Zhu Youxiao's move was just to advance the matter. He was very willing to do such a favor.
If, with his help, Henry can really restore his country, Ming Dynasty will be equivalent to having an enclave in Europe.
Its future layout, influence and deterrence in the West will also be unprecedented.
For such a huge contribution to the restoration of the country, even these Europeans who only have interests in their eyes will be grateful.
But the premise is that Ming Dynasty needs to maintain a formidable military strength.
A strong military is a country's most solid bargaining chip on the world's biggest poker table.
Without absolute strength as a backing, everything is empty talk.
If such a standard can be met, what Henry just said about respecting the Ming Dynasty as a superior country is not a blank promise.
As long as Zhu Youxiao can grasp the situation and strengthen his control and influence over Portugal, it will only be a matter of time before he becomes a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty.
North Korea is the best example. With the help of Emperor Taizu, the Li family overthrew Goryeo and established the Li Dynasty. Since then, they have willingly become a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty.
During the Wanli period, the Ming Dynasty once again helped them defeat the Japanese pirates, and now they were really devoted to the Ming Dynasty.
Even after the Ming Dynasty fell, all the monarchs and ministers of Li's Korea missed the Ming Dynasty that had long since perished.
Even the reign name of Emperor Chongzhen was extended for a hundred years. Such a vassal state was indeed very outstanding.
After Zhu Youxiao clarified the future layout and ideas, he responded to Henry:
"I do have this intention, but you also know that right now my Ming Dynasty is also experiencing a life-or-death crisis of internal and external troubles!"
"Although I have my heart, I don't have the energy to support and help you!"
Henry also roughly understood the national conditions of the Ming Dynasty. In fact, he did not expect Zhu Youxiao to directly dispatch troops to help him fight back.
Moreover, he was also worried about the combat effectiveness of the Ming army. Such a large country with so many troops could not defeat a tribe of savages who came out of the deep mountains and old forests.
This can only prove that the combat effectiveness of the Ming army is very bad.
He had also seen the Ming Dynasty's army several times. In his eyes, it didn't look like an army at all, but more like refugees.
What he wants is that the Ming Dynasty can provide him with money, food, materials, weapons, equipment, and ships, so that he can form an army to fight back and restore the country.
But this is obviously impossible. As the emperor said just now, Ming Dynasty itself was in the midst of a national crisis, so how could it possibly spend huge sums of money to help an outsider like him who had nothing to do with it.
Seeing the disappointment in Henry's eyes, Zhu Youxiao immediately patted his shoulder and continued:
"How can you be so impatient if you want to achieve the great cause of rejuvenating the country? We in China have a saying since ancient times. If you want to achieve great things, you must have a temperament that is neither arrogant nor impetuous. Now it seems that you are still far behind!" (China
The word "China" has been around for a long time. Let's not talk about other things. Zhu Yuanzhang mentioned the word "China" many times in his imperial edicts!)
Because Henry's team possesses the technology that is urgently needed by the arsenal, Zhu Youxiao also pulled down some of his body to stabilize him.
He promised him in front of everyone that when he calmed down the internal and external troubles and freed up his hands, he would definitely support and help him fight back to Europe.
But before that, he and his team had to stay in the arsenal, cast excellent cannons for Ming Dynasty, and help Ming Dynasty improve more cannons.
It is also necessary to teach all their craftsmanship techniques and firearms knowledge that the Ming Dynasty did not have to the craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty without reservation.
As for the so-called research and development of new technologies and new weapons, Zhu Youxiao did not mention it.
To be fair, Europe's firearms technology is only half a generation ahead of the Ming Dynasty.
As long as the craftsmen's production and casting can be more standardized, improve the environment and atmosphere of the workshop, and formulate good processes and regulations, we can be on par with them in less than three years.
The real gap between Ming Dynasty and them lies in knowledge. Just being able to create is not enough.
Henry also knew that there would be no pie-in-the-sky good things. Since the noble emperor had promised in person, he was willing to accept such exchange terms.
He also patted his chest and assured Zhu Youxiao that from now on, he and his team were willing to do their best for the development of Ming's weapons until the emperor fulfilled his promise.
"I believe that with your Majesty's talents, Ming Dynasty will soon become a world power again. I hope that your Majesty will also be able to fully help Henry to regain the Kingdom of Portugal!"
"Don't worry, I have made a promise, and I will definitely honor it. I don't want to ruin my reputation because of this trivial matter!"
Henry drew an iconic cross on his chest, and then said respectfully:
"God will bless His Majesty the King. I will wait for this day with all my heart. I hope it won't be too long. I am already thirty years old this year!"
After the two parties reached an agreement, everyone was naturally happy. Henry's plan to restore the country had hope, and Zhu Youxiao's arsenal also had a group of technical talents in a real sense.
Although Henry was in exile, his camels were so skinny that they were bigger than horses, and his team still numbered more than fifty people, all of whom were proficient in firearms and cannons.
This is one of the reasons why Zhu Youxiao tried his best to win over him. If he doesn't have it himself, he can only count on others.
After leaving the door, he immediately told Bi Maokang that he must do his best to learn all the techniques and knowledge as soon as possible and master the core techniques himself.
Bi Maokang naturally agreed. This is what he has always wanted to do and is working hard for.
It's just that these red-haired barbarians are really hateful. They don't give them the opportunity to observe and learn at all. They hide and hide, making them like thieves and secretly copying.
Now that he is fine, he can go and ask for advice openly. This will save him a lot of trouble.
"Your Majesty, I don't want to interfere with national affairs, but I really want your Majesty to answer this question in my mind!"
Zhu Youxiao knew what he was asking, it was nothing more than the agreement he had just made with Henry.
"Bi Aiqing, just tell me, I will answer your questions!"
"Your Majesty really intends to help the red barbarians regain their country?"
Zhu Youxiao smiled calmly and then explained:
"We need to take a longer-term view. In this world, our country, Ming Dynasty, is just the tip of the iceberg!"
"Since we already know that the world is so big, why do we still want to be like frogs in a well and be arrogant in our own one-third of an acre of land?"
"During the Han Dynasty, dozens of countries in the Western Regions voluntarily surrendered and became vassal states of the Han Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, it reached its peak!"
"During the Yongle period, there were quite a few small countries who came to pay tribute. Doesn't Ai Qing know that?"