Chapter 985 Arriving in Europe

It was raining in Portsmouth in February. Despite the continuous light rain for months, this most important port of the Royal Navy was still busy with traffic.

In the morning, the harbor is hazy with fog, and only the light on the lighthouse gives the ships direction.

"Old Smith, it's time to change the guard!"

Suddenly, there was a sound under the lighthouse, which startled the fifty-year-old Smith. He stood up and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the light made of whale blubber was still bright and had not been extinguished.

After rubbing his sleepy eyes, wiping away a few eye drops, and yawning, Smith took off his coat and left it for the next person.

Holding the lantern, he slowly climbed down from the lighthouse: "What's the hurry, Jon!"

Due to his weak legs and feet, he walked up the twenty or so stairs for almost ten minutes.

Although the lighthouse is related to the direction of the ship, the monthly salary is only ten shillings, so there is really no need to risk one's life.

Lifting down the extinguished lamp, Smith sighed:

"Damn it, when will this war end?"

Jon held up the lamp and showed his unshaven face. He yawned and said, "Who knows?"

"But we won last time, and it should be the same this time."

"Just because of the war, there are fewer ships coming and going in the port. Even the French want to come and take advantage. Do they have a navy?"

Last month, France sided with the Netherlands and declared war on Britain.

Cromwell, who emerged from the civil war, changed the Stuart principle of emphasizing sea and land, and established a powerful standing army, numbering 30,000.

At the same time, with the development of maritime trade, the navy also jumped from one warship to one hundred and twenty, becoming a heavy force on the sea.

In this way, from 1652 to 1654, England won.

And now, it is the second Anglo-Dutch War.

Britain signed more stringent navigation laws and directly occupied the Dutch New Amsterdam (today's New York) in North America. It also went further and occupied the Dutch Gold Coast in West Africa in an attempt to dominate the gold and ivory trade.

Therefore, on February 22, 1665, the eighteenth year of Shaowu's reign, the Netherlands officially declared war on Britain, and the Second Anglo-Dutch War broke out.

"Hahaha, the French can only win by relying on women. In my opinion, their Sun King is nothing."

After spurning France, Jon climbed up to the lighthouse and hung up his lamp.

Immediately, the entire lighthouse lit up.

It was only five or six o'clock at this time. If it were in other countries, the lighthouse would have been unnecessary. But on rainy and foggy days like England, the lighthouse even needs to be set up until eight or nine o'clock.

Just when he was about to lie down and catch up on his sleep, a huge ship suddenly appeared in front of him.

He can still distinguish between merchant ships and warships.

There are no such merchant ships.

In an instant, he rang the bell.

Several nearby echoing lighthouses reacted immediately and began to ring continuously.

The entire Portsmouth Harbor fell into panic instantly.

At this time, the supreme commander of the navy, the brother of Charles II, James, Duke of York, also got up from the woman's arms. He quickly dropped the huge pair in his arms and couldn't wait to put on his coat.

"what happened?"

James opened the door, and the guard hurriedly put on his clothes: "It's the news that spread from the lighthouse, saying that there is an enemy invasion."

"The Dutch are not that stupid." James was angry at first, then shook his head: "Portsmouth Port has hundreds of shore guns, and the navy will only die if it comes."

"Maybe it's a misunderstanding."

"Yes, I have already sent someone over." The attendant said hurriedly.

"Let's go!" James was no longer sleepy at this time. He put on high heels, tight pants, and a wig: "I want to see who the visitor is."

By the time he arrived at the pier of Port Lin, the navy was already ready to go and was waiting for the Duke's order.

Although the Navy has not replaced its ships for many years due to the foreign debt of two million pounds (taxes are about one million pounds per year), which makes them look a bit old, the quality of the sailors is still guaranteed.

Even though they are all composed of thieves, bankrupt farmers, and gangsters, they have been wandering on the water all year round, and their quality is already among the best in the world.

"Your Excellency the Duke——"

The naval admiral hurriedly saluted: "According to the people at the lighthouse, it is a ship different from Europe. There are at least thirty cannons on board. The purpose of its arrival is unknown."

"Wait for the news!"

James shook his head.

Near the sea, I saw a speedboat running past quickly and shouted to the big ship: "Who are you? This is the Kingdom of England."

I was afraid that they wouldn't understand, so I asked again in Dutch and French.

"What were they shouting?"

Dong Ren turned around and asked.

"Minister, they asked us who we were."

The interpreter listened for a while and said softly: "This is England already."

"Arrived in England?"

Dong Ren suddenly realized: "It seems that Spain and England are very close!"

This 3,000-ton ship was the envoys appointed and dismissed by the emperor. They set out from the Ming Dynasty, crossed the Cape of Good Hope, arrived in Portugal, Spain, and now finally arrived in England.

According to the emperor's order, the mission will be stationed in the Netherlands to take charge of European affairs, and then wait for the opportunity to send personnel to various countries when the time is right.

Who made the Netherlands today a sea coachman, possessing the most powerful navy in Europe and a major trade power?

But Dong Ren learned in Portugal that the Dutch and British navies are now the first in Europe, Spain and Portugal are second, and France is third.

Therefore, England must go to England to meet with its king and establish a good relationship first.

"Tell them that we are the Ming Dynasty's envoy, coming to visit the British King."

Dong Ren said in a deep voice.

The interpreter on the side relayed the story.

Hearing this, the people in the boat were confused, but they quickly went back to report.

As long as they are not enemies, that's fine.

"Mingren?" James suddenly realized: "Aren't they guests in Spain? They arrived in England so quickly."

"It seems that war cannot stop them."

"Your Excellency, I don't know how long this war will last, and Mingren cannot afford to delay it."

"Too."

"Alert is lifted." James shrugged: "These are guests."

"You are really messing around. You are stupider than a donkey in the countryside."

Soon, guided by the boat, the delegation arrived at the pier.

Dong Ren took his counselor Fan Zheng and military attache Han Mi, one in front and two behind, to pay homage to the imperial younger brother.

Regarding England, Dong Ren also made some inquiries in Spain. The current king, Charles II, had only been restored a few years ago and was old and had no heirs.

In this case, the Duke of York is the royal younger brother and the iron-clad heir.

After all, brothers are like brothers!

When Dong Ren saw this Duke in a wig, full of energy and pride on his face, he somehow remembered Tianqi and Chongzhen in the pre-Ming Dynasty.

Both of them are brothers.

And this Duke is only known as arrogant and stubborn in the UK.

"Your Majesty, the Special Envoy of the Ming Emperor, and the Minister for European Affairs, Dong Ren, pays homage to His Highness——"

Dong Ren bowed and saluted politely.

"Your Majesty had a great time in Spain."

James smiled and said: "But please don't worry, England will not let you down."

"Foreign ministers will wait and see."

Dong Ren said modestly.

The two of them didn't exchange much. Dong Ren recounted what he had seen and heard on the journey. One talked and the other listened, but the atmosphere was harmonious.

"What a pity for the Gold Coast." James sighed: "This place can contribute hundreds of thousands of pounds a year, but it was still taken back by the Dutch."

When Dong Ren thought of the Gold Coast, the only things that impressed him were the crazy slave-catching gangs and the hard-working and poor black people.

This group of Western barbarians only know how to plunder such a good place but do not know how to manage it. This is a real pity.

He meant to say that catching people as slaves was harmful to the peace of the world, but Europeans only cared about money, so even if he said so, it would only attract ridicule.
To be continued...