The Rise of the European Emperor

Marin never dared to underestimate the great sailing potential of the Dutch, and the original history also proved the terrible history of the Dutch in terms of sailing. According to historical records, during the heyday of the Dutch, there were 15,000 merchant ships sailing around the world. In the now prosperous Venice, there are only more than 3,000 merchant ships.

Moreover, the merchant ships of the two countries are also very different. Venetian merchant ships only need to sail on the Mediterranean Sea with little wind and waves, they don't need to be built much, and they are galleys. The Dutch merchant ships are mostly large merchant ships that can sail on the Atlantic Ocean.

It is said that in the 17th century, there were hundreds of shipyards in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, and hundreds of ships could be built at the same time in the whole country. According to the calculation that a shipyard can only start one or two large ships at the same time, it was estimated that there were one or two hundred shipyards in the Netherlands at that time.

Of course, that was the heyday of 17th century Holland. For now, certainly not so much. After all, the North Sea market and the Baltic Sea market are still in the hands of the Hanseatic League. Without that much demand, there wouldn't be as many shipyards in the Netherlands. What's more, there is not enough wood for shipbuilding in the Netherlands. In its heyday, much of the wood for Dutch shipbuilding came from forests in Norway and Sweden. But now, the forest resources in Norway, Marin is using, nothing happened to the Dutch. Therefore, Marin is very eager to ask. For what reason, the Dutch suddenly started a big voyage.

Immediately, Kleiman gave the answer:

"It's the French!"

"What?" Marin almost thought he had heard it wrong. He asked in surprise:

"The Habsburg family and France are deadly enemies. How can France support the Netherlands in its great voyage?"

Kleiman nodded and said:

"That's right, but Your Highness has overlooked one thing..."

"What's the matter?" Marin asked curiously.

"The French navy has been crippled by England, and even merchant ships off the coast of France, as long as they fly the French flag, will be attacked by English 'pirates'..." In fact, the so-called "English pirates" are the merchant ships ordered by the English government. fake. Its purpose is to fully suppress the French maritime industry and prevent them from threatening the English mainland.

Marin suddenly understood:

"You mean that it is not convenient for France to develop its own shipping industry now, so it borrows the hands of the Dutch to engage in shipping?"

Kleiman nodded:

"Yes, France has a lot of goods that need to be exported, such as wine, and other agricultural products. But now the French have no ships themselves, and the French are reluctant to hire British ships and our North Sea ships. So, the Dutch ships , it became their best choice.”

"It is precisely because of the huge demand for maritime cargo transportation in a big country like France that the shipping industry in Amsterdam, the Netherlands suddenly develops. According to the information from my brother Kohler, there are now 30 shipyards in Amsterdam. , can build more than 50 large merchant ships a year. And these merchant ships are used by several Dutch firms to help the French transport goods."

"It turns out that the English eliminated most of the French merchant ships, but I didn't expect to indirectly achieve the Dutch... By the way, does His Royal Highness Philip know about the Dutch merchant ships helping the French to transport goods?"

Kleiman shook his head:

"His Royal Highness Philip didn't know. His Royal Highness was in Ghent, and his main focus was on the woolen industry in Flanders. The matter of helping the French to deliver goods seems to be the work of the wealthy Dutch businessmen in Amsterdam. It is said that Louis Twelve gave the group of businessmen a lot of benefits in private, which stimulated the group of businessmen in Amsterdam to be willing to do things for France. And all this, His Royal Highness Philip seems to be unaware."

Ghent is located in the southern part of the Netherlands, which is later known as Belgium. Amsterdam, on the other hand, is located in the later Netherlands in the north. Philip did not know that the small movements of the merchants in Amsterdam in the north were normal. Unlike Marin, the Beihai Chamber of Commerce has spies in Paris, and only inquired about these inside information.

The French King Louis XII played really beautifully,

Because the Netherlands belongs to the Habsburg family. The Habsburgs, like England, were enemies of France. Speaking of which, England and the Habsburg family should be regarded as allies that belong to the same "anti-French alliance". Therefore, when the Dutch merchant ships flying the Dutch flag pass through the English Channel, the English will not shoot them. Therefore, it is very beautiful that Louis XII privately recruited a group of Amsterdam merchants to help France deliver goods. Moreover, Louis XII is said to have sent many sailors to those Dutch merchant ships. Obviously, he intends to use the Dutch merchant ships to help him train sailors. What about training sailors? Needless to say? Definitely aimed at England. After all, France's coveted England has never let go...

Not only that, these Dutch merchant ships actually competed for business with the North Sea Shipping Company and actually began to carry goods from West Friesland. You must know that West Frisian is a transit country of the North Sea of ​​Marin, and belongs to the sphere of influence of the North Sea Shipping Company. These inflated Dutch merchant shipowners have clearly crossed the line. But it was because of this that Kleiman was alarmed. Then I asked the North Sea Chamber of Commerce spy to help me to check, and so many problems were found.

...

"If that's the case, let's make a move! We must suppress this group of Amsterdam fighters!" Marin said seriously.

Neither from the point of view of combating French foreign trade nor preventing future "coachmen", Marin could not allow the rise of the group of shipowners in Amsterdam. Therefore, it is a good time to suppress them while they are just rising and fledgling.

"Your Highness, please order!" Kleiman said sternly. After several years of experience, the little skin monkey, who was once indifferent, seems to have made great progress. It is said that this kid is no longer bragging. That said, the mouth isn't as tight as it was a few years ago. After all, people always grow up. Maybe, I can put a load on him...

Marin thought for a while and ordered:

"First, send someone to inform His Highness Philip, saying that the group of businessmen in Amsterdam are eating inside and out to help the French make money! As long as the news is sent, His Highness Philip will also help us punish those group of businessmen!"

Because most of the territory of the Principality of Burgundy (the Burgundy region of later France) was taken away by the French, the Habsburg family and France had a deep hatred. Not to mention, the resistance army in western Switzerland is now completely supported by the French.

Therefore, if the handsome king Philip knew that the Amsterdam boat owners were helping the French, he would definitely not let them go. After all, capitalizing on an enemy is a big sin. If a group of big nobles did this, Philip might take it into consideration. But it's just a group of wealthy businessmen in Amsterdam... Marin thinks that Philip might take the opportunity to make a fortune... For example, home raiding or something...

However, Marin also intends to take a piece of the pie. Of course, not participating in the home raid, but coveting the 30 shipyards in Amsterdam. Philip copied the homes of those merchants, so the shipyards and even the merchant ships under the names of those merchants may be put up for auction. Marin, on the other hand, intends to take the opportunity to eat those shipyards and merchant ships at a low price. Because, if he doesn't eat these shipyards, he may be cheaper than others and add a competitor for nothing. So, it's best to eat these benefits yourself.

Then, Marin gave a second order:

"Second, send someone to inform England. Let them stop and inspect the Dutch merchant ships when they see them. If they find French sailors on board, they will all be executed or captured as slaves. If they are found to be French goods, they will all be confiscated!"

This move can be regarded as strangling the lifeblood of the French. Of course, it was only a heavy blow to the French's intention to train sailors and transport goods with the help of Dutch ships. After all, sea transportation is not enough, the French can still choose land transportation. Of course, land transportation is terribly expensive and the profits are low...

In addition to these two moves, Marin also brought in Kohler and asked him to send spies to Amsterdam to gather intelligence. Avoid slipping through the net under the attack of the Habsburgs. This time, Marin intends to take this opportunity to deal a heavy blow to the Dutch shipping industry and avoid the rise and development of the Dutch maritime industry...

And, because Marin stabbed behind the scenes this time. Neither the Dutch shipowners nor the French knew it was Marin who made the mistake. Because, on the surface, it was the hand of the handsome king Philip...

However, Marin is also considering a question - the Dutch owner has fallen, who will the French cooperate with next? After all, the French definitely have shipping needs...

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