Chapter 5: Who is the monkey and who is the chicken?

Chapter 5: Who is the monkey and who is the chicken?

Macartney and Bourblon looked at each other.

Macartney spread his hands and said: "To be honest, the Dutch have a great advantage in Southeast Asia. The Dutch East India Company has more than 60 warships. Such a naval power cannot be underestimated even in Europe, so ....I think you should live in peace with the Dutch.”

"We can even sign a treaty if necessary. I think...the Dutch are very interested in supporting you in going north to find trouble for the Qing Empire." Bulbulon took over.

Zhu Daohua was noncommittal.

Although Macartney and Bourblon seemed to have a certain fear of the Dutch's naval strength in Southeast Asia.

But for Zhu Daohua...

He was not afraid of the Dutch navy.

because.....

He was a seaman himself.

I know too much about battleships in the age of sail.

More than sixty battleships?

For Zhu Daohua, it was just more than sixty wooden boats.

If it was a decisive battle between the two sides with their horses and horses, he would be happy with it.

"The interests of the Dutch are in Nanyang, so...as long as you don't show interest in Nanyang, I believe they will not offend you rashly."

Macartney said.

"What if I occupy the Strait of Malacca?"

"The Dutch will fight you tooth and nail!"

"Desperately?"

Zhu Daohua had no expression on his face, but he had already made plans in his heart.

Will you really work hard?

"Your Highness the Prince!"

Macartney looked serious.

"This is no joke. You don't want to rely on those sloops you built in the shipyard in Calcutta to deal with the Dutch third-class battleships, do you?"

"I admit that the ship type you designed is indeed quite fast, and the twelve long-barreled six-pound guns equipped have a far enough range - perhaps the longest-range naval gun in this era, but the power of the six-pound guns is limited, I We don’t even think he’s strong enough to shoot through the deck of a third-tier battleship!”

Macartney shook his head and said.

In fact.

Zhu Daohua should have arrived in Nanyang three months ago.

But he stayed for three months while passing through India.

In the past three months, he had purchased a large number of artillery and flintlock muskets from the arsenal in Calcutta. Most of the arms industry in this era relied on handicrafts, so India at this time could actually be regarded as the world's arms center.

This is very different from people's impact on the weapons made by various countries in the Indian army.

Moreover, in addition to the arsenal, Kolkata also has the largest shipyard in the world.

The "industrial strength" of British India in this era cannot be underestimated.

Except buying weapons.

Zhu Daohua stayed in Calcutta for three months, mainly to build a warship suitable for Southeast Asia.

Sloop.

This type of boat is very fast and requires few operators.

Armed with twelve long-barreled six-pounders.

This kind of artillery has a longer barrel, and its range is comparable to that of an ordinary twenty-four-pound naval gun.

This type of ship is not equipped with many cannons, but is extremely fast.

Zhu Daohua purchased a total of twelve ships in Calcutta.

And many Indian sailors were hired.

So in Macartney's view.

Zhu Daohua's ship can be used to deal with slow and small hard-sailed ships.

and used as a fast communication ship.

Used to deal with the main battleships of the Dutch East India Company?

This is a joke.

............

Leaving Zhu Daohua's ship.

Two envoys from Britain and France stood on the deck of another battleship belonging to the Royal Navy.

Britain and France are old rivals in Europe.

But they are unanimous in their interests towards China.

in history.

These two have been bitter enemies in Europe for more than a hundred years.

They often cooperate in robberies in the East.

"Zhu Daohua doesn't seem to care much about the Dutch... Is he sure he can deal with the Dutch East India Company's fleet?"

Bulbulon frowned and said.

"This is impossible! The battleships of the Dutch East India Company cannot be dealt with by the armed merchant ships under his command." Macartney shook his head and said.

"The twelve clippers he bought in Calcutta..."

"Maybe it's just used for reconnaissance communications..." Macartney spread his hands and said.

Anyone who knows a little bit about the rules of naval warfare in this era knows this.

This is an era of big guns and big ships.

Big ships, big guns.

This is the royal way.

The boat cannot carry the cannon.

Not to mention a six-pounder.

Even a twelve-pounder.

It may not be able to easily penetrate the thick decking of a third-tier battleship.

Therefore, naval battles in this era usually lasted for a long time.

After all, it depends on solid shells.

It's hard to sink a wooden ship...

"Zhu Daohua is a scholar. He doesn't know how to fight at all...and I think it's best to let his warships be damaged here...It's better for the Orientals not to develop any kind of navy."

Macartney said with a smile.

There were some things he didn't say.

That is...if Zhu Daohua is defeated by the Dutch.

So.

Britain occupied most of India.

It will become the only foreign aid that Zhu Daohua can rely on.

The only thing to rely on!

The two ministers looked at each other and smiled.

Everyone has their own plans.

...........

"My lord, do you really intend to go against the Dutch?"

In the early morning of the third day.

The fleet could already vaguely see the outline of the land.

Just cross the Strait of Malacca.

Zhu Daohua has officially returned to the Eastern World.

He heard Gu Song's doubts and worries.

after all.

The Dutch are now the largest force in Southeast Asia.

If you provoke them, if you fail... you will not be able to gain a foothold in Nanyang.

"Isn't this something that was planned a long time ago..." Zhu Daohua said as he tapped the side of the ship with his left index finger.

"Commander, don't worry...I am absolutely confident that I will sink the Dutch fleet. My only worry is...that they will run away."

If the Dutch don't seek a decisive battle.

Zhu Daohua really can't do anything to them, and there will be a lot of trouble in the future.

After all, the sea is so big that Zhu Daohua cannot set up defenses everywhere.

"So... what we need to consider now is how to convince the Dutch that they need to send all their warships out for a decisive battle to defeat us."

Hearing this, Gu Song suppressed the worries in his heart, thought about it for a while, and then said: "Lord, I have a three-step plan!"

Zhu Daohua smiled when he heard this: "I thought you would have three strategies: upper, middle and lower."

Gu Song didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Master, don't be joking, there are already good strategies, why bother with middle strategies and bad strategies..."

"makes sense."

Zhu Daohua nodded.

"Military advisor, what are your three steps to take?"

Gu Song took a deep breath.

"The three steps are: show the enemy strength! Make an appointment with Malacca! Kill the monkey to scare the chicken!"

"I understand the first two steps...but killing the monkey to scare the chicken? Who is the monkey and who is the chicken?"

"The Dutch are monkeys, and the Chinese in Southeast Asia are chickens!"

Gu Song said.

Zhu Daohua was thoughtful when he heard the words.