Jia Ming returned to Ceuta and immediately went to pay homage to King Rong Li Su to report on what happened in Gibraltar.

However, in the General Office, he heard the constant laughter coming from the building, which was a kind of refreshing and uncontrollable laughter.

"Continue to report, you don't have to worry about it." Li Su reminded Jia Ming.

This person who laughed endlessly in the building was Li Junwei. The reason why he laughed like this was because there was really something that was particularly funny.

In the last few months of the empire's thirty-sixth year, Europe was once again in a pessimistic mood, as the final negotiations between countries over the inheritance of the Spanish throne failed.

Last year, Li Junwei proposed that Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria inherit the throne, but was rejected by Spain and Austria. At that time, France also obstructed it. All countries shouted war slogans, and Louis XIV even clamored for war more than once, and the situation in Europe became tense.

When the situation is tense, countries will have to count the resources at hand to prepare for the war, but this count has made most countries retreat.

From a fiscal perspective, only the Netherlands' finances are healthy. After the war of the Grand Alliance, France fell into a civil war in Britain, and Austria and the Ottomans continued to confront each other, resulting in extremely deteriorating the financial situation of the two major land powers.

Therefore, in the 36th year of the empire, that is, in 1699 AD, representatives of various countries discussed how to peacefully resolve the issue of succession to the Spanish throne. Although the Netherlands was not afraid of war financially, its strategic situation was extremely unfavorable, so it was the most active, and France and Austria echoed one after another. Even the tough-minded Austrian emperor Leobed no longer insisted on letting his son be the king, saying that he could support his grandson, Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria.

In October, representatives of various countries gathered together and almost reached an agreement on this issue. Only the Spanish representatives had objections, because in the terms, Spanish territory was to be ceded to the other two heirs.

Finally, Louis XIV personally came forward to persuade the Spanish representative.

However, the talks did not usher in peace. All parties signed a treaty and celebrated it in Versailles. Delegates from all countries shouted that this was a victory for Europe, a conspiracy to provoke European wars by the Eastern countries. It is best proof that Europe can peacefully resolve political issues without China's participation.

The celebration lasted for more than ten days, and soon Versailles was silent, because news from Bavaria came that Prince Ferdinand, who was in Europe, died shortly after learning that he became the heir to the Spanish throne, might not have died happily, because he had many diseases himself.

The last negotiation on the issue of the succession of the Spanish throne was announced to have failed in Europe, and there was no second neutral option besides Prince Ferdinand. Spain either belongs to France or Austria. The entire Europe or the world does not want to see the birth of such a powerful power.

The clouds of war once again enveloped the sky above Europe, like the iron curtain about to fall.

It is said that the representatives of countries who received news at the Palace of Versailles almost fought because they quickly made a clear choice between France and Austria. No matter how hard the Europeans tried, a war across Europe was inevitable.

"Uncle Wang, it's not good for your health if you laugh like this."

When Li Su walked into the office, she found that Li Junwei couldn't control himself and smiled, but she stopped laughing because he was really smiling because his stomach hurt.

Li Junwei waved his hand and asked, "Has the matter in Gibraltar been resolved?"

"Yes, the secret agents laid out by the military intelligence agency played a role, and Spain did not have any suspicion."

Li Junwei nodded: "That's good. At this moment, you must not have any conflicts with European countries, otherwise it will be easy to be excused. By the way, the negotiations with the Genoese have also stopped."

"I have stopped. It's not that I'm taking my own initiative, but that the Genoese dare not talk anymore." Li Su said.

After the empire obtained Ceuta and Malta, it triggered a big rebound in Europe. Among them, Louis XIV had the most clear attitude, believing that this was a threat to the entire Christian world. At one time, all countries were to be organized to unite and force the empire to spit out the island of Malta and Ceuta.

Li Su handled this issue very well. He first visited countries threatened by France such as the Netherlands and Genoa, and obtained the support of Portugal, a traditional ally, and divided the so-called Christian alliance. Then he discussed with the Republic of Genoa to buy Corsica, which aroused France's dissatisfaction.

If it were just through political alliance and diplomatic protests, the other European countries were willing to agree with France, but after the Corsica issue came out, France directly threatened to engage in a war. Many countries have backed down. They have just ended the Great Alliance War and do not want to fall into another war, and it is a war with China.

More countries were eager to fight with the Empire with the mentality of watching the excitement. As a result, the diplomatic storm fell into a unilateral verbal battle between the Empire and France. However, with the death of Prince Ferdinand, France had to really prepare for war. Genoa dared not take risks and took the initiative to stop negotiations.

Li Su sat on the chair and made tea for Li Junwei, while asking questions seriously: "Uncle Wang, do we have to get the place in Gibraltar?"

Although the Empire and Genoa were talking about buying Corsica, the Empire never thought of really getting that island. Li Su was sure of this, but he was a little confused about Gibraltar.

"What do you think?" Li Junwei asked.

"I don't think it's necessary. We already have Ceuta. We shared the Strait of Gibraltar with Spain. Even if we occupy Gibraltar again, it seems that the situation is still sharing the Strait with Spain." Li Su expressed his opinion.

Although the Strait of Gibraltar is named after Gibraltar, in fact, Gibraltar is not the narrowest place in the Strait.

Gibraltar and Ceuta are located at the eastern entrance of the Strait, with a distance of more than 23 kilometers, while the narrowest place is between Cape Marocie and Cape Sires, with a distance of only fourteen thousand meters.

If we take the fortress artillery from the Navy's latest naval guns, even if only Ceuta is the only one, the Strait of Gibraltar can be blocked after the artillery is in place. Even if Gibraltar is captured, the Spaniards can set up a fort on Cape Marocic to block the Strait, which will not change the current situation.

For example, from the perspective of input and output, it is quite unpaid to attack Gibraltar. It is not a colony like Ceuta, but a native of Spain. There seems to be no better way except war.

Li Junwei said: "You are right, but we must consider the participation of third parties. Gibraltar is a very special place."

The empire had a period of time to survey and reconnaissance of Gibraltar, and Li Su was also familiar with this. This small peninsula was surrounded by the sea on three sides, only connected to the Spanish land in the north, and the narrowest place was less than four kilometers. Moreover, the Gibraltar giant rock was directly south of this narrow area, with a height of more than four hundred meters, and the side facing the Spanish land was nearly ninety degrees perpendicular.

From a military perspective, artillery built on large rocks can resist attacks from the north with a small number of troops. Similarly, large rocks are the main part of the Gibraltar Peninsula. There are almost no flat ground on this peninsula. The cannons set on large rocks can perfectly block all coasts.

Just a small army is required to cooperate with pre-established fortifications and stored materials to hold on to the enemy's attack dozens of times, and if a modern fortress is built on a large rock, the strait can be blocked.

It is precisely because of this special geographical environment that once a country, such as France, acquires Gibraltar and builds fortifications, can block the straits almost without paying a price. The consequences of this are extremely terrifying. Once the strait is blocked, it is necessary to circumvent the entire African continent before it can intervene in the situation in Western Europe. It can be said to be a huge deal.

Unlike Gibraltar, if France occupied Cape Marocie and blocked the Strait, the Empire could initiate landings and retake the Strait through its military advantage. The same trick was used in Gibraltar, then the empire's naval advantage would be lost.

The thirty-seventh year of the empire, Havana, Cuba, Customs Building.

Little Carlo organized a stack of documents, signed his name, and walked towards the office of the Chief of Customs. The Chief of Customs was a nobleman from the court, but he never did serious business. All matters were handed over to Little Carlo, and then he was responsible for signing or stamping. As long as the customs brought him a gray income of 6,000 pesos every month, the nobleman would not have any problems.

When I arrived at the door, I found that the office door was closed. An officer stood in front of the door. Seeing Little Carlo, I shrugged helplessly and said, "Sir Carlo, we are resting."

The woman's screams came from the office, and Little Carlo naturally understood what his boss was busy with. He smiled at the officer, then turned around and wanted to go back to his office, but saw the assistant officer coming up hurriedly and said a few words to Little Carlo. Little Carlo turned around and returned to the office door.

He took out a small purse from his arms, and the sound of silver coins colliding came from inside. He handed it to the officer guarding the gate. The officer took it directly without hesitation.

"There are fourteen seals on it that require a total length."

"I understand that the documents will be sent to your office in the afternoon." The officer said.

The two have always had a good cooperative relationship. If the chief executive is no longer there and the documents must be sealed, Carlo will look for the officer, and this guy from Spain has a drawer key.

"There are some matters in the port, and I won't be here in the afternoon, just see these documents tomorrow morning," said Carlo Jr.

The officer nodded slightly and put away the folder.

Little Carlo hurried downstairs and arrived at the port. In the harbor, the steam-powered tugboat sprayed black smoke and dragged a three-masted clipper to the dock. Soon, the pedal fell down and rows of black slaves walked down. The one who left Little Carlo was the slave transport ship called Pegasus. Little Carlo ordered seventy-five black slaves on this ship.

After riding to the dock, the black slaves in shackles had already got off the boat, all of whom were lying on the ground, breathing the air greedily. A mixed-race child carried a bucket of water and poured scoops of water on their faces. Each black slave was tilting his neck to swallow as much water as possible.

"Hey, Lord Carlo, pay tribute to you." The owner of the slave ship saw Little Carlo from a distance and took off his hat.

"It seems that the number of black slaves is a little smaller. Is my goods inside?" asked Little Carlo. Generally speaking, this Dutch merchant would send 300 to 400 black slaves every time, but now there are less than 200 in front of him.

"I encountered a storm on the road, and for four or five days, many black slaves died." The Dutch businessman said helplessly.

On the slave trade ship, the space for black slaves is very small. In order to ensure that black slaves do not escape, in addition to wearing shackles, the entrance and exit management is also strict. In normal weather, slave traders will open the open air deck for ventilation, but in the event of storms, the open air deck will be closed to avoid rain. At that time, the air circulation on the ship will be poor, and the bacteria breeding from humid and hot weather will take away the lives of many black slaves.

Of course, this is just an occasional event, disease, murder and resistance, and it is also the reason why the Pegasus transported fewer black slaves this time.

"I don't care what's going on, I just want to know if my goods can be in place on time," said Karlo.

The Dutch businessman asked: "Now the tobacco harvest period has passed, why should you be so anxious?"

Although Pegasus has arrived, the agreed date between the two sides is March 17, and there are still forty days, and the Dutch merchants obviously have more nervous orders.

"I bought a new plantation, which is three times the size of the original tobacco plantation, and most of it has not yet been cultivated. I need manpower to cultivate it."

“It seems you have found new business opportunities.”

"Yes, do you remember the Chinese businessman who had dinner with us last time?"

"The one selling dried cod?" asked the Dutch businessman.

"Yes, it's him. He not only brought me a low-cost food supply to my plantation, but also brought me a business, a 400 barrels of brown sugar business a year. I bought someone else's last year, and this year, I'll do it myself." said Little Carlo.

The Dutch merchant looked surprised because it meant that little Carlo would order more goods. He thought for a while and said, "Sir Carlo, to be honest, I will sell these slaves to others because there are fifteen days left to reach the delivery date.
Chapter completed!