Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

The envoy was Dutch.

This time, unlike before, Chi Honghai was not caught off guard by the other party's arrival. On the contrary, Chi Honghai was looking forward to this person's arrival day and night.

Furthermore, he knew perfectly well what the other party would say to him this time.

The envoy disembarked, and at the same place, with the same hot tea, the same two people plotted another momentous event.

"grown ups."

Seeing that the other party was somewhat anxious, Chi Honghai pretended not to see it and first exchanged pleasantries, as etiquette cannot be neglected.

"Oh, it's been a long time, Your Excellency. You must be tired from your journey. Let's put aside business for now, have a cup of tea to warm up, relax, relax."

The Dutch envoy was somewhat embarrassed. It would be impolite to get straight to business without drinking the tea, since he had come to ask for a favor. Although he hadn't asked yet, one should act accordingly. He couldn't possibly refuse the invitation from his host, could he? He couldn't possibly act like a lord.

Chi Honghai personally got up to pour tea, slowly and deliberately listing out all the steps of the tea ceremony, leaving no step out, and even washing the teacups several times.

Seeing the other party's increasingly anxious and impatient yet hesitant demeanor, Chi Honghai felt a secret sense of satisfaction.

"Envoy, come and taste this fine new tea. It was just picked. I wouldn't serve this tea to anyone else."

The other person gave an awkward smile, took the teacup handed to him by Chi Honghai with both hands, lifted the lid, and a puff of white steam rose up, dazzling his eyes.

Without saying much, they quietly watched each other sip their tea.

After the envoy finished his tea, he looked at the Ming court official before him and was about to speak.

"Oh, by the way, I wonder how you drink tea where you are? Do you have as many rules as we do? I think we have quite a lot of rules here, but when I think about it, they all seem to make sense."

Chi Honghai kept rambling on and on, never getting to the point. After a while, the other party finally couldn't help but ask.

"My lord, you know that my purpose in coming here is not simply to drink tea. If it is just about tea, there are plenty of good teas in Zeelandia."

"This is how our Great Ming Dynasty treats its guests. I valued your esteemed status, which is why I treated you with such courtesy. I did not expect you to be so ungrateful."

Chi Honghai was waiting for the other party to get desperate and act rashly. He knew the other party was coming to ask for help, but even if they were asking, he would still kick them while they were down.

"This...sir, please forgive my rudeness, but the matter I am here about is quite urgent. Please forgive me."

"Forget it, we're all friends, this little thing can be brushed aside." Chi Honghai flicked his sleeves. "Speak, what brings you here?"

"My lord, Governor Hans requests your assistance once again in intercepting the English fleet."

Chi Honghai chuckled inwardly, shook his head, and said decisively, "No."

"Why? Haven't the officials sent from above left yet?"

"The Ming Dynasty forbids going to sea in winter, so I, as the emperor, must set an example."

"Oh? What about Fujian?"

"Every place has its own unique characteristics. This is Guangzhou Prefecture. You can't use the special approval granted to Fujian Prefecture to judge Guangzhou Prefecture, can you? Besides, if we intercept English ships again, will they still go down the same route as before?"

The envoy raised an eyebrow and bit his lip: "Things have indeed changed. These bandits have taken a long detour, sailing from a much farther distance to the north."

"It's even further." Chi Honghai's tone lowered, tinged with regret. "What should we do? If I'm gone for a day or two, that's fine, but what if they find out later? What good will it do you if I lose my job?"

The messenger quickly stood up: "How could that be? Your Excellency is our friend."

"Since we are friends, you are well aware of my predicament. If your emperor were to send someone to watch over Governor Hans, he would surely be in dire straits, covered in fleas."

The Dutchman sighed, clearly disappointed, and hesitated for a long time before blurting out, "What about what you said before, sir?"

"What is it?"

"Didn't you say before that you would send some men to Fort Zeelandia? I wonder what's going on?"

"Oh, yes, of course, if you need it, that's certainly possible."

The Dutch envoy suddenly became angry. To him, this question was a test to see if Chi Honghai was truly incompetent or just pretending. He couldn't even send out ships to intercept and kill the English for a few days, and he said there was a sea ban in winter and that his superiors were watching.

But now you'd be willing to send someone to Zeelandia?

I thought that asking this question would expose Chi Honghai's lack of sincerity in cooperating, but to my surprise, after a barrage of accusations, the other party just laughed and didn't seem to be on guard at all.

"Is Your Excellency out of your mind or something?"

A question left the other person a little bewildered? I was the one who exposed your pretense, yet you're saying I lost my temper?

"Once the ship sets sail, is there something that can replace it and keep it in port? If it's damaged or even sunk, is there a way to conjure another one? Is this the same as sending people to Zeelandia to help you?"

"If I send people to help you, then naturally there will be a shortage of personnel. But a shortage of personnel can be filled for a period of time. As long as the number of people is right, then we can still discuss it. Tell me, can these two things be the same?"

With just two sentences, he left the other party speechless, not knowing what to say for a moment, but Chi Honghai wasn't done yet.

"I originally thought you were sincerely cooperating, but you've repeatedly sent me into battle. I'm taking huge risks with these actions. If I'm discovered, losing my position is a minor matter; this concerns diplomacy between nations, and then it won't just be me, Chi, losing my job! Although you've given me some benefits and sent some technical personnel, haven't my contributions been enough? Last time, I lost brothers and damaged warships. If this position hadn't existed back then, how would I have explained myself?"

"Is it worth risking our lives again and again for such a small benefit? Why don't you just bring all these people back this time, and we can call off this cooperation?"

Upon hearing this, the Dutchman immediately became anxious: "No, sir, you're just saying that out of anger. We've been cooperating for so long, it shouldn't be this unpleasant."

"I originally intended to send men to Fort Zeelandia to help you defend your stronghold, but what did you do? Fear, fear, fear! I just don't understand, how much fear can a few hundred men possibly have? Do you think a few hundred men can take over your territory? Besides, my men are unfamiliar with the area, and weren't the arrangements made by you after they arrived? Yet you treated them like dirt, and now you're using this to accuse me of not being sincere. How can I not be angry?"

The Dutch were backed down and could only try to persuade them with kind words. But no matter how they tried to persuade them, there was no room for negotiation on this matter of going to sea. It was made very clear that if they wanted to go to sea, they needed a replacement, and if there was any damage, they needed a good replacement. Unless the Dutch could send a ship over, there was no way to resolve the issue.

But the Dutch did need some help, so discussions continued regarding sending someone to Fort Zeelandia.