Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

"Why?" Chi Honghai repeated Moore's question. "Is the Governor truly confused, or is he testing me?"

"These Dutchmen have caused trouble along my southeastern coast several times, making my business difficult. At one point, I was even forced to deal with them. Now you want to drive them away, and you haven't done anything to harm my interests. Tell me, should I help you?"

Moore looked at Chi Honghai and said, "It's not that it's not illogical, but aren't you afraid that I'll do these things after I drive out the Dutch?"

"So, I'm here to exchange information for assurances? I believe this information is significant enough to warrant even more benefits from you."

"What news?"

Chi Honghai chuckled and rubbed his hands together in front of his chest: "I can't just say it without proof, can I? I haven't seen any of these benefits myself."

Stroking his red beard, Moore sighed. "So, what do you want? Gold and silver?"

But then the other person closed their eyes and shook their head.

"It seems the Governor still hasn't understood my demands. I'm not here for gold or silver, but to ensure you don't harass my fleet or my territory in the future. After all, I also need to do business, and if the territory is too chaotic, who would dare to do business here?"

Moore hadn't expected the request to be so simple. He could get help from the sea and so-called important information without spending any gold or silver. He even wondered if the person in front of him was not very good at negotiating.

"Of course, Your Excellency, we need to sign a contract for this. I also hope that my fleet can sail and trade normally within your territory. This request is not unreasonable, is it? I have quite a few top-quality goods."

Not at all, not at all. The Spaniards came here precisely because they were worried about not having enough people to sell their goods. This is hardly excessive; it's business delivered right to their doorstep.

"No problem, but what's the message?"

"Haojing is restless."

"Haojing? You mean those Portuguese? You just said they traded fake antiques for gold, silver, and noble titles?"

"Not only that, they're also plotting a rebellion."

The word "rebellion" really hit Moore's nerves. He knew very well that there were frequent disturbances in Lisbon, or rather, actual rebellions. Portuguese colonies around the world had similar sentiments to some extent, but he never expected that such a tiny place as Macau would dare to think of such a thing.

"With Macau's limited strength, what if they really rebelled?"

"Indeed, the Governor is absolutely right. Relying solely on the small number of people in Macau, they are completely subject to the surveillance of the Guangzhou government. Although they have a lot of supplies, their military strength is indeed insufficient. They certainly can't do it on their own. But what if they are colluding with the Dutch?"

"He dares!" Moore roared, slamming his fist on the table, making the ceramic utensils rattle.

"Governor, please calm down. Since they have the guts to rebel, they are naturally capable of doing this. As I just said, the officials there are exchanging fake jewels for real gold, silver and titles. Isn't that what they are preparing for? Only with money and power can they use these things to satisfy their own desires."

Moore was furious and didn't think much of Chi Honghai's words, shouting that he would send people to sweep Haojing clean right now.

However, Chi Honghai also dissuaded him from doing so.

"If the Governor is so eager to eliminate that group, won't he neglect the more important matter at hand? No matter which direction the Keelung group heads towards Macau, the Dutch to the south will surely notice."

"What if the Dutch intercept us halfway? Or what if the Dutch take advantage of the situation and enter Keelung after all the men have left? We can't touch Macau for now, but please rest assured, sir. When I went to Macau before, although I could clearly sense their hostility towards you, they were not prepared."

"Where did you get this information? Are you sure?" After catching his breath, Moore asked Chi Honghai again to confirm the authenticity of the matter.

"I went to Macau to do trade for convenience before, and that's what everyone there said. It can't be false, right? Even if we have to confront them face to face, it's very simple. The governor can just ask the official there if he has pledged his loyalty to the king."

The Spanish were known for their fiery temper, and the impatient Governor Moor immediately prepared to send men to contact the outposts in the Luzon Islands, demanding that they send troops.

This time, Chi Honghai did not continue to obstruct the project, even though he knew that the southern part of the Luzon Islands was Dutch territory, and that it was a series of interconnected events.

But who the Luzon Islands belong to is not important to him. What is important is that Taiwan cannot be occupied by any party at this time, which is a situation he absolutely cannot accept.

"If this news is true, after we wipe out those bastards in Macau, you will definitely get a share of the money there," Moore said. "But if this news is false, I think you should know better than I what the outcome will be."

Despite both soft and hard tactics, Chi Honghai remained unmoved: "Of course, if I weren't absolutely certain, how could I dare to take such a risk and come to Chicken Coop under your name?"

Moore believed him for the time being, and had a strong urge to kill the Portuguese.

Without waiting for Chi Honghai's consent, they left the group at the chicken coop.

During the time he was kept in the chicken coop, Chi Honghai was basically treated as a businessman, with the most he had some armed men with him. This was common and not unusual in their area, so he could wander around the chicken coop. However, he was always followed by several Spaniards, who claimed to be protecting his personal safety and not wanting any outsiders to die on this sacred Spanish land, fearing that God would punish them.

In response, Chi Honghai can only say that this land is sacred, but it does not belong to you Spaniards, and your God will punish you for the crime of plunder.

A dozen days later, a fleet of ships arrived, and more than a dozen ships docked at the port of Keelung.

Soon Chi Honghai was brought before Moore and asked to go to Macau together so that the truth could be determined immediately.

A few days later, we drove to the vicinity of Macau.

Looking through his binoculars from the bow of the ship, Moore saw that the flags hanging over the canyon were still the same Portuguese flags as before.

This is not surprising. Although the Spanish ruled the mainland, their overseas colonies had some degree of autonomy. Moreover, the Spanish did not directly send anyone to manage Macau, so the colonies naturally acted as they had always done.

But Moore doesn't care about all that; if loyalty isn't absolute, then it's absolutely disloyal.

Your hometown has been occupied, so why can't you separate your overseas territory?

"Drive faster!"