At this time, on a merchant ship sent by Li Dan and Yan Siqi to Nanyang to sell goods and buy rice, James Gilbert, who came to the capital to meet, was visiting the missionary Aruluo.

It has been seven or eight days since he arrived in the capital. Although Yan Siqi sent someone to accompany him and reported to the emperor, the emperor did not respond and just arranged for James to live in the inn.

Two Dutch merchants who lived in the inn with James came from Japan and came to meet the Emperor of Ming Dynasty and discuss trade and trade through Li Dan's recommendation.

Obviously, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty had an explanation to Li and Yan. Otherwise, they would not dare to lead Western merchants to the Ming Dynasty's capital without authorization.

As a rising star, Britain has been suppressed by the old overlord Holland and has withdrawn from Japan's trade. It is even a trend of being driven out of Asia. This time, it is also a last effort to take the Dutch's sailboat.

"Our conditions are very simple. We can park at the port of the Ming Dynasty, buy merchant goods, repair ships, and replenish fresh water and food." James said to Ai Juliu, "I don't know what this request is, will the emperor of the Ming Dynasty agree?"

Ai Ruluo thought for a while and said, "Although I don't know much about His Majesty the Emperor of Ming Dynasty, I heard from Jinnige that His Majesty the Emperor can speak London English. This should be a good sign, right?"

"London sound?" James looked happy and asked in confusion: "What's going on? Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor has contacted the British and has even learned a few British words?"

Ai Ruluo shook his head and said, "That's not clear. As for the conditions you listed, I think it should be OK. His Majesty the Emperor of Ming Dynasty is still very open-minded. You can see the clues by translating Western books and opening up the maritime ban."

After pausing, he continued: "There is another news, which is also very important. The Ming Dynasty is suppressing two rebellions and is eager for weapons and technicians. This is also an important reason why the Portuguese are welcomed."

James' eyes lit up and he said, "We have craftsmen and artillery, all the Portuguese can give to Ming Dynasty. We have craftsmen and skills, and there is no problem."

"Did you ship from England all the way?" Airuo shook his head and said, "I'm afraid this cannot compete with the Portuguese in terms of price."

"By the way, the Ming Dynasty still needs Western-style sea ships." Airuo added: "Same thing, you can't compete with the Portuguese."

James thought about it and didn't tell the truth to Ai Juliu.

It is obviously unrealistic and economical to build ships in Britain and sail to Ming Dynasty, but they can grab it!

Those who rob the Spaniards, those who rob the Portuguese, or even those who rob the Dutch, as long as they can establish good relations with the Ming Empire and maintain channels for trade and trade, these are not problems.

"Thank you, respectful priest." James drew a cross on his chest, looking very pious.

"Please also tell the officials of the Ming Kingdom and report to His Majesty the Emperor." James finally promised: "We will do better what the Portuguese can do to express a more sincere intention."

"And, we will not be as greedy as the Portuguese and the Dutch. As long as the little favor of His Majesty will make us feel grateful."

…………………………………

Almost at the same time, Dutch merchant Prowen was also asking Johnson Chan how to trade with the Ming Empire.

"The Ming Empire is powerful and proud." John Tang didn't have a good impression of the Duke, but he still offered his own advice, "I have a very bad impression of you Duke, and I call him Red-haired Yi. It's because you are accustomed to robbing and occupying land, and it is common to land on the shore to capture people as slaves."

Prowen strongly defended: "If the Ming Empire agreed to trade and trade, such a regrettable thing would naturally not have happened."

Joshua Chan looked at Prowen with a few sneers and said, "The Emperor of the Empire called on the missionaries in the capital to hold a meeting, and talked about the matter of trade and trade."

Proven's eyes widened and showed a focused look.

Johnson Chan said: "His Majesty the Emperor talked about the conditions for the Ming Empire to trade with foreign countries. It is very fair. You can just follow this rule."

Looking at Prowen, Chau Wang emphasized: "His Majesty the Emperor also mentioned you Dutch people. If you want to use force, he will not be afraid to mobilize thousands of ships, 100,000 soldiers to start a war, and cut off your commercial routes with Japan."

"The Ming Empire has such strength?" Prowen narrowed his eyes and said, "I heard that the Ming Empire is quelling the rebellion."

Joshua Chan smiled with some contempt and said, "That's right, the two wars against rebellion are both the size of more than 100,000 troops. But so what? The Ming Empire has tens of thousands of people and millions of people can be summoned."

"As for the power of the sea, if you add all the maritime merchants in Guiming, it is not difficult to organize thousands of armed merchant ships. The most important thing is that it is simply a dream to conquer the Ming Empire with more than a dozen warships and thousands of soldiers."

Proven drooped his eyes and fell into deep thought.

If he had not believed in the vastness and large population of the Ming Empire described in the travel notes, he had changed his impression when he came to the capital.

He also knew the situation of Chinese businessmen in Japan and knew that what John Tsang said was true.

The armed fleet owned by Li Dan and Yan Siqi was originally a competitor that caused trouble to the Westerners. In particular, the Spanish were hated by Li Dan and were robbed a lot.

But due to Li Dan and Yan Siqi's connections in the mainland, even the Dutch had to rely on them to provide Ming Dynasty merchants.

Now, what is in front of you is the temptation of direct trade. Using force is short-sighted and has great risks, that is, the sea trade with Japan is cut off.

"A dozen ships and thousands of soldiers, what was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty said?" Prowen suddenly noticed the problem and asked with a frown.

Joshua Chan nodded and said, "His Majesty the Emperor's understanding of the world is shocking, and he is quite familiar with the situation of you Dutch people. By the way, with the help of the Portuguese, the army of the Ming Empire had been equipped with a considerable number of advanced muskets, and the navy also had many cannons."

Provin snorted a little depressedly, "Damn the Portuguese."

"There may be a damn British in the future." Johnson Chan shrugged and said, "The curse and jealousy are useless. I think you should honestly accept the conditions of the Ming Empire and do business well!"

Proven blinked his eyes, changed into a smiley face, and said, "That's natural. We came to meet His Majesty the Emperor just to trade and trade. There is no need to doubt sincerity, and I also ask the priest to speak for us. The bad rumors about us Dutch must be the slander of the Portuguese, who want to monopolize the trade."

Joshua Chan looked at Prowen's face change, rolled his eyes helplessly and said, "About trade and trade, the Ming Empire will send people to discuss. If you want to succeed, show what you said!"

Prowen had plans and left.

Chau Wang looked at Prowen's back and shook his head. He no longer had to worry about this hypocritical businessman who was greedy for profit and forgiving righteousness. He took out the letter sent by Xu Guangqi and studied it carefully.

Johnson Chan did not agree with the instructions of His Majesty the Emperor to compile the calendar according to the heliocentric theory, but to change His Majesty the Emperor's will, there must be definite evidence.

It's a bit difficult! Joshua Chan stood up and was about to find a few more astronomical books to study.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

As the wars in the West continue throughout modern times, especially around maritime routes and overseas colonies, the speed of its transformation in naval warfare technology is far faster than that in Asia.

Although battleline tactics have appeared, it was not until the Battle of the British-Dutch Navy, more than 30 years later that it was presented to the world in a mature manner.

By fully leveraging the side string firepower of the gunboat and attacking with a warship column as much as possible, you can get a more fierce firepower output.

Of course, it is not Zhu Youxiao's business to implement it on the battlefield.

He only put forward ideas and suggestions, and then improved by the officials below, and then achieved proficient use through training.

Now, the one who received this task, or who accepted the emperor's advice, was Shen Yourong, the General of Military Affairs of the East China Sea Navy.

The current Donghai Navy has twenty Chinese sailing ships (Jong Ship), all of which are the largest models with a length of 20 meters and a width of 10 meters, and can carry six cannons;

There are six old gate ships, forty meters long and eight meters wide, and can carry twenty cannons;

There are also more than 20 large and medium-sized cargo ships, more than 60 black boats, Cangshan boats, and mail ships, and more than 300 fire ships.

Some of these ships were bought, some were transferred from the Fujian, Zhejiang and Guangdong Navy, and some donated by the Ming Hai merchants; and three thousand officers and soldiers were transferred from coastal provinces to supplement the East China Navy.

Such a crazily formed and expanded the Donghai Navy, as well as the withdrawal of funds and artillery and strengthened training from the navy of Fujian, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, Shen Yourong and others were extremely surprised. I wonder why the emperor was going to fight a big battle.

Of course they didn't know that Zhu Youxiao had to be prepared to welcome the Dutch military attack. Historically, this year, the Dutch occupied Penghu again and went to Dongfan again after being repelled.

Not afraid of ten thousand, just fear of what if.

Zhu Youxiao wanted to use trade and trade to temporarily stabilize the Dutch and gain time for the growth of the Ming army's navy.

But who knows whether it will succeed? The Dutch's ambition seems to be not only trading, but also monopolizing trade with China, and even occupying land to station troops and suspending ships.

And this was something that Zhu Youxiao could not agree to. Then the next step was to start a war and speak with his fists.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao not only gathered forces to strengthen the East China Sea Navy as soon as possible. He also ordered the Fujian Governor Nanju Yizeng to join forces in Dongfan and Penghu, and ordered the navy to strengthen combat readiness and beware of the return of the Red and Mao Yi.

Shen Yourong had dealt with the Dutch people, had seen their giant ships and cannons, and knew that with the current power of the East China Sea Navy, it was not enough to compete with the Red Mavericks.
Chapter completed!