When the Chinese delegation came to Spain, they encountered merciless rejection for the first time.
Prince Charles smiled and said: "This is normal. Philip IV is known as the 'King of the Earth'. His most embarrassing thing, besides losing the Thirty Years' War, was the independence of the Netherlands and Portugal. He recognized the independence of the Netherlands.
, that’s because the Netherlands itself is very powerful. As for Portugal, Philip IV does not recognize it. He always thinks that he is also the king of Portugal.”
Picking up the telescope carelessly, Charles observed the situation at the port and said: "But you signed a treaty with John IV and blatantly supported Portugal's independence. As the king of the earth, Philip IV was disgraced. How could he allow China to do so?"
Ships docked? Also, the Philippines is the treasure of Philip IV, but China took Luzon Island by force. This is cutting off his flesh. If Spain's European main fleet was not at war with the Ottomans, I am afraid it would be pulled back directly.
Go to war with China!”
Zhang Ruifeng was a little surprised: "His Royal Highness is very familiar with the situation in various countries?"
"What's the use of familiarity? I don't even have a knight by my side." Prince Charles grinned, showing no sign of frustration.
This guy is smart, witty, bohemian, has superb riding skills, and is heartless. He is actually very suitable to be a ranger. As for being a king, he is too out of character.
Since it could not dock in Spain, the fleet could only continue sailing, planning to visit Britain and France first.
Zhang Ruifeng asked: "Your Highness, can you tell us about the current situation in Europe?"
Charles said: "France is fighting a civil war, known as the Fronde War. Cardinal and French Prime Minister Mazarin, at the end of the Thirty Years' War, borrowed money from businessmen to raise military expenses and paid taxes to the businessmen as a means of repayment. Since the businessmen have
The right to tax, why not levy taxes to death? The local provinces were squeezed out, and the French government and businessmen set their sights on Paris. Coinciding with the victory of Prince Condé, the Queen Mother and the Prime Minister took advantage of the victory in the foreign war to arrest those who resisted.
The leader of the movement. The people of Paris were angry and finally broke out in uprising. Prince Condé led his army back to Paris to quell the rebellion, and the result was a civil war."
Such a big thing has never been heard about in Portugal.
Zhang Ruifeng was shocked by this: "The king went to war and borrowed money from businessmen. Because he couldn't repay the money, he asked the businessmen to deduct their own taxes?"
"Although it's stupid, it's true," Charles laughed. "Prime Minister Mazarin's brother is a big businessman and made a lot of money from it."
Zhang Ruifeng thinks that European countries are weird. The appointment and dismissal of officials and the collection of taxes are all important weapons of the country. Even if the Ming Dynasty was corrupt, it would not directly hand over the country's tax collection power to businessmen as a means of loan repayment.
This kind of tax package system can only be implemented. In a certain area and a certain type of tax, how much can be deducted, and then let the merchants collect it as they please.
How can a businessman give up when such a good thing happens?
The government said that the tax can be discounted by one hundred thousand taels. Believe it or not, the businessman can collect one million taels. The one hundred thousand taels will be given to the government to repay the loan, and the remaining 900,000 taels are all his own.
Of course, this kind of thing also happens in China.
First, it appeared in the Yuan Dynasty, when the tax farming system was implemented throughout the country.
Second, it appeared in the Qing Dynasty. Opium could no longer be banned, so the Qing government legalized opium, which could not only develop the local opium industry, reduce the outflow of silver, but also increase government tax revenue. After the legalization of opium, the Qing government
The government found that it was unable to collect taxes, so it contracted the opium tax to businessmen, and it was indeed possible to collect the opium tax in full.
Zhang Ruifeng asked: "After such a big mess, has French Prime Minister Mazarin not stepped down yet?"
"In order to quell public anger, Mazarin has been exiled," Charles laughed. "The Queen Mother still wanted to keep him, which caused Prince Condé's plan to become prime minister to fail. Not only that, Mazarin also arrested Prince Condé and claimed
Prince Kong Dai intends to rebel."
Zhang Ruifeng asked: "So, how did this prime minister get exiled?"
Charles said: "After Prince Condé was captured, his cronies rioted in the local area, and the church and nobles also united to fight against the French royal family. The rebels also united with the Spanish army and invaded France. This civil war defeated the French king.
The Queen Mother surrendered. Prince Condé was released and Prime Minister Mazarin was exiled. But the matter was not over yet."
Zhang Ruifeng became more and more curious and said, "Please tell me."
Charles said: "The situation was already settled, but the Queen Mother of France suddenly made a fool of herself and recalled Mazarin from exile. Prince Condé was furious and once again united with Spain to attack France. The people of Paris also spontaneously revolted and even drove away French King Louis
14. Mazarin was so frightened that he resigned as prime minister. The people of Paris subdued their anger and welcomed the king back. Prince Condé’s rebellion was suppressed and he is still in exile abroad.”
Zhang Ruifeng sighed: "This French king is so lucky!"
Why is it that the country was so lucky after two civil wars?
Because Mazarin was a powerful minister and Prince Condé was a powerful local faction. After the two civil wars, Louis XIV, a young king, was freed from the constraints of powerful ministers and local factions at the same time. Once in power, Louis XIV's autocratic rule would reach
The pinnacle of French kings throughout the ages.
Charles looked at Zhang Ruifeng in surprise. He just briefly described the situation, but this Chinese official could actually see the whole situation.
As for French Prime Minister Mazarin, he will return to Paris to act like a monster. In the end, the two brothers got the hammer and were hung up on the street lights by the angry Paris people.
The people of Paris have a long tradition of uprising.
In the past few years alone, there have been several uprisings in succession, and they have driven out the king if they say they want to.
Charles continued: "The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are at war. As an Englishman, I hope that Britain will win. But personally, I hope that Cromwell will defeat."
"Who does His Highness think will win?" Zhang Ruifeng asked.
Charles said: "Britain will win, there is no doubt about it."
"Why?" Zhang Ruifeng asked, "Isn't the Dutch Navy always very powerful?"
Charles smiled contemptuously and said: "The Netherlands is ruled by a group of businessmen. How can businessmen be reliable?"
"Britain will definitely win for three reasons:"
"First, everyone in the UK, from nobles, businessmen to civilians, are extremely angry with the Netherlands. All British people can unite to fight."
"Second, the Netherlands sold its battleships to Britain for profit, and the purchase fees were borrowed from Dutch merchants. The Dutch navy has suffered heavy losses and can only recruit merchant ships to fight. And those merchant ships are not willing to fight at all."
"Third, before the war started, the British Navy strictly rectified military discipline. However, the Dutch Navy, as well as the Dutch merchant ships, had extremely lax military discipline, and they were likely to disobey orders during combat."
The envoy fleet came to France, and when it docked at the Port of Grace (Le Havre), news of the Anglo-Dutch war came.
Well... Britain and the Netherlands both said they had won the war.
The British claimed victory by killing the commander-in-chief of the Dutch navy and sinking 11 Dutch warships.
The Netherlands claimed victory because they severely damaged 35 British warships and lifted the British naval blockade on the Netherlands.
More detailed news came, completely verifying Charles' statement.
When the two sides fought, the British navy was very disciplined.
As for the Dutch Navy, the captains of many requisitioned merchant ships did not listen to orders at all. As a result, although the ships had a numerical advantage, they were unable to launch a siege against the British Navy, and the ship of the Dutch Navy Commander was exposed. The naval battle had just begun.
The Dutch naval commander saw God.
Talking about other battlefields, the ships of the Dutch East India Company continued to do their business in Asia. However, the ships of the British East India Company were all recalled to their homeland and dispersed to various sea areas. They attacked Dutch ships when they saw them. Even the Dutch
Fishing boats are not spared.
It’s really unreliable for businessmen to govern the country. The naval decisive battle is still focused on profits.
Grace Harbor.
As soon as the Chinese delegation got off the boat, a large number of businessmen gathered around them, and the businessmen organized themselves to welcome them.
A leader of the chamber of commerce came forward and asked very excitedly: "Mr. Chinese envoy, have you transported spices, tea, silk, porcelain and tobacco on your ship?"
Zhang Ruifeng smiled and nodded: "I brought some of these goods with me."
The businessman said excitedly: "Mr. Messenger, you can sell the goods to our Chamber of Commerce. We can increase the price by another 30% from last year's market price!"
Prince Charles, who has now become Zhang Ruifeng's adviser, reminded: "Don't agree to him, the auction will sell for a high price. The Dutch ports were blocked by the British for several months, and the Dutch merchant ships were attacked everywhere. The British merchant ships also did not do business, and all participated
War. Now, even if you have money, it is difficult to buy goods from the East. These businessmen are going crazy, and the whole of Europe is short of Asian goods."
Zhang Ruifeng smiled and said: "Thank you for reminding me, I will have people prepare for the auction." Then he pointed to the mouth of the river and asked, "Can we reach Paris through this river?"
Prince Charles said: "This river is the Seine, which can lead directly to Paris."
The auction was being organized. In the evening, Zhang Ruifeng called everyone for a meeting.
Zhang Ruifeng sighed and said: "This British prince in distress is not an ordinary person. He knows military, politics, business... everything, and he has an overall vision and is familiar with the situation in European countries. When I chatted with him, I found that he can also do carpentry.
, a coppersmith's job. If this man can return to his country and seize power, he will become a wise monarch again."
"No," Cai Yuncheng said, "this prince is carefree and comments on the current situation with a joking tone. He is a bit arrogant, as if everyone except himself is a fool. If a king like this does not work diligently and care for the people, he will
It will bring disaster to the country and the people. Because he is too smart and wise enough to refuse advice and cannot listen to unfavorable advice."
Lu Tianxiang said: "The Queen of England has revealed her intention to follow us to China. She dares to think that she would like to ask your Majesty to send an army to help her son recover."
Fan Chao said: "Let your Majesty decide this matter. We will just take the person back home."
