On the eve of the 28th year of Chongzhen, King João IV of Portugal took his children from Dongwu Daguang into the Jinsha River, upstream, and into Yunnan.
When he first arrived in Dongwu Province, King Joao IV was still surprised when he saw the busy scene on the Dajinsha River, especially the fact that most of the ships were steam paddle-wheel transport ships.
However, you may not say how surprised you are.
Because at this time, various European countries had also begun to use steam paddle steamers, which were not a rare thing.
King João IV felt that Du Quan's words were a bit exaggerated. He said that the Ming Empire was unprecedented, and the people's lives were turned upside down, like heaven!
However, when he entered Yunnan, he began to be dumbfounded.
In Yunnan, there are trains, highways, and trucks, all of which he has never seen before.
Europe was still in a state of war at this time. Spain and France, the two countries closest to Portugal, were at war. It was impossible to build railways, and the technical content of railways was not low. Just the laying of railway tracks was very particular. Europeans just relied on
It is simply impossible to successfully build a railway from a design drawing of a steam engine.
Therefore, it was the first time for João IV and his family to take a train, and it was also their first time to take a truck.
There are smooth cement roads everywhere, and the people on the roads are all wealthy. If compared to those in Europe, they would at least have living conditions at the level of local lords.
There was no trace of beauty on the faces of the men and women. This made John IV begin to realize that Du Chu might not be exaggerating.
However, after he entered Huguang Province, crossed the Yangtze River, and took the train all the way to the capital, he was shocked again by the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.
There were also bridges in the Ming Dynasty. There were many bridges built along the rivers, large and small, that could pass large trucks or railways. He was very surprised.
If he had to think about it himself, he felt that the Ming Empire must have mastered divine power to build bridges across these large and small rivers!
Especially when crossing the Yellow River, he actually found a bridge. Although it was the dry season, the river was not wide. But he could see the traces on both sides. This river was definitely a very big river.
, actually built a bridge!
On this road, that is, the original river called the Yangtze River still needs to be crossed.
The Ming Empire was really powerful!
When he arrived in the capital, he was shocked again.
The capital of the Ming Dynasty originally had a population of more than one million. With the advent of the peaceful era, the capital, as a population gathering place and the political, economic and cultural center of the Ming Dynasty, has seen more and more people concentrate in the capital. The original city walls of the capital
Outside, houses were being expanded every year. By the time Joao IV came, the capital was already a super city with a population of about five million.
European countries do not even have a city with a population of one million, let alone a super city with a population of five million.
It was the first time for King John IV to see such a big city. It would be strange not to be shocked!
Seeing the prosperity of the capital, the crowds of people on the streets, and the dazzling array of goods on the streets, João IV's family was completely numb. If the Ming Dynasty was not a paradise, it was probably not far from the legendary paradise.
By the time he arrived in the capital, the Chinese New Year was almost coming.
The festive atmosphere of the Ming Dynasty also infected the whole family of João IV, especially his son and daughter. They immediately became obsessed with the Ming Dynasty New Year and wanted to set off firecrackers.
After John IV waited for three days, Emperor Chongzhen summoned him two years ago, formally canonizing him as the king of the Portuguese vassal state, and promised that the Ming Dynasty, as the suzerain state, would definitely send troops to help him restore his country.
In addition, the cabinet came forward to negotiate with John IV and finally reached an agreement. Portugal's colonies in South America were returned to the Ming Dynasty. In exchange, the Ming Empire would help him destroy Spain and become part of Portugal's territory.
Although the area of the colonies in South America is much larger than that of Spain, for Joao IV, the colonies in South America are just for growing crops and are far less important to him than Spain. Therefore, he very much welcomes this exchange.
of.
As for the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chongzhen knew the value of South America. As for the barren Spain, of course he was more willing to have South America. In addition, the Spaniards massacred the people of the Ming Dynasty several times in Luzon. In retaliation, they
He said he would destroy them, not just the colonists in Luzon.
This can also be regarded as the promise that "those who offend the Ming Dynasty will be punished no matter how far away they are"!
Of course, since the Ming Dynasty proposed this deal, João IV had no choice but to agree to it.
But he didn't think too much about it, so he thought less dirty, "Hello to you, I'm good to you, everyone is good to you!"
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Meanwhile, here in the West.
Since the canal on the Mediterranean side will soon be dug, and the Allied forces' prerequisite is that the Ming army cannot dig the canal to prevent the Ming Dynasty's powerful fleet from entering the Mediterranean, the Allied attack time cannot be delayed any longer.
In mid-January of the 29th year of Chongzhen, the Northern and Southern Allied Forces finally decided to launch an attack on the Ming Dynasty.
There is another advantage to launching the attack at this time. The granary of the Ming army on the northern front is the Volga River Basin, and it is mainly on its east bank. There are many rivers in the Volga River Basin. If it were changed to other times, the actions of the army would have been
must be restricted by these rivers.
However, from November of that year to March of the following year, the rivers in the Volga Basin gradually freeze from north to south. At this time in January, basically all rivers are frozen.
Therefore, during this period of time, the coalition forces can directly cross the river to launch an attack. For the defenders, there is one less natural defense point.
On the Northern Front Allied forces, a total of 250,000 troops have been assembled, including 100,000 cavalry and 150,000 infantry, composed of the most elite soldiers drawn from various countries. In the north, there are mainly two countries: the Russian Empire and Denmark.
Launch an attack on Ukraine.
To the west, mainly the coalition forces composed of the Holy Roman Empire, Sweden, Poland and the Lithuanian Federation launched an attack on the Ukrainian region.
In the southern direction, the Ottoman Empire's army was the main force, supplemented by its vassal states and other small countries in Eastern Europe. It also launched an attack on the Ming army in Ukraine.
The three attacking directions communicated with each other by cavalry, and they were not too far apart. They were so majestic and mighty.
After discovering this situation, the Ming army in Ukraine did not choose to resist, but retreated all the way east to the Volga River Basin.
On the northern front, the Allied forces recovered the Crimean Khanate and the Ukrainian region in just half a month, which instantly boosted the morale of the Allied forces.
When the good news reached the rear, the European nobles and the upper echelons of the Ottoman Empire were excited about it, and the whole country celebrated. Banquets and other events were held everywhere.
Many people even think that the Ming army is said to be so scary, but in fact it is just that! If you really want to say it, I am afraid it is not as good as the Mongol Empire back then!
However, the Northern Allied Forces Headquarters was not so optimistic. As frontline generals, they naturally saw that the Ming army was retreating on its own initiative. The coalition forces did not cause large-scale damage to the Ming army, and the territory they occupied was
They are all deserted places, and those who originally lived here are no longer there at all.
It can be said that the Ming Dynasty originally regarded these places as outposts and early warning sites. The farmland they reclaimed, the water conservancy projects they built, etc. were all on the east bank of the Volga River. All those who became the people of the Ming Dynasty also
Migrated there.
According to the information from the spy, the east side of the Volga River is now a large city without walls, with a large population gathered, many houses built, and endless farmland as far as the eye can see.
It can be said that the Ming Dynasty Expeditionary Force has been operating in Eastern Europe for several years.
These generals of the Northern Allied Forces came to the conclusion that the east bank of the Volga River was the place where the Ming army must defend, and the real decisive battle would begin when the army arrived there.
But no matter what, they will not explain these details to the rear. For them, regaining lost ground and boosting their own morale is the right choice in itself.
However, the retreat of the Ming army lengthened the Allied front and increased the pressure on logistics.
However, now that the good news has been sent back, even if the logistical pressure increases, I should be able to grit my teeth and support it!
Just like that, the three Allied forces on the Northern Front converged into one force, marching eastward in a mighty formation with a width of more than ten miles from north to south. The cavalry also protected the two wings, preventing the Ming cavalry from harassing the rear.
opportunity.
When the coalition forces reach the Volga River, it will be a life and death battle.
At this time, the morale of the coalition forces also became higher due to the retreat of the Ming army. Many people even began to imagine that after defeating the Ming army here, so many houses built by the Ming army would be reclaimed.
Tatarada is their trophy!
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At the same time, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Spain and the European countries along the Mediterranean, plus some Ottoman Empire troops, also began to launch a war in the Middle East.
On the Mediterranean Sea, an unprecedented scene took place.
The vast troop transport fleet almost covered the eastern sea of the Mediterranean. The large number of this fleet greatly improved the morale of the Allied soldiers.
With so many troops, is it possible that they still cannot defeat the Ming army?
According to the information obtained by the headquarters, the Ming army on the other side of the canal is only about 50,000. The total strength of the coalition forces has reached 200,000, which is equivalent to four people fighting against one Ming army!
Not to mention, because of the support of the Northern Allies, the firearms of the Southern Army have also been greatly strengthened!