First of all, the entire Middle East was occupied by the Ming Dynasty. Unlike the French Company, this was the territory of the Ottoman Empire, and political factors had a great influence.
Secondly, the Ming Dynasty used the power of the state to dig this canal, but the French company was just a company. The manpower and material resources that the two sides could mobilize were not the same.
Furthermore, French companies have to consider factors such as how to dig and where to dig when digging canals. When the Ming Dynasty was digging, all these were provided by the court of Liu Weichao's plane, who had the expertise to dig canals.
Very helpful.
Also, the Ming Dynasty had captives available, and the captives were all young and strong, and could restrain them with discipline. In terms of food, they could be mobilized from the South Asian subcontinent and other places, so there was no problem of starving them to work.
As for sanitation, in this world, the Ming Dynasty is the most advanced. There is no such thing as a plague that is rampant and affects the progress of the project.
Finally, the Ming Dynasty also had a racial talent, which was farming, which included digging canals.
Under these various factors, it only took two years to dig more than half of the Su Yinshi Canal. According to Li Yan's inspection of the progress of the project, he estimated that the canal can be dug in another year at most.
.
In other words, in one year, the Ming Dynasty's navy will be able to directly attack various European countries from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean!
By then, the equipment of the expeditionary force will have been updated and its combat power will be raised to a higher level. As far as the specific war is concerned, there will be no need for any command, just fight directly.
Just when he was rejoicing, the Portuguese Governor-General Du Di suddenly came to the governor's Yamen and asked for an urgent meeting.
The Portuguese have been fighting with the navy. Although it is not of much use, it is still hard work. Among all the Western Barbarians, the Ming Dynasty has the greatest influence on the Portuguese, or the Francois.
The best.
When the personal guard said that he had an urgent matter and asked to see him, Li Yan immediately went to see him.
What surprised him was that Du Chen did not ask for a meeting alone, but also brought a Xiyi with him. Look at this Xiyi, he looked a little embarrassed and haggard!
"Lord Zhongcheng, this is our King João IV of Portugal!" As soon as Du Quan saw Li Yan, he quickly introduced, "Because our country was close to the Ming Dynasty, it was destroyed by Spain, France and other countries. Our King, His Highness, is alone.
Escape, come to ask for reinforcements to restore the country, and ask the Prime Minister to send troops to help!"
At this time, Du Chen was already fluent in Ming Dynasty Mandarin and did not need anyone to translate. However, John IV could not understand it. However, he could guess the general meaning of what Du Chen said, so he
Na nodded repeatedly.
When Li Yan heard this, he was a little surprised, but not too surprised.
Surprisingly, he did not expect that the King of Portugal was the person in front of him and would appear in front of him at this time.
Not surprisingly, the Portuguese have been following the imperial army and chasing the Dutch. It would be strange not to be retaliated by them.
Thinking of this, he first asked someone to give Joao IV a seat, and then asked: "Didn't you transport three ships of Ming munitions back to your country before? You should be able to withstand their attack, right?"
When Du Quan heard this, he immediately smiled bitterly and immediately replied: "Master Zhongcheng doesn't know that the fleet going back has to go around the entire Africa. The journey is very long. If the weather is bad, it will take even longer.
.When the Spanish coalition attacked our country, the fleet had not yet arrived in Lisbon. I don’t know what will happen to those three ships in the end?”
When Li Yan heard this, he couldn't help but frown, and then asked: "You mean, those three ships are likely to fall into the hands of the enemy?"
Du Chu nodded and then replied: "Those three ships are full of munitions and run slowly. Once they are surrounded by the enemy's sail warships, they probably won't be able to escape!"
"Can't escape?" Li Yan still had some doubts when he heard this, "The result is that he is captured. Is there no other possibility?"
For example, throw all the weapons into the sea, or simply blow up the weapons.
Li Yan did not specifically ask about these possibilities, but Du Chen heard them and said with a wry smile: "Our concept is different from that of the Ming Dynasty. Their biggest possibility is to use the arms on the ship to negotiate with the enemy and seek
A share of the greatest benefit!”
In fact, those who traveled thousands of miles to the East are not good people, let alone loyal people. They are just colonists, the kind who only see money. It is absolutely impossible to expect them to be benevolent and righteous.
possible!
After Du Chu explained in a vague way, he hurriedly said to Li Yan: "Master Zhongcheng, if those three ships of arms are obtained by the enemy, their combat power will be greatly strengthened. If it is too late, they can imitate them."
There will be more, so we must attack them as early as possible. Please ask Master Zhongcheng to send troops immediately!"
Li Yan listened and did not answer immediately.
He remembered that the three ships of arms sold to the Portuguese were actually rifled flintlock guns that the imperial officers and soldiers had replaced when he led his troops to the seaside, and some of the matching paper-cased bullets.
These weapons are indeed the most advanced for the Western Yi people. But now, on the court's side, they are already two generations behind.
Most of the imperial officers and soldiers are from the era of breech-loading guns. A small number have been replaced by breech-loading guns with metal bullets, and are also equipped with heavy machine guns, high-explosive artillery, etc.
After thinking about this clearly, Li Yan's brows relaxed, and he just shook his head and said: "Now the focus of the imperial court is to dig this canal. After the canal is dug, the Ming Navy will be able to directly enter the Mediterranean.
It will be easy to help you restore the country!"
Anyone whose country is destroyed will of course be very anxious.
Therefore, Du Chu heard this and quickly said to Li Yan: "Master Zhongcheng, if we regain Portugal, we can contain the anti-Ming coalition forces there and prevent them from concentrating their efforts to attack the Ming army.
This is of great benefit!”
He knew that only from the perspective of Ming's interests could he possibly persuade this senior Ming official.
However, after hearing this, Li Yan just smiled and said: "The advantage in numbers is useless in front of our Ming Dynasty. To tell you the truth, our Ming Dynasty is eager to wipe out the military strength of all hostile countries in one battle.
In this way, we can save a lot of effort in our Ming Dynasty!"
They were having a conversation here. King Joao IV sitting next to him couldn't understand and could only watch the two of them communicating in a language he didn't understand. But he could probably guess it from the expressions of Li Yan and Du Chen.
Come out a little.
Knowing that the Ming Dynasty did not seem to want to send troops, he immediately became anxious and said quickly: "When the Ming Dynasty became a vassal state, it was agreed that when the vassal state was attacked, the suzerain state would send troops to protect it!"
Li Yan couldn't understand what he said, but after Du Chen heard it, he translated it for him.
Li Yan frowned slightly after hearing this, and then replied: "You have not gone through the process of vassal state. Besides, our Ming Dynasty did not say that we can't send troops. It's just that if we send troops now, we have to go around the entire Africa, which will take a long time."
, what about logistical supplies? Have you ever thought about this problem?"
Hearing this, Du Chen couldn't help but fell silent.
Li Yan's words can be divided into two points. Whether it is from a political perspective or a military perspective, there are indeed problems. However, he looked at the anxious look on João IV's face, and still thought about what to say.
At this moment, I heard Li Yan say to King Joao IV: "I can understand His Highness's mood. How about this? I'll call the cabinet and report it to see what the court means."
When Du Quan heard this, he couldn't help but be very happy. This was the best. So he quickly translated the words to John IV.
When King João IV heard this, he immediately didn't understand. What phone call was there to report to the Ming cabinet? How much time would it take?
In the face of the powerful military power of the Ming Dynasty and various new weapons, civilian inventions were basically covered up. And the telephone was basically still in the military stage, and even fewer people outside knew about it.
Just when João IV looked puzzled, he saw Li Yan pick up a red telephone on the table in front of him, shook the handle and said: "I am Li Yan, taking calls from the domestic cabinet."
John IV looked puzzled, but Du Chu knew it. After all, he had been fighting with the Ming army for a long time, so he explained in a low voice: "This is a telephone that can directly communicate with the distant Ming government."
"What?" When Joao IV heard this, he was immediately dumbfounded.
How is this possible?
It’s completely unimaginable!
When he came back to his senses, he saw that the Ming official had put down what he was holding and was talking to Du Chu.
So, King John IV immediately looked at Du Huan and listened to what he said.
Soon, Du Chu turned to look at him and said to him: "The intention of the Ming Dynasty court is to let His Highness take the Ming Dynasty's supply ship to the Ming Dynasty to complete the canonization. After that, the Ming Dynasty promises to return you a bigger reward than before."
Big country!”
When John IV heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. This was different from what he expected.
When he was about to speak, Du Quan persuaded him: "I think it would be good for Your Highness to go to the mainland of Ming Dynasty to see it and broaden your horizons. I believe it will be of great help to Your Highness!"
After hearing this, King Joao IV was a little disapproving. What can open one's eyes, and how much can it open one's eyes? Will he become as ignorant as a country man?
While he was thinking about it, he heard Du Chu add to him: "This is the decision of the Ming court and the will of the Ming Emperor, and it cannot be changed. Your Highness should think more about it. Ming has already agreed and will give it to His Highness later."
A bigger country might be able to demand that Spain be annexed!"
Upon hearing this, King Joao IV's eyes suddenly lit up!