This time, Marin took a total of 10 Class 250 armed merchant ships. However, he did not take the North Atlantic route to America, but headed south along the west coast of France.

The reason for this is that Marin didn't want others to know that he was taking the Pacific route to the Ming Dynasty. Because Europeans did not know the existence of the Pacific at this time.

In fact, it is nothing to let other countries know about the Pacific Ocean. But the problem is that if European navigators knew about the existence of the Pacific Ocean and knew that the earth was round, they would go on a sailing adventure around the earth, just like Magellan did.

Marin didn't care what they were doing around the world, but Marin cared about their passing through the Americas. If those navigators accidentally discovered the wealth of America, Marin would not be able to live in peace in the future. There would definitely be a bunch of people fighting for America.

Therefore, in order to keep it secret, although Marin himself would take the Pacific route, he deliberately sent a fleet to head south along the west coast of Europe, so that the Spaniards and the Portuguese could see it, making them think that they were on the Eastern route. In fact, he was on the Pacific route to the west.

This is probably what is called "normal deviation". It is not right, it should be called "normal deviation". However, it is wrong to go in the opposite direction, but it is right for one to go in the opposite direction.

With these 10 armed merchant ships to cover up, others will not suspect that they are taking other routes. Then, no navigator is interested in going west.

In order to show his presence, Marin deliberately docked and visited Lisbon halfway. As expected, Marin was once again criticized by the Portuguese for providing guns and cannons to the Kingdom of Malacca. But Marin explained it last time, and this time it was explained again.

The Portuguese were very angry about the defeat in Malacca, especially Ricardo, the person who was directly responsible for the defeat, gritted his teeth for Marin. However, Marin's explanation was correct - we don't know that Portugal will attack Malacca in the future, and it would be wrong to send guns and cannons in advance? What's more, when Columbus sent guns and cannons, Portugal didn't know the existence of the Kingdom of Malacca.

Therefore, the Portuguese gritted their teeth with hatred for Marin, but there was no way. Marin looked very guilty on the surface, but laughed in her heart - I just like to see you who want to kill me but can't do anything to me...

After saying goodbye to Lisbon, Marin's fleet continued to move south, arrived in Spain's Canary Islands, and replenished supplies in Brush Palmas. In this way, both Spain and Portugal countries were equivalent to witnessing Marin's departure south and going to the East.

But after leaving the Canary Islands, the fleet heading south arrived near the Cape Verde Islands, Marin took out his telescope and observed back and forth, and found that there were no Spanish or Portuguese fleets nearby. So he directed two ships to leave the fleet and headed west along the North Atlantic equatorial current toward Panama. As for the other eight ships, they continued to move south along the African coast and took an eastern route, first reaching the Strait of Malacca, and then to Taiwan...

Moreover, when Marin passed by Lisbon, he explained to Portugal the purpose of the trip - Dongfan Island. Moreover, Marin also specifically stated that he would visit and travel to the Ming Empire. This was a way to block the Portuguese's mouth in advance.

According to the agreement signed in Rome, Marin's colonization scope was Japan, Ryukyu Kingdom and Dongfan Island east of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was the colonization and trade scope of Portugal. However, the agreement did not say that Marin could not buy goods bought from the Ming Dynasty from the third country. This was the biggest loophole in this agreement. Therefore, Marin first occupied Dongfan Island, then defected to the Ming Dynasty, and used the name of Dongfan Island to buy Ming Dynasty goods. The Portuguese could not tell the truth. However, he was so angry that he vomited blood and even wanted to do something, that was certain.

Therefore, Marin still needs to be prepared for a naval battle. However, because Marin did not violate the treaty, Portugal could not go to war with Marin directly and completely. Therefore, the two sides estimated that they would fight a small-scale maritime encounter to put pressure on Marin and even force Marin to stop taking advantage of the treaty loopholes and abandon the Ming Dynasty's trade interests.

But because there is no reason to stand firm, the scale of this conflict is destined to be small. Portugal cannot fight Marin with the whole country, and at most send a fleet to teach a lesson. As long as the fleet is defeated, the Portuguese will have nothing to do.

Even if the Portuguese decided to fight to the death, Marin had a way. That is, to join forces with the Spaniards to attack the Portuguese capital from land. At most, the two sides agreed to destroy Portugal and give all Portugal's overseas interests to Spain. For example, India's spice trade interests and African colonial rights. In this way, the Spaniards would be willing to cooperate.

But unless it is absolutely necessary, Marin would never do this. Because, doing so would only make the Spanish dominant, and eventually threaten Marin's interests. It is actually a good thing to have Portugal restraining Spain. The premise is that the Portuguese themselves do not commit suicide and try to destroy themselves.

Portugal is a country with extremely uneven strength, with a strong navy, but a slap in the army. Marin was confident that only two legions could destroy Portugal. But the premise was that there must be an excuse to send troops.

If Portugal attacks itself first because of anger, it will have a legitimate excuse to attack Portugal. After all, it has not violated the treaty, it is just taking advantage of the loopholes in the treaty. At that time, as long as it sends its army to borrow Spain, it can destroy Portugal and take advantage of the rationality.

Of course, this is just the worst plan, which is equivalent to a death-ending battle. Before the situation develops to that point, Marin will use this to threaten Portugal and let it stop. Otherwise, if Portugal really destroys, Spain will really benefit. This is a typical "fisherman who fights against the snipe and the clam" and Marin is not that stupid.

...

Before separating from the main fleet, Marin repeatedly reminded Columbus, the leader of the main fleet, to tell him not to stay in Calicat and Malacca, so as not to be seen as the secret of his absence on the ship.

But at the same time, the fleet would actually stay in a certain port in India in order to quietly put down a group of spies. The task of these spies was to persuade the newly defeated Indian princes to send people to the Kingdom of Malacca to warn and notify the Kingdom of Malacca to transfer property in advance.

As for the fleet led by Columbus, it will pass through the Strait of Malacca with great fanfare, but will not dock in Malacca. In this way, the suspicion of reporting to the people of Malacca can be avoided.

Little Columbus is Columbus' eldest son Diego Columbus. He was born in 1479 and is now 30 years old. Columbus arranged for him to lead the team this time, but in fact he was accumulating qualifications and contributions for his son. Marin also agreed to let Little Columbus lead the team in terms of Columbus' achievements. In order to protect his son, Columbus sent all his confidants to his son to facilitate his smooth completion of the task.
Chapter completed!