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Chapter 1248 Stop pretending

In addition, Governor Cohen was not idle in Batavia. He tried every possible means to obtain a lot of shipbuilding technology from the Ming Empire, and then sent it back to the Netherlands, where local craftsmen imitated it.

Although some things may seem useless just by looking at their surface, people will still try them. As long as the time is long enough and the funds are sufficient, some results will be achieved sooner or later, and it is possible that they will even surpass the original.

The consulting office had made a report on this many years ago, saying that the Dutch purchased a large amount of teak and pine wood in Northern Europe. The standards and sizes of the wood were such that anyone who knew about it could tell at a glance that they were used for shipbuilding.

But it is unclear where exactly it was built. On the surface, the Dutch were trading partners of the Ming Empire, but in fact they were very cautious everywhere. Except for Amsterdam, other cities and ports were not allowed to allow Ming merchants and officials to set foot in them, under the pretext of ensuring personal safety.

However, no matter how short a rabbit's tail is, it can't hide it. The consultant's office used silver coins to pave the way and got some clues from some relevant personnel.

For example, the Netherlands replaced a batch of new privateers in the New World. The sails of this type of ship were quite different from the traditional square sail system, so if you wanted to drive this type of ship, you had to retrain for several months and pass an exam.

The person who leaked the information was a sailor who was dismissed for failing the exam. According to his description, the new sailing equipment used by the Dutch in the New World was very similar to the Gothenburg sail of the Ming Navy.

In addition, some people in the captured Spanish navy mentioned the Dutch new sailing ships, saying that they were a bit like the Han-class warships of the Ming Navy, with high speed and flexible steering. However, the naval guns were not as powerful, with a slow firing rate, and the range and accuracy were not much different from those of the Spanish naval guns.

However, even so, the newly built privateers of the Dutch also caused considerable trouble to the Spanish silver transport fleet. If they were accidentally targeted, it would be difficult to get rid of them, and they would eventually be either captured or sunk.

"Prince Hendrik is more easygoing than Prince Maurice, and his relationship with Parliament is less tense. But interestingly, he has higher prestige and more power among the Dutch provinces.

But I don’t like the inheritance law he promoted. It is not appropriate to adopt the traditional European monarchy system in the Netherlands. It will make merchants lose their sense of security and destroy the foundation of the Netherlands’ survival.”

While eating the emperor's royal meals, drinking tribute wine, and smoking royal cigars, Helmont became very talkative. Speaking Chinese with a distinct foreign accent, supplemented by Latin, he recounted the past and present of the Republic of the United Provinces of the Netherlands and the situation of the House of Orange.

Finally, he did not forget to add his own comments. It is interesting that as a Dutchman born in Antwerp, he could not stand the centralized monarchy and instead preferred the Dutch parliamentary republic.

"How dare you... Don't speak without restraint!" Who would have thought that Wang Chengen would scold him as soon as he finished speaking. Although his voice was not loud, his tone and expression were very serious.

"Oh, please forgive me, Your Majesty, I did not mean to offend you, I swear to God!" Helmont finally came to his senses and quickly explained and apologized.

Well, saying that monarchical centralization is bad in front of the Ming emperor is like slapping him in the face. Although this emperor seems to be easy-going, he is the incarnation of God in the Ming Empire. He can easily decide life and death, and no one will object. It is better not to say things that may cause misunderstanding.

"Why do you think that the monarch's centralized power is bad for merchants? I am also a monarch with centralized power, and the merchants of the Ming Dynasty have not suffered any injustice. Instead, they are thriving."

Hong Tao waved his hand to signal Wang Chengen not to exaggerate, and began to ask Helmont's arguments for his evaluation of Prince Hendrik. This statement is quite interesting. Why does centralization have a negative impact on businessmen? "Your Majesty, this question is very big and not easy to answer..." Perhaps reminded by Wang Chengen, Helmont began to retreat and was not willing to continue discussing this sensitive issue.

"Under normal circumstances, I would not force you to answer such questions. Even if I wanted to discuss it, I would gather all the professors of the philosophy department in the academy and let everyone express their opinions.

But today is different. His Royal Highness the Prince is about to visit, and the purpose of this trip is not to visit each other as business partners, but to carry out the commission of the monarchs of Spain and even most of Europe.

The Ming navy attacked the eastern coast of the Pacific in the summer, almost annihilating the Spanish fleet stationed on the west coast of the New World and bombarding port facilities in Lima, Guayaquil, Panama, and Acapulco.

Not long ago, at the suggestion of Philip IV, Louis XIII hosted a conference in Paris to invite many monarchs for consultations. Prince Hendrik was also invited to attend, and then immediately visited Batavia and then proposed to visit the capital.

I can guess the prince's intention, and I am also mentally prepared for what he will ask for. But I don't have too many expectations for this meeting. The Ming Empire cannot give what the European countries want, and the Ming Empire wants what the European countries are unwilling to give.

In this situation, the Dutch Republic would become a rat in a bellows, being bullied by both sides. It would have to choose one side to join, and it would no longer be able to have the best of both worlds as before.

No matter what choice His Royal Highness makes, I hope to know as much as possible about him and the Netherlands so that I can make a more appropriate decision. And you are the only way I can find at the moment. "

It’s okay if you don’t want to say it, and we won’t force you. I will just explain the current international situation and the purpose of Prince Hendrik’s visit, and then talk about the possible situations. It’s up to you to decide whether to say it or not.

"…Your Majesty wants to seize the New World?"

Helmont really didn't know about the Ming navy's eastward expedition. Not only did he not know, but most people didn't know. The court didn't publicize it, only saying that the emperor personally led the expedition to the Arabian Sea, taught the Ottomans who were disrespectful to the Ming Empire a lesson, and returned victorious.

Suddenly hearing that the Ming Navy almost wiped out the Spanish Navy and attacked many ports on the west coast of the New World, you don't need to be particularly knowledgeable about military affairs to realize that this was not revenge, but a prelude to a large-scale landing.

"The Spanish, Portuguese, English, French, including the Dutch, Danes, and Swedes, have all gone to the New World to occupy territory, so the Ming Dynasty can go there as well. There are silver mines, copper mines, saltpeter, big trees, and millions of acres of fertile land, all of which are what the empire needs. Wouldn't it be the best of both worlds to use them?

The word "robbery" is well used. Nothing in the world has an owner. Those who are capable can take it. I have more experience in this area. I will manage it better than the Spaniards, and I will also let the local natives and immigrants live better than they do now. There is nothing wrong with that."

Hong Tao was very encouraging of Helmont's straightforward expression. Private conversations are not diplomatic mediations. There is no need to hide your thoughts or speak in a roundabout way, making people guess.

So I put it more bluntly. Yes, I went to rob it. The reason is very simple. I took it for use. As for whether others are happy or not, nonsense, I have already robbed it. Who cares? Whoever wins gets it.

(End of this chapter)