New World 1620

The Kingdom of Portugal, a once powerful maritime colonial empire, was originally a land divided as the dowry of the princess of the Kingdom of Castile on the Iberian Peninsula. Its country name means "warm port" in Latin.It is a pity that this land has been a battlefield between Christians and Moors in the Iberian Peninsula for a long period of time.

Lisbon, the westernmost port city in continental Europe.In 1147 AD, it was taken from the Moors by the Crusaders led by the first king of Portugal, Alfonso I. In 1256 AD, it officially became the capital of Portugal. the road.

By the 15th century AD, Lisbon had developed into a central city connecting Western Europe and the Mediterranean trade line.The great Portuguese Prince Enrique built Lisbon into a solid cornerstone for the Kingdom of Portugal to move towards a vast sea living space with his far-sighted strategic vision.

From here, countless Portuguese adventurers and businessmen embarked on a route around Africa to find the homeland of spices and gold in the East, and achieved unprecedented fruitful results.If it weren't for an accidental decision-making error that caused the Portuguese royal family to miss an Italian named Columbus, then perhaps the historical chapter of the Great Geographical Discovery would have to be rewritten.

……

……

Monday, April 1621, 4, was sunny.

This is the outskirts of Lisbon. The rolling forests in the distance, the looming long wall of the town, the endless green pastures, and the dots of sheep together form the quiet and leisurely natural scenery of this seaside plain.

Near a grove and a small river at the turn of the Gulf Stream, there is a very simple baroque wooden castle manor.

A windmill is slowly idling with the passing sea breeze. Several black slaves are carefully taking care of a group of sheep in the pasture outside the manor. On the small road, a group of helmeted soldiers on horseback were escorting a carriage towards the manor.

On the balcony on the second floor of the manor villa, a woman wearing a Victorian style skirt with modern art details is looking at the distant city of Lisbon.

While deeply sniffing the fresh breath in the air, lazily shaking the small fan which is extremely meaningless in this season.Yang Wenwen stretched her body bored, as if she hadn't recovered from the jet lag.

I have been in Lisbon for more than half a month since I left Porto Heroes in the Azores. Except for the first few days crowded in the smelly street hotel in Lisbon like a nervous little mouse, the rest of the day is to participate in Lisbon major events every day. A banquet invited by the chamber of commerce.

The smell of the whole city and the fishy smell brought by the sea breeze made the days of several modern women feel like years.Finally, a week ago, the Lisbon aristocrats, who had never made a positive appearance, gave up this estate in the suburbs of Lisbon to the "American Business Mission".

Three ladies including Yang Wenwen, who could no longer stand the smell of the city in the 17th century, took care of their new home in Europe extremely efficiently. The daily necessities unloaded from the ship and the high-end goods purchased in Lisbon quickly decorated the whole manor from the inside out.

Unlike the three ladies, it seems that the men have no sense of smell at all. Even Caterina, who is dressed as a maid, looks calm and composed in the streets and alleys of Lisbon.

In the study room, Su Zining was still flipping through those worn-out European books, frowning as he kept asking the female translator Yuan Xinyi for advice.

"Okay, old Comrade Su, don't be so professional. The appearance of history is originally produced in the fabrication and imagination of later generations."

Yan Xiaosong, who was sitting drinking wine, lazily threw away a Portuguese book with a sheepskin cover in his hand, with a look of resentment.

"Then I also need to understand how much they have fabricated. This is a rare opportunity to trace history. It is also good to learn Portuguese." Su Zining ignored the sarcasm of his companions, continued to point to a line of words, and asked the people around him for advice. female translator.

"Obviously, when the Portuguese were dealing with Columbus's lobbying, they had just made a secret progress on the African route. So they rejected the Western expedition plan that might distract them or add unnecessary financial pressure."

Yuan Xinyi translated the correct meaning of the few lines in the book, making Su Zining nod his head.

"The Portuguese are different from the Spaniards who are lucky. They are more patient and careful, and even arrange their maritime strategy with a plan of decades." Su Zining walked to the window with a smile, and the approaching sea appeared in his eyes. With a mysterious smile on his face, "They need a lot of evidence or proofs before they can finally make a choice. Although the pace is often slow, overall, their behavior ensures that they will try to avoid risks as much as possible."

"Well, you are finally going to be proud this time, you magic stick! You actually told the Portuguese in advance that the King of Spain will die." Yan Xiaosong stood up, stretched his waist, and began to straighten his suit. I don't know whether the men belonged to the Portuguese Jesuits or the Spanish Inquisition. But I believe that if our answer is even slightly wrong, we will definitely be burned!"

Su Zining didn't answer, just shrugged his shoulders, and then walked out of the study with the female translator, ready to meet the envoy from Lisbon outside the manor.

……

……

The escorting Portuguese cavalry quickly retreated outside the manor to untie their horses and rest. Two men in robes with hoods and a boy in civilian clothes got off the carriage.

Obviously, this is not asking for guilt.

After the guests exchanged simple greetings, the two parties walked into the living room of the villa.Caterina, who was dressed as a maid again, brought wine in exquisite glass wine sets and tea in porcelain cups.

"It's Oriental Wuyi tea. It has the special fragrance of green tea and the slight sweetness of black tea." Su Zining picked up the porcelain cup gracefully, and then made a gesture of invitation, "The wine in your country is also very mellow, so please feel free to drink it. .”

The two Portuguese men turned their heads to look at each other, slowly wiped off their hoods, and then took off their robes, revealing the luxurious aristocratic attire inside.

One of the youths was Baron Lopez, who had been in contact with Moreira as an intermediary.

"Honorable Your Excellencies, this is the Duke of Braganza of the Kingdom of Portugal, Your Excellency Theodosio!"

Baron Moreira stepped aside, bowed slightly to salute, and introduced another ordinary-looking but serious middle-aged man to everyone in the living room.

Yuan Xinyi quickly translated the Portuguese, making the Duke of Braganza look at it a few more times.

oh?Is he Theodosio II?He is a cautious character, no wonder he can maintain a delicately balanced relationship with the Spanish royal family in a situation where Portugal's conservative nobles are jumping up and down.

Su Zining quickly analyzed the character of the father of the future Portuguese revival king from the other party's expression.

"Mr. Congressman, due to attending the funeral of His Majesty King Felipe of Spain, I have not had the opportunity to receive you in person. I am very sorry for this."

Theodosio II glanced at the boy following him, showed a kind smile, and took out a pocket watch from his arms by the way: "This is my son, Joao, 14 years old this year. He has been I am very interested in the pocket watch presented by your Excellency."

"A pocket watch is just a tool to record the passing of time, but it cannot store childhood. He will eventually live a heavy adult life like us, and bear never-ending responsibilities."

Yan Xiaosong came over, picked up the wine, looked at the young man in front of him with a smile who had completed the independent revival of the Portuguese Kingdom, and said playfully.

After hearing the translation, the Duke of Braganza quickly narrowed his eyes, and his sharp eyes swept the face of the young American congressman several times, finally showing a knowing smile.

"Well, I admit His Excellency Councilor Yan's pessimistic views on the prospects of the Kingdom of Portugal. Then what do I need to change all this?" The Duke of Braganza lovingly stroked his son's head, and then motioned Baron Moreira to take his son out.

This sentence was spoken in English. Obviously, the Duke of Portugal, who had secretly dealt with envoys from various countries for a long time, was also proficient in English, which was not liked by European countries in this era.

Only the Duke of Braganza, Su Zining, and Yan Xiaosong were left in the room.

"I absolutely believe that a country that can produce such exquisite works of art is not just about using luxury goods to communicate the feelings of two different countries." The Duke of Braganza pointed to the glass wine set on the table, and deliberately touched it. He lowered his pocket watch, "I read the letter from Governor Garcia of Azores. I am really shocked by your country's conditions, although the whole matter was unilaterally proposed by Garcia."

"It doesn't matter, Your Excellency the Duke. We can use a better method instead. My government has not made any assumptions about whether it will cause any trouble to the relationship between the Kingdom of Spain and you, the Duke."

The implication is that Portugal is still part of the Kingdom of Spain, and it is a great honor to be able to communicate with you.

Su Zining also smiled and sat down.

"This is just a friendly visit, stemming from the deep foundation of friendship between the former Kingdom of Portugal and our national compatriots in the Eastern Empire. Besides, we have more important things to leave Lisbon, but the beauty here The scenery has impressed the ladies of our mission, and they would love to make a European home here, and come here and there for holidays..."

"Friendship? A group of Portuguese country bumpkins grandly appointed a governor after spending a few days in Macau..." After Su Zining finished speaking, Yan Xiaosong couldn't help but mutter something in Chinese.

"Governor Garcia of the Azores has done a very beautiful thing for our friendship!" The Duke of Braganza pondered for a while, and finally let his guard down and showed a frank expression, "Well, I need a clearer intention. We can all benefit from it!"

"It's very simple. We only need a few letters from His Excellency the Duke and a few messengers to accompany this Councilor Yan to the east." Su Zining stood up, and politely handed a glass of wine to the Portuguese Duke, then turned his gaze to Yan Xiaosong, "Not long ago, our government signed a secret alliance agreement with the Ming Empire in the east. You should understand what this means?"

God, the most powerful and wealthy empire in the world is actually allied with the United States? !Oh, yes, they are a nation, the possibility is very high... If Portugal can stand with the Americans...

The Duke of Braganza's eyes lit up, and the hand holding the wine glass trembled a little.

"Besides, in view of the poor equipment of your guards, I shall be glad to introduce an American trader to your trade agent soon, who has many more interesting toys than pocket watches..."

After Su Zining finished speaking, he drank the wine in his hand with a mysterious smile.

The face of the Duke of Braganza flushed slightly, because he had long learned from Governor Garcia's letter about the musket that can fire many bullets in an instant, and how Americans despise the garrison soldiers in Port Azores.Perhaps Garcia has brought a lot of exaggeration, but just from the craftsmanship of the pocket watch, the confidence of these Americans is absolutely emboldened.

What Garcia described in his long letter made the Duke of Braganza, who considered himself a top European aristocrat, a little uncomfortable.The two U.S. Congressmen in front of him dressed in extremely "noble, elegant and concise" clothes made him feel a little inferior since he entered the room and took off his robe.

But in any case, today we came to meet under the cover of going out hunting, and indeed received unexpected gains!

"Okay! Let the merchants deal with the businessmen's affairs, and we, shouldn't we have a banquet? I heard that your country's mission is about to go to the Netherlands, so I should hold a beautiful farewell party! During Lisbon If you have any needs, just talk to Baron Moreira outside!"

The Duke of Braganza also drank the wine in one gulp, with a happy smile on his face.

Hehe, done!Su Zining put down his wine glass and stretched out his right hand.

The Portuguese Duke was taken aback for a moment, but at the suggestion of the other party's smile full of special meaning, he slowly extended his right hand.

Clasping his hands together and shaking them gently, the Portuguese Duke finally felt at ease.

……

……

The Duke of Braganza and his son have been away for several hours, but in the study of the manor, Baron Moreira Lopez is still conducting a difficult negotiation with "US government officials".

"Oh God, you need thirty galleons to go east?! It's impossible, it takes too many sailors and supplies, it's a fleet! Although we also have merchant ships docking in East Africa, West Africa and India, but That does not belong to the power that His Excellency the Duke can directly mobilize! And how could they make the long voyage to and from the East and Brazil."

With a bitter face, Lopez sighed with more than enough energy.

"Your Excellency, Baron Moreira, can't the letters and messengers of His Excellency the Duke fail to impress those greedy businessmen?"

Yang Wenwen blinked her eyes and fanned the small fan on her chest with a look of disappointment.

Lopez took a deep breath, bit his lower lip fiercely, his pale face twitched slightly, and finally sighed after a long time: "Dear Miss Yang Wenwen, you know, this must require a large amount of money, otherwise..."

"Oh, I understand... Your difficulties are my fault." Yang Wenwen stood up and turned her head sadly.

God!How could I... Poor Baron Moreira blushed at this moment.

"I can use my family's ships!" Lopez drank the wine in his hand in one breath, gasped, and saluted the lady who was about to leave, "They are docked in Pernambuco and Brazil. Mozambique in East Africa, I can send a letter there! Moreover, as long as your country can solve the trade losses of Portuguese merchants, I can ask the Federation of Nobles to persuade those chambers of commerce to send messengers!"

"You are such a noble nobleman!" Yang Wenwen "wept with joy" and walked away "shyly".

When did this bitch become so good at pretending? !

Su Zining and Yan Xiaosong, who didn't say a word from the beginning to the end of the critical stage, sat in the study for almost an hour after Baron Moreira left.