In the late Ming Dynasty, rising from the grassland

Chapter 359 The First European Subject State
  When the fact that Dong Xiaowan really became a central council member spread, the entire Dahua was shocked.

For a time, there were protests and dissatisfaction from the literati and officials, but that was all, because the Great China was not the Ming Dynasty, and the public opinion of the literati could no longer affect the court's decision-making, let alone Lin Rui, the emperor.

The only thing that can be done is for the 199 central members who have just been elected to write letters of recommendation to Lin Rui.

But at this time, Lin Rui had no intention of taking care of this matter anymore. He just handed those suggestions to the secretary and gave a simple reply in the name of the emperor.

After all, the Senate has just been established, and the suggestions submitted have just fallen into disarray and there has been no response. This has dampened everyone’s enthusiasm.

As expected, the emperor replied one by one, and the congressmen were also very excited, because it didn't matter whether the congressman had the right or whether His Majesty had adopted their suggestions. As long as he replied, it was enough, which was a huge guarantee.

Especially those wealthy gentry and big businessmen have secretly made up their minds to become a member of parliament in two years no matter what the cost.

Because everyone found that the identity of this congressman seemed to be safer than having someone in the clan become an official. After all, the risks of being an official were quite high, and he might be implicated in various ways. However, there was almost no risk for congressmen, but compared to the influence of ordinary small officials. and greater deterrence.

After discovering this, countless people felt regretful, especially the big businessmen and landowners in the south of the Yangtze River. They regretted that they did not take advantage of those prostitutes for the sake of face, so that Dong Xiaowan took advantage of the loophole and got it in vain. More than [-] votes.

After all, at that time, almost all businessmen, landowners, and literary talents with a little bit of reputation wanted to run for parliament. This resulted in few letters of recommendation and no one wanted to take advantage of others.

But Dong Xiaowan had no competitors, and almost all prostitutes who could write supported her.

After the beginning of the new year, various countries sent envoys again, this time even the Netherlands and Spain sent envoys.

Lin Rui did not even meet the envoys from Vietnam, Myanmar and other countries this time, and sent them directly to the newly established Lifanyuan.

Although Lin Rui personally received the envoys from the three Western countries, his attitude towards the three countries was obviously different.

Lin Rui directly rejected the Dutch envoy's trade request and made it clear that Dongfan Island was Dahua's inherent territory. When the Dutch retreated, Dahua would trade with the Netherlands and allowed Dutch merchant ships to dock directly at Dahua. China's trading port.

At present, Dahua has only five trading ports, namely Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Ningbo, Shanghai County and Tianjin.

Of course, Dahua's naval power is now concentrated in the north, and Lin Rui didn't say anything harsh.

Naturally, the Dutch envoys would not agree to give up the newly occupied Dongfan Island, but only claimed that they had captured this island from the Spanish.

Obviously the Dutch also saw the huge strategic significance of this island, so the two sides did not reach any agreement.

Lin Rui's attitude towards the envoys from Spain and Portugal was much gentler.

Especially the envoys from Portugal, because Portugal was still a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty legally.

When Lin Rui learned about it, his jaw almost dropped. After searching for it, he actually found the credentials submitted by Portugal.

Of course, Lin Rui also knew that this letter of credence was definitely not written by the King of Portugal. It was probably forged by the Portuguese in Macau at that time to deceive the Ming Dynasty.

Because the Portuguese were the first to come to the Ming Dynasty, they also knew the Ming Dynasty best. They knew that the Ming Dynasty would not trade with foreign countries unless they became vassals and paid tribute and became a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. After learning that they could become a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty without paying any actual price, the Portuguese were immediately moved. European countries would not know about it anyway.

Later, Spain couldn't lose face to do such a thing, and the Dutch were the same. After all, both countries were the leaders in Europe, and Portugal was obstructing it. Envoys from the two countries could not reach the capital. Every time they went to Guangzhou, they Being driven away, let alone trade.

And Lin Rui finally understood why the Ming Dynasty could tolerate Portugal's continued lease of Macau, direct trade with the Ming Dynasty, and even the ability to preach within the Ming Dynasty.

Obviously Portugal has always enjoyed the status of a dependent country.

The Ming Dynasty didn't care about Portugal as a subsidiary country, and Portugal never took it seriously, but Lin Rui took it seriously.

It doesn't matter whether the letter of credence is forged or not written by the King of Portugal. What is important is that Portugal must also sign such a tributary treaty with Dahua.

And compared with the conditions set by Dahua for other dependent countries, as long as the Portuguese Governor of Macau is willing to sign the treaty, Portugal's treatment can remain unchanged and still follow the rules of the previous Ming Dynasty.

The Portuguese could still lease Macau to trade directly with Dahua, and the Portuguese could also travel and preach throughout Dahua. The rent was calculated based on the number of ships passing through.

The Portuguese envoy naturally signed the treaty without hesitation and became a vassal state of Dahua again, but he was secretly happy that the Chinese people were so fooled.

Lin Rui also secretly rejoiced. This treaty is now a piece of waste paper and does not have much effect. But one day when Dahua's naval fleet has the strength to arrive in Europe, the effect of this treaty will be highlighted, and Portugal It will also become a breakthrough for Dahua’s European strategy.

As for Spain, Lin Rui did not propose that it must become a vassal state of Dahua to start trade. After all, one is enough. He only warned the Han people in Southeast Asia, who are also the people of Dahua, that if Spain dares to condone the local indigenous people to harm Luzon Island Dahua will never tolerate the Han people.

This made the Spanish envoy's heart skip a beat, and his face changed slightly. However, thinking of Dahua's naval strength, he calmed down again, and then asked carefully:

"Then, Your Majesty the Great Emperor, can the two countries directly start trade? Can my Spanish merchant ship directly dock at the port of Dahua?"

"Direct trade is not possible for the time being." Lin Rui shook his head.

Rhodes saw that Lin Rui refused direct trade with Spain. Although he was prepared, he still looked disappointed.

Although merchants from Dahua can transport goods to Luzon Island for trading, how can Spanish merchant ships come directly to Dahua for trading?
  "Envoy Rhodes, it is not impossible for Spain to trade directly with Dahua, but I have a condition. If your country can do it, it will enjoy the same treatment as Portugal."

"Oh, I wonder what His Majesty's conditions are?"

Rhode's eyes lit up, and his hope rekindled. After all, it took more than half a year to make this trip, and he really didn't want to return without success.

Lin Rui waved, and soon the guards brought in a huge wooden globe three meters in diameter.

Rhodes was also dumbfounded, and immediately understood that this must be the damn Portuguese who told the emperor that the earth was round.

(End of this chapter)