Han Du looked at the energetic Zhu Biao and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He didn't expect that a storm would cause such a big change in Zhu Biao. In the past, Zhu Biao gave Han Du the feeling that besides being kind, he had no opinion of his own. Although Zhu Biao handled government affairs in an orderly manner, Han Du later discovered that he was following the steps taught by Lao Zhu.
There seems to be no mistake in doing so, and Zhu Biao has indeed made no mistakes so far. But this is like Zhu Biao is just the shadow of Lao Zhu. There is no problem now, but what about the future?
In the future, when Lao Zhu is no longer around and things have changed, Lao Zhu's methods are no longer in line with the times. What will Zhu Biao do then?
Without a reference, anyone will be confused and blind.
During the storm, Han Du was in a coma, and the highest leader of the entire fleet was Zhu Biao himself. The wind and waves are surging, and the surroundings are chaotic. The sky is not responding, and the earth is not working. At this time, there is no reference, and the only one Zhu Biao can rely on is himself.
He could either stand up and take on the responsibility of the entire fleet, or he could lead tens of thousands of people to perish at sea.
Now it seems that Zhu Biao finally had the courage to stand up, face the storm in front of everyone, and lead everyone through the crisis.
Han Du was very happy to see Zhu Biao break the shackles and come out of his true self.
He sat up with both hands. Facing Zhu Biao's sneer, Han Du didn't want to say anything. Then he asked: "How are our losses? Where are those of the maritime merchants?"
Zhu Biao smiled lightly and said: "We didn't have any losses. The ships and people are all there. We just lost some worthless things. On the other hand, those maritime merchants lost two ships, and the whereabouts of the people and the goods are unknown."
Being missing at sea means certain death. Han Du felt sorry for Fu Yong and others for a moment, and decided to give them more benefits when he had the chance. They took the risk to follow him to the West. This was a sign of trust in themselves, and they could never suffer a loss.
The cost of the goods of the two large ships alone is tens of thousands of dollars even according to the price in the capital. If calculated based on the price in Old Port, it would be as high as hundreds of thousands. Two large ships plus hundreds of thousands of pounds of cargo, plus dozens of missing people, everyone's pension, etc.
The total of these things is enough to make a small maritime business go bankrupt. Even if you are a large businessman, you still have to strain your muscles and bones.
Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. After experiencing the storm, the weather was sunny and clear for several days without any sign of the storm.
The fleet sailed smoothly for several days, and Yu Da reported to Han Du: "Master Marquis, we can reach Ceylon in two days of sailing."
"Well." Han Duzheng and Zhu Biaotangding were sitting on the bow of the ship, looking up at Yu Da and asking, "Are you sure? We are on the sea, and the most important thing is to determine the course."
"Confirmed." Yu Da nodded heavily, "Don't worry, Lord Marquis. The general has personally tested it several times and it's accurate."
Han Du nodded, "That's good. Send the order to the fleet to march towards Ceylon. Also, call Hader."
"Yes, Lord Marquis." Yu Da replied, bowed to Zhu Biao and Tang Ding, then turned and left.
"Why did you call Hade here?" Tang Ding raised his eyes and looked at Han Du, as if
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Da asked after he left.
Han Du smiled and replied: "Had has been to Ceylon several times. He knows the situation in Ceylon better than we do. We are about to arrive in Ceylon, so we must make some preparations."
"What do you think, Your Highness?" Han Du asked Zhu Biao with his last words.
Since Zhu Biao rushed to the front in the storm and led the fleet out of the storm by example, he has been recognized by the navy officers and men. In the past, naval officers and soldiers respected Zhu Biao because they respected his status as the Crown Prince. But now the navy officers respect him because of his courage to fight the waves and face the storm.
Let's put it this way, if Zhu Biao wanted to command the navy before, he had to get the military talisman from Han Du. But now he has been recognized by the navy officers and can command the navy without using military symbols.
Zhu Biao sat there, the sun shining so brightly on him that he almost couldn't open his eyes. Seeing Han Du looking up, Zhu Biao smiled and nodded, "It's okay to ask. If you know yourself and the enemy, you will never be in danger."
Soon, Harder came and greeted the three of them one by one.
Han Du said directly: "Had, we are almost to Ceylon. Are you familiar with Ceylon?"
"Familiar." Hard bowed directly and replied: "Your Majesty Marquis, Hard has stopped in Ceylon several times, and Hard is very familiar with everything there."
"Then please tell me about the situation in Ceylon in detail." Han Du casually ordered, then took a sip of tea.
"Yes." Hader first bowed in response to Han Du, then lowered his head and recalled for a moment, then said: "Returning to Your Highness, the two Marquises, Ceylon is also called Ceylon Mountain Country. This country is famous for its mountains. A large island close to the mainland. Since there is a long strait between Ceylon and the mainland, every time I pass through Ceylon, I will stop there to rest."
Han Du nodded, and then asked: "You always stop at Ceylon Mountain Country to rest, so does Ceylon also have a port?"
Harder immediately smiled bitterly when he heard this, shook his head and replied: "There is no port, it's just a beach and bay. But the advantage is that you don't have to pay taxes to Ceylon. The disadvantage is that you have to do everything yourself. Fresh water needs to be brought to the island by yourself. Go up and load it up, and the food also needs to be exchanged with the local people.”
"Oh? What did you exchange with the people in Ceylon, and what did they like?" Han Du felt that the information Hard mentioned was more important. The Ming Navy also needed to rest and replenish fresh water and food. When you arrive in Ceylon, you can prepare fresh water by yourself, but you also need to exchange food with the locals.
"Linen." Harder replied calmly. He spread his hands and curled his lips and continued: "Of course, they would prefer cotton cloth from the Ming Dynasty. The Ceylonese people have no weaving technology at all, and ordinary people among them only They can hang leaves on their bodies. Therefore, cloth is an urgent need for them. Every time Hader goes to sea, he must bring some worthless linen with him in order to exchange it with these Ceylonese people."
Handu felt relieved when he heard that Ceylonese people liked to exchange cloth the most. Although most of the goods those merchants brought out to sea were porcelain, silk, spices, and sugar, they still brought a small amount of cloth with them. When sailing out to sea, it is better to use cloth as ballast than stone.
Han Du saw Hade's flattering look and knew that the reason why he was so licking his dog was because he wanted to use the power of the Ming Navy to help him retrieve his goods.
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Let him have money to go back and pay off his debts.
Han Du thought for a while and decided to let him see the carrot first, then said: "Had, as long as you sincerely serve the Ming Dynasty, I will return all your goods to you after you find the pirate's lair."
After Harder heard this, he was instantly shocked by the huge surprise. He initially joined the Ming Dynasty Navy because he thought he could get rid of the pirates' control and survive. After the three pirates were captured by the Ming Dynasty Navy, and the pirate ship was destroyed by the Ming Dynasty Navy, and his life was saved, he started to worry about the debt he owed in Hulumos. The debt he owed in Horumos was enough to make him bankrupt in an instant. If he could not make up for this shortfall, even if he returned to Horumos, he would only change from the rich businessman he was before to a destitute person with nothing. poor.
Therefore, when Han Du asked him to ask three pirates where they hid the goods, he made up his mind and wanted to use Han Du's relationship to return to him the goods that the pirates had robbed.
Moreover, from Harder's point of view, his idea is really not a whimsical one. The languages of the Ming Dynasty and Hurumos are different. Since the Ming navy wants to go to Hurumos, it is indispensable to have people like him who are proficient in both languages. Although he was not the only merchant who came to the old port from Horumos, those merchants all had goods to buy and sell, and it was impossible for them to come to help the Ming Navy. The only one who could help the Ming Navy was Childe. Harold alone.
However, due to the terrifying strength of the Ming Navy and the noble status of Han Du and others, Hader did not have the courage to make a request. Originally, he thought that he would ask Han Du about it after he found the pirate's lair. But after he learned that the Ming Empire was a kingdom of heaven, he had to let go of this idea.
Because in Hader's opinion, since the Ming Empire was so powerful, he happened to meet the future emperor of this empire and the two marquises. What kind of opportunity is this? This was enough opportunity for him to become a nobleman, or even become a grand duke.
As a businessman, what Harder is best at and likes most is maximizing profits. With such a good prospect, he didn't even mention his goods. As for him without goods, what should he do when he returns to Horumos? This can't help Harder. Wouldn't it be better if he didn't get off the ship? Which of his creditors can rush to the warships of the Ming Navy to collect debts from him? At most, his estates, shops and other properties were divided up.
But as long as he can climb the big tree of the Ming Empire, the people who occupy his property now will spit out doubly for him in the future.
But no matter what Harder thought, he never expected that the Marquis would actually offer to return the pirate's hidden goods to him after finding them. Since this was the kindness of the Marquis, Harder did not hesitate, directly put his right hand on his chest and bowed to express his thanks: "Thank you very much, the noble Marquis, for your kindness. Childe Harrold is willing to be the loyal servant of the Marquis."
It wasn't that Harder didn't know that His Highness the Crown Prince had a higher status, but he felt that his request to be His Highness the Crown Prince's servant might not necessarily succeed. Relatively speaking, the chance of success in requesting Han Du is higher.
Does this make him his own servant? Han Du looked at Harder with his eyes, originally wanting to refuse. But it suddenly occurred to me that Harder could speak multiple languages, so he could be considered a talent. If he can be allowed to join the Ming Dynasty, being in Hurumos will be of great benefit to the Ming Dynasty.
(End of chapter)
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