"More than a dozen ships and thousands of soldiers, is this what the Emperor of Ming said?" Proven suddenly realized the problem and asked with a frown.
Tang Ruowang nodded and said, "Your Majesty's knowledge of the world is astonishing, and he is quite familiar with you Dutch people. By the way, with the help of the Portuguese, the Ming Empire's army has been equipped with a considerable number of advanced muskets, and the navy also has many cannons."
Proven snorted in frustration, "Damn Portuguese."
"Maybe there will be more damned British people in the future." Tang Ruowang shrugged his shoulders and said, "Cursing and envy are useless. I think you should just accept the Ming Empire's conditions honestly and do business properly!"
Proven blinked, then put on a smile. "Of course," he said, "we have come to the Emperor to conduct trade. Our sincerity is unquestionable, and please, Father, speak well of us. The bad rumors about us Dutch are undoubtedly slander and defamation by the Portuguese, who want to monopolize the trade."
Tang Ruowang looked at Proven's changed expression, rolled his eyes helplessly, and said, "Regarding trade, the Ming Empire will send people to negotiate. If you want to succeed, you must show your sincerity!"
Proven made up his mind and left.
Tang Ruowang shook his head as he watched Proven's receding back, no longer bothering himself with this hypocritical businessman who was greedy for profit and forgot his principles. He took out the letter sent by Xu Guangqi and began to read it carefully again.
Johann Adam Schall von Bell did not fully agree with the Emperor's instruction to compile a calendar based on the heliocentric theory, but in order to change the Emperor's will, he had to have definite evidence.
It’s a bit difficult! Tang Ruowang stood up and prepared to find a few more astronomy books to study carefully.
………………………………Dividing line………………………………
Because wars in the West lasted throughout modern times, especially those surrounding sea routes and the competition for overseas colonies, the speed of change in naval warfare technology was much faster than that in Asia.
Although the line of battle tactics had already appeared, it was not until the Anglo-Dutch Naval Battle, more than 30 years later, that it was presented to the world in a mature form.
By making full use of the gunboat's lateral firepower and attacking with battleship columns as much as possible, you can achieve more fierce firepower output.
Of course, how to implement it on the battlefield was not Zhu Youxiao's business.
He only put forward ideas and suggestions, which were then improved upon by the officials below and then trained to enable them to be used proficiently.
Now, the person who received this task, or rather accepted the emperor's suggestion, was Shen Yourong, the commander-in-chief of the East China Sea Fleet.
The East China Sea Navy now has 20 Chinese-style sailing ships (junks), all of which are the largest model, 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, and can carry 6 guns.
There are six old lock boats, 40 meters long and 8 meters wide, capable of mounting 20 guns;
In addition, there were more than 20 large and medium-sized silk-carrying ships, more than 60 Wutan ships, Cangshan ships, patrol boats, etc., and as many as 300 to 400 fireboats.
Some of these ships were purchased, some were transferred from the Fujian, Zhejiang and Guangdong navies, and some were donated by Ming Dynasty merchants; and 3,000 officers and soldiers were drawn from the coastal provinces to supplement the East China Sea Navy.
The frantic organization and expansion of the East China Sea Navy, as well as the withdrawal of funds, increased artillery, and intensified training of the navies of Fujian, Zhejiang, and Guangdong provinces, greatly surprised Shen Yourong and others. They didn't know why the emperor was so ready to fight a big war.
They certainly didn't know that Zhu Youxiao had to prepare for the Dutch military attack. Historically, it was this year that the Dutch reoccupied Penghu, and after being repelled, they went to Dongfan.
Don't be afraid of ten thousand things, just be prepared for the worst.
Zhu Youxiao wanted to use trade to temporarily stabilize the Dutch and buy time for the Ming navy to grow stronger.
But who knows whether it will succeed? The Dutch ambition seems not only to trade, but also to monopolize trade with China, and even to occupy land, station troops and rest ships.
This was something Zhu Youxiao could not agree to no matter what. So the only option left was to go to war and make his point with fists.
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao not only gathered forces to strengthen the East China Sea Navy as soon as possible, but also ordered the Fujian Governor Nan Juyi to increase troops in Dongfan and Penghu, and sent orders to the navy to strengthen war preparations and be vigilant against the return of the red-haired barbarians.
Shen Yourong had dealt with the Dutch and seen their huge ships and cannons. He knew that the current strength of the East China Sea Navy was not enough to compete with the Red Haired Barbarians.
The battle line suggested by the emperor was a bit too hasty considering that the East China Sea Navy was only equipped with more than 50 red cannons.
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