Dragon Sea Empire

After everyone bid farewell.Yin Feng waited for Zeng Qing and Fan Tao to bring Mao Wenlong.Behind the desk, he was thinking hard about a question: Will there be any accidents in the third dispatch of the European fleet.

Today is March in the first year of Tianqi (1621).The third convoy sent to Europe by Li Jin, Han Jing, Zheng Zhilong and others left Taiwan in November 47th year of Wanli.It stands to reason that fifteen months is enough for the fleet to travel back and forth between Asia and Europe.

It took nearly two years to send the fleet to Europe for the first time.The Dutch and Portuguese sailors lead the way.It is a common route for European maritime powers.It took nearly two years.It is because the fleet leader, Ye Hua, traveled to various European countries and recruited scientific and technological talents.And also to give missionary Kinney Court plenty of time to collect European science books.

The second European fleet was sent after the first Java Island scuffle.After returning from Europe.On the voyage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean.The captain of the fleet tentatively left the Dutch in 1611.Take advantage of the westerly and southwest monsoons to sail through the Indian Ocean's Thunder Strait.So it took less than a year to return to Taiwan smoothly.

This third European convoy brought experienced sailors and stitchers who had experienced the previous two voyages.They were also accompanied by liaison personnel sent by the Dutch East India Company.The route back and forth has been the route that Europeans have traveled for many years.In theory, there will be no major problems.but.It is still in the era of great navigation dominated by sail power.Rely on a simple sextant and compass.Anything is possible with a sailboat at sea.

Netherlands or other European countries.Now busy preparing for the European war.From an economic and financial point of view.They are also less likely to turn against the Chinese merchant ships that bring their fortunes.

So.Could it be that they met European pirates, Arab pirates or Turks on the road.

"The leader of the president. The officers of the army have already been brought here." Fan Tao's voice interrupted Yin Feng's thinking.

Zeng Qing then took a middle-aged man with disheveled clothes and a medium build with his hands tied behind his back.Look around with a pair of smart eyes.

"Let this Lord Qian go. Tell him to sit down." Yin Feng waved his hand.

The middle-aged officer's eyes lit up.There was a look of panic on his face: "This lord has made a mistake. I am just the flag officer under Governor Wang."

Zeng Qing asked a bodyguard to untie this person.Push him to sit in front of Yin Feng.Standing behind Yin Feng.stared at him suspiciously.

"Mao Wenlong. His style name is Zhennan. His original name was Bolong. You were born in Songshengli, Qiantang County, Hangzhou Prefecture in the fourth year of Wanli. Your ancestral home is Taiping, Shanxi. You were raised by your uncle Shen Guangzuo when you were young. You made a living by telling fortunes in Hangzhou. You gambled a lot in Shandong. Losing money Later, he hid in the mansion of Shen Guangzuo, the governor of Shandong, his uncle. His family business was ruined. He was not allowed to join the army outside the Great Wall. First he was a soldier of Li Chengliang, Uncle Ning Yuan. Later, he served as the guard of Qian Zong. You are now in Liaodong. What do you want to do? .”

Mao Wenlong's down-and-out experience of making a living by fortune-telling and gambling in his youth.After he made his fortune in the army.Never mentioned it to anyone.The Military Intelligence Department of the Chinese Army is concerned about Mao Wenlong, a little man who was previously unknown.No relevant information was collected.Yin Feng only knew these things with his own historical knowledge.

Mao Wenlong opened his mouth wide.I was speechless for a moment.There was a trace of panic in his eyes.But he soon calmed down.He cupped his hands and said: "I have heard the name of Lord Yin, a sea hero for a long time. Mao has long admired it in his heart. Now that he sees his name, his reputation is well-deserved. Your lord is really a dragon among men..."

See Mao Wenlong acquiesced in his identity.Zeng Qing stared at Mao Wenlong with murderous eyes.I was very angry.When the Military Intelligence Department was interrogating Mao Wenlong.Totally cheated by him.

Yin Feng waved his hand to stop Mao Wenlong's compliment.In my heart, I admire him for being able to change roles so quickly and for his excellent psychological quality.

"What official position are you in now?"

Mao Wenlong paused.After thinking about it, he said: "I am now a guerrilla in the Liaodong capital. Come to Liaonan and Zhenjiang Fort to collect lost officers and soldiers..."

Yin Feng smiled: "Oh. General Mao Guerrilla. The imperial court granted me the post of Taiwan's chief military officer. I haven't actually granted it to me yet. Hehe. In other words, I have to greet you too."

"Don't dare. I'm going to eat a vegetarian meal at the bottom of the corpse. There is no merit or demerit. It is comparable to you as a hero who dominates the sea. I am here to Jiangdong and Liaonan. I am not against you. It is really an order from the top. I have to come This is to collect remnant soldiers. The men and horses I brought are all natives of Liaodong. They all have enmity with the Jurchen Tartars. We fought soldiers from the Nu Chiefs. But we have never used swords or guns against your men. You see. You Let us go back to Guangning. I will definitely persuade Governor Wang to make friends with you."

Mao Wenlong hurriedly stood up and saluted.He really has a lot in mind for this person in front of him: for a hero who can make his origin so clear.And now his wealth and life are completely under the control of others.Mao Wenlong really didn't have any confidence in his heart.

Yin Feng nodded.I secretly sighed in my heart: Mao Wenlong really deserves his reputation.He is very clever.Adapt to changing circumstances, bend and stretch.No wonder it was able to independently maintain Jiangdong Town for many years in another time and space.but.This also shows that this person has no firm position.Slippery.It will not be easily controlled and used by others.

Yin Feng thought about it.Asked: "You have more than 300 men on board. We also captured more than [-] officers and soldiers from the island. Are these people recruited by you? The area around southern Liaoning and Zhenjiang Fort is occupied by our Chinese army. According to me I know. You seem to have never fought against the Jurchen Tartars."

"Yes. When Governor Wang sent me here. There were only more than 100 people. I was caught by your warship within a month after arriving in Jiangdong. I only recruited some defeated soldiers. I have not yet met the Jurchen Tartars..." Mr. Mao Wenlong Speaking honestly.

"You still want to go back to the imperial court." Yin Feng looked at Mao Wenlong with a smile.He judged: Mao Wenlong doesn't seem to have much ambition now.There is also no threat to your career: "Will you leave me to do things?"

Mao Wenlong listened to the other party's intention to solicit.Big surprise.Although the Chinese army has repeatedly defeated the official army.But in the eyes of the government.They have been cramped at sea.The layout is too small.It's just a hero.The Ming Dynasty government made great martial arts against the Chinese army overseas.Huge colonial system.Wealth that has exceeded the financial capacity of the Ming Dynasty and everything else.But they all turn a blind eye.No attention at all.Mao Wenlong's experience and vision are limited.I am still not very optimistic about the long-term future of the Chinese Army.

Mao Wenlong hesitated for a while and said: "Small talents and poor learning. I'm afraid I won't be able to contribute to the grand plans of the adults. My lord, this..."

Yin Feng waved his hand.Slightly smiled: "Okay. Just pretend I didn't say this. I can let you go. Take your people back to Guangning. I will send a boat to take you back. But you have to remember one thing. This Liaodong, North Korea's sea. It's all my territory. Tell your king and governor. Next time, let me catch the people of the court in this area. They will be exiled to the island of Java, five thousand miles away. No mercy. Understand? .”

……

After Mao Wenlong left.Zeng Qing hurriedly said to Yin Feng: "Do you really want to let this person go back? I think this Mao Wenlong is very scheming. He is cunning. He should also be ambitious. There are not many such people in the army."

Yin Feng nodded: "Yes. If this person has a chance, he will definitely become a hero. However, I will not give him a chance. Remember. Send people from the Military Intelligence Department to keep an eye on him. Notify Fan Tao. Strictly seal it up The mouth of the Bohai Sea is absolutely forbidden. No more officers and troops are allowed to operate along the coast of Liaodong. One more thing..."

Yin Feng thought for a while and said, "Jiu Ye. Send someone to inform the Nanyang Fleet. Send fast ships and clipper ships to the West. Inquire about the situation of the European fleet. Find a way to meet them and return."

Zeng Qing nodded.Seeing that Yin Feng seemed worried.He comforted him: "This time the fleet brought veteran sailors and needle masters who are familiar with the route. Zheng Zhilong is also a smart man. It should be fine."

……

Yin Feng didn't expect it.At this moment, the third European fleet is entangled with the Portuguese in Ceylon.

The journey of Li Jin, Zheng Zhilong, Han Jing and others to Europe went smoothly.Everything went well when we arrived in Europe.A peace treaty is signed with the Dutch state.It also negotiated an agreement for the Netherlands to act as an agent for the Chinese company's trade business within Europe.

The goods brought by the fleet to Europe included a large amount of silk, satin, porcelain and tea.There are also textiles, satin, velvet, Jiangnan embroidery cloth, needles, umbrellas, boots, jewelry, fans, jewelry boxes, paper and other daily necessities.There are also those produced by the Chinese company's factory.Glasses, glass mirrors, and music boxes developed and produced using European technology.certainly.It also includes gold, silver and various medicines.

Most of these goods were resold to European countries through the Dutch.Part of it was auctioned off to the Portuguese for resale throughout Europe.There was another rush to buy Chinese goods across Western Europe.It also aroused the jealousy of the British.

The British participated in the Nanyang War.It has always been regarded as a hostile force by Chinese companies.Therefore, this time the Chinese fleet did not do business with the British.

The main interest of the British East India Company was still in India.Although dissatisfied with Chinese companies monopolizing the East Asian market.But I don't want to start a war with the Chinese because of this.After their defeat against the Dutch in Nanyang.It is of great interest to leave a legacy around the world.

Because of the British.When sending the fleet back to Europe, it bumped all the way and fought all the way back.

Originally, the fleet planned to go to Spain.Intended to sign a peace treaty with Spain.However, although the Spaniards with a rigid stance are no longer able to send troops to the Far East.But the mouth is still hard.The Chinese company was required to pay 500 million taels for the transfer of the Philippine colony.

The news reached the Chinese company's European fleet through the Dutch.Li Jin, Zheng Zhilong, Han Jing and others decided immediately.Not going to Spain anymore.Go home directly.The Chinese also want to ask Spain to compensate for the loss of the Manila massacre.Spaniards want money.There are no doors.

When passing the coast of Northwest Africa.A Spanish fleet attempted to overtake the convoy.The battleship Flying Tiger escorted by the European fleet was repulsed.

The fleet encountered several storms while heading south along the coast of West Africa.Finally, there was no danger.soon.A clipper ship of the Dutch East India Company stopped the convoy near the Cape of Good Hope.Tell the Chinese: The Dutch supply station at the Cape of Good Hope was captured by the British.The Chinese colony there was also surrounded by British troops.The British anchored three warships at the Cape of Good Hope.Five or six hundred people are besieging Chinatown.And this Chinatown.It was after Li Dan left the first fleet sent to Europe.The first Chinese colony in Africa established with his men at the Cape of Good Hope.