Among the three major powers in Ceylon, the Kingdom of Kandy was deposed by Ceylon and perished in two years. Now only Colombo and Ceylon in the Netherlands remain.
On the surface, there are only a few thousand Dutch and tens of thousands of Catholic indigenous people in the Colombo area. They are no match for the Ceylonese with two to three hundred thousand people.
But this was the age of gunpowder, and the importance of the elite was infinitely magnified.
Even with an army of 20,000, Zhu Ci had no confidence.
Because guns are not something you can do just by having them.
The array, the speed of filling, the fear of death, etc. will all affect the ability of the musketeer.
There is no doubt that the Dutch are one of the top powers in Europe, and they are crushed by Ceylon.
If not, how could the Kingdom of Kandy not take revenge after being betrayed by the Dutch? Really can't beat it.
Chu Ke said bluntly: "Our army has less than a thousand muskets. Even with the elephant army, there is nothing we can do. It is so difficult to capture Colombo..."
At this time, Guo Heng, who served as the commander-in-chief of the navy, had long stopped transporting people. He was so powerful that he spoke loudly:
"Your Majesty, among the navy, our country only has two thousand-material ships, and the rest are small boats with five hundred materials. The total strength is no more than a thousand men."
"The Dutch have three thousand large ships parked at the dock. Once a war breaks out, our port will be closed and we will not be able to make any money at all!"
These words were much more serious than what Chu Ke had just said, and the civil and military officials immediately became serious.
Even Zhu Ci couldn't help but frown: "Be careful!"
This could not help him not being cautious.
Ceylon looks powerful, but its annual tax revenue is only about 100,000 silver dollars, and most of it is generated by trade exports.
Ivory, pearls, agate, nanmu, salt, etc., sea trade is much better than hard work in farming.
Once the Dutch closed the port, the timid Portuguese would be afraid, and the English would sit back and do nothing, and Ceylon would have to return to a time of poverty.
They are not the Kingdom of Kandy. Ceylon relied on sea trade to make its fortune.
Now, the atmosphere immediately became much more depressing.
"Your Majesty, I heard that the Dutch gave up everything in Batavia in Southeast Asia to the Ming Dynasty. They only wanted trade and tried to monopolize Eastern trade. The Portuguese can only pick up some leftovers..."
Chu Ke cupped his hands and talked about the changes of the Dutch: "The Dutch couldn't live without a city for a day, so they naturally moved to Colombo, trying to use it as a foundation to rebuild the big city!"
"This is the biggest crisis in Ceylon right now!"
The Dutch gave up Batavia, but gained trade rights. They could go deep into the customs and obtain tea, silk, etc. in large quantities, reducing the price difference.
The imperial court even allowed the Dutch to live in Beijing temporarily, which was unprecedented preferential treatment.
Among the Western barbarian countries, only the Netherlands is like this.
After all, the emperor could see clearly that the Dutch would cease to be powerful in a few years, but they were a country with a large sea-going fleet and were best suited to be pro-Chinese elements.
When it comes to informing people in Europe, the Dutch are the most suitable.
The Portuguese are either with Spain or the United Kingdom, and they have no ability at all.
"What can I do?"
Zhu Ci stood up and frowned.
The Dutchman is right next to him. How can he allow others to sleep soundly beside him?
Unless Colombo is captured, he will be restless at all times.
Chu Ke was a child. He had a higher vision and said: "The most important thing at the moment is to send vassal envoys to pay tribute to Beijing. With the support of the Ming Emperor thousands of miles away, the Dutch will not dare to mess around!"
"This is what it should be!" Zhu Ci looked at the two brothers and sighed meaningfully.
Originally wanting to unify the island of Ceylon in a glorious way, he went to Beijing in high spirits to prove himself to the Ming Emperor.
But now all we can do is ask for help and support.
The anger disappeared immediately.
Everyone who didn't know it carefully looked happy.
In such a foreign land, it felt so safe to have Daming as my backer.
At this time, Chu Ke continued: "I thought that the only best outcome would be to recapture Colombo if our backing fell."
"How to recover? How to recover?" Crown Prince Zhu Hecheng asked hurriedly.
"Your Majesty, although Colombo is big, but only for Ceylon, there are only 20,000 to 30,000 people at most. Even if Ceylon Island is included, it is still small enough."
Chu Ke said bluntly: "So, the best way at present is to divert the disaster eastward and draw the attention of the Dutch to India."
"India is such a huge area and the Mughal Empire is weak, so it is really the best place..."
These words made everyone happy.
If the Dutch really turn their attention to India, that would be the best thing.
As everyone knows, Colombo is also discussing the situation in Ceylon.
The Dutch East India Company withdrew from Southeast Asia and reached India in one step, which can be said to be thousands of miles away.
Even if trade routes were secured, colonial interests could not be underestimated, and the East India Company in Asia urgently needed a new center.
"Everyone, although Colombo is good, it is far away from the Indian mainland. The Portuguese and English have established many trading stations!"
"The number of servants is not enough to provide more help!"
The Governor was quite dissatisfied with the remoteness of Colombo. The material here was poor. Although it was located on a maritime artery, it was much worse than Batavia.
There was not enough indigenous drive to stall Colombo's development.
You know, there are millions of indigenous people on the Java Island of Batavia.
"Your Majesty the Governor, I think the company's current direction can only be India. It has fertile land and a huge market. The nobles are arrogant and lively, and can earn more money for the company!"
Among the six commissioners, one is bald and leans towards India.
In the East, the Dutch East India Company established an India Commission, consisting of six people including the Governor-General.
It used to be Batavia, now it's in Colombo.
The Indian Council managed the major trading stations in Asia and had independent parliaments and courts.
In addition to the obligation to submit reports to the country's Seventeen-member Conference every year, it can be said to be an independent kingdom.
"The Mughal Empire is too big and its attitude is vague and uncertain. It is not appropriate to locate the governor on the peninsula!"
At this time, another short-bearded member retorted: "Ceylon is the most suitable place. It is isolated overseas. Unless the fleet at sea can defeat us, it will not affect Colombo at all."
"This is the largest island in India!"
"What about Ceylon?" the committee member asked immediately.
"Ceylon, just fight!" said the short-bearded committee member in a disdainful tone: "Tens of thousands of natives, we can easily win!"
The bald committee member sneered: "This is the territory of the Ming Empire, a vassal state. Are you preparing to declare war on the Ming Dynasty?"
This time, there was an instant silence.
The governor hesitated for a moment and said slowly: "For the benefit of the company, it is inappropriate to have a conflict with Ceylon."
"However, we can sign a treaty with Ceylon, permanently cede Colombo and other places, and even form an offensive and defensive alliance to protect their maritime security!"
"Gentlemen, by then we will have 20,000 mercenaries. We only need a meager financial support to make them serve willingly without fear of rebellion."
"I agree!" "Agree!"
The six-member Indian committee immediately voted in favor.
When Ceylon learned that the Dutch wanted to form an alliance, they were stunned for a while.
His younger brother Zhu Dingze said excitedly: "If the Dutch are willing to open up business lines, our annual income will double."
"At the same time, the Dutch ships can better transport more Han people from the east to enrich Ceylon."
Chu Ke echoed: "In addition, the Dutch will also provide the necessary loans to recruit the necessary craftsmen for us."
"Your Majesty, Ceylon can actually cross the sea and conquer India. The Tamil people there
It’s all scattered..."
Listening to their words, Zhu Ci said calmly:
"Actually, there is no need to insist on unifying the whole island. This is not China. Unification is not necessary. It is good to have allies around you to help!"
"India is richer after all!"
"That's right!" "Yes!"
In no time, everyone reached a consensus.
Faced with the overlord who controlled the entire Indian trade, everyone felt that alliance with the Dutch was the most correct choice.
On the sixth day of May, 1676 AD, the Dutch East India Company and the Kingdom of Ceylon reached an alliance treaty and became allies.
This was the first time that Ceylon appeared in the eyes of Europeans.
At this time in Europe, the Franco-Dutch War was in full swing.
The Kingdom of France headed by France, the Kingdom of England, Sweden, the Bishopric of Münster, and the Electorate of Cologne.
The anti-French alliance faced the Dutch Republic, Holy Roman Empire, Spanish Empire, Denmark, and Brandenburg-Prussia.
This war lasted for four years starting in 1672. The Dutch drove all the French troops out of the country, but lost a large number of elite soldiers.
Naturally, the war continued in Germany.
Sweden raided Germany from the rear. Prussia defeated Great Sweden and became prominent in Europe. At the same time, Britain was forced to withdraw from the Anglo-French alliance, and France suffered a great loss.
But in fact, since 1674, the anti-French alliance has suffered more defeats than wins, and even ushered in the real key:
The Battle of Augusta breaks out.
France and the Netherlands were competing for hegemony in the Western Mediterranean.
"Your Majesty, Xi Xun—"
The Palace of Versailles, which had not yet been completed, had already welcomed King Louis XIV of France. He couldn't wait to take over the city of Paris and was no longer willing to live in the same city with the mob.
Many years later he would officially move the court to Versailles.
Colbert, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of the Navy, was coming out of breath.
In front of him was Louis XIV, who was wearing red high heels, white stockings, an exquisite black round-necked waistcoat on his upper body, a mustache, and long hair.
"Bell, is there any news about the naval battle?" Louis XIV was not as calm as he imagined, but his eyes were slightly red.
He had been waiting for this moment for who knows how long.
"Your Majesty, our army won a great victory in the naval battle. The Dutch navy commander Leyter was wounded and sent to Sicily. He died of serious injuries. The navy in the port was severely damaged. Now the Mediterranean is in the hands of France and will become a plaything in your hands!"
In this naval battle, France dispatched 29 warships with more than 3,000 artillery pieces; Dutch warships with 17 warships with more than 1,300 artillery pieces; Spanish warships with 10 warships with more than 800 artillery pieces.
On the surface, France is strong, but the French navy does not have much actual combat experience. When it was first built, it could not even defeat pirates.
The Dutch have defeated the British many times, knocking them into submission; is the Spanish navy also a veteran overlord?
As a result, the rookie French army was victorious.
This was beyond everyone's expectations.
It was unimaginable even to Louis XIV.
But, he won.
"Hahaha!" Louis XIV devoutly drew ten on his chest: "God bless you!"
"The Dutch can't even imagine a ship passing through the Mediterranean!"
"Colbert, I want to allocate more francs to the Palace of Versailles. This war is about to be won, and I want to witness the moment of victory in this palace!"
When Colbert heard this, he smiled bitterly.
Healthy French finances, because this palace has upset the balance, coupled with the war, are really too much to bear.
"Your Majesty, if the tax increases again, those mobs will run rampant in Paris!"
Hearing this, Louis XIV curled up his lips and said, "This is what Parisians are like: they are violent, rude, greedy, and have no dignity!"
"The Palace of Versailles needs to be completed as soon as possible, I don't want my court to stay in Paris anymore!"
"His Majesty,
This is also what I expect. "Colbert bowed.
Suddenly, Louis XIV remembered something and said casually: "Go and tell those Ming people that the Netherlands is no longer safe. You can move the mission to Paris, no, to the Palace of Versailles, and I will prepare rooms for them."
"This will be the center of Europe."
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
William III was restless, eagerly awaiting news from the Mediterranean.
Assisting the Spanish navy is a necessary part of the anti-French alliance and must not be missed, otherwise the strategy of besieging France will fail.
"Your Highness the Prince!" Suddenly, the attendant rushed over eagerly, with panic written on his face:
"The news we received from Paris is that the Commander-in-Chief was wounded and died, and the United Navy was severely damaged..."
"What?" William III was shocked.
"The Commander-in-Chief is dead? God, this is impossible!"
As a naval god, he repeatedly defeated Britain three times and sailed up the Thames River, forcing Britain to sue for peace and ending the Second Dutch-British War.
In the Netherlands, his prestige is extremely high and he is a true pillar of the country.
"God, are you even protecting the Netherlands?" William III sighed.
Soon after, accurate news came from the Mediterranean.
He could only cheer up and began to convene the ministers of the Dutch Republic to discuss.
Since driving away the French, William III once again became the ruler of the Netherlands and the commander-in-chief of the navy and army. His prestige was extremely high, allowing the Orange family to once again rise to the top of Dutch politics.
As the meeting ended, news of the death of the military god Leut spread throughout the country.
For a time, there was a lot of news that the Netherlands would be subjugated again.
However, unlike the panicked Dutch, the Ming Dynasty Embassy has remained as stable as a mountain and is not affected by it.
"Ambassador, there is news from the French that they are moving the embassy to Paris and have prepared a palace!"
"French people!" Yu Guan, the ambassador to Europe, stroked his beard, shook his head and sighed:
"The Dutch rely on their navy to sustain themselves. Now even the navy has been defeated. Do they really want to move?"
