~~~~~~

The principle of matches is not complicated. To put it simply and straightforwardly, it is 'friction generates heat'.

Its main components are mainly phosphorus and sulfur.

Use the chemical activity of strong oxidants and reducing agents to generate friction and heat.

Unfortunately, apart from the red phosphorus in phosphorus, Li Yuanqing could not remember its specific ingredients.

However, in terms of firearms, the Ming Dynasty had many craftsmen and many experienced ones. Regarding the weapons workshop on Changsheng Island, Xu Liang and Mr. Yang were both experts in this field.

As long as Li Yuanqing points them to the right path, it shouldn't be too difficult to get this thing done.

When the big-eared thief was dying, he once warned his successor: "Don't do good deeds because they are trivial, and don't do evil deeds because they are trivial!"

At this time, the Ming Dynasty is indeed still in a leading position in the world in some cultural aspects, such as porcelain, silk, tea...

But~~, in specific aspects that can promote changes in the times, such as firearms, navigation, and shipbuilding, due to differences in systems and innate cultural conditions, the Ming Dynasty~~~ has actually begun to lag behind the mainstream of the world.

Li Yuanqing was quite clear about this.

The differences in the system are here, and the inherent economic pattern is here. After all, it is difficult for one person, or a small group of people, to compete with the general trend of the entire era.

What Li Yuanqing can do is to use the current situation to tightly gather what he can control and grasp, so that the less can become more.

When the torrent breaks out, take advantage of it!!

Although the match is small and seemingly simple, no one in the world has mastered this technology at this time. This is Li Yuanqing's stepping stone.

After more than twenty days of sailing, on May 11, Li Yuanqing and his fleet successfully arrived at Manila, the first stop from East Asia to Southeast Asia and the 'bridgehead' of Southeast Asia.

At this time, Manila was still firmly in Spanish hands.

After the Great Battle of England and Spain that year, the Spanish Armada was destroyed and its vitality was severely damaged. However, after all, it was the oldest established power in the Age of Discovery, and the colonies occupied by Spain at this time were still second to none in the world.

With previous experience of going to Macau, and with the Portuguese guiding the way, it didn't take much time for Li Yuanqing and his huge fleet to be released at the port outside Manila Bay and allowed to enter the port and berth.

What made Li Yuanqing even more fortunate was that not long after the fleet entered the port, it started pouring rain all over the world. The summer storm season had arrived.

Newton once said: "If I stand higher, it is because I stand on the shoulders of giants!"

In Li Yuanqing's inherent understanding, in the late Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty should be quite declining, and it seemed that its status in the international arena could not be too high.

But~~~, when he actually arrived in Macau and Nanyang, Li Yuanqing discovered that his perception was completely wrong, and it was completely the poison left by the Braided Dynasty!!!

Let’s not talk about the deterrent power of the Ming Dynasty’s orthodoxy. Zheng He’s seven voyages to the West left an influence on this area of ​​Nanyang that will not be dissipated for at least hundreds of years!

As for the Ming Dynasty's coastal defense force after becoming the ancestor, although it was thrown into a corner, the overwhelming number of Han pirate fleets that cruised in Southeast Asia and East Asia all year round were like the Ming Dynasty's 'business card'!

Even the pirates are so fierce, how powerful must the royal court's orthodox navy be?

"What a stupid boar skin!"

"You bastards, you can't forgive your hatred even if you are cut into pieces by a thousand cuts!!!"

After thinking about this, Li Yuanqing couldn't help but spat hard, he just wanted to give God a thumbs up.

At this time, it was already evening, the rain was heavy, and visibility was extremely low.

The fleet has already entered the dock and wants to get off the ship and rest ashore, but the time is a bit too hasty.

In addition, Li Yuanqing did not care about the specific attitude of the Spanish, so he ordered Guan Canghai and Joseph as representatives to go ashore first to negotiate with Spanish officials, while the fleet stayed in the port to rest temporarily.

When in Macau, the fleet had already replenished enough strategic supplies, which could last at least two or three months, and Li Yuanqing was not in a hurry to disembark for supplies.

However, in the cabin, Li Yuanqing wrote a spiritual tablet in person, and ordered Huo Bing to cook several exquisite dishes, including chicken, duck, and fish, and placed them respectfully in front of the spiritual tablet.

All his wives, concubines, and children gathered together and knelt down respectfully in front of the spiritual tablet.

Li Yuanqing lit the incense himself and knelt down respectfully in front of him, looking at the large characters written on the spirit tablet, "The spiritual place of Zheng He, the hero of the Ming Dynasty!"

"My dear Patriarch, my junior Li Yuanqing, the reason why my trip to sea went so smoothly this time is all because of your Buddha's light! What a shame, I'm so ignorant. I forgot to pay homage to your spirit before such a big event! Please remember me, Patriarch.

We are of the same spirit and come from the same sect, so we can forgive this disciple! In the future, when the disciple successfully returns to the Ming Dynasty, he will be honored as a prince..."

The neat kneeling ceremony lasted for more than ten minutes and was finally over.

The female relatives dispersed, and Li Yuanqing ordered Zhang Baozhu: "This room will be where the ancestor's spiritual tablet is from now on. No one can enter easily. You have to watch the Baozhu carefully."

Zhang Baozhu also knew about Zheng He, but she didn't expect that Li Yuanqing would be so orderly. She wanted to say something else, but seeing that Li Yuanqing looked unkind, she naturally didn't say more and nodded obediently.

Outside, the heavy rain was so heavy that it almost wanted to turn the whole world upside down. The weather, which had already started to be a bit hot, suddenly became a lot cooler.

Standing by the hatch, looking at the city of Manila shrouded in heavy rain not far away, Li Yuanqing could not help but narrow his eyes slightly.

Although Zheng He was an eunuch, perhaps he went to sea for some unspeakable purpose, but ~ Li Yuanqing really enjoyed his glory and his legacy, so naturally he had to give him something suitable for his status.

Courtesy.

And although his family member in the southeast has been infinitely elevated in history, has he done anything that truly has a profound impact on the Chinese nation?

Li Yuanqing suddenly laughed and shook his head, as the old saying goes, 'The butt determines the head!'

It is true that Li Yuanqing could not control what happened before and could not change it, but Zheng He, his deeds and his influence, Li Yuanqing would definitely take advantage of it!

Later in the evening, Joseph and Guan Canghai came back one after another and came to Li Yuanqing's boat to report the situation to Li Yuanqing.

However, due to room limitations, the conference room can only be temporarily replaced by the captain's cabin.

Fortunately, although the space in the captain's cabin is not too large, it can accommodate seven or eight people without any problem. It is enough space for communication!

Li Yuanqing sat on the throne belonging to the captain. Beside him, Joseph licked his smile and said: "General, His Excellency Valencia da Gama, the Governor of Spain in Manila, welcomes us very much and welcomes us to do business in Manila.

He invites you to come to the Governor's Palace in Manila at a suitable time tomorrow for detailed talks."

Li Yuanqing nodded, "This matter must be implemented as soon as possible. Brother Joseph, please make another trip to confirm the time."

"Yes!" Joseph hurriedly left, braving the heavy rain, and headed to the Governor's Mansion again.

Only Li Yuanqing and Guan Canghai were left in the room.

Li Yuanqing smiled and glanced at Guan Canghai: "Canghai, how do you feel?"

Guan Canghai couldn't help but smile bitterly: "General, to be honest, this pace is really, really too fast. Not to mention brothers, even if you are in a humble position, you often feel like you can't keep up!"

Li Yuanqing smiled: "It's the first time you're so far away from home, and things are so close. It's only natural for you to feel this way! However, Canghai, you have to understand that in this world, the law of the jungle is the law of the jungle. If you miss me, the Ming Dynasty, or the Chinese nation,

, to always stand on top of the world, we must take this step forward!"

Guan Canghai sighed deeply and nodded with deep satisfaction.

Although he has only been out for a short time now, Guan Canghai's vision has completely risen to another level, and he has become more aware of the meaning of the saying 'the weak eats the strong'!

Fortunately, the Ming Dynasty is a kingdom of heaven, otherwise, for natives like Manila, those days would be...

"General, don't worry, I will definitely adjust my condition as soon as possible! My brothers will do the same! We have been through all kinds of storms and waves! How can such a trivial matter be so difficult for our brothers?"

Li Yuanqing smiled and nodded: "Yes! That's the truth! Have you seen the Spanish governor today? How do you feel?"

Guan Canghai said: "I've seen it, but I feel that he is very wary of us. General, I guess that if we want to start normal trade in Manila, I'm afraid it won't be easy!

"

Li Yuanqing nodded slowly, and after a moment, he smiled: "Although the Spaniards seem to be strong, in fact, they have begun to decline! The more he behaves like this, the more it proves that he has a guilty conscience! However, at this time, he still has a guilty conscience.

It’s not time for us to exert our strength! Let’s wait and see about this matter through negotiations tomorrow! Canghai, go back and have a good rest and take good care of yourself. The fleet’s defense depends on you!”

…………

After Guan Canghai left, Li Yuanqing looked at the misty front in the rain and mist, and couldn't help but let out a deep breath.

The captain's cabin is located in the center of the top cabin and has the best view of the entire ship. Unfortunately, there is no tempered glass at this time. Although there is a wooden eaves in front of the captain's cabin to protect it from wind and rain, it cannot

Blocks sea breeze and rain debris.

The whistling sea breeze blew onto the face through the huge gap, mixed with a lot of rain flakes, making people feel very cold.

But this also made Li Yuanqing's mind clearer.

According to the intelligence currently possessed by Li Yuanqing, at this time, Manila is under the control of the Spanish, Jakarta is in the hands of the Dutch, and the most critical Strait of Malacca is still in the hands of the Portuguese. The powerful British Empire is now in the hands of the Portuguese.

It has not yet extended its tentacles to this sea area.

In other words, without the existence of top powers, in the vast sea of ​​Southeast Asia, everyone still has opportunities, and there are great opportunities!

However, because the Portuguese had a fulcrum in Macao and they did not have much ambition in East Asia, it was not suitable for them to be at odds with them.

The Dutch, on the other hand, show their teeth and show their claws, and are so inconsiderate that they are really hateful.

Unfortunately, the Dutch fleet has a great inherent advantage, and it is not suitable to start a fight with them immediately.

If we follow the course of history, in another ten or twenty years, when the British have completely pacified India, their next step will be the Strait of Malacca.

So, the best entry point at this time is Manila!

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Chapter completed!