1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 127 Ludwig's Return

When Cao Xiong and his team were about to arrive in Batavia, they encountered the "Polang 2" returning from Bacheng to Jianye City.

In order to carry more people, "Polang 2" did not carry any livestock on this trip.In addition to [-] tons of grain as ballast, all the immigrants were shipped, a total of [-] people.

According to the order of immigration priority, artisans and those who can read and write are given priority, young and strong come second, and old and weak are last.Of course, if there is a woman, it is also a priority.

After saying goodbye to each other, Cao Xiong's fleet and "Polang 2" sailed in opposite directions and headed for their respective destinations.

"Recently, what's the news about Batavia?" After the fleet arrived in Batavia, Cao Xiong immediately took people off the ship and arrived at a warehouse rented by Hanzhou at the pier.

Seeing Hu Wenjin, Cao Xiong casually asked about the recent surrounding news.

"Last month, Boni and the Dutch fought a naval battle in the southern waters of Borneo. According to the Dutch, they won a complete victory. They sank and injured hundreds of Boni ships and killed thousands of people, while they Own damage was slight. It appears that only two ships were damaged, with more than two hundred casualties."

"Besides, this battle may seriously damage Boni's vitality. Not only did he lose many soldiers, but also a large number of ships were destroyed. Most likely, there will be no more attacks on the Dutch for a long time to come." Hu Wenjin shook his head. Said.

"According to me, Boni shouldn't be fighting bravely with the Dutch at sea. Their small boats are not even as good as our Ming's Fuchuan. How can they compete with the Dutch Galen warships... They, just We should use the dense forests of Borneo to deal with the Dutch landing colonists, maybe there will be some profit!" Cao Xiong couldn't help but recall that the last time he helped the Dutch transport supplies and personnel to Borneo, he was attacked by the Boni people. Raid.

"By the way, Master Cao!" Hu Wenjin suddenly thought of something, "Mr. Ludwig sent his butler to look for you, saying that he has something important to talk to you about."

"Huh?" Cao Xiong was a little surprised. When he came to Batavia in the past, he always went to Ludwild on his own initiative. He had never asked the housekeeper to come to him to discuss matters.

"You don't know clearly, why is he looking for me?" Cao Xiong asked, maybe, let Lao Tzu deliver supplies and personnel to the Dutch again.

"The butler kept his mouth shut and didn't say anything. Anyway, he told you to meet Ludwidge when you arrive in Batavia."

"Just right! I'm going to look for him too, and ask if I can buy their big boats." Cao Xiong said, "Our small boats seem to be getting worse and worse. There are fewer migrants to be transported, and less cargo to pull. Hu, you don’t know, we bring a ship of raw silk and porcelain from Daming to Batavia, and we still have money left over to pay for those immigration fees! If the ship is bigger, wouldn’t it be more profitable!”

"I don't know!" Hu Wenjin said with a smile: "In Batavia these days, I saw the Dutch pulling our Ming's goods ship by ship. These Westerners seem to be interested in our Ming's raw silk and porcelain. It seems that they will never be able to satisfy their appetite... If we have time, we will take a boat of raw silk to their Western country and see how much profit there is!"

"That will have to wait until we have enough people and enough boats!" Cao Xiong said regretfully, "We don't have the ability to go to Western countries now....Oh, by the way, when we came here, Xiaotian mentioned, Let's see if we can recruit more shipbuilders in Batavia."

"I guess it's a bit difficult!" Hu Wenjin frowned and said, "The Dutch pay close attention to those shipbuilders, and they are treated well....I will try my best to find a way to trick them!"

"Yes, it is indeed difficult to find some craftsmen and artists. Who told us that Hanzhou has nothing!" Cao Xiong sighed, "Xiaotian gave me a list, saying that he went to Daming, and find a way to get those people Get them all! My darling, they are all scholars, and there are quite a few petty officials....This is asking me to be a robber and kidnap people!"

"What about the robber!" Hu Wenjin laughed, "Didn't Xiaotian have studied for a few years, and now this robber is even more daring!...Go to Daming to kidnap officials, haha..."

Cao Xiong also laughed.

"I heard that Cao has arrived in Batavia?" Ludwild sat behind a desk and asked without raising his head.

"Yes, sir." The butler Anri Credo replied softly.

"Then will he come over tonight?"

"He'll be here."

"Last time, they were in Kupang and gave me another great support."

"Yes, sir....Cao, sometimes I can really help at critical moments."

"You said, at that moment, did they... dare to attack the Portuguese?" Ludwig raised his head.

"They sure dare!"

"why?"

"Cao has a fearless spirit."

"...We need his fearlessness, especially in July."

Anri Credo nodded. He knew that Ludwig's July meant that the Dutch East India Company was preparing to launch a tentative attack on the Kingdom of Aceh in the west of Sumatra in July.

Last month, Iskandar Mudar, the wise and powerful sultan of Aceh, died. The kingdom he founded by fighting all over the world was caught in an heir strife.The Dutch East India Company has long coveted the pepper and tin mines in the central area of ​​​​Sumatra Road, so they are preparing to conduct a tentative attack in July and expect to establish a colony.

In recent years the board of the Dutch East India Company has placed increasing demands on the Batavian authorities.Every year the board proposes to further increase the supply of local spices, raw silk, and porcelain back to Europe.

In view of the fact that a small amount of sucrose was shipped to Europe in the past two years, it achieved unexpected results and was well received by the market.Therefore, Amsterdam also proposed to expand the production and supply of sucrose.

But the strong demand needs to be purchased with a large amount of currency.Batavia is currently extremely short of gold and silver and other precious metals, while the Ming Dynasty, Japan, Siam, Champa, Annan, all transactions in these countries and regions only recognize gold and silver.

Therefore, in order to meet the cargo supply needs of Amsterdam, after discussing with the East India Company Committee, Ludwild has written to the 17-member committee, requesting to provide at least 100 million guilders of precious metals to the Batavian authorities.

Therefore, in addition to gaining a colony, attacking the Kingdom of Aceh also has an unspoken reason to plunder the cities and towns of the Kingdom of Aceh to obtain more gold and silver.

Ludwig hoped that in July, when the East India Company launched a military operation against the Kingdom of Aceh, Cao Xiong could lead ships and personnel to participate together.Of course, ordnance and ammunition must be provided by the East India Company.

"Sir, Cao should be here." Anri Credo heard the voice of a guard outside the door.

"Go and bring him in." Ludwig leaned back and said with a smile.

Anli Credo retreated out of the room to welcome Cao Xiong's arrival.

As in the past, Cao Xiong brought Qi Dalu and came to Ludwild's mansion with a light but precious gift.

"Cao, every time you bring me a gift, I feel guilty." Ludwild stood in the middle of the spacious living room and greeted Cao Xiong warmly.

Guilty?Damn it, I see you so happy that your face is blooming!Cao Xiong slandered.

"Lord Lu, I don't have anything else to hand." Cao Xiong said, "It's just some jewelry, let your family play with it!"

Anri Credo shook his head with a smile. How could he play around with jewels worth thousands of guilders?This Mr. Cao is really generous.

"Dear Cao, let's go to the study, I need to talk to you about something." Ludwig extended his hand to invite Cao Xiong to the study.

"To attack Aceh in July?" Cao Xiong was a little surprised when Ludwig told him about the East India Company's invitation.Where is Aceh, what is the force, and how many troops are needed?
"This is a tentative attack!" Ludwig patiently explained: "We will choose a suitable place to attack and land. If we encounter a strong counterattack, we can withdraw and wait for the next better opportunity."

Oh, that's about the same. If you can't win, run away. We don't have the strength to fight against a strong enemy.

"How many troops do we need?"

"It's best for you to dispatch more than 200 people, and the company will also dispatch 500 people, including [-] musketeers. We will provide you with [-] muskets...of course, matchlock guns."

200 people, not many.At that time, let Jianye City train a hundred musketeers, supplemented by a hundred soldiers equipped with short knives and spears, and they can also be pulled up to see blood.

Attack Aceh in July, run faster, you can go back and forth from Daming twice.By then, there will be almost 3000 people in Hanzhou.Pulling out two hundred soldiers will not affect the industrial and agricultural production of Hanzhou, and by the way, they can also train soldiers.

"Dear Cao, in order to repay you for helping me, I have prepared a gift for you. You will definitely like it very much!"

(End of this chapter)