The envoy was stunned for a moment, probably not expecting that the Governor would suddenly ask about the Australians.
"They are a group of people from overseas! They claim to be descendants of the Song Dynasty." The envoy said. He probably realized that saying "Song Dynasty" to a ghost guy was playing tricks on a cow, so he changed his words and said, "That is to say, they claim to be descendants of the Chinese."
This was exactly the same as Li Siya's report. The governor nodded secretly and asked some other things about the Australians. The envoy seemed to be happy to answer his questions and told a lot about the Australians - of course most of them were rumors.
Although Liu Xianglao had fought with the Australians, he had no formal contact with this opponent. Most of the information was hearsay, and some came from people who were captured and later released during the attack on Bopu.
It was a report from his informant.
Although Liu Xianglao withdrew from the Pearl River Estuary before the second counter-encirclement and suppression campaign due to pressure from Zheng Zhilong, thus avoiding direct conflict with the Chuan Chuan Group. However, he set up many informants in the local area. The Chuan Chuan Group was defeated by He Rubin and shelled
He knew all the news about Humen and the attack on Guangzhou City. Although the Australians who had been hiding in remote areas in the past had strong ships and powerful guns, he had never expected that such a sudden outburst of combat power would occur.
Fortunately, the Australians did not seem to intend to become his enemy. Although he was annoyed that they had captured the Pearl River Estuary, he did not dare to fight on both sides under any circumstances. He could only deal with Zheng Zhilong first.
The governor listened to the envoy's chatter very carefully and did not interrupt him. He only asked a few questions after the other party stopped. Collecting information about the Australians is his main interest now. Liu Xiang had an affair with the Australians.
Conflict was something he had never expected. The fact that the Chinese government actually sent a large army to conquer Lingao, but was defeated by the Australians, made him even more interested.
Although the Dutch had a low opinion of the combat level of the Ming army, every military operation along the coast of China was defeated by the Ming army's seemingly endless manpower and material resources. As the same outsiders, the Australians who occupied a corner of the Ming Dynasty were defeated.
It was actually able to hold back the tidal wave of troops that had frightened the company at the beginning, and successfully separatist a piece of land in China. De Carpentier couldn't help but become very interested in this.
A war reveals more information than all the intelligence combined. De Carpentier has heard a lot of information about the amazing level of Australians' firearms. The second victory of the Australians seems to explain a lot.
question.
Obviously, the Australians were a powerful force. He rang the bell and summoned the footman outside.
"Take this gentleman down to rest," he said.
That night, at a dinner meeting between the Governor and Batavia's senior businessmen, there were discussions on how to treat the Australians, whether to assist Liu Xianglao, and how to deal with Zheng Zhilong.
The East India Company's military strength in Batavia was very weak. When it launched the expedition to China a few years ago, it only sent seven ships. When it went to the expedition to Macau, it only sent fourteen ships. The total number of army troops was still quite large.
, but these companies were scattered among the East India Company's dozens of trading posts across thousands of kilometers throughout Java. Soldiers recruited from Europe all the way were like flies in the hot and humid climate and unhygienic environment.
They died, and now they are making up for the vacancies in the companies at each stronghold, which makes it difficult for the governor to launch another large-scale expedition.
As for the auxiliary troops composed of a small number of local natives, no one has much hope for their combat effectiveness. It is even difficult to say whether these natives can be trusted.
It was beyond the Dutch's power to participate in military conflicts in the South China Sea with limited military power, not to mention that Zheng Zhilong also controlled the lifeline of the East India Company's trade with China. Therefore, businessmen believed that the Governor
The decision to refuse to send ships to directly participate in the battle was correct. As for whether to assist the ships and give artillery to Liu Laoxiang, there was a certain debate among senior businessmen. Some people think that artillery is easy to say, after all, the entire East Asia region is European-style.
Artillery has spread quite widely. However, there are still very few pirates using European ships. The sudden addition of two European ships to Liu Xianglao's fleet will seriously irritate Zheng Zhilong and may have an adverse impact on the company.
Several other senior businessmen supported selling the ship to Liu Xianglao in order to contain Zheng Zhilong's power. The governor was leaning towards this side.
"Gentlemen, the problem of ships is not a problem." The governor gently tapped the table and said, "In the entire East Asia, we are not the only ones who can provide ships. The Spanish, whether it is Manila or the Spanish in Macau,
They all have the ability to provide ships to Liu Xianglao. Don't forget that in the previous conflicts between Liu and Zheng, a Spanish galleon was directly involved in the battle. Even if an official is suspicious, the biggest suspect is Spanish Bank.
We can completely deny all this. Besides, do you think Zheng Zhilong will fall out with us before he has a decisive battle with Liu Xianglao?"
Furthermore, selling two scrap ships that may only be scrapped for firewood and ship materials is also beneficial to the company. After all, Liu Xianglao is willing to pay cash. As for the sailors problem, he can recruit and solve it himself -
Whether in Batavia, Manila or Macau, you can recruit scum of all nationalities who are willing to sail and fight for money.
Everyone finally agreed to the proposal to sell the two ships Zeal and Vigilance to Liu Xianglao, including all the weapons and navigation equipment on the two ships. The Zeal was worth 10,000 Spanish reals, and the Vigilance was worth 7,000 Spanish reals. In addition,
, sold 10 copper 12-pound naval guns, 24 iron 6-pound and 12-pound naval guns, and 400 matchlock guns to Liu Xianglao.
"Sir, do you think it is possible for Liu Xianglao to defeat Yiguan?" a businessman asked.
"It's hard to say." De Carpentier shook his head and said, "It is said that the strength of the two sides is almost the same. But Yiguan obviously has the advantage - he has the support of the Chinese court. And Yiguan has defeated all the people in Fujian.
opponents, including those who were once very powerful."
According to the governor's opinion: If Liu Xianglao cannot win consecutively or kills Zheng Zhilong himself in a certain battle, Liu Xianglao will eventually fail.
There was a sigh of regret around the dining table. Liu Xianglao could not be said to be an ally, but with his presence, Zheng Zhilong's attitude could be relaxed. Once Liu Xianglao fell, there would be no power to restrain Zheng Zhilong.
"Gentlemen, even if there is no Liu Xianglao, there are other people in this world." De Carpentier expressed his thoughts, "Have you ever heard of the Australians?"
The governor was sitting on a back chair. From the long window next to his desk, he could see the city of Batavia. The city began to be built in 1619 and has been continuously expanded and reinforced for more than ten years. Now it has
It is beginning to take shape. De Carpentier has no doubt that the future governor sitting in this position will be able to see a more prosperous and great Batavia.
There was a knock on the door outside.
"Come in."
His secretary appeared at the door.
"Your Excellency, the low-level businessman Van Delantron you summoned has been summoned."
"Invite him in."
Van Drantron walked in carefully from the gate. He was probably in his early thirties and had a reserved face. He was a nobleman from Zeeland Province. He had been in the navy and fought in the war. Now he is in the East.
Work as a low-level merchant in the India Company. But even a low-level merchant is above the level of other general company employees. On the ships of the East India Company, only merchants have the highest command authority. In many trading stations,
Businessmen have all the power.
But as a low-level businessman, van der Lentel's authority never exceeded a merchant ship. He eagerly hoped that he could become a businessman in a fleet or a trading station. The Dutch East India Company was a company that treated employees
A very mean company. Although the East India Company pays dividends to shareholders every year, which can reach several thousand guilders per share, the remuneration given to employees is meager. Low-level businessmen only have a monthly salary of 20 guilders and a quarter of their salary.
Food subsidies. There is no way to make a fortune in the Dutch East India Company by serving lawfully. Climbing as high as possible and using the power in their hands to smuggle is their only chance to make a fortune in the Far East.
Van Dellentrön took off his hat and bowed deeply to the Governor.
"Mr. van de Lanteron," de Carpentier said briefly, "I now appoint you as the commercial officer on board the Magdeburg."
The "Magdeburg" is a "speed boat" - in fact, this kind of boat is neither "fast" nor a "boat". This is a flat-bottomed boat often used by the Dutch in the East Indies, with a load of 400~
It is 600 tons, with a round stern and a towering stern. The ship sails very slowly and is mainly used as a merchant ship and transport ship. However, because of its short construction period, large cargo capacity and few sailors, it meets the needs of a "sea coachman".
Although Van Drentrön was not promoted to a senior position, the "Magdeburg" was a large ship and was much more important than the small brig he was currently on. So this order still made him very happy.
It's joy.
"Thank you, Your Excellency!"
"You're welcome, thank our master." The governor said, "Get ready as soon as you get on the ship. I want you to prepare to go to Lingao immediately to trade with the Australians."
"Lingao?" Van Delantron has never heard of this place. He knows about it as an Australian.
"Yes, I will send you a navigator. Your task is to trade with the Australians in Lingao and get as much information from them as possible. If possible, find out whether they are willing to reach a trade agreement with us."
"As you command, Your Excellency."
"I will send you a few assistants. When you arrive in Lingao, take them with you and provide them with all conveniences."
One of the people sent to the "Magdeburg" was Gonzalez himself. The governor wanted him to see with his own eyes the military strength of Lingao and the fortification condition of the dock as an officer. The other was Leib Terry.
Ni is an Italian and a professional cartographer. His task is to try to draw a map of the port and topography of Lingao. At the same time, he draws what he sees into an atlas. This allows people from afar to gain intuition in an era without cameras.