The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 126 Speculation
February 1726, 2, Crete.

Two merchant ships belonging to the Netherlands United Mediterranean Company slowly sailed out of the Port of Chania (today's Chania, Crete, Greece), and then raised their sails one after another, preparing to go around the circular peninsula in the north, and then turn around and head west. Return to Rotterdam across the Mediterranean Sea.

The United Mediterranean Company was established 50 years ago. In Europe, it cannot be compared with the famous East India Company in terms of reputation or scale, but its development speed is extremely rapid.From a small trading company with less than five ships and an annual trade volume of less than 20 Dutch guilders in the early days, it has now expanded to a fleet of more than 200 ships and an annual trade volume of more than [-] million Dutch guilders. business giant.

The reason why the company is developing rapidly is due to the increasingly prosperous Red Sea-Mediterranean trade that the Mengqi people opened up decades ago, allowing them to take advantage of this opportunity and soar into the sky.

Every year, the people of Qi transport massive amounts of cane sugar, tea, porcelain, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, and a wide variety and large quantities of industrial products to the Port of Suez by sea, and then rely on a high-standard asphalt road to transport them day and night. It is continuously transferred to Cairo and finally transported to the port of Damietta on the southern coast of the Mediterranean via the Nile River.

Merchant ships owned by the United Mediterranean Company are fully loaded with these commodities, which are either resold directly to countries and regions along the Mediterranean Sea, or transported through the Strait of Gibraltar to France, England, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, North Germany, and Livonia, Russia and other places have made a lot of money through this kind of re-export trade, and the trade volume and profits continue to grow at a geometric rate every year.

The two merchant ships naturally came from the port of Damietta and stopped at Crete to purchase a batch of in-demand olive oil from the Ottomans and prepare to transport it back to the Netherlands for sale.

It stands to reason that the ship was loaded with cane sugar, cotton cloth, tea and Qi's industrial products. After being resold, the profits were already huge. There was no need to waste time and sail to Crete to buy those not-so-valuable olive oils.

However, since last year, several olive oil-producing countries in the Mediterranean have encountered rare droughts. Olive crops have failed in large areas, resulting in a sharp decrease in olive oil production, causing the price of this oil known as "liquid gold" to soar immediately. .Nowadays, as long as a batch of olive oil is purchased from the Ottomans who are blocked by European countries and returned to the Netherlands, the profit can be four to five times.

Furthermore, it is much more cost-effective to use dozens of barrels of olive oil as ballast for ships than less valuable grains.

Yes, the Dutch rejected the Ottomans' request to carry food and ordnance to Istanbul. Although the freight price offered by the other party was not low, they were worried that they would be made things difficult by the Venetians at sea and cause unnecessary trouble.

A few months ago, Qi State was annoyed that the Venetians frequently intercepted and attacked their merchant ships and directly declared war on this Adriatic country.As a close ally of Qi, the Ottoman Empire was also very happy about this, and subsequently declared war on the Republic of Venice.

It's ridiculous to say that the Ottomans and the Venetians have been fighting each other to death for hundreds of years. They have always just copied the other party if they disagree with each other. They have never declared war on each other so solemnly.

Most of their performance was for the people of Qi to see, showing that they share the same hatred with the enemy.The two countries have had friendly exchanges for decades and have in-depth military exchanges, but they have never fought side by side like this, and the targets are the common enemies of both sides.

"Actually, I sincerely hope that the ongoing war will last longer and affect a wider area." Van de Wall, senior commercial counselor of the United Mediterranean Company, looked at it with a pipe in his mouth. Crete, who was gradually receding, said in a leisurely tone: "This war has enabled the company's operating performance to achieve unprecedented growth, and the profits achieved have reached new heights."

"Yes, since June last year, the prices of sugar, tobacco, Brazilian rosewood, and other commodities from the Americas have surged sharply every month. The export volume of commodities from Brazil, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas and other regions has been relatively high. In the first half of the year, it dropped by more than half." Wiersma, the captain of the Haider, nodded and said: "As the war progresses, I think the Qi people's blockade of sea transportation between England and Portugal will become more and more strict. It will also further push up the prices of various commodities.”

"Yes, without the two competitors of England and Portugal, the business of our merchants in the United Provinces suddenly became better. It is said that the West India Company is planning to purchase more merchant ships and hire more crews, and will take the opportunity to expand Their share of trade in the Americas is ready to make a fortune." Van de Wall said with a smile: "Compared to the rising prices of goods from South America, the prices of goods shipped from Qi do not seem to have changed much, and They also gave us merchants in the federal provinces more discounts, which also allowed us to make more profits than before."

"This war is not only beneficial to our foreign trade!" Captain Wiersma took over. "Because of the war, England's exports of woolen products to European countries have shown a sharp decline trend. This has also caused our United Provinces' The woolen fabric industry has gained a rare respite, allowing many factory owners to receive a large number of orders for goods. In addition, the shipbuilding industry, wood processing industry, linen manufacturing industry, hardware processing industry, and financial industry in our United Provinces have also All because of this war, there has been a scene of extreme prosperity. As you just said, almost everyone hopes that this war will last longer and affect a wider range."

"Hahaha..." Van der Wall couldn't help laughing. "If the people of England and Qi knew that we all hope that this war will never stop, they will vomit blood in depression."

"Mr. Devore, I think that in addition to us in the United Provinces who want to see the English laugh, there are more European countries who are also very happy to see the English misfortune. You know, in the past few decades, England has been Our United Provinces are not the only countries that are scheming. Well, at least the French and Spanish will definitely not be able to help but make trouble for England in this war. Even if they take advantage of the situation, it is not impossible."

"Perhaps, this war will have a profound impact on the geopolitics of our entire Europe, and the people of Qi will also become a powerful force influencing the situation in Europe. Under this situation..."

"Beep beep..."

"A large number of ships were found northeast of the ship! ...The distance is about 1.5 leagues (1 league is approximately equal to 5.5 kilometers)!"

The lookout above the mast suddenly issued a warning signal. While waving the signal flag continuously, he stuck his head out and roared loudly.

"They are all Galese armed galleys!" Captain Wiersma raised his telescope and looked toward the northeast. On the clear sea, there were many shadows of sails. About thirty Galese armed galleys were lined up in several rows, scattered across the vast sea. On the ocean, two of the clippers lined up in front of them and sailed quickly in the direction of their merchant ships, "They should be... Venetians!"

"What? Are they going to attack Crete?" Van Der Wall was extremely surprised. "The Ottomans have five to six thousand soldiers stationed on the island. They can't be so reckless, right?"

"I'm wondering if the Venetians will also regard us as a target." Captain Wiersma looked at the two galese armed galleys getting closer and closer, with a solemn look on his face, "We should do Be prepared for emergencies in case something unexpected happens.”

After saying that, he ordered a crew member to send a signal to the approaching "Entel", instructing the other party to change course, separate from the "Haider" where he was, and maintain the necessary safe distance.

If he was really unfortunate enough to be attacked by the Venetians, someone would have to flee back to the United Provinces to report it!
More than an hour later, the two small galese armed galleys intercepted the "Haider", but after some negotiations, they were confirmed to be merchant ships belonging to the United Provinces Republic, and they did not stay too much, let alone board the ship. After checking, he just said sorry and said "Excuse me" and left directly.After the other party merged with the main fleet, it changed direction near the coast of Crete and sailed towards the southeastern waters, actually intending to bypass Crete.

"Where are the Venetians going?" Van de Wall looked at the Venetian fleet gradually disappearing out of sight, feeling a little confused.

"They must have gone to Egypt, right?" Captain Wiersma's expression changed, with an incredible expression on his face.
-
Alexandria was founded in 332 BC and was named after its founder, Alexander the Great, as the seat of the governor of the Egyptian province of the Macedonian Empire at that time.After the death of Alexander the Great, Ptolemy, the governor of Egypt who stayed here, established the Ptolemaic dynasty and was crowned Ptolemy I.Alexandria became the capital of the Kingdom of Egypt and soon became the largest city in ancient Greek culture, second only to Rome at the time in size and wealth.

During the Roman Empire, Alexandria was listed by Octavian as a city directly under the emperor's control due to its control of one of the most important granaries of the empire, and it became the most prosperous port in the Mediterranean.

However, by this period, with the opening of the Age of Discovery and the shift of world trade routes, Alexandria had long lost its former glory and its status continued to decline. The canal connecting the Nile River had also been abandoned for hundreds of years and had been completely reduced to A small, inconspicuous fishing port.

Although, the arrival of the Qi people reactivated the Red Sea-Mediterranean trade, making the entire Egypt an intersection connecting east and west trade, and regained its vitality.However, the Qi people regarded Damietta Port as their main trade transit center and carried out large-scale infrastructure construction. In less than ten years, they turned the port into Egypt's largest cargo port. The distribution center and shipping center are catching up with Cairo.

Although Alexandria has also benefited from a wave of Mediterranean trade dividends, both in terms of population size and simple port facilities, it has increased, but due to poor local management methods and poor transportation networks, the port still appears It is lonely and dilapidated, and the number of merchant ships traveling here is pitiful.

However, in the early morning of March 3, dozens of ships suddenly gathered outside Alexandria, filling the entire harbor.The gun windows on both sides of these ships were opened, revealing the black muzzles of the guns, pointing towards the port in the distance.Several merchant ships that had just left the port were all stopped. After the wolf-like British soldiers boarded the ships, they announced that all ships and personnel would temporarily become prisoners of the British army.

Then, a small boat swayed into the port and docked under the watchful eyes of dock officials and soldiers.An English naval officer announced to Alexander Pasha and the garrison commander who came after hearing the news that the Kingdom of Great Britain would take over the entire port and city, requiring all personnel to give up resistance and surrender to the British army.

Then, he threatened that if Alexander's officials and garrison refused to surrender and instead insisted on resisting, everyone and the city would be destroyed by artillery fire.

When the local officials and garrison generals in Alexandria heard this, they couldn't help but look at each other.

Isn't the Kingdom of England at war with Qi?Why did he suddenly come to Egypt and claim to occupy this port?

What do you mean by this?
Although the Qi people monopolize Egypt's local economy and have a strong influence in the region. Millions of Egyptians almost depend on the Qi people for food, but this is the territory of the Ottoman Empire after all. You, England, are coming here with great force. Is it possible? Are you going to invade our Ottoman Empire?
Many local officials and garrison generals couldn't help but turn their attention to the dozen or so Qi people present.

Hey, they are probably here for you guys, please give me a charter!

Kong Yuanju, the shopkeeper of Qiguo Ottoman Trading Company in Alexandria, took a look at the officials and officers who looked embarrassed, and then looked at the English fleet with numerous masts outside the harbor, and his face was also uncertain.

"Arif, tell me the truth. With the troops you have, can you hold it?" Kong Yuanju took a gulp of water and stared at the Mamluk officer in front of him.

"We can't hold it." Alexander garrison commander Shariz Arif shook his head and said: "We have very few artillery and only 300 troops. We simply cannot withstand the English attack."

"You have to defend if you can't!" Kong Yuanju gritted his teeth and said, "You lead the troops and try your best to resist the English landing. We will return to the city immediately and call on all the merchants and shopkeepers to spend some money and recruit some armed volunteers." Come to support you in your efforts to repel the English.”

"Mr. Kong, this is too difficult." Sheriz Arif had a troubled look on his face, "The artillery deployed in the port fort are all more than 100 years old antiques. Not to mention whether their power can threaten England's warships. It is doubtful whether it can be launched. Moreover, there are no corresponding defense facilities in the port. Facing the bombardment of enemy naval guns, all of us will become fans!"

"Then we can't just run away without a fight, right?" Kong Yuanju said, signaling Alexander Pasha Amr Nasar with his eyes, and quickly gave the garrison commander an order to defend.

Damn it, every one of them is more active than the other when asking for bribes and benefits.When the enemy comes to attack, you don't think about "diligence in the king's affairs", loyal service to your Ottoman Empire, and fulfilling the responsibility of defending the territory. Looking at you, it is obvious that you are going to flee the battle and run away.

Amru Nasar Pasha was reminded by Kong Yuanju. He was stunned for a moment, and then immediately understood. He immediately ordered Arif to lead his men to do their best to resist the English landing. After returning to the city, he would mobilize And the people were recruited to come to support.

After giving the order, everyone swarmed back to the city, leaving Arif and a group of garrison officers alone on the spot. Soon they heard loud curses and complaints.

However, when everyone returned to the city, they did not recruit armed volunteers. Instead, they ran back to their mansions, began to pack their belongings in a hurry, packed up their belongings, and then hitched the carriage. While the people in the city were still at a loss, , quickly fled towards the south.

At 10 o'clock in the morning that day, with the sound of several cannons, Alexandria was quickly captured by the British army, thus gaining an excellent foothold.

(End of this chapter)