Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 1216 South Pacific ([-])

July 1659, 7, Maolin port, light rain.

In this commercial city, which was "honored" to give the coat of arms by King Philip of Spain, there are now 600 European settlers (far exceeding the standard of 50 European immigrant families in the New World to set up a town), and most of these Europeans from Andalusia and Aragon are undoubtedly Spaniards, and this is indeed in line with the always closed and conservative immigration policy of the Kingdom of Spain.

According to the regulations of the Kingdom of Spain, the area of ​​each town must be at least four square leagues. Of course, this is the entire area including town buildings and many farmlands along the road. Maolin City undoubtedly meets this standard. Because it was built on more than five leagues of land—the New World was nothing but land.

Maolin City is a city that prospered due to commerce. The city now has more than 5 buildings (including [-] churches and monasteries), but only a few of them are public buildings—such as public toilets, bathhouses, vegetable markets, etc.— — In terms of urban design and function, it lags behind too many people on the east coast.By the way, the entire Maolin City is now under the jurisdiction of the San Diego Prosecutor's Court District, but usually a Peninsular named Constantin de Obando manages daily affairs.For this guy, even Baron Bravo thinks he can't afford to provoke him, and it seems that his background is not to be underestimated.

The permanent residents of the whole city have so far exceeded 40 (it is already a small city in the southern New World), of which about 40% are Spaniards, 20% are Indians or mixed-race Indians, and most of them are Spanish. man's servant.As for the remaining [-]%, they are, of course, people from the east coast living in the city as employees of the Southern Railway Company (of course, many of them are employees of the Southern Railway Company in name only). Most of them are mainly engaged in business, and many of them are vegetables Small merchants such as peddlers and butchers maintain the basic operation of this commercial city.

In addition to these citizens, in the vast forests and fields on the outskirts of Maolin City, more and more people from the east coast have illegally crossed the border for reclamation in recent years.In the early days, most of them were immigrants from the Ming Dynasty, but in recent years, more and more new generations on the east coast went out to make a living because they could not wait for the opportunity to divide the communal land in their hometown, and many of them naturally came here. The city of Maureen in the Chilean region—a city full of opportunity in the legends of some good-hearted people.

The number of these illegal immigrants is so large that people on the east coast cannot effectively count their numbers. They can only roughly estimate that they look like 7000 to [-].These people grow potatoes and wheat, graze cattle and sheep on weekdays, and occasionally go fishing. The agricultural products they get are not only for their own consumption, but also transported to Maolin City by small traders on the east coast for sale, effectively supporting the city—— Although Mao Lincheng still needs to import a large amount of food from Peru every year as a supplement.

This time, Liu Ang, the president of the Southern Railway Company, was invited to come to Maolin City. There are two main tasks. One is to further discuss business cooperation matters, and the other is to negotiate with the Spaniards about the increasing number of illegal settlers on the east coast. Because recently many priests in the city are very dissatisfied with the pagans in the suburbs who refuse to convert to God, and they have begun to unite to put pressure on the actual manager of the city, Ovando, asking him to show courage, just like when the Peninsulars expelled the Moors, The Jews expelled the people from the east coast like that, otherwise Maolin City would no longer be owned by the Lord.

Don't think that these priests don't have this ability. In fact, they not only have an absolute advantage in the field of religion, but also have a lot of influence in business.Because many Spanish businessmen would donate their land and property to the church before their death, plus the collection of tithes, so both the Catholic Church in the Old World and the New World were really rich.Although the Pope does not allow the priests to lend money directly, but these people can't stand the indirect lending through various forms such as acceptance bills. Coupled with the income from a large amount of real estate in hand, the impact of these people on Spanish business must not be underestimated. This will make them Colonial officials dare not turn a blind eye if they unite to attack the heretics on the east coast.

The place of negotiation between the two parties is located in the Maolin Customs—a customs managed by the Southern Railway Company, with an annual import and export tariff revenue of more than [-] yuan, and a famous gold-holding machine—Constantin de Auwan Duo is a short and thin Peninsular, but also very cunning and philistine, which makes Liu Ang suspect that he is the agent of a certain important figure in the West India Affairs Council.

"The priests have reason to complain, because they found that now even the wine used for mass is imported from you." Owando asked, sniffing the green tea served by the people on the east coast, without any aristocratic demeanor. Said: "It seems to be a new product? You imported it from the East? It smells better than the one imported from Manila. I like it very much. Is there any more?"

"As much as you want." Liu Ang has just recovered from a cold, but his body is still a little weak. At this moment, he said a little weakly: "Dear Your Excellency Owando, regarding the recent complaints from the priests, as the official representative of your country , What is your attitude? Do you also ask our farmers to leave the land they have cultivated for many years?"

"The opinion of the church must be taken seriously." In fact, Owando was scratching his head a little at the moment, "If—I mean if—these farmers from your country can convert to God..."

"In fact, this is completely impossible." Liu Ang directly cut off the other party's words, and said: "I repeat, these farmers have been farming here for many years, and they have already paid to your country's officials to acquire these lands. Fees, many of which are even unreasonable. Now these priests want them to quit? Sorry, we are not Moors, let alone Jews, we stick to our property, and I believe my government will also support us of."

Ovando subconsciously looked at the towering mast of the gunboat guarding the east coast in the harbor outside the window—this is a sail gunship of the Third Fleet, which patrols the southern waters of Chile all the year round to combat the French or Portuguese pirates who come here from time to time. ——Suddenly felt very overwhelmed. In fact, as a philistine businessman and a not-so-pious believer (of course, this is not visible), he also felt very embarrassed about this matter. Why everyone is making trouble for him ?Why can't they happily do business and make a fortune?Politics, religion, race, Owando feels he has had enough, but he will no doubt have to carry on until the problems are resolved.

"Is there anything you can do? I don't want to bother Ambassador Bravo and His Excellency the Governor for such a trivial matter, and if I want to go to Lima, I will definitely not go alone." After finishing speaking, Liu Ang also looked at The gunboat on the east coast moored quietly in the harbor outside the window: "Our farmers are so docile and have provided such convenience for the lives of the citizens of Maolin City. Now they want them to leave the only land they have. I'm sorry, I really don't like it." I can't bear to accept such an ending. In fact, I heard recently that someone has called for the distribution of rifles to these bullied farmers, but I don't agree with this, because I respect your sovereignty over Maolin City."

Ovando was a little dumbfounded. Liu Ang, the president of the Southern Railway who was negotiating with him, looked sickly, but his words were so frightening that he was now seriously considering whether to drive away these dissidents as the priests said. The Christian peasants are well-of course he knows that this is impossible in the short term, because it will cause serious consequences, and he cannot afford it. King Philip may be able to afford it, but he will definitely put him and even the Governor of Lima Treated as a scapegoat, so he must now try to save himself.

"There is only one way." Owando took a sip of green tea and said helplessly: "The priests are not monolithic. In fact, we can touch part of them. You have done very badly before. Turn a blind eye to the olive branches that come over. In fact, behind many of them there is a family engaged in business or mining. You should start from this aspect. In addition, I have no good way for those priests who have dedicated everything and even their souls to the Lord. , I can only carry it hard. Well, maybe you can give up some land outside Maolin City symbolically, but I can apply to the Governor to give you double or even more arable land or pastures in other places. Fang You has stepped down, how about it?"

"You are a very good practical talent. You are not stubborn and know how to be flexible. I appreciate you very much, but your plan still does not satisfy me." Liu Ang said without compromise, "In fact, it took me a week or more It took me a long time to arrive here, not to discuss a compromise with you. We can give you commercial interests, you make a list for me, and I will send people to contact them, isn’t it just money! But the land outside Maolin City must not Retreat, I support the farmers in our country to stick to their own property and interests. As for what you said about allocating more land to our farmers in other places, I am very interested. Maybe we can have a more in-depth discussion on this issue in the future. Discussion, of course, this is indispensable for your benefit."

As soon as Liu Ang's words fell, a financial official of the Southern Railway quietly stepped forward and placed a Bank of La Plata draft with a face value of 5000 rials (about [-] silver pesos) in the center of the table, which meant that Obviously, as long as Mr. Owando is willing to handle these matters for the Southern Railway Company, then the money is the first deposit in advance.

Ovando felt the veins on his forehead begin to throb uncontrollably. Money is of course his favorite. After all, he is not Hidalgo who treats money like dirt (of course, it is only on the surface). On the contrary, the shameful identity of an illegitimate child and The hard life of wandering in childhood made him understand the importance of money very well.But what if you want to be on the front line of confrontation and entanglement with the priest?Is it worth it for so much money?Owando fell into a fierce ideological struggle for a while.

(End of this chapter)