Going to a country thousands of miles away and joining forces with a big country requires extremely high political wisdom. For more than a year after Xu Guangqi was appointed, Zhu Yijun took him with him, took the time to talk to him about the general trend of the world, and instilled as much political and economic "strategic" concepts into him as possible.
When it comes to grand strategy from the earth's perspective, Zhu Yijun's level should be considered half-baked in later generations, but in this time and space, he must be higher than all humans at this time. Because for future generations of people who are interested in history, various mobile apps will push a large number of articles with extremely high vision - even if Zhu Yijun casually browses, he will cultivate a perspective far beyond that of today's emperors and ministers.
Take the colonial policy as an example. Although the Iberian Confederation now has more than 20 million square kilometers of colonies, its colonies are not as effective as Burma in nurturing the mainland. Although Myanmar only has a population of 10 million, as its agricultural production capacity increases, these 10 million people have become a dumping market for Ming Dynasty’s primary industrial products. This market has brought investment, job opportunities and tax revenue to Ming Dynasty’s industrial industry. It is amazing—— This is the correct way to open a colony.
In the colonial 1.0 generation after the great geographical discovery, there were only two words in the minds of the colonists: plunder! Their eyes were only fixed on the so-called "wealth" of gold, silver and slaves, and they were still confused about the relationship between the colonial market and the local economy.
After Spain occupied South America and discovered large silver mines, it did not implement effective control over the colonies. After building a small town next to the silver mines, it organized slave workers to dig at their wits' end. The amount of silver transported into the country from the Americas every year increased from hundreds of thousands taels. Today, it is 5 million taels per year. Correspondingly, prices in Spain have tripled in the past 20 years, and inflation has spread throughout Europe.
In short, if Spanish monarchs paid less attention to plunder and devoted some energy to developing colonial markets, the increased wealth brought about by the growth of native industry and commerce would be healthy. On the contrary, if a large amount of money is invested but there is no corresponding increase in industrial and commercial output - inflation becomes inevitable.
What Felipe II couldn't figure out was that he could obviously obtain a large amount of gold and silver from the Americas every year, but he could not pay the huge domestic expenses and bank interest. At this time, Spain was running on the wrong road without realizing it. Felipe II went bankrupt three times after he came to the throne because of his extravagant spending and militarism. The most recent one, nine years ago, resulted in a massive outflow of Spanish gold and silver, and the prices of metals used in coinage, such as copper and tin, fluctuated violently.
In order to alleviate debts, Felipe II continued to raise taxes, which on the one hand caused turmoil in Europe's financial industry, and on the other hand began to lead to a large number of bankruptcies in its dominant industries, including shipbuilding and industrial companies.
Today, the entire Spanish economy has entered a downward spiral - the empire is booming and declining, from its political system to its economy.
Xu Guangqi, who has a lot of information, is not afraid at all of such a so-called "power" that is powerful from outside. Now the initiative to conquer Luzon and the Spice Islands is completely in the hands of the Ming Dynasty, because the porcelain and silk production capacity absorbed by the galleons trade is a drop in the bucket of the Ming Dynasty's current production capacity.
Although the interruption of the galleons trade will interrupt the flow of silver into China, Zhu Yijun, who was influenced by modern economic concepts, is not as short-sighted as Felipe II - the Ming Dynasty's economy essentially cannot be supported by trade. .
Felipe's previous threat of "not being able to sell a single plate to Europe" was almost insignificant to Ming Dynasty. If a war breaks out in Nanyang, it will be an unbearable burden for Felipe II, who needs to make a lot of profits from the spice trade.
...
Xu Guangqi was thinking, thinking about how to make Felipe II understand that Spain no longer had any initiative without reminding him of the error in its colonial policy.
When Wang Jiaping heard Xu Guangqi's words "Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you", he couldn't help but feel itchy and said: "Zi Gong asked Confucius, is there any one saying that can be practiced throughout life? Confucius said: 'Forgive me "Huh! Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you.' This is the etiquette that Chinese people follow throughout their lives, and 'benevolence' is included in it."
The Spanish court interpreter was dumbfounded and stared at Wang Jiaping with wide eyes. Xu Guangqi touched his nose and translated it in vernacular first, and then the translator breathed a sigh of relief and translated it.
Felipe II ignored Wang Jiaping's pull. He was forced into a corner by Xu Guangqi, who was incompetent. Having settled on the conditions given by Zhu Yijun, Xu Guangqi said that Spain could only exchange two major colonies for free trade rights, otherwise it would go to war - for Spain, this was a completely unequal treaty.
The more Felipe II thought about it, the more he held his breath. He gradually became angry and looked at Xu Guangqi with a somewhat unkind look.
Xu Guangqi's heart was pounding. He picked up the wine glass and looked at the crimson liquid in it. He said: "Although China also produces wine, the flavor is not as good as that produced in Europe. Europe also makes better wool products than China. If the sailing ship trade can open up to China, Import woolen products and wine, and the trade between Middle-earth and Europe will be more balanced."
After hearing this, Felipe II's anger subsided and he felt a little entangled in his heart. The Cotai Strip that Xu Guangqi pointed out to him sounded very tempting - with Seris's wealth, if they could really open up a sales channel for European products, they would really be able to collect a lot of taxes.
Xu Guangqi smiled at him again and said: "Your Majesty, if the Spice Islands belong to China, His Majesty the Emperor can further promise that the existing spice plantations will be protected - the transfer of ownership rights here does not involve private property."
Seeing that Felipe II's cheek muscles were almost twisted, Xu Guangqi added the final blow: "Of course, if the two of us are in a state of war, all the assets of the Iberian Confederation will be confiscated as enemy assets."
Wang Jiaping, who had just taken a chance, now not only thinks highly of Xu Guangqi, he even worships him. The Ming Dynasty is now at the beginning of its power. Based on the major political policies that Wang Jiaping learned before the mission, Japan and Annan are among the emperor's priority, followed by Luohuangye - Nanyang should be put later.
In other words, according to the progress of the Burma Strategy, it will take at least five more years for the Ming Dynasty to extend its power to Southeast Asia. Nowadays, the two negotiations between Xu Guangqi and Felipe II made it seem real. It was as if Felipe II said "no" and the two sides would immediately start fighting in Nanyang. ——Although Lord Xu is young, he is really a damn talent!
After hearing the conditions mentioned by Xu Guangqi, the Duke of Sidonia felt dry for a while and kept looking at Felipe II's face with the corner of his eyes. Seeing that His Majesty the King was still hesitant, he said: "Your Majesty, His Majesty Siris is very rich - you may be able to sell these two colonies to him."
Before Felipe could speak, Xu Guangqi shook his head like a rattle and interjected: "This is not feasible. If China pays for redemption, the implicit meaning is to recognize that Spain's occupation of Luzon and the Spice Islands is legal - —This is absolutely not feasible!”
Felipe II was extremely angry and laughed back: "According to what you say, if someone in my colony pays tribute to Seris in the future, then I will withdraw unconditionally?"
Xu Guangqi blinked: "Your Majesty, Jesus said: 'Treat others how you would like others to treat you.' - This is contrary to what Confucius said, 'Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you.' But, it means the same thing.”
"If someone is willing to worship China as the supreme country, change his uniform, change his etiquette and customs, and listen to the teachings of saints, then the court has no reason not to accept it."
Felipe II was furious: "Then take all America and Africa! I have never heard of such a shameless reason!"
Xu Guangqi smiled warmly and said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to be angry. You have to admit that Europeans and Chinese people have different views on things. What's more, it doesn't matter what we think. As you said, the most important thing is whether we have the strength to realize our ideas. important."
The Duke of Sidonia interjected: "Your Majesty, what you are saying is that if Siris' strength allows, he will inevitably compete with Spain for the Americas and Africa?"
Xu Guangqi said sternly: "There is a saying in China that 'a thousand years of land is exchanged for eight hundred lords' - is there an empire in this world whose power will never decline? Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor of our country believes that no matter how much land is conquered, humankind cannot be preserved. civilization is important."
Duke Sidonia said doubtfully: "I don't understand what you mean."
Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "Our Majesty said that there are hundreds of nations in the world with history, etiquette, and language. Of course, their strength cannot compare with China - but this does not mean that China has the right to kill the bearers of these civilizations. , and plunder them.”
"Therefore, it is impossible to talk about what China will compete with Spain in the future if its strength allows. Before Vasco da Gama and Columbus discovered these continents, those continents were already there, with people and civilization on them. If they are willing to compete with China To communicate with other civilizations and adopt Chinese etiquette systems, we should protect their lives and property as well as the achievements of their civilization - and ultimately achieve the highest goal pursued by the Chinese people, to rule the world with great harmony!"
How do you evaluate these words? After Xu Guangqi finished speaking, the bandits in the Royal Palace of Madrid felt as if they had been crushed in terms of civilization.
It was as if a beggar on the street saw an elegant aristocrat, and a gorilla that could only roar heard music for the first time - Felipe II and the Duke of Sidonia both had this feeling.
Felipe II not only felt that Emperor Seris was a noble man, free from low-level tastes, but he also felt that Emperor Seris was a fool. At the same time, there was also a feeling deep in his heart that wanted to be squeezed out under the cloak. The "small" general feeling.
Wang Jiaping, who was listening emotionally on the sidelines, suddenly said again: "Your Majesty the King, during the Northern Song Dynasty in China, Shi Jie once wrote "On China", which said, 'Heaven is above, and earth is below. He lives in the heaven and the earth. It is called China, which is located on the side of heaven and earth..."
"Callate!"
