The Emperor of Ming Dynasty actually spoke Latin so well!
As soon as Zhu Youjian opened his mouth, Hans Putsmann was no longer surprised, but felt ashamed... He was sorry for his Latin teacher!
He was a well-educated German mercenary, the illegitimate son of the noble Lord of Count Haines. Although the territory owned by his irresponsible father is so small that it can hardly be found on the map, it is still the largest in size.
Because Hans Putsmann was an illegitimate son, he could not inherit the uncle's "splendid country", but he still received a good education.
Because his father hoped that his son could become a high-ranking priest, Hans worked hard on Latin, but he was not very good... So if he could not become a priest, he could only become a mercenary. .
Unexpectedly, today in the East, thousands of miles away from Europe, he met an emperor who spoke Latin more fluently than his teacher... This made him suddenly remember his past.
Moreover, the emperor's words are quite philosophical after careful consideration.
Free monopoly, monopoly freedom... It seems that this emperor has a thorough understanding of freedom and monopoly!
Hans Putsmann had been working in the United East India Company for so many years, and of course he had a deep understanding of the essence of "free trade".
The so-called free trade is to allow free monopoly. Of course, the purpose of establishing a monopoly is to freely obtain profits.
Otherwise, why would the Grand Council of the United Provinces push for the establishment of the United East India Company, which was dominated by Amsterdam profiteers? Isn't it just to join forces to become stronger, so as to squeeze out competitors and create a monopoly?
And the monopoly of free trade has indeed captured high profits for the shareholders of the United East India Company...
Of course, the high profits of the United East India Company may not be a big deal to the feudal emperors who ruled the Ming Dynasty or India.
And they emperors don't necessarily value money much. They want to monopolize one or several countries, and they also want to have the freedom to occupy one or several countries.
Zhu Youjian looked at Hans Putsmann with a surprised expression and slowed down his speech a little, "Hans, can you understand the Latin I'm speaking?"
"His Majesty the Emperor's Latin is very good..." Putsmann said in stuttering Latin, "I can understand it, but I don't speak it very well..."
Zhu Youjian smiled and said: "Okay, let me speak slower... Hans, I know what kind of organization the United East India Company you represent is, and I also know the Nishi behind the United East India Company." The Republic of the United Provinces of Teresa is a merchant republic with a small population and a narrow territory. Moreover, due to religious and financial reasons, it has been fighting a long-term war with its overlord, the Spanish Empire, for decades! So you unite with the Eastern Republic. Although Indian companies act as rulers and conquerors in the Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, what you are really pursuing in the Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean is profits! Am I right?"
Hans Putsmann was even more surprised - the Chinese emperor not only knew Latin, but also knew very well the situation of the United Provinces of the Netherlands and the United East India Company!
"Your Majesty the Emperor," Hans Putsmann nodded and said, "it seems that you have a special understanding of the political situation in Europe..."
"Yes!" Zhu Youjian nodded, "I know some things about Europe... Hans, if I guess correctly, you are a German, and your home country is engaged in a protracted religious war. I Is that right?"
"Yes, I am a German." Hans Putsmann nodded again, "But I have now become a citizen of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, and I serve the shareholders of the United East India Company wholeheartedly."
Zhu Youjian smiled and said: "I appreciate it wholeheartedly... Let's talk about possible cooperation first! I know that what you are pursuing in joining the East India Company is not to establish a joint venture in Nanyang and the Indian Ocean. republic or monarchy, but to seek profits. The purpose of establishing your colonies in Java, the Strait of Malacca region and the Spice Islands is also to seek profits.
And I, as the emperor of Ming Dynasty...the king of heaven and the leader of all nations, what I want is not gold and silver, but the people of the land! So can we both reach an agreement? I will let you get more gold and silver treasures, and you will help me get more people from the land! "
The traitor would not do such a transaction.
Because Nizi wanted to get both the people of the land and the gold and silver treasures. This is why the Ming Empire ruled by Nizi later fought with France and the Netherlands.
But Zhu Youjian doesn't care about profits that much, and he doesn't know about capitalism or industrialization... He just wants to get more land to give to his sons so that they can be the masters of a country.
In Zhu Youjian's view, the United East India Company and the Federal Republic of the Netherlands behind it were very good allies.
What they are looking for is wealth - even if the Dutch want to get some territory that can be colonized, they don't need to come to a miasmatic place like Nanyang! Wouldn’t it be nice to cross the Atlantic to North America? There aren’t that many tropical infectious diseases, and they’re also relatively close.
And what Zhu Youjian wants is territory... There is no conflict of interest between the two parties.
However, the seemingly submissive Portuguese and the arrogant Spanish were more annoying to Zhu Youjian than the Dutch.
Because the purpose of the Portuguese and Spanish coming to the East was not only to seek wealth but also to preach! Among them, the Kingdom of Spain especially likes to occupy territory... This Spanish mainland has a population of five to six million, so what is the use of occupying so much territory?
So neither country is an ideal ally.
As for England and France...the former's enthusiasm for religion is too high, while the latter's strength in the East is not enough and there is no value in cooperation.
Hans Putsmann never expected that Zhu Youjian would actually propose such a cooperation plan... He couldn't make the decision on this matter, not even the Governor of Batavia who united with the East India Company. , it has to be decided by the Prince of Orange and the Grand Council of the United Provinces.
Because this matter is directly related to the national destiny of the United Provinces Republic!
Zhu Youjian smiled and said: "I know that the matter is important. Neither you nor the Governor of Batavia can decide. We need to consult the 17-member Committee and His Royal Highness Prince William II of Orange. So I will send a special envoy and You will return to Batavia together, and then be escorted by personnel sent by Batavia to The Hague, Netherlands."
He paused, "My envoy will discuss the alliance between the two countries with the Prince of Orange and the Grand Council! If the United East India Company wants to get a monopoly of free trade from me, it must form an alliance with the Ming Dynasty, and For the Ming Empire’s southward expansion. Of course, I will recognize the interests of the United East India Company in the Straits of Malacca, Java, and the Spice Islands.”
He looked at Hans Putsmann seriously and said, "Hans, I know your status is not high and you are just a messenger. But I still admire your talents very much and hope you can become my minister." ...Are you willing to leave the United East India Company after completing this mission and serve as an admiral in my Royal Navy?"
What? Is this still possible?
Hans Putsmann shook his head quickly, "Your Majesty the Emperor, I signed a contract with the United East India Company. I cannot leave before the contract expires."
Zhu Youjian smiled and said: "But there are really many benefits I am going to give you!"
"A lot?" Hans Putsmann swallowed.
Zhu Youjian laughed and said: "Not only will I make you the naval admiral of the Ming Dynasty, but I will also make you an earl. After conquering the countries in Southeast Asia in the future, I will give you a fiefdom and make you the king of a country!"
What? Being granted the title of earl, can you still be the king of a country?
Isn't that His Highness Hans von Putsmann?
"I am the emperor of the Ming Dynasty," Zhu Youjian said with a smile, "I can do what I say! Think about it carefully!"
What else to consider? Hans Putsmann immediately knelt down on one knee in front of Zhu Youjian, "My Majesty, I, Hans Putsmann of Hines, am willing to serve you!"
