[Volume 2 New World] Chapter 244 The Company’s Worries and Ambition
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Chapter 244 The Company’s Worries and Ambition
The news of the Australians' presence in Formosa made the East India Company officials in Batavia nervous - even though the officials' business offices were not operating satisfactorily and their importance had greatly declined after the trade agreement with the Australians was signed, However, as a direct window for trade with China, Formosa still plays an important role. 【Read full text】
The Australians sent ships to spy on Formosa, which was terrible news for the Dutch. For this reason, Germany? The councils of Carpentier and Batavia sent Magdeburg to venture to Lingao during typhoon season to get information.
Trini understood why they were so anxious. He pondered for a moment and said: "In the past few months, I can feel that they are planning a big action. But I can't say that such an action is against the company."
He then talked about the large-scale activities he witnessed in Lingao: large amounts of import and export of materials, frequent movement of personnel, and active shipbuilding operations. He clearly felt that the Australians had entered a state of war.
"All the Australian institutions, factories and ships are running at full speed..." Mr Trini said, "Especially the ships are coming in and out of the ports very frequently. Goods are constantly being shipped in and out - you know, it's not the trading season. .”
"If that's the case, why do you still think that the Australians' preparedness actions are not targeting companies?"
"It's simple. Because they are raising equipment for use in cold northern areas." Trini said, "Many of the materials they submitted to the company for the order cannot be used in Formosa. I think you also know this very well. .”
After his reminder, Fan? Delantron thought about it. The Australians' recent orders included a lot of woolen fabrics and leather, and they also purchased raw wool from Persia and raw cotton from India. None of these goods can be used in Formosa.
"Secondly, with all due respect: I think that with all the power of the Company in East Asia, the Australians do not need such extensive war preparations. Their opponents are much stronger and larger than our masters."
Fan? Delantron nodded: "What you said makes sense. However, in order to reassure the Governor and the Lords of the Council, I still hope to know exactly where they want to take action - and why they want to go there. Going to Formosa?"
"I think the target they chose was the Ming Dynasty, that is, the Chinese. They may have come to Formosa for various motives - such as obtaining a stopover, I have no way of knowing..."
"Please go on."
"The Ming Dynasty has a vast territory, a large population, and unparalleled wealth. The Australians have traveled thousands of miles to East Asia, and they have such a strong military force. If the Ming Dynasty was not among their goals of conquest and plunder, I would think Very surprised." Trini said, "Besides, they specifically chose Lingao as a place."
"Okay, assuming the Australians are about to launch a conquest against the Ming Dynasty, what do you think their chances of winning are?"
"There is no doubt that they can easily defeat the Chinese army that is ten times their size, but it is obviously difficult to conquer the entire China - at least not in the short term." Trini said, "The size of China It’s too vast, and to conquer such a country, the Australians are a little weak.”
"Assumption, just assumption. If one day the company wants to go to war with the Australians, can the company achieve a favorable and peaceful outcome?"
"Forgive me for being offended, I'm afraid it will be difficult. Peace will definitely come, but the outcome may not be favorable." Trini said, "The Australians' military potential is amazing. Once it is put into operation, I am afraid no one will be their opponent. "
"What if before their potential has even unfolded?"
"Is this included in your mission?"
"There were three or four directors - you have to understand, they were the owners, and they were not in Batavia. So they came forward...to evaluate and see...whether it was worth taking the Australian territory."
Lingao is lively and prosperous compared to the deserted Dajuan. It has been fully constructed and has many military industries and large shipyards. Its overall strength is much stronger than the Portuguese Macau. If it can be captured, it will obviously be an ideal base for trade with China and even trade with East Asia.
The Senate was well aware of Trini's assignment, but did not mind it.
Since the Senate was about to carry out Operation Engine and did not want to disperse its forces for unexpected attackers, it very much wanted to make the Dutch understand that their military strength was not something that anyone could challenge.
So Trini was sometimes invited by the Foreign Intelligence Service to visit Army and Navy training, and was allowed to map Fubo troops at close range. It’s just that Australians have many requirements for painting. For example, the head-to-body ratio of soldiers must be 1:7, the muscles must be drawn in a Greek style, and the shoulders must be in the same shape as the Germans...
However, these were originally similar to Renaissance scholastic paintings, and Trini was naturally happy to complete them.
"I don't mean to offend you, sir, but this idea is too crazy. The Australians have great confidence in their own military power. They showed their military power to me very casually and asked me to keep sending the albums back to Badawi." Ya.”
"What do you think?"
"From my personal observation, Australian soldiers are actually local aborigines, and most of them are Chinese. Only a very small number of officers are Australians. When they recruited soldiers from the mainland, they were in very poor physical condition - worse than monkeys in Southeast Asia. They are not that strong. But now the speed and hit rate of their musket shooting are terrifying. I have never seen such strong professional soldiers... The officers are also very good - some are no less than Gusta Led by Australian professional soldiers who were officers under my husband, I have seen them many times get up before dawn and walk silently from one county to another."
"That means they didn't maneuver on foot because they didn't have boats."
"They just let their troops practice climbing over the mountains quickly and then immediately go into battle. In fact, every soldier has to do this kind of practice."
"The great Hannibal...?"
"Whether they are on Hannibal's level is hard for me to say, Your Excellency, but their combat prowess clearly exceeds that of most armies I've seen."
"As for the ships, they don't have enough ships yet. But there will be many in the future. Your Excellency, please take this album back and tell everyone in Badawi that the Australians took fourteen weeks to build it. A sailing ship of several hundred tons.”
"What?!"
"Their shipyard is very efficient, but I have never been able to get close. From a distance, it seems that many ships are being built side by side at the same time. The second identical ship was launched 10 days later."
"This is so amazing, I thought I should check it out with my own eyes."
"Before you leave, you will see the next one entering the water."
"Do you think Australians have the intention to develop southward?"
"It's a matter of time." Trini smiled slightly, "When you have an unparalleled army and a powerful fleet, will you let them go home to farm?"
"Your work is truly outstanding and I will recommend you to the Batavia Council."
"It doesn't matter, no need. I am an Italian. Italians have no country. My country is the job my employer gave me."
"What do you think of Lingao?"
"I really wish Lingao was in Italy."
"Fortunately Lingao is not in Italy." Fan? Delantron said.
"It doesn't matter where Lingao is." Trini realized that Fan? Delantron's questioning had come to an end. He stood up, took out a bottle of rum from the wine cabinet, and took out two bottles of "soda water" and two glasses, and took out some crushed ice from the "refrigerator" Come and drink two rum sodas in the local fashion.
"A delightful experience." Fan? Delantron admired it after drinking it.
"The ambitions or goals of the Australians are for our masters to consider. Now I have an Australian project to propose to the Council."
"Oh? Did the Australians propose it?"
"Yes, the Australians provided me with a batch of agricultural books and pictures and asked me to translate them into a picture book." Trini said and handed him a thick book, sat down on the sofa, and continued to explain, "Australia People are going to provide us with some seedlings for the company to plant on a small island in the Moluccas, and they buy the mature crops.”
"what is it then?"
"It looks like a rubber tree to me."
"The rubber tree?" Although the rubber tree and rubber had been known to the time of Columbus, Europeans were still unfamiliar with the plant at this time. Trini also had a certain knowledge of natural history to recognize this plant, which was not seen in Europe.
"Yes, a plant from America..."
Trini became interested: "Have they also been to America?"
"It's very possible, otherwise how could they provide rubber tree seedlings."
"What do they need these rubber trees for? Why not plant them on the land they occupy - you said that the Australians now actually occupy the entire island."
"I think they lack enough labor. As for the function of rubber trees, I don't know." Trini knew that rubber trees can secrete a sticky colloid, which is used by Indians to kick balls and can also be used to smear cloth. It's waterproof - but it hardens once it dries and has no practical value.
The Australians want companies to grow this plant, and they obviously have mastered some technology of using this colloid - the Moluccas are hotter and rainier than Lingao, and have a similar climate to the place where rubber originates. It’s no surprise that Australians think this way.
"In addition, I think that since the Australians want the company to promote the cultivation of these crops in the Moluccas, they will not be interested in the company's properties for at least seven years - otherwise, wouldn't their investment become worthless?"
"Why ten years?"
"Because it takes at least seven years from rubber planting to producing the glue they need."
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