Brown and John looked at each other, and John said with an expression on his face.
"Well, in that case, let's go with you to meet your master!"
The two of them secretly thought that they had made a profit this time.
Even if we go to meet the prince of the Qing Dynasty this time, even if nothing is reached, this round will still be a bloody gain.
You can get a whole shipload of goods for free!
The profits from sea trade in this era are of the kind that, as long as the goods can be transported safely back to Europe, the profits can easily be dozens or hundreds of times.
Brown and John, led by middle-aged men, left Macau and sailed slowly toward the Pearl River.
…
After they landed at the dock outside Guangzhou city, they were led to Pingnan Prince's Mansion in the city.
Looking at the extremely luxurious Pingnan Palace in front of them, Brown and John were just speechless.
Marvel at the power and wealth of King Pingnan!
In their opinion, only people with power and a lot of wealth can afford to live in such a palace.
Although the luxury of Pingnan Palace is in sharp contrast to the poorly clothed and underfed refugees outside Guangzhou, as well as the low-rise shantytowns outside Guangzhou.
But neither Brown nor John thought it was strange!
It’s just a gap between rich and poor. In this era, the gap between rich and poor in Europe is even greater.
Nobles and commoners are simply two different species!
If the European aristocrats were not too greedy, the exploited bottom class would really not be able to survive.
Otherwise, why would there be so many people going on a big voyage to expand overseas colonies?
Isn't it just that I can't survive in my hometown, so I have to go out and look for opportunities to get ahead?
The two were led into a flower hall, but as soon as they entered the flower hall, the expressions on their faces suddenly changed.
In the flower hall, there were actually several red-haired Dutch people sitting there.
Captain Brown sat down on the chair assigned to him, and then asked the Dutchmen.
"Commander Vanderlaan, why are you here?"
Captain Brown felt that the man in front of him looked very familiar.
When the St. George docked in Batavia before, he had seen the Batavia fleet commander in front of him, Vanderlaan.
Vanderlaan glanced at Brown and John and felt they looked familiar, but after thinking about it carefully, he had no impression of these two British people.
He frowned and answered anyway.
"We are here under the order of the Governor-General to help the Qing Dynasty build warships to deal with the remnants of the Ming Dynasty!"
Today's Dutch are the kind of people who bring their own dry food but still want to work for the great resentment of the Ming Dynasty!
The reason is very simple, they can't swallow the news that Damuan Island was recaptured by the Ming Dynasty!
Brown nodded, but didn't take it seriously. Vanderlaan had the same purpose as himself, they came to help the Qing Dynasty build a navy, and the two sides were competitors.
However, Brown does not think the Dutch can compete with him.
The Dutch merchant ships are indeed good, but when it comes to naval battles, you still have to look at their British ones!
Vanderlaan asked.
"what about you?"
Brown smiled and said.
"We were invited by His Excellency King Pingnan to help the Qing Dynasty build warships to deal with the Ming Dynasty."
When Vanderlan heard this, his face felt hot.
I was sent here in a hurry, and the British were invited here. Damn it, the contrast is too obvious!
Mad's face hurts!
Just as Brown and Vanderlaan were fighting, a loud voice sounded outside the flower hall.
"King Pingnan has arrived!"
The moment the sound rang out, the guards and attendants inside and outside the door all saluted and knelt down for a large area.
Then he kowtowed to Shang Kexi who strode into the flower hall.
Even Vanderlaan, Brown and others kowtowed obediently.
When Macartney visited China, he claimed that the West did not kneel down, which was nonsense.
The fundamental reason is that Britain was already divided at that time.
The British were unwilling to bow to Qianlong, the king of the East, that's all.
At the same time in Europe, Europeans were required to kneel down when meeting the Pope, and then even kissed the Pope's boots on the spot as an honor.
Isn't this operation more disgusting than kneeling three times and knocking nine times?
But now, although the United Kingdom has begun to rise, it has not yet truly gained strength.
The Manchu Qing Dynasty was not like the Qianlong period, where reality and reality were thoroughly seen.
Nowadays, when Westerners come to the East, they still have to kneel obediently, even if they are not facing an emperor, but just a local vassal king.
Shang Kexi sat on the top position, looked around, and said.
"No gift!"
After the words fell, everyone stood up.
Shang Kexi's eyes stayed on Vanderlan and Brown, and he said.
"The Ming thieves went into exile overseas and their country was subjugated, but they still harbored evil thoughts about the Qing Dynasty!"
"They often harass our Qing Dynasty along the coast, making it difficult for our Qing Dynasty to cope with them!"
"For this reason, we, the Qing Dynasty, are determined to build a navy, completely defeat the Ming thieves, and restore peace to the world."
"Now as long as a few people are willing to help me build warships and train naval forces in the Qing Dynasty to deal with Ming thieves, you can put forward any conditions you want!"
Vanderlaan said.
"Dear Your Excellency King Pingnan, we Dutch have a large-scale shipyard in Batavia. If the Qing Dynasty needs warships, you can buy them from us!"
"We in the Netherlands have the best shipbuilding technology in the world."
“If you choose us, the Netherlands, you will not regret it!”
Brown on the side couldn't help but spoke up and said.
"The fleet of the British Empire is the most powerful fleet in the world!"
"If the Qing Dynasty needs to train a fleet, the best choice is to choose us, Britain!"
Brown originally thought he was invited, and the Qing man who invited him was very humble.
Then maybe I can show my attitude in front of King Pingnan of the Qing Dynasty and ask for more benefits.
However, when he saw that the Dutch were there, he put away his little thoughts.
If he was the only one, the Qing State would have no other choice, and they could indeed make their own decisions.
But forget it now, after all, what is face compared to gold coins?!
Vanderlaan on the side said.
"British naval warfare command is indeed excellent, but Britain does not have enough ships, shipyards and shipbuilders in the Far East."
"If the Qing Dynasty wanted to quickly form a fleet, the Netherlands would be the best choice!"
"As long as the Qing Dynasty can afford the price, even the Governor-General can make the decision and directly package up the people and ships and sell it to the Qing Dynasty to a Batavia squadron!"
Shang Kexi did not make a choice immediately. Instead, he touched his chin and thought deeply. After a while, he spoke.
"I cannot make the decision in this matter!"
"However, I will order someone to send you to the capital later. Whatever conditions you want, go and talk to the court!"
The order given to him by the court was to contact the Fo Langji people in Macau!
Hasn’t this meant that he has fulfilled his mission satisfactorily and exceeded his quota?
Shang Kexi didn't want to get involved in what happened next.
Now that the person has been contacted, once he is sent to the capital, nothing will happen to him.
Shang Kexi’s understanding of the saying “doing more will result in mistakes, doing less will result in mistakes, and failing to do better” can be said to be at its peak!
Vanderlaan, Brown and others were treated to a good meal, and after a little repair, they began to head north along the sea route.
According to Shang Kexi's order, they will be sent to the capital.
Then discuss with the Qing court to rebuild the Great Qing Navy!