Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 1188 The Fleet Returning to the East

The outbreak of privateering off Dunkirk has had little effect on the situation in Europe.

The Chinese merchants in the city of London learned that their merchant ships were wounded by the artillery of the Spanish privateers, but they did not attack, but silently recorded their hatred.

In the jungle era without international law, many things followed international conventions.

Privateers were acquiesced by all countries. Even if they knew that they were Spanish privateers, they could not hold them accountable to the Spanish royal family.

When the Kyushu Army attacked Manila, Malacca and other strongholds of the Spanish Empire in the East Indies, the Spaniards could not condemn China. Such colonies did not belong to the mainland of the Spanish Empire, and whoever had a strong local presence could occupy them.

Li Jinde and the others bought local raw materials and specialty products in London, and at the same time took advantage of this opportunity to make friends with businessmen from various countries.Merchants from all over the world know that there is such a fleet in the far east that buys goods from various countries in the city of London, and spends a lot of money.

The news spread wildly, and soon all the countries on the European continent knew of their existence.

Especially Spain, France, the Netherlands and other countries that are at war. They are the closest to Britain, and they must consider what consequences the arrival of the Chinese will bring.

"There are 14 ordinary merchant ships and 4 armed merchant ships on the return voyage this time, and the rest of the ships are left for us to transport raw materials and goods on the Thames. When will the Fourth Fleet arrive here?" Li Jinde counted the cargo ships by the Thames .

After two months of purchasing goods and raw materials in Europe, they organized 18 large merchant ships to return to China.

Too many large merchant ships are crowded on the Thames River. For Li Jinde and others who are engaged in east-west trade, these merchant ships have been idled, and idleness means loss.

Shipping Western goods or raw materials back to the East may not be as profitable as spices and silk, but it can still be profitable.After the ships returned to the East, they could transport spices, silk, and porcelain from the East.

When the East-West route is mature, and there is a fleet of ships running back and forth every year, this will be a maritime Silk Road, which can generate a lot of benefits.

The first country to do so was Portugal, followed by Spain and the Netherlands.

"We brought wine from France."

When Li Jinde and others were buying Western raw materials and commodities, the director who followed Kolber arrived in the Bordeaux region of France without any danger, and brought back wine worth tens of thousands of pounds.

"The Britons' tariffs on wine are really harsh, even as high as 20%. The profit margin of our shipment back to China will drop a lot. We also encountered the French sailing fleet on the waters heading to France. Many large and small sailing warships seem to be sailing towards the Mediterranean Sea, and it is said that they are going to the Mediterranean Sea to retake the Leylin Island occupied by the Spaniards."

"Fortunately, I didn't encounter any more privateers, otherwise I'm afraid I won't be able to come back here. The Western Ocean is also too scary. There are dangers everywhere on the ocean, and I am frightened every day. The French crew on the ship also prayed to God all day long that they would not be caught. to the pirates."

"After arriving in Bordeaux, I heard that the French army invaded the Spanish Empire from the south, and many farmers in Bordeaux were also called to the Spanish battlefield. In short, there are constant wars there, and we can buy local products at lower prices."

The director returning from France chattered, and behind him, British dockworkers unloaded barrels of wine sealed in oak.

"Part of this batch of wine was kept for sale in the London market and used to meet Western aristocrats, and most of it was shipped back to China to see if we could open up a market." Li Jinde looked at the list of French wines and divided it into two parts.

"It's a pity that the distance between China and the West is too far away. Otherwise, many commodities can be shipped back to China, such as herring and whale oil in Northern Europe, which cannot be preserved at all. We can only choose some commodities that are easy to preserve, such as sea fur, Metal minerals such as wool and tin." Some directors complained.

Many of the trade items that were popular among European countries were not suitable for long-distance transportation between East and West.

"Li Jinde, isn't your fleet ready yet? I can't wait to go to the East." Mrs. Grace appeared on the banks of the Thames in full dress, watching the loading of 18 Chinese merchant ships planning to transport Western goods and raw materials.

"Ms. Grace, please give us some more time to prepare. Our Fourth Fleet is departing from Portsmouth Port, heading for the City of London, and I believe we will be able to arrive in the City of London soon. We also need a little time here Check the cargo and record the accounts. This voyage is very important, and it is best to be fully prepared." Li Jinde said.

"It seems that your status in the East is not low. Are there really no nobles in the East?" Mrs. Grace was full of curiosity about the things in the East before she waited to leave, which made Li Jinde a bit like she was facing Sarah before. Linna also explained to the other party.

"At least there are no landlords. Because of the land reform, rebellions broke out in many places. The adults above us must be busy putting down the rebellion and insisting on land reform. But nobles, it's hard to say. People with power and money always If they will get greater benefits than ordinary people, maybe this group of people can barely be regarded as upstarts." Li Jinde said.

"All the land is handed over to the country. It is unimaginable for us in Britain. We have a large number of gentry and nobles, and even the king depends on the land to get a lot of income every year. The nobles also mine coal and tin on their land. Mine, copper mine," said Mrs. Grace.

"The Fourth Fleet is here!"

While the two were talking, someone shouted on the banks of the Thames.

Everyone looked towards the lower reaches of the Thames River, and sure enough, more than a dozen warships flying dragon flags appeared!
Among them, the largest sailing battleships Wei, Shu and Wu are lined with cannons, like castles on the sea.

In Europe, these three sailing battleships are the main battleships!

"It seems that we are about to set off, and there are seven more days at most." Li Jinde said to Mrs. Grace when he saw the arrival of the Fourth Fleet responsible for protecting them.

With the escort of the Fourth Fleet, the Spanish privateers in the English Channel did not dare to provoke merchant ships.

"Is it finally possible to visit the East?" Mrs. Grace was full of hope for seeing her daughter, granddaughter and the powerful East.

Being able to send a standing fleet to the west tens of thousands of miles away is enough to show the degree of development of this civilization.

(End of this chapter)