"How can there be such a thing? Father Tang, is your message reliable? Would the King of France really marry the Queen of Spain? The two countries have fought for so many years......"

"You don't have to be a queen, because Her Royal Highness the princess will give up the inheritance."

"So what? King Philip's two sons were born with a terrible illness and could not have grown up! ”

"Ambassador, life and death depend on God's will......"

"So, if all of Her Royal Highness's two younger brothers die, who will be the heir?"

"And Margaret. Princess Teresa, she is Maria. Princess Teresa's younger sister is only 8 years old this year, and she is in good health and has a relatively normal intelligence......"

"It's not going to be that simple, Bishop Mazarin is an old fox, and there will be something to Maria. Princess Teresa was particularly advantageous for the arrangement. ”

"Maybe...... After all, the greatest value of this princess lies in the inheritance! ”

On the outskirts of Paris, in the town of Versailles, in a luxurious mansion that combines Chinese and Western architectural styles, Li Shaoyou, the Ming ambassador to France, the Netherlands, and England, is talking with Tang Ruowang, the envoy of the Ming Dynasty who has just returned from Spain.

What they were talking about, of course, was the one that caught the attention of all of Europe – what could be more worrying than the merger of France and Spain?

For the Ming Empire, which was far away on the other side of the world, the Franco-Spanish merger was also a headache. Because France was the most reliable ally of the Ming Empire in Europe, and Spain was the sworn enemy of the Ming Empire - not because of the likes and dislikes of both sides, but because of interests.

The Ming Dynasty was seeking hegemony in the Pacific and colonies in North America, while Spain claimed to be the master of the Americas and the Pacific.

Therefore, the contradictions between the two sides are difficult to reconcile!

As a newly rising European power, France has quite limited overseas interests, and there is no conflict with the pursuit of the Ming Dynasty.

But once France and Spain were united, Spain's interests in the New World and the Pacific would be completely identical with France's.

At that time, the Ming Empire will face the challenge of a powerful French army in the New World......

"Ambassador," John Tong paused, "Philip IV's health is not too bad...... I don't think the merger of France and Spain will happen yet. ”

"But once France and Spain marry, will Daming become their common enemy?"

"No, it won't." John Tang shook his head, "Unless Maria. Teresa became Queen of Spain, otherwise such a situation would not have arisen. ”

He paused and accentuated his tone: "But....... Once the Kingdom of New Spain was invaded by the Ming Dynasty, Maria. Theresa's likelihood of becoming queen would have increased dramatically. Because Spain cannot live without New Spain, and France is the only option!

Britain and the Netherlands, of course, also had the strength to aid Spain, but Charlie. It was impossible for Cromwell to marry a Spanish princess...... He was a staunch Puritans!

And it was impossible for the Netherlands to support Spain against China - in fact, the Ming Empire and Spain were fighting for the west coast of the Americas, which the Netherlands would be happy to see, so that Dutch interests in the spice islands of the South Seas would be safeguarded. ”

"What about the Holy Roman Empire?" Li Shao lobbied, "There are rumors that Margaret. Teresa would marry her maternal uncle, Holy Roman Emperor Leopold...... He is 20 years old this year, and he has become an emperor, but he still hasn't married a wife, so he should be waiting for Margaret. Teresa grew up. ”

When he became an emperor, he was still worried about marrying a wife, and he had to wait for his 8-year-old niece to grow up, and there was really no one in this Leopold I.

John Tang shook his head again and again, and said, "It is impossible for Spain to co-reign with the Holy Roman Empire, and the Holy Roman Empire itself has more troubles...... Now they are at war with Sweden and Transylvania. Moreover, the Ottoman Empire has suddenly revived in recent years, and it is estimated that it will not be long before there will be a full-scale war with the Holy Roman Empire! ”

The Ottoman Empire next door to the Holy Roman Empire suddenly appeared an old madman politician in his 80s. Koplulu somehow fooled Sultan Mehmed IV and his mother, Queen Mother Hattijie, and became the Grand Vizier with full power. And after coming to power, he became a demon that everyone feared, executing 30,000 corrupt officials, lawless soldiers and rebels in just a few years - this old guy must be crazy! He is a great vizier, and the Ottoman Empire is not his family, so what is the purpose of being a wicked person?

In any case, the Ottoman Empire, which was on the verge of death, was rejuvenated by the old man's toss, defeating the Venetian navy at the Dardanelles in July 1657, recovering Tenedos in September, Lemnos in November, and finally conquering Crete. The following year he sent troops against Transylvania, overthrowing the disobedient Grand Duke George II and replacing him with a new Grand Duke loyal to the Ottoman Empire. At the time of his conquest of Transylvania, there was also a rebellion against his old scoundrel, and several Syrian and Anatolian governors joined forces to rebel and march on the capital. However, these rebels were no match for him at all, and after he pacified Transylvania, he waved his army to quell the chaos, killing them all three times and dividing them by two. At present, this old guy is still in good spirits, does not look like he is going to die, and is planning to continue to expand into the Balkans...... Therefore, the Habsburg dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire had a little "mud icon" crossing the river, and it was difficult to protect itself.

"And what are the chances that we will conclude an armistice with Spain?" Li Shaoyou asked again.

The reason why John Tang was sent to Europe by Emperor Zhu was to negotiate peace with Spain and the Roman Ecumenical Church - Zhu Cihong's asking price was not high, and he only wanted the Spaniards to recognize the inherent rights of the Ming to the west coast of North America north of California!

Well, it is indisputable since ancient times, it is the Ming Dynasty!

If Philip IV agreed, Emperor Zhu was willing to withdraw from Luzon and resume the galleon trade in the Taiping - Zhu Cihong was of course not happy to keep Luzon to the Spaniards.

Because Luzon is a hostage, the Ming army can send troops to attack at any time!

By "detaining" Luzon, the actions of the New Spanish authorities on the American continent can be contained -- if the Spaniards dare to attack the Gulf of America, Emperor Zhu will attack Luzon.

"I'm afraid it's not easy!" John Tang shook his head, "King Philip is willing to cede Luzon Island to the Ming Dynasty on the condition that the Ming Dynasty evacuate the Gulf of America...... I really didn't expect King Philip to be smart too! ”

This was not actually the decision of Philip IV, but Philip's illegitimate son, Don. Huang. José's request.

Tang Dynasty. Huang. José was now Prime Minister of the New Kingdom of Spain, with Philip as king, and was in charge of Spanish affairs in the Americas.

He doesn't have ancestral brains, and he knows that he can't let Daming gain a foothold in the Gulf of America!

"That Don. Huang. Will Jose go to war in the Americas anytime soon? Li Shaoyou asked again.

"I don't know...... However, before the conclusion of the peace treaty with Great Britain, Don. Huang. José did not dare to act rashly. "Now he needs to deploy troops on the islands of the Caribbean and on the Florida peninsula." ”

Li Shaoyou frowned, "Britain will probably sign a treaty with Spain soon, right?" ”

As soon as he said this, there was a rush of footsteps outside the door, and then he heard Jabbs's voice: "Ambassador Li, Mr. Tang, are you here?" ”

"Is it Shopkeeper Jia? Come in, come in! ”

Li Shaoyou immediately got up and took a few steps, and then saw Jabbs, dressed in a dress, push the door and come in.

Jabbs was now in charge of the Shenou Union Bank with Huang Jiang, and by the way, he was busy with his own business in Europe, where he opened an Oriental trading company in England, which specialized in furs and pearls, and bought British wool.

In addition, he is the head of the London branch of Shenou Bank.

Today, he came from London, and as soon as he entered the door, he said to Li Shaoyou and Tang Ruowang: "Old Cromwell is dead!" ”