The "United Firm" in Shi Diwen's mouth is, of course, the Dutch East India Company, which was founded in 1602 to monopolize oriental trade and carry out colonial plunder. During the nearly two hundred years of the East India Company's operations, a total of 1,772 ships were sent overseas, and about one million Europeans came to Asia through the ships of the East India Company. Although the company was nominally a commercial organization, in reality it had always had many state functions, such as organizing its own mercenaries, issuing currency, signing formal treaties with other countries, establishing colonies and ruling overseas, and so on.

Of course, it was not without cost to the East India Company that it enjoyed so many privileges, and 18% of the company's profits were to be paid to the state as dividends every year, in exchange for the government's support in various overseas policies and trade instruments.

In 1619, when Cohen became governor of the company, he began to advocate the use of force to open up the territory, and successfully established a national trade system, organizing trade between the Ming Dynasty, Korea, Japan, the Ryukyus, and Annam. However, Portugal, a rival who had occupied a large number of colonies in the Far East, was successively taken away under the pressure of the East India Company. In the heyday of the East India Company in the 17th century, it had more than 50,000 employees, dozens of warships, and tens of thousands of armed mercenaries.

In terms of the current strength comparison, the East India Company is still a step ahead of Haihan for the time being, but Haihan's development speed far exceeds that of its opponents, and the area controlled by Haihan is relatively more concentrated, and it is easier to occupy a strength advantage in the local area. If it weren't for the various logistical problems that would be brought about by the labor expedition, as well as the subsequent practical means of control, Haihan would have had enough strength to take the East India Company's stronghold of Geranza in the southern part of Taiwan Island.

However, in order to solve the problem of the Dutch, the Haihan Executive Committee believed that it was necessary to deal with the unstable factor of Eighteen Zhi first. These pirates posed a far greater threat to Haihan than the limited Dutch on the island of Taiwan. Shi Diwen used the Dutch to promote Haihan's military force, and the real purpose was also to give Xu Yuzhuo more confidence, so that he was convinced that Haihan had enough strength and determination to help the Fujian military eliminate Shibazhi.

The Xu family in Fujian had already joined the board of directors of "Qiong Lianfa" very early, so Xu Yuzhuo immediately understood Shi Diwen's very vivid metaphor: "So the red hair stationed on Dayuan Island...... The Dutch, they're the armed guards of this firm?"

"That's right. Shi Diwen nodded and said, "But even if they are only private forces, their strength has far surpassed that of the Ming army." The Dutch conquered a lot of places in the South Seas, and they all relied on this army to complete. Of course, compared to our Haihan militia, they are still a step behind. ”

Shi Diwen is not worried that these Haikou points he boasted will be leaked out by Xu Yuzhuo, although the Xu family has business dealings with the Dutch before, they should know very well who is the one who can really help the Xu family grow stronger. The Dutch did not sell a large number of standard weapons like the Haihan, and they also trained officers and taught combat tactics on their behalf. Of course, the most important thing is that the volume of trade between Fujian and Haihan has far exceeded the record with the Dutch, Haihan has become the largest trading partner of the Xu family, and it is unlikely that the Xu family will betray Haihan in order to re-hook up with the Dutch.

Xu Yuzhuo asked: "If Haihan takes Dayuan Island in the future, how should the sea route north of Fujian belong?"

On this issue, the Executive Committee has already given corresponding instructions, and Shi Diwen replied: "We will not impose any restrictions on this, but the premise is that we are still in a state of cooperation. ”

Shi Diwen actually only said half of what he said, but it did not prevent Xu Yuzhuo from comprehending the spirit of it - if the two sides continue to cooperate, then everyone can do the maritime trade business in Northeast Asia, but if the cooperative relationship is terminated, then I'm sorry, I won't take you to play with me in the future.

As for what kind of situation may lead to the termination of the cooperation between the two parties, Shi Diwen has already expressed his attitude before, and there is no need to repeat it at this time.

Shi Diwen was working for Xu Yuzhuo in Zhongzuo City, and Ningqi, who was in Zhangzhou City, was not idle. The reception banquet that Xu Xinsu prepared for Ning Qi and others in Zhangzhou City was set up in his own house, and there were not many guests invited, almost all of whom were related to the interests of the Xu family. After Xu Xinsu introduced the guests, he also specially said to Ning Qi: "Everyone here today is his own person, if Mr. Ning has anything to say, he can speak freely." ”

After talking with Xu Xinsu on the way to Zhangzhou, Ning Qi believed that although the other party had the intention of armistice to cease, it did not seem to be entirely out of intention, and part of the reason was the pressure of the external environment brought about by the continuous war. If we can find ways to help Xu Xinsu relieve these pressures, then it is not impossible for Fujian to continue to use troops against Shibazhi. And the guests on this occasion today are the core personnel of Xu Xinsu's interest group, and the ideas of these people will probably affect the future trend of the war situation in Fujian, and how to give these people enough blood and incite them to continue the war has become the most important task for Ningqi at the moment.

After three rounds of drinking, Ning Qi put down his chopsticks and began to talk about business: "Lord Xu, although it is the first time I have come to Zhangzhou, and I have not been in the city for a long time, I have a very good impression of this place, everywhere I go is orderly, and the people are polite, it is really a good place for culture and education to flourish, and rich in food and clothing!"

Ning Qi's praise is indeed a light on Xu Xinsu's face, although his position is a military attaché, but in fact, most of the government affairs in Zhangzhou are directly in charge or indirectly influenced by him, and the local governance is good, and it is indeed his Xu Xinsu's credit. Of course, Xu Xinsu couldn't boast in front of Ning Qi, so he was humble at the moment, and other sensible people next to him then stood up and praised Xu Xinsu's merits.

After listening patiently, Ning Qi continued to express his views: "The situation in Zhangzhou today is naturally due to Lord Xu and everyone here. But please allow me to say a few words that are a little out of place, although the current situation in Zhangzhou is good, but the external troubles have not been settled, and I think that it is a little early to live a peaceful life of singing and dancing now. ”

Xu Xinsu didn't respond immediately, just silently twisted his beard. During the banquet, someone answered: "The external trouble that Mr. Ning is talking about is nothing more than the group of pirates in Penghu, right? These thieves have suffered defeats for several years in a row, and now they no longer dare to come to Zhangzhou to make trouble." ”

Ning Qi responded: "You said that it is just the current situation in Zhangzhou, but the situation outside Zhangzhou does not seem to be like this. As far as I know, this group of pirates has blocked the route from Zhangzhou to the northeast in order to blackmail the Ming army into peace talks......"

"Mr. Ning, the word coercion is a bit inappropriate. The person who answered the call just now simply stopped the conversation without waiting for Ning Qi to finish speaking: "Peace talks are a two-sided matter, if it is only beneficial to the pirates and not beneficial to the Ming army, then this peace talks will not be realized." Besides, it shows that the army has always had the upper hand in the war, so how can there be a reason for the losing side to blackmail the winner?"

While listening, Ning Qi quickly recalled Xu Xinsu's introduction to this person in his mind, and after he finished speaking, he responded with a smile: "If I remember correctly, this is Mr. Chen from Qinglian Academy, right?"

"No, Chen Qinglian, Mr. Ning has a lot of advice!" the man sat down and arched his hand towards Ning Qi.

Ning Qi also returned the salute, and then continued: "What Mr. Chen said is not unreasonable, but this benefit should be divided into long-term and short-term, if you only focus on the short-term interests in front of you, then you may make a mistake in decision-making and lose long-term interests. As for the second point you mentioned, I also happen to be curious about why the Ming army, which has the upper hand, chose to cease fighting and negotiate peace with the bandits who cannot defeat them?

Chen Qinglian probably didn't expect Ning Qi to kick the ball back immediately, and hesitated for a few seconds before responding: "Zhangquan Erzhou has been fighting for many years, and the people have suffered a lot because of this, isn't it good that the people's lives can be restored to peace after the truce?"

"Well, of course it's a good thing to make the people's lives stable, but the question is why do you want to raise tigers and just destroy these robbers?" Ning Qi continued to ask.

Chen Qinglian said: "Fighting a war costs the people and money, and there are countless casualties on the battlefield, if peace talks can be exchanged for peace, what is wrong?"

"I understand the reason, but why don't you eliminate these robbers?" Ning Qi's tone also began to become aggressive: "Mr. Chen also said just now that the Ming army has the upper hand in the battle situation, so why let go of these robbers who have fallen into passivity? Is it so that they can get a respite, recuperate for a year and a half, and accumulate strength, and then attack the city of the Ming Dynasty?"

"Of course not......"

"Since it's not, then what's the need for a truce?" Ning Qi didn't wait for the other party's weak argument to finish, and then interrupted him: "I also want to ask Mr. Chen, how long is this truce going to be, is it three months, five months, or one year? Even if the two sides reach an armistice agreement, will this have any binding effect on the bandits? Or do you plan to go to Penghu in person and tell them what benevolence and righteousness are and what is credit?"

"What Mr. Ning said is yes, what else do you have to talk about with these robbers, and when you are ready to stop, you will go straight to the Penghu nest and give them a pot!"

"Our army's naval division is weak and unbearable, how can we go out of Penghu?" someone retorted at the moment.

"Am I afraid of these water bandits and pirates?

"Eighteen Zhi's sea ships are dozens of times more than the sailors, how can this battle on the sea be fought, and forcibly let the sailors go out, isn't it a move to send sheep into the tiger's mouth?"

"Shicai Chen Qingnian, who advocates peace talks, also said that our Ming army has the upper hand, when did it become the lamb you are talking about?"

"Enough!" Seeing that more and more people were joining the controversy and the scene was becoming more and more chaotic, Xu Xinsu finally couldn't help but stop this disorderly argument: "Mr. Ning hasn't finished speaking, what are you rushing to do?" shut up for us!"

Xu Xinsu's weight was indeed still able to suppress the scene, and as soon as he opened his mouth to scold, everyone present immediately shut up. Xu Xinsu apologized to Ning Qi at this time: "Mr. Ning, most of the old man's subordinates are rough people and don't know etiquette, please don't be surprised!"

"It's okay, the lights don't turn on, the reason can't be distinguished, everyone is willing to discuss, which is actually a good thing. Ning Qi was very generous, and did not get angry because of the chaos just now: "As for whether to fight or peace, everyone here may have their own positions and ideas, and what I say here only represents Haihan's attitude, not to impose it on you." If you think it makes sense, then listen to it, and if you think it doesn't make sense and want to debate with me, I welcome it, but please speak in an orderly manner and don't rush to talk. ”

After saying this, Ning Qi saw that everyone present focused their eyes on him, and then continued: "Regarding the war in Fujian, our Haihan's attitude ......"

Ning Qi deliberately lengthened his tone when he said this, and only after everyone's appetite was hung up did he say again: ...... As long as the Fujian military is willing to continue to fight against bandits, we will continue to provide military assistance and gradually open up the sale of some high-grade weapons. For example, the 'Expedition-class' warship that visited Zhangzhou this time, as well as the supporting combat equipment. I think you have seen this new type of warship on the dock, and it is no exaggeration to say that the combat performance of this warship is much better than that of the previous 'Exploration class', and it can deal with at least four old armed sailing ships of the same tonnage at the same time at sea. Didn't someone say just now that Eighteen Zhi has many ships? They have many ships, but our ships have strong firepower, and in front of the 'Expedition Class' warship, those dilapidated old ships of Eighteen Zhi can only become live targets for beating......

Ning Qi smoothly inserted advertising content into this topic, which was also one of his missions in Zhangzhou this time - to sell all kinds of new weapons and equipment for the Haihan military industry, including "exploration-class" warships.

In the future development of the Navy, hybrid warships will gradually become the standard, while the pure sail-powered warships built in the early days will gradually take a back seat, or transform into supply ships, offshore patrol ships, or simply sell to other armed forces, and make a profit while recovering the cost. Although it will take a long time for this process to be realized, the military has eagerly added the second and final generation of pure sail-powered warships "Expedition Class" to the list for sale.