Due to fierce arguments between the municipal council and the Portuguese businessmen group with different views, the entire negotiation has not progressed. [Read the latest chapter] In Macao, there is no such organization as the Macao detachment of the Spanish Navy. Most of the armed ships in the port are merchant ships. Except for a few light ships owned by the Municipal Council of Macao and the Governor of Macao, almost all of them are owned by a person or group. There are too many interests involved, and there are more details to be decided: the ship owner is not willing to serve the municipal council in vain. Even if he is willing, he must explain how to compensate the dead personnel, and how to share the expenses of ship repairs and ammunition loss.
The Jesuits, who played an important role in the final decision, have not expressed their views so far - but everyone knows that the Jesuits are leaning towards the Australians, because the Australians have given the Jesuits great help in missionary affairs in China. It can be said to have made breakthrough progress.
The Jesuits' attitude was ambiguous, and the city council and business associations held long and inefficient debates day after day. Li Luoyou waited anxiously - it was said that it was a negotiation, but in fact there was nothing to talk about. He spent most of his time waiting. The conclusion of the Portuguese's own internal meeting and negotiations.
His news in Australia became even better: news of Australian military parades along the Pearl River kept coming. Li Luoyou knew very well: the Australians continued to carry out small-scale military operations, but did not directly attack Wuyong, a village in Guangzhou, in order to force the Guangdong government to negotiate a peace as soon as possible - to force peace with war.
Li Luoyou synthesized various information collected in Macao and strengthened his idea. In particular, he learned that more than a month ago, some Australians came to Macao for activities in an attempt to establish relations with the Guangdong government. These Australians are still stranded in Australia, seemingly waiting for something.
They must have conveyed their peace request to Guangzhou or Zhaoqing through some channel, but the Guangdong local government did not make any response. That's why they started fighting in the Pearl River Inland.
Li Luo couldn't help but feel sad secretly. If the local officials could respond in time and send someone to negotiate for peace, maybe this matter could be settled and would not lead to such a trouble.
Once the Australians have drawn their swords, they will never return empty-handed. When the peace negotiation between the two parties was successful, I don't know how many more orphans, widows, orphans and wild ghosts were created, and how many houses and wealth were burned down.
He decided to find an opportunity to have direct contact with Australian representatives and listen to their specific conditions and ideas. In this way, a lot of round trip time can be saved once peace is negotiated.
Gelanzani said softly in his usual tone: "My child, don't be anxious. Speak slowly."
"Yes, sir." Lando glanced at the president from the corner of his eye. This guy's calmness was just pretending. His hands were shaking just now. Lando felt confident about this.
"Sir, I got a surprising news in Lingao." Lando looked very anxious, "The Chinese court will soon cancel the right of merchants here to enter Guangzhou trade, and will block the entire Foreign merchant ships are not allowed to enter or exit the Pearl River Estuary. They even want local Chinese businessmen to stop supplying grain, vegetables and meat to Macén."
Gelanzani has long heard rumors about a ban on trade. Such rumors have been circulating in Australia for several months. At first it was just a rumor. Something like: "I heard there's going to be a ban on trade." Of course, the president would not believe such nonsense rumors, but the rumors slowly became more real and more and more details came out. Until recently, he already knew that it was Guangdong who advocated banning Portuguese trade. the supreme judicial officer.
At this time, Lando not only repeated the rumors, but also clearly stated the specific contents. The degree of authenticity has reached over 80%. No matter how you look at it, it is not just a piece of cake.
"My child, is your news reliable? There are at least thirty or forty such news in the city every day."
"Sir, it is absolutely reliable." Lando bowed, "I have already reported to the two priests, and they both thought it was necessary for me to report to you personally. This is their letter." He handed it over A letter written by Lu Ruohua. It not only confirmed what Lando said, but also stated clearly in the letter that the source of Lando's information was a "highly powerful" Catholic elder in Australia - the other party had no doubts about the "Church" in Australia. Expressed great concern about the safety of "Lighthouse in the Far East" and hoped that the Portuguese in Macao would be prepared in advance.
Lando said: The Australians not only learned the specific details of the matter, but also had direct evidence.
Saw this letter. Gelanzani frowned. Is this trying to sow discord? The Australians probably already knew that the Guangdong government was trying to ask for help. If the Portuguese fell to the Ming Dynasty, it would naturally be very detrimental to the Australian military operations in the Pearl River. Perhaps they revealed the news to the missionary group in Lingao for this reason.
He mused that once the news was proven to be true, there would be no possibility for the Portuguese to help the Guangdong government. The purpose of the Portuguese to help the Chinese maintain security on the Pearl River was to maintain trade, not to protect the people of the Ming Dynasty. If trade is interrupted by the Chinese government, then the life and death of the Chinese people, the security and smoothness of the Pearl River, have nothing to do with the Portuguese.
The Australians disclosed this news directly to the Jesuits without any care, which shows that they have enough evidence to prove this, so that they do not need to prove their reliability in roundabout ways.
Gelanzani felt sweat starting to form on his spine. If the chief justice of Guangdong really asks the Chinese emperor to cut off trade, then the future of Macén will be in jeopardy. Not to mention whether the Chinese will use various means to force the Portuguese to leave Macén. This city built outside of circulation and shipping has lost its main and almost only trading partner. What future does it have?
Gelanzani thought of several commercial cities he had visited during his travels in Italy and the Netherlands that had declined due to changes in geographical environment. Wormgrass that could be fed to horses grew on the once prosperous streets, and the population dropped to one-tenth of its former size. The beautiful commercial buildings and merchants' mansions are empty with wooden panels. A desolate and desolate scene.
Once something like this happens in Australia, he can't imagine that Australia can survive - this is just a small island on a promontory, and it can't even be self-sufficient. After trade is cut off, cities will immediately decline and become deserted.
The Jesuits could only give up this best missionary base in southern China. Migrated to the Philippines, which was both remote and under Spanish control.
He shuddered at the thought. He hated Spanish people—and openly hated them. Needless to say what kind of treatment you will receive when you arrive in Manila.
"My child, do you have any other evidence? Just such a piece of news cannot satisfy the gentlemen."
"The Australian who tipped me off said that if adults were interested, they would provide all the evidence to prove it."
"I understand. You go down and rest." Gelanzani nodded.
After Lando left, Geranzani immediately invited Li Luoyou to the official residence.
"Jacob." Gelanzani called his Christian name and said straight to the point, "I know from a well-informed person that the chief justice of Guangdong has submitted a memorial to the court, demanding a complete ban on foreign relations with Australia. mén’s trade, do you know the authenticity of this matter?”
"I don't know, sir." Li Luoyou was surprised at being suddenly called. Now that he heard that he was asked about the thing he was least willing to answer, he managed to maintain his composure, "You know, this rumor has been spread. For a long time, I am not an official and cannot judge the authenticity of the news.”
"What about your knowledge and logic?" Gelanzani stepped forward.
"This..." Li Luoyou hesitated, feeling that whether it was possible or impossible would be impossible to justify in the future. Gelanzani suddenly asked him to talk. He obviously had important information, so he decided not to hide it anymore.
"In my opinion, this matter is most likely true." Li Luoyou nodded heavily, "High Commissioner has always been dissatisfied with the Portuguese and the Holy Church. But so far, there are only rumors and no confirmed news. .”
"The Australians said they have enough evidence." Gelanzani looked into his eyes. "Do you think they have it?"
Li Luoyou was speechless. He realized that his mission might soon be ruined. He thought for a moment: "Mr. President, I want to draw your attention. Even if this matter is true and the high inspector did write this memorial, it does not mean that it will be a decree of the imperial court. This memorial was sent to After the capital, it not only requires the emperor's decree, but also the deliberations of the cabinet and the six ministries. If there are different opinions in any link, the memorial of the high inspector is just a memorial. It cannot be regarded as some kind of decree - it It's nothing more than a 'petition'."
Li Luoyou deliberately used the weakest European word.
Gelanzani knew he was right. He thought for a moment and said: "You know, I respect you very much..."
"Thank you, President."
"...But I don't quite believe what Chinese officials say. Before this, several elders of the Municipal Council had asked many Chinese officials with real power in Guangzhou and Xiangshan about this matter, and they all categorically rejected it. Now it seems likely that they were lying.”
Li Luoyou didn't know what to say, but he knew it was the meaning from above, and it was probably Li Fengjie himself who took care of it.
"...If this matter is true, I can only advise the city council not to provide any form of help to the Guangdong government. I think that if you were in our position, you would not be able to agree to help." Gelanzani said, "If merchants can't trade, what does security on the Pearl River have to do with the city council?"
Li Luoyou replied painfully: "Yes, I completely understand what you mean."
"...Unless the Guangdong government can provide definite clarification on the future of Macao men," he continued, "including guarantees on trade."
Li Luoyou knew that if he did not come up with a definite guarantee, I am afraid that the talks on borrowing troops would not yield any results. Apparently the Australians were at fault. It’s just that he didn’t know what the Australians used to impress the notoriously suspicious Jesuits. He pondered hard in his apartment: As of now, the government has no definite solution, and they just pretend to be deaf and dumb to evade. It's no wonder that the Jesuits don't trust them but trust the Australians.
A few days later, the Macao Municipal Council fell into a frenzy and the documents of the organization were thrown out through the Jesuits. These documents included Gao Shunqin's memorial manuscript, discussions with the Sixth Department of the Capital, the cabinet, the ministers and the censors. Transcripts and translations of letters.
This batch of translations aroused great fear among the municipal council and Portuguese businessmen - many of them have been doing business in Australia for many years, and some were simply born in Australia, with their property, career and family all in this small area. on land. Now suddenly tell them: they are likely to lose it all
When they learned that the Guangdong government, while asking them to send troops for help, was petitioning the emperor to expel them, the anger of the city council and business associations exploded. No matter how Li Luoyou explained the operating rules of Chinese officialdom: Li Fengjie was just a governor, and he had no right to interfere with what Gao Shunqin said to the emperor; and Gao Shunqin's memorial might not be approved by the emperor, he was still scolded, and many people called him He "go back"
Li Luoyou secretly complained that not only could the matter not be done, but his representative had also suffered a disaster - his credibility had been seriously damaged.
He was summoned into the Governor's Palace, and the Governor made his attitude clear to him:
Unless the Guangdong government can issue an official document clearly guaranteeing that trade will not be interrupted, that the Portuguese will not be prohibited from entering Guangzhou for trade, and that they will not force the Portuguese to leave Hao by cutting off supplies, then they can consider sending warships to the Pearl River Estuary. Conduct patrols and help Ming expel the Australian detachment. Otherwise the Portuguese will not interfere in all actions of both parties.
Of course, Li Luoyou knew that Li Fengjie would not provide this. In the past, the Portuguese could be made to submit by threatening to expel and cut off trade. Now that expulsion and interruption of trade were imminent, such threats had no effect.
"Assholes, a bunch of greedy and incompetent little people, saints and disciples, bullshit, a bunch of despicable and shameless people, sooner or later the good things will be in your hands." In Li Luoyou's apartment in Macao, a Chenghua porcelain cup followed him as he shouted angrily It was smashed to pieces, and the tea seeped into the expensive Boss carpet, leaving a large pool of eye-catching stains.
The servants and maids were too frightened to come in - they had never seen the master so angry. Li Luoyou stared at the portrait of the Virgin and Child in front of him, trying to suppress his anger. He was too angry. Although he had expected such a result before leaving, the various experiences he had experienced in the past few days combined with everything he had heard and witnessed in Guangning many years ago. This caused him to have great doubts about this government, this system and the people in power.
A wave of dizziness hit Li Luoyou, knowing that he was going to be sick again, so he quickly drank the yaojiu - this was the special yaojiu given to him by Liu San. It was very effective after taking it, and he tried to calm down his mood.
His activities in Macao were a complete failure, and there was no point in going back to Guangzhou. Li Fengjie was probably the one who would not shed tears without seeing the coffin. He simply stayed in his apartment and pretended to be deaf and dumb. This time, in order to completely clear up the relationship, Governor Li did not send any of his men. It saved him a lot of effort in concealing and coping.
The failure to borrow troops strengthened his idea of seeking an opportunity to contact the Australians to discuss the terms of peace talks. He sent his capable servants to inquire about the residence and activities of Australians in Australia.
Li Luoyou's mission failed due to the intervention of the Intelligence Bureau, and the Pearl River Estuary Task Force no longer had any worries. Of course, the navy is not afraid of the Portuguese's large Galenic ships, but the current target is the Ming Dynasty, and there is no need to make too many enemies and spread out the troops for the time being.
After Chen Haiyang received the situation report from the Intelligence Bureau, he transferred most of the warships from several detachments remaining outside the Pearl River Estuary into the Pearl River waterway and assembled at Humen. At the same time, the naval detachment also ended its month-long tour of the Pearl River Delta, and all returned to the building for rest and repair, repairing ship guns, and preparing to break through Wuyong and enter the Guangzhou waterway known as the "Provincial River".
The waterway leading to Guangzhou passes through Wuyong and goes all the way up to Huangpu Island - where Guangzhou's old port is located. After passing Huangpu Island. The Pearl River is divided into two waterways by Henan Island. You can reach Baietan by going up these two waterways.
Baietan is located southwest of Guangzhou City in the Ming Dynasty. It is the place where three rivers converge. The two northwest rivers and the Pearl River converge here. The tides here are smooth, the siltation is not heavy, the river is broad and vast, and the smoke is bodang. It is more than enough to even park the entire task force.
The final destination of Chen Haiyang's military action was Baietan, as if he were approaching the city with troops.
Of course, in order to lead the fleet to Baietan, a series of obstacles must be overcome. In addition to Wuyong, Huangpu and other places, many emergency forts have been erected on Henan Island. The Hongyi cannon was placed. In many waterways, work has also been carried out to block the rivers. Three iron chain rafts have also been deployed across the waterway to intercept ships.
Compared with the Pearl River waterway, the river surface of the provincial river is much narrower, the river draft is shallower, and there are many sandbars. All this is relatively easy to deal with. What Chen Haiyang is most worried about is the several river surfaces where the river has been blocked. Although according to his common sense, blocking the channels of large rivers is basically unlikely to succeed. Whether it was the Opium War blocking the Pearl River or the Anti-Japanese War blocking the Yangtze River, most of them were in vain.
To be cautious, he decided to specially equip and transform a river cleaning vessel to clean up obstacles in the waterway. Although the Great Whale is large in tonnage, it is a shallow-draft ship with a wide deck and a steam engine power plant. It is more than enough to transform it into a temporary wrecker.
