1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 558
1646, the year of Bingxu, was the fourth year of Qianwu in Hanzhou Daqi, and the first year of Yongchu in Ming Dynasty (Prince Zhu Cihong proclaimed himself emperor in December 1645 and changed to Yongchu in Yuan Dynasty), and the third year of Shunzhi in the puppet Qing Dynasty.

In the past year, the Qing Dynasty achieved brilliant victories in the land of China, not only consolidating the entire north and the Jianghuai occupied areas, but also capturing Nanjing, Changzhou, and Susong in the southeast, and capturing the most affluent southern Zhili of the Ming Dynasty; In the two lakes, they controlled all the areas north of the Yangtze River, and confronted Li Zicheng's Dashun Army across the river in Yuezhou (now Yueyang, Hunan). In the southwest, the Qing army invaded Sichuan from Shaanxi and defeated Zhang Xianzhong's Daxi Army. , the two sides formed a stalemate in Guangyuan and Bazhong, and once the artillery of the Qing army was transported to the front line, it should be a high probability event to break the defense line of the Western Army.

Compared with the smoldering wars and raging wars in the mainland of China, Hanzhou had a rare smooth weather last year. Even the heavy rains, floods or droughts that often occurred in the northern Jianyefu area in the past have never occurred. All regions have achieved a large-scale agriculture. The harvest was bumper, and grain stocks hit a new high.

And the population, which most officials in Qi State are most concerned about, has also achieved a breakthrough. By the end of last year, the mainland of Hanzhou and several affiliated overseas territories such as Weiyuan Island and Timor Island had a population of more than 18.If the immigrants who arrived this year are included, the total population will exceed 20.

Although it only has a population of 20, which is not as large as the population of the Ming Dynasty in the past, but with Qi's current industrial strength and military strength, it is enough to beat all the kingdoms of Nanyang.In addition, in addition to being inferior to the Dutch East India Company in terms of maritime strength, it is far superior to the other party in other aspects.For this point, Rick Wolf, the representative of the Dutch East India Company in Qi State, deeply felt it.

Today, he was invited by Jiang Ruliang, Minister of the Honglu Temple in charge of foreign affairs in the Qi State, to come to Heishan City to enjoy a sport that Hanzhou has only developed in the past two years--Hanzhou Cuju, a ball game similar to playing on the streets of England .

However, the Hanzhou people claim that this Cuju movement was created and handed down more than 1000 years ago, in a period they called the Warring States Period.Today, the sport has been slightly modified by their young king, a little less spectator, and more confrontational and competitive.

"Mr. Wolf, this sport is actually very simple. The players on both sides only need to kick the ball into the opponent's goal frame to count as one point. The whole game takes about one and a half hours, and the one with the most points wins at the end." Win." Seeing Rick Wolf frowning and watching the game off the field, Jiang Ruliang thought he didn't know much about the sport, so he explained it to him from the sidelines.

The players on both sides of the ongoing match are Marine Corps officers and soldiers on duty, while the audience is some rich and leisurely businessmen, factory owners, and some officials and clerks who are resting.As for ordinary people, how can they have so much free time to watch this kind of competition, why not do one more day's labor to earn some money, or in their own farmland, weed a few more weeds and harvest more agricultural products.

"Oh, God!...Are they going to fight?" Rick Wolfe watched the players on the field violently pushing and kicking, causing scenes of people turning their backs from time to time, with a trace of disdain on his face, this It's a brutal sport, not a gentleman's sport at all.It is far less noble and elegant than our European fencing, horse riding, swimming, chess, poetry reciting, spear throwing and other sports.

Of course, the other party invited me to watch the most popular sport in Hanzhou at present, not to want me to comment on it. I must have a private communication with myself on some important matters involving both parties to test their attitude of the Dutch East India Company. .

"This sport is a huge drain on the physical strength of the players on both sides. Therefore, there will be a quarter-hour break in the middle to recuperate and adjust the breath. Then, after the two sides exchange venues, they will continue." Jiang Ruliang saw that after halftime, The players from both sides went to the sidelines to drink water and rest one after another. The noisy venue just now gradually quieted down, so they invited Rick Wolfe to a nearby room to drink some tea and eat some pastries.

"Our country of Qi immigrated from Daming to Hanzhou. It took [-] to [-] days to travel tens of thousands of miles. Although there were several supply points on the way for rest, it was still difficult to avoid the loss of people along the way." Jiang Ru Liang slowly changed the topic from the Cuju movement to the transit point of the supply of immigrants from Qi State, "Thanks to you in Batavia for providing convenience and convenience to our immigrants from Qi State. In this regard, on behalf of the king, I would like to express my sincerity to you. Thanks."

"Mr. Jiang, you are too polite." Rick Wolfe said with a smile: "You have immigrated and stopped in Batavia, and the various expenses during the period have also benefited our East India Company a lot. I I think this is very beneficial to both of us. In the future, we will continue to provide you with corresponding transit services. Of course, if you feel that the capacity is insufficient, our merchant ships are also very happy to transport immigrants to Hanzhou for you. "

"Regarding the business of transporting immigrants and even other goods, we have always maintained good cooperation with you, and we will continue to promote in-depth cooperation between the two parties in the future." Jiang Ruliang said: "However, the scale of immigrants in Qi State is expanding day by day. The number of people is also increasing. If you keep transiting in Batavia, I am afraid it will bring a lot of pressure on your side in terms of security. You may also know that last month, [-] of our immigrants got lost in Batavia. The rest of them alarmed the whole of Batavia, and even created a panic atmosphere inside and outside the city. It's really a little... I'm bothering you East India Company."

"Huh?...Jiang, what do you mean?" Rick Wolfe asked suspiciously.

In the last month, more than [-] Hanzhou immigrants fled to the countryside outside the city in the warehouse outside Batavia, and he knew it.However, those people were not "lost" as they claimed, but fled spontaneously. While they were astonished in the Netherlands, they couldn't help being happy to see the Hanzhou people making such jokes.Although later, the Hanzhou people mobilized the Chinese inside and outside the city to search and found more than a dozen people, but most of them were scattered into the countryside, either hidden by the Dutch plantations, or taken back to the camp by the nearby native tribes.

But the other party took the initiative to talk about this matter, and also thought that there would be a lot of inconvenience in transiting in Batavia during their immigration process. The hidden words immediately made Rick Wolf full of vigilance.

"Our country of Qi wants to find another supply transfer point around Batavia for the transportation of immigrants." Jiang Ruliang said softly.

"No!...This is not allowed, Jiang!" Rick Wolf immediately said loudly after hearing this: "We have an agreement with you Hanzhou, and we have special rights and interests in the entire East Indies. You It is not allowed to establish a stronghold in the East Indies at will, especially near Batavia. Jiang, this behavior of your Hanzhou is an offense to our East India Company!"

Jiang Ruliang saw that the other party was so excited, and once again emphasized their rights and interests to the entire Nanyang Islands, he was slandered in his heart.How many people are there in the Netherlands, can you take all the Nanyang islands?If it weren't for the fear of your strong sea power, our country of Qi also feels that we don't have absolute control over the South China Sea. Otherwise, with our strong land combat power, we would have driven you all out of Batavia long ago!
"Mr. Wolfe, there is no need to be so excited. Regarding the search for a transit point for immigrants near Batavia, we are not doing this. It is not a military action against your East India Company. Otherwise, I will not be blunt here. Let me tell you." Jiang Ruliang said: "If you are worried, we can put this stronghold under your supervision, and even the two of us can cooperate to build this supply point."

"That... is not allowed!" Rick Wolf said subconsciously: "Our rights and interests in the entire East Indies cannot be violated in any way. Please respect this in Hanzhou."

"Mr. Wolf, the immigration supply transfer point we want to establish is entirely for civilian use and does not have any military use." Jiang Ruliang patiently explained: "You know, your East India Company is not only in the waters near Java Island , that is, in the entire Nanyang Islands, they have unparalleled maritime superiority. Are you still worried about an immigration supply point that does not have any military use?"

"No, no, no..." Rick Wolf shook his head and said: "I know that once you build a stronghold in Hanzhou, you will definitely build it very strong and become a fortress that is not easy to conquer. For Indian companies, it is a huge threat."

Jiang Ruliang couldn't help laughing when he heard this.In the Han-Dutch War that took place a few years ago, the East India Company concentrated their most powerful armed forces, but failed to conquer any of the overseas territories of Hanzhou. Instead, they suffered heavy losses.This point probably cast a shadow over the Dutch, and they were reluctant to face the strong fortress of the Han people.

"Regarding the establishment of an immigrant supply point, Qi State can cooperate with your Dutch East India Company to build and maintain it together. We don't even mind you sending armed personnel to station there. Mr. Wolf, what do you think?"

"...This, I need to report to our Governor." Rick Wolf was silent for a moment, then looked at Jiang Ruliang's candid expression, and still had doubts in his heart.

"Here, our country of Qi can give you more commercial interests in East India." Jiang Ruliang said with a smile: "I heard that you Dutch have a world-renowned whaling fleet. And in the eastern waters of our Hanzhou, precisely There are a huge number of whales. I think we can have a deeper commercial cooperation in this regard."

(End of this chapter)