There is always a time to leave, no matter how beautiful the scenery in Vienna is.
The Ming Dynasty mission once again embarked on a journey. This time, their target was the Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania. This country had a good relationship with the Habsburgs. During the Transylvanian War, they helped King Leopold I fight.
The Swedes were considered allies. To show solemnity, the emperor sent Prince Lobkevich to lead troops to escort the delegation to the Austrian and Polish borders.
At this time, the Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania implemented an aristocratic democracy, with power mainly in the hands of the Parliament (i.e., the Sejm), and the power of the monarch was very limited.
The reigning King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, John II Casimir, was a mediocre monarch. He was captured by the French during the Thirty Years' War and imprisoned for two years. After being elected King of Poland, he had an unlucky life. First, he faced Ukraine.
The Cossacks revolted; then Tsarist Russia sent troops to support the Cossacks and was forced to cede Eastern Ukraine to Tsarist Russia; then Sweden launched an attack on Poland and lost Livonia. In short, it could not defend its territory.
In 1385, Grand Duke Wladyslaw II Jageno of Lithuania married a Polish princess. The two countries united through marriage and became a major country in Eastern Europe, and even the overlord of Eastern Europe for a time. However, there was a Cossack uprising inside and Sweden outside.
, in an environment where there are many powerful countries including Tsarist Russia, Holy Roman Empire, and Ottoman Turkey, Poland’s domestic and international situation is not optimistic.
At the southern end of the Palace Square in Warsaw, there is a granite column, with a bronze statue of King Chigmunt III at the top. It was this king who decided to make Warsaw the capital. During his forty-five-year reign, Poland, Lithuania and
The Kingdom is truly the second most powerful country in Eastern Europe, second only to Ottoman Turkey. It has established a solid hegemony in Northeastern Europe. It is also the third most populous country in the Christian world after Spain and France. Unfortunately, it has only passed thirty-five years.
Years later, the country became weak.
John II Casimir looked at the bronze statue of Cigismund III on the square through the palace window and was filled with emotion.
This was a mediocre monarch, but he was passionate and loved the country crazily, even at the expense of his life. He was very withdrawn and had few friends among the Polish nobility; he was very pious, joined the Jesuits, and once became a popular figure in the Papal State.
A cardinal; he yearned for love and fell in love with Baronès Guertenten, but he regretted it for the rest of his life because he was opposed by the king's brother. He was strong and unyielding and was imprisoned by the French Bishop Richelieu for two years during the war.
Never gives in; openly supports Austria in diplomacy; likes unrestrained parties in life.
In short, this is a mediocre but great king. In another time and space, he will abdicate more than a year later amid internal and external troubles and become the abbot of the Saint-Martin Abbey in Neville, France. Even if he abdicates, he still loves his country deeply.
When he heard the news of Turkey's invasion of Poland, he immediately asked the Pope to assist Poland. Even the French were moved by his great love. After his death, the king's heart was buried in the Abbey of St. Martin in Neville.
Prime Minister Ossolinsky entered the hall and said, "Your Majesty, the envoy from the Ming Dynasty has arrived."
John II Casimir moved his eyes away from the bronze statue in the square and said calmly: "Let them enter the palace. I heard that they are here for trade. I am looking forward to it."
Franzbekov, Dong Xuan, and Li Shouzhi entered the palace proudly, envoys of a great power, with their own demeanor.
"Dear envoys, I have come a long way to work hard. I wonder what you have brought to me?" the fifty-eight-year-old king asked with a smile.
"Your Majesty, we have brought Ming Dynasty's friendship to the Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania. May the flower of peace bloom enthusiastically on the territories of the two countries. At the same time, we have also prepared a gift for you."
"Have you prepared a gift for me?"
John II Casimir secretly laughed in his heart. He had long heard that the Ming Dynasty envoys were very generous. They gave a gift to a monarch when they saw him. Mink furs, silks, porcelain, pearls, gems, tea, and countless other good things were given away. But
I am indifferent by nature and don’t like these luxury items. Wouldn’t it be a waste to give me gifts? I thought so in my heart, but said in my mouth: "Your Majesty, thank you for your trouble!"
Two attendants carried a square object into the temple.
But it is an oil painting. The picture is very simple, a beautiful girl wearing a long skirt, a beautiful girl; a white and muscular bull; and a little angel Cupid.
"Eh? It's actually a painting!"
John II Casimir immediately became interested. His biggest hobby in his life was collecting famous paintings. In the palace, there were Rembrandt, Rubens, Jordens, Reni, Guercino, and Old Buller.
There are all kinds of paintings by Zer, Bassano and others.
The king looked at the painting carefully, and suddenly his white beard fluttered with excitement, "This is "The Abduction of Europa" by Guido Reni! Dear envoy, your gift is too precious!"
This painting depicts the story of Zeus kidnapping Europa in Greek mythology: Zeus fell in love with the beautiful and pure Phoenician princess Europa, so he turned into a white and strong bull and ordered the messenger Hermes to drive the herd to the sea.
Europa was playing on the beach. The bull tricked her into riding on the bull's back and swimming quickly to Crete. Then Zeus turned back into human form and tricked her into succumbing. Europa was dying of pain, and it wasn't until the arrival of her youngest son Cupid that she accepted her fate.
Arrangement, and eventually gave birth to three powerful and wise sons with Zeus. And she also became a goddess, and the land under her feet was named Europa (Europe) after her.
Seeing John II's excitement, Franzbekov was secretly proud. When it comes to giving gifts, you must do what he wants!
He was proud in his heart, but he was very polite in his mouth, saying, "It's just a small gift, not a sign of respect."
A famous painting immediately made the relationship between the two people much closer, and business and trade became a matter of course.
John II ordered a grand banquet to be held in the palace to entertain the envoys. Sausages, pickled herrings, sour cream, cakes, etc. were all placed on the table.
"Uh!"
Franzbekov smiled softly and said: "Polish wine is so delicious! Your Majesty, for your health, cheers!"
"Cheers, distinguished envoy", John II also picked up the wine glass.
After finishing the drink, he raised his glass and responded, "Cheers to the invincible Ming army for defeating the damn Russians!"
Here it comes! The topic is finally here!
Franzbekov was overjoyed in his heart. The purpose of this visit was only to establish communications with various countries. The more important purpose was to establish military alliances with Sweden, Poland, Rumi (Ottoman Turkey), and the Crimean Khanate.
Containing Tsarist Russia was a task assigned to him by His Majesty Emperor Guangwu of the Ming Dynasty.
However, as a qualified diplomat, he knows that what he is pursuing is not business. For such things as alliances, it is only decent if the Poles take the initiative to ask for help!
Now that John II opened his mouth, Franzbekov no longer held back and kept everything in the wine. He laughed loudly and said: "To the friendship between the two countries and to the joint fight against the greedy Tsarist Russia, cheers!"<
/p>
The "Ming-Poland Military Defense Treaty" was reached in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The two parties agreed: "If either side of Ming Dynasty and Poland is attacked by Tsarist Russia, the other side should send troops to help and provide the other side with economic assistance within its capabilities. The military
The treaty is only for Tsarist Russia and not for other countries.
After getting what he wanted, John II smiled with satisfaction. He did not know the character of Emperor Guangwu of the Ming Dynasty. The emperor was notoriously cunning and cunning. He only wanted to encourage Poland to move behind Tsarist Russia by entering into such a military alliance with Poland.
It's just to cause trouble and contain Tsarist Russia. If Poland is really invaded by Tsarist Russia, there is no way to expect Ming Dynasty to send troops to help.
This chapter has been completed!