In December 1654, Zheng Yong stood by the dock at the mouth of Tahe River and watched the two old ships belonging to Riga Trading Station slowly dock. If you have read this chapter, please move to: Say. Read the latest chapter The ship was filled with a large number of guns, cannons, sabers, armor, military kettles, ammunition packs, hemostasis bandages, military boots, saddles, spurs and other military supplies. The total value is as high as 160,000 yuan. Part of it was ordered by Grand Duke Jacob of Courland, and the other part was ordered by Dutch merchants doing business in the Danze area.

"Dear Duke, 7,500 muskets and 60 artillery are not a large number, and the Duchy of Kurland cannot afford to arm tens of thousands of troops. So, should this batch of arms be sold to Poland?" Zheng Yong, wearing a sea otter leather jacket and a top hat, smiled and said, "Of course I don't mean anything else. Business is business. Since the Duke has bought this batch of arms, he naturally has sufficient disposal rights. I am just good."

"Of course it was sold to the Poles." Jacob said in German, "There is nothing to hide from. I also know that your country has no prejudice against Poland, right? Of course, thanks to your reminder last time, I also plan to keep some weapons and form a standing army of 2,500 people. I think this standing army may play some role at critical moments. Although it is costly to maintain them, it is not unacceptable today when the war has broken out."

The war between Poland and Russia has been outbreaking for a full half year, and now a lot of news has spread to the Baltic Sea. In May 1654, because of Russia's annexation of Ukraine, Alexey Mikhailovi, the second Tsar of the Romanov dynasty, personally led a hundred thousand troops to enter Lithuania in three groups, and the Polish-Russian War officially broke out. At present, a large number of Russian teams have successively captured Never, Smolensk, Polotsk and other places. Lithuania (the main force went south to Ukraine) had almost no resistance under the rapid advance of the Russian team; in addition, another 40,000 Russian troops entered Ukraine on the southern line and occupied the famous city of Kiev. The Polish army was caught off guard and almost defeated the entire line. At present, they have begun to actively contact the Crimean Khan and the pro-Polish Cossacks. They intend to gather troops to counterattack.

"It's a pity that the Poles are not used to changing their inherent and backward war habits. Their main armies are still cavalry. These cavalry wear armor that has gradually abandoned the West, equipped with spears, wielding heavy swords, and want to resolve the battle by relying on a cluster charge. Indeed, the Poles have honed their riding skills to the point of being pure and innocent in many battles, but what about this? We are already very clear about the facts. The Cossacks of Ukraine relied on infantry and artillery to defeat the Poles in many battles, and the Swedes also rely on them. The infantry defeated them. If the Poles still rely on cavalry to fight, then it is inevitable to fail again." Zheng Yong was obviously not optimistic about the Poles' tactics. The officers of the army battlefield tour group who set off from home and arrived in Arkhangel also gave the same answer. They agreed that if the Polish army, which relied on heavy armored cavalry, did not quickly innovate tactics, they would not face the first-class Swedes, even the weaker Russians (Russia has 300,000 troops, but most of them have never received professional military training), they could not easily win.

"This is not something I should care about." Grand Duke Jacob shook his head and then said, "I only care whether my country will be affected. Zheng's envoy. A few days ago, you and me, the Tsar promised that once you enter Livornia, you will not invade my country. Now I want to confirm again, is this the truth?"

"Yes, Molozov, the mentor of the Tsar, has assured me that, in view of the large amount of ordnance sold by our government, His Majesty Alexey is determined to recognize the position of the Duchy of Kurland, provided that your country provides a certain amount of supplies when the Moscow army enters nearby." Zheng Yong immediately assured when he heard this, "I am extremely sure of the truth of this matter, so I think the invaders that the Duke should worry most are not the Moscows, but the evil wolf Swedes in the north."

Grand Duke Jacob was a little silent. In fact, he has been worried recently that Zheng Yong, the special envoy of the East Coast, had no ambitions for Kurland, but was still trying to help their country. Grand Duke Jacob knew this well and was grateful. Therefore, Zheng Yong reminded him of the invasion from Sweden, and he suddenly became alert. The only thing to be clear now is whether the Swedes would join this war?

"Maybe the Swedes will join this war. Maybe not, but you have to be right. I should prepare early. The establishment of a standing army is the first thing, and the establishment of a larger ocean fleet is the second thing, and the third thing is to continue to complete the transfer of property and personnel. New Kurland will be our last shelter." Grand Duke Jacob must have considered this issue a long time ago, so his thoughts are clear: "New Kurland is humid and hot, and there are many diseases. The natives on the banks of the Congo River are also extremely fierce. We should rely more on your country when we develop that land. Regarding this, 200,000 Kurlands will always remember it, and the East Coast people will always be good friends of the Kurlands..."

"My country needs allies in the Baltic Sea, and your country also needs help in Southwest Africa. It's just helping each other. There's nothing special to thank. Grand Duke, you're too polite." Zheng Yong saluted slightly and said with a smile: "We should further strengthen the economic and trade ties between the two countries in the future. Your country's development in the Congo River Basin has provided our country with a large amount of resources. Tropical giant trees, slaves, and tobacco are all urgently needed commodities in our country. Last year, the total economic and trade volume between the two countries was close to 500,000 yuan. It will continue to hit a new high this year. I hope it can continue to maintain it. This is of great benefit to both of us."

"In addition, the Duke of the Duke is rich in connection with Livornia and should find opportunities for this war, such as refugees arising from war." Zheng Yong continued, "If I remember correctly, your country had established the second colonial town of New Kurland near the mouth of the Congo River in early 1653. Then your country must need a large number of new immigrants to colonize locally. This may not be easy in the past, but it is not too difficult now. The Duke of Lithuania has a large population, and a large number of displaced people have emerged due to the war. You must know that the military discipline of the Moscows has never been very good. The Duke of the Duke can organize a large number of people to guide these refugees into the territory of Kurland, and then arrange them to colonize New Kurland. This is undoubtedly crucial for your country to consolidate overseas colonies. Moreover, at some critical moments, there can be multiple ways of retreat, right?"

It is undeniable that Zheng Yong's words made Jacob seriously consider the feasibility of this matter. Now the Russian army is progressing rapidly in the Duchy of Lithuania. The Polish army stationed in the local area cannot resist the enemy at all. The local nobles were unable to make effective resistance due to a disarray. Therefore, the vast Lithuania was suddenly in endless chaos. Many towns and villages in the places were ravaged by the rude Russian team, and a large number of farmers began to flee, just like the tide of farmers' escape in northern Germany during the Thirty Years' War. These farmers who fled in all directions (even merchants and nobles) may be a burden to the local nobles of Poland at this time, but in the eyes of those who are interested, this may not be a resource, but it is also a very precious resource.

"Yes, there are too few Ming people in the Port of Jacob and the Knights Fortress (the total is no more than 3,000 people). I have always wanted to strengthen the power there, but you also know that Kurland is a country with a poor population and cannot withstand huge losses of colonial activities. Therefore, in a sense, the chaos in the Polish-Lithuanian Federation has indeed provided our colonial cause a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, if you want to guide, resettle and transport a large number of Lithuanian refugees to New Kurland, the cost is not a large number. You also know that my country is not very rich at the moment, and she has used most of the funds to expand manual workshops, build ocean ships, build commercial networks, and endless colonial cause, so..." Grand Duke Jacob paused here, and then turned his attention to Zheng Yong without hesitation.

"His Excellency the Duke is a friend of the people of the East Coast. It is not a big problem to us to provide appropriate help to his friends. I can make a decision to provide a certain amount of funds to the Duke to support the collection and resettlement of refugees and the cost of renting ships, but all of this has a prerequisite..." Zheng Yong smiled slightly when he heard this, and he had a vague idea in his heart.

"New Kurland is not a mature colony with a deep foundation. It cannot absorb much population. Therefore, I would like to ask your country to accept some poor Lithuanian refugees for the sake of the Lord, otherwise they would be too miserable. Of course, my officials will handle the matters about the resettlement of refugees and the rental of ships." Grand Duke Jacob was indeed very adept, and in a few words he gave a share of the people of the East Coast.
Chapter completed!