Brother Zhu Youxiao

Chapter 577
In February, the news that the Ming army arrived in Libens swept through the entire Western and Southern Europe like a spring breeze.

Due to the deep involvement of Ming and Spain in trade, many people suspect that Daming's visit to Europe this time is actually to help Spain win the religious war.

Among them, the nobles and commoners of the Bourbon dynasty in France were most concerned about the coming of Ming Dynasty.

Nobles worry because of their interests, while commoners worry because of their own lives.

In short, when the news came, the whole of France was almost boiling.

Right now, France is being ruled by the "Justice" Louis XIII, and its population is as high as 2000 million, accounting for nearly a quarter of Europe's population.

It's just a pity that, unlike people's impression that "the Little Ice Age was not serious and Europe was not affected", Europe at this time can be said to be a crisis-ridden era.

War, hunger and heavy taxes made the French society full of tramps, beggars and outcasts.

Europe is very lucky, they have not encountered a large-scale drought like that of Ming Dynasty, but at the same time they are also very unlucky.

Daming avoided war because of Zhu Youjian, but Europe could not.

Under the situation of reduced grain production caused by the low temperature period of the Little Ice Age, Europe is still in the religious war between Protestantism and Catholicism.

The ravages and spread of the war are very vast. There are nearly 20 beggars in Paris, which has a population of nearly [-].

War impoverishes populations, which in turn leaves civilians chronically undernourished.

People born in the past 20 years are generally weak in physique and are vulnerable to various diseases and plagues.

It just so happens that the environment of Paris in this era is very dirty, the streets are narrow and winding, the houses are crowded with the streets, and the streets are full of garbage and filth.

But even in this environment, Paris still has a population of nearly 20 and [-] houses.

In such an environment, though, having too many people is not a good thing.

Since France declared its participation in the war, a large number of marginalized people lost their jobs, and farmers were unable to farm because of the war, and then became beggars.

The existence of this group of people put great pressure on the security of Paris, and the plague that appeared from time to time attacked Paris many times and claimed many lives.

Beggars huddled in the streets full of filth, and rats with shiny fur were running around in the streets, and they were trampled and crushed to death by people or carriages from time to time, adding to the stench.

It can be said that the whole of Paris is full of chaos.

However, the chaos of the common people often has nothing to do with the nobles...

"He has 1 troops, more than [-] artillery pieces, and nearly [-] warships of two to three thousand tons, all of which are equipped with flintlock guns."

When a nobleman was standing in the corridor facing the strength of the Ming army who "told the truth" from the back of a person, the person with his back turned around and walked towards the depths of the corridor.

This is a gorgeous corridor with a length of 300 meters. The corridor is very long, surrounded by trees, birds and dogs are also raised, and foxes can be seen passing by outside the corridor from time to time.

The one who is reporting is the first prime minister of the French Bourbon dynasty, the Duke of Richelieu...

The person he reported to was naturally King Louis XIII of the French Bourbon dynasty.

At this time, Richelieu had just returned to Paris from the south, and he did so because he smelled "opportunity".

"Will Daming help Felipe?" Louis XIII frowned slightly, his chin raised high, as if to show his identity.

Louis XIII was the eldest son of Henry IV, the founding monarch of the Bourbon dynasty, but he didn't have much talent.

In life, he is weak and lazy, his personality is introverted, gloomy, unlovable, and his only hobby is hunting. Therefore, under the halo of his father's "Ming Jun", he looks very stupid.

However, unlike the lazy and stupid king, Louis XIII was actually a conscientious king.

As an adult, he knew that he was not good at managing specific affairs, so he reused Richelieu. For this reason, he did not hesitate to break with his mother, wife, and younger brother, and even sacrificed himself, allowing himself to be "empty" by Richelieu.

In terms of details, he appears mediocre and lacks opinions, but at critical moments that determine the fate of the country, he can always make the right choice and implement it unswervingly.

It can be said that he is like a replica of Wanli, but the difference is that Wanli chose to exile Zhang Juzheng and his family who "overheaded" him, while Louis XIII chose to trust Richelieu.

The facts are also positive, Richelieu has lived up to his trust.

Thanks to the efforts of him and Richelieu, France, which was originally riddled with holes, internal and external troubles, and waiting to be rebuilt, has undergone continuous reforms in politics, society, and religion in more than ten years, and the country has flourished day by day.

It's just that, because of his overly strong personality and overly tough style, Richelieu seems a bit "hateful of gods and ghosts".

"I don't think Daming is here to help Felipe. Judging from their last visit to Europe, their goal may be the Americas."

Richelieu's words hit the nail on the head, and the reason why he was able to observe the intentions of Xu Xiake and others was because of the place they chose to land.

Libens, the stronghold of the Portuguese aristocracy...

Richelieu didn't believe that Ming's diplomats didn't know about the constant outbreak of rebellion in Portugal in the past few years. After all, they had established colonies in Africa, so they should be very familiar with it.

Now that they understand, every step they take should be in a direction that is beneficial to them.

For Daming, the war with the current European continent is not of any benefit to them.

On the contrary, if the European war is used to seek the New World, then everything will make sense.

Spain has the most colonies and city-states in the New World, and Spain rejected Ming's proposal to buy the New World colonies last time.

Since he couldn't buy it, Daming had no choice but to use other means.

"America..." Louis XIII murmured softly, Richelieu also nodded: "That's right, America!"

Although Richelieu is a powerful minister, he is not the kind of powerful minister who usurps the throne. Everything he does is for the national interests of France, without the firm support of the king. People like Richelieu have long been involved in complicated court struggles. ruined.

Although he made France strong, he also achieved a higher reputation than King Louis XIII.

Using France's national strength to enhance his reputation, if it weren't for the greatness and mind of Louis XIII standing in front of him, he might have died on the battlefield or in prison long ago.

Therefore, he respected Louis XIII very much, and said without hesitation:
"The reason why Felipe and the others have been able to stalemate with us for so long is mainly because Daming's goods have stabilized prices in Spain, and the saltpeter imported by Daming has given the Spanish army several times the firepower of ours."

"Now Da Ming wants to get the New World, I think we can use this to destroy the trade relationship between Da Ming and Spain."

"Destruction? How?" Louis XIII had a bad feeling in his heart, and at the same time Richelieu also lowered his head:

"We may be able to give up colonies in the New World."

"Hmm..." Hearing what Richelieu said, Louis XIII nodded calmly, which is enough to show his magnanimity. If it were Philip IV, Richelieu might have been dragged out.

Richelieu also knew that it was not good to give up the colony, but he thought it was worth it, so he explained:

"We are not at a disadvantage. Now we have less than 900 immigrants in the New World, and the annual tax is only [-] gold louis. It is easy to take them back. Five ships are enough."

"Compared to us, Felipe transports more than 400 million silver pesos and 10,000+ gold pesos through the New World every year. He will definitely not be willing to give up overseas colonies."

"As long as the countries on the New World withdraw one by one, when only Spain remains, the conflict between Ming and Spain will magnify."

"As long as we write to the three countries of the Netherlands, England and Sweden, I believe they will all give up their colonies in the New World successively."

As the greatest, most strategic, and most ruthless politician in the history of the Kingdom of France, Richelieu knew very well that war is a continuation of politics. If he can no longer win politically, the war will kill everyone, There won't be a single winner in the end.

"England, the Netherlands, and Sweden have only a few thousand taxes and a population in the New World. I believe they will be extremely happy if they know that they can defeat the Catholic League after withdrawing."

"What if they don't want to?" Louis XIII asked Richelieu, but Richelieu shook his head and said:
"They will not be unwilling, even if it is the Netherlands, which has earned the most benefits from the New World."

"The Netherlands and the Ming army fought the most. They should be very aware of the strength of Ming."

"Da Ming has the strength of an expedition of 6 to [-] people. This group of people is equipped with flintlock guns. If they attack the Netherlands from sea or land, they will not survive for a year based on the conditions of the Netherlands."

Richelieu already has a high opinion of the Netherlands. After all, the population of the Netherlands is only about 120 million, and the number of troops is only more than [-], of which [-] are navy.

It was never the army that was powerful in the Netherlands, but the navy.

But the problem is that the Netherlands' finances are mainly imported from overseas.

The former Netherlands occupied Southeast Asia, and its global commercial hegemony has been firmly established around the world.

The East India Company under its command already has more than 5000 branches, and its trade volume accounts for half of the world's total trade volume.

More than 1 armed merchant ships flying the tricolor flag of the Netherlands cruised on the five oceans of the world.

At that time, there were [-] ships in Europe, and the Netherlands alone had more than [-] ships, which was more than the total number of ships in Spain, Britain, France and other countries.

However?When the Ming Dynasty suddenly emerged and recovered Taiwan and Nanyang, the fiscal revenue of the Netherlands was almost cut in half.

Later, the Ming Dynasty marched into India, and the Netherlands was almost beaten back to its original shape.

Considering the narrow territory and sparse population of the Netherlands, it is nothing short of a miracle that it was able to become independent from the mighty Spanish Empire and once obtain the dominance of the European continent.

One of the direct reasons for creating this miracle is that the Netherlands has reformed the efficiency and ability of the country's public debt system for financing.

The performance of the Netherlands' public debt system was far better than that of Spain, and its strong financing ability provided it with a key military advantage over Spain.

During the 80-year War of Independence with Spain, the fiscal revenue of the Netherlands was in addition to the main tax revenue, and the most important supplementary source was public debt in the form of annuities and short-term bonds.

In 1568, the war budget of the Netherlands was 290 million guilders (about 82 taels).

But by 1621, the first year of the Apocalypse, its war expenditure had reached 2200 million dong (628 million taels).

The independent Netherlands has a total of seven provinces, of which the two provinces of the Netherlands and Zeeland provided 70% of the total funding, and the province of the Netherlands accounted for 58%.

Even though the Ming army successively took over Southeast Asia, India, East and South Leviathan, the war budget of the Netherlands was still as high as 1400 million guilders (400 million taels).

With a population of 120 million, it is not because the Netherlands has earned so much gold and silver overseas, but because they have begun to initiate financing in the capital market.

The Netherlands began to raise funds from the capital market in 1600, and now the country's public debt is as high as 1.25 million guilders (approximately 3571 million taels).

Although the balance of public debts of the Republic of the Netherlands surged during the war, the National Credit Deed of the Netherlands has won the full trust and favor of many investors.

As a result, the Netherlands could continue to raise war funds at a relatively low cost at the time.

However, the Netherlands has just experienced the "tulip bubble burst crisis" last year. Even if it can receive a lot of funds in the next public bond, Richelieu is not sure whether it will be able to face the almost invincible Ming navy.

The War of Independence in the Netherlands has lasted for 70 years. During this period, even the "empire on which the sun never sets" like Spain declared bankruptcy four times because of its inability to pay interest on its debts.

In contrast to the Netherlands, they have been gritting their teeth and persisting, so they can continue to succeed in financing.

However, financing requires capital, and the capital of the Netherlands is nearly [-] armed merchant ships at sea.

The biggest trading partner of these merchant ships is actually Daming.

If the Netherlands and Ming Dynasty go to war, the foreign trade revenue, which accounts for half of the Netherlands' fiscal revenue, will be cut in half, and the Netherlands will lose more than 400 million dong in fiscal revenue.

This is why Ming proposed to Spain and the Netherlands to buy colonies many times, but was only rejected, not by military means.

To put it bluntly, he cannot defeat it militarily, and is still very dependent on Daming economically.

If Spain and the Netherlands want to rebel against Daming, they are pushing themselves into the pit of fire.

Under the initiative of Ming Dynasty, the global trade that had been developed in the sixteenth century has now reached the volume and value of trade 100 years later.

The difference is that in the early eighteenth century the trade was between Europe and the New World, but now it is the three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa.

Richelieu didn't know the future, but he could tell that Daming's desire for America was stronger than anyone else.

"If Da Ming's goal is the New World, then it is impossible for Da Ming to compromise on the New World's affairs."

"As long as Ming Dynasty doesn't make compromises, the only ones who compromise are the countries. After all, they have too few troops in the New World."

"Our soldiers and immigrants in the New World are less than 900 people, the Kingdom of England has only a few hundred people and more than 1000 immigrants, and the Netherlands has experienced the capture of the Far East colonies and vigorously developed the New World. The soldiers and civilians on the New World are no more than [-] .”

"As for Sweden, Denmark and other countries, there are even fewer soldiers and civilians, only a few hundred."

"In terms of form, the most populous country in the New World happens to be Spain, with a population of 25, of which the army has more than [-]."

"These populations and troops are the biggest obstacles for Ming to win the New World, so this is also the reason why Ming visited Europe last time, mainly visiting Felipe IV."

"Other countries can still emigrate and sell their colonies, but Spain cannot."

"Immigration to the New World, they have spent hundreds of years of effort, and they will not withdraw unless they are in a desperate situation."

"This is the biggest conflict between Ming and Spain in America."

"However, this contradiction can be resolved by force, and this is also our opportunity."

Speaking, Richelieu continued to explain: "The trading partners of Spain and the Netherlands are Ming, and it is the same for Ming."

"This is also the reason why Ming had led more than 1 troops to Europe last time, but did not attack the New World."

"But if we, England, Sweden and other countries can jointly abandon the colonies, and then snatch Ming's trade volume with Spain, then Spain will be isolated in the New World."

"With Ming's trade volume with Spain, our finances can grow, but Spain's finances will decline, and once the conflicts between Ming and Spain cannot be reconciled, we can only go to war in the end."

"As long as Daming's trade volume with Spain is undertaken, then Daming can use troops against Spain."

"We can't defeat the New World, which is the rear of Spain, but Ming can!"

Richelieu's words were enlightening to Louis XIII. From their point of view, even the United Kingdom and Sweden, the interests of the New World can be completely abandoned. After all, they have only colonized for more than ten years and their population is too small.

If the New World can be exchanged for the trade tendency of Ming Dynasty, it will undoubtedly be a good deal.

The biggest gainer in the New World was Spain, followed by Portugal, and then Holland as the Netherlands.

Portugal is not yet independent, so whether it is Louis XIII or Richelieu, they feel that the two are one.

As long as the Netherlands is willing to withdraw from the New World, Ming's support for Spain will definitely weaken, and this force will be transferred to them, helping them win the war on the European continent, thereby defeating Spain and the Haburgs of Austria.

"We can withdraw, but we need the approval of England, the Netherlands and Sweden to withdraw."

Louis XIII is not stupid, only the withdrawal of their family is useless to the whole plan.

He is sure that England and Sweden will withdraw from the New World. After all, there are not many immigrants and troops in the New World.

But for the Netherlands, Louis XIII seemed very uncertain.

"On the basis of supporting the independence of the Netherlands, we can ask Ming to provide enough supplies to help them seize Artois, Flanders and other places."

Richelieu wanted to use the "Spanish Netherlands" area between France and the Netherlands to withdraw the Netherlands from the New World.

If this plan can really be realized, then the Netherlands will definitely be willing to give up the New World.

After all, domestic territories are real, while overseas territories are imaginary.

Even if the New World can bring gold and silver to the Netherlands, the Netherlands, which has been defeated by the Ming Navy many times, will probably weigh the pros and cons after learning of Ming's intentions for the New World.

Their colonies in the New World are not as stable as Spain. Once a conflict breaks out with Ming and they lose at sea, the Netherlands’ finances will suffer a huge crisis, and the capital market will choose to withdraw capital. The Netherlands’ War of Independence will fail. .

"This time, the Netherland can lead the five-nation negotiation with Ming. As long as it succeeds, the Habsburg Dynasty will definitely suffer heavy losses."

Richelieu said so firmly that Louis XIII immediately expressed his opinion after hearing the words:
"If that's the case, then this matter is up to you."

"Please rest assured..." Richelieu returned a salute, and then exited the bustling Louvre.

Not long after, Richelieu personally led the team to prepare for the Netherlands. At the same time, he also wrote letters to the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Sweden, and sent an invitation to visit the Ming Fleet where Libbens stayed.

This series of changes took half a month to ferment, and the first to get the news was naturally England across the English Channel.

At this time, England entered the period of the Stuart dynasty, and the king was Charles I.

The current Charles I has been in power for 13 years, but during these 13 years, what he brought to England was endless wars and chaotic religious conflicts.

The English subjects under his rule generally distrusted his beliefs, but Charles I still ignored it.

Last year, Charles I and the Archbishop of Camberley urged the bishops of Scotland to make it mandatory for the Church of Scotland to observe a new "Book of Common Prayer".

The elders of the Church of Scotland objected and boycotted it, and the result of the boycott was a riot in Edinburgh, which quickly led to a nationwide boycott in Scotland.

A few days before Richelieu's letter was delivered to London, the Scottish people made a "national covenant" and determined to maintain their religious teachings.

Obviously, if things go on like this, there will be a war between Scotland and England.

Such a situation, coupled with the fact that both the House of Commons and the House of Lords of England's internal parliament were complaining that Charles I's war with Spain for the sake of French Protestantism was mishandled, and they continued to oppose Charles I's attitude towards the Church of England, so Charles I realized that this was a good idea. Opportunity.

If he can increase the volume of trade with Ming and thus collect more taxes, then the parliament will shut their foul-smelling mouths.

If he can obtain a large number of flintlock guns from Ming, then he can deter the people of Scotland and continue to implement his own religious policy.

All this is enough for him to give up his colony in the New World.

From this point of view, facing Richelieu's invitation, Charles I undoubtedly chose to agree.

As a result, in the five-nation talks targeting Daming and Spain, two countries have already agreed to talk.

Next, we only need to resolve the Kingdom of Sweden and the Union of the Netherlands, and then get the opportunity of Ming to visit, the five-nation talks will be half successful...

(End of this chapter)