golden scales

In this day and age, European currency can be said to be a muddled account, and can only roughly estimate the value of the currency.

Since 1000, France has minted a gold coin with a high gold content, called the Golden Louis, which is considered the main currency for large-scale exchanges.The purchasing power of this kind of gold coin fluctuates greatly with the price of gold and silver. A gold Louis can roughly equal [-] yuan in Zhu Cihong's previous life.

Of course, in Zhu Cihong's previous life, this currency had become a collectible, but now it is the lifeline of the French government.Whether the domestic situation can be stabilized, whether it can finally survive the most difficult period, and force Spain to sign an unequal treaty that humiliates the country depends entirely on how much gold France can get.

If the gold is enough, France can even willfully provoke the whole of Europe to another war against the Habsburg family, turning Spain into a third-rate country.

"I have no right to promise economic support." After a short thought, Gong Yonggu said seriously: "But I have two flexible ways, I hope your country can consider it."

Fouquet tilted his head slightly, indicating that he was listening. Louis XIV also showed a serious face, and entered a state of thinking.

"The best policy is to pay tribute." Gong Yonggu said: "According to our dynasty's tradition, as long as you pay tribute to some local products, the court will definitely reward you several times. This is also the reason why many profiteers from foreign vassal states pretend to be envoys to pay tribute."

There is no French word for "tribute," at least not yet.Tong Shi was very distressed about how to correctly express the inner meaning and avoid making the two French guests misinterpret it as a feudal obligation.In European feudal society, only vassals were required to pay tribute, and this tribute was tied to other military and political obligations.

If we use the term "reciprocity", this will inevitably weaken the power of Ming Dynasty.Because no matter in terms of political public opinion or people's psychology, they are unwilling to admit that Ming and the Western countries are equal friends.In other words, comparing Ming Dynasty with other countries.Always higher.

After a lengthy exchange, Louis XIV and Fouquet were finally able to understand that this "tribute" had no other additional obligations, nor did it mean to insult France or belittle France's national dignity.

"But it still makes people feel uncomfortable." Fouquet whispered in Louis XIV's ear: "Your Majesty, maybe we should listen to his second plan."

Louis XIV nodded.He didn't want to bow to anyone other than Mazarin.

Gong Yonggu saw that the other party was unwilling to accept the tribute plan.He had to say: "The only other thing is trade."

"But Daming doesn't need European products." Fukai said helplessly.

Today's Ming Dynasty is still in a serious position of superiority in foreign trade.Even when there was demand for foreign goods, it was concentrated on Indian spices.Except for the local products purchased by the Ming envoys when they returned home, almost no European products could be seen by the Ming Dynasty.

"For the moral cause of Mr. King of your country, our country can have 'needs'." Gong Yonggu said: "Before taking office, this envoy has obtained the approval of His Majesty the Great Emperor to purchase a certain amount of artwork. These artworks are very important to Mr. King. It is useless to govern the country and defeat Xikou, but the gold exchanged must be extremely useful.”

just art...

Fouquet looked at Louis XIV, showing his approval.

"Of course, the price can't be too outrageous. You can't shoddy it, otherwise you won't be able to get support from the government and the opposition." Gong Yonggu wanted to explain the gap between the monarchy and the regime in Ming Dynasty, but he didn't think it was necessary.Most of the European countries today are in the throes of power struggles. Whether it is France or Sweden, there are class conferences for representatives of various classes to make decisions on state affairs.

Generally speaking, the status of nobles and monks is by no means within the reach of the emerging bourgeoisie.

"We are willing to do such a transaction." Fouquet said.

"You can also sell some real estate to us." Gong Yonggu said: "Mainly in the New World. Moreover, we can join forces to fight against the Spanish forces in the New World."

The reason why America is called the New World is because the barrier of the Atlantic Ocean makes this land almost isolated from Europe.When the wheel of history rolled to the second half of the seventeenth century.Britain and France also swung their minions to the Caribbean, looting wealth from the declining Spanish Empire.

"We will be very happy to see the righteous forces of the East and the West spreading sunshine in the new world." Fouquet said deeply.

"But the cooperation in the New World faces two obstacles. Not only is it the cause of the war between Ming and Spain, but it may also affect the relationship between Ming and your country." Gong Yonggu said.

"We believe that any estrangement can be negotiated." Fukai assumed the posture of an old negotiator, ready to deal with Daming's asking price.

"First of all, the natives. Daming cannot accept the inhuman massacre of the Taixi people." Gong Yonggu said seriously: "Now I agree with the view that the natives are also human beings in Chaoqingliu. Any massacre is a barbaric act. And the Taixi people in the New World The way it's done. It's jaw-dropping."

Fouquet glanced at Louis XIV, and Louis XIV was eager to defend himself: "When the bureaucrats are far away across the ocean, none of us can guarantee that something will happen. But please believe that we are also a civilized country, and we don't want to See blood under the sun."

Fouquet nodded slightly in agreement.He squinted at Gong Yonggu, wondering what the emissary meant by his lack of implementation.

If it is just a verbal promise and cannot be implemented, why is it necessary to give the other party a chance to bargain as a condition?

Gong Yonggu's train of thought stopped short, and continued: "The other way is to use black slaves."

"No one can force others to be slaves by any means, and anyone who claims to be a mortal will no longer be a slave." Gong Yonggu said: "This is undoubtedly the express law of the Ming Dynasty, and it is also the law of the benevolent. The root of love."

The European population has always been at a low level. When faced with a huge virgin land, it is easy to have a shortage of labor force.This is also the fact that the slave trade has been in the ascendant in the past century, and even because there are more and more new lands, the trend of plundering black slaves from Africa has become more and more popular.

When Gong Yonggu raised the issue of the rights and interests of the aborigines and black slaves, it was only because he was influenced by the articles in the newspapers, and he is indeed a compassionate person, so he raised it in an almost formal way on this occasion .

Faced with the temptation of gold, the French king and finance minister did not intend to sing against the God of Wealth, but they only verbally agreed.However, after looking back and thinking about it carefully.The shrewd French suddenly found that this was an excellent opportunity to seize the upper hand and weaken the enemy.

European countries other than Spain do not have much labor demand in the New World, because the land they occupy is really small.This also determines that their demand for black slaves is far lower than that of Spain.Now that the black slave issue has attracted the attention of civilized countries, why not take the moral high ground and attack Spain theologically and ethically.

If it can be universally recognized that buying and selling black slaves and using black slaves is inhumane, then Spain will be nailed to the pillar of shame.

or.Forced to restrain the black slave trade, he was tied hands and feet and weakened his strength.

……

"Gong Yonggu's ideas are good, and his skills are good."

Thousands of miles away in Beijing, Zhu Cihong got the minutes of the "Marseille Talks" eight months ago, and brought them up at the cabinet meeting.

"I think that there is no need for Ming to intervene between the Thai and Western people." Jiang Dejing was quite disgusted by this, especially hated Gong Yonggu's asking for gold.Nowadays, there are still people in Daming who can’t get enough to eat, and buy Thai and Western paintings and sculptures with gold and silver... and they are still things that have no aesthetic feeling at all.Isn't this throwing money into the sea?

"Mr. Jiang is rigid." Wu Yan didn't need the emperor to speak, and took the initiative to assume the responsibility of the first assistant: "People in the world want to see the world's affairs, and the way lies. How can I be alone?"

Jiang Dejing cupped his hands slightly, but did not make any further excuses.

"However, Gong Yonggu was on the wrong side." Zhu Cihong continued: "He shouldn't be so clearly on the side of France."

"Your Majesty, our dynasty has already started a war with the Westerners." Sun Chuanting reminded the emperor.

Of course Zhu Cihong will not forget this, and during the three-month war.The Spaniards in Luzon were completely defeated, and everyone was sent to a prisoner of war camp.Undertake the infrastructure construction work in Luzon Island.

The Ming cabinet and the emperor have made a resolution that they will absolutely not accept the ransom.

The Spaniards headed by Sabiniano are war criminals and prisoners of Ming Dynasty. They must accept the sanctions of Ming Dynasty law, instead of paying a ransom to get pardon.

"Let the French and the Spaniards fight in Taixi as lively as possible." Zhu Cihong sighed: "So I am determined to sign a contract with Spain as soon as possible, and at the same time help them have the courage to continue fighting. I will strive to make the current fight Nine Years' War. Another 30 Years' War."

The elders agree with this.If there is no need for Ming to send troops, it is okay to do things like sowing discord.

The key is to get out the gold this time. Although it will not affect the stability of Daming's currency, it needs to see some returns after all.

"I thought that all the territory from the north of Mexico City belonged to the American capital of Ming Dynasty." Zhu Cihong said: "And there is one more thing: Spanish sheep."

The Treaty of Westphalia, signed after the Thirty Years' War, laid the foundation for the modern international legal system.Determining national borders on maps has become a generally accepted concept.As long as Spain agrees with this point and forms a legal document, regardless of whether Ming Dynasty has the ability to occupy such a vast North America, it will provide a basis for future generations to fight saliva lawsuits.

Spanish sheep are often neglected.It was only after Zhu Cihong took over the state that he learned that the sheep breeds in Daming and Mongolia could only produce rough wool for making felts, and could not make woolen coats and develop woolen textiles at all.The wool textile industry will last for a long time in the future and has its irreplaceable advantages. It is necessary to fill this gap as soon as possible.

Today, Spain has legislated to prohibit any live fine-wool sheep from leaving the country. Only through war blackmail can there be a chance to obtain a sufficient number of breeding sheep. (To be continued..)

ps: I'm very sorry, the update happened as soon as December came up.But please believe that if Xiaotang can write, he will definitely not stop updating. This is not only a matter of attitude, but also Xiaotang's hobby.Thank you for your support~!

In addition, I recommend a new history book by a friend: "Tang Gun", ISBN: 3341243.Friends who are interested in the Sui and Tang Dynasties should not miss it.