In the second year of the Apocalypse, Batavian Governor Kuhn decided to attack Macau, replace the Portuguese, and open the door to trade with China. To this end, he planned to gather 16 warships and more than 1,000 soldiers.

There were actually four British ships in the fleet, which shows that although the colonists had conflicts, they were still similar in nature and interests.

Just as the Dutch were planning and preparing, news kept coming, making the original plan possible to be modified or even interrupted.

First, it was sent back by Dutch merchants in Japan. The Ming Dynasty opened up the maritime ban and reached a direct business agreement with Japan, recognizing each other that they would hold books, flags and red seals.

In the UWA Chinese businessman, the Ming Dynasty court has been pardoned, and the "Chinese Captain" Li Dan and Karoyan Siqi took the lead in returning to the Ming Dynasty. The role of Japan as a relay for obtaining Chinese business goods has been greatly weakened and may eventually be lost.

Japan has strengthened control over the trade of red seal ships and prohibited Daming from the western region from owning large ships with a load of more than 500 stones. The red seal letters are only sent to some wealthy merchants in Kyoto who have close ties with the general.

At the same time, the Japanese shogunate also issued a ban to severely punish Western Daming, who privately engage in business with Western merchants, to prevent it from strengthening its economic strength and obtaining advanced weapons.

These sudden changes forced Governor Kuhn to suspend his military offensive plan and reexamine the channels and methods for obtaining trade with China.

Obviously, following the previous trade method: selling foreign goods to Japan, exchange them for silver and then purchasing Ming merchant goods in Japan. Not only do you have to pay more money, but you also have the risk of not being able to last for a long time.

The policy changes of the Japanese shogunate showed that they would continue to strengthen the control of foreign ship trade activities, which was not a good thing for Dutch merchants.

Of course, the Ming Dynasty opened the maritime ban, which suddenly increased the trading ports of Qingdao, Shanghai, Xiamen, Ningbo, Guangzhou and other trade ports, which meant that Dutch merchants could trade directly from the Ming Dynasty and trade with each other.

The Dutch businessmen in Japan saw this opportunity and had already gone to the Ming Dynasty to test the possibility of business and specific conditions through Chinese businessmen as intermediaries.

It is obviously inappropriate to use force at this time and risk angering the Ming court.

Kuhn was sitting in the Governor's Mansion at this time, playing with a mirror in his hand, reflecting the light and shadow on the wall, constantly moving.

Deputy Governor Watt shrugged and said, "This is indeed amazing, more than several times better than those made by Venetians. In Europe, it should be very popular and popular among noble ladies."

Kuhn's hand stopped and said thoughtfully: "According to the news we have received, the Portuguese used muskets and cannons and sea ships in exchange for it, and obtained a batch of mirrors from the Ming Dynasty."

Wei Te nodded and said, "This is not surprising. If we were in Macau, we would not miss this opportunity to make a fortune."

After pausing, Waite emphasized: "Or it is also a good choice to build a fortress in other suitable places, such as Zhangzhou or Guangzhou, and maintain a station."

A colonist is a colonist, and it is no different from a robber.

In their eyes, other countries are places where they can establish military locations at will, unless they cannot defeat them.

"The British secretly sent someone to sit on the merchant ship of the 'Captain' and had already gone to negotiate with the Ming Dynasty." Kuhn sneered intriguingly, "They thought they were doing it very secretly and didn't want us to know."

Waite frowned and said, "That is, they are likely not to participate in our military operations?"

"It depends on how they talked with the Ming Dynasty." Kuhn put down the mirror and said, "In Japan, the British cannot compete with us and have withdrawn. The Ming Dynasty opened the maritime ban, which gave them another chance."

Waite touched his chin and thought for a while, suddenly looked up and said, "Monopoly, we must monopolize the foreign trade of Ming Dynasty."

Kuhn smiled and said, "Monopoly is our goal, but not now. If we can accept the trade terms of Ming Dynasty, then insert one foot first and then depend on the situation."

Waite agreed, saying, "Of course, it is not the time. You can compete with the Portuguese or the British, if you want to obtain trade rights first, rather than angering the Ming Dynasty. Otherwise, wouldn't it be cheap for them?"

"That's right, that's the reason." Kuhn nodded and asked in confusion: "Do you believe the records in those travel notes show that the country has hundreds of thousands or millions of troops?"

For the Dutch, they did not believe in the numbers mentioned in various travel notes about the Chinese army. Therefore, when negotiating with the Ming Dynasty, they often put forward arrogant conditions that were overestimated.

Waite didn't know, so he scratched his head and said, "It's impossible to have millions, there must be more than one hundred thousand."

Kuhn waved his hand, no longer worried about the matter, and said, "Wait for Prowen and the others' news, in Ming Dynasty, they should be able to see a more realistic situation than the travelogue."

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Qianqing Palace.

The sea merchant Huang Cheng kowtowed deeply and said, "Long live the grass people, long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

"No gifts and equitable." Zhu Youxiao just glanced at Huang Cheng and then looked at the young young man kneeling beside him.

Zheng Zhilong, an official of Nicholas, is the historical overlord of East Asia.

At this time, Zheng Zhilong knelt on the ground, feeling the royal majesty brought by the architecture, decoration, atmosphere, etc., and he didn't even dare to breathe in his atmosphere.

Huang Cheng stood up and bowed, gently tapped the ground, signaling his nephew who was still kneeling on the ground to stand up.

Zhu Youxiao pursed the corner of his lips, put away his smile, and said loudly: "Huang Cheng did a great job this time. Muskets and cannons are exactly what I urgently need in the Ming Dynasty. It can be exchanged with a treasure mirror, which saves a lot of money for my Ming Dynasty."

Huang Cheng bowed and replied: "It is the duty of the people to serve the country. It is even more honorable to be able to live the worries."

After pausing, he added: "This time, the successful completion is that it is long live the wisdom and wisdom, the second is that the quality of the treasure mirror is excellent, and the third is that Zheng Yiguan is well-versed in Portuguese."

"Zheng Yiguan is a great contribution." Zhu Youxiao looked at Zheng Zhilong again and said, "There are two more tasks that you have to leave to you to do, which is the business of trading with the Dutch and the British."

Huang Cheng and Zheng Zhilong listened respectfully, knowing that this was the emperor's expression of trust. If they reached an agreement with the Portuguese, there would definitely be rewards, so they didn't know whether it would be promotion or silver.

"The British are not worthy of fear, but the Dutch people must be guarded against." Zhu Youxiao said slowly: "It will take three years for me to stabilize them first to be able to suppress the Dutch people. But there is also a bottom line for stability. If the Dutch people get more and more, I am not afraid to start a war with them."

Although the current Ming navy has not met Zhu Youxiao's requirements. However, the advantage is that there are many ships and people, and they are still at their own doorstep. If you use the wolf pack tactics, the Dutch will not be able to gain any advantage.

"You may not know much about the situation between Britain and the Netherlands." Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment and said, "I will tell you briefly, which will be of great benefit to you dealing with them."

The Netherlands, a small country with an area of ​​only more than 40,000 square kilometers and poor natural resources, developed into a European maritime power in just a few decades after breaking away from Spanish rule.

According to statistics, the Netherlands had more than 16,000 ships at that time, accounting for three-quarters of the total tonnage of Europe and one-third of the world's transport ships, and was called the "sea coachman".

In the late 16th century, Britain broke the monopoly of Spain and Portugal, stood out, and gradually developed into a powerful colonial country.

But the Netherlands relied on maritime power and strong capital to exclude British merchants and monopolize trade between various countries, making the struggle between Britain and the Netherlands inevitable.

Of course, the contradictions are gradually becoming sharper. Now Britain and the Netherlands are in a state of competition, and the United Kingdom does not have the strength to challenge the Netherlands.

Huang Cheng was convinced by the emperor's profound knowledge and thorough analysis.

That's right, although he is a maritime businessman and has met British and Dutch people, he has no idea about the situation between the two countries.

Zheng Zhilong was also very shocked. He thought that he had been to Manila and was well-versed in Portugal, Spanish and Dutch, so he was knowledgeable.

But he never expected that the emperor's understanding of Western barbarians had already reached this level. Political, economic, and military strength were not something he could know.

Of course, Huang Cheng and Zheng Zhilong didn't know what the emperor was thinking. The civil servants were too pedantic and had to be merchants when negotiating with the cunning and greedy Western barbarians.

Zhu Youxiao had almost finished speaking, so he ordered the palace servants to read the imperial edict and awarded Huang Cheng sixth rank; Zheng Zhilong was temporarily awarded the position of General Affairs of the Four Barbarians.

"I will still have a reward for the mission."

After Huang Cheng and Zheng Zhilong knelt down and thanked him, Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Zheng Yiguan is still young, I think he is a talented person. I heard that you still have brothers who are familiar with your career at sea and can also serve the court."

"The grass-roots people... I thank you for your kindness." Zheng Zhilong kowtowed hard.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, and was able to seize the opportunity to rise up within a few years and become the overlord of the sea. Zheng Zhilong is a talented and capable person.

But he was worried about the lack of naval talents. He first asked Zheng Zhilong to run the trade with Britain and the Netherlands, and then promoted him according to the situation.

Whether they engage in foreign business or send them to the navy, they will have the opportunity to display their talents within the gradually tight organizational structure they set up.

Not only Zheng Zhilong, but also Shibazhi in history may have the opportunity to become an official or general of the Ming Dynasty. Even if you are operating maritime businessmen, your path is much wider than before.

He explained clearly and gave the negotiations in person, and gave Huang Cheng and Zheng Yiguan, and Zhu Youxiaocai ordered the two to retire.

Huang Cheng and Zheng Yiguan left the Qianqing Palace and went outside the palace. They were still frightened by the magnificence and majesty of the palace and did not dare to express their feelings.

It was not until he left the Meridian Gate that Huang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, straightened his waist, showing a proud look of high spirits.

"My uncle is also a sixth-rank rank rank, and he is on the same rank as Li Dan and Yan Siqi." Zheng Yiguan bowed to Huang Cheng and said with a smile: "Long live the current mission, and there is still a reward!"

Huang Cheng couldn't help but feel happy, laughed and said, "In the Maritime Business Association, Li and Yan have a high opinion of themselves because of their civil titles. Now my uncle also has a title, which makes people admire him and I am very happy!"

After pausing, he said earnestly to Zheng Zhilong: "Long live to appreciate you very much, but you must seize this opportunity. Although you can make a fortune in business, you have to go through the hardships and dangers. It is not as stable as an official and outstanding as a sensible person."

Zheng Zhilong blinked his eyes and nodded thoughtfully, and did not respond immediately to his uncle's advice.

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Chapter completed!