Whether twelve ironclads could feed the Dutch Parliament and persuade the East India Company to abandon the islands was a new emperor's guess.
But it is certain that when the time comes, he will send Zheng Zhilong's fleet to cruise southward, at least to ensure that the route to Australia via Borneo and Sulawesi is unobstructed.
If it is concrete, it means that as long as the number of ironclad ships belonging to Zheng Zhilong and Beiting's fleet reaches a hundred, they can seize the East Indies.
Currently, not counting the shipyards in Nandu and Quanzhou, Tianjin and Dengzhou combined can build at least forty ironclads per batch.
As long as two more batches of construction are completed, there will be at least eight Yoshinos, eight Laiyuans, and forty Zhiyuans, for a total of fifty-six ironclads.
Including Zheng Zhilong's original forty armored ships and the three armored ships of the Beiting Navy, the number is just close to one hundred.
After Zheng Zhilong purchased two Yoshino ships, two Laiyuan ships, and 36 Zhiyuan ships in the first three batches, starting from the fourth batch, he focused on purchasing large ships and introducing technology.
The fourth batch purchased two Yoshinos, two Laiyuans, and four Zhiyuans, but started building ironclads at the shipyard in Quanzhou, Fujian, and placed an order for four Dingyuans.
Excluding the portion purchased by Zheng Zhilong and the quantity exported, there are still fourteen Zhiyuan ships left in the fourth batch.
Nanting purchased four ships at a price of 1 million taels each plus pig iron worth 500,000 taels of silver, and the remaining ten ships were divided between the Tianjin and Denglai fleets.
Su Guansheng and Jiexuan were both satisfied now that they could each get one Yoshino, one Laiyuan, and five Zhiyuan ships.
Since Zheng Zhilong focused on purchasing four Yoshino and four Laiyuan ships in the fifth batch, the parts that had already been ordered by overseas customers were excluded.
The two fleets of Tianjin and Denglai can also obtain four Yoshino, four Laiyuan and 15 Zhiyuan.
In other words, in the thirty-eighth year of Chongzhen (1666), under ideal conditions, the ironclad ships serving in the fleet under the jurisdiction of Beiting included nine Yoshino, ten Laiyuan, and 25 Zhiyuan.
If the Dutch agree to exchange the East Indies for twelve Zhiyuan ships, then the total number of ironclad ships in the Beiting Fleet will be reduced to thirty-two.
At the same time, Zheng Zhilong's fleet will reach 60 armored ships, almost double the size of Beiting's fleet.
However, starting from the sixth batch (1665-1670), a certain new emperor would order the Tianjin Shipyard to build eight Dingyuan, eight Yoshino, and four Laiyuan.
In order to continue to maintain exports, Dengzhou still focused on Zhiyuan and started building four Laiyuan ships at the same time.
Even France and the Netherlands have introduced ironclad ship construction technology from the Ming Dynasty, intending to fly first.
But within the next ten years, in order to offset the huge numerical advantage of the British and Spanish fleets, a small amount of ironclad ships will be purchased from the Ming Dynasty.
It is expected that both countries will buy one or two more ships, and that the Venetians and Ottomans will also continue to purchase, with the total number of exports being no less than six.
From Zhiyuan, Laiyuan, Yoshino to Dingyuan, the fourth-class ironclads are all equipped with imperial artillery and anti-ship missiles. They are just equipped with different numbers of weapons.
But starting from the Bismarck armored cruiser that is being designed, the imperial artillery will be replaced by new breech-loading artillery.
It is expected that starting from the eighth batch (1675-1680), Tianjin Shipyard will build test ships of 10,000-ton ironclads.
The Bismarck armored cruiser is the PLUS version of Dingyuan, and the latter is the PLUS version of Yoshino.
A certain new emperor found it difficult to ask the ship designers of the Academy of Sciences to design a brand new warship, but if they were asked to enlarge the tonnage and increase the length of the already released version, they were very good at it.
By lengthening Dingyuan's hull by 30% and increasing its width by two meters, it became Bismarck, which was only five meters shorter than the original waterline length and one meter wider.
A certain new emperor believed that there was no need to completely copy the prototype, because as long as the built test ship was unsinkable and all aspects of the design met the expected standards, it would be fine.
This method of running quickly in small steps is most suitable for the design team of the Academy of Sciences, and it can also give the Ming Navy and Zheng Zhilong a taste of the sweetness.
A certain new emperor's requirements for the shipyard are very simple. As long as the built ironclad ship does not turn into a submarine when sailing, it will be a success, and everyone will get the bonus they deserve.
Although the three-level ironclad ships that have been built only have a speed of about ten knots, a certain new emperor believes that it is almost enough and there is no need to pursue too high a speed.
Rather than ensuring high speed, it is better to ensure higher endurance. After all, the speed of the ironclad ship has reached the highest speed of the sail warship of this era.
The remaining thing is to ensure that when chasing the enemy's sail warship, the coal reserves on our own ironclad ship cannot be burned out in advance...
"Are you sure you can convince the East India Company to give up the East Indies?"
Putmans didn't even know how Luit agreed just now. This was too bold.
"Of course I'm not sure, but when it's time to give up, even if you don't want to, you have to give up, just like giving up those battleships that have lost their combat effectiveness in a naval battle!"
Ruyter had already sensed the Ming Emperor's strong desire for the East Indies, and the only thing left was a direct war between the two sides.
"Then when is the time to give up?"
Putmans is already in a semi-retired state. If face were not worth some money, William II would not ask him to go with Ruyter.
"Soon, maybe less than ten years!"
Ruit felt that the countdown he gave should not be too different, because it was obvious.
"Oh? Is there any basis for this?"
Putmans wanted to hear the other party's opinion. After all, this friend had been designated by Tromp as the next commander of the Dutch Navy.
If his boss was killed, Ruyter could take over immediately.
However, Putmans still hopes to see Tromp himself instead of his tombstone when he returns to his homeland...
"The Ming Empire's shipyards can build forty ironclads every year, and only fifteen to twenty ships are exported. The rest will be installed in the domestic navy. Within ten years, they will get at least forty more ironclads, and Some of them are bigger and better than ours, with higher combat effectiveness. Britain is too far away from the Ming Empire, but the East Indies are not far away. If you were the emperor of the Ming Empire, where would you attack first?"
Luyter believed that his feelings and speculations were absolutely correct, and through the second interview, he once again confirmed his previous view, that is, the ambition of the Ming Emperor was huge.
From Siberia in the north to Australia in the south, including the entire archipelago region, all land within this range will be placed under the jurisdiction of the Ming Empire.
Although it is still just a strategic plan, as the Ming Empire's shipyards launch more and more ironclad ships, plus the original airships and tanks, as well as the well-organized army troops.
Who could withstand the onslaught of such a well-equipped and numerous legion?
It is undeniable that the Dutch navy has declined. It has changed from the previous world hegemon to the second. The third France and the fourth Britain have shown aggressive attitudes.
The only way to maintain the tonnage of Dutch merchant ships and the volume of maritime trade is the Triple Alliance mentioned by Colbert before!
The Netherlands and France produced merchant ships, and the Ming Empire produced ironclad ships and commodities. After the three companies were bound, they could achieve equal benefits and monopolize global routes and markets on all continents.
So far, what the Netherlands has been able to produce is not well-trained sailors, but more than 10,000 ocean-going merchant ships.
With these merchant ships, coupled with captains who were familiar with various routes and good relationships with local speakers, it was the fastest way to transport and sell various goods from the Ming Empire.
"Even if what you say makes sense and may even become reality, I'm afraid those guys in the company won't recognize it. Now that they get huge benefits every year, it's impossible for them to stop immediately."
Putmans knew those people above so well that even if the world ended tomorrow, they would still be the same today.
"Maybe, but even if we lost the East Indies, our merchant ships would still be able to purchase Ming Empire goods and transport them around the world. The company has become dispensable, and the irony is that they themselves don't Not found."
Ruyter was not a businessman, but through Putmans' constant indoctrination into him about the East India Company and the Ming Emperor, as well as some things he learned, he came to a very reasonable conclusion.
"you mean……"
“Both sellers and buyers benefit by removing the middleman!”
"...If you were in business, you would now be among the top ten richest people in the Netherlands!"
"Hahahaha, what a pity, what a pity! Maybe you can consider using your company to replace the East India Company. In terms of personal relations with the Emperor of the Ming Empire, no one has an advantage over you. I guess, in order to squeeze out the East India Company Company, the Ming Emperor is even willing to provide you with a loan!”
"Haha, if I agree directly, would I be suspected of treason?"
"If the future of the Netherlands becomes extremely bright because of you, then you will be a hero of the Netherlands, and everyone will build a bronze statue in your honor!"
"I'm so flattered!"
Putmans didn’t know what Luyter’s real intention was when he said this, but he could feel from the words that Luyter already believed that the East India Company was a stumbling block that hindered the cooperation between his country and the Ming Empire.
Own company to replace the East India Company?
This is really a super bold idea!
Different from Ruyter's purity, Putmans is half political, half businessman and half military, and must take into account all three aspects.
If a war broke out tomorrow, Putmans could command a fleet.
If Kaiser Wilhelm II asked him to become a member of parliament tomorrow, Putmans would be happy to do so.
If there was an opportunity to earn millions of silver coins tomorrow, Putmans would go to the Emperor of the Ming Empire today to establish relations...
It is undeniable that Putmans really hates the scum in the Council.
When the city of Relanja was besieged before, how did they react?
Just like a bunch of stupid pigs!
From the mouth of the Ming Emperor, Putmans knew a word - pig teammates!
Obviously, those people in the council are veritable pig teammates.
Since leaving the East India Company, Putmans has established a wholly-owned company.
You can act completely according to your own will without cooperating with other people.
Although the start-up capital was not large, thanks to its relationship with the Ming Emperor, after more than ten years of development, the company has become one of the top ten companies in the Netherlands.
There are more than 500 merchant ships used to transport the company's goods, but they are still far from the scale of the East India Company.
Putmans can get no less than half a million silver coins in dividends every year, but he thinks that the money is enough to spend, and there is no need to work hard.
When people get older, the most important thing is to enjoy life, and other things have less otherworldly value.
The remaining matters were left to his son, Putmans. Perhaps his son's age and thinking were more suitable for communicating with the Ming Emperor.
However, before leaving, Putmans decided to ask to see his old and aloof friend.
Because once certain ideas sprout, they will take root in your heart...
"I haven't thought about it before, but I think your proposal is very good. If the East India Company is against me and the Ming Dynasty, I will be happy to support you. In the final analysis, the East India Company is nothing more than controlling the East Indies and spices. Origin, and then use its huge fleet to carry out trade to and from Europe, and provide huge taxes to the Netherlands. If your company can replace it and continue to provide an equal amount of taxes, Mr. William, the deacon of your country, will not mind this. A sudden change. The difficulty now is that if we attack the East India Company, after all, I can’t produce spices. As for merchant ships, you can recruit them widely and make them work for your company. I will provide enough goods for them to ship. Transportation. After the Sudan Canal is opened to navigation, your company's fleet can also use the canal, which can reduce part of the cost. And as long as the price is reasonable, I will give you a new order."
"Your Majesty, it's okay to speak out!"
"The route from the Ming Dynasty to the North American territories! Since the journey is too far and the destination is Alaska, Zheng Zhilong's fleet is not willing to go. It can only make one trip a year at most. If your company's fleet is willing to take this job, go to Then I can consider handing over part of the business on the route from Daming to Australia to your company. The voyage is shorter than the round trip to Europe, and the sea conditions are not very dangerous, but the profit is quite a lot."
"Your Majesty, if you can sign a letter of intent..."
"sure!"
Zheng Zhilong's fleet was far inferior to that of the Dutch, and many merchant ships were not suitable for ocean voyages. They were unable to sail routes to North America and Australia.
Just as Putmans came to the door, a certain new emperor replaced the donkey with the horse.
As long as they are given enough money, the Dutch are still willing to take over this job.
From the mainland of the Ming Dynasty to Alaska, people and materials were transported there, and furs and ores were transported back.
Usually we set sail at the end of March, arrive in Alaska or Canada in June, and return quickly when the sea conditions are good.
Zhang Xianzhong's hard work on the west coast can also, to a certain extent, contain the Spaniards' northward and eastward advance.
If the Netherlands could defeat the British, they would be able to gain a foothold on the east coast of North America.
Otherwise, wouldn't it be a good idea to have to lick your face and ask a certain new emperor for help?
