When Captain Hawkins' outward expression of emotion fell into Isabel's sight, she couldn't help but laugh, "Captain, I would love to sail with you again to the island of Spain or to the Portuguese slave trading post in Africa. But, you know, I have other business to attend to, such as Sir Andrew. ”

"Madame, I regret that you can't lead the Hawkins family on another voyage." Captain Hawkins shook his head regretfully, took a few sips of ale from his glass, and then said, "Madam, what kind of fleet do you want to build?" ”

Isabel thought for a moment and said more seriously: "Captain, when you return to Plymouth, you will buy me another 5 300-ton 4-masted Galen merchant ships." If you don't have an old one, buy a new one. ”

Then, she added, "After the ship is purchased, the artillery equipment will still be refitted." Each ship was to be fitted with two additional gun decks, each deck equipped with 18 6-pounder falcon guns. ”

Captain Hawkins listened very carefully, and when the other party finished speaking, he suddenly asked, "Madam, if you add the 4 breech-loading guns in the bow and stern, you have 40 guns per merchant ship??" ”

"No, the captain, 4 2-pounder breech guns in the bow and stern did not fully play the role of shelling in real combat. So I planned to remove the bow and stern gun emplacements, move all the guns to the gun emplacements on both sides, and attack the enemy with the broadside guns. ”

"Well, ma'am, you have a good idea. However, if you need to add two layers of artillery decks, the cargo compartment will have to be smaller. ”

"Yes, the cargo hold of each merchant ship does get smaller. However, I have five of these merchant ships, and the combined five merchant ships can still carry a lot of cargo. ”

Captain Hawkins didn't have a problem with Isabel's opinion, and nodded, "Madam, how much money are you going to take out for the purchase of merchant ships, guns, and repairs?" ”

Isabel could afford to buy and refurbish five 300-ton armed merchant ships, but she still wanted to raise money to cover the nearly £7,000 spending. Sipping his wine unhurriedly, he glanced at the captain, "Captain, I can get a share of the Scotsman's treasure that has been plundered this time." I think the money was spent on the purchase of merchant ships and artillery. ”

"In addition, the six hundred pounds I have raised from Lord Lancashire and several nobles, knights, and squires are to be handed over to you. The rest of the money, can you raise money for me to raise money from the merchants in Plymouth? ”

Captain Hawkins felt that it was not impossible to raise money from merchants, but that Isabel needed a handwritten IOU and an agreement to pay interest on the money raised. When he thought of this, he couldn't help but say more, "Madam, it is possible to raise money from merchants, but the interest on the borrowed money ...... I think you'd think the interest rate is high. ”

Isabel had already thought about the interest on the loan, and just nodded, "Don't worry, captain, I will repay the interest according to the interest guidelines of usury." Well, the interest will be paid at 3% of the loan, is it okay? ”

"3 into? Madame, the interest you intend to repay is too high. You know the merchants in Plymouth, they don't even care about their religion, a lot of times they only value money. Captain Hawkins feared that Isabelle's honor, status, and status would be despised by the merchants if she did not repay the principal and interest.

"Captain, I know that the interest that needs to be paid off will be a lot. However, it would cost at least £7,000-£8,000 to build 5 armed merchant ships. As a result, I had to pay more interest to get the merchants to accept my fundraising proposal. ”

Captain Hawkins respected her from the bottom of his heart, and did not want her noble lady to lose face easily in front of the merchants. He nodded thoughtfully, raised his eyelids and looked at her, "Madam, I do... Pay this money for you, interest... You can just pay me 20%, do you think it's okay? ”

"Captain, I agree. However, I will still pay you 3% interest. Isabel said with a smile. When Captain Hawkins was still about to speak, she waved her hand, "Captain, I've decided. ”

Captain Hawkins smiled and shook his head, "Madam, I have never met a noble lady like you, and I believe that I will never meet a second lady in the future." Sometimes, I wish I could be your retainer. I've heard that the families of the northern nobility have a lot of retainers, right? ”

Isabel smiled happily, but stretched out the index finger of her right hand and shook it, "No, Captain, if you are my trading partner, you and your family will get more treasures." ”

Later, the two men discussed the details of building a fleet, hiring gunners, sailors, and more.

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On the morning of 29 September, when the "Nemesis" was moored in the harbor near the watchtower, the chief of the border guard, Sir William Earle, who received the news, immediately rushed to the port with several armed attendants to welcome Isabel and others back safely. When Sir Andrew, still wearing a torture device, appeared in front of the Captain, he became curious about the Captain of the Palace Guard from Scotland. Of course, it was not only the Scots who could arouse Sir William's curiosity, but also the large number of Scotsman's belongings on board.

When the group returned to Berwick Castle, Sir William immediately asked the manservants to take Isabelle, Captain Hawkins and his brother to the castle chamber, and then ordered the attendants to imprison Sir Scotland in the castle's cell, and properly store the various booties brought back by Isabel and others.

When it was almost lunchtime, Sir William hurried back to the chamber. In the ensuing conversation, Lord William asked the Scotsman curiously, "Madame, how did you capture the Scottish captain of the guard?" ”

Isabel just smiled, "Sir, why don't you let your brother Ralph tell you the truth?" ”

Until the valet had come to invite the people present to lunch, Sir William listened with relish to what his brother had to say. Ralph, who was personally involved in each of the sneak attacks, hated to bring his brother to Scotland, so he tried to make every detail clear when telling the story of each sneak attack.

Today's lunch was delayed for a while. When Sir William sat at the top of the table, he looked at the noble lady sitting on the left side with great excitement, "Your Excellency, how do you think you will definitely catch the fleeing Scots?" ”

Isabel was reserved as she enjoyed a large lump of barbecue veal, smiling as she glanced at Sir, "Sir, it's nothing if you can't catch the Scots." It's just that my words will not be convincing in the committee. ”