Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 393 Commerce and Diplomacy ([-])

The Port of Danzig is one of the most important ports on the Baltic Sea and the largest port in Poland at this time.Since defeating the Teutonic Knights in the 1454 Years' War from 1466-13, the Poles have gained direct rule over the land known as East Pomerania (West Prussia).The remaining members of the Teutonic Knights established the Principality of Prussia in Königsberg, and surrendered to the King of Poland, becoming its vassal.

But the good times didn't last long. Since the second war with Sweden for the domination of the Baltic Sea broke out in 1618, by 1629, the Poles had lost the entire Livonia (including Courland), Prussia, and former Pomerania. The coastal area of ​​​​Nia has almost become a landlocked country.Fortunately, the Swedes were eager to withdraw to participate in the 30-year war. Therefore, under the mediation of France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, the two sides signed an armistice treaty, and the Poles took back the three ports of Putsk, Danzig, and Königsberg. Reluctantly, domestic grain and livestock have an export port.

With the help of Schneider and the secretary, Gao Mo went down to the pier, but it was raining moderately in Danzig Port, and the ground was full of muddy puddles.For this reason, before disembarking, he had to change his leather shoes and put on riding boots which he did not like.There are many people on the pier, with various accents, Polish, Swedish, Dutch, English, Russian, German, etc. You can see businessmen from all regions along the Baltic Sea here.In this era, Danzig and Riga were the only two commercial ports in the Baltic region where more than a hundred ships called every year. Every year, a large amount of Polish grain and livestock were transported from here by Dutch merchants and flowed to the whole of Europe.However, after Riga was controlled by the Swedes, most of these businesses were transferred to the port of Danzig. Therefore, in terms of prosperity at this time, Danzig surpassed Riga.

In the distance, a few muddy pigs were grunting in the crowd, and the equally dirty sailors and dock laborers sat beside these pigs, talking and laughing loudly as if no one else was there.From time to time, a well-dressed nobleman or merchant's steward would cover his nose and come not far from them, hiring these people to load and unload goods.

Several Polish beggars discovered the existence of Gao Mo and others, and immediately swarmed over to beg, but Zheng Yong quickly stopped Gao Mo with a few entourages in army uniforms. Beat these beggars away.During the whole process, Gao Mo frowned. These boys are used to being arrogant in China, but they didn't expect to be so far away in the Baltic Sea.

A Polish man in a uniform full of oil stains came over, followed by seven or eight entourages, who seemed to be the managers of the pier.Maybe the beggars that the people from the east coast beat up just now were under his control, so his expression was very bad, and it seemed that he was going to come over to find trouble.But when Gao Mo was worried, the guy was taken aback for a moment, and then immediately said something loudly to Schneider beside Gao Mo with a smile on his face.

Schneider also responded a few words in Polish, then turned to Gao Mo and said: "This is Valeglevski, who is in charge of security in Danzig Port, and his uncle holds an official position in Krakow, a very capable one." People, he is also one of the participants in recruiting veterans."

"Ski? Is he a nobleman?" Gao Mo asked suspiciously.As far as he knows, "ski" in Polish is a suffix added to place names, and it is generally used by nobles—because only nobles have fiefdoms.This guy's name is Valeglevsky, could it be that he is also a nobleman?However, after glancing at Valeglevski's greasy clothes and leather boots with cracked edges, Gao Mo denied his guess. Maybe this guy was a nobleman in his ancestors, but he himself Obviously not.

Sure enough, Schneider shook his head and said in a very low voice: "This guy is no longer a nobleman. He found an errand in Danzig on the recommendation of his uncle, and he eats and drinks on weekdays. He is an out-and-out If their kings and nobles hadn't paid special attention to us because they urgently needed our weapons to re-arm the army, this guy would not be as obsequious as he is now, and he might have a different face."

Gao Mo nodded and signaled Schneider to go up and negotiate with him, while he looked around at this famous port on the Baltic Sea.It's a pity that there are low houses all around, and the pier is also made of wood. There are a lot of garbage floating in the sea water, and occasionally some floating livestock carcasses can be seen, which makes people feel disgusted.The shore of the wharf is also full of mud. When it rains, it will be full of potholes, and the shoes and trousers will soon be covered with foul-smelling mud. It is completely incomparable with the prosperous, tidy and clean Dongfang Port.

Schneider quickly finished talking with Valeglevski, and after stuffing a few coins into the hands of the Polish villain, he returned to Gao Mo: "Those veterans are all over the warehouse, we are now Go?" After getting Gao Mo's approval, Schneider quickly led everyone to the destination.

Accompanied by the "creak" sound that made people's teeth hurt, the low wooden door was pushed open.Under the guard of his entourage, Gao Mo got into the slightly dark wooden house, but soon he frowned.The room really stinks!Sweat, feet, urine, food, and other unpleasant smells were intertwined, almost making Gao Mo want to turn around and leave.

The people in the house also noticed the group of uninvited guests, but after seeing the face of the benefactor Schneider and a group of people in dark blue uniforms with sabers on their waists, they seemed to understand something.Then a group of Poles who were resting in the haystacks, or sitting around the wooden bed to gamble, or sitting at the table drinking and talking stopped immediately, and locked their eyes on Gaomo, because their benefactor, Schneider It seems that the husband is still reporting to this big shot.

"Your Excellency, these Polish veterans have accepted our employment. According to the agreement, their salary during their stay in Poland is 1 zloty per month (approximately equal to 3 yuan); if they are sent to fight overseas, their salary will be Doubling it, that is 2 zlotys per month, if the spoils of war are seized in the battle, they will ask for a certain reward, and I will show you the specific details later." Schneider said, "They also asked us to provide Horse feed, saddle, combat equipment and other materials, if they use their own horses or weapons, I hope we can give a certain amount of financial subsidies."

"Yes, these requirements are very reasonable." Gao Mo nodded in agreement. Although this price is already a lion's mouth in the eyes of these Poles, it is only the average salary level of the army to the people on the east coast—— This is not counting overseas combat subsidies.Generally speaking, the prices of these Polish mercenaries are quite low, and a group of soldiers with rich combat experience can be hired for 6 yuan a month. What could be more cost-effective than this.

It’s not impossible if you want to be cheaper. For example, you can learn from the Dutch and hire some German hillbilly farmers for 9 guilders (3 yuan) or 11 guilders. It’s just that the fighting level of these German farmers is not flattering.After all, it takes a process to grow from a recruit to a veteran.Although these Polish veterans last participated in a large-scale war ten years ago, Poland has been under the threat of war almost every day in these years, with the Swedes, with the Russians, with the Turks, with the Cossacks, etc. , They are often employed by some Polish border nobles to participate in these small-scale sporadic battles, so their combat skills have not deteriorated significantly.

"Now, I ask you to translate." Gao Mo asked Schneider, and then said: "Those who have participated in the last two border wars with the Crimean Tatars raise their hands."

Schneider began to translate loudly in Polish, and almost everyone raised their hands.

"The hands of those who participated in the Smolensk War continue to be raised, and the rest can be put down."

Only a small number of people put their hands down, and 90% of them still raised their hands.

"Those who fought in the last war with the Swedes continue to raise their hands, and the rest may put them down."

Another part of the people put their hands down, and about [-]% of the people still raised their hands.

"Those who fought in the last war with the Turks keep their hands up, and the rest can put them down."

This time, more people put their hands down, and less than [-]% of them still raised their hands.

Seeing that there were still people raising their hands, Gao Mo and Zheng Yong behind him were a little surprised. The latest war with the Turks was the first battle of Khoting more than 20 years ago (1621).In that battle, 46000 Polish soldiers defeated an army of 20 led by the Ottoman sultan.But this is not too strange. Most Europeans who are soldiers as their careers started to serve as soldiers in their teens, and it is normal to have experienced wars [-] years ago.

After inviting the last group of people separately, Gao Mo asked Schneider to question them carefully, and the final result was shocking.Quite a few of them (about a dozen) even participated in the earlier 1617-1618 Moscow War of the Throne, and their experience in the army was nearly 30 years, which is shocking.

Looking at these down-and-out middle-aged mercenaries in their 40s, Gao Mo and Zheng Yong exchanged glances, and immediately decided to raise their wages, and promised that after the five-year employment period expires, if they wish, the East Coast people They and their families will be allowed to move to the east bank and given land.Just kidding, every veteran is the most precious asset. Their years of service in the army have left them valuable wealth: rich combat experience, accurate battlefield reading ability, calm and calm attitude, and skilled combat skills, which one is the same? Isn't it elusive for recruits?Even in the East Coast Army where the professional staff system has become popular, such veterans are extremely precious.

"Take them on board, send them back to Bordeaux first, and then send them back to the mainland as soon as the ship arrives." Gao Mo instructed Schneider.

(End of this chapter)