In September 1655, the 28th year of Chongzhen, the peace negotiation between the Ming Empire and European Christendom began, known in history as the Roman Peace. This peace negotiation marked the official expansion of the power of the Ming Empire to the distant European continent. It also marked that the Ming Dynasty had expanded the empire's power.
The influence has officially covered the entire known civilized world.
Representatives of the Ming Dynasty who participated in the Rome Peace Negotiation included Emperor Chongzhen and Chief of Staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force Chang Jiang Tianyi.
European representatives participating in the Rome Peace Negotiations included Pope Alexander VII, Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III, and Prime Minister Mazarin of the Kingdom of France.
However, the first peace talks were very unharmonious and even a bit tense.
Regardless of how civilized the Europeans are, their way of thinking is consistent, that is, they always want to obtain favorable conditions at the negotiation table that are not available on the battlefield.
The most speechless among them is Ferdinand III.
The Holy Roman Empire was undoubtedly a magical country.
First of all, the emperor of the empire was actually elected by seven electors.
Secondly, the empire actually has a tradition of father and son emperors co-ruling, such as Ferdinand III and Ferdinand IV.
However, Ferdinand IV was killed by the Ming army during the retreat, and this king became the head of state who died in the Second Crusade.
It may be that his son was killed by the Ming army, so Ferdinand III's conditions were extremely excessive.
If it weren't for the four-meter-wide long table in the middle, Chongzhen would really be worried that Ferdinand III's saliva would spray on his face. Then it is said that various diseases were rampant in European royal families in this era, including gonorrhea, syphilis, smallpox, etc.
It would be very unfortunate if Ferdinand III's saliva contained these viruses.
At that moment, Chongzhen turned around and said: "Obanban, bring a mask to me, General Shen Tian, and the others."
A tall black eunuch immediately brought a mask to each of Chongzhen, Jiang Tianyi and others.
By the way, this black eunuch’s name was Austin, and he entered the palace in the 20th year of Chongzhen’s reign.
Originally, Chongzhen wanted to completely abolish the eunuch system, but when he returned to Beijing, he found that this was impossible. The reason was very simple. The Chinese royal family had too many people. Without strong eunuchs,
, those flower-like maids and concubines simply cannot complete the chores in the palace.
Moreover, there are indeed some matters that are not suitable for concubines and maids to intervene in.
So in the end, Chongzhen compromised and restored the eunuch system.
However, in order to prevent eunuchs from interfering with politics or having relatives of eunuchs become powerful, Chongzhen also set a rule, that is, only indigenous people from overseas territories could enter the palace to serve as eunuchs.
Austin is an exception. He was sold to the Ming Dynasty by Arab traders, and he was purified by the Arabs before being sold to the Ming Dynasty. Arab traders have always had a tradition of selling castrated black people, such as Kunlun slaves.
Closer to home, after putting on the mask, Chongzhen felt much more at ease and said to Ferdinand III: "Ferdinand III, right? Your son died on the battlefield. I also feel very sorry for this, but the battlefield
Since your son dares to go to the battlefield, he must have the consciousness to die on the battlefield. There is not much to say about this."
"Don't take your anger out on our Ming Dynasty just because your son died in the war."
"As a mature political figure, you should not let the outside world influence your emotions."
After saying this for a moment, Chongzhen said again: "So, please restate the terms of the peace agreement."
However, Chongzhen's gentle words were seen as weakness by Ferdinand III. At that moment, Ferdinand III slammed the table and shouted: "Chongzhen, listen, it is your Ming Dynasty who proposed peace, not our Holy Roman Empire, your Ming Dynasty
Why did you propose peace? Is it because the supply line is too long and your logistical supplies can no longer support it?"
"In other words, this is your Ming Dynasty seeking peace with our European world."
"Since we are asking for peace, we should look like we are asking for peace and show sincerity."
"So, please don't act like a winner, your Ming Dynasty did not win!"
After a pause, Ferdinand III said sharply: "Our peace terms are the three conditions I just mentioned. The first one is that the Ming army must unconditionally withdraw from Rome and all the cities it occupied; the second one is that the Ming army must evacuate Rome and all the occupied cities;
All European countries, including the United States, will pay compensation of 100 million thalers of silver coins; the third and most important one is to leave 20 large black ships of the Ming Dynasty Navy as punishment. If the above conditions cannot be met, then let the war continue.
Let’s see who can’t hold on first.”
Jiang Tianyi, Zheng Sen, Zheng Hongkui and Wang Fuzhi who participated in the peace talks were all very angry.
After all, Zheng Sen was young and energetic, so he said to Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, there is no need to talk nonsense to this idiot. I have already investigated it. Vienna, the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, is only seven or eight hundred miles away from the Adriatic coast, and the cavalry legion cannot march in a hurry."
In just three or four days, let me take the air force with King Ding to capture Vienna first, and then we will see what this dog emperor says."
Wang Fuzhi also said angrily: "There is no need for King Ding to take action, our Army's 4th Division can do it."
Zheng Hongkui originally wanted to ask for a battle, but then he thought about it, no matter how powerful his warship was, he could not sail to the shore, so he could only swallow his words back in his stomach unhappily.
Chongzhen was not angry at all.
Because Chongzhen knew that these European countries were essentially uncivilized.
The enlightenment of Chinese civilization was in the pre-Qin period. A hundred schools of thought contended and then established a philosophical system. Then came the Chinese civilization. So far, China has been bathed in civilization for nearly two thousand years.
There are questions about the specific age of the civilizational enlightenment of Western Christendom.
But even though the philosophical system and civilized enlightenment were created in the ancient Greek period, this civilization was destroyed in the flames of war and did not survive. The interrupted civilization cannot be called civilization.
Therefore, the civilizational enlightenment of Western Christendom came after the Renaissance.
The Renaissance has only lasted for more than three hundred years, and it is no different from being uncivilized.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! So in the eyes of Chongzhen, people with ideas like Ferdinand III are no different from barbarians. How can you be angry with a barbarian?
If he gets angry, won't you become a barbarian?
At that moment, Chongzhen smiled and said: "In this case, there is no need to talk about it anymore. Let's call it a day."
After saying that, Chongzhen stood up and left the venue without any regrets. Jiang Tianyi and others also stood up and left the venue. Soon, only Ferdinand III and a dozen other people were left in the hall of St. Peter's Church.
Mazarin began to complain about Ferdinand III: "You shouldn't have made such harsh conditions."
Alexander VII also echoed: "Yes, although the Ming Dynasty first proposed this peace negotiation, the peace negotiation will only have benefits for us in Europe, but no harm. Why not promote it as soon as possible?"
"I also want to broker a peace agreement as soon as possible." Ferdinand III said angrily, "But we can't suffer losses in vain, right? This Eastern Expedition cost so much money and food, and so many people died. We need to pay compensation to the Ming Dynasty.
Is it too much?"
"It's OK to ask for compensation, but you have to have a certain amount of restraint." Mazaran said, "You can't go too far."
"Yes, you can't go too far." King Felipe IV of Spain also said, "Forget about other conditions, you asked the Ming Dynasty to compensate us for 20 big black ships. Isn't this nonsense? How could the Ming Dynasty agree?
.”
"Hey, why are you all coming at me?" Ferdinand III suddenly became furious.
While more than a dozen heads were arguing fiercely, a monk hurriedly came in and reported: "His Majesty the Pope, as well as His Majesty the King, Prime Ministers, and Dukes, something serious has happened. The Ming army has sent troops."
"Send troops?" The King, Prime Minister and Duke present were surprised, "Where are they going?"
"Going north." The monk said in panic. "Three cavalry divisions were dispatched, saying they were going to Vienna."
"What, go to Vienna?" Ferdinand III suddenly jumped up in shock and said angrily, "It's so shameless. We agreed to negotiate peace in Rome, so why did we send troops to fight in Vienna? The people of the Ming Dynasty are unfaithful.
"
After a pause, Ferdinand III said angrily: "No more talks, no more talks with the Ming Dynasty people, continue the war until the Ming Dynasty kneels down and begs for mercy!"
Ferdinand spoke with indignation, but no one responded.
Everyone, including Pope Alexander VII, had the same idea. Let the Holy Roman Empire fight the Ming Army first. If they win, they will have to pay less. Even if they lose,
It is only the Holy Roman Empire that is unlucky and has nothing to do with us.
"What do you think? Do you dare to go to war with the Ming Dynasty?" Ferdinand III asked angrily.
Mazarin, Felipe III and Alexander VII just looked at him.
Ferdinand III couldn't get off the tiger, so he could only say angrily with a black face: "Okay, you don't dare to go to war with the Ming Dynasty, then let our Holy Roman Empire fire the first shot, but you listen to me, if we win
When we divide the spoils, you can only drink some soup. Only we in the Holy Roman Empire are qualified to eat meat!"
After finishing speaking, Ferdinand III flicked his cloak and walked away.
"Idiot." Mazarin spat at the back of Ferdinand III.
A week later, Ferdinand III returned to Vienna and began to mobilize his troops.
Almost half a month later, the Ming army entered the southern border of the Principality of Austria in the "farewell" of the Kingdom of Venice, and immediately started burning, killing and looting Austria to support the war.
Ferdinand III originally wanted to meet the Ming army in Vienna.
But after half a month, he couldn't bear it anymore and chose to take the initiative to attack.
Eventually, the two armies met in Graz, in the east-central part of the Principality of Austria.
This time, Ferdinand III really tried his best and summoned an army of 200,000.
If we include the reinforcements and militia sent by several small principalities, the total strength is as high as more than 500,000.
However, this was of no use at all. Although the Ming army on the opposite side only had 3 cavalry divisions and 60,000 men, it easily defeated the Austrian army of more than 500,000 in a single exchange of fire.
