() The Pirate Alliance defeated the officers and soldiers of Zhongzuo on April 24th. Since then, it has traveled all over Zhongzuo, Haicheng, Wuzhou, Lieyu, Dadeng, Aotou, Liuwudian and other places, burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of evil.
As a result, ten families fled and the people were displaced. How could it be described as tragic? In just three days, the pirates left the coastal people with pain that would take three or even thirty years to heal.
Zheng Zhilong knew well that going too far is not enough, so he called a halt immediately.
On April 27th, he released a military attache who had friendship with him and three warships under his command back to Quanzhou, initially showing goodwill to the Fujian government. However, he never mentioned recruiting people, and he would not come forward in this matter. It was best left to
The other party took the initiative to propose that the most important thing he lacked now was time. If he continued to waste time, the first person who would be unable to sit still would definitely be the Fujian government.
On April 28th, Zheng Zhilong once again showed his goodwill and informed traders and fishermen everywhere that they could go to sea to work as soon as they reported water. If they met merchants, there would be no problems when fishing out to sea. The villagers who had taken refuge in the city also returned home in twos and threes. By the beginning of May,
Tensions along the Zhangzhou and Quanzhou coasts have been greatly eased.
The gradual restoration of calm along the coast does not mean that the pirates have nothing to do. The southwest monsoon blows in April and May, which is not only the time when the Ming Dynasty went to Japan, but also the day when the Ming Dynasty merchant ships that sailed to Southeast Asia at the end of last year returned.
There is no doubt that the trade between China and Japan is the most profitable. Unfortunately, Japan is only an island country after all, and the goods it eats almost remain the same every year. More specifically, once more than a hundred merchant ships go to Japan, Japan will not be able to digest the goods.
Prices will inevitably fall sharply, not to mention that there are Macau Franji people and Taiwanese Hongmao competing with them, further compressing profits. The profits of Nanyang trade are not as good as those of Japan, but they are better because of the vast territory and many countries. It is harder to travel to more countries.
You can also make a lot of money. The Ming Dynasty merchant ships that go to Southeast Asia every year are generally twice as many as those that go to Japan.
More importantly, the Ming Dynasty was a country exporting goods and importing silver. Merchant ships returning from Nanyang had completed transactions. The value of the goods on board was usually more than ten thousand taels, and most of them were real gold and silver. Pepper, spices, ivory, wood, tin
Copper and other items were also urgently needed by the Ming Dynasty, so there was no need to worry about getting rid of them. Robbery of a foreign ship would obviously improve the strength of pirates, so pirate ships sailed south in large numbers, cruising the oceans in search of prey.
In order to make it easier for ships to enter and leave the ocean, Huang Chen was also afraid that Yu Zigao in Xiamen City would jump over the wall, so he fought to the death and quit Zhongzuo. He moved to Lieyu. Under his command was Lin Xishan, the captain of Lieyu Township soldiers, and the locals welcomed him regardless of the situation.
, at least it did not cause him any trouble. In places like Zhongzuo and Wuzhou, pirates disappeared and house fires occurred frequently. Although they did not cause much damage, they were very annoying.
The fifth day of May, the Dragon Boat Festival.
Huang Chen, wearing shorts and long trousers, was dressed smartly and stood in a courtyard surrounded by pebble skirts. Facing the early sun, he opened his stance and started a set of boxing skills. During his rise and fall, he saw the skill of a kite flying through the forest, and a raccoon dog flying through the forest.
The magic of a cat attacking a mouse, the ferocity of the five-thrust upside down. The hands, steps, and waist move in a round and round way. Every move is done at your fingertips. It is completely natural. It is obvious that it has been practiced to a very deep level.
Now Huang Chen has dozens of ships and thousands of soldiers under his command. With a wave of his hand, countless people are willing to fight for him, but he is not addicted to power. If he does not stay at sea at night, no matter how late he sleeps at night
, he must get up early in the morning on the second day, be meticulous, hone his martial arts, rain or shine. His almost paranoid persistence lies in his lack of sense of security, whether it is 'him' who has had the experience of being trafficked before, or whether his soul is now from
He in another time and space. In his thinking, instead of placing his own safety on others, it is better to make himself flawless.
After finishing this set of fierce and unforged fists in a smooth and flowing manner, Huang Chen slowly exhaled and finished the exercise.
"Big Chief, take a break, wipe your sweat and drink some water." Guo Dayan came over with a face towel and a water glass and said.
Huang Chen didn't reach out to pick it up. He looked at Guo Dayan and then at the Yan brothers not far away. Their brothers were doing these things on weekdays. Guo Dayan went over and over again. He must have come to plead for Yang Dong. Huang Chen guessed
That's right, Yang Dongxing has always been an out-of-touch person who likes to be active rather than quiet. After being detained by him for ten days, his whole body became depressed, and he finally couldn't help asking Guo Da to intercede in front of him.
Huang Chen's eyes turned back to Guo Dayan again, and he took a towel to wipe his sweat as if nothing had happened.
Guo Dayan smiled dryly and said: "Big Chief, you know that I am stupid and can't tell. It is true that Brother Yang is wrong, but please forgive him for once for the sake of his loyalty. Today is the Dragon Boat Festival.
Why don't the big boss let him out to celebrate the festival with his brothers?" Seeing that Huang Chen still didn't say a word, Guo Dayan said helplessly: "Brother Yang really knows that he is wrong. The big boss is keeping him locked up.
What's the use? It's better to let him sail out to sea, rob foreign ships, and perform meritorious deeds."
"Big Chief, you..." Guo Dayan wanted to say more, Huang Chen waved his hand impatiently and said: "Okay, stop making noise here, it affects my martial arts training mood. - Go and call Yang Dong and Hong Ju.
Come see me."
Guo Da's eyes were stunned for a moment, and he said happily: "Thank you very much, Chief..."
"Get out of here." Huang Chen scolded.
"Get out of here, get out of here..." Guo Dayan left happily. The so-called beating is kissing, and scolding is love. Huang Chen just didn't treat him as an outsider. That's why Huang Chen treated him like this. Treating him politely would show that
Not close.
After Guo Dayan left, Huang Chen wiped his sweat and muttered to himself: "Is it the Dragon Boat Festival yet?" Unknowingly, he had been away from home for more than three months, and he didn't know how his mother and mute girl were doing. I remember last year.
At this time, the villagers were fighting life and death with Lin Qilao, but he still found time to spend the holidays with his grandmother and dumb sister. The family happily ate rice dumplings, drank realgar wine, bought new clothes and new jewelry... This year, he was missing.
, there should be a lot less laughter at home. According to the current situation, it will be difficult for him to go back in the short term.
When his physical strength recovered, Huang Chenye no longer felt homesick. He took a bamboo sword and clashed with Hikoshiro, who was also holding a bamboo sword. However, the process was not smooth. Hikojiro, who was standing aside, stopped the two parties from time to time and corrected Huang Chen's mistakes in his moves.
at.
Huang Chen's good friend Wang Yong was proficient in Japanese swordsmanship, but this proficiency was relative to the Ming Dynasty. He studied under a martial artist in Zhejiang, and that martial artist also learned from a certain Japanese ronin who lived overseas. You can imagine his level of skill.
, far inferior to the Yan brothers who came from a samurai family and had received guidance from famous teachers. Huang Chen had learned Japanese judo in his previous life, and had no objection to Japanese martial arts, and Japanese sword skills did have merit, especially the footwork.
It is cunning and cunning, and can be used unexpectedly when confronting an enemy, and can achieve miraculous effects.
As usual, the two ended in a draw again. Huang Chen knew in his heart that it was Hikoshiro who wanted to give in. The two of them did not care about any means. In a life-and-death fight, the outcome may not be easy to say, but it was limited to Japanese swordsmanship. Huang Chen might not be him even if he practiced for a few more years.
opponent.
It was hot and humid along the coast of Fujian in the midsummer month. Even in the early morning, there was not much coolness. After a morning of strenuous exercise, Huang Chen was sweating like rain, and his chest was heavy, as if he had just been fished out of the water.
He didn't want to delay for a moment and hurriedly returned to the room to take a shower. When he came out of the bathroom refreshed, Yang Dong and Hong Ju had been waiting outside for a while. As soon as the former saw him, he immediately stood up and called the big leader.
, although Hong Ju also stood up, he did not speak, and he was obviously still resentful. Yang Dong's eyes shot up. He was about to curse, but when he caught a glimpse of Huang Chen's admonishing look towards him, he suddenly stopped.
Huang Chen sighed secretly, it seemed that his fate with Hong Ju was really over. Then he gave Yang Dong a severe scolding and drove him away, leaving Hong Ju behind. The two of them were speechless for a moment.
There was a strange atmosphere permeating the air.
After a long time, Huang Chen slowly said: "After what happened, I think you may not be willing to serve under me anymore. What do you think of this? The south wind is blowing now. You can take a boat back to Dachen Mountain. You are at sea.
You have been working hard for most of your life, and you are not young anymore. It is time to retire. The environment in Dachen Mountain is relatively peaceful, and you can also use your experience to help your third brother Hu Yin, who is the only relative of Mr. Hu in this world."
Hong Ju's expression changed, and he remained silent for more than ten breaths before he said, "Thank you, Chief, for your kindness, but I don't think I'm old. I think I can still work for a few more years."
Huang Chen said expressionlessly: "What do you mean?"
Hong Ju said: "I have an old friend from Taiwan who is currently working for Zheng Zhilong, Master Zheng, and I want to join him."
Huang Chen knew that when he was in his twenties, he followed Yimu Lao and Hu Erlao to explore the sea. It was only in recent years that Yimu Lao and Hu Erlao settled in Dachen Mountain. They had been in Taiwan before. Hong Ju had a few friends who were very ordinary and unusual.
It was his choice. Huang Chen continued to persuade: "I still hope that you will return to Dachen Mountain to spend your remaining years in peace."
"How can I spend my old age without relatives or friends? Being born on the sea and dying on the sea is my destination." There was a hint of anger in Hong Ju's words.
Huang Chen looked at Hong Ju with a calm face, but the latter did not give in. After a while, Huang Chen said: "Okay. I will send a boat to take you to Zhongzuo."
"Big boss, I'll go back and pack my bags and say goodbye." Hong Ju said with his hands clasped in fists. The subtext was naturally to ask Huang Chen to make arrangements as soon as possible.
Looking at Hong Ju's back as he strode away, Huang Chen gently shook his head. He was rational and moved with emotion. He did everything he had to do, but Hong Ju still refused to give up the hatred in his heart. He didn't want to let his
Having his hands stained with the blood of his brothers did not mean that he was an indecisive person. When the matter reached this point, he did not hesitate to sentence Hong Ju to death.
"Big boss, do you want me to go and kill him..." Hikojiro made a knife with his hand and made a gesture of wiping his neck.
Huang Chen objected: "You can't kill him on the island, you can only kill him at sea." Neither Zhao Hongyi nor Ruan Jin are good choices, not to mention that they are not currently in Lieyu. Using Yang Dong is too obvious, and Zhuang Mo is also inappropriate...
Huang Chen thought of Zhang Xing. The latter had a cold heart at a young age, ruthless methods, and was extremely loyal to him. He was the most suitable candidate. He said to Hikojiro: "Go and call Zhang Xing."
Yanjiro said yes, and soon he came back with Zhang Xing. Huang Chen said, "Send a boat to take Hong Ju to Zhongzuo."
Hikojiro had already informed Zhang Xing of everything before he came. Zhang Xing was not surprised and said calmly: "I understand, don't worry, big boss."
After Zhang Xing left, Huang Chen put his forehead on his hands and closed his eyes slightly, as if he was asleep. He went from not daring to kill, to killing, and then to killing his own people. He was becoming less and less like himself, and at the same time, he was becoming less and less like himself.
Becoming more and more adaptable to this era.
…………
Taiwan waters.
The sky is blue and cloudless, and the sea surface is as smooth as satin. It rises and falls with the wind. Under the sunlight, the sea surface has sparkling waves, like precious crystals. In this boundless landscape
On the sea, a fleet of nine Fujian, bird boats, and Cang boats traveled from northwest to southeast.
This fleet belongs to Zheng Zhilong, and it is full of goods he plundered in Fujian and Guangdong. When it arrives, it can be exchanged for 20,000 taels of silver. Only he can organize a merchant fleet of this size at present. Facts
Zheng Zhilong’s recent income is far more than he imagined. These goods are only a small part of it. He never puts his eggs in one basket. In addition to the Dutch in Taiwan, his business partners include the Portuguese in Macau and Nagasaki.
ri himself.
The Netherlands is a small country with an extremely advantageous geographical location. It is located on the Atlantic coast, and is also on the commercial route from the North Sea, the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean. This allows the Dutch to have excellent navigation technology and developed maritime trade.
With the opening of the Eastern route, the Dutch, whose business pace spread throughout the European oceans, established the East India Company at the beginning of this century. It received strong support from the Dutch National Parliament and assumed national functions. The most direct manifestation is the Austrian Company in Taiwan.
Lundgchen. This castle, which has not yet completed its first phase of construction, was built in 1624 using dozens of engineers who graduated from Leiden University, Franck University, Utrecht University and various private schools.
, surveyors, cartographers, architects and other professionals.
In school, these experts were trained to build castles and towns according to a standardized pattern that the Dutch had created and redrawn over the years in the coastal provinces and that they had developed with the (Spanish) Habsburgs.
Experience gained from building bunkers and military camps during combat.
The original idea was to spend ten years and 300,000 guilders (approximately 85,000 taels of silver) to build Orange into an everlasting fortress in the Far East. However, this number is only a theoretical value and the time it will take to actually build it
and money will overflow by at least 50%. Maybe it won't be called Orange City by then, because it is said that Batavia feels that the name Orange is inconsistent with its status, and plans to change its name to "Relancia"
”, in reference to the name of the Dutch province Zeeland.
Although Orange still has a long way to go before it is completed, it has begun to take shape, with walls made of earth, bastions at the four corners, a nearby Chinese market, and a Dutch urban area in the central area.
The straight and spacious urban avenue paved with stones can lead directly to the residence of the chief executive. At this moment, the chief executive Dewet was cordially entertaining Xu Xinsu's cousin Xu Xinxu in the living room. When he heard the report that Zheng Zhilong was carrying a car full of
The fleet of goods arrived at the port, and I couldn't help but be stunned for a while. (To be continued. Mobile phone users please go and read.)