When Zhu Youzhen returned to the palace, Philip IV and others were having a simple dinner.
"Your Majesty, Madrid is urging you to go back as soon as possible, some people in the parliament are discussing the matter of conquest of the Netherlands, and they are about to be overwhelmed."
"The prime minister's side has broken his head for the financial affairs, and the ministers are all scrambling, saying that there is no way to do things without money......"
"The treasure ship from Panama was supposed to arrive three days ago, but it hasn't arrived yet, and it may have been robbed by pirates again."
Some of them reported to Philip IV with a look of "color" and anger.
Philip IV looked relaxed, and said with a smile: "Our trade treaty with Ming has been reached, and next year's finances are very optimistic, we are enough to ease up, this matter is only told to the prime minister, and others keep it secret." ” Trade with the Ming Dynasty, the Treaty of a Thousand Ships was of great help to Spain, both to alleviate its financial crisis at home and to deal with enemies such as the Netherlands and England, which were threatening the growing number of enemies overseas.
The few people who spoke just now nodded, they were involved in the negotiation and were aware of the situation.
If it goes well next year, it may bring tens of millions of silver to Spain!
For Spain, which is financially depleted, it can't wait for a long drought.
An official said: "Then, do you want the prime minister to make some preparations, prepare what the Ming Dynasty wants, and form a larger fleet to ensure the safety of the route?"
” "We are ready for the first half, and the second half, and the Ming Dynasty will send a fleet to meet us."
Philip IV said, the cooperation with the Ming Dynasty, in his opinion, in general, Spain took a big advantage, and he was very proud.
"We ordered twenty medium ships and fifty small ships from the Ming Dynasty, a total of 500,000 taels, and there are also numerous firearms, which, together with porcelain, tea, etc., will be delivered to us in batches next year, and the total amount of the first batch will be about two million taels......"
"The first batch of grain we gave to the Ming Dynasty will be worth about two million taels after June next year, and once it arrives at the designated port of the Ming Dynasty, he will pay us cash and escort half the journey......"
"We are already in the process of selecting the base of the combined fleet, and the relevant arrangements are already being made by the navy, specifically, we will send people to the Ming Dynasty to make a master plan, and before the end of next year, everything can be finalized ......"
Philip IV listened to them talk incessantly, and his heart was very satisfied, and he became more and more happy.
These things are good for Spain, let him sweep away the current crisis, can free up his hands for reform, deal with the surrounding enemies, as long as five years, not three years, he can make Spain take off again, to achieve the glory of the past!
"Your Majesty, it seems that the Ming Dynasty is reluctant to form an alliance, they do not want to be drawn into the war."
The admiral said in a snarling voice.
Their negotiations with the Ming Dynasty on economic and trade, combined fleets, etc., were all smooth, but the 'alliance' stalled.
The feeling given to them by the Ming Dynasty was that they were reluctant, only willing to trade, not war, not at all.
Philip IV ate something and did not speak immediately.
He also felt this, but he was even more determined to pull the Ming Dynasty to his side.
The Ming Dynasty was too far away, and it could contain the Ottoman Empire if necessary, which was a natural and most suitable ally, and it must not be let go.
"Zhu, where did you go?"
Philip IV looked up at Okundo.
Okundo was expressionless and said, "It is said that he is out of the palace to breathe, and he is about to come back." ” Philip IV wiped his mouth and said with a smile: "In the evening, I want to have a good talk with Zhu." ” Everyone didn't speak, and at this time, Queen Elizabeth came over and said with some doubts: "Zhu, I don't seem to like Mary very much, I haven't seen her once since, and I've never mentioned it." ” Mary, in her opinion, is already a rare beauty, and Madrid does not know how many people are fascinated by her.
Philip IV said: "I have heard that the Orientals are different from us, and they should look at women differently, and I will talk to him in the evening anyway. ” Okundo then said, "Your Majesty, what should we do about the joint military exercises of the Ming people?"
” Philip IV "touched" his chin and said, "You personally take people there, it must be grand, we need to deter some people." ” Okundo said, "Yes!
” As soon as Zhu Youzhen came back, he recruited Ao Bai and others.
Ao Bai said: "Lord, father-in-law, the Spaniards have a very firm attitude, they must form an alliance, otherwise they will not let the other two treaties come into force." ” Li Yizao said: "Some Spanish officials hinted to the lower officials that if there is really a war, we don't need to send troops to Europe, as long as we contain the Ottoman Empire, and we don't need to participate in a large-scale war." ” Zhu Youzhen took a sip of tea, looked contemplative, and said: "The Spaniards are so urgent, there must be other conspiracies hidden, we must be cautious." ” Feng Zhu thought for a while and said: "This matter, we can only talk about it first, and then submit it to the emperor, and the emperor will decide, as for whether to renegotiate or sign it directly in the future, it is a matter for the future, let's give Spain a word first, and talk about the general agreement." ” This matter cannot be dragged on indefinitely, they have more things to do, and they cannot be delayed.
A few people have no opinion, they are reluctant to do this, but they can't be the master, so they can only fool around for now and leave it for later.
Zhu Youzhen waited for a while, and said, "We will go by land, through Madrid to Rome, Zheng Zhilong will lead the fleet through the Strait of Gibraltar, and we will meet in Rome." ” This can be regarded as a tacit understanding, Feng Zhu did not object, and said: "Listen to the prince." ” Zhu Youzhen nodded lightly, and continued: "I will go to see Philip IV later, and then finalize the general framework of the alliance, tomorrow the cabinet will discuss the details, it will be over in three days, and we will leave for Rome in three days to meet the Pope." ” This was the established plan, and everyone nodded silently as they began to discuss some details.
If all the European leaders can be concentrated in Rome, then they can solve many problems in Rome, although they still have to go to various countries, but they can save a lot of things.
After some secret discussions, until the sky was about to appear, Philip IV really came to personally invite Zhu Youzhen to the banquet.
There were only two people at the table, and after some mutual protection and temptation, Zhu Youzhen said: "Your Majesty, I can promise you to try your best to convince Your Majesty, but I hope Your Majesty can show more sincerity." ” Philip IV looked at Zhu Youzhen, pondered for a moment, and said: "I can make concessions on some things, including the price of grain, the time of payment, and other commodities, but I hope there is a limit. ” Zhu Youzhen listened to Philip IV's words, his expression was not moving, and said: "Your Majesty, you should know that the treaties we signed are not equal, we suffer a lot, and Your Majesty may not be happy. ” Philip IV frowned, before he threatened Zhu Youzhen with this, but now it is the other way around.
Philip IV looked at Zhu Youzhen, stared directly, his face was expressionless, and he looked at Zhu Youzhen without any intention of giving in his eyes, and said, "Zhu, what do you want?"
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