Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 379 The Dutchman in the Wild (Part 3)

On August 5, 1638, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Black Shark Island (now Guadalupe Island).

The morning sun shines on the harbor on the east side of the island, and the sea ripples with golden waves. A Spanish merchant ship is quietly moored on the dock, and the sailors on the deck are lazily sorting out the cargo loaded yesterday—bundles of woolen fabrics, brand-new hardware and tools, barrels of salted salmon, and many other precious oriental goods.

There were also several heavy chests of gold, the hard currency most beloved by Spanish merchants.

This once deserted island has, after more than seven years of management by the new Chinese community, become the largest smuggling trading hub in the entire Mexican region.

Houses, warehouses, taverns, inns, and even a small dock were built on the island for passing ships to dock.

Three years ago, Xinhua built a gun emplacement on a high slope behind the dock, where more than ten cannons were placed, their dark muzzles overlooking the entire harbor.

"Old Chen, has this batch of goods been counted?" A Spanish businessman with a full beard leaned against the tavern door and called out to the Chinese manager who was keeping accounts.

“We’re just a few bundles of silk short, Mr. Juan.” Old Chen didn’t even look up, his charcoal pencil flying across the ledger. “If you’re in a hurry, you can have the sailors load the ship first, and I’ll have someone bring the rest next time.”

Juan grinned, revealing a few gold teeth: "No rush, no rush. I think another batch of goods should arrive in the next day or two, and I don't want to miss out on good stuff."

The island's inhabitants were long accustomed to this way of life—loading and unloading cargo in the early morning, trading in the afternoon, and drinking heavily in taverns at night while listening to sailors boast about their adventures at sea.

The armed guards on the island are basically rotating Xinhua immigrants. After undergoing military training, they are sent to the island to serve for three years before returning to their homeland to enjoy a better life.

They patrol in shifts every day and occasionally participate in the island's smuggling operations, helping out in small ways to earn some extra money.

In fact, the Mexican colonial authorities should have been aware of the existence of Black Shark Island and knew its location.

Strangely, from the Governor's Office down to the Customs Inspectors, everyone pretended to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear, tacitly acquiescing to the fact that the influence of the new Chinese had extended right under their noses.

Besides the numerous economic interests at stake, the Spanish simply did not believe that the new Chinese could threaten the security of the Mexican region with just a deserted island.

Of course, the Spaniards had a lot of problems to deal with and no interest in managing the affairs of this remote island.

Two years ago, the Dutch West India Company seized the islands of Curaçao and Bonaire near Venezuela in an attempt to acquire their salt mines.

Anyone with a modicum of common sense, who opens a map and takes a closer look at the location of these two islands, would be able to give the Spanish a real scare.

These two small islands are right next to the mainland, and the Dutch could easily set foot on Venezuelan soil if they wanted to.

The governor of Venezuela once conscripted soldiers and organized a counterattack, but unfortunately, they were routed by armed merchant ships belonging to the Dutch West India Company. The few ships they had were also destroyed, and they could only strengthen their coastal defenses and retreat into a defensive posture.

Not to mention, the Dutch also occupied northeastern Brazil and repeatedly defeated Portuguese military offensives, their expansion becoming increasingly unstoppable.

Therefore, compared to the many major troubles faced by the Spanish, the fact that the new Chinese had "occupied" a not-so-important deserted island was not a big deal at all.

Moreover, according to many smugglers, the island has a harsh environment and barren land, and apart from sea lions and seals sunbathing on the beach, there is nothing of value.

In 1602, a Spanish expedition led by Sebastián Biscano unexpectedly discovered Guadalupe during their voyage, but at that time they only caught a brief glimpse of the island from the sea and landed on it.

At the time, the Spanish considered this deserted island to be utterly worthless. It wasn't until a few years ago, when the new Chinese immigrants brazenly occupied the island and used it as a base to launch a large-scale smuggling trade, drawing countless Spanish merchants into this feast of wealth, that it gradually began to reveal some value.

The ever-expanding smuggling trade not only enriched many officials and merchants of the colonial authorities, but also greatly benefited millions of residents within the country.

Of course, some factory owners and artisans may complain about this, believing that the new Chinese are seriously damaging their vital interests.

But who cares about them?

"Old Chen, has your Lord Lin not returned from Acapulco Port yet?" Juan asked in broken Chinese.

"Not yet." Old Chen paused, his charcoal pencil stopping, a hint of concern on his face. "Hey, Juan, do you think your Spanish colonial authorities will return that detained merchant ship to us?"

“Oh, that’s hard to say.” Juan shrugged. “You know, according to the peace agreement we signed with your Xinhua a few years ago, there is a clear provision that prohibits your Xinhua ships from entering any port. Otherwise, they will be forcibly confiscated under the pretext of illegal intrusion.”

“But that merchant ship was on an emergency evasive mission, and also to send a message to you Spaniards,” Old Chen said. “Because two pirate ships have invaded the Pacific Ocean. They not only attacked your Spanish coastal ports, but also planned to hijack our Xinhua merchant ships.”

"Hiss, we haven't heard anything from our 'Huayuan-5' ship yet. It might have already fallen victim to those two pirate ships. Juan, I think we should unite to deal with any foreign forces that threaten or attack us."

"Therefore, your Spanish colonial authorities must immediately release our detained merchant ship, and then we can all form a joint fleet to hunt down those two intruding pirate ships!"

"Hehe..." Juan shrugged and said with a smile, "Oh, Old Chen, you should go directly to Mexico City and tell our governor these things in person. I believe he will be moved by your sincerity..."

"Dudu..."

Before he could finish speaking, a warning horn suddenly sounded from the direction of the port.

"Enemy attack!"

"Two large armed ships with unknown intentions are approaching from the southeast!"

The noise in the warehouse came to an abrupt halt, and merchants, shop assistants, and guards rushed out of the building, went to higher ground, and looked out at the sea.

On the distant horizon, two three-masted sailing ships are cutting through the waves, with an orange, white and blue flag flying high on their masts, and the three letters "GWC" (meaning Chartered West India Company) prominently displayed in the center of the flag.

"Oh, damn it! They're Dutch!" Juan recognized the ship immediately. "How did they find this place?"

The alarm bells on the island rang urgently, and the smugglers frantically directed their sailors to move goods, trying to bring the most valuable silver coins and silk back to shore.

Meanwhile, the armed guards on the island quickly assembled and rushed to their respective combat posts.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!..."

The coastal defense batteries roared deafeningly, firing a salvo that sent shells whistling toward the enemy ships.

The roar of cannons tore through the morning mist over the sea.

The mornings on Black Shark Island are thus steeped in the smells of sulfur and blood.
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(End of this chapter)