living in 16th century england

Chapter 72 Crazy Mike

When Mike was still a young man brushing decks, he had seen boarding battles.

This way of fighting is very cruel.When boarding the opponent's ship, you are left to die, because there is no chance to surrender.

Before attacking, those who boarded the ship actually had a terrible question. The time to think about it might only be 0.1 seconds~ Will these people surrender?
Obviously~ if you want to know the exact answer, you need to bet your own life.

Therefore, fear will make their adrenaline soar immediately, and they will start extreme operations and crazy killings. The defender often has no choice, because the surrender may also be chopped with a knife, and they can only go all out.Surrender was not possible until one side gained absolute superiority.

Unlike the movie, in addition to carrying swords, the crew's main weapon is a spear.This kind of thorn-based weapon is very suitable for boarding battles.Those weapons that are swung up and waved have a high probability of accidentally injuring their own people on a crowded boat.

Historically, when Magellan set off, he carried a thousand spears. In the naval battle between Britain and France in 1512, a British general was stabbed by several spearmen of the French army during the boarding battle, and then he was picked up and thrown into the sea.

Do you still remember that spears are the standard weapons for ships identified by Matthew, as long as there is a small space, you can put a hundred of them.

Although there are many rules for working for the Baron of the Isles of Scilly, there is a great advantage~ Even if you have no goods to carry, you can still eat.Therefore, the spirits of the bastards who carried the big bags were very different from when they first arrived.

Even so, Mike didn't play a single board fight all day.

Before Matthew went out, he received a report from the garrison of the foundry, saying that Exeter was calm and nothing happened.They believe that the direction in which the French pirates fled was just a coincidence.

When we arrived at the tavern, the pier was busy, and a Kirk ship was unloading.

But Matthew was more concerned about the Earl, to be precise, whether he had a high fever.As a result, he ran to his room and saw that the wounded was drinking and playing cards.

In addition to Lilian, there is also a captain wearing a three-cornered hat, an armored knight I saw yesterday.

Seeing Matthew enter the door, everyone was immediately polite.

The Earl of Kildare was even more enthusiastic: "Matthew, you came just in time, come and play a couple of...er...what are you doing?"

Matthew took his hand away from his forehead: "How does it feel?"

Earl Kildare smiled and said: "It feels great, it's completely different from the previous time..."

"Really? But I have to look at your wound." Matthew: "Lilian, let them prepare some ginger juice."

Lilian sweetly agreed, and immediately went out to the kitchen.

The count wondered, "Ginger juice?"

Matthew smiled and said, "Master Earl, this is a good thing. Whether it is taken externally or taken internally, it can speed up wound healing, prevent diarrhea, and make food more delicious."

The Earl of Kildare smiled and said, "Is that so? Baron of the Isles of Scilly, you can call me by my name-Garyde Moore."

Checking is not so troublesome.Matthew unwrapped the cotton cloth and looked at it. He felt that there was nothing wrong with it. He disinfected it and applied some ginger juice, and finally replaced it with a piece of silk.

Silk is naturally breathable and absorbs water, which can promote wound healing.It is said that the Mongols discovered early on that those who wear silk underwear are less likely to suffer from skin diseases, are more likely to pull out arrows, and can also be used to stop bleeding, making wounds less likely to be infected. .

In modern times, there's even such a thing as silk bandages.You think it is a luxury, but Matthew thinks it is a war material.Apart from being expensive, there are no other disadvantages.

Matthew was satisfied: "I guess you don't need to write any letters."

The earl smiled and said, "It's a pity... the ninth Earl of Kildare seems to have to wait."

In history, after the death of Garrett Moore, his son inherited the title and was suspected of having an ambiguous position. Henry VIII summoned him to London to observe for many years, and finally killed him.It can be seen that this kid can't even pretend to be loyal.

So, Matthew changed history slightly again.But he was not familiar with Europe in the sixteenth century, so it didn't matter.

The game continued, Matthew, Gay Ryder, Lilian, and the captain.The knight said that he was going to catch up on his sleep, so Matthew couldn't help but look at him twice.

Playing cards was a waste of time, and after a few rounds, the big winner was actually Lilian.The captain looked ashen, and slipped away after finding an excuse. Of course, Matthew and the earl looked normal.

The earl said with a smile: "Lilian, it seems that you are the master of the game, and you should have a lot of money."

Lilian Gege laughed and said, "Lord Earl, I just saved a dozen or so gold coins...not enough for one of your clothes."

The earl smiled and said, "A dozen gold coins? I guess you underestimated. Your scarf is worth at least ten gold coins."

Lilian sighed: "It's actually made of leftover materials... It's worthless."

This strange answer stunned the earl: "Stitching?... The fur is so smooth and smooth, how many leathers are needed to make it together?"

Matthew immediately changed the topic. He didn't want people to know that his fur was now calculated in tons, which seriously affected the selling price.

"My lord, there doesn't seem to be much food in Ireland. Is there something wrong? Are they lazy?"

As the governor of Ireland, Gay Ride knew of the trading activities of Matthew's fleet in Irish ports.

He sighed: "That's not true. The main reason is that once there is too much rainfall, the cold and humidity will reduce grain production. Moreover, oats themselves are good pastures, so many of them are eaten by cattle before they mature."

"Watt?" Matthew couldn't believe it, "Eat by a cow?"

Such a wonderful way of agricultural production?
The yield per mu of oats itself is not high. It seems easy to feed cattle as pasture, but isn’t the ratio of seed output in this era equal to feeding cattle with grain in disguise?It also wastes land area. Isn't it delicious to grow clover to feed cattle?
Is sheep cheese wool easy to sell for money?
Gay Ryder: "Because food transportation is a big problem. Therefore, in places where transportation is inconvenient, Irish farmers often only need rations, and no matter how much they grow, it is a waste."

Matthew immediately noticed the problem: "Why not make wine?"

Gay Ride glanced at Matthew: "Alcohol can only be used by oneself. It is illegal to brew and sell alcohol in Ireland. That... some bootleggers are hanged every year."

Matthew had a flash of thought, Nima was monopolized by the monastery again.

"...That's it."

Historically, until the early 17th century, the control of Irish bootlegging began to loosen. In 1608, the first legal distillery appeared in Ireland.

Even so, Ireland was Catholic until modern times.Matthew suddenly felt a little funny.

In the Protestant Britain, they insist on the Catholic faith. Are they really believing?Matthew immediately overturned this point~ no, absolutely impossible, it just shows that Catholicism has put a lot of effort into it.

The main purpose of Matthew befriending the earl was really for business.There's no better way to make friends than to save his life.

The so-called Governor of Ireland is actually the biggest local snake in the Dublin controlled area.Because he is a local snake, he is the governor.Don't do it the other way around.

This kind of big family that has been passed down through generations of in-laws can no longer be eliminated by other means except war.

In history, although Henry VIII killed his son, he could only let his grandson inherit the title.So his grandson rebelled directly and was finally suppressed.

The earl said helplessly: "Ireland is different from us. Their system is not paternal succession, which is very unstable. Once a certain tribe changes its chief, it must be a toss."

This Matthew has heard of it. Compared with the feudal system of this era, it is indeed an unstable structure.Of course the new boss wants to make a fortune, but he has to play tricks and plunder all over again.

Matthew smiled: "Maybe I can help you."

The Earl of Kildare immediately became interested. He was actually quite tired as a governor.With England's interests, own interests, chiefs' interests, church interests, and ordinary people's interests intertwined, life can be imagined.

"You just need to give me a piece of land near the Dublin port, and I'll build a freight yard."

Gaylord: "...what else?"

Matthew said with a smile: "The rest is to get the king to agree~ The domestic trade tax rate remains the same, and the foreign trade is doubled."

Gay Ride was stunned: "Watt? This...someone will make trouble!"

Matthew smiled: "No, because I can buy all their goods, and it will not harm the interests of any Irish people. They just need to drag them to Dublin."

The terrain of Ireland is like a dustpan, except for the middle and the Dublin area, which is flat and can be described as "all mountains around Ireland".In this era of transportation relying entirely on animal power and manpower, mountains and hills will naturally fall behind.

Economic ties are king.But you have to make sure you are the only link.If necessary, you can also rob foreign merchant ships that come to grab business.

The seller's market will continue for hundreds of years.As for whether there will be a backlog of products that cannot be sold?Matthew thinks it is almost impossible.Now Europe is at war.At worst, you can also consider selling it to Louis XII, North African pirates, Ross, Indians, the Ottoman Empire, and various pagans.

By June of this year, his capacity will be doubled.Besides, there wasn't much good to be had in Ireland at the time.

Using state policies to make profits is the most common method in the capitalist era.This is of course very freeing.It is kindness not to harm the interests of ordinary people.

After lunch, we played a few more rounds of cards, and everyone dispersed.Going home at this time, just in time for...err...dinner.

People live to eat, don't they?
Matthew thought it was good to have another day of ease.

At this time, Mike has ended his madness in the English Channel.

Any French ships that passed by were devastated.Facing the swarm of pirates with a speed of 13 knots, few merchant ships dared to resist.Not even the accompanying fleet.Can't catch up, can't run, can't beat.Mike can fire a few rounds at most, which is enough to make the prey accept their fate.

But everyone's excitement has long since disappeared.Some people began to persuade this crazy Mike.

The second officer: "Captain, enough, enough. Should we go back? If this continues... there will be no one left."

That's the only reason for Mike to stop - the crew is getting smaller and smaller.On the captured ship, there is already 1 sailor with 4 new and irreplaceable newcomers.There are even 5 newcomers, whether they can drive back is a problem.

As soon as he put on his coat, a dock official came to the door: "Master Baron, please go and have a look, your ship has damaged the dock."

Matthew was of course dumbfounded.What the hell is this?Is that bastard so careless?
After leaving the tavern, Matthew saw a caravel stuck on the pier, and a caravan sailing sideways to the coast.

Matthew: "?"

(End of this chapter)