I'm really not doing business

Chapter 178
Both Gao Qiyu and Xu Fan are extremely professional envoys, so they called Felipe II the king instead of the emperor, and Felipe II was not the emperor. This is a very certain fact that even Felipe II would admit .

If Felipe II was not a believer, he could still try to proclaim himself emperor, but his personality is set as a devout believer and a vanguard of anti-Protestantism, so the word emperor is destined to have no chance with Felipe II.

Don Juan said that Felipe II wanted to create an illusion that the empire on which the sun never sets and Ming had the same status.

But Felipe II was really not an emperor.

The word "emperor" corresponds to Imperator in Latin, which means a triumphant general and the supreme military commander.

Later, it gradually evolved into a synonym for the supreme ruler of the known world.

In fact, Gao Qiyu and Xu Fan have always believed that the word Caesar can describe the emperor more accurately, and this word means Caesar.

The emperor was defined in this way in Ming Dynasty. The supreme ruler of the known world, the nominal co-lord, has become so used to the definition that it is difficult to give up.

The supreme ruler of the known world is very easy to understand, that is, in the known world, he is the co-lord of the world. Similar titles include Tian Khan, the Lord of Kings, and the Maharaja of the Universal Unity. The respectful title given to the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty at that time, during the Yongle period, he bowed his head and proclaimed himself a minister wherever he could go.

The co-lord in name, even if a powerful minister is in power, he is the emperor, he is the emperor.

Cao Cao coerced the emperor to order the princes, so Cao Cao was only the king of Wei, not the emperor at the end of his life. Similarly, the current Ming Dynasty is Zhang Juzheng, the emperor Youchong; before that, it was Gao Gong, Li Chunfang, Xu Jie, Yan Song, Xia Yan, etc. When the country was in power, Emperor Jiajing and Emperor Longqing didn't care too much. Although these chief ministers could make decisions about most of Ming's affairs, the supreme ruler was still Emperor Ming.

The third one is so used to it that it is difficult to let go. In fact, the Central Plains Dynasty had realized a long time ago that the world might really be huge. An unattainable dream, Zhang Qian, the envoy of the Han Dynasty, has already opened the door to a new world for the great Han. Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty made seven voyages to the West, exploring the vastness of the world.

But I have become accustomed to being called the emperor, so I no longer care about why the emperor who is the three emperors of virtue and the five emperors of merit is not the supreme ruler of the known world.

This definition is somewhat conflicting and contradictory, but conflicting and stable states are ubiquitous.

Even though the Spanish Empire is an empire on which the sun never sets, Felipe II is not an emperor. At this time, there are two emperors in Taixi, one is the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and the other is the Ottoman Sultan who broke through Constantinople.

The Holy Roman Empire is indeed neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire. The Ottoman Sultan is even more pagan, but he is indeed the emperor. The emperor of the Ottoman Sultan is very authentic. After all, the Ottoman Sultan is really eliminated. The Eastern Roman Empire took the throne.

Gao Qiyu went on to say: "Why does the king have such a mentality? Is the conflict between us already so intense that we have to fight each other? I don't understand, the king Why is there such confidence."

"I heard that Don Juan, the commander-in-chief of your country, was defeated by the Ottomans when he seemed to be fighting for Tunisia the year before last. The other general, Ulrich Ali, captured the King of Tunisia and sent it back to Junbao. Oh, now It should be called Istanbul."

"The threat of the Ottomans is imminent, and the king actually wants to attack Daming, which is thousands of miles away. This is really inconceivable and incomprehensible."

Gao Qiyu's words directly poked Felipe II's lungs, and talked about Felipe II's defeat.

In the second year of Wanli, Tang Juan was defeated in Tunisia.

General Ulrich Ali of the Ottomans was defeated in the previous sea battle of Lepanto. After returning, Ulrich suffered a lot and won back in the second year of Wanli. Don Juan's defeat in Tunisia was very detrimental to Spain's strategy. For the defeat of Don Juan proves two things, the first is that the Armada is not invincible; the second Spain is not invincible;
The Tunis Strait divides the entire Mediterranean into two, the East and West Mediterranean, and Tunisia is the land of the key. Whoever owns the Tunisia region will have the initiative in the Mediterranean.The victory of the Ottoman Kingdom in the Tunisian battlefield allowed the Ottoman Kingdom to gain this strategic initiative in the struggle for sea power in the Mediterranean.

The defeat of Don Juan, the commander-in-chief of the Holy Alliance, made the whole Taixi very disturbed.

When Felipe II heard Gao Qiyu talk about the defeat in the Tunisian naval battle, his face became even more ugly. He looked at his younger brother. If it hadn't been for Don Juan's defeat in Tunisia, he wouldn't have been ridiculed so much by the envoy of Ming Dynasty.

The cause of the matter was provoked by Felipe II. He first made a head start, saying that his army was invincible and able to conquer all the places he wanted to conquer, which aroused Gao Qiyu's counterattack.

Moreover, Gao Qiyu's counterattack was so sonorous and forceful that Felipe II was a little unbearable, but he had to accept this kind of humiliation.

"Yes, the situation in Tunisia is just like what the envoy said, but we will definitely win it back." Felipe II said a little on the scene, and no longer mentioned the matter of conquering Ming Dynasty.

"Really? Then I wish the king his long-cherished wish as soon as possible." Gao Qiyu gradually lowered his aggressiveness, and began to talk to Felipe II about the trade with Daming, and confirmed some details of the mutual business.

This kind of trade is partially reciprocal. For example, if Da Ming agrees to enter Da Ming with a galleon assigned by Felipe II, then when Da Ming’s sail boat comes to Seville, it should not be blocked. Da Ming has a ban on raw silk, and Fei Lippe II found that he did not have a corresponding ban. Should silver be banned?

This kind of trade is also partially unequal. For example, Daming enjoys absolute pricing power over goods, but Felipe II firmly opposes this. The two sides have not reached an agreement on this matter. Gao Qiyu is not in a hurry, let alone quarreling. No shouting either, just skipped the subject.

When protected by strong soldiers, the advantages of commodities are fully reflected.

It is you Spain that needs Daming's goods, not me, Daming, supplying them at your doorstep. This is completely a seller's market. Even if Felipe II disagrees on the surface, Spain can only accept Daming's price increase.

The premise that commodity advantages can do whatever they want is that Daming must have enough force to guarantee Daming's commodity advantages.

After some results were achieved on these key issues, the atmosphere became heated.

Felipe II specially tossed a Chinese hall to display goods from Eastern commerce, such as silk, porcelain, colored glaze, etc., and the painting of the Nanjing glazed tower brought back by Antonio was placed in the middle. Lippe likes this glazed tower very much.

"If possible, I hope to build such a tower with all glass, but it can't be done. The huge military expenditure has already made me bankrupt twice. Although I can pay off these debts, there will always be some hopelessness. If there is no bad effect, it is blooming quietly, such as the general resistance in the Netherlands in the Low Countries." When Felipe II took Gao Qiyu to visit the China Hall, he looked at the glazed tower, full of yearning.

He wanted to build one too, but there weren't enough craftsmen, or he couldn't.

"You are a wise monarch. Your diligence has been heard even as far away as Daming." Gao Qiyu did not hesitate to praise himself, and said with a smile. What he said was sincere. Compared with the lazy Emperor of Ming, Fei Lippe II was definitely industrious.

"Oh? Really? Thank you for your praise." Felipe II was delighted when he heard that. If he praised him in other aspects, he might think that Gao Qiyu was from a business point of view, but the matter of diligence , even the Netherlands, which was most opposed to him, was very much in favor of it.

Sincerely or out of politeness, Felipe II can still tell the difference.

Felipe II had to deal with 2000 official documents a day at most, and spent seven hours a day on these official documents. He once talked with his secretary Maria Jose Rodriguez Salga Too many complaints: There are always [-] documents in front of me, and after disposing of them, there will be more the next day.

In order to reduce these cumbersome official documents, Philip II specially set up several councils. Although these councils can share some common affairs for him, these councils are difficult to coordinate with each other, and they all need Felipe II. I deal with it.Most importantly, and in many cases, the resolutions reached by the council will conflict with the king's opinion, or even run counter to it completely.

In order to make sure that he or the council's decision is more beneficial to the empire, Felipe II will also write letters to the governors of various places, personally ask their opinions, and then deal with it.

"Is the Emperor Ming also equally diligent?" Felipe II asked curiously. He really didn't know the life of the Emperor Ming. Li Yazi's letters did not describe the emperor's life clearly. He really didn't know, he didn't know much about the life of Emperor Ming, even in Daming, he didn't know much.

Felipe II's words accidentally poked Gao Qiyu's lungs.

Was Emperor Ming diligent?the answer is negative.

Emperor Jiajing has not been to the court for more than 20 years, and sometimes even the memorials can be backlogged for several months. However, Emperor Longqing directly turned on the hidden mode and handed over all of them to the courtiers. When the Aoshan Lantern Festival was held, Emperor Longqing was a foreign minister for a year. When talking the most.

This should have been a question that Gao Qiyu couldn't talk about.

"Yes! Our emperor of Ming Dynasty has also worked very hard."

"Our Majesty is only 14 years old this year, but after getting up at five o'clock, he began to listen to the government, give lectures, practice martial arts, farm land, study agricultural books, arithmetic, calendar, and write letters to officials from all over the world to appease him. They, especially those who practice martial arts, can already open a 14-jin hard bow at the age of 63." Gao Qiyu talked about the hard work of the Ming emperor, and he couldn't help puffing out his chest.

Gao Qiyu didn't know the emperor's hard work. After Zhang Juzheng kicked him out of the Quanchu Guild Hall, Gao Qiyu made a special effort to understand it, and then he figured it out. It turned out that the Emperor Ming changed his temper and became diligent!

This kind of diligence is so incredible, it is as magical as the sun coming out from the west.

Gao Qiyu didn't believe it at first, but after meeting His Majesty at Xuanwu Gate and seeing His Majesty's hard work in Baoqi Division, he could no longer question the iron-clad fact. Although this incident is very outrageous, it did happen.

Born noble, he actually knows what a heavy burden is on his shoulders, and he works hard to become a scholar of Hongyi.

But now, Gao Qiyu had fulfilled the mission assigned by the emperor very well. He came to Taixi to meet the King of Spain. While presenting the letter of credence, he also reached a number of specific agreements on business exchanges.

"So hard?" Felipe II said enviously: "An emperor who rules a population of 14 million, whose territory even surpasses the whole of Taixi, the Ming emperor, is only [-] years old, so hardworking, it is indeed an empire. lucky."

Felipe II really envied that for an heir to an empire and the helm of an empire, diligence is inevitable.

But his son Don Carlos, because of the relationship between the eldest son and the heir, committed crimes, and finally became an unscrupulous and lawless lunatic. Although Felipe II kept emphasizing that his eldest son, Don Carlos, was sick, but Felipe II himself knew that his son went crazy after being imprisoned by him because of his arrogance and willfulness.

His heir, Don Carlos, although the joint prince, Don Juan, intended to overthrow the rule of Felipe II, and even publicly criticized Felipe II many times, but the reason why Felipe II made up his mind to imprison his son , it was Don Carlos who let the shoemaker eat the shoes.

Gao Qiyu and Xu Fan are going to take part in a grand tour next, starting from Madrid and traveling throughout Thailand and West. This grand trip is planned to go to Lisbon, France, the Netherlands and England, and then to Austria, Germany, and the Holy Roman Empire And Tsarist Russia, if possible, would also go to the Ottomans.

Gao Qiyu didn't plan to go to Rome to meet the pope, and he didn't say anything strange, just like Felipe II didn't understand that the emperor of Ming Dynasty didn't need the canonization of the Holy See, and the people of Ming Dynasty didn't understand the fact that the envoys of the world canonize the king of the world .

Don't talk about Buddhism and Confucianism, it is Confucianism, Master Yan Shenggong's family, but if you have a little bit of this kind of thinking, even breathing is a mistake.

Gao Qiyu and Xu Fan will stay in Taixi for a long time, observe the customs of various countries, record them in the records, and send them back to Daming. This is the second mission of their mission.

At the beginning of April in the fourth year of Wanli, Gao Qiyu and Xu Fan set sail again and set off for Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

But at this time, the emperor of Ming Dynasty, who was far away in the sky, listened to the government at the imperial gate as always, and the long table of the Wenhua Hall, where the nine ministers of the Ming Dynasty were adjudicating the court, was empty.

Four months passed in a flash, and Zhang Juzheng still hadn't found a suitable Minister of the Ministry of Officials.

"Today, no matter what, we have to decide on a Minister of the Ministry of Officials." Zhang Juzheng's tone was a little helpless. It is not difficult to choose the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, but it is very difficult. "

"Yuanfu, although I have an errand in the Ministry of Punishment and work in the official factory of the Ministry of Industry, I will definitely not be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials." Wang Chonggu immediately objected, and he himself objected to being the Minister of the Ministry of Officials.

From the Ministry of Punishment to the Ministry of Officials, if Wang Chonggu agreed, he would be able to control the selection of hundreds of officials. It seems to be a flat transfer, but it is a real promotion with greater power.

Wang Chonggu's refusal to agree was because he knew what he was doing, and his identity should not be contaminated too much, even if he was to join the cabinet, he should not be in charge of the election.

The power of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice is not too big or too small, just right, Wang Chonggu is only thinking of making money, and joining the cabinet is also running around for the affairs of the government.

"It's justifiable that the big Sikou doesn't want to go to the Ministry of Officials to be a minister. Why don't you let Zongxian Ge do it?" Wang Guoguang suggested that Ge Shouli, Yang Bo is the leader of the Jin Party, Zhang Han is the Jin Party, and Wang Chonggu is a member of the Jin Party. It is better to let Ge Shouli, the leader of the Jin Party, continue to work.

"I don't want to do it. I am old and weak, and the official department is busy with official duties. I can't do it. If I am asked to do it, then I can only become an official." Ge Shouli refused very clearly. The reason for Ge Shouli's refusal was very simple. The yamen is busy with general affairs, and he can't handle it. He is old and old. His Majesty gently persuaded him to stay when he became an official last time, but Ge Shouli has gradually faded out of the core of power and concentrated on party building.

The Minister of the Ministry of Officials is the inherent territory of the Jin Party. Whether it is Yang Bogao and Zhang Han, they are all Jin Party members, so candidates for the Jin Party must be nominated.

But this person can't be an extremist, such as Zhang Siwei, that is absolutely impossible, what Zhang Han did in this position is really a bit tingling.

Zhu Yijun coughed lightly and said: "I said that I would let Mr. take the lead, but Mr. refused, then the position of Minister of the Ministry of Officials has been vacant for four months, and the Ministry of Officials is fine. Why don't we get a sign with the name of the Ministry of Officials engraved on it?" Shangshu, let Paizi be the official secretary?"

The level of the little emperor's humiliation was recognized by both inside and outside the Ming Dynasty.

What these words mean is that it is better than Zhang Han to get a brand to be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials.

Zhang Juzheng was silent for a while and said: "Your Majesty, I still have someone to propose. I propose that the Minister of Rites, Wan Shihe, and the Ministry of Rites have Ma Ziqiang, the Minister of Rites and the vice president of "Da Ming Hui Dian", as the Minister of Rites."

Don't say it, really don't say it, Wan Shihe is really suitable to be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials.

Wan Shihe was born in the Jin Party, Wan Shihe was ordered to sit on the wall, Wan Shihe was not extreme, even too smooth, he was indeed an excellent candidate, this is a key position in the power struggle, and it is not a bad thing to have such a person in power.

At least Wan Shihe's temperament will not further intensify the conflict between the Zhang Party and the Chu Party. He is ordered to sit on the fence, and he can visit the Quanchu, Quanjin, and Quanzhe Guild Halls.

Everyone looked at Wan Shihe, Wan Shihe pointed to himself and said, "Me? What can I do, I won't do it."

"I agree." Wang Chonggu took the lead in agreeing, and all the other people sitting on it were grilling on the fire grill, except Wan Shihe, who made Wan Shihe smooth?

Wang Guoguang thought about it seriously, nodded and said, "I also agree."

Ge Shouli smiled and said, "I have no objection."

Minister of the Ministry of War Tan Lun thought over and over again, and said with a smile, "Very good."

Seeing that more than half of the people agreed, Zhang Juzheng bowed his head and said, "What do you think, Your Majesty?"

"Excellent, it's decided, let Uncle Da Zong be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials." Zhu Yijun thought about it for a while, and felt that there was no problem. is enough.

After Ma Ziqiang printed the emperor's map for the little emperor, he returned to his hometown. , Under the background of psychological history, Ma Ziqiang's knowledge is also no problem.

It is very worth noting that no one recommended Zhang Siwei.

"It's so good, how can I be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials?" Wan Shihe still did not give up struggling, and said very confidently: "Da Situ Guoguang was also born in the Jin Party, and his qualifications and reputation are among the best. He has both ability and political integrity. As the official of the country, I propose that Da Situ Wang Guoguang should do it."

"Qingzhang, returning the field, six books and one account, one whip, no matter what it is, I can't find a replacement, Da Zong, what do you think?" Wang Guoguang said with a smile: "If I can find someone A person who can be the Minister of the Household Department, it is not impossible for me to be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials."

"Zhang Xueyan?" Wan Shihe asked tentatively. Zhang Xueyan's arithmetic was recognized by the imperial court. At least the people in Liaodong's fields could be sorted out by Zhang Xueyan.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head thoughtfully and said: "He is in Liaodong, so he is not suitable for transfer."

Hou Yuzhao went to Liaodong, Zhang Xueyan couldn't return to Beijing for a short time, and had to look at Li Chengliang, not to mention the hype that Li Chengliang said in the capital, he changed his mind when he went back, and all the arrangements of Daming in Liaodong were in vain.

"Okay." Wan Shihe finally agreed, isn't he the Minister of the Ministry of Officials?I haven't done it before, can't I become a brand? !
Anyway, the examination method is very mature, what trouble can be made if you paste the name on the rough list and fill in the name in the bottom book?

Zhang Juzheng wrote the floating note, and sent the book to the Imperial Palace for His Majesty to seal.

Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "Uncle Da Zong, do a good job."

"I obey the order." Wan Shihe bowed his head to accept the order again, he had already made up his mind, he did not seek meritorious deeds but no faults.

Zhang Juzheng took out the second memorial, and said, "The second thing is that Li Chengliang, Uncle Ningyuan, sent a congratulatory gift. It is said that the Haixi Jurchen gave Li Chengliang a gift of money, which was dug near the Huining mansion. It is the money minted by Emperor Huizong of Song Dynasty, with Xuanhe Yuanbao written on it, this thing is extremely precious, and today, there is only this one left."

Xuanhe Yuanbao gold coins, Song Huizong cast a total of 66 pieces, the country was broken and captured, Song Huizong's gold coins were all melted and forged by gold men, this one is the only one left, very precious .

Li Chengliang saw such a rare thing, so he directly sent it to the capital as a gift.

The reason why Zhang Juzheng wanted to talk about this matter was because he wanted to talk about the money law of the Ming Dynasty. The expansion of the production of Yunnan Dian Copper was imminent, and the Ming Dynasty Military Bureau finally came up with silver coins that satisfied the emperor.

Zhang Juzheng shook his sleeves, took out a row of silver coins, opened them one by one, and said, "This is one tael (37.25g), five coins, and one coin silver coins. These are white copper coins. Copper coins are mixed with tin, lead and iron. Wanli Tongbao one Two silver coins are equal to one thousand copper coins, five silver coins are equal to five hundred copper coins, and one silver coin is equal to one hundred copper coins."

"Your Majesty, I have a large amount of money from the town treasury to offer." Guo Chaobin, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry, bowed his head and said.

"Present." Zhu Yijun thought that the big money was at most the size of a palm, but he miscalculated the size of the money.

When it was presented, Zhu Yijun looked at the big money the size of a wheel, and asked in a daze, "Is this big money?"

Guo Chaobin bowed his head and said: "Yes, this is the large town treasury coin made by the minister. It is one foot eight inches and seven cents in diameter. money."

The weight of gold, silver and copper coins of the same size increases with the increase of density. Zhu Yijun looked at the three big coins that were lifted up, and the town treasury naturally has the meaning of town treasury.

First of all, its most important significance is that the currency design of the Ming Dynasty can be fully displayed on the big money of nearly two feet.

The copper coins were cast in the original shape, with a round sky and a round place, which was convenient for the people of Ming Dynasty to use and carry.

Gold and silver coins, on the other hand, remove the square hole in the middle and are rolled in a circle. This is of course a reference to Taixi's coin casting method, and it is also a practice, because rolling can easily deform the square hole in the middle, so When the Ministry of Industry rolled it, it chose a round shape.

There are cumbersome and exquisite patterns on it to prevent counterfeiting. The pattern chosen by the Ministry of Industry is wheat ears. From the perspective of the Ministry of Industry, it is of great significance that His Majesty personally set up Baoqisi, so he directly took the meaning of Baoqisi and used two Curved ears of wheat are used as fillings, with Wanli Tongbao written on the front and the weight of the money on the back, one or two, five, four, and the specific time, Wanli four-year system.

It is better not to mint coins if they are not beautiful.

The significance of casting large coins in the town treasury also represents the innovation of the Ming Dynasty, from the improvement of the technology from casting to rolling, and this improvement means that those unsightly pores on the silver coins no longer exist, and the silver is shining and durable. Mills, most importantly size and weight, get regulated.

"Okay, okay!" Zhu Yijun said with a smile, holding the silver coins to be issued in his hand, "Okay, okay, very good, Guo Shangshu is able to do things well, very good."

Zhu Yijun listened in detail to the reports of the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Households on the rolling of silver coins and distribution, and made a high evaluation of the work of the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Households. The division of labor is very clear.

"Yesterday's Tang Bao reported that Daningwei Qinglong Fort fell, and Tuman Khan came to Xinglin Fort." Zhang Ju talked about another matter with a serious face.

In the battle of Great Ningwei, Da Ming took advantage of the winter to attack, but now the spring is warm and flowers are blooming, everything is recovering, the enemy's mobility has begun to recover, and the Ming army entrenched in the Great Ningwei has started a counterattack.

Moreover, the momentum of the counter-offensive was extremely swift and fierce, taking the lead and taking down the Azure Dragon Fort.

Everyone was worried, only the little emperor looked relaxed. The fall of Xinglin Fort and Qinglong Fort was expected. After all, winter can't be built. As soon as the spring is warm and the flowers are blooming, the local barbarians began to attack.

　Ask for a monthly ticket, woohoo! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
　　
　
(End of this chapter)