Li Zhaoji took the chart and said: "I can't provide the specific latitude and longitude, but it's not very difficult. The tip of this slender peninsula is my destination. ”

Tasman frowned, and Bell said, "My lord, there's something there, as if there are no Spaniards there." ”

Li Zhaoji nodded slightly, the expansion of the Spanish in Central America fell into a certain state of stagnation, and the exploration to the north was also along the river valley to the later United States, although there are also records of exploring north along the coastline, but at this time, the United States, the west coast of the country and the California Peninsula and other areas were still not included in the rule of the Spaniards.

And the destination that Li Zhaoji is looking for is La Paz, to which Mexico belongs in the future. That is, in the southernmost part of the Baja California Peninsula.

The Baja California Peninsula is an extraordinarily long peninsula that stretches more than 1,200 kilometers from northwest to southeast, but is only between 50 and 250 kilometers wide.

Most of this peninsula is undulating mountains, which continue to descend from northwest to southeast, because the main body belongs to the tropical desert climate factor, most of the peninsula is covered by desert, Gobi and other terrain, and even the mountains are bare, as far as the eye can see, a piece of yellow.

Therefore, Lee Zhaoji named the peninsula the Golden Dragon Peninsula, and the place he wanted to send forces to occupy was La Paz.

It is located halfway between the peninsula and Mexico, facing the Gulf of California, and is located in a subtropical climate with about 250 rainfall per year. The terrain is relatively flat and has a well-developed water system.

Because it is located in a bay and at the end of the Baja California Peninsula, Lee named it Longtou Bay.

"It was precisely because there were no Spaniards there that I chose Longtou Bay as my target." Li Zhaoji said with a smile.

Tasman, who had a clearer mind than Bell and the others, said, "I suspect you're preparing for next year's war between the company and the Philippine Governorate." ”

"You guessed it, Tasman." Li Zhaoji cast an appreciative look.

Moder brought conclusive news that next year the East India Company will launch a war on the Governor of the Philippines. Undoubtedly, this would affect the interests of the trading company and indeed all Chinese merchants, at least for the duration of the war, when ships could not trade in Manila Bay.

Moreover, historically, the war between the two sides has always been protracted, and Lee Siu Kee is not worried about the occupation of the Metropolitan Governorate of the Philippines by the East India Company.

There are more than 10,000 white Spaniards, twice as many people of mixed race, and more than half a million indigenous Catholics. The Dutch may have been able to win at sea, but they could not storm the city of Santiago.

Of course, it is also difficult to win at sea. Compared to the Dutch merchants, the Spanish fleet was more professional and powerful.

However, Li Zhaoji had to plan ahead of time, because with the growth and expansion of the trading company's strength, it was only a matter of time before a war was launched against the Spaniards.

In the case of the Borneo Company, the Nanyang Chinese honored Lee Siu Kee as the protector of the Chinese, and revenge on the Spaniards who slaughtered the Chinese was inevitable. Moreover, the fertile land and population of the Philippines were also needed for the rise of the Oriental Trading Company.

If there was a war between the Oriental Trading Company and Spain, or even the occupation and annexation of the Philippines, the Manila galleon trade would be interrupted, as would silver from the Americas. In order to avoid this, Li Zhaoji needs to make cloth in advance and go to the Americas to trade.

The La Paz area, where Longtou Bay is located, is the focus of Li Zhaoji's cloth.

Spain's influence in the Americas was too large, and there were only two attractive things in the Americas for the current Oriental trading companies, one was trade with the Spanish colonists, and the other was the San Francisco gold rush. But the location of San Francisco is too far north, it is an area that the Spanish colonists have not explored, so Li Zhaoji has to choose the place to the south, but the west coast of America is very lacking islands, especially suitable islands, and the area where Longtou Bay is located is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the land is close to the mountains, which is equivalent to an island.

And this time, Li Zhaoji has already arranged it, and even selected a candidate in advance - Luck Dehun.

Tasman said, "I don't think you're going to give me such an important mission. After all, I don't know you well. I think you just need me for sailing, right? ”

Li Zhaoji nodded: "Yes, I already have two important candidates." But there was a lack of navigators. ”

"If so, I'm worried about my fate." Tasman said, but He Bin, who was acting as the translator, did not translate, but said, "Tasman, what do you mean by that." ”

The two seemed to be arguing, and Lee stopped the argument and learned his concerns from Tasman's mouth.

Tasman believes that he has only four people, but he has to provide services to the secrets of the Oriental Trading Company, and once the service is over, in order to keep this secret, the Oriental Trading Company may kill himself.

"Haha, Tasman is interesting. He Bin don't blame him, he can say it in front of me, which shows his sincerity, I like sincere partners. Lee said, and Bell told Tasman about Lee's tolerance.

Lee continued: "Your worries are warranted, but I have no intention of extinguishing them.

It's a good thing you brought it up, otherwise there would have been a misunderstanding in the future. For a long voyage, any adequate preparation is not overstated. ”

"To show your sincerity," Tasman said, "I would like you to give me a ship that can be mastered independently." ”

"But how can you guarantee that you won't run away when you get a ship?" He Bin said.

Tasman thought for a moment, "You can put armed men on our clothes, and two of the four of us can be hostages on the other ship at any time." ”

Li Zhaoji nodded and said, "Yes, just do it."

I would like to ask, what kind of boat did you use for your expedition? Every trip to the Americas is precious, and I want to bring as much food, iron, weapons, and people as I can. ”

"Your shipyard will make Yahat ships that will do, and the expedition fleet can't be one ship, at least two," Tasman said. ”

Li Zhaoji said: "My plan is to have three Yahat ships with a deadweight of about 250 tons, but considering your requirements, I can reduce it to two such ships, plus a small Yahat ship with a deadweight of about 100 tons.

There are only four of you, and I can recruit a group of sailors from Macau to assist you. ”

"What about power structures?" Tasman asked.

Li Zhaoji said directly: "You can only serve as the deputy of this fleet, the commander is named Luckdhun, he is the nephew of the Tatar king, a foreigner who is loyal to me. He doesn't know how to sail, so it's up to you to do it.

But what I needed was to succeed the first time, and the fleet could not lose to anything other than bad weather, especially internal power struggles. Therefore, a mature plan is the most important, and I am determined to adopt the system of officers' councils.

There are tentatively three members of this council, one is Luckedhun, one is Mark the English, and one is you. If there are five or more council members, then Baker can join them, and the rest of the members will need to be discussed after you meet with Luck Dehun and Mark. ”

Mark is an English sailor who defected to Lee Zhaoji in the early stage of Li Zhaoji's grass industry, and has been serving in the navy all these years, although Chen Liuzi has promoted him, but as a foreigner, he has been ostracized. During the Chinese New Year last year, Mark proposed to Lee Siu Kee to quit the navy, but he rejected Li Zhao Kei's administrative or business arrangements, and he wanted to sell the proceeds and return to his hometown.

But Lee saw that his heart would always belong to the vast ocean, so Lee revealed to him his plan to explore the Americas, and Mark immediately said that he wanted to participate.

Although Mark is an Englishman, he is a veteran of the trading company, and once kissed Cheng Tingqiu on Hong Kong Island for the benefit of the trading company, and he deserves the trust of Lee Siu Kee.

"I like this arrangement very much, it is the success story of the ocean colonies." Tasman said happily.

Lee said: "Mr. Tasman, I need you to make it clear that although you lack trust in the trading company, you must not be stingy with your knowledge and experience, and in the fleet, I will arrange for ten naval officers to be reborn, and they and other personnel on board will learn from you about the experience of sailing."

I hope that after one voyage, they will be able to sail independently. And if you don't teach them, I'm sorry, this time next year, you'll have to go on a similar voyage until someone can do it on their own.

I believe that for a man like you, who likes to wrestle with the sea, it is an ordeal to waste two years or more of your life on such a boring route. ”

"It seems that you are my confidant, and I have a restless heart. He doesn't like business, he doesn't like war, he likes adventure, he explores the unknown. Tasman said.

Li Zhaoji nodded: "Then you will complete the task I gave you as perfectly as possible, and then come back as soon as possible."

If you can satisfy me with this voyage, then I will support you in exploring the southern continent again next year. ”

"Really?" When Tasman heard this, he couldn't sit still any longer.

"This is my promise. ”

"Well, that's the king's promise. I made a note and I am at your service to take your fleet to the Americas, to the Bay of Dragonhead. Tasman stood still, and said in the most serious tone.

Li Zhaoji nodded: "Okay, you guys rest here for a few days, and in a few days there will be a ship to Sado Island, which is what you think is Treasure Island."

The council members and the fleet will also be assembled and replenished here. ”

Tasman had no objections, and after settling them in, Lee went to rest.

And Tasman couldn't contain his excitement, this time not only saved his life, but also regained a chance to fulfill his dream, how could he not be excited. Just as he was immersed in excitement and imagination for the future, Baker pushed him and said, "Captain Tasman, you can't do this. ”

"What's wrong with me?" Tasman asked, surprised.

"Is this the end of your discussion with the boss of the Oriental Trading Company, who is a figure worthy of a king, and perhaps we will not see him before we leave?" Baker said.

Tasman nodded, but didn't understand what Baker meant: "It's very likely, but is there anything wrong with that?" ”

Baker said, "Of course not, you haven't talked to him about our treatment on our behalf.

You are a respectable adventurer who doesn't care about material things, but not everyone has the same noble character and dedication to dreams as you are. We are not, we can serve the Oriental Trading Company, but we need treatment. ”

Tasman said, "Master Li is a rich man, and he shouldn't treat us badly." ”

"I don't doubt that, but shouldn't we be fighting for more? They have no experience in sailing, and only we can help, and we should turn our skills into gold and silver, more gold and silver. ”

"Well, if I have a chance, I'll talk to the guy named Luck...... What the commander talked about. Tasman said helplessly, he really didn't notice this area.

Baker sighed: "You missed the best opportunity, if you talk to Lord Li, all the treatment we ask for will not be worth mentioning to him." When I go to talk to the commander, I can only face the situation of having to fight. ”