golden scales

It is not unfounded arrogance that Philip IV can be called the "King of the Earth".As the first empire on which the sun never sets, the Spanish Habsburg dynasty occupied the richest gold and silver mines in America.And for nearly 100 years, Spain has almost dominated the Americas, frantically plundering local wealth.

However, the Spanish Empire has been fighting against the whole of Europe for years, and the precious metals on the American continent are pouring into Ming Dynasty. Therefore, in the hands of Philip IV's grandfather, the treasury is already in a very difficult situation.

Although after the Armada was defeated by the British Royal Navy, the Spaniards quickly regained a city, but like the afterglow of the setting sun, the empire has inevitably declined.

In [-], six years after Philip IV ascended the throne, the Spanish government declared bankruptcy.The following year, the Spanish treasure ship was intercepted by the Dutch.The country's economy is getting worse. < )

The economic defeat directly led to the decline in the combat effectiveness of the Spanish army, and the instability of the complex ethnic areas.In 30, in order to win the Thirty Years War, Philip IV continued to expand his army and wanted the Catalans in the Iberian Peninsula to bear part of the military expenditure. As a result, France secretly instigated it, which led to the Spanish Civil War.

In the same year, the Portuguese independence movement broke out, and Joao IV established a new dynasty: the Braganza Dynasty, which ended Spanish rule.Two years later, Spain lost its northern stronghold of Taiwan in the Far East, and Manila was almost an isolated island.

In 30, the [-]-year war between Germany and Germany was decided. The Spanish Habsburg family was almost cast aside by the whole of Europe, becoming the most unpopular royal family and losing its land advantage.Philip IV had to recognize the independence of the Netherlands in exchange for the space to continue the war against France.

In the Spanish-French War, although Spain once conquered Naples and Catalonia, it still could not change the decline.

The situation of the country is deteriorating day by day.Philip IV had not heard good news from afar for a long time.Coupled with the early death of his sons, his life always seems to be covered with a layer of haze.

One day in May 52, like all the boring days in the past, the [-]-year-old King of Spain received a note from the Ming Empire from Portugal.

Ming declared war on Spain.

Because Ming Dynasty and Spain did not establish an ambassadorial relationship, nor did they have any channels for mutual missions, so this declaration of war was sent from Lisbon by the Ming Dynasty ambassador to Portugal.From the time of inscription.Daming had already declared war on the New Year of the Chinese calendar, and obviously spent a lot of time on the road.

Philip IV stood helplessly in front of the window, letting the hot wind blow his face.

Speaking of which, he is full of affection for Daming. There are many precious silk products from the Far East in the palace, and he also likes those elegant blue and white porcelain very much, but there is always a gap between the two countries.

The aristocrats of those distant colonies didn't know how to respect a real empire, and slaughtered their people like barbarians. It seems that it is not surprising that they have received such a result.

"The point is," Philip IV wriggled his huge jaw. "What was the outcome of the war?"

Queen Maria Anna just opened the door and came in, but she didn't hear her husband mumbling.She came here because she received a letter from her good friend Queen Christina, which mentioned that certain actions of Spain in the Far East might cause displeasure to the Ming Empire.

"Mr. King, you must stop your colonial officials. We have no idea what those noble gentlemen want to do! They should not provoke a powerful country, especially if they have no ability to protect themselves." Queen Anna took out Christie Queen Na sprinkled the letter with fragrance and handed it to her husband.Under the key sentence unintentionally mentioned, there are traces of her fingernails scratching lightly.

"I'm afraid it's already too late." In exchange, Philip IV handed Ming's declaration of war to his wife.

The queen looked at the note written in Chinese, Western and Latin.Instead, my heart settled down.

"Then, now we can only wait for the outcome of the war," said the queen.

"I have already thought about the result." Philip IV firmly said: "This is the trouble caused by Sabiniano himself. I will not pay him a ransom. It is a pity that our business tax I'm afraid the income will be much less."

The Spanish way of running the country is primitive.Gold and silver were obtained from New Spain Province and shipped to Daming in exchange for tea, silk, porcelain and other commodities, and Indian spices were also purchased from smugglers when conditions permitted.Some of these commodities will flow into mainland Europe after passing through the market of New Spain, which is also the income point of the Spanish treasury.

It can be seen from this chain of economic activities.Spain did not obtain the real currency of Europe - gold and silver, but continued to infuse blood.Philip IV once promoted legislation to prohibit the flow of gold and silver out of the country, which obviously did not achieve the desired effect.

"The gold and silver of New Spain will come back." Queen Anna comforted the king and herself, but soon lost confidence.She said: "The premise is that our treasure ship can escape the dirty claws of British pirates."

"We were kicked out of the Far East, which is really sad." Philip IV sighed, "Fortunately, the New World and Europe are still safe."

Maria Anna thought so too.

However, they ignored the urgency of the new ambassador of Ming Dynasty to make meritorious service.

Prince Consort Gong Yonggu has not continued since his wife died of illness.Because there is really no place to stay in the court, and there is no leisure to eat under the New Deal, so he invited himself to go to Europe to take his two daughters to see the scenery of another world.Daming's declaration of war against Spain was the biggest event since he took office, and it was also an excellent opportunity for him to become famous in foreign lands.

Although in terms of duties, Gong Yonggu only needs to forward the note, but as Daming's spokesperson and eyes and ears in Europe, he can do more things.

In April [-], Gong Yonggu left Lisbon, Portugal, for Marseille, France.Under the protection of his reliable musketeers, King Louis XIV of France waited there like an ordinary son of aristocrat, excitedly hoping to meet the envoy from the Far East, and sincerely hoped to go to Daming in person.

It has to be said that the impression Tang Wang left on Europe is a bit exaggerated.

On a sunny afternoon, with the Mediterranean sea breeze blowing, in this city famous for rebelling against the French court, Louis XIV, later known as the "Sun King", met the ambassador of the Ming Dynasty, the uncle of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Mr. Gong Yonggu.

Wearing white tights, a large burqa, and long curly black hair, Louis XIV immediately took a liking to Gong Yonggu, who wore a toga and a crown.

"You are so gentle and personable, making people feel warm and friendly." Louis XIV praised without hesitation.

Gong Yonggu just returned a more friendly smile. He couldn't understand the psychology of this teenage boy, but he knew that the French king, and even the whole of France, needed to show favor to him, because he represented the Ming emperor and The quota decision of [-] artillery pieces.

In legend, it was also believed that the Ming Dynasty would bring in shiploads of gold and silver in huge battleships - as long as they felt it was necessary.

"I'm very glad to meet Mr. King." There is no need to use honorifics for foreign kings who are not canonized by Ming Dynasty.Gong Yonggu said: "Mr. King must have learned that Ming has officially declared war with Spain."

"Yes, I know, although I didn't participate in state affairs..." Louis XIV was obviously a little excited.He glanced at Wen Chen beside him.This civil servant has a fair complexion and always wears a gentle smile, revealing an upbringing that conforms to the values ​​of the European upper class society.

This civil servant is the real person in charge of the negotiations, Nicholas Fouquet.

Nicolas Fouquet is now France's Minister of Finance.

During the Fronde rebellion from [-] to [-], he stood firmly on the side of Cardinal Mazarin and the dynastic government, which laid the foundation for him to be reused by Mazarin in the future.

As for Cardinal Mazarin, he has two other identities: the Prime Minister of France, and the lover of Queen Mother Anna of Austria.

Indeed, the current Louis XIV is not the Sun King admired by later generations, but just a symbol of royal power without personal governance.

Gong Yonggu has put a lot of effort into the relationship between the European royal families, and he can basically clarify the relationship between them, but it is difficult for him to understand why there are tragic wars between relatives, almost to the point of life and death.

The king before me is an example.

Louis XIV's mother married King Louis XIII of France when he was 14 years old.Often referred to as Anna of Austria, she was actually a Spanish princess, daughter of Philip III and sister of King Philip IV of Spain.After the death of Louis XIII, it was she who firmly supported Mazarin in his protracted war with his motherland.

"My lord, as you can see, after the Peace of Westphalia was signed in [-], we have been at war with Spain for nine years." Nicholas Fouquet cleared Clearing his throat, he didn't realize that the king beside him was squinting at him.

"In the Nine Years' War, France and Spain were like two drunkards, almost exhausted, holding each other tightly, unable to bring the other down. Both we and Spain suffered from domestic rebellion, people's Poverty tortured, and all on the brink of financial collapse." Nicolas Fouquet did not mind exposing his country's embarrassment, which is actually a known fact.

Gong Yonggu thought of the situation not long before the Ming Dynasty, and could only sigh, but couldn't find a suitable language to echo the words of the Minister of Finance.

"So, we hope that the Ming Empire can provide more financial support." Foukai leaned forward and lowered his tone: "Real money and silver support." (To be continued...)