Prince Chongzhen

Chapter 346 Don’t want the territory in America anymore?

"The Minister of Maritime Affairs of the Ming Dynasty, the Grand Secretary of the Jinshen Palace, and the Minister of War!
Shen Tingyang!
By order of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty!
Make Luzon~~~~!"

As the call was heard, a figure in a red robe appeared at the edge of the warship.

Unlike what Zhu Cilang thought, Shen Tingyang did not think there would be any difficulty after fully understanding the purpose of this mission.

According to his understanding, he was sent by His Majesty to bully others.

As long as the relationship between Ming and Western countries is maintained at a state of fighting but not breaking, the specific means are still up to them.

But in the end, he still forgot the saying "Don't hit a smiling person."

After seeing the extremely grand welcoming scene on the shore, this technical bureaucrat who had focused on shipbuilding for more than ten years immediately felt a little embarrassed.

"The Spanish Governor-General in Manila, Forcardo, welcomes the Ming envoys to visit!"

"Thank you, Governor, for welcoming me personally. I am really grateful."

Faced with the enthusiastic Forcado, Shen Tingyang instinctively wanted to respond with a similar attitude at the first moment, but when these flowers came out of his mouth, he thought of his mission again, and then swallowed the rest back.

“I am really relieved.”

According to his thinking, this feeling of deep relief carried a hint of superiority, and the governor would surely be unhappy when he heard it.

If he then retorts a few more times, the seeds of discord will be sown.

Originally, he thought that the Ming Dynasty should join forces with Spain to fight against the Dutch and should not create any conflicts in between. After all, wasn't that the situation during the Three Kingdoms period? But after hearing the detailed analysis, he gradually understood the key points.

According to what Your Majesty said, there are now two strong countries and one weak country in Southeast Asia.

The Dutch naturally do not want Spain to form an alliance with the Ming Dynasty, but the Spanish’s thoughts are definitely not simple.

From the Spanish point of view, their voice in Southeast Asia was gradually declining, but the emergence of the Ming Dynasty brought them hope of turning the situation around.

A direct war between the Ming and the Netherlands would allow them to gain the best of both worlds, but it would not be the best option for the entire trade route.

However, if they formed a direct alliance with the Ming Dynasty, the Dutch would inevitably regard the Ming Dynasty, which had a strong maritime power, as their main opponent, and Manila, whose maritime power was almost negligible, as a target for wooing.

Under such circumstances, as long as the Spaniards take appropriate actions, it will be possible for the Ming and the Netherlands to maintain a situation of fighting but not breaking up in this sea area.

At that time, they will not only be able to get the benefits of having the best of both worlds, but also maintain the security of their trade routes, which is much more cost-effective than letting the Ming and the Netherlands go to war directly.

After figuring this out, Shen Tingyang naturally wanted to resolve the discord as soon as he landed.

But Forcado had already planned to spread the news of the good relations between Ming and Spain to the Dutch, so why would he take it to heart if it was just a little inappropriate wording?
"The Ming Dynasty defeated the Dutch in Taiwan. I was very excited when I heard the news. Our Kingdom of Spain and the Ming Dynasty are both important forces in maintaining peace and stability at sea. Only such a grand welcoming ceremony can reflect the deep friendship between our two countries."

As he said this, Forcado not only smiled, but his eyes also seemed to glance at the translator inadvertently.

Afterwards, no one knew what the translator was thinking, but he actually shouted loudly to Shen Tingyang who was standing right next to him.

A so-called commercial city is bound to be a mix of good and bad people. Since Forcado was able to find so many Ming people to welcome him, how could there be no Dutch spies in the city of Manila?

Although the idea came to his mind, Shen Tingyang couldn't find a way to turn the situation around for a moment.

But when he was about to say something, he heard a commotion outside the crowd, and then Forcado's expression gradually became unnatural.

"Mr. Shen, you must have worked hard on the journey. Please go back to the Governor's Mansion and rest. I will prepare a sumptuous welcoming banquet for you at noon. I hope you can come."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Governor General. I wonder what happened over there?"

"Oh, they should be the local natives. They have always been hostile to the hardworking people of the Ming Dynasty. With the Ming envoys visiting today, these foolish barbarians will definitely try to cause some trouble."

Having said this, Forcado paused for a moment, and when he saw the noise in the crowd gradually died down, he continued in a slightly apologetic tone.

"I'm really sorry, we can't do anything about these natives. In order not to disturb the atmosphere today, let's go back to the Governor's Mansion first."

Shen Tingyang could understand the Spaniard's words. Emperor Xuanzong withdrew his troops from Annan for similar reasons, and the Ming Dynasty never interfered there afterwards.

But if we just follow him, the news of the good relations between Ming and Xi will definitely be known to spies from all sides.

By then, even if he had a big fight with Spain in the Governor's Palace, it would be of no avail.

just
"Shen Butang, please come this way."

Just when Shen Tingyang was in a dilemma, Forcado's urging voice rang in his ears again, but at the same time, there was a commotion outside the crowd, and it was obvious that they were in the same group as the "natives" he mentioned.

"Governor Forcardo, the emperor sent us here to discuss the massacre of Ming people seven years ago. From what we can see today, Spain's authority here is extremely limited. Do you want us to negotiate with the Governor's Office in Manila or directly with the local natives?"

"Mr. Shen, let's talk about this after we get back to the Governor's Mansion. Those natives have tried to assassinate me several times. We can't delay any longer."

Shen Tingyang originally thought that these words would anger the other party and then expose the discord between Ming and Xi in public.

But who would have thought that this confident attack was easily resolved by Forcado, and he was even dragged by the other party towards the passage opened up by the soldiers.

If a minister who was used to political struggles came here, he might be able to come up with a solution to this kind of situation based on his own characteristics, but Shen Tingyang was a gentleman, so how could he possibly respond at this time?
Forget it. If this Governor is assassinated, there will be no way back. I'll find another way after I escape this assassination.

With this in mind, Shen Tingyang did not resist too much, but when they ran into the passage, they saw a figure breaking through the barrier and kneeling directly on the ground.

"I have a grievance! Please help me, Lord!"

Technically, this is Spanish territory.

But in this foreign country, someone asked him, an official of the Ming Dynasty, to make a decision for him. Such a scene made Shen Tingyang unable to react for a while.

"Take him away! Idiot! How could you let an assassin rush in?!"

Forca was angry, he was really angry.

He knew very well that as long as he could survive today's reception, the news of the extremely friendly relationship between Spain and the Ming Dynasty would reach the ears of the Dutch.

At that time, as long as he concentrates his efforts on retreating, the Dutch will inevitably focus their main attention on the Ming Dynasty.

By then, the two countries with strong maritime power will inevitably confront each other everywhere in the South China Sea. He, as the weaker party, will be able to take advantage of the opportunity of mediation to play both sides and gain various benefits from the two major powers.

But who knew that these idiots would let someone rush in at the last minute!
Thinking of this, Forcado turned his head nervously and looked at the Ming envoy beside him, but Shen Tingyang's reaction directly ruined his plan. "If you have any grievances, you can tell us directly."

"Your Excellency, my name is Liu Linsheng, seven years ago."

As Liu Linsheng spoke, the uprising seven years ago gradually appeared before Shen Tingyang.

But at the same time, Forcado, who was extremely nervous a second ago, gradually regained the dignity of the governor, and even the slightly flattering look disappeared.

Now that the matter has been exposed, there is no need for him to act the same as before.

But while Shen Tingyang and Liu Linsheng were asking and answering each other, Forcadell's mind was rapidly weighing the pros and cons.

"Governor Forcardo, how do you explain this?"

"If there are people causing trouble in your territory, it is generally handled in the same way. There is nothing to explain."

Shen Tingyang was not surprised when Forcado suddenly became tough.

The "friendship" between Ming and Spain has been exposed, and all that remains is to do official business. In this situation, he has his own tricks up his sleeve.

"First you prevented my people from farming, then you lured them into the city and massacred them. If you, the Manila authorities, cannot give me an explanation, then I will personally give my people an explanation!"

As the words spread, there was a buzzing sound among the crowd, and Liu Linsheng, who was still kneeling on the ground, looked up with surprise on his face before falling back to the ground.

He didn't believe that such a large fleet belonged to the Ming Dynasty. After seeing that the people on the ship were serious Ming officials, he thought that the court would not care about the lives of these people.

But the few remaining soldiers on the island who came with him at that time rushed out one by one like moths to a flame according to the original plan. When the officer was about to leave, there were no Spanish soldiers by his side.

What choice did he have in this situation?

After all, these people not only saved his life and the lives of his brothers, but they also treated them as their own people.

If Liu Linsheng could escape under such circumstances, how could he stand between heaven and earth again?
But the reaction of the red-robed official ultimately exceeded Liu Linsheng's expectations.

Not only did the other party directly question the Spanish governor, but he also took an extremely tough stance, which made Liu Linsheng feel inexplicably moved.

just
"What? Do you have the ability to face both the Kingdom of Spain and the Dutch at the same time?"

Yes.

The Ming Dynasty is still at war with the Tartars. If we provoke another powerful enemy in the south, won’t we be caught in a war on two fronts?

I'm afraid this is the limit.

As Forcado's words were heard, Liu Linsheng also imagined the situation of the Ming Dynasty when he left.

Although he didn't know how the Ming Dynasty managed to survive that period, common sense showed that it was less than a year, so even with a saintly emperor on the throne, it would have been just barely able to hold on.

No matter what methods the Ming Dynasty used to put together such a fleet, it must have tried its best. Under such circumstances, how could he force his motherland to offend the powerful country for these people?

"Sir! I have no other request, I just hope you can take the remnants of the rebel army with you when you leave!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Linsheng knocked his head hard on the ground several times. However, when he looked at the red-robed official while standing up, he saw that he just waved his hand slightly, while his body still maintained a confrontation with the Spaniard.

"Your Majesty once said: As long as the overseas Chinese are loyal to the Ming Dynasty, they are also your Majesty's subjects. We are here under the order of the Emperor to question the massacre. How can we just bring you back?!"

Faced with the extremely tough attitude of the Ming envoy, Forcado remained calm and was just a little confused.

He didn't understand where the Ming Kingdom got the confidence to adopt such an attitude.

Is it
"Your Excellency, do you think that my only source of information is from Kalon?"

Although both Cuarón and he were governors-general of the Kingdom of Spain, Macau was a direct territory of the kingdom, while Manila was governed by the Viceroy of New Spain.

Under such circumstances, he had to carefully examine Caron's letter after receiving it.

It is true that the Ming Emperor won several great victories in a row, but the barbarians in the north were still a huge threat to the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, they were now at odds with the Dutch. No one with a normal mind would make enemies on all sides.

According to Forcado's thinking, the Ming envoy was so tough now, probably because he felt that he was frightened by Caron.

After saying this in a light tone, Forcado stared at the expression on Shen Tingyang's face. But who would have thought that before he saw the expected surprise and panic, the other party directly reached into his arms and started to take things out.

这 是
Puzzled.

Shen Tingyang's behavior not only puzzled Forcado, but also confused Liu Linsheng who was still kneeling on the ground.

However, this confusion and bewilderment did not last too long. After only half a breath, they saw Shen Tingyang take out a piece of paper that looked like a letter from his arms.

"As a student of the imperial examination, memorizing something is not a problem for me. However, the place names that His Majesty mentioned are difficult to remember, so I can only recite them verbatim."

what's the situation?
This Ming envoy must be crazy. Why is he talking about these things in such an occasion?

Seeing Shen Tingyang unfold the paper in front of him, Forcado felt that the people of the Ming Dynasty were all unreasonable.

But who would have thought that this thought only lasted for a moment, and then he felt like he fell into an ice cave because of those familiar place names.

"Spain has seven or eight sub-kingdoms in the Americas, and these sub-kingdoms have two east-west routes to the Spanish mainland. The eastern route is directly via the ocean, and the western route is through Manila.

The Dutch had long coveted these American territories, but due to their lack of land power, they could only watch.

If the Governor of Manila does not cooperate, the Ming Dynasty can help the Dutch capture the Governor's territory of Manila.

By then, the Dutch will be able to cut off the maritime links between Spain and the Americas, and they will be able to get away with losing a few warships."

"Someone, come here! Arrest all those who participated in the massacre!"

Well, I still think that some people do not understand the basis of the relationship between the three countries. For example, Singapore is like this now. It does not want the relationship between the two major powers to improve, but also does not want the two major powers to tear each other apart and go to war directly.

Well, actually, all those small countries have the same idea.

For those who are a little older, there is another idea.


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(End of this chapter)