His eyes did not escape the sight of the cunning Paul. He thought: This is good, this is good.
"Then when can the goods I want be delivered?"
"It depends on how urgent you are." Chechidan said slyly.
"You are really a greedy devil." Zheng Zhifeng laughed loudly, "I will add 50% of the expedited fee. According to the Spanish calendar: I will get the entire order on November 1st, including the ammunition."
"If it is doubled, I can guarantee that it will be shipped to you on time." Paul showed a seductive smile like a businessman.
"Deal." Zheng Zhifeng nodded, "But I will pay only if your goods satisfy me - just like today."
Chechidan sneered: "What I, Paul, say is valid at any time." He picked up the wine glass that had been prepared by the fire pit and said, "Toast a toast to our business."
The two drank it all in one gulp. Zheng Zhifeng put down the glass and said, "You are very bold."
"I never do business with idiots," Paul said. "Thank you for the wine - it tastes great, real rum."
"It's Australian wine." Zheng Zhifeng said, "Although there is no room for two tigers in one mountain, I don't hate them at all. They are a group of capable and smart people."
"Excuse me, are you planning to attack dogs and start a war with the Australians in November this year?"
Zheng Zhifeng was silent for a moment: "You really want to know?"
"I don't care at all who you want to fight. But in return for your patronage: I will give you a little advice - as long as the Lichun exists, no matter how you plan, you will definitely fail."
"Even with the cannon you provided?"
"That's right. Even if it is equipped with the cannons I provided - as long as it fights in the open sea, this ship can seize the battle at will. No matter how many ships you have, it will not help. Do you have any ship that can sail against the wind and current?
?”
Zheng Zhifeng's face turned pale. This is true. The Zheng family has been planning to attack Kaohsiung for a long time, but there has been no good way to deal with the black giant ship. After planning for a long time, the only thing that seemed feasible was to carry out a sneak attack and park in the harbor at the beginning of spring.
Taking the opportunity, launch a large number of ships to block the harbor, and then attack the ships with fire.
"I guess your plan must be to use ship and sea tactics to block the mouth, and then attack with fire. Just like you used to deal with the Dutch in Zhangzhou Bay in the past."
"It seems you have a better way?" Zheng Zhifeng asked.
"Okay, let's talk about a new deal." Mr. Paul started selling like the best salesman, "Do you know how many Australians have black ships that emit black smoke and can sail without wind?
?”
"There are four or five ships in Dagou. Except for Lichun, the others are smaller."
"Well, to be honest, all the spies you sent should be hanged - let me tell you, there are at least eight ships besides Lichun."
Zheng Zhifeng's hand trembled slightly. Nine black ships! This was really shocking. But he did not doubt what the other party said: the Chechidan in front of him was a very powerful and extremely capable person. Among the Spanish in Manila, he had heard that
There are many rumors about him. Maybe the rumors are exaggerated, but Paul is well-known for his extremely powerful ability to collect and judge intelligence.
If the Australians really have nine black ships, even if they can use fire attack ships to burn Lichun and several other ships, the Australians can quickly retaliate.
Once they launch revenge, the Zheng family's fleet will be unable to resist them.
"Tell me about your business." Zheng Zhifeng immediately realized that the person in front of her had something for sale.
"Okay. If, I'm just saying if, the beginning of spring becomes yours..."
Zheng Zhifeng said nothing, but the expression of disbelief flashed across his face for a moment, and it was clear that he thought this idea was ridiculous.
However, when he thought about what it meant to own such a powerful ship, he showed greed again.
"...If Lichun is yours, with its size and firepower, it can at least fight against the smaller black ships that survived. Then you have a chance of winning. Isn't it?"
Zheng Zhifeng shook his head: "It is said that the Australians have mastered the art of water and fire - so these black smoke-emitting black ships can walk freely on the sea. But this is their secret. Even if we capture it, we can't use it. We still have to use sails.
What’s the point of that?”
"It's very interesting: first, the Australians lost the main force of their navy; second, even if they use sails, how many ships on the sea can resist its size and powerful firepower?"
Zheng Zhifeng was noncommittal and seemed to be touched.
"Third, there is no need for you to worry about the art of water and fire." A mysterious smile appeared on Paul's face.
"Do you know this kind of magic?!" he asked in surprise.
The cunning Chechidan avoided answering: "They are not the only ones who can use the art of water and fire."
"If you have a way to get it, and can teach us how to use it, I would be happy to discuss this business with you."
"Okay, then let's talk about the specific conditions." Chechidan began to talk about his requirements and conditions. Obviously, some conditions were beyond Zheng Zhifeng's power. Finally he said:
"I can't make the decision on some conditions, it's up to my eldest brother to decide."
"Of course, of course. Your eldest brother is the boss." Chechidan smiled and said a word that Zheng Zhifeng couldn't understand, "I believe that with his knowledge, he would understand that the conditions I offered are very appropriate. Of course, you have
The conditions you promised me must be fulfilled."
"My Zheng family always sticks to our word."
"I am sure of this." Paul stood up and said, "If you have any news, please inform me as soon as possible. You know how to contact me. May God bless you."
The meeting ended quickly. All the people inside were gone, all traces were wiped away, leaving only an empty, lifeless native village.
Li Huamei stood on the deck and looked at Kaohsiung, a busy place. Ships from Lingao, Hong Kong and Jeju Island crowded the harbor, unloading and loading countless goods and people. She didn't know
She couldn't understand what the Australians were doing, but she was very uncomfortable with her first voyage after becoming a "Reserve Ensign".
The voyage was conducted in formation, with all ships following the flagship. The captain of each ship was required to act in accordance with the flag of the flagship at all times - for this purpose a signalman was sent from the navy on board.
When the fleet was sailing, the scene of twenty sailboats of different sizes racing with their sails was breathtaking - extraordinary in spirit.
The voyage was uneventful and she arrived in Kaohsiung safely. However, so far, she and her crew have not received permission to go ashore. Everyone has to stay on the ship until notified.
From the Hangzhou, she can see the large and small ships in the harbor - Kaohsiung's port area is limited and the water depth is not enough. Some large ships can be anchored at offshore anchorages. From the deck, she can clearly see the "Li Chun"
The legendary black giant ship.
If this battleship was under his command, he would really die without closing his eyes. Li Huamei let out a sigh. Thinking that his first task was to try to get detailed information about Li Chun, he couldn't help but feel discouraged: Look at this, he
I wonder how much time it will take to gain the trust of Australians? I just arrived in Lingao and was sent to Taiwan. Whether I am an undercover or find a job with my sister, it is still far away. Even if I return to Lingao, I don’t know how long it will be.
...Thinking of this, she couldn't help but think of Mr. Qi, his soft fingers and dull smile...
Her face flushed, and she couldn't help but cover her cheeks.
While thinking wildly, a sailor shouted:
"Captain! There is a messenger coming to the dock."
The messenger sent Mingqiu's written order: all crew members should disembark immediately and undergo "purification."
Since the Hangzhou had not been systematically reorganized in Lingao, there were many Europeans recruited by Li Huamei among them. Therefore, after arriving in Kaohsiung, we had to make up for it: the entire crew of the ship entered the quarantine camp. The Hangzhou also had to undergo necessary "overhaul."
."
Li Huamei finally survived the "purification", but it was inevitable to be taken to the health center for a physical examination and to take a bath in the women's bathhouse of the naval base. She was not disgusted with taking a bath, but she still felt uncomfortable being watched by another woman taking a bath.
A great humiliation.
No matter how ashamed she was, she could only endure it. Li Huamei regarded this as a test from the Australians. After taking a bath, her long hair that originally hung down to her waist was cut short to hang down her shoulders.
"You are so smart," said the female soldier who brought her a new uniform.
"Really?" Li Huamei looked at herself in the full-length mirror in confusion: she put on a brand new 32-year-old blue naval officer uniform made of cotton and linen blended material. Compared with the naturalized one she made herself,
Civilian uniform, this uniform is crisp and well-fitting, and looks very tall and slender when worn on the body. As a female soldier's uniform, it comes with a detachable long skirt. It comes with a white navy armed belt and a beautiful navy dagger. Of course, she
It is also possible to hang personal weapons.
The only thing she thought of was the bonnet, which she thought was superfluous: it could neither protect from the sun nor protect it from dust and seawater like a turban. It must have been one of the countless quirks of Australians.
She looked at it curiously and touched the gadgets on her uniform: collar insignia, soft epaulettes, armbands, the coat of arms representing the Southeast Asian company... She knew that the patterns and lines on her epaulettes indicated her rank in the Australian army: reserve.
Second Lieutenant - If he were to be placed in the Ming Dynasty, he would probably be a general?
"You are now a reserve second lieutenant, and you may become a lieutenant in half a year. You have many tasks now, and it will be easy to be promoted." The female soldier modified her clothes and cut off a thread from time to time.
"Oh, no need to go to such trouble. I have a maid. Let's ask Li Ying to do it." Li Huamei said casually.
"Are you talking about that black ghost? She will live in the quarantine camp for a month." The female soldier said, "I am your orderly." (To be continued...)