As predicted before his mission, the news that Xu Guangqi released the free vaccinia technology at the right opportunity was like a strong wind, quickly blowing across Europe. Within half a month after the speech at the King's Hall, both Istanbul and London had received the same message.
News - Seris will provide vaccinia technology to Europe for free.
Because of the eradication of smallpox, later generations do not know much about the smallpox virus. In fact, the most terrifying virus in human history is none other than smallpox. Scientists in the original time and space of the 21st century have made estimates and statistics. Since the spread of the smallpox virus,
, nearly 500 million people have died from it, more than twice as many as the second most common disease, malaria.
The smallpox virus can survive in nature for six months without a host and is spread through the air. Its strong infectivity and high mortality rate of one quarter make it worthy of the title of King of Viruses.
It accompanies human history, changes the rise and fall of the power of various human nations, and affects the political process. During the time when Zhu Yijun vigorously promoted cowpox, the smallpox virus and other infectious diseases brought to the Americas by the colonists were raging. If they were not treated
Intervention, the current population of nearly 100 million Indians will be reduced to less than 10 million.
After Felipe II thanked Zhu Yijun and the envoy for their generosity, he naturally used the virus to test Seris's views on the colonies, and asked directly: "Emperor Seris intends to introduce the method of preventing and controlling smallpox to Africa and
America?”
Xu Guangqi knew that the biggest test had come, and after a shudder in his heart, he immediately replied: "Of course, my emperor's benevolence is known to the world, and he believes that the prevention and treatment of diseases is a problem that humans need to face together. He will not choose to die just because of his own interests.
save."
Felipe II's beard was not thick, and Xu Guangqi could easily see his expression: the co-owner of Iberia was not happy.
He pinched the yellow goat's beard under his chin and sneered: "It seems that Siris intends to participate in the carving up of the world."
"I would like to remind you that the Papal Meridian has demarcated the empire's sphere of influence, and because I am also the king of Portugal. If Siris wants to participate, the admiral and brave soldiers may not agree! Unless, His Majesty Emperor Siris
Use significant benefits in exchange for this power. For example, porcelain manufacturing technology."
Before Xu Guangqi went as an envoy, he had already set his ambition and determination to "open up distant barbarians, connect the vast territories, make unprecedented achievements, and establish peace for all things". Zhu Yijun also shared with him the situation in Europe at this time in his memory -
Therefore, although Xu Guangqi is young, he cannot be intimidated by Felipe II.
He smiled and said: "Your Majesty, China has a history of more than 5,000 years since the three emperors. It has been 1,800 years since the ancestor dragon unified the world, abolished feudalism and established prefectures and counties all over the world. Its etiquette, splendid uniforms and
Its beauty has spread to our dynasty and our emperor has a population of 160 million, which is twice that of the whole of Europe."
"The land that my emperor now rules covers an area of 20,000 miles from east to west and 20,000 miles from north to south. There are hundreds of feudal vassals paying tribute, and he is regarded as the supreme kingdom. Hundreds of tribes and hundreds of millions of people regard our emperor as a loving father; there are thousands of large ships and millions of troops.
My emperor uses his fingers like an arm."
"The remaining power of China is enough to conquer the world and divide the world. Although the Iberian Confederation is a big country, it has not yet occupied one-fifth of Europe. Small countries such as Britain, France and even the Netherlands are enough to compete; Spain is not enough to compete with China.
A fraction of that; the wealth is less than one percent of China's, and the military strength is dwarfed by China's - I don't know where does Your Majesty's confidence in ruling the earth with the power of one country come from?"
When it comes to talking, since hundreds of scholars traveled around the world, and Zhang Yi and Su Qin dominated the world, the Chinese have never lost to anyone. As these words were translated, Felipe II's face became darker and darker, and he pinched the inlay with his fingers.
The jeweled scepter—I really wanted to use that big stick to aim at Xu Guangqi’s head and whip it out.
Wang Jiaping, the deputy envoy who accompanied Xu Guangqi, also had a specific division of labor - the envoy must not lose his national prestige, and the deputy envoy must calm down in time after speaking harsh words, otherwise it will be bad if he suffers an immediate loss.
Therefore, before Felipe II could speak, Wang Jiaping followed Xu Guangqi and said: "But my emperor is convinced that peace and trade can benefit the people of the world more. On this point, my emperor hopes that we can find a place to seek common ground while reserving differences."
How could Felipe II, who was so proud after unifying Portugal, listen? He suddenly stood up from the throne and said: "Your Excellency, what you just said to me - I will regard it as Seris's opposition to Iberia."
A direct threat. If Siris intends to participate in the struggle for colonies, then let’s use the navy to talk!”
After saying this, Felipe looked at Xu Guangqi with contempt and sneered: "Young gentleman, you don't have to use big words to deceive the wise king. It is true that China is the largest country in the world, and it is a country rich in products.
That's right, but most people are poor because there are too many people."
"I recommend that you have time to read "Journey to Southern China", which was written by Martin Rada and Mr. Geronimo nine years ago. They entered southern China twenty years ago and lived for a period of time."
"Let me recount to you their view of China: This is a mysterious country, but when you have the opportunity to lift its veil, you will find terrible depravity and weakness; the number of troops is unbelievable, but the artillery is extremely inferior.
, soldiers did not form formations during drills and crowded together in groups; they were as cowardly and incompetent as the natives, and the Japanese and Filipinos were much braver than them - a fleet of 20,000 people from the Philippines was enough to conquer China!"
Similarly, Felipe II's contempt also made Xu Guangqi blush with anger. While he was angry, he was also secretly frightened - Xiyi had already entered China for reconnaissance in the last years of Jiajing, and the Ming Dynasty
The superiors and subordinates knew nothing about this: if the emperor did not carry out reforms, he would never be dead!
If he were in court now in the fifth year of Wanli, Xu Guangqi would definitely spray spittle in the faces of Lu Shusheng and other conservatives!
At this time, we must not lose face. After hearing what the translator said, Xu Guangqi retorted with a smile: "Your Majesty, you don't have to settle new accounts with the old ledgers - our emperor has enthroned the throne to carry out reforms and reform national affairs. China has long since changed."
China in the past! Your governor of Luzon should give you the latest information instead of fooling you with old missionary documents."
"In the second year after my emperor ascended the throne, he expanded our country's territory in the northeast by five thousand miles; five years ago, China easily conquered Burma in a battle and killed its king - this is a country that the Portuguese did not dare to attack. I can
Let me report to you the latest progress: before the mission, my emperor had completely and completely conquered Mongolia and eliminated the threat from the north of the empire."
The corner of Felipe's mouth twitched, because Luo Wanhua had already expressed his dissatisfaction with Spain when he was governor of Burma - Felipe had not yet captured Lisbon at that time - so he was always paying attention to the situation in Asia.
Of course he knew that China at this time was no longer what it used to be. Emperor Serris's talents and strategies made the country prosperous through reforms. With the success of the Roman envoy's pilgrimage, this news was spread back to Europe in large quantities - European leaders' opinions on the strength of the Ming Dynasty
It's just an overestimation.
How could a poor and weak country suddenly become the hegemon of Asia in just over ten years? Felipe II has been thinking about this question recently. Today's meeting with Xu Guangqi made the answer in his mind clearer: China
It has long ceased to be a feudal system, so the emperor can concentrate on developing the economy and the military - as long as he has the political determination.
Regrettably, in terms of political system, Europe is now more than 1,600 years behind China. The autocracy and concentration of royal power are things that happened after the Renaissance. Any ambitious king hopes to complete China in the process of unifying Europe.
The great achievements of Qin Shihuang.
Of course Felipe II also had this intention. But let alone the divided Europe, in the case of the Iberian Confederation at this time, in order to centralize power, he spent more than ten hours a day on official duties, but he did not dare to implement it.
In the move to reduce the vassal state, especially in the newly annexed Portugal, although the nobles regarded him as the leader, Felipe II could only share the political power in half with the Parliament of Nobles, leaving no room for anything.
Parliament! Bullshit aristocratic parliament! The local self-government parliament is even more bullshit! Felipe II looked at Xu Guangqi talking eloquently, and he was extremely envious of the emperor of Seris - local officials were completely appointed by the emperor, and all the troops only
Loyal to the king, the nobles only have salaries but no fiefdoms, and are in a weaker position politically than the civil servants. If Spain could do this, my army would have unified the world long ago!
Felipe II had no intention of quarreling with a young boy like Xu Guangqi. After all, the two countries were too far apart. It was impossible for Spain, as powerful as Spain, to mobilize its invincible fleet to Asia for a decisive battle with the Ming Navy, and vice versa.
After the two expressed to each other that they and the country behind them were not to be trifled with, under the gentle smiles of the ministers around Felipe and Wang Jiaping, the topic of the meeting slowly turned to the right track: Ming Dynasty vs. Luzon, the Spice Islands and
The question is how the status of these crucial Habsburg colonies of Goa should be viewed.
This is the biggest diplomatic issue facing the two countries, and the imperial court was well prepared before the mission. Of course, Xu Guangqi had to express China's attitude according to the emperor's wishes:
"Your Majesty, Luzon, Manchuria, Johor and other countries are all vassals of the Ming Dynasty. My emperor is not willing to fight with Spain in Central China, but our two countries must reach an agreement on this issue."
Felipe II's face was very long, and now it was as black as ink. He raised his eyebrows twice and asked in a cold voice: "I want to hear what your emperor thinks first."
Xu Guangqi took a deep breath, exhaled and said loudly: "What my emperor means is that the Ming Dynasty can allow the Spanish Empire to retain the colony of Goa, and control of Luzon, the Spice Islands, including Malacca, must be transferred to China."
"China has no intention of interfering with previous trade exchanges and the trade route between Goa - Manchuria - Lisbon."
Suppressing the anger in his heart, Felipe II asked: "What will Spain get after handing over control rights?"
Xu Guangqi took a look at his face and knew that the previous rhetoric had not angered Felipe II, but the current negotiations had completely pissed him off. But as an envoy, he must fully express the emperor's will:
"You will gain the friendship of His Majesty the Emperor, and Spain can establish direct trade links with the Ming Dynasty. Our emperor can also issue a charter-Spanish merchant ships passing through Manla will be tax-free."