nashuaworldcup Chapter 320 Difficult Decision
Chapter 320 Difficult Decision
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Upon hearing Putmans's words, Kun's expression turned grim.
In 1622, to open up commercial markets in the Far East, the Dutch East India Company occupied Penghu, using it as a transshipment base for East Asian trade. The following year, the Ming Dynasty government waged an eight-month-long war against these Dutch inhabitants of Penghu. The war ended in Dutch defeat, with the Dutch reaching an agreement to destroy the fortresses and batteries in Penghu and relocate them to Dayuan in 1624. In exchange, the Ming Dynasty tacitly accepted the de facto Dutch occupation of Dayuan. Fort Zeelandia, as the central hub for governing Dayuan and foreign trade, was a massive fortress whose first phase of construction wasn't completed until 1632, taking eight years in total. The Dutch East India Company had invested enormous funds and effort in Dayuan and Zeelandia; now, a Ming general was trying to force the company to completely withdraw from Dayuan and hand over Fort Zeelandia with a mere remark.
Kun slowly asked, "I want to know, does this Ming general have enough confidence to propose such an absurd condition? Was his defeat of Zheng Yiguan due to luck or strength? Does he have the ability to rule the Far East seas for a long time? Your opinion will be an important reference for my and the council's decision." The East India Company is, in essence, a joint-stock company. All decisions are based on an assessment of input and return. Everything is about money. They are fundamentally different from the colonial government in Manila. They will not engage in unnecessary struggles because of face-saving issues, nor will they easily give up their interests because of some pressure.
Putmans understood the governor's meaning: if Liu Ye had only replaced Zheng Yiguan by luck and lacked the strength to dominate the Far East in the long term, then the East India Company would continue to invest troops in new wars; conversely, if Liu Ye's strength was indeed substantial enough, the East India Company would abandon war and choose cooperation to maintain its trade routes in the Far East. War was merely a means; commercial profit was the company's eternal goal.
He cautiously replied, “Based on my personal experience, before Liu appeared, the company’s Far East Fleet was unable to completely eliminate Zheng Yiguan. He possessed countless junks, tens of thousands of warriors for hand-to-hand combat, and could send out one or two hundred fire ships at any time. Even if we could defeat him in a local conflict, we could not shake his foundation, and the long-term attrition would only end in our defeat. But Liu eliminated Zheng Yiguan in less than 24 hours. He had a fast, flexible, and heavily armed fleet, completely abandoning the Eastern-style human wave tactics. His fighting style was more aggressive than ours, and he also had a powerful army. Their unique firing method made their muskets fire faster and with greater firepower than the matchlock guns in our soldiers’ hands. In particular, their fleet also possessed a terrifying weapon that could fire 59-pound explosive shells from cannons, instantly destroying a capital warship. I think our fleet could not withstand such cannons; it was simply hellfire that only Satan could possess…”
Quinn was shocked by Putmans's words. A powerful fleet and a brave and skilled army were exciting enough, but a cannon that could fire heavy explosive shells? He asked in surprise and doubt, "Are you sure what you're saying is true and not made up?"
Putmans sighed: "I wish this were all fabricated, but a few days ago, I saw them attack Manila with these cannons, easily destroying the coastal defenses and sending explosive shells into the castle, forcing those stubborn Iberians to obediently come out of the city to negotiate..."
Kun's expression was grim; it seemed that the situation forced him to make a difficult decision.
“I will truthfully inform the council members of everything you have said. For the sake of the shareholders, we must make the right choice… Before the council makes its final decision, let that fleet from the Far East islands enter the port. I need to speak with their fleet commander…”
Gao Jie did not have to wait long at sea before Putmans, who had returned, informed him that he could enter the port and have face-to-face negotiations with the Governor.
After the fleet anchored, Gao Jie followed Putmans to the governor's mansion, where he handed over command of the fleet before leaving.
"Although I am certain that we will not encounter any unforeseen events in Batavia, for the sake of caution, I will temporarily hand over command of the fleet to Li Fei. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, whether to launch an attack on Batavia or lead the fleet back to port will be decided by Li Fei."
Inside the Governor's Mansion, Kun met the commander of this fleet, which was said to be more powerful than the East India Company's Far East Fleet. He was younger than he had imagined, and he was a genuine yellow-skinned Ming Chinese.
Kun looked him up and down. "Indeed, a promising young man!"
Gao Jie proudly puffed out his chest: "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it."
Kun continued, "Why are your clothes different from those of other Ming generals?"
Gao Jie thought for a moment, and realized that this was no secret. "This is because the general wanted to differentiate us, and also because the other government troops' methods were flashy but impractical and not suitable for us."
"Oh, it seems your general has quite the ambition. May I ask, how did you become the commander of this fleet?"
Gao Jie answered earnestly: "I was once an unknown soldier. It was only because the generals had a discerning eye that I was able to be recognized and, under their guidance, through several naval battles, I became a qualified commander."
They chatted happily and gradually came to understand each other through their conversation.
Kun couldn't help but admire their general's good judgment and ability to cultivate talent. This might be a good way to avoid war and cooperate.
He thought for a moment and changed the subject: "I will submit your suggestions to the company council for debate, but I would like to know first what form of compensation we will receive if we withdraw the Grand Council and abandon Fort Zeelandia? Will it be direct payment in Lilles or in the form of goods?"
Upon hearing Kun's words, Gao Jie saw an opportunity and proudly replied, "Long before we launched the war against Zheng Yiguan, we had already defeated your fleet; otherwise, your commander would not have become our prisoner. As the losers of the war, you have no right to make further demands. Our general's meaning is clear: you must, like the Spanish, completely abandon Daiman, withdraw from the Far East, and trade according to our requirements. Apart from that, I do not believe the general will give you any form of compensation; the victor does not need to bow to the defeated."