Chapter 368 Who tempted His Majesty to become so evil
Zhu Yijun leaned on the Taishi chair and quietly watched Diego being beaten. Marcus wished he could go on stage and beat someone instead, and Diego's nostrils were watching. People look down on Marcus and Antonio. They behave like others and in daily communication, they all look like they deserve a beating.
Luo Sigong took action without knowing the importance.
Luo Sigong resolutely carried out the emperor's orders. Even when facing the emperor, he would do his best. In Luo Sigong's eyes, his majesty's orders were above all else. The emperor asked Luo Sigong to beat people, and Luo Sigong beat Diego. I don’t even recognize my biological father when he comes.
Zhu Yijun looked at Li Yashi and asked: "Special Envoy Li, did the Minister of Honglu Temple tell you that if you want to pick up the boat, you have to pay more?"
"I told you, we We are discussing." Ligas said with certainty: "More money must be added. However, two large sailing ships sank this time and only three arrived at the port. I am afraid I will owe some money."
"The interest on the money you owe me is not low." Zhu Yijun reminded kindly.
Even if Antonio surrenders and borrows money from Zhu Yijun, he still has to pay interest. Antonio’s interest is not high, only 4%, but when it comes to Felipe II, the annual interest , will surge to between 24% and 32%, because this is risky.
This interest is extremely expensive. Even war reparations cannot be paid in a short period of time, and the interest is generally around 4%.
As soon as the Emperor of Ming Dynasty opened his mouth, it was 24%, which is a good person.
Zhu Yijun offered such a high interest rate, of course, because Felipe II did not have a reliable captain. This time the leader was Antonio's first mate, Marcus.
Zhu Yijun, the largest landowner in the Ming Dynasty, behaved exactly like the sages and gentry in the countryside when he was lending money. He wanted to pull out his bones and tremble.
"Your Majesty, can it be a little less?" Li Yashi looked embarrassed. The interest rate is really too high. Some banks in the Ming Dynasty don't even have such high profits. I want to borrow one from Your Majesty. One million, and I will have to pay back at least 1.24 million silver today next year!
This is not borrowing money, your greedy Majesty, why don’t you just rob it! !
"Your king, he has no captain, what can I do?" Zhu Yijun spread his hands, unable to do anything about it. He said helplessly: "I am just an emperor. If I lower the interest rate for you, Cui Min, the eunuch who owns money, really wants to fight with me."
"But Antonio only has 4%, and our minimum is 24%. Isn't this a bit too much?" Shi started to bargain with the Ming Emperor. If he didn't agree, he wouldn't be able to get the ship. If he agreed, Diego would probably be executed directly by Felipe II when he returned to Texi.
“How much?” Marcus’s eyes widened, he looked at Ligas, and said blankly: “24%?!”
Marcus was so surprised, So much so that he kept reminding Diego not to be disrespectful in front of the emperor, and he himself showed a look of horror, which was already disrespectful.
As Antonio's first mate, Marcus was very clear about the interest rate the emperor borrowed money from. He was still confused before. The interest rate was only four cents a year. As the special envoy of Felipe II, Marcus He actually refused to agree and hesitated repeatedly. He paid for the interest by himself.
Now Marcus knew why Legaz was so hesitant.
"Of course." Zhu Yijun nodded. This was calculated by the internal money eunuch, mainly because of the risks and also because of the collateral.
The money Zhu Yijun lent to Antonio was indeed for interest. Likewise, it was also for the purpose of plotting Antonio's collateral, the plantation of Wanli Seawall. From the beginning, Zhu Yijun was not doing it for interest. How much interest is there? , are those plantations plantations? It is a base for exploration and the starting point for Ming Dynasty to manage thousands of miles of seawalls.
The plantation that had been cherished so much was finally in the hands of Zhu Yijun, and it belonged to the Ming Dynasty in a famous, grand and dignified manner, although there was still one most difficult nail to pull out.
"Felipe II can choose not to repay the debt. The risk of bad debts is too high." Zhu Yijun leaned on the back of his chair and knocked on the table. Antonio did not dare not to repay the debt. In place, the plantation directly charges thousands of miles of seawall.
Felipe II is much more courageous. He is the one who owes the debt. If he doesn't pay, will the Ming Emperor go to Taixi to ask for it?
"If you don't pay it back, wouldn't it mean that you can't do business with the Ming Dynasty? My king is not so short-sighted." Legas was still speaking for Felipe II, the majestic king of the empire on which the sun never sets. How could one possibly damage one's credibility for such a small amount of debt?
"He doesn't have a captain, and the interest rate will not rise as high as 24%. He is in a state of desperation now. The risk of war is too great. There is a saying in the Ming Dynasty that water has no shape and soldiers have no shape. What I’m talking about is that this war is like water, with no fixed shape. Although Folangji is powerful, I must consider the risks amid internal and external troubles.”
“If he is not in a state of distress now, Naturally, he is not short-sighted, but now he can only focus on the present, and it is good to be able to focus on the present. "
Zhu Yijun was talking about the risks of war on Felipe II.
Felipe II's enemies include the English, the French, the civil strife in the Netherlands, the land and sea attacks of the Ottoman Empire, and most recently, Antonio's harassing fleet.
His armada was not invincible.
"The Marquis of Santa Cruz will use the sword in his hand to bring peace to the empire!" Legas clenched his fists and said forcefully. The threat of these wars is indeed always there. Diego's was beaten. The father, Alvaro De, would kill all his enemies with the sword in his hand.
"If he were not so strong, the interest rate would not be so high." Zhu Yijun smiled, looked at the emperor's master Qi Jiguang, smiled, shook his head and said: "The king is in dire straits because of the enemy's foreign troubles, and the country is in turmoil because of internal troubles. , If the Marquis of Santa Cruz was not so strong and the living God of War in Taixi, I would not have given such a high interest rate.”
“How can we talk about Zhenwu when things are going downhill?”
In addition to its own maritime trade risks, there are also war risks and the political risks mentioned by Zhu Yijun. This is the fundamental reason why interest rates are so high.
The greater the risk, the greater the return, which is very reasonable. If this debt really becomes a bad debt, then Zhu Yijun can only impose punitive tariffs on all ships coming from the West.
"Your Majesty, this..." Ligas was finally speechless. Your Majesty is eloquent. Ligas knew it from the beginning, and now it is even clearer.
Zhu Yijun narrowed his eyes and looked at Diego who was being beaten, and said with a smile: "Felipe II is a very smart man. He sent here a nobleman who knew nothing about sea trade and was even a little arrogant. , seems to be full of sincerity, but is this guy not a hostage? "
"Special envoy Li, the top of the empire is not as peaceful as imagined."
Zhu Yijun. This person loves to tell the truth.
Diego is not a suitable candidate. Even if Felipe II sent his son over, it would not be surprising, but he sent the most capable son of the God of War over. What this means is very interesting. .
“But the interest rate is too high.” Ligas was still struggling. What His Majesty said made sense. It also made sense that Ming Dynasty wanted such a high interest rate, but it was still too high.
Legas can no longer go back. As a servant of God who swore in front of God that he would never marry and would serve God with his whole life, he has broken his promise. If he goes back, he will be burned at the stake. , but Legaz is still fulfilling his duties as a special envoy, running for the interests of Spain.
Zhu Yijun raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "I told Felipe II, he doesn't have to pay back."
"I will not pay back the money I owe His Majesty, even if it is Tens of thousands of miles away, the Ming Dynasty's navy still has to get it back. Money is not important. The emperor humiliates his ministers and dies. "Legasi knew the Central Plains culture very well. If he owed money to the emperor, the Ming emperor would really launch a war. To recover arrears, even if it is far away in Europe and the West, it does not matter whether the money is money or not. The face of the Celestial Kingdom is too important.
Zhu Yijun smiled and did not talk any more, but watched with interest as Luo Sigong beat Diego. Diego was no match at all, he was just a dude.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid he will be beaten to death if he continues to beat him." Seeing that the heat was almost over, Qi Jiguang stood up and persuaded his majesty to calm down. If he didn't stop, Luo Sigong would really dare to beat Diego to death. If you die, it is unlucky.
Zhu Yijun nodded and said: "The general has spoken, stop."
"Marcus, do you want to fight with my forward Li Rusong?" Zhu Yijun looked at Marcus Asked, when Marcus first arrived in the Ming Dynasty, he had a fight with Chen Lin. Although he lost, Marcus was still unconvinced. He wanted to see if this Taixi sword master was the best in the Ming Dynasty. A pioneer is great.
"Your Majesty, I can't defeat him. His Highness Antonio is still waiting for me to return and continue to be loyal." Marcus was very sincere and admitted defeat directly. It was not a worldly thing. Marcus had seen Li Rusong's bravery with his own eyes. , he still wants to save his life and return to Taixi.
There is no need to fight, life is your own, you have to cherish it, if you can't beat it, you can't beat it.
"Envoy Li, please take Diego back. I will send the chief medical officer to cure him." Zhu Yijun asked Ligas to retreat with Diego, leaving Marcus alone.
Zhu Yijun came to the warm pavilion of Wuying Tower. In summer, this is the cold pavilion of the Ming Dynasty. This is the place to talk. Zhu Yijun motioned to Qi Jiguang and Marcus to sit down and talk.
Qi Jiguang took the Emperor's Sword and sat firmly beside Zhu Yijun.
The Emperor's Sword, in the first year of Wanli, Qi Jiguang defeated Dong Hu, wiped out Dong Hu's reinforcements, and captured Dong Hu's nephew Bu Hachu. Dong Hu killed Tang Kekuan at Beigukou, and Zhu Yijun general Bu Hachu Ha Chuchu was beheaded. That year Qi Jiguang came to Beijing to receive the reward. Zhu Yijun opened the Emperor's Palace to reward Qi Jiguang and made Qi Jiguang an earl.
This identity is very important. Qi Jiguang became Wu Xun, so he was able to become the chief military officer of the Ming Dynasty's capital camp.
The Emperor Sword worn by Qi Jiguang was given by Zhu Yijun at that time.
At that time, the situation in the Ming Dynasty was in decline. At that time, the Ming Dynasty still owed 110,000 silver for the imperial mausoleum of the late emperor. At that time, Zhu Yijun was only ten years old. At that time, the situation in the Ming Dynasty was not suitable for Zhenwu. The reason Many, in a word, Chenqiao mutiny and yellow robes.
This is not alarmist, it is a real thing that happened.
That day, Zhu Yijun hid the secrets from everyone, even Zhang Juzheng, and knighted Qi Jiguang. The moment he handed the Emperor's Sword to Qi Jiguang, Zhu Yijun actually gave away the lives of himself, his younger brother, the empress dowagers of the two palaces, and the Ming Dynasty. , all handed over to Qi Jiguang.
If Qi Jiguang obtained the Emperor's Sword, formed a capital camp, and really took off his Zhu Yijun's head with the sword, Zhu Yijun would also admit it.
This is Zhenwu who took huge risks, and Zhu Yijun bet all his wealth on Zhenwu.
It is not a rare thing for Wu Yixia to break the ban in all dynasties, at all times and at home and abroad. Even in small Ceylon, there is a precedent of the king's nephew launching a military coup, and even not far away Thousands of miles across the ocean to hunt down the prince.
What did Qi Jiguang do? He used the sword given by His Majesty to kill where His Majesty's sword pointed.
Zhu Yijun respected Zhang Juzheng very much and also respected Qi Jiguang. To this day, Qi Jiguang is the only foreign minister who can wield a sword within three feet of Zhu Yijun.
In the original history, after Zhang Juzheng died, Qi Jiguang was demoted to Guangzhou amidst the strife in the imperial court. Qi Jiguang did not do anything. Even though he had 100,000 strong soldiers under his command, Qi Jiguang still left silently.
Thinking about it, on the day he left the capital, Qi Jiguang felt despair as he looked at the city gate that was getting further away.
Qi Jiguang looked at Marcus. Marcus was a swordsman in the West. If Marcus dared to commit murder and assassinate His Majesty, Qi Jiguang would make Marcus regret coming to this world. The private seats in the courtyard awaited Marcus. "First officer, I'm still used to calling you this." Zhu Yijun talked about the situation in Taixi.
Marcus explained Antonio's current situation in great detail. The naval battle took place near the Azores Islands. This is a sea area belonging to the Free City of the Free Islands. It was a large-scale There were two naval battles in total. Even though the Armada was repelled, Antonio paid the price of three five-masted ocean crossing ships. Don Juan was the highest commander. He seriously underestimated the combat power of the five-masted ocean crossing ships, which led to The Armada returned without success.
Antonio did win, but the losses were extremely heavy. Felipe II did lose, but he could continue to replenish the fleet.
Felipe II is too strong.
“His Royal Highness Antonio has to agree to Felipe II’s conditions, because if he does not agree, Felipe II is likely to send the Marquis of Santa Cruz to lead the Armada to conquer. By that time, His Highness Antonio will , it is bound to fail." Marcus elaborated on the background of the negotiations.
The Armada led by Don Juan and the Armada led by the Marquis of Santa Cruz are not the same concept at all. If the Marquis of Santa Cruz really goes on an expedition, Antonio can only really become a pirate.
"This Marquis is so powerful. I heard that his achievements are only victories on land. Is he also good at naval battles?" Zhu Yijun was stunned and asked with some doubts.
"Yes, compared to land warfare, the Marquis is better at naval warfare, just like the General." Marcus really looked complicated. The Marquis of Santa Cruz is Felipe II The biggest trump card is a veteran who is good at army construction, land warfare, and naval warfare.
"Is it possible that there is also a saying that the West and the West have great achievements and have shaken the country?" The political risks that Zhu Yijun discussed with Legas were to raise interest rates. He did not fully understand the phenomenon of the West and the West having great achievements and shaking the country. , Felipe II left aside the useful Marquis and used Don Juan, who was easy to defeat. What was his consideration?
Zhu Yijun took himself into Felipe II to think about it, and only got one answer, his great achievements shocked the master.
He originally thought that this was a culture unique to the Central Plains, but now it seems that it is not that simple.
Marchus said with certainty: "It's all the same, Your Majesty."
"Aetius, the last Roman."
"Aetius, the protector of the country, used his sword to protect the Roman Empire for twenty years. The Rome he worked hard for was already in decay. On the verge of collapse, Aetius still used his bravery and strategy to fight for the Roman Empire and resisted the attacks of the Germans and Huns one after another."
"More than 1,100 years ago. , Lord Protector Aetius entered the palace to meet the Roman emperor to discuss the marriage of his son and the princess. Aetius, who was in his sixties, had no idea that Valentinian III would stab him with the sword in his hand. The emperor's courtiers and nobles who were jealous of Aetius also joined in. When Aetius was killed, he had more than a hundred swords stuck in his body."
"The following year, the Roman emperor Valentini. An III was also killed by the regicide. Three years after the death of the Protector, Rome was captured by the Vandals. Twenty-one years later, the last emperor of Western Rome was deposed by the Praetorian Guard, and Western Rome was destroyed. "< br>
Marchus told a story that almost everyone in the West knew, but the Ming Dynasty didn’t know much about. Aetius, the last Roman before the fall of Western Rome, had his backbone cut off, and it was cut off. Emperor Valentinian III, the pillar of the empire, was killed the next year.
What is more interesting is that Caesar, the substantial first emperor of the Roman Empire, died in a palace assassination, and the last mainstay protector of the Western Roman Empire also died in a palace assassination.
I have to say that history is a cycle, always so familiar.
According to the translations by Chen Xuexue, the minister of Honglu Temple, Gao Qiyu, the doctor of Gewu, and others, the word Caesar means emperor only in the West, and the king and the emperor are completely different.
“Your Majesty, the essence of your great achievements is that the army gradually came under the complete control of the generals during the long-term campaign. The personal prestige of the generals has surpassed the king and the court and the control of many parties, and finally formed a control over the king. If the Marquis is really good at fighting, it would be normal for Felipe II to be afraid of him leading troops on an expedition." Qi Jiguang explained the term "high efforts will shock the master" in great detail, without realizing it at all. He is a representative figure of great achievements.
The Marquis of Taixi is very good at fighting. Can’t the Marquis Qi Jiguang not be able to fight?
"Felipe II just can't figure it out, so I never worried about Qi Shuai leading the army." Zhu Yijun said with certainty. Every time Qi Jiguang sent out troops, the troops he brought were definitely enough for rebellion. Zhu Yijun never doubted that Qi Jiguang would I didn't even think about treason.
"The military construction of the Ming Dynasty exceeded that of the West. Mutual restraint makes the success rate of military coup extremely low. Of course, the most important thing is that His Majesty is in Peking University Camp every day. We are now in Wuying Building, every day Every soldier knows what your majesty looks like," Qi Jiguang said very nonchalantly.
If His Majesty doubted him, he would not come to Beida Camp. His Majesty comes every day as if he were returning to his own home.
Emperor Cheng Zuwen’s ancestral method of parading military horses every day is really easy to use, but it is a bit expensive for the emperor.
"Felipe II is already a very hard-working man." Marcus admired Felipe II very much. He was a respectable opponent. This guy's diligence was so great among the Thai people. As we all know, when manpower is eventually exhausted, the Ming Emperor has Zhang Juzheng to assist him in government affairs and can devote more energy to military construction. Felipe II is completely different.
Zhu Yijun chatted with Marcus for a long time. From the conversation with Marcus, Zhu Yijun learned one thing, that is, the current Portuguese King's illness is unusual.
The current Portuguese king, Enrique the Pure, is seriously ill. It should be man-made, not natural.
Before he became king, Enrique was a bishop. He had no family. When he became king, he had to face the problem of successor. At this time, Enrique had two choices, either Find a wife and have children, or choose an heir.
If Enrique chooses the latter, then only Antonio and Felipe II are strong contenders.
Enrique chose the former. He wanted to marry one of the three Austrian princesses Isabel, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Braganza, Maria, and the daughter of Felipe II.
Enrique wrote to Felipe II on September 24, the sixth year of Wanli, asking him to marry his daughter to him, and then wrote a letter on October 28 of the same year, asking Pope Gregory XIII to allow him to break the disagreement. A commitment to serve God throughout your married life.
Felipe II and Pope Gregory XIII chose to refuse in a very tacit understanding. Enrique the Pure then wrote several letters one after another, and it was as if everything was lost in the sea. Not long after, Enrique Beginning to fall ill, the palace apothecary and his confidants kept Enrique's condition secret.
Antonio spent a lot of money and finally found out about a person, Cristobal de Moura, who was the commander of the Royal Guards of the Portuguese Palace and the nephew of the Marquis of Santa Cruz.
The truth does not seem to be important, because no one is paying attention to the body of Enrique the Pure. Perhaps Enrique is dead.
“When the first mate leaves, I will lend Antonio five more five-masted transoceanic ships. He has lost three five-masted transoceanic ships. I am afraid that the future will be more difficult. Of course, I borrowed them. , You have to pay." After Zhu Yijun finished chatting with Marcus, he told Marcus a decision.
"Thank you for your majesty's generosity. These five five-masted ocean-going ships are priced at 1.25 million silver. If the price increase is included, it will be as high as 1.5 million silver. Your majesty, how is the interest calculated?" Marcus was very grateful to the Ming Emperor. generous and generous, but he was wary of interest.
Zhu Yijun looked at Marcus and said: "If he obtains the throne of Portugal, then from now until the time when he obtains the throne of Portugal, the interest will be calculated at 24% per year, and he can get up to two years after that. For a ten-year extension, the annual interest for the twenty-year extension is 4%. If he fails to obtain the throne, I can only ask the Governor's Palace of Goa and Diu for this debt."
"My kind Majesty, let me go back and think about it carefully." Marcus was in a trance, as if he heard the devil's whisper. His Majesty smiled brightly, but behind the bright sunshine of this big boy, there was something that made people fall. The devil in hell.
This is a gambling agreement, and Ming Dynasty will definitely not lose money. Even if Antonio really dies in Taixi, Ming Dynasty can recover the debt from the Governor's Palace of Goa and Diu. The plantations along the Western (Indian Ocean) and African coasts were geese that could lay golden eggs every year. Antonio won by luck, and Ming Dynasty could also become the creditor of the King of Portugal.
Besides the loose political restraints, there will be a tight rope of economic restraints on Antonio.
"First officer, your Highness Antonio doesn't have many choices." Zhu Yijun said with a smile.
Antonio didn’t have much choice. Once the struggle against Felipe II’s marriage to open up the territory and include Portugal began, there was no turning back. The threat of the Marquis, God of War, seemed to be hanging over his head. With the sword on him, under the huge threat, he could only strengthen his strength at all costs.
Three-masted plywood ships can be bought in the West, but what about five-masted transoceanic ships? Antonio's flagship can only be purchased in Ming Dynasty.
"Can I ask for more?!" Marcus thought for a moment, and it was indeed the case. Antonio had no choice. Since he wanted to borrow, he might as well risk his life and fortune.
“How much do you want?” Zhu Yijun asked with a smile.
“Twelve ships!” Marcus gritted his teeth and made a decision.
"Accurate."
Marcus left sweating profusely. This huge war loan may become a nightmare for Antonio in the future, but Marcus and Antonio don't No choice, if you lose, you have nothing.
"Your Majesty, what if Antonio can't afford the repayment?" Qi Jiguang was counting the interest on his fingers. If you are not good at arithmetic, you cannot be a general. The dense logistics ledger can hollow out the entire Beijing camp. Qi Jiguang His arithmetic is very good, and he calculated the interest clearly in a short time.
On these twelve ships, if it took Antonio ten years to win, the compound interest would be a debt of 26 million taels of silver. Even if it is extended for twenty years and calculated at 4% interest, the interest would be as high as 12.26 million, the total principal and interest is 39.26 million, nearly 40 million taels.
The most critical question is, will Antonio only borrow it this time? I'm afraid not. As a person vying for the throne, he has already paid a sunk cost and will only borrow money again and again like a gambler. Even if he becomes the King of Portugal, Antonio will have to pay an extremely heavy price for this loan. .
Felipe II could only receive 2 million silver taxes a year from the Netherlands!
“He really became the King of Portugal. If he can’t repay it, he can just continue to roll over the debt. If he still can’t repay it, he can sell things to me, such as copper mines, plantations, etc. Silver mine, I won't refuse anyone who comes, the more the better." Zhu Yijun smiled brightly.
Qi Jiguang held the Emperor's Sword in his hand and said with a furrowed brow: "Your Majesty, who are these slanderous words coming from His Majesty?"
Qi Jiguang could no longer restrain his Qingjun side. I'm worried, who is whispering in His Majesty's ear, tempting His Majesty to become so evil?
Zhu Yijun glanced at Feng Bao and Zhang Hong. Feng Bao and Zhang Hong immediately knelt on the ground. Feng Bao said in horror: "Your Majesty, although I have done all kinds of bad things, I never said these words. I have said it before, your Majesty! I have never heard of such things as interest, compound interest, extension, asset pledge, etc.”
“I don’t know anything about this, even Feng Daban. I don’t understand anymore.” Zhang Hong was also frightened. Feng Bao had read a lot, but he didn’t know anything about it. How could Zhang Hong know this?
Feng Bao and Zhang Hong glanced at each other. They really couldn't afford to bear this responsibility. They would not only be sent to Fengyang to grow sweet potatoes for bewitching the Holy Son of Heaven, but they would also have to bear the burden of the Spring and Autumn Judgment in the future. Historically infamous.
The conscience of heaven and earth, how could they teach these things? They don't know it themselves.
Zhu Yijun said with a smile: "Pingshen Pingshen, I think what you want to say is that it's getting late and we should go back to the palace. Seeing that you two are so scared, you are too timid."
"Qi Shuai, no one is talking nonsense to me. Isn't this how the powerful right-wingers of our Ming Dynasty release their money? I learned from them."
Everything is very reasonable, your majesty's methods , they all learned from the right-wingers who wanted to follow the trend. They usually put money in this way.
Enrique did request Felipe II. This is an excerpt from the original letter: 'If you have a daughter of the right age and hope that she can get married as soon as possible and continue the family line, then she must be my first priority. choose. I believe you have the kindness to marry her to me, but I also know that this cannot be achieved. I want to propose to someone close to you, the former Queen of France, your niece and sister-in-law. There are so many people who want to marry her, and I am one of them. 'Please give me a monthly ticket, oooh! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
(End of this chapter)