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Chapter 354 Turning decay into magic

As for asking the Spanish government to send a large fleet to carry an expeditionary force to find trouble with the Ming Dynasty court, and recover the losses tenfold and a hundredfold... If this idea had been advanced 50 years, Philip II might have really agreed.

At that time, Spain was at its peak. Corste led 600 people to conquer the Aztec Empire with a population of 1200 million. Pizarro led 180 people to conquer the Inca Empire with a population of 600 million. The entire Philippine Islands had become Spain's empire in the East Indies. The fortress of the archipelago, sending troops to conquer the rich Ming Dynasty is really not a foolish dream.

However, times have changed, and in just a few decades, the powerful Spain has become so weak that it is about to be rubbed by the British on the sea, and even the small Netherlands is seeking independence.

Not to mention sending an expeditionary force, even the garrison troops sent to the Philippine Islands every year are still not enough. They can only come in dozens at a time like squeezing toothpaste, which is better than nothing.

"Mr. Governor, things may not be as bad as you think." As the commander of the Manila garrison fleet, Colonel Juan could only stand on the same front as the Governor whether he liked it or not.

There was no way around it. He was the one who issued the specific steps for every action against the Chinese, and there was no way to avoid it. However, compared with the dejected governor, the soldier's tenacity worked, and he was determined not to admit defeat until the last moment!

"...Chinese ghetto? No, no, no, even burning them all into silver will not make up for the loss of the Montanis."

Aguna's best and only effective political achievement during his tenure was to use the Chinese as leeks and harvest them again and again. Hearing this, I couldn't help but think of the Chinese, but after careful calculation, I felt it was far from enough.

"Your Majesty the Governor, if no one knows that the Montanis was hijacked by the Ming Emperor, you and I should not be responsible for the loss of the ship and cargo. After all, it did not enter the Port of Manila, or even reach the Philippine Islands!"

Hearing that the governor was still focusing on the Chinese, Major Juan curled his lips involuntarily. Such a waste can serve as governor of an overseas territory, and Spain's decline is very reasonable. But no matter how much I look down on my immediate boss, I still have to try my best to help him right now. The most important thing is to remove the responsibility first.

"...Major, are you scared and confused? The Ming Emperor's envoy is in Manila. The letter clearly states that if we don't publicly apologize and make compensation, the Manila Galleon will be hijacked next year!"

It's a pity that Governor Aguna is duller than expected. No matter how hard he inspires, the speed of his brain can never exceed the factory setting. He stares with a pair of small green bean eyes, and the fat on his face keeps trembling, obviously very angry at the stupidity of his subordinates.

"If we block the news and try to convince the Ming Emperor to get what he wants, can we attribute the disappearance of the Montanis to the unpredictable weather?"

Colonel Juan already had the urge to draw his sword, and he even regretted cooperating with the governor in those very dishonorable massacres for a small profit. But I’ve done everything and now it’s too late to regret it, so I’d better try my best to explain.

"...How do I know what the Emperor of Ming Dynasty wants? No...I seem to understand a little bit. Dear Juan, please continue, keep talking, and tell your thoughts!" Fortunately, Governor Aguna finally listened. It makes some sense, but still misses the core.

"I don't know what Emperor Ming was thinking, but I heard from the Portuguese that the emperor was not only young but also very keen on business. In this case, we might as well send a secret envoy to Beijing to talk to him and find a result that satisfies both parties." "This is impossible, and it's too late. My term will be up in two months. In two months, even if there are results, it will be too late to implement them." Governor Aguna, who had just gained some hope, listened to Major Juan He immediately retracted his body into the seat.

"The new governor, Baron Silva, is on board the Montanis. If no one takes over, you will most likely continue to serve as governor until the new governor designated by the king arrives. This period may be one year or two years. ." Juan was really convinced. After talking for a long time, the governor didn't even understand the current situation.

"... Praise Jesus! Yes, Baron Silva did not arrive, he disappeared with the Montanis! Dear Juan, no more people can know about this, so in the name of the Governor, I I appoint you as the plenipotentiary representative to have a good talk with the Ming Emperor. For my sake and yours, please don’t refuse!"

After a minute of thinking, Governor Aguna finally figured it out. Then he stood up from his seat, walked quickly behind Juan, put his hands on his shoulders and made a serious decision.

"...As you command, Lord Governor! I hope I can come back alive and get the rewards I deserve! If I don't return it when I leave, please bring the assets I have here to my wife."

Taking a deep breath, Major Juan stood up, stared at the fat face less than two feet away, and proposed an exchange. Now he finally understood why such a stupid person could become the governor, because the stupid person was not the governor but himself.

Maybe someone has thought of this method a long time ago, but they just held back and allowed themselves to bring it up first and then follow the trend. Now it’s all my own risk. If I succeed, I’ll get the big share, but if I fail, I’ll lose nothing.

"Promise Jesus, as Governor, I will try my best to recommend you to the King and Duke Lemar as the best candidate for the next Governor in the future term!" Governor Aguna was also unambiguous and came up with a very An attractive bargaining chip.

In fact, he is not as smart as Major Juan thought, and he was really at a loss at first. But after a short exchange, I suddenly felt very inspired and felt that the hijacking of the Montanis might be a good thing.

The first is to extend the term of the governor. When this matter is reported back to the mainland, the king and the duke will make a decision. It will take at least a year to go back and forth. Secondly, you can use this time to continue making money, and by the way, get in touch with the Ming Emperor to see if there is any possibility of cooperation.

This emperor, who is said to be very young, seems to be really different from his predecessor. Not only does he pay more attention to merchants, he also plans to abolish the maritime ban policy and turn maritime trade from smuggling to openness. He is very visionary.

If we can finally reach even a little trade agreement, it will be a huge credit and very beneficial to ourselves. You must know that Spain, England, and the Netherlands have been working hard on this matter for decades. So far, except for a small group of Portuguese who have occupied a small port with conditions, no one has been able to make the Ming government relent.

(End of this chapter)