I'm really not doing business

Chapter 141 Daming, strangled by fate

"Investment?" Zhu Yijun looked at Antonio and said, "Excuse me, prince, why did you get my investment? And you have already received investment from King Felipe II of France, who established the empire on which the sun never sets." Wang, my territory is limited to the land, oh, recently there is an extra Luzon."

When Zhu Yijun said this, the courtiers of the Ming Dynasty all looked a little dignified. The empire where the sun never sets is undoubtedly an achievement, or a great enough title, but the supreme emperor and son of heaven are actually compared by other kings go down.

The emperor of the Central Plains Dynasty, in the known world, who can be more stalwart than the emperor?
Now this title appeared in front of the courtiers of the Ming Dynasty, that is, the empire on which the sun never sets.

broken!

Zhang Juzheng's breathing was a little short. During the frequent communication with Hongmaofan, the chief assistant of the empire realized a very serious problem, and Ming's etiquette was challenged.

Under the whole world, although the land is vast, the land without a foot is not the land of the king.On the shore of the land, although there are many people, there is no one who is not a king's official.

This is the jurisprudence of the Son of Heaven, the destiny of heaven!
In an imperial country, there are only two ways to challenge the etiquette, either to win this title, or not to know this title, but now this title has been spoken from the mouth of the emperor, and his majesty knows it clearly meaning of title.

There is a globe in the side hall of His Majesty's Wenhua Palace. The meaning of the empire that the sun never sets means that the sun will always shine on the territory of the empire.

But Zhang Juzheng thought about it, and it didn't seem to be a problem. The ancestors of the Ming Dynasty brought all the known world of the Ming Dynasty under the command of the Ming Dynasty, at least in name.

Now at least one target appeared in front of Da Mingzi.

At least this title must be captured in order to maintain his supreme authority as the emperor.

"Felipe II is also my opponent." Antonio said helplessly: "I have found many people and described my plan, but no one is willing to help me, they will only laugh at my ambition and strength There is a huge difference between them, only Felipe II, as my relative, is willing to find me something to do, just like now, being a captain, and not causing him any trouble."

Finding an investor is a very difficult and painful thing for Antonio, especially for someone like him, an illegitimate child who only wins the support of the common people. Almost no one will approve of him inheriting the throne, and no one is optimistic about it. He can inherit the throne.

The current Portuguese King Enrique I is the uncle of Spanish King Felipe II, which means that Felipe II is also the legal heir to the Portuguese throne.

The Duke of Savoy, who has mastered the military in the Kingdom of Portugal, and the Duke of Parma, who has mastered the religion, are very supportive of Felipe II's succession to the throne of the Kingdom of Portugal.

If you judge the gap between Antonio and Felipe II from Daming's idiomatic words, it will be the difference between clouds and mud.

In terms of military, economic, cultural, and political aspects, Felipe II is a natural protagonist. He is strong enough and has the support of the vast majority of nobles, while Antonio only has the support of civilians.

How powerful is Antonio's opponent Felipe II?Felipe II could declare bankruptcy.

Declare bankruptcy when he can’t repay the debt, so that he can repay the old debt and borrow new debt, and he has done this twice. The creditors who lent him money must lend to Felipe II again .

Antonio has been looking for his investors, but in the end he only found Felipe II as his shipowner. Felipe II is showing a kind of kindness. If Antonio is obedient enough, he can make Antonio a rich man , instead of killing Antonio.

"You are very honest, but honesty can't impress investors." Zhu Yijun shook his head. If Antonio was a high-quality project, he would not be able to invest in him, the emperor of Ming Dynasty who is far away in the sky. There is never a shortage of careerists and speculators in the world.

Money is money, and money doesn't lie.

Antonio was also a little disheartened, but he still had to give the gift that should be given. He bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have a second gift to give."

"Daming's territory is very vast, and its population is as large as the whole of Taixi, which is less than one-fifth of the population of Daming. This is a huge ethnic group, and it is also a huge market. I own some plantations in the South China Sea of ​​Daming , there is a material that Daming needs, and its name is palm oil."

"The palm tree from West Africa, his oil palm can be used to extract oil. This is my second gift, oil."

Zhu Yijun looked at Antonio, then looked at the bowl of oil with a certain color, and said very confidently: "Prince, I suddenly understand why you are supported by almost all the common people. Your gift is not pearls, jades, or hunger. Food, cold and unclothable, you are worthy of the support of the common people."

When Zhang Juzheng talked about Emperor Jiantu, when Song Renzong didn't like pearl decorations, he said: Ming Jun valued grains but despised pearls and jade.

Palm oil is indeed not tasty, but a catty of flour and six taels of oil has 100 calories per 350g of starch, while 100g of palm oil has 900 calories, which is 16 taels per catty. One catty of oil = 2.5714 catties of starch .

Antonio continued: "Thank you for your praise, there are many people in Daming, more than the entire Taixi combined, and the land of Daming is not very much, because I can see their hunger, so my goods, for the supreme As far as your majesty is concerned, you can give birth to your majesty's people."

"I have another gift to present, I believe His Majesty the Supreme will be very interested."

The two small yellow doors lifted a box, and Antonio opened the box, and said very earnestly: "Your Majesty, this is a strange thing. Its name is sucrose, a reddish-brown sugar cube."

"Like palm oil, it wards off hunger, starving commoners, always a headache for kings, and when they get together, either kill them or turn them into mobs, so I brought sugar cubes, A candy bar that's delicious and filling at the same time."

"Sugar has become popular throughout the Western world. Sweets such as preserved fruit, biscuits, and candied fruit have become important features of the royal families of Western countries, so that the monarchs appoint officials to be in charge of the candy department. The official also needs to skillfully prepare various items for the royal table Sweets of all kinds. Servants are to learn when and how to use sugar during meals."

"In England, for example, dessert officials used sugar as a sauce for partridge and pheasant, or sprinkled on grilled herring, and the Britons also designed special utensils to slide the sticky sugar smoothly into the mouth."

"In France, sugar is used to sweeten dishes, to preserve fruit and vegetables, and to make candy decorations and models."

"Sugar sculpture is a display and show off of power, wealth and status in Taixi."

Those who sell laughter can’t sell medicine, and those who sell medicine can’t sell sugar. Selling sugar has always been a profitable industry, so Antonio was born to compete with Felipe II, who is unrivaled in the entire Tessie. Confrontational ambition.

During his many years of voyages, Antonio obtained a large amount of money and almost countless planting areas. The cost of these things is roughly the same as the shipping cost because of the common use of farm tools such as black beans.

Because of eating a lot of sugar, the royal families of the Thai and Western countries have fallen into serious oral diseases, such as tooth erosion, missing teeth, gum disease, oral cavity collapse and even disfigurement.and obesity.

"How much? How much palm oil and cube sugar can you bring in a year?" Zhu Yijun looked at the bowl of palm oil. As Antonio said, Daming has no extra land to plant palm trees, sugar cane and sugar beet, and there are too many people in Daming Yes, there is too little land, and a large amount of these lands are controlled by powerful gentry.

The gift that Antonio presented this time also included all kinds of seeds. Antonio wishfully believed that these seeds would make the Emperor of Ming happy. In fact, Antonio did it. The Ming really needed these. The little emperor recognized Antonio’s Respectful heart.

Antonio bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, palm oil and sugar cubes are packed in a kind of big barrel, which has about 20 French liters, and each barrel is one ton, which is equivalent to 1700 catties per barrel. , and I can guarantee [-] barrels of palm oil and [-] barrels of sugar cubes every year."

The tonnage tax requested by Legazit is to be collected according to the number of barrels on board regardless of the type of goods.

The unit of ton, in the third year of Wanli, is the same as the stone of Ming Dynasty. It is a unit of volume. It means a barrel that can hold 20 French liters or 34 cubic feet or 252 gallons. One hundred tons can hold one hundred such barrel.

In Taixi, the tax on ships is the ton tax of the Venetian bushel, that is, no matter what is loaded, it is levied according to the size of the ship. The most typical one is the flat-bottomed boat that transports coal from the upper reaches of the Tyne River in England to the lower reaches of the sea. Tron's coal, twopence.

"Very good." Zhu Yijun very much agrees with the number that can arrive in Hong Kong.

"Then the franchise of Liuli will be handed over to the prince." Zhu Yijun intends to end this gift offering. All of Antonio's actions are business activities, and those seeds are Antonio's gift.

"I think I may need more help." Antonio still couldn't wait to say.

Zhu Yijun said quite calmly: "That requires more bargaining chips. The seeds you donated are indeed very precious, but your purpose is for business and to open up a new market. The scale of production and sales of these things in Taixi It is almost saturated, and your plantation development has also come to a standstill, you need a huge market to continue to expand your business."

"This is a matter of mutual benefit. This is just a business, but you hope that the business will win my support for you. This is a kind of greed."

Zhu Yijun's organization is extremely clear. Antonio's seeds are indeed an excellent gift, so Zhu Yijun rewarded the franchise rights of Huangzhuang Liuliware, but the rest is business, mutual benefit and reciprocity, why should you want more? What about preferential treatment?

"Your Majesty misunderstood, I am not so greedy, I have a new gift to offer." Antonio gritted his teeth and said, why is the little emperor more like a businessman than him?Shouldn't they be talking about things like face?

In Taixi, those royal families are already poor as trousers, and they still have to wear silk. Those nobles would rather go bankrupt and maintain their dignity, but he has not seen any decent behavior from the most noble person in the world. , Every time Antonio speaks, he will fall into a terrifying illusion that he is dealing with the devil.

That was not an illusion, Antonio was indeed a demon in front of him.

But Zhu Yijun said with a smile: "Don't give it away, I have to know what you want first, if I can't give you something, such as land, such as people, such as tariff exemption, such as the exclusive right to various commodities."

"My imperial palace is indeed majestic and majestic. You have indeed seen the solemnity and solemnity. It seems that I am omnipotent. You can do anything with just a word from me. In fact, you have misunderstood, but there are very few things that I can decide. Huangzhuang's glazed wares are one of the few things I can decide on my own."

"Then you'd better not take it out, or the officials of the empire will snatch those gifts from you."

Hearing what the little emperor said, Zhang Juzheng bowed his head and said, "I am ashamed."

In an empire based on the emperor's system design, the emperor can only manage one-third of an acre of land. This is a trample on imperial power, but the current situation is indeed the case.

"Mr. is just joking." Zhu Yijun smiled and waved his hands and said, changing the chief assistant, it is impossible to do better than Zhang Juzheng, changing the chief assistant, orphans and widows, I am afraid it will be even more difficult.

Antonio clenched his fists and said: "I hope to obtain weapons, armor, artillery, muskets, crossbows, long and short soldiers, etc. I need weapons to fight against Felipe II."

"Why don't you just want a regiment of 2 people? I can pack it for you and send it there. You don't have professional soldiers anyway." Zhu Yijun sneered, and Antonio was really greedy.

"It's better that way." Antonio's eyes lit up, Zhu Yijun's eyes darkened, telling himself that it was a cultural difference, Zhu Yijun asked back, and Antonio heard it as a suggestion.

"Hongmao Fan is part of the Great Ming pirates. I can't sell you weapons, because you can't guarantee where these weapons will go, so let's go here." Zhu Yijun made it clear this time, Zhu Yijun sold Every feathered arrow that goes out may hit Daming's head.

Before the Daming Coast Guard and Coastal Defense System was established, weapons would not be sold as commodities.

"My conditions will definitely move His Majesty's heart and invest in me." Antonio said eagerly.

Zhu Yijun shook his head and said: "That way you will die faster. Felipe II will write a special letter to express his sorrow for your death and express his gratitude to me. After all, I got rid of one for him. Trouble, isn't the fall of Constantinople, the holy city in Tessi's mind, the Ottoman Sultan's intention to kill the last contender for the throne?"

"Any son of mine, chosen by God to be the sultan of the empire, is fit for him to kill his brothers for a better world order. These are Fatih's famous quotes."

The inheritance law of the Ottoman Empire is the system of succession of the guards. Whoever can kill other heirs to the throne is the only king.Whoever controls the guards of the Ottoman Empire controls the throne, or in other words, whoever the guards make king is the king.

The Ottoman Empire is the biggest enemy of the entire Taixi. In order to show the difference from the Ottoman Kingdom, Felipe II could not kill Antonio, but Antonio died in Ming Dynasty. Felipe II would only express regret and gratitude. This is a trouble, no Big or small trouble.

"I have no other choice." Antonio said helplessly: "Your Majesty, I guarantee that these weapons will be sent to Taixi instead of staying in the far east and causing trouble to Your Majesty. Otherwise, why would I carry them with me?" Galleons come here to trade?"

"Tell me about your gift." Zhu Yijun thought for a while, and finally let go.

Antonio bowed his head and said: "His Majesty seems to have built a maritime school in Songjiang Mansion, but as far as I know, His Majesty still hasn't solved some problems of long-distance voyages, and I brought solutions."

"To be more precise, it is some books. These books can solve His Majesty's troubles. This is my obedience. With Daming's stalwart, even if I am far away in Taixi, once I betray Your Majesty, I seem to be unable to escape His Majesty's attention." punish."

Legaz's whole face changed. In all the previous events, Legaz had the mentality of watching the excitement. It was a very interesting thing for an illegitimate child to fight against the mighty Philip II. Legaz was always there When Le Zi watched, when Antonio mentioned the books on the voyage, Legaz's face finally changed drastically.

Damn Merchant Antonio!He didn't know what he was giving out. It was more than 100 years of experience in voyages. This damn businessman actually gave out such an expensive gift for the sake of the throne!
"We're just a deal, not a betrayal, let's see." Zhu Yijun signaled Antonio to take out his chips.

Soon a big box appeared in front of Zhu Yijun. Zhu Yijun opened it. He had learned Latin and it was not difficult to understand. It was the same as the old case of "Zheng He's Mission to the Water". The books in this box, It is something that Daming urgently needs.

For example, in this box, there is a map "Northern and Southern Celestial Sphere Star Map", which records a large number of astrology that can only be seen in the southern hemisphere. Scurvy, etc., recorded the customs and customs of many places, and concentrated production areas such as cocoa beans, coffee, and sugar cane.

Zhu Yijun looked at Antonio and said, "I saw it, so I can't lose it. You are a stupid and smart businessman, and you know Daming very well. You know that if you say it in advance, it will be more troublesome."

"I'm in a difficult situation."

Antonio knows the Ming Empire very well, because Huo Zhe Yasan and the court pharmacist lived in Daming for a long time, and brought the thinking mode of the top of Ming to Portugal. They kept sending them back. The news was one-sided and scattered, but it was indeed very accurate news.

Ming has been in contact with Portugal longer than with Spain.

In the eighth year of Zhengde, the Portuguese businessman Jorge began to contact Daming, and Daming and Portugal have actually traded for 62 years.

Antonio is stupid because he showed his hole cards. It is a big taboo to show his hole cards in business. Similarly, Antonio is smart because he was taking risks. These chips are placed in front of the emperor, not only will he not die, but he will also get a response.

"Your Excellency, then wish us a happy cooperation." Zhu Yijun finally made a decision.

Antonio knelt on the ground respectfully, bowed his head and said obediently, "Thank you for your generosity, and thank you for your grace."

The latter sentence was spoken by Antonio in extremely unfamiliar Chinese. On behalf of the empire, Zhu Yijun agreed to Antonio's request to purchase Ming weapons.

Antonio and Legazit left the Wenhua Palace, and the courtiers all looked at Zhang Juzheng.

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, "The court meeting is canceled today, I will have a chat with Mr.

"The ministers are waiting to leave." The ministers looked at me and I looked at you. After leaving the Wenhua Palace, everyone was discussing on the road.

"Mr. is in charge of the country, but I have agreed to Antonio's request." Zhu Yijun said with a little emotion: "Mr. will not be angry."

Zhang Juzheng was stunned for a moment, and said with a frown: "Your Majesty, do you want me to go to the Meridian Gate to beheaded, or hit the pillar?"

Why don't you go back and eat a catty of arsenic?It will not be so miserable when he dies like this, at least he will not be decapitated.

"Aren't you angry, sir?" Zhu Yijun asked in surprise.

Zhang Juzheng said quite accurately: "I am the former Emperor Tuogu's minister, and I am His Majesty's lecturer, but I am also His Majesty's subject, and His Majesty has the exclusive power to manage it. I can't object to Your Majesty's decision-making."

Zhu Yijun looked at Luo Mu rolling in the autumn wind, and said a little absent-mindedly: "Xinzheng, sir, is Xinzheng's first mate, and I am Xinzheng's captain, so what is the driving force behind our Xinzheng ship? Keep moving forward?"

"I thought it was grain and silver, what do you think, sir?"

"Without silver, Daming's department stores will lose their ability to circulate, and without food, Daming will lose everything."

"It is true that Antonio and the Hongmao Fans have brought a large amount of grain and silver to Daming to sell, but whether it is active or passive, once we lose the silver brought by the Hongmao Fans, the New Deal will become unsustainable , This feeling of handing over one's fate to others is as powerless as being strangled by someone's throat with both hands."

"We now have an advantage in commodities, but after our Chinese silk, musk, pearls, etc. are transported to Malacca, they bypass the Cape of Good Hope and send them to Taixi, and the profit can be [-] times. We have everything, but the shipping route is not in our hands. As long as Felipe II exerts a little force, I can't breathe."

Zhang Juzheng thought carefully and said, "Your Majesty, it's over, it's a bit exaggerated."

If Felipe II had the ability to strangle Daming to death across the ocean, those red-haired merchants would not talk about the damn British all day long. From the description of the red-haired fan, the British lived in An island, about the size of Wa country.

Film emperor Feng Bao also didn't approve of the little emperor's acting skills.

"It's really exaggerated." Zhu Yijun nodded in approval of Zhang Juzheng's words. His acting skills were indeed a little exaggerated.

Zhu Yijun regained his expression, and said quite confidently: "In fact, the benefits that Antonio can bring outweigh the risks, so I agreed to him."

"I think so too." Zhang Juzheng said quite confidently: "Put the eggs in a basket, and it's easy to beat them."

Both the monarch and his ministers talked about their interests, and the Spaniards' dominance was not conducive to Ming's maritime trade. Only by dividing opponents all the time could they ensure their own interests.

"Sir, Zhang Han, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, recommended Xuanda Governor Wang Chonggu as Minister of the Ministry of Punishment." Zhu Yijun talked about the appointment and removal of major personnel in the court.

"I already know that Wan Shangshu found me and told me about it." Zhang Ju said with a strange face: "I didn't expect Wan Shangshu to find me. He has a good relationship with the Jin Party and the Zhejiang Party. , the relationship with the minister seems to be good?"

Wan Shihe's state is a bit weird. Wan Shihe is a good dancer with long sleeves. He wanders among several major parties. He seems to have a good relationship with everyone, but he doesn't seem to be that close to anyone. This kind of person is more like a brothel Everyone has a good relationship with those romantic talents.

How did Wan Shihe turn from being old-fashioned to this kind of person?What happened in the middle is not important anymore, the important thing is that he is like this now.

It is also necessary for the court to have such a person who is not very face-saving. Wan Shihe always appears in various occasions where he should not appear, and it is very reasonable.

"Oh? Really?" Zhu Yijun showed a sunny smile, looked at Zhang Juzheng and said, "Mr. doesn't seem to care much about Wang Chonggu's return to court."

Zhang Juzheng said quite affirmatively: "I can't question the recommendation of the Ministry of Officials. It was different then and now. If he continues to stay in Xuanda, his foundation will be deeper, and he will obstruct Daming's six-volume and one-account decree. .”

Wang Chonggu returned to Beijing before, and the capital camp was sluggish. Wang Chonggu could threaten His Majesty's authority over the prestige, but now, Wang Chonggu can no longer do so.

Wang Chonggu's life was very comfortable, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe it as a feast of wine and wine in Xuanfu. It was extremely comfortable, and then a transfer order was sent from the capital to Xuanfu, and everyone in Wang Chonggu was dumbfounded.

What are you doing back in Beijing?Returning to Beijing to face Zhang Juzheng, who cannibalizes people without spitting out bones, is insidious and cunning, and can't fight at all?

He can make money and enjoy life in Xuanda, do whatever he wants, and when he returns to the capital, layers of shackles are put on him. On Zhang Juzheng's territory, what can he use to fight against Zhang Juzheng?

"Stupid! I'm so stupid. Before you do stupid things, can you be more careful, even if you just tell me!" After Wang Chonggu returned to the capital, Zhang Siwei, Zhang Han, Wan Shihe took Wang Chonggu to Zhang Siwei's house. In the middle, Wang Chonggu cursed directly.

　It's a little late today, I'm very sorry, thank you for the 4500 point reward of "I'm sorry, ah ah", thank you for your support and recognition.Asking for a monthly ticket, woohoo!!!!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)