Kowloon wins

Chapter 1133 Outsmarting Malacca ([-])
"Report to the commander, the vanguard fleet found a Portuguese merchant ship, flying a white flag, and sent a semaphore, requesting to meet the commander."

The distance between Malacca and Temasek is not too far, only about 250 nautical miles. If there is a tailwind, it will only take a day and a half. The speed is really too fast, and it seems that the Qing army fleet did not go all out. It sailed at sunrise and rested at sunset. After two days, the main fleet had only traveled more than half of the way. When He Lin was eating, an accompanying officer hastily walked in from the outside, respectfully saluted the military, and reported loudly.

"Well, people will bring here in the future!"

The reason why the main fleet of the Qing army did not rush to Malacca with all its strength was because the Portuguese, who had always thought they were shrewd, would send negotiating envoys. Putting it on the table, he gave a reply calmly.

"Yes!"

After He Lin issued the order, the attendant officer who came to report did not dare to be careless in the slightest, hurriedly respectfully agreed, and then exited the cabin. In less than half an hour, he saw two Portuguese in a Accompanied by an attendant officer and an interpreter, he walked in from the cabin door with a smile on his face. The first person was Anders Luis Sousa, who had been sent to the Qing Dynasty in the first year of Chengde.

On behalf of the Governor of the Kingdom of Portugal in Malacca, His Excellency Count Diego Rodriguez, Deputy Governor of the Portuguese East India Company, Anders Luis Sousa, would like to pay high tribute to General Ho. "

When the envoys of the six countries went to the Qing Dynasty together, He Lin, the commander of the Tianjin Squadron at that time, was in charge of receiving them. Even though it was the first time in many years, Anders Luis Sousa recognized He Lin at a glance. He dared not show any negligence, so he rushed forward respectfully and touched his chest with one hand, very politely. Congratulations in Chinese.

"Well, what's the matter, say."

After all, He Lin was a high-ranking person. Although he felt familiar with the tall and strong Portuguese in front of him, he didn't bother to study it carefully, so he just snorted expressionlessly.

"General He, I haven't seen you for eight years, and you are still so energetic. I'm really envious."

Seeing that He Lin obviously didn't recognize him, Anders Luis Sousa naturally didn't want to rush to talk about official business, but praised He Lin again with a flattering smile on his face.

"Ah you are……"

He Lin's brows twitched involuntarily when he heard Anders Luis Sousa's strange words, and asked half of what he said in doubt.

"General He invited me. When the envoys from the six countries visited the Qing Dynasty, I was my interpreter for the Kingdom of Portugal. Thanks to the general's kindness, I have met several times. I will always keep it in my heart and never dare to forget it."

The reason why Anders Luis Sousa did not talk about official business but brought up old events many years ago had only one purpose, and that was to build relationships. When he heard He Lin's question, he naturally answered for fear of being inaccurate.

"Oh, it's you, no wonder you looked a little familiar earlier, isn't it good, isn't this officer promoted quite quickly, and it's all done by the deputy supervisor, not bad, not bad."

He Lin was able to step up from the commander of the Tianjin Squadron to the high position of the commander of the South China Sea Fleet. It is true that he has superior naval combat capabilities, but there is also a reason for his deep charm and sophistication. He can tell that Anders Luis Sousa is there just by hearing it. He kept talking about the intention of friendship, but he didn't say anything, but laughed and dealt with him.

"General He has won the award, I have won the award, I don't know why you are here..."

Anders Luis Sousa had something to worry about in his heart, and just as soon as he became friends, he couldn't help but inquired about the movements of the Qing army.

"Hey, what do you think?"

As soon as Anders Luis Sousa turned to the topic, the smile on He Lin's face disappeared immediately, he glanced at him coldly, and asked back full of sarcasm.

"This... huh, I really don't know, so I ask the general to give me some advice."

Seeing He Lin's face change, Anders Luis Sousa's heart suddenly sank, but he dared not tell the truth, he could only pretend to be confused.

"I don't know? I don't know! My Qing Dynasty has always regarded your country as a friendly country. Over the years, I have taken good care of your country, but how did your country treat my Qing Dynasty? Hmph, how dare you collude with Great Britain and other countries to secretly send fleets?" It's really brave that you still dare to pretend to be confused in front of this general after the incident has happened to us. Are you still counting on that old boy Edward Vernon to lead his troops back to help? Hey, I'm not afraid to tell you, Er When the 49 warships of the so-called United Fleet have been wiped out, even Edward Vernon is already a prisoner of our Qing Dynasty.

As soon as Anders Luis Sousa finished speaking, He Lin slapped the table with a livid face, and reprimanded him harshly.

"Ah, this, this..., General, you have misunderstood. My Kingdom of Portugal has always had friendly relations with the Qing Dynasty, and I have absolutely no intention of invading your country. This time, ah, the reason why I sent troops to Dongpu this time was really forced Ah, now that the incident has happened, our country is willing to compensate your country for all losses, and we can sit down and discuss everything, right?"

As a high-level executive of the Portuguese East India Company, Anders Luis Sousa knew the purpose of the five-nation joint fleet going north. He thought that the Qing Dynasty should have been beaten in Japan, and he wanted to come to revenge. However, he never expected that the combined fleet of the five countries on his side would have been completely wiped out. While frightened, he didn't dare to argue indiscriminately, so he tried to start negotiations with the Qing army with a look of sincerity and fear.

"Negotiation? Yes, considering the friendship between your two countries over the years, I don't want to let this matter go to waste. As long as your country can agree to our conditions, not only will I be able to withdraw my troops, but your country will be captured." Lieutenant General Driggs and others can also be released unconditionally, if your country insists on resisting to the end, then it’s a big deal, I can only lead my troops to visit your country’s Famosa Castle in person.”

The reason why He Lin agreed to meet Anders Luis Sousa had only one fundamental purpose, and that was to ease the morale of the enemy's army. Naturally, he would not speak to death, but pointed out a way for him to negotiate.

"I also ask the general to make it clear that as long as the Kingdom of Portugal can do it, I will not disappoint the general."

Anders Luis Sousa, as soon as he heard the news of the Qing army's massive attack on Temasek yesterday, already guessed that the Qing army's intentions were extremely bad. When negotiating with the Governor of Malacca, Count Diego Rodriguez, he The matter of peace talks was proposed, and Count Diego Rodriguez strongly agreed with it, which is why he came to see He Lin. Sousa had no reason to be unhappy, so he hurriedly and respectfully made a promise.

"Well, it's good that your Excellency Anders has this level of awareness. I won't embarrass you. There is a charter here, which is the various requirements put forward by my Qing Dynasty. Whether it can be done or not, your country can figure it out. alright."

Seeing that Anders Luis Sousa was so knowledgeable about current affairs, He Lin never scolded him again. He raised his hand, picked up a notebook from the table, and threw it into his arms casually.

"This, this..., ah, General He, this matter is very important. Can you give me some time later? Everything can be discussed."

Anders Luis Sousa has mastered Chinese and is fluent in speaking and writing. Although the words in the booklet are polite, he can understand them clearly. He just understands what he understands, but he dares to agree to it on the spot. , nothing else, the terms of the peace agreement on the booklet are too harsh, the compensation alone is as high as 2000 million taels of silver, not to mention that there is a request for land cession, even though Anders Luis Sousa is The top executives of the East India Company don't have such authority to answer. In desperation, they can only play tricks to slow down the troops.

"Time? It's easy to say, I won't embarrass you. I will give you five days to wait. In addition, the Strait of Malacca has been blocked by our Qing Dynasty. No ships can pass. Anyone who dares to come Ships are all sunk, well, this is the end of the matter, come and see off the guests!"

Anders Luis Sousa's intention to stabilize the Qing fleet first was too obvious, and He Lin also wanted to stabilize the Portuguese first, so naturally he would not speak too harshly, and soon It was generous to give Anders Luis Sousa a five-day deadline.

"Slow down, General He, five days is too hasty. Can I be tolerant for a few more days, so I can discuss it with many colleagues."

Five days is not short, but it is far from enough for the Portuguese to prepare for the war. Although Anders Luis Sousa originally did not want to fight against the powerful Qing army, he could not Without making corresponding defensive arrangements, this hastily made a suggestion.

"Well..., whatever, I will lead my troops back to Temasek first, and I will give you ten days to discuss. If you dare to lie to my Qing Dynasty, then don't blame me for not being sympathetic. Come and see off!"

After He Lin frowned and thought for a while, he reluctantly gave Anders Luis Sosa a promise, and after that, he didn't give him any more chances to say goodbye, and he waved his hand, and it was already indisputable. In the order to drive away the passengers, several attendant officers rushed forward and unceremoniously drove Anders Luis Sousa out of the cabin...

"Look, my lord, the Qing fleet has turned around!"

After Anders Luis Sousa was driven back to the cargo ship on which he came, he did not rush to return to the voyage, but ordered the cargo ship to slow down in the strait, and even ordered the lookout post on the mast to Observing the dynamics of the Qing fleet, he himself was pacing up and down on the narrow rear deck like an ant on a hot pot, until the lookout post sounded an exclamation, and he jumped to the stern like an ape , picked up the binoculars hanging from his waist, and glanced at the Qing army fleet in the distance. Sure enough, he saw the huge Qing army fleet turning around.

"Herald: Return to Famosa Castle!"

Anders Luis Sousa observed for a long time, until the Qing fleet had gone far away, then he let out a sigh of relief, put away the binoculars, raised his hand, and roared as if relieved... …

(End of this chapter)