I

Page 548

Chapter 698 [Receiving younger brother]

Kuang Hong was ordered to pay a visit to King Banten. As for who should be the king, that was out of his consideration.

"His Royal Highness, please allow me to introduce myself," Kuang Hong said with a smile. "My name is Kuang Lu. I am an envoy from China. On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor of Datong, I made a special trip to bring the emperor's greetings to the king."

Sultan Ah Geng saluted again: "Welcome Your Excellency, please convey my thanks to the emperor of your country on my behalf."

"This is a gift from His Majesty the Emperor." Kuang Hong turned and pointed to the two boxes.

The accompanying envoy immediately handed over the gift list, and the navy soldiers carried the box over.

Sultan Ageng was even more happy. He had just won the throne today and received a gift from the Chinese emperor.

He knows about China. It defeated the Dutch fleet last year. This matter has been widely spread in Nanyang.What's more, there are many Chinese in Banten itself, and even the minaret of the Banten Grand Mosque was designed and built by Chinese.

Ah Geng said: "Your envoy, please!"

"Please." Kuang Hong smiled back.

The envoys were arranged to live in the palace, and the treatment was very favorable, because the Banten Kingdom was very rich.

Banten Port is the maritime trade center of the entire Southeast Asia, and the volume of goods traded far exceeds that of Malacca and Batavia.This is because Malacca and Batavia are both controlled by the Netherlands to do exclusive business.Banten Port is a free port, except for the Dutch, no matter which country can come to trade.

In the evening, Sultan Ageng hosted a banquet in honor of the envoys.

Before the banquet started, everyone received a beautiful gift, and Sultan Ageng also held out a sword: "This is the royal collection of Wandan. Please pass it on to His Majesty the Emperor of China. It only represents my personal respect for the Emperor."

"It must be brought." Kuang Hong got up and took it.

This sword has a strange shape, it is a Malay snake sword. As for the specific appearance, please brainstorm the Golden Snake Sword of Mr. Golden Snake.

Moreover, the blade is made of Damascus steel, the scabbard is wrapped in sharkskin, and it is also inlaid with rubies and sapphires.

There are ships from various countries in Banten Port, and the culture and art are also very inclusive.

Although Wandan is a country of the Green religion, the Green religion here is very distinctive, absorbing and integrating Hinduism, Buddhism, and All Souls religion.The minaret designed by the Chinese for the Banten Grand Mosque is neither Arabic, Persian, nor Chinese in architectural style, but a fusion of Mughal and Malay-Hindu styles.

The same is true for this sword. The blade is in Malay style, but the scabbard is decorated in Persian style. I think Emperor Zhao of Nanjing will like it very much.

"Clap clap clap!"

Sultan Ah Geng clapped his hands, the band and dancers came on stage, and the palace servants came with all kinds of food.

Alcohol is prohibited here, only juice drinks.

Sultan Ah Geng raised his glass and said, "This cup is for the great Chinese emperor!"

"Your Majesty!"

Kuang Hong got up quickly, and led all the envoys, turned around and bowed to the northeast.

After sitting down again, Geng pointed to a Chinese at the table: "Your Excellency, this is the advisor to the Banten royal family, a profound scholar, and an excellent architect, Mr. Skbanka."

The Chinese was about 50 years old. He stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Chen Lian, an overseas Han citizen, meet Angel!"

"You're polite," Kuang Hong asked, cupping his hands, "Where are you from?"

Chen Lian replied: "From Xiangshan County, Guangdong. My family was poor when I was young. After studying in a village school for several years, I had to abandon school to fish for a living. When I was 13 years old, I went to sea with my elders and came to Java Island. My uncle died in Jakarta. Wandering around, I was accepted as a servant by a fire man. The fire man saw that I was smart, so he let me join the religion and learn some knowledge from him."

Kuang Hong smiled and said, "You and I are still from the same hometown. I'm from Nanhai County."

"So that's the case. No wonder your accent is kind." Chen Lian suddenly became more enthusiastic.

Immediately afterwards, Chen Lian talked with Sultan Ah Geng again in Malay, probably translating the conversation just now.

Sultan Ah Geng smiled even more happily, and while drinking fruit juice, he said: "What a coincidence, the advisor of the Wandan royal family is actually a villager with Your Excellency the Envoy. Your Excellency, you are a very talented villager. Years ago, he designed and built the minaret for the Banten Grand Mosque.

It has been unanimously praised by the majority of Green believers. "

Chen Lian spoke from the side: "Thanks to the old Sultan's love, otherwise how would I have a chance?"

After some chatting, the atmosphere became more harmonious.

Sultan Ageng picked up the opium and smoking sets: "Your envoy, please taste it. This is the best product. The Dutch are very bad. The opium they sell is always inferior. Banten's friend, the British, is the real opium. Honestly, the opium sold by the British was always of the highest quality.

Kuang Hong had seen opium a long time ago, and everyone put a copy in front of the case. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, opium is forbidden in our country, just like drinking alcohol in Banten. His Majesty the Emperor of China said that opium is poisonous and will Addictive and ultimately maddening.”

"Is that so?" Sultan Ageng was puzzled, "In Banten, only the nobles can enjoy opium, and it will make people feel full of energy after taking it.

Guang Kuanghong said: "The emperor of our country prohibits smoking opium, so thank you for your kindness, all envoys are not allowed to touch this thing."

Sultan Ageng said: "That's really a pity. I wanted to share the best opium with your envoy."

The Banten nobles and officials present just lit the smoke cream and started puffing on the spot. Chen Lian, who was a royal adviser, was also smoking.After a while, everyone became more comfortable, and their words and deeds became more casual.

This exotic hero instantly turned into an opium ghost.

The next day, the British were approved by the Sudan and came to the palace to contact the Chinese diplomatic mission.

The UK has focused its efforts on India and has already set up 28 factories in India.The so-called factory is actually an office, which is responsible for buying, selling, transporting, and packaging goods. The entire process is tax-free, which is licensed by the Mughal emperor.

On the side of Banten, the UK has only one trading post, which buys goods from Chinese sea merchants and stores them in warehouses to be shipped back to Europe by merchant ships.

By the way, the British East India Company finally began to import Chinese tea in the past two years.

I didn't buy tea before because the British don't drink tea.Thanks to the vigorous promotion of Dutch businessmen, Chinese tea is not only popular in the Netherlands, but now it has also spread to the British aristocracy.

"Nice to meet you, distinguished Chinese envoy," the British guy saluted. "My name is Thomas, and I am the person in charge of the Banten Trading Station of the British East India Company."

The British guy brought his own translator, and he was a Chinese.

Kuang Hong smiled and nodded: "Nice to meet Your Excellency."

Thomas asked straightforwardly: "China defeated the Netherlands in a naval battle last year. Is it going to attack Batavia this time? If so, Britain is happy to help, and we will send troops together with China. And, I will convince King Banten Also send troops."

Kuang Hong said with a smile: "I haven't received the king's order whether to attack Batavia. I came this time to establish diplomatic relations with Banten Kingdom, and I was ordered to reprimand the Dutch. As a punishment, China will prohibit the sale of Yunjin is given to the Dutch, whether the UK is interested in Yunjin."

"Is it the Chinese royal silk that is as beautiful as clouds?" Thomas' eyes widened with excitement.

Yunjin is currently only produced in Nanjing, employing nearly [-] workers, and the annual output is limited.More than half of it can be consumed in the domestic market, and very little is exported overseas. The European market of Yunjin is completely monopolized by the Netherlands.

A few years ago, the Dutch auctioned brocades at an unprecedented price, but now only the top aristocrats or the rich can afford it.

Kuang Hong said: "This time I came to Banten, I brought a boatload of brocade. If you are interested, you can sell half of it to the British East India Company."

"I'm interested, I'm interested, the price can be negotiated." Thomas was afraid that Kuang Hong would regret it.

This kind of scarce commodity is a pure seller's market, as long as you buy it, you can make a lot of money.

Guang Kuanghong said: "The Netherlands is too rampant. The emperor of our country has a good impression of Britain and is willing to conduct long-term friendly maritime trade. Please tell your king that he can send a mission to visit China."

"Be sure to bring the emperor's words with you."

Thomas, the king of England who has a fart, has been imprisoned a long time ago—in fact, the king has been chopped off, but the news has not yet reached Banten.

A few days later, Datong Navy began to sell goods, many of which were scarce products that had been covered by the Netherlands before.

In addition to Yunjin, there are imitation Ru porcelain and the like, and there are also a lot of cigars.

The name "cigar" was given by Emperor Zhao himself.

Gray and white like snow, its shape is like a cigarette, it is a cigar.

The raw materials for making cigars are all high-quality tobacco leaves, and the customers are all wealthy people. Now they are gradually selling well in the south, and they can contribute a lot of tax revenue to the court every year.The leftover tobacco leaves from cigar making are used to make shredded tobacco.

At present, Jiangxi cigars are the most expensive, followed by Hunan cigars.However, Yunnan cigars are developing rapidly, and there is a great tendency to catch up.

In fact, Europe already had this stuff, but Zhao Han still wanted to make a fortune.He ordered a large sum of money to buy cigars, and packed them in lacquer boxes lined with imitation Ru porcelain or multicolored porcelain. He also carved patterns on the lacquer boxes and wrote Chinese characters "Only for the Chinese royal family".

Then, this time, the navy brought in Banten, and the price went up and down.

I only made this one or two times. After the products are sought after, there will definitely be counterfeit products, and European merchants will make their own packaging.Of course, this kind of packaging has to be done well by Chinese businessmen.

While the civil servants of the navy and the Ministry of Commerce were selling goods, Kuang Lu was conducting formal diplomacy with the sultan in the palace.

"Suzerain?" Sultan Ah Geng hesitated.

Kuang Hong said: "The predecessor of your country, Danmu, is actually a vassal state of China."

The founding monarch of Wandan Kingdom was originally a local aristocrat of Danmu Kingdom, who seized the country by rebellion and continued to grow.

Sultan Ageng asked: "If you become a vassal state of China, what obligations do you need to perform?"

Kuang Hong said: "China is going to war in Nanyang. If Banten is needed to cooperate, Banten Kingdom should send troops. Chinese people in Banten Kingdom, even if they don't believe in Green Cult, are not allowed to pay extra taxes."

"That's all?" Sultan Ah Geng was quite surprised.

Kuang Hong smiled and said: "That's all. If His Highness wants to pay tribute, you can also take the tribute to Nanjing. Of course, you will definitely not suffer. These tributes are all paid. If Datong China becomes the suzerain of Wandan, it will guarantee The safety of Banten. Any country that attacks Banten without authorization is tantamount to going to war with China! Of course, if Banten takes the initiative to attack other countries, and other countries are forced to resist, China will not care about it.”

"it is good!"

Sultan Ah Geng was overjoyed: "Wandan Kingdom is willing to honor the Emperor of China!"

Kuang Hong's real mission is to come to Nanyang to recruit younger brothers.

Chapter 699 [A collection of strings]

When Kuang Hong went to sea this time, he brought a bunch of gold seals with him.

Sultan Ageng promised to respect China as the suzerain, and Kuang Hong immediately gave the document and the golden seal to Wandan Kingdom.

Immediately, the fleet continued sailing to the Sultanate of Johor.

The predecessor of Johor was actually Malacca. After the capital was captured by Portugal, the royal family could only flee and move the capital.For decades, the main enemy has been the Sultanate of Aceh.

Aceh was at war with Portugal and almost captured Malacca.Inexplicably, he went to attack Johor again, destroyed the capital of Johor, and took away the Sultan of Johor.In order to deal with Aceh, after the prince of Johor succeeded to the throne, he once formed an alliance with his sworn enemy Portugal, but later turned his face due to trade issues, and was beaten by Portugal to move the capital again.

Today, the territory of the Johor Sultanate includes southern Malaysia, Singapore and eastern Sumatra.The territory of the Aceh Sultanate is in the west and east of Sumatra Island, and the central part of the island is the State of Sumatra.

When Kuang Hong brought the naval fleet over, Abdul Zalisa, Sultan of Johor, volunteered to become a vassal state of China again.

Abdul Zalisa said: "My lord Chinese envoy, Xiao Wang heard that China has defeated the Netherlands. This news is really exciting. The damned country of Aceh has been in alliance with the Netherlands for nine years. As long as China is willing to send troops, Johor can send troops." 30 ships and 2000 soldiers, cooperate with Chinese soldiers to attack Aceh!"

Kuang Hong said: "It is not the time to attack the Netherlands and Aceh."

Abdul Zalisa was a little disappointed, but he still said: "The Sultan of Aceh is old and may die of illness at any time. When the Sultan of Aceh dies of illness, it is the best opportunity to send troops. Johor will always follow China's military lead."

Kuang Hong said with a smile: "You can write a letter to the king of Aceh, saying that Johor has belonged to China, so that he is not allowed to covet the land of Johor."

"With the backing of His Majesty the Great Emperor of China, the Sultan of Aceh must not dare to be arrogant again." Abdul Chalisa said flatteringly.

The core territory of Johor is in Malaysia and Singapore, but it has an enclave in Indonesia bordering Aceh.If we really want to fight, Johor must suffer, and we have to cross the strait to send troops to support.

To be honest, Johor is too weak.

When it was still the country of Malacca, it was taken by Portugal with a hundred people.After the capital was moved, Aceh was beaten to move the capital first, and then Portugal was beaten to move the capital again.

When Johor moved its capital for the last time, there were more than 1 defenders in the city, 150 artillery pieces, 1500 firecrackers, and more than 2000 ships (including merchant ships) at sea.Portugal only had more than 600 people, and with some servants, they beat the Sultan of Johor to break out of the siege sitting on an elephant.

Because he is too weak, Johor is eager to embrace China's thigh.

After some flickering and reassurance, the navy bought some local specialties, and Kuang Hong continued to take in his younger brother.The countries of Pahang, Dingjialu, and Da Ni are all within the territory of later generations of Malaysia, and a country only has one or two cities.

It wasn't until Ayutthaya that it finally looked like it.

Ayutthaya, also known as Siam, also known as Ayutthaya, is simply Thailand.

This was once a vassal state of Ming Dynasty. When Kuang Hong arrived with an envoy, the king of Thailand immediately warmly entertained him and made him a vassal of China without even thinking about it.

The most ridiculous thing is that the gift given to Zhao Han by the King of Thailand included dozens of catties of opium.This is not the first time, decades ago, Thailand's tribute to Emperor Wanli contained a lot of opium.

After walking around here, Kuang Hong finally returned and headed straight for Batavia.

"Your Excellency, the Chinese fleet is here."

"Go and try it out."

The fleets of the two countries confronted each other in the waters near Jakarta.No one fired first, and then rowed a small boat to communicate, and Kuang Hong was allowed to enter the port with only one warship.

Van der Lin's adjutant came to meet him at the pier in person.

Seeing the Chinese unloading a lot of boxes, the adjutant couldn't help but ask, "Are these goods?"

Kuang Hong replied: "This is a gift from His Majesty the Emperor of China to the Governor of your country, and the Governor of your country must personally accept it."

As soon as he heard that it was a gift, the adjutant became happy, and his attitude became much more enthusiastic, just like the two countries never went to war last year.

At the gate of the Governor's Mansion, Van der Lin came out in person and saluted very elegantly: "Welcome your envoy to Batavia, please extend my sincere greetings to the Emperor of China!"

"It's easy to say," Kuang Hong cupped his hands, "His Majesty the Emperor has also prepared a gift for Your Excellency... Open the box!"

The navy soldiers immediately opened the boxes, and Van der Lin stepped forward with a smile. After seeing the contents clearly, his smile immediately became stiff.

All the heads of prisoners of war!

Van der Lin asked coldly, "What does this mean?"