For Johnson and others, the main purpose of their alliance with Ming Dynasty is actually to enable maritime trade.
For Joao IV, what he values most most is, of course, that when Portugal is in trouble, Daming can help him.
Relatively speaking, there are still some differences.
However, Theodosio made this request at this time, and explained that it was John IV who repeatedly warned him. Johnson naturally nodded and responded: "Don't worry, Your Excellency, Akito always honors his promises!"
At this point, seeing that Theodosio seemed a little dissatisfied, he quickly added: "Their reputation has always been good. This can be known not only when dealing with their merchants, but also their emperor. It's always been like this. It's not like the people over there who just talk and fart as long as they see benefits."
"Really?" Theodosio still couldn't believe it. In fact, before he left, his father emphasized this point repeatedly.
Du Chen, who was standing next to him, heard this and quickly assured him: "I can also testify on this point. Mingren indeed attaches great importance to credibility!"
Theodosio looked at the two of them, still a little doubtful.
Seeing this, Johnson and Du Chen couldn't help but look at each other, and the excitement in their hearts couldn't help but cool down a little.
Originally, they thought that the alliance with the Ming Kingdom would definitely be no problem. But unexpectedly, João IV was very suspicious, and the Duke of Braganza obviously listened to his father's words, but still did not fully believe what they said.
The two of them did not tell lies. I really think so. Ming people are far better than Europeans in this regard. This can be understood as long as you stay in the Eastern Empire for a long time.
However, it would take time for Theodosio himself to realize this.
However, Johnson and Du Chen were anxious to sign the covenant as soon as possible so that they could do business with Ming Dynasty and get rich earlier;
The second is that he is afraid that if he keeps delaying the arrival of people, he will be dissatisfied with Duke Xingguo. You know, Portugal is not irreplaceable. Believe it or not, if Ming Dynasty sends an invitation to the Netherlands or Spain, the previous conflict will be nothing.
However, how can we prove in a short period of time that Ming Dynasty is true to its commitment and dispel the Duke of Braganza's doubts?
At this point, until they got off the train, the two of them still couldn't think of a way.
This problem caused them to lose a lot of enthusiasm even though they arrived in the bustling capital.
After showing their identity documents to Mingguo officials at the train station, they were taken to Honglu Temple to stay.
When they were about to enter the city gate, suddenly, they heard the rapid sound of horse hooves behind them. They turned around and saw a horse galloping towards them, still shouting something.
Those Akito who heard the shouting stopped and cheered no matter what they were doing, which was obviously a good thing.
The official leading the way hurriedly took them aside and said to them: "No one is allowed to stop the messenger!"
Johnson, who had been in the Ming Dynasty for a long time, certainly understood this. He asked curiously: "It looks like there is a good news again. Is the Ming Dynasty still fighting somewhere?"
Theodosio could not understand what they were saying, but his curiosity was evident. Du Chen on the side saw him and started to translate for him.
After staying in the Ming Dynasty for a long time, especially the last time he negotiated with Na Xingguo Gong and went to see the Ming Emperor, he became a spectator because he did not know the Ming Dynasty Mandarin. Johnson was the one communicating throughout the process. This matter forced him to become angry. To be strong, I worked hard to learn Chinese.
Fortunately, Daming is now promoting Pinyin literacy, which has made it much easier for him to learn Chinese. Today, he can understand Chinese and write many Chinese characters. It's just that the written words are difficult to read.
At this time, the official who led the way listened and replied a little strangely: "No, now our Ming Dynasty is at peace, the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and there is no war!"
Having said this, he looked at the speeding messenger and said, "But it doesn't matter, you'll find out soon!"
After Johnson heard this, he looked at the messenger, waiting for him to hear the news.
As we got closer and closer, we finally heard the messenger’s voice shouting: “…the great victory over Ryukyu, the annihilation of nearly 20,000 enemies from the Satsuma domain; the great victory over Ryukyu, the annihilation of nearly 20,000 Japanese enemies…”
It wasn't until the messenger whizzed past that the official leading the way led them to the city.
"When did the Ming Dynasty go to attack the Japanese country?" Johnson was a little curious and asked quickly.
Du Chen knew something. After all, in the Ming Dynasty before, because of the blood letter of the King of Ryukyu, the Japanese were denounced locally. It's just that he was in Haojing'ao and didn't know that the Ming Dynasty had sent troops.
The official who led the way naturally remembered it at this time, and immediately explained to Johnson and others with a smile: "The Ryukyu Kingdom was occupied by Japanese pirates and oppressed the Ryukyu Kingdom, so the Ryukyu King wrote a letter in blood, begging to come to our Ming Dynasty. He wants our Ming Dynasty to help him make the decision and seek justice for Ryukyu. You should know that the Ryukyu Kingdom is a vassal state of our Ming Dynasty. In other words, our Ming Dynasty is the suzerain state of the Ryukyu Kingdom, so the emperor originally..."
The official who led the way was also a talker. Of course, it might also be because he was proud. In front of these Western barbarians, he couldn't wait to talk more about his pride. Therefore, he explained the matter about Ryukyu very clearly.
Du Chen has been translating for Theodosio at the same time, and will also add to it, saying that he has indeed heard such and such news, to prove that what the leading official said is indeed the truth.
It wasn't until they arrived at Honglu Temple that the official who led the way ended his talk and handed the person over to the official at Honglu Temple before leaving.
After Theodosio, Johnson and others figured out the context of this good news, they were all overjoyed.
Look, as a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, the suzerain country of the Ming Dynasty can send troops to help. Isn't this what Joao IV values most?
Before, I was worried whether the Ming Dynasty would reaffirm its promise and not just talk about it. Now, isn't the Ryukyu incident the best proof?
As a result, Theodosio quickly said to Johnson: "Contact that Duke Xingguo as soon as possible and sign an alliance as soon as possible, so that we can become a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty as soon as possible!"
Of course Johnson was also willing, but he still answered him: "That Duke Xingguo is very busy. When he can see us, we still have to wait for him to find time."
After a pause, he thought of something, and then added: "Your Excellency, Duke, you should have seen that the Ming Dynasty is so vast and rich in resources, and there are many vassal states, and our Portugal is really inconspicuous. Therefore, I suggest that your Excellency, the Duke, in this Ming Dynasty, We need to correct our mentality and lower our posture so as not to offend people. Only then can we live a good life here and do things smoothly!"
"Yes, yes!" After hearing this, Du Chen quickly added, "Your Excellency, the Ming Dynasty is not another indigenous country. This is a powerful Eastern Empire. You can see how powerful it is. Therefore, You must maintain a correct posture and not cause resentment in Akito!"
After hearing this, Theodosio nodded quickly and said, "I am well aware of my father's difficulties. In order to help my father, I will never mess up the matter."
After expressing his position, he said with curiosity and longing: "This capital of the Ming Dynasty feels like heaven. Can I go out for a walk?"
After all, he was still a young man, and the cleanliness, neatness, prosperity, etc. of Ming Dynasty had already shocked him.
He had been worried about his mission before, but now he was relieved when he heard that the Ming Dynasty would send troops for the Ryukyu Kingdom. Now that he was relieved, everything about the capital was the biggest magic that attracted him, and he was eager to see it.
Johnson quite understood his need, because even if he had been to the capital of the Ming Dynasty once, he still wanted to go shopping immediately and experience this paradise capital.
But before the most important thing was settled, he persuaded Theodosio: "Your Excellency, as I said just now, in the Ming Dynasty, especially in the face of Ming officials, and most likely in the face of Duke Xingguo, , if he took time out to see us. As a result, we were delayed by wandering outside. This is definitely not the attitude we should have, and it will betray the great trust His Highness the King has placed in us. You think so, right?"
Hearing this, Theodosio felt very ashamed, and immediately stated seriously that he would never go out before the business was done.
In this regard, Johnson was worried at first because of the boy's temperament. Unexpectedly, Theodosio was also very surprised by the things in the garden where he lived. The difference between the East and the West, and the exquisiteness of Daming, were reflected everywhere, which attracted him immediately.
After Zhang Mingwei heard the message from Emperor Chongzhen, he knew that the Portuguese envoy was coming, so he summoned him immediately without delay, and basically signed the covenant as agreed before.
Portugal immediately provided information about the Portuguese mainland and overseas colonies, as well as Portuguese navigation logs and so on.
The Ming Dynasty naturally gave it the qualification to trade. As for when to send troops to Lisbon, the time has not been set yet, but it is promised that starting next year, the Ming Navy will head west to let the Portuguese colony in Goa Be prepared for the reception.
After everything was said and done, Johnson and others couldn't wait to go shopping.
Among them, Johnson's purpose was to purchase goods and see what would be the most profitable to sell to Portugal, while Theodosio wanted to see what he saw.
But who would have thought that two days later, when Johnson and others had an idea and were discussing the return trip, Theodosio said to Johnson: "Well, I'll write a letter to my father, and you can help me." Take it back. I won’t go back, I want to study here and increase my knowledge!”
