Wanli Xinming

Chapter 303 "Win-Win"

Xu Guangqi's statement that Spanish merchant ships were exempt from taxation through Mandala completely angered Felipe II.

He interrupted Xu Guangqi and shouted loudly: "Haha! Your Excellency Count, I thought you were a real educated gentleman, but I didn't expect you and your emperor to be megalomaniacs and over-the-top madmen!"

"I can tell you, sir, without my permission, a single plate from the Ming Kingdom cannot be sold to Europe!"

"From Goa to Lisbon, there are now only Spanish merchant ships and warships! I remind you of this!"

Wang Jiaping, who was sitting at the bottom, could hear keenly that after Felipe II was out of anger, he did not use Seris but called the court "Ming Kingdom", indicating that he at least had a serious understanding of China.In this case, he did not directly issue a war cry, which shows that he is very clear that the strength of Spain in the South China Sea is not enough to compete with the military strength of the Ming Dynasty.

So he coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, there is a saying in China called 'Ask the sky, pay back the money' - we put forward our own conditions, and would like to hear your thoughts."

Felipe II's favourites, the Duke of Medina Sidonia and the Marquis of Santa Cruz, accompanied him to receive the Ming embassy at the Royal Palace of Madrid.The Duke of Sidonia saw Felipe's face flushed with anger, and took over the topic:

"Gentlemen, you lack the necessary respect for the great Iberian communists, and the ownership of Luzon and the Spice Islands, including Malacca, is not a matter of discussion."

"We are willing to respect Seris' dominance in Asia. Our businessmen will abide by your country's laws and pay customs duties. The rest, I think, can only be left to entrepreneurs and merchant ship owners. This is Spain's biggest concession."

Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "Duke Sidonia, your request is not low. You just asked for the right to free trade. I think this right needs to be exchanged for a certain price."

At this time, Felipe II had calmed down, he picked up a bunch of grapes, picked one and put it in his hand to play with.Hearing this, he sneered: "Your Excellency, Sirius' silk and plates are not necessary for Europe. Free trade between the two sides is beneficial to everyone."

Xu Guangqi shook his head and said, "Before this envoy, His Majesty the Emperor told me that he had decided to issue a decree at the right opportunity, allowing only merchant ships that purchased shares in Daming Sea Trading Co. to enter the South China Sea - so this is really a big deal. profit."

Felipe II looked at Xu Guangqi like a fool: "I think I already said that without my permission, you can't sell a single plate, so this decree is meaningless."

Xu Guangqi smiled and said, "It's not like that. I think Dutch and British merchant ships are willing to try to take this rich route while respecting China's colonial interests."

A cold light flashed in Felipe II's eyes, and then his face returned to an indifferent expression.He said to Xu Guangqi: "Maybe you can have this hope, but the ships of these two countries may not be able to go out of the Atlantic Ocean."

Xu Guangqi spread his hands and said, "Dear Your Majesty, please allow me to sincerely point out to you the plight of the Spanish Empire in the South China Sea, and to clearly express His Majesty's peaceful sincerity."

Felipe II stopped talking. He handed the grapes in his hand to the servant beside him, picked up a towel and wiped his hands, motioning him to pour himself a glass of wine.

Xu Guangqi pondered for a while, and then began to say: "Your Majesty, I think you should have obtained some information on China's military power. You have to admit that the Chinese military's courage and firepower are at least on par with Europa's most advanced military - or even surpass it, we are absolutely Not the natives that your explorers encountered in America and Africa."

After hearing this sentence, Felipe rolled his eyes, noncommittal.Xu Guangqi stared into his eyes and continued: "The combined strength of Spain in Luzon, Goa, and the Spice Islands does not exceed 50, while the well-trained musketeers of Ming Dynasty far exceed [-]. A large number of warships equipped with artillery are being built. I may have built nearly a hundred ships in the year of my mission—so you must admit that you cannot keep your colony in Middle-earth by force."

Felipe II touched the beard under his jaw and said, "Go on."

Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "What's more, most of these colonial troops are Portuguese officers and soldiers - you don't have enough funds for the Spanish army to replace them, and whether these people can work hard for His Majesty in the war, I I think you have a lot of doubts too."

Felipe raised his eyebrows and squeezed out a voice between his teeth: "Haha, this is the first time I've heard of it."

Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "Your Majesty, after I arrived in Madrid yesterday, someone recommended me an epic called "The Song of the Luzitanians", but unfortunately I don't understand Portuguese, so I asked someone to translate it One of the chapters was originally about Mr. Da Gama's adventure."

"Even as a Chinese, I can feel the author's fiery affection for the Luzitania nation, and I also know that Luzitania has been regarded by the Portuguese as the main nationality, and is very different from the Spanish main card. Styrian."

Hearing this, Felipe twitched the corners of his mouth, trying to squeeze a smile on his face: "I have to express my appreciation to you, Your Excellency Count, you have a good grasp of the situation in Spain."

"Ah, maybe I'm a scholar at heart, so I'm just interested in these humanities. You're wrong."

"Look, we now have a premise that if there is a war between the two countries in the South Seas, China will win - maybe with bad luck we'll pay a high price, but driving the Spanish power out of the Spice Islands is No doubt, your country is too far from there after all."

"and then?"

Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "Then there will be a protracted battle for colonies. We will fight for colonies on the east coast of Kunlun, Cape of Good Hope and even the west coast until the two sides reach a balance in terms of distance and the proportion of military deployment - the sea transportation between Central Continent and Europe will be completely interrupted. , both parties are unprofitable.”

"And at this time, your enemies, the United Kingdom and France, including Spain's rebels, the Netherlands Baloch Alliance and even the Ottoman Empire, will not be idle. They will take this opportunity to weaken Spain's hegemony and make peace with us."

"This kind of strategy, in the Warring States period in China 2000 years ago, formed an idiom called 'distance communication and close attack'. You can understand the meaning of this phrase literally."

"Therefore, in order to continue to maintain Spanish hegemony in Europe, and to maintain the hope of unifying Europe - which I think is your lifelong goal, we have a peaceful transfer of power in the South China Sea, which is beneficial to both of us."

"In this way your empire retains exclusive rights to the shipping routes west of the Spice Islands, and we have the inland sea from Mantra to the empire's coastline."

"This is the sincerity of peace that His Majesty the Emperor asked me to bring to you. In his original words, it is called "win-win"!"

After listening to what Xu Guangqi said, Felipe II and his two ministers fell into silence, and the hall of the Royal Palace of Madrid fell into silence.

Of course, both sides in the confrontation knew that Xu Guangqi's recitation of Zhu Yijun's so-called "win-win" strategy was to coerce Spain into making huge concessions. The best strategy of the dignified and upright conspiracy, Spain is difficult to resist.

Xu Guangqi's back was already wet with sweat, and his mouth was dry. He glanced at Wang Jiaping and saw him smiling and looking down at the wine glass in front of him, as if he had been hesitating between ale and wine.

Xu Guangqi whispered: "To Nan Gong, is this ale good to drink?"

"Better than Lisbon's. It's just suffocating - I seem to be drinking a little too much."

Xu Guangqi: "."

The first confrontation between the two sides did not lead to firm conclusions, and Felipe II said he needed to work with ministers on a "win-win" solution.It should be said that the Spanish monarch is very personable. When he put down his work, he recommended Xu Guangqi to try Madrid's cured ham and paella.

After Xu Guangqi expressed his gratitude, he presented meticulously prepared gifts - fine porcelain and tea sets that had traveled thousands of miles along the ship, as well as various teas sealed in jars.

Felipe II, like the Tudor Queen, took a great interest in tea.According to Xu Guangqi's instructions, he tasted various flavors - some with milk, salt, honey, lemon, as well as various pure teas and various mixed mixed tea soups.

The Marquis of Santa Cruz said: "I have read Lai Maixi's "The Collection of Voyages", which mentioned that Marco Polo mentioned a Chinese drink in his travelogue - it is said that this thing can keep people away from diseases, prolong life, and Energetic. This thing seems to be called 'TEA'? Not what you call Cha?"

Xu Guangqi and Wang Jiaping looked at each other, Wang Jiaping smiled and said, "If you say it can resist disease and prolong life, these two pronunciations should refer to the same thing."

Felipe II heard that this thing prolongs life, and he was more interested in it as he approached his sixtieth year, and he kept drinking cup after cup.

The Duke of Sidonia also drank a few cups with the thin china, and then commented: "I think it is better to add milk." After speaking, he looked at Xu Guangqi and said, "I noticed you and Deputy Ambassador Wang. Just drink without any additives."

Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "There are many kinds of tea in China, including green tea, black tea, scented tea, etc., but most of us drink unseasoned tea - but there are also many places in my country who drink milk tea."

"For Chinese people, drinking tea is not only a habit, but also a culture. Different tea and brewing methods, as well as the choice of water, all fit a certain mood or artistic conception. If you are interested, we We can communicate in depth about this.”

Then he smiled and said to Felipe II: "Your Majesty, I suggest that you drink less when you drink it for the first time. After drinking tea for the first time, it is difficult to fall asleep. And it will speed up bowel movements - you may feel that Stomach discomfort."

Felipe II's eyes lit up when he heard it, and smiled: "Can this thing treat constipation?"

Xu Guangqi was dumbfounded and said, "Yes, tea has this effect. The medical school in our country has conducted research, and it can promote digestion and treat constipation."

Felipe II: "Then please make me another big pot."

Xu Guangqi: "."

　Continue to remind everyone that the monthly ticket will expire soon if you do not vote.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)