Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 225 Target: Port of Suez ([-])

On February 1639, 2, when the sweeping operations in the northern area were carried out in the Fort in the River, the four ships of the East Coast Exploration Fleet finished their rest, left the Fort in the River wharf, and headed for the next target - Mozambique Island.

At the end of summer, the waters between the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Agulhas are not as violent as in winter, and the wind and waves are much smaller.The exploration fleet passed through this dangerous sea relatively smoothly, and then on March 3th, it arrived at the Portuguese island of Mozambique again.

The commander of Portugal's Sebastian Castle is said to have taken people to Cape Delgado to counter the rebellion. This is really "busy".Sergio, the tax officer on the island, saw the boats from the east coast people approaching, and immediately ran over to ask the people from the east coast to declare the goods.Last year, when the commander of the island came back and learned that Sergio failed to collect taxes from the people on the east coast, he couldn't help being furious and severely reprimanded Sergio.So this time seeing the four ships of the East Coasters docking again, Sergio ran over immediately.

Seeing Sergio running towards him with an expression ready to die heroically, his "old friend" Ensign Juan did not make things difficult for him this time.He handed over to the tax collector Sergio a copy of the cargo loaded in the cabin of the East Coast Exploration Fleet: [-] bolts of calico on the east coast, [-] bolts of dyed cloth, [-] collars of armor, [-] sabers, flint hair [-] rifles, [-] army light artillery pieces, and several hardware products and agricultural tools.

Guo Zili's adjutant, Second Lieutenant Ji Wen, paid about 2.5 yuan in taxes according to the 3000% entry tariff of Mozambique Island.This tax is actually a preferential price. Sergio the Tax Officer and several of his entourages have greatly reduced the valuation of the East Coast people's goods after charging tens of dollars in favors from the East Coast people.

The island is much more prosperous than when people from the east coast came last year.This is because the northeast monsoon prevails in the North Indian Ocean every winter and spring, and the ocean currents circulate counterclockwise. Therefore, many ships departing from East Asia, India, and the Arabian Peninsula can easily go south along the coast of East Africa, and then stop at Mozambique Island for replenishment. ,trading.

Ships from India brought spices, precious stones and calico, ships from East Asia brought tea, porcelain and silk, and ships from the Arabian Peninsula brought dates, slaves and livestock. The special geographical location created the special prosperity of Mozambique Island .This small island with an area of ​​just over one square kilometer currently accommodates thousands of long-term or short-term residents traveling from north to south, as well as dozens of ships from various countries berthing at the port.

After a month of sailing, the officers and soldiers of the exploration fleet were extremely tired.At this moment, with the approval of the military officer, they began to disembark in batches and go to the city to play. Each person was limited to six hours, and those who did not return within the time limit would be severely fined.At the same time, a small amount of goods have also begun to be sold to test the local consumption capacity.

The news of the arrival of the people from the east bank soon spread to the ears of Muscat merchants in the city along with the sailors from the east coast who went to the city for pleasure.Having arrived for half a month, they were suddenly extremely excited. Several elected trade representatives rushed to the pier with a group of black entourages, asking to meet with the fleet commander of the East Coast people to discuss business.

Guo Zili met them very quickly. In fact, he also wanted to contact them as soon as possible.According to the prior plan, after the Mozambique Island and Muscat merchants completed the population transaction, the merchant ship "Abbot" in the exploration fleet will return to the mainland via the South African river fort under the escort of the high-speed cruiser "Super Brave".The remaining battleship "Free Trade" and the armed transport ship "Galicia Flying Fish" will head north along the coast of East Africa when the wind direction in the North Indian Ocean changes in May, heading for the Ottoman Port of Suez on the Red Sea - possibly in Djibouti on the way. Landing inspections in the area.

In the middle of last year, Bordeaux's east coast trading station in Florence contacted John Hornician, an Armenian businessman again, and the two sides confirmed that the previous agreement was still valid.Since then, a merchant ship from the east coast sailed into the port of Smyrna (Izmir port) of the Ottoman Empire via the Mediterranean Sea, becoming another pagan country that knocked on the door of the Christian Empire.Goods from the east coast brought by merchant ships were very popular among the Ottomans.Textiles such as cotton cloth and woolen cloth are superior to similar European products in terms of firmness and breathability. The brightly colored dyed cloth directly knocks out the dust from the expensive dyed cloth imported from India. More importantly, the price of these high-quality products is still low. Very cheap, [-]/[-] to [-]% cheaper than products from other countries sold in China in the past.

Besides textiles, dyed leather goods are also causing a stir in Turkey.You must know that the Anatolian leather goods of the Ottoman Empire are also very famous in the Near East, especially its saddles, which are even more unique.It’s just that what they are now facing is the dyed leather goods produced on the east coast, such as black, blue, red, brown, etc. The colorful leather goods amazed the Ottoman merchants who came to purchase, and the few leather goods shipped over were sold out on the same day .

The last item that the Turks couldn't put it down was the cannon brought by the people from the east coast. The prestige of the "Tartan Cannon" is well-known even in Asia Minor. The generals of the Ottoman Empire were extremely eager to have an artillery that could suppress the Western pagan countries, and the "Tartan Cannon" was undoubtedly the most suitable.

The official umbrella of the Hornician family—the Pasha of Aleppo in the Ottoman Empire specially purchased ten artillery pieces and equipped them in his army. try out.Once they are sure that this kind of artillery is exactly what they need, it is conceivable how huge military orders will be brought to the East China Republic.Regarding the armed Turks, the people on the east coast have no psychological pressure at all. It should be the Persians, Russians, Poles and Austrians who are anxious, and it has nothing to do with us.

Since the potential market of the Ottoman Empire is so huge, it may even faintly surpass the largest export target on the east coast - the Kingdom of France, it is necessary to explore another safe route, after all, take the Atlantic Ocean - the Strait of Gibraltar - the Mediterranean Sea This route is simply too fragile.

Therefore, Guo Zili is actually in a hurry to complete the population transaction with these Muscat businessmen in front of him at this moment, and then he still has enough time to complete supplies, find guides, etc. locally, and then lead the The fleet headed north, looking for a route to the Ottoman Empire.

It was the middle-aged businessman Said who stood up and negotiated with the people on the east bank last time: "Distinguished guests from afar, this time we have brought the Persian slave girls and children you need, as well as a batch of camels that you have designated for acquisition. They have all been shipped to the island, and I hope we can complete the transaction as soon as possible. To be honest, we encountered their cavalry when we captured the Persians this time, and lost a lot of manpower, but we still decided to maintain the previous price and not increase the price, that is In order to cherish the friendship between us, these people and livestock spend a lot of money on food and drink every day they stay here, and sometimes even face unreasonable blackmail from the Portuguese. )! So please honorable guests, for the sake of the friendship between us, complete the transaction as soon as possible!"

After listening to Lieutenant Juan’s translation of Said’s words, Guo Zili nodded reservedly and approved the Muscat businessman’s request: “I agree with your request, Muscat people, now please tell me what you brought How much did you ship?"

"There are 609 Persian female slaves, all of whom are young and middle-aged women who can bear children; there are 204 children, and basically none of them are over 12 years old. In addition, there are 20 camels, which are also what you need. According to our previous agreement, convert them into yours. The total currency is 31871.6 yuan. You can pay in cash, of course, you can also pay for goods, but the price of the goods needs to be decided by both of us.” Said took out a ledger from his hand, flipped through it and said.

"Of course we are willing to pay for the goods." Guo Zili waved his hand, and his adjutant, Second Lieutenant Ji Wen, also handed over a ledger—this is a list of all the goods carried by the exploration fleet.

After Guo Zili looked at the list, he circled the list a few times with a pen and said to Said: "I know that what you need most now are weapons. Two thousand of the latest flintlock rifles, two thousand A sharp saber and a hundred collars of light and strong armor are used to deduct the entire payment for the goods. Do you have any objections? If not, then we can trade now."

After listening to Said, he discussed with several companions around him, and then saw him staring at Guo Zili with burning eyes, and asked, "Is the Tatan cannon on the sale list? If so, I would like to see us You can buy a few."

"Unfortunately, this batch of cannons is not on the sale list. These are the cannons we are going to bring to the Ottoman Empire for sale. If you really need them, you can propose them individually. Next time we will bring some cannons over to carry out with you Trade, but not this time." Guo Zili said.

He knew exactly whose army these Muscat businessmen bought weapons to equip, and he didn't bother to care about those messy things, but this batch of cannons really didn't work.This is a greeting gift from people from the east coast to the Pasha (governor) of the Ottoman Empire who is stationed in Cairo.In order to open up the business route of African routes in the future, it is necessary to contact this high-ranking official, and it is impossible to make investment in advance.

"Okay, then please bring at least ten cannons over next year, we need this kind of weapon very much." Saeed was a little disappointed, but said: "Then, we can trade now."

(End of this chapter)