living in 16th century england

Chapter 30
Well, Matthew is no jackass.He just didn't expect that the agreed "fishing boat" would later become standard equipment for pirates.

He asked, "Who do you think contributed the most today?"

The pirate captain pointed to a first mate: "Without his quick and precise handling of the sails, we might have suffered casualties."

Matthew nodded: "I think so too... Although the boat is broken, it is very valuable for recycling. I need a new captain to bring it back to Plymouth."

Recovery value?The pirate captain understood in seconds: "My baron, I think he is fully competent. It's just that he lacks seagoing experience..."

Matthew: "It's not important...you can learn it...you can choose another first officer yourself, but it's not a reserve captain for the time being. You can take the trouble to investigate it."

The pirate captain bowed and said, "As you wish."

Matthew is very generous when it comes to talent.If you want the horse to run, you have to feed the horse.On the one hand, he is not short of money now.On the other hand, he believes that he will never be short of money in the future.

The miser boss exists only because he has no faith in his future.

Matthew: "Obviously, you are good at sea combat. I don't think a salary of 5 gold coins is in line with your ability. Accountant..."

The accountant immediately ran over: "Matthew, what's the matter?"

"Remember, from next month, Captain Lawrence's monthly salary will be increased to 10 gold coins."

Lawrence is very satisfied, and money is no object.As far as he knows, he is currently the least qualified among several captains.But now...the salary is the highest, hehe!

What could be more face-saving than this?

Matthew: "Everyone come here! Some work needs to be arranged."

The ship is now at a standstill, and the sailors are all excited, and they all gather around upon hearing the words.

Lawrence shouted: "Hey! What are you still doing squatting? Didn't you hear that the baron is going to arrange work?"

The pirates squatting and drinking beer were dumbfounded again.

Early the next morning, some of the pirates who surrendered returned to Plymouth with the new captain, and one of them became the first mate.This was deliberately arranged by Matthew. They were separated, mixed with sand, and reused as an example to reassure people's hearts.

Although there are certain risks.But he was really reluctant to kill all these pirates to avoid future troubles.

That's right, I just can't bear it.

Interlaced like a mountain.Looking for a group of clean farmers to be sailors?How long does it take to become a captain?How many people are willing to go to sea to risk their lives?
Port taverns were usually full of people looking for work, but the proletariat wasn't very numerous these days.And the quality is questionable.Maybe half a year ago he was still working in the fields.Or the business ability is too poor, and was kicked out by the previous boss.

A batch of new ships will be launched in the next six months.It's best to sell it, if you can't sell it, use it yourself.It is not easy to find a group of skilled sailors who can be captain or first mate.Whether it is a farmer or a tavern, these two sources will not work for the time being.

So it's really not as easy to use as pirates.He has been in the industry for many years, can fight and run, can see life and death, and is used to making his home everywhere.Perfect.

Although many pirates are used to seeing money, people have pursuits.No matter why they became pirates in the first place, as long as they have pursuit, they can use it.For example, social status.

Just hang out with me and you'll have social status.The pirates will soon realize this.

Arrived in London the next afternoon, unloaded all the cargo, but did not load, but stayed in port overnight.

Matthew specially gave all the sailors a holiday, and even gave each of them two shillings as pocket money, only saying that they would sail early tomorrow morning.Don't stay too late.

If someone wants to escape, Matthew will of course give it a chance, because it is meaningless to force him to stay.Maybe the pirates have nowhere to go, maybe they want to reinvent themselves.Anyway, came back on time.

On the third day, several pirates met King Henry VIII of England on a small pier.Their jaws dropped.

The location, of course, is not London.But Greenwich.remember?Xiaoyao Palace is a big U-shaped bend on the Thames River.

Henry VIII's well-dressed clothes almost blinded everyone's eyes, and he seemed to exude the air of king (money) all over his body.

Matthew's expression was very strange.

The young king wore a white woolen overcoat.That's right, a woolen coat.All kinds of fancy decorations and gold thread embroidery are everywhere, and there are even two gold carvings on the shoulders.There is a golden belt around his waist, and a gaudy swift sword is hung on the belt.On his head was a hat with a wide brim, and a tuft of beautiful feathers stood tall.

This guy is slender, with a wasp waist, looks...beautiful, and...a good skin.Matthew had to admit... As expected of a clothes rack, he looked like a big golden rooster.

Nima, you actually copied my coat... and tights... It's already May, doesn't he think it's too hot?

If you've ever seen portraits of European kings before, you know that tights were originally reserved for European men, and so were high heels.He even showed off his "beautiful legs" (fog) on ​​purpose.It's a pity that they were all snatched by women later, which is really hateful. (laugh)
Henry VIII looked forward to it: "My trustworthy Baron of the Isles of Scilly, what do you think of my attire?"

What can Matthew say?Praise!
"My king, you do have taste. I guess there is no one in Europe who knows fashion better than you."

taste?Fashion?Henry VIII suddenly felt that these words were too appropriate.

"I think so too, um... what are you wearing?"

Matthew was expressionless: "...this is called a vest."

Henry VIII also wanted to brag, but couldn't say: "...it fits very well."

There are some guards in uniform armor at the pier, and they have to board the ship first.

Matthew saw Cohen in the lead.

Yes, there is such a sense of security.

The pirates had never seen such a scene, and their legs couldn't help shaking a little.When it comes to cutting people, no one thinks it will be the opponent of the armored knight.They are professional.

Cohen looked at these pirates carefully, feeling a little puzzled.This is clearly two groups of people, right?Uniforms, no doubt Lord Sealy's men, these bearded fellows?
Lawrence introduced: "They are...sailors just recruited by the Baron."

Cohen said loudly: "No matter who it is, for the sake of Baron Sealy, everyone hand over their weapons."

Henry VIII glanced at the ship, not surprised.What he asked was another question: "I heard that you took my money to build warehouses in the Isles of Scilly, find someone to design castles, bought more land, and even paid the final payment for 100 looms. ...Expanding your own industry, spending too much money on things that have nothing to do with battleships. And throwing a...little donkey? Is that the name...into the iron pot?"

Matthew thought to himself... Sure enough, that bastard often makes small reports, and he must teach him a good lesson later.

He glanced at the people around him: "My king, it's a business secret. I will tell you my plan alone."

Trade secrets?Henry VIII glanced at Matthew and made another fresh statement.

Suddenly a guy squeezed over: "You are the Baron of the Isles of Scilly? I think your ship is a bit flashy."

Matthew was expressionless: "Who are you?"

The man did not answer, but said to Henry VIII: "My lord, the mast of this ship is too high and the width is too narrow. I think it is easy to capsize. The wind is a bit strong today. For your safety, please think carefully."

Henry VIII: "..."

Matthew smiled: "How about we take a gamble?"

Everyone around was stunned.

Matthew: "If the boat capsizes, I'll give you a thousand gold coins. If it doesn't, you lose me a thousand gold coins. It's fair, isn't it?"

A thousand gold coins?Suddenly there was an uproar.That's definitely a lot of money.There are not many people who can achieve this wealth here.

Don't think this is a vulgar plot.Neither does the author.The problem is that gambling has been the most common practice among European nobles since the Middle Ages.

It is different from the traditional cognition of a big oriental country.Gambling is not considered a vice in the West.Gambling among nobles is even something to boast about.

For example, Tolstoy, who was born in a noble family and was poor and could only borrow from a friend's house, the most common excuse he used was "lost all at cards".

Even for gambling, Europe has developed related "serious knowledge". In 1657, a certain Dutchman wrote the book "On Calculation in Gambling", which is considered to be the earliest systematic exposition on probability theory.

Therefore, it was a very normal choice for Matthew, who was familiar with this situation, to use gambling to slap this guy in the face who didn't know the so-called.

I bet it will ruin you.Don't dare to bet, what you said to Henry VIII will become nonsense nonsense.

It's the same as a duel.If you want to play a duel against a warrior, you must of course play gambling against this kind of "civilian".

Henry VIII looks like a big vase, but he is not stupid at all.The only thing he did was to stare at this guy with piercing eyes.

Under such gaze, no one can find a reason to escape.

Of course he believed in Matthew, he already knew about this little donkey beating up a group of pirates on the road.

This man's face turned red. No matter what, he had to gamble. It doesn't matter if his family property is gone. If he loses face, he will die.More importantly, the king's trust cannot be lost.

Misjudgment and malicious strife are not of the same nature at all.

Soon, the bet was established.Henry VIII glanced at Matthew.It means that I win half of the points.

Matthew was stunned for a moment, what the fuck, the king's eyes can still talk?
Henry VIII: "Aboard."

No one stopped it anymore.

Matthew had a calm demeanor, but the unlucky guy's face was pale.There are a lot of people here, how can they not guess the ending?

Matthew understood very well that this guy didn't care about the ship at all, and he didn't care about him.Just for show for someone.

It's okay to express yourself.Wouldn't it be better to change it?Why step on me?Make up your mind, you can't let him run away when you turn around.

In the end, the little donkey boarded nearly 30 people, nearly half of whom were guards led by Cohen.Including the original passengers and crew, it looked crowded.

There are a little more people, but it is not crowded. The combined area of ​​the deck and the top of the poop is at least 150 square meters.The cabin can also be squeezed.

After getting out of the Thames River and turning around in the sea, someone measured the speed more than a dozen times in a row, and it fluctuated between 12 knots and 15 knots. Even if it is an empty boat, it is very powerful.

Henry VIII saw the result, and then said, "Now, who still has a problem?"

This surprised Matthew, but he didn't say a word, he didn't know any of these people.He realized that they were all here to find fault?
Matthew didn't bother to get close to these people, he waved his hands, and grandly launched his shipbuilder: "My king, please allow me to introduce, this is the designer of this ship~ Edmund Harvey, is The director and chief engineer of my shipyard, he and these three shipwrights jointly built this ocean-going vessel, the Little Donkey."

chief engineer?It's a good title.Henry glanced at Matthew, and gave him a few words of praise.

The shipwrights didn't know where to put their nervous hands.Although Edmund had a simple and honest face, his performance was very calm.The concise answer surprised Henry VIII.

Say something clearly in the shortest language, maybe half of the human race can't do it.This is already a talent.Some people should have a deep understanding.

"How much does the Baron pay you, Mr. Harvey?"

Edmund replied honestly: "20 gold coins per year."

nice.Henry VIII: "Do you own land?"

Edmund: "Yes, I own a little land in Plymouth."

Henry VIII laughed: "In the name of the king, you will be a gentleman."

Edmund was overjoyed.

British squires are recognized as having standards ~ linked to income.

In the late Middle Ages, an annual land income of two pounds could be recognized as a squire. During Elizabeth I's reign, an annual land income of 20 pounds was considered acceptable (don't forget inflation).

Although Edmund got his salary, the king spoke up, and no one would stop such a trivial matter.

The warship of Henry VIII still counts on the chief engineer to build it with care.How could it be possible not to give a little benefit?He is not stupid.

The pirates stood obediently in a corner, but they saw this scene without blinking, and their eyes were a little dull.

Three days ago, I was still a pirate!This fate is changing too fast, I really can't keep up.

Matthew immediately pulled Lawrence over: "My king, this is Lawrence, the captain of the Little Donkey. You may not know...under his command the day before yesterday, we defeated a pirate ship. The ship was not damaged at all. And there were no casualties."

Henry VIII said in his heart that I knew it a long time ago: "...Mr. Captain, have you ever learned how to fight at sea? Otherwise, how could you be so powerful?"

Lawrence was a little nervous: "...self-taught, self-taught."

What you said... Matthew almost laughed out loud, and Henry VIII struggled even more.

Matthew coughed: "My king, as long as we have countless talents like Captain Lawrence, England will be invincible in the ocean."

Henry VIII also coughed: "Mr. Captain, how much salary does the Baron of the Isles of Scilly pay you?"

Lawrence: "10 gold coins per month."

Someone gasped, and Matthew couldn't help but glance at it, but it was Cohen's... resentful face?
Henry VIII was also very surprised: "Very well, but as a king, I have to make a request to you. That is to buy a farm for myself. As long as you do this, you will be a slave knight, I promise."

Lawrence was overjoyed and immediately agreed.

That's what characterizes an English squire, rich, and owning land.The royal family is not stupid. In fact, all businessmen at this time will buy land without exception.There are deep political reasons for this.

For example, Shakespeare, do you think he is a literary giant?In fact, he was a landlord first, and a country gentleman second, and he even claimed to be a gentleman in his will.The total value of assets reached 1140 pounds.

Matthew was finally done, and Henry VIII quickly lost his freshness, saying that he would go to the cabin to have a look.Then both of them noticed that someone kept tossing the first mate at the helm, asking him to make a sharp turn.

Henry VIII's face immediately turned black, and he was even murderous.

Matthew almost burst out laughing.Pulling Henry VIII into the captain's room.

(End of this chapter)