Chapter 1441 Plans for Europe - The Demands of the Three Republics
"I love you." Yunxi said as he roughly glanced around the five people. Among them, Quijano has seen him many times, so he doesn't need to pay attention. James Churchill is a newcomer and an Englishman. Yunxi originally
It should be noted that England has not yet risen and is still fighting with France on the mainland, so it can be ignored for the time being. His eyes are entirely focused on the remaining three people.
The man who first spoke, who called himself Diego de' Medici, was not tall or strong, but his clothes were very neat and had many patterns on them. At first glance, he looked like a typical wealthy European aristocratic man. And
He is very young, Yunxi guessed that he is only in his early twenties, and he can be easily despised. Of course, Yunxi will never despise him, and even on the contrary, he attaches great importance to him. A person can be appointed as an envoy at a young age
Ming Dynasty must be outstanding.
The other two men, Nicolo Doria and Alessandro Gordenigo, were both around thirty years old. They were tall and well-dressed. Their clothes were expensive but not gorgeous. Their attitudes were neither humble nor overbearing.
After giving permission, he stood upright on the spot, motionless. Yunxi could tell almost at a glance that these two people must have been officers.
Yunxi was still looking at it when he heard Jijano say: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Emperor, the regent and queen of our country asked envoys to wish your majesty long life, may the Ming Empire live forever, and wish the queen of the Ming Empire eternal youth.
, I wish His Royal Highness the Crown Prince good health."
Yunxi came back to his senses and said with a smile: "I also wish the king of Castile health and longevity, and the queen eternal youth."
Clavio immediately translated these two sentences into Castilian, and Quijano bowed to express his thanks.
"In addition, after the regent of our country learned that today is the birthday of the fifth emperor of the Ming Dynasty every year, he ordered me to express a happy birthday to the fifth emperor of the emperor and at the same time give him a birthday gift: a knight's sword."
Having said this, Jijano turned around and signaled to an official of the Ming Dynasty. The official then walked to Jijano with his hands raised, letting Yunxi see the box in his hand. Jijano opened the lid of the box
, took out the long sword inside and showed it, and introduced: "This is a European knight's sword, specially prepared for knights who fight enemies on horseback."
"This knight's sword was the sword used by the regent of our country when he first led the knights to the battlefield to deal with the Tianfang cultists in Granada. The regent asked me to give this sword to the fifth son of the emperor. I hope the fifth son of the emperor will
Like His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's knights, he conquered the north and south, expanded his territory, and guarded the Ming Dynasty."
"Good." Yunxi praised. Although this gift is not of high value, it is very thoughtful, especially the sword that Prince Ferdinand used. The meaning is even better. He likes it very much. "When you go back, tell me on my behalf
The regent of your country expresses my gratitude."
Fu An felt a little inappropriate when he heard this conversation. What Yunxi just said almost put the Ming Dynasty on the same level as the Kingdom of Castile. But after all, Fu An had stayed in the Tamerlane Khanate.
People who have been there for many years, unlike officials who have never been to the West, know that there are powerful countries in the West, and it is almost impossible for the Ming Dynasty to interfere in these Western countries, so they finally decided not to say anything.
"In addition to the greetings from your country's regent and queen, I am most pleased that artists such as Lorenzo Gilberti and Donato Baldi can come to Ming Dynasty. The artistic development of Ming Dynasty is completely different from that of Europe, and
I am very interested in European art, and I am very happy to see them in the Ming Dynasty." Yunxi added.
"The Ming Dynasty was the most powerful country in the world at this time. Marco Polo's travel notes described the Ming Dynasty as a rich land full of gold. It was also a place with completely different civilizations for Europeans. Artists who like to experience novel things will certainly want to come.
To Daming. In fact, if Daming was not too far away from Europe and the road was not very safe, more artists would be willing to come to Daming."
"Moreover, the people who are more willing to come to Ming Dynasty than artists are scientists. Your Majesty's treatment of scientists is too generous. Regardless of whether the research has practical uses, they can become officials, receive salaries from the state, and even receive money for research.
, this is hard to imagine in Europe.”
"In Europe, only a very small number of scientists can get funding from the church, the state, the nobility or businessmen to conduct scientific research. The vast majority of people have to make their own money for research funding, and only the very lucky people can obtain valuable research results.
Recover the research funds invested. So when they learned that His Majesty gave scientists such generous treatment, they all wanted to come to Ming Dynasty. There were also scientists who came with me this time. But they and Borunevsky or the last time I
The Tianfang religious scientists I met are quite different, and they are not well-known in Europe. They are only second- and third-rate scientists."
'After a few years, you will know my intention of recruiting these scientists.' Yunxi thought in his heart, but did not say it out loud. Instead, he said: "Even second- and third-rate people may not be unable to obtain useful information."
Results. I am very happy that you can bring scientists again, and I want to reward you."
"Listen to my reward: Give the envoy of the Kingdom of Castile, Quijano, a pair of gold coins."
"Thank you, His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, for the reward." Jijano immediately saluted and thanked him happily, and at the same time thought in his heart: 'Ruyi is a handicraft spread in the Ming Dynasty. Now that Europe is very curious about the Ming Dynasty, it will definitely sell well.
The price. Especially since it is made of gold, it is of high value. I will make a lot of money this time.'
However, after he was happy for a moment that he got Jin Ruyi, who could be sold for a lot of money, he immediately calmed down and thought about how to speak next. The most important thing for him was to convince the Emperor to accept the Castilian marriage and alliance.
The proposal to control Egypt requires at least reaching some trade agreements. However, he glanced sideways at the other three people. They were here, what should he say?
He was thinking when he suddenly heard Yunxi say: "Jijano, I have met you three times, this is the fourth time. The Kingdom of Castile has also established contact with the Ming Dynasty for eight years; but these three people
," he pointed at the three people besides him and James Churchill, "the countries represented by these three people are sending envoys to the Ming Dynasty for the first time. I just listened to Claviyo's introduction, and I also know about these three countries.
Very interested. So Quijano will take a rest first, and I will chat with the envoys from Venice, Genoa and Florence."
"Thank you for the gift, His Majesty the Emperor. I happen to be a little thirsty too. Please ask His Majesty the Emperor to ask the servant to give me a bowl of water." Quijano took the opportunity to say.
"Okay." Yunxi agreed with a smile, and ordered the eunuch to bring him a bowl of water. Then he turned to Diego de' Medici and said, "I remember, you just said your name is Diego de' Medici.
Medici?”
"Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor." Diego de' Medici bowed and saluted, replying in Italian.
Clavio immediately translated this sentence into Chinese. Clavio had engaged in diplomacy in many European countries and knew seven or eight languages. Italian was of course among the languages he knew; and Italian, Castilian
The difference between Castilian and Portuguese is very small, and they can communicate directly. Therefore, although Quijano has been speaking Castilian just now, Diego Medici and three other people can also understand it.
"I just heard from Clavijo that your country of Florence is a republic?"
"Yes," Diego Medici immediately introduced: "We Florentines believe that matters involving the majority of people should be decided by all citizens in accordance with legal procedures. In this way, freedom can develop and justice can be achieved in Florence.
can be guaranteed. Of course, the vast majority of citizens do not have enough time to participate in political life. They elect members of the Assembly through elections. These people supervise the government, administer justice, abolish laws, and ensure equality. In this way, Florentines can enjoy both
Free, yet constrained.”
Yunxi picked his ears and interrupted: "I'm just asking casually. I might as well discuss the introduction of the political system when I have free time. It's almost noon now, and I don't want to delay the time. I'm asking you, what are you doing here?
What is the purpose of this mission to the Ming Dynasty?"
"The Republic of Florence hopes to establish diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty and is willing to surrender to the Ming Dynasty. After that, I hope you can allow me and other envoys from Florence to move relatively freely within the Ming Dynasty, and at the same time allow them to enter the Ming Dynasty's schools to learn knowledge." Die
Go Medici said concisely and concisely.
Florence is different from Venice or Genoa. The pillar industries of Florence itself are the textile industry and the financial industry. First of all, due to the distance, it is almost impossible for their financial business to be carried out in the Ming Dynasty; even if the Qin and Fan's foreign trade business requires finance, this
The trade routes were controlled by Venice, Genoa and Castile, and it was impossible to leave financial business to the banks of Florence.
As for textiles, except for a small number of high-end clothes that are actually luxury goods, due to huge transportation costs, even cheap things will become very expensive. It is impossible for ordinary clothes to be shipped to Ming Dynasty for sale, so Florence did not
How much desire to have business exchanges with Ming Dynasty.
But the Florentines were very curious about the system of the Ming Dynasty. How did this powerful country that could defeat the Tamerlane Khanate operate? What method did it use to collect taxes? What was the military system like? Kara
Vieux's diary has not been fully disclosed by the Kingdom of Castile. Moreover, even if it is disclosed, the system of the Ming Dynasty is difficult for Europeans to understand. Therefore, many European humanities scholars want to come to the Ming Dynasty to find out. At this time,
Florence is the cultural center of Europe and has many humanities scholars. It happened that the three countries of Castile, Venice, and Genoa wanted to send envoys to the Ming Dynasty. After many humanities scholars requested it, the Florentine government sent an envoy mainly composed of humanities scholars.
Of course, the controllers of the Florentine government were not completely without their own purposes. At the beginning, European republics were a collection of free merchants, but with the exception of Venice, these countries slowly moved towards oligarchy, and Florence was no exception. At this time
The Medici family and the Albizzi family have gradually approached the oligopoly. These two families have a good understanding of the monarchy and dictatorship system implemented by the Ming Dynasty in the East and can be maintained for a long time. As for the cost of the trip, it is
The goods were carried by messengers to the East for sale and acquisition.
However, after hearing what Diego Medici said, Yunxi was a little suspicious: ‘Is there really such a literary and artistic team of envoys?’ He didn’t quite believe it.
But the facts are here, and this kind of mission that seems to come to learn the advanced culture of the Ming Dynasty is also liked and praised by Confucians. Even if he has not received orthodox Confucian education, Fu An, who started as a small official, his eyes lit up after hearing this, and others
There is no need to mention what the minister would think after hearing this. Yunxi could not question it face to face. He could only say: "I am very happy that your overseas country is willing to learn Ming culture. Of course I agree. However, I still have to discuss how to arrange it.
The courtiers will discuss it."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor." Diego Medici also knew that it was impossible to let go completely right away, and it was already very difficult to get a consent in person.
Having said this, Diego Medici had nothing to say and took a step back. Niccolò Doria and Alessandro Gordenigo looked at each other, and finally Alessandro, who represented Venice,
Dro Gordenico stepped forward and saluted: "Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Ming Empire, the purpose of this mission of the Republic of Venice is to reach a more extensive trade agreement with the Ming Dynasty."
"What kind of agreement?"
"The Republic of Venice and the Republic of Genoa hope that Ming Dynasty can reduce export tariffs and reduce the existing 10% export tariff to 5%. Of course, this is not a unilateral act. The Republic of Venice and the Republic of Genoa will also reduce export tariffs on goods."
"In addition, since the Ming Dynasty and European countries have different currency specifications, they hope to agree on a unified exchange rate to facilitate trade. In order to facilitate currency exchange, the Republic of Venice and the Republic of Genoa hope that the four countries of Ming Dynasty, Castile, Venice and Genoa can
Jointly funded the establishment of a bank responsible for currency exchange business, and also has functions such as accepting deposits, issuing coins, and selling bonds. In this bank, Ming Dynasty holds 49% of the shares, and Castile, Venice and Genoa each hold 17%."
"Third, I hope that Ming Dynasty will allow us to set up an embassy in Tashkent and send permanent envoys." Alessandro Gordenigo made three requests in succession.
"The Republic of Venice and the Republic of Genoa are willing to formally profess vassalage to the Ming Dynasty and pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty every year." He finally said.
Before Alessandro Gordenigo finished speaking, Quijano smiled unkindly. He could guess without listening that the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty would definitely not agree to these requests. (To be continued)
