Chapter 925 "Weaving a Web"

Author: Chongqing Lao Q

Chapter 925 "Weaving a Web"

October 18, 1676, Surat.

"Boom! Boom! Boom..."

With the fierce roar of artillery, the outer walls and gates of the Qi State Commercial Building were riddled with holes, and the counterattack inside became weaker and weaker. The final fall of the commercial building was inevitable.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, amidst the warm cheers of the besieging Mughal troops, a white flag was raised in the Qi State Commercial House. Then, the shopkeeper, manager, clerk, Mughal employees, and more than 60 people in the commercial hall

The guards walked out of the store dejectedly and surrendered.

However, what happened next shocked everyone, including the European businessmen who were watching from a distance.

The Mughal officer ordered the soldiers to drag out all the Mughal employees, regardless of age or sex, from the Qi State Commercial House, and then beheaded them on the spot. All their heads were placed directly at the gate of the Qi State Commercial House.

The bloody scene plunged the captured Qi people into a panic, with curses, cries, and scoldings coming and going.

Seeing the chaos of the Qi people, the Mughals seemed very satisfied with the effect, and then waved their spears and swords and escorted them towards the governor's palace.

"Oh, God!" Calvin Phillips, the senior manager of the British East India Company in Surat, crossed himself with his right hand on his chest, his face a little pale, "This is all too barbaric and bloody!"

"Qi's expeditionary fleet attacked the Bengal area a month ago." Kyle Walker, commercial counselor of the East India Company in Surat, shook his head and said: "This angered the Mughals to a certain extent and made them do it brazenly.

Such an act of revenge occurred. However, I am very surprised why the Mughals did not kill the captured Qi people as well. Only in this way can these arrogant Qi people be greatly intimidated."

"The Mughals besieged Qi's commercial building for three months and delayed launching a strong attack just because they did not want to completely offend the Qi people and make the relationship between the two parties tense." Calvin Phillips said with a wry smile: "Now,

Although their Bengal region was attacked by the Qi expedition fleet, which not only shocked and angered the Mughals, but also made them feel a slight threat. The Qi people had the ability and strength to deal with them.

To start a war."

"I don't know how long this war will last?" Kyle Walker frowned, "Qi's warships blocked the Port of Surat and the entire Gulf of Cambay. Presumably, on the east and west coasts of India, the Mughal Empire

There are Qi warships cruising in and out of the main ports. This not only made it impossible for the entire Mughal Emperor to carry out foreign trade, but also put our East India Company in trouble."

"The duration of this war depends on how long the dignity of the Mughal Emperor can be maintained and whether the Qi people's war goals can be fully realized." From a distance, I saw countless Mughal officers and soldiers swarming in.

At Qi Guo Commercial Hall, Phillips couldn't help but sigh, "During this period, I think that all the trade affairs of our East India Company will inevitably come to a standstill again."

"This is unfair!" Walker said angrily: "In this war, it is a war between the Qi people and the Mughals, and we English should not be involved in it. Because we are completely neutral.

Three parties!”

"so……"

“So, we should unite with the French, Dutch, Portuguese, and even the Ottomans, Persians, and Malays to put pressure on the Qi people, protest against their trade blockade, and demand that they lift their trade blockade against third-party countries.

The interception and seizure of merchant ships." Walker said passionately: "I don't believe that the people of Qi dare to offend all our countries at the same time!"

"Dear Walker, I think you can give it a try." Phillips moved in his heart and said meaningfully: "There will definitely be many objections to the domineering behavior of the Chinese people. You have said a lot, and they may dare to target someone.

A country that violates the trade blockade but dares not push us all to their opposite side."

——

October 23, Diu.

From the sixteenth century onwards, Gujarat was a major trading center, based on its large production of cotton cloth and other products, and its role not only as the sole gateway for the Mughals' pilgrimage to Mecca, but also as a host city.

Large quantities of various commodities were imported and sent to the core areas of the Mughal Empire.

As Europeans and Qi people came here one after another, foreign trade in the entire Gujarat region became more prosperous, and Surat also became one of the greatest and busiest ports in the world. It has a variety of interesting ports.

An experienced group of merchants with large capital resources and extensive business contacts in the coastal areas around the Indian Ocean.

Every year, more than 120 merchant ships berth at Surat Port, with a total tonnage of at least 25,000 to 30,000 tons, and a total trade value of at least 18 million rupees.

However, this trading area, where huge amounts of wealth flowed, suddenly came to a standstill three months ago, as if someone had pinched the blood vessels, stagnating and congesting the land. All merchant ships traveling between them were either intercepted or blocked.

After being persuaded to return, all trade was artificially blocked.

It is said that not only the Bay of Cambay was in a state of blockade, but also Qi warships were roaming everywhere on the Coromandel Coast, Malabar Coast, and Bengal Coast.

Over the past two hundred years, trade here has been orderly, and numerous trade routes have been active with merchants from various countries. Cane sugar was used as ballast and transported from Bangladesh to Surat, and some was re-exported to Persia and the Red Sea.

Bangladesh supplies rice, ginger, coarse cloth, and sugar to the Coromandel Coast and Malabar Coast. Rice is also shipped directly from Bangladesh to Mocha on the Red Sea, while sugar and coarse cloth are shipped to Basra.

As the largest commodity of Qi, it almost covers the east and west coasts of India and the coast of Bangladesh. However, from one port to another, it gradually penetrates deeper into the mainland.

Today, all trade has come to a terrible standstill. Goods no longer flow, wealth no longer pours out, and merchants are no longer active.

A war has come to India. Well, it should be accurately described as that the huge Mughal Empire fell into an all-out war with the Qi State, making the entire region inevitably affected.

"What do the people of Qi say?" Antonio Silva, the governor of Diu in Portuguese India, looked towards the port through the window on the second floor. There was a Qi warship moored there for rest and rest. On the towering mast, there was a flag flying.

Red yellow dragon flag.

"The Qi people said that during the war, no merchants were allowed to trade with the Mughals." Portuguese trader Danilo Pereira said: "If we have any trade needs, we can go to Bombay Island or Cochin.

Trade with the local Qi State trading station. In order to make up for our losses, the Qi people promised that the prices of all the goods given to us will be reduced by 10% from the previous price."

"Wow! The people of Qi have spent a lot of money to defeat the Mughals." Antonio Silva nodded with a smile: "But they can really ban all the goods produced by the Mughals.

On the mainland? I have deep doubts about this."

"Yes, Lord Governor." Danilo Pereira nodded and said: "There are too many ports on the east and west coasts of India. Even if the Qi people have a large number of warships, they still cannot achieve a complete blockade. During this period, there will inevitably be countless

Smugglers secretly transported Mughal goods out and made huge trade profits. Yes, the price of Mughal-specific goods has increased by at least 20 to 30% in the past few months. Under this situation

, there will definitely be many people taking desperate risks.”

"Do you think the people of Qi will take violent measures when they encounter those smuggling merchant ships?" Antonio Silva asked curiously: "After all, the merchants who engaged in smuggling trade during the war, except for the Mughals,

There must be many Europeans, Persians, and Arabs."

"..." Danilo Pereira thought for a while, shook his head and said: "I think the Qi people may intercept, inspect, or even persuade merchant ships to return that violate the trade blockade they issued. But

To further intimidate or launch military strikes, one should carefully consider it - of course, targeting Mughal merchant ships may be an exception. After all, this seriously violates the right of free navigation of other countries' merchant ships and will cause conflicts between countries.

Disputes between countries.”

"Oh?" Antonio Silva turned his head and glanced at the Qi warship parked at the dock, then shrugged, "Do you think that in the Indian Ocean, with the strength of the Qi people, they will be afraid of threats from any country?

?”

"..." Danilo Pereira stared at Governor Silva, "The people of Qi will take... drastic measures against any merchant ship that violates the trade blockade?"

"I think they will definitely do it." Governor Silva nodded and said: "The Qi people have many port supply points on the east and west coasts of India. Even our two colonial strongholds in Goa and Diu were forced to stop due to the situation.

Their ships are not allowed to enter the port at any time for supplies and rest.

Their fleet is powerful, and the princely kingdoms in the south such as Cochin, Kozhikode, and Chulung are their vassals. As their strategic allies, the Dutch will also give Qi the greatest support. Let me ask, under this situation

, which country dares to easily challenge Qi’s hegemony in the Indian Ocean?”

——

October 25, Kalat Khanate, Khuzdar.

"Sindh area?" King Ahmed I of Kalat Khan was immediately moved after hearing the promise of the Qi man in front of him.

Most of the Balochistan region occupied by the Kalat Khanate is mountainous and desert. Not only is the land barren, but the climate is dry and rainless, the output is not abundant, and the economy is very poor. Hundreds of thousands of people in the country are living a miserable life.

Haha. If it weren't for the strong support of the Qi people and the large amount of firearms provided, their new Kalat Khanate would have been swallowed up by the Mughal Empire and the Safavid Empire.

The Sindh region, located in the plains of the lower reaches of the Indus River, has fertile land and a large population. It is also the most important cotton producing area for the Mughals. Its wealth has always been coveted by Ahmed I.

"The Mughals have more than ten thousand troops stationed in the Sindh area, and many local tribal forces are also leaning towards the Mughals." Ahmed I said: "With the current strength of our Kalat Khanate,

Even with the help of you Qi people, I am afraid it will be difficult to capture them all."

"Your Majesty, the Sindh region has a vast territory and a large population, and as you said, many local tribes are still leaning towards the Mughals, so it will be difficult to capture them all in a short time." The black-clad guards of Qi were stationed at Jinmen Fort (now Karachi)

City) Commander, Xuangjie Colonel (Major) Luo Jing

De said with a smile: "But the people there are prosperous and the economy is developed, which allows your Kalat Khanate cavalry to roam across it, plunder some property, and enrich the national strength. Once the Mughal power in the Sindh area is gradually weakened, then

An opportunity for your Kalat Khanate to take action."

"Can you Qi people provide us with the necessary light artillery?" Ahmed I breathed a sigh of relief and looted the place. Isn't this the main means of survival for us Baloch people? As long as we are not forced

To attack the Mughals' fortified strongholds and plunder Sindh is the best thing we can hope for.

"That's natural." Luo Jingde nodded and replied: "In order to support your operations in the Sindh area, in addition to providing you with the assistance of a hundred flintlocks and two artillery pieces, we will also send several combat staff officers and technical officers to accompany you.

You guys participate in military operations together. Yeah

, in order to ensure that you can promptly handle the various supplies you have plundered, and at the same time obtain our necessary military assistance, you must capture the important city of Hyderabad so that our ships can smoothly arrive along the mouth of the Sindu River (the Indus River).

Here."

Ahmed I nodded, expressing his approval of the Qi people's arrangement.

Eight years ago, in the battle of Jinmen Fort, the more than 3,000 cavalry led by Ahmed I were almost completely wiped out, and he was also captured alive by the Qi people. I originally thought that the opponent would directly execute him to scare everyone.

The enemy who covets Jinmen Fort.

Unexpectedly, the Qi people not only let him go, but also expressed their strong support for the Baloch people to fight against the Mughal Empire and the Safavid Empire.

Over the past few years, with the support of the Qi people, the Kalat Khanate established by the Baluch people gradually gained a foothold and continued to expand its territory in the east, west, and north directions, becoming the next king of the region after the Mughals and Persians.
To be continued...