"Dear Your Majesty the Emperor, I came here for peaceful trade. I don't understand why you treat guests from afar like this. Trade is beneficial to both countries. I brought my wife and family because I believe in the Eastern The master is a rational emperor. Now it seems that I overestimated you!"
"Be bold!"
Seeing Alfonso holding his head high, after Yang Tinghe shouted this sentence, the general manager of the Siyi Pavilion was trembling with fear: Your Majesty has ordered that the original words must be translated. The one-five-ten translation is very scary. Is it okay to put it another way? Is this considered a lie?
Fortunately, the emperor did not seem angry.
Zhu Houcong said disapprovingly: "In order to facilitate your understanding, I will tell you something clearly. Manchuria and the surrounding countries have regarded the Ming Dynasty as their suzerain country for many years. Ever since you attacked and occupied it, you have launched a war against the Ming Dynasty. Since The war has already begun, so Ming Dynasty will decide when it will end. Do you think it is a land without one?"
After listening to the translation, Alfonso's expression changed somewhat.
That was an archipelago that had just been discovered, rich in products but backward in technology.
"But we didn't discover your rule there! In a place so far away from your empire, if you must use this matter as an excuse, then I can only think that you are not prepared to coexist peacefully with the Portuguese Empire."
Zhu Houcong chuckled and said: "It's just a kingdom. Don't flatter yourself just because you have grabbed some overseas territories. Your homeland is no larger than the territory of my Ming Dynasty. The labor expedition occupied the vassal countries protected by the Ming Dynasty, and also Dare you tell me anything about peaceful coexistence? This war will not end until you retreat from Nanyang. Now, you are a prisoner."
Alfonso looked at Zhu Houcong angrily: "This is impossible!"
According to the wishes of the Eastern Emperor, Manlajia will be taken back in the future, but the Portuguese power is not allowed to get involved there. In this way, wouldn’t the wealth of the East be cut off?
"Whether it is possible or not is up to you." Zhu Houxuan continued, "Now, your king has been replaced by Joao III. I can allow you to send a letter back to your king to see if he accepts it. The request to withdraw from Ming Nanyang. If you refuse, then build warships as soon as possible, recruit soldiers and send them to the east. If you want peace and trade, it is your king who should send an envoy to me to ask for peace!"
Yang Tinghe hesitated to speak, but Alfonso replied simply: "Okay. If you insist on war, Portugal will not be afraid!"
"Detain him first and let him write a letter."
Yang Tinghe then said: "Your Majesty, if the new law is completed in a few years, I will be able to guarantee that the food and salary of the Ming Dynasty will be enough to support the expedition of the soldiers, help Manchuria recover the country, and declare power in Nanyang. Now that the country is being prepared early, Guangdong must always be on guard. Enemies coming from Southeast Asia?"
Zhu Houcong just said with a cold face: "Without foreign invasion, what would have happened to the provincial guard posts along the river? A mere hundred or so Japanese pirates would be invincible! The coastal provinces are waiting for work, so why should they be afraid? Nowadays, Japan neglects to pay tribute. My disobedient heart is clearly revealed. Manlajia worships the Ming Dynasty as its master. If it cannot drive away foreign enemies in the future, won’t the countries in Southeast Asia become disheartened and turn to other countries? If all the vassal states turn against them, then how can I see my ancestors? Zong?"
It sounds as if the emperor is at odds with Yang Tinghe again.
The Chao Shenguan was thinking about it in his heart.
"Since Mr. Yang Ge is preparing to conquer Japan, what does Portugal have to fear from the thousands of people sent to Manchuria thousands of miles away? I won't rush into a conquest just because of my success. Don't worry, Mr. Yang. Since I have entrusted Yang with a heavy responsibility, Mr. Ge, whether the new law can enrich the country depends entirely on Mr. Yang."
The prisoner presentation ceremony was over, and many people in the imperial court were thinking about it.
Since Your Majesty is not prepared to send troops to conquer the Portuguese in Manchuria now, he is using Yang Tinghe's previous statement that he will conquer Japan to continue to use this matter to make a fuss about the new law.
In fact, in everyone's mind, Portugal certainly doesn't count.
There was a reason for Wang Hong's first defeat. Didn't he win the next two battles?
Although the Portuguese occupied Manga, they naturally had no chance of winning if they went on an expedition to fight the Ming Dynasty.
His Majesty stopped Yang Tinghe's idea of conquering Japan, but offered to go to Manchuria to drive away the Portuguese in the future. This meant that Yang Tinghe should focus on Guangdong first instead of causing panic in the southeast, right?
After all, there is still a five-year contract with Jiajing.
Alfonso had no idea that Portugal was being used as a tool by the Ming monarchs to stimulate internal change.
He wrote the letter to John III very seriously.
At the same time, he also recalled the process of his previous defeat.
Although the warships and artillery shells of the Eastern Empire are still slightly inferior, the gap is no longer as big as those who fled back before described.
This time, many warships and artillery shells were captured again. He was escorted all the way to Beijing. He had already experienced firsthand what a huge country it was and how many people it had.
He didn’t understand how many problems there were within the Ming Dynasty. He also didn’t understand that it would be difficult for the Ming Dynasty to formally form a large naval force to fight against Manchuria. He also didn’t understand that if the Ming Dynasty had to continue to fight with the Portuguese in Manchuria for many years, it would be difficult for them to do so. How many conflicts arose within the Ming Dynasty.
He only knew that in terms of national strength alone, it was absolutely impossible for Portugal to officially defeat this country.
It only takes one month for the fleet to sail from Guangzhou City to Malacca. The time difference from India to Maharashtra is not that big. The key problem is that it is too far from Portugal.
But Malacca's location is so important that Alfonso can't imagine how much profit Portugal will lose after giving up Malacca. All goods from the East cannot be obtained at such a low cost now and can be shipped back to Europe to make huge profits.
It is difficult to defend, and the king really needs to think carefully about how to deal with this matter.
In front of the Emperor of the East, Alfonso suddenly heard him express his determination to take back Malacca, and Alfonso said that Portugal would not be afraid.
Now that he has calmed down, he realizes that this is a dead end.
After writing the letter, he was taken away again, this time further into the Eastern Emperor's palace.
Arriving at a small palace complex that was not so tall, the emperor changed his clothes and sat there. Alfonso saw two maps hanging on the wall.
These two maps made Alfonso's eyes obviously wary, because the world map seemed to be more detailed and complete than any map he had ever seen.
What was the shape of the New World discovered by the Spanish? Is there such a huge island to the south of the Spice Islands?
Zhu Houcong paid attention to his performance and felt a little happy in his heart.
The map of the Ming Dynasty has long existed, and as for the world map, there have been various versions before. Although Zhu Houcong's painting skills are not very good, it is enough for now to outline the rough outline of the world map, disguise it as a piece of work from the foreign inspection factory, and let the people in the Wanfa Museum trace it in detail.
After the Yangxin Hall was built, the counselors were quite shocked when they first saw the world map.
The world is so big, and the counselors were the first to open their eyes.
Zhu Houcong smiled meaningfully after reading the letter translated by Tongshi: "Alfonso, the tone in your letter is not as strong as before."
Yang Ting and others were also circulating this letter. Although Alfonso was still forced to kneel down, he said truthfully: "The Portuguese came to the East really not to start a war with your empire. After I led the fleet to the seaside in the south of your empire, , and also sent envoys first to negotiate a peace treaty. Your Majesty the Emperor, war is also a great drain on your country, but trade will benefit everyone."
"You can occupy some places in India and already have outposts in the east. If Manchuria is not handed over, there will be no peaceful trade." Zhu Houcong shook his head, "If you want to plunder the wealth of the Spice Islands at the lowest cost, then you have to It is based on strength. At the doorstep of Ming Dynasty, you are not qualified to talk about peace while occupying our vassal state."
It was impossible to take back Manlajia by relying on words. Zhu Houcong knew this, and Alfonso was neither able nor qualified to make any decision.
"I don't know how you plan to arrange our fate." Alfonso simply asked something relevant.
Now a prisoner, he did not realize that the Eastern Emperor had any intention of executing them.
"There are two choices." Zhu Houcong said to him. "The first is to taste the torture of the Celestial Empire in prison like Pillaizi and others, and tell everything you know. The second is to continue to own Live a decent life, surrender and be loyal to me from now on, and contribute your abilities."
Alfonso's expression changed after listening to the translation.
The first one is hard to imagine the pain, and the second one is asking him to betray?
"I thought you wanted me to continue to act as a messenger to communicate with His Majesty the King. After all, I asked His Majesty the King to appoint me as an ambassador to negotiate a peaceful trade treaty with your empire that is acceptable to both parties."
"Whether he accepts your suggestion or not will not change the outcome. No matter how long it takes, the Portuguese must withdraw from the Nanyang Islands. Since you have mentioned your fate, then think about it for yourself."
Alfonso looked at the young emperor.
Very tough and determined.
He knew that the warships he brought to this country this time were almost all the mobile combat power that India and Manchuria could mobilize in the short term.
Portugal now has only three permanent fleets: the Coast Fleet, which patrols the Portuguese coast; the Islands Fleet, which protects shipping in the Atlantic; and the Channel Fleet, which protects shipping routes in the Mediterranean and Africa.
As for the fleet on the Indian side, it is a special fleet sent from Portugal together with merchant ships every year.
Portugal already has many overseas territories and routes, and it is impossible for Portugal to give up the protection of so many places and send a huge fleet to the east.
Besides, how huge can it be? In the previous battle alone, he saw nearly a hundred large and small warships dispatched by the southern province.
Although there are less than ten large warships in total, it took less than half a month for them to reach the border. Warships from other parts of the empire should not be mobilized so quickly.
Now he looked at the map of this country. Their coastline was so long, and he could imagine how many warships there would be scattered everywhere.
"Your Majesty the Emperor, you asked us to betray King John III. Do you want us to help your fleet fight against your own people?"
Zhu Houcong shook his head: "You are not needed. However, your warships and weapons are different from those of the Ming Dynasty, so they are not without merit. I have set up a Wanfa Pavilion, where you can interact with the scholars and craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty. comminicate."
Alfonso sighed: "It seems we have no choice."
"As a prisoner, you really have no choice." Zhu Houcong laughed, "Since it is impossible for me to release you, why not try to learn the language of the Ming Dynasty and try to live here."
"What about my wife and daughter..." Alfonso asked bitterly.
Zhu Houcong grinned and said: "Your daughter is being held in my palace as a hostage. If you don't want to be tortured to tell what you know, it depends on whether you can take the initiative to tell me what I want to know for them. Huang Jin, Ask Zhang Zuo to send him and other prisoners there and guard them in Taisu Palace."
Alfonso stood up: "No, you can't..."
Zhu Houcong only waved his hand, and Alfonso was taken out.
Yang Ting and them looked at the emperor strangely.
Zhu Houcong was calm and composed: "Now you know why they traveled thousands of miles to occupy Managa, right? The benefits of sea trade are enough for them to take the risk. Where did they find their enemies in Europa from the intelligence sent back by the Foreign Inspectorate? We have obtained countless amounts of gold and silver. After we defeat them in the future, we will guard Manlacca and let them bring Western goods to trade and pay taxes."
Yang Tinghe sighed: "Now that I know that your Majesty intends to help Manchuria regain its kingdom, this navy still needs to be built. In addition to Guangdong, I should also make preparations in Zhejiang first."
"The Portuguese know that I want to buy goods from the Ming Dynasty. They can only get these Ming goods from smuggling merchants. The official channels of the Municipal Shipping Department are cut off. Let's see who still takes risks. There will definitely be more pirates in coastal areas. There will be more and more robberies. As for whether they are real pirates or fake robberies, I don’t have to worry about it. I will just strengthen the coastal defense and suppress the pirates and bring peace to the people as you have told me."
Zhu Houcong continued: "Although the Portuguese cannot trade with the Ming Dynasty in the Shipping Department of Guangdong City, they will definitely use Jiaozhi and Champa as transit. How can Guangdong cultivate a large number of people who profit from Ming Dynasty goods in Jiaozhi and Champa? Powerful people, it depends on how you arrange it. The goods of the wealthy merchants in the southeast are transported to Guangdong, and the tax collection by the Municipal Shipping Department will be effective within one or two years. If you are unwilling to make less money and still have to smuggle against the ban, all of them will be dealt with! "
Everyone looked at him and once again felt that there were many calculations in his heart.
Once the Zhejiang Shipping Department withdrew, only Fujian and Guangdong were left. On the surface, the Fujian port is only responsible for the tribute trade with Ryukyu.
How could Ryukyu, a small place like this, produce such a large scale of trade on the surface? Can it be combined into one card to force wealthy businessmen from the southeast to smuggle, or to sell goods to Huang Mingji in Guangdong and pay taxes?
Zhu Houcong discussed with them for a while, and finally looked at Fei Maozhong: "Are you used to it?"
Thousands of horses galloped in the Fei Mao Center: My uncle is actually the imperialist spy in the old party! Still a party leader level mole!
He nodded quickly: "I... am trying to adapt."
"As soon as you get used to it, write a letter back to Fei's family to make it easier for Yan Song to do things in Jiangxi."
"……yes."
Fei Hong is from Jiangxi. How much land does the leader of the old party have in his hometown? Yan Song had a mission when he passed through Jiangxi. After all, the old party had to face His Majesty's request to enrich the country.
Is it necessary to solve the problems of investment and hidden land and households to make Jiangxi’s taxation look better?
After they left the Imperial Study Room of Yangxin Hall, Zhu Houcong came to the backyard and glanced at Wen Suyun: "Did you see it?"
Wen Suyun chuckled and took his arm and nodded.
"When the Portuguese's daughter arrives, let her learn the Portuguese language and let her learn our language."
"ah?"
"Let me find you something to do." Zhu Houcong grabbed her face, "Don't pester me every day!"
After Wen Suyun discovered that the emperor was not so serious and very interesting, he was now enthusiastic and excited, always pestering him to ask about anecdotes from various places. In her eyes, His Majesty is much more knowledgeable than his father and the other two talented men. Although she was not interested in arithmetic, she was very interested in the huge world map.
"Don't mess with the clock, I will arrange for someone to study it." Zhu Houxuan pointed to the trophy sent to the Yangxin Hall, "I will go see the queen and the wise concubine."
When he returned from a trip to Kunning Palace and Chang'an Palace, there were already two more people in the Yangxin Palace.
Wen Suyun came over and looked at the restless girl in front of him: "She's so white! Her eyes are still green, like a ghost!"
Zhu Houcong asked the palace maid whom Zhang Zuo had arranged to study Portuguese with Pillaizi for a long time: "What's her name?"
"Return to Your Majesty, my servant Qu Mei."
"What about her?"
"Full name..." Qu Mei thought for a while and then said, "Your Majesty, she said her name is Carolina and she just celebrated her seventeenth birthday."
Zhu Houcong looked at Carolina with a smile on his lips.
In Zhu Houcong's eyes, she was not considered a top Western beauty. After all, what Western star had he not seen back then?
But at this time, the advantage is novelty, and it is indeed quite beautiful.
She should have come here just now to let her take a bath, and now she is wearing a palace maid outfit.
Not interesting.
Zhang Fujing, who was always not shy about joking about Huguang's powerful medicine, is now becoming more and more open-minded.
The report directly stated that Alfonso was born into a noble family and had Portuguese royal blood. The daughter was born with white skin and beauty, and was brought to the East to prepare for marriage - he wanted to be the future Governor-General of India.
At the welcome dinner, it was said that if a trade treaty could be signed, the daughter could be married to a Ming noble.
Who in a serious family would marry a Westerner as their official wife? It’s good to play around.
It is better to let His Majesty play than to let others play. Of course, she cannot be allowed to give birth to a prince.
Anyway, although Zhang Fujing said it euphemistically, he believed that the emperor was also willing to taste the beauty of Western beauties in the name of the powerful medicine of Huguang.
Carolina knew that this was the emperor of the Eastern Empire, but she didn't expect him to be so young.
Having come all the way as a prisoner, she was now left with nothing but fear.
Here, there are all unfamiliar faces and the language is incomprehensible. Kneeling on the ground, like a lamb ready to be slaughtered.
Zhu Houcong looked at her shivering, waved his hand and said, "Qu Mei, take her to the back first and teach her and Concubine Shu to learn Portuguese and Mandarin."
"This slave obeys the order..."
Zhu Houcong asked Huang Jin to arrange for someone to pick up the clock: "Go to the Wanfa Pavilion."
Arrange the work first, then train the foreign horse.
As soon as Zhu Houcong left, the first people to come to the harem were the Empress Dowager Jiang and the unmarried princess, and then a few curious concubines came.
Carolina was surrounded by so many people, feeling weak, pitiful and helpless.
Qu Mei introduced them to her one by one, and it turned out that most of them were the wives of the emperor... She didn't understand what the concubines of the palace meant.
Empress Dowager Jiang looked serious: "Don't let your majesty be harmed by this barbarian girl! This child, when your majesty comes back, please go to my palace!"
(End of chapter)
