Chapter 997 The Black Tide Route

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【Today's third update is delivered!】

In mid-July, Zhang Zhun received a report that a messenger who claimed to be Spain came to Busan Port. The Spaniard brought a small fleet with only five warships and a small warship with a displacement of about 300 tons. If you look carefully, you will find that they are all spinnaker fast ships, with similar nature to reconnaissance fleets.

The Spanish flag is indeed too far from that of the Dutch. Almost no one knows the Hu Ben Navy. Fortunately, the Spanish envoy also speaks Chinese well. After some explanation, he finally explained the purpose of his visit. Under the escort of the Hu Ben Navy's warship, the Spanish envoy finally landed in the port of Busan.

"Spain?"

Zhang Zhun nodded thoughtfully.

It is the tree that wants to be quiet but the wind does not stop! Spain's sense of smell seems to be quite sensitive! The Tiger Army Navy and the Dutch faced each other, and the Spaniard immediately felt the opportunity and came to the door. Originally, I was planning to ask Seviara to find the Spaniard, but now it seems that it is not necessary.

However, when the Spanish came to him on their own initiative, Zhang Zhun felt a little strange. There was nothing else, he just felt that the Spanish were indeed going downhill. If it were thirty years ago, the Spanish would not take anyone seriously. The Spanish's invincible fleet would not buy it. Alas, it was thirty years from Hedong and thirty years from Hexi!

By the way, in Europe in the 17th century, you really finished your debut. At the beginning, Portugal was the strongest, and the Age of Discovery was the first to begin. Then Spain occupied a large number of colonies due to the Age of Discovery and the large number of people. Subsequently, the Dutch rose, constantly competing with the Spaniards for wealth, and robbed the Spanish merchant ships everywhere.

Later, the British rose again, washed away the Dutch's routes everywhere, launched a series of wars, and eventually defeated the Dutch. If Europe was regarded as a country, Europe in the 17th century was simply the Southern and Northern Dynasties in China, which was indeed too chaotic. Except for Zhang Zhun, who was a time traveler, no one could predict how Europe would develop.

When it comes to the sea surface of East Asia, it is far less dazzling than the lanterns like Europe. On the sea surface of East Asia, the two strongest companies are currently the Netherlands and Spain, and the others can only make soy sauce for the time being. In order to resist the Dutch's whale swallowing and encroachment, other Western powers secretly united to fight against the Dutch.

"Mr. Governor of the Ming Kingdom is here, I am polite."

The name of the Spanish envoy is Zanbrotta. This is a handsome middle-aged man with a tall figure, blonde hair and blue eyes, and speaks Chinese more smoothly. If you guess correctly, this person must be based in Manila and often deals with Chinese people.

"Mr. Zanbrotta, thank you for your hard work."

Zhang Zhun responded calmly.

After a brief greeting between the two sides, Zhang Zhun got to the point. He said bluntly: "Mr. Zanbrotta, come and see me, are there any good news?"

Zanbrotta was also crisp and said without any covertly: "We Spain also know about the matter between your army and the Japanese shogunate. We believe that Japan should belong to China. This is a matter between the Chinese and the Japanese, and no one else should interfere."

Zhang Zhun nodded with satisfaction.

This Zambrota understood and made his position straight to the point.

If the other party hides and wants to speak but stops, Zhang Zhun will look down on the other party. It is not that it is not good to hide. Diplomacy is a bit obscure, which is normal. However, if the Spanish need to hide and circumvent it, it means that they are very afraid of the Dutch. In the past hundreds of years, the Spanish have never spoken.

In other words, if the Spanish were obscure, Zhang Zhun would not have to count on the Spanish, as they were already afraid of being beaten by the Dutch. Fortunately, Zanbrotta's performance shows that the situation in Spain is not at that bad point. The lean camel is bigger than a horse. Currently, Spain also has the most powerful army in Europe and the largest overseas colonies. They are indeed not afraid of the Dutch.

"I can understand this way that the Spaniards oppose the Dutch's intervention in the Japanese battlefield?"

Zhang Zhun said calmly.

"Yes!"

Zambrota said without hesitation.

"very good!"

Zhang Zhun nodded with satisfaction again.

Although the interactions between the two countries are always based on interests, and personal emotional factors can be ignored. However, personal charm will also increase a little bit in diplomacy. Premier Zhou’s personal charm is praised by the whole world. Zanbrotta is also a good person.

Zhang Zhun himself is also straightforward. Zhang Zhun can understand general diplomatic rhetoric, but if it is too complicated or too confusing, Zhang Zhun will not understand. Zanbrotta's response is clear and short, one is one, two is two, which is indeed very compatible with Zhang Zhun's appetite.

"Mr. Zanbrotta, you're not just here for Japan, are you?"

Zhang Zhun glanced at the other party and said meaningfully.

"It's true, I have something else to do."

Zambrota said frankly.

"Please say it!"

Zhang Zhun made a request gesture.

"I am negotiating trade with the Governor at the order of the Governor."

Zanbrotta straightened his body and said expectantly.

“Is it about cargo on the Manila route?”

Zhang Zhun said lightly.

Zanbrotta was a little surprised, and couldn't help but look at Zhang Zhun's eyes and said in admiration: "The Governor has indeed seen people and he also knows the Manila route. Most Ming people have only heard of Manila, but they don't know the Manila route. It's Zheng Zhilong, who is also not sure about the Manila route."

Zhang Zhun smiled slightly and said disapprovingly: "It's not surprising to know this route. This is a golden route for your country, isn't it? I think maintaining this route is very important for your country. Perhaps this is also an important reason why Mr. Zanbrotta came to me. You must get my cooperation to continue operating this route."

Zanbrotta nodded crisply and said bluntly: "That's true. If the Governor can generously maintain trade relations with our country, we will be grateful. I hope that no matter who holds the power of the Ming Dynasty, we can obtain enough goods. Normal trade exchanges should not be affected by political changes. Governor, do you think so?"

As a diplomat, Zanbrotta's performance is actually unqualified. He is indeed too frank and can easily show his trump card. However, he won the favor of Zhang Zhun. It is not hypocritical or artificial. Such a person is more likely to gain the favor of Zhang Zhun. As long as he gains the favor of Zhang Zhun, many things will be much more harmonious when negotiated.

In fact, the main purpose of Zanbrotta's arrival in Busan Port this time was to make the Manila route. As for Japan, it was a coincidence. The Spaniards had basically never contacted Japan. It has nothing to do with the Spaniards who fell into the hands of Japan. It is of course better to fall into the hands of the Hu Ben Army than to fall into the hands of the Dutch.

The so-called Manila route is actually the famous Kuroshima route. The starting point of this route is the Manila port on Luzon. The ending point of this route is Acapulco, Mexico. The main sea surface that the route passes by happens to be the Kuroshima area in the northern Pacific Ocean. Therefore, this route is also called the Kuroshima route.

The main trading items on the Kuroshio route are raw silk, that is, raw silk that has been initially processed. This is an important raw material used to make silk clothes. In East Asia, the largest raw silk production was of course the Ming Dynasty. In the Jiangnan region of the Ming Dynasty, there were a large number of silkworm farmers, and raw silk came from their hands.

A large amount of raw silk was concentrated from the hands of the silkworm breeders to the Erdao dealers, who were sold to the big merchants, and the big merchants sold to the Zheng Zhilong Pirate Group. After these raw silks were concentrated in the hands of Zheng Zhilong, they were loaded on ships and then transported to Manila, Luzon, and sold to specific Spanish merchants.

Spanish merchants put raw silk on Manila sailboats and transported them all the way to Mexico along the Black Tide route, and then transported a large amount of silver back from the local area. In Mexico, the consumption of raw silk is very large, and the profit of selling raw silk is very high. A ship of raw silk can be transported back almost half of the ship of silver. Therefore, this route can be said to be the lifeline of the Spanish in the East Asian sea.

Because the main raw silk comes from the Jiangnan region of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, it can be said that if the Ming Dynasty had no raw silk exports, the Black Tide route would be interrupted. Where did the route come from without high profits? Ordinary porcelain, tea, medicinal materials, etc., the profits in Mexico are not that high-profit.

Because the profits of the Kuroshio route are quite generous, the Spaniards are guarding this route tightly and will never give up. The Dutch wanted to snatch it, and the Spaniards kept fighting. However, if China banned the export of raw silk, the Spaniards would have no choice. It was the situation in the domestic situation that had been very chaotic, which made Spain feel very uneasy when it lived in the Governor of Manila.

In the past, the Spaniards worked with Zheng Zhilong. Through Zheng Zhilong, Spain could obtain enough raw silk supply. However, now, Zheng Zhilong is obviously not good. The person who defeated Zheng Zhilong was Zhang Zhun. The person who had the most hope to end the chaos in the Ming Dynasty and establish a new empire was also Zhang Zhun. The Spanish naturally came to Zhang Zhun immediately.

Zhang Zhun naturally understood the reason, but did not deliberately point it out. Some things are tacitly understood, but it is meaningless to put it bluntly. The export of raw silk is also beneficial to the Hu Ben Army. Since it is a win-win situation, Zhang Zhun naturally strongly agreed. He said loudly: "Mr. Zanbrotta, if the raw silk production is doubled or tripled, I wonder if your country can digest it?"

Zambrota was shocked and happy and hurriedly said, "Of course!"

The so-called Black Tide route is to sail from Manila and along the edge of the Black Tide in the northern Pacific Ocean to the American continent. This route is quite dangerous, fog, storm, reef, shark, frost... all kinds of dangers are endless, and most people will never dare to go. Especially when approaching the Aleutian Islands, it is even more dangerous. Only experienced captains and seafarers can successfully reach their destination.

In fact, every year, at most, there are only five large Manila ships that can cross the Black Tide route and successfully arrive in Acapulco, Mexico. The main reason is not that the Spaniards do not have warships, nor that they do not have enough courage, but that they do not have enough raw silk. If they transport other goods, such as porcelain, tea, etc., it is not worth the cost-effectiveness.

Now, Zhang Zhun actively requested to increase the output of raw silk, which is naturally the best for the Spaniards. As long as there is a sufficient number of raw silk, the Spaniards can start more Manila sailing ships. If the large sailing ships sail to Mexico every year can increase to ten or fifteen, the Spaniards' profits will definitely double.

Because the Dutch were pressing step by step, on the Nanyang sea, there were not many other routes that could make money in addition to the Kuroshima route. These routes also had the possibility of being robbed by Dutch warships. Only the Kuroshima route was the safest. The more profit the Spaniards earned, the stronger the power to fight against the Dutch.

For Zhang Zhun, such cooperation is also very beneficial. In Jiangnan, Ming Dynasty, a large number of people planted silk. A large number of holy silk must have appropriate sales channels. Zhang Zhun decided that after the establishment of the new empire, Jiangnan would definitely vigorously develop the commodity economy. At that time, the output of raw silk will definitely increase greatly. Raw silk will be sold domestically and the profit is not high. Only by selling it abroad can it be exchanged for a large amount of silver.

At that time, the maritime trade between the Ming and the Western powers was a completely trade surplus. No matter how much money the Spanish earned, most of the silver would fall into the hands of Ming merchants through other goods trade. This was something that the Western powers could never change. In other words, the silver was only handed over to other countries, and in the end it was from the Ming. It was not until the British sold opium to China that this trade surplus was changed.

However, since Zhang Zhun existed, it was absolutely impossible for the British to sell opium. The trade surplus would definitely be firmly maintained by Zhang Zhun. This means that the Western powers were always workers from the Ming Dynasty in the maritime trade at that time. The wealth they earned was ultimately Zhang Zhun.

Of course, wealth alone is not enough. At this time, Zhang Zhun had to get more benefits from the Spaniards. The Spaniards had the most vast colony in the world, and there were still many benefits. However, these benefits should be taken slowly. After pondering for a moment, Zhang Zhun said slowly: "I need intelligence."

Zambrota hurriedly said, "What information?"

Zhang Zhun said with a serious expression: "I hope to get information from the Dutch in time. Especially the Dutch's main fleet headed north, and I hope your country will notify us in time."

"No problem!"

Zanbrotta agreed readily to Zhang Zhun’s request.

Spain's naval fleet in the South China Sea is also quite strong. Although there is some gap with the Dutch's main fleet and cannot compete with the Dutch head-on. However, it is not difficult to monitor the Dutch's main fleet. In fact, the Dutch's main fleet dare not ignore the existence of the Spanish fleet.

Fortunately, Zhang Zhun did not propose that the Spanish fleet would also go north and fight the Dutch fleet. If Zhang Zhun made such a request, Zanbrotta would be a little embarrassed. Because the authorization he received could verbally help the Hu Ben Navy, but in actual actions, the Spanish were powerless.

"Mr. Zanbrotta, you can stay in the port of Busan for a while. I think that increasing the understanding between the two parties will be conducive to our future cooperation."

Zhang Zhun said lightly.

"Thank you for your kindness."

Zambrota does mean to stay, so I’m not polite.

Zanbrotta also has a further understanding of the new ally of the Hu Ben Army. In fact, it was not only the Spanish, but also other European powers who were very interested in the fact that the Hu Ben Army had the courage and were in the face of the Dutch fleet. They originally thought that Zheng Zhilong was the strongest maritime force in the Ming Dynasty. They had never expected that in addition to Zheng Zhilong, there was also a Hu Ben Army navy.

"Wang Junyu, take this gentleman down to rest."

Zhang Zhun picked up the teacup and said with a smile.

Zambrota stood up, said goodbye and left.

...

As soon as Zanbrotta left, Wang Shide came in and reported to Zhang Zhun: "Sir, Li Jicheng sent someone to send a battle report, saying that the Dutch fleet launched a fierce attack on the Zheng family fleet. The Zheng family fleet could not resist and retreated step by step. It was probably going to be over."

Zhang Zhun nodded quietly and said slowly: "Tell Li Jicheng that you can do as I told you. Remind him again that the situation on the front line is changing rapidly, don't ask for instructions or lose your opportunity to fight. In short, let go of things that are good for us."

Wang Shide agreed to go.

Zhang Zhun walked to the side and silently looked at the map.

Zhang Zhun was surprised at the news that the Zheng family fleet was attacked. In fact, this was predictable. When Li Jicheng's fleet left, he had already realized that the Dutch fleet was going to attack Zheng Zhilong's fleet. The Dutch wanted to interfere in Japan, so of course, the Zheng family fleet could not be restrained in the middle, so he simply took him away.

If it were in the past, Zheng Zhilong's fleet might be able to resist one or two in the face of the Dutch attack. At the very least, they could escape unstoppable. However, at the estuary of the Yangtze River, in the battle with the Hu Ben Navy, Zheng Zhilong's fleet lost a lot of vitality. This is destined that the Zheng family fleet will be doomed this time.

What Zhang Zhun hopes most now is Li Jicheng's actions, so he can be proactive, not ask for instructions in everything, and not delay the fighter's opportunity. When it is time to take action, take action decisively. Those who should accept should accept should decisively accept. Those who should not accept should decisively let him die. Once such an opportunity is missed, it will never be possible to have it again.
Chapter completed!