Late Ming sea owl

Chapter 62 Company
After listening to Lin Hai's words, Miguel sighed and said: "We Portuguese have lost a treasure land."

Lin Hai corrected: "Master Hou, what you said is wrong. Whether it was Shuangyu Island in Zhoushan back then or Haojing now, it has belonged to us Tang people from ancient times to the present. You obtained the right of residence in Haojing by bribing Guangdong officials. , but Ming Dynasty never said to give Haojing to Portugal."

Miguel retorted: "We have an administrative agency in Haojing, and we have judges."

Lin Hai shook his head and said: "As far as I know, the governor sent by Goa can't control anything except the fort, and your council only takes orders from Guangdong officials. There are also judges, even if there are no Tang people on both sides of the case, if Xiangshan If the county government wants to intervene, the decision will only be made by the county magistrate."

Miguel's voice weakened: "Garrison, we still have a garrison in Haojing."

Lin Hai laughed and said: "Don't kid yourself. If you want to build a city wall, you have to bribe the Xiangshan County Magistrate. Do you know how big an official a county magistrate is? The so-called sesame official refers to a county magistrate. In the Ming Dynasty, it was only the lowest official."

He paused and continued: "In the eyes of Guangdong officials, Haojing is just a town under the jurisdiction of Xiangshan County, just like those towns in Jiangnan far away from the administrative center. Your so-called administrative agencies and garrisons, in the eyes of Guangdong officials, It has the same nature as the Merchant Guild and the Guard."

Miguel was completely speechless, because everything Lin Hai said was true.In fact, it was not until I was hanged up and beaten by the British during the Qing Dynasty that Macau truly became a Portuguese colony.

Lin Hai added: "But one thing you said is right. Zhoushan is indeed a treasure land. In addition to Jiangnan, Zhoushan is also very close to another place."

He pointed at the northwest corner of Japan's Kyushu Island with his finger, and continued: "Here, Hirado and Nagasaki. In the maritime trade game in East Asia, Jiangnan is the largest producer of goods, while Japan is the largest producer of silver. Zhoushan It just happens to be in the best possible position.”

"Yes, I have read some sailing diaries from more than 70 years ago. It only takes four or five days to sail directly from Shuangyu to Hirado." Miguel changed the subject and said, "Since you plan to operate this route, why do you want to fly directly to Hirado?" To establish a colony in the chicken coop? That's far from the route."

"That's a good question." Lin Hai said bluntly, "Because this route alone is not enough to satisfy my ambition."

Miguel said: "I would like to hear it."

Lin Hai smiled and said: "How about forgetting it? I think it's a bit early to say this now."

Miguel said: "Don't you want me to work for you? Then I have to know your goal, right?"

Lin Hai nodded and said: "Okay. First, let's talk about the main participants in East Asian sea trade. Since Portugal is already a part of Spain, I think the most important ones are only the Ming Dynasty, Japan, the Netherlands and Spain. Among my strategic goals, Japan and Spain are both business partners, but the Netherlands is an enemy."

"This is easy to understand." Miguel smiled. "Japan is rich in silver. Although the Philippines itself has no silver, Spain can transport it from its American colonies."

Lin Haidao: "Yes, the Ming Dynasty is a goods-exporting country, and Japan and Spain are silver-exporting countries. My goal is to monopolize the supply of goods in the south of the Yangtze River and the main routes east of Malacca. As for the Dutch, they have neither silver nor goods. East Asia trade games don’t need them at all.”

This is Lin Hai's strategic goal in the first stage. To put it bluntly, he is determined to become the largest second-level dealer east of Malacca.Obviously, the Netherlands, as the largest second-tier dealer at present, will undoubtedly be his main homogeneous competitor.

There is one thing Lin Hai has not said yet, that is, you Portuguese are also second-rate dealers, and you are also second-rate dealers who have expired.More than half a century ago, Portugal's sea control in Southeast Asia was stronger than that of the Netherlands today, and it could be said that it was a dominant power.

Miguel suddenly said: "So you want to establish a colony in Chicken Coop, because it is very close to the Philippines. Moreover, you plan to drive the Dutch away from Formosa."

"Yes, this is the first phase of my plan. The second phase is what I just said, controlling the sea area east of Malacca." Lin Hai did not say his ultimate plan, because it has nothing to do with the ocean, and neither did Miguel. would be interested.

"Wonderful, wonderful, so wonderful!" Miguel clapped his hands and laughed, "This is the most interesting plan I have ever heard. But my dear Lin, are you serious?" Lin Hai said with a smile: " The Marquis must be trying to make the most ridiculous plan."

Miguel laughed loudly: "As long as you know, please forgive me, if it were the Batavia General, the Governor of the Philippines, or the Deputy King of Goa who said this, I might think that this plan is full of ambition. But from what you said, I think it’s just whimsical.”

Lin Hai suppressed his smile and said: "We Tang people have an old saying, you have to eat one bite at a time. At the moment, I am mainly considering the first plan, which is to rebuild the route from Zhoushan to Japan and occupy the entire Dongfan."

"I still say the same thing, let alone occupying the entire Formosa. With your current strength, it is far from enough to establish a colony in the chicken coop." Miguel said and added, "Including this ship, Your assets are less than 5 taels, and to be honest, they are not as good as those of me three years ago."

Lin Hai smiled and said: "I still say the same thing, this voyage is still far away. When I come back here, I will immediately start establishing a colony in Dongfan."

Miguel had already witnessed Lin Hai's magical performance once. He pondered for a moment and said, "So? Are you sure you can make a lot of money on the next voyage?"

Lin Hai said with confidence: "Yes, I am sure. But this time you can't rely on me alone. I need your help. That's why I came to you today."

Miguel shrugged and said, "What do you need me to do?"

Lin Haidao: "In the following voyage, as long as the Bowang docks, you and your foreign friends cannot show up. I don't want anyone to know that there are foreigners on my ship."

Miguel asked doubtfully: "Is it just that?"

Lin Haidao: "Of course it's more than that, I will tell you the rest when the time comes."

Miguel thought for a while, put his hand on his chest and said: "It seems that you are planning to do some lawless things. Since you have paid the salary, I am now your sailor, and I will work for you to the death."

Lin Hai smiled and said: "You don't need to work hard, this is not difficult for you. But I hope that after this voyage is over, you will be willing to continue to serve me."

Miguel smiled and said: "Honestly, if everything you said about Jiangnan is true, I would be very tempted. Although what you said later is too far-fetched, my plan to rebuild the Zhoushan-Hirado route very interested."

Lin Haidao: "Of course it is true. I will let you see two hundred loads of genuine Qili silk soon."

Miguel nodded and said: "Okay, I can definitely verify everything you said. If you allow me to carry my own cargo, I am willing to work for you for another year to see how big this route is. potential."

Lin Hai shook his head firmly: "It is impossible to carry private goods. I will set up a company at the right time."

"Company?" Miguel has never heard this word before.

"Yes, it is an organization similar to VOC. Mr. Marquis, if you are willing to join, you have a good chance of becoming one of the Seventeen Gentlemen."

~~~Note~~~
VOC is the (Dutch) United East India Company. Its highest power is in the hands of a 17-member board of directors, also known as the Seventeen Gentlemen.

(End of this chapter)