Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 1857 Portuguese Mission ([-])

On the night of April 1682, 4, it rained heavily.

In the executive building, the first large-scale building on the east bank, **** Liao Xiaoyao drew the curtains, shutting out the sound of the pattering rain.In the room, Li Qing, a member of the foreign affairs committee, was smoking a pipe contentedly, with her legs up and down, obviously in a good mood.

"As soon as this autumn rain falls, it will probably be out of control. The water levels of the Wujiang River, Heihe River, and Paraná River are about to rise sharply. The flood control situation in many areas is tense. I don't know if the flood control facilities we have built over the years can withstand this. A wave." Liao Xiaoyao said while sitting comfortably on the leather sofa, looking at the bright flames of the gas lamp.

"Are you so worried, my lord chairman?" Li Qing chuckled and said, "When decades of construction are in vain? The construction of water conservancy facilities with an investment of 50 million yuan in the Hejian area in 500 years was established at the beginning. The plan has been well implemented over the years, right? Well, the financial situation has been a bit chaotic in recent years, and investment has decreased, but at least it has been in place before. So what are you worried about? No matter how big the flood comes, you are not afraid Ah! The only thing that may suffer is probably the swamps surrounded by the Zonggang terrain. I am afraid that many fish and shrimps raised will run away. However, our country uses marine fish and shrimps as the main consumer goods. These inland river swamp fishponds The loss should not be large, limited to a very small number of areas and very few people, the insurance company can still cover it, don't worry." Li Qing took a puff of cigarette comfortably and said.

"That's true. In fact, I don't think there is any problem, but I am afraid that someone will criticize me. I have money to develop other people's land (referring to the Pampa Plain that still belongs to the Kingdom of Spain in theory), but I don't have money to renovate my own pond. Hehe. Some People, it’s really annoying, always firing cannons at meetings.” Liao Xiaoyao also laughed, only to hear him say: “Sometimes I really feel tired of being this family. We are all old, and the more than 500 people who landed together back then Now there are a few left, you and I are both 70-[-]-year-old old men, it’s time to give way to young people, I think they have been waiting very anxiously.”

"Yes, the next session will also be our last session. However, I think the only remaining old fellows may not even have 11 executive committee members?" Liao Xiaoyao smiled bitterly, and then he shook his head. He shook his head, avoided this disappointing topic, and turned the focus to the Portuguese Albuquerque Mission: "Let's talk about something else, what do you think about the Portuguese? Do you want to agree to their request? You are an expert in this area, and I would like to hear your opinion first."

The conditions proposed by the Portuguese Mission have been documented and sent to the members of the Executive Committee for review.Liao Xiaoyao, as the president, will be reported by Li Qing, the executive committee member in charge of foreign affairs and foreign trade.The two ate in the luxuriously decorated small dining hall, and then brought their secretaries to work overtime in Liao Xiaoyao's office to discuss. Tomorrow, Liao Xiaoyao will personally take a boat to inspect the Pampa Plain to show that the country is developing this fertile area. Ping Yuan's firm determination, so tonight we must talk about a clear attitude.

"The Portuguese made this condition seemingly suddenly, but it is actually the result of careful consideration. I personally think that this is not their impulsive idea, but a choice that is in line with their own interests after long-term pain and wandering." Li Qing frowned. head, and said: "This country is actually quite depressed. The natural conditions are not very good. The coastal areas are full of strange rocks. There are not many cities suitable for building ports. Even farming is not very suitable. The people are quite poor. The places far from the coast are slightly better. Some, finally some flat land where food, melons, fruits and vegetables can be grown, and cattle and sheep can be grazed, but the area is not very large, so there are not many people who can support it. The biggest specialty of this country is probably salt, which is mainly located in the Situbal area. It is the grape-producing area and wine-making industry in the northern Porto area. As for other wool, olives, fruits, and grains, they will be placed in the back, and the scale is just that, and only a small amount of exports can meet the needs of our own people’s life.”

"Therefore, the cramped environment and the unfertile land forced the Portuguese to look outside. They were early participants in the North Sea whaling and the New World fishing industry and have been active until now. They are still in contact with the African continent. They were the pioneers of sailing and the pioneers of the routes between India and China. Speaking of which, throughout the 16th century, the Kingdom of Portugal had a concentrated blowout of a group of talents, especially the first The Duke of Albuquerque’s peers can be called the golden generation of the Kingdom of Portugal.” Li Qing continued: “It’s just that the country has its own strengths, and the Kingdom of Portugal has gathered a group of heroes, exhausting the country’s hundreds of years If there is a shortage of talents, and the rise of other countries, this status will not be maintained, and the decline will be inevitable."

"Don't talk about those mysterious and mysterious things, talk about something serious, the secretarial class is recording by the side." Liao Xiaoyao pointed to the two staff members of the secretarial class who were sitting silently by the window and said. .

"Haha, okay, let's stop talking about this. This person is old, so he just believes in this, alas." Li Qing took a deep puff of cigarette and said, "Actually, as I said just now, this country's innate conditions No, the power is weak. As the saying goes, children hold gold to pass through the busy market, so how can they not be remembered? The Spaniards took the initiative and forcibly merged the country, then the Dutch East India Company, and even for a period of time, the English They have all fought against them. If this Portugal is not weakened, it will be amazing. Well, it seems that we also did something 30 years ago, and dealt a heavy blow to the Portuguese. If I were the regent of Portugal, Prince Pedro, I’m afraid it’s true It's because I'm so anxious that I can't sleep, after all, I still have some inheritance passed down from my ancestors that makes people jealous, and this is the root of the disaster."

"So, the Portuguese came to seek allies out of anxiety?" Liao Xiaoyao asked: "But the direct trigger of this incident should be the fall of Trincomalee, the last stronghold of Ceylon Island, which is a problem in the east. .”

"Of course, my chairman, the island of Ceylon is the direct trigger, but the sense of urgency of the Kingdom of Portugal has also played a crucial role. Of course, the Portuguese proposed that we can station up to two battalions of troops in the Viana do Castelo, this shows that they do not intend to pin their hopes on us for homeland security. In fact, this is impossible. The two battalions cannot stop foreign troops with numbers of tens of thousands at every turn. The guarantee of their homeland security is ultimately The main one comes from the Kingdom of England, you can see from their policies over the years, they have always given huge concessions to England." Li Qing analyzed: "Of course this does not mean that we cannot play a role in their local security. Yes, in fact there are still. With our influence on the Kingdom of Spain, the presence of the garrisons of these two battalions is an attitude in itself. If the Spaniards want to invade Portugal, they may have to think twice, let alone After several defeats in Spanish-Portuguese wars and huge financial difficulties, the Spaniards have long been powerless about this. Basically, the Portuguese hope that our team Spain will exert influence to ensure their safety on land. And the Kingdom of England guarantees their safety at sea, in fact, things are not that complicated, it’s as simple as that.”

"Hehe, the Portuguese had a good plan and thought of hiring two thugs. But we seem to be at a disadvantage. Not only do we want to influence the Spaniards not to act rashly (although they don't have the ability now), but we also need to protect them overseas. The interests of the colonies, which are labor-intensive, are still not as comfortable as the British. They integrated Portugal's overseas trade into their own system, and protecting Portugal's overseas trade lines is also protecting their own commercial interests. There are so many benefits, this kind of operation is really admirable." Liao Xiaoyao asked a secretary to make a pot of tea for himself, and said while drinking: "And the Portuguese are also smart. They know that just by opening up the market, they can help set up Things like the Indian trading post may not be enough to impress us, and the Dutch are pressing very hard, so they directly allow us to garrison the north. This bait is very sweet, we have to swallow it!"

"Chairman Liao, you are right. I think so too." Li Qing sat up straight from the sofa, suppressed some smiles on her face, and said seriously: "Actually, our country has developed to the present, and it is already fifty years old. It has been more than a year, and various accumulations have reached a great level, which can support our country to pursue a more active and aggressive foreign policy in the international arena to safeguard our national interests. The Kingdom of Portugal has a special geographical location, and the North can enter The Bay of Biscay, the North Sea, the east can enter the western Mediterranean, and the south can affect the Moors in North Africa. We have gained a foothold here. Although it seems to be only symbolic at present (because the garrison is limited), think of a way. In the future It will always be an important base for us to intervene in the situation in continental Europe."

"Hehe, the foreign policy of aggressive expansion is very popular among the younger generation in China. These people grew up in the era of rapid rise in our country, and have not experienced the early hardships and hardships. They are very optimistic about the future. In fact, to a certain extent, this is not a bad thing, because the country needs them to use this enterprising attitude to further open up space in the next few decades. As the founders of the country, it is enough for us to do this Now, this red flag will be handed over to the children and grandchildren in the future." Liao Xiaoyao put down his teacup and said seriously: "I have talked with you for so long today, Lao Li, and I basically know what to expect from the Portuguese mission this time. I will go to the Pampa Plain tomorrow to cheer up, and I will leave the matter here to you. I don’t think there is any major problem with Albuquerque’s suggestion in principle. I can agree, but you may need to discuss and polish the details. In the future, the country will still formulate corresponding plans. The Diu Island Commercial Station needs to increase investment and send more outstanding cadres to open up the situation there, of course. , As the basis of all our colonial or trade activities in India, the strength of the Second Fleet of the Navy must be strengthened, this cannot be ignored, and I will instruct the relevant departments to formulate a budget."

Hearing what Liao Xiaoyao said, Li Qing immediately understood what he meant, so she nodded slightly, indicating that she knew what to do.The next step is basically to work with the Portuguese Albuquerque Mission to earn more benefits, but the general direction of cooperation will basically not change. I believe the Portuguese will soon understand this. .Generally speaking, the Portuguese caught up with a good time this time, and they met a time when the East Coast was expanding its commercial and political influence, and they sold it at a pretty good price when they delivered it to the door. All you need is happy.

On the morning of April 1682, 4, Li Qing, who had been preparing materials for a day, and many entourages, started a new round of consultations with the Portuguese Mission in Albuquerque.At the same time, the Ministry of the Navy also received an extra-budgetary fund of 7 yuan from the sky, and clearly pointed out that it would be used on the Second Fleet of Xinhua Island to overhaul and repair some ships with a long service period. Life extension treatment.

In addition, they were also told to step up the formulation of the second fleet's ship procurement and personnel recruitment plan. Next year, the government will invest in the second fleet to enhance the absolute control of the East Coast Republic of China over the Indian Ocean. Please do a good job. Prepare accordingly.This sudden news undoubtedly surprised and delighted the entire navy, envied and hated the army, and the domestic people's livelihood department gritted their teeth.

Of course, the Army is not without a "consolation prize."They learned through various channels that in the future, a military camp dedicated to the people on the east coast will be built in Viana do Castelo in the Kingdom of Portugal, where up to two battalions of troops can be stationed.In addition, the Kingdom of Portugal also promised to send troops at critical moments—by deceiving the ears and stealing the bell, that is, the Kingdom of Portugal first disbands part of the army to clear the relationship, and then hires people from the east bank, up to 3000 people—to help the east bank government When the situation is urgent, intervene in the situation in certain areas, such as the situation on the steppes of Ukraine.

Some people may think that 3000 Portuguese soldiers are just for the ball, but a little more is a little bit more. The people on the east coast currently only have a small guard force in Haji Port in the Black Sea area. The "[-]-man credit line" provided by the Portuguese ", the troops should be much more generous.If they cooperate with the cavalry recruited in the Crimean Khanate to form a mixed infantry and cavalry force, it should not be a problem.Of course, this army can't deal with the regular Russian and Polish armies, but it can still play a big role in dealing with the harassment of a small group of Cossacks, and this is actually enough.

(End of this chapter)