CHAPTER XXXIV

No matter how much we criticize the behavior of the missionaries in the colonial activities, we have to admit one thing, and that is the spread of Christianity in China. With a certain cultural attribute.

In particular, the Jesuit priests also brought Western culture with them in their missionary work, creating Xu Guangqi and other masters who were well-versed in both China and the West.

Therefore, this time the negotiation, Zhang Xuan hopes that the longer it drags on, the better, and the more people involved, the better.

He hopes that Chinese and Western cultures will be stirred up in mutual exchanges, Zhang Xuan doesn't have too many ideas at the moment, but when the specific situation comes, he is just laying an ambush for the future.

So Wei Kuangguo agreed.

The most stubborn churches all agreed, and Zhang Xuan didn't interfere much in the rest of the matter, and sent He Wuyu as the prefect of Guangzhou to discuss with the Macao side in detail, Zhang Xuan had already said it. As long as Macao submits to the rule of Bactria in many ways, it can relax in many ways.

For example, the Portuguese in Macau can be used as a local team practice. Officially allowed their formation. For example, the members of the parliament in Macao can be given fame. His privileges in Macau were similar to those of the gentry everywhere.

However, there is one issue that must not be overlooked, and that is the twelve warships of Macao. This problem must be solved. It is not that Macao must hand over the twelve warships, but that these twelve warships must be under the influence of Great Xia, and when necessary, they must obey the orders of Lin Cha, the commander-in-chief of the Guangdong Naval Division.

Zhang Xuan didn't pay attention to the details of the negotiation, he was busy doing another thing, he said to Zheng Lian: "You go to Guangzhou and call all the big businessmen in Guangzhou." ”

Zheng Lian said: "Yes." ”

Zhang Xuan's conditions for Macao are foreshadowing, as long as Macao joins the Chinese nationality. Connections can be made overseas with China unimpeded. Since the Portuguese became Chinese, they had such power. How could Zhang Xuan just give such power to foreigners?

Therefore, it is also the same treatment for the Chinese people.

Just when there was a verbal confrontation between He Wuyu and the leading figures in Macau. Merchants from Guangzhou also arrived.

After all, it was Zheng Guogong who was summoned by General Nanda. How dare they not come? Not only to come, but also to prepare generous gifts. It's coming.

But in one day's work, here in Beiguan, Macau, a camp was built.

The soldiers who followed Zhang Xuan were stationed in the nearby military camp, but some followed Zhang Xuan to live in the Beiguan camp. It's just that there are not many people stationed in Beiguan at ordinary times, so they can only camp on the periphery.

Within a few days, a large number of merchants had gathered here.

All kinds of gifts were sent to Zhang Xuan. Zhang Xuan was dazzled for a while, the Ming court had no money, but there was never a shortage of rich people below. What South China Sea pearls, what antique jade, celebrity calligraphy and painting.

Zhang Xuan is not very familiar with this place. But I also know that these are worth a lot of money, and these things together are worth tens of thousands of taels of silver.

"But it's probably a little harder to monetize." Zhang Xuan said secretly in his heart. However, he had a big plot and didn't care about these things, Zhang Xuan said to Zheng Lian: "Send these things back." Tell them I'm going to see them. ”

"Yes." Zheng Lian said.

After a while, all these people arrived.

All of them are a little frightened, and this is the case in this era. Give gifts to dignitaries, if people don't accept them, these businessmen will be uneasy. If this is not the case on weekdays, all businessmen who can make their business big have a network of relationships behind them.

It's just that now it's not a change of dynasty, isn't it? All the old networks are gone.

In the face of the new conqueror, no one knows what attitude it will be. I don't want to give gifts, and my heart is even more uneasy.

There is no big place here in Beiguan, and you can only gather in the open space outside. There are many armor soldiers all around. Zhang Xuan walked up to a wooden platform surrounded by people, and there was a person behind him holding an umbrella to shade Zhang Xuan.

A large pineapple chair was placed on the wooden platform, and Zhang Xuan Shi Ran sat on the chair. Look down.

Even if there was an umbrella to shade the sun, Zhang Xuan still felt that the sunlight outside was a little poisonous. The merchants below are even more ice and fire. Although the weather was hot, there was a chill in my heart.

Zhang Xuan didn't say much, gave Zheng Lian a look, and let Zheng Lian speak.

Zheng Lian said knowingly: "Ladies and gentlemen, today the general announced a matter to you. The Great Xia court reopened the customs, and all the people of Great Xia were above the household registration of Great Xia, and they could keep it. All of them can trade abroad. As long as the tax is paid according to the chapter. The government has repeatedly supported it. ”

The voice came far away.

The merchants below were stunned for a moment, and then discussed in a low voice, not daring to say too loudly, biting each other's ears. But with so many people talking together, there was still a buzzing sound.

"This lord, is there a limit to the ships that go to sea?" A man said suddenly.

Zheng Lian said: "There is no limit, but when you pay taxes, taxes are charged according to the size of the ship. ”

The first question was asked, and the following seemed to gain a wave of courage. Immediately, someone asked in a rambling manner.

Zhang Xuan smiled slightly, the reason why he put up a shelf like this was because of this reason. If you don't stop them, it's really hard to talk.

It has been discussed before, and the system of collecting taxes almost follows the Ming Dynasty, and there is not much change, but the restrictions on ships and artillery are removed. Even after going to sea, if you don't come back, there are no mandatory regulations.

Even Zhang Xuan stipulated that as long as there is a magistrate as a guarantee. These maritime merchants could even buy artillery from Foshan. However, there are also restrictions, that is, none of these sea ships can enter the inland river, and at most they can go to Guangzhou.

For a while, Zhang Xuan was unable to reach Nanyang, but he always believed that with the support of the government, these heavily armed maritime merchants naturally knew what to do. It can also be regarded as preparing for entering the ocean, and when Great Xia has the ability to enter the ocean in the future, these maritime merchants can easily become a supplement to the Great Xia Navy.

This one has just ended.

After the merchants dispersed, He Wusu came over and said, "General, the Macao side has ended. ”

Zhang Xuan said: "What's wrong? ”

He Wufu said: "Everything is as expected by the general, the general's name is Suo Shang as the county commander of Macao County, and the government officials of Macao County are half of Yi and Han. And they agreed. It's just that the Macau fleet is not easy to handle. ”

Zhang Xuan said: "What's the matter? ”

Ho Wu Su said: "The Macao fleet is not a division of economic control, and most of the ships are owned by Macao legislators, who have the intention of waiting and seeing, and have no intention of naturalization. Most of them kept the big boats for their own use, and refused to use them for sailors. ”

Zhang Xuan nodded and said, "This is also human nature. ”

He Wuyu said: "However, the lower officials have already discussed it with them. Exempt the ships from some taxes, so that they can be called by the county magistrate of Macau in times of crisis. They all agreed. Just ----"

Zhang Xuan asked, "Just what?" ”

He Wuyu said: "There is just one person, with three big ships, who intends to defect to the imperial court, just to see the adults. ”

Zhang Xuan said: "Who? ”

He Wuyu said: "Yi people are victorious. ”

In fact, Portuguese names are very long, such as Duosheng, Sosa and others, in fact, they are just a syllable transliteration of the name.

Zhang Xuan said: "Let him come over, I want to see this person." ”

"Yes." He Wuyu said: "Xiaguan will bring him over." ”

In just a few moments, Duo Sheng came, he had a big beard and brown eyes, he was dressed in pirate-style clothes, and he originally had a sword on his body, but he had taken it off, but Duo Sheng couldn't speak Chinese. In fact, there are not many foreigners who actually learn Chinese in the whole of Macau. People like Duosheng are in a normal state.

He Wusu also thought of this, and had already prepared an old Chinese man, who was the best interpreter in this area.

After Duo Sheng saw Zhang Xuan saluting, he said something in a daze. The old man hurriedly translated: "I once followed the king from the far west to attack the infidels, passed through the waves of the ocean, preached the gospel for the Lord in India, and fought against the Rouge and the English pirates in Macao, and I was the best captain. ”

"Can I serve Great Xia and get a knighthood?"