On the vast sea, the merchant ship "Red Bridge" of the East India Company of England sailed alone.

The "Red Bridge" is a ship with a story. The incident happened a few years ago, when another old East India company (full name "The East India Company of London Merchants", established on December 31, 1600, and is called "Old East India Company" below) seized the "Old East India Company" on the Thames River, which was intended to trade in India, and then triggered the anger of merchants in England who were very jealous of the Old East India Company. They believed that the Old East India Company had no right to seize the "Old East India".

Congress held a debate on this, and the result was that "any British citizen has the right to trade with the East Indies." Since Congress had higher rights than the royal family, the royal charter at the old East Indies Company was naturally invalidated, and they no longer had the right to monopolize East Indies trade.

However, the result of the debate in Congress is actually a joke. It was announced earlier that anyone had the right to trade, but in fact it was just a pretty good word to overturn the monopoly of the old East India company, which was impossible in practice. Congress later passed a bill that in 1698, merchants who subscribed for specific government bonds (a total of 2 million pounds, actually not everyone is qualified to buy) would be eligible to form a new East India company.

The new East India Company was called the "England East India Company" and was established last year (1698) and sent ships to organize its first trade voyage before the end of the year. Interestingly, about one-sixth of the new East India Company's equity is controlled by the old East India Company because they invested 315,000 pounds. From this we can also see that the complex and intriguing relationship between British capitalists is all about money.

The Red Bridge left the Thames before Christmas. In addition to the large amount of goods loaded in the cabin, there were 50 retired British army officers and soldiers. They are now employees of New East India Company and their mission is to assist the company's business representatives to set up business stations in India and wait for an opportunity to expand their influence.

There is no doubt that although the relationship between the two East India companies is unclear and many shareholders are the same, there is still a certain degree of competition. The existing business stations, agents, and trade channels of the old East India company are naturally impossible to hand over to the new company. The new company has no choice but to build its own part from scratch. So, the 50 soldiers carried by the "Red Bridge" went to Bangladesh to establish a new stronghold. This stronghold will focus on purchasing saltpeter, pepper, coconut, gems, and perfume as its main business task, and at the same time find ways to control local warlords and use them for the new company.

After several months of voyage, the "Red Bridge" once crossed the shore at Qingdao Port and sold a considerable amount of Welsh white coal. The East Coast Navy liked this kind of coal very much and purchased it in large quantities every year. For this reason, the domestic coal producers on the East Coast once ridiculed the navy as "too delicate". However, in the coal famine, the life of the East Coast coal mines is very comfortable. They do not worry about not being able to sell coal and using the top-notch ones.

After the British sold out coal and some other goods, the cabin was basically empty. Then, they bought a large number of high-quality swords, armor, muskets, and cannons from the East Coast, intending to ship them to India for sale. These weapons are cheaper than those produced in England, of good quality, and uniform specifications (basically all parts can be exchanged). As a private trading company, there is really no reason not to buy East Coast goods.

It seems that it is precisely because of this that the East Coast talents are extremely tolerant of the activities of the British in India and rarely show hostility. This is because their local strength is limited and India is too big to monopolize all trade. Another reason is that the British buy a large amount of goods from the East Coast, at least the bulk of weapons and metal products are purchased and sold to India on the East Coast, and act as de facto agents of East Coast goods. For those industrial enterprises, there is almost no difference. Who buys it or not? The British voluntarily acts as agents and charges to sell goods. What else is there to be dissatisfied with? The only thing that may be a little criticized is probably some East Coast traders, but their voices are not loud enough and their influence is not strong enough, and they cannot change the situation for the time being.

After two days of sailing at sea, the "Red Bridge" slowly drove into the freeport of Cape Town, which was full of masts. The old East India Company has set up a commercial station here, and the New East India Company has sent people (digging several corners from the old company) to buy land in Cape Town for a lot of money and build an office. The head of the office is Jack Child, an employee of the old East India Company, a leader of the younger generation of the academic family.

"Captain Douglas, after several months of storm, you are still so glorious." Chald, wearing an Eastern costume and shaking a folding fan in his hand, said with a smile.

"After several years of East Coast study and life, you have successfully become an East Coast man." Captain Douglas sat casually on a chair, saying while sucking the clouds and fog.

Jack Child couldn't tell whether the captain was saying good or bad things. He heard this and could only smile awkwardly and said, "Talk about trade. According to the agreement, the company will give the king a considerable amount of aid every year and subscribe to some government bonds. This is a great pressure. We must establish the trade system as soon as possible."

"A great trading system is not enough to rely on the Red Bridge alone." Captain Douglas said: "If nothing unexpected happens, four ships will arrive in Cape Town in a month, and do a good job of welcoming, young people. What you have to do is to purchase a large amount of goods and stockpile them in the warehouse. Of course, you'd better buy at a reasonable price, otherwise our profits will be greatly reduced. You know, we are a new company, and in order to open up the situation, we must use some small means, and selling at low prices is the most appropriate."

Speaking of which, the British royal family and parliament did not give it in vain. Although the parliament agreed to the establishment of the New East India Company, it also set many conditions, the most important of which is to purchase government bonds regularly, and the kind with long-term low interest rates to help the government relieve financial pressure. In addition, although the previous parliamentary debates had used the royal family to sweep the face, after successfully obtaining a business license, the new company bribed the royal family and close ministers to clear the relationship. Ironically, in the previous parliamentary debate, one of the major crimes of the Old East India Company was to bribe government officials and promised that the royal family would be provided with aid every year, with an amount of no less than 100,000 pounds.

Therefore, the new company now needs to start its business as soon as possible and especially profits, otherwise shareholders will be unhappy and doubt the capabilities of the management and the captains.

"The East Coast people have now formed an 'East India Company', called the East African Transportation Company, which specializes in the trade in northwest India. Strictly speaking, they have a competitive relationship with us. Fortunately, the Cape Town market is very free, and you can buy any goods without any restrictions. But no matter what, we need to be wary of our supply source. The best way is to establish our own industrial production system, and the closer we are to India, the better. At the end of last year, the London headquarters contacted the Portuguese, intending to spend 150,000 pounds to buy a small port, right in the place located in Krimane. That place was a trading center in ancient times, very prosperous, but now it has declined, with a small population and is half abandoned, so the Portuguese have agreed. After all, they have sold the Port of Bella to the old East India Company before, and it is not difficult to make another decision to sell land." Jack Child talked freely, as if there were a series of plans.

"This is your business, Mr. Child." Captain Douglas took a sip of cigarettes and then said slowly: "You only need to do this. As for the others, we will do it. By the way, I would like to remind you that it is best to prepare more weapons. I know that you have successfully applied for the East Coast government's weapon purchase license, and the East Coast banks are willing to provide you with mortgage loans, so that's fine. The situation in India is getting more and more chaotic now, and the company feels it necessary to directly intervene in the Indian situation to better gain an advantage. Otherwise, under the competition of the old East Indian company, we may not achieve any good results, and it is even possible that they will be driven away by them."

"Turn directly intervene?" Jack Child asked in surprise, "Is this a military invasion? I mean, the company has decided to directly use military means to attack and gain a foothold? Will this be too radical?"

"No! Nothing is not exciting at all! Time is very suitable. As long as you accurately grasp the situation. The French have done this and achieved good results, why don't we follow it? Of course, our strength is still too small and not enough to carry out such an intense action. But as long as the weapons and ammunition are hoarded and the number of local soldiers exceeds one thousand, we can try to carry out some such activities. Military conquest, support puppets, and control the popularity of goods. The risks are very high, but the benefits are also difficult to match." Captain Douglas did not have any risks in the past.
Chapter completed!