"You want the sailors to disembark?" Juan Lopez suddenly felt a little uneasy when he heard Gonzalez's words.
Because there were not enough people on his Spanish galleon, according to the typical configuration, a galleon should have fifteen officers, 26 sailors, 19 apprentice sailors, 10 handymen, and 21 gunners. and 125 soldiers, for a total of 216 people on the ship. However, because the sailing routes in the Pacific have always been stable and there are no battles at all, the number of soldiers on the ships is getting smaller and smaller - after all, with fewer soldiers, you can carry a lot more "extra" cargo, and you can also use the hired personnel. Soldiers put all their expenses into their own pockets. Those "extra" cargoes did not belong to the authorities of New Spain, but to the governor of the Philippines, the governor of New Spain, the fleet commander, the captain, and the prosecutor responsible for supervising the governor and officials at all levels.
Theoretically, there should be a thousand soldiers in total on these eight Spanish galleons commanded by Juan Lopez, but in fact there are only 80 soldiers on each ship. Counting other crew members, the average number of soldiers on a sailboat is There are only one hundred and one members.
With just such a small number of people, if something happens to them, it will be troublesome!
Gonzalez seemed to see Juan Lopez's thoughts and said to him with a smile: "My commander, they are all Christians. What bad thoughts can Christians have?"
Yes, you already believe in the Heavenly Father and the Emperor, how could you still have bad intentions?
But Juan Lopez still did not dare to take it lightly. He said to Gonzalez: "Consul, why don't you go to the Naha market first and then go to the church to see Father Hong."
Gonzalez turned around and asked: "Master Feng, is Father Hong Ruowang on the island?"
"Not here," Feng Xifan said. "He went to Japan with General Geng, but his assistants Father Gao and Father Li are at the Naha church. They are both Europeans."
"Well, can I meet these two French priests?"
"Okay," Feng Xifan said with a smile, "Please come with me."
As he spoke, he took Gonzalez and two other Spanish officers through the deserted streets of Naha Commercial City and walked towards the church with the cross.
He found that less than half of the shops in the mall were open, there was no business, and there were no young and strong clerks or bosses. Only some old people, children, and women were supporting the shop.
The few pedestrians on the street were all old people, children and women, and there were almost no able-bodied men.
Under the leadership of Feng Xifan, Gonzalez quickly walked through several streets and came to a church converted from a temple. Two white men in black robes were talking in a low voice outside the temple. From time to time they pointed at the temple's architecture, as if they were discussing how to renovate it.
Feng Xifan suddenly shouted in French to the two white priests: "Father Gao, Father Li, we have distinguished guests from the Philippines."
The two white priests turned around together. This is when Gonzalez saw their appearance clearly. Yes, they were both blond and blue-eyed Frenchmen. One of them was a little older and had a somewhat gray hair. With his beard, one can tell that he is an old priest who has devoted many years to the cause of the Lord. The other priest looked a little thin, and it was obvious at first glance that he was a holy man who was willing to live in poverty.
The white-bearded priest first made the sign of the cross on his chest, and then said to Gonzalez in French: "Welcome, welcome brothers from the Philippines, I have seen the sailboat on the pier. How is it? Is the journey going well? ?”
The somewhat skinny priest asked seriously: "My Spanish brothers, are you also here to help General Geng save the Christians in Japan? Your late king, Philip IV, who had great love for Heavenly Father, must be in the Kingdom of Heaven. Watch this holy war!"
That's right, Gonzalez said to himself: These two priests must be French. They look like French and speak like French. Even the thin man's aggressive tone is very French. He is arrogant and completely in the style of Louis XIV. !
Since they were French priests, Gonzalez was relieved. Although Spain participated in the anti-French alliance in Europe, it was besieging the ambitious Louis XIV together with the Netherlands, Austria, Prussia and other countries. However, according to the practice of European colonists who are grabbing money in the East, the grievances of the mother country in Europe have nothing to do with the East. Unless they also have irreconcilable competition in the East, they will not go to war in the East because of conflicts in the mother country - after all, the mother country of Europe is There are frequent wars between the two countries, and a war often lasts for decades. If the various East India companies below follow suit, how can they still make so much money? There is no money to be made, and capital is unwilling to invest!
France's power in East Asia is very weak. The closest colony to East Asia is Pondicherry, which is far away in India. It is impossible to compete fiercely with Spain and the Netherlands in East and Southeast Asia.
In addition, Spain's current Prime Minister Juan Jose is a pro-French faction, so the reconciliation between France and Spain is only a matter of time.
Thinking of this, Gonzalez said to the two French priests: "Two respected priests, our fleet is a Spanish galleon passing through Ryukyu to the New World. We did not know about this sacred war before. How can you two Can’t you come with me to the docks and brief our commander face to face on this war to liberate the Japanese Christians?”
The two French priests nodded, and then showed pious and proud smiles.
The eight Spanish galleons all docked and put down the gangplank, because there was a lot of supplies that needed to be moved - three months of supplies and a large amount of cargo, which needed to be carried on the shoulders and hands, and the warehouses where supplies and cargo were stored were far apart. The dock was relatively far away, and the livestock and vehicles on Ryukyu Island had been requisitioned by General Geng. Therefore, after seeing the two French priests, Commander Juan Lopez ordered each ship to select 80 people to disembark to carry supplies. , leaving only twenty people on board to guard. And he, Lopez, Feng Xifan and two French priests all entered a government office near the dock.
The two Spaniards were very interested in the ongoing war between the Ming Dynasty and Japan, so as soon as they sat down and drank a few sips of tea, they started asking about it.
"Father Albert, I don't understand. The Ming Empire was not a Catholic country. Why did they launch a war aimed at liberating Japanese Catholics?"
The bearded man was called "Father Albert". His French surname was Alba, which in Chinese means noble and noble, so he became "Father Albert". Of course, "Father Albert" or "Father Gao" "They are all fake. His real surname is Gao Fu, Han surname is Gao, and his true identity is the noble First Baron of the Ming Dynasty!
This is a genuine Ming Dynasty noble!
In addition, he is also the chief instructor of Zhangzhou Yiguantang, a member of the board of directors of the Nanyang Trading Company controlled by the Zheng family, and the chief instructor of maritime affairs!
"No, no, you misunderstood," Lord Gao shook his head and said without blushing at all, "The Ming Dynasty did not go to war against Japan to liberate Catholics. In fact, they also banned the spread of Catholicism. Of course, this is not Because there is something wrong with Heavenly Father, but because the Kingdom of Spain and the Kingdom of Portugal once attempted to invade and conquer the Ming Dynasty!"
Father Li. His British surname is "Li" and he claims to be from Lyon, France. Therefore, his Chinese surname took a syllable that begins with "Lyon" and became Li. He took over Lord Gao's words and said with a serious face: "The sixth governor of the Philippines, San Diego de Vera, once formulated a large-scale invasion plan in 1586, intending to spend 10,000 to 12,000 Spanish soldiers. The army, five thousand to six thousand Indians and an equal number of Japanese, a total of more than 20,000 people, launched a full-scale invasion of the Ming Dynasty. And this plan was approved by Philip II, if not for the Spanish Armada in 1588 After suffering heavy losses during the invasion of Britain, Spain must have carried out its invasion of Ming Dynasty!
Portugal also had a similar plan before becoming Spain's co-monarchy alliance! "
"What?"
"this."
Both Spaniards felt something was wrong at this time!
Isn't this a good invasion of Japan? Why did you mention that Spain and Portugal wanted to invade the Ming Dynasty? It has been 90 years, and the plan was made at that time but was not implemented!
Feng Xifan looked at the surprised looks of the two Spaniards and said with a smile: "The Ming Dynasty's general has heard about the Spanish and Portuguese conspiracies for a long time, but he is not sure about the authenticity of these invasion attempts, and he is not sure whether the Spaniards are still Preparing for invasion."
"Master Feng, those invasion plans were just the fantasies of people ninety years ago!"
"Yes, yes, it is absolutely impossible!"
Feng Xifan's smile had faded, and he pointed out with a serious face: "But King Louis of France gave the completely opposite answer in his personal letter to the general! King Louis said that you Spaniards are determined to invade China! You have been under Lu Song Island built forts and garrisoned troops, and in order to keep it secret, you repeatedly massacred the Ming people on the island! And Japan is an accomplice of your Spaniards!
Therefore, the general believed that the Ryukyu Island controlled by Japan would become a springboard for Spanish invasion, so he sent General Geng to lead his troops to regain Ryukyu and crusade against Japan. Once Japan surrendered, the Ming Empire would also unite the Kingdom of Japan, the Kingdom of Korea, the Kingdom of Annan, and the Ryukyu Kingdom. Kingdom, let’s go on an expedition to New Spain! "
"You're planning an expedition to New Spain? Are you crazy?"
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. You can't cross the Pacific Ocean at all!"
The two Spaniards had already sensed that something was wrong. They jumped up and drew their swords while still talking harshly.
But the two "French priests" were not used to the Spaniards. They lifted up their cassocks, pulled out their daggers and struck them on their necks - this action made it obvious at first glance that they were French priests!
Before the two Spaniards could react, Feng Xifan said to them in a very stern tone: "We can pass through the Pacific Ocean because you will take us across the Pacific Ocean!"
"No, that's impossible!"
Feng Xifan smiled coldly: "You will! Jinyiwei's torture experts are on the island. They have a hundred ways to make you talk. And I guarantee that death will be very luxurious for you until you tell the truth. !”
"Bah, bah, bah"
Gunshots suddenly rang out.
The two Spaniards immediately understood what had happened, and their faces turned pale with fright.
The smile on Feng Xifan's face became even colder. He said coldly: "Our French friends have joined your sailing ship. They will soon cooperate with our army and seize all the ships! By then we will catch eight A captain and eight first mates will also get the ship’s charts and logbook. If you surrender now, I guarantee that you can become rich and noble, the nobles of the Ming Dynasty, and you can also retain your Catholic faith!"
It turned out that the people who came with Lord Gao and Lord Li, as well as hundreds of sailors and mercenaries that Zheng Jing hired at high prices from the Dutch East India Company and the British East India Company, were replaced by the knocked-out Spanish sailors. and soldiers' clothes, mixed with the eight large sailing ships, and then the Zheng family pirates who were ambushing on the shore fired their guns as a signal, and then cooperated inside and outside to seize the sailing ships!
I have to admit that although the Zheng family is not very good at land warfare, they are really very professional at robbing merchant ships! And this time, Zheng Jing also had experts from the UK and the Netherlands hired at a high price to help.
From planning to execution, the whole process was seamless and so professional!
And the high lord from England did not forget to trick Louis XIV again at this time, and said seriously: "Dear Spanish friends, don't blame us, we are also acting under orders. We are French navy soldiers, and France and Spain are now at war!"
France is an old traitor!
The regret in the hearts of the two Spaniards!
They are such stupid pigs!
How can you trust the French? The French could even collude with the Ottoman Empire to sell out the Catholic world! France and Spain have not yet ceased war. Isn't it natural that they join forces with the Ming Dynasty to attack the New Spanish Colony, Spain's financial source?
On the wall of Shuri Royal City, Geng Jingzhong, who didn't know that he had also been plotted by Zheng Jing (historically, he was also plotted by Zheng Jing to become cannon fodder), saw red battle flags rising on eight Spanish galleons. On the mast, they were already dancing with joy.
The man named Zheng is indeed a third-generation pirate! They were experts at robbing and stealing ships - in order to rob these eight ships, they prepared a large stack of scripts, and they were even willing to spend money to rent out all the shops and a temple in Naha City, and also He paid a high price and hired all the strong men on Ryukyu Island to build a castle in the mountains to the north of the island. He also rented all the merchant ships in the Naha port and sailed them all to Ningbo. He also invited a group of blond and blue-eyed foreigners to help perform the show.
And in order to ensure the effect, they had rehearsed eight times before today. It turns out that it is not easy to go overseas to grab money!
In addition, the man surnamed Zheng also found someone to take the blame. One was General Li Zhongshan - he was completely kept in the dark, and he got involved with the Kingdom of Spain in confusion! There is also King Louis of France. This surname is Louis, who is also unlucky. Inexplicably, he has become a mortal enemy of Spain.
This guy surnamed Zheng is so smart, no wonder he is called "Zheng Jing". He is almost a sperm. His father's name is Zhu Chenggong, so he might as well be called Zhu Chengjing!
Just when he was thinking about Zheng Jing becoming a spirit, Zheng Jing, a sharp-mouthed monkey-cheeked man with a feather fan and silk scarf, was already standing next to Geng Jingzhong. He coughed and said with a smile: "General Zhengdong. It seems that things have been successful. Now we should Let’s discuss your trip to New Spain!”
Geng Jingzhong looked back and quickly smiled at Zheng Jing, "Your Majesty, I'm not familiar with this New Spain, so please give me some advice."
"It's easy to say, it's easy to say." Zheng Jing nodded, "You have new Spain before. If everything goes well, you should be able to see the New World after two months of sailing at sea. But you can't land right away, because what you see is the northern part of the New World, which is inaccessible. , it has not been developed, and you three thousand people have no place to gain a foothold."
"Then where should I go?"
"You continue south along the coastline and arrive at a port called Acapulco. It is a very prosperous commercial port. You loot it, and then take the looted food and property and sail north on a Spanish galleon. A seaport called Banderas Valley, where the troops are stationed, waiting for my reinforcements!"
"Oh, just guard some valley?" Geng Jingzhong was still a little worried, "Will the Spaniards launch a massive counterattack?"
"Yes," Zheng Jing said with a sincere smile, "but don't be afraid, as I am here, I will definitely support you!"
(End of chapter)
