Philip, in the name of Louis XV, first sent Minister Pierre to negotiate with the Japanese shogunate, expressing his willingness to cede territory and pay compensation to the Japanese shogunate for a permanent truce, and to determine the spheres of influence of the two countries in the Americas.
The Japanese shogunate was willing to negotiate because it had been defeated by the French army several times recently.
However, because Tokugawa Ietsuna was deeply influenced by China, he insisted on asking the French king to surrender to him and pay tribute every year.
Philip finally agreed to the Tokugawa Shogunate's request.
The Tokugawa shogunate therefore agreed to a ceasefire with France and took this opportunity to recuperate and digest the newly expanded territory.
However, Philip's behavior caused dissatisfaction among many French civilians.
Because the development of handicraft industry in France has led to the emergence of a large number of free people, nationalist ideas have become increasingly high.
Especially under the special guidance during the reign of Louis XIV, many French civilians really wanted to make their country strong, and were willing to bear the pressure of plague in America and fight bloody battles with the Japanese army.
But now that Philip has done this, it has naturally caused dissatisfaction among many French civilians.
There were even middle- and lower-level officials of civilian origin who launched a riot, but because the civilian power was too dispersed, and many civilian-origin officers were bribed by the nobles, the riot was quickly put down by the army commanded by Philip.
Philip took this opportunity to abolish the imperial examination system and the meritocracy system newly established by Louis XIV in the name of Louis XV on the grounds that civilians did not have the qualities to govern the country.
At this point, the common people once again lost the opportunity to advance to the nobility.
Then, Philippe significantly reduced inheritance taxes and luxury taxes in the name of Louis XV, causing a sharp drop in national fiscal revenue.
Fortunately, France has now ceased war with Japan, and Philip took advantage of this to significantly reduce his army and save military expenditures.
This allowed France's Bourbon dynasty to continue to maintain its daily expenses despite a significant decrease in fiscal revenue.
But it’s not that Philip didn’t want his France to become a powerful empire.
It's just that he placed his hope of a strong French Empire on the idea of relying on the Ming Kingdom. He believed that as long as he cooperated with the Ming Kingdom and gained the favor of the Ming Kingdom, he could achieve the goal of making the empire stronger without losing the interests of his own French nobles.
He also knew that if he wanted Ming to be willing to cooperate with France and support France in growing bigger, France would have to see some tangible benefits from Ming.
For this reason, Philip decided to send a mission to the Ming Dynasty to contact the Ming Dynasty.
…
"Your Majesty, there is important news from the West. Louis XIV, the monarch of the French Bourbon dynasty, died after falling into the water in the palace!"
Zhu Youxiao learned the news that Louis XIV fell into the water on the afternoon of the early summer of the 55th day of the Apocalypse.
This made him feel a sudden chill. He quickly stood up and asked Wu Mengming, who was in charge of external intelligence collection: "What do you mean, Louis XIV fell into the water? Such a thing would also happen to Western barbarians?!"
Wu Mengming replied: "The ministers dare not lie. The news returned is indeed true. Now the Bourbon Dynasty is regent by Louis XIV's brother Philippe."
"Call the ministers to come!"
Zhu Youxiao immediately gave instructions.
Although Jin Yiwei's intelligence gathering ability in Europe is not as strong as before and he can report everything in detail, he still has some spies.
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao also knew what Louis XIV had done in France in recent years.
Zhu Youxiao was actually a little worried that Louis XIV would really make France become his Ming Dynasty's strong rival in the West.
But he did not expect that the French nobles would end their rise on their own.
"This is a good thing! Louis XIV is an ambitious monarch, and what he does has a tendency to unify France with the European continent. Fortunately, his relatives and ministers do not want him to do this."
After Wen Tiren and other ministers came to Zhu Youxiao, Wen Tiren said something first.
Zhu Youxiao asked at this time: "You ministers should know that this situation has also happened in this dynasty."
Wen Tiren and other ministers were speechless after hearing this.
"I remember that this Philip came to study in this country. Louis XIV asked him to come here, so he should learn the Ming Dynasty's way of prosperity. It's good for him, but he learned this!"
Zhu Youxiao continued.
Lu Xiangsheng couldn't help but shook his head and smiled: "Your Majesty must have some sympathy for Louis XIV?"
Zhu Youxiao nodded.
Lu Xiangsheng then said: "From a personal emotional point of view, I also feel aggrieved for Louis XIV. Philip's move is undoubtedly the crime of regicide and brother-killing! However, I think it is not appropriate for the court to rush to criticize and express its stance on this matter. We should take another look at Philip's policies in France. If he is contrary to what his brother did and is willing to cooperate with our Ming Dynasty in trade, we can continue to cooperate with him."
"That's right! This is in line with my own interests! Even if Philip is willing to safeguard my Daming's interests in Europe, we still need to protect his status in France and even the entire Europe!"
Zhang Tongchang said.
"Of course what you said is right. This is what we should do as a matter of national policy. But I couldn't help but think of my own experience of reforming and eliminating disadvantages after taking the throne. It can be said that I had a narrow escape from death."
Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but sigh.
Then, Zhu Youxiao asked: "How is the situation in England? Have they started to ban smoking?"
"The news hasn't come back yet, but it is said that one of us Han people in England has become the son-in-law of Charles II."
Wu Mengming replied.
…
"Zhu Zi said: "The Great Learning" talks about cultivating one's character, regulating one's family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world. Basically, it is just about integrity and sincerity. Therefore, Zhu Xi believes that governing a country should be based on morality and etiquette, supplemented by politics and punishment. This is what the so-called sage said. Conducting government with virtue..."
Charles II was wearing a Confucian robe at this time, sitting in front of Xu Qianxue, listening patiently to Xu Qianxue's Confucian classics.
Now with the help of Xu Qianxue, and because he himself is considered smart and diligent, he has already understood Chinese pronunciation and some simple Confucian meanings. Now he has begun to listen to Xu Qianxue teaching him Zhu Xi's thoughts.
He listened with great interest, and thought to himself that if he restrained his own morality, it would indeed be the first factor in making his British Empire strong.
However, just when Charles II was studying Confucianism seriously, he also learned that Louis XIV had fallen into the water and died.
"According to the French nobles, Louis XIV engaged in excessive taxation and debauchery during his reign. Although he performed well in the military, he relied on the money collected from excessive taxation. In the end, he fell into trouble due to debauchery! Fortunately, his brother Philippe The regent changed his harsh rule, reduced corvee and reduced taxes, streamlined state affairs, and made the country appear to be rejuvenating again."
Xu Qianxue used the second-hand information he heard and slightly processed it, and then mentioned the matter to Charles II.
Because France's own nobles all said this about Louis XIV, Charles II was convinced and said: "So, it is not a good thing for our country that Louis XIV fell into the water."
