The Reborn Duke of Ming Dynasty

"Excuse Me," Zhang Fan said.

Joanna and Richard were stunned when they heard it. They never imagined that a young earl from an eastern country far away from the European continent could speak English, and that accent was definitely the most The tone of pure London upper class, both of them have lived in England for a long time, but they both feel that the spoken English of the Earl of Ming in front of them is more standard than their own.

Zhao Xiande was also stunned. Although he couldn't speak English, he had dealt with British businessmen and high society nobles. He really didn't expect that Zhang Fan could speak English, and everyone around Zhang Fan looked on in amazement, especially Yingyue, who has followed Zhang Fan for the longest time, looked at him as if she was meeting Zhang Fan for the first time, but Liu Shan was not surprised. There are various translators in Jinyiwei, and he thought Zhang Fan had learned it too. Some, it's just that he didn't feel it because he couldn't hear a pure accent.

"I didn't intend to eavesdrop on your conversation, but just now I didn't know that you speak English, so I didn't tell the truth," Zhang Fan explained for fear of causing misunderstanding.

Joanna immediately became interested, and said in English: "Your Excellency, please forgive me for being rude. My companion and I did not expect that you can speak English, and it is so pure. Could it be that you have been to England before?"

Zhang Fan saw Richard on the side looking at him very curiously, and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. Knowing that he could show off just now, he thought about it, and quickly explained: "I am in charge of a rather special department in our country. , its specific role, please forgive me for not being able to tell the truth, but because of the particularity of this department, many of them need to understand foreign language translation, and I also learned from these people," Zhang Fan had no choice but to explain in this way.

The two people in front of them were relieved at first after hearing what he said, but one of them was the foreign minister and the other served in the military. Immediately, they thought of something else from Zhang Fan's words. A department of a country, The most likely one that needs to be translated is the diplomatic department, but the two of them don't think that a foreign department needs to be as secretive as Zhang Fan, so there are not many such departments left. They looked at each other and immediately thought of " The term "intelligence department" made the two of them have to re-examine Zhang Fan again. After all, in the imperial era, the intelligence department of a country was almost responsible to only one person, and that was the emperor. Zhang Fan was so young. It is easy to handle past information and become the ears and eyes of the emperor. From their point of view, Zhang Fan has an accident with a prominent family background, and he is even more aggressive. And most importantly, where is the person holding this position? Every country is the emperor's favorite person.

When the two thought about it, Richard's mind was a little shaken just now. After all, when he came by boat, Zhao Xiande had already introduced him to this mysterious country in the east. Not only did it have a long and profound historical and cultural heritage, but it also had a more profound history. The important thing is that this Eastern Empire has an extremely large territory, almost comparable in size to the whole of Europe. As the top intelligence officer of such a big country, he must have a lot of people under him, and there are many people here. Those Zhang Fan In his eyes, the staff under him must be very good. In this way, if the emperor of his own country acts rashly in the vicinity of such a huge country without notifying him, it will definitely cause a lot of trouble, although the current Spanish emperor The blood of the Portuguese royal family flowed in Philip II's body, so Portugal and Spain were united again. However, even if these two countries worked together, they would not be able to cope with the anger of such a huge empire.

And Joanna, who originally wanted to discuss the matter with Zhang Fan, has now made up her mind. After all, she is uniting with a powerful big country, and the first thing they know now is a member of the national intelligence department. Supreme Commander, this can only benefit their future actions.

The two looked at each other again, and found that the eyes of their companions had already given the correct answer, so they decided to tell Zhang Fan the truth about this matter, but before they said it, they had to probe Zhang Fan's tone.

This matter was naturally brought up by Foreign Minister Richard. He stood up again, bowed to Zhang Fan, and said: "Honorable Earl, His Majesty Philip II sent me here this time. Apart from getting in touch with your country, there is indeed something that needs to be discussed with your country,"

"Hehe, we have an old saying here, 'It's such a joy to have friends coming from afar'. If your envoy has anything to say, just say it." Although Zhang Fan could see that the two had made a decision, what did they say? I knew what it was for, so I had to say so.

"This..." Richard looked at so many people here with a difficult expression, not knowing how to speak.

Zhang Fan understood what he meant at a glance, and said, "Please don't worry, there are only three of us here who can understand us, and our country and your country have had friendly exchanges in the past. The Fran cannon has also solved a lot of troubles for our country, even if I can’t agree to what your envoy said, I will never let it out.” Zhang Fan’s words were also a reminder to Richard to prepare him for rejection .

However, Richard didn't care. After hearing Zhang Fan's words, he asked with a smile, "I wonder what impression my lord has of a country called India in the southwest of your country."

"India, why are these foreigners talking about India?" Zhang Fan couldn't help but start thinking after hearing Richard's words. In my impression, Portugal started to establish a colony in India when communism began to expand.” Zhang Fan gave his answer with his limited historical knowledge. He thought for a while, and the prosperity of Europe began at this time. However, Portugal wants to threaten the land of China, and it still does not have the qualifications. What's more, Zhang Fan, who was not an angry youth in his previous life, does not like India as a country.

"I have heard a little bit," Zhang Fan said, "We did have dealings with them hundreds of years ago, and now the maritime trade has also passed there." Zhang Fan is almost sure what the two people want to ask himself.

"Your Excellency, I don't think you understand yet," Richard heard that Zhang Fan knew about India, but he hadn't gotten the answer he wanted, "I mean, Your Excellency, or what does your country mean to India?" impression,"

As soon as he said this, and Richard and Joanna on the side were staring at him, Zhang Fan was [-]% sure of their thoughts in his heart, and said: "Just like what you heard Yes, the mutual exchanges between our country and India are also a matter of hundreds of years ago. Recently, we have only had some economic exchanges with them. If we really talk about it, we have had some conflicts with them. It’s just that it’s really desolate there, and it doesn’t have any direct relationship with it.”

As soon as Zhang Fan said this, Richard and Joanna felt relieved. They had already got the information they wanted. Daming didn't care about India. This was nothing to their colonial plan. It's a bad thing, but they still need to determine how Daming will react if they really send troops to India.

At this time, it was Joanna's turn to play. In any case, what they were going to discuss next was a more sensitive issue, and it would not cause too much conflict if a woman appeared on the stage.

"Then, Your Excellency," Joanna said.

"Your Excellency Baron Joanna, don't be so respectful, this will inadvertently distance us," Zhang Fan said with a smile.

Joanna did not expect that the earl of Daming in front of her would know the habits of some Europeans, she smiled and said: "In this case, I will call you Your Excellency directly, and please don't be so polite, just call me Joanna directly ,"

Zhang Fan is fine, but Richard on the side looked sideways for a long time because of her words. Although Joanna is a hereditary earl, she has a more or less tough demeanor in the army. Don't look at her. Although he looked so delicate, he had rejected the courtship of many princes and nobles, and now he was so tolerant to a Daming earl whom he met for the first time, which made Richard also examine Zhang Fan. Look, he found that the Earl of the Ming Dynasty in front of him was very handsome, but he didn't meet the European aesthetic standards, but Richard found Zhang Fan's fair face and skin, which many European aristocratic women could not match. Than, "Maybe, this is the reason why Joanna doesn't accept courtship, he prefers this type," Richard couldn't help thinking in his heart.

"Since this is the case, Joanna, please tell me what you want to ask," Zhang Fan said.

"Your Excellency, what I mean is, if we send troops to India, how will your reaction be," Joanna said.

Zhang Fan didn't expect her to speak so directly, but he immediately felt relieved when he thought about it. Europeans have such a deep city, not to mention that Zhang Fan has seen the most tricky people in the Ming Dynasty. Joanna was relieved to ask so directly, but Zhang Fan also had a hint of contempt in his heart.

"Why, is there any conflict between your country and India?" Zhang Fan pretended not to know what they planned, and asked with some doubts, "As far as I know, your country is thousands of miles away from India, so there must be no conflicts." What kind of conflict requires your country to send troops, right?"

Joanna blushed when she heard Zhang Fan's words. She heard from Zhao Xiande that this is a country of etiquette and would never take the initiative to invade other countries. Now it is really difficult for her. Could it be that the relationship between her country and the UK is now tense? , The war situation is imminent, but the country has no resources to carry out the war. Do you want to come to India to plunder resources? Joanna can't help but regret, maybe she shouldn't tell Zhang Fan about this.

"This... Although our country and India are far apart, there are fewer and fewer blank spaces on the map, and the connection between the world is getting tighter," Joanna had to say, "It's like I'm sitting with you now. Isn't talking together is the best proof, so there are indeed some conflicts between our country and India that need to be resolved, and we are also based on friendly reasons, imagining your country to ask for opinions, "

Zhang Fan couldn't help being a little funny when he heard her words, thinking that this foreign girl looks quite beautiful, and she would break up like this unexpectedly, but besides being funny, Zhang Fan also had to admit her words, just like what he said, the map There are fewer and fewer gaps in the world, and the world is becoming more and more connected. Zhang Fan couldn't help thinking whether the Ming Dynasty would also take this step.

"Your Excellency," Joanna couldn't help reminding Zhang Fan when he saw Zhang Fan pondering for a long time without responding.

"Oh, I was thinking about something just now." Zhang Fan came back to his senses and said, "I don't think there is any problem with your country's affairs. Our country does not pay too much attention to India, but although I am a Chinese The imperial envoys of the emperor, but these matters cannot be decided by me. It is best for the two of you to go to the capital of our country to meet His Majesty the Emperor and explain it to His Majesty in person, but I don’t know, is your country very anxious about this matter?”

"That's not true," Richard said, "His Majesty the Emperor of our country only has this plan, and now he is saying hello to your country in advance,"

"Since this is the case, then I would like you two to explain it to His Majesty the Emperor in person," Zhang Fan said, "But I am afraid that I will not be able to accompany you back to the capital, and I still have to complete some things that His Majesty told you. "

"When will your Excellency return to Beijing?" Joanna asked.

"It may take another two months," Zhang Fan said.

"I think the two of us will stay here for a while, and I hope you can take us to the capital together," Richard said, and Joanna nodded in agreement.

"Oh... If that's the case, let the two of you arrange it yourself," Zhang Fan didn't expect the two to be so patient, or have other things to do.

What else does Richard and Joanna have? Although the matter of colonizing India has been put on the agenda, it is just the beginning. Richard doesn't care. The main thing is Joanna, the baron who has always been a tough female officer. After going out to sea, it seemed like a different person, and she became more cheerful. This time, she proposed to Richard that she wanted to stay in Jiangnan for a while. After thinking about it, Richard had to wait until next year if he wanted to return home There was plenty of time, so I agreed.

"You two just got off the ship today, and you must be very tired after sailing on the ship for several months," Zhang Fan said, "I will ask someone to arrange a place for you to rest. If you have any requirements, just ask my staff. It's just that I still have something to do with this Mr. Zhao Xiande, he can't be an interpreter for the two of you for the time being, I don't know the two of you..."

"Your Excellency, please don't worry. Although the two of us didn't bring many entourages this time, there are people from your country who understand our language. I have already asked him to act as our translator," Joanna said.

"That's very good, you two go to rest first, and I will personally host a banquet for the two guests who came from afar," Zhang Fan said.

The two bid farewell to Zhang Fan, and walked out under the leadership of Zhang Fan's factory guards. Only then did everyone in the room recover from their astonishment. Not to mention the others, Luo Linger always worshiped him with curiosity and meaning. Looking at Zhang Fan, Yingyue seemed to have forgotten the anger towards Zhang Fan before, surrounded Zhang Fan and kept asking this and that.

Zhang Fan was very troubled and didn't know how to explain it to her, so he could only say, "I'll tell you in detail later, I still have something to do now,"

"Hmph, what's the big deal," Yingyue said coquettishly, dissatisfied, and then seeing Luo Ling'er next to him with a peaceful and pleasant appearance, resentment arose in her heart, and she turned around and left, ignoring Zhang Fan.

Seeing Yingyue's angry appearance, Zhang Fan could only smile wryly in his heart, but it didn't last long, he still had many things to ask Zhao Xiande,