New Shun 1730

"In the past, Macau's trade, excluding European trade, had only a few profitable routes."

"Go to Timor, where sandalwood is produced. However, it is difficult to see the possibility of being tamed again due to the resistance of the local indigenous people."

"Go to Manila...now occupied by the British. Although they are not opposed to our trade, they have no American gold and silver."

"Besides, the Spanish in Manila have already started direct trade, and they no longer need our transit."

"Going to Batavia? Before the Ostend Company's tea incident, we were the largest transit agent. But after the tea incident, the Dutch East India Company finally opened direct trade, and our transit agent status no longer existed. ”

"Besides, the Chinese now occupy Southeast Asia. Even before their court occupied Southeast Asia, those Chinese maritime merchants severely squeezed our living space. What's more, now that they have completely occupied Batavia, how can they allow us to go Trade? We also transport porcelain and silk, and so do their Chinese merchants. Will their court favor us? "

"Going to Japan? Since the ban on religion, it has been impossible for us to go to Japan."

"Going to India and Goa? There is not much trade volume at all. In India we are also being squeezed out by the Danish, British and French."

"So, the only possibility is to open a route to Brazil. Perhaps this will be the only turning point for Macau."

Rodriguez, who was a captain, a businessman and a Jesuit professional manager, had some understanding of the situation.

He feels that Macau’s parliament should prepare for transformation as early as possible, instead of being half-dead as it is now. He was even blinded by the short-lived prosperity caused by the European war.

His companions agreed with his words to a certain extent. After another discussion, they came to a conclusion.

"The rise and fall of Macau actually does not depend on us, but on China's trade policy. If China's trade policy continues the previous policy of prohibiting merchants from various countries from direct flights and opening business offices in the city, we can easily recover Prosperity before.”

"And those brothers and sisters who were persecuted by the pagan emperor will also see a prosperous Macao under the protection of the Lord. Instead of the shameful, dirty, dilapidated and immoral Macao as it is now."

Rodriguez was not so enthusiastic and said that he should treat his partner's words in two.

"From a businessman's perspective, your idea is wrong."

"From a priest's perspective, you have the right idea."

"From a businessman's perspective, if the Chinese court bans direct trade and Songjiang merchant houses, it means that they will force merchants from various countries to trade in Macau, and if Macau agrees - to use a Chinese term , This is tantamount to Macau taking the initiative to welcome their competitors.”

"From the priest's point of view, as long as the Chinese court bans direct trade and Songjiang business houses, it means that merchants from all over the world can only trade in Macao, and Macao's prosperity is inevitable. However, Macao's prosperity is not If it’s not the prosperity of the Portuguese, what good does it do to us?”

"Guess, if that day comes, will Macau take the opportunity to refuse the entry of merchants from various countries and try to monopolize transit trade? Or will Macau, from the perspective of the priest, give up its own interests, provide convenience for merchants from various countries, and lure wolves into the house?"

Having said this, Rodriguez laughed silently and pointed to his own ship: "This is the St. Paul, a merchant ship of the Jesuits. Even the most loyal company of Jesus in the Reformation made a fortune. The Jesuits are all doing business, so does the priest’s perspective really exist?”

The companion wanted to defend the Jesuits, but thinking about the cargo on the ship, he finally had nothing to say.

He could argue that money was needed to preach and to relieve brothers and sisters who were persecuted by the pagan emperor; but he could not argue that this time he went to Dongguan for trade and the goods he requested when he came back were not the most urgently needed cheap rice, but other valuables. goods because rice is not profitable.

At this time, a crew member hurried in and shouted: "Captain! Captain! Chinese warship! It's a fleet!"

Hearing these words, Rodriguez felt as if he was suddenly pricked with a needle. He didn't bother to tidy up his clothes, and ran outside while shouting in horror: "Lower the sails and slow down to salute! Lower the sails and slow down to salute!" Quick! Quick!"

The sailors nearby also seemed to have seen a ghost. In view of the fleet's firepower, the warship would not be idle in the military port and run near the city.

The last incident in which a British ship was beaten in Lingdingyang, and the previous incident in which French "royal ship" sailors beat up British sailors because the merchant ship did not pay tribute, left a deep impression on these people.

Rodriguez, who ran to the deck, saw the Dashun fleet unfolding in the distance. From a distance, he could see the flag unfurled above, signaling all ships to lower their sails and dock immediately.

The following warships have already formed a battle formation, adjusting their angles on the ocean surface, and seem to be aiming at the interior of Macau.

Rodriguez subconsciously crossed himself and thought, God bless me. I wonder who will be so unlucky today?

Fortunately, I reacted quickly enough to slow down and raise the salute flag. And there are no contraband on his ship, just some goods that are in short supply in Annan. There were no slaves on the ship, because the slaves in Annan were worthless and prone to trouble.

Although he was nervous, as long as he followed the rules, he wasn't too afraid.

What happened with the British ship last time was different from this time. Last time it was a warship, but my ship is a standard merchant ship. It fully complies with Dashun's rigid regulations on how many cannons merchant ships are allowed to carry, and there is no even marginalia.

In fact, after the last city wall demolition incident, the Jesuit ship had been inspected in full compliance with Dashun's regulations. Because Dashun can demolish the city wall, who knows if he will find excuses to cause greater trouble next time?

Convinced that there was no contraband on his boat, Rodriguez breathed a sigh of relief.

After waiting for the sail to be lowered and the anchor to be lowered, several small boats were sent from the opposite battleship to approach this side.

He did not dare to neglect and quickly prepared the ladder.

Several Dashun naval soldiers and officers boarded the ship, and Rodriguez skillfully took out his chewing tobacco and dispersed it.

The navy was not polite at all. After taking it, the officer's attitude was not much kinder.

"What is on the ship? Where is it going? Do the goods on the ship have drought tax bills?"

Rodriguez said quickly: "Yes, yes, yes."

If it were elsewhere, he could still say that this was a Jesuit ship, and he would still have some dignity. But here, if you say this, you may get into trouble instead of not saying it.

He quickly took out all kinds of documents from the captain's cabin. After the officers and a person who looked like a customs official inspected them, they did not release them.

"Ask all your sailors to assemble on the deck."

"Yes! Yes."

After repeatedly urging the sailors to gather on the deck, the officer waved his hand, and the soldiers rushed directly into the cabin to rummage through the cargo.

Rodriguez gradually felt that something was wrong.

The Portuguese in Macau had heard about the Hirayama Changchen incident in which the Dutch and British hijacked ships and inspected them. It directly led to a major change in trade with Japan, and ultimately allowed the Dutch to win everything.

And the current inspection is really like a replica of the Hirayama Changchen incident that has been passed down from mouth to mouth - after stopping the ship and inspecting it, rummaging through the boxes and cabinets, and continuing to inspect until the problem is found.

Rodriguez is afraid of this.

Although there are no contraband and no slaves on his ship, in theory, this ship is illegal.

Theoretically, Annan is a vassal of Dashun.

Dashun banned religion, and the vassal government also issued a ban on religion.

Although the law is one thing, enforcing it is another.

However, in theory, as long as there are missionaries on board, it is illegal.

The key depends on whether Dashun wants to do it or not.

Thinking of this, Rodriguez couldn't help but break into a cold sweat, and asked with a smile: "Sir, what are you checking? My ship is all legal goods. And the dry duty bills are all there. These goods are not smuggled, nor are they Anyone who takes the waterway from Guangzhou to Macau transits through Xiangshan.”

The officer snorted and said: "We have seen too many smuggling ships and pirate ships. Which one doesn't say that it is legal? If you say you are legal, it is useless. I say it is legal."

After waiting for a long time, the soldier and officer who searched came back and whispered in the officer's ear: "Sir, nothing was found. There was neither opium nor population."

The officer hummed, glanced at Rodriguez and said, "Nothing has been found yet. It is unknown whether it is hidden in the cargo."

"The imperial court has ordered that there are many human traffickers and opium smugglers in Macau, and we are going to strictly investigate them this time."

"Even if you didn't bring it with you when you left Hong Kong this time, you may not bring it with you when you come back. This is also unreasonable."

"Even if they are not brought back, the sailors and crew members on the ship may not be engaged in these things."

"Even if they don't, their family members may not be involved in these businesses."

"The ship will turn around immediately and return to the port to berth and undergo strict investigation!"

Rodriguez was shocked by what sounded like an extremely ridiculous reason. Just as he was about to beg a few more words, he saw that the officer had already turned around.

A sailor next to him raised the butt of his gun and feinted towards Rodriguez, who was trying to get closer, and cursed: "Damn it, sir, I told you to turn around and berth, are you deaf?"

Rodriguez hurriedly stopped, thinking, what else could he argue with a group of sailors? This is the most unreasonable group of hooligans.

"Turn around, return to port, berth!"

After giving the order, thinking about what the naval officer said, "The court wants to investigate human trafficking and opium smuggling," I couldn't help but look back at the fleet whose muzzles were already aimed at Macau.

I thought, Macau is over.