Wanli 1592

Chapter 418 Could it be that Franji on Luzon Island offended Xiao Zhennan?

Matteo Ricci knew that Xiao Ruxun held the military power, while the Ming court held the righteousness. When the two were combined, Xiao Ruxun would send troops to attack the Philippines, and it was possible to defeat the Spanish colonial power in the Philippines in one fell swoop.

More importantly, a considerable part of the interests of the Philippine island belong to the Catholic Church and the Holy See. If Xiao Ruxun destroys Spain, the interests of the Holy See will not be protected.

This is why Bishop Alexander sent him to China for diplomacy in such a hurry.

But the Chinese government can't afford it, and Xiao Ruxun can't afford it either. If it angers the Chinese government, the emperor of China will order Xiao Ruxun to attack the Philippines. Life is worse than death, just the fact that businessmen from various countries are not allowed to do business with them can kill them.

A rumor that China is going to attack the Philippines can make the Philippine island jittery like the end of the world, and keep merchant ships from all over the world from setting foot in the Philippines for two or three months, so that the rations of Spanish soldiers on the island are now a problem, which shows China's deterrence No matter how strong the force is, Xiao Ruxun's stronghold is not far from the Philippines. If there is a real fight, he will definitely not be able to withstand it.

Although it is confirmed here that the Chinese government will not trouble the Philippines, the personal grievances with Xiao Ruxun are also serious. Matteo Ricci is thinking, what if Xiao Ruxun sends troops privately?

"Tai Su, is it possible for General Xiao to send troops to attack Luzon without the emperor's order?"

On the way back, Matteo Ricci asked Qu Rukui in this way. He still didn't understand the rules for the operation of Chinese officials' power.

Qu Rukui frowned and said, "Of course not. Xiao Zhennan's Marquis Mansion is the Zhennan Marquis Mansion. As the name suggests, it is to guard the southern border for Daming, not to expand the territory. You can take the initiative to send troops to exterminate them, but it is impossible to start a war against a country without an order from the imperial court."

Speaking of this, Qu Rukui glanced at Matteo Ricci, and said in a low voice: "Mr. Li, this old man is not someone who knows nothing about the outside world. You always tell this old man that the Franji people who invaded Luzon's old place are not Your compatriots?"

Matteo Ricci was startled, and immediately shook his head: "No, no, no, Tai Su, no, I'm not a Frangipani. The Frangipani have nothing to do with me. I'm just a missionary."

Qu Rukui nodded, and said, "It's not that I'm threatening you, Mr. Li. The Franji people invaded the old land of Luzon Island, and Luzon Island used to be the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and later it was a vassal of the Ming Dynasty. After being invaded by the Franji people for no reason, There were also descendants of the royal family of Luzon who came to Daming for help.

But at that time, Daming had no spare energy to help, so he could only accept those people to live in Daming, but this matter has been paid attention to by many people, and the old man’s friends in the capital have mentioned it more than once. If there is a topic related to people, this matter will inevitably be mentioned.

Not to mention that the Ming Dynasty pacified Japan and restored Korea three years ago. After helping Korea restore the country, there was also a lot of controversy for the restoration of Luzon. After the rebellion was quelled, Xiaozhen Nanyong was allowed to town Burma.

The imperial court also has the idea of ​​relying on Xiao Zhennan's ability to use troops to defend the southern border of the Ming Dynasty and deter the vassal states. Of course, it also has the idea of ​​​​monitoring Franji. If you have nothing to do with Franji, that's fine, don't get involved in this matter Well, if this matter is mentioned in the court, Daming actually has a righteous reputation. "

Matteo Ricci wiped the sweat from his forehead guiltily, and nodded repeatedly.

He is not Spanish or Portuguese, he is Italian, but he is also a Catholic, a member of the Holy See. The Holy See has property and interests in the Philippines, and the Holy See also benefits from the Philippines every year. Xiao Ruxun also knows this matter.

Seeing Matteo Ricci's expression, Qu Rukui tentatively asked, "Could it be that the Franji man on Luzon Island offended Xiao Zhennan?"

Matteo Ricci looked at Qu Rukui, but nodded in desperation.

"Taisu, the matter has come to this point, I will not hide it from you. It is very important that His Majesty the Emperor will not order to attack Luzon, but General Xiao's attitude is also very important. Three years ago, when General Xiao was in Burma, he sent The boats went to various small countries in Southeast Asia to take the local Chinese to live in Myanmar, which is regarded as returning to the motherland.

At that time, many Chinese followed General Xiao, but on Luzon Island, those Franji people hid tens of thousands of Chinese, and did not let General Xiao take them away, and blocked General Xiao's boat, which offended General Xiao.

They didn't care about it at the time, but in the past three years, General Xiao's prestige has grown stronger and stronger, and this time His Majesty sent a ship to Luzon, which made the people on the island panic, for fear that General Xiao would serve His Majesty the Emperor. command to attack Luzon.

Before I came, when I was in Myanmar, General Xiao asked me to communicate with those people as an envoy, and asked them to return to the Chinese on Luzon Island, so that they would not use troops. If they did not release them, he would Send troops to attack Luzon and rescue the Chinese on the island. "

Qu Rukui frowned and said, "How could a general like Xiao Zhennan say such a thing? Doesn't he know the court... Wait, Mr. Li, you just said, rescue? Did you? What's going on? Could it be that Lu Song There is turmoil on the island again? I remember that Fujian officials went to Luzon to bring back [-] citizens last year. What is going on here?"

Qu Rukui seemed to have noticed something, he was taken aback by what Matteo Ricci said, and looked at Qu Rukui's puzzled and questioning expression, Matteo Ricci knew that there were some things that Qu Rukui definitely wanted to know, although he could hide it, in exchange for Qu Rukui's support for him, But that is not in line with one's own beliefs and one's own conscience.

"Tai Su, there are some things that I will not hide from you. Ever since a big pirate in your country attacked the Franji people on Luzon Island 20 years ago, the Franji people have been very afraid of China coming to Luzon Island. Inhabited people strictly limit their weapons, and also limit their range of activities and places of residence.

Two years ago, the reason why Fujian officials wanted to bring back [-] Chinese people was because a few Chinese sailors took the people from Luzon Island... well, it can be regarded as the governor of a province in Ming Dynasty, and took the people from Luzon Island. The governor of Franz was killed because he over-squeezed the Chinese sailors and made them dissatisfied. "

Qu Rukui turned pale with shock.

"Anything else?"

Ricci nodded silently.

"So General Xiao knew that the situation of the Chinese on Luzon Island was very bad, and he always wanted to take the Chinese away from Luzon Island, but the population on Luzon Island was sparse, and the Chinese were an important labor force. People don't want to let go, and of course some of them don't want to go, so they offended General Xiao because of this, and General Xiao said more than once that he would attack Luzon, so..."

Matteo Ricci didn't go on, but Qu Rukui almost understood it.

(End of this chapter)