Arthur looked at Zhang Yanling blankly, and suddenly said loudly: "Dear Duke, you are really a wise man with both wisdom and courage, kindness and forgiveness. I am impressed by your charisma. Thank you for your mercy, and may the glory of God shine.
To you, may you be blessed forever.”
Zhang Yanling laughed and waved his hands and said: "Bishop Arthur, there is no need to say this. I don't know your God, and I don't believe in him. If your God really blesses his believers, what about your country of Franco?"
How could you fail in my hands?"
Arthur rubbed his hands and smiled awkwardly. He had a set of excuses to explain why God did not take care of his believers. But these words were just for deceiving ordinary people. In front of the Duke of the Ming Dynasty, there was no need to say those words.
.
"Master Bishop, I let you go, partly because you knew the current situation and helped me. We cooperated very well. You also did some things according to my requirements. You were even almost killed by one of your own people.
This is the reward you deserve." Zhang Yanling said.
"God bless you, my lord the Duke." Arthur made the sign of the cross, his heart filled with ecstasy. Being able to leave here alive was something he didn't dare to think about.
"Don't be in a hurry to thank me, I have something else to say. In addition to the above reasons, I also want to ask you to agree to a few conditions." Zhang Yanling said.
Arthur's smile froze, thinking: I knew it wouldn't be that easy. I didn't know what kind of conditions he would put forward. No matter what the conditions were, I might be able to agree to him first and escape with my life.
Zhang Yanling said: "My Lord Bishop, as I said just now, please go back and convey my thoughts to your king, and tell him that the true purpose of our Ming Empire is not to threaten the West. We have always loved peace and do not like war.
.”
Arthur said: "I will definitely bring the Duke's words and convey them to the king."
Zhang Yanling saw that he was perfunctory, frowned and said: "Master Arthur, I am talking to you seriously. If you don't take it to your heart, then it's up to you. I keep the ugly words in my head. I, Da Ming, never
Fear any enemy, including what you said
The other countries unite to attack. I will use seven ironclad ships to annihilate your Eastern Fleet of fifty or sixty warships. Alfonso is a puss, but what about Almeida? He was defeated in my hands in the first battle. No matter how hard you attack, I will
He will also order me to fight other battles in Ming Dynasty
Ships are coming. It doesn’t take much. I only need to mobilize ten more armored ships to sweep your multinational coalition. When it comes to an all-out war, don’t blame me, the Ming Dynasty, for invading your country. Once an all-out war begins, I swear
, I will lead my Ming Dynasty
The Invincible Fleet will enter the port of Lisbon in your country of Franco and bombard your capital. You will be the first to be destroyed. By then, don’t blame me for not giving you a chance. By then, if you, Lord Arthur, fall into my hands again,
In my hands, I wasn’t as lucky as this time.”
After hearing this, Arthur hurriedly straightened up and sat upright. He did not think Zhang Yanling's words were a threat. The Duke did indeed sweep the Eastern Fleet with only seven warships. Especially Almeida's battle in the Manchuria Strait.
The defeat in the battle shocked the French monarchs and the Holy See.
There is no doubt that Almeida is the best general in the navy of the Kingdom of Franji. Even in the Western countries, no one can compare with him. He fought with several times the fleet of the Ming Dynasty but lost. What does this mean?
This shows that the Ming Dynasty was not only powerful in ships and firearms, but the Duke of the Ming Dynasty was a more powerful character than Almeida.
He did not say that he would summon dozens or hundreds of armored ships. He only said that ten more armored ships would be something that the Ming Dynasty could do, and it was a realistic statement. But because of this, it just shows that the Duke is not a fool.
No, but he really considered the possibility of an all-out war.
Even if all countries jointly attack, how many fleets can they have at sea? Fifty ships? One hundred ships? Even if there are one hundred ships, five times as many as the opponent, will they definitely win?
"Lord Arthur, we Ming people do not speak secretly. The war between my Ming Dynasty and your Franji country this time is because you put your hands into my Ming Dynasty's pockets to grab things. There is no enmity between our two countries.
Even today's situation, I still think this is a struggle of interests, not the destruction of the country.
The hatred between species. And the struggle for interests is the easiest to calm down. No one risks his life in order to get some benefits. Just like you, the people of Folangji Kingdom, will not be willing to fight against the Ming Dynasty because of this defeat.
The enemy will eventually perish, just like the country. That is called losing a big thing because of a small thing." Zhang Yanling said slowly.
Arthur nodded and said: "What the Duke said is correct. Strategic misjudgments must not occur, leading to more serious consequences. I fully agree with this."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "That's it. If you can reach an agreement with me on this point, it means that I have found the right person. So I hope you will go back and tell your Majesty the King and explain the truth clearly."
Arthur sighed: "Your Majesty, even if I go back and explain, they may not listen to me. His Majesty the King is a wise man, but the noble meeting may not agree. The destruction of the Eastern Fleet this time is not only a huge shame.
, and it is a setback for our country's eastward expansion. Anyone who says that he must be patient and forbearing at this time will definitely be regarded as weak and incompetent. Even His Majesty the King will have to deal with it forcefully."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said with a smile: "I understand. But nothing in this world is absolute. As long as you make the pros and cons clear, no one is a fool. What's more, I will also give you steps. Master Arthur, if you are willing, I will
The Ming Dynasty is willing to open water routes to connect the east and west routes for trade. I
The ports controlled by the Ming Dynasty provide convenience for your French merchant ships. And your merchant ships can arrive at our domestic ports in the Ming Dynasty for trade. You are just sad about the loss of overseas ports and the loss of colonies. But the smooth flow of trade routes, isn’t it?
What do you most want to see?"
Arthur was shocked and said: "Your Majesty, the Duke is not joking. Are you really willing to do this?"
Zhang Yanling showed his hands and said: "Why not? The smooth flow of trade routes will benefit both parties. I can sign a free trade treaty with you. The east-west waterways will be connected by sea. Your Lisbon port in France will serve as a distribution port for Western goods. All Eastern countries
All trading ships must gather and disperse at the Port of Lisbon. All ships, including those from Western countries, must comply with this.
, your country of Franji will gain huge profits, and all Western countries will act based on your face. Because once they do not comply, my Ming Dynasty will ban their merchant ships from trading in the East. Although you have lost some Eastern ports and colonies, but
You have obtained the exclusive right to distribute in western ports. Not only will you not lose money, but you will also make a lot of money. What else is there to be unhappy about?"
Arthur stared blankly and said nothing, trying his best to suppress the excitement in his heart. The blood in his body flowed faster, as if it was about to spurt out from the wound on his chest. His injured lungs also ached slightly due to the rapid breathing.
Ordinary people may not understand the meaning of what Zhang Yanling said, nor the benefits it will bring. But of course Arthur understands that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Franco Kingdom.
The route of ships from the East is to go around the Cape of Good Hope on the African continent to reach Europe. The Franconian country is the first stop, and it is the first stop. If the waterway is open, I don’t know how many ships from the East and West will shuttle between the East and the West, and trade will
The amount will be extremely huge. And if Lisbon Port is used as the only distribution center and all ships must dock at Lisbon Port for delivery, this will be a huge benefit.
The annual transaction tax will make a lot of money, not to mention the income brought by the large number of ships docking in the taverns and hotels, the ship repair and shipbuilding industry, and various other related industries.
Money is only one aspect. More importantly, the Franconian country will become the leader of all European countries. As a condition of coercion, it will take the initiative in politics, economy and military. With the already developed maritime power of the Franconian country,
, becoming the European hegemon is just around the corner.
The Duke of Ming Dynasty sent a great gift, and it was a gift that no one could refuse.
"We, the Ming Dynasty, maintain the eastern waterways. The western waterways are safe, and you, the Franco Kingdom, maintain them. Ensure the smoothness and safety of the waterways. You can set up a trade chamber of commerce in our Daming port, and we can also set up a trade chamber of commerce in your Lisbon port to connect with each other.
State agencies of both parties
, to coordinate business affairs. For specific matters, both parties can negotiate a set of measures. In short, after the golden waterway between the East and the West is unblocked, it will bring huge wealth and benefits. Lord Arthur, what do you think of this condition?" Zhang Yanling looked at
Arthur continued with an excited expression.
Arthur closed his eyes and sighed: "This is a good proposal. I think I can report this proposal to the king and the royal council for discussion. If they are not stupid, they should accept such a proposal. Your Excellency, Duke, you
Are you really willing to do this?"
Zhang Yanling said: "Of course. This is how our Ming Empire does things. We give the other party the greatest goodwill and express the greatest sincerity. If the other party still refuses to compromise, then we will fight or fight, and we will not be merciful. This will
It’s called courtesy first and then fighting. Originally, trade was easy
It is a matter of benefit to both parties. I, the Ming Dynasty, do not want to make all the benefits in the world. Only when everyone benefits, will everyone be happy. On the contrary, I doubt whether you Folangji people still have the strength to control the waterway. Do you want me, the Ming Dynasty, to send warships to station?
Lisbon Port, are you supporting me?"
Arthur hurriedly said: "No need, no need. If this matter can succeed, we will find a way. Your Excellency, I have a request."
"Please tell me."
"Can I say that this matter... is my proposal? I negotiated with the Duke as a condition that our country of Franco and Western countries will not jointly send troops to retaliate?" Arthur stammered.
.
Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "You want to take this as your credit?"
Bishop Arthur's face was slightly red, and he smacked his lips and said: "Dear Duke, you know that what I do here will definitely be criticized and criticized by some people when I return to China, and I must find a reason to defend myself.
In other words, it's about paying off crime with merit. If I go back with such conditions, they won't blame me anymore."
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "You made a good calculation, but you forced us to do this. Don't I, Ming, have no face?"
Bishop Arthur sneered and said: "God will bless you, the kind and generous Duke of the East..."
Zhang Yanling hurriedly waved his hands and said: "Well, well, don't do this with me. That's all, I'll give you a favor. Not only that, I'll give you another amulet. That is, you must be the one to negotiate on this matter.
Talk to us in detail. I don’t recognize anyone but you. What do you think?”
Arthur was almost in tears. If it weren't for the injuries on his body, he would have almost knelt down and kowtowed to this considerate Lord Duke.
"Your mind is broader than the sky." Arthur said.
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "Your flattery stinks more than a cesspool. Don't flatter me. If you really want to thank me, just do me two small favors."