The ruthless emperor in the late Ming Dynasty forced Chongzhen to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 244 Depressed Portuguese Governor
After the Spanish and Dutch envoys left, a Portuguese lieutenant colonel came out from behind, looked at Omes and said solemnly: "Master Governor, do we really want to form an alliance with the Spaniards and the Dutch? Go to the southern capital of Ming Dynasty to negotiate with their emperor? With all due respect, I don’t think this is a wise choice!”

Their strength in the Far East is far from that of Spain and the Netherlands. There are only hundreds of large and small warships and armed merchant ships, most of which are at sea and cannot participate in the war at all. They can gather within three months There are no more than 2000 warships, and there are only more than [-] soldiers.

Such strength can only hold Macau from the sea.

"Lieutenant Colonel Laides, your concerns are correct. As far as I know, the current Emperor Ming is very young and is reforming his empire. It is impossible for such an emperor to submit, unless we really We can break through their southern capital, but unfortunately we can't."

Omes said slowly.

However, he still underestimated the integrity of Daming, not to mention that the current emperor is Zhu Cihong, even if it was Chongzhen, even if the Three Kingdoms broke Nanjing, Daming would never negotiate a compromise.

"Then what does your Excellency the governor mean?" The lieutenant colonel obviously didn't understand why the governor didn't directly reject the two of them, knowing that Daming would not compromise.

"If the two countries really gather their fleets to Dongfan Island and prepare to attack the southern capital of Ming Dynasty, this must be very important news for the Emperor of Ming Dynasty!"

A smirk appeared on Omes' face.

The lieutenant colonel frowned, obviously disapproving of this behavior of betraying Spain and the Netherlands, who are also Europeans, to curry favor with Daming.

"Hey, I know it's despicable, but if Spain and the Netherlands are really allowed to reconcile with Daming and directly reach a trade deal, we in Portugal will probably have nothing but soup in the future."

Omes obviously also saw his thoughts, and sighed helplessly. Portugal has been weakened all these years, and the reason why they can still maintain overseas interests is because the trade with Daming has brought them huge benefits. wealth.

Once this advantage is lost, Portugal will no longer be able to support a huge fleet to safeguard overseas interests, and will completely lose the qualification to share the world cake with the Spaniards and the Dutch.

The lieutenant colonel didn't say anything. He knew that what the governor said was true. Portugal had weakened too much over the years, and it was no longer the great seafaring country it was then.

The next day, the envoy sent by Ormes to Guangzhou also came back, and the news brought back made the hearts of all the Portuguese in Macau sink to the bottom.

"Your Excellency, the governor once said that about Macau, I am afraid that no amount of money will be able to solve it this time. Only the emperor of Ming Dynasty can decide how to deal with it. No one can interfere. Before the order is issued, ensure our safety and prevent the army from attacking us."

"So, the life and death of all of us and the interests of the Kingdom of Portugal all depend on the mood of Emperor Ming?"

"Yes, Governor, although this is outrageous, it is a fact that in this empire, no one dares to violate the will of their emperor!
According to the governor, in September, the two largest warlords in the northwest and southwest of their empire combined had hundreds of thousands of troops, but because they violated the will of their emperor, they were killed by them in just three months. The emperor is gone. "

"hiss!"

Both Omes and Lieutenant Colonel Rydes gasped, only feeling the chill down their backs.

With hundreds of thousands of troops, none of them could go against the emperor's will. They really couldn't imagine how much power and how many troops the Emperor of Ming had.

"Could it be that the 10 taels of silver are just for the governor to guarantee our safety before the emperor's order is issued?"

Omes was a little unwilling to give up, but also a little annoyed, 10 taels of silver was in Europe, enough to have a dinner with the king and a good night with the queen.

"The governor said that he also took a great risk this time. If we were not Westerners, let alone 10 taels, even 100 million taels, he would not help to prevent the Guangdong garrison from taking over Macau, but he He gave us a suggestion."

"What advice?"

"He suggested that we send envoys to Nanjing to pay tribute in the name of the vassal state. Now their queen mother is in charge of the southern power, a woman. If we can present some items that please her, maybe we can let her intercede with the emperor. Allow us to continue leasing Macau."

Omes frowned immediately. Although paying tribute to Ming Dynasty would not cause substantial loss to Portugal, but would gain huge benefits, the Spaniards and the Dutch would definitely publicize this matter in Europe, so The impact is incalculable.

"The impact of paying tribute is too great, not to mention that it is too late to report to the king, even if there is time, most of them will not agree, but the envoy will still be sent, Rhodes, you go to Guangzhou again and ask the governor to help arrange it. "

After thinking for a while, Omes decided to send an envoy to the southern capital of Ming Dynasty to see if he could bribe some ministers to mediate. Of course, it would be great if he could win the favor of the queen mother.

Rhodes is a diplomat sent by Portugal. He has been in Daming for more than ten years. He nodded and said, "Your Excellency, I also think so. Even if you don't pay tribute, you should go to Nanjing."

Guangzhou is very close to Macau, especially by water. Two days later, Rhodes made another round trip from Guangzhou. Obviously, the 10 taels of filial piety made him the guest of honor of the governor of Guangdong, and he was received immediately .

"Rod, did the governor agree to help?"

Omes couldn't wait to ask, if there was no recommendation from the governor of Guangdong, and it was not in the name of paying tribute, even if he sent people all the way to Nanjing, it would be difficult to get the Queen Mother to meet him.

"I agreed, but he said that if we don't go to pay tribute, we can only recommend their Minister of Rites, that is, the Minister of Foreign Affairs!" Rhodes nodded.

"Can't you directly introduce their queen mother?"

Hearing that he was only recommending the foreign minister, Omes was a little disappointed.

"I asked that too, but the governor just smiled contemptuously." Rhode spread his hands and smiled wryly.

"Okay, this time you bring more money and gifts. When you arrive in Nanjing, there will always be a way for their queen mother to meet you."

Omes had no choice but to compromise, but he sighed in his heart that the 10 taels of silver was really worthless.

(End of this chapter)