New World 1620

On the coastal plain of Western Europe, at the confluence of the Rhine and Maas rivers, the westward Atlantic sea breeze brings warm and humid air, making this piece of land called "lowland" extraordinarily fertile.

Before the 16th century, the Netherlands was still a chaotic place in a state of feudal separatism for a long time.It has been ruled by the Spanish royal family since the 16th century.After several struggles, the seven northern provinces of the Netherlands united to form the United Netherlands in 1581, and the Port of Rotterdam soon became an area where the Dutch could operate independently.

But at least until the 19th century, the port city known as Rotterdam was just a small port town on the north side of the Maas River.The large-scale rise of the Dutch led by commercial shipping has driven the accelerated development of Rotterdam.Starting from this, the convenient shipping conditions that can communicate with the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and even the inland Danube made Rotterdam show its potential for vigorous development in the early 17th century.

Shipbuilding, handicrafts, and maritime commerce began to gradually develop in this port town, and the ascendant colonization of the New World, Caribbean and Eastern trade also made Rotterdam a starting point for bankrupts, adventurers and businessmen in Western Europe.In many cases, this port town has more foreigners than locals.

Various craftsmen, businessmen, tramps, prostitutes who speak Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Germanic, English, Scottish, Irish, and even Eastern European languages... Driven by wealth, countless outsiders and a The influx in the background of the war that has just erupted and no one knows will spread for 30 years has made the small port of Rotterdam unexpectedly overcrowded for a while.

With the help of the Spanish Kingdom, the Holy Roman Empire defeated the German Protestant coalition, and the war between the Netherlands and Spain was gradually approaching.Frederick V, the elector of the Palatinate, the former king of Bohemia who fled all the way, brought his defeated army into the Netherlands. Frederick V not only lost his glamorous identity, but also abandoned his army.

The German mercenaries who lost their source of income and were almost sold by Frederick V spread across the provinces of the Netherlands like bereaved dogs. They poured into the towns and countryside of the Netherlands like a combination of locusts and refugees.The continuous years of crop production reduction in Europe has put a considerable burden on all parts of the Netherlands.Among them, Rotterdam is not immune.

The port area is full of sailboats of all sizes, and shirtless porters and well-dressed businessmen come and go.On the streets after the rain, mud, human and animal feces, broken linen, and fragments of decayed wooden boxes were mixed together, and the colors could not be distinguished.

Stray dogs running around, drunks huddled at the base of the wall, German mercenaries in ragged clothes like beggars, and horse-drawn carriages rampaging through the narrow streets made the crowded town of Rotterdam even more messy and dirty.

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Standing in front of the window of the top-floor guest room of the only hotel in Rotterdam that is considered to be of high class, a young man with an oriental face is frowning, looking out the window at the chaotic neighborhood that can almost be described as a refugee camp, and sighing slightly in his heart.

"Okay, why are you still frowning? This is not the place you chose." Yuan Xinyi walked over and handed a cup of hot coffee to Su Zining. The smell is still not used.

"I'm wondering what method I can use to remove all these people..." Su Zining suddenly turned around and smiled, took the coffee handed over by the other party, and took a deep sniff, "And, I think, in the future, you will I won’t be envious of Europe anymore, I’m worried about how to persuade you to continue to accompany me on this trip.”

"Who's with you, you're just doing things according to the plan!" Yuan Xinyi blushed slightly, and spat lightly, but there seemed to be a hint of joy in her eyes, "Zhou Kemin, Yang Wenwen and the others are more comfortable, I guess they are still in Lisbon Going to all kinds of dances all day long, living in a comfortable manor."

"At least we are happier than Yan Xiaosong. He is crossing the equator now. He has fever, pirates, storms, and scorching sun... This unlucky guy will probably become black when we meet next time." He gloated over the test, but there was a trace of deep worry in his eyes.

"Just pretend, I know you are more worried about him than we are... In fact, you are against Yan Xiaosong's Ming Dynasty immigration plan, it's too dangerous!" Yuan Xinyi, who already knew Su Zining's character well, rolled her eyes this time, and then said Then he sighed, "Brother Yan and Katerina are going, I don't know when we will see each other...Why don't you persuade him? Aren't you very good at pouring cold water on him?"

"Persuasion? Why should I persuade?" Su Zining looked at the female translator who had been with him all this time with a strange expression, and the smile on the corner of his mouth was a bit special, "Yan Xiaosong is a person who sees everything very optimistically. Once he firmly believes in a certain If we don’t find a way out, we will do it dully. We lack such optimism, do you want us to lose this only spiritual motivation?”

"You know how to teach me..."

Yuan Xinyi curled her lips, seeming a little dissatisfied.Just as he was about to finish a sentence, there was a knock on the door behind him.

A middle-aged man dressed as a captain came in. Andrew, once a senior sailor on the Santa Maria and now the acting captain of the Mayflower, was a simple and honest Dane who also came from Las Palmas. Port began to firmly follow Catalina's ex-Spanish Navy sailors.

"Dear Mr. Su, the local Dutch officials sent invitations to formally invite you to the banquet tonight. They are very interested in the gifts brought by our mission."

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The dinner went very smoothly. Yuan Xinyi's Chinese court-style noble dress, made by Yang Wenwen and made of silk from Lyon, France, shocked a group of Dutch officials and family members, and her proficiency in Dutch made them rush to the party. Nidelsen, the governor of South Holland Province with the highest status present, was extremely surprised.

Nidelsen, a core member of the Federation of Governors of the Dutch Republic, quickly concluded that these self-proclaimed "Chinese Americans" were beautiful and exquisite glass wine sets, perfumes packaged in artificial crystals with elegant French labels, and a set of stainless steel kitchen utensils. The worth of the oriental nobles of the Republic".

As early as half a month ago, there was a batch of high-end glass wine sets that flowed into the Netherlands from the Portuguese. At that time, the keen Dutch businessman chased them for a long time, and now they have found the right owner.The Dutch merchants, who have always claimed to be the uncrowned kings of maritime trade, quickly launched their political skills and urged the Federation of Governors of the Dutch Republic supported by them to come forward.

After learning that the "Chinese American Republic" that suddenly appeared was actually a descendant of the Eastern Empire, Nidelson politely expressed his respect to Su Zining, but his eyes showed that he did not agree with the other party's insistence that North America belonged to the United States. government position.

What a joke, the Dutch East India Company is now in full swing. Even if the Dutch fleet is only second-rate now, even the Spanish and English have to weigh it.After snatching Batavia from the Englishman the year before last, the development of the Far East has also gone smoothly.The self-righteous Kingdom of Spain and the arrogant and old-fashioned Ming Empire are obviously not enough to stop the Dutch in Southeast Asia, and the plan to compete for the New World is also in full swing.Since even the Orientals are beginning to step in and divide the cake, why do the Dutch still look at other people's eyes?

"Dear Mr. Su, I am very confused by your country's rash declaration of North American sovereignty...Of course, this does not prevent us from continuing to discuss related land rights and interests in the days to come. I believe that at least at this stage, our Common interests outweigh contradictions!"

Nidelsen's bald head was covered up by the newly-emerged fashionable wig, and the chubby governor of the Dutch Republic began to bargain with Su Zining like a businessman.He was hinting at the possibility of the two parties cooperating to deal with the Spaniards, and the pristine land in North America was precisely a bargaining chip without money.

"Well, our government is also seriously concerned about the attitude of the Kingdom of Spain! Especially the current hostile relationship between the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Spain... I hope that the commercial interests of the United States in Europe can be respected by both of you. The US government is concerned about what happened in Europe The war has always insisted on a neutral position!"

Su Zining, who was not proficient in Dutch, also used diplomatic rhetoric, secretly watching Yuan Xinyi who was chatting with several Dutch businessmen's families.

What a cunning guy, he is not at all like a person from the Ming Empire... Nidelson felt a little unhappy when he saw that he still didn't fall for the other party's temptation.

"I have visited many ports in your country along the way, and I am a little worried about the business and investment environment here." Su Zining took a sip of wine, showing regret, "On the contrary, I think the Portuguese and Spaniards treat the business and investment environment differently. Efforts, obviously more than local."

Shit!Those Portuguese who even lost the king's crown are still ashamed to talk about trade? !Spaniards, sooner or later they will be eaten to the bone by the French and English!It is only a matter of time before the Netherlands monopolizes the trade between the Far East and the Caribbean!

The unhappy expression of the governor of the Netherlands became more obvious. He drank the wine vigorously and looked out the window.

"You don't have to hide, I personally regret the tragedy that happened in Bohemia, as we have seen, those Bohemians, Germans, and even wandering English, Scots, Irish, they Basically nothing to Holland other than scavenging all the junk you can find in this port all day long and stealing and robbing merchants, and all they bring is a festering injustice how can you guarantee future American merchants undisturbed trade?"

This... the governor of the Netherlands was taken aback for a moment, and gradually began to blush.In fact, not only him, but also the entire Dutch Governors Association is devastated by the increasingly out-of-hand Bohemian War. The unlucky Frederick V brought a tragedy to the entire Netherlands.

The broken soldiers and refugees gathered in the Netherlands caused a severe blow to the commercial activities of various ports in the Netherlands. Merchants from all over the world canceled their trade to and from the Netherlands, and instead conducted them in Denmark, England or France.Even the ambitious English took the opportunity to start collecting additional taxes on Dutch merchant or whaling ships in the English Channel and North Sea.

"Of course, as a European business mission authorized by the US government, I should also come up with some good suggestions." Su Zining saw that the other party was getting depressed, and knew that the time had come, "Didn't the Dutch government think about getting rid of these annoying flies? "

"Do you really know these people? Don't forget, they can destroy a city with vigor and energy on just a piece of black bread a day!" The governor of the Netherlands shrugged helplessly and looked embarrassed. What better way."

"They are very energetic, but I can help..." Su Zining drank the wine in his hand, and looked at the small door on the side of the banquet hall.

The governor of the Netherlands quickly understood, and immediately found Su Xing. After muttering a few words, the two quietly left the banquet scene.

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Early the next morning, Su Zining found the accompanying ship doctor Lao Zhao and nurse Xia Qiuyu.

"You are crazy, how big a quarantine station do I have to build to give medical examinations to hundreds of thousands of Europeans?!" Old Zhao was dumbfounded at the contents of the paper Su Zining handed over.

"Isn't there local Dutch officials to help? It's really not possible. You can give priority to the most critical groups of people in quarantine, and the rest will wait until they are shipped to the Azores."

Su Zining shrugged, indicating that he had no pressure.

"There are so many Europeans, even if they are all in good health, a little carelessness will bring disaster to the Manhattan community!" Old Zhao frowned, still thinking about this big problem.

"They were abandoned by the Dutch in the mud and dung like livestock. We just gave them a hope of living again. Among them were skilled carpenters, blacksmiths, tailors, soldiers, sailors, and maybe even nobles." Su Zining patiently explained to the ship doctor, "Using them separately, a group of Europeans in the 17th century who can determine the relationship with each other just by language or a piece of bread is actually very easy to master. And don't worry about the sea transportation capacity, the Dutch have already agreed to sell it to us. We have three sailing ships, and the tonnage is not small. The only trouble is that among the people Katerina left us, there are not many who can be captains."

"Okay... Xiao Xia, let's get ready!" The ship doctor gritted his teeth and nodded to the little nurse beside him who was equally astonished, "First quarantine all the women, then the craftsmen and crew, but Xiao Yuan will be responsible for translating for us Identification."

A disgraceful diplomatic agreement between Su Zining and Dutch Governor Nidelsen has been despised by European countries ever since.The reason is that starting in 1621, led by officials in the Rotterdam region of the Netherlands, they began to drive out refugees fleeing war and famine in various places.

According to public documents, at least 1000 Europeans were transported to the Azores by the Dutch government in the name of exporting labor services to solve refugee life, but only a little more than half of this number finally arrived in North America.Many either disappeared from disease in the "Azores quarantine" established by the Americans, or died at sea.

Among them are mainly bankrupt craftsmen and refugees from Ireland, Scotland, and Germany, as well as some Bohemians, Swedes, and Danes who are mercenaries, or even local beggars in the Netherlands.It is said that every European who was "exported by labor" had to sign an indentured slave contract, and then the Dutch officials received a one-time labor export agency fee of 100 Dutch guilders per head.

Beginning in the second year, luxury goods such as exquisite glassware "made in the United States", munitions, and a large number of iron industrial products entered the trade list of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. The financial situation of the Netherlands improved greatly, and the war with the Spaniards also became more vigorous.