Captain English shouted, "No, absolutely not, it will cause misunderstanding." Mr. Aaron, you have to stop this madman. ”

Aaron rushed out of the cabin in a hurry, and saw Tang Mu arguing with the captain, and after asking what was going on, Aaron asked, "He's right, Don, this will cause conflict." ”

The captain of the English ship was the boatswain of the original Vostok, and after the incident in Canton, all the management of the English crew was cleaned up, and all the crew members entered the state of service for the Oriental Trading Company, and this captain got the opportunity to perform at that time.

He learned Chinese, and after receiving the regular salary from the trading company, he taught the trading company's crew how to use Western-style sails. But in the end, his position stopped at the second officer, and among his students, such as Guo Xu, has become the captain.

At that time, the English talent knew that he could serve the Oriental Trading Company and could get a salary that matched his ability, but he would never be able to fit in.

Therefore, when Aaron wanted to sail west, many English sailors signed up, and although they left the trading company, it is undeniable that this group of guys knew too many secrets of the trading company in the process of serving the trading company.

For example, the relationship between the Spaniards and the trading companies near Tamsui was nominally peaceful and the two sides traded, but in fact they were on guard against each other.

Spaniards were anxious about the rapid expansion and growth of trading companies, which had always adhered to the principle that no one could sleep soundly on the side of the couch. In particular, when news of the appearance of the Jinguashi gold mine broke, the relationship between the Spaniards and the trading company deteriorated considerably.

Gold mines, which have a fatal attraction for any power, will cause conflict between the two sides.

"No, this is the Rose, it used to belong to the Dutch, we will be discovered by the Dutch when we enter the port, what happened on Langgang Island, we must hide it as much as possible." Tang Mu said that although he knew that the news of the Oriental Trading Company's ambush of the Dutch expedition fleet in Langgang would inevitably be spread by the Zheng family represented by Shi Lang, the trading company must ensure that the Dutch get the news as late as possible.

Tang Mu's finger pointed to the Tamsui Port in the distance, where there were seven or eight ships moored, there were ships from the Ming Dynasty, flying the Zhengjia flag, and there were also ships from trading companies, but there was one ship, which was hoisting the flag of the Dutch East India and Du Company, in fact, before the fleet sailed north, the trade between Dayuan and Tamsui was very frequent.

Aaron understood what Tang Mu meant, and immediately ordered the captain to fly the Spanish flag.

The response from Tamsui Port was quite quick, and a fast crab boat approached and inquired in flags. And the Rose immediately opened fire, and shot a column of water near the fast crab ship, and the high column of water made the fast crab ship panic, this ship only had one cannon, and it was certainly not its opponent.

After making a mess outside Tamsui Port, Tang Mu asked the Rose to set off for Chicken Coop Harbor, lowered the Spanish flag, and then entered Chicken Coop Harbor.

The trading company has a trading house here, and after arriving, Tang Mu immediately landed on the shore and entered the trading hall.

"Tang Mu, it's you, you're back." The shopkeeper of the merchant house is an old man from the guard, Liu Shun's former subordinate.

"Old Fang, if you don't have time to chat, you immediately arrange a boat to send me to Tamsui."

The shopkeeper said: "No problem, there is a long dragon boat outside, originally sent Gao Shan Fanzi to Tamsui tomorrow, it is okay to leave a day early." ”

"Okay, the ship I just got off is the Rose, you can arrange for her to be replenished immediately, and some more drinks and lemons will be replenished." Tang Mu commanded.

"What kind of ship is that, the Spanish governor sent someone to ask me just now, and I don't know anything." Shopkeeper Fang said helplessly.

Tang Mu said: "You don't pay attention to the Spaniard, just tell him that the ships are full of foreigners, and those who come to trade, after you finish replenishing, the Rose will leave immediately." And if someone outside of Spain asks, you say it's the Spaniards who asked you to provide supplies, you know? ”

"Why?"

Tang Mu took out Li Zhaoji's green dragon seal from his arms and said, "This is the order of the big shopkeeper, don't ask." ”

Shopkeeper Fang nodded slightly, he was born in the guards, he knew Li Zhaoji's rules, don't ask what you shouldn't ask, there must be some secrets in it.

Tang Mu watched the Rose set sail with his own eyes, and after heading south in the open sea, the master of the coastline could never see it, and then he got on the long dragon boat and sailed into the Tamsui port, and the Tamsui was already in a hurry, the remaining troops were gathering, the port was under martial law, and as soon as the long dragon ship entered, it was intercepted by the fast crab.

"I'm Tang Mu, take me to see Shopkeeper Liu and Chief Yang. It's a secret, keep it quiet. Tang Mu whispered to a team leader in charge of the military management of the port.

Tang Mu is Li Zhaoji's confidant, the team leader naturally recognized him, and after carefully identifying him, he didn't dare to ask more, so he took him to the head office with him.

The headquarters building is located in the center of Tamsui City, opposite the Luming Pavilion, because of the red brick construction, the three-storey building is very conspicuous in the city, and in order to commemorate the Red Mansion Parade that the Lady of the West Courtyard burned in Guangzhou, this building is therefore called the Red Mansion.

"Spanish bacon must have gotten the news, knowing that the big shopkeeper is sailing, and our company is empty, so he came to provoke. The salted meat raised by dogs, if the Tamsui was here, they would definitely not dare to be so arrogant. "Yang Yandi is a violent temper, and his roar fills the entire Red Mansion.

Liu Mingde said: "We should find out the origin of the ship, it doesn't look like a Spanish ship, they only have a few dhows, I haven't heard of Manila to replenish their ships." ”

"What is the condition of the Bald Crane, can it be launched?" Yang Yandi asked Liu Mingde.

"It is expected that tomorrow the installation and testing of artillery ........" Liu Mingde knew a lot about the shipyard and answered casually, but he quickly realized that something was wrong and said: "Shopkeeper Yang, you must decide how to deal with it after figuring out the facts."

More importantly, when the big treasurer left, he said that you and I have no right to declare war on all sides, and we will never start a war unless the other side attacks Tamsui. ”

"Lao Liu, you watched others bully you to the head........"

"Don't make any noise, two, there is no Spanish provocation, that's the ecstasy array I arranged." Tang Mu entered the office and shouted to the two, stopping the quarrel between the two.

"Tang Mu, are you back, is the fleet back?"

"Tang Mu, half a month ago, a small fortune ship stopped in Tamsui and brought news from Nagasaki, the owner of the ship called himself Wei Zhiyu, saying that our trading company had a conflict with Japan, and the big shopkeeper also led the army to attack the opponent's stronghold, but is it true?" Liu Mingde and Yang Yandi each asked their own questions.

"I want to answer them one by one, first of all, please ask Chief Yang to remove the military control of Tamsui City, there is no Spanish provocation." Tang Mu said in a deep voice.

Liu Mingde immediately ordered someone to bring tea, Tang Mu drank it, and told the origin of the Rose and Li Zhaoji's arrangement for Aaron, he explained: "This ship belongs to the Dutch, but now it has been robbed by us, I can't let this ship enter fresh water, otherwise the Dutch may find out."

So I pretended to be under the Spanish flag, ordered him to enter the chicken coop to resupply and quickly went south, even if the Dutch got the news, they would think that the Spanish had robbed the original expedition fleet. Even if the Zheng family explained to the Dutch that it was our fleet that ambushed the expedition fleet, the Dutch might think that the Zheng family had planted the blame. ”

When Yang Yandi heard this, he not only ordered the release of military control, but laughed out loud: "Tang Mu, you kid, you have courage and knowledge, good, very good!" ”

Although Yang Yandi and Liu Mingde joined Li Zhaoji one after the other, and both of them were originally small businessmen in maritime trade, their self-positioning is completely different.

With the development of the trading company, the trading company gradually divided into two groups of people, one group was dominated by Liu Mingde, specializing in trade, construction, and management, and in fact became the civil official group of the trading company, and the other group of people represented by Yang Yandi, who trained and used troops on weekdays, forming the military force of the trading company.

Li Zhaoji strictly forbade these two forces to serve in cross-posts, and when he was in Tamsui, he was once publicly punished by Li Zhaoji for Liu Shun talking to his uncle Liu Mingde about military affairs.

Obviously, Tang Mu, as Li Zhaoji's personal entourage, was regarded by Yang Yandi as a military attaché, so he praised his wisdom and bravery.

Tang Mu smiled: "Two shopkeepers, although our trade with Nagasaki ended in failure, this time Beihang, the trading company has achieved a great victory, and we occupy Sado Island. You look at this. ”

Tang Mu patted the box he brought, and the two of them found out that there was a chain on the box, which was directly locked on Tang Mu's wrist, Tang Mu took out the key from the crotch of his pants, opened the chain and the lock on the box, and revealed a huge gold nugget inside.

This nugget is the size of a man's head, and judging from the fact that four people carried it in, it weighs at least two hundred pounds.

Tang Mu was pale in what he said, such a large gold nugget was enough to prove that what he said was true, the trading company did occupy an island rich in gold and silver overseas.

"You mean, the amount of gold and silver produced on Sado Island every year is not less than a million taels of silver. Haha, this amount of silver, what do we do to trade with Japan, spend so much effort to buy and buy, hire so many people, and we can't earn a million taels a year.

Now it's okay, with the gold and silver mountains, let's ignore those Raushzi, get all the gold and silver, build artillery, muskets and warships, and then train the troops. Keep Sado, and you'll have everything. Yang Yandi laughed out loud after listening to Tang Mu talk about the situation in Beihang.

Liu Mingde was also very excited, but he thought much more long-term than Yang Yandi: "Shopkeeper Yang, since Sado is rich in gold and silver, it must also be very important to Japan." You should immediately contact Atta of the Kedagran to see how many troops and horses can be sent to Sado to help from Tamsui, and I should also urge the shipyard to make the Bald Crane a combat force as soon as possible.

You're right, with Sado, you have everything, and in the same way, there is nothing that a trading company can't invest in order to keep Sado. All the ships, all the troops, are worth throwing there. ”

Yang Yandi nodded: "Yes, yes, you are right." Come, go to the Kela Gran tribe, and ask Atta to come and discuss important matters. ”

Liu Mingde said again: "Tang Mu, you should have a plan to go to Guangzhou, our trade failed, we must have an explanation with the gentry there, right." There is also Chen Huaiyu, he is the son of Chen Zizhuang, his status is respected, and he must not even say a word. ”

"Yes, this is one of the orders given to me by the Grand Treasurer."

"You stay for five days before you set off, and I'll let the Bald Crane send you there, and at the same time, this gold nugget will have to be dealt with."

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