Seeing Long Qing, he showed an embarrassed expression. Richard and Joanna were suddenly very nervous. This time the two of them were on the orders of Philip II. Envoy to the Ming Dynasty. It would have seemed to the two of them. This is not a very important thing. After all, Portugal has already begun to prepare for the war. The arrival of a large army in India is just around the corner. And now in Portugal. It doesn't matter if it's an aristocratic bureaucrat with status. Or the common people. All of them are very supportive of this plan to send troops.

But. After entering the territory of the Ming Dynasty. The two got acquainted. But it has changed greatly from the original idea in my heart. Richard as a diplomat. The nature of concern is the form of the Ming Empire in terms of people's livelihood and national strength. Just what he saw. It was a rich and powerful empire. It's just that all he sees is the place in the south of the Yangtze River. He had never been to other parts of the Ming Dynasty, and he had never seen poverty at all. In his opinion. Jiangnan represents the entire empire of the Ming Dynasty. And the rest of the Ming Dynasty is exactly the same as Jiangnan.

And Joanna as a military man. Naturally, the country is observed in terms of the combat effectiveness of the army. And the army she saw was in her eyes. An invincible, invincible, and invincible army. It's just that what she sees is only the Qi family army led by Qi Jiguang. This can only be regarded as the most powerful army in the entire history of the Ming Dynasty. She had never had the opportunity to see the armies of other places in the Ming Dynasty. Especially the army that existed there in Jiangnan. In her opinion. All the armies of the Ming Dynasty were like the Qi family's army.

In fact, it is no wonder that these two people are short-sighted or uninsightful. To blame. It can only be blamed on this era. In this era, communications were not well developed. The transmission of inquiries is also extremely slow. And for these two Europeans. The countries they influence are just like those in Europe. In Europe. France, which has a relatively large territory, is also small compared to the Ming Dynasty. In France. Although there are also regional differences. For example, a royal capital like Paris will always be much richer than the rest of the countryside. But because of the geography. In fact, the difference is not too much. The same is true for the military. The army of the royal capital will always be stronger than the local army. But the gap in strength is not so big that it can't catch up.

More importantly. When the two knew. Jiangnan was not the capital of the Ming Dynasty. And the Qi family army led by Qi Jiguang was not the time when the elite soldiers who guarded the Ming Jingshi were strong. The two of them will have such an idea. This kind of result that Zhang Fan and others did not create too deliberately. Let them feel. The Ming Dynasty was too powerful. This kind of strength is definitely not something that their tiny Portugal can compete with. Even they feel. Even nowadays. Most of the militarily powerful countries throughout Europe have joined forces. may not be the opponent of the Ming Dynasty. Although this area has been visited by their compatriots for a long time. But the Eastern Continent still reveals a mysterious atmosphere. It really made them feel powerless to fight from the bottom of their hearts.

But there was nothing they could do. It's also very difficult in Portugal these days. It's not that people's lives are no longer sustainable. It's just that the prelude to the Age of Discovery has long been raised. And the boundless enthusiasm of the merchants made them dare to take any risk. Therefore. The domestic pressure is very high.

Plus nowadays. The shipping lanes of the Mediterranean are dominated by other countries. Spain and Portugal had to open new routes. Portugal chose the East. And Spain went to the West. Now. Spain has discovered the American continent. And the plundering of there has already begun. Native Mayan, Inca civilizations. As a result, it suffered a devastating disaster. And the Spaniards, as the perpetrators, also benefited enormously from this.

As two countries that are located close to each other. between Portugal and Spain. Existing associations. There is competition again. The Portuguese could not just sit back and watch their neighbours grow so easily without resistance. But if you say that you want to use force against it. The Portuguese weren't stupid enough to do that. The scientific and technological development of the two countries is almost equal. And more importantly. There are more Spain than Portuguese.

So. When Richard and Joanna are both on the object of their invasion. India's neighbor Ming Dynasty had such a "realization". The mood suddenly became nervous.

At this time, the emperor's palace is above. The atmosphere was a little eerie. Long Qing heard the words of the two Francos. Immediately, he put on such a very embarrassed face. And because before. The ministers have already discussed. So at the moment. The ministers below also looked at the two of them with ugly faces. Shows extreme ill will.

Merely. In fact, they have already started laughing in their hearts. I think these two Francos are too easy to deceive. Speaking of which. If they don't know that they will send troops directly to attack India. Even after hearing the news. Long Qing and a group of civil and military ministers would never say anything about it. But now that they're here. It's like taking the initiative to come over and give a gift. Where is the reason not to accept this.

saw Longqing's very embarrassed face. Richard and Joanna were very nervous. But it's just about the tension. After all, Longqing's current appearance is embarrassing. And not anger. That illustrates. There are still conditions to be discussed. It's just that the two of them are facing such a rich and huge empire. I really don't know. What conditions should be used as bargaining chips to negotiate with them.

"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty." Half a day. Richard spoke. "I don't know what kind of relationship your country has with India."

The Ming Dynasty people present listened to his words. Although the expression on his face has not changed. But they all wanted to roll their eyes at him in their hearts. What does the Ming Dynasty have to do with the land in India? That place is from ancient times to the present day. None of them have been unified. It's all tribes scattered across the land. With a place that has never been unified. How can the Central Plains Dynasty have a relationship.

But they don't know about it. And the Akito who was present would never tell them.

But that's why they asked. I have to give someone an explanation. Come to think of it. The only thing that could be thought of in everyone's hearts was. In the previous dynasties that ruled the Central Plains. Let's take the previous Yuan Dynasty. And there were some battles there. But it's useless to say such a thing.

No one came out to speak for half a day. This also made Richard and Joanna feel a little weird.

"Two. Our country has a long history with that place. It's been a long time. "The moment of truth. Instead, Zhang Fan stood up and spoke. It's just that as soon as he said this, he said it. The Ming people present. Whether it is the emperor Longqing or the civil and military ministers below. All looked at him curiously. I don't know where he got this idea.

Richard and Joanna, on the other hand, had questioning expressions. Waiting for Zhang Fan's answer.

"Ahem......" Zhang Fan cleared his throat. Speak. "You may not know. You call that part of India. And we call it Tianzhu.

"More than 1,500 years ago. Then a monk from Tianzhu came to my Central Plains. Teach the Dharma. The monastery was established, which is what you call a church. since. Buddhism existed in the Central Plains. And to this day. Buddhism has been deeply ingrained in my Ming Dynasty since the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. There are countless believers.

"It's not just that. More than eight hundred years ago. At that time, it was a dynasty called 'Tang' that ruled the land of the Central Plains. Then. There was a monk named Xuanzang. From Chang'an City. Hike. Trek more than 108,000 miles to Tianzhu. Just to go there to ask for the Buddhist family. Came back and spread the Dharma.

"To this day. Buddhism is already vast in my Ming Dynasty. There are countless monks. And these monks have a different kind of affection for that place in Tianzhu. So ......"

"Lord Earl means. There is a religion involved in this matter. Is it. Richard said.

"Exactly." Zhang Fan nodded. Said.

Those who were present to hear Zhang Fan's words. Including people like Xu Jie and Li Chunfang. They all looked at Zhang Fan with a very surprised look. As if nowadays. They can be regarded as having really known Zhang Fan. I really didn't expect it. Zhang Fan would actually involve this kind of thing. It's really ...... It's a bit speechless.

For Europeans. Religion has become a part of their lives. No. than to survive in life. Religion seems to have a more important place in their view. In Europe. For thousands of years. The wars and bloodshed that have led to religious issues are simply innumerable. Until now. The Holy See's position in Europe is even more impressive. Authority is not allowed to be violated. In European countries. Even the king of a country succeeded to the throne. Without the consent of the Vatican and the coronation of the Pope himself. Its status will be difficult to gain recognition among the people and leaders of other countries. This shows the importance of religion in the minds of Europeans.

And in Daming. Although for the Central Plains. Religion has always been used by emperors as a tool of rule. However, its position in the Central Plains cannot be ignored. Whether it's Buddhism or Taoism. It has a very high status in the Central Plains. Now Buddhism has been involved. And for the Ming Dynasty. Buddhism has a special status.

Although I don't know what kind of place religious issues had in the hearts of the people of the Ming Dynasty. But after Richard and Joanna heard Zhang Fan's words. But a feeling of despair gradually arose in my heart.