In the second year of the Apocalypse, Kuhn, the governor of Batavia, decided to attack Macao, replace the Portuguese, and open the door to trade with China. To this end, he planned to gather sixteen warships and more than a thousand soldiers.

There were even four British ships in the fleet, which shows that although the colonists had contradictions, they were still similar in nature and interests.

While the Dutch were planning and preparing, news kept coming, making it possible for the original plan to be modified or even interrupted.

First of all, it was passed back by Dutch merchants in the Wa Kingdom, and the Ming Dynasty opened the sea ban and reached a direct business agreement with the Wa State to recognize each other's Fengshu flags and seals.

The Chinese merchants had been pardoned by the Ming court, and the "Chinese captains" Li Dan and Jia Luo Yan Siqi were the first to return to the Ming Dynasty, and the role of the Japanese as a relay for obtaining Chinese goods was greatly weakened, and it may eventually be lost.

The Wa Kingdom tightened control over the trade of vernamel ships, prohibiting the western daimyo from owning large ships with a load of more than 500 koku, and issuing seals only to some wealthy merchants in Kyoto who had close ties with the shogun.

At the same time, the Wa Shogunate also issued a ban on severely punishing the daimyo of the western region who did business privately with Western merchants, so as to prevent them from gaining economic power and obtaining advanced weapons.

These sudden changes forced Governor Kuhn to suspend his plans for a military offensive and to re-examine the channels and methods of obtaining trade with China.

Obviously, the previous trade method was followed: selling foreign goods to the Wa Kingdom, exchanging them for silver, and then buying Ming merchant goods in the Wa Kingdom. Not only does it cost more money, but there is also the danger that it will not last long.

The change in policy of the Wakoku shogunate indicated that it would continue to tighten the control of the trade activities of foreign ships, which was not a good thing for the Dutch merchants.

Of course, the opening of the sea ban in the Ming Dynasty suddenly increased the treaty ports of Qingdao, Shanghai, Xiamen, Ningbo, Guangzhou, etc., which means that Dutch merchants may trade directly from the Ming Dynasty and trade with each other.

The Dutch merchants in the Wa Kingdom saw this opportunity and had already gone to Daming through Chinese businessmen as intermediaries to explore the possibility of trade and the specific conditions.

It is obviously inappropriate to use force at this time, risking the anger of the Ming court.

Kuhn was sitting in the Doge's Palace, playing with a mirror in his hand, reflecting light and shadow on the wall, constantly moving.

Viceroy Waite shrugged his shoulders and said, "This is indeed amazing, several times better than that made by the Venetians." In Europe, it should be very popular and popular with ladies and ladies. ”

Kuhn's hand stopped, and he said thoughtfully: "According to the information we have received, the Portuguese got a batch of mirrors from the Ming Kingdom in exchange for muskets, artillery, and sea ships. ”

Waite nodded and said, "It's not unexpected. If we were in Macau, we would not let go of this opportunity to make a fortune. ”

After a pause, Waite emphasized: "It is also a good choice to build a fortress in other suitable places, such as Zhangzhou or Guangzhou, and maintain a garrison. ”

A colonist is a colonist, no different from a robber.

In their eyes, the places of other countries are the existence of military sites that they can set up at will, unless they can't be defeated.

"The British secretly sent someone to sit on the merchant ship of the 'Chinese captain', and they have already gone to negotiate with the Ming Dynasty to exchange markets." Kuhn sneered intriguingly, "They thought they were doing it secretively and didn't want us to know." ”

Waite frowned and said, "In other words, it is very likely that they will not participate in our military operations?" ”

"That depends on how well they talk to Da Ming." Kuhn put the mirror down and said, "In the Wa country, the British could not compete with us and had withdrawn. The Ming Dynasty opened the sea ban, but gave them another chance. ”

Waite touched his chin and thought about it, then suddenly raised his head and said, "Monopoly, we must monopolize the foreign trade of the Ming Kingdom." ”

Kuhn smiled and said, "Monopoly is our goal, but not now. If we can accept the terms of trade of the Ming Kingdom, then insert one foot first, and then it depends on the situation. ”

Waite agreed, saying, "Of course, now is not the time. Gain the right to trade first, rather than anger the Ming, in order to compete with the Portuguese or the British. Otherwise, wouldn't it be cheaper for them? ”

"That's right, that's the truth." Kuhn nodded, and asked suspiciously, "Do you believe that the records in those travelogues indicate that the country has hundreds of thousands, millions of troops?" ”

As for the Dutch, they simply did not believe the figures about the Chinese army mentioned in various travelogues. Therefore, when negotiating with the Ming Dynasty, he often put forward arrogant conditions that were beyond his own strength.

Waite didn't know either, scratched his head, and said, "It's impossible to have millions, there must be hundreds of thousands." ”

Kuhn waved his hand, no longer dwelling on the matter, and said: "Wait for the news of Provan, in the Ming Kingdom, they should be able to see a more real situation than the travelogue." ”

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Qianqing Palace.

Maritime merchant Huang Cheng bowed his head deeply and said: "Long live the grass people to see my emperor, long live, long live!" ”

"Excuse me." Zhu Youxiao just glanced at Huang Cheng, and then looked at the young man kneeling next to him.

Zheng Zhilong, an official of Nicholas, is the historical overlord of the East Asian seas.

At this time, Zheng Zhilong knelt on the ground, feeling the royal majesty brought about by the architecture, decoration, atmosphere, etc., and he didn't even dare to breathe.

Huang Cheng got up and bowed, his foot lightly touched the ground, and motioned for his nephew, who was still kneeling on the ground, to stand up.

Zhu Youxiao pursed the corners of his mouth, put away the smile again, and said loudly: "This mission, Huang Cheng did a very good job. The musket and artillery are exactly what my Ming urgently needs, and they can be exchanged for treasure mirrors, which saves me a lot of money. ”

Huang Cheng bowed and replied: "It is the duty of the grass people to serve the country, and it is an honor to share the worries for Long Life." ”

After a pause, he added: "The success of this errand is due to the fact that the first is that the treasure mirror is of good quality, and the third is that Zheng Yiguan is fluent in Portuguese. ”

"Zheng Yiguan has made a great contribution." Zhu Youxiao looked at Zheng Zhilong again and said, "There are two more missions to be handed over to you next, that is, trade with the Dutch and the British. ”

Huang Cheng and Zheng Zhilong listened respectfully, knowing that this was an expression of the emperor's trust. If you reach an agreement with the Portuguese, there will definitely be a reward, so I don't know if it will be a promotion or a silver reward.

"The British are not afraid, but the Dutch must not be guarded." Zhu Youxiao said slowly: "Stabilize them first, it will take me three years to have the strength to subdue the Dutch." But there is also a bottom line to stabilize, if the Dutch people get an inch, I am not afraid to start a war with them. ”

Although the current Daming Water Division has not yet met Zhu Youxiao's requirements. But the advantage is that there are many people on the boat, and they are still at their own doorstep, and if they use wolf pack tactics, the Dutch will not be able to take advantage.

"You may not know much about the situation in Britain and the Netherlands." Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment and said, "I will give you a brief explanation, which is also very beneficial for you to deal with them. ”

The Netherlands, a small country with an area of just over 40,000 square kilometers and poor natural resources, developed into a European maritime power in just a few decades after freeing itself from Spanish rule.

According to statistics, at that time, the Netherlands had more than 16,000 ships, accounting for three-quarters of the total tonnage of Europe and one-third of the world's transport ships, and was called the "coachman of the sea".

In the late 16th century, Britain broke the monopoly of Spain and Portugal and gradually developed into a powerful colonial power.

However, the Dutch relied on their sea power and capital to crowd out British merchants and monopolize the trade of various countries, making a war between Britain and the Dutch inevitable.

Of course, the contradictions are gradually becoming acute, and now Britain and the Netherlands are in a state of competition, and Britain does not yet have the strength to challenge the Netherlands.

For the emperor's profound knowledge and thorough analysis, Huang Cheng was convinced.

Yes, although he was a maritime merchant and had met the British and the Dutch, he did not know anything about the situation in both countries.

Zheng Zhilong was also very shocked, he thought that he had been to Manila and knew Portuguese, Spanish, and Dutch, so he was well-informed.

But he never expected that the emperor's understanding of Xiyi had penetrated to this level. Political, economic, and military strength is not something he can know.

Of course, Huang Cheng and Zheng Zhilong didn't know what the emperor was thinking, the civil officials were too pedantic, and they had to be businessmen to negotiate with the cunning and greedy Xiyi.

Zhu Youxiao said that he was almost done, and ordered the palace people to read out the holy decree and give Huang Cheng the sixth class; Zheng Zhilong was temporarily awarded the post of general secretary of the Siyi Pavilion.

"Do a good job, I still have a reward."

After Huang Cheng and Zheng Zhilong knelt down to thank him, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Zheng Yiguan is still young, and I think he is a talent that can be created. I heard that you also have a brother who is familiar with the sea life and can also serve the imperial court. ”

"Grass people... Wechen Xie Long Live Longen. Zheng Zhilong kowtowed his head vigorously.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, he can seize the opportunity to rise and become a sea overlord in a few years, Zheng Zhilong is a visionary and capable.

And he was worried about the lack of naval talents, so he first asked Zheng Zhilong to do a good job in the trade and mutual market with Britain and the Netherlands, and then promoted him according to the situation.

Either engaged in foreign business, or sent to the sailor, they will have the opportunity to display their talents in the increasingly strict organization set up by themselves.

Not only Zheng Zhilong, but also the eighteen Zhizhi in history, may have the opportunity to become officials or generals of the Ming Dynasty. Even if it is a maritime business, the road is much wider than before.

explained clearly, the face-to-face teaching was appropriate, and the relevant documents of the negotiation were given to Huang Cheng and Zheng Yiguan, and Zhu Youxiao ordered the two to retire.

Huang Cheng and Zheng Yiguan left the Qianqing Palace and walked outside the palace, still intimidated by the magnificence and majesty of the palace, and did not dare to be overjoyed.

It wasn't until he left the noon gate that Huang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, his waist straightened, and he showed a proud appearance.

"Uncle is also a six-rank civil lord, and he is at the same level as Li Dan and Yan Siqi." Zheng Yiguan congratulated Huang Cheng and said with a smile: "Do a good job of the current envoy, long live and say that there is a reward!" ”

Huang Cheng couldn't help the happiness in his heart, laughed, and said: "In the Maritime Association, Li and Yan think very highly of themselves because they have a civil lord. Now my uncle also has a title, which can be impressive, and I am very happy in my heart! ”

After a pause, he said to Zheng Zhilong earnestly: "Banzai appreciates you very much, but you must seize this opportunity." Although you can make a fortune in business, you have to go through ups and downs, and you are not as stable and prominent as officials. ”

Zheng Zhilong blinked his eyes and nodded thoughtfully, but did not immediately respond to his uncle's instructions.

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