Chapter 76 Maria’s Strategy

Maria knew very well that it was not that simple for Spain to defeat Ming and Zheng in the east, and it must have new allies.

Traditional allies are no longer enough to compete with Ming and Zheng. The Netherlands, which is also under the threat of Zheng Kezang, is a better choice.

"Unite with the Dutch?" Interior Secretary Fernandez and the new Governor of Luzon, Gabriel de Kuruzialegui Arriola, both looked at each other.

Both of them have never had such an idea.

The relationship between Spain and the Netherlands is not very good.

Spain used to be the suzerainty of the Netherlands, but the Spanish king's excessive taxation angered the Dutch.

The two countries launched a fierce war, which lasted for eighty years from 1568 to 1648.

Countless Dutch people died in that war.

There was even an incomprehensible hatred between the two countries.

Now it is simply impossible for Spain and the Netherlands to unite to deal with Ming and Zheng!

Even if the Spanish agree, will the Dutch agree?

It's a pity that the Suez Canal has not yet been opened in this era. Otherwise, the voyage would only take three to four months.

As long as they can regain Luzon, they will have completed their mission and will be heroes of the Kingdom of Spain!

The Dutch also learned the news of the Spanish defeat in Luzon.

Today, the Netherlands only has more than two million people, which is only one-sixth of Spain's.

If he wanted to unite with Spain, it would be difficult for him to accept it emotionally.

Originally, he thought that he could rely on the strong strength of the Spanish fleet to send the army to Luzon, and he would be able to sit back and relax.

After sending them away, he immediately sent someone to find De Boer, the chief minister of the think tank.

"De Boer, do you think we should ally with the Spanish?" Hendrik Casimir II asked.

"Your Majesty the Consul, it is up to you to decide everything!" De Boer said.

Spain and the Netherlands are separated by France, so they are very close.

Let’s discuss the formation of an alliance between Spain and the Netherlands to jointly deal with Zheng Kezang!

"It's better for you two to go to Amsterdam together to discuss the alliance with the despicable King of the Netherlands. Batavia is too far." Maria ordered.

Maria felt something was wrong. It would take at least half a year to get from Europe to Batavia, which was too long. Half a year later, Ming and Zheng didn’t even know what the development was like.

Originally, he wanted the Spanish and Ming Zheng to fight to the death, and then the Dutch East India Company followed behind to take advantage.

After reading it, he handed the information to Governor Gabriel Dekuruzialegui Arriola, and then said: "Your Highness the Regent, is this all true? How can these Chinese people be so strong?

, they are obviously being bullied at will by the Tatars in the land of the east."

Next, Interior Minister Fernandez and Governor Gabriel immediately rushed to Amsterdam to inform King Hendrik Casimir II of Queen Mother Maria's proposal.

"Your Majesty the Regent, I will try my best. The Dutch also hate those Chinese people very much. I think there is hope for cooperation. We can send Governor Gabriel directly to Batavia City to join forces with the Dutch Governor." Interior Secretary

full of confidence.

But now it seems that everything he thought was too simple.

"Damn it! Those evil thieves actually have such powerful weapons!" Admiral Fernandez said bitterly.

"Your Majesty the Regent, are you sure you are not joking? How can we and the Dutch unite? Besides, Spain's strength is enough to destroy those Chinese people! There is absolutely no need for us to unite with the Dutch!" Internal Affairs

Minister Fernandez shook his head.

"Fernandez, the Netherlands also belongs to the Western world. The rise of Ming and Zheng poses a great threat to the Dutch East India Company. Let you handle the matter of uniting with the Dutch." Maria asked, looking at the Minister of the Interior.

.

Moreover, the two places were too far apart. If Ming and Zheng attacked Batavia and they wanted to support Batavia, it would take half a year for the reinforcements to arrive.

Interior Minister Fernando and Governor Gabriel de Kruzialegui Arriola thought for a while, and finally, both nodded.

He did not agree with the proposal of the Regent Maria. In his opinion, it was nonsense.

The eighty-year-long Dutch War of Independence caused the Netherlands heavy losses and a sharp decline in population.

As for Spain's Queen Regent, Maria, what she wanted was to recapture Luzon, and she would not care about the process.

However, he knew even more clearly that with the current strength of the Dutch East India Company, it was simply unable to compete with Ming and Zheng.

Therefore, it only took half a month for the two of them to meet King Hendrik Casimir II of the Netherlands.

De Boer was a little confused. As a native of the Dutch lowlands, he had never had a good impression of the Spanish.

When they conveyed Queen Mother Maria's plan to Hendrick Casimir II, he was completely stunned, as if he did not expect that the arrogant Spaniards would propose such a plan.

Admiral Fernandez read it carefully, but his face became uglier as he read it.

"Fernandez, I have a detailed document here about the Battle of Manila. After you read it, you will know that it is very necessary to unite with the Dutch." Maria handed a document to the Minister of the Interior Fernand

S.

If we can unite with the Spanish to deal with Zheng Kezang, that is undoubtedly the best choice at the moment!

"Mr. de Boer, I need your opinion." Hendrik Casimir II asked.

"I assure God that this information is absolutely true and valid. Those Chinese people have mastered unparalleled new weapons. Their army is very strong. It will be difficult to defeat those Orientals by relying solely on Spanish transportation of army expeditions.

!" Maria said.

"Your Majesty the Regent, I am going to Batavia right now. The specific joint plan can be discussed at that time!" said the new Governor of Luzon.

What's more, the Dutch have already suffered a big loss on Yizhou Island. If the Ming and Zheng Dynasties seek Batavia, they will also be in danger.

Hendrik Casimir II told them that he needed to think about it.

They all also realized that the Spanish Expeditionary Force alone might not be able to defeat the Ming and Zheng Guards.

"Your Majesty the Consul, although Spain is powerful, to be honest, I don't think highly of them because I heard that the Chinese have a terrible weapon in their hands." De Boer said.

"If we unite with the Spanish, is it possible to defeat them?" Hendrik Casimir II asked.

"Currently, only the West-Dutch Alliance can hope to defeat Ming and Zheng in Asia." De Boer said cogently.

"Okay, I agree with the Spaniards' joint plan." Hendrik Casimir II mused.
Chapter completed!