The news that the Australians had appeared in Formosa made the East India Company dignitaries in Batavia nervous. Although the business hall of the dignitaries was not running satisfactorily and its importance was greatly reduced after the trade agreement was signed with the Australians,
As a direct window for trade with China, Formosa still plays an important role.
The Australians sent ships to spy on Formosa, which was terrible news for the Dutch. For this reason, the councils of Carpentier and Batavia sent Magdeburg to venture to Lingao during the typhoon season.
, to get the news.
Trini understood why they were so anxious. He pondered for a moment and said: "In the past few months, I can feel that they are planning a big action. But I can't say that such an action is against the company."
Then he talked about the large-scale activities he witnessed in Lingao: a large amount of import and export of materials, frequent transportation of personnel and active shipbuilding operations. He clearly felt that the Australians had entered a state of war.
"All Australian institutions, factories and ships are running at full speed..." Mr. Trini said, "Especially the ships entering and leaving the port very frequently. Goods are constantly being shipped in and out. You know, this is not the case now.
Trading season.”
"In that case, why do you still think that the Australians' preparedness actions are not targeting companies?"
"It's simple. Because they are raising equipment for use in cold northern areas." Trini said, "Many of the materials involved in the order orders they submitted to the company cannot be used in Formosa. I think you are also aware of this.
."
After his reminder, Van Delantron remembered that the Australians' recent orders included a lot of woolen fabrics and leather, as well as Persian raw wool and Indian raw cotton. These goods cannot be used in Formosa.
.
"Secondly, pardon me: I think that with all the power of the company in East Asia, the Australians do not need such extensive war preparations. Their opponents are much stronger and larger than our masters."
Van Delantron nodded: "What you said makes sense. However, in order to reassure the Governor and the Lords of the Council, I still hope to know exactly where they want to take action and why they want to go to Fu
Going to Mosa?"
"I think the target they chose was the Ming Dynasty, that is, the Chinese. They may have come to Formosa for various motives, such as obtaining a stopover, but I have no way of knowing..."
"Please continue."
"The Ming Dynasty had a vast territory, a large population and unparalleled wealth. The Australians came all the way to East Asia, and they had such a strong military force. If the Ming Dynasty was not among their goals of conquest and plunder, I would feel very sad.
Surprised." Trini said, "Besides, they specifically chose Lingao as a place."
"Okay, assuming the Australians are about to launch a conquest against the Ming Dynasty, what do you think their chances of winning are?"
"There is no doubt that they can easily defeat the Chinese army that is ten times their size, but it is obviously difficult to conquer the entire China - at least not in the short term." Trini said, "The size of China
It's too vast, and to conquer such a country, the Australians are a little weak."
"Hypothetical, just hypothetical. If one day the company wants to go to war with the Australians, can the company achieve a favorable and peaceful outcome?"
"Forgive me for being offended, I'm afraid it will be difficult. Peace will definitely come, but the outcome may not be favorable." Trini said, "The military potential of the Australians is amazing. Once it is put into operation, I am afraid no one will be their opponent."
“What if before their potential has even unfolded?”
"Is this included in your mission?"
"There were three or four directors - you have to understand they were the owners, and they weren't in Batavia. So they came forward and wanted to evaluate... whether it was worth taking the Australian territory."
Lingao is lively and prosperous compared to the desolate Danguan. It has also been fully constructed and has many military industries and large shipyards. Its overall strength is much stronger than the Portuguese Macau. It would obviously be ideal if it could be captured.
Trade with China is even the base for East Asian trade.
The Senate was well aware of Trini's assignment, but did not mind it.
Since the Senate was about to carry out Operation Engine and did not want to disperse its forces for unexpected attackers, it very much hoped to make the Dutch understand that their military strength was not something that anyone could challenge.
Therefore, Trini was sometimes even invited by the Department of Foreign Intelligence to visit Army and Navy training, and was allowed to draw the Fubo Army at close range. However, the Australians have many requirements for painting, such as requiring that the head-to-body ratio of soldiers should be 1:7.
The muscles should be drawn in the Greek style, the shoulders should be shaped like the Germans...
However, these are similar to the scholastic paintings of the Renaissance, so Trini was naturally happy to complete them.
"I don't mean to offend your lords, but this idea is too crazy. The Australians have great confidence in their own military force, and they showed their military force to me very casually, and asked me to keep sending albums back to Batavia.
"
"What do you think?"
"From my personal observation, the Australian soldiers are actually local aborigines, and most of them are Chinese. Only a very small number of officers are Australian. When they recruited the soldiers from the mainland, their physiques were very poor, and they were no better than the monkeys in Southeast Asia.
Go there. But now the speed and hit rate of their musket shooting are terrifying. I have never seen such a strong professional soldier... The officers are also very good. Some Australians are no less than Gustav's officers.
Led by professional soldiers, I have seen them many times, they get up before dawn and then walk silently from one county to another."
"That is to say, they did not move on foot because they did not have boats."
"They just let their troops practice quickly crossing the mountains and then immediately go into battle. In fact, every soldier has to do this kind of practice."
"The Great Hannibal...?"
"Whether they can reach Hannibal's level is difficult for me to say, Your Excellency, but their combat power clearly exceeds that of most armies I have seen."
"As for the ships, they don't have enough ships yet. But there will be many in the future. Your Excellency, please be sure to take this album back and tell everyone in Badawi that the Australians took fourteen weeks to build it.
A sailing ship of several hundred tons."
"What?!"
"Their shipyard is very efficient, but I have never been able to get close. From a distance, it seems that there are many ships being built side by side at the same time, and the second identical ship was launched a few days later."
"This is so amazing, I thought I should confirm it with my own eyes."
"Before you leave, you will see the next one entering the water."
"Do you think Australians have the intention to develop southward?"
"It's a matter of time." Trini smiled slightly, "When you have an unparalleled army and a powerful fleet, will you let them go home to farm?"
"Your work is truly outstanding and I will recommend you to the Batavia Council."
"It doesn't matter, no need. I am an Italian. Italians have no country. My country is the job my employer gave me."
"What do you think of Lingao?"
"I really wish Lingao was in Italy."
"Fortunately, Lingao is not in Italy." Van Delantron said.
"It doesn't matter where Lingao is." Trini realized that Van Delantron's inquiry had come to an end. He stood up, took out a bottle of rum and two bottles of "soda water" from the wine cabinet.
"With two glasses, he took some crushed ice from the "refrigerator" and mixed it with two glasses of rum and soda according to the local fashion.
"Pleasant enjoyment." Van Delantron praised after drinking it.
"Let our masters consider the ambitions or goals of Australians. Now I have an Australian project to propose to the Council."
"Oh? Was it proposed by the Australians?"
"Yes, the Australians provided me with a batch of agricultural books and pictures and asked me to translate them into a picture book." Trini said and handed him a thick book, sat down on the sofa, and continued to explain, "Australia
They are going to provide us with some seedlings for the company to plant on a small island in the Moluccas, and they will buy the mature crops.”
"what is it then?"
"As far as I'm concerned, it looks like a rubber tree."
"Rubber tree?" Although rubber trees and rubber have been known since the time of Columbus, Europeans were still unfamiliar with this plant at this time. Trini also had a certain knowledge of natural history to recognize this kind of plant that was not seen in Europe.
plant.
"Yes, a plant from America..."
Trini became interested: "Have they also been to America?"
"It's very possible, otherwise how could they provide rubber tree seedlings."
"What do they need these rubber trees for? Why not plant them on the land they occupy? You said that the Australians now actually occupy the entire island."
"I think they lack enough labor. As for the function of rubber trees, I don't know." Trini knew that rubber trees can secrete a sticky colloid, which is used by Indians to kick balls and can also be used to smear cloth.
It is waterproof but will harden once it dries, so it has no practical value.
The Australians want companies to grow this plant, and they obviously have mastered some technology of using this colloid. The Moluccas are hotter and rainier than Lingao, and have a similar climate to the place where rubber originates. The Australians have this idea.
Not surprising.
"In addition, I think that since the Australians want the company to promote the cultivation of these crops in the Moluccas, they will not be interested in the company's properties for at least seven years, otherwise wouldn't their investment become worthless?"
"Why ten years?"
"Because it takes at least seven years from rubber planting to producing the glue they need."