Aconia's explanation of the warships flying the Spanish flag is very reasonable, and it is also in line with the habits of European colonists. Wherever they can fight, they rob, and do business without capital; if they can't fight, they just negotiate. , do business honestly.
However, Linga and Herus were still dubious. Is it possible that the Spaniards were so badly beaten by the Chinese that they would send envoys to Taiwan to negotiate? But there was no flaw in Aconia's explanation, so they could only wait until they came ashore. Let’s talk about it later. The Spaniards wouldn’t have set up such a trap just to deceive these three people.
At this time, the ship approached the land, and the two captains saw clearly on the side of the ship that there were many people on the Spanish galleon disembarking, and there were fully armed troops standing on the shore. It seemed that there were enough people There are about five thousand people, and almost all of them are carrying muskets. Both of them look a little ugly. This kind of force is enough to wipe out the entire island of Taiwan. It seems that what Aconia said is not wrong.
Lin Jia suddenly pointed to the shore and said: "Look, they are Europeans. Oh my God, there are more than 300 people. He really has a group of European mercenaries."
Harus looked in the direction of his finger and saw that there was indeed a group of European mercenaries standing on the coast. They were all tall and tall, with stern eyebrows. It was unclear whether they were welcoming or demonstrating.
Harus swallowed his saliva and said: "I think if we want to defeat this Chinese army, we must at least gather all the East India Company's troops in Asia to Taiwan."
Linga also nodded and was about to speak when a small boat came from the shore and came to their boat. He shouted loudly to the boat for a while. Akonya held the side of the boat and answered with him again. After a few words, he turned to Linga and Harus and said: "He told us that the Spaniards are now coming ashore. Let us stop the boat and make less noise when we go ashore, although we should not disturb the Spaniards."
Linga and Harus both nodded to express their understanding, because the Netherlands and Spain are hostile forces. Although they are not fighting the Spanish army this time, it is best not to let the Spanish know their whereabouts.
So the Dutch ship, led by the small boat, came to the trestle in a corner of the pier and docked. Linga, Harus, Yunus and others also disembarked and walked ashore along the trestle.
But at this moment, suddenly there was a series of loud noises of "Boom - Boom - Boom - Boom -", which shook the mountains and the ground, and caused pain in the eardrums. The Dutch missionary Yunus even felt his feet falling. He fell softly on the trestle, and almost fell into the sea if Lin Jia hadn't given him a hand.
Lin Jia and Harus then discovered that there was a row of artillery parked on the shore. They had not seen it because of the angle when they were at sea. The number of artillery was not one hundred but seventy or eighty. And when the artillery was released, After that, the soldiers all raised their muskets and fired into the sky at a 45-degree angle. They waited for almost three minutes before all the firing ended.
After a while, Yunus still felt that his heartbeat was beating violently and had not yet recovered. He couldn't help but ask Aconia: "Father Aconia, what is going on? Why are the Chinese so good at the beach?" Fire a gun and shoot mud?”
In fact, Arconia's ears were still buzzing, and she was complaining about Shang Yi in her heart. Although she wanted to scare the Dutch, the noise was too exaggerated, but she still pretended to be calm. With a look of promise, he said: "Father Yunus, please don't worry. This is a demonstration by the Chinese to the Spanish, showing their force. Of course, they hope to gain more benefits at the negotiation table."
Yunus nodded, feeling that what Aconia said was somewhat reasonable. Looking at Linga and Harus, both of them looked pale. Harus said: "There is such a person in the Chinese army."
Too many cannons?”
Aconia said: "General Shang imagined that the Spanish garrison in Taiwan was too powerful, so he prepared more troops. This time he dispatched about half of his troops. In fact, he did not need so many troops?"
"Half the force?" Lin Jia and Harus looked at each other, and their voices couldn't help but change their tone. Although they didn't see the combat capabilities of the Chinese army with their own eyes, there were so many artillery and guns. From this stance,
Look, it will never be that bad. It seems that what Aconia said, the Chinese army defeated
The Spanish expeditionary force may be true. Harus smiled bitterly and said: "I take back what I just said. I think it will be useless even if we transfer all the troops of the East India Company to Taiwan.
, This Chinese army is indeed very powerful, I am afraid that even Zheng Yiguan’s army cannot compare with it.”
Akonia also nodded and said: "Captain Harus, you are right. General Shang's army is the most powerful army I have ever seen. No European country can compete with them.
"
Lin Jia's eyes suddenly lit up and he said: "Father, you just said that the Chinese army is only as strong as the army, but what about their navy? Is it as strong as the army?"
Akonia smiled slightly and said: "Think about it, if his navy was as powerful as his army, would he still invite you to negotiate? Instead, he would directly sail the fleet to the top and launch an attack on you directly.
Already."
Lin Jia finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the Chinese army was not without its weaknesses, and he also had the capital to bargain with them. Lin Jia himself had not realized it yet, but in his mind, he had unconsciously given up on fighting with them.
The idea of this Chinese army confronting and occupying the entire Taiwan.
Harus asked again: "So Father, what benefits does this Chinese general hope to gain from the Spaniards by putting up such a large formation?"
Aconia smiled and said: "I know this, what he wants is the trade rights to Manila."
"Trade rights?" Lin Jia and Harus shouted out almost at the same time, and immediately exchanged glances, and both smiled knowingly.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Akonia's lips, and he said again: "Okay, it's time for us to enter the city."
After entering the city of Keelung, Aconia arranged for the Dutch group to stay, and then told them that Shang Yi was currently receiving the Spanish envoy, so he asked them to wait patiently for a few days and not to move around.
After Akonia left, Linga, Harus, and Yunus immediately gathered together to discuss. Now it was necessary to revise the purpose of coming to Keelung this time. It was obviously impossible to drive out the Chinese by force and occupy all of Taiwan.
Yes, in fact, the fact that the Chinese army did not attack the cities of Jelanja and Provencha is already a very good result. Although
According to Aconia, the Chinese army's maritime strength is slightly inferior, but judging from the thirty or forty Spanish sailing ships docked on the shore, it is not that bad. Currently, the Netherlands only has twelve warships in Taiwan.
, the maximum displacement is only 800 tons. Unless the fleet is redeployed from Batavia, it is impossible to be an opponent of the Chinese fleet.
On the other hand, the two sides do not have to use force. Since the Chinese need to conduct overseas trade, they at least have the same goals and pursuits as the Dutch. If they cannot fight, they can talk about cooperation. In this regard, the Dutch and Spanish There is no difference, and the Dutch are even more flexible than the Spanish. For more than ten years, the Dutch and Zheng Zhilong have been fighting and talking, which led to the current situation.
Although the Dutch don't know much about China's inland, they need to know a lot about the maritime situation. If the merchant general mentioned by Aconia also pursues overseas trade, he will inevitably have a conflict of interest with Zheng Zhilong, and Judging from what we know so far, this General Shang is also quite powerful. The Dutch were worried about not finding allies in Asia to jointly fight against Zheng Zhilong, but they never expected that such a candidate would suddenly appear as if overnight. .From this point of view, the two sides still have a very good basis for cooperation.
Therefore, the last few people finally discussed and decided to completely abandon the plan to occupy Taiwan by force, and instead jointly occupy Taiwan with the Chinese, seek trade cooperation, and jointly fight against Zheng Zhilong.
After confirming the principles of negotiation, Linga and Hades also immediately wrote a letter and sent a clipper to return to the chief officer immediately and send it to the chief officer, De Laodian, to report their decision. Fortunately, the Chinese now have to receive the Spaniards, and there are Time to get a clear decision from De Lao Dian.
Cheng Gang nodded and said: "Less than an hour after the Hong Yi Hong people arrived at the port, a small boat from the Hong Yi Mao people left and headed south. Because the Lord had given instructions in advance, we did not stop them."
Shang Yi said: "Very good, it seems that the Hongyimao people have gone back to deliver the message. You continue to monitor the coast. If there is any situation, report to me immediately."
Cheng Gang immediately stood at attention and said, "Yes."
After Cheng Gang left, Shang Yi sat and meditated for a while. Then he returned to the inner room. At this time, Alexandra saw him coming in and immediately greeted him. She hooked her hands around Shang Yi's neck and said, "Dear Mr. Shang, how was my performance today? I didn’t disappoint you."
Since the two had a close relationship, Alexandra moved into Shang Yi's room very calmly and lived with Shang Yi. The open-mindedness of Europeans is also evident. Of course, Shang Yi would not refuse, with him She still has some private rights due to her identity, and it is not a big deal to have more wives and concubines. Shang Yi put his arm around her slender waist, kissed her on the face, and said: "Very good, the Dutch have sent The ship is back to deliver the letter."
Alexandra was also very excited and said: "It seems that your plan has achieved results. How can you thank me?"
Shang Yi pinched her plump buttocks and said, "Didn't I feed you yesterday?"
Alexandra smiled charmingly and said: "Then I want you to love me today as you did yesterday."
Shang Yi couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Once the relationship between men and women broke through, they both became extremely obsessed with each other. Moreover, Europeans are much more open-minded than Chinese people in this regard. Naturally, Alexandra also became obsessed with each other every night. I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse to accept this Spanish beauty.