living in 16th century england

Chapter 43 God is Guiding Us
Is Portugal's spice trade loophole easy to take advantage of?

Doing this kind of business requires a license issued by the Portuguese royal family. It doesn't matter if you have no status. Of course, you need to pay money.

Therefore, Leon's identity is necessary and cannot be replaced.

What Matthew did was in line with history, and this monopoly was quickly broken by businessmen from various countries in Europe.

A document was sent to Henry VIII.

"Hawkins Manor Agricultural Survey Report?"

Henry VIII raised his head: "What is this?"

Official: "The Baron of the Isles of Scilly personally drew up a... er... agricultural and animal husbandry production plan."

"After our research, we found it very valuable, and the baron himself provided a lot of details."

Henry VIII was a little surprised: "So this is not some kind of intelligence?"

Official: "Yes, after we read it, we think it can be promoted in England. It can combine sheep herding with food planting. It can increase production and keep the land fertile."

Henry VIII: "..."

The Hawkins family has more than 3000 acres of land in Plymouth, and of course they will build a new farm.Therefore, the house was not built casually from the beginning, but with a complete plan.

The reproduction of sheep cannot keep up with the increase of land, so it is better to use it for farming.

It was still early for the sailors to retire, and batch after batch of tramps arrived to fill the labor force of the new farm.

The farms designed by Matthew have an average of about 180 acres. He planned 12 according to the terrain and river water sources.The original estate ranch is also included.The rest of the land is forest, and there is no way to do it for the time being.

The key is that the 180 acres will be divided into 3 equal parts.Livestock, mainly herbivores, such as cattle and sheep.A field of crops, mainly wheat and barley.One piece of economic crops such as beans and vegetables and other non-staple foods.Or simply plant a portion of grass, such as alfalfa.

Those who raise livestock are actually fallow fields.As long as the quantity is controlled, pasture is enough to eat.And get a special item: poop all over the place.

What's this?This is fertilizer.Then the iron plow comes out and the land is plowed to grow wheat. After one or two years, when the fertility decreases, other crops are planted, and finally grass is grown to raise sheep.The three lands just fell back and forth like this.

Official: "According to the Baron's calculations, this method can obtain the highest output with the least amount of labor and the least amount of land. It is 25% more efficient than pure farming. As long as it is maintained properly, the land will never become barren."

Henry VIII was shocked: "...25%?"

Official: "Yes, and he plans to plant grass such as alfalfa clover to increase the number of sheep. According to his estimation, such 60 acres of land can support at least 400 sheep."

"So, the baron believes that with only 12 farms, he can raise 4800 sheep or 480 cattle. At the same time, he can harvest enough grain. The overall efficiency is far higher than the current extensive sheep grazing and farming."

Henry VIII stood up abruptly.

"how is this possible?"

The key lies in the fact that the land belongs to Matthew, and the farmers work collectively on the farm as a unit, and their status is that of a farm laborer converted from a homeless man.But when it comes to harvesting, the farmhand takes the bulk, the same as Hawkins Manor.So Matthew estimates that the enthusiasm will be very high.

Matthew actually only wants wool.Wheat's little profit really doesn't matter.But it can also make money by selling it. It is his goal to let the farmer have some cash.If there are too many sheep, they will be transferred to a new farm, or simply slaughtered to improve their lives.Of course, cattle are used to cultivate land, and the same goes for the increase in the number.

Officials say that it can be promoted, but it is actually questionable.After all, ordinary landlords will only squeeze.How could it be possible for tenants and farmers to take the big money?
There is also a problem with the farm laborers. When they are full and rich, they will think about running away to improve themselves.

This is really not Matthew's nonsense. There are a lot of researches in this area in modern times, because this is the so-called agricultural revolution brought about by Britain itself in history.He just copied it.Only Farmer Nadatou is his original creation.

Henry VIII suddenly calmed down: "Let him plant it for a few years... and then we can talk about it."

"What else do you need?"

Official: "My king, there is another piece of information, but it is only dictated, without writing."

Henry VIII was flipping through the report: "No text?"

Official: "Yes, the kind that cannot be written... The Baron of the Isles of Scilly allowed his captain to plunder and capture seven merchant ships. After unloading the cargo on the Isles of Scilly, these ships directly entered the Atlantic Ocean. It is said..."

Henry VIII: "... Did you go to the Newfoundland fishing grounds?"

The official glanced at the king in surprise: "That's what the news says. The baron claims that he wants every Englishman to eat salted fish."

Henry VIII: "..."

"Gone?"

Officer: "Yes, just a dictation."

Henry VIII was dissatisfied immediately: "My knight, didn't you ask who these ships belong to?"

The official immediately said: "Yes... yes... all belong to the Hanseatic League."

Henry VIII was silent again.

England is now inseparable from the Hanseatic League, Henry VIII is very clear.However, Matthew's behavior made him feel satisfied and comfortable.This contradiction between reason and emotion is really awkward.

All the feudal kingships in northern Europe were dissatisfied with the Hanseatic League.In the history of England, there were even kings who mortgaged their crowns for loans.In the eyes of Henry VIII, this is a gang of rogues.

But reason told him that Matthew's behavior was dangerous, and he planned to write a letter to reprimand this guy.

But at the beginning he stopped.Thoughtful, he asked, "Did the Baron of the Isles of Scilly say...why the Hanseatic League?"

Wouldn't France be a better target?

Henry VIII has already stood here in Spain, and Calais has entered a state of alert.It is impossible for Matthew not to know.

Officer: "There is no more detailed report. But... I think the Baron may not be aware of your decision yet."

Henry VIII: "...Watt?"

Official: "You didn't notify him, but the Baron... hardly communicates with other nobles, not even a letter... He seems to be busy with business all day long, and his daily job is to inspect his property."

Henry VIII suddenly felt that this guy was a little funny.He picked up the letter paper, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it out.After thinking about it, I changed the wording and wrote a new letter.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.

Robert has no idea where he is, only the endless turbulent sea around him.

The 70-ton boat is like a small ant struggling in the sea.

When they went, it was smooth, but they were hit by a storm on the way back.Now we are advancing with half sail, there is no way, the wind is too strong.Even so, the speed was over 10 knots.Because the warehouse was not full, more than half of the goods were thrown into the sea.

Under the cloudy sky, no one knows the direction.Being in a stormy area for several days in a row made everyone exhausted.

Two sailors were missing, and one died of illness earlier.The rest were unshaven and shirtless.

A sailor said weakly: "Robert, you must have gone in the wrong direction again."

Robert said blankly: "Shut up."

A voice came from the cabin: "Robert, this wine seems to be broken."

Robert said blankly: "Shut up."

Someone on the mast shouted, "I hope you drank enough rain just now."

Everyone: "Shut up!"

Said a sailor lying on deck, "Robert, what kind of man is the Baron?"

Robert's face was expressionless: "He promises money."

The sailor smiled and said, "Really? Unfortunately, we are all going to die in the sea."

Robert was expressionless: "The sea is the best destination for sailors."

sailor:"……"

Robert: "Unfortunately... because of my incompetence, I have troubled you."

Sailor: "No, no one can find their way in a storm."

Robert was expressionless: "Don't worry, I have at least a hundred catties of flesh on me."

The watchman suddenly shouted: "Look quickly."

I saw a ray of golden light coming out of the dark clouds in the sky, piercing the sky like a glorious holy sword above the endless sea.

Everyone stood up and looked towards the light.

The rays of light flashed one by one, two by three, and even the sea seemed to turn into a golden ocean.

The watchman couldn't help being shocked by the vision of heaven and earth, and shouted: "Look, God is guiding us, and England is in that direction!"

Everyone's eyes filled with tears.

Robert yelled, "Turn!"

Sailors know that the sun is in the north in July.In this era, we can only look at the sky and the sea.compass?No, this is high tech.There is no use of water, and it is easy to break, and it is easier to lose it on a dangling boat.

In the tavern, you can hear such rhetoric as "Even if there is only one starlight, I would dare to cross the Atlantic Ocean."

The dark clouds gradually dissipated, and it was obvious that they were moving away from the storm area.By afternoon, the sky was already blue and white.

What they didn't expect was that they saw land the next day.Apparently, they have actually been circling offshore these two days.After thinking about it, everyone couldn't laugh or cry.

The wine is spoiled and the food is moldy.A place to resupply had to be found, and of course Robert headed north along the coast.

The lookout suddenly called out: "There is a boat in front of you on the right."

Robert turned his head to look, but suddenly his scalp went numb, and he saw two boats chasing one behind the other.It looks like pirates are chasing their prey.The problem is, it's coming right at him.

Some sailors panicked: "Robert, what should we do now?"

"To shut up."

Robert chose to turn. He was basically an empty ship, and his speed should be okay.

But the pirates didn't change their target, please, everyone is living on the water, who wouldn't know the draft?Who the hell would chase an empty boat?
At the intersection, Robert saw a boat of Arabs?
The religious wars in the Iberian Peninsula caused a large number of Muslims to flee to North Africa. Naturally, many people became pirates in order to make a living.The junction of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic has become their playground.

It's like collecting protection fees on major traffic arteries.

But at this time, it had just taken shape, and the later pirate country had not yet taken shape.

What is surprising is that the vitality of this North African pirate country is extremely tenacious. Even the United States in the 19th century was still paying protection fees to them.

In the 16 years from the 19th century to the 400th century, the so-called Western powers were helpless in front of a group of pirates. As long as they entered the Mediterranean Sea to do business, they had to pay money.

In contrast, a certain oriental power can be weak later.Even the Indians resisted for hundreds of years.

But the pirates were wrong this time. Robert seemed to have an empty ship, but in fact there was still a ton or two, and in the eyes of someone, this was much more valuable than a ship of olive oil.

The fleeing merchant ship also turned around and rushed towards the shore.The pirates, of course, followed suit.

Before Robert could see what was going on, the watchman shouted, "They're washing the beach."

It's not a beach—the pirate ship hits the rocks right away.The merchant ship avoided the reef.This result left Robert dumbfounded.

Unfortunately, the merchant ship was also unlucky and was soon stranded by an underwater sandbar.

Someone fired, a group of pirates in the water, like a living target.

Robert thought for a while and asked, "There must be food on their boat. Do you want to go and have a look?"

(End of this chapter)