As the ships from both sides approached, two Ming Dynasty armored warships flanked the ship on the left and right, guarding the rear flanks of the incoming ship and preparing for battle at the same time.
"Sign up and ask the other party for their identity and purpose of coming." Chen Shiyi ordered loudly.
This is out of caution and everything is done in accordance with the procedures to avoid fraud.
The Star issued a semaphore, and at the same time moved across the hull, aiming its side guns forward. That was a standard combat posture.
Soon, the soldiers on the mast of the Fo Lang machine ship responded with a flag.
"We are ships from the Franco Kingdom, and we have no ill intentions. Please allow us to approach."
Chen Shi immediately ordered: "Order them to stop the ship, and we will get closer to inspect and identify it."
The flag signal was sent out, and the two opposing sailing ships stopped on the sea. The two armored warships that came forward approached and began to approach for identification.
At this moment, Catherine suddenly shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, that's Helena, that's Helena."
Zhang Yanling was startled and looked in the direction of Catherine's finger towards the deck of the second sailboat. He saw a slender figure walking out of the cabin and walking towards the bow of the ship.
Zhang Yanling hurriedly raised the telescope and looked at it. Who was that if it wasn't Helena? Helena was dressed in a white dress, with a graceful and slender figure, and her blond hair was flying in the wind in the sunset. There was a smile on her face, but in the telescope,
Saw the tears on her face.
"It's her. Come closer." Zhang Yanling tried her best to stay calm and ordered in a deep voice.
Catherine could no longer calm down. She waved her arms, waved the silk handkerchief in her hand, and shouted loudly: "Helena, Helena, my dear Helena..."
Although the distance was still a few miles away, the sea breeze brought Catherine's voice to Helena's ears. She had been patrolling the ship on the sea looking for the person she was looking for. When she heard Catherine's call, she quickly discovered Helena.
figure, and the figure of a familiar yet unfamiliar man in a cloak standing next to her.
"Catherine! Catherine!" Helena waved her arms and burst into tears.
The ship quickly approached, and when the gangplank between the Star and Helena's ship was set up, Catherine couldn't wait to rush over and hugged Helena. The two hugged tightly and burst into tears.
Zhang Yanling stood on the deck of the Star, watching the two women hugging and crying, with a smile on her face.
The two women hugged and cried for a long time before they calmed down. Catherine then remembered that Helena had met Zhang Yanling. Helena slowly walked to the edge of the deck, nodded and gave a half-squatting salute to Zhang Yanling who was standing on the Star.
"Dear Duke, Helena is polite. Don't come... Are you okay?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "I'm fine, what about you? We always miss you."
Helena said: "I'm fine too. Thank you, Lord Duke, for your concern."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "That's good."
After saying this, the two of them had nothing to say and looked at each other speechless.
Catherine stood aside and smiled: "Why are you so different? Helena, come with me."
Helena shook her head and smiled: "Dear Catherine, you go ahead. I am now the special negotiation envoy appointed by His Majesty the King of France. I cannot leave easily. My entourage and crew have been sailing for twenty days.
, waiting to dock at the port."
Catherine said in astonishment: "You? King's special envoy?"
Helena smiled and said, "Yes. I'll tell you more about it later."
Helena turned her head, looked at Zhang Yanling and said loudly: "Dear Duke Zhang of the Ming Dynasty, I, Helena de Almeida, have led a negotiation delegation here under the orders of my Majesty King Manuel of France.
We are negotiating with the Duke on the series of events that have occurred between our two countries and how to get along with each other in the future. May I ask, Your Majesty, can we be allowed to dock?"
Zhang Yanling was also surprised. Unexpectedly, Helena was actually appointed as the plenipotentiary negotiating envoy by the King of France. This was really surprising.
But Zhang Yanling soon understood. This group of Francois did this on purpose. They must have known about the subtle relationship between themselves and Helena, so they deliberately asked her to negotiate with them. In this case, during the negotiation,
Among them, you will take the initiative. The Francois are not fools, they are very thieves. People who can come up with such an idea are really thoughtful.
But why did Helena accept such an appointment?
"It turns out to be Special Envoy Helena. I am disrespectful and disrespectful. How can I neglect your envoy's arrival? The Invincible Fleet obeyed the order and escorted Special Envoy Helena and her entourage and welcomed them into the port." Zhang Yanling laughed.
There was a hint of ridicule in Zhang Yanling's words. How could Helena not hear it? Her face turned red and she said in a deep voice: "Thank you, Your Majesty the Duke. Catherine, are you staying? Or are you going back there?"
Catherine was stunned. She already felt that something was wrong in the atmosphere. Helena and the Duke loved each other. The night before Helena left, Catherine saw them kissing and hugging each other in the garden from the window on the second floor.
, reluctant to leave. Why is it so peaceful now that we have reunited after a long separation?
How could Helena accept the king's appointment to negotiate with the Duke? What on earth is going on?
"Katherine, you are reunited with Helena's friend. You can just stay there and reminisce with her. Come and remove the springboard." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Catherine was pulled away from her thoughts and saw several Ming soldiers removing the planks between the two ships. She hurriedly shouted: "Wait, let me pass."
Catherine turned to Helena and smiled: "Dear Helena, I will go back to the ship over there first. After entering the port, we will meet and talk again. I can't wait to ask you what happened after you left."
Helena's face showed a trace of sadness, and then she smiled and said: "Okay, see you later."
The Star left slowly and turned around. Escorted by several armored ships, the two French sailing ships slowly sailed towards the Port of Goa.
After the sunset sets and the brilliant light disappears, twilight rises over the sea and the water turns into a deep blue. The sea surface seems to be shrouded in a layer of blue mist, and the sea and sky are the same color, a mist.
…
In the castle hall of the Governor's Palace in Goa Port, candlelight is bright and the dishes are sumptuous.
Zhang Yanling hosted a banquet here to entertain Helena, the special envoy of the Franco-German negotiation, and his party. The wine was crystal clear, and the dishes were exquisite and fragrant. They were old friends reunited after a long separation. Logically speaking, this banquet should be very warm and comfortable, full of joy and laughter.
.
But in fact, the atmosphere of the banquet was very reserved and deserted.
Helena took a shower and changed into a dark dress, and sat on one side of the long table. Several officials beside her were also sitting upright, with a business-like attitude. This made the atmosphere of the entire banquet a bit...
eccentric.
Zhang Yanling's side was very casual. In addition to Catherine and Zhu Qingyi, who were dressed up, there were also several major generals such as Chen Shiyi, Wang Hongliutan, etc., but they all wore simple robes.
"Come and welcome our distinguished guests from afar. I think this is a historic moment. Since Francois has sent Miss Helena as a special envoy for negotiation, the disputes between our two countries will be resolved. The disputes between our two countries will be solved."
The future will be peaceful and bright. Everyone, raise your glasses to peaceful cooperation." Zhang Yanling raised her glass and said with a smile.
"For the sake of friendship!" Catherine whispered.
Helena smiled and raised her glass and said: "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty the Duke. We are indeed here for peace and cooperation. I think there will be a good result. However, regarding the things that happened between the Ming Dynasty and our country, Franji
, we still need to go through some specific negotiations. After all, our two countries have only experienced fierce battles. Some responsibilities need to be identified and compensated. Only by resolving the identification and compensation of previous responsibilities can our subsequent negotiations go smoothly.
Duke and others, what do you think?"
Zhang Yanling was stunned and looked at Helena with a frown. Helena's eyes were shining, but she looked serious, not like she was joking.
"Miss Helena." Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "I don't think there is any need to mention the specific negotiation matters tonight. Tonight is a banquet for everyone to wash away the dust. We will not talk about those things."
Helena nodded and said: "That's right. Helena is impatient. But I suggest that we formally start negotiations tomorrow morning. I hope to resolve the dispute between our two countries as soon as possible so that peace can come soon. Negotiate tomorrow morning, Duke
Do you think it’s okay, adults?”
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "So urgent? I originally thought that you would rest for two days and let Catherine accompany you to visit Goa Port and talk about goodbyes. Since you are impatient, then we will start tomorrow. As you wish."
Helena nodded and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty the Duke. Of course we have to say farewell, but official business comes first. Besides, Catherine can stay on my ship."
Catherine opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"Tomorrow morning, the negotiation location will be on my ship Yuanfang. We will make all arrangements. We will wait for the Duke to arrive." Helena said solemnly.
"Why on your ship?" Chen Shiyi frowned.
Helena said: "Is General Chen still afraid that we will be harmful to the Duke?"
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "According to Miss Helena's suggestion, the boat should be clean and easy to negotiate. However, Miss Helena, it is not me who will be negotiating with you tomorrow. It is my two chief and deputy envoys from the Ming Dynasty."
Helena was surprised: "What? Isn't the Duke negotiating with us?"
Zhang Yanling said: "Let me introduce the people we are negotiating with you, and you should also get to know them in advance. Mr. Wang Hong Wang, he has now been appointed as the governor of South Asia. That one is General Liu Tan, and he is Ceylon Kulen.
Governor of Port Port. The two of them will negotiate with you as the principal and deputy envoys."
Helena frowned and said: "How can your lord, the Duke, not participate in the negotiations? How can you entrust others with such an important matter?"
"They represent me." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
"No, we ask the Duke to attend. This is a major event related to the prospects of the two countries. The Duke cannot but attend." Helena shouted.
Zhang Yanling narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice: "I said, they will represent me and my Ming Dynasty. I'm afraid it won't be your turn to decide who will negotiate with you. If Miss Helena feels that it is inappropriate, then the negotiation will be cancelled. Please come tomorrow."
Go back to Folangji Country. I, the Ming Dynasty, don’t mind continuing to be enemies with your Folangji Country. There is no harm in having a few more naval battles.”
Helena was in a daze, biting her lower lip and was silent for a long time. She picked up the wine glass and drank the red wine in one sip. She whispered: "Okay, the negotiations will begin tomorrow. I am a little tired. Your Excellency, please forgive me for being rude and excuse me."
Zhang Yanling stood up and said: "Come here to see off Miss Helena and the distinguished guests from the Flemish Country."
Helena bit her lip and glared at Zhang Yanling fiercely, then stood up and left. Several officials from the Franco Kingdom also stood up and filed away.