Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

"Shen Er! Shen Er!" Chi Honghai called for a long time but no one came. He was about to complain.

Hearing the noise, Ai Si ran over to remind him, "Master, Shen Er is showing the newcomers around."

"Go and summon Shen Er and Pang San, and have them prepare a boat to go to Haojing."

"Master, just have Shen Er take people to buy whatever you need. Why do you have to go yourself?" Ai Si advised.

Chi Honghai ignored Ai Si and strode quickly towards the shore: "What are you buying? I'm looking for someone in Macau!"

When Shen Er and Pang San rushed over, Chi Honghai had already been waiting on the deck for a while.

"Master." "Master." The two men, panting heavily, looked at Master Chi.

Chi Honghai looked at the two of them, put his hands behind his back, and said, "We've arrived. Let's set sail."

"There's freshly brewed tea in the cabin, go and have a couple of cups."

"Master, this...? Isn't this inappropriate..." Shen Er and Pang San looked at Master Chi. Although they had been following the master all along, they didn't think it was right to drink the tea that the master had brewed.

"What's wrong with that? Running all this way without even drinking a drop of water?" Chi Honghai shook his head. "Go away."

The two obeyed Master Chi's order and went to the cabin for tea.

Upon arriving in Macau, Chi Honghai found the British diplomat stationed there.

However, this move greatly displeased the Portuguese in Macau.

You should know that when Chi Honghai came before, he either came to spend money or brought good things. Although he had just sent someone to spend 100,000 taels of silver not long ago, this time he completely ignored me and went to find that Englishman!

What do the English have? They only have a run-down office in Macau. What's so special about that?

Last time I came specifically to find Englishmen, and now I'm looking for them again?

Chi Honghai could certainly sense the displeasure of the Portuguese, but since they weren't his own children, why should he feel sorry for them? So he just made excuses and dealt with it. The reason he still had to deal with them wasn't because he was afraid he couldn't do business with these Portuguese. After all, there weren't many people who could do business, especially not such a large business.

The main concern is that this Portuguese man might turn wicked and cause trouble for me in the next transaction. Although he has done this before, I hope he doesn't end up being completely corrupt.

Upon encountering the Englishman, just to be on the safe side, he brought him aboard his own ship to talk.

This wasn't the first time the two had dealt with each other, so Chi Honghai skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point.

"I have come to see you with good news."

The Englishman frowned, wondering what this "good news" was all about. For them, there hadn't been any good news in this area yet; the three fleets at Humen ahead were definitely bad news.

"Sir, I don't know what this good news you're talking about is?"

Chi Honghai chuckled and replied, "If you already know, would it still be considered news? Right?"

"I've come to tell you that not only do we have the opportunity to drive out the Dutch and Spanish from Taiwan, but we might even become the new masters of this island, however..."

Upon hearing this, the Englishman's eyes lit up instantly, his lips curving into a wide grin that barely covered his back teeth. He quickly stepped forward and said eagerly, "Sir, you said... but what...!"

"However, this new master does not monopolize it. You know, Taiwan originally belonged to our Great Ming Dynasty. It was only later that these people occupied it. Now, the Great Ming Dynasty is preparing to recover Taiwan in the next year or two."

As soon as Chi Honghai finished speaking, the other party's expression immediately changed, turning bitter as if he had wasted a lot of emotion: "My lord, it's certainly a good thing that your Ming Dynasty wants to recover Taiwan, but how does it have anything to do with us? Didn't we already have an agreement?"

After hearing the envoy's words, Chi Honghai waved his hand: "It seems that your esteemed envoy still did not understand what I meant. Alas."

The sigh was very clear, and it was directed at the other person.

"Um...Sir...Please be more specific."

Chi Honghai walked to the envoy's side, the two facing opposite directions, and said calmly, "In recent years, the court has suffered from disasters and fought against the barbarians, spending a lot of money. Now the situation in the southeast is complicated, and the court also wants to clean up the situation in the southeast sea area. His Majesty the Emperor has long heard about the persecution of the people of the Ming Dynasty by the Dutch and Spanish on Taiwan Island, and has long been disgusted by it."

"so......?"

Before the Englishman could finish speaking, Chi Honghai turned to look at him and interrupted, saying, "So! I was thinking that if your country could lend a hand in recovering Taiwan, your efforts would naturally be reported to His Majesty the Emperor after the matter is accomplished. Although we cannot allow you to occupy Taiwan, we can still reserve a piece of land there for trade."

After finishing speaking, Chi Honghai added, "Just like Macau."

The Englishman looked into Chi Honghai's eyes, opened his mouth slightly but didn't speak. After a while, he asked Chi Honghai, "Sir, is what you said true? You mentioned a special territory before, is this it?"

Although Taiwan could not be occupied and have autonomy like the Dutch and Spanish, the value of having a place there and engaging in normal trade with the Ming Dynasty was extremely high.

It's important to understand that although the harbor was leased to the Portuguese, they initially only used it as a transit point and did not have proper trade permits.

If what this lord says is true, then the Dutch and Spanish should all get out of this territory. The Portuguese are smuggling, not trading. The bulk of the goods are in their hands. After all, if it were legal, who would risk turning their life around by smuggling?

What a great opportunity to make money!

Having tried countless times without success, I knew I had to seize this opportunity.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir, but our troops are not here at the moment. If we need to use troops, they might not be of much help. Do you expect us to pay more money?"

The Englishman expressed his concerns.

"Hey, what are you saying? You're looking down on our Great Ming Dynasty!" Chi Honghai emphasized, adopting the air of an official.

"When has our Great Ming Dynasty ever needed outsiders' help to conquer a remote barbarian territory? You don't need to send anyone to participate in the war."

"Then, sir, is there anything we can do for you?"

Chi Honghai led him to the map and pointed to Taiwan.

"Nowadays, two countries are fighting on the island of Taiwan. You have previously transported supplies to the Spanish. This matter must not only continue, but more supplies must be transported. It would be best to keep the Dutch in check."

"But... sir, what if the Spanish gain power?"

The Englishman's question seemed somewhat superfluous, so Chi Honghai casually made up an excuse, saying, "The better the chicken coop develops, the less effort you'll have to put in, right?"

At this point, England's eyes lit up. He didn't say anything more, but asked what else needed to be done besides this.

hum.

"I've heard that the fortress is very difficult to attack; you might have to prepare more firearms."