1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 785 King Qi's Prophecy
December 1662, 8, Batavia.

Victor Flores, Senior Commercial Counselor of the Dutch East India Company, sat comfortably on the armchair, watching Peng Zhonghui, the representative of the State of Qi in Batavia, gently pour a pot of hot water into the teacup. The faint scent of tea floated over in an instant.Afterwards, he placed two exquisite teacups on the table, picked up the teacup with his right hand, and poured a thin line of water into the cups.The whole movement appears to be smooth and flowing, elegant and free and easy.

Refreshing, fresh and tender, hot water is slowly poured into the cup, and the fragrance slowly climbs into the nasal cavity from the cup, as if awakening the sleeping winter and bringing fresh spring.

"Dear Peng, I have to admit that the tea ceremony of your Hanzhou people is a very elegant artistic expression even in European courts." Flores picked up the teacup, pecked lightly, and slowly Tasting the tea, it is like the tip of the tongue, and slides down the throat and into the belly, "not to mention, the fragrance and smoothness of this tea, no wonder it can be popular in some royal courts in Europe."

"In our Chinese culture, tea art includes a series of contents such as tea selection, water selection, tea cooking techniques, tea set art, and environment selection and creation." Peng Zhonghui said with a smile: "When tasting tea, you must choose first, and pay attention to the quality of pots and cups. Simple and elegant, or luxurious and dignified. In addition, tea tasting also pays attention to character and the coordination of the environment. Literati and scholars pay attention to tranquility and elegance, and high-ranking officials and nobles pursue luxury and nobility. Generally, the environment requirements for traditional tea tasting are mostly breeze, bright moon, Song chants, bamboo rhymes, plum blossoms, snowy seasons, etc. All kinds of wit and artistic conception. In short, tea art is a perfect combination of form and spirit, which contains aesthetic views and humanistic spiritual sustenance."

"Oh!" Flores blinked after hearing this, and then said with a wry smile: "Peng, what you said is too profound, I don't understand it very well. But I think what you said seems to be a very Elegant aristocratic form of expression. Our Chinese culture is really elegant and profound. Well, it is the artistic conception you mentioned. Oh, God, artistic conception, a very intoxicating spiritual world."

"Mr. Flores, if you are interested, I will send you a set of tea sets later. Even if you return to Europe, you can still taste the ancient charm and elegance of the East."

"Thank you, Peng!" Flores did not reject Peng Zhonghui's kindness, "I believe that in Europe in the future, there will be more and more people drinking tea. Maybe, at some point, the trade share of tea will surpass ours. Traditional spices. However, can your tea production keep up with market demand?"

"Why, do you East India Company want to go directly to Daming to purchase tea?" Peng Zhonghui immediately heard the hidden meaning in Flores' words.

"Hehe..." Flores smiled awkwardly, "Peng, Daming is a very big market, although they currently only occupy the southern region, but with the support of your Hanzhou, they have completely established themselves Heel, and gradually restore the economy that was severely damaged. As your closest partner in Hanzhou, you should share the Daming market with us, instead of monopolizing it as before. Of course, we do not It will challenge your market leadership in Ming Dynasty, let alone compete with you. You see, you have squeezed into the Japanese market and occupied a considerable share of trade, and we, the East India Company, have never complained."

Four years ago (1658), after the end of the war between Qi State and the Satsuma Domain, it may be because of the powerful combat power of Qi State that they easily defeated the Shimadzu clan in the southwest within three months, which shocked the shogunate Terrified.Therefore, when Qi State sent officials to visit Edo again, the attitude of the shogunate became more solemn.

After some negotiations, the Tokugawa shogunate not only allowed Qi to set up a diplomatic and commercial representative in Edo, but also gave Qi the same trading conditions and treatment as Daming and the Dutch East India Company.In just over three years, the trade volume between Qi and Japan quickly reached more than 200 million taels of silver.Although it is not as good as Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Sen and his son, and the East India Company, its rapid growth trend still makes the former two fearful.

However, who asked Qi to open the door to Japan through a powerful deterrence of force!What's more, many of the various industrial supplies manufactured by Qi State are indispensable commodities in the Japanese market, unlike the Zhengs and the Dutch, who completely rely on buying and selling special products from various places to make money.Perhaps, in a few years, Qi will eventually occupy most of the trade share of the Japanese market by virtue of its ever-expanding industrial production capacity.

Therefore, in order to further expand its own trade channels, the Dutch East India Company aimed at the Ming Dynasty. Such a huge market should not be able to be eaten by a Hanzhou family.Otherwise, I always get second-hand goods from them, and I lose a penny of profit for nothing.As for the Tatar regime in the north, the Dutch dare not expect extravagance, because the Hanzhou people have always been in a state of hostility with the Tatars, and they have imposed an all-round blockade on it with the Ming Dynasty.

"As for whether to let go of Daming's market and your East India Company, I am personally positive." Peng Zhonghui took a sip of tea and said slowly: "However, all of this may require your governor to meet with our king next month. , there will be a definite answer."

"Although this is just your personal attitude, I think it is a very positive signal for our East India Company." Flores showed a satisfied smile on his face, and then leaned forward, intentionally Pointingly asked: "Peng, is the relationship between your Hanzhou and the Portuguese still okay?"

"Huh?" Peng Zhonghui looked at the other party in puzzlement when he heard the words, not knowing what he meant by asking this question.

"In April last year, Charles II was crowned King of England and Scotland, officially restoring the Stuart dynasty, and the tumultuous Republic of England became the Kingdom of England again," Flores said.

"..." Peng Zhonghui's mind was spinning extremely fast, trying to connect the two paragraphs before and after what the other party said.

What happened to Portugal and England?Are they getting mixed up?
"Charles II is going to marry Princess Catherine, the daughter of King Joao IV of Portugal." Flores looked into Peng Zhonghui's eyes and said meaningfully: "The relationship between Hanzhou and England seems to be a little tense."

"Last year, under the mediation of your East India Company, our Indian trading company in Qi State reached a settlement with the English. The relationship is normal, and there is cooperation in competition." Peng Zhonghui said: "Moreover, the English in India The region, currently maintains a very low-key presence."

As he said that, he glanced at Flores. Are you Dutch trying to provoke the relationship between Qi, Britain and Portugal?Last year, the Indian Chamber of Commerce and the British East India Company started peace talks. After some negotiations, in exchange, Qi State promised to stop suppressing the British in India, and they would also tacitly allow Qi State to enter the Persian market without taking measures to obstruct and negotiate. Hostile acts such as sabotage.

"Portugal attaches great importance to this marriage between the two countries. They will provide Princess Catherine with a dowry of 80 pounds. Oh, that is a very huge fortune!" Flores said with a smile: "In addition, Portugal They also presented Tangier on the north coast of the Mediterranean Sea and Bombay in India as the dowry of the princess to England."

"Oh?" Peng Zhonghui's eyelids twitched, he picked up the teacup seemingly inadvertently, blew hot air on the rim of the cup, and replied with a smile: "This Charles II married the Portuguese princess, and he made a lot of money."

"Why, didn't the Portuguese inform you about this?" Flores also picked up the teacup, "Haven't the relationship between your Hanzhou and the Portuguese always been very good? They transferred Mumbai to England, such an important matter , they didn’t even tell you. Peng, it seems that they have some reservations about their friendship with you!”
-
On September 9, Jianye.

Seeing King Qi appearing at the gate of the hall, the governor of Batavia of the Dutch East India Company, Gene Mattesek, quickly stood up, bowed and bowed to him.

"Respected Your Majesty, the last time I saw you was eight years ago. Now it seems that the ruthless years have not played any role on you, and your demeanor is even more beautiful than before!"

"Mr. Mattsek, although I know that your words are a bit more flattering, but I am very happy to hear it." Qi Tian smiled and called Mattsek to sit down, and ordered the maid to bring some tea and refreshments.

"Your Majesty, what I said is a very exact fact." Governor Matsek likes this kind of friendly meeting very much. Coupled with the close economic and trade cooperation between the two sides, his compliments are probably true. From the heart.

"Mr. Mattesek, do you have any more constructive suggestions for our current trade cooperation?" Qi Tian shifted the topic to the economic and trade ties between the two sides.

"Thank you very much for Your Majesty's generosity and magnanimity, allowing our East India Company to enter the Ming market without any obstacles." Governor Matsek nodded and said: "As a reward, we will purchase more Hanzhou products, and Sell ​​these commodities to the European region. At the same time, our East India Company will also fully support your development and construction in South Africa. In addition, you have established formal diplomatic relations with the United Provinces. Our East India Company will do our best to Facilitate this. We, the East India Company, can even help you establish contacts with other European countries if you wish."

"We Qi State is an open and inclusive civilized country, and we look forward to effective communication and contact with all countries and civilizations in the world to promote the common progress and development of all mankind." Qi Tian said: "However, given the distant Distance, conflicts of culture and religion, the world is still separated and closed to each other. As one of the representatives of oriental civilization, our country of Qi sent a mission to Europe, hoping to establish a relationship with all European countries including your federal province A channel for communicating and understanding each other, spreading and exchanging civilizations between the East and the West.”

"Your Majesty, I deeply agree with and respect your words." Governor Matsek said with a smile: "I believe that the trip of the Qi State Mission to Europe will definitely arouse the attention of the entire European country. At that time, in addition to our inter-provincial republic, more European countries and people will gradually know and understand your Hanzhou, understand the mysterious and rich eastern world, and enhance mutual exchanges and integration. "

"Your Federation of Provinces is a very influential country in Europe and even in the world. For a long time to come, the Federation of Provinces and your East India Company will be the most important partners of our country, and Under the framework of our close cooperation with each other, maintain and lead the prosperity and stability of the Nanyang region and the Indian region."

Upon hearing this, Governor Mattesek immediately showed a knowing smile on his face.His Majesty the King just proposed to maintain and lead the prosperity and stability of Southeast Asia and India with the East India Company, but he didn't mention their once close partner-Portugal, let alone that annoying England.

Then, there has been a slight change in Hanzhou's foreign policy. They may have expressed dissatisfaction with the Portuguese's unauthorized transfer of Mumbai to England. As for England, although they have temporarily reconciled, they still don't like this island country in the Atlantic Ocean very much.

Well, this England is really not attractive.It was originally thought that after the successful restoration of Charles II, England's foreign policy would be slightly changed, and the so-called "Navigation Regulations" would be revised or relaxed.However, to the great disappointment of the Dutch, the English did not change at all, and continued to implement the strict "Navigation Regulations", excluding the Dutch commercial power from the market of England and its overseas colonies.

"Mr. Mattesek, I heard that your East India Company, and the entire Interprovincial Republic, bought a large amount of national debt in England." Qi Tian asked seemingly casually: "You are not worried about these debt defaults, which will cause you huge losses. ?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Governor Matsek nodded and said: "We have indeed purchased a large amount of national debt in England, and these national debts bring very considerable benefits to our East India Company and the entire Inter-Provincial Republic every year. As for the debt default, we are not worried. You must know that the issuance of these national debts is led by the English Parliament, and the credit rating is still very high.”

"The English seem to have a powerful navy, and they are constantly expanding and strengthening. If at some point, their sea power completely exceeds that of your federal republic, do you think they will just let it go? Also, instead of using one war after another to destroy your commercial territory and attack your maritime hegemony?" Qi Tian asked seriously.

"Should...not." Governor Matsek hesitated for a moment, shook his head and said: "If the English challenge us, we will resolutely fight back. As for the default on the national debt, they should not do such a thing. Things, otherwise, their national debt credit will not be able to continue to be maintained in the future. In addition, our federal republic has also made certain countermeasures against the challenge of the English. In January last year, we signed mutual assistance contracts with France and Denmark. I believe that when we face the next war provoked by the English, we will have enough strength to completely suppress it."

"France?" Qi Tian listened, and looked at Governor Matsek playfully, "France should not be far from the border of your inter-provincial republic. I heard that King Louis XIV of France was an ambitious emperor. Obtaining more territory has an extremely persistent pursuit."

I still remember that the Sun King Louis XIV later invaded the Netherlands on a large scale and almost captured the entire territory of the Netherlands.If the Dutch hadn't opened the seawater dam and submerged their own land, they might have been wiped out by others.

"..." Governor Mattesek looked at Qi Tian in astonishment. He heard from the words just now that the king believed that France would inevitably invade the Inter-Provincial Republic in order to obtain the rich Netherlands.

"Your Majesty, France is currently our ally. We have fought against Spain and the Shinra Alliance together, and we have maintained a relatively close relationship in politics, economy and military." Governor Matsek said solemnly: "I believe , there will be no war between our federal republic and France."

"Mr. Mattesek, I remember a certain European politician once said such a very classic saying." Qi Tian smiled and said softly: "A country has no permanent enemies, nor permanent friends, only perpetual interest (as Churchill put it)."

"..." Governor Matsek looked at Qi Tian in a daze. Did that European politician say this?Why have I never heard of it.

However, this sentence is very philosophical. Enemies and friends can switch at any time in the face of interests.

Perhaps, at some point in the future, because of differences in interests, our inter-provincial republic will go to war with the mighty France.

So, what can Hanzhou do for us in the future?

(End of this chapter)