I

Page 703



Page 703

The next day, Zhao Han reviewed the memorial and saw that the governors of Palembang and Yecheng jointly signed the memorial.

Palembang is to the west of Banten, and Yecheng is to the east of Banten, both of which border on the land of Banten.The two governors seemed to have a tacit agreement and let the Han people reclaim the territory of the Wandan Kingdom together. Over the past few years, the territorial conflict has become more and more obvious.

The two governors jointly signed the letter this time to ask the emperor to lift the ban on firearms and arm more Han civilians.

In this way, not only can we better deal with the natives, but in the future, we can also recruit and train troops on the spot, without having to send troops from the mainland to support them.At the same time, firearms can also be used as a control tool to take the opportunity to control the armed forces of overseas Han people-each musket must be issued a license, the owner must be registered with the Governor's Office, and the leader of each peasant and soldier must be appointed by the Governor.

Zhao Han thought about it carefully. At the beginning, he decided to equip the overseas Han people with matchlock guns, but he felt that it was unnecessary. It is also possible to directly equip flintlock guns.

Zhao Han drew up a pen to instruct: "Order the Ministry of War and the Governor's Mansion to take out [-] of the idle matchlock guns vacated by each army and send them to the navy to be shipped overseas. Each governor's district will send another [-] guns Fire the gun."

There are a lot of old-fashioned matchlock guns in the warehouse, many of which are moldy and rusty.

These old antiques can still be used with a little repair, and can be recycled and sent to overseas territories.As for each governor's district, five hundred pieces of flintlocks were transported, which was handed over to the governor for his own disposal.

……

Chittagong.

Prince Charles of England has been here for more than half a year.

Although the Portuguese princess only came to China this spring, China can't wait to receive the dowry.Chittagong is the dowry. Taking it here can open up the market for Chinese cotton cloth.

The dowry also had to be received by force, because it was not Portugal that had the final say.

The ownership of the territory is in the hands of the Rakhine State (Arakan), and Portugal only leased the port to build a city.The Portuguese, on the other hand, can only manage the city, and the surrounding suburbs are all dominated by pirates.

The Datong Navy used more than 60 ships and arrived in the early summer of last year. When they saw pirates, they bombarded them.

After several naval battles, the large group of Arakan pirates has been wiped out, but sporadic pirates appear from time to time.The Datong Navy left ten warships stationed there, cruising irregularly every month, and would fight to death when encountering pirates. The pirate nest in Chittagong finally calmed down a bit.

"Get ready, raise your gun!"

Prince Charles, who is personally training soldiers.

He took two London country boys to choose matchlock guns in the Chinese arsenal, and he picked out all the good ones.The emperor promised to give him 2000 guns. Anyway, they were used for waste, and the Datong Army had already replaced them with flintlock guns.

As for the soldiers in front of them, they were all captured by pirates.

The Datong Navy caught the pirates and asked them whether they wanted to die or live, and those who wanted to live were thrown to Charles to train the troops.

Charles will also select the pirates, and kill those who do not want to convert to Protestantism.If the number is not enough, I will ask Datong Navy for more. Anyway, I will catch a batch every month.

The state religion of the Rakai State is Buddhism, and the king is frantically driving away the Green Cultists.Many of the pirates in Chittagong were expelled believers.Charles killed more than 200 people, and finally frightened these pirates, and they were willing to convert to British Protestantism.

"You've been practicing for more than half a year, it should be almost the same." Shi Lang asked.

"Barely fit for war," said Charles.

An English prince who trains Arakan pirates and usually gives orders in Portuguese...

Shi Lang said: "You can go back to the country now, the court has sent four warships to escort you, please remember the agreement with His Majesty!"

"Keep your word!" Charles said.

Charles, the jolly king, knows when to be tough and when to hug his thighs.Historically, he even sold Dunkirk to France in order to ease his finances, and he only sold it for hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The agreement between Zhao Han and Charles is that China and Britain will attack Central America together after the British navy grows stronger.

Britain attacked from the east, China attacked from the west, and the Spanish forces were flanked on both sides.At that time, the part of Panama and Costa Rica will belong to China, and the part of Nicaragua will belong to the United Kingdom.The rest of the colonies belong to whoever takes them down.

"Follow me to the port." Shi Lang said.

Last year, it was discovered that Mr. Zheng was smuggling with the navy, and Shi Lang's father, Shi Daxuan, was also involved.Fortunately, the case was not deeply involved, Shi Daxuan was just dismissed from the military, retired early and returned home early, and his title was also downgraded to viscount.

For this matter, Shi Lang must have resentment, but he is also full of gratitude to the emperor.Because the emperor did not punish him, he was promoted to one level (he made great achievements in suppressing pirates in Chittagong).

When they arrived at the port, an admiral came over and saluted Shi Lang and Charles.

Shi Lang introduced, "This is Xian Biao. Xian Biao is fully responsible for the four warships that will escort you back to China."

Charles hurriedly cupped his hands: "I have seen General Xian."

"Greetings, Your Highness." Xian Biao replied.

Xian Biao in history is also considered number one.Born in the Xian family in Lingnan, he belonged to a prominent family in Guangdong. His distant ancestors went south before Zhao Tuo.

Xian Biao fought against the Qing Dynasty for more than 30 years in another time and space.

After Guangdong was defeated, he took refuge in Zheng Chenggong's son, but his family members who stayed in Guangdong were punished by the nine clans.He also led troops to kill Cambodia and wiped out the Dutch forces there, and the Zheng family monopolized Cambodia's sea trade from then on.During the San Francisco Rebellion, he led hundreds of ships to and from the coast of Guangdong to attack and kill the Qing army, while the Netherlands helped the Qing army attack Xian Biao.

In this time and space, Xian Biao is the Datong Navy with strong roots, and he has made meritorious service from a small soldier for more than ten years.

"Let's talk slowly, you two." Shi Lang turned and left.

Shi Lang was very clever and guessed that the emperor was suppressing the Zheng family's influence.His father was forced to leave the army and return to his hometown, which meant that the Shi family and the Zheng family drew a clear line. Only in this way, Shi Lang could be promoted without hindrance.

As for Xian Biao, he has nothing to do with Zheng Jiaquan and is a key training object.This trip back to England, as long as you don't die in the sea, you will definitely be promoted.

Shi Lang wandered into the city and was invited by the governor to have a drink.

The governor of Chittagong was named Chen Shangyong, and his father was Chen Zizhuang, one of the three loyalists in Lingnan.Historically, his father was tortured to death by the Qing army, and Chen Shangyong himself died in battle.

When Shi Lang arrived at the Governor's Mansion, Ferdinand, the governor, was also there.

Ferdinand was an original Portuguese official, but his blood had long been impure.His grandmother is a Nyonya (mixed-race Han) and his mother is a Rakhine. Although she believes in Catholicism, she can change to Buddhism at any time.

Today, all the descendants of Portuguese mixed blood in Chittagong belong to China as dowry.The post of Ferdinand is to assist the governor in managing the Portuguese. It will be abolished in two or three terms at most, and it is a transitional official position.

"Who is this?" Shi Lang pointed at the stranger in the room.

Chen Shangyong and Ferdinand were both sitting at the wine table, but the stranger stood nervously.

Chen Shangyong said with a smile: "If you open the king, send him to collect the rent."

The messenger said cautiously: "Three heavenly officials, the rent in Chittagong is not much every year, can you..."

"Don't even think about it!" Chen Shangyong slammed the table, "This Chittagong is the dowry of the Portuguese princess, and we sent troops to take it down from the pirates. What does it have to do with you if you found the country?"

The envoy said with a mournful face, "Chittagong was leased to Portugal by our country."

Chen Shangyong said: "Then you go to the King of Portugal. It just so happens that we have four warships going to Europe, so you should also go on the boat together."

If the messenger is speechless, why would he want to go to Europe?

Chen Shangyong continued: "Go back and tell King Rakhine that he wants port rent. Either send someone to Portugal, or bring troops to fight here!"

With a big fist, it works when you talk.

If Jianguo, as a subsidiary force of Myanmar, dared to send reinforcements last time, the Chinese court has not yet settled the score.

Chapter 935 [Mughal Civil War]

Prince Charles was about to return home, and the envoys from various countries, of course, also returned by boat along the way.

In addition to Pascal, there is also a French envoy, a collateral branch of the Medici family, who misses the prosperity of Nanjing and refuses to leave China.

The envoys were sent to Chittagong and sailed with Charles.

The Mughal envoys are the most convenient. They land directly at the mouth of the Ganges River and can go to the capital along the Ganges River.Then, they were arrested not far away, and they were all escorted to meet the second prince Shah Shuja.

Just last year, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan became seriously ill.

The eldest prince Dara Shuke was regent, in order to avoid disturbing his father's recuperation, only a few ministers were allowed to see the emperor, so rumors that the emperor had passed away spread throughout the country.

The fourth prince Murad claimed that the emperor was dead and was murdered by the eldest prince.

Facts proved that the eldest prince was innocent, because it didn't take long for Emperor Shah Jahan to recover and received ministers on the balcony of the palace.But the other three princes insisted that it was a fake, a slave who looked a lot like the emperor.

The second prince, Shah Shuja, took the lead in self-reliance and declared himself emperor in Bengal.

The third prince Aurangzeb then jumped back and separated the Deccan Plateau.

The fourth prince, Murad, followed closely behind and ruled in Gujarat.

The third child and the fourth child also secretly agreed that in the future, the third child will be the emperor, ruling two-thirds of the country's territory, and the remaining third will be the territory of the fourth child.They told the second child that Bangladesh would give it to the second child, and recognized that the second child was the emperor of Bengal.

The second child, the third child, and the fourth child made an appointment to send troops to kill and go to Delhi to take the bird position.

These Indian envoys who came back from China happened to crash into the territory of the second child. After being arrested, they realized that the Mughals had been divided into four (in fact, it was divided into five, and the Rajput prince declared neutral autonomy).

Shah Shuja asked: "You came back from China?"

The head of the mission replied: "Just came back from China?"

Shah Shuja asked again: "How does China's territory compare with that of the Mughals?"

The leader of the envoys took out a world map, which is the latest civilian version of the map. It only marked the cities and did not indicate the mountains and rivers.

Shah Shuja looked at the map carefully and asked in surprise, "Is China so big?"

The leader of the envoy said: "China is very big, and China is the richest and most civilized country. The Mughals are far from being able to compare with China. The emperor of China is the most wise monarch, and the ministers and people are very convinced and respect him. Even if there is They are low-level civilians, who can have enough food and clothing, have inexhaustible food, and inexhaustible cotton cloth.”

Shah Shuja asked again: "How is the Chinese army?"

The leader of the envoy replied: "The Chinese army is invincible. Under the command of the Chinese emperor, it has never lost a battle. The blue areas on the map are all Chinese vassal states."

Shah Shuja looked at the map and was speechless for a long time.

He withdrew the envoy, called his advisor, and asked some questions about China.

The Minister of Advisors said: "Chinese businessmen have already traded in Bangladesh, but they were often blocked by the Dutch... Last year, China also occupied Chittagong. It is said that it was the dowry of the Portuguese princess marrying the Chinese emperor."

After Shah Shuja carefully understood the situation, he recruited his confidants: "You immediately go to Chittagong by boat and tell the Chinese governor of Chittagong. As long as China is willing to sell me artillery and armor, Hooghly Port will be completely open to Chinese businessmen. .When the time comes, I will expel the Dutch there and hand Hooghly Harbor over to China!"

Hooghly Port is the most prosperous port in the Ganges River Basin. Half of the goods of the Mughal Empire are sold overseas from this port.

At the beginning, it was managed by the Portuguese. The Mughal emperor drove the Portuguese away, but when he found that his management was not good, he invited the Portuguese back.In a few years, the Portuguese were driven away, the Dutch were attracted to manage the port, and then the British were allowed to get involved.

Now, it seems that they want to expel the Dutch and invite the Chinese to cooperate.

The capriciousness of the Indians seems to have a long history.

Chen Shangyong, the governor of Chittagong, soon received the news from the Indian envoy, and he was very happy to send people to Nanjing to report.

When Zhao Han heard about the Mughal civil war, he immediately became happy.Directly ordered to dismantle the artillery in the coastal city of Guangdong, and then dispatched [-] sets of chain armor and sent them to the second prince of India as quickly as possible.

The situation in Bangladesh has been reported to the imperial court by merchants.Agriculture is extremely developed there, and the handicraft industry is also very prosperous, but there is no ability to manufacture arms.

The second prince separatized Bangladesh and needed China's support. The longer this civil war lasts, the better.Not only can China obtain the right to operate the Hooghly Port, but it can also continue to sell arms to earn money. The Mughal civil war is comfortable until the end of time.

Shah Shuja knew the disadvantages of Bengal, so he was willing to let his third brother seize the throne as emperor.Now with the support of China's arms, he himself is the second child and should succeed the Mughal emperor, so why would he want to stay in Bengal as the local emperor?

This guy has already made a plan, let the third and fourth join forces, and go to the boss to hurt all three.If the third and fourth children can't hold on, he will send troops to help.If the boss can't hold on, he will directly send troops to copy the back of the third brother!

……

But it said that four Chinese warships escorted Charles to move on.They were in the port of Pulicat, and they were surrounded by the Dutch fleet.

Xian Biao said: "Get ready to fight, send envoys to negotiate!"

Charles said with a smile: "General, I will negotiate in person. The Dutch will not only let us go, but also send us respectfully along the way, and even provide food supplies."

Those Dutch fleets actually did not dare to attack rashly, after all, China and the Netherlands are still in the truce period.Once China is provoked and the two countries go to war again, who will be responsible for this fight?

Charles went there in a small boat, negotiated with the Dutch commander, and the Dutch fleet "escorted" them to Ceylon.

The governor of the Netherlands is Joan Matesolko. He greeted him and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Excellency the famous prince."

Charles got straight to the point: "The Emperor of China funded me to train 2000 soldiers. I want to go back to England to regain the throne. At that time, I will abolish all the decrees of Cromwell and restore relations with the Netherlands. Everything that the Netherlands lost during the war, I will It will all be returned to the Netherlands."

"Really?" Joan was delighted.

"Of course it is!" said Charles.

Joan asked: "Can you write an agreement, I think the Netherlands will send troops to help."

Charles shook his head: "I can't write an agreement, and I can't let the Netherlands send troops, otherwise the British subjects will oppose me."

Joan was suddenly disappointed: "How can you guarantee that what you said can be fulfilled?"

Charles said: "In the name of the King of England, I swear to the Almighty and Omniscient Lord that if I break my promise, I will go to hell after death."

This oath is really heavy, and Qiao An immediately believed it.

Moreover, even if Charles breaks his promise, it doesn't matter, and there is no loss to the Netherlands.Now the Dutch are most afraid of Cromwell. If Charles can oust Cromwell, it will be beneficial to the Netherlands.

The atmosphere immediately eased, Joan warmly entertained Charles, and ordered the port to sell supplies to the Chinese warships.

Zhao Han hopes that the Mughals will continue to fight civil wars, while Qiao An hopes that Britain will continue to fight civil wars.After Charles returns to the UK, it is best to be undefeated and keep fighting against Cromwell, and then the Netherlands will be able to reap the benefits.

In this way, under the escort of the Dutch fleet, the Chinese warship continued sailing very smoothly.

Even, the Governor of the Netherlands also issued a document, so that the Dutch ports along the way should not conflict with the Chinese warships, and can provide fresh water and food for the Chinese warships.

After Ceylon, along the way is the port of Portugal.


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.