1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 125 Timor Island

Two weeks after Cao Xiong's fleet returned to Jianye City, the "Polang 1" led by Niu Jinmin returned to Jianye City from Batavia.Moreover, when he came back, he looked quite embarrassed.

Because on the way, the bilge of the ship actually leaked, which scared Niu Jinmin and many sailors out of their wits, and hurriedly asked the immigrants on board to block the leak in the bilge with bags containing grains and rice.

Along the way, I dare not leave the coastline of the island on the way.After stumbling to Timor Island, Niu Jinmin did not dare to continue taking risks, so he chose a river bend into the sea to stop, probably near the small town of Suai on the later Timor Island.All 63 immigrants on board were unloaded, as well as [-] tons of grain, three cattle, and two mules.

After staying for a day, they simply repaired the water leak, leaving the three old brothers and some weapons at the temporary stop, then spread the sails, and slowly drove back towards Jianye City.

"Since the people are left there, why don't we build a transit supply point there." After listening to Niu Jinmin's report, Cao Xiong lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said to the crowd.

"Is it hidden there? Ordinary people come close, can they easily find it?" Yu Fukun was a little worried about the more than 60 immigrants who stayed there.

"I was afraid of danger, so I specially selected a place with dense forests. Going up a hundred meters along the river, there is a bend with a large bend. The terrain there is relatively flat, and those immigrants are here. On the coast If it is near the other side, it is impossible to find it at all. You can only find it if you disembark from the boat and search for it, or go up the river." Niu Jinmin said.

"How deep is the river, can a big boat go there?" Cao Xiong asked.

"I don't know." Niu Jinmin shook his head. "At that time, we were in a hurry and didn't measure the water depth. We were near the sea and waded in. The food was also moved from the sea, and most of it was probably soaked by water."

"Xiaotian, what do you think? Do you want to occupy that place and use it as a transit supply point for future travel? ... Or send a boat to bring them all back?"

"In name, that place should belong to the Portuguese, but they are basically in the north of the island. As for the south, it seems that there is no economic value, and they have not sent people here. However, it is not ruled out that they will send people from time to time. The boat patrols the east and south sides of the island."

"In this period, although the Portuguese are not as strong as the Dutch, they are not something we can easily provoke."

"So, we can only send boats to bring people back?" Cao Xiong was a little unwilling, he was stimulated by the numerous colonization points (supply points) of the Dutch.If, in the 19th century, if he traveled from mainland China to Europe, he would be even more shocked by the empire on which the sun never sets.

Qi Tian was also extremely hesitant. The benefits of setting up a transit supply point for sea navigation are self-evident.More importantly, Timor Island is just opposite to Jianye City, and the distance is only six or seven days away, so it is also convenient to travel.
However, the two strongholds established by our Hanzhou have not yet been completed, and various materials cannot be self-sufficient.If this occupies the Portuguese land, although it has no economic value, it is also a slap in the face, isn't it?

At any rate, Portugal is also the first generation of maritime colonial powers, and once divided the world with Spain according to the Pope's meridian.Although it is down and out now, it is not something you, a new power in Hanzhou, can challenge.

"Or, take it first." Qi Tian said: "If the Portuguese finds out, give them money, and let's rent that piece of land."

"Rent?" Cao Xiong and the others stared wide-eyed, "There is still such a thing as renting land?" In their understanding, renting land was in the countryside of Daming, asking for a piece of farmland to rent from the landlord Lao Cai , is to pay a very high rent.

"Yes, the Portuguese found out, so they tried to give money and rent that piece of land.... If the other party really refuses to agree, then we will withdraw." Qi Tian was also a little uncertain whether this method would work, and he would just settle Give it a try.

"Little Tian, ​​sometimes you worry too much, and your hands are tied." Cao Xiong shook his head and said solemnly: "No matter what we do now, we are in a much better situation than we were a year ago. We have a powerful Western warship , with a population of more than 1000, and two small cities, which can also smelt iron and steel, and forge weapons. Even if the worst happens and we get beaten up by the Portuguese, it’s no big deal. It’s just that we shrink back, Just immerse yourself in the development.”

Yes, no matter how bad the situation is, is there a worse situation after being defeated by Zheng Zhilong?Damn it, isn't it just to build a supply point? If you don't believe it, it can be controlled by a Portugal.

Now that it has been decided to set up a transfer supply point on Timor Island, the necessary supplies and construction materials need to be transported there in time. Otherwise, if the 60-odd people encounter some natives or the like, don’t wipe them out.

The "Polang 2" was urgently mobilized. After two days, Qi Tian arranged for immigrants to load bricks, cement, swords, cloth, living utensils and other materials onto the ship in the light rain.After deliberation, the government decided to assign Chen Dalang to be responsible for the construction and management of the supply point named "Xinxiang" on Timor Island.

On a drizzly morning, "Polang 2" sailed out of Jianyecheng Wharf and headed for Timor Island, the opposite side of the sea.

"Let's go, let's go back!" Cao Xiong yelled, but he was still standing still watching Qi Tian, ​​who was leaving the ship.

"Uncle, are you sure?" Qi Tian asked softly.

"Having rested in Hanzhou for half a month, it's time to go." Cao Xiong said with a smile; "Stay any longer, not to mention the brothers below, even I don't want to move."

Five days later, Cao Xiong's fleet will also leave Jianye City, stop at Batavia on the way, and then sail to Daming again.Luo Rucheng, who went to Huai'an in Daming with Zhou Yingping last time, one of the most important goals is to wait for the opportunity to establish two shelters and transit places for refugees in Huaibei and Guangzhou.Having not returned to Batavia for such a long time, and there is no news, I am really worried that something is wrong.

"It took another three months to go back and forth." Qi Tian said, "Uncle, you must take care on the road!" At present, the entire Hanzhou cannot be separated from Cao Xiong. With him, we can gather together All the original pirates, and then maintain the core forces of the entire Hanzhou, and then rule the current nearly a thousand immigrants.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen on the road." Cao Xiong patted Qi Tian on the shoulder, "It's you, you have to take care of your body. The development of Hanzhou depends on you.  …The 40s that brought back from Guangzhou You have to raise your children well, and they will definitely be our loyal supporters in the future!"

"I understand!" Cao Xiong brought back more than 50 women from Daming, and gathered nearly 41 children between the ages of seven and eight to fifteen or sixteen. More than a dozen died on the way, and [-] remained alive. .At present, Qi Yuanshan is in charge of taking care of them. He reads and reads and does some simple labor with all the teenagers every day.

Although Qi Tian doesn't think much of Cao Xiong's obsession with family, he is very enthusiastic about educating and managing these underage children.For children in this age group, the Three Views have not yet been established, which happens to be the best time to establish a new world view and outlook on life.He will teach these more than 40 children and more than 30 teenagers in the early stage to teach modern knowledge and ideas, and finally form a group that is closer to his own ideas.

(End of this chapter)