"Captain Couette is the captain of the armed sailing ship Orange River, employed by the Dutch West India Company," Gao Mo explained to the gathered group. "He and his sailors were attacked by the Spanish off the coast of La Plata. The hull was severely damaged, and they were unable to return to their base in the Caribbean Sea, so they had no choice but to run aground here."
The news sent a ripple of anxiety through the group. "Spaniards? Where are they?" someone asked, clearly alarmed by the mention of their historical enemies.
"Maybe they returned to Buenos Aires," Gao Mo responded, continuing with his explanation. "Captain Couette managed to escape the Spanish after a fight. He is asking for temporary refuge while they repair the ship. In return, we will gain his personal friendship, the support of the Dutch West India Company, and, of course, some money."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, still unsure of how to handle this sudden and unexpected situation. The arrival of the Dutch sailors had thrown them into an uncertain and tense dilemma.
"Lao Gao, tell them we need time to discuss this matter before we can make a decision," Ma Qianzu spoke up. "They can take shelter in the shed over there, but only if they hand over their weapons and accept our supervision. We can guarantee their safety, but their personal weapons will be kept under control."
The Dutch were clearly displeased with these conditions, but they had no choice. Their ship was stuck, the sailors were injured, and fresh water was running low. Reluctantly, they agreed to the terms, realizing they had little other option at the moment.
However, as soon as Gao Mo returned to the office to relay the outcome, the mood shifted dramatically. "No! These people must be dealt with!" Peng Zhicheng burst out, unable to contain his frustration. "If we let them stay now, they will come back with a fleet next time and sell us all into slavery!"
Liu Weimin, always more pragmatic, disagreed. "Maybe next time they will bring something we urgently need," he countered. "We could trade with them."
"We need a lot of resources," Ma Jia joined in, "pig iron, gunpowder, lead, copper, graphite, and fur." His voice carried the strain of a group that was still struggling with scarcity. "We're poor and need trading partners."
"Yes, and we also need cattle, sheep, cloth, medicine, tools, and seeds," Shao Shude added, practical as ever. "What we need most, though, is labor. We are too few in number to manage everything we need to do."
"All of that may be true, but what about our safety?" Wang Qinian asked, his concern clear. "Can we really trust these Dutch people? Can you guarantee that they won't return with their fleet to rob us? We're still too weak to take such a risk."
Peng Zhicheng nodded, his face darkening. "The safety of the group must come first. We can't afford to make a mistake now." His voice held a note of finality. The group was still vulnerable, and any misstep could mean disaster.
The room fell silent for a moment as the reality of the decision they faced sank in. It was a delicate balance—survival meant making the right alliances, but how could they trust these foreign sailors? The conversation continued, but it was clear that tensions were high, and the future of the travelers hung in the balance.
The room was silent, with everyone absorbed in the gravity of the situation. The lack of a unified identity or structure had been a constant undercurrent since the time travelers had arrived, but now, faced with the Dutch, the issue could no longer be ignored.
Xiao Bailang's question hung in the air, sharp and direct: What identity do we use to interact with the outside world?
It was a question that none of them had fully considered yet. Ma Qianzu's voice broke the silence, thoughtful but tinged with urgency. "We've been drifting for over a week now, and though we've managed with a temporary self-help committee, it's clear that this state of disorganization can't last. We've already encountered the Dutch, and who knows who else will show up next? The Portuguese, the Spanish... It's only a matter of time before we face more foreign powers. We need to decide who we are and how we present ourselves to the outside world."
His words carried weight. The time travelers were scattered, disconnected from one another, and unsure of how to navigate this strange new world. Each encounter with outsiders could have life-altering consequences. The current lack of cohesion and organization could easily become their undoing.
"We need a formal structure," Ma Qianzu continued. "The loose state we're in now isn't sustainable. A general meeting should be held immediately to discuss our future direction. We need to decide on our identity—are we a country? A company? Or just a general group of survivors trying to make it in this world?"
The group exchanged uncertain glances. The notion of a formal organization, a more unified approach, was daunting. It would require hard decisions, responsibility, and the kind of leadership that had yet to be solidified. Some of them, like Xiao Bailang and Ma Qianzu, already carried an air of authority, but there were others who might not be so willing to follow. This would be a defining moment for them.
"This is a pivotal moment," Xiao Bailang added, his voice firm but cautious. "If we want to survive and thrive, we need to have a clear identity. Right now, we're a loose association of people with no real direction. We need to decide if we're going to continue as we are, or if we're going to form something more permanent."
The room fell silent again, the weight of their collective uncertainty pressing down on them. There were no easy answers. But one thing was clear: the time travelers could not continue as they were. They needed to come together, form a unified front, and decide what they were willing to fight for. The decisions they made now would shape their future—and possibly the future of everyone involved.
Ma Qianzu nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "Let's gather everyone and make a decision. The sooner we do this, the better."