Daming: The most ruthless tyrant in history

Chapter 642 The Battle to Establish Prestige
Stupid core.

Police Department.

Main hall.

"General Zheng, you really surprised our family."

Wei Zhongxian leaned on the official hat chair and looked at the young man in front of him with a calm expression, "Our family did not expect that you would deliver such important military reports to Dongfan. Isn't it possible that General Zheng is worried that this matter will cause the Dutch who want to invade Dongfan to Do people know it and then hold a grudge against you?”

As soon as Wei Zhongxian finished speaking, Cao Huachun, Yu Zigao and other people standing in the hall all looked at Zheng Zhilong who was standing with his hands hanging down.

To be honest, they didn't expect Zheng Zhilong to come to Dongfan when he unexpectedly learned of such important military information. The key was to provide it for free.

"Returning to the factory, Mr. General, I am also performing my duties."

Facing the gazes of everyone, Zheng Zhilong's expression remained unchanged, he cupped his fists in front of Wei Zhongxian and saluted: "When General Chu Mo led his troops to Dongfan to register, he was awarded the post of General by the factory boss. The factory boss emphasized that both As an official in the Ming Dynasty, you have to share the worries of the court, present ships to the court, detect emergencies at sea for the court, and come to Dongfan regularly to report... So the last general came to Dongfan. "

interesting.

The corner of Wei Zhongxian's mouth raised slightly, and he looked at Zheng Zhilong with interest. He had indeed said these words, and every official who had been appointed had said them, but Wei Zhongxian didn't think those people would really follow them. After all, everyone has his own merits. It’s necessary, but what needs to be said still needs to be said.

Wei Zhongxian didn't take it seriously, but Zheng Zhilong did.

Either Zheng Zhilong really loves Ming Dynasty.

Either Zheng Zhilong is an ambitious person!

Although Wei Zhongxian only met two sides of Zheng Zhilong, he didn't know much about Zheng Zhilong's life and experience, but just because of the two sides he met, Wei Zhongxian knew that Zheng Zhilong was an ambitious and thoughtful person!

"Tell me, based on the information I've found, how likely it is for the Netherlands to invade Dongfang." Wei Zhongxian calmed down and stared at Zheng Zhilong.

"At least 70%."

Zheng Zhilong thought for a while and said with a serious expression: "According to what I know, the Dutch want to invade Dongfan, but they don't really want to occupy the land. What they really want is to increase the scale of sea trade with Dongfang."

When Cao Huachun and Yu Zigao heard this, they all showed solemn expressions on their faces.

If this is the case, then this battle is probably inevitable.

Cao Huachun and the others followed Wei Zhongxian to Dongfan. As time went by, they gradually learned about some situations at sea, especially those involving sea trade.

The maritime powers of European countries such as Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands traveled thousands of miles from the European continent to the South China Sea, and even conducted private sea trade with the Ming Dynasty before Tianjin opened its seas, in order to earn money. More silver.

As we all know, the silk, tea, and porcelain produced in the Ming Dynasty are definitely the hard currency of maritime trade, but the commodities involved in maritime trade are not limited to these, such as spices, gems, raw silk, wood, medicinal materials, cotton cloth, etc., as long as they can earn gold and silver , they will all be sold.

And this does not include gold, silver, population, etc.!

Maritime trade lines are not something you can just carry out. This requires detailed charts to record the land ports that can be docked, the maritime climate, etc.

In particular, the sea route to East Japan must wait until a specific period, under suitable ocean currents and monsoons, before it is possible to reach the coast of East Japan.

"The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and other maritime powers have conducted direct sea trade with the Ming Dynasty in the past two years, which makes some people unable to be satisfied with the status quo."

While Cao Huachun and the others were thinking, Zheng Zhilong continued: "These Western barbarians risked their lives to carry out sea trade just to earn more money. As early as the Wanli period, an ocean-going fleet unexpectedly landed in the East, which made these people A piece of land gradually came into the sight of these Xiyi people. "

"There are many gold, silver and copper mines in Dongbo, especially the exchange of gold and silver, which attracted many Xiyi people, which led to..."

Wei Zhongxian listened to Zheng Zhilong's description of the situation. In fact, he knew something about the Eastern Japan, Ryukyu, and Nanyang countries, and these were all told to him by the emperor to whom he was loyal.

Even the emperor he was loyal to said something about the division of maritime power among the European countries, including the East India Company. If you don't know it, you might think it was founded by one country, but in fact there are many East India companies, including Spanish ones. Portuguese, Dutch, British, etc. When he first learned about these situations, Wei Zhongxian felt confused and had no intuitive concept in his mind. However, after coming to Dongfan and collecting more information, Wei Zhongxian gradually understood what was going on.

Isn't this a bunch of damn sea pirates?

Wherever there is money to be made, they will grab it!

It is precisely this that makes Wei Zhongxian no longer have a good impression of so-called missionaries, because Wei Zhongxian discovered that wherever missionaries go, corresponding forces will follow, first armed merchant ships, and then maritime forces. , assimilation and conquest through preaching and killing.

"...The Dutch people, the final reason why they determined that they will invade Dongfan is not only to increase trade with Dongbo in order to find more good stopping places."

While Wei Zhongxian was thinking about it, Zheng Zhilong said with a serious expression: "Another important reason is that when these Western barbarians were conducting trade with the Ming Dynasty, they gradually learned that wars were going on in many places in the Ming Dynasty, and the rule did not seem to be very peaceful, so... …”

"So they want to test it out?"

When Wei Zhongxian heard this, he leaned forward and stared at Zheng Zhilong.

"Yes."

Zheng Zhilong felt an invisible pressure.

"It seems that these uncivilized barbarians also want to compete with our Ming Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian looked at Yu Zigao and the others with a half-smile, "Deputy Commander Yu, this battle is unavoidable. If we lose this battle, not only will we lose Dongfan, but we will also lose Penghu. If we lose Penghu, will these barbarians invade the coastal areas of the Ming Dynasty?!"

"Then fight!"

Yu Zigao said with sharp eyes: "The various naval units currently stationed in Dongfan may not be able to leave Dongfan and penetrate into the Southeast Asian countries, but in offshore operations, my Ming Navy has never been afraid of anyone!"

"Can you win?"

Wei Zhongxian raised his eyebrows slightly.

"can!"

Yu Zigao was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily and said: "If we can't win, the factory boss will look at the general's head and sacrifice it to the flag!"

"Don't."

Wei Zhongxian smiled and waved his hands and said: "If we can't win, then we will all die. Then go to the Palace of Hell to be a companion. Our family will not interfere with the naval battle. Vice President Yu, you can plan it. We need our family's cooperation." What, our family will do our best.”

"Here!"

Yu Zigao immediately cupped his fists and shouted.

"As for you...Zheng Zhilong, what reward do you want?" After explaining to Yu Zigao, Wei Zhongxian looked at Zheng Zhilong, "Our family has no other abilities, but we also know that rewards and punishments are clear. You will pass on such important urgent military information." When we get to Dongfang, our family has to reward you. After all, do you want an official position or gold and silver? "

"The final general wants to join the Ming Dynasty Navy to serve him!"

Facing Wei Zhongxian's gaze, Zheng Zhilong knelt down on one knee, clasped his fists at Wei Zhongxian and shouted: "Even if the general is asked to be a small soldier, the general is willing!"

We really got our guess right.

Seeing Zheng Zhilong like this, Wei Zhongxian smiled and wanted to join the Ming Dynasty Navy. This was because he saw what the Ming Dynasty was going to do in Nanyang in the future...

(End of this chapter)