Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 2217 Portugal's interests

Luis Almeida left the school in a hurry.Behind him, there are more than [-] students who are also walking out of the school gate, whispering to each other as they walk.For these students from the east coast, Louis admires from the bottom of his heart. They study really hard and seriously, and they have to get to the bottom of every problem, and they will never give up until they achieve their goals.Sometimes, he even had to debate with the teacher, and the theories he said had some truth, which made Louis amazed, and had to admit that the advancement of the East Coast was justified.

Luis is now studying management on the East Coast, which is one of the package cooperation agreements signed between the East Coast government and the Kingdom of Portugal.Do not doubt that the Portuguese were also enterprising, especially under King Pedro.The king who married his brother-in-law to his sister-in-law also had a lot of ambitions.His wish is to bring the glory of the Kingdom of Portugal to a higher level under his own rule, to preserve the huge colony passed down from his ancestors, and to maintain the royal family's steady stream of trade income.And for this, first of all, it is necessary to establish a good relationship with the East Bank and hold the thigh of the East Bank tightly.

He has already understood that the English can only protect their interests in Europe a little bit, but the huge overseas interests cannot be covered.Only those located on the east coast of the southern New World can maintain their huge overseas income in Angola, Mozambique, India and other places.Therefore, when the people on the east coast made demands, he basically satisfied them.For example, when the people on the east coast requested to form a joint fleet in the southeast Atlantic, he readily mobilized several professional warships from Lisbon to Angola, and together with the two warships provided by the Courlandians, joined the joint fleet led by the people on the east coast. The fleet combats the rampant local pirates and smuggling forces, effectively maintaining the smooth flow of trade routes.

For another example, when the people on the east coast claimed the entire Cape Verde Islands, he did not hesitate to sell them.In particular, the Port of Playa, which they have been operating for many years, was completely handed over to the East Coast people by King Pedro despite all the opposition, which won the great appreciation of the East Coast government.Later, when the people on the east bank asked them to strengthen the army of Portuguese India, he also took money from the royal family's income to raise nearly 1500 soldiers in Portugal, and sent them to Goa and other places in batches to join the East. The defense system dominated by the Indians on the coast will safeguard the common interests of everyone on the west coast of India.

It can be said that King Pedro's repeated gestures of goodwill have also accumulated enough goodwill towards them from the top officials of the East Bank government.Therefore, the series of cooperation that followed is quite normal, including both the banking and trade cooperation between the two countries—in simple terms, it is to further open the market to Portuguese businessmen and provide corresponding financial services— It also includes cultural and artistic exchanges.Luis Almeida, as a veteran merchant family in Portugal, came to the east coast to study with a group of noble children, which was a matter of course.

Because Louis was not very interested in other aspects, and he was one of the heirs of the family property, he voluntarily signed up to study philosophy and management at the East Coast Academy of Social Sciences.I have to say that Lewis has no talent in philosophy, especially classical Chinese philosophy. He has only known the names of a few philosophical "big guys" and the names of their works so far. As for the others, sorry, he really knows very little. I don't really understand its central idea.There is no way, this is a loss of cultural foundation. After all, Louis did not grow up in the influence of Chinese culture. It is indeed a bit difficult for him to have a deep understanding of ancient Chinese philosophy.

Compared with philosophy, Lewis's grades in management are much better.After all, he has participated in the family's decision-making for many years, and has also actually managed the plantation in Portuguese Brazil. His subordinates maintain a slave hunting team all year round. There are also a large number of Indian slaves working in the manor, so the level of practice is very high.After participating in the course study of the East Bank, you can combine the knowledge you have learned with the experience in practice, and you can often easily integrate it, and finally achieve the purpose of sublimation.Even the East Coast teachers who taught the class expressed surprise at Louis's learning progress. Even though he has been involved in family business operations since he was a child, this talent is not bad.

In addition to students from the East Coast, Louis’s class also has many students from other countries, such as those from Spain and Courland, and of course the most are from Italy.Especially the latter, the number is so large that it almost becomes a scene.They gathered in groups on various occasions like no one else, talking loudly, and at the same time, there was no lack of envy and admiration for the East Bank in their words. It has reached a very deep level, as can be seen from their profound influence on the children of Italian nobles.

Of course, Louis had also heard about the joint formation of an army and navy by several city-states in northern Italy.To be honest, he was quite envious of this matter, and felt that after hundreds of years, these Italians finally had the possibility of political unity.And once they are successfully unified, it is bound to have a major impact on the situation in the entire Mediterranean, and many interests may have to be redistributed.Fortunately, the interests of the Kingdom of Portugal here are not very great, and they still buy things from the Italians in many cases.The real thing to worry about is probably the maritime merchants of England and the United Provinces, and the two land powers of France and Austria, right?

I hope the Italians can rise, so that the struggle between the big powers will be more exciting, and they will have less energy to compete with the Portuguese.Especially the Kingdom of France, the Portuguese navy had just confronted them on Sao Tome Island for the sake of colonial interests.Although the United Fleet now endorses them-the United Fleet has included the waters near Sao Tome Island in its normal patrol range-but if it is not guaranteed, the French will come to find fault one day if they go crazy.You know, Louis XIV is very face-saving.

Wish the Italians would pull some more energy out of them!

After Luis Almeida took the carriage back to his villa on the outskirts of the city, it was already very late, but his friend Oliveira was waiting for him.

"Luis, I'm going to Goa, wish me luck." Oliveira looked very energetic in a military uniform designed with the help of people from the east coast.If coupled with his fairly good diplomacy, it would appear that this military uniform was tailor-made for him.

Oliveira's father is King Pedro's new favorite, because of his unique insights into the economy, he has been repeatedly appreciated by the king.This time his father took great pains to help him find a major position in the Indian colonial army, so he couldn't stay on the east coast and continue fooling around. He planned to take a merchant ship to Goa to take up the post in the next few days .As for whether Elivira himself is qualified for the position of this major, please, isn't it the tradition of the colonial army to use nobles as officers?Can't you learn slowly? Oliveira also studied military at the Duke of Albuquerque's house in Lisbon, and "it is said" that he also learned more advanced military technology on the east coast. Can't you become a major?

"Why go to India? What's so bad here? Don't you pursue Miss Korczka? I remember you were fascinated by her before." Luis Almeida gave the coat and hat to the servant, and then Sitting opposite Oliveira, asked.

"Forget about that bitch." Oliveira said with a sullen look on her face, "This Polish bitch is just a stagecoach. She has been rumored with almost everyone. She even entangled Shaw Brothers before." Family members, I remember the one who is currently the county magistrate in the north. Hehe, this lady knows how to use her own advantages and dismisses us. She only has eyes for the children of the powerful nobles on the east coast. I have had enough of her. "

"But to be honest, she has improved the perception of Poland among the aristocratic circles on the east bank, and the relationship between the two countries seems to have become closer." Luis Almeida frowned and said, "You don't want to have anything to do with this woman in the future." Got in touch, I'm worried she's going to mess up a lot of our stuff."

"Oh, goodbye, Miss Korczka. No, it's a farewell! Of course I don't want to see her anymore! This bitch!" Oliveira said with a bad face: "So I'm going to India now, I think there must be more lovely girls in India waiting for me, I will not let them down."

"I'm glad you think so, my friend." Louis said with a smile, "but I think you may not have so much free time after you go to Goa. The situation in India is very chaotic now, and their king seems to have been As if the devil has cursed, he wants to conquer the Marathas on the Deccan plateau, and drag the whole country into the abyss for this. I heard that the local governors and generals don't listen to the royal family. Let them When sending troops or money, maybe only give a little token, they are even fighting with each other, annexation and looting are happening every day. Thank God, such a bad thing didn't happen in Portugal, which is strange The sins of the Christians."

"I have learned about some things in this regard. The situation of their king is not much better than that of the German Commonwealth in Vienna. The local situation has been completely out of control. But for adventurers, this is the most hopeful situation , Isn’t it?” Oliveira obviously did his homework, knowing the fatal attraction of India’s delicate situation to foreign colonists.

In his view, these Indians are fools, and a fragmented country is not good for anyone except careerists.Compared with India, the situation in China is much better.The same country is facing difficulties, frequent wars, a central dynasty was overthrown, and a new dynasty rose soon.What is most incredible is that almost the vast majority of people hope that a new political or military strongman will emerge to unify the chaotic country and restore order.The only point of difference between them is probably whether this new strongman meets their standards.But in fact the essence is the same, they hope to unify!

"The kingdom's interests lie in this chaotic India. The more chaotic India is, the better it is for us." Luis Almeida said: "But we can't swallow too many benefits at once, and our strength is still not enough , so a union with the East Coasters is imperative. I think the Goa magnates are on par with Lisbon on this point. The king has increased funds and recruited experienced soldiers, and they have fought with the East Coasters Together, it is enough to do a great deal in India. No outside force can interfere with us, not the English, not the French, not the Dutch, not anyone!"

"I will remember your words, Luis." Oliveira sat comfortably on the sofa chair and said with a smile: "India's wealth is inexhaustible. Given our friendship with people on the east coast, we will Let them take first, I also believe they are fair enough to give us what we deserve. In fact, since the production efficiency of the Goa Arsenal has been decreasing day by day, we have to buy a large part of our weapons and ammunition supplies from them ,Is not it?"

"Oh, damned corrupt people, if the Goa Arsenal continues to operate like this, they will be hollowed out." Luis Almeida said in a helpless tone: "Well, this is not something you and I can solve. In fact no one can solve it. Well, Oliveira, my friend, you go to Goa first. Maybe in two years, I will go to you there too, and I will try to build a new India The trade routes, which need your help. Count on you, you know."

"If we can achieve the expected military victory, I think your vision will be easily realized. India is a super treasure house, and no one can ignore it. Not only the interests of the kingdom, but also the interests of our family." Olivier La happily responded: "Brazil's trade is like this, and India represents the future, at least for now."

(End of this chapter)