"Tell me about your experience of going to Madras."
An hour later, Zhao Xin, who was not tired, asked Deng Fei about India in the restaurant on the Thor.
"Local governance is a big colander, and no information can be hidden. The British already know about our secret agreement with the French, but they don't know about our agreement with Mysore yet. But this matter is embarrassing enough, considering the British
I think it won’t take half a year to figure out the nature of urine.”
Deng Fei took a big sip of the strong tea and continued: "Their governor is called Hobart. He was very polite on the surface and asked a lot about us. Moreover, he and the group of British people he met at Dagukou before also
We know each other. It can be seen that he is very wary of our interference. In addition, he also gave me a letter, hoping that we can visit the British mainland while going to France. I think they are very interested in the technology of Thor
, I used to ask around when I was in Dagokou."
"The French are in a mess these days. At least don't expect it until Napoleon rises. The era when the British will dominate the Indian Ocean is coming." Zhao Xin continued: "We have to give them eye drops in India, otherwise these guys will take over.
If we take action, we will head towards Malacca and northern India."
Deng Fei nodded and said: "Yes! According to our history, Tipu Sultan will be defeated and killed in six years. The next step for the British is to clean up the Maratha Alliance. Defeat them one by one...
.I said, do you think the British's attitude is a bit like the Qin State that destroyed the six kingdoms?"
Zhao Xin paid his dues and said: "'Bringing his powerful ministers to disrupt his plans' can be considered as fomenting divisions! The British currently do not have the strongest military strength in India, so they naturally have to use intrigues to assist them.
.”
Historically, during the 92 years that the British East India Company conquered India with force, there was no complete and unified military strategic plan. As a result, the East India Company was unable to conquer India solely by military means. Although they cultivated and developed an army that could
The military force used for aggression, but its performance on the battlefield was not satisfactory. It relied more on diplomatic measures and even conspiracies, and it became more and more skillful. Looking at the previous wars in which Britain conquered India, only 1803
The "Battle of Assaye" was a battle won purely based on military factors.
Deng Fei considered: "In my opinion, Mysore's biggest military problem is not the difference in weapons or the number of people, but that it has not formed its own military system. They rely too much on the instructors sent by the French.
I visited the military school set up by the British for indigenous officers in Madras. Although it was just a quick glance, my personal feeling is that it is much better than the French."
Zhao Xin nodded and said: "Those people in the power plant thought that they could take over the world with the era-defining guns and cannons. I was too lazy to explain to them. The military revolution was never just about weapons and technology. The most important thing was the centralized government and finance.
A combination of taxes! Without enough funds, it is simply impossible to support the training and management of modern troops. The era of hot weapons requires huge funds and management costs. Even if the princes of India wear gold and silver, their little money is far from enough."
Deng Fei said: "Yes, so I proposed to Tipu at that time to support him in unifying South India. Otherwise, with his little financial resources, he would only have a standing army of two battalions at most."
Zhao Xin took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and continued: "Their relationship with the French is too close. Just wait and see, the British will use France as an excuse to deal with him sooner or later."
Deng Fei then mentioned the language problem, and Zhao Xin felt a headache after hearing this; whether it was the people in the special operations camp learning French or the people in Mysore learning Chinese, none of them would be able to do it without one and a half years. He and Deng Fei's
We all have the same view, and "cramming" is the only option at the moment.
"Before I left, Guofeng had already set off with the first batch of arms and 500,000 silver coins. It is estimated that he has arrived in Ryukyu by now. I think the Sultan will be more relieved after seeing the goods. What is the name of our territory?
?The name is too hard to pronounce and I can’t always remember it.”
"Pazayarai."
"Forget it, let's call it Pacheng in our official records from now on. It's simple and easy to remember. After the weapons arrive at the shore, they will be placed in Pacheng first. You can visit them if you want, but they can't be allowed to take them back to Mysore before they are used."
"Tip has given us a lot of gold handicrafts. Please take the time to look at them and take them away quickly. I am guarded by guards every day, and I can't sleep well."
"Um."
Zhao Xin looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was already past four o'clock, so he decided to end the conversation and go back to the cabin to sleep. Deng Fei would have to be busy for at least half a day to refuel the Thor tomorrow.
In the morning of the next day, Deng Fei declined the invitation from French officials on Bourbon Island on the grounds that he wanted to perform maintenance on the Thor, and then began to prepare for refueling.
It is said that the fuel consumption of an ocean-going ship includes the fuel consumption of the main engine, generator set, boiler and shore power at port. Taking the Thor as an example, the ship is equipped with a 2500kw marine diesel engine. If it is running at full speed, every
The fuel consumption per hour is 488 liters, which is 11.7 liters per day; and the Thor's fuel tank has been specially modified and can hold 200 tons of fuel at a time. In addition to supplying the main engine, plus the fuel consumption in other places, it is fully calculated, and 15 days is
Warning line level.
Normally, it is no problem for the Thor to visit Sendai Domain and Kuye Island, etc., but once it goes on an ocean voyage, Zhao Xin has to go on the field and plan the route and time according to the voyage. He must show up at the time, otherwise the Thor
All we can do is lie down. So you know why Beihai Town doesn’t dare to send the larger Thunder to Europe. It consumes at least 20 to 30 tons of diesel fuel a day!
Even if Zhao Xin could carry it, it would be difficult to afford the diesel production on Kuye Island! If Deng Fei hadn’t urged him so urgently, Zhao Xin would never have let Ding Guofeng drive the Thunderbolt to India. This is why he is worried about Sumatra Island.
The reason is that if the two cargo ships in Beihai Town want to frequent Malacca in the future, there must be an oil supply point in Southeast Asia.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Just when Zhao Xin arrived at Bourbon Island, He Xiwen, who accepted the order from the Northern Navy Staff, had already taken a boat from Bacheng to the north and passed through the Strait of Malacca.
He arrived at George Town on the British Prince of Wales Island (Penang Island). Here he wanted to meet with a Kapitan from Fujian, who was once a small leader of the Tiandihui, named Gu Lihuan. Speaking of which, the man who later became known as
Gu Hongming, the "eccentric figure of the late Qing Dynasty", is his direct great-grandson.
In 1786, the British East India Company sent Captain Francis Wright to the Sultanate of Kedah to negotiate for the cession of Penang Island in exchange for military protection from the British East India Company. Soon the British obtained Penang Island and renamed it "
Prince of Wales Island" and named the settlement on the island "George Town", which is actually a settlement - Ge town.
Gu Lihuan came to the UK in the second year after arriving in the UK. While visiting the British, he also brought hundreds of Chinese from Siam to help the British clear and level the land. At the inauguration ceremony of Captain Wright, Gu Lihuan
He gave him some fishing nets as gifts and was subsequently appointed as the first Kapitan.
So you see, speculation is really a science. It doesn’t matter how important the gift is. If the time is right, you can get an official job even with a rag. But then again, Gu Lihuan is quite capable and has a good vision, and this person is both
He knew both English and French, and had a very good relationship with Alam Saiya, the son of the Sultan of Aceh. He also had a good relationship with the Sultan of Kedah, and won the trust of the British commander. Within a few years, Gu Lihuan relied on
The British man was a big tree and became the upper class in Georgetown.
"Master, someone sent a greeting card and two boxes of gifts in the afternoon."
In the evening, in a house named "Guardian" in Chinatown, George Town, Gu Lihuan, who had just returned home and changed her clothes, took a big red post from the housekeeper, opened it, and was stunned.
The steward added: "The person who sent the message said that they do not live in the city, but are currently living on a Tang Dynasty boat in the harbor."
"He Xiwen..." Gu Lihuan frowned and thought for a moment, then suddenly his eyes narrowed and he thought, didn't this person go to Annan to be an official? I had heard of this person before when I was in Siam, and it was said that he was also a member of the Heaven and Earth Society.
He came out and later became a pirate. A few years ago, he transformed into a naval general of Nguyen Phuc Anh. Although he is now an "upper class person" in the village, who was not poor at the time? As the same saying goes, not poor.
What would you do if you were not poor enough to enter the world?!
"Well, we're living on the boat." Gu Lihuan responded casually. He turned around and saw two large carved boxes on the table. He was not married yet, so no one in the family dared to touch them.
When he stepped forward and opened one of them to look at it, he couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
Inside the box was a ginseng tied with a red string. Based on Gu Lihuan's knowledge, it was definitely the best Northeastern ginseng, rare to see in Nanyang. He then opened another larger rectangular box and found that it was actually a ginseng.
A box full of chopped sika deer antlers.
Good guy! He Xiwen actually gave such an expensive gift. What is he planning to do? The British won’t interfere with the matters in Guangnan. Could it be that he wants to buy weapons from the British?
Gu Lihuan looked at the clock on the desk. It was already past eight o'clock in the evening. It was no longer appropriate to visit the port now. It would be better to go tomorrow morning. Thinking of this, he asked the steward: "Which ship are they on?"
do you know?"
"I know, someone came and told me."
"Okay! Now take my post and go to the pier and tell Mr. He, no, Mr. He, that Mr. Gu will visit you on time tomorrow morning."
On a 500-ton Tang Dynasty ship anchored in the port, Huang Zhongtong curiously asked He Xiwen: "Brother, let's come to Penang Island to meet someone named Gu. Is it useful to go in such a big circle? According to me, it is better to go to the other side of the strait to find him. The Sultan of Aceh bought the land directly, how easy it would be!"
"You know nothing! Can you speak the local dialect?" He Xiwen held a toothpick in his mouth and said disdainfully: "The order from the staff department said that this time not only will the village be bought across the street, but also from Johor. Buy the southernmost piece of land on the island from the sultan. This guy named Gu is a local gangster in Penang. He has a good relationship with several sultans. If you ask him to do this, you will get twice the result with half the effort!"
He Xiwen had not studied much. Ever since he became an official in Guangnan, he often came up with idioms that were misleading. Huang Zhongtong wanted to remind him that it should be "get twice the result with half the effort", but he gave up because of this. I have been scolded several times for this matter.
"Brother, I heard that boy named Zheng say before that after we finish this matter, we will have to go to Beihai Town to take some classes next spring. Who will watch over Ryukyu in the future? Is King Zhao going to relieve himself... ..."
He Xiwen glared and interrupted: "Stop talking nonsense! Prince Zhao, you dare to talk, don't you want to live anymore?!"
Huang Zhongtong turned his head and looked at the door of the captain's cabin, and explained: "Aren't I asking you for advice? How dare I say that Prince Zhao is wrong?"
He Xiwen snorted, frowned and ignored him. To be honest, he didn't understand the arrangement above. He had just stayed in Ryukyu for half a year, and his butt was still hot. He was sent to Nanyang again and wanted to buy land. In his opinion, the North Korean navy has strong ships and powerful artillery. What should we buy? Just go ashore and rob them. Anyone who dares to explode the thorns will be bombarded with big cannons!
As for the Beihai Navy, there are so many rules, and you actually have to go to school when you are an official. He remembered the lessons Zheng Wenxian had recited to him before, and he couldn't help but gnash his teeth, it was almost killing him!
In the morning of the next day, Gu Lihuan arrived at the port on time with the long attendant who had sent the post yesterday. It was said that when He Xiwen and his ship entered the port for inspection and registration yesterday, they borrowed the name of Wang Zhusheng, Kapitan, Bacheng, saying that they were here. This is where spices are purchased, so before Gu Lihuan even got close, he saw many Malays and Chinese people loudly soliciting business on the trestle.
Because he was a prominent figure in the local area, everyone at the port greeted Kapitan respectfully when they saw him coming. Gu Lihuan asked his entourage to board the ship to announce the news, while he smiled and bowed to everyone he knew. I saw two people walking down from the Narcissus Gate of the Tang Dynasty. The first one was tall, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, with a Chinese character face, wearing a hat to protect the sun from the sun, and a dark lake silk robe; and behind him The man in front of him was dressed in a short jacket and also wore a bamboo hat.
"My dear, He Xiwen, I have admired Brother Gu for a long time, and I am honored to meet him today!"
"Brother He, I have admired you for a long time!"
"This is my deputy, Huang Zhongtong."
Because it was too noisy at the dock, when the three of them saw Li, Gu Lihuan was led onto the ship and went directly to the captain's cabin. As soon as he entered the door, He Xiwen raised his right hand, with his thumb pointing to the sky, his little finger pointing to the ground, and the middle three fingers Pressing it on his heart, he said to Gu Lihuan: "The world knows that Mu Li will fight against the world!"
Gu Lihuan smiled slightly when he saw this, and made the same gesture and said: "We all swore together in the flood!"
"Haha, He once heard in Guangnan that Kapitan in Penang is a brother of my Heaven and Earth Society. When I met him today, it turned out to be true! He is from Sichuan and was introduced to the society by his eldest brother Zhang Tinghe in Huizhou in the 49th year of Qianlong's reign.
"
"I am here in the 47th year of Qianlong's reign. I was introduced to the association by Brother Yan Yan in Zhangzhou. In the 49th year of Qianlong's reign, I was wanted by the court and had no choice but to go to Siam. In the 51st year of Qianlong's reign, I came to Penang. Brother He's name has long been well known!
"
Then the two parties talked about their age, and it turned out that He Xiwen was seven years older than Gu Lihuan. Although Gu Lihuan was a local Kapitan, he was still a businessman at heart. Compared with He Xiwen's previous official position in Guangnan, which was a third-rank official, he was not even a bit inferior.
, so he called each other brother.
Afterwards, when the sailors on the boat got tea and snacks and stepped back, Gu Lihuan handed over his hands and said: "Brother He, the gift you asked someone to give you yesterday is so valuable that I can't bear it! Now that I'm in Penang, if there is anything I can help you with, please
Please speak frankly. I am quite familiar with people in the local area, and I can speak well with the British. As long as I can help, I will definitely do a good job!"
"Okay!" He Xiwen said with a smile: "Brother, don't be too modest. From Java to Siam, who doesn't know that you have been honored as the first Kapitan in Penang? It's just a small gift, just to express congratulations."
Gu Lihuan said that the third-rank officials were different! He couldn't help but feel a little envious.