Ming Zuo

Compared to the Netherlands, it is much simpler for the empire to fight for Portugal.

Because the national strength of the Netherlands is now on the rise, and the situation is getting better and better.The empire had to go to great lengths to come up with a convincing case to get the Netherlands on board the alliance car.

Portugal is different.

Paradise is too far, Spain is too close.

Portugal has not escaped the pressure of survival.

Looking at the European continent, Portugal can't find any real supporters.

Although their relationship with the UK was very good before, and the UK also provided them with some help, it can only be regarded as a drop in the bucket.

Especially now that Britain is caught in civil war and can't take care of itself, Portugal immediately feels the pressure of mountains.

Originally, France supported Catalonia, which caused Spain's center of gravity to shift to the other side, and Portugal was slightly more relaxed.

Once France withdraws from Catalonia and Spain quells the Catalan uprising, Portugal will have to face Spain's comeback alone.

At this time, firmly grasping the olive branch thrown by the empire to ensure national security is Portugal's only choice.

As for betraying England because of this...

Does this count in Europe?
It is said that there is no righteous war in the Spring and Autumn Period, and the chaotic Europe has no idea what righteousness is.

What's more, this is a place full of robbers, "righteousness" is too extravagant.

Facing the situation, the imperial mission did not spend too much effort in persuading Portugal.

Diego Carlos quickly passed the situation back to Lisbon and received new instructions.

Portugal fully accepts the idea of ​​the empire and hopes that the empire will provide some support.

Liao Zhongjian and the others discussed it and decided to visit Portugal first to finalize an ally before the Netherlands made a resolution.

But when the fleet sailed to the English Channel, the enemy appeared.

"Report, found that unknown ships are approaching us."

The watchtower's report made everyone nervous.

Kong Zhiguang moved quickly, climbed up to the watchtower in a few strokes, and personally used the telescope to scout.

"It's British. It seems to have bad intentions."

Everyone frowned.

"Could it be that our operations in the Netherlands were discovered by the British?"

This is a serious situation and represents a breach of confidentiality.

Only Liao Zhongjian was relatively indifferent.

"The Netherlands may not be monolithic, and it doesn't matter if someone leaks the secret."

The Netherlands has been on good terms with the UK for a long time, and some people are close to the UK, so it is quite normal for the situation to be revealed.

"I think this is also a kind of temptation of the Dutch."

Xu Erjue thought of more.

When everyone looked over, Xu Erjue became more and more determined.

"Any major turning point in national policy cannot be implemented smoothly. To achieve consensus, there must be strong reasons. I think today's encounter is a reference for the Netherlands to determine its future direction."

When he said that, everyone understood.

Although Xu Erjue put forward a theory, he hit the Dutch seven inches above.

But it is impossible for the Netherlands to have complete unconditional trust in the empire.

After all, the empire is far away in Asia, and no one is sure how much power it can project in Europe.

If they can't get too much support from the empire, let the Netherlands rush to be hostile to the United Kingdom, the Dutch are definitely not willing.

The situation in Europe has always affected the whole body.

Once the Netherlands begins to restrict the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom will inevitably find allies to break the balance.

The national strength of the Netherlands determines that there is no way to deal with more complicated situations.

At this time, what is the strength of the empire is the reference answer for the Netherlands.

If the empire is really powerful, the Netherlands will have the confidence to end.Otherwise, they would rather maintain the status quo and delay until the day when the conflict with Britain has to be resolved.

"In this case, let's fight well and let the Europeans see what an empire is like."

After figuring it out, Liao Zhongjian was full of energy and gave Kong Zhiguang an order.

In the choppy English Channel, the Chinese and British fleets soon exchanged fire.

The seven third-tier battleships dispatched to Europe are all equipped with bronze artillery. Although they cannot be compared with standard artillery, they are far more advanced than contemporary artillery.

In addition, the third-tier battleship is the best-performing warship of this era.

Therefore, although the British had more warships, the imperial fleet was still unstoppable after a fight.

An encounter fought from noon to evening, and it stopped when the sun was getting red.

The British sank 21 warships, injured 130 warships, and retreated in a panic, with more than [-] casualties.

On the side of the imperial fleet, only two battleships were slightly injured, and three sailors were killed in battle.

This contrast is really too strong.

When the imperial mission arrived in Lisbon, the results of the naval battle quickly spread throughout the European continent.

The imperial mission received a warm welcome in Portugal, and Joao IV readily agreed with the empire's proposition and stood firmly in the camp against Britain.

Having won the first ally, Liao Zhongjian also reciprocated.

He announced in a high-profile manner that he would cooperate with businessmen in Portugal to build a new type of weapons factory in Lisbon.

The empire will transfer the manufacturing technology of the Mines rifle and bronze cannon to Portugal to help Portugal improve its military power.

As soon as the news came out, the whole country of Portugal cheered.

After seeing the weapons of the empire, no one is jealous.

Now, with the support of the empire, the Portuguese are more confident in resisting Spain.

Not only that, Liao Zhongjian also agreed with Joao IV to ask Portugal to send someone to contact the Catalans and give them support.

In a word, it is to use the Catalan uprising to continue to involve Spain's energy.

As long as Spain is struggling at home, there will be no way to manage the colonies properly.

At that time, the empire and its allies can attack in an all-round way, bit by bit eating away Spain's huge overseas colonies.

Ten days later, Liao Zhongjian and others returned to Rotterdam with fruitful results.

This time, the attitude of the Dutch is different.

"Minister Liao, I would like to introduce you solemnly. This is Prince Charles from England. He has heard about your deeds and hopes to get inspiration from the far east."

Anthony van Diemen leads a down-and-out young man to appear.

When Liao Zhongjian heard the introduction, he was taken aback for a moment at first, but then realized that this down-and-out young man was actually the eldest son of the King of England, that is, the heir to the throne.

There is no doubt that this is a very important figure.

I was worried about how to establish contact with the British Royal Party, but I didn't expect to sleep and came to the pillow.

"His Royal Highness, we deeply sympathize with what happened to the king and the royal family. The practice of rebellion and subversion of dignity is a sensational evil in both the East and the West. Sincerely hope that we can serve the British The royal family do something."