I'm really not doing business

Chapter 528 I can also talk, I can also love Daming

In March of the tenth year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, an ocean-going caravan formed by five major ocean-going trading houses consisted of a total of twelve five-masted ocean-going ships.

The captain of the fleet was Liu Ji, the assistant official of Xu Jiugao, the last special envoy sent to the Western Regions.

The entire fleet has a total of two million pieces of large cloth and three million pieces of small cloth. In addition to cotton cloth, there are also porcelain, tea, silk, silverware, lacquerware, iron pots, etc. There are many types, with a total value of more than six million silver.

While passing through the Viceroyalty of Brazil in Peru, Mexico, he had already traded nearly three million silver goods with the locals in exchange for local specialties, and finally arrived in the City of Liberty.

The iron pot cost one tael of silver each, but it was sold out before arriving at the Liberty Corner, and the supply exceeded demand.

Liu Ji was very puzzled. It was just that the Ming Dynasty iron pots were popular in Nanyang. There was indeed no production of iron pots in Nanyang, but they were also so popular in the New World and the New World, and even sold better than silk and cotton. Liu Ji never thought about it. understandable.

One tael of silver for a pot, one tael of silver can buy a hundred kilograms of pork. Such an expensive price is still being robbed.

This is Liu Ji's deepest feeling that he doesn't have enough to carry. Who knew this thing was so popular?

The opening of a new sea route is more difficult than imagined. Endless storms, silent diseases, greedy and ferocious pirates, insidious and cunning Taishi tribesmen, and exorbitant tax collectors. These difficulties are all to be expected. Yes, but on the route, a new challenge appeared, that is, the Governor's Mansion along the way often did not want to do business at all, but only wanted to rob.

Antonio became the King of Portugal as he wished, and even for the support of the Ming Dynasty, he wore the five-piece military uniform given by the emperor, became the king in a nondescript manner, and appointed Xu Fan, an Oriental, as the minister of state. In the past few years, Antonio had not been happy.

At first, Ming Dynasty’s understanding of the colony of the Western Governor-General was based on the detailed understanding of the Ryukyu Governor-General’s Palace and the Luzon Governor-General’s Palace, whether it was military, economic, political, or cultural. After doing business for several years, he discovered that all governors were just bandits. .

"I don't love Ming Dynasty because of money! This is completely different from the nobles!"

"Nobles can also talk, they can also love Portugal, and they can also love Ming Dynasty." Xu Fan said with a smile after Liu Ji took his seat.

The total principal and interest of the war loan exceeded 10 million silver, which plunged the whole of Portugal into confusion. Although the Ming Dynasty did not collect the money and even extended it for thirty years, the interest rate of the extension was even more disappointing, which made everyone anxious. It was uneasy, and the arrival of the Ming Dynasty's ocean-going merchant ships made Portugal immersed in celebrations both inside and outside Portugal!
Large ships need monsoons and will not stay in the West for a long time. They need a second-rate dealer, and the Ming Dynasty chose Portugal. This means that Lisbon will become the distribution center for the Ming Dynasty’s goods in the West. This is good news for everyone, even The nobles who had ignored Antonio in the past also visited the palace one after another in the past few days, and also had friendly exchanges with Xu Fan in the Chinese Hall.

If I kill you, your goods will also be mine.

This was the challenge that came along the way and made the fleet completely unpredictable. The governors cooperated with the pirates to rob the Ming fleet. The governor was responsible for providing the fleet with the time to enter and leave the port, while the pirates were responsible for the robbery. .

The relationship between Antonio and the Duchess is not love or family affection, but Antonio's choice for his position as king.

"It's just a cultural difference, the special envoy doesn't need to worry about it." Antonio didn't care and said with a smile: "I am only interested in the beautiful girl. I have prepared a grand ceremony to welcome the arrival of the Ming Dynasty's ocean fleet."

The Ming fleet was a bit dusty. It had obviously just experienced a war. There were various arrows and hooks hanging on the ship, and the wounded were wearing bandages. The sailors were busy cleaning the decks. Some of the pirates who boarded the ship were The corpses were transported to the trestle and prepared for burning while the gunners cleaned the gun barrels. The salty smell of the sea breeze, mixed with the smell of gunpowder smoke and blood, filled the harbor.

Liu Ji was stunned for a moment and asked: "Can the nobles of Taixi also love the Ming Dynasty?"

Antonio has met Liu Ji. The last time Xu Jiugao was the special envoy to the West, Liu Ji was the second official. Antonio naturally responded with the most sincere enthusiasm for Liu Ji who could make Antonio a lot of money.

Now! The fleet of Daming Ocean Trading Company is here!

The last round-the-world route was mainly for exploration and did not carry a lot of cargo, so it did not attract widespread attention from pirates. But this time, the large amount of cargo finally attracted the attention of pirates. No matter where they go, they must attack Be extremely energetic, but if you are even a little bit lax, you will die without a burial place.

At first Liu Ji used this method, but later Liu Ji chose another method and fought over!
The four words "desperate and gratifying" are vividly reflected in the pirates. Liu Ji was not willing to cause trouble. The sea trade was very profitable, so he just gave him some money to pay for it. It was just asking for rewards. But soon Liu Ji discovered that these pirates were going to But when he came back, he was very annoyed, and his appetite was getting bigger and bigger. From the moment the pirates launched rockets at the Ming Dynasty ships, the Ming Dynasty's ocean caravans showed their claws.

After Liu Ji passed the Tierra del Fuego Islands with difficulty, when he started trading again, he began to no longer satisfy the demanding tax collector. Faced with the tax collector's rude request, Liu Ji chose to stuff the eighteen-pound cannon into these In the mouth of the tax collector!

Strong ships and powerful guns are the only rules of maritime trade!

"He tried every possible means to persuade me to revolt." Xu Fan looked at Chen Dazhuang and said with a smile, "He wanted me to work under Felipe. He has been talking about this for three years. Felipe II thinks Antonio is vulnerable without the Minister of State. His Highness Antonio, who can't even handle the affairs of the court, will make the whole of Portugal yearn to join Spain."

Loyalty to the country, the people of the country, the collective interests of the country, and one's own heart, I don't know when it slowly turned into a shame.

"Special Envoy Xu, is Philip II's Invincible Fleet just kept there for nothing? I was surrounded by more than a hundred pirate ships in front of the Strait of Gibraltar! If it weren't for my big, fast ship and many guns, I would have almost been unable to make it to Lisbon!" Liu Ji complained as soon as he jumped off the pier.

Because Antonio has to repay the original war loan.

"Then it's no surprise that Sauron is here." Liu Ji nodded with great approval. Xu Fan is a very talented person, very similar to his father Xu Jie.

Loyalty is one of the qualities of chivalry in the Middle Ages, but with the Grand Tour, this quality is becoming less and less common in the West.

The biggest challenge is the Tierra del Fuego Islands in the Strait of Magellan. The waterways there are complex and very narrow, and the hydrology and wind direction are changeable, making navigation very slow. The Strait of Magellan is also the only way for global trade navigation. If you want to pass In Tierra del Fuego, there are only two ways. One is to pay money. Whenever a pirate comes, he will pay homage to the mountain and give some money. The pirates see that there are many people in the Ming Dynasty, so they will also take some benefits, so it is enough.

"My friend, you are right! Since Felipe II failed to capture our Lisbon last time, the sailors of the Armada have discovered that King Felipe II is nothing more than that. I guess the pirates you encountered , not just pirates, but also ships of the Invincible Fleet. When ordinary pirates see such a huge fleet, they will avoid it." Antonio stretched out his hand, gave Liu Ji a warm hug, and patted Liu Ji on the shoulder.

The Ming Dynasty's ocean-going caravan learned four words in just one sea trade, and practiced business with a sword!
Your Majesty has an edict: In a time of great strife, the strong will be strong, and the weak will perish! At first, Liu Ji didn't quite understand this sentence. He always felt that His Majesty was a little too violent. As a king, violence is very dangerous to the country. This time of ocean-going trade gave Liu Ji a full understanding of His Majesty's words. understand.

"His Royal Highness, Special Envoy Xu, Special Envoy Liu, and Felipe II's secretary Solon are here." Chen Dazhuang whispered to the coastal defense inspector twice and then said to everyone.

Antonio eagerly expressed his love for Ming Dynasty. He was desperate at that time. Portugal was about to fall into the hands of Felipe, and he, the heir, was exiled overseas by the old king Purity. He could only make a living by sailing ships and had no money. There was no one who did not support him, except Marcus, the sword master who believed like a fool that Antonio could save Portugal.

"If you don't love, you won't make money. If you love, you can make a lot of money." Antonio said with a smile: "Everyone knows me. I have a respectful heart. This was approved by the Ming Emperor. Although I am poor, I always The gifts brought to His Majesty are all very satisfactory to His Majesty. The seeds of corn, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, rubber, mahogany, and cotton are indeed not very expensive, but His Majesty is really happy.”

Lisbon will become the distribution center for Daming goods in the West!
The dawn that pierces the people rises from the east and shines on the mast of the sailboat!

"Long time no see, my friend."

This is actually just a hug.

Liu Ji asked with some confusion: "Isn't Soren Felipe's secretary? Why is he in Lisbon?"

Soren walked into the China Hall with a round pointed hat and his iconic big white beard. He looked at Liu Ji and said with great regret: "It's a pity that the captain chose Lisbon instead of Seville. This is not A wise choice, Sevilla can directly eat all the goods from the guest, while Lisbon still needs to issue an IOU. "

If Liu Ji was struck by lightning, he pushed Antonio away and said: "His Royal Highness the King of Portugal! I, Liu Ji, am a desperado, exposed to wind and sun, and a rough man. Can you stay away from me? I am only interested in beautiful girls. , not interested in the old man!"

The five-masted ocean crossing ship was originally designed for the security of the Ming Dynasty. Even though some designs were changed for trade, the original design was a warship, and this time each ship has at least seventy-five large and small cannons. The entire ship The team's sealed storage of gunpowder exceeded 100,000 kilograms.

Xu Jie also has talents, but Xu Jie's talents have been used for internal strife and corruption.

The situation in Portugal is still a mess, Antonio still does not have the support of the nobility and the church, because Antonio is very poor, and he also owes a large amount of war loans, and Liu Ji chooses Antonio instead of Felipe II and chooses Lisbon. The reason why instead of Sevilla is also very simple.

The Tejo River is quite calm in winter.

The Port of Lisbon is a port that does not freeze all year round. If the temperature drops suddenly, there will be thin ice, but most of the time the temperature is above zero.

Bullshit friends, the two kings Felipe II and Antonio have no control over the Viceroyalty!

"Well, this is indeed unwise. Lisbon is not as good as Seville. This is obvious." Liu Ji nodded and said: "This is your Majesty's decision, because Antonio is the king of Portugal, and Felipe II is not. That's it. Simple."

Daming raised a dog, but he couldn't let it starve to the point of being as thin as a stick. After all, Antonio was also a domestic dog.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. Although Lisbon is not good, this is not good, and that is not good, but with the goods from the Ming Dynasty, in a few years, it will be good either here or that." Antonio He said with gratitude: "You don't have to trust me. I was an abbot, then a captain, then a pirate, and now a king, but you can trust me as minister of state."

Compared with Seville, the business environment in Lisbon is indeed very poor. Lisbon merchants cannot even pay enough to buy large ships of goods, so they can only write IOUs as part of the loan.

Is this completely a manifestation of the emperor's will? Not entirely.

This is the choice of the merchants and merchants of the five major ocean-going trading houses. The Ming Dynasty needs a bridgehead in the West, a bridgehead that opens the door to free trade among various countries, a bridgehead that allows the Ming Dynasty goods to flow in and allows the Thai people to accept the Ming Dynasty products. Choosing Lisbon is the starting point. Before departure, the merchants jointly decided whether to have a full meal or a full meal, a truth that even animals understand.

And there is still interest, so don’t worry about Antonio’s inability to repay. If Antonio really can’t repay, he will go to His Majesty and ask His Majesty to collect the money with force. It is true that Portugal is far away, but the Governor’s Palace of Goa and Diu are within the Western Ocean. , Daming can get it back from other places.

"Well, this is indeed the only advantage of His Highness Antonio. He has been canonized by the Ming Dynasty." Sauron looked gloomy. From then on, Spain no longer had a monopoly on the Ming Dynasty's galleons trade, and Spain was not very good at it. response methods.

Liu Ji looked at Sauron, his eyes became a bit colder, and he asked calmly: "So when our caravan passed through Gibraltar, was it Felipe II's Armada that attacked us?"

The Strait of Gibraltar is the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea and is controlled by Felipe. When passing by, it was attacked by more than a hundred ships. This was very abnormal. Now Liu Ji has figured it out. It was not pirates at all, but the Spanish Armada. Rob the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty, because the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty did not choose Seville! As soon as Liu Ji said this, Xu Fan's expression changed immediately, and he suddenly looked at Sauron, his eyes like a poisonous snake.

Scholars of the Ming Dynasty have always been known for their ruthlessness. It is not necessary to speculate on the conspiracy, not to mention that this matter is so obvious. The sailing ship arrived at the port as scheduled, and Lisbon was immersed in the sea of ​​joy. Before the New Year, I can see the people of the Ming Dynasty again. , which made Xu Fan very happy and ignored it for a while.

"Felipe II made a very unwise choice. I will tell your Majesty truthfully that Spain must pay the price for this attack." Xu Fan sat up straight and said: "Solon, Felipe is Tessie The Ming Dynasty is thousands of miles away from Spain. No matter how powerful the Ming Dynasty is, it is still far away in the east. How can we negotiate the price and punishment? "

"It's simple, just increase taxes. The punitive customs tax is 30%, and we no longer enjoy the 6% bonus when arriving in Hong Kong. It is indeed extremely far away, but it is not impossible to do anything."

Sauron waved his hands repeatedly and said: "This can't happen! It's not an order from my king. Since the last naval battle, my king has been questioned. In the words of the Ming Dynasty, it means raising the bandits to respect themselves."

Sauron thought about how to explain this phenomenon, and quickly found four words to describe it, so that everyone present would understand it immediately.

After Felipe II failed to attack Portugal, Alvaro, the Marquis of Santa Cruz, came to Lisbon to negotiate a peace and leased a port. The failure of the war and the elimination of a group of opponents by Felipe II allowed Spain to emerge There has been some noise, and the intuitive manifestation of these internal contradictions is the self-respect of the pirates in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Some generals of the Spanish Navy began to respect themselves as pirates. While extorting gold and silver for military expenses under the pretext of eradicating pirates, they also deliberately condoned pirates. These pirates accurately knew the cargo carried by the ships and the time when the ships set sail.

"This is why the Queen of England issued a privateering license. She tried to turn privateering merchant ships and pirates into an armed force that could restrain the energy of Spain. In fact, she succeeded. These pirate ships are related to our Spanish naval generals. , and also related to the English royal family." In order to clarify the misunderstanding, Sauron uncovered the scar and told the distinguished guests of the Ming Dynasty.

"That's it." Liu Ji believed Sauron's words. We are all messengers and are ashamed to talk about the ills of our country. Just like Liu Ji would not say to Antonio and Felipe that 80% of the people in the Ming Dynasty were extremely poor and in the countryside. Ninety-eight percent of farmers are on the verge of bankruptcy. The Ming Dynasty is indeed very strong, but it is also very weak.

Liu Ji thought for a moment and said blankly: "Why does England look more and more like Japan?"

Like, it’s really too similar.

History is always a victory of ruthlessness over brainlessness. The maritime order that Felipe II has been pursuing to shape is vulnerable to the ruthless privateering license. The entire ocean of the West is collapsing towards the edge of disorder.

"Don't Felipe II have a solution?" Liu Ji looked at Soran and asked.

Sauron said eagerly: "Don't the solution lie with the captain? To be precise, it lies with the cargo of the fleet led by the captain!"

"Originally, my king planned to send out a huge navy to defeat England's sea power, and then dump the goods to England. England did not have silver. At first, the goods they exported were mainly wool. For wool, England carried out a cruel enclosure movement. The peasants’ land was forcibly confiscated, creating a large number of refugees.”

"After England accumulated a certain amount of silver, it began to tighten the export of wool and began to build workshops to export wool. Farmers who lost their land had to enter the workshops, and the extremely cheap labor allowed England to export wool. This business has a huge price advantage, and more silver pours into England."

"England's silver comes from the wool export trade. Only by crushing England's handicraft workshops can it be eliminated."

Sauron did not hide it. He made Felipe II's plan clear and clear, knocking on the door of England's free trade with force, destroying England's handicraft industry with goods dumping, and ultimately curbing the rise of England.

There are four players at the sea trade table, Portugal, Spain, England and Ming Dynasty. Being able to independently complete the circumnavigation of the world is a sign of being on the table. Ferdinand Magellan, Francis Drake and Xu Jiugao completed it respectively. The areas that cannot be served are all dishes on the menu.

Magellan was a Portuguese who served Spain, so the global voyage completed by Magellan was the joint result of the navigation technology and experience of the two countries.

Francis Drake was a hero to England, and to Spain he was a notorious pirate.

Sea trade, sea trade, how to do sea trade without goods? England's commodity advantage is cheap woolen cloth. Only by completely defeating England's handicraft industry can England be kicked off the dining table and become a dish on the menu.

"It's not impossible. Felipe II opens the door to England, and we Portuguese merchants sell goods behind. Wouldn't Felipe II's purpose be achieved? You think so, my Minister of State." Antonio looked at To Xu Fan, the meaning was very clear, cheating! Hurry up!

They deceived Sauron, Felipe II, and Spain, and took advantage of the opportunity to make money.

"Yes, what His Royal Highness the King said makes sense. This can be discussed." Xu Fan said with a smile: "I can also love Spain."

Sauron said angrily: "But am I a fool? We Spain are charging in the front, and the Portuguese are taking the opportunity to take away the biggest benefits. If I return to Spain with such an agreement, my king will tie it up for me. Thousands of pounds of boulders throw me into the Mediterranean Sea!"

Sauron became more aware of Xu Fan's honesty and shamelessness. As long as the Ming Dynasty was not involved, Xu Fan had no sense of honor or disgrace, because it was all fake.

Love Spain? Love a big-headed ghost!

Xu Fan said calmly: "Felipe II doesn't have to fight against England. He can choose to give in. Why not continue to marry the Queen of England? Although she has vowed to remain unmarried and serve God for the rest of her life, it is not a bad idea to continue to marry. , it’s not shameful to join forces and open up borders, hand over the governance of the Netherlands to England, and marry the queen.”

"Give the Netherlands to the queen, and the queen will definitely be moved."

"Xu Fan's words are actually mocking Spain's marriage alliance, which is not consistent with his hegemonic status. Felipe II did ask to marry the Queen of England before, but it just failed.

"This is impossible!" Sauron said loudly.

Antonio immediately said: "Does the Queen disagree?"

"It's not like that. How could it be possible to cede the Netherlands to England? The pirates will eventually be eliminated!" The corner of Sauron's mouth twitched. Xu Fan and Antonio were really angry to death when they sang together.

Sauron argued forcefully: "This is not a matter of marriage! The fact that the Netherlands and the mainland are not bordering is the key to the problem. There will definitely be problems when opening the border. There is no need to blame it on the marriage."

"Because marriage is a means of appeasement, and the original meat-eaters cannot be liquidated, and if they have interests in the newly opened territory, civil unrest will definitely break out, because there is one more knife to kill the common people." Xu Fan briefly and concisely explained the dilemma of marriage and opening up borders.

Marriage represents the recognition of the old vested interests. It is impossible to liquidate the old meat-eaters. The new meat-eaters have more interests and demands, and the current situation in the Netherlands will definitely occur.

This is to be expected. Those with old vested interests must be liquidated and replaced on a class basis before real development can be completed. This is clearly stated in the second volume of Class Theory.

Meat eaters need to be completely replaced, otherwise with one more meat eater, producers will be unable to supply. The second volume of Class Theory discusses distribution.

Xu Fan didn't say that much, nor did he explain it clearly. Sauron didn't read class theory, so he couldn't talk about it.

In fact, Xu Fan misunderstood. Solon actually read Theory of Contradiction, Theory of Public and Private Affairs, Theory of Production, Theory of Class, and Theory of Freedom. These were all translated from Latin by Legas. Solon brought back these translated books, but National conditions are different and cannot be applied mechanically.

Liu Ji stopped talking. He now became a person having fun and watching the fun.

Anyway, he is here to do business. No matter how the benefits are divided, Daming's share will not be less.

This is what gave Liu Ji the confidence that the advantage of goods and force gave Liu Ji. The advantage of goods requires force to protect, just like doing business with a sword. Without tyrannical force, business is just meat on the chopping board, and there is no way to talk about product advantage.

Liu Ji watched the excitement, Xu Fan and Antonio fooled Solon, and Solon argued with a blushing face.

There were four diners at the table, and three of them came together to discuss how to deal with the last diner, and the last diner was the kind of person who had no morals at all.

In the end, the distribution of interests was determined. Spain would work hard to knock down the door of England and promote free trade. Portuguese merchant ships would all pass through Porto Port and pay taxes to Felipe II. Porto Port was the port leased by Spain. , for use against the Netherlands and England.

The two sides started a war of words over taxes at the Port of Porto.

Due to the situation, Spain can only pinch its nose and suffer this dumb loss, because Spain must solve the Dutch rebellion and English pirates. Felipe II's status as the hegemon of the West has been seriously challenged.

Portuguese merchant ships do not have to pass through Porto Port and can sail directly to the Thames River for trade.

In order to express his welcome, Antonio prepared a huge ceremony and many beauties. The sailors of the Ming Dynasty merchant ship fell into a carnival, but the escorting navy soldiers were unmoved.

"Legas always said that the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty are Paladins and Templars. It is indeed the case. The Ming Dynasty is thousands of miles away, but it is still so neat and tidy. It is really touching." Sauron looked at the soldiers who were still in the port. The soldiers who were on guard and did not participate in the carnival said sincerely.

Sauron always felt that Li Ya was bragging. How could there be a Paladin or a Templar? Those are all legends of legends, but today Sauron saw,

It is simply incredible that this kind of army, which fully meets the Puritan definition, can still maintain such a large scale.

The Puritans are English Calvinism, which emphasizes that all believers are equal before God, advocates that everyone can communicate with God and receive revelation from God, opposes the church's monopoly on oracles, and seeks wealth in the name of God, etc.

For Ming people, this is not difficult to understand. They replace gods with Ming emperors and believers with Ming people.

"The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty are just living people. They come from the common people, so they have to protect the common people." Liu Ji said with empathy.

(End of this chapter)