Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 1441

"You mean to say that the king borrowed money from merchants from the east in order to compensate our Scottish war expenses, and it was a huge sum of 40 pounds?"

The commander of the Scottish Covenant Army, Leslie, looked at the English MPs on the opposite side with a solemn expression.

If the Battle of Newcastle was still an internal grievance between England and Scotland and the king, then their king borrowed from foreigners is no small matter.

Although many people do not sell the king's face, even Charles I did not have an army of his own, but the king is the king, and what he does represents the entire United Kingdom.

If any strange treaty of betrayal of sovereignty is signed in the capacity of king, it is very likely that both England and Scotland will suffer the consequences and have to hold their noses to accept these terms.

"Yes, in order to avoid our parliament to raise funds, the king chose to trust a group of people with ulterior motives. Just imagine, those oriental merchants have only been in our city of London for a few years, why did they sign a trade treaty with our king? ?And they generously borrowed a huge sum of 40 pounds from the king? You know, this is equivalent to the income of the royal family for a year. King Charles dissolved the parliament 10 years ago because when the king planned to continue the war with the Spaniards , Our parliament is only willing to approve 15 pounds. This time, a businessman from the East directly took out 40 pounds. Also, it is said that this huge sum of money does not require interest.” Opposition MP Pym said.

"Um..." Leslie paced the room restlessly.

He indeed lived up to the entrustment of the Scottish Presbyterian Church, defeated King Charles, and signed an armistice treaty with King Charles, and Scotland, which had received compensation, had little loss.But now the problem seems to be more serious.

King Charles, who was beaten to autism in the Battle of Newcastle, seemed to have no confidence in the English, and the London merchant group was unwilling to borrow money from him. Charles I tended to rely on foreigners to solve Britain's internal problems.

This is not a good sign, after all, not only merchants from the east, but also their fleet and infantry are stationed in Portsmouth!
During the Battle of Newcastle, this army from the east remained motionless, and no one knew how powerful they were.

"Do they have a garrison in Portsmouth?" Leslie asked the opposition MPs.

Apparently he was referring to the Fourth Fleet and the Far West Expedition based at Portsmouth.

"They have more than a dozen ships, including three powerful battleships, an even more terrifying iron ship, and the others are frigates and supply ships. The crew and handymen exceed 5000 people. There is also an infantry regiment with about 1000 soldiers. people around." Pym replied.

"How's the fighting power?" Leslie asked.

"I don't know. The only time they made a move was in the Mediterranean Sea. Their fleet and the Royal Navy and the Knights of Malta destroyed the Ottoman Navy in the Tunis Strait. Their infantry led the expeditionary forces of the other five forces and defeated them in Egypt." Mamluk cavalry. We can only learn from the returned sailors and soldiers that their army has a strong combat effectiveness." Pym said.

"Strange, such a record can even be compared to the great commander I passed away, and they were so close to the king. Why didn't they participate in the king's Northern Expedition, let alone appear in Newcastle? If they were in Newcastle, we should It's hard to defeat the King's Army head-on." Leslie was puzzled.

"This is something that confuses us a lot. They don't seem to be interested in our internal disputes," Pym said.

At this point in the conversation, the Scottish Council and the opposition in the English Parliament fell silent, both worried about pushing the king to the side of the East.Charles I was King of Scotland and England.

Cromwell, who was quietly listening to the discussions between the Scottish committee members and the English parliamentarians, said: "I have figured out the treaty signed by the king and the Eastern merchants. It is obvious that the Eastern merchants will give generously to the king for the benefit. Some counties acquire the rights to Coal Mountain and Iron Mountain. They can set up schools and newspapers in the City of London."

"Acquisition of Coal Mountain and Iron Mountain?!" Almost everyone noticed this first.

"It's really terrible! They have an army and a factory here. If they control the raw materials, they can continuously produce firearms. The threat to us will definitely not be as simple as 6000 people!" Rice, who is an officer The first reaction of the interest rate is the military threat of the Fourth Fleet.

If the Fourth Fleet is just an overseas garrison with limited supplies, then Western companies that control raw materials and have production capacity will extend the Fourth Fleet's combat capabilities infinitely.The Fourth Fleet can obtain supplies of muskets, artillery, gunpowder, and shells from Western companies' factories.

"In addition to the threat to us from the army from the east, we must also prevent the king's army. The king still insisted on setting up the Royal Guards. Imagine if the king bought muskets and cannons from factories in the east and gave the firearms from the east to the Royal Guards. Guards and equipment, then the king can have an elite army without spending a lot of money, and if the number is small, it will be more conducive to the king to buy people's hearts. If the royal guards are formed and loyal to the king, then the king can rely on this The army enforces the collection of ship tax and national protection tax to strengthen the Royal Army. At that time, the ever-increasing king may attack Scotland again, with the Royal Guards and the new Royal Army as the main force. Can your Oath Army stop it or not? A question," said Pym.

After listening to Pym's analysis, the members of the Scottish Committee suddenly thought of the 180-degree change in Charles I's attitude towards them before, and seemed to have the intention of keeping a low profile.If the confession shown by Charles I was to deceive them so as to accumulate strength to launch the next war, then it can be justified.

"In the past, the queen came from France. We were afraid that the king would lean towards the Holy See. Now the king is leaning towards the Orientals. It is really worrying. Why can't he trust us in England and Scotland? To be a good king, at least he has to be with us. Just as stable as the previous king," the Scottish commissioner complained.

"I think our English Parliament should unite with the Scottish Parliament to keep the king on our side. We need to limit the power of the king and not allow the king to continue to act indiscriminately. This mindless war will not only bring great harm to our two countries. There is no advantage in coming out of differences... what do you think?" Pym put forward his intention to unite to the Scottish council.

(End of this chapter)