Chapter 46: The Origin of the Ming West India Company
Wren finally met Han Xiufen, the legendary female pirate.
In his impression, Han Xiufen was a vulgar pirate, a plunderer, and a very barbaric person.
Because, in these years of war with Han Xiufen, he had heard more than once about the murderous deeds of this female pirate. He even heard that this female pirate liked tall men the most. No strong man, as long as he is a tall prisoner, can escape her clutches.
She has countless faces and has killed countless faces. She is the most terrifying banshee on the sea.
However, when he walked into Han Xiufen's study, what appeared in front of him was a tall and strong woman. Her face was the color of the sun, and she was a little black, but it was different from those of black people. There is a big difference in skin color, which should be brought to her by the sea.
Her figure is tall and plump like the goddess in Hans Holbein's works, but she is more majestic than the goddess.
Her hair was pulled up high, with a golden ornament with numerous pendants on it. She even wore a pair of glasses, and her fluent Bavarian accent made Renn Feel more comfortable.
Her long, exquisite silk robe was very decent, and coupled with the piles of books around her, Ren En confirmed as soon as he saw Han Xiufen that this was A true oriental nobleman.
Beside her stood two men who were also well-dressed. The smiles on their faces were very warm, but their fair faces were also dyed bronze by the sun on the sea.
One of them he knew, this Ming Dynasty official named Mingliang Liu, was the most shameless, vicious and dedicated official he had ever seen. In his eyes, he looked like a hyena in human skin.
The other one is named Chuanli Zhang, who is also a famous figure and also has his own legend on the sea.
Now, these two people looked extremely humble in front of Han Xiufen, like two hyenas under a female lion, diligent and flattering.
"Earl Renne, sit down first and taste the tea I brought from my motherland. It should be good."
Han Xiufen sat at the top of a long table , her voice was not loud, but Ren heard her clearly.
“Listen to Leonie, Earl Jung has announced that I will be removed from my title of earl. Now, in front of you is just an old man named Ryan Nicklaus, who cannot afford the general’s hospitality. "
Han Xiufen ignored Lei En's self-effacing words and slowly poured out a cup of golden tea from the teapot. With a gentle push, the half-filled tea cup slid to Lei En. In front of grace, be impartial.
“In our Ming Dynasty, we respect the strong, the wise, and the kind. As long as they possess these qualities, even a farmer will be noble in our eyes.people.
And Mr. Lane is exactly a strong and wise man, which is why I invite you to share the best tea I snatched from His Majesty. "
Ren held the teacup with both hands, took a sip of tea, put the teacup down and said, "Excellent taste.
Han Xiufen smiled and said: "Drinking this kind of tea requires a calm mood. Sir, drinking tea like this is a waste." "
Ren smiled and said: "I am the general's prisoner, so naturally I don't dare to be unreasonable in front of the general.
Han Xiufen frowned and looked at Zhang Chuanli and said, "I remember Mr. Lane has paid enough ransom?" ”
Zhang Chuanli bowed and said: “To tell you back to the general, Mr. Lane is already a free man. Now he and his five servants live in our country, and no one interferes with his freedom.” . "
When Ren heard what Zhang Chuanli said, he stood up and said, "In that case, can I get a ship from the general, even if I add to the cost of ransom? "
Han Xiufen smiled and said: "Where is Mr. Lane going? "
Ren sighed and said: "I hope to be able to sail this ship back to my hometown in Bavaria, return to my pasture, raise pigs and some sheep, and live out my life quietly. .
Han Xiufen smiled and said: "I think Leonie has informed sir that your title has been deprived of you, and all your shares in the Dutch East India Company have been given to the remaining twelve shareholders." Embezzled.
At the same time, I also heard that your two sons announced that you had died in the battle as soon as the news of your defeat came back to Bavaria. So, in what capacity did you return, sir?
Will those shareholders allow Mr. to appear before them alive? "
Ren smiled and said: "I was born and raised here. They can deprive me of my title and my property, but they cannot deprive me of my citizenship. ”
Liu Mingliang smiled and said: “You may not know yet, but the Nassau family of Orange has labeled you a traitor. Even after announcing your death, they still Defined as a traitor.
Even as your enemies, we are very surprised to hear this news.
Because we know how much hardship we have experienced in the battle with you. Perhaps, those in the Netherlands think that our Ming Dynasty is a weak and powerful country. "
Ren spread his hands and said: "It seems that I have nothing now. Fortunately, I still have a daughter who became a captain of the Ming Dynasty Navy. Maybe my daughter is willing to give him to his old and incompetent father. Give me a bite to eat. "
Han Xiufen smiled. She was originally impatient with this stupid behavior of probing. Seeing that Ren had already shown a certain degree of compliance, she spread her hands and said: "Okay, I will The reason why I say so much is to give Mr. Lane a chance for revenge. "
Ren smiled and said: "I listen carefully. ”
Han XiufenSaid: "My Ming believes that when we divide India, we cannot lose our share, and Mr. Lane is the specific person to control these shares for my Ming."
Ren took a bite Shocked, she leaned on the table and looked at Han Xiufen and said: "I think neither Jung nor Raymond will allow such a thing to happen."
Han Xiufen said: "Wait until I go to sea After one encounter, Jung will disappear from the sea, and as for Raymond, he should have been killed by this time."
Ren was not surprised at all by what Han Xiufen said. Of his sixty-seven battleships, fifty-one were damaged by the Ming Dynasty in the battle on Java Island, including the five second-level battleships he had worked so hard to manage.
The losses of the Ming Navy were minimal. The cost of sixteen schooners seemed high. In fact, in the face of the results of the five second-level battleships, it could be completely ignored.
Especially the iron-clad ships of the Ming Dynasty, which were not only fierce in firepower, but also strong. Under the fierce bombardment of the battleships, they withstood the attack and crashed arbitrarily in close combat. More than one battleship.
The most important thing is that the artillery of the Ming Dynasty fired extremely powerful explosive shells, unlike their battleships, which could only use solid shells. The thick-skinned iron-clad ships took some heavy artillery hits. After the attack, you can still persist.
As long as their battleship is hit by a bomb, it will be a disaster.
So, he was not optimistic about Jung, an arrogant and noble prince. He could even imagine what would happen to the arrogant Jung after encountering the powerful Ming fleet.
As for Raymond, this guy is just an old fox. It is difficult to catch or kill him. This guy has been staying on West Island as his local emperor and is protected by a powerful fleet. , it would be difficult for Han Xiufen to kill him.
Seeing that Ren was silent, Han Xiufen stood up with a smile and said, "Mr. Ren can think about it more. We will discuss it after the incident in the Indian Ocean comes to light."
Renn immediately said categorically: "It is an honor for me to serve the Ming Empire. Since the general thinks Renn is still of some use, we might as well find a time to discuss the details.
As for me, We should also carefully study the complicated situation in India and carefully consider where to start."
Han Xiufen smiled and said, "In that case, I am waiting for your plan, and I believe that this plan will work. It's very exciting."
Ren also smiled and saluted Han Xiufen, and then left Han Xiufen's study. Here, he could not think carefully and thoughtfully.
Watching Ren En leave, Zhang Chuanli sneered: "You said so much, why don't you just submit obediently?"
Han Xiufen resisted the urge to slap this guy and narrowed her eyes. Eyes said: "He is indeed a hero. This sudden decision is beyond what you two idiots can match."
Liu Mingliang was surprised."Will he be smarter than the two of us?"
Han Xiufen said angrily: "Get out."
Yun Wen charged at the front, and since the assault boat docked , he kept rushing to the front. He felt that the blood in his chest was about to explode from his veins and burn.
The West Island in front of us has turned into a sea of fire.
While dealing with the British fleet, Lai Guorao's fleet could also use a force to pour artillery shells on the island.
The musket bullets kept making harsh sounds in front of and behind him, and some of them would fall at his feet, splashing dust flowers on the ground.
With the sound of "bang", Yun Wen was stunned for a moment. At this moment, a pair of thick arms held him and rolled him diagonally to the side, and a disciple of the Yun family who was originally following him But his upper body suddenly disappeared, leaving only his butt and butt, which strangely fell to the ground with two legs.
"Destroy the artillery position."
A familiar voice sounded in Yunwen's ears. Yunwen shuddered and immediately shouted: "Yunzhen, Yunzhen, Artillery fire, artillery fire."
After the sound of a new short artillery fire was heard from behind, Yunwen jumped out of the hiding place, waving a long knife and pointing forward. : "Charge!"
Lao Zhou grabbed Yun Wen's waist and threw him down, then wailed: "Master, that's enough, that's enough. You've shown yourself to be brave enough."
Yun Wen tore at Lao Zhou's hands desperately and said: "Fuck you, after the artillery bombardment starts, the infantry will charge!"
Lao Zhou suddenly let go of Yu Wen , he jumped up and held the rifle in front of Yun Wen, shouting: "Come on..."