Late Ming sea owl

Chapter 38 Wild words
Miguel remembered Lin Hai's words, didn't drink much, and came to the forecastle at midnight.

"Master Hou, you are very punctual." Lin Hai was already waiting by the winch.

The forecastle is an open structure, with a place for anchoring operations in the middle. There are only cabins on both sides. It is currently the residence of Miguel and his Portuguese friend.In addition, there are several open-air squatting pits at the bow and beak, where ordinary sailors can only perform earth escape and grain reincarnation techniques with their bare buttocks in the sea.

"It's very quiet here." Miguel looked around. His Portuguese friend who didn't speak Chinese was already drunk in the room, and there was no one near the forecastle. "Dear Lin, I guess you want to have the next conversation. I'm keeping it a secret. I assure you, Miguel is not a free-mouthed person."

"You are very smart." Lin Hai said, "Of course, it doesn't matter if you don't intend to keep your promise. No one will believe you."

Miguel said: "Mr. Lin, please speak."

Lin Hai smiled and said: "First of all, I want to reiterate to you that I have not signed a contract with the devil."

Miguel stared at Lin Hai for a while, and then said after a while: "So, you guided the Bowang to Dongfan by luck?"

"Of course not. Do you think I am such an irresponsible person?" Lin Hai paused for a moment, then continued, "The reason why I use the Renzi needle is because someone on my ship really knows how to measure longitude. At noon the day before yesterday I asked him beforehand."

"Impossible! This is impossible!" Miguel's eyes showed an unbelievable look.

"You have to know that our Tang people's civilization has a history of 5000 years, and a lot of ancient wisdom is beyond your imagination. For example, gunpowder was invented by the Tang people more than 700 years ago and was used in military affairs, and was later used by the Mongols. spread to the West."

Seeing that Miguel still didn't believe it, Lin Hai added: "It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not, even if you think it is Eastern witchcraft. What I want to tell you is that I did not sign a contract with the devil."

Miguel heard this and said: "If that's the case, then why did you say what Mazu said about the oracle?"

Lin Haidao: "You have been a captain. With your wisdom, I believe there is no need for me to explain this."

Miguel suddenly said: "Because most of the sailors on this ship are Shi's old subordinates, and you want to use this to increase your prestige."

Lin Hai nodded: "Yes, but I hope you don't misunderstand. There is no conflict between Shi Bi and I. You know that I married his sister. I am the only one left in my family. In this world, Shi Bi can be regarded as me." One of the few people closest to me and most trusted.”

Miguel had a blank look in his eyes, and Lin Hai continued: "However, my uncle is just a pirate. Apart from the Pearl River Estuary, he has only been to the Cochin Ocean, and he has no business experience at all. Whether it is vision or ability, this I'm the only one on the boat best suited to make the decision."

Miguel corrected: "If you don't count me, I agree with your statement."

Lin Hai smiled noncommittally and continued: "That's why I'm looking for you tonight. I hope that after this voyage is over, you can stay on my ship and continue to serve me."

What he lacks most now is talents. Miguel has rich experience in navigation, trade and military affairs. In particular, he is familiar with the routes and trade of the Indian Ocean, which Lin Hai values ​​​​quite.After all, since the Ming Dynasty abolished the Western Ocean voyages, Chinese maritime traders have rarely gone west of the Strait of Malacca.

However, although this ghost guy has temporarily boarded Lin Hai's boat, he will definitely go it alone once he has the capital.For such a person, only by making him feel that he has a better future on this ship can he be retained.

Lin Hai is confident that this will be achieved by the end of this voyage, so he specifically asked him to talk to him about this issue today.Miguel didn't expect Lin Hai to mean this, and immediately vetoed: "This is impossible. I want to return to Haojing and continue my own career. I want to thank you, dear sir, for giving me the opportunity to continue pursuing wealth. Chance, but there’s no way I’m going to join you.”

Lin Hai asked: "Is it because the salary I gave you is not generous enough?"

Miguel shook his head and said: "No, no, you are one of the most generous people I have ever met."

Lin Hai asked again: "Is that because I am a heretic?"

Miguel hesitated for a moment and replied: "This is one of the reasons."

Lin Hai laughed and said: "This reason is a bit ridiculous. You said that you served in Hormuz Island. Aren't your two British enemies, the Shelly brothers, serving the pagan monarch of Persia? "

Miguel was surprised. He didn't expect Lin Hai to know so much about the distant Persian Gulf, but he quickly said disdainfully: "Huh! Shameful Protestant, shameless British guy."

Lin Hai said speechlessly: "Master Marquis, I remember that Portugal and Britain were a permanent alliance until Philip II of Spain annexed your country. Don't you think heretics are more hateful than heretics? Why can Portugal still form an alliance with Britain? "

Miguel's face turned a little pale: "Well, Mr. Lin's eloquence is impressive. I admit that this is not the main reason."

Lin Hai smiled and said: "I know that pagan money is also money. Based on Mr. Hou's past experience, I believe that he doesn't have much identification with your motherland. There is only one reason why you rejected me. You feel that you can be the captain." Make more money.”

Miguel said: "As long as you understand this, I am still very grateful to you anyway. Maybe we can become good business partners in the future."

Lin Hai also drank some wine, feeling quite drunk under the sea breeze.

He squinted at Miguel and said arrogantly: "If I say, even if you become the largest businessman in Haojing or even Goa, no, I mean even if you become the governor of Goa, you still won't be able to keep up with the number of people who serve me." What do you think about the future?"

"Hahahaha..." Miguel seemed to have heard the biggest joke of the seventeenth century.

"Haha, it will take a long time to prove this. But fortunately, you can't become the Governor of Goa. I only need to prove that following me is far better than working alone. This will be much easier."

Lin Hai stopped smiling and said seriously: "Master Hou, don't be too busy to refuse. This voyage is still far away. As I told you, we have to go to Zhoushan and Pi Island, and we may also go to Hirado. .When we return, I believe you must have changed your mind."

Lin Hai said these words and drifted away, leaving Miguel in a daze at the bow of the ship.He knew about Zhoushan and Hirado, but he had never heard of Pi Island. However, Lin Hai was so familiar with Europe and West Asia, so the destination of his voyage must have been carefully selected.

After a while, Miguel shook his head and laughed, saying to himself: "Arrogant guy!"

(End of this chapter)