1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 128 Ludwig's Return

"Gift?... What gift?" Seeing Ludwig's smiling face, Cao Xiong wondered, should he give himself a Western woman?Just like the native girl sent to his room in Sulu Kingdom?

"Didn't you ask to buy a Galen ship before?" Ludwild looked at Cao Xiong with a strange expression and didn't take it seriously, "Now, the company has a Galen ship that has been in service for four years and can sell it to you ...Of course, you need to buy the cannons above."

"Really?" Cao Xiong was a little overjoyed. When he came, he was going to propose to buy Galen ships again to enrich Hanzhou's maritime armed forces and transportation capabilities.In the end, before he could speak, Ludwig actually proposed to sell the big ship to him.

"Of course!" Ludwig looked at Cao Xiong's joyful expression and was very proud, "I made this decision after arguing for reasons in the company committee. Cao, you must know that the capacity of the East India Company Very nervous, every boat is the company's most valuable asset."

"Hehe..." Cao Xiong grinned, "Master Lu, don't worry, I will never forget your kindness.... I will definitely thank you in the future!"

"..." Ludwig was dumb, I didn't mean that, I didn't think about asking for benefits from you. ... Well, Cao's gifts are always so irresistible.

"When can we get this boat?" Cao Xiong asked after being overjoyed for a while.

"You can do it now if you want it.  …It's in port at the moment and just finished the routine maintenance of the ship. Well, it's like new!"

"Master Lu, what do you mean... I paid for it, and I can drive away at any time?" Cao Xiong was a little surprised. If he could take it with him when he sailed to Daming, at least he could ship more goods and population.

"Of course, as long as you pay the money to the company, and you can still drive away." Ludwild said with a smile, a newly purchased ship, at least you have to send someone on board to familiarize yourself with it for a month, and continue to carry out Sea trials.At least, you need about three months to be familiar with and operate this ship.

"How much is this boat selling for?"

"Twenty-five thousand guilders."

Cao Xiong calculated silently in his heart, 5000 dong, about [-] taels of silver, and he could earn it back by taking a boatload of spices and traveling to Daming.When returning from Daming, more people and goods can be shipped.Since the Dutch can sell the boat to Lao Tzu, then Lao Tzu can drive the boat away.

"What about the former officers and sailors on the ship? Can you hire them for a few months?" Cao Xiong asked.

"Ah?" Ludwig was stunned, there was still such an operation.How urgently you need this ship!

"I think it should be fine. As long as you pay a high enough salary."

"Then trouble Master Lu, I will prepare the money for this ship tomorrow and send it to you. The former officers and sailors on the ship will also be hired,... just temporarily hire them for six months!"

"Cao, why do you want this ship so eagerly?" Ludwig asked curiously.

"The boats we used to be were too small. A trip to Daming would save us a lot of money....Moreover, those ships were too weak. In July, don't we want to fight Aceh with you?" , being able to control this ship earlier will just strengthen our strength!"

"Well, Cao, you think so far!" Ludwig praised, and then suddenly said: "If we sell you another boat, do you want it?"

"Of course I want it!" Cao Xiong was taken aback, what's the matter, you Dutch people, when did you become so generous.

"Two months ago, the company...rescued a Portuguese Galen ship near the Indian Sea, and it is now parked at the fleet dock outside the city. Are you interested?" Ludwig asked seriously.

In fact, the so-called rescued ship was a Portuguese ship that was robbed by the Dutch East India Company near the Indian waters.They transferred all the raw silk, tea and other goods on the ship to the East India Company's ship returning to Europe, while the poor Portuguese were escorted by Dutch armed men, drove the ship to Batavia, and were finally sent to the city. outside the quarry.

Cao Xiong didn't notice the strange expression on Ludwig's face at all, and he rubbed his hands happily, "Master Lu, what you said is true?...Do you want to sell me another boat?"

Ludwig nodded affirmatively. Anyway, the ship was taken from the Portuguese, and if sold to Cao Xiong, the company could also earn a lot of money.

Today, the reason why Ludwig sold the company's ships to Cao Xiong so brazenly is because he wanted to repay his life-saving grace, and because Cao Xiong actually protected the company's interests several times, so that he won face ; Second, because Batavia Governor Hendrik Brownville is leaving office.

The new governor Anthony van Daiman, a figure Ludwild is not familiar with, has heard that he is already on his way to Batavia from Amsterdam.If nothing else, it will come in April or May.At that time, there must be a major change in many personnel and affairs.

Although, relying on the political power of the local family, Ludwig is not worried that the new governor will pose a threat to him.However, some things may be restricted after all.For example, sell some armed merchant ships and outsiders that are quite a threat of force, and there are still two ships.

However, Ludwig's days in Batavia are numbered, and he will return to Amsterdam in one year at most.So, why not get some extra benefits for yourself and your family during this power vacuum period!He believed that Cao would show something when he got these two good ships.

Because, Cao is a relatively generous friend.For more than half a year, Ludwig received a total of more than 3 guilders as "gifts" from Cao Xiong, which made him eager to compensate Cao Xiong through some means when considering the interests of the Dutch East India Company.

Well, now he sold two Galen ships to Cao Xiong at one time, and the satisfaction after compensating Cao Xiong made Ludwild feel an inexplicable joy.At the same time, I am full of expectations for Cao Xiong's later performance.

With a full harvest, Cao Xiong left Ludwig's mansion.

"Will he become a threat to the company in the future?" Ludwig said softly.

"No, sir." The housekeeper, Anri Credo, shook his head and said, "The company has tens of thousands of employees here in the East Indies, more than 8000 armed personnel, and more than 300 merchant ships and warships....Here, no one It can threaten us. Even that powerful Ming country can't!"

Ludwig nodded in approval.During this period, the East India Company was expanding and rising, and no country or force could threaten its security.

"Maybe, we have supported the company with a strong and reliable helper!" Ludwig said confidently.

"Old Hu, this is our boat now!" The next day, Cao Xiong led his people to the pier impatiently.Accompanied by the businessman sent by Ludwild, he carefully inspected the Galen ship that was about to be purchased.

"Good ship!" Hu Wenjin stood on the bow deck and exclaimed.

"However, Master Cao, where do we get so many sailors to drive this ship? I heard from the red-haired ghost just now that this ship needs at least 90 people to operate, and there are [-] cannons. Nearly [-] people are needed!"

"I hired all the people on the original ship... for six months." Cao Xiong sighed, "We must be familiar with and operate this ship as soon as possible, and we can transfer some people from other ships to learn. As for the other ships The empty space..."

"Old Hu, last time we recruited more than 100 Dan people from Guangzhou, how many people are still stranded here?"

"A few days ago, Niu Jinmin took away more than [-] people, and there are still about [-] left." Hu Wenjin thought for a while and said.

"Let them all board the ship to fill the positions!" Cao Xiong said decisively: "The purpose of recruiting them back is to replenish the sailors....As for the gunners, first hire the Westerners here. If Jianye City sends ships to transport the population and supplies , You let them take the words back and train more than 100 gunners!"

"Jianye City doesn't seem to have any naval guns over 12 pounds, right?"

"I'll go to Ludwild and ask him for a few doors for training in Jianye City!... You can find some more experienced gunners and get them in Jianye City."

(End of this chapter)