Growth requires paying a price, especially in international negotiations. Although Xiong Wencan has tried his best and received guidance from old tricksters such as Han Xu from time to time, he and are in charge of another negotiation with representatives of the Holy Roman Empire.
Like Zhou Fengxiang, the Ming Empire paid a huge price.
Even though his own country is at an absolute disadvantage in terms of strength, Richelieu has reaped many benefits. Not only did the Ming Empire promise not to develop in Africa within three hundred years, it would also send a group of troops to France at the right time.
Military advisors to help them improve the combat effectiveness of their armies. In order to allow the French to evacuate smoothly from the colonies in the New World within five years, the Ming Empire must also provide them with the most advanced hydraulic textile machines to make up for the loss of the fur trade.
Loss.
Hydraulic loom? Did Richelieu actually give up on more advanced steam engines after being kicked in the head by a donkey? Of course Richelieu was normal, and he also made demands in this regard, but Xiong Wencan did not dare to let go. Because at the beginning of the negotiation
The fat guy from before has already explained that steam engines will not be allowed to be exported until at least fifty years. Fifty years? If the Ming Dynasty has not developed more advanced power machinery in fifty years, then the Research Institute and the Imperial College should close their doors.
Good luck, you don't have to waste money and food there and be embarrassed.
In comparison, Zhou Fengxiang and Yang Tingshu suffered less losses in the negotiations with the Roman envoy Jerius. After all, they were both current officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Even if they had no experience, they were still inferior to those of Gu Jikun who followed Xiong Wencan.
Students must be strong. As a condition for the alliance between the two parties, the Ming Empire not only needs to help the Holy Roman Empire regain its advantage on the Western battlefield, but also promises to hand over the Holy City of Jerusalem and all areas west of it to the Lamb of God.
What? The two allies are still in the stage of mutual hatred. They failed to meet and forget their grudges without the help of the Ming Empire. What does this matter have to do with the Ming Dynasty? Who in the mountains and far away has the time to take care of other people's affairs?
They can fight if they like, and after fighting in the West, they go to Africa and West Asia to fight. It is not something that rookie foreign officials like Ming can stop. Anyway, during the validity period of the peace treaty, Ming will never go there to participate in the cooperation.
At most, you can cheer them on and sell some arms to make their fight more lively.
In order to help his allies solve the economic problems they are currently facing and allow them to have enough funds to purchase weapons, Ming Dynasty also offered to purchase a large amount of various resources provided by its allies. Whether it is African diamonds, gold or those unknown
The broken ore, or the oil dug by Rome in West Asia, as long as they are willing to sell it to the Ming Dynasty, they will not refuse.
Will France and Rome wake up one day and form an alliance to deal with the Ming Dynasty? This is not impossible, but where is Jerusalem? As long as Westerners stretch their hands, they will know that God is not that easy to bully.
Those small tribes that Ma Chengzu had won over were not vegetarians. Maybe one day something happened and the jihad broke out in advance, and the Western allies would definitely be very busy at that time.
In addition to Allah, Ming Dynasty is not without helpers. Although Shivera failed to participate in the negotiation process, he received the full support of Ming Dynasty. He ran so fast this time because he was busy going back to rebuild his Portuguese empire. Perhaps
He does not have the strength to confront the two giants in the West in a short period of time, but for the benefit of his own country, he will never sit back and let them get together. As long as he, who has both sides, hears the news, he will not have to rush to the east to seek revenge.
letter, and then go back with countermeasures to stumble behind your back?
After more than half a month of negotiations, Gerius took the lead to leave secretly under the cover of Anastasio. He would board a Portuguese merchant ship in Nanjing and bring back a whole shipload of arms for his country.
Compared with the Roman envoy who had no knowledge and knew that he was busy returning to his country to announce the good news, Richelieu was much calmer. Not only did he attend the banquet held by Chongzhen in Honglu Temple after the negotiation, he also met the increasingly dazzling Ah
Princess Mandine even accepted the invitation to observe how the Ming Navy destroyed the Spanish fleet. Of course Richelieu would not refuse such a good thing, and he immediately expressed that in order to reflect the value of a die-hard ally, he
You can also do some small favors, such as using the French fleet that was resting in Fuzhou Prefecture after being ambushed by pirates to provide cover for the Ming merchant ships that were about to depart to transport soldiers.
On the sixth day of October in the seventh year of Chongzhen, when everything had settled, General Zhu Youcong had to endure the heartache and was ordered to go out again. Although he also wanted to spend more time with his two troublemakers who were already pregnant.
The war did not allow him to delay any longer.
Just when the scholars were taking advantage of the lack of domestic troops to prepare a big show for Chongzhen, Qin Liangyu, commander-in-chief of 80,000 troops, suddenly appeared at the gate of Xuzhou City. They beat up the tens of thousands of bandits and bandits who were preparing to rebel.
The bitch who couldn't live without Toast finally got what he wanted. He could enjoy the pleasure of the whip on his body.
After solving the last hidden danger in the country, Chongzhen has ordered a large-scale manhunt across the country, and the Southern Corps has officially launched an attack on Annan. According to the latest battle report returned, Ma Xianglin, as the forward, has crossed the Cursed River.
, and the group of soldiers and bandits under Li Zicheng holding high the panda flag have also entered Annan through the three passes of Zhennan, Pinger and Shuikou.
Needless to say, the outcome of the Battle of Annan, but the duration of this battle will be determined by the speed at which Zhu Youcong transported He Renlong and Zheng Chongjian, a total of 100,000 soldiers. Although Cam Ranh Bay is a natural harbor, as the future of the Ming Empire
The naval base was very good, but it was not suitable for this landing operation. Under the advice of Ansel, who was most familiar with the terrain of Annan in this era, Zhu Youcong chose another large port this time.
To say that Annan is really not progressing, in later generations they will use fishermen to occupy more than 20 islands. Who made that big country have a comradeship with them? However, in this era, they also used the flow of refugees to weaken from day to day.
It was unreasonable to seize Priango from the Kingdom of Cambodia and rename it Saigon. As a general of the Ming Empire who upheld justice, Zhu Youcong despised Li Weiqi's approach from the bottom of his heart, so in Saigon
The landing not only has military value but also has very important political significance.
There are no obstacles to landing in Annan, but the fleet transporting 100,000 soldiers is too huge to allow any mistakes. The last time he went to Java Island, Zhu Youcong was full of anger. This time it was a just battle to regain his homeland. He
I don't want to sneak past like the Western allies in order not to arouse the vigilance of the Spanish.
Since Shivella has deceived the Spanish colonial fleet to the east, let them be completely wiped out. One battleship costs five hundred thousand taels of silver. Although it was eventually converted into slaves and minerals, it is still a lot! And
Nowadays, the domestic development of the Ming Dynasty has also increased the demand for rubber. A lot of seeds have been obtained from Western allies, but there is no place to grow them.
Different from ordinary people, businessmen all pursue profits. When they are at home, they are Confucian businessmen who care about the country and the people, but when they go outside... look at the life of Min Hong, who dug money on the Japanese island.
I know that this time, under the secret propaganda of Zhou Yanru and others, the major merchants represented by Jin, Hui, and Huai merchants have secretly organized manpower, and they will take over Luzon after the general Zhenguo has beaten the people.
Then catch monkeys to farm.
The Chinese nation is the most industrious and tenacious nation in the world. Even in a foreign country, they will still work tirelessly to cultivate the land every day in order to support themselves and survive. But this time is different. At the request of the general Zhenguo
, all the people recruited by chambers of commerce in various places are hooligans, and they don’t come to Luzon Island to work.
Annan's troops are waiting for support in order to completely surround the enemy, and the caravans that are entering the Xin'an area are also waiting. One hundred thousand troops and more than 300,000 ordinary people, although they have different purposes, are all waiting for General Zhenguo to destroy Spain.
fleet.
This time, the Ming Empire showed its strength without scruples. The assembly included not only the eleven wooden warships sent by the Western allies this time, but also six small fishing boats like the ones Richelieu saw at Lingshan Guard.
, as well as two large fishery vessels that have just completed testing and have been officially incorporated into the local fleet.
"Your Excellency, General. Isn't it a bit strange for you to use such a huge fleet to deal with the Spaniards..." Zhu Youcong did not know French, and Richelieu had only just learned the Ming Dynasty Mandarin. After thinking for a long time, he just couldn't think of the word.
Come.
"Killing a chicken with a bull's knife?" Zhu Youcong has not been so proud for a long time. Now even Shivella can say a few lines in poetry. If he hadn't met this prime minister, he really wouldn't have been able to find out.
There are those who are less knowledgeable than myself.
Although there are still differences in some places. For example, Zhu Youcong regarded the people of the Ming Dynasty as a treasure and believed that the prosperity of an empire cannot be separated from the support of ordinary people and must provide the best treatment for the people of his country. And Richeille
Liu believed that the working people were nothing more than mules, and they had to bear the humiliation and be oppressed to be considered as contributing to the prosperity of the country.
But in a sense, Richelieu and Zhu Youcong are actually the same kind of people. Although he is a senior Catholic monk, Richelieu has never been affected by religious sentiments and always puts the interests of his country first.
In order to safeguard the interests of France, he could either support the Protestant countries behind his back against Rome, or he could form an alliance with the Ming Dynasty and completely betray his Western compatriots. As for Zhu Youcong, a fat man, not to mention, in order to allow the Ming Empire to rise smoothly
, to keep his nation at the top of the world forever, he did it even more ruthlessly than Richelieu.
For the domestic reactionary forces, although the final results were completely different, for example, Richelieu was unable to prevent the continued outbreak of the people's uprising, but Zhu Youcong was able to make the former rebels willing to sacrifice their lives for their country. But the methods of these two men
They are surprisingly unanimous. Bloody suppression is their common choice. So far, Richelieu has successfully suppressed the peasant uprising in Kelsey and suppressed the rebellion in Provence.
It is precisely because of this commonality that, although the conversation between the two is beset by language problems, they still often get together to discuss their respective experiences. Of course, in this friendly atmosphere, Zhu Youcong is not
Will accuse Richelieu? After all, we are all allies. Non-interference in each other's internal affairs is the most basic respect. Moreover, this fat man also taught Richelieu a trick by using the example of annihilating the rebels in Syzhou, and served as a wise man.
The French prime minister accepted it. In the following nearly a hundred years, he let his country's mobs carry explosives and forced them to attack the enemy's camp, which became the trump card for the French Empire to win in various battlefields in the West.
"Forty miles ahead, there are seagulls!" The scout on the lookout pointed to the front and shouted excitedly, quickly attracting everyone's attention.
"General, it seems that you are not far from victory." The appearance of seagulls means that land is not far away, and the Spanish fleet has not been found so far, which only shows that Zhu Youcong's strategy is
successful.
Luzon Island is not far from the mainland of the Ming Dynasty. After the Spaniards gathered a large number of warships, it would be unreasonable if they did not send some people to guard them. If they can't find any movement now, it can only mean that they have been deceived.
They thought that the caravans reorganizing near Macau were the main force of the Ming Dynasty, but they did not expect that the most deadly enemy had already bypassed Dongfan Island, opening its bloody mouth and revealing its sharp claws on the Pacific Ocean.
"General, do you want to order the enemy fleet to start leaving?" Zou Weilian came up, took a deep breath of the slightly salty air, and performed a standard military salute. It could be seen from the trembling hands that although he occupied
Although he has complete initiative and possesses super strength, he is still quite nervous.
The final victory will belong to the Ming Navy. Of course, Zou Weilian will not doubt this. But how to win beautifully and how not to embarrass the Zhenguo general in front of the Western allies is the key. They have beaten the Dutch. But it was a sneak attack after all.
, blocking the enemy in the port. But now on the vast ocean, the enemy has a huge fleet of nearly a hundred warships. The gap in quantity can be made up with strength, but the opponent has rich naval combat experience.
It is not the first time that the Ming navy officers and soldiers engaged in such a large-scale naval battle can compare.
Turning around and looking at the few wooden warships in front of him, Richelieu joked, "Dear Zou, are you nervous?"
"No, why should we be nervous?" It was a pure reflex. In order to prove that the other party's judgment was wrong, Zou Weilian even puffed out his chest.
"Just be nervous if you're nervous. What's there to be embarrassed about?" Zhu Youcong didn't feel the slightest bit unhappy about the performance of his subordinates. This was the Ming Navy's first overseas battle. It's normal for the soldiers to be a little worried. "Tell the soldiers.
, Don’t be afraid! Since I dare to take you out, I will definitely have the confidence to bring you back alive. Follow the pre-made combat arrangements and remember the tactical actions you have practiced thousands of times in training. No matter what he is
Just beat them back, whether they are human beings or ghosts!"
"Yes! The general obeys the order and will definitely beat them back!" He stomped his feet heavily. Because of these words, Zou Weilian regained his confidence. His voice was louder than before. It was the mule or Mr. Ma who pulled it out.
What's the use of walking around and always barking at the door? General Zhenguo is right. After preparing for so many years, isn't this the moment you've been waiting for? As long as this fat man who knows how to do anything is here, what else is there to worry about?
No matter who he is or how powerful his opponent is, just beat him back!
"Your Excellency, General, your personal charm is enough to match a fleet!" Looking at Zou Weilian who raised his head and left, Richelieu felt very uncomfortable. He was envious of Zhu Youcong for having such a huge fleet, and he was also jealous of his respect for his general.
control, and even more wary of the catalytic role this fat man played in the already invincible Ming army.
"Okay, Prime Minister, please don't praise me." He smiled, and Zhu Youcong did not think that this was his alone. If it weren't for the selfless dedication of the Mohist disciples, if it weren't for Tianqi, the efforts of the two generations of emperors from Chongzhen
Support, if it weren't for the powerful strength that the Ming Empire now possesses, if... He believed that even if he talked a lot, he wouldn't be able to completely let go of Zou Weilian.
"Your Excellency General, your fleet does not seem to be good at luring the enemy?" Although he was full of resentment, Richelieu was still trying hard to fulfill his obligations as an ally. Because he knew very well that even if he stayed aside to replace Spain
Even if people pray, they will not be able to win this battle, and they might as well sell their allies to save face. Perhaps after this time, in future negotiations, they can get this fat guy to relent and agree to sell the smaller size.
of ironclad battleship.
"Oh?" Although Zhu Youcong was often thrown out as bait by his subordinates, that was only on land, and all he did was ride a mule out for a walk when the other party knew his identity and importance.
Just circle it. If you really want to talk about strategies and tactics, this damn fat guy really can't do it.
"Joseph! Please come and introduce to the general the experience we have accumulated in naval battles." Richelieu could see the problem, but he was a politician after all, and his military command was not much better than Zhu Youcong's. But around him
There are naval admirals from France, and these people all have rich combat experience.
"Yes! My respected Prime Minister!" Joseph walked out very proudly. To be honest, he has never felt so proud since he arrived in the East. How great it is to guide a fleet that is far more powerful than his own country.
glory.
"Your Excellency General, the formation of your fleet is certainly good if it is to fight in the offshore, but here it will only bring huge casualties to your subordinates..." All along, the navy of the Ming Empire has mostly been in the offshore.
In combat, although Zou Weilian and others have been studying new tactics, they are only working behind closed doors. After Joseph pointed out the shortcomings of luring the enemy fleet, he added: "Although General, your battleship does not need sails, it should still have the upper hand.
This is very important to the Spaniards."
"Master Prime Minister, if I ask your subordinates to participate in the command of my Ming Navy, will you agree?" Zhu Cong did not understand what Joseph said at all. He believed that even Zou Weilian would not be able to learn it before the battle began.
Knowing the mystery, the only way now is to let Joseph participate in the command of the fleet. (To be continued...)