Chapter 599 The debate between war and peace

The "United Trading Company" that Shi Diwen refers to, of course, refers to the Dutch East India Company, which was founded in 1602 with the purpose of monopolizing Eastern trade and carrying out colonial plunder. During the nearly two hundred years of operation of the East India Company, a total of

1,772 ships were dispatched, and about one million Europeans came to Asia through the ships of the East India Company. Although this company was a commercial organization in name, it actually had many national functions, such as organizing its own mercenaries,

Issue currency, sign formal treaties with other countries, establish colonies overseas and implement rule, etc.

Of course, the East India Company's ability to enjoy so many privileges is not without cost. 18% of the company's profits must be handed over to the country as dividends every year in exchange for the government's support in various overseas policies and trade methods.

The East India Company won more than just economic benefits for the Dutch Republic in the Far East. After Cohen became the company's governor in 1619, he began to advocate the use of force to open up borders and successfully established a national trade system. In the Ming Dynasty,

Korea, Japan, Ryukyu, Annan and other countries organized trade among themselves. However, rival Portugal, which originally occupied a large number of colonies in the Far East, was gradually losing territory under the constant pressure of the East India Company. In the 17th century, the East India Company

At its peak, it had more than 50,000 employees, dozens of warships, and tens of thousands of armed mercenaries. It indeed had the strength to launch wars and destroy some small countries.

In terms of the current strength comparison, the East India Company is still ahead of Haihan for the time being. However, Haihan's development speed is far faster than that of its opponents, and the areas it controls are relatively more concentrated, making it easier to take advantage of strength in local areas. If

Not having to worry about the various logistical problems that the labor expedition would bring, as well as the subsequent actual control methods, Haihan now actually has enough strength to take over the Relanja City stronghold built by the East India Company in the southern part of Taiwan Island.

But in order to deal with the Dutch, the Haihan Executive Committee believes that it must first deal with the unstable factor of Shibazhi. The threat these pirates can pose to Haihan is far greater than the limited number of Dutch on Taiwan Island.

Da Shi Diwen used the Dutch to promote Haihan's military power. His real purpose was to give Xu Yuzhuo more confidence, convincing him that Haihan had enough strength and determination to help the Fujian military eliminate Shibazhi.

The Fujian Xu family had already joined the board of directors of "Qiong Lianfa" very early, so Xu Yuzhuo immediately understood Shi Diwen's very vivid metaphor: "So the red-haired... Dutch people stationed on Dayu Island, they also

Are you the armed guard of this company?"

"That's right." Shi Diwen nodded and said, "But even if they are just private armed forces, their strength has far exceeded that of the Ming army. The Dutch conquered many places in Southeast Asia, all relying on this armed force.

Of course, compared with our Haihan militia, they are still far behind."

Shi Diwen was not worried that his boasts would be leaked by Xu Yuzhuo. Although the Xu family had business dealings with the Dutch in the past, they should know very well who could really help the Xu family grow stronger. The Dutch

People will not sell standard weapons in large quantities like Haihan, and also train officers and teach combat tactics. Of course, the most important thing is that the trade volume between Fujian and Haihan has far exceeded the record with the Netherlands. Haihan

Having become the Xu family's largest trading partner, the Xu family is now unlikely to betray Haihan in order to hook up with the Dutch again.

Xu Yuzhuo asked: "If Haihan takes over Da Yuan Island in the future, how will the sea route north of Fujian be owned?"

Regarding this issue, the Executive Committee has already had corresponding instructions. Shi Diwen replied: "We will not impose any restrictions on this, but the premise is that both of us are still in a state of cooperation."

Shi Diwen actually only said half of what he said, but it did not prevent Xu Yuzhuo from understanding the spirit of it - if the two sides continue to cooperate, then everyone can do maritime trade business in Northeast Asia, but if the cooperative relationship is terminated, then I'm sorry, in the future

I won’t take you to play with me.

As for what kind of situation may lead to the termination of cooperation between the two parties, Shi Diwen has already expressed his attitude before, and there is no need to repeat it at this time.

Shi Diwen was working on Xu Yuzhuo in Zhongzuo City, and Ning Qi was not idle in Zhangzhou City. The reception banquet prepared by Xu Xinsu for Ning Qi and others in Zhangzhou City was held at his own house, and the invited guests

There are not many people, and almost all of them are people with interests related to the Xu family. After Xu Xinsu introduced the guests, she specially said to Ning Qi: "We are all here today. If Mr. Ning has anything to say, you can

Speak freely."

After Ning Qi talked with Xu Xinsu on the way to Zhangzhou, he believed that although the other party was willing to cease the war, it did not seem to be entirely out of his original intention. Part of the reason was the external environmental pressure brought about by successive wars. If he could try to help Xu Xinsu

To alleviate these pressures, it is not impossible for Fujian to continue to use troops against Shibazhi. The guests on this occasion today are all core members of Xu Xinsu's interest group. The ideas of these people will probably affect the future trend of the war in Fujian. How?

Injecting enough blood into these people and inciting them to continue the war has become Ning Qi's most important task at the moment.

After drinking for three rounds, Ning Qi put down his chopsticks and started talking about business: "Sir Xu, although it is my first time to come to Zhangzhou and I have not been in the city for a long time, I have a very good impression of the place and everything is orderly.

, the people are also polite, it is indeed a good place with prosperous culture and education, and abundant food and clothing!"

Ning Qi's praise is indeed flattering to Xu Xinsu. Although his position is military attache, in fact, most of Zhangzhou's government affairs are directly in charge or indirectly controlled by him. If the local government is good, he is indeed responsible for it.

Xu Xinsu had a share of the credit. Of course, Xu Xinsu couldn't boast in front of Ning Qi, so he said a few words of humility, and other sensible people next to him then stood up and praised Xu Xinsu.

After Ning Qi listened patiently, he continued to express his opinion: "The current situation in Zhangzhou is naturally due to Mr. Xu and everyone here. However, please allow me to say a few words that are a bit inappropriate. Although the current situation in Zhangzhou is good,

But the foreign invasion has not yet been resolved, so it is a little early to think that we can live a peaceful life now."

Xu Xinsu did not respond immediately, but just kept silent. Someone during the dinner said: "The foreign troubles Mr. Ning mentioned are nothing more than the group of pirates in Penghu, right? This group of thieves has been defeated for several years, and now they have

I don’t dare to come to Zhangzhou to cause trouble again.”

Ning Qi responded: "You said it was just the current situation in Zhangzhou, but the situation outside Zhangzhou does not seem to be like this. As far as I know, this group of pirates has blocked the route to the northeast from Zhangzhou to threaten the Ming army's peace talks...

…”

"Mr. Ning, the word "blackmail" is a bit inappropriate." The person who just answered the conversation stopped the conversation before Ning Qi finished speaking: "The peace talks are a two-sided matter. If it is only beneficial to the pirates and not to the Ming army,

If it is useless, then the peace talks will be impossible to achieve. Besides, the Ming Dynasty has always had the upper hand in the war, how can there be any reason for the losing side to threaten the winner?"

While listening, Ning Qi quickly recalled Xu Xinsu's introduction to this person in his mind. After he finished speaking, he responded with a smile: "If I remember correctly, this is Mr. Chen from Qinglian Academy, right?"

"Chen Qinglian, please give me your advice, Mr. Ning!" The man sat at the bottom and raised his hand to Ning Qi.

Ning Qi also returned the gift, and then continued: "What Mr. Chen said is not unreasonable, but the interests must be divided into long-term and short-term interests. If you only focus on the immediate short-term interests, you may make wrong decisions and lose long-term interests."

.As for your second point, I happen to be very curious as to why the Ming army, which had the upper hand, chose to cease the war and negotiate peace with the bandits who could not defeat them? Can Mr. Chen clarify my doubts?"

Chen Qinglian probably didn't expect Ning Qi to kick the ball back immediately. He hesitated for a few seconds before responding: "Zhangquan and Quanzhou have been fighting for years, and the people have suffered a lot because of it. After the truce, the people's lives can be restored."

Calm, isn’t this good?”

"Okay, it's certainly a good thing to make people's lives more stable, but the question is why do we still need to raise tigers instead of just getting rid of these bandits?" Ning Qi continued to ask.

Chen Qinglian said: "Wars waste people and money, and there are countless casualties on the battlefield. If peace can be obtained through peace talks, what's wrong with that?"

"I understand the truth, but why not eliminate these bandits?" Ning Qi's tone began to become aggressive: "Mr. Chen also said just now that the Ming army has the upper hand in the battle, so why should we let go of these passive ones?

Bandits? Is it to give them some breathing time, rest for a year and a half, and then gather strength before attacking the Ming Dynasty's city?"

"Of course not..."

"Since it's not the case, then what's the need for a truce?" Ning Qi didn't wait for the other party to finish his weak argument, and interrupted him: "I also want to ask Mr. Chen, how long is the truce planned to be limited to three days?

Months, five months or a year? Even if the two sides reach an armistice agreement, will this have any binding force on the bandits? Or do you plan to go to Penghu in person and tell them what benevolence and righteousness are?

Is it about credibility?"

"Mr. Ning is right. What's the point of talking to these bandits? When we're ready, we'll go straight to our home base in Penghu and give them a hard time!" Of course there are peacemakers and warring factions, and there is still a warring faction at the table.

existence, someone immediately spoke up to support Ning Qi.

"Our navy is too weak to fight, how can we send troops to Penghu?" Someone retorted at that moment.

"Is it possible that my Ming Dynasty King is afraid of these water bandits and pirates? Why can't I go there!"

"The Shibazhi fleet has dozens of times more ships than the navy. How can we fight a war on the sea? Forcing the navy to dispatch would be sending a sheep into the tiger's mouth."

"Just now, Chen Qingnian, who advocates peace talks, also said that our Ming army has the upper hand. When did he turn into the lamb you said?"

"That's enough!" Seeing that more and more people were joining the argument and the scene was becoming increasingly chaotic, Xu Xinsu finally couldn't help but speak up to stop the disorderly argument: "Mr. Ning hasn't finished speaking yet, you guys are rushing to speak out.

What kind of boss? Shut up!"

Xu Xinsu's weight was indeed enough to hold down the scene. As soon as he opened his mouth to scold, everyone present immediately shut up. Xu Xinsu then apologized to Ning Qi and said: "Mr. Ning, most of my subordinates are rough people and they don't understand etiquette.

, please don’t be offended!”

"It's okay. The lights won't turn on and the reasoning won't be clear. Everyone is willing to discuss it. This is actually a good thing." Ning Qi behaved very generously and was not angry because of the chaos just now: "As for whether it is war or peace, everyone here is willing to discuss it."

You may all have your own positions and ideas. What I say here only represents Haihan’s attitude and is not meant to be imposed on you. If you think it makes sense, then listen to it. If you think it doesn’t make sense, think about it.

If you want to debate with me, I welcome it, but please speak in an orderly manner and don't rush to talk."

After saying these words, Ning Qi saw that everyone present was focusing their eyes on him, and then he continued: "Regarding the war in Fujian, our Haihan's attitude..."

Ning Qi said this in a deliberately protracted tone, and after everyone's appetites were whetted, he said: ...As long as the Fujian military is willing to continue to suppress bandits, then we will continue to provide military assistance and will gradually open up.

The sales of some high-end weapons. For example, the 'exploration-class' warship that visited Zhangzhou this time and the supporting combat equipment. I think you have already seen this new type of warship on the dock. It is no exaggeration to say that this

The combat performance of this kind of warship is much higher than that of the previous 'exploration class'. It can deal with at least four old-style armed sailing ships of the same tonnage at sea at the same time. Didn't someone just say that Shibazhi has many ships? They have many ships, but we

The ships have strong firepower. In front of the 'exploration-class' warships, the dilapidated old ships of Shibazhi can only become living targets for beating..."

Ning Qi smoothly inserted advertising content into this topic. This was also one of his missions in Zhangzhou this time - to promote various new weapons and equipment for Haihan Ordnance Industry, including "exploration-level" weapons and equipment.

The boat is inside.

The hybrid sailboat has been in service for a year. Its outstanding performance and operational stability have also been recognized by the military and the executive committee. In the future development path of the navy, hybrid warships will gradually become standard equipment.

, and the purely sail-powered warships built in the early stages will gradually take a back seat, or be transformed into supply ships, offshore patrol ships, or simply sold to other armed forces, not only recouping the cost but also making a profit. This elimination

Although the generation replacement process will take a long time to be realized, the military can't wait to include the second and final generation of purely sail-powered warships "Expedition Class" on the list for sale.
Chapter completed!