I Build an Aircraft Carrier in the Ming Dynasty

East China Sea, southeast of Zhoushan Islands.

A Dutch fleet of seven ships is heading for Ningbo.

On the boat, several Dutch people gathered on the deck to chat.

"That black-hearted Wu Changqing was thinking about us continuing to do business with him. Fortunately, we found a new partner."

Hurd said with a smile that he and Wu Changqing had a good time working together at first. However, when he learned that Wu Changqing's profit was several times his own, he was not happy.

A businessman like him has always been jealous of money.

However, in Songjiang, everything was controlled by Wu Changqing, and no businessman dared to trade with him in private. He could only obey the rules set by Wu Changqing and make a little money.

Unwilling, he kept collecting business news, and finally got in touch with Zhu Yihai and negotiated a big deal.

Compared with Wu Changqing, the price given by Zhu Yihai is a great conscience.

"However, there are too few good things in Ningbo. There are only silk, tea and porcelain. We have to go to Songjiang to buy goods, or Wu Changqing will make a fortune."

Another businessman said helplessly.

No way, who made Wu Changqing have a lot of special products.

"Perhaps, we can continue to support Zhu Yihai with a large number of weapons and let him eliminate Wu Changqing. In this way, we can buy the goods we want at the cheapest price, and even buy those steam engines."

To say that the thing they are most envious of, it must be the steam engine.

If they can get that kind of thing, they can open up more routes.

Shipping routes were crucial for Dutch merchants, because unlike Spanish and British merchants, their fleets generally carried few weapons and loaded as much cargo as possible.

The profit of such a voyage is much higher, but the disadvantages are also obvious, and there is not much resistance to pirates. Therefore, Dutch merchants were particularly keen to find new routes to avoid those pirates.

They coveted steam engines very much, but this was Wu Jun's controlled commodity, and foreigners couldn't buy it at all.

Even the folk businessmen in Lili in Wu Changqing's jurisdiction had to go through multiple procedures if they wanted to use the steam engine.

"Zhu Yihai wants to destroy Wu Changqing, this is impossible. You may not have been to Nanjing, you can't imagine the prosperity there, and you don't know Wu Changqing's true strength. It can be said that the king of Zhu Yihai is not the opponent of the general Wu Changqing at all."

Albert, who has been to Nanjing, dismissed it.

Others are keen to do business, but he is keen to understand this eastern country after doing business. Therefore, he can be regarded as a half China expert now, and he has a better understanding of the current situation in China.

He knew that Wu Changqing, who held real power, was at odds with Zhu Yihai, the nominal monarch, and war would inevitably break out in the future. And he is 100% optimistic about Wu Changqing.

"It may not be possible now, but with our support, it won't be possible. In Wu Changqing's army, the most advanced weapon is the flintlock gun. We also have this."

Hurd now only admires Huaxia's culture and economy, but he doesn't think highly of Huaxia's army.

This is mainly because he has not seen Wu Jun's battle, and only conjectures and infers from the weapons.

Everyone was chatting when suddenly a fleet appeared in the distance.

"All attention, a large number of ships are appearing to the northwest."

The person in charge of the observation shouted in panic.

Sailing at sea, the biggest fear is encountering storms and other fleets.

There are two types of pirates in this period. One is the professional pirates who are entrenched in a certain place and on a certain route. Such people are relatively few.

There is also a caravan itself, but part-time pirates. As long as they encounter a fleet weaker than themselves, they will eat it without hesitation.

Therefore, if there are no friends on the sea, they are all enemies.

As soon as you encounter other fleets, you have to prepare to fight or flee.

"Turn right away, and the rest are ready to fight."

Hurd hurriedly ordered that if the encounter was a professional pirate, the steering would not have much effect, because the pirate ship had no cargo and was fast.

However, if it is a merchant ship, there is hope for turning and fleeing.

"How many ships does the other side have and what flags are they flying?"

Hurd asked loudly.

Faced with different enemies, they have different solutions.

"It's the flag of the Daming Navy. It doesn't seem to be pirates or other merchant ships. They are so fast that they are approaching us."

the observer shouted.

Hearing that it was Daming's navy, Hurd was a little relieved.

Although in his opinion, the navy of Daming is not a good thing, but those officers and soldiers will at least follow the military regulations and dare not make things bigger.

Generally speaking, if you bribe a little money, there will be no trouble. Compared to the pirates, this loss is insignificant.

"Steamboats are Nanjing's army."

As the fleet approached, they saw more and more clearly.

With black smoke, there was no doubt that it was a steamship.

The steamboat is unique to Wu Changqing.

As the two sides approached, a few soldiers of the Wu army set up the template and came to the Dutch merchant ship.

From beginning to end, the Dutch fleet did not do anything to resist.

They are not stupid either,

The speed is not as good as the warship, the firepower is not as good as the warship, resistance is courting death, and it is not necessary.

"Is this general a subordinate of Governor Wu? My lord, Hurd, is an old friend of Governor Wu. I don't know what you are doing to stop us?"

Hurd stood up, speaking in broken Chinese. Having planned to run this route for a long time, he usually studies Chinese assiduously.

"It's not a big deal, I just want to remind everyone that there is a naval battle in the waters around Fuzhou and Ningbo. In order to ensure the safety of your life and property, Governor Wu sent us to escort you to Songjiang for a stop."

Said a lieutenant of Wu Jun's naval division.

"The naval battle in Ningbo has nothing to do with us. We are neutral businessmen. We appreciate the kindness of Governor Wu, but we insist on going to Ningbo, and we will bear any dangers ourselves."

Hurd said that he didn't believe the other party's nonsense.

Even if there is a war in Ningbo, it has nothing to do with them.

The most important thing is that only Zhu Yihai will buy this batch of goods at a high price. If they are shipped to Songjiang, they will be 100% undercut by Wu Changqing.

At that time, they have no qualifications to refuse, so they can't send the freight back again, that's a loss of money.

Moreover, if the cargo is unloaded in Songjiang, it is a question whether it can be reloaded.

"Hmph, since you insist on going to Ningbo, don't blame us for our routine. Search for me to see if there are any military supplies that are used by the enemy. If there are any, they will be seized immediately."

Said the navy lieutenant.

"Stop, you are piracy. I want to see Governor Wu and ask him to punish you. Governor Wu promised us freedom of trade."

Hurd said angrily that the main commodity on board was flintlock guns, 100% military supplies. If this is detained, then he must not vomit blood.

"That was in the past. Now our army is fighting against the army of the imperial court. I won't explain too much to you. Either you follow us to Songjiang now, or we will detain you and take you to Songjiang, you can choose."

These words ruined the popularity of Hurd and others. Isn't this a clear snatch.

However, in the face of such a domineering Wu Jun, they were helpless.

Fighting with these soldiers is not a good choice. The only thing they can do is to complain to Wu Changqing.