Theodosio also felt a little bad and immediately became nervous. Could it be that the road to the Ming Dynasty ended like this?
No!
To be honest, after staying in the capital of the Ming Dynasty for a long time, he looked down on those cities in Europe.
Even though he has never been to the legendary Paris, compared with the ones he has heard about, it is impossible to even compare with Tongzhou, let alone the capital!
Just when they were panicking, they heard Zhang Mingwei say to them: "I'm very busy, so I'll keep the story short and get straight to the point!"
After hearing this, Theodosio and Johnson both listened with their hands down and waited for the next step.
"All the princes in the court are very angry that Portugal has sold the Ming's military equipment to Spain without permission. There has never been a vassal state that dared to ignore the Ming Dynasty like this! Therefore, they all proposed to abolish your Portugal's status as a vassal state, and even Sending troops to conquer, just like North Korea, Ryukyu and other countries, those who dare to look down upon a country without a suzerain must be taught a lesson." After Zhang Mingwei said this, he looked at Theodosio and said, "You have been in the Ming Dynasty for a long time, you should know that I am the Ming Dynasty. Pay attention to the three cardinal principles and five constant principles, respect teachers and value education, and keep order between elders and young ones."
Hearing this, Theodosio nodded in fear. He can understand that if we take it seriously, the fact that Portugal has no suzerainty this time is indeed quite serious.
Zhang Mingwei looked at him and nodded. Suddenly, he changed the subject, softened his tone, and continued to say to them: "But I know the situation in Europe better, and I know how much pressure Spain puts on Portugal. Regarding the things Portugal has done, , which can be considered understandable!”
Upon hearing this, Theodosio and Johnson both raised their heads and looked at them gratefully. They were very excited in their hearts: He who knows Portugal is the one who will rejuvenate the country!
Seeing their looks, Zhang Mingwei smiled slightly and said: "We in the Ming Dynasty are reasonable. I also saw the merits in this incident in Portugal and did not forget the patent fees that should be paid to the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, I said in the court After convincing all the princes, the emperor also recognized the reality of Portugal, which is excusable!"
Upon hearing this, Theodosio and Johnson couldn't help but be overjoyed and immediately knelt down to thank them. I can finally let go of my fearful thoughts, even if this matter has been revealed like this.
Zhang Mingwei smiled and stretched out his hand to signal them to get up, and then continued: "Since Portugal is a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty, as the suzerain state, has the responsibility to protect Portugal. Originally, Portugal was threatened by Spain, and the Ming Dynasty should send troops to help, but It was too far away and I didn’t know the news from Portugal at all, so Portugal was wronged and had to succumb to Spanish pressure..."
Before he finished speaking, Theodosio was panicked. This could not be blamed on the suzerain country at all, so he quickly said: "This is not the fault of the Ming Dynasty, it is not the fault of the Ming Dynasty! It is actually because Portugal is too far away. !”
Johnson didn't expect that Duke Xingguo seemed to blame himself for this. He couldn't help but be very moved, and quickly said: "Yes, yes, it has nothing to do with the Ming Dynasty, it's all because it's too far away!"
After hearing this, Zhang Mingwei stretched out his hand to stop them from talking and said: "Since I, the Ming Dynasty, are the suzerainty of Portugal, I will never forget the responsibilities of the suzerainty. Keeping your word is the tradition that I, the Ming Dynasty, have always upheld. Today, there are already people in the court. After deliberation, we have made the following decision regarding your vassal country as far away as Portugal, please listen carefully!"
Upon hearing this, Theodosio and Johnson immediately stood up straight, with their hands hanging down, and listened attentively.
Ever since rubber could be harvested in the mainland of the Ming Dynasty, that is, in Damuan, Qiongzhou, Luzon and other places, rubber production began to explode. The rubber used in telephone lines was supplied with priority, and the telephone lines on Togo's side were also the focus. Therefore, the telephone lines from the capital had actually reached the Ava area. The line from Ava to Salim is currently being erected and should be completed soon.
Whether it was Johnson or Theodosio, they naturally knew how significant it would be to be able to get Sha Lian on the phone line, and they were immediately overjoyed!
Zhang Mingwei ignored their ecstasy and continued: "In this way, if something happens in Portugal, and the news reaches Ming Dynasty, the time can be shortened by about half. Second..."
Upon hearing this, Johnson and Theodosio quickly suppressed their ecstasy and continued to listen attentively.
"...Based on the current situation, it is not realistic for the Ming Dynasty to directly send troops to Portugal. However, the Ming Dynasty wants to protect Portugal." When Zhang Mingwei said this, his voice raised a little to show his attention, "The imperial court decided to open up supplies to Portugal. The new guns and steam paddle-wheel warships allow Portugal to have the most powerful force in the shortest time. In this way, if other countries want to bully others, you will have the confidence to negotiate with them and suffer as little pain as possible. Some bullying!”
The Ming Dynasty did not allow the Portuguese to visit the war games, but only sold them finished rifled guns and steam paddle-wheel warships. Although the Portuguese can imitate, it must be said that their imitation speed is definitely not fast.
If all the Portuguese armies were equipped with rifled guns and there were many steam paddle-wheel warships before, João IV would probably not be threatened when facing the Spanish army.
Because Spain has prepared an army of 200,000, it is impossible to really defeat the 200,000. Because the army is made up of people, not NPCs in the game, if tens of thousands die, the entire army of 200,000 will probably collapse.
Now if the Ming Dynasty opened up its supply, it would be able to arm the Portuguese army as quickly as possible, and Portugal would of course be very confident.
In addition, there is another thing that Theodosio does not know, but Johnson knows.
The cost of making rifled guns in Portugal, especially the imitation of steam paddle-wheel warships, was also very high. To put it bluntly, the price is about the same as buying it from the Ming Dynasty. It may even be more expensive for a steam paddle-wheel warship!
Therefore, from a practical point of view, at least steam paddle-wheel warships are definitely not cost-effective to buy from the Ming Dynasty. The performance of that steam engine, at least in the short term, cannot catch up with the original one.
While he was thinking about it, he heard Zhang Mingwei continue to say to them: "As for the price, considering that this time we have to fulfill the responsibilities of my suzerain country, I will give it to you 20% cheaper. You can still use gold and silver from South America and the ones in the list. goods to compensate.”
Johnson, who was already happy, was overjoyed when he heard this. If it's 20% cheaper, then what else can you imitate in your country? It's more cost-effective to buy it directly!
At this time, he naturally didn't know. If he copied it himself and slowly explored, he might figure out how to reduce costs and improve the level of Portugal's own craftsmen; but if he bought it directly, then if Portugal wanted to improve itself The level of science and technology is basically very difficult.
At this time, I heard him respond quickly with joy: "This is really great. Ming Dynasty is really... really kind and righteous. The adults do not remember the faults of the villains. The king of the small country will definitely shed tears of gratitude when he hears this!"
With this excitement, he learned the way of speaking from Tianchao Shangbang to express his excitement and gratitude.
Although Theodosio was not very clear about how much benefit this would bring to Portugal, he could feel the due diligence of the Ming Dynasty as the sovereign state. Therefore, he was deeply moved and felt that other countries in the world were hypocritical. Only Ming Dynasty is a good country that respects integrity!
Seeing them like this, Zhang Mingwei truly smiled in his heart. It seemed that Europeans in this era were still very young.
He was thinking about it when suddenly, he saw Johnson's ecstatic expression fade and he became a little hesitant.
Seeing this situation, Zhang Mingwei asked curiously: "What?"
Could it be that this Portuguese man could figure out Ming's true intention? If that's the case, he's quite a talent! After all, in this era, it is absolutely rare to have such a vision!
Hearing Duke Xingguo's question, Johnson said a little awkwardly: "Gonggong, it's like this. After the small country formed an alliance with Spain, they had a deeper contact with each other. There are many Spaniards in the small country. If the small country gets the Ming Dynasty's military state This important weapon is afraid that Spain will take it away again before it can be used by a small country!"
When Theodosio heard this, he immediately said with dissatisfaction: "I just won't give it to you. Why are you afraid that Spain will do it?"
Johnson ignored him. Children are still young and have no idea. This sentence is easy to say but difficult to do, okay?
After hearing this, Zhang Mingwei smiled calmly. Seeing Johnson just looking at him, he smiled and said to him: "It doesn't matter! I just said that the Ming Dynasty's important military weapons are open to supply to Portugal. If Spain really wants it. , for the safety of your Portugal, just resell it to them until they can no longer buy it! Then you Portugal will be able to use all the Ming Dynasty’s military weapons. When your strength increases, who dares to underestimate you Portugal anymore!”
After a pause, he added: "This will also let other countries know that behind you Portugal, I am the Ming Dynasty!"
Daming is thinking about Portugal in every aspect! When Theodosio heard this, he was moved and knelt down on the spot, and swore to Zhang Mingwei: "My lord, when I go back this time, I will definitely tell my father about Ming's kindness and let him know it." , how lucky we, Portugal, are to be able to become a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty!"
