(The new book "Back to the Ming Dynasty to Open a Factory" has been released, ask for support!) )

Located in the southwest suburbs of Paris, France, the town of Versailles has been the seat of the French court since the construction of the Palace of Versailles, in order to eliminate the powerful local aristocracy such as the Prince of Condé family of the danger of secession and rebellion, Louis XIV immediately after the completion of the Palace of Versailles to concentrate the country's main nobles in the Palace of Versailles to live. Since then, it has been the place of nobility from all over France, and it is also the administrative center of France.

The arrival of the aristocracy prospered the town, making it more and more prosperous, and the merchants gathered here turned the once small town into a city. The city is like a court, where you can meet people from all over the world.

In addition to people from all over Europe, the Celestial Empire and the Turks were also frequent visitors to the city, and that morning while Edward was drinking tea on the side of the street, a Celestial Empire man walked up to him and sat down directly in front of him.

"You are?"

Edward looked at the man in front of him in surprise.

"It doesn't matter who I am, what matters is that what I say next may involve the interests of both parties."

The expression of this Celestial Empire man was extremely calm.

"Tea? This is the best Wuyi Mountain black tea. ”

Edward invited.

"Truly fine tea will never be exported."

The people of the Celestial Empire casually said another fact - only those inferior teas that the Chinese people do not drink will be exported.

Faced with his answer, Edward smiled and said:

"That's true, you always keep the best for yourself, but in Europe, it's the best."

He looked at the Celestial Empire people in front of him again.

Like all the Celestial Empire, he looked tall and healthy, with a fair complexion, but not as pale as the Europeans.

"It's a group of God's favorite darlings......"

Even though he knew they didn't believe in God, Edward still thought so.

In general, no matter what color any Celestial Empire person is, they are all very tall and healthy without exception, which can be understood as they have always lived a life without food and clothing, and their life is very comfortable without exception, in the eyes of many Celestial Empire people, Europe is simply an extremely barbaric place.

Until now, Edward remembers that day vividly. On that day, when the envoys of the Ming Dynasty appeared in England, when they went ashore, they actually vomited and choked on the stench of the port. And then what kind of city does it look like before their eyes?

A city full of poverty, beggars on the streets, and filth everywhere. And this is also the reason for the emergence of the "Little Celestial Empire" in London, and the people of the Celestial Empire really can't stand the squalor of the city. They built the "Little Celestial Empire" in London, and they also built a legation in Versailles, all in order to ensure that they lived a comfortable life, similar to that of the Celestial Empire.

"War!"

Just as Edward looked at the Celestial Empire in front of him, he only heard him speak.

"It's going to explode soon."

Edward looked at the Celestial Empire in front of him, his eyes widened in surprise.

"What?"

"We all know that war is inevitable."

The voice of the Celestial Empire was not loud, and when his voice fell, the shouting of the newspaper seller came from the side of the road.

"Look at the newspapers, read the newspapers, and look at the Celestial Empire's minister's threat to the British" will eventually come with a price" ......

Edward did not feel anything about the news in these newspapers, after all, since the arrival of the minister to England in France, he had repeatedly made public threats of war, and had also lobbied the Faking to join the alliance, although there were still doubts about the outbreak of war, but it was certain that the Celestial Empire would take revenge on the British.

It's just that is it possible for the Celestial Empire to send their fleet on an expedition?

"The price is ......"

The Celestial Empire continued.

"It doesn't matter what it takes, it's just a war, a war that erupts because of personal ambition."

"What?"

Edward was surprised.

"While we were talking, our fleet had already departed from the port of Ganr, and the fleet was going straight for England."

Widening his eyes suddenly, Edward asked rhetorically.

"How is this possible? Don't you need the Emperor's permission to move your fleet? ”

Without the permission of the emperor, their fleet was mobilized, which clearly defied common sense.

"To protect the diaspora, it is not necessary for the permission of the emperor, after all, the distance is too far away, the fleet can act cheaply, war ...... You should know that in the Ming Dynasty, the only way to become a nobleman is through war, and the navy craves war. ”

With so many years of exchanges, Europeans have become very clear that the Ming Dynasty is not a huge empire ruled by a "saint king". As for the statement that those "saint kings" were not defined by blood, but derived from their noble conduct, they also collapsed with the introduction of "princely general Xiangning has a kind of".

And what surprised them the most was the aristocracy of the Celestial Empire, in Europe, where the aristocracy has been inherited for thousands of years and blood determines the fate, they can't understand the aristocratic system of the Celestial Empire, although they can't understand it, but it does not prevent some people in Europe from yearning for the Celestial Empire, it is a meritocracy empire, where even the poorest people can become nobles because of their personal merits, this is impossible in Europe, a person without noble blood can never become a nobleman.

But in the Celestial Empire, anyone has the opportunity to become a nobleman, as long as he fulfills his duty - to serve the country all year round, to go on expeditions, and then the state will give him the title of "knight" according to his military exploits, and they will have the corresponding power and wealth.

Under the system of the Celestial Empire, those nobles were not defined by blood, but by their character and talents. For this, perhaps the nobles of Europe who are bloodied will scoff and belittle the nobles of the Celestial Empire in every possible way, but for commoners like Edward who rely on the nobility to promote their progress, it is full of temptation, and he has even fantasized countless times in his dreams that if England becomes the Celestial Empire, maybe...... But is it possible?

It was impossible for the British people to accept commoners as aristocrats. However, in the Celestial Empire, the heroes of the battlefield will not only be worshipped by the people, they will also become nobles, and under the temptation of this title, war is an inevitable choice, and the soldiers are willing to obtain their own titles in war.

Nodding slightly, Edward expressed his understanding of the Celestial Empire's traditions.

"You, why are you telling me this?"

Edward asked incomprehensibly, is there anyone willing to betray the Celestial Empire? Could it be a trap?

"There are some things that not everyone agrees with, and the rise of the warriors is not a good thing for the Celestial Empire."

Again, Edward looked at the Celestial in front of him, he was as tall and muscular as all the Celestials, but he couldn't understand his words.

Although they know that there is a difference between civilian officials and military generals in the Celestial Empire, will their differences really lead them to take the initiative to betray their country?

"Balancing ......"

The Celestial Empire put down the teacup in his hand, looked at Edward and said.

"The Celestial Empire needs to be balanced, and Europe also needs to be balanced, without the containment of Britain, France is bound to be dominant, which is not in the interests of the Celestial Empire, what we need is a balanced Europe, and the military ...... What is needed is military merit! ”

After dropping this sentence, the Celestial Empire stood up, and when he turned to leave, he dropped another sentence.

"Of course, you can choose to believe it or not, but I think in the end, all the consequences will be borne by you, are you willing to bear these costs?"

"But, but ......"

Before Edward could finish speaking, the man left, ignoring him at all, and only muttered to him when the figure was fully informed.

"But are you willing to take responsibility for your failures?"

When Edward was puzzled by the news he had just gotten, the Celestial Empire who had caused him many thoughts was also preoccupied.

"Is it right or wrong to do that?"

Again, Li Keji's heart struggled there, and for the first time, he "betrayed" Daming.

Can...... Is it really a betrayal?

Thinking in his heart, his thoughts returned to yesterday again, back to the legation, in a simple room with heavy curtains, he looked at the person sitting behind the table and was reading a book, and said in a cold tone.

"Are you asking me to betray the country?"

"Well, that's what you can understand."

Putting down the book in his hand, Wan Zheng glanced at Li Keji, and saw that his expression was still very cold, as if he was considering whether to arrest himself, so he said with a smile,

"What's wrong, still can't accept it? I remember that you should do something like this best at what you do. ”

"That's to convince others to sell their country, not their own!"

Li Ke said with some annoyance.

"Do you know what you're asking me to do? It is to leak state secrets to foreigners, and on the battlefield, such leaks will pay a price, and they will kill people, do you know it? ”

Although he suppressed his words, Li Keji's face was full of anger.

"Of course I do."

Wan Zheng nodded and said.

"Of course war is about death, any time, war is like this, do you think I don't know?"

Looking at the angry Li Keji, Wan Zheng sneered.

"Fighting a war is never a child's play, and dying is certainly inevitable, but sometimes it's acceptable to die some people for a bigger goal."

"Hmph, do you mean, is it because they are dead that the imperial court will declare war on Britain?"

Li Ke sneered angrily.

"You're cold-blooded."

Now that he had even realized the absurdity of Wan Zheng for his own selfish gain, it was time for him to come back to his senses, if he couldn't, then ...... Don't blame Lee!

"Cold-blooded? Do you think I'm betraying Daming? ”

"Isn't it?"

Now Li Ke has been confused by him.

"Leak the news to the British. This has nothing to do with whether you sell or not. This...... How so? For the sake of a larger strategic goal, we must take the initiative to reveal some information to the enemy. ”

Seeing that Li Ke still seemed a little incomprehensible, Wan Zheng continued to explain.

"I ask you, why did the French stop at the moment when they learned that we were in conflict with England, and before we came to Paris, Louis had ordered Tourville to assemble his fleet and prepare to defeat the Anglo-Dutch army on the sea, and to gain control of the sea, but why were they so ambiguous now?"

Wan Zheng asked rhetorically. It is difficult for ordinary people to imagine that the attitude of the French would change so quickly, and they were not only unwilling to form an alliance with the Ming Dynasty, but even took the initiative to ease relations with the British.

"This ......"

Thinking that Tourville had returned to Paris, which meant that the French had given up preparations for a march against England, Rick thought for a moment before replying.

"Presumably so that we can kill each other, and then they will be profitable."

"Well, it is precisely their aim to hope that we will lose both sides with the British, and whatever the result may be, it will be advantageous for France, because the winner will surely win badly."

After thinking for a while, Wan Zheng said again.

"They would prefer to see the British win miserably, because our heavy defeat means that the Ming forces will temporarily withdraw from Europe, and they can also take the opportunity to attack Britain and support the restoration of James, so the French will change their attitude."

"However, if you told the British the news of the fleet's departure, didn't you let the British prepare in advance, and when the time comes, the fleet will definitely pay the price."

"Why don't you see the other side?"

Muttering so much in his heart, Wan Zheng glanced at Li Keji and patiently explained.

"Even if I didn't tell the British, weren't the Britons prepared? Toursville has been preparing for months, what do you think Edward Russell is doing? He was also training the fleet, and the Anglo-Dutch forces were waiting there for battle. ”

"It's different!"

"It's different."

Wan Zheng smiled.

"The difference is that in the past, Edward Russell's enemy was the French, it was Turville, but now it is the Ming Dynasty, it is our Western fleet, and there is no difference other than that."

"The problem is, if you tell them the news of the fleet's departure, it will make them prepare in advance!"

Li Ke said angrily.

"If they prepare in advance, they will inflict unnecessary losses on the fleet, and in naval battles, more people will die, our people! You're betraying military secrets! Betrayed Daming! ”

As he spoke, he stepped forward again, and at this moment he had already made a decision in his heart to arrest this guy in front of him, this guy had gone crazy.

"Not a betrayal! Will I get any benefit from betraying Daming? ”

Wan Zheng asked rhetorically.

"Prepare them in advance, how do you know that it is to prepare them to defeat our fleet?"

Then, Wan Zheng corrected in a mocking tone.

"They must think so, they will definitely mobilize all their strength, because no one dares to take the responsibility for failure, but they don't know that in fact, all the efforts will only make them lose worse, and this is my purpose!"

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