"How could such a thing happen? Father Tang, is your news reliable? Will the King of France really marry the Queen of Spain? The two countries have been at war for so many years..."
"She may not necessarily become the queen, because Her Royal Highness will give up her inheritance rights."
"So what? King Philip's two sons were born with serious diseases and could not grow up!"
"Ambassador, life and death depend on the will of God..."
"Then, if both of Her Royal Highness's two younger brothers die, who will become the heir?"
"There is also Princess Margaret Theresa. She is the sister of Princess Maria Theresa. She is only 8 years old this year. She is in good health and has relatively normal intelligence..."
"Things won't be that simple. Bishop Mazarin is an old fox. There must be some arrangements that are particularly beneficial to Princess Maria Theresa."
"Maybe...after all, the greatest value of this princess lies in her inheritance!"
On the outskirts of Paris, in the town of Versailles, in a luxurious mansion that combines Chinese and Western architectural styles, Li Shaoyou, the Ming Dynasty's ambassador to France, the Netherlands, and England, was talking with Tang Ruowang, the Ming Dynasty's special envoy who had just returned from Spain.
The thing they were talking about was, of course, the major event that attracted the attention of all Europe - what could be more worrying than the merger of France and Spain?
For the Ming Empire on the other side of the world, the merger of France and Spain was also a headache. Because France is the Ming Empire's most reliable ally in Europe, while Spain is the Ming Empire's mortal enemy - this is not because of the likes and dislikes of both parties, but because of interests.
The Ming Dynasty was seeking hegemony in the Pacific and colonies in North America, while Spain regarded itself as the master of the Americas and the Pacific.
Therefore, the contradiction between the two parties is difficult to reconcile!
As a newly rising European power, France's overseas interests are quite limited, and there is no conflict with Ming's pursuit.
But once France unites with Spain, Spain's interests in the New World and the Pacific will be completely consistent with France.
At that time, the Ming Empire will face the challenge of the powerful French army in the New World...
"Ambassador," Tang Ruowang paused, "Philip IV's health is not too bad... I think the merger of France and Spain will not happen for the time being."
"But once France and Spain get married, will Ming Dynasty become their common enemy?"
"No, it won't." Tang Ruowang shook his head, "Unless Maria Theresa becomes the Queen of Spain, such a situation will not happen."
He paused and emphasized his tone: "But... once the Kingdom of New Spain is invaded by the Ming Dynasty, the possibility of Maria Theresa becoming queen will greatly increase. Because Spain cannot live without New Spain. , and France is the only choice!
Of course, Britain and the Netherlands also have the strength to assist Spain, but it is impossible for Charles Cromwell to marry a Spanish princess... He is a staunch Puritan!
And it is impossible for the Netherlands to support Spain against China - in fact, the Ming Empire and Spain compete for the west coast of America is what the Netherlands would like to see, so that the Netherlands' interests in the Spice Islands of Southeast Asia can be protected. "
"What about the Holy Roman Empire?" Li Shaoyao said, "There are rumors that Margaret Theresa will marry her uncle, Holy Roman Emperor Leopold... He is already 20 years old this year. , and became the emperor, but still didn’t marry a wife, he must be waiting for Margaret Theresa to grow up.”
After becoming emperor, he still worried about marrying a wife and had to wait for his 8-year-old niece to grow up. This Leopold I was really like no other.
Tang Ruowang shook his head repeatedly and said: "It is impossible for Spain to share the throne with the Holy Roman Empire. Besides, the Holy Roman Empire itself has more troubles... Now they are at war with Sweden and Transylvania. And the Ottomans The empire has suddenly revived in the past few years, and it is estimated that it will not be long before a full-scale war with the Holy Roman Empire!"
In the originally chaotic Ottoman Empire next door to the Holy Roman Empire, an 80-year-old madman politician named Mohammed Koprulu suddenly appeared. He somehow deceived Sultan Mohammed IV and his mother, the Queen Mother Hatijie, and became the all-powerful one. Hands of the Grand Vizier. And after coming to power, he turned into a demon that everyone feared. In just a few years, he executed 30,000 corrupt officials, lawless soldiers and rebels - this old guy must be crazy! He is a Grand Vizier, and the Ottoman Empire does not belong to his family. What is the purpose of being a villain like this?
But no matter what, the Ottoman Empire, which was about to collapse, suddenly regained its vitality under the old guy's toss. In July 1657, it defeated the Venetian Navy in the Dardanelles Strait and recaptured Tenedos in September. In November, Lemnos was recovered and Crete was finally conquered. The next year, he sent troops to conquer Transylvania, overthrew the disobedient Grand Duke George II, and replaced him with a new Grand Duke loyal to the Ottoman Empire. During his conquest of Transylvania, there was also a rebellion in the country against this old villain, and several governors of Syria and Anatolia united in rebellion and marched on the capital. However, these rebels were no match for him. After he settled Transylvania, he sent his troops to quell the rebellion, killing them all in three strikes, five in addition to two. At present, this old guy is still in high spirits and does not look like he is dying. He is planning to continue to expand to the Balkan Peninsula... Therefore, the Habsburg Dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire has a bit of a "mud icon" to cross the river and cannot protect itself. There are signs.
"So what is the possibility of us signing an armistice treaty with Spain?" Li Shaoyou asked again.
The reason why Tang Ruowang was sent to Europe by Emperor Zhu was to negotiate peace with Spain and the Roman Catholic Church - Zhu Cixi's asking price was not high, he only asked the Spaniards to recognize the Ming Dynasty's inherent rights to the west coast of North America north of California!
Well, it has been there since ancient times. It is indisputable and belongs to the Ming Dynasty!
If Philip IV agrees, Emperor Zhu is willing to withdraw from Luzon Island and resume the galleon trade in the Taiping - Zhu Cihong certainly had no good intentions in leaving Luzon Island to the Spaniards.
Because Luzon Island is a hostage, the Ming army can attack at any time!
By "detaining" Luzon Island, the actions of the New Spanish authorities on the American continent can be contained - if the Spaniards dare to attack the American Gulf, Emperor Zhu will attack Luzon Island.
"I'm afraid it won't be easy!" Tang Ruowang shook his head, "King Philip is willing to cede Luzon Island to the Ming Dynasty on the condition that the Ming Dynasty evacuates the Gulf of America... I never thought that King Philip would be smart sometimes!"
This was actually not Philip IV's decision, but the request of Philip's illegitimate son Don Juan Jose.
Don Juan Jose was now prime minister of the Kingdom of New Spain, with Philip as king, and was fully responsible for Spain's affairs in America.
He doesn't have the brain-deadness inherited from his ancestors, and he knows that he cannot let Ming gain a foothold in the Gulf of America!
"Then will Don Juan Jose start a war in America soon?" Li Shaoyou asked again.
"I don't know...but before signing a peace treaty with Britain, Don Juan Jose did not dare to act rashly." Tang Ruowang said, "Now he needs to deploy his troops on the Caribbean islands and the Florida Peninsula. "
Li Shaoyou frowned, "Britain will probably sign a treaty with Spain soon, right?"
As soon as he said this, there was a rush of footsteps outside the door, and then Jabs' voice was heard: "Ambassador Li, Mr. Tang, are you here?"
"Is it Shopkeeper Jia? Come in, come in!"
Li Shaoyou immediately stood up and took a few steps forward, and then saw Jabs in a dress pushing the door open and coming in.
Jabs is now managing the affairs of the United Bank of China and Europe with Huang Jiang, and is also busy with his own business in Europe - he opened an Oriental trading company in the UK, specializing in selling furs and pearls, and at the same time buying British Woolen.
In addition, he is also the head of the London branch of Sinou Bank.
Today he came all the way from London, and as soon as he entered the door, he said to Li Shaoyou and Tang Ruowang: "Old Cromwell is dead!"
