Xu Guangqi said that Spanish merchant ships passing through Manla were tax-free, which completely angered Felipe II.
He interrupted Xu Guangqi's words and shouted: "Haha! Your Excellency, Earl, I thought you were a true educated gentleman, but I didn't expect that you and your emperor are both arrogant and overestimating lunatics!"
"I can tell you, sir, without my permission, not a single plate from Ming Dynasty can be sold to Europe!"
"From Goa to Lisbon, there are now only Spanish merchant ships and warships! I remind you to pay attention to this!"
Wang Jiaping, who was sitting at the bottom of the table, heard keenly that after Felipe II became angry, he did not call the court "Serris" but "Ming Guo", which showed that he at least had a serious understanding of China. In this case, the fact that he did not directly cry for war showed that he knew that Spain's strength in Southeast Asia was not enough to compete with the Ming Dynasty's military power.
So he coughed lightly and said: "Your Majesty, there is a saying in China, which is called 'asking for a high price, and paying back when you get down' - we have put forward our own conditions, and we also want to hear your thoughts."
Felipe II's favorites, the Duke of Medina Sidonia and the Marquis of Santa Cruz, accompanied him at the Royal Palace in Madrid to receive the Ming envoys. Seeing Felipe's face flushed with anger, Duke Sidonia took over the topic and said:
"Gentlemen, you lack the necessary respect for the great Iberian co-owner. The ownership of Luzon and the Spice Islands, including Malacca, is not an issue that can be discussed."
"We are willing to respect Seres' dominant position in Asia. Our merchants will abide by your country's laws and pay customs duties. The rest, I think, can only be left to entrepreneurs and merchant ship owners. This is Spain's biggest concession."
Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "Duke Sidonia, your demands are not low. You just asked for the right to free trade. I think this right needs to be paid at a certain price."
At this time, Felipe II had calmed down. He picked up a bunch of grapes, picked one and played with it in his hands. Hearing this, he sneered and said: "Your Excellency, Siris's silk and plates are not necessities in Europe. Free trade between the two sides is beneficial to everyone."
Xu Guangqi shook his head and said: "Before my mission, His Majesty the Emperor told me that he has decided to issue a decree at the right opportunity to only allow merchant ships that purchase shares of Daming Sea Trading Company to enter Nanyang - therefore, this is really a big deal. What’s the benefit?”
Felipe II looked at Xu Guangqi as if he were a fool: "I think I have just said that without my permission, you can't sell a single plate, so this decree is meaningless."
Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "That's not the case. I think Dutch and British merchant ships are willing to try to take this route full of wealth while respecting China's colonial interests."
Felipe II's eyes flashed coldly, and then his face returned to an indifferent expression. He said to Xu Guangqi: "Maybe you can have this hope, but the ships of these two countries may not be able to get out of the Atlantic Ocean."
Xu Guangqi spread his hands and said: "Your Majesty, please allow me to sincerely point out to you the plight of the Spanish Empire in Nanyang, and clearly express His Majesty's sincerity for peace."
Felipe II stopped talking. He handed the grapes in his hand to the servant beside him, picked up a handkerchief to wipe his hands, and motioned for him to pour himself a glass of wine.
Xu Guangqi pondered for a moment and then began to say: "Your Majesty, I think you should have got some information about the Chinese military strength. You have to admit that the Chinese military's courage and firepower are at least equal to the most advanced troops in Europe - or even surpassed. We are absolutely Not the natives that the explorers you sent met in America and Africa.”
After hearing this, Felipe rolled his eyes without comment. Xu Guangqi stared into his eyes and continued: "Spain's total military strength in Luzon, Goa, and the Spice Islands does not exceed 15,000, while the Ming Dynasty's well-trained musketeers far exceed 500,000. Warships equipped with artillery are being built in large numbers. , I may have built nearly a hundred ships during the year when I was on my mission - so you have to admit that you cannot protect your colonies in Middle-earth if you rely on force."
Felipe II touched the beard under his chin and said, "Keep talking."
Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "What's more, most of these colonial troops are Portuguese officers and soldiers - you don't have enough funds for the Spanish army to replace them, and whether these people can fight for Your Majesty in the war, I I think you also have a lot of doubts.”
Felipe raised his eyebrows and said through his teeth: "Haha, this is the first time I've heard of this."
Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "Your Majesty, after I arrived in Madrid yesterday, someone recommended an epic poem to me called "Song of the Lucitanians". Unfortunately, I don't understand Portuguese, so I asked someone to translate it. One of the chapters turns out to be about the adventures of Mr. Vasco da Gama.”
"Even I, a Chinese, can feel the author's passionate emotion for the Lusitania nation, and I also know that Lusitania has been regarded as a dominant nation by the Portuguese, and is very different from the Spanish Juche nation. Styrian."
After hearing these words, Felipe twitched the corner of his mouth and tried to force a smile on his face: "I have to express my appreciation to you, Your Excellency, you have a very clear understanding of the situation in Spain."
"Ah, maybe I am a scholar at heart, so I am just interested in these humanities. You are ridiculous."
"Look, we now have a premise that if there is a war between the two countries in Nanyang, China will win - maybe we will pay a high price if we are unlucky, but expelling Spanish power from the Spice Islands is There is no doubt that your country is too far away after all."
"Then what?"
Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "Then there will be a protracted battle for colonies. We will fight for colonies on the east coast of Kunlun Continent, the Cape of Good Hope and even the west coast until the two sides reach a balance of power in terms of distance and troop deployment ratio - shipping between Central Continent and Europe will be completely interrupted. , both sides are unprofitable.”
"At this time, your enemies Britain and France, including Spain's rebels, the Netherlands-Baloch Alliance and even the Ottoman Empire, will not be idle. They will take this opportunity to weaken Spain's hegemony and make peace with us."
"This strategy has an idiom formed in China during the Warring States Period two thousand years ago, called 'distance and close attack'. You can understand the meaning of this phrase literally."
"Therefore, in order to continue to maintain Spain's hegemony in Europe and maintain the hope of unifying Europe - I think this is the goal you have been fighting for your whole life, we have a peaceful transfer of power in Southeast Asia, which is beneficial to both of us."
"In this way, your empire retains the exclusive rights to the sea route west of the Spice Islands, and we own the inland sea from Manraka to the imperial coastline."
"This is the peace and sincerity that His Majesty the Emperor asked me to bring to you. In his original words, it is called "win-win"!"
After listening to what Xu Guangqi said, Felipe II and his two ministers fell silent, and the hall of the Royal Palace in Madrid fell silent.
Of course, the two sides knew that Xu Guangqi's retelling of Zhu Yijun's so-called "win-win" strategy was completely forcing Spain to make huge concessions, but it has to be said that this statement gave an insight into Spain's predicament in Nanyang, and for Ming Dynasty, it was a profit from the new route. The best strategy - an upright conspiracy, it is difficult for Spain to resist.
Xu Guangqi's back was already wet with sweat, and his mouth felt dry. He glanced at Wang Jiaping and saw him looking down at the wine glass in front of him with a smile, as if he had been hesitating between ale and wine.
Xu Guangqi whispered: "To Nangong, is this ale good to drink?"
"It tastes better than the one in Lisbon. It's just uncomfortable to hold in - I seem to have drank a little too much."
Xu Guangqi: "..."
The first confrontation between the two sides did not reach a definite conclusion. Felipe II said that he needed to study a "win-win" solution with his ministers. It should be said that the Spanish monarch was very graceful. When he put down his work, he recommended that Xu Guangqi must try Madrid's cured ham and paella.
After expressing his gratitude, Xu Guangqi presented carefully prepared gifts - fine porcelain and tea sets that had traveled thousands of miles on the ship, as well as various teas sealed in jars.
Felipe II, like the Tudor queens, developed a great interest in tea. Following Xu Guangqi's instructions, he tasted various flavors - some with milk, salt, honey, lemon, as well as various pure teas and various mixed chowder tea soups.
The Marquis of Santa Cruz said: "I have read Lai Maxi's "Collected Voyages", which mentioned that Marco Polo mentioned a Chinese drink in his travel notes - it is said that this thing can protect people from diseases, prolong life, and It can make people energetic. This thing seems to be called 'tea'? Not the cha you mentioned?"
Xu Guangqi and Wang Jiaping looked at each other, and Wang Jiaping smiled and said: "If it is said that it can resist diseases and prolong life, these two pronunciations should refer to the same thing."
Felipe II heard that this thing can prolong life. He was even more interested in it when he was nearly 60 years old, and drank one cup after another.
Duke Sidonia also drank a few glasses from thin porcelain, and then commented: "I think it tastes better with milk." After speaking, he looked at Xu Guangqi and said: "I noticed that you and Deputy Ambassador Wang Just drink it without any additives.”
Xu Guangqi laughed and said: "There are many kinds of tea in China, including green tea, black tea, scented tea, etc., but most of us drink tea without additives - but people in many places in our country also drink milk tea."
"For the Chinese, drinking tea is not only a habit, but also a culture. Different teas, brewing methods, and water selections all fit a certain state of mind or artistic conception. If you are interested, we We can have in-depth discussions about this.”
Then he smiled and said to Felipe II: "Your Majesty, I suggest you drink less when you drink it for the first time. It is difficult for people to fall asleep after drinking tea for the first time. And it will accelerate intestinal peristalsis - you may feel Stomach upset."
Felipe II's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he smiled and said, "Can this thing cure constipation?"
Xu Guangqi was stunned and said: "You... yes, tea has this effect. Our country's medical school has conducted research and it can promote digestion and treat... constipation."
Felipe II: “Then please make me another big pot.”
Xu Guangqi: "..."
