They were completely unable to accept that Taiwan, a place they had worked so hard to control and spent countless efforts on, had returned to the hands of the Ming Dynasty.
To retaliate, we must retaliate with resolute retaliation and let Taiwan become the Taiwan of the Dutch again!
A reinforcement fleet, led by Lo Adadan, after a long journey, arrived at Batavia, Java, where the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company was located, and met with the Governor of the Dutch East India Company, Anthony Van Di.
The doors converge.
The retaliatory military action against Taiwan has quietly begun...
Batavia was undoubtedly the headquarters of the entire East India Company.
Here, there are not only the forces of the Dutch, but also the forces of the Portuguese, Spanish and British. These countries in the West have their sights set on Java.
The Maluku Islands in Java produce precious spices such as pepper, cardamom, cloves, etc., which have always been famous in the Eastern and Western markets and have long been coveted by the colonists. In order to monopolize the spice trade, the Portuguese were the first to invade Java. In the Ming Dynasty, Zhengde
In six years, they forcibly occupied Ambon Island.
The Dutch came one after another. In June of the 24th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, Cornelius de Hortman led a Dutch fleet on its first voyage to Java. Hortman arrived at Bandan Port with an arrogant attitude and used force to rob it.
They captured two Javanese ships. For this reason, Banten Sultan imprisoned them, fined them and deported them. After leaving Banten, they continued sailing to the Maluku Islands. They asked for trade, but were rejected. They had to sail back home. Wanli 20
In six years, the Dutch made a second voyage. Eight ships led by Van Nieker arrived in Banten in November. At this time, there was an armed conflict between Banten and Portugal, and the Dutch took the opportunity to provide some assistance to the Sultan of Banten.
After the Portuguese were repelled, the Dutch took credit and were allowed to set up an office. They bought a large amount of pepper and loaded four ships with them before sailing back home, making a profit of 400%. The remaining four ships continued along the coast of Java, stopping at Banda and Ambon.
Search for spices and other places, and set up a purchasing station in Ambon. This voyage not only mastered the route to Indonesia, but also gained two footholds, creating conditions for further invasion in the future.
From the 27th year of Wanli to the 29th year of Wanli, the Netherlands organized more than ten expeditions to Java to search for spices. At that time, there were many companies dealing in oriental goods, and they competed fiercely with each other. In the 30th year of Wanli, the Netherlands
Congress passed a resolution to unite the companies into a large company called the United East India Company, also known as the East India Company. The company had a capital of 2.5 million guilders and was granted a charter by Congress. It had the right to use the name of Congress to launch wars and sign treaties.
, occupy land, build forts, etc.
After the establishment of the East India Company, on the one hand, it captured the Portuguese and Spanish strongholds in Java; on the other hand, it unified the acquisition stations previously established by each company and changed them into the business halls of the joint company. The company successively conquered the Molucca Islands.
The small Sultanate controlled the spice-rich Ambon, Denadi, Titori and Banda Islands. In the thirty-eighth year of Wanli, the East India Company set up the Governor's Palace in Java and appointed Peter Posch as the first governor. He used
Purchased a piece of land in Jakarta for 2,700 guilders and built houses, warehouses and fortresses.
In the forty-seventh year of Wanli, the Dutch and British colonists fought for Jakarta. As a result, the British office was destroyed and the urban area was reduced to ashes. The Dutch occupied Jakarta. In the first year of the Great Apocalypse, Jakarta was renamed Batavia.
, became the base camp of the Dutch colonization of the East. From then on, the focus of the Dutch colonists' aggression moved to Java Island. They adopted a "divide and rule" policy against the powerful Kingdom of Matalan and Banten, and "constantly instigated the conflict between these two kingdoms.
fight against each other to weaken their power.
The Dutch in Batavia had also known about the news that their companions in Taiwan had been driven away. They had also wanted to organize a fleet to conduct a "conquest" against Taiwan, but they did not know that the Ming Dynasty was there.
Taiwan's real power has therefore never acted rashly.
But when the reinforcement fleet commanded by Lo. Aidan arrived, everything changed... The Easterners must be taught a lesson!" Lo. Aidan brought the highest instructions in the Netherlands: "The loss of a senior officer.
, not only lost a piece of land, but also brought shame to the entire East India Company, which may even cause a series of vicious reactions. Your Excellency, the Governor, all my fleets will be under your command!"
After accepting the order, Anthony Van Diemen did not immediately mobilize his troops.
This is a cautious person.
He once asked Putmans, the former East India Company resident governor who was driven to Luzon by the Ming Dynasty and diverted from Luzon to Batavia. He also asked about the merchant ships that arrived in Batavia.
Everything about Taiwan.
The answers he got were all unanimous. Taiwan is currently ruled by an armed group commanded by Ding Yunyi appointed by the Ming Dynasty government. They have a certain number of ships and soldiers.
Moreover, the former Relanja City has been renamed Golden Eagle City and has been repaired at the same time.
"There is a certain amount of military power there." Anthony told his companions: "If we only rely on our current strength, we cannot guarantee victory. And once we fail to attack the generals, then Batavia and other places may also be possible."
Cause a series of changes.”
Aidan seemed a little dissatisfied: "Did I come to distant Batavia from my motherland just to see the scenery here?"
"No!" Anthony waved his hand: "That's not what I meant. Those who challenge the authority of the East India Company must be severely punished, but we must also consider a sure-win method."
He thought there for a long time, and then said decisively: "Invite Portugal, Spain, and the British to attack the generals together!"
"What?" Idadan was shocked: "Do you really think they can help us?"
"Yes, they can help us." Anthony seemed confident: "Although we had a series of fights with them here, and even made them unhappy, our attitude towards the East is the same. Mr.
, not only them around Java. But also the Portuguese and Spanish in Luzon, Goa, Malacca, and the Coromandel Coast, we all need to invite. We must form a huge combined fleet!"
He put forward this exciting idea: "Invite them to Batavia and hold a meeting. Please tell them that this will be a meeting that determines the fate of the East. At the same time, they will not return empty-handed."
Antony had already made such a decision and dispatched his envoy as soon as possible.
Spanish and Spanish colonists from Java, Luzon, Goa, Malacca, the Coromandel Coast and other places gathered in Batavia to hear what Anthony Van Diemen, the Governor of the East India Company, said was "historically significant."
suggestions.
On February 26, the ninth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty, nearly a month before the pirate conference held in Taiwan, it was attended by the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The meeting of European and American colonists, known in history as the "Holy Eastern Conference", was held in Taiwan
Convened in Batavia.
Anthony briefly introduced the situation in Taiwan, and then told all participants: "This is a challenge to our interests in the East. I believe that the Ming Dynasty's seizure of Taiwan is not the end, but a beginning. I suggest that we should form a
Combine the fleet to launch a crusade against Taiwan to safeguard the dignity of all countries in the East!"
Representatives from various countries have already known the news that the Netherlands has lost Taiwan. Some of them are gloating about the misfortune, and some are worried about it. But now Antony openly proposes the idea of establishing a joint fleet, which is really unexpected.
"Why are we doing this? Are we sacrificing the sacred lives of our own soldiers to retake Taiwan for you?" A voice rang.
Anthony looked over there, and it was Hurtado de Cocuera, the Spanish governor in Luzon.
"Governor Cocuera, I know that Taiwan and Luzon are frequently conducting transactions." Anthony was obviously prepared. He was not angry because of Cocuera's words: "Of course trade can bring you a lot of money.
profits, but I personally believe that the fate of Luzon is already in the hands of Taiwan. Of all the merchant ships, only Taiwan’s fleet can do business with you. They have obtained a trade monopoly on Luzon, which forces you to
We can only accept the price they proposed. For this reason, a large amount of gold coins flowed into the pockets of the Ming Dynasty people, not you... Cocuera was silent there, and Anthony's words did get to the core of the problem.
A smile appeared on Anthony's face: "This is unfair, completely unfair. The Ming Dynasty's army blocked the sea route to Luzon, first it was Zheng Zhilong, and then there was Ding Yunyi. Without their permission, any ship
It’s just that we can’t reach Luzon, Governor Cocuera, do you think this is fair?”
His voice gradually began to rise: "Gentlemen, no, this is unfair! Zheng Zhilong and Ding Yunyi have become more and more powerful at sea. Although they have not yet posed a threat to the territory under our jurisdiction, who knows what?
When will such a terrible thing happen? We must prepare in advance, we must... I would like to remind you, dear gentlemen, that if the Ming Dynasty's blockade and dominance of the sea can be broken, then a paved road will
The road of gold is now in front of us. We can do business happily and light those charming gold coins happily... There is a smile on everyone's face. If it can be as Governor Anthony said, then
It is indeed a very tempting thing.
"As I just said, Taiwan is just the beginning, not the end." Anthony's expression became serious: "If we don't punish the Ming Dynasty's army, then only God knows what will happen. Of course.
, In the past in Batavia, we had some contradictions and conflicts with you, but they were not irreconcilable."
"How are you going to reconcile this, Mr. Governor?"
The person who raised this question was Hus Kerkevi of the British Temporary Office in Batavia.
Anthony smiled: "We also have an unpleasant past with the British. In order to compensate the British, I will agree to repair the British office that was destroyed before in Batavia. You will no longer have to stay in that low and humid place.
The office is open. Not only that, we will also partially open the spice trade in Batavia."
"Really? Can you keep your word?" Hus Kerkevi was doubtful.
"Please believe what a gentleman says, and we will sign the treaty." Anthony's answer was very affirmative: "Not only you, but also not only in Batavia, in Banten, in Ambon, Denadi, Titori, Ban
We can all cooperate in a comprehensive way between the United States and the Moluccas... Anthony made this exciting suggestion.
Now in Java, the Dutch have the largest power and have monopolized the mining and trading rights for pepper, cardamom, and cloves in many places. This makes the Spanish, Portuguese and British very dissatisfied. But now, Anthony
We are willing to take the initiative to share these rights with other countries.
"Let's not just focus on these places." Anthony waved his arm: "After we drive the Ming Dynasty's power out of Taiwan, we can also jointly govern there. The East India Company will regain the power of Geranium.
City and other places, Spain will gain jurisdiction over the central region... Anthony has already begun to divide the spoils. Taiwan has been divided into several parts, and everyone has a share. Even Britain, which is not so powerful in the east, also received a piece.
place.
"I am willing to join this agreement." The Portuguese Governor in Malacca, Delson, was the first to respond.
With a beginning, everything is easy to handle, and Spain and Britain have also joined this alliance one after another.
On February 28, the ninth year of Chongzhen, after two days of fierce bargaining, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom signed their names on the "Holy Eastern Treaty".
A new alliance was formed.
The two sides agreed to form a joint fleet, with Luo Aidan as the commander-in-chief of the joint fleet, to launch a large-scale attack on Taiwan and force the Ming Dynasty's garrison in Taiwan to surrender.
"Are you really prepared to give them our monopoly rights?" Luo Aidan was a little unwilling.
"Commander-in-Chief, my dear Commander-in-Chief." Anthony smiled and said: "This is temporary. We know, and they also know, that the contradiction will never disappear. When the Taiwan issue is resolved, we will return to Badawi
The brutal competition continues in Asia. But what’s the point? Aren’t we always doing the same thing? Join forces to defeat the common enemy, and then start wars with each other to obtain the benefits we want.
At least Anthony was right on one point. Now Taiwan has become their common enemy.
Ding Yunyi, who is in Taiwan, still doesn’t know that a huge crisis is approaching him! (To be continued)