Gajil was a small country on the southeastern coast of the Indian Peninsula and one of the thirty-six countries through which Zheng He passed through on his voyage to the West. From here, it goes south, reaches the mountain country of Ceylon on the island of Sri Lanka, and then crosses the Bay of Bengal to the east, which is the Strait of Malacca.

In the sixth year of Zhengde, this place belonged to the periphery of the Portuguese sphere of influence, and the aforementioned routes were only discovered by a few people, and no large-scale seafaring operations took place.

It is also understandable that Portugal is a small country, both in this era and in future generations. Population, land area, even in Europe, where there are many small countries, they can only be ranked behind. Although they were at the forefront of the Age of Discovery because of their geographical advantages, their population and national strength limited their further development.

From the New World to Africa, and then to India, their footprints have covered most of the world, India has not yet been developed, for the more distant South Seas and even the Ming Dynasty, they are really powerless, although they have regarded it as a meal on the plate, but they can only send a few to explore the past.

The governor at that time was called Frederick, a mustache with blue eyes, completely different from those sloppy sailors, not only was he well-dressed, but even the beard on his lips was neatly trimmed, and he looked aristocratic, in fact, he was indeed a viscount.

The Portuguese Viceroyalty of India was established in Goa, a port on the northern tip of the west coast of the Indian peninsula, far from Gajel. Frederick, who was particular about the quality of life, would not have rushed over to this day, after all, there were no luxury cruise ships in this era, and the cabins of sea ships usually represented crampedness and dirtiness, which were the most hated things by the aristocracy.

So, when they saw him here, the merchants and sailors were very surprised, and asked each other about what had happened.

"Could it be that the Spaniards are going to war with us?" This is the most reliable and unrealistic speculation, and in the eyes of the Portuguese, on the vast ocean, only this ill-intentioned neighbor can pose a threat to them.

However, the unknown world is still very large, and there are many resources, giving up the struggle and joint development is the king, and the war between them will only cheapen others, such as the North Sea upstart Netherlands, which is chasing after the two countries.

"Probably not, the Spaniards won't be so crazy, besides, didn't you see those ships just now? It was a Spanish ship, and it was Sander. ”

"The Spanish Governor is also here? Shouldn't that be a war, maybe a negotiation? I don't know which port these greedy guys have their eyes on. ”

"Forget it, India is very big anyway, it doesn't matter if you give them a few places, it's really not good, we can also go to the East, where there is a bigger and richer country than India. The Orientals are easy to manipulate and ignorant, and when we conquer there, we will be able to completely revitalize Portugal and get rid of the shadow of Spain. ”

"Look, there's another ship...... It seems to be a Dutch ship, and the person who came down was ...... Feng. Reinhardt? ”

Watching the familiar figure walk down the dock, everyone looked at each other, and their hearts were full of surprise.

"The Dutch are here too, and now all that's left are the damned English pirates, and if they do, they'll be all together." At this time, there were four seafaring powers in Europe, among which Britain was somewhat unworthy of the name, because their ships were mainly light fast boats, which were mainly used for robbery.

The rest of France, though a continental power, had no tradition of seafaring, and as for the Venetian merchants, hey, their ships could sail in the bathtub of the Mediterranean, and when they reached the rough sea, they could only capsize.

There are only these three countries that have a certain amount of power in India, and now the three governors are actually gathered together, which can only show that something extraordinary has happened.

"Mr. Fred, have you finally made up your mind to let Kalihat out?" The Spanish governor Sander had a big hooked nose, combined with gloomy eyes, which made him look arrogant, in fact, his surname was indeed very arrogant, and when he spoke, he raised his chin slightly and pointed his nostrils at people.

"That's not good, it's said that Calihat will be used as a public port, and the three will develop it together, even if Governor Frederick agrees, we Dutch will not let it go."

To be precise, Reinhardt should be counted as a German, but in this era even the Prussian Confederation was not formed, let alone Germany. However, he was also an authentic nobleman, and had a stubborn surname that was unique to the Germanic people.

"Hmph, just with your little boat, if it weren't for ......," Sander said disdainfully as he breathed through his nostrils.

"Alright, you two, what should Kalihet do, we can discuss it slowly in the future, and we can always negotiate a result that satisfies everyone. I have invited you to discuss something else, which concerns our common interests in India and in the Far East. Frederick interrupted Sander.

Last year, the confrontation between the Netherlands and Spain, he must have been happy to see it, the snipe and the clam competing for the benefit of the fisherman, I don't know this idiom, but he understands this truth. But now is not the time to gloat, because they are about to face an even greater threat.

“…… Fred, are you sure you're not alarmist? Tander's chin tucked in, and it was rare to look at people in a level-headed way.

"Mr. Sander, are you questioning the honor of a nobleman?" Frederick fought back quietly.

"Well, Mr. Fred, I'm sure you won't joke about this kind of thing, everyone's time is precious, please tell me what it is."

"Before that, allow me to introduce two gentlemen...... Frédéric nodded, raised his hand and patted it, and two people walked in at the door, he pointed and introduced: "This is Ronaldo, this is Yasan the Fire One, both are devout believers, at the call of God, to go to that ancient country in the East and spread the glory of God......"

"Fred, you don't mean that what you want to discuss with us has something to do with that backward and wild country, do you?" Sander seemed arrogant, but his reaction was very clever, and he sneered: "I really underestimated you, but you took the lead there, and now what are you going to say?" Show off the ports you've already acquired? Or ......"

Frederick did not answer, and he commanded with a dark face: "Ronaldo, you can explain it to the two Governors." ”

"Yes, Mr. Governor, here's how it happened......" Ronaldo bowed slightly, and then told him what he had seen and heard in Daming, he tried to explain it briefly, but there were too many things involved, and when he finished speaking, several listeners found that the whole process actually took more than an hour.

"You say that the country called Da Ming already has pocket watches, wall clocks, and even boxes for playing music on its own? Is it done through gears, levers, etc.? "Sander had forgotten the jealousy and arrogance he had just had, and if he hadn't known Fred's rigor, he would have almost thought that the other party was playing a prank.

"And they still have sea vessels? Can a seagoing vessel? There are also artillery on board? Reinhardt usually thinks of himself as a soldier, and his focus is different from that of Sander.

"That's ...... true"

Ronaldo glanced at his companion and did not hide the shock in his heart, "More than ten years ago, when we first arrived in that country, that country was not like this, although in various fields, there are amazing achievements, but they don't have much enthusiasm for opening up, maybe because the country itself is rich enough, right?" ”

Yasan the Fire continued, "All this has happened in recent years...... I can swear to God that all this is true, like a miracle, a country suddenly changes in a few years, whether it is the domestic climate, or the attitude towards the outside world, the upper echelons of the empire have passed a resolution, they have decided to expand outward, first in the South Seas, and soon in India. ”

"No way, you're talking nonsense!" Sander stood up violently, waved his arms and shouted:

"No country can complete such a transformation in such a short period of time, they build ships and artillery, don't they need technological precipitation? What's more, it was just a wild country, just like those solar empires in the New World. In such a country, the heroic Spanish soldiers, only a few hundred people can conquer them, even if they have a population of hundreds of thousands, or even millions! ”

"But, Dear Mr. Sander, the two priests are not lying, I have already sent someone to verify that on the other side of the Bay of Bengal, the Ming Empire is on a journey of conquest, and one by one the indigenous countries are prostrate under their feet, and many more countries will join the ranks, otherwise, they will only face destruction!"

Frederick coldly interrupted Sander's roar, "According to their speed, in two or three years, the power of the Ming Empire will expand to India, no, it may not be that long, their light expedition ships are already exploring the seas west of Mankathorn, now we just need to decide what attitude to use to face this emerging empire, this terrifying empire." ”

"Fight, wipe out their fleets, and conquer them!" Sander roared again.

"I suggest that you prepare for both."

Reinhardt calmly analyzed: "The strong should be respected, you can send people to negotiate first, see their attitude, if they are willing to recognize the rules between countries, in line with the principle of first come, first served, joint development, then we recognize their status." Of course, this is after a real verification of their strength. ”

"And what if they refuse?"

"Colonies are the territory of all countries, sacrosanct, and if they come by force, then we will have to unite and uphold the dignity of the great powers of Europe." Reinhardt turned to Frederick and asked, "Mr. Fred, you think so too, right?" ”

"Yes, gentlemen, this is not a joke, the crisis has really arisen, now let's act, mobilize all the forces at hand, and be ready to strike at the enemy head-on."

(To be continued)