Chapter 528 I can also talk, I can also love the Ming Dynasty
In March of the tenth year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, an ocean-going caravan formed by five major ocean-going trading houses consisted of a total of twelve five-masted ocean-going ships.
The captain of the fleet is Liu Ji, the second officer who sent Xu Jiugao, the special envoy to the West, last time.
The entire fleet has a total of two million pieces of large cloth and three million pieces of small cloth. In addition to cotton cloth, there are also porcelain, tea, silk, silverware, lacquerware, iron pots, etc., in a wide range of varieties. It was worth over six million silver.
While passing through the Viceroyalty of Brazil, Peru, Mexico, we had traded nearly three million silver goods with the locals in exchange for local specialties, and finally arrived in the City of Liberty.
The iron pot costs one tael of silver each. It was sold out before arriving at the Liberty Corner, and the supply exceeded demand.
Liu Ji was very puzzled. It was just that the Ming Dynasty iron pot was popular in Nanyang. There was indeed no iron pot production in Nanyang, but it was also so popular in the New World and the New World. It even sold better than silk and cotton. It was Liu Ji who Ji never thought about it.
One tael of silver for a pot, one tael of silver can buy a hundred catties of pork. Such an expensive price is still being robbed.
Liu Ji’s deepest feeling was that he didn’t have enough to carry. Who knew this thing was so popular?
The opening of a new sea route is more difficult than imagined. Endless storms, silent diseases, greedy and ferocious pirates, insidious and cunning Taisi Fanyi, and exorbitant tax collectors. These difficulties are all to be expected, but on the route, new challenges arise, that is, the Governor's Mansion along the way often does not want to do business at all, but only wants to rob.
If I kill you, your goods will also be mine.
This is the challenge that comes along the way and makes the fleet completely unpredictable. The governors cooperate with the pirates and intend to rob the Ming fleet. The governor is responsible for providing the fleet with information on the entry and departure destinations. time, while pirates did the looting.
The last round-the-world route was mainly for exploration and did not carry a lot of cargo, so it did not attract widespread attention from pirates. But this time, the large amount of cargo finally attracted the attention of pirates, regardless of the route. Wherever you go, you must be very alert, but if you relax even a little bit, you will die without a burial place.
The biggest challenge is the Tierra del Fuego Islands in the Strait of Magellan. The waterways there are complex and very narrow, and the hydrology and wind direction are changeable, making navigation very slow. The Strait of Magellan is also a must for global trade navigation. If you want to pass through the Tierra del Fuego Islands, there are only two ways. One is to pay money. When pirates come, they will pay homage to the mountain and give some money. The pirates see that there are many people in the Ming Dynasty, so they will also take some benefits, so enough is enough.
At first Liu Ji used this method, but later Liu Ji chose another method and fought over!
The words "desire and difficulty" are vividly reflected in the pirates. Liu Ji didn't want to cause trouble at first. The sea trade was very profitable, so he just gave him some money to pay for it. It was just asking for rewards. But Liu Ji soon It was found that these pirates came back again and again, very annoyed, and their appetite was getting bigger and bigger. From the moment the pirates launched rockets at the Ming Dynasty ships, the Ming Dynasty's ocean caravan showed its claws.
The five-masted ocean crossing ship was originally designed for the security of the Ming Dynasty. Even though some designs were changed for trade, the original design was a warship, and this time each ship has at least seven large and small artillery pieces. Fifteen doors, the entire fleet's sealed storage of gunpowder exceeds 100,000 kilograms.
After Liu Ji passed through the Tierra del Fuego Islands with difficulty, when he started trading again, he began to no longer satisfy the demanding tax collector. Faced with the tax collector’s rude demands, Liu Ji chose to put ten Eight pounds of artillery were stuffed into the mouths of these tax collectors!
The Ming Dynasty Ocean Caravan learned four words in just one sea trade, and conducted business with a sword!
Your Majesty has an edict: In a time of great strife, the strong will become stronger, and the weak will perish! At first, Liu Ji didn't quite understand these words. He always felt that His Majesty was a little too violent. As a king, violence is very dangerous to the country. This time of ocean-going trade gave Liu Ji a full understanding of His Majesty's words. understand.
Bullshit friends, the two kings Felipe II and Antonio have no control over the Viceroyalty!
Strong ships and powerful guns are the only rules of sea trade!
At first, Ming Dynasty’s understanding of the colony of the Western Governor-General was based on the detailed understanding of the Ryukyu Governor-General’s Palace and the Luzon Governor-General’s Palace, whether it was military, economic, political, or cultural. After doing business for several years, he discovered that what Governors are all just robbers.
“Special Envoy Xu, do Felipe II’s Armada always live on a daily basis? I was surrounded by more than a hundred pirate ships in front of the Strait of Gibraltar! If it hadn’t been for my ship The ship is big, fast, and has many cannons. It almost makes it impossible to reach Lisbon!" Liu Ji was full of complaints as soon as he jumped off the pier.
The Tejo River is quite calm in winter.
Lisbon Port is a year-round ice-free port. If the temperature drops sharply, there will be thin ice, but most of the time the temperature is above zero.
The Ming fleet was a bit dusty. It had obviously just experienced a war. There were various arrows and hooks hanging on the ship, and the wounded were wearing bandages. The sailors were busy cleaning the deck. The bodies of some of the pirates who boarded the ship were carried to the pier and prepared to be burned intensively, while the gunners cleaned the gun barrels. The salty smell of the sea breeze, wrapped in the smell of gunpowder smoke and blood, filled the harbor.
“My friend, you are right! Since Felipe II failed to capture our Lisbon last time, the sailors of the Armada have discovered that King Felipe II is nothing more than this. Guess the pirates you met are not just pirates, but also ships of the Invincible Fleet. When ordinary pirates see such a huge fleet, they will avoid it." Antonio stretched out his hand, gave Liu Ji a warm hug, and patted it. Pat Liu Ji on the shoulder.
“Long time no see, my friend.”
Antonio has met Liu Ji. The last time Xu Jiugao served as the special envoy to the West, Liu Ji was the second official. For someone who can make Antonio a lot of money Liu Ji, Antonio naturally responded with the most sincere enthusiasm.
If Liu Ji was struck by lightning, he pushed Antonio away and said: "His Royal Highness the King of Portugal! I, Liu Ji, am a desperado, exposed to wind and sun, and a rough man. Can you stay away from me? I am only interested in beautiful girls. , I’m not interested in gentlemen!”
This is actually just a hug gift.
"It's just a cultural difference, the special envoy doesn't need to mind." Antonio didn't care and said with a smile: "I am only interested in the beautiful lady. I have prepared a grand ceremony to welcome the Ming Dynasty ocean fleet. Arrival. ”
The situation in Portugal is still fragmented, Antonio still does not get the support of the nobility and the church, because Antonio is very poor, and he still owes a large amount of war loans, and Liu Ji chooses Antonio instead. Not Felipe II, the reason for choosing Lisbon instead of Sevilla is also very simple.
Because Antonio has to repay the original war loan.
The war loan with a total principal and interest of more than 10 million silver has plunged the whole of Portugal into confusion. Although the Ming Dynasty did not collect the money and even extended it for thirty years, the interest on the extension was even more disappointing. This made everyone anxious, and the arrival of the Ming Dynasty's ocean-going merchant ships made Portugal immersed in celebrations both inside and outside Portugal!
Big ships need monsoons and will not stay in the West for a long time. They need a second-rate dealer, and the Ming Dynasty chose Portugal. This means that Lisbon will become the distribution center for the Ming Dynasty’s goods in the West, which is good for everyone. It was good news. Even the nobles who had ignored Antonio in the past had visited the palace one after another in the past few days and had friendly exchanges with Xu Fan in the Chinese Hall.
The relationship between Antonio and the Duchess is not love or family affection, but Antonio's choice for his position as king.
"Nobles can also talk, they can also love Portugal, and they can also love Ming Dynasty." Xu Fan said with a smile after Liu Ji took his seat.
Liu Ji was stunned for a moment and asked: "Can the nobles of Taixi also love the Ming Dynasty?"
"If you don't love, you won't make money. If you love, you can make a lot of money." Antonio said with a smile: "Everyone knows me. I have a respectful heart. This was approved by the Ming Emperor. Although I am poor, I always The gifts brought to His Majesty made His Majesty particularly satisfied. The seeds of corn, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, rubber, mahogany, and cotton were indeed not much, but His Majesty was really very happy."
"I am not. Love Ming because of money! This is completely different from the nobles!"
Antonio eagerly expressed his love for Ming. He was desperate, Portugal was about to fall into Felipe's hands, and he This heir was exiled overseas by the old king, the Purist, and could only make a living by sailing ships. He had no money, no one, no supporters, and only one swordmaster, Marcus, believed like a fool that Antonio could save Portugal.
Loyalty is one of the qualities of chivalry in the Middle Ages, but with the Grand Tour movement, this quality is becoming less and less common in Europe and the West.
Loyalty to the country, the people of the country, the collective interests of the country, and one's own heart, I don't know when it slowly turned into a shame.
Antonio became the King of Portugal as he wished, and even for the support of the Ming Dynasty, he wore the five chapters of the royal uniform and became the king in a nondescript manner. He appointed Xu Fan, an Oriental, as the Minister of State. In the past few years, Antonio's life was not going well.
Now! The fleet of Daming Ocean Trading Company is here!
Lisbon will become the distribution center for Daming goods in the West!
The dawn that pierces the people rises from the east and shines on the mast of the sailboat!
"His Royal Highness, Special Envoy Xu, Special Envoy Liu, and Felipe II's secretary Solon are here." Chen Dazhuang whispered to the coastal defense inspector twice and then said to everyone.
Liu Ji asked with some confusion: "Isn't Soren Felipe's secretary? Why is he in Lisbon?"
"He is instigating rebellion against me and using all kinds of means." Xu Fan looked at Chen Dazhuang , said with a smile: "He wants me to work under Felipe. He has been thinking about it for three years. Felipe II feels that Antonio is vulnerable without the Minister of State. His Highness Antonio, who cannot even deal with the general affairs, will Let Portugal yearn to join Spain."
"It's not surprising that Sauron is here," Liu Ji nodded with approval. Xu Fan is a very talented person and is very close to his father Xu Jie. picture.
Xu Jie also has talents, but Xu Jie's talents have been used for internal strife and corruption.
Soren walked into the Chinese Hall wearing a round pointed hat and his iconic big white beard. He looked at Liu Ji and said with great regret: "It's a pity that the captain chose Lisbon instead of Sailor. Villa, this is not a wise choice. Sevilla can eat all the guests' goods directly, while Lisbon still needs to issue an IOU."
"Well, this is indeed not wise. Lisbon is not as good as Sevilla. Villa, this is obvious." Liu Ji nodded and said: "This is your Majesty's decision, because Antonio is the king of Portugal, Felipe II is not, it's that simple."
Da Ming Yang. A dog cannot be made so hungry that it is as thin as a stick. After all, Antonio is also a domestic dog.
“Thank you for your majesty’s trust. Although Lisbon is not good, this is not good, and that is not good, but with the goods from the Ming Dynasty, in a few years, it will be good for this or that. That's fine." Antonio said with gratitude: "You don't have to trust me. I was an abbot, then a captain, then a pirate, and now a king, but you can trust me as minister of state."
Compared with Seville, the business environment in Lisbon is indeed very poor. Businessmen in Lisbon cannot even pay enough to buy large ships of goods, so they can only write IOUs and become part of the loan.
Is this completely a manifestation of the emperor's will? Not entirely.
This is the choice of the merchants and merchants of the five major ocean-going trading houses. The Ming Dynasty needs a bridgehead in the West, a bridgehead that opens the door to free trade among various countries, a bridgehead that allows the Ming Dynasty goods to flow in and allows the Thai people to accept the Ming Dynasty products. Choosing Lisbon is the starting point. Before departure, the merchants jointly decided whether to have a full meal or a full meal, a truth that even animals understand.
And there is still interest, so don’t worry about Antonio’s inability to repay. If Antonio really can’t repay, he will go to His Majesty and ask His Majesty to collect the money with force. It is true that Portugal is far away, but the Governor’s Palace of Goa and Diu The Governor's Mansion is within the Western Ocean, and Ming Dynasty can get it back from other places.
"Well, this is indeed the only advantage of His Highness Antonio. He has been canonized by the Ming Dynasty." Sauron looked gloomy. From then on, Spain no longer monopolized the Ming Dynasty's sailing ship trade. And Spain doesn’t have a good way to deal with it yet.
Liu Ji looked at Sauron, his eyes became a bit colder, and he asked calmly: "So when our caravan passed through Gibraltar, it was Felipe II's invincible fleet that attacked us. "
The Strait of Gibraltar is the gateway to the Mediterranean and is controlled by Felipe. When passing by, it was attacked by more than a hundred ships. This is very abnormal, but now Liu Ji has figured it out, it is not at all The pirates, but the Spanish Armada, wanted to rob the Ming merchant ships, because the Ming merchant ships did not choose Seville! As soon as Liu Ji said this, Xu Fan's expression suddenly changed, and he suddenly looked at Sauron, his eyes like a poisonous snake.
The scholars of the Ming Dynasty have always been known for their ruthlessness. It is not necessary to speculate on the conspiracy, let alone this matter is so obvious. The sailing ship arrived at the port as scheduled, and Lisbon was immersed in joy. In the sea of people, before the Chinese New Year, Xu Fan was also very happy to see the people of Ming Dynasty again, and he ignored them for a while.
"Felipe II made a very unwise choice. I will tell your Majesty the truth. Spain must pay the price for this attack." Xu Fan sat up straight and said: "Solon , Felipe is the overlord of the West, and the Ming Dynasty is thousands of miles away from Spain. No matter how powerful the Ming Dynasty is, it is still far away in the east. How can we negotiate the price and punishment? "
"Simple, just increase taxes. The punitive customs tax is 30% and we no longer enjoy the 6% bonus on arrival. It is indeed extremely far away, but it is not impossible."
Solan waved his hands and said: "This is impossible to happen. ! It’s not an order from my king. Since the last naval battle, my king has been questioned. In the words of the Ming Dynasty, it means raising the enemy to respect himself.”
Sauron thought about how to explain this phenomenon, and quickly found four words to describe it, so that everyone present would understand it immediately.
After Felipe II failed to attack Portugal, Alvaro, the Marquis of Santa Cruz, came to Lisbon to negotiate a peace and leased a port. The failure of the war coupled with Felipe II’s elimination of a group of opponents The faction caused some noise within Spain, and the intuitive manifestation of these internal contradictions is the self-respect of the rebels in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Some generals of the Spanish Navy began to respect themselves as pirates. While extorting gold and silver military expenses on the pretext of eradicating pirates, they also deliberately condoned pirates. These pirates accurately knew the cargo carried by the ships and the time when the ships set sail.
“This is why the Queen of England issued a privateering license. She tried to turn privateering merchant ships and pirates into an armed force that could restrain the energy of Spain. In fact, she succeeded. These pirate ships and I am related to the Spanish naval general, and also to the English royal family." In order to clarify the misunderstanding, Sauron uncovered the scar and told the distinguished guests of the Ming Dynasty.
“That’s it.” Liu Ji believed Sauron’s words. Everyone is a messenger and is ashamed to talk about the country’s shortcomings. Just like Liu Ji would not say to Antonio and Felipe, there are eight people in the Ming Dynasty. It was abject poverty, and 98% of farmers in the countryside were on the verge of bankruptcy. The Ming Dynasty was indeed very strong, but at the same time it was also very weak.
Liu Ji thought for a moment and said blankly: "Why does this England look more and more like the Japanese country."
The similarity is really too similar.
History is always a victory of ruthlessness over brainlessness. The maritime order that Felipe II has been pursuing to shape is vulnerable to the ruthless privateering license. The entire ocean of the West is heading towards the edge of disorder. collapse.
"Don't Felipe II have a solution?" Liu Ji asked, looking at Sauron.
Sauron said very eagerly: "Don't the solution lie with the captain? To be precise, it is the cargo that the captain leads the fleet!"
"Originally, my king planned to send out a huge navy to defeat England's sea power, and then dump the goods to England. England did not have silver. At first, the goods they exported were mainly wool. For wool, England carried out a cruel enclosure movement. The land of farmers was forcibly confiscated, creating a large number of refugees."
"After England accumulated a certain amount of silver, it began to tighten the export of wool, began to build workshops, and exported woolen cloth. , farmers who lost their land had to go into workshops, and the extremely cheap labor gave England a huge price advantage in the woolen business, and more silver poured into England."
"England's silver all comes from the wool export trade. Only by crushing England's handicraft workshops can it be eliminated."
Solon did not hide it, and took Felipe II's The plan is very clear, knocking on the door of England's free trade with force, destroying England's handicraft industry with goods dumping, and ultimately curbing England's rise.
At the table of sea trade, there are four players, Portugal, Spain, England and Ming Dynasty. Being able to independently complete the voyage around the world is a sign of being on the table. They are represented by Ferdinand Magellan and Francis De Lei Ke and Xu Jiugao finished, and the areas that could not be served were all the dishes on the menu.
Magellan was a Portuguese and served Spain, so the global voyage completed by Magellan was the joint result of the navigation technology and experience of the two countries.
Francis Drake was a hero to England, and to Spain he was a notorious pirate.
Sea trade, sea trade, how to do sea trade without goods? England's commodity advantage is cheap woolen cloth. Only by completely defeating England's handicraft industry can England be kicked off the dining table and become a dish on the menu.
"It's not impossible. Felipe II opened the door to England, and we Portuguese merchants sold goods behind. Wouldn't Felipe II's purpose be achieved? You think so, my Minister of State." Antonio looked at Xu Fan, his meaning was very clear, cheating! Hurry up and cheat!
Deceive Sauron, Felipe II, and Spain into lameness, and take advantage of the opportunity to make money.
"Yes, what His Royal Highness the King said makes sense. This can be discussed." Xu Fan said with a smile: "I can also love Spain."
Solan said angrily: "But I am a fool Is it true? We, Spain, are charging ahead, and you Portuguese people are taking advantage of the opportunity to take away the greatest benefits. If I return to Spain with such an agreement, my king will tie a thousand-jin boulder to me and throw me into the Mediterranean Sea! "
Sauron became more aware of Xu Fan's honesty and shamelessness. As long as it did not involve the Ming Dynasty, Xu Fan had no sense of honor or disgrace, because it was all fake.
Love Spain? Love a big-headed ghost!
Xu Fan said calmly: "Felipe II doesn't have to fight England. He can choose to give in. It's better to continue to marry the Queen of England. Although she has vowed to remain unmarried and serve God for the rest of her life, It’s not a bad idea to continue to seek marriage. It’s not shameful to join forces and open up new territories. Give the governance of the Netherlands to England and marry the Queen.”
“The Queen will definitely give the Netherlands to the Queen. I will be moved.”
“Xu Fan’s words are actually mocking Spain’s marriage alliance, which is not consistent with his hegemonic status. Felipe II did ask to marry the Queen of England before. It’s just a failure.
“This is impossible! Sauron said loudly.
Antonio immediately said: "Does the Queen disagree?" "
"That's not the case. How could it be possible to cede the Netherlands to England? The pirates will eventually be eliminated! "The corner of Sauron's mouth twitched. Xu Fan and Antonio were really pissed off when they sang together.
Sauron argued forcefully: "This is not a matter of marriage! The fact that the Netherlands is not bordering the mainland is the key to the problem. There will definitely be problems when opening the border. There is no need to blame it on the marriage."
"Because Marriage is a means of appeasement. If the original meat-eaters cannot be liquidated, and if they have interests in the newly opened territory, civil unrest will inevitably break out, because there will be one more knife to kill the common people." Xu Fan said concisely. Briefly talked about the dilemma of marriage and opening up borders.
Marriage represents the recognition of the old vested interests. It is impossible to liquidate the old meat-eaters. The new meat-eaters have more interests and demands, and the current situation in the Netherlands will definitely occur.
This is to be expected. Those with old vested interests must be liquidated and replaced in terms of classes before real development can be completed. This is clearly written in the second volume of Class Theory Clearly.
Meat eaters need to be completely replaced, otherwise with one more meat eater, producers will be unable to supply. The second volume of Class Theory discusses distribution.
Xu Fan didn't say that much, nor did he explain it clearly. Sauron didn't read class theory, so he couldn't talk about it.
Actually, Xu Fan misunderstood. Solon actually read Theory of Contradiction, Theory of Public and Private Affairs, Theory of Production, Theory of Class, and Theory of Freedom. These were all Latin translations by Legas, and Solon brought them back These translated books have different national conditions and cannot be copied mechanically.
Liu Ji stopped talking. He now became a person having fun and watching the fun.
Anyway, he is here to do business. No matter how the interests are divided, Daming's share will not be less.
This is what gives Liu Ji the confidence that the advantage of goods and force gives Liu Ji. The advantage of goods requires force to protect, just like doing business with a sword. Without tyrannical force, business is just meat on the chopping board, and there is no way to take advantage of goods. Talk about.
Liu Ji watched the excitement, Xu Fan and Antonio fooled Solon, and Solon argued with a blushing face.
There were four diners at the table, and three of them came together to discuss how to deal with the last diner, and the last diner was the kind of person who had no morals at all.
In the end, the distribution of benefits was determined. Spain would work hard to knock down the door of England and promote free trade, while Portuguese merchant ships would all pass through the Port of Porto and pay taxes to Felipe II. The Port of Porto It was a port leased by Spain to use its troops against the Netherlands and England.
The two sides started a war of words over the taxation of the Port of Porto.
Due to the situation, Spain can only hold its nose and suffer this dumb loss, because Spain must solve the Dutch rebellion and English piracy. The status of Felipe II, the hegemon of the West and the West, has been seriously challenged. .
Portuguese merchant ships do not have to pass through Porto Port and can sail directly to the Thames River for trade.
To express his welcome, Antonio prepared a huge ceremony, and there were many beauties. The sailors of the Ming Dynasty merchant ship fell into a carnival, but the escorting navy soldiers were unmoved.
"Legasil always said that the Ming soldiers were Paladins and Templars. It was indeed the case. The Ming Dynasty was thousands of miles away, but it was still so neat and orderly. It was really touching." Solon Looking at the soldiers on the port who were still on guard and did not participate in the carnival, he said sincerely.
Sauron always felt that Li Ya was bragging. How could there be a Paladin or a Templar? Those are all legends of legends, but today Sauron saw,
This kind of army that fully meets the definition of the Puritans still maintains such a huge scale, it is simply incredible.
The Puritans are English Calvinism, which emphasizes that all believers are equal before God, advocates that everyone can communicate with God and receive revelation from God, opposes the church's monopoly on oracles, and seeks wealth in the name of God, etc.
For the people of the Ming Dynasty, this is not difficult to understand, replacing gods with the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and replacing believers with people of the Ming Dynasty.
"The Ming soldiers are just living people. They come from the common people, so they have to protect the common people." Liu Ji also said with empathy.
(End of this chapter)