Zhu Jingyuan couldn't help but frown secretly in his heart when he heard the request of the Ottoman Grand Vizier Zayadin.
How could a land property right in Crete be exchanged for so much?
This old man may be testing himself to see if he will give up the national interests of Ming Dynasty for his own personal interests.
He personally obtained the land ownership given by other countries, allowing Ming Dynasty to pile up concessions on land and population issues.
This routine is no different from kickbacks in corporate purchases.
But obviously, with my own status, I can basically get anything that belongs to Ming Dynasty, and there is no need to make such an exchange.
At the same time, only things that belong to Da Ming can be truly obtained by oneself, and can be possessed with complete confidence.
How can I safely use things that are placed on other countries' lands and guarded by other countries' troops?
However, considering the Grand Vizier's ability, he should not be just testing, but also asking for a lot of money from himself.
Therefore, Zhu Jingyuan responded in a serious and serious manner:
“Advice on the development of the Ottoman navy and guidance on port construction can be offered to the Ottomans as a token of friendship between our two sides.
“However, all other conditions proposed by the Grand Vizier are impossible.
“Unless the Ottomans directly cede Crete to the Ming Dynasty, they would be able to obtain the populations of Tripoli, Tunisia, Algeria and other places.
“As for the land in these areas, if Osman wants to intervene again after giving up on the attempt, it will mean competing with Ming again.
"This kind of violation of the content of the peace treaty just signed will definitely affect the friendship we just established..."
Zhu Jingyuan's meaning is very clear. Friendship can only be exchanged for friendship, and interests can be exchanged for interests.
The Ottomans' commitments in the peace treaty and the fact that they had given up the lands in the northern part of Mozhou were now regarded as forbidden by the Ming Dynasty.
If Ottoman now goes back on his promise and sends troops to occupy these areas by force again, then there will be no friendship between the two sides.
This last sentence is a blunt warning.
Zayadin was silent for a few seconds, and still said with some unwillingness:
"Your Highness, is there really no room for negotiation about the population and land in those areas? Those lands have not been captured by the Ming Dynasty.
"Our true thoughts are not hidden from His Highness. We want to use these people to develop the colony of Mozhou.
"We know the abilities of the Mo people, and we won't use them unless necessary."
Zhu Jingyuan thought about it for a while and said more frankly:
"I can personally give a piece of advice to the Grand Vizier and Osman. You should focus your main energy on the development of Mozhou.
“I believe that if the Ming Dynasty had not intervened at all, the current Ottomans might not have the ability to conquer the Barbary pirates on their own.
"If the Ming Dynasty conquered the land of the Barbary pirates on its own, it would be impossible to cede it to other countries. There is no need to talk about this matter.
"Population can be discussed. If Ottoman wanted to get the population conquered by Ming Dynasty, he would cede Crete to Ming Dynasty.
“Osman can also take away all the people on Crete, and Ming Dynasty can do without those people at all.
"Otherwise, don't think too much, just trade your personal land ownership for technical support."
Zayadin hesitated for a few seconds, but in the end was unable to make a decision directly on the spot:
"Thank you for your sincerity, but I'm sorry, we need some time to think about it and ask His Majesty the Sultan for instructions.
"However, the relationship between Crete and Tripoli, Tunisia and Algeria, and how the local population and land issues are ultimately decided, should not affect our friendship.
"So whether it is Her Royal Highness Irene, the land ownership of Rhodes Island, or His Majesty the Sultan's other intentions, I hope that His Highness Prince Dashi can accept it directly."
As he spoke, Zayadin took out a Ming-style gift list and asked the guards at the scene to check it before passing it to Zhu Jingyuan above.
Zhu Jingyuan directly opened the gift list and looked at it. It stated what the Ottoman Sultan had given him.
The first was the deed to Rhode Island, which both parties knew was the most important gift.
Then there is Princess Irene of the Ottoman Sultan.
Her date of birth was written on it, and she had just turned thirteen at the end of this year.
Her mother was not one of the wives of the Ottoman Sultan, but an ordinary slave girl who came from the Ermao ethnic group in Lucia.
However, his mother was not imported, but a second-generation slave born in Ottoman territory.
The reason why the Ottoman Sultan chose Irene to give to Zhu Jingyuan was not because Zayadin said she was the most beautiful princess.
But because her ears are dry, she will most likely not have body odor as she grows up.
Influenced by the Ming Dynasty, in today's Europe, Europe and other countries around the world, lack of body odor is a characteristic that overrides beauty.
This has led to a sharp increase in the mate-choosing rights of a small number of inexperienced men and women in various ethnic groups, and they have naturally become the first choice for marriage between nobles and elites of all ethnic groups.
This will obviously gradually expand the number of people who do not have body odor.
Children without body odor are also more likely to be screened out and focused on developing their abilities.
Princess Eileen is one of them. She can now use Daming Yayan relatively fluently and can also write simple articles in Chinese characters.
Perhaps after several generations of continuous screening, the upper-class groups of various ethnic groups in Thailand and Spain will gradually lose their body odor.
The result is likely to be a sign of what they consider to be true civilization.
Zhu Jingyuan looked at the relatively detailed introduction on the gift list and felt that this Irene was most likely a real princess and not just a random female slave to pretend to be.
But she was written on the gift list as a princess and was given directly to Zhu Jingyuan as a gift.
But without a slave contract, he is still a free man in theory.
Following closely behind were sixteen female slaves from various ethnic groups in Thailand and Spain, all of whom had their names, ages, ethnic groups, origins, and characteristics written down.
The eldest is no more than sixteen years old, and the youngest has just turned ten.
These girls all come with slave indentures and are now clearly slaves.
They also share the same trait, like Erin, they have dry ears and are expected to have no body odor as adults.
Finally, there is a collection of jewelry and antiques, as well as several calligraphy and paintings from the East.
No gold, silver or any money was given directly.
This shows that Osman specializes in doing national homework and knows what the people of Ming Dynasty like most.
These gifts are definitely considered a great gift to ordinary people, and even to ordinary nobles.
But for Zhu Jingyuan, the food prince, it seemed to be nothing.
With Zhu Jingyuan's appetite and status, there is probably no one in this world who can afford to give him a real gift.
Considering the support Zhu Jingyuan gave to the Ottomans at the League of Nations meeting, the Ottoman Sultan was absolutely willing to give these gifts to Zhu Jingyuan.
It can really be regarded as a pure thank you gift. Zhu Jingyuan can accept it without any psychological pressure and does not need to consider any feedback.
Zhu Jingyuan closed the gift list and looked up at the dozen girls not far away.
Their first priority when being selected is that they are tasteless, and their appearance is not the highest priority in theory.
But now it seems that the appearance and body shape of the leader Irene can be regarded as very excellent.
After all, the fact that her mother was selected by the Sultan showed that her mother's physical foundation was good enough, and she inherited her mother's characteristics.
Although the other dozen girls are slightly worse, at least they are all at a high level.
And because they come from different ethnic groups and have their own unique looks and temperaments, they are all considered beauties among the people.
If it really didn't look good, the Ottoman Sultan wouldn't be able to give it to Zhu Jingyuan as a gift.
For the Ottoman Sultan, these sixteen female slaves, who had no body odor and were pleasant in appearance, should be the real hemorrhage.
Now they are all wearing Ming-style girl clothes, standing aside very obediently and honestly, waiting for Zhu Jingyuan's sentencing.
From slaves of the Ottomans to maids of the Ming Dynasty, this change of status can be regarded as liberation to a certain extent.
But not everyone is qualified to be Zhu Jingyuan's maid.
Even if they, ordinary female slaves, stay, they will most likely only be ordinary maids doing chores.
Only Irene, the daughter of the Ottoman Sultan, had the opportunity to be played and raised by Zhu Jingyuan like sisters An Xiaona and Luo Feiya.
Zhu Jingyuan was actually worried that if he had too much, he would not be able to use it all, which would be a waste of resources.
Tasteless Thai and Western girls cherish resources in the European and Western continent, and they cannot resell them after receiving them.
But then I thought about it, this kind of maidservant sent by Osman to the West occupied the resources of the various races in the West, not the resources of the Ming Dynasty itself.
It can contribute to the population control of various ethnic groups in Thailand and Spain.
Why not do it?
Zhu Jingyuan evaluated in his mind for a long time, and finally nodded lightly:
"In that case, let's all stay. The Grand Vizier will go to rest first. We will talk another day..."
Including Zayadin, Princess Irene, and a dozen girls on the left and right, all breathed a sigh of relief when they heard this.
"It is their blessing to be able to stay and serve His Highness..."
Zayadin saluted Zhu Jingyuan with a smile, and then left under the guidance of the guards.
Although Zayadin's words were instinctively polite, they were all the truth to Zhu Jingyuan.
Zhu Jingyuan, who has the memory and mentality of future generations, at least cannot do anything to abuse these girls.
Their future jobs will basically be that of housemaids, and their personal safety will be guaranteed.
Zhu Jingyuan thought about it for a while, and then called for the housekeeper and nanny of the palace, as well as the stall owner of the West Factory in charge of the big food country.
The identities and backgrounds of Irene and Luo Feiya are directly on the surface, and it is very easy to confirm in the other country's homeland.
However, this confirmation process cannot be omitted. Luo Feiya was also investigated and confirmed by Xichang.
Since the other sixteen ordinary maids have slave contracts, they must check each other's transaction and registration records based on the contract information.
Trace them as far back as possible to their original source.
Whether the original source can be traced or not, the subsequent treatment and status will be completely different.
Only those who can confirm will have the opportunity to become personal servants in the room, otherwise they can only work as ordinary miscellaneous servants in the outer courtyard.
If there is a problem with the source, special treatment will be required.
However, these tasks are all matters corresponding to the National West Factory Branch.
The task of the West Factory personnel in the Dashi Country is to confirm whether there is anything wrong with Irene and the maids themselves.
Determine whether they have received professional espionage training.
First, one-on-one direct testing, followed by daily continuous observation, and regular random reviews.
This was actually part of the Ming Dynasty’s review of foreign naturalization.
The West Factory has a special group of people who do this job.
As long as the Ottoman Sultan and Zayadin were not stupid, they would not be able to do anything like this. They would definitely choose someone with a clear origin as much as possible.
But the necessary steps are still indispensable.
