The British armed merchant ships are stronger than ordinary armed merchant ships in combat, but they are still inferior to warships.

After all, it was a merchant ship, and it was also carrying commercial goods. Neither the number of artillery or the combatants were the opponents of the Ming fleet.

Widell thought about it and still had no choice but to accept the order of the Ming army. He fought with the Ming Navy before the trade began. This was not what he wanted to see, nor was it what the many shareholders behind him wanted.

After the Ming army inspected, they were still not very relieved about these armed merchant ships and escorted them throughout the journey. Well, in Weidell's view, it was escort until the sea surface of Guangzhou, and ordered them to be docked in the ocean surface of Shajiao and wait for customs inspection.

Widdle looked up at the condescending Sand Corner Fort, and suddenly felt that this was really different from the description of his businessman before.

On the ocean, he saw two giant ships and several medium-sized warships. The rows of artillery doors on the side string made people feel oppressed.

In a few years, the Ming Empire's navy had developed to this level? Weddle secretly thanked that he had no impulse to exchange fire with the Ming Navy.

Of course, Widell didn't know that the commander-in-chief of the Navy, Chen Yourong, was in Guangzhou at this time, and the two giant ships were his flagships.

Although the conquest of Luzon has been basically confirmed, the intense training in the Eastern Conference has not been interrupted.

But there is no need to do this by Shen Yourong. He is in Guangzhou and is re-planning the cruise area of ​​the South China Sea Fleet and quickly repaying some work on the establishment of the Navy Department of the imperial court.

The current South China Sea Fleet is divided into three squadrons, one stationed in Saigon Port, Mekong Province, one stationed in Jinxia and Guangzhou, and the other is in the Eastern Front, which is the main force in the conquest of Luzon.

But in the emperor's opinion, the range of the three squadrons was not wide enough. Even if there was a small fleet in Sanya, Hainan, it still could not satisfy the emperor.

The key is that the emperor was worried that the coastline was too long and that if Western barbarians entered the South China Sea, the Ming Navy would not be able to learn about it in advance.

This time the Wedell fleet was intercepted was purely a coincidence, and such coincidences were not always present. In history, the Wedell fleet really brought a lot of trouble to the coast of the Ming Dynasty.

Although with the current strength of the Ming Navy, hearing the police dispatched it would also bring heavy blows to him. However, the revenge afterwards was still not satisfactory.

Chen Yourong was also embarrassed about this. If he could not block the entrance to the Strait of Malacca, it would be difficult to intercept ships entering the South China Sea. Apart from strengthening coastal cruises, there is no good way now.

The conquest of Luzon was to retaliate against the Spanish; the occupation of Malacca was probably a strategic action that could not be waited for.

Chen Yourong knew in his heart that it was not difficult to occupy Malacca. There were not many Portuguese people there, even fewer warships, and even one-tenth of the Spaniards could not catch up.

But the emperor did not take action immediately, obviously considering the issue after the occupation. This required the navy to propose a feasibility plan for the emperor to refer to and decide.

Just as Shen Yourong was still thinking about how to report secretly, officials from the Ming Dynasty customs were already coming from Weidel's ship.

"It's indeed a British businessman?" Listening to the translation, the official nodded. Although he was young, he didn't seem to know nothing about the country.

This is the change of the Ming Dynasty, and the proportion of professional officials is getting higher and higher. You should know that in history, the officials of the Ming Dynasty also regarded Weider and others as Spaniards, or collectively called Western barbarians.

The missionary was a general translation? Widdle was also a little surprised. Looking at the high-nose and blonde European, he noticed the cross he hung.

"There are no British merchants in the Guangzhou Merchant Hall, you are the first one." The missionary translator didn't care about Widdle's surprised gaze and spoke to himself: "Now, I'll introduce you to the rules..."

Obviously, this general translation is not the first time I have worked. I have mastered the process very clearly and memorized the rules thoroughly.

"We are not allowed to bring weapons to the shore. The artillery and gunpowder on the ship must be sealed. There are special people on board to check every day..."

“There are big and small shopping malls, and the rent is as much as possible…”

"The store has an exchange. The price of goods brought by the goods and the commercial goods you want to purchase can be listed on the exchange. After the transaction is completed, you must pay taxes with documents..."

"If you want to trade in Japan, you need to pay a Jinghai fee in exchange for a special flag as a mark..."

"In addition to Guangzhou Commercial Hall, there are also Shanghai and Saigon, and the rules are the same..."

When the general translation stopped, the expression on his face made Weidell a little unhappy. He was a little arrogant, as if he looked down on us.

"Don't make trouble, and don't have any hostility or actions that can easily make people feel this way." The general interpreter suddenly warned very seriously: "The Dutch ships were attacked violently and were wiped out."

"And—" Tongzhi stretched out his finger and emphasized: "There is no pirate-style plundering at sea. This trick is not uncommon, isn't it? But it doesn't work here. If reported, any British ship entering the South China Sea will be attacked by the Ming Navy in the future, without exception."

He showed a little contempt and contempt, just like looking at a local bun. The general translation said: "The Ming Navy had hundreds of warships, the Dutch, the Spanish and the Portuguese had accepted this condition. You British did not want to be abandoned from the trade with the Ming Dynasty, right?"

Widell blinked his eyes and finally had a clearer understanding of the strength and policies of the Ming Empire. To be domineering is considered a matter of being a real businessman. But it is also a blessing for real merchants.

In the vast sea, it is common for both merchants and thieves to be both business and stealing. However, if the Ming Empire dares to make such a threat, the naval strength may be different now.

"We are serious businessmen, equipped with artillery and guns, and also ensure our own safety." John, the accompanying businessman, said with a smile: "Here, we must naturally abide by the rules of the Ming Dynasty. By the way, I don't know your honorable name."

"Noretti." The general translation answered with his head held high: "The Portuguese were the first Portuguese who established trade with the Ming Empire and had good relations with the Ming Empire."

"That's great." John rubbed his hands, with a happy expression, and said, "We came to trade with the Ming Dynasty to pass through the merchants of your country. Unexpectedly, you are just. If you don't understand anything, we will be troubled by you. We will thank you very much afterwards."

Norreti's expression relaxed a little, and he said, "It's not easy to handle the procedures, and the mall area is also very large. You are a newcomer and you really need someone to guide you. Well, you can go to the exchange to find me, and I will arrange someone to help you."

It turned out that he was not a missionary, but rather like an intermediary businessman. Widdle had no good impression of Norreti's arrogance, but he also knew that offending him was not a good thing.

Noretti followed the Ming Dynasty officials and checked the ship. He couldn't help but shake his head and said, "You can't sell these goods, so it's better to come in empty ships in the future, so as not to pay the tariffs in vain."
Chapter completed!