The Rise of Iceland

Olaf's fleet passed through the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel into the calm North Sea three days after leaving Lisbon.

Entering the North Sea, standing on the deck, there are gradually more ships on the sea. Although every ship seems to be a merchant ship, many merchant ships from England, Iceland, and Norway may actually become pirate ships at any time. robbery.

Olaf's fleet was a huge monster in the North Sea, and all ships avoided seeing Olaf's fleet.

It took more than a long time for Olaf to see the sea from the bow of the ship, and an artificially excavated Grand Canal appeared on the land northeast.

It is an artificial canal that runs through the North Sea and the Dutch province. It is the Grand Canal built by the hardworking Dutch 20 years ago.

Ever since the canal passed through the Netherlands, the sea has been continuously reclaimed to create land, first turning the ocean into Lake IJsselmeer, and then gradually eroding the Lake IJsselmeer, turning the southern part of the Great Lake into land.

A few years ago, the IJsselmeer even restricted the navigation of large ships. It is said that the Netherlands is preparing to completely build a large embankment in the north. As a small lowland country, the population and territory of the Netherlands is far less than that of the United Kingdom and France. The spirit really surpassed any country of the time, so it is logical to rise up and become a sea carriage driver.

This intra-city canal that runs from the North Sea to the southeast to Amsterdam has made outstanding contributions to the economic development of the Netherlands and is also the main cornerstone of helping the Netherlands to take the road to hegemony in Shanghai.

In contrast to Denmark's claim of taking over the Baltic Sea estuary to charge "tolls", the Netherlands has been entrusted like a white lotus by digging canals at its own expense to facilitate the seagoing ships of various countries without charging a penny of "tolls".

Olaf understands that the success of the Dutch is because they understand that the transportation is convenient and the business is developed, and all the money is available. However, Denmark only knows the wool, which has caused several countries in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea to be full of resentment, leading to Copenhagen's The business atmosphere has been declining for nearly a hundred years, and is now far inferior to metropolises such as London, Lisbon, and Paris, let alone compared to Amsterdam.

The fleet walked through the canal for more than three hours before entering the canal of the inner city of Amsterdam, and then stopped at Westport, which opened up a large number of docks and port areas in Henan and Hebei. Now the canal in the inner city of Holland is still expanding. Since entering Amsterdam, Olaf can clearly see the vigor and vitality of the city at his feet, and the faces of pedestrians on the street are looking forward to the future. This is a place where Icelanders, even British and Portuguese, are not as good as Dutch. Raf thinks that his Vikings have a positive temperament no less than that of the Dutch.

Soon, under the guidance of the flag bearer, the fleet entered the port and stopped, and then set up a pallet to board the ship's rail. The tax collectors and soldiers waiting in the port swaggered onto the deck.

After using Dutch and French to find that Olaf and others were indifferent, the middle-aged tax collector said in English: "Which merchant are you?"

Olaf barely understood this time, and said in English: "We are a caravan from Iceland and come to Amsterdam to sell specialty products. We come every year and know the rules!"

The tax collector nodded and said: "You know that I will save trouble. Go to the exchange to do business. Recently, Sweden has fought against Austria in Germany, and Denmark is also going to attack any major country in your Iceland. We have food, wine, etc. in Amsterdam. Many things have gone up in price, and you Icelanders can also make a fortune with their dried and salted fish and the water of life!"

Olaf and Thom's expressions changed when they heard the words, they held the tax officer and asked, "When did Denmark send out troops? What is the situation like?!"

The tax official frowned, broke free from Olaf and Thom, and said coldly: "I don't know, just ask the merchants in the north!"

After saying that, the tax officer took the guards and left, muttering and cursing as he walked: "Insolent barbarian, Yankee..."

Olaf, Thom and others would get angry when they heard it, but now they are not thinking.

"Olav! It seems that we are still late, Denmark has already started, let's go and support it right away!" Tom calmly said with a pale face.

Pikku has never said a word from hiding behind on such occasions, worrying that it will affect the master's thoughts.

Olaf groaned, and the commanders of the other ships, Solrak, Yiluki, Polly, and Buren, also came to Olaf’s ship one after another, and learned from Thom that Denmark had sent troops.

"Olav! What do you say we do? Do you want to go to Iceland right now?"

"No! I think we should ask for more information!"

Several people were chattering, Olaf waved his hand gently and said: "Don't worry! We don't know the specifics yet. We need to find some Danish businessmen in Amsterdam to ask! Even if Denmark has already attacked Iceland, we don't worry. Iceland has been prepared for a long time. There are 9,000 Viking fighters and cannons and muskets to defend Reykjavik. It is impossible to be broken by the Danes in half a month and October! If you are lucky, you can repeat the last victory!"

After Olaf finished speaking, everyone stopped talking, because years of habit allowed them to adapt to Olaf's decision.

"What do you think we should do?" The 19-year-old Yilu Kibulun and Polly are three or four years younger than Polly, but he died accidentally because of his father. A few years ago, he served as the leader of the oars, leading slaves and Vikings. The years of training made him very mature and experienced, and his position has also been promoted to the captain of the boat, he took the lead in expressing his opinion.

Yiluki's words brought everyone back to their senses, and suppressed the panic in their hearts when they heard the attack on Iceland and Northern Denmark, and looked at Olaf.

Olaf said to Yi Luji: "You take Tom and others to the exchange to list first, and if someone comes to buy, sell it at the price I set. I, Pikku and Buren, go to the East India Company's assistant. See if you can ask for the latest news?"

After speaking, Olaf turned around and changed his clothes in the cabin. Coming to Amsterdam is no better than in Vinland. This is a highly hierarchical one. Dressing and speaking and manners represent the world of identity and etiquette. Olaf wants to visit the top executives of the Dutch East India Company. , Even if you have cooperated many times before, you still have to put on gorgeous clothes and show respect.

After a while, Olaf walked out wearing a robe and cotton trousers sewn with the finest velvet fabric of the Far East, and wearing calfskin boots.

Olaf has blond hair, golden fluff on his upper lip and chin, bright eyes, fair skin, and a tall nose. With his tall body, he looks like a Nordic aristocrat walking out of an oil painting.

After half an hour, dark clouds suddenly appeared in the sky and dense raindrops began to fall.

Pedestrians on the streets of Amsterdam speeded up their pace and took refuge under the eaves of the shops. Some pedestrians had umbrellas, so they started to fight without rush.

A carriage slowly crossed the street and stopped in front of the East India Company Stock Exchange in Amsterdam. Behind the stock exchange is the East India Company's residence.

The coachman hurriedly got out of the car and opened the door: "Dear sir, the East India Company is here~www.wuxiaspot.com~Pikku and Bren got out of the carriage, and then took an umbrella from under the arm and opened it on the door.

Olaf got out of the car with a light cough, Bren threw two silver coins to the coachman, and the three of them walked into the tall and majestic gate of the East India Company on the wet road amid the gratitude of the coachman.

"Three gentlemen! Who are you looking for?" Olaf and the three walked into the lobby of the East India Company. Before they could look around, a delicate girl in a silk dress came up and said in standard Latin.

Olaf smiled softly and said: "I am Olaf from Iceland. I want to find Mr. Frederick Kuiyi. He used to be a business assistant in Batavia in East India. He and I are friends and have some business activities. ..."

The girl thought slightly, then smiled: "Mr. Kuiyi has been promoted to a commercial commissioner this year. He is still in Batavia and has not returned..."

"That's really to congratulate him!" Olaf asked with surprise on his face, "Is Mr. Kuiyi's assistant still there? For the past two years, I have contacted him through his assistant, Mr. Hans, or cooperated. Is Mr. Hans here?"

The girl nodded and said, "Mr. Hans has followed the manager to the pier. Wait a moment."

After Olaf nodded, the three were taken by the girl to a room on the side of the hall to wait.

Olaf sat down on the sofa and did not speak.

Twenty or thirty minutes later, a thin man wearing a jacket and showing his shirt collar walked into the hall under an umbrella.

The girl stepped forward and whispered: "Mr. Hans! Your friend Mr. Olaf is waiting for you!"

Hans raised his brows and said, "Okay, take me over."