Chapter 485: Fusion

The Dutch had established themselves in southern Taiwan for many years, and after their defeat to Zheng Zhilong, they accepted the trade model of using Taiwan as a transit point. But with the landing of the Dengzhou battalion in the north and the construction of forts by immigrants, this pattern changed substantially. In the past, it was the land of the Dutch in the south that most of the trade was done in the north.

The Dutch were not satisfied with such a change. The Dutch governor of Taiwan, Putmans, repeatedly negotiated business matters to no avail. This result is naturally unacceptable, the Dutch are the boss of the whole world, and it is already very aggrieved that Zheng Zhilong can accept such a way of saving zài in distant China.

Putmans wrote to the East India Company several times, stating the current situation, believing that the Chinese were harming Dutch trade interests in their eyes, and wishing to draw attention. At this time, however, the Netherlands' focus was still on Europe and South Africa, and there was no room for the Far East. This is the sorrow of a small country, where human and material resources have reached the limit, and it is difficult to rise again.

In this case, China's sea forces are massing in a big way, and it is difficult for Putmans to think about it. Just one day later, he received news that a Chinese businessman, Lin Hengwan. When Zheng Zhilong reconciled with the Dutch, he was also mediated. Doing this thing has something to do with interests, and Lin Hengwan is also for his own business.

"There were 80 ships in Taixi, each with 60 to 80 guns. Zheng Zhilong and other dignitaries were all greeted on the dock. Exactly which adult arrived in Tamsui, because it was heavily guarded. It is not yet known. Lin Hengwan looked at this Dutch with some sympathy, this place in Reshalan, how long can the Dutch save zài, it's hard to say.

"Lin, do you judge, what is the purpose of this big man from the Ming Dynasty?" Putmans' voice was trembling, this was not the kind of boat that Da Ming usually came from, it was all big guys. Potmans had seen the ships on the other side of the freshwater. And it's clear that there are a lot of Portuguese hired there. His instincts. The Portuguese helped build this ship, but it couldn't be produced so fast? It's only been a few years, and from the original Xiaofu ship to the present, this has become a powerful fleet. It's been so long in the sea area of Daming. It was the first time he felt panic.

Don't underestimate this fleet. Not necessarily a powerful fleet in Europe. But there are many connotations reflected in it. Shipbuilding is not just about shipbuilding, there are many things involved. Among them, steel production, cannon casting technology. Shipbuilding technology, shipbuilding materials, these things have to be counted. You build a ship, you have to have cannons, right? To make a cannon, you have to have steel, right?

I heard that Zheng Zhilong had a cannon made by the Ming Dynasty in his hand, and he also sent someone to see it on the spot. That kind of 12-pounder gun, both in range and weight, was no worse than the Dutch man-made, and even a little lighter. It is conceivable that once a big country like Daming begins to march into the sea, the energy that bursts out is not comparable to that of a small country like the Netherlands.

Immediately after sending Lin Hengwan away, Putmans began to write a letter to India, in which he emphatically emphasized: "The state policy of the Ming Dynasty has changed dramatically, and it is certain that they are marching towards the sea." It is a large country, and the resources and energy contained are far from being comparable to those of the Netherlands. We have to pay close attention to it, otherwise we may lose big games in the future, even Batavia. “

When Putmans' letter to India was delivered, Chen Xie was inspecting settlements in the north. This time, at least on the surface, no one can see the true intention of Chen Xie's coming.

Walking in the fields north of Dayuan, which used to be wasteland, the Chinese's obsession with land has been fully verified at this time. The real intention of large-scale migration is only a little more than three years. But now look at this settlement, the Dock Fort was built at the foot of a hill, not far from the cultivated farmland. The summer harvest is over, and the newly planted seedlings in the fields are full of green, swaying in the wind. As far as the eye can see, this green stretches all the way to the foot of the mountain at the far end and to the edge of the sea.

"They are all good paddy fields, a total of 6 million acres of land have been cultivated over the years, 100 households have a dock fort, and adult men and women can hold guns. Speaking of which, I have to thank the master, the people sent are all from ordinary families, and the women are all big-footed women, if there is a delicate young lady, it is not easy to survive in this realm. "Luo Haiqing, who is in charge of reclamation, is not from Dengzhou, but a small businessman in the south who was saved by Chen Xie when he went north in the spring of Chongzhen's third year. When his business was considered bankrupt, he caught up with the Dengzhou battalion to count the transportation of loot, he stood up to help, and was directly left as a small person in charge. Later, in the army, his position was promoted, and when he emigrated from Liaodong, he was selected to take charge of some things. Chen Xie defeated Zheng Zhilong, and when he was an emigrate, he was selected as the official in charge of agriculture.

If you want to build a fortress and roads and other things, a few Portuguese can do it, and if you want to say that you can open up wasteland and cultivate land, you have to be Chinese. Chen Xie listened to his introduction, and kept nodding while walking on the path in the field: "Hard work!" ”

Luo Haiqing said with a smile: "It's not too hard, there are actually two things I want to do, one is to organize people to prevent malaria, and the other is to put more effort into the selection of the head of Wubao." Other things, organizing the people to practice, that is Ehong is in charge, organizing the repair of the fortress, and there is Lord Fangsi Valley. transportation and logistics, as well as Lord Gong Salu. These people are very dedicated to their work, and they don't have to say anything about their loyalty to the master. ”

Chen Xie asked quietly: "How is the prospecting thing going?" How do you deal with the relationship with the indigenous people? ”

This question, or Fang Sigu stepped forward and said: "Lord Huigebu, coal mines have been discovered at present, and other minerals are still being explored. The situation of the natives is not good, there are many fights, they have killed some people, and we have some dead and wounded. In general, it is now difficult for the recalcitrant tribes of the local natives to descend the mountain under our strict supervision and defense. We have given a lot of preferential treatment to some natives who are willing to associate with us. In the trade of salt, ironware, daily necessities, etc., we try to make some profits. At present, some of the natives along the Tamsui River have gradually integrated into our circle. ”

Chen Xie nodded, expressing a satisfied attitude. When he went out, Chen Xie chose a simple way to travel, and he walked and the guards he brought followed from afar. The three of them walked back and forth on the road, and it was really hard to see what a big man was. Seeing that there was a settlement in front of him, and there was actually a small market on the side of the road outside, Chen Xie was interested and said with a smile: "Go and see." ”

The settlement was just below a hill, and the three of them walked all the way, and Chen Xie looked carefully at the road under his feet. Because of transportation, the cement produced in Dengzhou will not be used on the road. The dirt road was leveled and compacted with huge stone mills. Walking on it, it's still relatively smooth. However, this kind of road will be fatal when it rains, and it is a rainy place, and it is normal for a rain to be potholes, and the road needs to be repaired frequently.

The purpose of a closer look is to see how efficient this administration is. Road construction is a matter of great importance in Dengzhou, and it seems that it is also very important to look at it now. There are few traces of repairs on the road, and only occasionally you can see new repairs, indicating that it is not the result of temporary work.

The three-meter-high exterior wall can effectively protect the residents inside, and according to the requirements, it is not enough for just 100 families to live, but also to consider the future development.

"It took a lot of work on this wall, didn't it?" Chen Xie asked casually, and Fang Sigu immediately said in a slightly strange but smooth official voice: "They are all newly built by immigrants, and an engineering team has been formed to be responsible for construction matters." In principle, every new settlement is fortified before the inhabitants are stationed. This work was planned from the beginning. This dock fort has played a huge role in dealing with the local natives. ”

Chen Xie squinted his eyes and glanced at the dock fort, but he didn't say anything. Continuing on, the roadside market is unexpectedly lively. People who do business are all setting up stalls on the roadside, including Ming people and locals. Chen Xie looked around quietly, and the goods he saw on the roadside stalls were very miscellaneous. A piece of animal skin is spread on the ground, and some mountain goods are peddled by local natives. The businessmen of the Ming Dynasty are more organized, with more than a dozen stalls using board cars as stalls, and the goods on them are also varied. The big ones have iron pots and plowshares, and the small ones have needles and threads, and there are also stalls that specialize in selling salt and sugar. What's even more interesting is that there are some stalls that sell all kinds of dim sum.

When trading, it is basically in the form of barter, and when the locals rarely have useful money, they look at anything, they put the goods in their hands on the stall, animal skins, mountain goods and other things, in exchange for the required items.

"Is this bazaar spontaneous or ad hoc?" Chen Xie finally walked out of the bazaar, and Han Shan, who was sweating nervously, breathed a sigh of relief. It's a mess here, and it's hard to defend it. Chen Xie doesn't care, they do.

"At first, there were local natives who came to exchange for some salt, but then the governor of Wubao came to tell the little one about it, and the little one thought that it was a good way to promote the relationship between the locals and the immigrants, so he proposed it at the meeting. Now there are ten such markets in the entire north. The size of the bazaar is mainly considered according to the living conditions of the locals. Luo Haiqing explained unhurriedly, Chen Xie nodded and smiled: "This is a good way, but if you want me to see it, you can also consider hiring locals to do things for us." Trade alone is not enough, more engagement is needed to speed up integration. (To be continued......)