Upon hearing the news, the Dutch immediately exclaimed.
"Aren't these guns and cannons from the Ming Empire in the Far East? How come the Spaniards got them?"
"And that new battleship, I swear to God on my head, it definitely belongs to the Ming Empire in the Far East!"
"Yes, we were defeated by a smoking battleship like that. We will never admit our mistake!"
"..."
When other countries were shocked by Spain's new guns and warships, the Dutch announced to the world: This was not invented by the Spanish themselves, but came from the Ming Empire in the Far East!
Hearing this news, almost all European countries were shocked.
For a long time, because of Marco Polo's travels, Europeans' impression of that big country in the East was that of a paradise on earth, with gold everywhere.
When did the Orientals become so powerful that they were able to create such powerful firearms and warships ahead of European countries?
To be honest, many Europeans don’t understand.
However, some Europeans quickly understood, because gunpowder was invented by the Orientals. If you really want to say that, it is not incomprehensible for them to invent more advanced firearms!
It's just that in the past, even if they were not doing their job properly and used gunpowder to make firecrackers, once they become serious, it is not inconceivable that they will come up with advanced firearms!
At least Europeans in this era did not have the stereotypes of Easterners that later generations had, and it was not difficult to change their concepts, especially those of the great Eastern empire.
But these are not what Europeans focus on. What they focus on is, what are the new guns and warships? How did the Spanish get those in their hands?
The Dutch were well aware of the power of these new guns and warships, so they were the first to act and began to inquire about the relevant information.
After hearing about it, other countries did not delay and quickly inquired about the relevant information. Otherwise, once a war breaks out, how can we withstand the attacks of new guns and warships?
As a result, the spies began to wander around the Spanish military camps, bribery, assassination, etc., and used all means to obtain intelligence. There are even spies sent to Spain, in short, to collect information about new guns and warships.
The secret of rifled guns was quickly leaked due to the deliberate inquiries of these spies. After secret agents from various countries obtained rifled flintlock guns, they immediately reported back to the country as soon as possible.
However, the news about new warships is much more difficult for them to deal with. After all, because of the huge number of rifled guns, it is difficult to keep them secret. Relatively speaking, it is much easier to keep a steam paddle-wheel battleship secret.
After the spies worked hard to bribe the Spaniards with their beauty or money, they could only find out that the most critical part of this new type of warship actually came from a machine called a steam engine. After burning coal, it can transform as driving force. As for the samples, they are very difficult to see and cannot be taken back.
However, with the efforts of these spies, the sources of the Spanish's new guns and new warships were finally discovered.
As a result, spies from various countries rushed to Portugal.
………………
During this period, the happiest person was King Felipe IV of Spain. After the good news came back, it can be said that the Spaniards were all excited.
The Spanish army, equipped with new guns and artillery, was invincible. In the first battle, it decisively defeated Spain, its neighboring country's powerful enemy, and eventually forced France to send an envoy to Spain for peace talks. This has never happened before.
"I...make Spain...great again!"
Felipe IV always expresses this meaning on various occasions, and he is very proud!
His subjects were of course very happy to interact with him, and they all noticed this and tried to flatter him.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the Spanish court was quite good, and banquets were held one after another.
In addition to Portugal, several places that had rebelled before had to retreat. Now the Spanish army has returned to attack to restore the glory of the Spanish Empire!
Among them, the Spanish army also has a very large demand for new guns. After all, the previous production only equipped part of them. Other armies heard about it, and of course they wanted these new guns.
But at this time, Felipe IV also received news that spies from various countries were flocking to Portugal.
Even if his subordinates didn't come to report the news, he could think of where these spies were headed by just thinking about it with his toes.
For Felipe IV, he will never allow the production of new guns and new warships to flow to other countries. To ensure this, there is only one simplest and crudest way.
………………
At the Royal Palace in Lisbon, Portugal, Joao IV was in a very good mood.
Secret envoys from various countries appeared one after another, asking to see him and saying good things to him. Even the French side, which had been aloof and ignored him before, also sent a secret envoy with an even more humble attitude.
In short, the secret envoys from various countries were all the same. They vigorously praised the Portuguese people's spirit of pursuing independence and freedom, and praised João IV for not fearing power and daring to stand on his own feet. All countries were willing to recognize Portugal's independence and establish diplomatic relations with Portugal. Some countries even made clear requests for alliance, and were willing to send troops to help once Portugal was attacked.
Regarding these, if it were changed before, João IV would definitely be ecstatic!
But now, Spain itself has recognized Portugal's independence and wants to marry the princess to his son. In this case, it really doesn't matter whether other countries recognize Portugal's independence or not.
And João IV also knew that the reason why various countries changed their stance was entirely because they took a fancy to the new guns and steam paddle-wheel warships in his hands.
All of these can be said to have originated from the alliance between Portugal and the Ming Empire. To be precise, Portugal became a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty.
Without the Ming Empire's support for Portugal's military power, Portugal would not be what it is today.
Therefore, while King Joao IV was enjoying the flattery of special envoys from various countries, he also became very anxious.
Because he didn't know what the Ming Emperor thought of his previous alliance with Spain?
Although from his point of view, there is nothing he can do. However, the Emperor of Ming Dynasty was so superior that he could understand his difficulties and sympathize with him? He was very worried about this.
If the Ming Emperor was offended for this, even if he did not send troops, without the support of the Ming Empire, João IV would feel very unconfident.
Sure enough, while he was enjoying the popularity of envoys from various countries and worrying about the reaction of the Ming Empire, the special envoy of the King of Spain also arrived.
The person who came this time was not his father-in-law, the Duke of Medina Sidonia. He directly and unilaterally announced that based on the activities of spies from various countries in Portugal, plotting new guns and new warships, the arsenal and people involved, They all need to move to Spain.
When João IV heard this, of course he was unwilling, and immediately objected: "It was agreed before, but if you break the contract now, it will be very difficult for the Ming Empire to explain!"
"If it's hard to explain, then don't do it!" After hearing this, the Spanish envoy said nonchalantly, "They are so far away, what else can they do? In short, His Majesty the King's will must be carried out."
King Joao IV knew that his arms could not twist his thighs, and the Spanish side knew very well that they were determined to do this, so he asked again: "What about the patent fees for the Ming Empire? This must not be less!"
"Haha, what a joke!" After hearing this, the Spanish envoy sneered and said, "Give them money back? How much money do you have? No! If you have the ability, let the Ming Empire take it yourself!"
In short, there is nothing, except that the arsenal must be transferred to Spanish territory and controlled by Spain.
João IV was very aggrieved, but he had nothing to do.
Because even the new guns and steam paddle-wheel battleships in his hands had been overtly and covertly taken away by Spain before. Now, he has no ability to talk to Spain at all!
"What a mistake!"
John IV stood in his palace, looking through the window at the port, where the Spanish army was escorting people from the arsenal onto the ship, feeling very regretful.
At this time, if God gives him another chance, he will never accommodate Spain again and again. At least at the beginning, Spain gathered a large number of troops to besiege Portugal, so let's see if Spain can withstand such heavy casualties!
However, all this can only be thought about!
What a tragedy for a weak country!
When the special envoys from various countries who were in Lisbon saw this situation, they left without saying goodbye and reported the situation back home so that they could respond early. At least a few countries are still staying in Lisbon to see the situation.
For example, the Dutch want to know how Portugal obtained these firearms and warships from the Far East? Cromwell of England, on the other hand, still coveted the new warships and stayed in Lisbon to pursue the secret of the steam engine.
"Your Highness, the Spaniards are all gone!"
After hearing the report, João IV felt sad.
Today's Portugal is equivalent to being stripped clean and abandoned by Spain. In the days to come, we will still have to rely on Spain’s breath.
If the Spanish are unhappy, it is not impossible to annex Portugal again.
As for the princess marrying, then Anna of Austria from France will still be the biological sister of Felipe IV! But so what...
While he was thinking about this, suddenly, a very loud noise came from the direction of the port. If you listen carefully, it seems to be cheers.
"What's going on?" João IV felt strange after hearing this, and went to the window to see the situation.
