October 20, 1648, Batavia.

When the Qi State representative in Batavia Huang Mingfang was about to enter the city hall building, he couldn't help but look up at the "voc" Dutch East India Company logo on the exterior wall, a hint of sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth, and then entered the building.

"Huang, I need you Hanzhou to explain the unprovoked attack on our merchant ships in the Annan waters in August." Ivil: Gimenez, senior representative of the East India Company's external affairs, said seriously.

"Mr. Gimenez, the problem you stated is very inaccurate." Huang Mingfang shook his head and said, "What you said about our attack on your merchant ship does not exist at all. As far as I know, in August, our Qi fleet did launch a military operation in the Annan waters, but the target was the Annan Navy. I don't know why you fabricated our fleet out of thin air and attacked the East India Company merchant ship.'

"Huang, among the Annan Navy ships you attacked, one of them is an armed merchant ship under our Dutch East India Company. You not only injured it in battle, but also chased it all the way to the waters near Cambodia. If it hadn't been dark and it would have escaped in time, it would have been sunk by you. Wouldn't it?"

"Our Qi Navy Fleet is fighting the Annan Navy. Why are your East India Company's armed merchant ships in it?"

"Our merchant ships are trading in Annan." Evil Gimenez said: "Because of the safety of the surrounding seas, our captain specifically asked the Annan Navy to send ships to escort it. However, unexpectedly, it was still attacked by your Hanzhou fleet."

"Mr. Gimenez, after the after-interrogation of our fleet officers and soldiers, the escaped warship belonged to the Annan Navy." Huang Mingfang sneered: "I don't understand why you have to point it to your armed merchant ship under your Dutch East India Company."

"That armed merchant ship was sold by our East India Company to the Kingdom of Annan, but they have not paid the money yet. Therefore, in theory, the ship is still owned by our East India Company, and its actual right to use and control is also in our East India Company.

"Then your ship joined forces with the Annan Navy to attack our Qi Navy fleet. Is that true, Mr. Gimenez?"

“No, no, no

Gimenez shook his head vigorously and said in a deep voice: "I just said,

The merchant ship was trading in Annan and invited Annan Navy ships to escort it. Then near the Honghekou, it was suddenly attacked by your Hanzhou Navy fleet."

Damn, I guess you won’t believe this!

Huang Mingfang looked at Gimenez coldly, guessing what he meant by saying these nonsense words. He looked for opportunities to provoke and declare war on our Qi State? Or did he use this to make trouble and achieve some unknown purpose?

With Qi's strategic deployment, it is to try to postpone the possible conflict between the two sides until February and March next year. At that time, Qi should have completed the immigration task for this year and can free up all warships and transportation capacity to deal with the outbreak of the war.

But today, the Dutchman is obviously here to find fault with him with a reason that he cannot get on the table. Could it be that the other party is ready to take action against our country?

Gimenez looked at the representative of Hanzhou with a gloomy face, and was deeply moved. Unexpectedly, Hanzhou suddenly launched a strike on Annan. Not only did he destroy the weak naval fleet in one battle, but he also sent landing troops to go up the Red River and break through the capital of Annan, causing the country to suffer a serious military defeat. At the same time, the southern separatist forces of this country (the Annan Ruan tribe, namely Guangnan Kingdom) also conquered the cities and bounded the land, pushing the front line that was previously maintained by both sides to the north for hundreds of kilometers.

Faced with this situation, Annan will definitely not launch a challenge to Hanzhou again. Perhaps the previous attempt to rent a land for the Dutch East India Company so that it can establish a stronghold commercial station will also cause major changes.

However, the expedition fleet organized by the East India Company, under the joint joint of the local Gova and the Portuguese, was unable to conquer the Portuguese strongholds or seize the fortresses built by the natives. Compared with the two, we must be amazed at the powerful combat power of the Hanzhou.

Today, the Hanzhou representatives in Batavia were invited to come in, not to take the opportunity to attack, but to get the captured mercenary officers and sailors from the Hanzhou people. In addition, I also wanted to warn Hanzhou again not to interfere with their fight with the Portuguese, and prohibit the provision of weapons and Makassar.

"I think Hanzhou may have noticed our attempt to use the Annan people to deal with them." Jimenez stood in front of the window on the second floor, watching Huang Mingfang leave the city hall and leave in a carriage. "That is why they suddenly attack the Annan people to eliminate the potential threat in the area. Maybe they have reached some kind of agreement with the Annan people, which will exclude our East India Company from the affairs of the area."

"The Annan region is the most important node in the Hanzhou immigration route, and they will not let anyone threaten this." Fred Upton, senior business counselor of East India Company, showed an unnatural expression on his face. "Even if we want to join in, it may be difficult to make efforts. The Hanzhou people have been there for more than ten years and have three stable strongholds."

"But there is very far away from Hanzhou after all, and it is separated by Batavia on both sides of our East India Company, which can completely break the connection there and the mainland of Hanzhou."

"Then what?'

"The Annan people were once again instigated to attack several strongholds in Hanzhou. Their capital was captured by Hanzhou, which must be a great harm to them. We can help the Annan people transport troops over, and even provide landing cover.

"Are you based on a strategic plan during the war?" Upton asked.

"Everyone knows that there will be another war between us and Hanzhou." Gimenez said: "Are we doing now trying to weaken the Hanzhou people as much as possible when the war breaks out?"

"Ten years ago, we did not defeat Hanzhou. Is it possible that today ten years later, we are confident that we will defeat Hanzhou?" Upton said disapprovingly: "I think it is a wrong decision to make a choice for war."

"Ten years ago, because of the war in Europe, we received very little support," said Gimenez. "Now, the war seems to be over. I think the large number of German mercenaries and partially eliminated warships would be happy to come to the East Indies for an adventure."

"Dear Mr. Gimenez, do you think our East India Company can receive continuous support from Europe?" Upton shook his head and said: "All human and material support will take you across half the world and take several months to come from the distant European land to the East Indies."

"In order to obtain the gold mines of Hanzhou and obtain unattainable wealth, these distances are not a problem." Gimenez said with a smile: "And the malice that we have towards Hanzhou is not just our United Province East India Company."

"Is the East India Company in England?" Upton sneered: "They only have a few ships in India. I'm afraid they will only hide next to them like vultures. Finally, when we are exhausted from fighting with Hanzhou, we will fly to eat the corpse."

"Dear Mr. Upton, you seem to have always been against the war between us and Hanzhou, and are not optimistic that we will win the final victory." Gimenez stared into Upton's eyes, "Are you inspired by the natives of Hanzhou?"

Gimenez, you haven't been to the East Indies for a long time, some cognition may be

There are some deviations. Hanzhou is not an ordinary indigenous person." Upton was shocked and then faced Gimenez's gaze. "I think all of us have far underestimated the strength of Hanzhou."

"Is that?" Gimenez shrugged, "But recently, Hanzhou is clearly constantly compromising with us, as if he wants to avoid the war. Chinese people leave the port, cross the border and settle down on Timor-Leste, weapons exports to Makassar and Java, and the unconditional release of company employees captured in Annan this time..., the several disputes with us are all giving in to us. I think they have become a little guilty in the face of the pressure we put on. They are afraid of war, afraid of being blocked again, afraid of the increasing population in the country due to hunger, and afraid of us robbing the wealth they created.'

"They may not be afraid or compromise." Upton turned to look at the city scene outside the window, "They may be preparing for war seriously.

"Are you predicting the war?" Gimenez frowned.
Chapter completed!