The envoy was stunned for a moment, probably not expecting that the Governor would suddenly ask about the Australians. [No pop-up novel website]
"They are a group of people from overseas who claim to be descendants of the Song Dynasty." The envoy said. He probably realized that saying "Song Dynasty" to a ghost guy was an insult, so he changed his words and said, "That is to say, they claim to be descendants of the Chinese."
This is exactly the same as Li Siya's report. The Governor nodded secretly and asked some other things about the Australians. The envoy seemed happy to answer his questions and told a lot of things about the Australians - most of them hearsay, of course. Although Liu Xianglao has fought against the Australians, he has no formal contact with this opponent. Most of the information was hearsay, some coming from people who were captured during the attack on Bopu and later released, and some coming from reports from his informants.
Although Liu Xianglao withdrew from the Pearl River Estuary due to pressure from Zheng Zhilong before the second counter-encirclement and suppression campaign, he avoided direct conflict with the crossing group. But he has many informants in the local area. He knew all the news about the Chuangtong Group's defeat of He Rubin, the bombardment of Humen, and the attack on Guangzhou City. Although the Australians, who had been hiding in remote areas in the past, had strong ships and powerful guns, he was unexpected to suddenly show off such combat power.
Fortunately, it seems the Australians have no intention of antagonizing him. The fact that they had captured the Pearl River Estuary certainly annoyed him, but now he would not dare to fight on both sides under any circumstances. We can only deal with Zheng Zhilong first.
The governor listened to the messenger's chatter very carefully and did not interrupt him. It was only after the other party stopped that he asked a few questions. Gathering intelligence on Australians is now his main interest. Liu Xiang has had conflicts with Australians, which was something he did not expect. He became more and more interested in the fact that the Chinese government actually sent a large army to conquer Lingao, but was defeated by the Australians.
Although the Dutch had a low evaluation of the Ming army's combat level, every military operation along the coast of China was defeated by the Ming army's seemingly endless manpower and material resources. As the same outsiders, the Australians who occupied a corner of the Ming Dynasty were able to hold back the tidal wave of armies that had originally frightened the company, and successfully separatized a piece of land in China. De Carpentier couldn't help but become very interested in this.
A war reveals more information than all the intelligence combined. De Carpentier has heard a lot of news about the amazing level of firearms of the Australians. The second victory of the Australians seems to indicate a lot of problems.
Clearly, the Australians are a powerful force. He rang the bell and summoned the footman outside.
"Take this gentleman down to rest," he said.
That night, at a dinner meeting between the Governor and Batavia's senior businessmen, discussions were held on how to treat the Australians, whether to assist Liu Xianglao, and how to deal with Zheng Zhilong.
The East India Company's military strength in Batavia was weak. When the expedition against China was launched a few years ago, only seven ships were sent. When we went on the expedition to Macau, there were only fourteen ships. The total number of troops in the 6th Army is quite large, but these companies are scattered among the dozens of trading posts of the East India Company across thousands of kilometers across Java. The soldiers recruited from Europe all the way are dying like flies in the hot and humid climate and unhygienic environment. Now they are filling the vacancies in the companies in each stronghold, which makes the governor find it difficult to launch another large-scale expedition. Not enough.
As for the auxiliary troops composed of a small number of local natives, no one had much hope for their combat effectiveness. It's hard to say whether these natives are trustworthy.
It was beyond the Dutch's power to participate in military conflicts in the South China Sea with limited military power, not to mention that Zheng Zhilong also controlled the lifeblood of the East India Company's trade with China. The merchants therefore believed that the governor's decision to refuse to send ships directly into the battle was correct. As for whether to assist Liu Laoxiang with ships and artillery, there was some debate among senior businessmen. Some people think that artillery is easy to talk about. After all, European-style artillery has spread quite widely throughout East Asia. But there are still very few pirates using European-style ships. The sudden addition of two European ships to Liu Xianglao's fleet would seriously irritate Zheng Zhilong and may have an adverse impact on the company.
Several other senior businessmen supported selling the ship to Liu Xianglao in order to contain Zheng Zhilong's power. The Governor was on this side.
"Gentlemen, the problem of ships is not a problem." The governor tapped the table gently and said, "In the entire East Asia, we are not the only ones who can provide ships. The Spanish, whether it is Manila or the Spanish in Macau, They all have the ability to provide ships to Liu Xianglao. Don't forget that in the previous conflicts between Liu and Zheng, a Spanish galleon was directly involved in the battle. Even if an official is suspicious, the biggest suspect is Spanish Bank. We can completely deny all this. Besides, do you think Zheng Zhilong will fall out with us before he has a decisive battle with Liu Xianglao?"
Furthermore, it would also be beneficial to the company to sell two scrap ships that would probably only be scrapped for firewood and ship materials. After all, Liu Xianglao is willing to pay in cash. As for the sailors problem, he can recruit and solve it himself - no matter in Batavia, Manila or Macau, he can recruit scum of all ethnic groups who are willing to sail and fight for money.
Everyone finally agreed to the proposal to sell the two ships Zeal and Vigilance to Liu Xianglao. Includes all weapons and navigational equipment on both ships. The price for the Zeal number is 10,000 Spanish reals and the price for the Alert number is 7,000 Spanish reals. In addition, 10 copper 12-pound naval guns and 24 iron 6-pound and 12-pound naval guns were sold to Liu Xianglao. 400 matchlock guns.
"Your Excellency, do you think it is possible for Liu Xianglao to defeat Yiguan?" a businessman asked.
"It's hard to say." De Carpentier shook his head and said, "It is said that the strength of the two sides is almost the same. But Yiguan obviously has the advantage - he has the support of the Chinese court. And Yiguan has defeated all the people in Fujian. opponents, including those who were once very powerful.”
According to the governor's opinion: If Liu Xianglao cannot win consecutively or kills Zheng Zhilong himself in a certain battle, Liu Xianglao will eventually fail.
There were sighs of regret around the table. Liu Xianglao can't be said to be an ally, but with him around, Zheng Zhilong's attitude can be relaxed. Once Liu Xianglao fell, there would be no power to restrain Zheng Zhilong.
"Gentlemen, even if there is no Liu Xianglao, there are other people in this world." De Carpentier expressed his thoughts, "Have you ever heard of the Australians?"
The governor was sitting on a back chair, and from the long window next to his desk he could see the city of Batavia. The city began to be built in 1619 and has been continuously expanded and reinforced for more than ten years. Now it has Taking shape. De Carpentier had no doubt that a future governor sitting in this position would be able to see a more prosperous and great Batavia.
There was a knock on the door outside.
"Come in."
His secretary appeared at the door.
"Your Excellency, the low-level businessman Van Delantron you summoned has been summoned."
"Invite him in."
Van Drentrell carefully walked in from the gate. He was probably in his early thirties and had a reserved face. He was a nobleman from Zeeland Province and had served in the navy and fought in the war. Now working as a low-level merchant in the East India Company. But even low-level businessmen are above the level of other general company employees. On the ships of the East India Company, only the merchants had the highest command authority. In many stores, the salesperson has all the power.
But as a low-level businessman, Van Drentron's authority had never been on a merchant ship. He eagerly hopes that he can become a businessman in a fleet or a trading station. The Dutch East India Company was a company that treated its employees very harshly, even though the East India Company paid dividends to shareholders every year, which could amount to thousands of guilders per share. But the compensation given to employees is meager. Low-level businessmen only have a monthly salary of 20 dong and a food allowance equivalent to a quarter of their salary. There was no way to earn money from law-abiding service in the Dutch East India Company. Climbing as high as possible and using the power in their hands for smuggling is their only chance to make money in the Far East.
Van Dellentrön took off his hat and bowed deeply to the Governor.
"Mr. Van Dellentron," De Carpentier said briefly, "I now appoint you as the commercial officer on board the Magdeburg."
The "Magdeburg" is a "speed boat" - in fact, this kind of boat is neither "fast" nor a "boat". This is a flat-bottomed boat often used by the Dutch in the East Indies, with a load capacity of 400 to 600 tons, a round stern, and a towering stern. The ship sails very slowly and is mainly used as a merchant ship and transport vessel. However, because the construction period is short, it can carry a lot of cargo and requires few sailors, which meets the needs of "sea coachmen".
Although Van Drentrön was not promoted to a senior position, the "Magdeburg" was a large ship and was much more important than the small brig he was currently on. So this order still made him very happy.
"Thank you, Your Excellency"
"You're welcome, thank our master." The governor said, "Get ready as soon as you get on the ship. I want you to prepare to go to Lingao immediately to trade with the Australians."
"Lingao?" Van Dellentron has never heard of this place. He knows the Australians.
"Yes, I will send you a navigator. Your task is to trade with the Australians in Lingao and get as much information from them as possible. If possible, find out whether they are willing to reach a trade agreement with us."
"As you command, Your Excellency."
"I will send you a few assistants. After you arrive in Lingao, take them with you and provide them with all conveniences."
One of the people sent to the "Magdeburg" was Gonzalez himself. The governor wanted him to see with his own eyes the military strength of Lingao and the fortification condition of the dock as an officer. The other was Leib Trini. An Italian, professional draftsman. His task was to try to map Lingao's harbor and topography. At the same time, draw what you see into an atlas. In the days before cameras, this was the only way for people far away to get a visual impression. . ..
