The disappearance of the "Viking" not only shocked Zheng Zhilong, but also dealt a huge blow to the Dutch.
The defeat in the Battle of Liaoluo Bay had severely weakened the Dutch's self-confidence, and the subsequent disappearance of the "Viking" made them even more panicked.
What kind of power could actually hijack the huge "Viking"? How far has the pirates become rampant?
What made Putmans, the Dutch Governor in Taiwan, even more angry was that this time, in addition to the East India Company's huge losses, his personal losses were also extremely heavy.
The wealth that was obtained through hard work in Taiwan disappeared without a trace in an instant.
The furious Governor made a serious protest to Zheng Zhilong and sent a large number of ships in an attempt to find the whereabouts of the "Viking".
But the sea is vast, and he can easily find a place to hide the "Viking". Where can he look for it?
Wockadek could fully understand the Governor's painstaking efforts. No one could afford such a loss. So when he came in, he listened to the Governor complaining for a long time before he said: "Mr. Governor, the Portuguese of the Jesus Church
Father Sam Larch asks for an audience."
Although the Netherlands and Portugal were competing for maritime supremacy, this did not harm Governor Putmans' belief in doctrine.
He straightened his clothes and asked Father Sam Larch to be brought in.
Sam Larch introduced himself, and then told Putmans that his Chinese name was Sarozzi, which made Governor Putmans frown slightly: "Father, why do you always like to take Chinese names?"
?I don’t think they are devout believers, they are just a bunch of heathens who deserve to be damned.”
Sarozzi had long heard that the Governor had just lost a large ship loaded with treasures, and he was filled with anger, so he smiled and told the Governor:
"It is a habit of the church to take Chinese names. Our forefathers told us that only in this way can we integrate into Chinese life more quickly. In our eyes, Chinese people or people from anywhere else are
, are all God’s people, and it is our responsibility to spread the doctrine and let them believe in God.”
He carried "God" out, allowing Governor Putmans to temporarily shut up his slander against the Chinese: "Okay, Father, what are you doing here?"
"You know, the church also needs to survive." Sarozzi said his purpose: "Gifts from believers alone cannot meet the normal operating expenses of a church, so I must do some business to meet the development of the church.
I have prepared two shipments of goods, but I don’t know who to sell them to, so I’m specifically asking for your help.”
"Two shipments of cargo? What are they?" Putmans became curious.
Since the Chinese governor of Fujian, Zou Weilian, announced the "Sea Ban", the East India Company's channels for obtaining Chinese goods have become narrower. In most cases, they have to rely on Zheng Zhilong's fleet.
If we can open up another maritime trade route, that would be a good choice, especially now that those who transport goods for themselves also believe in the almighty God.
"raw silk, sugar."
Sarozzi's answer made Putmans overjoyed. This was exactly what he needed urgently. However, he still felt a little strange: "Father, Fujian Governor Zou Weilian has announced a sea ban. How did you transport it out?"
Sarozzi was well prepared for this problem: "Please don't forget that there are also many loyal believers in Fujian, even Zheng Zhilong. With the help of believers, I can accomplish many things that others cannot do."
"Thank God." Putmans made the sign of the cross: "So, where is your ship?"
"After getting your permission, it will be shipped to Taiwan in two days."
Putmans seemed very excited, and he did not care about the arrival of these goods. He carefully agreed with the priest on the arrival time and delivery method, and then enthusiastically invited the priest to have dinner.
Sarozzi declined the invitation.
He told Mr. Governor that he had never been to Taiwan and wanted to visit the place carefully.
Every newcomer is always curious, and Governor Putmans happily agreed to this request and proposed that he send two guards for protection.
Sarozzi still refused.
In his opinion, he does not need protection, it is enough to have God by his side.
In fact, this is just a reason. In addition to helping Ding Yunyi sell his goods, he has a more important task when he comes to Taiwan this time:
Bring the Dutch military deployment in Taiwan back to Penghu!
The Tainan area of Taiwan was actually controlled by the Dutch. As early as July of the second year of the Ming Dynasty, when the Dutch invaded Penghu, Reyoz came to Taiwan's Damuan Port, that is, the sea and land of Tainan, to conduct reconnaissance and surveying.
Some commercial and trading activities were conducted, which was undoubtedly preparation for the invasion of Taiwan.
At that time, there were 11 islands in the offshore waters of Taijiang Estuary. To the north of the southern channel of Taijiang Estuary was the end of the northern line, Jialao Bay, Xizi Port, and Haiwengxian. To the south of the southern channel of Taijiang Estuary were the islands from Yi Kunyu to Qi
Kunyu is lined with seven islands, forming a natural barrier from north to south, forming a large harbor that can berth more than a thousand ships at the widest point.
In addition, between Lu'er Island and Jia Lao Bay at the northern end of the northern line is the Lu'ermen Channel, which is the main channel into the Taijiang River. If there is no spring tide, the Lu'ermen Channel is too shallow and difficult for warships with a deeper draft to pass.
, so it is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and has high military value.
The colonists did everything they could to achieve the goal of aggression. In September of the fourth year of the Ming Dynasty, the Dutch armed fleet commanded by Song Ke came to Taiwan after leaving Penghu Fenggui. At that time, they pretended to be pitiful.
The Dutch suggested that they just need to borrow "an area as big as an oxhide". Of course, the kind-hearted Chinese believed it. They thought that the Dutch were just for parking their ships and did not need much space, so they agreed. The colonists were deceived by their cunning.
Chinese.
How big was a piece of cowhide in the eyes of the colonists? The Dutch colonists first occupied Kunyu, which is today's Anping area of Tainan, and carried out large-scale construction to build the "Orange City". The local Chinese asked the Dutch to commit
When "a place as big as a cowhide was created", the shameless colonists actually cut a cowhide into very thin leather lines and connected them to enclose the land. This was "a cowhide".
The inner city was completed at the end of the fifth year of Chongzhen's reign in the Ming Dynasty, and the outer city was about to be completed, becoming a stronghold for foreign invaders in Taiwan.
At this time, Sarozzi did not know why Ding Yunyi needed the Dutch military deployment in Taiwan, especially the clear and clear arrangement for the invasion of Orange City.