Philip IV only now understands that the envoy fleet of the Ming Dynasty is not the brother of the Ming Emperor, the prince who is sitting, but the person behind him, who has been silent.
'They say it's a eunuch?'
A cronie of the Ming emperor?
Philip IV muttered to himself in his heart, looked at Zhu Youzhen with a warm smile, and said, "Twenty million, a 'sex' payment?"
” Zhu Youjian's face was as usual, and he said: "When the grain is halfway, one 'sex' will be paid." ” At halfway, it's 10 million stones, which is a lot of money.
But this is not difficult for Spain, which has a huge colony, as long as it is given enough time, let alone 20 million stones, 50 million is not a problem, but Spain did not pay attention to the cultivation of rice and so on before.
'Perhaps, cut down the sugar cane?'
Philip IV couldn't help but think in his heart, Spain now needs a lot of financial aid, if the Ming people like food, 20 million a year, at least 10 million profits, quite a huge profit!
"I still need my ministers to consult, but I am sure there will be good news."
Philip IV raised his glass again, and Zhu Youzhen gave him a look that could only be understood.
"I look forward to good news from Your Majesty."
Zhu Youzhen calmly picked up the wine glass and said.
The two touched each other, then drank it all.
After such a good start, the atmosphere at the table suddenly improved.
Elizabeth personally gave Zhu Youzhen vegetables and said many happy things.
Zhu Youzhen didn't like this queen, and he wasn't used to having a woman present, so he dealt with it expressionlessly.
Philip IV was even more emotional, and said: "Dear Zhu, we still have a lot of good things in Spain, I believe you will like it, tomorrow I will take you to have a look, go to Madrid, I have a lot of gifts for you." ” Zhu Youzhen was only interested in food, was silent for a moment, and suddenly said with a smile: "I also have a lot of gifts for Your Majesty and the Queen, these are my Ming specialties, unique, I believe Your Majesty will also like it, and even more so for the merchants of your country." ” Philip IV's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile: "Of course, I want to look forward to it." ” Philip IV did not talk about sensitive topics anymore, but talked about the power of Spain, his religious fanaticism, and naturally mentioned their glorious achievements, showing off the strength of the military and the vastness of the territory.
Zhu Youzhen did not explain the land and military affairs of the dynasty, but told the culture of the Ming Dynasty, almost all of which were Confucianism, and some of the essence did not seem so boring in his mouth, simple and easy to understand and thought-provoking.
The development of Confucianism at this time, especially the development of Wang Yangming again, is already a peak, such a height, in Europe is also an esoteric philosophy, listening to Philip IV, Elizabeth and others opened their eyes wide, obviously for a while can not understand and feel novel.
This meal was naturally enjoyed by the guests and hosts, and it did not end until midnight.
Although Philip IV drank the liquor of the Ming Dynasty, he changed the water halfway, so he was not drunk, and at this time he was in a partial area, looking at Okundo and the others with blazing eyes.
"Your Majesty, the Ming people have too much silver, and we need it."
This is the Governor of the Netherlands, a very important person, although only in name.
"Your Majesty, we need the friendship of the Ming people, their fleet can sail here, and we can't go to the East, at least not right now."
This is the admiral speaking, he observed the fleet of the Ming Dynasty, and his brown eyes were full of worry.
"Your Majesty, now that the Ming Dynasty controls the East, do you know the annual European gains in the East?
Eighty million pesos!
If we make all of this, we will have no financial problems!
These are the words of the finance officer, and they seem quite urgent.
Spain's finances are really failing, there are wars everywhere, and the debts owed to the major banks have not even been repaid with interest, although Philip IV has hinted that he will repay the debts, but this still cannot solve the financial crisis, and this method is a last resort, and it must not be used until the end!
Philip IV listened to them and muttered to himself, "Eighty million pesos?
” When the financial official heard this, his expression was shocked, and he said: "Yes, and maybe more, the Ming people refused our trade before, but their raw silk, tea, porcelain, silk, and spices that have been mastered by them, etc., these are all a million profits, as long as they do well, it is not difficult to break 100 million, plus their grain, perhaps, our finances will be greatly improved!"
” Philip IV's eyes lit up, and he silently converted.
Eighty million pesos is almost fifty million pieces of silver, and if it breaks 100 million, maybe there are seventy or eighty million taels of silver, which is a huge amount of money!
"Looks like we need to have a better conversation with Akito."
Philip IV sat up straight and said with a firm gaze.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief that if Philip IV did not act or did something dangerous, it would be a disaster for Spain.
However, Philip IV made a decision, then, it means that they should have more contact with the envoys of the Ming Dynasty, and more things to do.
On the other side, Zhu Youzhen, Feng Zhu and others also gathered together, and everyone was a little more relaxed.
They have already determined that Spain will not tear up their faces with the Ming Dynasty, and some of their planned plans may be realized.
Zhu Youzhen is even happier, 20 million stone of grain per year, which will greatly alleviate the crisis in the Ming Dynasty and survive countless refugees.
As for silver, the Ming Dynasty was not short of silver at all, and most of the inflation in the Ming Dynasty was due to the excessive and rapid inflow of silver from the outside.
With the replacement of the currency of the Ming Dynasty, the cash silver in the royal bank has been close to 200 million, not including Zhu Xu's internal money, and there is also unpredictable private silver.
Li Yizao and others have already conducted research, and the ratio of gold and silver in Europe is about 1 to 3, while the Ming Dynasty is as high as 1 to 15!
What a terrible ratio, and if you arbitrage from it, it's quite scary!
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Fortunately, the current legal tender in the Ming Dynasty is no longer silver, and the entry and exit of silver is strictly controlled, otherwise it will be used by people with intentions, and I don't know how much to lose.
"Perhaps, tomorrow I can test their attitude towards the Combined Navy?"
Zheng Zhilong looked at everyone and groaned.
Europe naturally does not have the conditions for forming a joint navy, but it is needed outside Europe, and only Daming can dominate this navy!
"I think we can talk about 'mutual assistance at sea and benefit sharing', and Spain needs my protection, at least non-......aggression," Ao Bai said.
The biggest threat Spain faces overseas comes from pirates, in fact, these so-called 'pirates' are either England, or the Netherlands, which have not yet become independent, or the Kingdom of the Franks, who support or secretly play the role of the sea route to "wander" around, America, Asia, Europe, Africa everywhere, Spain loses countless treasure ships every year.
Feng Zhu looked at everyone, was silent for a moment, and said, "The first condition is to reach a trade treaty with European countries, as long as it is reached, we can directly trade with these merchants, obtain everything that my Ming needs, and at the same time formulate our rules." ” Among this group of people, Feng Zhu knew Zhu Xu's intentions the most, and he still remembered Zhu Xu's words before he came.
It is not the army, not the money, nor the weapons, but the system and the rules that rule the world.
It is inevitable that the advanced rules will eliminate the old, and no one can stop it.
What we have to do is to establish new, strong, solid, and beneficial rules that will lock up those who come after us, who have no voice, who are powerless to change, who struggle in the big environment, who are helpless......
The meaning of Feng Zhu's words is very simple, before the Europeans react, do things in front, and when they wake up, they can't change anything.
Trade rules, nature is the most important one, in the world environment of the great era of change, who sees farther, who goes faster, who can master the world!
Zheng Zhilong, Ao Bai hopes to control military power, especially the combined fleet, so as to dominate European countries and make them dare not act easily.
Zhu Youzhen didn't like these, he cared more about the situation in the country, listening to the words of a few people, silent.
Feng Zhu saw that a few people didn't speak, so he said: "Let's not open our mouths tomorrow, I'll let Li Yizao test it in the way of cultural exchange."
By the way, my lord, when I was chatting with this king again tomorrow, I accidentally said that you plan to go to the Papal State to meet the Pope and see his face. ” The influence of the pope in Europe is naturally still very large, and the kings and lords of various countries are still clerical first, then secular, even the king of Spain.
"Hmm."
Zhu Youzhen nodded indifferently, he knew that the other main purpose of this trip was to get in touch with the Pope, and the church would do a lot of things that those kings couldn't do.
Now that the matter has been decided, Feng Zhu said: "We can't hang ourselves from a tree, not only the Papal States, the Franks, the Netherlands, England, the Roman Empire, and the Ottoman side, we must find a way to contact it." ” Everyone nodded secretly, they didn't come to Europe for Spain.
The Ming Dynasty had a lot of things to sell, tea, raw silk, silk, porcelain, etc., if it could be sold, the court's finances would be greatly improved, and the food in exchange would also greatly increase the court's ability to deal with disasters.
Several people gathered together and discussed for a long time, and then they went back to their rooms to rest.
"Dear Zhu, I'll take you on a tour of our Lisbon, it's sure to be an eye-opener for you."
Early the next morning, Philip IV enthusiastically dragged Zhu Youzhen around the streets of Lisbon, introduced him to this historic city, and talked endlessly about the glorious deeds that happened here.
Zhu Youzhen kept smiling, but he didn't smile at all.
The buildings here are generally squab, and the whole city is small, and it looks quite 'stingy', with no trace of grandeur.
"Zhu, I heard that your capital is much bigger than here, is it really a lot?"
It seemed that she was acquainted, and Queen Elizabeth, who was also in the carriage, asked Zhu Youzhen with a smile.
Zhu Youzhen was a little sorry for the words like gold, and said: "Yes." ” Philip IV had a lot of ideas in mind, and asked casually, "I have heard that your population is larger than the whole of Europe, and that your land is larger than the whole of Europe, is it true?"
” Zhu Youzhen smiled, calmly, and said, "It's a little exaggerated." ” Philip IV listened to Zhu Youzhen's words, his expression remained unchanged, and said: "Then, you have so many people and land, why do you still buy so much grain?"
” Zhu Youzhen had already prepared and said: "First, it is to eliminate the misunderstanding with your country, and second, it is to better develop the relations between the two countries. ” Philip IV naturally didn't take such an excuse seriously, but he didn't delve into it, and suddenly changed the topic: "Your country's fleet looks very strong, are there many such ships in your country?"
” Zhu Youzhen didn't expect Philip IV to suddenly move here, but his expression was as usual, and he said: "My Ming Dynasty's shipbuilding has always been rigorous, and there are only two main warships like the Hongwu, but there are as many as 1,000 medium ships and small ships. ” Philip IV frowned, blinked, and did not speak immediately.
He didn't know much about the Ming Dynasty, only that they had suffered a crushing defeat in the South China Sea, and they were simply unable to fight back, losing a lot of territory.
Thinking of the fleets he saw in the harbor that day, and thinking of the possible strength of the Ming Dynasty, the idea of friendship in his heart became even stronger.
After a moment, Philip IV smiled and said, "I heard that your country's artillery 'firing' range is five thousand meters, is this true?"
” The best firearms in Europe have a range of only 3,000 meters, don't underestimate these two kilometers, in a battle, whether it is a naval battle or a land battle, it is a major key to victory!
Zhu Youzhen thought for a while and said: "The best can indeed be done, but there are not many, some joints cannot be opened and cannot be mass-produced." ” Philip IV looked at Zhu Youzhen, saw his hesitation, and couldn't help but sigh, "I really envy you, in the far east, there are no enemies around......
In his opinion, the Ming Dynasty had no strong enemies in the East, did not fall into a bitter war, and was the only one, what a beautiful picture it should be.
And his Spain, almost surrounded by enemies on all sides, fought every year, and almost never heard of it.
Ottoman, Roman, Frankish, and flea-like annoying England, the Netherlands, and so on.
Zhu Youzhen already had some understanding of Spain, listening to Philip IV's sighs that seemed to be true or false, looked at the scenery outside, and said in a tone that suddenly remembered: "Your Majesty, before I came here, His Majesty of my country asked me to visit His Majesty the Pope, I don't know, can you arrange it on your behalf?"
” Philip IV raised his eyebrows, and then said with a smile: "Of course, the Papal States are not far from us, I will arrange it for you, don't worry, Zhu." ” Zhu Youxu said politely: "Then thank Your Majesty." ” After saying this, both of them turned their heads to look outside the carriage and did not speak again.
Elizabeth blinked, looked at Philip IV, and then looked at Zhu Youzhen, her face was a little strange.
Philip IV obviously had a strong wariness of the Ming Dynasty, whether it was the affairs of the Philippines or the huge fleet that had been adrift for more than a year on the open sea, it made him uneasy, and some thoughts in his heart even rose and fell, and it was difficult to grasp it.
Zhu Youzhen didn't speak, he saw through some things.
Philip IV had said that he would take him to Madrid, but now he didn't say a word, he said that he would go to the Papal States to meet the Pope, but Philip IV obviously paused and hesitated.
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This shows that Philip IV was deliberately controlling them and did not want them to get out of control.
Zhu Youzhen is also a person who has experienced strong winds and waves, and in a blink of an eye, he guessed some of Philip IV's thoughts, but his face was calm as usual, and he asked about some things from time to time.
Philip IV was in high spirits and was willing to introduce, and the two of them talked eagerly.
But Elizabeth clearly felt that the atmosphere between the two had changed, and although they had been restrained with each other before, at one time, both sides were overly enthusiastic, and they knew each other to be on guard.
Lisbon was not big, and the carriage went around in a circle with a group of guards and turned back to the palace.
Philip IV was quite happy, whether Zhu Youzhen listened or not, whether he was interested or not, he was enthusiastic and interested.
Without the translation of the translation, Zhu Youzhen couldn't understand the voice outside the carriage at all, and he didn't know how many people were pointing and pointing, laughing, pointing at him, and whispering.
Zhu Youzhen didn't like such an occasion, and he was not used to the uneducated and shameless of these Xiyi women, so he became more and more disgusted in his heart, his face was flat, and he let Philip IV spit, just thinking about going back as soon as possible and getting rid of these things.
When he arrived at the gate of the palace, Philip IV looked at Zhu Youzhen and said loudly, "Zhu, we have a very beautiful canyon here, I will see you tomorrow."
Well, you'll love it. ” Zhu Youzhen didn't like the people, things and scenery of Spain, so he endured this dissatisfaction, and said quietly, "Your Majesty, we have been adrift at sea for a year, and we are still a little unaccustomed here, can we rest for a few days?"
” Philip IV was stunned, and then said loudly: "Yes, yes, I forgot about it, I'm sorry Zhu, starting tomorrow, you can rest, it's okay to rest as long as you want, here, you can go wherever you want, treat it as your own home......"
Zhu Youzhen raised his hand and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty." ” Philip IV took Zhu Youzhen's shoulder, walked inside, and said: "There will be some people coming from Madrid in the next two days, I will introduce them to Zhu, they are all talented people, I believe you will like them......"
Zhu Youzhen's eyes condensed slightly, and then said, "I'm looking forward to it." ” Philip IV listened to the words of the interpreter, was very happy, laughed and asked Zhu Youzhen to be sent back to the room.
Feng Zhu and the others were already waiting, and when they saw Zhu Youzhen coming in, they looked surprised, and they were just about to ask, but they hurriedly saluted.
"I've seen the prince."
A group of humanitarians.
Although Zhu Youzhen is the nominal mastermind, in the end, he is the prince, today's brother, who dares to snub?
Zhu Youzhen nodded and sat down on the chair in the middle, but his brows couldn't help frowning.
He hates everything in this Spain very much, food, clothing, housing and transportation!
He picked up the teacup, took a sip reluctantly, and said, "Philip IV told me that officials will come over in two days, presumably because he really wants to negotiate with us." ” Zheng Zhilong continued: "Yes, the last general asked people to go around and probe the wind, and found that Spain is in difficulty now, and they are also inclined to form an alliance with my Ming Dynasty, but the situation is more complicated, so we need to see more......
Philip IV could not decide everything. ” "I have investigated through the missionaries, and the news in the palace is probably preferred.
In addition, there was little change in the armies of Spain, and there were no changes in the warships at sea. ” Feng Zhu listened, and pondered: "It seems that it is deterred, as long as Philip IV is not hostile, negotiation will not be a problem, let's wait patiently, and at the same time send envoys to other countries." ” Zhu Youzhen looked at him and said solemnly: "You must be careful, I think this Philip IV is not simple, maybe he is playing with other ideas." ” Feng Zhu and the others nodded silently, they were in a foreign country, and their deaths were in the hands of outsiders, so they naturally had to be cautious.
"On the missionary's side, is it reliable?"
Zhu Youzhen was still not at ease and asked more.
He has a strong concept in his heart that he is not of my race, and his heart must be different, and he has never believed in these Xiyi people.
Feng Zhu said: "Don't worry, what they do is not the core thing, we are on guard." ” Zhu Youzhen's face was gentle, and his eyes were a little different: "I think Philip IV seems to be interested in negotiating with us, but he has scruples, even if the negotiation is completed, I am afraid that it will be a paper agreement and will be torn at any time." ” Zhu Youzhen has always attached importance to promises, not to mention written ones, and he hates this kind of thing of tearing up the agreement at will, naturally, there are also Zhu Xu factors mixed in it.
Feng Zhu smiled and said, "Lord, what we want is a contract for three or two years, as long as two or three years pass, no matter whether Spain will tear up the contract or not, we will continue." ” Zhu Youzhen frowned, and his expression was ugly.
This is also one of the reasons why he hates Zhu Xu, he calculates too much, and he does not have the majesty that the Ming Emperor should have.
Zheng Zhilong noticed Zhu Youzhen's look, his heart moved, and then explained: "Of course, my Emperor Ming is saying the same, Jinkou Yuyan, the people of the computer Xiyi are uneducated, and I don't know the emperor's might, I can't even judge in front of us, how to think about things in three years." ” Ao Bai was a little smarter, and directly pointed to the question: "Lord, we are just messengers, just complete the tasks assigned by the emperor, and the rest, that's not something we should worry about." ” What Ao Bai said was actually a bit of a reproach, and he almost said 'not in his position, not in his position, not in his politics', which is naturally quite sensitive to Zhu Youzhen's identity.
Zhu Youzhen glanced at Aobai, and his eyes flashed with murderous intent.
But Ao Bai looked righteous and said decisively: "Lord Wang, the last sentence is for this mission, if there is anything offended, please also ask Lord Wang Haihan." ” The good and the bad are all let Ao Bai say, what can Zhu Youzhen do?
He was furious in his heart, and his eyes looked at Feng Zhu.
Feng Zhu immediately looked at Ao Bai and said coldly: "Presumptuous, the prince is something you can accuse!"
” Ao worshiped the gods, and quickly knelt down on one knee and said: "The prince forgives the sin, and the general will be confused." ” Zhu Youzhen suppressed his anger, got up and said: "In the past two days, you'd better be quiet, don't do anything else, also, how to negotiate, what kind of negotiation, the final contract must be brought to this king, there can be no secret contract, otherwise this king will not sign!"
” Feng Zhu stood up, leaned over and said, "Yes, the slave understands." ” Zhu Youzhen shook his hand and strode away.
Zheng Zhilong watched Zhu Youzhen leave, looked at Feng Zhu, and said, "Father-in-law, is the prince okay?"
” Everyone in the world knows that this prince is at odds with His Majesty the current emperor, and if he makes a fuss about "sex", it will be really troublesome at this time.
Feng Zhu said: "It's okay, the prince knows the severity, don't say what you shouldn't say in the future, okay, don't talk about these first, if someone invites you to a banquet tomorrow, just go, if you have some words, you can 'dew' out first, see how they respond, and then determine our negotiation bottom line and skills......" 9