"Our Royal Army has just been established and has not yet formed its combat effectiveness. If we go to support Portugal, it will be a heavy burden for our finances and we cannot get the benefits from it."

"France is going to war with Spain, and helping Portugal means we will be involved in the continental war, which is contrary to our always-on neutral principle."

In Parliament, MPs opposed the ease of intervention in the endless continental war before the Royal Army and the Royal Navy were not yet effective.

Even Spain, the earliest colonial power, squeezed civilians from all over the world due to the Continental War, and defeating Spain only helped France gain continental hegemony.

"It's time to find a way to send the Portuguese... There is a legion in the East that is stationed in Portsmouth. It's better to ask them to send a force to Portugal to help them defend the city." Sophia thought of an Indian soldier in Portsmouth managed by Sun Chuanting.

"It would be a good thing for us to reduce the number of troops stationed in our England and transfer some troops to Portugal." Many members of parliament supported Sophia's idea.

The Portuguese envoy was soon informed that the Royal Army had not yet been formed and could not aid Portugal, but the Oriental Legion stationed in Portsmouth's Harbour might be willing to help them.

The Portuguese and the Chinese had some conflicts over colonial issues such as Macau, Malacca, Goa, and Mumbai, but now they have no way to seek help from various countries, so they have to ask for help from the Chinese.

Sun Chuanting was quite surprised by the arrival of Portugal's diplomatic envoys. They had very little dealing with this small country. There were Portuguese colonies from Macau to Africa. The two sides once had a feud because of colonial issues.

There are still many Portuguese living in these colonies and paying taxes to the Chinese government. Some Portuguese have seen their overseas profits decrease, so they return to their hometowns.

"You want us to go to Lisbon to help you resist the Spanish army that may attack at any time. What benefits can you do?"

Sun Chuanting had no objection to helping the Portuguese, but it depends on what price the Portuguese could afford.

"We heard that tens of thousands of you have been stationed in Portsmouth for a long time, and the military expenditure must be huge. Since you have no war in Portsmouth, it is better to station in Lisbon. When the Spanish don't come, Lisbon can provide you with a garrison fee to maintain your normal expenses. If the Spanish fight, we will give you additional war allowances, and even cede some African colonies to you, acknowledging your rule over Melaka, Mumbai and other places." The Portuguese diplomatic envoy said.

Sun Chuanting was quite moved after hearing the words of the Portuguese envoy.

To be honest, the cost of garrisoning overseas is too high, especially the number of troops in Portsmouth is as high as tens of thousands, with a large number of people, which consumes a large amount of military budget every year.

If some of the garrisons can be sent to Portugal, it is equivalent to Portugal being willing to pay to raise the garrisons for them...

The cost of Indian national soldiers is very low. You can ask the Portuguese for military expenses and only part of them will be distributed to the Indian soldiers. The remaining military expenses can also be fed back to the Portsmouth garrison.

"How many mercenaries do you want?" Sun Chuanting asked generously when he thought of reducing military expenses.

In any Western city, he did not mind whether it was Portsmouth, England or Lisbon, Portugal.

"We have been exploited a lot by the Spanish over the years. We may not support too many troops in normal times. We need about 2 infantry regiments and 2 cavalry regiments."

"Caval...we have almost no, how about 4000 infantry?"

When Sun Chuanting heard that the other party wanted two cavalry regiments, he shook his head. There was no shortage of cavalry on the local prairie, but they came by boat, so there was no possibility of transporting war horses on a large scale. The cost was too high, so it was better to buy horses directly in the West. Until now, Sun Chuanting only purchased horses for transporting grain and cannons during wartime, and did not deliberately set up a cavalry unit.

"Only 4,000 infantrymen? How effective are your infantry?" The Portuguese envoy looked at each other, and couldn't help but wonder whether only 4,000 infantrymen could help them defend Lisbon.

"You go with me to Portsmouth to check, and you will know whether our troops are combative. As long as you can afford the price, we can dispatch a fleet to help you deal with the Spanish Legion when necessary." Sun Chuanting became one of the leaders of the largest mercenary group in Europe.

There are constant wars here, and he has an army in his hands, so he can become a mercenary from various countries. Anyway, the cost of soldiers hired from India is very low. If you re-employed here, you can still make a profit!

"Then let's go to Portsmouth and then discuss the price?" The Portuguese envoy hesitated for a while, and decided to see the combat effectiveness of the army led by Sun Chuanting first, and then decide how much to pay them.

"No problem." Sun Chuanting was already thinking in his mind how to sell 4,000 Indian soldiers at a good price.

The group left the city of London in a carriage and arrived at Portsmouth, where the infantry and fleet were stationed.

The Portuguese saw the army that Sun Chuanting planned to hire them, a group of Indian soldiers with cloth turbans and a little dark skin. When Sun Chuanting came to the barracks, they quickly gathered, almost all carrying muskets on their backs and lined up.

"Did this group of people... come from India?" One of the Portuguese envoys obviously went to Mumbai, Goa and other places, and saw the origin of the group of soldiers.

"Yes, we hired a group of soldiers in the local area and trained in our way. They were enough to defeat any Spanish army with a comparable number. On the defensive side, they could block at least three times their Spanish army." Sun Chuanting was quite satisfied with this group of Indian soldiers.

They were trained in a queue and equipped with front-mounted fire guns, enough to compete with any European force.

"Are you sure? Our former Portuguese captain could easily repel the offensive of tens of thousands of Indian natives, and they could defeat the most powerful Spanish army in Europe? To be honest, we still want to hire your Chinese soldiers instead of your servants." The Portuguese envoy was still not very interested in Indian soldiers.

"We have only 2,000 infantrymen in China here, and we must protect the safety of the queen and crown prince in England. Unless the Spaniards really attack you Portugal, our main force will be dispatched. You can see their exercises first before making a decision."

Sun Chuanting asked them to watch the training of Indian mercenaries, and the Portuguese envoy believed that this mercenary was quite different from the Indian natives they had known before.
Chapter completed!