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Chapter 1276 Farewell 4
"There will be no negotiations. I do not intend to meet with the prince, and I do not want to be hypocritical. Some things need to be tried to know the results, while others do not. Even if I can convince the prince to avoid war this time, it will come back again in a few years.

This is called the international situation. If European countries want to develop rapidly, it is far from enough to rely on their own efforts. They can only expand outward to plunder, such as the New World. The Ming Empire is unique in Asia, which seriously hinders the interests of European countries.

I originally wanted to ease this contradiction by establishing a new world order, but now it seems that I was too simplistic. Negotiations require equality and mutual respect. I am willing to respect the monarchs of European countries, but they think that the Ming Empire is a barbarian and is not worthy of sitting at the same table to discuss cooperation.

At this time, all reasoning has lost its effect, and the only way to solve the problem is to use the most primitive human way. Beating each other up, comparing strength, and seeing blood can actually make people respect each other.

In fact, you should understand this principle more easily than I do. When conflicts arise between European nobles and they cannot be resolved through negotiation, they will choose to duel. This time it is a duel between countries, and the principle is the same. "

Ever since he saw the conversation between Prince of Orange and Mayor Cornelis, Hong Tao gave up the idea of ​​teaching them a lesson. He likes to convince people with reason, but he doesn't have the habit of talking nonsense.

The attitude of European countries this time is obviously not about personal grudges, nor is there any issue of standing up for cousins. It is entirely for the struggle for living space.

The European bourgeoisie is rising, and this is most evident in the Dutch Republic. The most notable characteristic of capital is greed. No matter how much money is earned, it is never enough, and it always wants to be on the other side of the mountain.

After a hundred years of development, the European capitalist class has gradually influenced the middle and upper levels from the humble bottom. At this time, the income from Europe and the New World alone can no longer satisfy their desires.

Looking around the world, the biggest profit point is obviously in Asia. There are more abundant resources, products and labor here, which is more suitable for capital operation than going to the New World to develop slowly from scratch. However, the Ming Empire relied on its own strength to firmly control the whole of Asia, leaving no opportunity for European capital to intervene.

European capital has long been dissatisfied with seeing fat meat dangling before their eyes but unable to take a bite. However, due to the fierce battles among European countries, they have no ability to compete in Asia and can only bear it with drooling.

However, the Ming Empire's military actions on the west coast of America were like an excuse and conditions that were offered to them. The New World, which had always been regarded as a back garden by Europeans, was about to be invaded by outsiders, and the countries could no longer turn a blind eye.

The European countries were really tired of fighting each other, so they simply stopped the civil war and launched an expedition to the east while the armaments were mobilized. This was much more fun than fighting a civil war. As long as they didn't lose, the participating countries would get a share of the spoils, and the deficit of more than ten years could be made up.

In such an environment, even if the Prince of Orange could be persuaded to firmly oppose it, European countries would not be willing to give up. Because this was the interest of most monarchs, they would have to implement it with or without the Prince of Orange's consent.

In fact, if the Prince of Orange had objected, he might have lost his position as consul. In terms of the bourgeoisie in the early 17th century, the Netherlands had the largest number and the best quality, and no one in the world could surpass it.

"...In that case, I can only bid farewell to Your Majesty. The Netherlands is my hometown, no matter what it becomes, it is still my hometown. Batavia is my second home, and if I have to choose between the two, the former is more important.

After I return to the Netherlands, I will probably not have the opportunity to come to the Ming Empire again. If I come back by chance one day, can Your Majesty show some leniency and not treat me as an enemy! "After a long silence, Cohen slowly stood up, bowed deeply with the etiquette of the Ming Dynasty, and made the final decision. He once again rejected the emperor's invitation and insisted on returning to the Netherlands to serve his hometown. But he did not throw away the cunning of the businessman, and still left a loophole.

"The war is not about destroying anyone, nor is there any personal grudge. It is just a game between rulers. Regardless of who wins or loses this war, exchanges between the East and the West will become more frequent.

If possible, leave the East India Company after returning to the Netherlands. It will soon become history. You can set up a shipping company of your own and continue to do your old business. If you are not able to get the funds, let the Sun Moon Bank or the Ming envoy know. I am willing to invest in it in my personal name."

Hong Tao could do nothing about Cohen's decision. It might be that fate has not arrived yet and it cannot be forced. But out of concern, it is necessary to remind him that once the two sides have a falling out, they are likely to start an all-round confrontation, including among the people.

By then, the Governor-General who had served in Asia for nearly 20 years would most likely be affected, and no one could predict whether the outcome would be good or bad. The safest way was to leave the place of trouble and become a pure businessman.

Just four days after Cohen's farewell, the Chief Minister of the Cabinet Yuan Yingtai and the Vice Minister of Rites Yang Sichang formally met with the Prince of Orange and the accompanying Dutch officials at the Ministry of Rites. The two sides began to negotiate on the compensation and other demands made by the Spanish Empire.

Emperor Jingyang did not attend any of the negotiations, and did not even ask about them. His explanation to the guests was that the empress had passed away, the emperor was in a bad mood, and he declined to see them.

This was of course an excuse. The emperor was not idle, but was much busier than usual. The gas lamps in the courtyard of the Hall of Mental Cultivation often burned all night long, and from time to time, figures in military uniforms would come in and out.

The war machine of the entire empire is already slowly starting up. If there is no particularly powerful force to stop it, a war the likes of which the world has never seen before is inevitable.

The first signal was the conscription order. Before the end of the first month of the year, the first imperial edict of the thirty-fifth year of Jingyang (1639) was issued from the imperial palace, and spread to every county in the country at the fastest speed through post stations and communication ships.

Emperor Jingyang, in his capacity as Grand Marshal of the Army and Navy of the Ming Empire, issued an emergency conscription order, ordering officials in counties, special administrative regions, and overseas territories to immediately select healthy and literate men aged 15 to 40 under their jurisdiction and send them to local military offices to join the reserve force.

Those who are already in school, regular employees of factories and farms, only children, and those with pensions are exempted. Those who have received reserve training and are no older than 45 years old after retirement are given priority. Exiles and hard labor prisoners who voluntarily sign up and meet the requirements can be exempted from serving their sentences.

The number of soldiers to be recruited this time is 20! But it may not be just one batch. The imperial edict specifically stated that if the war goes badly, there will be a second or even a third batch, requiring grassroots officials to be aware of this and send people out immediately after receiving the new conscription order without delay.

(End of this chapter)