Zeng Hualong lowered his head to ponder, and finally nodded deeply.

Zhou Xian said: "The Ming Dynasty has always called itself the Supreme Kingdom of the Celestial Empire, but in fact, it has long been behind the Western Barbarians in maritime shipping. If I didn't do anything, I'm afraid I might not have been able to fight those Western Barbarians at my door."

Zeng Hualong gradually understood Zhou Xian’s meaning, “Did you send Ma Shaoyu to Macau to build a ship with the help of Portuguese?”

Zhou Xian nodded, "In fact, it's not just about building ships, but also about getting a chart from them. In order to carry out comprehensive military cooperation with them, completely expel the Hayi from the South China Sea and even the South China Sea."

Zeng Hualongqi said: "Is there any difference between these Portuguese and the Dutch? Why do they help us?"

Zhou Xianxiao said: "In fact, there is no difference. One is a jackal and the other is a hungry tiger, both of which are beasts. Portugal and Spain, where Portugal is located, were the first countries to discover new routes. They occupied countless islands along the way through force and turned these places into their own colonies. The so-called colonies are generally vast and sparsely populated. Even if there are many people, they are mostly indigenous people who are not educated. Otherwise, they would not be able to seize them by force. Portugal has a population of only a few million, and its territory is only half of the Ming Dynasty, but its area has a population of hundreds of times that of its territory. They plunder resources in the local area, rob gold and silver, and then transport them all back to the country, and then develop themselves with these things. In addition, they also trade with countries that cannot fight, or once they start fighting, they will suffer great losses, so as to further plunder gold and silver."

Zeng Hualong looked thoughtful, "So that's how it is."

Zhou Xian said: "The country where the Netherlands came from was called the Netherlands, which was originally a territory of Spain. But later it sought independence and established the country in seven provinces. It has been less than 70 years since it was now. Because he had the most advanced shipbuilding technology in the world, he defeated Spain several times and focused on developing maritime trade. However, because the Netherlands started late, most of the overseas colonies were occupied by Spain and Portugal, and there was inevitably a fight between them. The Netherlands relied on its powerful fleet and won many colonies and seized many colonies from Portugal. Therefore, there was a deep contradiction between the two."

Zeng Hualong nodded and said, "Governor Zhou, I still have a question, why do you want to cooperate with Portugal instead of directly with the Netherlands? Didn't you just say that they have the most advanced shipbuilding technology in the world?"

Zhou Xianxiao said: "Indeed, the Netherlands relied on the East India Company to seize colonies everywhere and became the maritime overlord in the world today. It is known as the "maritime coachman". There are more than 20,000 ships shipping around the world. Although Portugal was the first country to develop a colony, its colonies were vast, but its population was only a few million. In many of its existing colonies, there were only hundreds of soldiers stationed in Macau. For example, they defrauded the right of residence in Macau from the Ming Dynasty. So far, there were only 200 Portuguese soldiers stationed in Macau. Therefore, it is an indisputable fact that Portugal is weaker than the Netherlands. It is also because of its weak that I chose Portugal to cooperate, because in the entire South China Sea, there will only be one maritime overlord in the Ming Dynasty in the future. Moreover, the Netherlands still occupies our Taiwan!"

After hearing this, Zeng Hualong was silent for a long time, and finally nodded and said, "Governor Zhou, I roughly understand what you said. Portugal is weak and does not have enough troops to maintain the established colony, so it is even more impossible to threaten the Ming Dynasty. The Netherlands is strong and enterprising, which may pose a threat to the Ming Dynasty."

Zhou Xian nodded and said, "Although Portugal's shipbuilding technology is not as good as the Netherlands, the two are not much different. As long as they are improved, they will not be exported to the Netherlands in the future. Moreover, making friends with the weak can better convince them."

Seeing Zeng Hualong frowning high, Zhou Xianningrong asked, "Governor Zeng, I see that you frowned. Do you think there is something wrong with what I said?"

Zeng Hualong shook his head and said, "Everything that Governor Zhou said is reasonable. But the officials believe that shipping is a future after all, and now the enemy is rampant and civil strife is endless. At this moment, it is a bit inappropriate to mobilize troops, but financial resources are built. It is really inappropriate to build ships. And as you said, the Dutch and the Yi are strong, and once a conflict breaks out with it, the Ming general will have another strong enemy."

Zhou Xianxiao said, "How is it so easy to build a navy? I just want to use the Portuguese Yi to build some new warships, and convert the existing warships into merchant ships, and go out to trade far away. The profits of sea trade are so great that I think Governor Zeng should be very clear. Using the money from sea trade to raise and calm civil unrest and conquer the army of Manchus is the only feasible way I can come up with. As for the Heyi Yi, within five years, I will not take the initiative to go to war with them before having a powerful navy."

Zeng Hualong smiled faintly, "That's it, I'll know."

Zhou Xian continued: "Governor Zeng, I will go to conquer Liu Zeqing in a few days. Now there are two things you need to help. First, Haishi Sique is a chief official who can settle accounts. I hope you can recommend one person to serve there. In the future, transferring military pay and food and grass will be completely entrusted to Governor Zeng."

Haishishi was a fat man, but Zhou Xian took the initiative to give it to Zeng Hualong. Of course he was happy and hurriedly said, "Of course. I have a clerk under my school, and the settlement of the accounts is not bad, so I let him manage this matter temporarily. What about that other thing!"

Zhou Xian said: "Liugong Island is hanging alone outside the Weihai Sea, and it is a barrier of the East China Sea. Before, Kong Youde attacked, and the original people were killed by him. I plan to build it into a harbor to protect Denglai and transport goods in the future. But at present, I am short of troops and can only leave at most 200 soldiers. Please ask the governor to recruit 1,500 people who are willing to go to the island to farm and go to the island with the 200 soldiers I left behind. In addition to farming, I should also shoulder the responsibility of guarding. I will also select an official from the army and go up with them. Within half a year, I will ask them to establish complete defensive facilities on Liugong Island. There must be a city, a fort, and a port."

Zeng Hualong said: "This is easy to deal with. Isn't it just one thousand five hundred people? I'll collect it for you within two days."

Zhou Xian nodded, "Then I'll ask the Censor Zeng to do everything. Before these people can't be self-sufficient, their food needs..."

Zeng Hualong smiled and said, "It's just that Dengzhou Prefecture is responsible for the small matter. By the way, Governor Zhou, when are you going to set off? I'll send you there."

Zhou Xian waved his hand and said, "In three days, I won't need to send it off. I still have some things to deal with, and I may be very busy these days."
Chapter completed!