Xu Guangqi didn't pay much attention to Carlo Medici at first, but when he figured out that this guy wanted to spend a lot of money to buy a cloisonné "refrigerator" to give to Felipe II, he couldn't help but look down on him.
Then I tested him and found that although Carlo Medici was young, he spoke impeccably and his EQ and IQ were above the standard.
Anyway, it was just a handicraft. Xu Guangqi gave it away casually as a favor to Carlo Medici. At this time, he already had a deep understanding of some European wealthy families - the Medici family was considered top-notch. Although Carlo was the illegitimate son of the family owner,
A work of art cannot buy the friendship of a king or a duke.
Although the Medici family only controls one principality, its power is not inferior to that of the Habsburg and Capetian families. Through many years of marriage, the Medici family is deeply entangled with major European royal families, and has great influence in the Holy See.
There are currently several cardinals and cardinals.
In addition to political power, the greatest influence of the Medici family is in the financial industry - the largest bank in Europe is now owned by the Medici family, and the Medici Bank has branches in capitals and port cities of various countries - the princes and nobles of various countries do not owe the United States
The Diqi family had very little money, and the king owed especially much.
Although Carlo's status as an illegitimate son was looked down upon by Dukes like Sidonia, Xu Guangqi did not value the difference between legitimate concubine and concubine. Judging from the short contact, making friends with Carlo Medici might gain something.
.
His generosity conquered most of the nobles present. After all, not everyone can remain indifferent to five hundred ducats. Carlo Medici never expected that this Eastern count regarded money as dirt, and his excited chest kept heaving.
His lips were trembling - his father, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, didn't give him a lot of money, and after spending these five hundred ducats, he would immediately become a pauper.
Xu Guangqi also had another advantage in doing this. After he gave this thing to Carlo Medici, the nobles present could no longer continue to buy it, because it was equivalent to asking Xu Guangqi for money. This is absolutely unacceptable - this
Europeans in the world are quite shameless.
...
Carlo Medici wanted to buy a gift for Felipe II, of course to curry favor with him. As the illegitimate son of the Medici Grand Duke, it would be difficult for him to find a comfortable position in Florence, but if Felipe II accepted him
With the gift, it was easy for Carlo to seek a position in Madrid - any Spanish nobleman present could have done it.
Now his wish was fulfilled without spending any money. Although he borrowed flowers to offer to Buddha, Felipe II also had to worry about some favors. After all, Xu Guangqi had no intention of giving them to Felipe.
As the head of the Spanish Empire, Felipe II was not so narrow-minded as to take five hundred ducats seriously, but with so many nobles present, Carlo Medici was the first to rush out and do this for the king.
This kind of behavior must be encouraged. This is all in the calculation of everyone on the scene.
After a small incident, Carlo Medici became a frequent visitor to the Eastern Count's residence, and the two parties soon became good friends. However, Carlo Medici said that the European perspective he described was different from that of the missionaries. Xu Guangqi and
After the exchange, the delegation's perceptual understanding of Europe became more three-dimensional.
Visits, conversations, banquets - the carousel-like trip to Madrid is coming to an end. When Xu Guangqi was about to leave Madrid for the next stop, Felipe II finally gave an answer on the "win-win" plan.
On September 25, the twelfth year of Wanli, Xu Guangqi and Wang Jiaping once again entered the Royal Palace of Madrid to meet Felipe II. His Majesty the King used the newly acquired "refrigerator" to chill the wine and invited the two of them to taste it.
After Xu Guangqi expressed that he was about to set off, Felipe II on the throne picked up the scepter and said with a smile on his long face: "As for the 'win-win' plan proposed by His Majesty Emperor Seris, I have a better idea.
good idea."
Xu Guangqi put down his wine glass and listened solemnly to Felipe II's explanation of his thoughts. Felipe said: "My country does not believe that Luzon and the Spice Islands belong to Seris because you have not effectively controlled them before -
You don’t have to rush to deny this.”
"I believe that the geographical discoveries are test questions given by God to mankind, and land is God's reward. As gifts from God, the co-owners of the Iberian Confederation have no right to give them up."
"Of course, in return for Emperor Siris' support for east-west trade - our country is willing to share the east-west shipping route with Siris and allow Siris to earn his share. The premise is that Lisbon serves as the only port of entry in Europe.
"
The muscles on Wang Jiaping's face, who was sitting next to Xu Guangqi, were twisted with anger. What Felipe II said was an outright insult to the Chinese nation by the barbarians - as an envoy, he should be reprimanded righteously at this time
, even though the ax and ax are applied to one's body, one cannot take away one's ambition!
But Wang Jiaping was just the deputy envoy, so Xu Guangqi could only endure it when he didn't speak. Xu Guangqi was not as angry as Wang Jiaping, because the emperor had long told him repeatedly: the truth is only within the range of the cannon. Therefore.
, the envoy's incompetent rage is meaningless.
He organized some words in his heart and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I heard that according to the agreement after the Great Geographical Discovery, Christian countries have the right to occupy pagan countries; and if the newly discovered land is disputed, the Pope has the right to decide
It belongs."
“Ninety years ago, in accordance with the Treaty of Tordesillas, His Majesty Alexander VI drew a dividing line from the North Pole to the South Pole 100 leagues west of the Azores and Cape Verde Islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
The east belongs to Portugal and the west belongs to Spain.”
Felipe II handed the scepter from his right hand to his left hand and bent slightly to pick up the wine glass to hide his embarrassed expression. Sure enough, Xu Guangqi asked a question that he could not answer; "Now both the east and west of the Papal Meridian are
In the hands of Your Majesty, may I ask Your Majesty, how do you plan to rule China?"
Felipe II could not answer this question. Today's Ming Empire is larger than Europe, and its strength is unmatched by Spain. If Felipe II continues to insist on the legitimacy of the Papal Meridian, it is tantamount to humiliating himself.
.But if he no longer insists on it, his argument that the geographical discovery is a reward from God will be self-defeating.
What a master who uses his spear to attack his shield! Wang Jiaping couldn't help but look at Xu Guangqi and gave this "lucky" earl a high look. Although he liked Xu Guangqi's frank character and astute reactions along the way, as Long Qingsan,
Ranked fourth in the imperial examination in the year, it is natural to discriminate against the prince-in-law and the captain.
Little did they know that Xu Guangqi of the original time and space once passed the Jie Yuan exam, which was more difficult than the first prize. Later Zha Jizuo commented on his articles, "He often looks at the surface of things, and his luck is higher than a thousand people." Translated, it means profound knowledge and position.
lofty.
Of course, today's Prince Consort Xu Guangqi has embarked on a different path, but after his outstanding talent has been polished, his ability can only be said to be even better.
After he asked this question, he also picked up the wine glass and waited quietly for Felipe II's answer. The King's Hall fell into an awkward silence.
Duke Sidonia had the obligation to break the awkward silence, so he interjected: "Your Excellency, I have to say that Europe once thought very highly of itself and thought that there was no civilization in the non-Christian world. Now Siris has proven her strength.
Therefore, now is the time to re-understand the new world we face based on our strength."
There was mockery in Xu Guangqi's eyes: "According to the Duke, the Ottoman Empire on the other side of the Mediterranean no longer had civilization in the eyes of Europeans before."
This is another powerful blow! The Ottoman Empire, which spans three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, is still a nightmare for the Catholics to this day. Suleiman I, who died only eighteen years ago, beat the Holy Empire coalition forces to death, and the Mediterranean Sea is
Fifty years ago, it was completely the back garden of the Ottoman Empire. But twenty-four years ago, in the Battle of Tripoli, the Ottomans completely wiped out the Spanish Expeditionary Force. At that time, Felipe II could only crush his steel teeth and swallow blood.
Although the Ottoman Empire prospered and declined with the death of Suleiman I, and was suppressed by the Catholic coalition led by Spain in recent years - Istanbul's influence on the Mediterranean is still huge and difficult to shake, Felipe II
The world is also unable to form a new expeditionary force.
Xu Guangqi's two understatement words completely stripped away the superiority of Catholicism and Europa, and defeated the theoretical basis of "colonial justice". Although the confrontation between the two sides did not enter the level of specific affairs at this time, they have begun to control the world.
The struggle for the right to speak.
Duke Sidonia was about to retort, but Felipe II had already stepped down from the throne and raised his palms to stop Duke Sidonia from speaking. He walked up to Xu Guangqi, his eyes as straight as a hawk.
Staring: "Your Excellency, if Siris is willing to attack the Ottomans from the Indian Ocean - Spain is willing to recognize your right to occupy the east of the Spice Islands!"
Xu Guangqi took a deep breath, looked at Felipe II and said: "Your Majesty, you are still exchanging China's land for new interests. All countries east of the Spice Islands are protectorates of China."
"China's concept is that the tributary countries' tribute to the central court is a contract with China - China is obliged to revise its rules, maintain its existence, and resist foreign aggression. After Luzon and the Spice Islands countries became Chinese vassals
, China must protect them from colonial aggression, I think I have made this clear."
"As for what you said about attacking from both sides, conquering and carving up the Ottomans in exchange for exclusive rights to the east of the Spice Islands - China will not do this, because we also have a philosophy of "do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you."
As long as our country's interests are not harmed by the existence of the Ottoman Empire, China has no intention of attacking it."
Felipe II blew out a thick breath from his nose. He spread his hands and said: "I think this is not something you can decide. I suggest you ask His Majesty Emperor Seris for instructions before you give a reply - I have learned that,
He has unlimited ambitions to expand his empire, and Ottoman Turkey is our common enemy and roadblock."
Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "I will bring the latest news in my letter back to China - but I can tell you for sure that China will not attack Turkey, because it has no more meaning than disrupting the world.