mountains of gold and silver smashed over.

"So what are you waiting for, we should go all out now!"

Red deer of the army, Philip snorted: "It's not that simple, it will take several years to explore new routes first." Second, even if the route is fully developed, it can only be made once a year through the coastal route of the island of New Guinea because it has to cross the equatorial windless belt. ”

Collingwood nodded, "And it's sure to attract the covetousness of others." The consul is right, if anyone dares to speak out about Australia, and the Dutch finally know about it, don't blame me for being unkind. ”

The area where Allemand may have harbored in the Fraser Gulf, Fraser Island, several islands at the tip of the island of New Guinea, the strait between the island of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, several important areas are marked.

"If we want to have full control of the routes, we have to build fortifications in these areas."

Philip nodded, "The last leg of the route is close to the Philippines, and there is also a possibility that it will be intercepted by enemy forces." ”

The Battle of the Pearl River Estuary reminded the Navy that Spain should not be taken lightly just because it was weaker than the Netherlands.

Maiden: "There's one more issue that can't be ignored. If 20,000 miners were to be put in, it would mean that more people would have to farm, which would take many years of migration to achieve. ”

……

The gold aroused the desire of the officers, and they discussed it vigorously. Orderly welcomes such an atmosphere, mobilizes everyone's enthusiasm, and things can be promoted faster.

Shou Order's cough pulled them back to reality: "Gentlemen, the future is bright, but it will require us to make a dismissive effort. Expeditions in Australia will continue, and the establishment of initial colonies can also begin. These efforts will go hand in hand with our efforts to build a strong navy. Only with money can we expand the army, and only by expanding the army can we defend us and make more money. ”

The first phase of development will commence at the Lihir Island gold mine on a rolling basis.

Collingwood: "Building a fort can't happen overnight. It seems that in addition to the battleship, we also need a new type of ship, because it is gold, the load does not have to be high, but the speed is fast enough and the ability to adapt to headwinds is stronger. ”

"Under the leadership of the Archons, I have no doubt about success." Carl Langemann, who didn't know how to sail, was concerned about another question, "Your Excellency, what is the name of your plan to call the Eastern Australian colony and the gold-mining island?" ”

The gold mine was located in what was later Queensland, Queensland, Australia.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he was going to make a slight change. "Yes, Carl, I've got it figured."

Get up and walk to the chart, and write three names in order.

East Australia Goldfield, Casterly Rock.

Lihil Goldfields Island, Dragonstone.

Harbor, King's Landing.

Australia is rocky, and the location of the gold mine is marked as Castle Rock City.

Lihil Goldmine is a volcanic island rich in geothermal resources, with hot springs, steam and sulphur gushing out of the crevices like a dragon's lair, and the name Dragonstone is aptly named Dragonstone.

The port of Dong'ao attracts everyone's attention. King's Landing, the name that made the officers' hearts flutter.