Chapter 3138
The area drawn by Su Keyi on the map is actually no longer within the scope of the South China Sea in the traditional sense, but is located in the triangle between the South China Sea, the Pacific Ocean and Australia.
At present, most of Sulawesi Island, Maluku Islands, New Guinea and other places around the Banda Sea belong to the Spanish sphere of influence. The Netherlands only has a few small colonial ports there, and there is no one like Badawi. A big city like Asia.
The Dutch have also tried to control this area, but the Banda Sea is already three to four thousand miles away from Batavia, and there is also a sea area controlled by an old enemy, the Matalan Kingdom, in between. They have to follow up on the local side. Spain is fighting for its wits while running its colonies remotely. It is quite difficult to operate and the results are not very satisfactory.
However, this area is rich in spices such as cloves, cardamom, and pepper, and was called the Spice Islands by Western colonists. The East India Company has made considerable profits from operating plantations locally. Although the risks are higher, many Dutch have taken the risk to engage in trading activities there over the years.
In the past, the Spanish focused their main attention on the Luzon Islands north of Sulawesi, so they could barely coexist with the Dutch here. Although the two sides occasionally fought, they were not large and not too fierce.
But last year, Haihan sent troops and uprooted the Spanish colonies in the central Luzon Islands in one fell swoop. A large number of Spaniards had to flee south to Sulawesi and other places. The colonies run by the Dutch there naturally became the target of the Spaniards' return.
It is said that a fire at the city gate affects the fish in the pond, and the local Dutch suffered such a sudden disaster. The defeated Spanish army that retreated to the south looted many Dutch ports and villages and towns. Although the local Dutch tried to resist, the sporadic weapons in their hands were basically useless when faced with the hordes of Spanish armed personnel. Difficult to play a role.
It took the Dutch East India Company decades or hundreds of years to finally achieve the results of its local operations, but they were destroyed by the Spanish in a very short period of time.
By the time the city of Batavia, thousands of miles away, received the news, it was already too late to send a fleet to rescue. But if they really wanted to have a big fight with the Spaniards in the Banda Sea, the East India Company was not completely sure.
Even though they knew that Spain had just retreated there and had not had time to recover from their severe injuries, the East India Company's board of directors was not willing to take the risk of defeat.
Su Keyi could actually understand the board of directors' thinking. Launching a cross-sea expedition would cost a lot of money. If Spain, the lost dog, failed to fight and was bitten by the other party, it would be more than worth the loss.
What's more, there are eager competitors such as Haihan, Portugal, and Malan in the vicinity of Batavia. If they feel that there is an opportunity to take advantage of it, these old rivals will not show mercy to Batavia. When the time comes, instead of getting revenge, someone will steal your home.
Of course, although they have suffered this embarrassing loss, they will never swallow it quietly. Once they get the opportunity, the Netherlands will definitely retaliate against Spain.
Su Keyi believes that under the current situation, if Haihan's attention can be directed to this region, it will not only prevent Haihan from targeting the West for external expansion, but also allow Spain to continue to be bled by Haihan.
After Haihan drove Spain out of this area, the Netherlands could make a comeback there. Not to mention completely returning to the previous level, following Haihan can at least have some soup and restart the profitable spice trade.
Su Yongshan said: "Father's plan is very good, but Haihan's military operation last year has taken the initiative to stop at Mindanao Island in the north of the Banda Sea. It seems that we don't want to fight anymore in the short term. What kind of conditions do we have to come up with?" Will it attract them to continue to send troops to attack the Banda Sea in the south? ”
Su Keyi stroked his beard and muttered: "I think joining forces to deal with the Spaniards should be quite attractive to them." That night, Su Keyi took the initiative to visit Ning Qi and asked him to invite Yuan Qiuye and Schneider who were on the same ship, and then Inform the three of you of your plan.
To be honest, this is not a very good time, because Yan Chujie, who is in charge of military affairs in the executive committee, is in another boat. Moreover, Ning Qi has expressed his position in public more than once, believing that Haihan's primary goal should be to replace the Ming Dynasty and inherit the traditional territory of the Han people.
However, as the fleet was traveling day and night, Su Keyi could not go to another ship to visit Yan Chujie and others. After arriving in Hong Kong, he might not have the chance to meet these senior executive committee officials alone. He could only seize the opportunity in front of him and try his best. Give it a try.
Sure enough, Ning Qi's brows were already furrowed before he heard his plan. However, out of courtesy, Ning Qi waited patiently for him to finish explaining before expressing his opinion.
"Mr. Su, I believe you also know that our country just ended its crusade against the Spanish last year and is still in a period of recuperation. Moreover, the area you mentioned is far away from our control area. I don't think there are any other areas in Luzon. Use your remaining energy to launch an attack there.”
"And there are no special products there, and it is not on the trade route. If attacking this area is just to deal with the Spanish, I think this move is of little significance."
Su Keyi quickly explained, saying that the local area is rich in various spices. If we sit back and watch the Spanish develop in the area, the Spanish will make a comeback in a few years. Haihan will still have to send troops by then, and the enemies he will face will be more powerful than today.
Schneider smiled and said: "Mr. Su, we have been dealing with each other for so many years. In fact, there is no need to talk about these twists and turns. I understand what you want to do, but it has no practical benefit to our country."
"In fact, it may take several years to make back the consumption of the war with the Spanish last year from the regained territory. I think the places you mentioned, even if they can be successfully won, will not be a good thing for our country. A good deal.”
Su Keyi found that his previous judgment was somewhat wrong, and Haihan's dislike of Spain seemed not as strong as expected.
But of course he would not give up, and immediately offered new conditions: "If your country is willing to send troops, the East India Company will also consider sending troops to assist in the war. In this way, the pressure between the two of us should be much less when we share military expenditures."< br>
"Jointly send troops?"
Schneider's expression became quite complicated: "Mr. Su, you may have forgotten that we have not signed any military cooperation agreement, let alone a military alliance, and it is unlikely that we will implement the plan you mentioned."
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Su Keyi quickly responded: "The fact that we did not sign in the past does not mean that we will not sign in the future. Based on the friendly relations that we have maintained for many years, I think any form of cooperation can be discussed."
(End of chapter)