The Madeira Islands (32o north latitude, 16o west longitude) located outside the Mediterranean estuary has the reputation of the "Pearl of the Atlantic Ocean". It is now affiliated to Portugal and is located on the west side of the west coast of Africa. The land area of ​​the archipelago is about 800 square kilometers. It has a subtropical marine climate. It is an archipelago in the central and eastern North Atlantic, mainly composed of volcanic islands.

The scenery here is beautiful, the climate is mild, and it is rich in grapes and wine. It is currently an important trade and commodity export port in Europe.

For ships who need to cross the Atlantic Ocean from Europe to the New World, or head south to Africa, to India or the far east, Port Madeira is a very important relay station.

At the same time, the Port of Madeira is also one of the important transfer stations for selling slaves, gold, gems and spicy food from Africa to the Americas.

And the reason it is only one is that, in another archipelago port, Ras Palmas (28o north latitude, 16o west longitude), is also performing almost the same function and competitive relationship as it.

However, Porto Madeira is from Portuguese, while Las Palmas is from Spanish, the relationship between the two has always been very subtle.

Of course, the right and wrong of the Portuguese and the Kingdom of Spain cannot be explained clearly in a few words, and that is not the point. The current focus is: Li Huamei, the admiral of the Li family fleet and Li family fleet, are replenishing supplies and making final adjustments in Port Madeira. They have been waiting here for a week and are making final preparations for the journey to the New World at the low tide today.

After all, it takes you to cross the entire Atlantic Ocean to travel to the New World. Starting from the Port of Madeira or Las Palmas on the west coast of Africa, and going west along the ocean. Even if the road is smooth and there are no severe weather such as storms and rains, it will take at least five weeks at the speed of the Li family fleet, which is a little more than a month to arrive at the New World.

If something happens in the middle or the weather suddenly becomes bad and the wind direction is not good, even if it has the advantage of smooth currents, it is likely to take two to three months, and there may even be other more terrifying situations. Therefore, Li Huamei and others are not allowed to be careful.

Sailing is not a game. Most of the ships and captains who do not respect the sea have been buried at the bottom of the sea or completely disappeared. I don’t know which corner of the world I have been lost.

Therefore, no matter how careful or cautious the Li family fleet is, no matter how cautious it is, it is not an exaggeration to continue traveling around the world, and to take a large fleet back to the Ming Dynasty.

At this time, the Li family fleet anchored in the berth of Madeira Port Terminal had changed from the ships that came out of the Ming Dynasty to a total of sixteen!

Especially when the Li family fleet took advantage of the shortage of goods such as silk, tea, ceramics and other exquisite embroidery cloth they brought from the Ming Dynasty in Europe, Admiral Li Huamei, who made a fortune in a small wave, waved his hand and bought several sea ships in the Mediterranean and the Beihai region where maritime trade and shipbuilding were extremely developed. Among them, there were two large North Sea three-masted square sailboats and an 80% new military escort ship, which gave Li Huamei a lot of confidence to travel all over the world.

Of course, like that escort ship, the newly bought ships were not new, because Li Huamei and her Li family fleet did not have much time to wait or order new sea ships from the shipyard.

“Admiral…”

"Are we really going to leave Europe today?"

At this time, Li Huamei's hardcore follower, James Rudway, who had met Li Huamei after being exiled and was taken in, and since then, had been devoted to helping in the Li family fleet, walked to the bow of the ship and asked Admiral Li Huamei, who was silently watching the coolies and sailors carrying buckets on the docks.

He was a little unwilling to leave just like that, just as he was unwilling to be exiled and had to leave here.

"Yes."

"There is no place for orientals like me here. Now we can replenish supplies and buy goods to the New World here normally, so we won't have to go there for a walk, which is a good idea."

"James..."

"You have to know that this is the backyard of you Europeans. Our Ming Dynasty has almost no influence here, and we have no advantage. It is better not to do things that are too easy to stir up disputes."

Thinking about the developed shipping, commerce, and the complex forces and fleets of various countries and privateers in the Mediterranean and North Sea waters, Li Huamei couldn't help but sigh.

At the Mediterranean estuary and the Strait of Gibraltar, it is mainly controlled by Portugal's regular naval admiral Abercroque and Barudis of the Spanish Invincible Fleet. The dozen or so ships from the Li family fleet are not enough to see!

As for the Mediterranean, let alone the sea area has long been monopolized by Italian businessman Chen Telio, the pirate king Haileding who dominates North Africa, and the commander-in-chief of the Ottoman Empire. None of the large and small chambers of commerce in the Mediterranean and the private ship owners have a complex relationship with the above forces. Even the small chamber of commerce in Portugal and the Castro Chamber of commerce have only a little pitiful share. How could she, Li Huamei, a merchant from the Eastern Ming Empire who came from afar, dare to act rashly here?

Not to mention Beihai, it is the territory of the British and the Hanseatic League Shupaiya Chamber of Commerce of the Northern European Trade Circle Association. If their Li family fleet dares to intervene there, the British Navy Admiral Clifford can transform into a pirate at any time and attack their Li family fleet!

So, after their Li family fleet sold out the goods and supplies, what else can they do besides setting off quickly and preparing to go to the New World?

"But……"

"Admiral, haven't you said that you want to get a battleship like the North Sea to study it?"

"If you give me some time, although the military ones may not be able to get it, there will definitely be no problem with commercial ones!"

"And let me tell you that the hull structures for commercial and military use are the same, at most they are just nuances in cannons and armor."

"How about it, Admiral, why don't we wait?"

James Rudway continued to persuade Li Huamei with some urgency. He finally returned to Europe and had not been able to stay for long and had to leave in shame. He must be a little unwilling to accept it.

“…”

"James, our fleet is so big that it is impossible to stay here for a year or half a year, and we cannot do business here in the Mediterranean or the North Sea."

"Can we do nothing, just find a port to wait?"

Shaking his head, Li Huamei looked at James with a smile. She vaguely knew that he wanted to stay in his hometown for a longer time, but it was not possible. They were going to set off. Just today, when the tide was low, it was something that had been agreed on a few days ago and it was impossible to make any changes.

"That……"

"How did you arrange the matter about the boat?"

James Rudway began to make the final resistance, and seemed to think, if the admiral Li Huamei was willing to keep him here?

"Don't worry!"

"Let's go to the New World first. When I come back, I think that Lilu, who I entrusted by me, has already obtained it for us."

In fact, this time, Li Huamei and her fleet brought the goods from the Ming Dynasty and the goods prepared to bring to the New World were all helped by Lilu of the Beihai.

Although the other party made a big profit from the price difference, Li Huamei didn't mind.

Because, only win-win situations can the friendly relationship between the two sides last for a long time and last. Otherwise, the two sides may have to fight like they did in Nanyang!

Which cunning Kuhn, Li Huamei, thinks that when she goes back, her Li family fleet will definitely go to Jakarta again and give the other party a warning.

"alright."

"James, don't bother the Admiral, it's useless."

"In the current situation, we can only do this. Let's go to the New World to see if there is any chance."

"If it really doesn't work, we should return to the Ming Dynasty."

"After all, the East and Nanyang are the focus of our business. It is still too far from our base camp, so we don't need to waste time here."

At this time, the British man Charleston came over, then patted James on the shoulder, signaling him not to mess around.

"All right……"

"Then go to the New World!"

If you think about it carefully, you feel that in the Mediterranean, the Li Family Chamber of Commerce is indeed unable to compete with those naval and private ship owners of various countries and those big merchants with national power backgrounds. James struggled for a while, and finally he could only retreat helplessly, not preparing to interfere with the decision of the admiral Li Huamei.

"Prepare everyone!"

"The tide will soon fade away. We will set off on time and cheer up!"

“!!”

"yes!"

"Admiral!"

"Abide by the order!"

"Don't worry, head of the family!"

"quick!"

"Hand quicker, put the water well!"

Under Li Huamei's order, Charles De, James, the sailors and followers who were waiting or busy at the bow of the boat all began to work hard.

A few hours after the Li family fleet set out...

For some reason, a group of hundreds of Portuguese soldiers lined up in an orderly line and carried muskets, rushed to the dock and surrounded various trestles and berths in a rush.

"explain!"

"Where are the Ming people from the East and their fleet?"

"It's that woman Li Huamei!"

"Where is she and her fleet?"

After controlling the entire port, an officer questioned an officer at the dock who was responsible for tax collection and registration in a furious manner.

"Oriental?"

"ah!"

"When the tide was low, she and her fleet had already set off, and they had been walking for several hours."

“!!”

"Where have they been?"

"No, don't know..."

"It may be going south to Africa or north. Of course, depending on their supply, it is more likely to be going to the New World, but who knows where to go?"

"Damn it!"

"It's still slow. It would be great if the messenger could come faster..."

Hearing the official's words and looking at the berth of the dock, there were indeed no ships they were looking for. The officer lamented and looked at the sea outside the dock.

A few hours have passed, and the sea is vast, so let him go there to catch people?

Besides, the tide has begun to rise, so it is not easy to leave the port. In addition, the Li family fleet has more than a dozen armed merchant ships. Even if they know the exact purpose and route of the other party, what's the use?

You should know that the warships here in Madeira are not the main battleships. They are not sure to take them and take down the fleets of the Ming and Ming people who are said to be very powerful. Before, when the other party's ships were anchored at the dock, they were the best opportunity to start.

But unfortunately, when the Governor of Madeira received the letter and hurriedly sent them out to arrest people, the Orientals had long since not known whether they had received the news in advance and actually ran away in advance?

"Cancel team!"

"Let's go back and report to the Governor!"
To be continued...