Chapter 3209
The first military equipment exhibition held in Hangzhou not only attracted a large number of local people, but also many visitors from other countries.
In order to avoid long queues, Simang and Thomas even arrived earlier than most people, and were probably among the first 100 people in the queue waiting to enter. The exotic appearance of the two of them is also particularly conspicuous among the locals.
"Look around, we have all become onlookers... Maybe we should wait until Haihan arranges for the diplomatic envoys to visit, so we don't have to be crowded with so many people!"
Thomas' muttering complaints made Simang a little dissatisfied.
He shook his head and retorted: "Mr. Thomas, let's not talk about whether Haihan will specially arrange visits for foreign envoys. Even if he does arrange it, we may not be included in it!"
Thomas said: "Our country and Haihan have always maintained close cooperation in the military field, so they should not exclude us!"
"Cooperation?" Simang sneered: "Our cooperation with Haihan is limited to dealing with the Spanish. Look at what they have done in the Strait of Malacca recently. Is that the behavior that partners should do?"
"Also, I heard that after yesterday's military parade, the Haihan people met with envoys from some countries to sell weapons to them. Why didn't they inform us about this? Is it because we can't afford the price? Or do they not regard us as such at all? Treated as an ally?”
"Is this happening?" Thomas only knew that Haihan was making trouble in the Straits of Malacca, but he didn't know that he also secretly conducted a wave of arms sales activities yesterday.
Simon said: "So don't expect Haihan to be honest with us. I have a bad feeling. Haihan today...is different from before!"
The basis for the alliance between Portugal and Haihan was that the two countries had irresolvable conflicts of interest with Spain. As for the common goal of opening up maritime trade between the East and the West, the two sides are also working in the same direction.
Therefore, the relationship between the two countries was once so good that Portugal took over the trade activities between Haihan and the Western world, and even sold the arms produced by Haihan to the European battlefield.
In the battles between Haihan and Spain over the years, Portugal was almost never absent, and every time it would send a large armed fleet to participate in the battle.
Simang has also participated in the Haihan Army's combat operations in various parts of East Asia as a military observer on many occasions. In terms of his understanding of Haihan's military strength, he should be regarded as the leading expert among the Portuguese.
But in recent years, as Haihan's territory has expanded, the relationship between the two parties has gradually begun to undergo some subtle changes.
Under Haihan's constant pressure, the Spaniards gradually declined in Asia, which made Portugal's military assistance gradually become dispensable. Haihan was already fully capable of launching a large-scale war against Spain's colonies in Southeast Asia on his own without the involvement of the Portuguese at all.
In terms of trade, with the westward expansion of Haihan's power, the entry of maritime merchants from the Middle East into East Asia, and the competition from European counterparts, the good days of Portugal monopolizing the trade between Haihan and the West are gone forever.
It now seems that Haihan's westward expansion is unstoppable. Passing through Malacca and entering the Indian Ocean is only the first step in this huge plan. Sooner or later, Haihan's tentacles will extend to the Middle East, East Africa, and even the Mediterranean region. By then, in addition to cooperation, Haihan and Portugal may gradually transform into competitors. It is no exaggeration to say that the current overt and covert struggle over the control of the Malacca Strait has begun to show such signs.
While traveling north with the Executive Committee this time, Simang felt more and more that the relationship between the two parties was becoming distant.
On the way to Hong Kong, the Executive Committee actually arranged for the Dutch envoy to be on the same ship with them, but Simang and Thomas did not enjoy the same treatment. During the visit to the naval base in Zhoushan, the Portuguese were also subject to certain restrictions. They could no longer visit any ship as an ally as before.
After arriving in Hangzhou, Ximang felt that the treatment was not as good as before. Countries such as North Korea and Annan were now on an equal footing with him.
The inside information received last night made Xi Mang almost break through. Haihan held an arms sales event without notifying Portugal. This is a treatment that has not been suffered in the past many years.
Although Haihan later sent someone to inform him that the arms sales would be carried out in batches, and the Portuguese envoy would be arranged to attend later, Simang had realized that Haihan intended to separate Portugal from his vassal states. Boundaries, differentiated treatment.
As for the purpose of doing this, it is obvious that Haihan does not want these countries to get too close to Portugal. Realizing this, Simang no longer expected Haihan to provide special arrangements for Portugal in the following events, so at today's arms exhibition, Simang dragged Thomas out early in the morning to queue up to visit.
Ximang also wanted to take this opportunity to test Haihan's attitude again. If Haihan still refuses to visit, then the relationship between the two countries must be re-examined.
"Listen, Yan Chujie is recruiting troops again... I don't understand. Haihan is so eager to recruit troops. Are they really preparing to go to war with Ming Dynasty again?"
Thomas shook his head as he listened, very dissatisfied with Haihan's militaristic performance. Although the target of Haihan's war will definitely not be Portugal, seeing its military strength continue to grow will still make him feel very depressed.
Ximang responded: "Although Haihan's military expansion is not good news, if they really start a full-scale war against the Ming Dynasty, it is not a bad thing. At least within three to five years, their energy will be affected by the battlefield here. The pace of offshore expansion should slow down."
Thomas continued to shake his head and said: "What about three to five years later? If Haihan completes the annexation of Ming Dynasty, there will be no rivals in the entire East. By then, they may put even larger forces on the sea and bring the fleet to the sea again. Expanded dozens of times...I can’t think of anyone who can stop them!”
Simang said helplessly: "But at least it can buy us a few more years of buffering time, right? Maybe Haihan will be stronger in a few years, but maybe they will still be stuck in the quagmire of war in a few years... Don’t forget, when the Bohemian and Palatine coalition attacked Ferdinand II, everyone thought that the war would end soon. No one would have thought that this war would last for thirty years, destroying the entire continent of Europe. Get them all involved!”
Thomas was silent for a while and then said softly: "I understand what you mean, but if we secretly fund Haihan's opponents, this will be very risky. Once discovered, our country's interests in the East may be wiped out by Haihan." And empty!”
(End of chapter)