Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 73 How was Spain’s colonial empire maintained?

"I don't quite understand this question. But since Xiyi has been able to sail in a circle, it's probably true that the earth is round. As for why people don't fall, Wei Chen thinks it's because the earth sucks us in. ." Zhang Xiao said. Zhang Xiao still doesn’t know how to explain to the emperor what gravitation and gravity are, and if he can’t stop the discussion later, he will suddenly switch to heliocentric theory or geocentric theory. He doesn’t know what the academic atmosphere of the Ming Dynasty is like and whether it will affect it. What theory of divine induction? Now it is better to do less than to do more.

"Okay, let's assume that the earth is round. Is this globe accurate? Come and take a look." The emperor asked.

"I obey." Zhang Xiao began to stare at the globe and turned it slightly. The globe in front of him was almost the same as the one used in geography class before. The outlines of each continent were basically the same.

"It's probably not bad. In fact, if the earth is really round, then the globe will look more accurate than the map. After all, if it is drawn on the map, the farther north it is, the larger it will inevitably be. So I, Daming, in this world The map looks too small inside, and that’s why." Zhang Xiao said.

"I see. Well, assuming this globe is really accurate, why don't these Westerners go directly across the northern ocean to our Ming Dynasty? Such a route should be shorter?" The emperor casually drew the Arctic route.

"Reporting to your majesty, the weather in the northern ocean is bitterly cold and unbearable, and the sea is frozen all year round, making it difficult to pass. Even if the ice melts briefly, it may be more dangerous. A lot of ice will not melt immediately, but will become like a mountain. Floating everywhere on the sea, if the ship cannot avoid it and hits an iceberg, no matter how strong the ship is, it will sink in the sea. In fact, if it was not so cold in the north, the Ming Dynasty could also send people north and cross the short strait directly into the so-called The American continent. But this place is too cold and desolate, making it difficult for people to pass through." Zhang Xiao explained while pointing to the location of the Bering Strait on the map.

"You know enough," the emperor said.

"Weichen has also heard a lot of stories. After all, many of the Western Yi ships have sailed to all parts of the world, and many of the sailors on board are knowledgeable. In fact, there are also people from the Western Yi who have gone north, either turning back in the middle or going back again. I haven’t come back either, so I don’t dare to go north anymore,” Zhang Xiao said.

"Then those who dare to venture north are really brave men. It must be extremely difficult to explore by boat in this ice and snow," the emperor said with emotion.

"Your Majesty is wise." Zhang Xiao said.

"It would be great if my Ming Dynasty could also produce a few such warriors." The emperor said.

"As long as there are enough rewards, there will still be warriors in our Ming Dynasty who will stand up. In fact, there are many people in our country who go to Southeast Asia, and this is the case with my family." Zhang Xiao said.

"It's just that going to sea is also a waste of money and disturbing the people. If we colonize overseas, it will be very troublesome if there are unscrupulous people overseas who want to separate themselves and become kings in the future. I look at that Cortez. If he had more people, I'm afraid It’s not like he has ambitions to separate himself and become a king. Zhang Xiao, the Flemish Kingdom now occupies so much land, how do they manage it?" the emperor said. "The Francons set up governors in the Americas, and the governors were appointed by the king. There were two main governors. One was called the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and the governing seat was called Mexico City. It was actually the former capital of the Aztecs, and it was in charge of the original The territory of the Aztec Kingdom. A region called the Viceroyalty of Peru was in charge of the territory of the original Inca Kingdom. This part of America was basically occupied by the Franco Kingdom. In other places, including India, Southeast Asia, and Africa This area all exists in the form of strongholds. However, Luzon Island is an exception, which has been basically occupied by the Folangji people. However, the Folangji people can occupy Luzon Island mainly because of their navy and their excellent repairs. Strong City of Manila.”

"Some time ago, the pirate Lin Feng attacked the city of Manila. The French people were frightened and killed many Chinese people in Luzon Island. Although Lin Feng started to gain some victories, his weapons were too poor, especially not enough Firearms were unable to capture the fortresses and castles near Manila. After the siege failed, they were hunted down by the Folangji and are now missing," Zhang Xiao said.

"I remember this Lin Fengzhen. Not long after I came to the throne, there was a report saying that this person was plundering the coast and committing heinous crimes. He was later defeated by the army. Unexpectedly, many people who were recruited from nowhere went to Luzon. It's up to him to try his luck on the island. If he succeeds, he will have to separate one side and become the king. If this person lives in troubled times, I'm afraid he won't be like Sun Enlu Xun." The emperor said.

"Your Majesty is wise," Zhang Xiao said.

"Then how does this Folangji man govern his subordinates?" the emperor then asked.

"If you just occupy the fortress, it doesn't matter what the people are. You just have some contacts with the local indigenous people, whether it's trade or war. If the place is already firmly occupied, the Franji people implement a system called enfeoffment. Basically, whoever discovers it After He conquered this piece of land, King Franji gave it to him. The income from this land basically went to the people who were granted the title. Therefore, these princes imposed corvee services on the residents under their rule. , extorting excessive amounts of money, and levying excessive taxes. Especially in the Americas, because the local natives were forced to work and mine, there were many casualties and fleeing, and the American princes also purchased a large number of Kunlun slaves from Africa to work," Zhang Xiao said.

"Then I probably understand. It's nothing more than splitting the soil and ennobling princes, and expropriating them violently." The emperor said.

"Your Majesty is wise, that is indeed the case. The Francois relied on such violent expropriation to take away a large amount of gold and silver property, as well as grain, sugar and other crops from the Americas, so as to maintain various domestic expenditures. The Francois' Colonies are spread all over the world, and the land that is ruled by it is daytime all the time, so it can also be called the empire on which the sun never sets. That’s why the British are jealous and let the Queen of England directly launch a sea raid." Zhang Xiao said.

"Then I probably understand. But the Queen of England, you mentioned it last time, what is her name?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, the Queen of England is called Elizabeth." Zhang Xiao said. No way, this name is so easy to remember. The Queen of England died just two years ago. It was this name.

"Then Queen Elizabeth is not married, her brothers and sisters are gone, and this Western country does not like to adopt close relatives of the clan, so who will she pass the throne to after her death?" the emperor asked.

(End of this chapter)