Quite abruptly, before many people could react, the Li Family Chamber of Commerce brazenly began trading spices with Portugal, which controlled Indochina, while simultaneously declaring undeclared war on Drumm, the ruthless Malay governor who was preparing to invade the Indian Ocean region, and the chamber of commerce under his command.
Rumor had it that the other side had not only declared war, but had also seized ownership of Jiading Port by force, taking control of that bridgehead leading to the Ming sea territories?
Outsiders knew very little about what was actually happening in Jiading.
In any case, following the first mate's suggestion, Little Annie approved the proposal to use the captured merchant ships to establish the Li Family South Seas Fleet, station five hundred marines in Jiading, build gun towers and artillery bastions, and recruit local auxiliary troops to consolidate the Li Family's "rule" over Jiading.
In short, several days later, Jiading Port had finally stabilized. The Li Family Chamber of Commerce's banner was hoisted high, and they announced that Jiading would be governed by the Li Family. As for the procedural matters—such as what the local government and natives thought about it—Annie certainly had no intention of caring. She only cared about fighting.
Besides, she was the Li Family fleet from the heavenly empire of Great Ming. Conquering this shabby port and sending people to defend those natives with muskets and cannons was a wonderful gift from heaven. She saw nothing wrong with it.
And conquering Jiading was not the end of it. Annie was currently discussing an attack on Brunei with her subordinates. Apparently, that city was located somewhere around 3° north latitude and 111° east longitude?
However, just as the Li Family fleet had finished making its adjustments and was preparing to set sail south on an