living in 16th century england

Chapter 70 The Earl of Kildare
Now Matthew's life seems very ordinary, life is very regular.

He "patrols" his property every day.Whether it is glass or perfume, production can actually be expanded. Spirits have begun to flow in a steady stream, and breweries have been expanding their production capacity for beer.Because in June, another 6 little donkeys can go into the water.Sometimes I go to see the renovation progress of his new "compound".

But there are always things that don't go well, such as the temptation to the Hanseatic League.

In addition to the 30% increase in the price of foreign goods in Plymouth, and the robbing of their ships.Destroyed their plan to resell England's grain.

However, what surprised Matthew was: After such a long time, the Hanseatic League has not responded, not even a person who came to negotiate and talk.

Later, he discovered that this was entirely because the Hanseatic League was actually a mess, and it was not easy to unify the outside world.Unless Matthew provoked those local tyrants in the core cities.This alliance has no permanent organization, no permanent army, no fund, and no executive agency.It all depends on whether the big brother who takes the lead has a lot of face, and whether the younger brothers support him or not.

Matthew is tossing about all of them are small-level cities, so there is no face to speak of.Moreover, in the 15th century, this alliance began to decline, and there was no internal unity at all.

The information provided by Captain Mike is: Although there are nearly 70 joining cities on the books of the alliance, only a dozen or so attend the meetings of the alliance.There are often internal strife, pretending to be pirates and stabbing each other is commonplace.The shitty things Matthew did didn't stand out at all.No one really cares except the sufferer.

Who hasn't met pirates a few times these days?As for the price increase, don't mention it, it is very in line with the style of the Hanseatic League.That food is the purest commercial competition.

"Ha... so it's a paper tiger."

Mike was stunned for a moment, and then immediately flattered him: "Master Baron, what you said is really apt."

The temperature of the fireplace was a bit high, and Matthew stood up and changed his position: "However, under the banner of the Hanseatic League, you can enjoy a 15% tariff discount in England. What do you think about this?"

Mike is stuck.

This is Matthew's helplessness, he lacks talents.Only aristocrats have the time to ponder questions of this level.

Mike bit the bullet and said: "I heard that the North African pirates are getting more and more violent, and even charge various tolls, but if you meet some more powerful characters, the pirates will stay away..."

There were many strange organizations in medieval Europe.The name is bluffing, and the signboard sounds loud.What Knights Templar, Teutonic Knights, John's Knights and the like.They all seem to be supported by the Catholic Church and are fighting for the Catholic Church.If you regard them as a country or principality or even a usury organization, the deviation is not too big.

Areas with prosperous commerce often support pirates and military organizations.The Catholic Church sometimes gives these organizations territory and financial support, and does not charge them tithes, and also sends priests to guide them to "meet their spiritual needs" and become Catholic professional fighters.

What's this?This is the "political commissar".A large knight group can pull out [-] to [-] troops, and its territory is not small at all.If you think Catholicism is a purely spiritual religion.It just means you have been brainwashed.

Matthew smiled and said: "Mike, you've got the essence. Because those people are not easy to mess with. They have enough naval power."

"In terms of commerce, the Hanseatic League holds most of the supply of goods in Northern Europe. From a certain point of view, they are no different."

This Mike is very clear: "Yes, the Hanseatic League can provide supplies that England lacks."

Matthew leaned forward, such body language that Mike couldn't help leaning forward.

"I encourage everyone to resolutely fight back when encountering pirates and distribute the spoils fairly. If you persist, you will find that as long as our flag is still on the mast, no one will dare to touch your hair."

"You have to know Mike... My goal is to abolish the privileges of the Hanseatic League in England. So, learn more about naval warfare."

Mike: "..."

Naval battles are Mike's shortcoming. When he meets pirates, he often runs with the speed of a little donkey.

Matthew: "Robert is familiar with the Americas, and there are no major accidents after a few trips. Jack is good at... naval warfare, and his sailing skills are also good. I gave them two knight titles, and Lawrence and Henry VIII gave him a slave knight. Mike, I know you're upset about this..."

Mike quickly denied it. This remark was a bit embarrassing, and it was too much for a worker.

Matthew didn't take it seriously, and said, "I can tell you that now, except for you, all the old captains have experience in naval warfare..."

Mike: "..."

"You have two boats, and you can fight pirates when you meet them. In fact, some people have already complained... going out with you, you can't make extra money."

"I can also tell you clearly that as long as you have results, I can give you a knight title."

The pie was big enough, Mike was overjoyed, and immediately knelt down on one knee to express that he must live up to the baron's expectations.

Matthew laughed and asked him to get up, then raised his glass and touched him.

Too many pirate captains is not a good thing.Mike's sailing skills are superb, and he was born as a serious merchant captain. He is the oldest and the first captain to join him.Because of the special acquaintance experience, the degree of trust is also different.

"That barque is reserved for you, so you can choose another captain."

Now Mike is really grateful.Don't have too many people who are greedy for this boat.I heard that Lawrence, Jack, Anthony, Gary and others have all spoken.Was it specially reserved for me?

Just as he was about to say something, someone outside rushed to knock on the door: "Master, the master is not well...the French are calling."

Several people in the room were startled, and Matthew almost jumped up.A group of people rushed over from outside the house, all servants and soldiers resting outside, it was surprisingly quiet.

Aiden quickly opened the door for him, and Mike hurriedly asked, "Is it at the port?"

The servant quickly corrected: "No, no, it's not ours. A fisherman said that two boats were chasing each other in the Exeter waters. They were the flags of France and England, and there was a boarding battle."

The crowd suddenly buzzed.

Matthew: "A ship? Navy?"

Servant: "No, it should be a nobleman's ship, but the fisherman doesn't recognize that family crest."

Aiden: "How did it turn out?"

Servant: "The French ship ran away... What is inexplicable is that it went in the direction of Essect, but the nobleman came in our direction."

"I suspect it and the fisherman may have entered the port in tandem, so the magistrate has been notified."

Matthew stood up: "You take a rest first, come here, and inform the garrison of the foundry, and ask them to send some cavalry to Exeter to have a look."

"Send the longbowmen to port. Tell that bastard to bring more arrows. And tell the justice of the peace to catch the Frenchman first."

"Mike, go back to your ship first, drive the ship out of the port as soon as possible, and patrol the sea."

Immediately, several servants split up.

Mike: "Matthew... three boats... I need more people..."

Matthew: "Get those bastards on the docks on your boat..."

Eden: "The French Navy?"

Matthew: "It's hard to say, maybe it's just a Frenchman playing a cameo pirate."

It is not uncommon in Europe for one or two pirate ships to sneak attack or even go ashore to plunder.But Matthew still set off for Plymouth, the speed of news delivery is too slow these days.

When we arrived at the port, we saw that there were already people everywhere on the pier, all of them were fully armed, and even many councilors were wearing full armor.Matthew has servants, and of course the MPs also have followers and thugs.

Matthew suddenly felt that if he knew it earlier, he would have been squatting at home waiting for the news.When the congressmen saw Matthew, they immediately surrounded him. Regardless of money or title, Matthew was far ahead of them, so naturally he followed suit.

Matthew: "Is there an enemy coming to us?"

Everyone said that they didn't know, and Matthew said that everyone should not huddle together. What if pirates landed from other places?
The door-to-door son-in-law also appeared from nowhere: "Matthew, you are late. The Earl of Kildare is injured, and he is in the tavern."

Matthew was a little confused: "Earl Kildare?"

Of course Matthew knew this man.I also know that this person is coming to strengthen the defense of the English Channel.Why did you get hurt the moment you showed your face?What kind of support is this ghost?

The son-in-law who came to the door: "Yes, although it doesn't look serious, I think the consequences are unpredictable."

Injury is not terrible, what is terrible is infection and tetanus, and all kinds of foreign objects on the knife can make your life worse than death.If you can bear fortune-telling, you will die if you can't resist.

When Matthew saw the middle-aged man, he even had time to drink and had a good conversation with Lilian.Surrounded by a group of militants.

However, the wound between his chest and abdomen was only hastily bandaged, even bleeding.

Matthew: "Hello, Lord Earl, I am Matthew Hawkins, Baron of the Isles of Scilly. I think...your condition is not optimistic."

Earl Kildare's expression was calm: "I've heard about you for a long time, if I die, can you help me deliver a letter to my son?"

Matthew: "Of course. What about the letter?"

The Earl of Kildare smiled and said: "I am about to write."

Matthew: "Then hurry up, I'm just making some preparations. I must tell you that the cloth you use for bandaging will lead to serious consequences."

Then he raised his voice: "Bring me the alcohol, boil more water, and boil some cotton cloth."

The tavern owner said: "It's ready."

Matthew said: "Good job, promising."

The Earl of Kildare was a little surprised, but when it comes to strange things, people tend to observe before speaking.

Alcohol he knows, but what the hell is boiled cotton cloth?

Matthew: "During the treatment later, please don't get excited. I don't want to be called."

The Earl of Kildare immediately said: "Have you heard everything clearly? Everything is under the arrangement of the Baron of the Isles of Scilly."

Matthew smiled and said: "Very good, do me a favor, everyone, first put together the table, take off your shirt, and let your earl lie down."

Everyone can understand this, and act now.

Lord Kildare: "Shet, wait a minute, let me finish my drink."

Lilian trotted over and handed Matthew a flat tin jug: "Master, alcohol."

Matthew looked at the wound, but fortunately it was just a muscle cut open, so he laughed twice: "Master Earl, please bear with it."

"Everyone, hold down his hands and feet."

After speaking, he opened the wound, picked up the tin pot and poured it into it.

(End of this chapter)