In Batavia in May, it is getting hotter, in fact, it is very hot 365 days a year, but the heat in summer is even more uncomfortable.

Although James Luton has been in Batavia for almost two years, he still hasn't gotten used to the climate.

The heat of the weather had prevented His Excellency the Governor from sleeping well at all last night, and he could not help complaining when he got up this morning with dark circles under his eyes. "Damn it, this shit weather. I really want to get out of here and go back to the comfort of Amsterdam. ”

Of course, this complaint is only a complaint, how happy it is to be the governor of Batavia, who has been here for less than two years, and James Luton has not only repaid the loan for the governor, but also has more than one million deposits, and it is estimated that by the time he leaves office, the deposit should reach five million guilders. With such a lucrative benefit, every governor can basically stay in office for three years, because too many people are staring at this position.

Of course, this is the result of normal circumstances, and if there is any surprise, then the wealth of the governor of Ruton is immeasurable. And he's working on it right now.

It's really a godsend, the Qing people are at war with France, so that the Netherlands has a good time to make a move against Lan Fang, although the two countries have ended the war at present, but it seems that the Qing country has no time to take care of Lan Fang's situation.

Maybe he should send a reminder to Colonel Payt, who is leading the team, and ask him to knock down this damn Lan Fang as soon as possible. These Chinese are really much easier to use than the natives, they are hard-working, and they can accumulate wealth, and they are perfect lambs every time they are harvested. Maybe I can harvest it before I leave office.

Governor Luton, who was thinking about good things, was accidentally interrupted.

"Your Excellency the Governor, Your Excellency the Governor."

"I'm here."

Seeing the running panting servant, Luton spoke dissatisfiedly. "Don't I, the Governor, have any personal time?"

"Of course, Your Excellency the Governor, but ......"

"But what?"

"But there is an emergency."

"What's the situation?"

"There's a fleet under the Italian flag coming from outside the port, and they're asking for supplies coming into the port, Rear Admiral Jay of the City Defense Command, ask for your opinion."

"Why didn't you say it earlier."

Leaving behind the aggrieved servant, Governor Luton hurried downstairs.

"What's going on now?"

Governor Luton, who rushed to the port, inquired about the situation with Major General Jay, who was one step ahead of him.

"Your Excellency the Governor, I just sent someone to inquire, this is the Italian fleet visiting the Qing Kingdom, and they want to rest in the port and replenish supplies."

Faced with Major General Jay's answer, Luton was very confused. "How did they come to us, didn't they go to Malacca?"

"I didn't ask about this, but my personal suggestion is to let the Italian fleet enter the port, after all, it's just a supply and rest."

Of course, he did not say that the denial of a large fleet to the port was not a wise choice for Dutch Indonesia.

Besides, the strength of this fleet is amazing, it is completely much stronger than the British and French fleets in Southeast Asia, and the strength of the Dutch fleet in Southeast Asia is not worth mentioning, and the largest is only a small ironclad ship of more than 4,000 tons, which is not at all powerless

After hearing the words of the city defense commander, Governor Luton thought about it and spoke. "In that case, let it enter the port."

However, considering the large number of the Italian fleet, Governor Luton said to the attaché beside him. "Send a message to Chief Polk and ask him to take care of the security in the city, I don't want to hear any bad news during this time."

After instructing his attaché, Governor Luton spoke to Major General Jay beside him. "Then let's go and greet the visiting Italians."

With the order of Governor Luton, the port was opened to the Italian fleet, and the Italian fleets that entered the port one after another filled the port to the brim, especially the three steel giants of more than 10,000 tons, which were even more terrifying to watch. At this time, Governor Luton felt a sense of remorse in his heart, and he regretted a little that he had let the Italian fleet into port.

But now it's too late to regret it, so he can only greet the fleet commander and his party with a smile on his face.

"Hello, Governor Ruton, thank you for opening the port to us."

Vice Admiral Silion, who was the commander of the fleet, stepped forward to thank Governor Luton before he could speak.

Although he was preempted by Lieutenant General Silion, Governor Luton was not an idle person, and immediately took over the conversation. "You're welcome, and it is also appropriate to help each other, which is the etiquette of a European country."

It was always so strange to say that from the mouth of Governor Luton. For as long as there were people who had stayed in the South Seas, the Dutch were very close to their colony, and apart from their own ships and chartered ships, there were very few ships that could dock at the port of Batavia.

The Italian fleet was allowed to dock, on the one hand, the two countries had no interests, and on the other hand, the Italian fleet was too strong, and the governor of Luton did not want to provoke the other party.

After a brief introduction, Governor Luton spoke. "Since I can meet you in Batavia, I invite you to a welcome dinner, so that I can respect the friendship of the landlord."

In the face of Governor Luton's kind invitation, Lieutenant General Sirion and others certainly would not refuse.

"Then there is His Excellency Governor Law."

Faced with Lieutenant General Silion's thanks, Governor Luton took the opportunity to express his greatest concerns. "Your Excellency, can you tell the officers and men of your navy that Batavia is not a big city, and whether the officers and men of your fleet can stay only in the port area?"

That's right, that's what Governor Luton is most concerned about. Because in this era, although the officers and men of the navy were disciplined after they went ashore, fights and brawls also occurred from time to time, and if the Italian officers and soldiers made trouble, whether to arrest them or not, this was a difficult problem for the governor of Luton.

Therefore, it is better to confine it to the port area, which can reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Faced with Governor Luton's request, Lieutenant General Silion nodded. "No problem, I'll order the lads to only operate in the port area, and I'll send gendarmes to restrain them, I hope this doesn't cause you a problem."

Faced with the reasonable Lieutenant General Silion, Governor Luton was very happy. "Your Excellency's empathy is truly admirable."

After settling the last troubles, Governor Luton personally invited Lieutenant General Hilion to his governor's palace.

In the evening of the same day, the Doge's Palace was brightly lit, and a dinner for Lieutenant General Sirion and others was held in a grand manner.

And the Italian officers, and the Batavia magnates, mingled with each other, and they were in a happy scene.

Governor Luton personally accompanied him and introduced the local leaders to Lieutenant General Silion.

"This is Mr. Coulf, an executive of the East India Company."

The Dutch East India Company was famous, and Lieutenant General Silion stepped forward to shake Coulf's hand.

"Hello, Mr. Colf."

"Hello, Lieutenant General Silion."

"This is Mr. Joe Gorman, whose family has been running a spice business."

Being able to run the spice business all the time shows the energy of this Mr. Gorman family, and Lieutenant General Silion has not slackened either.

"Hello, Mr. Gorman."

"Hello, Lieutenant General Silion."

Subsequently, Governor Luton successively introduced the local magnates to Lieutenant General Silion, and His Excellency the Lieutenant General greeted him, which can be regarded as a preliminary acquaintance.

While Vice Admiral Silion was attending the dinner, a liaison ship of the Italian Navy entered the port of Batavia through the Dutch's inquiry.

A young officer, without waiting for the boat to hold firm, immediately jumped ashore.

There is always a time for a lively welcome dinner, and Lieutenant General Silion drags his tired body and prepares him for a rest.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"What's the matter, don't you know I'm going to rest?"

The adjutant's voice came from outside the door, "Lieutenant General is me, we just received bad news." ”

As soon as he heard the adjutant's words, Lieutenant General Sirion didn't even have time to put on his clothes, and opened the door directly naked.

"What's the news?"