Daming Military Empire

Chapter 319 Comprehensive Cooperation

After preliminary negotiations, both the Ming Empire and Portugal have the intention of further cooperation, and then they can discuss the details of cooperation. The two sides conducted in-depth discussions on the situation of each colony around the map.

What Portugal is most anxious about now is the issue of the Gold Coast. The Duke of Braganza pointed to the Gold Coast on the map and said: "Your Majesty, the Dutch have already begun to invade the Gold Coast. Just last year, they have already seized our Egypt. Ermina, Axim and Accra are also in jeopardy. The main force of our Portugal is now in South America to resist the invasion of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Do you think the Ming Empire can help us garrison the Gold Coast?"

Zhu Cijiong actually mentioned this issue to Shi Weila on the way here. Of course, it was said in an informal setting, which was not counted. He had to repeat here again: "This is too close to the European continent, and now During the sensitive period, Da Ming cannot directly send troops to intervene. Please forgive me for that. But you can consider recruiting slave soldiers from South Asia to assist in the defense. In terms of weapons, Da Ming can sell you some weapons at a low price."

The Duke of Braganza's eyes lit up when he heard the words. He really hadn't considered the issue of recruiting servants. He couldn't help but turned his head and asked Shivela: "Count Shivela, how is the loyalty of the indigenous people in South Asia? Can it be developed into a servant soldier?"

Shivela thought for a while, nodded and said: "They are just a little inactive in doing things, and their loyalty is still acceptable, especially the civilians near Goa, who have a strong sense of belonging to our Portugal. They can consider recruiting a group of servants. Me and Kong Dede can support a thousand veterans to manage these servants."

The Duke of Braganza estimated that 2 veterans can bring [-] servants, a total of [-] people. This force is a bit insufficient for a counterattack, but it is enough to hold the existing fortress. So he decided: "Then recruit [-] servants according to His Majesty's proposal. This is the issue of weapons."

The emperor of the Ming Empire gave him an idea, and now he wants to sell weapons at a discount. The Duke of Braganza feels a little embarrassed, but Zhu Cijiong doesn't care. The profit of weapons is ridiculously high, and selling them at a discount can still make money , he said generously: "[-] [-]-type flintlock guns, [-] [-]-type howitzers, and [-] [-]-type howitzers, all of them will be half price for you, is it enough?"

The Duke of Braganza said gratefully: "Enough, enough, thank you His Majesty the Emperor, we will always remember your generosity."

The discussion of the issues in Africa is almost over, and it is time to discuss the issues in other places. Zhu Cijiong stared at the map, and still couldn't help pointing to the narrow connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea in northern Africa and reminded: "Your Majesty the Duke, you should develop here in the next step. As long as a canal is dug in the middle, the distance from the Far East to the European continent will be shortened by more than half. You should imagine how much profit will be generated during this process, right?"

Unexpectedly, instead of being excited, the Duke of Braganza frowned and said, "Your Majesty, the excavation of a canal here has been mentioned a long time ago, but after actual measurement, the width here has reached a terrifying 120" Miles, the excavation is very difficult!"

mile?This really stumped Zhu Cijiong. He really didn't know much about these imperial units. Hearing this, he couldn't help looking at Shivela. In the appearance of more than three miles, more than 100 miles is nothing. He said proudly: "How difficult is this? Do you know that there is a canal running from north to south in Daming, which was built by the Sui Empire 1000 years ago. Nearly one thousand and one hundred miles long, 120 miles of canal is nothing!"

The Duke of Bragança thought about it, even if the canal was dug out, Portugal would not be able to defend it. They are not capable of dealing with the European powers. He simply suggested: "Why don't we find a way to occupy there first, and then Our two countries jointly develop and share the benefits equally, what do you think?"

Zhu Cijiong originally intended to control it, but it is closer to the European continent. A non-European country in Ming Dynasty controls their throats. It was because he felt that he was too weak to control, so he invited Daming, which was great. With Portugal, a native European country, the matter would be much easier, so he readily agreed.

Then the eyes of both sides turned to South Asia, and the Duke of Braganza said worriedly: "Your Majesty, I heard that the Netherlands is planning to reorganize the Second Fleet of the Far East and re-appoint Admiral Van Mendy as Governor of Batavia. This guy has a strong desire to expand. He may not dare to do anything to Daming after he takes office, but he will definitely not be lenient when dealing with us Portugal. At that time, I am afraid that except for Goa, Mysore, Ceylon and other places where the Ming Expeditionary Army is stationed place, other colonies will be snatched by him.”

Zhu Cijiong thought for a while, then pointed to the Strait of Malacca on the map and said, "I told Earl Shivela on the way here that I could consider sending a fleet to station here. Since the Netherlands wants to expand in the Far East, I might as well use the Nanyang The navy and the South China Sea Fleet are all stationed here to coerce Batavia, if they dare to come out to snatch your colony, I will order the Nanyang Navy and the South China Sea Fleet to directly take their old lair, Batavia!"

The Duke of Braganza couldn't help looking at Zhu Cijiong with admiration. With such a defensive personality and such a domineering decision-making, Portugal really found the right ally!

Shivela said a little worriedly: "Your Majesty, you seem to have said last time that Da Ming and the Netherlands signed an armistice agreement. If Da Ming recklessly tore up the agreement and directly sent troops to deal with the Netherlands, the Netherlands would just find an excuse to get its allies to unite against us. That would be troublesome!"

Zhu Cijiong said calmly: "It's okay, there is a stipulation in the armistice agreement that the Netherlands is not allowed to attack the allies of the Ming Empire in the Far East. They planned to attack you because they wanted to unilaterally tear up the agreement. If Ming attacked them again, it would not be considered a violation of the agreement. Besides, the Far East is not Africa. It is closer to Ming Dynasty and far away from Europe. It is not a wise decision to go to the Far East to fight against my Ming Empire. I believe their allies will consider the consequences. Will they take such a big risk for the Netherlands? ?”

Upon hearing this, Shivela couldn't help but praised: "The emperor is wise."

Next, the two sides discussed issues such as the development of the colony and the utilization of resources. The comprehensive cooperation between Daming and Portugal was officially launched. Because there were too many things involved, the two sides did not sign any specific agreements. Zhu Cijiong believed that Portugal would definitely not No matter what tricks they dared to play, Portugal also believed that the Ming Empire, an ally, would not do anything to disappoint them.

In the end, the Duke of Braganza even said bluntly: "Your Majesty, we will find a suitable opportunity to launch an uprising in the next two years to overthrow the Spanish rule. At that time, please mediate from it. After all, we do not Hope to start a full-scale war with Spain!"

Zhu Cijiong heard the words, nodded solemnly and said: "When the time comes, I will personally come to mediate for you."

(End of this chapter)