I'm really not doing business

Chapter 368 Who tempted Your Majesty to become so evil?

Zhu Yijun leaned on the Taishi chair and quietly watched Diego being beaten. Marcus wished he could go on the field and beat others for himself. Diego looked at people with his nostrils and looked down on Marcus and Antonio, how to deal with others and communicate in daily life. They all looked like they deserved a beating.

Luo Sigong took action without knowing the importance.

Luo Sigong resolutely carried out the emperor's orders. Even when facing the emperor, he would do his best. In Luo Sigong's eyes, His Majesty's orders are above all else. The emperor asked Luo Sigong to beat people, and Luo Sigong beat Diego's own father even if he came. know.

Zhu Yijun looked at Li Yashi and asked: "Special Envoy Li, did the Minister of Honglu Temple tell you that if you want to pick up the boat, you have to pay more?"

"Told me, we are discussing." Legas said very definitely: "More money must be added. However, two large sailing ships sank this time, and only three arrived at the port. I am afraid I will owe some money."

"The interest on the money you owe me is not low." Zhu Yijun reminded kindly.

Even if Antonio surrenders and borrows money from Zhu Yijun, he still has to pay interest. Antonio's interest is not high, only 4%, but when it comes to Felipe II, the annual interest will soar to 24%. % to 32%, because this is risky.

This interest is extremely expensive. Even war reparations cannot be paid in a short period of time, and the interest is generally around 4%.

As soon as the Emperor of Ming Dynasty opened his mouth, he said 24%, a perfect benevolent person.

Zhu Yijun offered such a high interest rate, of course, because Felipe II did not have a reliable captain. This time the leader was Antonio's first mate, Marcus.

Zhu Yijun, the largest landowner in the Ming Dynasty, behaved exactly like the rural gentry when he was lending money. He wanted to pull out his bones and tremble.

"Your Majesty, can it be a little less?" Li Yashi looked confused. The interest rate is really too high. Some banks in the Ming Dynasty don't even have such high profits. Borrow one million from Your Majesty. Today next year At least 1.24 million silver must be paid back!

This is not borrowing money, your greedy majesty, why don't you just rob it! !

"Your king, he has no captain, what can I do?" Zhu Yijun spread his hands, unable to do anything about it. He said helplessly: "I am just an emperor. If I lower the interest for you, Cui Min, the eunuch who has internal money, will , You really want to break the table with me."

"But Antonio only has 4%, and we have a minimum of 24%. Isn't this a bit too much?" Legas began to bargain with the Ming Emperor. If he didn't agree, he couldn't get the ship. If he agreed, Diego returned to Taixi. , I am afraid that he will be executed directly by Felipe II.

"How much?" Marcus stared at Ligas with his eyes wide open, and said blankly: "24%?!"

Marcus was so surprised that he kept reminding Diego not to be disrespectful in front of the emperor. He himself showed a look of horror, which was already disrespectful.

As Antonio's first mate, Marcus was very clear about the interest rate charged by the emperor for borrowing money. He was still puzzled before. The interest rate was only 4% a year, but Legaz, as the special envoy of Felipe II, actually refused to agree and returned the interest. After repeated hesitation, Legas paid out the interest himself.

Now Marcus knew why Legaz was so hesitant.

"Of course." Zhu Yijun nodded. This was calculated by the internal money eunuch, mainly because of the risks and also because of the collateral.

The money Zhu Yijun lent to Antonio was indeed for interest. It was also used as collateral to plot against Antonio. From the beginning, Zhu Yijun did not do it for profit, but only for profit. Those plantations were for planting. Garden? It is a base for exploration and the starting point for Ming Dynasty to manage thousands of miles of seawalls.

The plantation that he had longed for finally came into the hands of Zhu Yijun, and it belonged to the Ming Dynasty in a prestigious, dignified and dignified manner, although there was still one most difficult nail to pull out.

"Felipe II can choose not to repay. The risk of bad debts is too high." Zhu Yijun leaned on the back of his chair and knocked on the table. Antonio did not dare not to repay. If he did not repay, Daming would directly charge Wanli Haitang in one step. plantation.

Felipe II is much more courageous. He is the one who owes the debt. If he doesn't pay, will the Ming Emperor go to Taixi to ask for it?

"If you don't pay back, won't you be unable to do business with the Ming Dynasty? My king is not so short-sighted." Legas was still speaking for Felipe II. How could the majestic king of the empire on which the sun never sets pay such a small debt? What about damaging your own credibility?

"He doesn't have a captain, and the interest rate won't rise to as high as 24%. He's in a state of distress now. The risk of war is really too great. There is a saying in the Ming Dynasty that water has no shape and soldiers have no shape. This is what war is about. Just like water, it has no fixed shape. Although Folangji is powerful, I must consider the risks amid internal and external troubles."

"If he wasn't so worried now, he wouldn't be short-sighted, but now he can only focus on the present. It's good to be able to focus on the present."

Zhu Yijun was talking about the risks of war on Felipe II.

Felipe II's enemies include the English, the French, the civil strife in the Netherlands, the land and sea attacks of the Ottoman Empire, and most recently, Antonio's harassing fleet.

His armada was not invincible.

"The Marquis of Santa Cruz will use the sword in his hand to bring peace to the empire!" Legas clenched his fists and said forcefully. The threat of these wars has always been there. Diego's father, Alvaro... Virtue will use the sword in his hand to destroy all enemies.

"If he were not so powerful, the interest rate would not be so high." Zhu Yijun smiled, looked at the emperor's master Qi Jiguang, smiled, shook his head and said: "The king is in dire straits because of the enemy's foreign troubles, and the country is in turmoil because of internal troubles. The Marquis of Santa Cruz If he were not so strong, and if Taixi was not the living God of War, I would not have given him such a high interest rate."

"When the river is declining, how can we talk about Zhenwu?"

In addition to its own maritime trade risks, there are also war risks and the political risks mentioned by Zhu Yijun. This is the fundamental reason why interest rates are so high.

The greater the risk, the greater the return. This is very reasonable. If this debt really becomes a bad debt, then Zhu Yijun can only impose punitive tariffs on all ships coming from the West.

"Your Majesty, this..." Ligas was finally speechless. Your Majesty is eloquent. Ligas knew it from the beginning, and now it is even clearer.

Zhu Yijun narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Diego who was being beaten, and said with a smile: "Felipe II is a very smart man. He sent a nobleman who knew nothing about sea trade and was even a little arrogant. He seemed to be sincere. Man, but isn’t this guy a hostage?”

"Special Envoy Li, the sun never sets on the top of the empire, it is not as peaceful as imagined."

Zhu Yijun is a person who loves to tell the truth.

Diego is not a suitable candidate. Even if Felipe II sent his son over, it would not be surprising, but he sent the most capable son of the God of War over. What this means is very interesting. .

"But the interest rate is too high." Ligas was still struggling. What His Majesty said made sense. It also made sense that Ming Dynasty wanted such a high interest rate, but it was still too high.

Legaz could no longer go back. As a servant of God who swore in front of God that he would never marry and would serve God with his whole life, he had already broken his promise. If he went back, he would be burned at the stake, but Legaz He is still performing his duties as a special envoy and working for the interests of Spain.

Zhu Yijun raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "I told Felipe II, he doesn't have to pay it back."

"If you don't repay the money you owe your Majesty, even if it's tens of thousands of miles away, the navy of the Ming Dynasty will still have to get it back. Money is not important, and the king will humiliate and his ministers will die." Legasi knew the Central Plains culture very well and owed the emperor money. , the Emperor of Ming Dynasty would really launch a war to recover the arrears, even if it was far away in the West. Money or not is not important, the face of the Celestial Kingdom is too important.

Zhu Yijun smiled and did not talk any more, but watched with interest as Luo Sigong beat Diego. Diego was no match at all, he was just a playboy.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid he will be beaten to death if he continues to beat him." Qi Jiguang saw that the heat was almost over, and stood up to persuade his Majesty to calm down. If he didn't stop, Luo Sigong really dared to beat Diego to death. If he died, he would be dead, but if he didn't auspicious.

Zhu Yijun nodded and said: "The general has spoken, please stop."

"Marcus, do you want to fight with my forward Li Rusong?" Zhu Yijun looked at Marcus and asked. When Marcus first arrived in Ming Dynasty, he had a fight with Chen Lin. Although he lost, Marcus Kusi has never been convinced, but he wants to see whether this Taixi sword master is more powerful or the first vanguard of the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, I can't defeat him. Your Highness Antonio is still waiting for me to return and continue my loyalty." Marcus was very sincere and admitted defeat directly. It was not a worldly thing. Marcus had seen Li Rusong's bravery with his own eyes, so he still wanted to stay. Return to Taixi with your life.

There is no need to fight, life is your own, you have to cherish it, if you can't beat it, you can't beat it.

"Envoy Li, please take Diego back. I will send the chief medical officer to cure him." Zhu Yijun asked Legas to retreat with Diego, leaving Marcus alone.

Zhu Yijun came to the warm pavilion of Wuying Tower. In summer, this was the cold pavilion of the Ming Dynasty. This was the place to talk. Zhu Yijun motioned to Qi Jiguang and Marcus to sit down and talk.

Qi Jiguang took the Emperor's Sword and sat firmly beside Zhu Yijun.

Emperor Sword, in the first year of Wanli, Qi Jiguang defeated Dong Hu, wiped out Dong Hu's reinforcements, and captured Dong Hu's nephew Bu Hachu. Dong Hu killed Tang Kekuan at Beigukou, and Zhu Yijun beheaded Bu Hachu. In the same year, Qi Jiguang came to Beijing to receive the reward. Zhu Yijun opened the Emperor's Palace to reward Qi Jiguang, and made Qi Jiguang an earl.

This identity is very important. Qi Jiguang became Wu Xun, so he was able to become the chief military officer of the Ming Dynasty's capital camp.

The Emperor's Sword worn by Qi Jiguang was given by Zhu Yijun at that time.

At that time, the situation in the Ming Dynasty was in decline. At that time, the Ming Dynasty still owed 110,000 silver to build the imperial mausoleum of the late emperor. At that time, Zhu Yijun was only ten years old. At that time, the situation in the Ming Dynasty was not suitable for Zhenwu. There were many reasons. In a nutshell Later, Chenqiao mutiny and yellow robes were added.

This is not alarmist, this is what actually happened.

On that day, Zhu Yijun hid the secrets from everyone, even Zhang Juzheng, and knighted Qi Jiguang. The moment he handed the Emperor's Sword to Qi Jiguang, Zhu Yijun actually handed over the lives of himself, his younger brother, the empress dowagers of the two palaces, and the Ming Dynasty to Qi Jiguang. .

If Qi Jiguang obtained the Emperor's Sword, formed a capital camp, and really took off Zhu Yijun's head with his sword, Zhu Yijun would also admit it.

This is Zhenwu who took huge risks, and Zhu Yijun bet all his wealth on Zhenwu.

It is not a rare thing for Wu Yixia to violate the ban in all dynasties, at all times and at home and abroad. Even in small Ceylon, there is a precedent of the king's nephew launching a military coup, and even chasing him across the ocean thousands of miles away. Prince Wang.

How did Qi Jiguang do it? He used the sword given by His Majesty to kill where His Majesty's sword pointed.

Zhu Yijun respected Zhang Juzheng very much, and he also respected Qi Jiguang very much. To this day, Qi Jiguang is the only foreign minister who can wield a sword within three feet of Zhu Yijun.

In the original history, after Zhang Juzheng died, Qi Jiguang was demoted to Guangzhou amidst the strife in the imperial court. Qi Jiguang did not do anything. Even though he had 100,000 strong soldiers under his command, Qi Jiguang still left silently.

Come to think of it, on the day he left the capital, Qi Jiguang looked at the city gate that was getting further away, and his heart was filled with despair.

Qi Jiguang looked at Marcus. Marcus was a swordsman in the West. If Marcus dared to commit murder and assassinate His Majesty, Qi Jiguang would make Marcus regret coming to this world. Kus. "First officer, I am still used to calling you this." Zhu Yijun talked about the situation in Taixi.

Marcus explained Antonio's current situation in great detail. The naval battle took place near the Azores Islands, which is a sea area belonging to the Free City of the Free Islands. Large-scale naval battles occurred twice in total, even if they were repelled The Armada was defeated, but Antonio paid the price of three five-masted ocean-going ships. Don Juan was the supreme commander. He seriously underestimated the combat power of the five-masted ocean-going ships, which led to the invincible return of the Armada.

Antonio did win, but the losses were extremely heavy. Felipe II did lose, but he could continue to replenish the fleet.

Felipe II is too strong.

"His Royal Highness Antonio has to agree to Felipe II's conditions, because if he doesn't agree, Felipe II is likely to send the Marquis of Santa Cruz to lead the Armada to conquer. By then, His Highness Antonio will definitely be defeated." Marcus laid out the background to the negotiations.

The Armada led by Don Juan and the Armada led by the Marquis of Santa Cruz are not the same concept at all. If the Marquis of Santa Cruz really goes on an expedition, Antonio can only really become a pirate.

"This Marquis is so powerful. I heard that his achievements are only victories on land. Is he also good at naval battles?" Zhu Yijun was stunned and asked with some doubts.

"Yes, compared to land warfare, the Marquis is better at naval warfare, just like the General." Marcus really looked complicated. The Marquis of Santa Cruz was Felipe II's biggest trump card, a man who was good at A veteran who builds the army and is good at both land warfare and naval warfare.

"Is it possible that there is also a saying that the West and the West have great achievements and shake the country?" The political risks Zhu Yijun discussed with Legas were to raise interest rates. He did not fully understand the phenomenon of the West and the West. Felipe II What was the reason for leaving the useful Marquis behind and using Don Juan, who was easy to defeat?

Zhu Yijun brought himself into Felipe II to think about it, and only got one answer: his great achievements shocked the master.

He originally thought that this was a culture unique to the Central Plains, but now it seems that it is not that simple.

Marcus said with certainty: "It's all the same, Your Majesty."

"Aetius, the last of the Romans."

"The Protector Aetius used his sword to protect the Roman Empire for twenty years. The Rome he worked hard for has become decayed to the point of collapse, but Aetius still used his bravery and Strategy, campaign for the Roman Empire, and successively resisted attacks by the Germans and Huns."

“More than 1,100 years ago, Lord Protector Aetius entered the palace to meet with the Roman Emperor to discuss the marriage of his son and the princess. Aetius, who was in his sixties, had no idea that Valentinian III would thrusting their swords at him, he was joined by the emperor's courtiers and nobles who were jealous of Aetius, who had more than a hundred swords stuck in his body when he was killed."

"The following year, Roman Emperor Valentinian III was also killed by the regicide. Three years after the death of the Protector, Rome was captured by the Vandals. Twenty-one years later, the last emperor of Western Rome was banned. The commander of the guard was deposed, and Western Rome was destroyed.”

Marcus told a story that almost everyone in the West knew, but the Ming Dynasty did not know much about. Aetius, the last Roman before the fall of Western Rome, had his backbone cut off, and the emperor Wa who cut off the pillars of the empire. Lentinian III was killed the next year.

What is more interesting is that Caesar, the substantial first emperor of the Roman Empire, died in a palace assassination, and the last mainstay protector of the Western Roman Empire also died in a palace assassination.

I have to say that history is a cycle, always so familiar.

According to the translations by Chen Xuexue, the minister of Honglu Temple, Gao Qiyu, a doctor of Gewu, and others, the word Caesar means emperor only in the West, and the king and the emperor are completely different.

"Your Majesty, the essence of your great achievements is that the army gradually came under the complete control of the general during the long-term campaign. The general's personal prestige has exceeded the king and the court and the control of many parties, and finally formed a threat to the king. If this man If the Marquis is really good at fighting, it would be normal for Felipe II to be afraid of him leading troops on an expedition." Qi Jiguang explained the term "high meritorious deeds to shock the master" in great detail, without realizing at all that he was the master of high meritorious deeds. representative figures.

The Marquis of Taixi is very capable of fighting, but why can’t the Marquis Qi Jiguang not be able to fight?

"Felipe II just can't figure it out, so I never worried about Qi Shuai leading the army." Zhu Yijun said with certainty. Every time Qi Jiguang sent out troops, the troops he brought were definitely enough for rebellion. Zhu Yijun never doubted that Qi Jiguang would I didn't even think about treason.

"The Ming Dynasty's military construction exceeds that of the West. Mutual restraint makes the success rate of military coups extremely low. Of course, the most important thing is that His Majesty is at Peking University Camp every day. We are now in Wuying Building. Every soldier knows that Your Majesty Looks like that." Qi Jiguang said very nonchalantly.

If His Majesty doubted him, he would not come to Beida Camp. His Majesty comes every day as if he were going back to his own home.

The ancestral method of Emperor Chengzuwen's daily parade of military horses is really useful, but it's a bit expensive for the emperor.

"Felipe II is already a very hard-working man." Marcus admired Felipe II very much. He was a respectable opponent. This guy's diligence was well known in the West. When he was in poverty, the Ming Emperor had Zhang Juzheng to assist him in government affairs, so he could devote more energy to building the army. However, Felipe II was completely different.

Zhu Yijun chatted with Marcus for a long time. From the conversation with Marcus, Zhu Yijun learned one thing, that is, the current Portuguese King's illness was unusual.

The serious illness of the current King of Portugal, Enrique the Pure, should be man-made, not natural.

Before Enrique became king, he was a bishop. He had no family. When he became king, he had to face the issue of heirs. At this time, Enrique had two choices, either find a wife and have children, Or pick an heir.

If Enrique chooses the latter, then only Antonio and Felipe II are strong contenders.

Enrique chose the former. He wanted to marry one of the three Isabel of Austria, Maria, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Braganza, and the daughter of Felipe II.

Enrique wrote to Felipe II on September 9, the sixth year of Wanli, asking him to marry his daughter to him, and then wrote a letter on October 24 of the same year, asking Pope Gregory XIII to allow him to break the disagreement. A commitment to serve God throughout your married life.

Felipe II and Pope Gregory XIII chose to refuse in a very tacit understanding. Enrique the Pure then wrote several letters one after another, which seemed to be lost in the sea. Not long after, Enrique began to fall ill, and the palace pharmacist and close associates kept secret about Enrique's condition.

Antonio spent a lot of money and finally found out about a person, Cristóván de Moura, who was the commander of the Royal Guards of the Portuguese Palace and the nephew of the Marquis of Santa Cruz.

The truth seems unimportant, because no one is paying attention to the body of Enrique the Pure. Perhaps, Enrique is dead.

"When the first mate leaves, I will lend Antonio five more five-masted transoceanic ships. He has lost three five-masted transoceanic ships. I am afraid that life will be more difficult in the future. Of course, you have to borrow them and pay for them. "After Zhu Yijun finished chatting with Marcus, he told Marcus a decision.

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty. These five five-masted ocean-going ships are priced at 125 million silver. If the price increase is included, it will be as high as 150 million silver. Your Majesty, how is the interest calculated?" Marcus was very grateful to the Ming Emperor for his generosity and generosity, but He was wary of interest.

Zhu Yijun looked at Marcus and said: "If he obtains the throne of Portugal, then from now until the time when he obtains the throne of Portugal, the interest will be calculated at 24% per year, and he can get an extension of up to twenty years after that. In the past twenty years, the annual interest will be 4%. If he fails to obtain the throne, I can only ask the Governor's Palace of Goa and Diu for this debt."

"My kind Majesty, let me go back and think about it." Marcus was in a trance, as if he heard the devil's whisper. His Majesty smiled brightly, but behind the bright sunshine of this big boy, there was something that would lead people to fall into hell. devil.

This is a gambling agreement, and Ming Dynasty will definitely not lose money. Even if Antonio really dies in Thailand, Ming Dynasty can recover the debt from the Governor's Palace of Goa and Diu, and the Western (Indian Ocean) and Africa The plantations along the coast were geese that could lay golden eggs every year. Antonio won by luck, and Ming Dynasty could also become the creditor of the King of Portugal.

Beyond the loose political ties, there will be a tighter economic tie for Antonio.

"First officer, your Highness Antonio doesn't have many choices." Zhu Yijun said with a smile.

Antonio didn't have much choice. Once the struggle to resist Felipe II's expansion of territory through marriage and the inclusion of Portugal in the territory began, there was no turning back. The threat of the Marquis, the God of War, was like a sword hanging on his forehead. Under threat, he could only strengthen his strength at all costs.

Three-masted plywood ships can be purchased in the West, but what about five-masted transoceanic ships? Antonio's flagship can only be purchased in Ming Dynasty.

"Can I ask for more?!" Marcus thought for a moment, and it was indeed the case. Antonio had no choice. Since he wanted to borrow, he might as well risk his life and fortune.

"How much?" Zhu Yijun asked with a smile.

"Twelve ships!" Marcus gritted his teeth and made a decision.

"allow."

Marcus left sweating profusely. This huge war loan may become a nightmare for Antonio in the future, but Marcus and Antonio have no choice. If they lose, they will have nothing.

"Your Majesty, what if Antonio can't afford the repayment?" Qi Jiguang was counting the interest on his fingers. If you are not good at arithmetic, you cannot be a general. The dense logistics account books can empty out the entire Beijing camp. Qi Jiguang is very good at arithmetic. The interest was calculated in a short time.

For these twelve ships, if it took Antonio ten years to win, the compound interest would be a debt of 2600 million taels of silver. Even if it is extended for twenty years and calculated at 4% interest, the interest would be as high as 1226 million, and the total principal and interest would be 3926 million, nearly million taels.

The most critical question is, will Antonio only borrow it this time? I'm afraid not. As a person vying for the throne, he has already paid a sunk cost and will only borrow money again and again like a gambler. Even if he becomes the King of Portugal, Antonio will have to pay an extremely heavy price for this loan. .

Felipe II could only receive 200 million silver taxes a year from the Netherlands!

"He has really become the King of Portugal. If he can't repay it, he can just continue to roll over the debt. If he still can't repay it, he can sell me things, copper mines, plantations, silver mines, I'll do it. Don't refuse anyone, the more the merrier." Zhu Yijun smiled brightly.

Qi Jiguang held the Emperor's Sword in his hand and said with a frown: "Your Majesty, who are these slanderous remarks coming from His Majesty?"

Qi Jiguang could no longer control his feelings. Who was whispering in His Majesty's ear, tempting His Majesty to become so evil?

Zhu Yijun glanced at Feng Bao and Zhang Hong. Feng Bao and Zhang Hong immediately knelt on the ground. Feng Bao said in horror: "Your Majesty, although I have done all kinds of bad things, I have never said these words. Your Majesty knows it clearly." Ah! I have never heard of such things as interest, compound interest, extension, asset pledge, etc., Your Majesty."

"What Feng Bao doesn't understand, I don't understand even less." Zhang Hong was also frightened. Feng Bao read a lot, but he didn't know something. How could Zhang Hong know this?

Feng Bao and Zhang Hong glanced at each other. They really couldn't afford to take the blame for this. For deceiving the Holy Son of Heaven, not only would they be sent to Fengyang to grow sweet potatoes, but they would also be burdened with historical infamy in the future.

With all the conscience of heaven and earth, how could they teach these things? They don't know how to do it themselves.

Zhu Yijun said with a smile: "Pingshen Pingshen, I think what you want to say is that it's getting late and we should go back to the palace. Seeing that you two are so scared, you are too timid."

"Qi Shuai, no one is talking nonsense to me. Isn't this how our Ming Dynasty forces powerful right-wingers to release money? I learned from them."

Everything is very reasonable. Your Majesty learned all these methods from powerful right-wingers. This is how they usually release money.

　Enrique did request Felipe II. This is an excerpt from the original text of the letter: 'If you have a daughter of the right age and hope that she can get married as soon as possible and continue the family line, then she will definitely be my first choice. I believe you have the kindness to marry her to me, but I also know that this cannot be achieved. I want to propose to someone close to you, the former Queen of France, your niece and sister-in-law. There are so many people who want to marry her, and I am one of them. 'Please give me a monthly ticket, oooh! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

　　

　

(End of this chapter)