Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 1166 A Quiet Change ([-])

"This is Mr. Thompson." Michelle introduced Congressman Morris Thompson, investor of Morris Stone Tucker Company, and large tobacco wholesaler to John Hill, only to hear him say: "Ah, You have tobacco plantations in Virginia, and you should know Mr. Thompson."

John Hill naturally "knows" Thompson, a well-known figure in the tobacco industry, but unfortunately Thompson obviously doesn't know Hill, so Michelle's words are quite embarrassing for Hill.

"This is Mr. Barnham of the Moscow Company..." (property over £[-])

"This is Mr. Spencer..." (This gentleman inherited property worth 40 pounds including real estate)

"This is Mrs. Hicks..." (She and her sister each inherited 10 pounds from their father)

"This is Mr. Craven..." (This gentleman received 12.5 pounds from his father's will in his will)

……

With Michelle's introduction, John Hill's face became paler and paler, because he was obviously shocked-you know, at this time in London, he can be called a "big rich" (at least a certain period of his life. There are only a dozen or so people who have reached more than 10 pounds), and there are only more than 2 people who are called "big rich" (with assets between 10 and 80 pounds). The sum of the two is only 20 people. There are nearly [-] people sitting here. It can be said that more than a quarter of the elites above the "big rich" in London gather here. Can do a lot of things, such as indirectly affecting the country's policies.

With such a luxurious lineup, it is conceivable that for John Hill, who has just paid off his debts and has a family property of just over 5000 pounds (there are more than 1 rich people with a family property of [-]-[-] pounds in London at this time) To be honest, he was a little flattered. He couldn't imagine what these seemingly omnipotent figures would ask him about—perhaps it could only be information about the group of heretics.

After the introduction, Hill was ushered by the servant to sit down. Michelle sat beside him, chatting with Mr. Spencer and Mr. Craven familiarly, which made John Hill feel a little bit emotional—— Thinking about the young man who was sent out as an apprentice because he was not the eldest son, he has now grown into a member of the upper class in London, chatting and laughing with a group of top rich people, and think about his elder brother William Hampton still in a small neighborhood in London The shop in Neikai is struggling to sell tobacco and East Coast soda ash. This contrast makes Hill feel the unpredictable will of God.

"The Spaniard successfully raised 100 million pounds in the East Coast market. After the news reached Amsterdam, the value of the Spanish rial was immediately stabilized. Last month, when the Genoese confirmed that the news of the Spaniard's financing was true, and through Bale After Bank of Mozambique, Bank of Sao Paulo, and St. George Commercial Bank jointly loaned 600 million lire to the King of Spain, the exchange rate of the Spanish rial gradually began to rise, which aroused some people's concerns..." Mr. Spencer, who looked very young He said softly, "Prime Minister Mazarin is very worried about this, and he is worried that it will affect the battle situation in the Southern Netherland. Of course, judging from the results, this exciting news in Spain has not had any positive impact on the front line. We're lucky that Dunkirk is still in our hands."

It is said that since the Spaniards successfully raised 300 million silver dollars in the east coast market (of course, the price is also very heavy), the currency value of their currency unit, the rial (8 rials = 1 silver peso), has begun to stabilize, and the country has gone straight to collapse. The economy of the country has also started a hard landing, especially after the Genoese once again gave a helping hand-this is what they are also happy to see, and they re-entered the Spanish credit market after 30 years-after a loan of 600 million lire, the international market has a strong interest in Spain. The kingdom's trust has been restored, the military pay that has been owed for a year in Spain has begun to be paid out one after another, and the damaged armaments have also been restored, which gives them a little confidence in defending their homeland in the face of the French invasion.

However, due to the failure of the Spanish Navy (the South Netherlands Squadron was almost completely lost), Dunkirk Port fell into a long-term siege, and the South Netherlands had not communicated with the country for a long time. For eighteen months, it all doomed the Spanish Army in the Southern Netherlands.

Sure enough, just a while ago, the British and French allied forces launched the Battle of Dunkirk and defeated the Spanish army commanded by the Austrian Don Juan. The Spanish army (including the British royalist army in exile) that had long been unwilling to fight was almost wiped out. Dunkirk then surrendered in desperation, and the remaining ships of the Southern Netherlands Squadron were divided between Britain and France.

After Dunkirk was captured by the British and French forces, King Louis XIV of France entered the city, and then complied with the treaty and reluctantly handed over this important military town, which is called the gate of France, to Cromwell's special envoy Sir Lockart, for which the English paid a meager sum.For this reason, the British felt the humiliation of losing Calais, and Cromwell's reputation reached its peak again—now, no one could go against his will except quietly waiting for him to die.

"The pagan country in the southern New World is becoming more and more a variable that affects the direction of the situation, and we have almost no commendable friendship with them, which means that this variable cannot be affected by us. This feeling is very uncomfortable. Alright..." Mr. Craven took a sip of the Languedoc red wine, and said in a somewhat dissatisfied tone: "Which of the gentlemen here has not been violated by the East Coast? The market of millions of pounds in the Caribbean, the East India The throat of trade is being choked by the East Coast, and of course the most important thing is that they are colluding with the guys from the United Provinces to wantonly embezzle the market of our country's goods, how long do we have to endure?"

Since the end of the Anglo-Dutch War, the sales of goods in England began to surge, especially after some countries that were dissatisfied with the monopoly of Dutch merchants opened up to the UK, the British industry ushered in a wave of prosperity and development that has continued to this day. A large amount of capital flows into the industrial field, the land enclosure movement begins to accelerate, and the demand for research and development of new technologies is also increasing day by day.The rapid growth of industrial strength has put forward higher requirements for the commodity sales market. British businessmen began to open up new markets all over the world. Among them, the Caribbean trade is also a major focus. Contradictions - So, there is never love and hate for no reason in the world, especially for countries, everything can be attributed to interests. The British need to break the monopoly of the Netherlands in the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The British need to open up the New World and East India The market, the Dutch and the East Coast people are naturally unwilling to give up their interests, so what else is there to say?

"Mr. Hill, I heard that you often travel to and from the east coast for trade? Then tell me your opinion." Mr. Craven suddenly turned his head and said to John Hill, "Ah, don't be too restrained, please speak freely."

John Hill took a sip of wine when he heard the words, and then said: "This country attaches great importance to the development of industry and commerce. They don't care much about the loss of precious metals, but pay great attention to the balance of trade. Almost all their roads, ports, and warehouses are It is completed by government investment. They also like to spend a lot of money every year to invest in industrial technological progress. As far as I know, they strictly implement patent protection for technological inventors, so that everyone who innovates technology can get rich overnight. Instead of living in poverty in a corner of the factory, this stimulates the creativity of many people. In addition, I heard that the education system in this country is mainly completed by the state. For example, they divide the education of young people into primary school and junior high school. In the three stages of high school and high school, they spend huge sums of money every year trying to popularize primary education. Although I don’t think they have even covered one-third of the primary school students over the years, they have been doing so...”

"Their country is very unfree. Everyone has a household registration, and it will be inconvenient for outsiders to stay there. I think you all know that before Mr. Charles established the Golden Deer Business, our country has sacrificed a large number of spies. In that pagan country, it was because they were not familiar with their system. They had a lot of policemen, they were all over the streets, almost pervasive, and they controlled the society very tightly. The soldiers and students were very fanatical, and they had an amazing sense of expansion. Surprised by their enthusiasm and aggressiveness, although they also try to accuse the high-level government of corruption, I have no doubts about their determination to safeguard the country..."

"Isn't this the national system advocated by Major General Lambert (a prestigious officer in Cromwell's officer corps)? Restrict personal freedom and invest all resources in national construction, with the greatest efficiency Raise money and supplies, and strive for England's overseas glory, look at what you say..." Mrs. Hicks suddenly covered her mouth and laughed, her smile was so exaggerated that the powder on her face was all in one piece The block fell down, but she still didn't realize it, and continued: "Lambert, like Cromwell's shameless son-in-law, Sir Bridge, always hopes that the republic system dominated by military officers can be maintained forever. I said that the republic system has evolved to this day, and its disadvantages are already obvious, and everyone is tired of it. It is better to invite the king back. At that time, the country will not have the final say. We don’t even need corruption, we can Let Congress enact laws that allow us to justify 'legal corruption', oh hehe..."

Mr. Hill glanced at Mrs. Hicks, smiled awkwardly, and said nothing.

"Enough." Spencer scolded Mrs. Hicks, who is known for her profligacy and big mouth, and then turned to John Hill, "Mr. Hill, do you think that if we make peace with Spain, then we will What are the odds of competing in the Caribbean? I mean how determined is the East Coast government to keep fighting us?"

"This..." John Hill was speechless for a while, and finally said: "I'm sorry, I can't confirm it, but I personally think that the East Coast government is very determined to intervene in the Caribbean Sea, and may resort to force for this. "

(End of this chapter)