Night in the dark.

The Grand Fleet, which successfully passed the first two days in the first circulation, continued to travel south along the river without stopping.

And the captain's room of the fleet's flagship fourth-class ship [Support] is brightly lit.

Only Rear Admiral Elsie Newman, the commander of the fleet, and Byron, who had been summoned, sat across a table across the table.

"Come, Captain Byron, try this bottle of Captain Morgan's rum from the Bantaan Islands.

See if it's to your taste.

If rum is to be spoken, it has to be the most authentic of the origin of Bantaan. ”

Seeing a major general in the middle sequence, he personally poured wine for himself.

Byron was like a little pirate who had never seen much of the world except for daring to fight, and immediately "flattered" to get back on his feet.

"Sit, sit down, don't be nervous.

As Fleet Commander, I would also like to thank you for stepping up and killing that two-speared squid yesterday.

You're our hero, and I don't know how many beautiful maidens in the fleet are fascinated by you, Mr. Sea Hunter, hehe"

It can be seen that Elsie Newman is very satisfied with Byron's respectful attitude, and his smile is kind, like a very talkative uncle next door.

The rookie pirate captain did match the intel he had gathered overnight.

It's not the kind he worries about the most, he is not afraid of the stunned green who has no sense of awe.

It also means that there is still a point in continuing the talks.

Sitting back down, Newman didn't go straight to the point, but first threw a question at Byron:

"Mr. Sea Hunter, do you know which country is the undisputed overlord in the Bantaan Islands and the entire sea?

And how can he dominate? ”

Byron thought for a moment, and replied according to the knowledge of a rookie pirate captain:

"Your Excellency, this is my first time on an overseas route, and I have only heard that the Kingdom of Castile has a great influence here.

But to ask why they were able to become hegemons? Isn't it because they have the biggest fists?

As the saying goes: The only purpose of artillery is to measure the country.

The winner is naturally the strongest one. ”

But in his heart, he secretly said:

'How could I not be clear?' I'm afraid I know better than you, a general. ’

The Bantaan Islands, also known as the Spice Islands.

In the last 100 years, the outlying island nation of Black Tins first fought a Hundred Years War with Iris, and the Red Rose and White Rose fought another 30 years of war for the throne.

During this period, the Kingdom of Castile was the first to start the Age of Discovery, becoming the first to eat crabs.

At the beginning, a prince of Henry of Castile established the first nautical academy on the continent and began to train sailors and various specialists.

A meteorological observatory was set up to recruit geographers, cartographers, mathematicians, astronomers, and ship engineers from all over the mainland at that time

All scholars and transcendents of the tower sequence will not refuse.

That kind of pomp and circumstance can be seen by looking at the current event of artists led by Ferdinand of the Golden Quan family in Fei Leng Cui.

Prince Henry asked them to conduct research together in the Academy.

Extensively collect geographical, meteorological, trade winds, ocean currents, shipbuilding, navigation and other documents, analyze and organize new nautical charts

In this way, an age of discovery that changed the fate of the entire Old World, and even the world, officially began under the leadership of Prince Henry.

What's more, this kind of major event with an influence of at least more than 50 has naturally given birth to a large number of [Holy Relics].

The vast number of [holy relics] in the hands of the Nautical Charts, Compass, Steering Wheel, and Sextant Kingdom also made them invincible when they explored the sea!

In just a few decades, they have mastered a large number of gold and silver mines in the Bantaan Islands, as well as the main source of spices.

Plenty of spices could be used to produce transcendents in bulk, and gold and silver could be used to buy weapons to arm them, and Castile's power skyrocketed.

It has gradually grown into a behemoth that no one can shake.

Especially in the Bantaan Islands, even if the church wanted to do anything here, it had to seek help from Castile.

Suppressed by them, other countries, including the kingdom of Hattings, can only occupy the corners and corners of material production.

Catherine's new territory, the Taiman Islands, which are close to the frontier of human exploration, is one such place.

The major general and Byron, a novice, gave a general explanation of the situation in the Bantaan Islands, and then said with a solemn face:

"Yes, at the heart of the battle for the Spice Islands is spices! It's where the power comes from!

They are more important than gold and silver.

Rapid spiritual upliftment; Strengthen the perception of the Navigator; As an auxiliary fuel for the lighthouse, illuminate the spiritual world and keep the colony safe from grotesque attacks

Spices were the necessities of overseas colonization, hard currency.

The Hattings needs spices, His Majesty needs spices, the navy needs spices, and we Newman family need spices! ”

When he said this, the major general's voice was already full of demagogic power like a devil:

"Byron, you probably don't know.

Although the colonies of Bantaan were outside the direct territory of the kingdom, they were divided into corporate colonies (belonging to pioneer companies), owner colonies (belonging to nobles), and autonomous colonies (belonging to private individuals).

But among the largest kingdom colonies, the new governor, who has just taken office, is also surnamed Newman.

I believe that a soldier who does not want to be a general is not a good soldier.

Although the Newman family can't give you the title of pirate general like His Majesty, I can support you with personnel, ships, munitions, funds, and dockyards.

I wonder if you'd like to help me? ”

The smile on his face was impeccable.

The etiquette of the nobility can never deviate in any way.

In the eyes of ordinary people, the signature red tape of these nobles has almost become a habit of their life in more than ten years and decades of practice.

No nobleman in a social situation would find it cumbersome.

The kind of violent and wanton in the story, the nobles who can't help but laugh or step on a few times when they see commoners, and reprimand and scold their servants at every turn are extremely rare.

Their contempt and prejudice against civilians is hidden only in polite smiles and almost impeccable etiquette.

Even if you kill someone, it must be a knife hidden in your smile!

So, sometimes these people in high positions say things that are clearly asking questions, but if the listeners really think that they are asking for your opinion, they will be in bad luck.

Many people feel that they have always had a choice, but in fact they have not had it at all.

It's like having two candidates in front of the stage asking you to vote, and whoever wins the election will not affect the interests of those 'who raise the line'.

Although the talent is good, if it can't be used by me, it will be a waste material.

Obviously, the Newman family wants to use their position to suck blood from the kingdom system to support themselves, but it is a good calculation. ’

Byron, as a qualified royal heir, certainly knows this, and he completely hears the other party's words.

did not disappoint Major General Newman, got up with his right fist and buckled his chest, solemnly promised:

"Your Excellency General, since I am a native of the Black Courts, it is my duty to serve the country!

If there is something you command. ”

But the heart is clear.

This Newman general actually needs a black glove to do something that is inconvenient for the official and Newman family to do directly.

Once the matter is big, it is also expected to throw the black gloves that are already dirty out to extinguish the fire.

As usual, he signed a strict "deed of sale".

"Very well, Mr. Byron, you are destined for a bright future!"

The smiling major general picked up his glass and touched it.

The two of them burst into hearty laughter.

All thought it was a triumphant meeting.

The Newman family has gained a capable man with no background, who is loyal and reliable, and can do the dirty work, and Byron has gained a new boss worth remembering, and they both have a bright future!

It's just that this new identity of "confidant" still needs to be cultivated slowly, and it can only be used to pass on the crisis after a period of time.

'Why don't you give him a copy of the treasure map of Treasure Island?' ’

While Byron was still thinking away, Major General Newman had already raised his hand and handed him a note with a coordinate written on it.

Solemnly admonished:

"Your first mission.

There is a small island rich in spices, just on the border between the kingdom's colonies and Castile.

The area is not large, the population is not large, but it always produces extremely high-quality spices.

It was also by chance that the Newman family discovered what seemed to be a secret here.

I sent people to the island several times, but the high-ranking ones got nothing, and the low-ranking ones never came back.

I need a team of unfamiliar faces, not of a high rank, and absolutely the best in their class, to help me figure out what's going on there.

If the task is successfully completed, perhaps the merit of large-scale artificial production of high-quality spices may be realized in our hands.

Before we reach Bantaan, you and your pirate ship will need to leave the group and sail out of the first circulation to do this. ”

Byron took the note and slowly pronounced the name of the island:

"Taymanbrak Island?"

His face couldn't help but darken slightly, and countless swear words that wanted to curse instantly poured into his throat:

'***, if I'm not mistaken, Tayman Brak is actually one of the annexed islands of the Tayman Islands that I just got from my sister, right?'

Although it is true that this is the closest border with Castile.

But you actually used the disputed territory controlled by the overseas hegemon to perfunctory your grandfather?! ’

You remember that during the day, he also said that in this territory exchange, the York family's eating appearance was not too ugly.

Young, too young.

This familiar recipe, familiar taste, and taste are so good!