Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 1837 Unmistakable determination

On June 1681, 6, after dealing with the affairs of Diu Island, the battleship "Fubo Wanli" quietly returned to the port of Goa with a group of people.

In addition to the people from the east coast, the governor Francisco de Tavola who was invited to return to Goa was also aboard this old but still extremely powerful warship.His Excellency the governor also decided to take the East Coaster's ship on a temporary basis. For this reason, he was questioned by some conservative nobles and priests, but he still insisted on his decision because he could observe the East Coaster's warship at close range.

What kind of experience is it like to ride a battleship with so many artillery pieces?Well, Governor Tavola said that it was very complicated. There was some sour feeling that Portugal did not have it because it was an enemy warship, and at the same time, he also had expectations for future cooperation with the East Coast.After all, the stronger the partner, the better, isn't it? Especially when they are being overwhelmed by the Dutch East India Company, they urgently need an ally to share the pressure.

Of course, the strength of the partner should not be too strong, because once this happens, they are very likely to turn against the customer and become a strong party, harming the interests of the partner, or even driving the partner out.And this is actually what some conservative nobles or priests have been worried about for a long time. It is hard to say that the people on the east coast will leave the Portuguese to do it alone after they gain a firm foothold.

However, in the eyes of Governor Tavola, the people on the east coast probably don't think much of the Portuguese's small fortune in India, and what can they say in this country, they have always been more honest, and they will always do what they promise. The promised agreement will not be broken at will, which makes people feel more at ease.In addition, although the people on the east coast are pagans, they treat their servants really well. Although there are things that are oppressive, they will never have a bottom line, and they will give a lot of benefits and conveniences from time to time, which makes people feel convincing—— Well, Governor Tavola also saw it from the Courlandians. As for whether this is suitable for Portugal, who knows, anyway, just give it a go. The Kingdom of Portugal does not have much choice. In the Dutch East Indies Under the real threat of the company, if you want to keep the existing family business, you still have to make a decision early.

In fact, in the history of later generations, in order to resist the ubiquitous pressure of the Dutch, Portugal introduced the power of the English from the beginning. After the restoration of Charles II, the marriage of Princess Catherine to the "marriage" was dominated by this idea. On the one hand, they turned enemies into friends with the British who had also fought and killed, and on the other hand, they also wanted to use the power of the Kingdom of England, the only country in Europe that could suppress the Dutch at sea at that time.

However, judging from the effect at that time, it was indeed not ideal. The British East India Company was not strong in the East, and it could provide limited help to the Portuguese. The cooperation between the two parties not only achieved a disastrous failure in Ceylon, but also Even in the Indian subcontinent, it was struggling. Many strongholds were pulled out by the Dutch fleet, and their influence was weakened by Dutch businessmen. In short, it was very bleak.Even the British East India Company, which was relied on by the Portuguese as its thigh, was able to maintain a certain degree of peace with the Dutch East India Company within a certain period of time by relying on the three Anglo-Dutch wars and exerting influence from the upper echelon of the country. some money.Don't you see, are the English people more and more attracted by the Qing Dynasty trade in Xiangshui Port?The raw silk, tea, porcelain, etc. bought there can be a huge profit when they are transported back to the country and resold. Why bother to beat the Dutch to death in the Indian Ocean area? Is it worth it?

Governor Tavola learned through many channels that although the headquarters of the British East India Company still firmly regards India as the focus of future operations, many of its business agents have already packed their bags and headed to the Eastern Qing Dynasty. Further weakening their strength, much to the discouragement of the Portuguese.

Therefore, they urgently need to find a new thigh now, and the most suitable ones are people from the east coast!

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The sea and sky outside the port of Goa are bright, but the south wind makes people feel a little sad.This kind of weather is really suitable for the fleet of the Dutch East India Company to set off from Ceylon Island and drive all the way to the west coast of India.This has happened many times in history, and it is part of the Dutch East India Company's strangling tactics against the Portuguese, that is, when it is impossible to dispatch a large army to capture the Portuguese's strongholds such as Goa, let the Portuguese through commercial means Unable to get the goods, military means were used to prevent the Portuguese merchant ships full of goods from leaving the port.To be honest, this kind of method is actually a bit of a lose-lose meaning. If you use commercial means to make Portuguese businessmen hit the wall everywhere, shouldn't you pay the price and don't consume favors or relationships?You know, those Indians are also very cunning, how can you let them be manipulated at will?In addition, the fleet was dispatched to blockade the ports of the main strongholds of Portuguese India. Portuguese ships sent from Lisbon to these ports could not enter the port, and merchant ships loaded with cargo in these ports could not return to Europe in time to cash in the profits, but you Dutch The ships of China were also towed here, unable to sail or trade, isn't it a loss?

However, after all, the Dutch East India Company is a rich and powerful person. They are trying to lose some profits, and they will consume you. What should you do?Could it be that your Goa colonial government also has the financial resources and determination to confront the Dutch East India Company?Don't be kidding, I didn't see how the Governor of Goa compromised and compromised when the Dutch came to the door a few times!The only few wars were defensive battles that were launched under unavoidable circumstances, and they were very cowardly to say the least. Often in the middle of the battle, the merchants objected (because the loss of commercial interests was too great) and demanded to talk about it as soon as possible. There is no way!

Therefore, when it comes to the Goa colonial government's impressions and memories of the Dutch East India Company, it is really bloody and tearful!Moreover, you said that if you backed down, in exchange for the understanding of the Dutch and the signing of a longer-term peace agreement, it would be worth it.But the problem is that the Dutch don't like to do this, or they don't bother to do it. After driving the Portuguese forces out of the East Indies (with the Spaniards, when the two countries merged), they continued to pursue, Ceylon Island, the Malabar Coast, and the Coromandel Coast gradually squeezed the Portuguese's strategic space and expanded their sphere of influence and influence.Then this is a fart, it is clear that there is no way for people to survive, isn't it?

So, you can now understand how desperate the Portuguese were to tie the East Coasters to their chariots!With the British half-hearted, the only thing they can rely on now is the people on the east coast who have a stable colony in the southwest Indian Ocean, have good sea power, and are full of enthusiasm for expansion.This is not a decision made by the governor of Goa. From the fact that the two consecutive governors of Portugal and Tavola have sought cooperation with the people on the east coast, it can be clearly concluded that this is the decision of the Goa colonial government and even the The opinion of the Lisbon court belongs to the strategic level.Otherwise, do you think they can hope so eagerly for people from the east bank to break into their back garden? How is it possible!

Under the guidance of the wharf officials, the battleship "Fubo Wanli" did not anchor in the open sea this time, but chose a good berth, and docked under the flattering service of the mixed-race Indian-Portuguese.Later, without the instructions of the people on the east bank, a group of Indians led by officials pulled pack horses and carts and sent various supplies to the pier. It is said that they were given by the governor for free. During the period, they received food for 300 people every day, and all expenses were paid by the Goa treasury until they left.

Colonel Moreel thanked him for this, which flattered the leading Indian official, who seemed to be of the Brahman class, and almost smiled crookedly.Moriel knew that the Brahmin class had a very high status in the Goa colony. For example, the Brahmins from Saraswat controlled most of Goa's tax revenue.Whether it is the tax contract of the nobles, the church or the colonial government, 80% are signed with these Saraswat Brahmins, and the rest are Christians (usually Indo-Portuguese).It can be said that they are the most important stewards of the Portuguese rulers in Goa, helping them manage their property, and together with the Indo-Portuguese Christians and the Kshatriya class, they control the vast number of native Indians, allowing them to better serve the people from European gentlemen serve.

The Portuguese have not given up on Tonghua Hindus including Brahmins, Kshatriyas and other castes for many years, but to be honest, only a small part of the results have been achieved, and there is still a long way to go before success.For example, about 30 years ago, the Governor of Goa issued a "strange order", which turned everyone's attention to the Brahmin merchants who controlled many commercial channels in Goa.

How strange is this order?In fact, it is very simple and shameless at the same time, that is, the governor authorized the Goa City Council to write a letter to the king, and then the governor officially issued an order after the king approved, requiring "any Brahmin, Kshatriya or other people of any caste level who have property, only Marry your daughter to a Portuguese born in Portugal, and you must leave all your property to your daughter."

How well this order of forcibly expropriating wealthy Hindus was carried out, Moriel didn't know, but he also knew that a considerable number of Portuguese who had just arrived must have benefited.Because the Indian wives they married brought a lot of dowry and inheritance, which made them rich financially quickly.And their wealth is bound to greatly increase the economic strength of the Portuguese ruling class, enabling them to better control the colonies, which are all complementary things.In addition, their wives and children will basically become Catholics!From this point of view, the purpose of the order issued by the Governor was not simple. It cannot be simply regarded as a ransacking of rich Indian lackeys or routine fleece, but it also has the meaning of expanding Christians and eliminating Hindus Internally, this was crucial to Portuguese rule in Goa.

Of course, the Hindus are not fools. It is impossible for them to fail to see what is behind the Portuguese order.It's just that because the guns are in the hands of others and their own combat power is too weak, they can't resist.Of course, without armed resistance, there may not be no resistance in other aspects, such as various non-cooperative behaviors, etc. This is also a headache for the foreign Portuguese. After all, they still cannot do without the help of these Hindus, otherwise they are afraid It is impossible to effectively manage the entire colony.Therefore, Morreel believes that these Hindus should have reached a tacit agreement with their Portuguese masters in the end, that is, they sold part of their property as a dowry for their daughters to the Portuguese who came from Europe (of course, it is impossible for everyone to have status, at least a certain status), and then the governor of Goa cannot prevent himself from giving other properties to his other children.There must be a degree of certainty that everyone agrees on. It’s just that the people on the east coast haven’t lived in Goa for a long time, so it’s not clear, but one thing is actually certain, that is, the Portuguese are really shameless in order to make money. Yes, and their Indian servants are indeed more docile, which further strengthens Morie's idea of ​​marching into India.

Such good slaves, such fertile land, and such rich products, shouldn't they be "lived by the virtuous"?Although China also has a large population (but not as good as India), a vast land and abundant resources, and is still the hometown of our ancestors, it is not so easy to conquer.Compared with China, India should conquer much more, and the cost-benefit ratio should be much better.Of course, with the appetite of the people on the east bank at this time, they don’t need much Indian land at all—of course, they may not have the strength to eat much, and the Mughal Dynasty is not dead yet—just a place in the Gurajput Kingdom should be enough. will feel quite satisfied.

In this way, Diu Island is really a good nail wedged into the Rajput region.People on the east coast don't need to be too anxious, start with business first, even if they rely on Portuguese channels, it doesn't matter, just let them earn some money first, it doesn't matter.The important thing is that it will take a few years for people on the east coast to slowly build up their own business channels and personal network, which is a crucial prerequisite for seeking greater benefits in the Indian subcontinent in the future.

Colonel Morie believes that with the strength and influence of the people on the east coast in the Indian Ocean, as long as they don't offend everyone, start a war with all hostile forces at the same time, and hate the Mughal Dynasty, it will be difficult for Diu Island to develop wretchedly. It shouldn't be very big.If this is the purpose, then what's the problem with establishing an offensive and defensive alliance with the Portuguese in India now?

(End of this chapter)