Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 546 Marine Corps

At this time, the Netherlands reached its historical peak.

The huge Dutch East India Company occupied the Straits of Malacca, Java Island and other Southeast Asian islands, including the largest Indonesian region, and traded aggressively in Taiwan and Japan, which can be said to have strangled the throat of Southeast Asia.

Since Portugal was annexed by Spain, it has been continuously defeated by it, and even the small Macau has been repeatedly bullied.

Only the Spaniards could barely compete in Manila, the Philippines, but they were also attacked in the second year of Hongguang (1646) and returned without success.

If you use the Three Kingdoms as an analogy, the Netherlands at this time is Cao Wei, the Portuguese who are hiding in Macau is the Shu Han, and the Spaniards occupying Manila are the Eastern Wu.

If Ming returns to its dominance of the ocean, the first obstacle it encounters will be the Dutch.

It can be said that the Dutch are the biggest stumbling block for Ming in the East.

As for suppressing bandits, it is no exaggeration to say that [-]% of Dutch merchant ships are part-time pirates, and the Dutch got their start by robbing Spain's silver and treasure ships.

That's all, but worse news keeps coming.

Dutch Taiwan has received a large number of letters from merchants, who revealed that Zheng Zhilong, the overlord of the China Sea, has returned.

"What? Zheng Zhilong is back? Didn't he go north to fight the Tatars?"

O. Feuerberg, the governor of Dutch Taiwan, was taken aback. His round face was full of fat due to corruption, and he kept shaking it.

The tight belt stretched straight, bearing indescribable pressure.

The raised belly trembled constantly, reflecting the master's tense and urgent mood.

It's no wonder that it is so, it's because Zheng Zhilong's prestige is too great.

From the reign of Tianqi to Chongzhen, the Dutch have been actively trying to establish a trade point in the past 30 years. They tried twice in Penghu and again in Xiamen, but they were all defeated.

Especially the Kinmen naval battle in the sixth year of Chongzhen, also known as the Liuluowan sea battle, the Dutch were defeated, and Zheng Zhilong's hegemony over the East China Sea was completely recognized.

When Zheng Zhilong focused his attention on the north, Dayuan's land was constantly being eroded by the Dutch, and even colluded with the Fans to kill the Han.

Now that Zheng Zhilong is back, it is no less than a catastrophe for the weak Dutch Taiwan.

"My lord, but that Chinese pirate king, Zheng Zhilong, who has 200,000 warships and [-] troops?"

"Oh my God."

When the newly appointed senior businessman Gilson heard it, he was taken aback and couldn't help but marvel.

Even the chief of the army, Qiao Xiuer, couldn't help waving his hands in fright and said: "We can't beat this Chinese pirate, we still have to think long-term."

"At that time, those pensions alone will be able to bankrupt the company."

"But once Zheng comes back, the high tolls will cost the company the most Dutch guilder."

Governor Feuerberg patted his forehead in frustration, his chest heaved continuously, obviously he was not in a calm mood.

Since a war between the Dutch army stationed in Taiwan and the Zheng army took place in the seventh year of Tianqi (1627), and the Dutch army was defeated, Zheng Zhilong has established hegemony in the China Sea.

Zheng Zhilong stipulated that for all merchant ships passing through the South China Sea, each ocean-going vessel will be charged 3000 taels of toll each year, including Dutch, British and other Western European merchant ships. Otherwise, it may be eradicated at any time.

Every year, the toll fees alone reach several million taels.

This is also the beginning of Zheng Zhilong's sudden wealth, but it is based on the exploitation of Dutch businessmen.

Whether it was bandits or something, the news that Zheng Zhilong returned after two years of leaving Fujian was shocking enough.

Philippines, Manila Governor's Palace.

"Ming really said that?"

Governor Dio's short and fat body was full of great joy, his fat body was almost lying on the table, his green eyes were full of longing, and he hurriedly confirmed.

"Emperor Ming really wants to take down the chicken coop and ask the Dutch to do the surgery."

"The Dutch monopolize the trade with Japan, they are extremely rich, and I heard that the Ming Empire is hunting down the Tatars, so they must raise military expenses."

The returned merchants said one after another, "The purpose of spreading rumors about the elimination of pirates is to confuse the Dutch."

Dior sighed heavily when he heard the words: "I hope it doesn't cause a catastrophe."

"What do you mean?"

"The Ming Empire looks different this time from the old good guys. How can such a huge empire not be scary?"

……

"Is this Xiamen?"

Sitting on the boat, Sun Lin looked into the distance, looked at the island-like Xiamen, and asked in surprise.

"This is Xiamen, just to rest and recuperate."

I would like to advise that in Xiamen at this time, dozens of merchant ships, large and small, are moored. The sails of the ships are fluttering.

The Westerners with very different looks seemed to be permanent residents at this time, appearing extremely free and easy.

Sun Lin was a little dumbfounded.

Zheng Zhilong on the side was very polite, and walked on the land swaggeringly, introducing:
"Xiamen is an island, but it has built a steel port long ago. There are businessmen from Ming Dynasty, North Korea, Annan, Manila, etc..."

"Is there a yamen?"

"Of course, I am an official of the imperial court, so naturally I have a yamen."

Zheng Zhilong laughed.

All of a sudden, hundreds of large and small warships suddenly appeared on the sea surface of the port. Although they were inferior to those of the navy, their skillful technology could earn a lot of points.

"Crash-"

Suddenly, thousands of people landed one after another on the warship docked by the Donghai Division. They were wearing armor and holding sharp knives, looking extremely fierce and strong.

"This?" Zheng Zhilong was taken aback: "There are also infantry in the navy?"

Obviously, the group of people in front of them were not sailors, they had a completely relaxed atmosphere, only regular movements.

"This is the Marine Corps. It is composed of [-] elite soldiers from the selected army. It can not only fight on sea ships, but also land on the shore and attack the city. It can be said to be extremely powerful."

Although Sun Lin is young, he has a calm attitude, neither arrogant nor impetuous, which makes people feel good.

"This is due to the fact that the navy is not good at attacking the city, so it is specially built to make up for the shortcomings of our navy."

"Well, I don't know how capable you are?" Zheng Zhilong hesitated, and couldn't help asking tentatively.

"Won't we just see the outcome by then?"

Sun Lin didn't take it seriously, and said in a foolish way: "If you take down the chicken coop, you won't have to worry about it. Even those small nails of the big officials will suffer."

"Please don't worry!" He lowered his head and said softly, "There are thousands of flintlock guns and countless gunpowder. The red devils are surprised by the safekeeping."

"This……"

Zheng Zhilong glanced at Zheng Hongkui, who shook his head and smiled helplessly.

Obviously, Xiamen can't stop the 2000 people's vertical and horizontal, and the imperial court is really terrifying. .

(End of this chapter)