The Volume of Changning Kingdom: Chapter 52 Gonzalez Loves Peace
With the return of this pagan "ancestor", flames of resistance began to appear in the originally relatively peaceful villages. Under her instigation, many villages not only began to refuse to pay tribute, but also attacked the collection teams sent by him.
Basten had to launch a crusade. Although the crusade achieved some results and pacified some nearby villages, forcing them to pay tribute again, such a crusade became costly beyond an area one league away.
Going deep into the jungle while fully armed, even if there are roads and boats, is a very difficult and dangerous task. The local villagers can ambush the expedition team at will along the way. Moreover, there are a large number of Dayak natives in their team. Originally, most of them have already
Retreating into the remote jungle, they can only be regarded as elusive prey for the people of Basten. But now, the Dayaks have become dangerous hunters. They ambush the detachment he sent with poisonous crossbows on the way.
Quickly cut off the head and then escape into the jungle.
Even if this kind of ambush can only be regarded as harassment, it is enough to exhaust the limited expedition team before arriving. A large number of local Dayak natives appeared in the harassing team.
Although this kind of ambush had few casualties, it had a huge impact on the morale of the troops sent out. Many soldiers refused to go out. This made his plan to consolidate his rule come to nothing.
Even if you arrive at the village after all the hard work, either the enemy has emptied the buildings, leaving only an empty village, or the village has been turned into a fortress. Not only are there abundant weapons and defensive equipment, but also matchlock guns, which makes the village more vulnerable.
The defense power has been greatly improved. It is difficult for the exhausted expedition team to get any advantage. They can only return without success due to the enemy's strong wall and clearing the field.
In the evening, Dambasten, who had had dinner, was leaning on a wicker chair in the study room of the General Military Mansion. The half-bottle of kvass beside him had been sitting for more than half an hour, and the energy had dissipated. This drink to relieve the heat could no longer be used.
He couldn't calm down his annoyance.
At this moment, he has fallen into some kind of dilemma, and he doesn't even want to look at the list of trophies on the table. You must know that more than half a month ago, any setbacks and difficulties, just looking at this list was enough to cheer him up.
Get up, grit your teeth and persevere.
The Huang family has been operating here for many years, and has accumulated considerable wealth over the past century. It took five or six days to sort out the treasures in the Huang family's military headquarters alone. Just the treasures here opened his eyes. As for the city
He rewarded the mercenaries and pirates with the wealth of the town and surrounding villages - this was also the reward promised to them.
At that time, Basten was so high-spirited. He held the right to operate the slave trade in Borneo, and would also become the master of North Borneo: the king had promised that he would manage the Huang family's territory in North Borneo, but he had to
Triple the previous tax payment of the Huang family - Basten sees no problem in doing this. He also has many plans: he has sent envoys to the leaders of many Chinese communities in Borneo.
Be prepared to make full use of the results of this victory to expand plantations and trade networks. At the same time, attract more Chinese immigrants to Shanba Port.
This place will definitely become more prosperous under his rule. And he, as the first governor here, will be famous throughout the ages! When looking at Mount Kinabalu in the distance, he even wanted to name the mountain.
Thoughts named Anna Basten Mountain.
However, Basten now began to doubt his adventure. The change in the Australians' attitude caught him off guard. He originally thought that the Australians would not care about this place. Speaking of which, do the Australians have any interests worth mentioning here?
He had never known any trade relations between the Huang family and the Australians. Could it be that these Chinese people had some kind of magic that deceived the Australians?
He couldn't understand, but he understood one thing. That was that VOC had sent someone to inform him that if he could not properly handle the relationship with the Australians, VOC would no longer recognize him as an employee of the company.
And if the Australians request, they will be arrested and handed over to the Australians.
Basten knew very well that the company would do anything to maintain trade relations.
Thinking of the haunting Huang family witch, Basten's right eyelid twitched a few times, which reminded him of a superstitious saying he heard from Chinese sailors: the twitching of the left eyelid indicates a windfall, and the twitching of the right eyelid
The beating heralds the coming disaster. Basten sneered at this superstition. Out of boredom, he conducted an investigation on this superstition. Before the ship encountered a storm or ran aground on the rocks, or pirates and other unfortunate events, many people, including the Chinese,
The sailors did not notice the twitching of their right eyelids as a sign of danger. And he did not observe the twitching of his left eyelids before trying to seize the Huang family this time. Obviously this is just a ridiculous superstition, and he also regarded this as a sign of danger.
The contents were written into his diary as part of his research on the Chinese.
He walked to the window, knelt down and prayed silently. Now he felt somewhat at the end of his rope. He knew that the "guerrilla war" was just the beginning. Next, the Huang family was bound to launch a massive all-out counterattack. If he could withstand it,
Only then can it be possible to negotiate with the Australians. If he fails, there will be nothing to say. Even his life will not be saved.
Outside the window, the dark clouds on the mountains were getting thicker and thicker. He thought of the Chinese poem that his Anna's mother had recited, "The black clouds are pressing on the castle, almost crushing it." What a real metaphor this is!
After praying, Basten walked out of the room. The night was extremely dark tonight. The thick clouds not only blocked the constellations in the sky that usually guide ships, but even the moon was missing. Only the General Military Mansion under his feet still existed in the entire world.
bright.
At the other end of the General Military Mansion, he could hear the drunken laughter and roars of the mercenaries and sailors... Basten shook his head in disgust. These mercenaries are now unwilling to go out of the city to conquer, and they only use large barrels.
The rice wine made me drunk.
He called for Gonzalez and raised his concerns about the current discipline of the mercenaries and the defense of the port.
"...I'm afraid you also know that the Huang family is now raising troops and ships and will launch an attack on us soon. Your soldiers are drunk every day, aren't you worried?"
Savanchi Gonzalez touched his beard: "Of course I am worried. But you have to know that although I am their captain, I am actually just a circus trainer, surrounded by jackals, tigers and leopards.
I can use a whip, but I have to be careful, or they will tear me apart..."
"Don't explain your situation to me with your Castilian fables..."
"Sir, I am from Leon."
"Okay, no matter where you are from. We have to strengthen our defenses quickly. Otherwise, once the enemy comes, we will be in danger, especially your soldiers. Tell them not to drink anymore recently..."
"If you ask me, Your Excellency, they are more effective when they are drunk and fight more bravely. If they are too sober, they may turn around and run away."
"Where are they going?" Basten sneered, "In the jungle? The natives and Chinese are waiting for them. As soon as they are alone, their heads will disappear. I think they all know it.
.”
"Okay, to be honest, it's unrealistic for you to expect us to defend Shanba Port..."
"What? Are you planning to break the contract?!" Basten asked in surprise, his eyes widening.
"To be honest, I'm more than happy to do it," Gonzalez said. "After all, my men are more concerned about living and enjoying those trophies than dying defending them."
Basten realized that things had changed again. It was thanks to this well-trained mercenary team that he could successfully capture Shanba Port. As long as this team is here, the Huang family will come back two or three times more.
People may not be able to regain the lost ground.
"Tell me, how much did the Huang family pay to negotiate with you? No matter how much it is, I can double it!"
"Mr. Basten, you are such a smart businessman!" Gonzalez narrowed his eyes and smiled, "To tell you the truth. The Huang family did send an envoy and offered me a very attractive price.
As long as I remain neutral, that's all. When it's done, we're free to leave with the loot."
"You believe them?"
"I can't think of anything that is suspicious. After all, war is a very expensive thing. It would not be surprising if the Huang family is willing to use money to buy victory."
"Then why are you here to tell me?" Basten suddenly became alert and secretly grasped the pistol grip next to the chair. This was an exquisite flint-fired spring-loaded pistol that he had always used for self-defense.
"Put down your pistol and swear to God: I have no ill intentions towards you." Gonzalez raised his hands and said, "After the Huang family came to see me, I planned to come to see you and talk about whether you can provide a better solution."
Conditions to convince my men to continue serving you. But I changed my mind just now because someone came to see me again..."
"Oh, who is that person?"
"Australian."
"Sure enough!" Basten gritted his teeth, "What conditions did they put forward?"
"They didn't put forward any conditions. They just entrusted me to tell you that the Australians do not want North Borneo to fall into war. The purpose of our gathering here is to do business and make money. The same is true for the Australians. So they are willing to serve as
Mediators. If you are willing, you can conduct peace talks in Seria or Kota Bharu. They will ensure the safety of you and the Huang family, and guarantee that both parties will get a just, fair, and reasonable outcome."
Basten clenched his hands so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He smelled the smell of betrayal. Although he knew it was unnecessary to ask, he still held up his body that was about to collapse and said: "What about your opinion?"
"I love peace!" Gonzalez stretched out his hands and said with emotion. This chapter has been completed!