At the same time, Johnson, who was far away in the royal palace in Lisbon, Portugal, rushed back as quickly as possible to see King Joao IV of Portugal, who was reporting on the situation in the Far East.
Europeans have always had the impression of the richness of the Eastern Empire. The original intention of many Western colonists to leave Europe was to explore a way to that legendary and very wealthy Eastern country.
John IV did not expect that this empire's military power was so powerful that it could defeat the Dutch like a beast.
He certainly knew what such force meant for the Eastern Empire's army, which was equipped with flintlock muskets on a large scale, and had artillery with longer range and higher accuracy, as well as warships that could emit smoke and could not be affected by wind, etc. Not to mention, the Ming Dynasty had so many troops!
Listening to Johnson's talk about the wealth and power of the Eastern Empire, João IV remained silent and was basically shocked the whole time.
At the end of Johnson's words, he was slightly worried, but more of an expectant look, and said to King Joao IV: "Your Highness, if we Portugal can be recognized by the Ming Empire, from now on, we will definitely become the most powerful country in Europe. undoubtedly!"
These six words, "Europe's most powerful country", instantly brought Joao IV back to his senses.
Because these words are really too sensitive for him!
This is not to say that he has this ambition, but because Portugal is weak, he feels a deep sense of humiliation.
Although the title "Joao the Restorer" sounds nice, he knows the bitterness and pressure it contains best.
At the end of the thirteenth year of Chongzhen, Portugal became independent from Spanish rule. Fortunately, Spain was fighting the most critical stage of the Thirty Years' War and had been unable to mobilize troops to suppress the Portuguese rebellion. At most, there were some border conflicts, but overall there was no major war.
However, this does not mean that Spain will never send troops to attack Portugal. For this reason, Portugal immediately sought foreign aid after declaring independence.
Originally, Joao IV thought very well. Wasn't Spain at war with France and other countries? The enemy of the enemy is an ally. As long as they ally with Spain's enemies, Portugal's affairs will be at ease.
Unexpectedly, first of all, religiously, the leader did not oppose Spanish independence but just refused to recognize it.
Therefore, Portugal proposed to France to formally establish a multinational alliance to deal with Spain; in fact, this alliance already existed, but the French ignored Portugal at all.
Even if Portugal later proposed a formal alliance, that is, if Spain did not reconcile with Portugal, then France would not reconcile with Spain; but France still avoided mentioning it.
At the final stage of the Thirty Years' War, Portugal, as a hostile country of Spain, demanded a seat in the final peace talks so that Spain could recognize its independent status and avoid further war; however, France did not accept Portugal.
There was even some unconfirmed news from the Portuguese envoy in Paris, saying that the French intended to use Portugal as a bargaining chip in the final negotiation agreement with Spain.
After King John IV heard the news, he felt very powerless, helpless and humiliated. As a weak and small country, he felt the sorrow of a small country more deeply than ever before.
Britain was originally Portugal's traditional ally. However, Britain is currently undergoing a civil war and the royalists have been defeated. This makes Joao IV afraid to express his position for fear of offending the eventual winner.
As a result, the royalists used their previous relationships to go to Lisbon, used Lisbon as a fleet base, and launched an attack on Cromwell's fleet. Today, John IV has been worried about Cromwell's revenge.
If historical development is to be followed, Cromwell would indeed retaliate, sending a fleet to blockade the port of Lisbon, cutting off the sea lanes to Brazil, and forcing Joao IV to sign an unequal treaty.
In desperation, João IV even raised eyebrows at the Dutch, wanting to unite the Dutch to fight against the Spaniards. But the Dutch's reply was that they could unite here in mainland Europe, but overseas, they would grab your colonies when it was time to grab them. There is no other reason, there is an advantage to be taken advantage of!
Basically, it can be said that Joao IV asked for help everywhere, but encountered obstacles everywhere. In order to prevent Spanish retaliation, he increased taxes on the country; the taxes collected were used to form a standing border guard force, build fortresses on the border, rebuild the navy, build a number of arsenals and shipyards, etc.
Although for the moment, the Portuguese people have no complaints about this because they also hate the Spaniards. But if it goes on for a long time and the people's life remains poor or worse than when the Spaniards ruled, they will definitely be dissatisfied, and they may rebel against Joao IV.
Now, at a time when João IV was in trouble both internally and externally, he heard the news brought by Johnson.
To Johnson's surprise, King Joao IV did not hesitate at all after hearing this, and immediately replied: "Okay, let's recognize the Ming Empire as our suzerainty and ask them to send troops as soon as possible!"
"..." Johnson was dumbfounded. What he was most worried about never happened. So many words he thought of along the way were not used at all.
Seeing him like this, King Joao IV explained to him, and at the same time, perhaps to convince himself: "The Ming Empire will allow us Portuguese to trade, then Gu will no longer have to tax Gu's people, and the nobles will also This will be very welcome. If we can make money together, the whole country will be happy..."
"I'm happy too!" Johnson immediately added in his mind after hearing this.
"The Ming Empire is willing to sell their military equipment to us. Then not only our homeland, but also our overseas territories will be guaranteed, and we will no longer be robbed by those bandits. Those overseas will also support us!"
After hearing this, Johnson nodded immediately, yes, that's it!
"Rome does not recognize our Portugal, so what if we are canonized by the Emperor of the Ming Empire?" John IV said with a little hatred, "Living is more important than anything else. We have the Ming Army to help us. Portugal, then who dares to use Portugal as a bargaining chip to negotiate with Spain!"
Having said this, he looked at Johnson and said in a slightly serious tone: "The Ming Dynasty's army has become stronger. Even if we don't agree, they want to garrison our territory. Isn't it a garrison? Even if they are not happy, they can directly occupy it. But Called a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, they will be embarrassed to steal our territory. In this case, wouldn't it be better to let them garrison us?"
This is the thinking of Europeans. After hearing this, Johnson nodded and agreed: "Your Highness is wise!"
"Now that Portugal is still useful, the Emperor of the Ming Empire will give us this opportunity." Joao IV's heart was clear, "If they find a European country that can replace Portugal, or simply change their minds , then we Portugal will no longer be able to obtain the benefits of being a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty! Instead of waiting for a decisive battle with the Spanish or even being reoccupied by the Spanish, it is better to recognize this suzerain state!"
"Your Highness is wise!" Upon hearing this, Johnson immediately praised him loyally. The actual benefits are right in front of you, this is the most realistic!
Seeing that the Spaniards were about to break free from the Thirty Years' War, Joao IV wasted no time and quickly made a decision to send his eldest son, the thirteen-year-old Theodosio, to represent him. , Johnson, as his deputy, quickly sent an envoy to the Far East.
If it is as agreed before, then sign the contract immediately and recognize Ming Dynasty as the suzerain country.
………………
Dongfang, after the Chinese New Year, it will be the 20th year of Chongzhen.
The Spring Festival Gala has been organized for three times. Those who have watched it continuously feel a little aesthetic fatigue and think it is just like that.
However, people like Prince Zhu Cihong and General Soldier Sun Yingyuan of the Yongwei Battalion, who had just returned to the capital to watch the live Spring Festival Gala, had a different feeling. They were especially excited by the upbeat atmosphere expressed by this Spring Festival Gala, and naturally felt that very nice.
The discussion of the Spring Festival Gala is naturally a must-have topic in the next few days after the new year, at least in previous years.
But this year is completely different, because everyone knows that Princess Kunxing will marry Duke Xingguo after the new year!
This is the top priority of Ming Dynasty!
Five years ago, Duke Xingguo was born suddenly.
From then on, the situation in Ming Dynasty immediately changed. From the previous years of wars and natural disasters, it has slowly transformed into today's peaceful country and peaceful people, and the prosperous era of Chongzhen!
From that time when I was barely clothed and hungry to now, I have absolutely no problem with food and clothing at best, and the days are getting better and better!
Salt, one of the essential necessities in daily life, is less than one-third of its price in previous years. Moreover, the quality of table salt is getting better and better. No matter how poor you are, you will still dislike those lumps of salt that are not only salty but also bitter. At most, they are only used to pickle food.
The price of food has been relatively stable because of supplements such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, so you don’t have to worry about food.
Clothing, food, housing and transportation are the most basic needs for everyone. In addition to food, clothes are becoming cheaper and better looking every year because of the spinning machines and flying shuttles invented by the Duke. Those who only had new clothes three years ago can now definitely have new clothes every year. No matter how poor you are, as long as you save on food and use more, you will always have new clothes at least during the Chinese New Year.
It is also more convenient to travel, as there are cement roads everywhere. Thinking of this, everyone was grateful to Duke Xingguo. Because the formula of cement, something that could have been used to make money, was donated by Xingguo Gong for free. Therefore, squires from all over the country, especially those rich people doing business, were able to build cement roads, which was convenient for them. It is also convenient for everyone. Even houses are repaired with this cement, which is fast and good!
