Inquiries about Early Modern East Asia

So I'm working through an East Asian update for my TL, and - in the absence of research material as well as the time to do actual research - I figured I'd ask about a few blind spots I have:

  • How much would easier access to a larger supply of silver than IOTL affect the chances of Portuguese success in opening up diplomatic and trade relations with Ming China? Similarly, how would things be different in Portuguese interactions with the Japanese daimyos?
  • Would an earlier capture of Malacca and the following capture of Mahmud Shah change the outcome of the Portuguese embassy to the Zhengde Emperor?
  • In your opinion, would the Portuguese have better fortunes throwing in their lot with the Wokou, or in assisting the Ming navy in wiping them out?
  • Would an earlier colonization of the Moluccas and Philippines (albeit with mixed results in the latter's case) prevent any hiccups that occurred IOTL, or create new ones? Also, if the Portuguese are unable to subjugate Luzon for the time being, which group is most likely to become ascendant in the region?

Sorry if these are too vague, I'd be happy to provide additional information and conditions if anyone's interested.
 
So I'm working through an East Asian update for my TL, and - in the absence of research material as well as the time to do actual research - I figured I'd ask about a few blind spots I have:

  • How much would easier access to a larger supply of silver than IOTL affect the chances of Portuguese success in opening up diplomatic and trade relations with Ming China? Similarly, how would things be different in Portuguese interactions with the Japanese daimyos?
  • Would an earlier capture of Malacca and the following capture of Mahmud Shah change the outcome of the Portuguese embassy to the Zhengde Emperor?
  • In your opinion, would the Portuguese have better fortunes throwing in their lot with the Wokou, or in assisting the Ming navy in wiping them out?
  • Would an earlier colonization of the Moluccas and Philippines (alb, eit with mixed results in the latter's case) prevent any hiccups that occurred IOTL, or create new ones? Also, if the Portuguese are unable to subjugate Luzon for the time being, which group is most likely to become ascendant in the region?

Sorry if these are too vague, I'd be happy to provide additional information and conditions if anyone's interested.


Regarding Luzon, I think any Portuguese colonization of the Philippines must start in Northern Luzon not Visayas as they had already discovered it even before the Spanish - why? they have an issue with the Bruneians regarding their annexation of Tondo and Palawan and other access areas to Visayas is under Bruneian control and if Portugal defends Sunda and the Hindus of Java from the Muslims they can easily get their support, if Portugal wants to take advantage of Northern Luzon they can, I think Visayas would be the last part to be colonized in this scenario.

The problem in our OTL scenario is that the Bruneians were able to make peace with the people of Northern Luzon and convert them to Islam which was reversed in OTL, I think if Portugal defended Sunda and Bali they might at least change their minds.

If Luzon stays unconquered it remains under Bruneian influence.
 
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Regarding Luzon, I think any Portuguese colonization of the Philippines must start in Northern Luzon not Visayas as they had already discovered it even before the Spanish - why? they have an issue with the Bruneians regarding their annexation of Tondo and Palawan and other access areas to Visayas is under Bruneian control and if Portugal defends Sunda and the Hindus of Java from the Muslims they can easily get their support, if Portugal wants to take advantage of Northern Luzon they can, I think Visayas would be the last part to be colonized in this scenario.

The problem in our OTL scenario is that the Bruneians were able to make peace with the people of Northern Luzon and convert them to Islam which was reversed in OTL, I think if Portugal defended Sunda and Bali they might at least change their minds.

If Luzon stays unconquered it remains under Bruneian influence.

Would you say the Visayas were more developed and politically organized than Luzon in the early 16th century? Also, if the Portuguese capture the Sulu Archipelago early on, would that inhibit the spread of Islam in the region?
 
Would you say the Visayas were more developed and politically organized than Luzon in the early 16th century? Also, if the Portuguese capture the Sulu Archipelago early on, would that inhibit the spread of Islam in the region?
They should start in Luzon because the Northern Luzon area because it is between Japan/Korea and Malay Archipelago and Bruneians are strong at that time and they are their only enemy who can really resist them which is accessible and the portuguese should prove themselves as a good ally and alternative to making peace with Bruneians, Early 16th century was the height of the Bruneian Empire.

No I did not meant to say that the visayans are more developed, they aren't but the Magellan expedition made the Spanish discover Visayas first.
 
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