Ming Dynasty man

Chapter 532 The Potential Crisis in the Netherlands

"However, if I agree to your conditions, the trouble will definitely be even greater." De Bourr said anxiously.

Li Jing shook his head and smiled, "You won't be in trouble, and you also solved a problem for Holland."

"How do you say that?" De Bauer wondered.

Li Jing smiled and said: "In fact, life in the Netherlands is not easy now. The Netherlands was originally a province of the Netherlands, a Spanish territory. The Republic (now the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg) is also called the Netherlands Republic because of the largest area of ​​the Netherlands Province, but Spain has not recognized the legitimacy of the Netherlands' independence so far.

In fact, Spain is not the only enemy of the Netherlands. Portugal is also the enemy of the Netherlands. The Netherlands has fought countless battles with Spain and Portugal over the years.

I admit that the sea power of the Netherlands is stronger than that of Spain and Portugal, even stronger than the combination of these two countries, but this cannot change the nature of the Netherlands as a weak country. "

De Bauer said, "Your Excellency, with all due respect, I don't understand what you mean. Since our country's maritime strength is stronger than that of Spain and Portugal combined, why do you say that the Netherlands is a weak country?"

Li Jing smiled and said: "It's very simple, because the land area of ​​the Netherlands is too small, the population is too small, and it is located in a lowland, there is no danger to defend. If you attack the Netherlands from land, I can tell you frankly, Da Ming only needs to mobilize the strength of two divisions at most to wipe out the entire Netherlands."

Hearing that Li Jing was so confident, De Bourr couldn't help being silent when he thought about the strength of the Ming army when they attacked the city of Zeelandia.

Li Jing continued with a smile: "Of course, I will not send troops to attack the Netherlands, not to mention that the journey is too far away, even if the Netherlands is occupied, it is meaningless, it is just a waste of people and money.

But if Ming Dynasty does not fight against the Netherlands, it does not mean that other countries will not fight against you. The Netherlands is located between the French Bourbon Dynasty and the Holy Roman Empire (now Germany). These two countries are much larger than the Netherlands in terms of land area and population. Much, much more.

Due to various reasons, the two countries have not yet threatened the Netherlands, but once the political situation of these two countries is stable, they will covet the convenient access to the sea in the Netherlands, especially the Holy Roman Empire. "

"Hehe, Your Excellency Prime Minister is very knowledgeable, and I admire it, but what you don't know is that the Holy Roman Empire is full of civil strife. Up to now, the civil war has been going on for 20 years, and the whole country is dilapidated. Let alone use troops against the Netherlands. The Netherlands If you don't use troops against them, they will... use your Chinese words to burn incense.

As for France, the same is true. The interior of France is not stable. King Louis XIII and the Queen Mother and his younger brother, the Duke of Orleans, are at odds. The Queen Mother has been plotting to depose Louis XIII and make the Duke of Orleans king.

In addition, King Louis XIII and Queen Anna are at odds, um... The Prime Minister may not know that Queen Anna is the princess of Spain. Because the king and queen of France are at odds, France and Spain are also at odds. (Note: The story told in the novel "The Three Musketeers" by the famous French writer Dumas is based on this history.)
In fact, the year before last, Spain had already sent troops to France, and together with the Holy Roman Empire, attacked France from the north to the south, and once attacked the French capital Paris, but was eventually defeated by the French army.

Now France has fallen into a war with the Holy Roman Empire. At this time, France is joining forces with the Netherlands to deal with Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. How can it use troops against the Netherlands?
"Oh? It seems that not only do I not know enough about France and the Holy Roman Empire, but I also don't know enough about these European countries." Li Jing laughed.

Li Jing was not being modest when he said this, because the information he had was obtained from missionaries such as Tang Ruowang, and most of these missionaries had been away from Europe for many years. When these people left Europe, war had just broken out in the Holy Roman Empire.

Tang Ruowang and others did not know that this war would continue until now and that most European countries would subsequently participate in this war. (That is, the Thirty Years War in Europe, which ended in 30.)
After a pause, Li Jing continued: "But I can tell you frankly that the Netherlands is more dangerous because the Holy Roman Empire and France are opposed. If the Holy Roman Empire wins, there is no doubt that the Netherlands, as an ally of France It must be retaliated by the Holy Roman Empire. And if France wins, it will never allow a maritime power like the Netherlands to exist around it.

In addition, as far as I know, England, which faces the Netherlands across the sea, has always been eyeing the Netherlands. The Netherlands is far inferior to England in terms of resources and manpower. "

"No way?" Deborah asked suspiciously.

"Trust my eyes." Li Jing said with a smile: "I can also tell you that the stronger the strength of the Netherlands in the sea, the less these countries can tolerate the Netherlands. You know the reason, which is the profits brought by overseas trade."

De Bourr nodded and said, "I've heard of the miracles the Prime Minister created in Daming, and I believe that the Prime Minister's vision is correct, but I don't understand how the Prime Minister can help the Netherlands solve these problems through this matter."

Li Jing smiled: "Do you think the treaties I made are only aimed at the Netherlands? Let me tell you, Spain, Portugal, including Britain and France, must all abide by this treaty.

In the future, Southeast Asia, which is what you call the East India, will be the sphere of influence of Ming Dynasty. You western countries can come to Ming Dynasty for trade, but you will never be allowed to send fleets into this area.

At this time, the trade between you western countries and Ming Dynasty has become a normal commercial competition. There is no military competition. If there is no military competition, is it necessary for them to launch a war against the Netherlands?Even if they want to start a war, it will be against us Ming Dynasty.Hehe, I am the person who is the least afraid of war, including us generals, no one is afraid of war. "

"This... can I have a look at the complete policy clauses you have drawn up for our countries?" De Bauer asked hesitantly.

Li Jing smiled and said, "I can tell you personally."

After a pause, Li Jing said: "First, Taiwan and Taiwan's surrounding islands are the territory of Ming Dynasty, and no foreign forces are allowed to station troops in Taiwan and Taiwan waters. In view of the unrest at sea, the forces of various countries allow escorts in Daming waters, but Escort ships shall not exceed three.

You should be able to see that this article is not only for you Netherlands, but also for Spain.

I know that Spain also built a city in the northern part of Taiwan. I can tell you responsibly that the city built by the Spanish in the northern part of Taiwan will be occupied by us just like your Zeelandia city.As for the fleet they rely on, hehe, if they are not sensible, they will end up being wiped out just like your Dutch fleet.

Article [-]: Ming opened the sea ban and traded with other countries. Countries can send envoys to contact with Ming. The envoys can be stationed in Beijing or local areas, but countries are not allowed to send military personnel there.Daming is responsible for safety matters.

You can see that this article is aimed at all countries that intend to trade with Ming Dynasty, not just the Netherlands.

Article [-]. Countries can send trading companies to various places in Ming Dynasty to conduct trade, but they must abide by the laws of Ming Dynasty and pay taxes according to the tax rate of Ming Dynasty.

This article is aimed at your Dutch East India Company. I know that this East India Company is a civil organization with a military nature, but in Ming Dynasty, such an organization is not allowed.

If you want to do business, act like you are doing business. If you want to plunder Daming and its vassal states, sorry, then I will kill him.

Fourth, Ryukyu, Luzon, Manga, Annan, Burma, Siam and other countries have been the vassal states of the Ming Dynasty since ancient times. Countries are not allowed to station troops in the vassal states of the Ming Dynasty.Failure to return within the time limit is deemed to be an enemy of Ming Dynasty, and Ming Dynasty has the right to resort to force.

This one is what I just said. These areas you call East India will be the sphere of influence of Ming Dynasty in the future, and no country can get involved.For example, if Portugal occupies Managa, it is absolutely unacceptable to think that Managa is the territory of Portugal.Of course, the withdrawal of the army does not mean that it can be withdrawn, it will take time, so I will give you countries one year, one year, no matter what, you can withdraw to the country, right? "

"However, many of these areas are independent countries, and some are unclaimed lands. How can they all be included in the Ming Dynasty's sphere of influence?" De Bourr asked hastily.

Li Jingwen said with a sneer: "An independent country? Did you get Da Ming's permission? They took advantage of Da Ming's weakness and refused to recognize Da Ming as their suzerain state. Is it useful? Let me tell you, as long as I am in charge of Da Ming, there will be no one in these countries." It is an independent country, if you want to be independent, you must first defeat my army. As for the unowned lands you mentioned, Ming has declared sovereignty over these unowned lands since the Yongle period, so why do you say unowned lands?"

Seeing Li Jing's unreasonable words, De Bauer opened his mouth, and finally held back not to refute.

Because De Bourr knew that the land of no man had always been occupied by whoever had the hardest fist, and now the Netherlands was obviously not Ming's opponent in the East India area. Wouldn't it be uncomfortable to challenge Li Jing?
What's more, Li Jing also said that it's not aimed at the Netherlands, everyone treats it equally, and no one wants to occupy this place, so he has nothing to say.

In addition, De Boer heard a strong murderous intent from Li Jing's words, and De Boer had a premonition that these countries that no longer surrendered to Ming Dynasty were about to face catastrophe.

If Li Jing wants to make a big move against these countries, it is better to stay away from this right and wrong circle as soon as possible.

Seeing that De Bourr was speechless, Li Jing smiled and said: "As long as all countries abide by this treaty, most of the troubles in the Netherlands can be solved. Mr. De Bourr will have made great contributions to the Netherlands."

(End of this chapter)