"Invest?" Zhu Yijun looked at Antonio and said: "Prince, why did you get my investment? And you have already received investment from King Felipe II of France, who established the empire on which the sun never sets. King, my territory is limited to the land, oh, there is an extra Luzon recently."
When Zhu Yijun said this, the court officials of the Ming Dynasty all looked solemn. The Empire on which the sun never sets is undoubtedly an achievement, or a title that is great enough, but the supreme emperor and emperor are actually compared to other kings. Go down.
The emperor of the Central Plains Dynasty, in the known world, who can be more majestic than the emperor?
Now this title appeared in front of the courtiers of the Ming Dynasty, that is, the Empire on which the Sun Never Sets.
broken!
Zhang Juzheng's breathing became rapid. During frequent exchanges with Hongmao Fan, the chief minister of the empire realized a very serious problem, and the Ming Dynasty's etiquette was challenged.
Although the land in the whole world is vast, it is not a royal land without a foot. On the shore of Litu, although there are many people there, there is not a single citizen who is not a minister of the king.
This is the emperor’s law and destiny!
In an imperial country, there are only two ways to challenge the etiquette and law, either to win this title, or not to know this title, but now this title has come out from the mouth of His Majesty the Emperor, and His Majesty the Emperor clearly knows this The meaning of the title.
There is a globe in the side hall of His Majesty's Wenhua Palace. The meaning of the empire is that the sun never sets, which means that the sun will always shine on the territory of the empire.
But after Zhang Juzheng thought about it, this didn't seem to be a problem. The ancestors of the Ming Dynasty brought all the known world under the Ming Dynasty, at least in name. Even the Japanese country was canonized by the Ming Dynasty as the king of the Japanese country - Muromachi Shogunate.
Now at least one target appears in front of the eyes of the Great Tomorrow.
At least he must win this title in order to maintain his supreme authority as emperor.
"Felipe II is also my opponent." Antonio said helplessly: "I found many people and described my plan, but no one was willing to help me. They would only laugh at my ambition and strength. There is a huge difference, only Felipe II is willing to find something for me to do as my relative, just like now, be a captain and don't cause him any trouble."
Finding investors is a very difficult and painful thing for Antonio, especially for someone like him, an illegitimate son who only has the support of the common people. Almost no one will approve of him inheriting the throne, and no one is optimistic about it. He can inherit the throne.
The current King Enrique I of Portugal is the uncle of King Felipe II of Spain, which means that Felipe II is also the legal heir to the Portuguese throne.
The Duke of Savoy, who controlled the military, and the Duke of Parma, who controlled the religion in the Kingdom of Portugal, were very supportive of Felipe II's succession to the throne of the Kingdom of Portugal.
If we measure the gap between Antonio and Felipe II based on the Ming Dynasty's common words, it is a difference between clouds and mud.
In terms of military, economy, culture, and politics, Felipe II was a natural protagonist. He was powerful enough and had the support of the vast majority of nobles. Antonio only had the support of civilians.
How powerful is Antonio's opponent Felipe II? Felipe II could declare bankruptcy.
Declaring bankruptcy when you can't repay your debts allows you to repay old debts and borrow new ones. And he has done this twice. The creditors who lent him money must lend money to Felipe II again. .
Antonio has been looking for his investors, but in the end he only found Felipe II as his ship owner. Felipe II was showing a kind of kindness. If Antonio was obedient enough, he could make Antonio a rich man. , instead of killing Antonio.
"You are honest, but honesty cannot impress investors." Zhu Yijun shook his head. If Antonio had a high-quality project, it would not be his turn as the distant Ming Emperor to invest. There is no shortage of careerists and speculators in the world.
Money is money, money doesn't lie.
Antonio was also a little frustrated, but he still had to give the gift that should be given. He bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, I have a second gift to give."
"The territory of the Ming Dynasty is very vast, and the population is so large that the entire Western Europe combined is less than one-fifth of the population of the Ming Dynasty. This is a huge ethnic group, and it is also a huge market. I own some plantations in the South China Sea of the Ming Dynasty. , there is a kind of material that Ming Dynasty needs, and its name is palm oil."
"The palm tree comes from West Africa. His oil palm can be pressed for oil. This is my second gift, oil."
Zhu Yijun looked at Antonio, and then at the bowl of oil with a light color, and said with great conviction: "Prince, I suddenly understand why you are supported by almost all the common people. Your gift is not a treasure of pearls, or a gift of hunger." Food is not enough for the cold, but you deserve the support of the common people."
Zhang Juzheng talked about Emperor Jiantu and said that when Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty did not like bead ornaments, he said: A wise emperor values grain but despises pearls and jade, so he cannot use it as useless or harmful.
Palm oil is indeed not delicious, but one pound of flour and six ounces of oil has 350 calories per 100g of starch, while 100g of palm oil has 900 calories. One pound of sixteen ounces, one pound of oil = 2.5714 pounds. starch.
Antonio continued: "Thank you for your compliments. There are many people in Ming Dynasty, more than the whole of Western Europe combined. The land in Ming Dynasty is very small but not very much. Because I can see their hunger, so my goods are for the supreme king." As far as your majesty is concerned, you can give birth to your majesty’s people.”
"I have another gift to give. I believe His Majesty, the Supreme Majesty, will be very interested in it."
Two small yellow doors carried a box, and Antonio opened the box and said very sincerely: "Your Majesty, this is a strange thing. Its name is sucrose, a red-brown sugar cube."
"Like palm oil, it keeps out hunger. The hungry commoners always give the king a headache. When they get together, he either kills them or turns them into thugs. So, I brought sugar cubes, A lumpy piece of candy that’s delicious and filling at the same time.”
"Sugar has become popular throughout the Thai and Western world. Preserved fruits, sweet cookies, candied fruits and other sweets have become important features of the royal families of various Thai and Western countries. So much so that the monarchs appointed officials to be responsible for the candy department. This official also needs to be skilled in preparing various items for the royal table. A variety of sweets. During the meal, the servants are taught when and how to use sugar."
"For example, in England, sugar was used as a sauce for partridge and pheasant or sprinkled on grilled herrings, and the Brits designed special cutlery to slide the sticky sugar smoothly into the mouth."
“In France, sugar is used to sweeten dishes, preserve fruits and vegetables, and create sugar sculpture decorations and models.”
"Sugar sculptures are a display and display of power, wealth and status in Thailand."
Those who sell laughter cannot outsell those who sell medicine, and those who sell medicine cannot outsell those who sell sugar. Sugar selling has always been a hugely profitable industry, so Antonio has the idea to start a fight with Felipe II, who is unrivaled in the entire West. Confrontation ambition.
During his many years of sailing, Antonio obtained a large amount of money and almost countless plantations. Due to the widespread use of agricultural tools such as black rice, the cost of these things was roughly the same as the freight.
Because of eating a lot of sugar, the royal families of various countries in Thailand and Spain have fallen into serious oral diseases, such as tooth erosion, missing teeth, gum disease, oral cavity collapse and even disfigurement. and obesity.
"How much? How much palm oil and sugar cubes can be brought in a year?" Zhu Yijun looked at the bowl of palm oil. As Antonio said, the Ming Dynasty did not have extra land to plant palm trees, sugar cane and sugar beets. There were too many people in the Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, there is too little land, and a large amount of this land is in the hands of powerful gentry.
Antonio's gift this time also included various seeds. Antonio wishedfully believed that these seeds would make the Ming Emperor happy. In fact, Antonio did it. The Ming Dynasty really needed these. The little emperor recognized Antonio's ideas very much. A respectful heart.
Antonio bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, palm oil and sugar cubes are all packed in a large barrel. This barrel is about 20 French liters. Each barrel is one ton, which is equivalent to 1,700 pounds per barrel. , and I can guarantee 20,000 barrels of palm oil and 30,000 barrels of sugar cubes every year.”
The tonnage tax requested by Legaz is that it will be taxed based on the number of barrels on the ship regardless of the type of cargo.
The unit of ton, in the third year of Wanli, was the same unit of volume as the Ming Dynasty stone. It represented a barrel that could hold 20 liters or 34 cubic feet or 252 gallons. One hundred tons meant that one hundred such barrels could be placed. barrel.
In the West, the tax on ships is the Venetian bushel tonnage tax, which means that no matter what is loaded, it is levied according to the size of the ship. The most typical one is the flat-bottomed boat that transports coal from the upper reaches of the Tyne River in England to the downstream outlet. Each chall Tron's coal, twopence.
"Very good." Zhu Yijun agreed very much with the number that could arrive in Hong Kong.
"Then the franchise of Liuli will be handed over to the prince." Zhu Yijun planned to end this gift event. All Antonio's actions were business activities, and those seeds were Antonio's gift.
"I think I may need more help." Antonio said still impatiently.
Zhu Yijun said calmly: "That requires more chips. The seeds you donated are indeed very precious, but your purpose is to do business and open up a new market. The scale of production and sales of these things in Europe and the West has been increasing." It’s close to saturation, and your plantation development has come to a standstill. You need a huge market to continue to expand your business.”
"This is a matter of mutual benefit. This is just a transaction, and you hope that the transaction can gain my support for you. This is a kind of greed."
Zhu Yijun's organization was extremely clear. Antonio's seeds were indeed an excellent gift, so Zhu Yijun rewarded him with the franchise of Huangzhuang Glazed Ware, but the rest was all business and mutual benefit. Why should he want more? What about preferential treatment?
"Your Majesty, you have misunderstood. I am not so greedy. I have a new gift to offer." Antonio gritted his teeth and said, why is the little emperor more like a businessman than him? Aren’t they the most important thing to care about?
The royal families in the West are so poor that they have to wear silk. Those nobles would rather go bankrupt to maintain their dignity. However, he did not see any decent behavior from the most noble people in the world. Opening and closing words are all for profit. , every time Antonio speaks, he will fall into a terrifying illusion of making a deal with the devil.
That was not an illusion, there was indeed a demon in front of Antonio.
Zhu Yijun smiled and said: "Don't take it out yet. I need to know what you want first. If I can't give you something, such as land, people, tariff exemption, or franchise rights for various commodities."
"My palace is indeed majestic. You do see the solemnity and solemnity. It seems that I am omnipotent. You only need a word from me and anything can be done. In fact, you have misunderstood, but there are actually very few things that I can decide. The imperial glazed wares are one of the few things that I can decide on my own."
"Then you'd better not take it out, otherwise the officials of the empire will take those gifts away from you."
When Zhang Juzheng heard what the young emperor said, he bowed his head and said, "I am ashamed."
In an empire whose system was designed based on the emperor, the emperor could only manage one-third of his own land. This was a trampling of imperial power, but this is indeed the current situation.
"Sir, you are just joking." Zhu Yijun smiled and waved his hand and said, "If you change the first assistant, it is impossible to do better than Zhang Juzheng. If you change the first assistant, it will be even more difficult for orphans and widowers."
Antonio clenched his fists and said: "I hope to obtain weapons, armor, artillery, muskets, crossbows, long and short soldiers, etc. I need weapons to fight against Felipe II."
"Why don't you just ask for a regiment of 20,000 people? We can pack it up and send it to you together. You don't have professional soldiers anyway." Zhu Yijun sneered. Antonio was indeed greedy.
"That's better." Antonio's eyes lit up, but Zhu Yijun's eyes darkened, telling himself that it was cultural differences. Zhu Yijun asked in return, and Antonio took it as a suggestion.
"The Hong Mao Fan is part of the Ming pirates. I can't sell you weapons because you can't guarantee where these weapons will end up, so let's go here." Zhu Yijun made it clear this time. Every arrow that goes out may hit Ming's head.
Before the Ming Dynasty's maritime patrol and coastal defense systems were established, weapons would not be sold as commodities.
"My conditions will definitely make His Majesty interested in investing in me." Antonio said eagerly.
Zhu Yijun shook his head and said: "That way you will die faster. Felipe II will write a special letter to express his sorrow for your death and express his gratitude to me. After all, I got rid of a man for him." Trouble, wasn’t the fall of Constantinople, the holy city in Tessie’s mind, done by the Ottoman Sultan in order to kill the last contender for the throne?”
"It would be fitting for any of my sons, chosen by God to be the Sultan of the Empire, to kill his brothers for the sake of a better world order. This is Fatih's famous saying."
The inheritance law of the Ottoman Empire is the Guards inheritance system. Whoever can kill other heirs to the throne is the only king. Whoever controls the Ottoman Empire's Guards will control the throne. In other words, whoever the Guards makes king will be the king.
The Ottoman Empire is the biggest enemy of the entire West. In order to show the difference with the Ottoman Kingdom, Felipe II could not kill Antonio, but Antonio died in the Ming Dynasty. Felipe II would only express regret and gratitude. This is a trouble, no Big trouble.
"I have no other choice." Antonio said helplessly: "Your Majesty, I guarantee that these weapons will be sent to the West and will not stay in the far east and cause trouble to Your Majesty. Otherwise, how can I still carry them? The galleons came here to trade?”
"Tell me about your gift." Zhu Yijun thought for a while and finally relaxed.
Antonio bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty seems to have built a maritime school in Songjiang Prefecture, but as far as I know, Your Majesty still has not solved some problems of voyages, and I have brought a solution."
"To be more precise, they are some books. These books can solve your Majesty's troubles. This is my submission. With the greatness of the Ming Dynasty, even if I am far away in Taixi, once I betray your respected Majesty, I can't seem to escape from your majesty. punish."
Legas' whole face changed. In all the previous incidents, Legas was just watching the fun. It was very interesting for an illegitimate son to fight against the powerful Felipe II. Legas was there all the time. As he watched, when Antonio mentioned the book about the voyage, Legas' expression finally changed.
Damn businessman Antonio! He had no idea what he was giving out. It was more than a hundred years of great navigation experience. This damn businessman actually gave out such an expensive gift for the sake of the throne!
"We are just making a deal, not betrayal, let's see." Zhu Yijun motioned to Antonio to take out his bargaining chips.
Soon a large box appeared in front of Zhu Yijun. Zhu Yijun opened it and took a look. He had already learned Latin and it was not difficult to understand. Just like the old case of "Zheng He's Mission to Water", the books in this box were, It is something that Ming Dynasty urgently needs.
For example, in this box, there is a map "Star Map of the Northern and Southern Sphere", which records a large number of stars that can only be seen in the southern hemisphere. In addition to the nautical chart, there are also words of experience during the voyage, such as mixing strong wine with water, Scurvy, etc., recorded the customs and customs of many places, including concentrated production areas of cocoa beans, coffee, sugar cane, etc.
Zhu Yijun looked at Antonio and said: "I saw it, so I can't lose it. You are a stupid and smart businessman. At the same time, you know the Ming Dynasty very well. You know that if you tell it in advance, it will be more troublesome."
"I'm in a difficult position."
Antonio knew the Ming Empire very well, because the fireman Ya San and the court pharmacist had lived in the Ming Dynasty for a long time, and brought the top-level thinking of the Ming Dynasty back to Portugal. The Portuguese living in Haojing also brought the news from the bottom of the Ming Dynasty. They were sent back one after another. The information was one-sided and scattered, but it was indeed very accurate information.
Ming Dynasty had been in contact with Portugal for longer than with Spain.
In the eighth year of Zhengde, the Portuguese businessman Jorge began to contact the Ming Dynasty. Counting from the beginning, the Ming Dynasty and Portugal have been doing business for sixty-two years.
Antonio is stupid because he showed his trump card. It is a big taboo to show his trump card when doing business. Similarly, Antonio is smart because he was taking risks and knew that the Emperor of Ming Dynasty was bound by etiquette. When he was going to These chips are placed in front of the emperor. Not only will he not die, but he will also get a response.
"Your Majesty the Prince, I wish us a happy cooperation." Zhu Yijun finally made the decision.
Antonio knelt on the ground respectfully and said submissively: "Thank you for your generosity, your majesty. Thank you for your kindness."
The latter sentence was spoken by Antonio in extremely unfamiliar Chinese. Zhu Yijun, on behalf of the empire, agreed to Antonio's request to purchase Ming weapons.
Antonio and Legas left the Wenhua Palace, and the courtiers all looked at Zhang Juzheng.
Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said: "Today's court meeting is exempted. I will have a chat with my husband."
"Your Majesty, please leave." The ministers looked at me and I looked at you. They left the Wenhua Hall and everyone was talking about them on the way.
"Sir is in charge of the country, but I agreed to Antonio's request." Zhu Yijun said with some emotion: "Sir, you won't be angry."
Zhang Juzheng was stunned and said with a frown: "Your Majesty, do you mean to ask me to go to the Meridian Gate to behead myself, or to hit the pillar?"
Why don't you go back and eat a pound of arsenic? It won't be so miserable when you die this way, at least your head won't be dislocated.
"Aren't you angry, sir?" Zhu Yijun asked in surprise.
Zhang Juzheng said quite accurately: "I am the late emperor's minister Tuogu, and I am your majesty's teacher of banquets. But I am also your majesty's minister. Your majesty has the exclusive authority to take charge of it. No matter how hard it is, I cannot oppose your majesty's decision."
Zhu Yijun watched the curtain rolling in the autumn wind, and said slightly absentmindedly: "The New Deal, sir, is the first mate of the New Deal, and I am the captain of the New Deal, so what is the driving force of our New Deal ship?" Keep moving forward?”
"I thought it was food and silver. What do you think, sir?"
"Without silver, Ming Dynasty's department stores will lose their ability to circulate. Without food, Ming Dynasty will lose everything."
"It is true that Antonio and the Red Mao Fans now bring a large amount of food and silver to the Ming Dynasty for sale, but whether it is active or passive, once we lose the silver brought by the Hong Mao Fans, then the New Deal will become unsustainable , this feeling of leaving your destiny to others is as helpless as being grabbed by someone's hands."
"We now have a commodity advantage, but after our Chinese silk fabrics, musk, pearls, etc. are shipped to Malacca, we can go around the Cape of Good Hope and send them to the West, and we can make thirty times the profit. We have everything, but the shipping routes are not in our hands. As long as Felipe II exerts a slight force, I can't breathe."
Zhang Juzheng considered it carefully and said, "Your Majesty, it's passed. It's a bit exaggerated."
If Felipe II had the ability to cross the ocean and crush the Ming Dynasty, those red-haired businessmen would not talk about the damn British all day long. From the description of the red-haired fans, the British live in An island, about the same size as Japan.
Best actor Feng Bao also didn't approve of the Little Emperor's acting skills.
"It's indeed a bit exaggerated." Zhu Yijun nodded and acknowledged Zhang Juzheng's words. His acting skills were indeed a bit exaggerated.
Zhu Yijun regained his expression and said quite confidently: "Actually, the benefits that Antonio can bring outweigh the risks, so I agreed to him."
"I think so too." Zhang Juzheng said with confidence: "If you put the eggs in a basket, it will be easy for the chicken to beat the egg."
Both the monarch and his ministers believed that it would be beneficial for them. The dominance of the Spanish family was not conducive to the maritime trade of the Ming Dynasty. Only by constantly dividing their opponents could they ensure their own interests.
"Sir, Zhang Han, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, recommended Wang Chonggu, the governor of Xuanda, as the Minister of the Ministry of Punishments." Zhu Yijun talked about the appointment and removal of important personnel in the court.
"I already know that Wan Shangshu found me and told me about this matter." Zhang Juzheng said with a strange expression: "I didn't expect that it was Wan Shangshu who found me. He now has a good relationship with the Jin Party and the Zhejiang Party. , and the relationship with Chen seems to be good?"
Wan Shihe's state is a bit strange. Wan Shihe is a good dancer and moves among several major parties. He seems to have a good relationship with everyone, but he doesn't seem to be that close to anyone. This kind of person is more like a brothel. The top card, and everyone has a harmonious relationship with those romantic talents.
How did Wan Shihe change from an old-fashioned person to this kind of person? What happened in the middle is no longer important, what is important is that he is like this now.
It is also necessary for the court to have such a person who does not care about face. Wan Shihe always appears in various occasions where he should not appear, and it is extremely reasonable.
"Oh? Really?" Zhu Yijun showed a bright smile, looked at Zhang Juzheng and said, "Sir, it seems that he doesn't care much about Wang Chonggu's return to the court."
Zhang Juzheng said with certainty: "I can't question the recommendation of the officials. It was different from now. If he continues to stay in Xuanda, his foundation will be deeper and he will obstruct the Ming Dynasty's six-volume-one-account decree." .”
Wang Chonggu returned to Beijing before, and the capital camp was in a sluggish state. Wang Chonggu could threaten His Majesty's authority as the master, but now, Wang Chonggu can no longer do it.
Wang Chonggu's life was very comfortable. It can't be exaggerated to say that he spent a lot of time in Xuanfu. It was extremely comfortable. Then a transfer order was sent from the capital to Xuanfu. Everyone in Wang Chonggu was dumbfounded.
What are you doing back in Beijing? Returning to Beijing to face Zhang Juzheng, a man who eats people without spitting out their bones, is so cunning and cunning that he can't even fight?
He could make money and enjoy life in Xuanda, and he could do whatever he wanted. When he returned to the capital, layer after layer of shackles were put on him. On Zhang Juzheng's territory, what could he use to fight Zhang Juzheng?
"Stupid! It's so stupid. Before you do something stupid, can you be more thoughtful, even if you just tell me!" After Wang Chonggu returned to the capital, Zhang Siwei, Zhang Han, and Wan Shihe took Wang Chonggu to Zhang Siwei's home. In the middle, Wang Chonggu cursed directly.
It's a bit late today, so I'm extremely sorry. Thank you "Sorry ah ah ah" for the 4500 point reward, and thank you for your support and recognition. Please give me a monthly ticket, wow!!!!
(End of chapter)
