Outside Chikan Fort, hundreds of soldiers wearing armor and holding muskets ran forward, and stood in front of the city gate to stop, and then in the shouting of the officers, they divided into two teams, turned left and right, put the butts of their guns to the ground, and stood with their heads raised and their buttocks.The soldiers held the muskets of the pestle in one hand and pressed the other hand against their thighs, and their momentum was extraordinary.The British walked through the passage between the soldiers on either side, and the standing officer immediately shouted, "Salute!"
”The two rows of soldiers lifted their muskets in unison, held them in both hands, and raised them to their chests, startling the British envoys.The uniform red armor of the soldiers of Donghai Town, the black and sophisticated flintlock muskets, and the mighty warriors made a deep impression on the British.As Smith walked forward, he looked at the unsquinting troops on both sides, and couldn't help but admire in his heart, "I'm afraid that such an army is already stronger than the new model army of the protector!"
”"Inside, please!"
Gu Yanwu led the way.After a short time, the group passed through the passage lined with soldiers, entered Chikan Fort, and came to the official hall.The original Western-style conference hall became Zhao Ming's temporary festival hall after some arrangement.At this time, in the festival hall, two rows of tiger generals from Donghai Town sat neatly in their plackets, while Zhao Ming was wearing a scarlet python robe, wearing a black sand on his head, and sitting on a handsome position with a big horse golden knife, touching the armrests with both hands, and staring outside.Smith followed Gu Yanwu into the festival hall, and was immediately shocked by the majesty emanating from the hall.Seeing this, Zhao Ming was quite complacent, and this was what he wanted.Britain, the maritime hegemon that has dominated the world for more than 300 years, and the empire on which the sun never sets, will be the most important competitor of Donghai Town at sea in the future."
The Prime Minister's British envoy has arrived!"
Gu Yanwu saluted.Smith on the side immediately stepped forward and bowed, "Smith, the envoy of the East India Company of the English Republic, has seen the honorable Grand Duke!"
”Smith spoke English, and the translator brought by the Englishman next to him relayed it to Zhao Ming.Zhao Ming was slightly stunned, and then remembered that now that Britain was carrying out a bourgeois revolution, Cromwell had killed the king of England and established a republic."
Who is ruling in your country today?"
Zhao Ming asked with interest.Smith listened to the translation, "It's Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell." ”Zhao Ming secretly said Sure enough, he couldn't help but have a sense of urgency in his heart, Cromwell became the protector of the country and became the head of state, the bourgeois revolution in Britain has been halfway through, and if he kills a few more rounds, it is time to complete the revolution, the national strength will take off, and the world will be colonized, but Donghai Town is still struggling to survive, and if it drags on, there will be nothing to do in Donghai Town.Zhao Ming asked again: "Your East India Company has arrived in India?"
”After the Dutch East India Company made a lot of money, Western countries rushed to follow suit and established the East India Company to develop trade with India and China.Smith was a little puzzled, didn't he say that the Grand Duchy of the East China Sea was going to unite with the English Republic to deal with the Dutch together?
How His Excellency the Grand Duke, always asks about the republic.Smith glanced at Gu Yanwu and wanted to confirm Zhao Ming's purpose, but he replied: "Back to the Grand Duke, the company has indeed arrived in India and reached a trade agreement with the Mughal Empire, establishing trading bases in Mumbai, Kolkata and Madras. ”Zhao Ming was even more anxious when he heard this, the East China Sea had not yet rushed out of the South Seas and opened up Malacca, and the British had already established a colony in the South Asian subcontinent.Zhao Ming wanted to continue to inquire and learn more about Britain, after all, after defeating the old maritime powers such as the Netherlands and Spain, Donghai Town would have to compete with the emerging maritime powers such as Britain and France in the future.At this time, Gu Yanwu said: "Prime Minister, Smith's envoy came, and the Prime Minister's purpose was to deal with the Dutch. ”Smith immediately said: "Honorable Archduke, the Dutch are tyrannical at sea and monopolize maritime trade, harming the interests of the English Republic and the Grand Duchy of the East China Sea. ”The British did not know much about the situation and political system in China, and when they heard that Zhao Ming was the Duke of Guo, they thought that the Donghai Domain was a grand duchy, while the Ming Dynasty was similar to Holy Rome.When Zhao Ming heard this, he reacted, and said with a busy smile: "Yes, the Dutch are too domineering, they want to monopolize any benefits, and this town contacts your country in the hope that they can cooperate with your country, defeat the Dutch, and get the benefits that should belong to this town." ”China pays attention to harmony, everyone makes a fortune together, everything will not be overdone, their lives are good, they will not forget the poor brothers, as long as they recognize me as the boss, come to pay tribute to meet, the eldest brother eats meat, how many brothers drink a little soup, and reward three melons and two dates.Westerners are more extreme, believing in winner-takes-all, whether it is the Netherlands, or later England, and later the United States.Smith came to the commander and saw the Tokai fleet in the harbor, the Dutch trapped in Fort Reshaland, and the elite Tokai Army, and knew the strength of Tokai Town.It was a critical time for Britain and the Netherlands to compete for supremacy in Western Europe, and the Dutch economy was heavily dependent on overseas and received most of its revenues from the East India Company.If Britain can unite with the Grand Duchy of the East China Sea and defeat the Dutch East India Company, then the Republic of England will inevitably be able to defeat the Netherlands and become the new maritime hegemon.Smith immediately said: "The Republic of England is willing to unite with the Grand Duchy of the East China Sea, and after defeating the Netherlands, the Grand Duke will get Batavia and England will get Malacca."
I wonder if Your Excellency the Grand Duke thinks it is reasonable?
”Zhao Ming glanced at Smith, sure enough, Westerners don't have a good thing, Donghai Town is going to rush out of the South Seas, Malacca is bound to win, it can be said that whoever occupies Malacca is the enemy of Donghai Town, how can it be conceded to the British.Zhao Ming sneered: "It can be said that your country is quite unreasonable to make such a request.But this town forgives you, after all, you don't know that as early as more than a hundred years ago, the fleet of the Ming Dynasty arrived in Malacca and set up the Xuanwei Division to rule.It can be said that Malacca has been China's inherent territory since ancient times, how can it be ceded to you!
Do you want to make your town hostile?
”Smith was startled when he heard the translator's words, and hurriedly explained: "Honorable Grand Duke, the contemptible people have no intention of offending, but since it is a joint defeat of the Netherlands, the company deserves to benefit. ”Zhao Ming smiled and said: "The Dutch stronghold in India belongs to you, isn't this a benefit?"
Besides, if this town is not wrong, with the strength of your company in India, I am afraid that it will be difficult to defeat the Dutch in India, and there is no strength to send troops to capture Malacca!
”It is true that Britain has just gained a foothold in India, and is still competing with the Dutch and Portuguese in India, and its strength is not enough to extend into the South Seas.Zhao Ming looked at Smith's expression and continued: "After the joint defeat of the Netherlands, the east of Malacca is the town's sphere of influence, and the west of Malacca is England's sphere of influence.This town allows your merchant ships to trade with China through Malacca, and of course, your country also allows Chinese merchant ships to trade with India.Do you have any objections to this covenant?
”Smith groaned for a while, and bowed half-loudly, "On behalf of the East India Company of the English Republic, the contemptible man accepts the advice of the Grand Duke." ”()