Chapter 292: Strange Taste

Zeng's worries are realistic.

Not to mention that after this war, will the Chinese use all kinds of means to force the Portuguese to leave Macau, even if it is only to cut off the supply of materials, this city built on circulation and sea will lose its main and almost only trading partner, what future is there?

Zeng remembered the commercial cities he had visited during his travels in Italy and the Netherlands, several of which had been in decline due to changes in geography.

The population has declined to one-tenth of what it used to be, the once-prosperous streets are overgrown with artemisia grass to feed the horses, and the beautiful merchanthouse buildings and merchants' mansions are nailed to the doors, and the scenery is desolate and desolate......

Once something like this happened in Macau, he couldn't imagine that Macau would survive, it was just a small island, and once it was blocked, it wouldn't even be able to be self-sufficient.

When trade was cut off, the city immediately decayed and abandoned, and the Church had to abandon its best missionary base at the gateway to South China and migrate to the Philippines, which was far away and under Spanish control.

As soon as he thought of this, Zeng Dezhao shuddered.

He hated the Spaniards, and openly hated them, not to mention what kind of treatment would be given to Manila.

……

There was a knock on the door, and his assistant Jacob quietly walked in.

"Someone is back?"

Zeng Dezhao's tone was a little anxious, he had been sitting for a long time.

"Come back, my lord," Jacob said reverently, "but ......."

"Any reply?"

"Yes, sir,"

Jacob looked very anxious, "But it's a message......

Zeng Dezhao sighed, returned to his usual tone, and said softly: "My child, don't worry, speak slowly." ”

"Yes, sir."

Jacob glanced out of the corner of his eye, and the Elder's composure was faked, and his hands were shaking just now.

"My lord, they ...... I don't want to come over,"

Jacob's voice was small, "Say yes...... Adults have something to say. ”

"Got it......"

Zeng Dezhao was silent for a moment, and said warmly, "You go down, my child, I need to think for a while." ”

"Yes, sir."

Jacob bowed and quickly disappeared behind the door.

Seeing Jacob's departing figure, Zeng Dezhao leaned his weak body back in the chair, closed his eyes tightly, and the large room fell into a deathly silence again......

As soon as he received the news of the fall of the Governor's Palace, Zeng Dezhao immediately wrote a brief letter, inviting Master Qu and another marquis who was said to hold military power to come to the church in very humble terms.

The military is so vulnerable, the situation is completely out of control, it's time for the church to step in.

Unexpectedly, his bitter meat trick was useless.

As a fairly devout believer, the first-ranking member of the religion named Thomas was so indifferent to the bishop who had been kind to him, and he had no mercy to speak of.

This was completely unexpected by Zeng Dezhao.

Guangzhou is still in the hands of the Qing army, and they dare to kill in Macau, what does this mean?

All the previous worries, in Zeng Dezhao's view, seem to be rapidly becoming a reality......

After a long time, he struggled to get up and pulled a rope behind him.

Jacob quickly appeared in the room.

"Go and prepare the carriage, my child,"

Zeng Dezhao's voice sounded very ethereal, "I think it's better for me to go." ”

"Yes, sir."

……

It didn't take long for Zeng Dezhao to come to the former governor's palace accompanied by Jacob.

After some briefing, the two of them, led by the guards, went up a staircase that only insiders could go up and down, and finally arrived at the governor's office.

Before they met, Zeng Dezhao was a little frustrated, it seemed that the other party really didn't pay attention to him.

There was not a single person waiting for him, and there were many soldiers in the courtyard who were busy going back and forth, and no one seemed to notice his visit.

Zeng Dezhao's premonition was very bad......

……

"Hello, Your Excellency."

As soon as Zeng Dezhao entered the room, Qu Shiyun stood up and bowed slightly politely, welcoming this extremely authoritative figure in the Far East.

"Welcome, Your Excellency."

Lin Xiao also stood up and said hello with a smile.

The bishop in front of him was tall but too thin, so that his nose, which looked like a deep eye socket and high elongation, was too large, and a slightly curly gray beard under his chin was very well groomed.

He was dressed in a delicate black clergy robe, the same black clerical hat was much taller than the others, and although his back was slightly arched, his thin face had a kind and charming smile.

Lin Xiao estimated that this kind-looking old man was at least about the same age as Master Qu, and the quiet attendant standing behind him was already in his early forties.

"Hello, dear Thomer, my child."

Zeng Dezhao solemnly greeted Qu Shiyun, who was wearing civilian clothes.

Then, he turned around slightly, faced Lin Xiao and said with a smile, "Hello." ”

"You may be seated, Lord Bishop."

Qu Shiyun was still very enthusiastic, although the smile on his face was a little unnatural.

"This official is just passing through here,"

As soon as he sat down, Qu Shiyun explained apologetically, "This time on behalf of the imperial court, it is our young marquis, the general who is taking prisoners, Lord Lin. ”

I see!

"Hello, Honorable Marquis!"

Zeng Dezhao hurriedly got up and bowed his head again, which could be regarded as a new acquaintance.

This Hou Ye is not his disciple, even if he is rude, he must endure it, and the necessary etiquette is even more indispensable.

But the marquis's dress attracted Zeng Dezhao's attention, looking at Lin Xiao's dress, Zeng Dezhao secretly frowned.

Different from Qu Shiyun, who was wearing the civilian clothes of a Ming official, the military uniform of this general who led the troops had a strange smell regardless of style, pattern, or clothing.

This kind of short military uniform, even the well-informed Zeng Dezhao has never seen it, but this is in line with the trend of lightening military uniforms that have emerged in the West in recent years.

However, the crumpled and rough fabric, which was not scratched at all, and the rudimentary style without any decoration except for the belt, was a little less majestic than an officer.

Zeng Dezhao thought of the guard who had led them in just now, and he couldn't see any difference in what they were wearing.

The only difference was that Lin Xiao was pinned to a wide leather belt and wrapped in a small leather case, the handcuff with a unique shape, while the guard was holding a spear.

"This is the Repeater?"

Zeng Dezhao really couldn't think of any country in the world today that could create such a burst of fire.

"Your Excellency, please be seated,"

Just when Zeng Dezhao was slightly stunned, Lin Xiao said with a faint smile.

Zeng Dezhao's Chinese, by the standards of the time, was very comfortable to listen to, although it was inevitably accented.

Although there is a difference in time and space and nationality, Lin Xiao doesn't feel too difficult to communicate with him.

Lin Xiao didn't want to drag the mud and water, so he just sat down and got straight to the point, and said bluntly:

"If your Excellency has any advice, please feel free to speak up."

As soon as he opened his mouth, the other party was like a master's demeanor, which made Zeng Dezhao secretly frightened.

Zeng Dezhao didn't care about the other party's strong attitude, and he had seen this kind of embarrassing scene a lot in his long missionary career.

However, the meaning revealed from the words of the other party is already obvious, that is, their own king, the only remaining colony in the Far East, may not be guaranteed.

As a Portuguese, Zeng Dezhao secretly complained that it was not good.

So, perhaps he could only do the worst—at least to preserve the authority of the church.

Thanks to the editor Bamboo Fence Da and gave a boutique recommendation! Thank you for your attention!

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(End of chapter)