"Hmm. I've heard about this before. Longqing heard Zhang Fan mention Joanna and Richard. So said. "There's still some time. It doesn't hurt to meet them. But before they come. Zhang Aiqing. I'm going to have to ask you to tell me what happened. ”

"Yes. Your Majesty. Zhang Fan said. The two were in June. The first merchant ships came with them returning to the sea. There was a man and a woman. The man was a diplomatic envoy of the country of Nafrang. Well. This diplomatic envoy is the same as the official of our Ministry of Rites. The woman was a hereditary noble baron. Served as a lieutenant in his national army. This one. It's like our captain here. ”

Hear Zhang Fan's words. The ministers below were once again talking. Female in the army. It is not new to the thousands of years of Chinese history. Wasn't that what Mulan was like back then? But the hereditary title of the woman. This is something that the ministers on the list have never heard of. But they only whispered about it. I didn't look too surprised. After all. Let's get it really talked. Nearly a thousand years ago, there was such a female emperor Wu Cong. Nothing unusual.

"These two people came from thousands of miles to my Ming Dynasty. What the hell is going on. Zhang Aiqing can find out if it is clear. "Longqing didn't care about anything else. He didn't know exactly what those distant European countries were like, though. But he understood one thing. Every country has something special about each country. And don't always judge others by your own standards.

"Your Majesty. They actually came this time to fight a war. Zhang Fan replied.

"Fighting." Long Qing heard Zhang Fan's answer. Stunned.

The ministers below began a new round of discussions. Obviously. They all thought of going elsewhere. One of the Francos was about to go to war with the Ming Dynasty. But how long is the United States. The people below just suppressed this ridiculous thought. Regardless of the fact that the two countries are separated by thousands of oceans. It took nearly four months for these two envoys to come to Daming. Not to mention the gap between the two countries in terms of territory, national strength, and military. Very obviously placed there. What country is not far away? Send troops to attack a country dozens of times stronger than yourself. It's just a joke.

"That's right. Your Majesty. I saw Longqing's doubts. Zhang Fan hurriedly explained. "The cause of this war is the fact that he went to sea to do business. Many countries in Europe are now like us. Support private businessmen to go to sea to do business. And since they are more or less hostile to each other. Therefore, in order to ensure that their own country's merchant ships are not plundered by other countries. Allows merchant ships to be equipped with cannons. and even sent their warships to escort merchant ships. Ultimately. That is, for a money word.

"But because they're all encouraging traders to go to sea. And there are gaps between so many of them. But because the strength of each of those countries is not much different. Plus because of some marriages. There is some relationship between the royal families and nobles of various countries. So they want to be in the good of the country among themselves. It's also a bit difficult to tear your face and make a difference.

"Therefore. These Francos are eyeing somewhere else. Now they come to me. It's to ask us. If they send troops against India. That is, the country of Na Zhu. Will we have any reaction? “

"These barbarians. It's a bit of a thought. After listening to Zhang Fan's words, Long Qing listened. smiled. Said. "But Zhang Aiqing. I don't know anything. ”

"Your Majesty, may I ask."

"A country wants to be strong. Start a war. I can understand all of this. Long Qing said. It's just that. Why are these Franco-Rangians unwilling to travel thousands of miles to attack the Tianzhu Kingdom? It's not that I can't beat them. With the muskets and iron cannons in their hands. The big and small dynasties on Tianzhu's side are definitely not opponents. But I just don't get it. Even if they captured the whole of Tianzhu. What benefits can be gained? ”

Zhang Fan heard Long Qing's words. smiled. This is even if it is asking about the major he studied in his previous life. However, it was impossible for Zhang Fan to return to Longqing according to the great principles that his mentor told them back then. That's the case. It is estimated that this imperial palace is except for himself. There is not a single one who can understand.

"Your Majesty. That's how it goes. This sounds a bit confusing. It's actually very simple. Zhang Fan replied. Now. So many countries in Europe. are all developing. But because they all got together. There is not too much lockdown between the countries. So in general. What has been discovered in a country. Another country will be able to find out very quickly, too. And because of that. There's something new in a country. And another country will have it. That's it. It would be impossible for the two countries to sell to others what they already had.

"And if they attack Tianzhu. And succeeded in taking that place. The problem will be solved. They can use the identity of the owner. Transporting things from their own country into Tianzhu for sale. And the asking price is very expensive. Of course. A lot of things aren't essential to people. Or it can be replaced with something they already have. Then these people, who are masters, just need to give one more order. They are forbidden to produce these things that are already there. And so it goes. The things they brought into Tianzhu became a necessity that the people there had to buy. In this way. Wouldn't it be possible to make a lot of money? ”

"This ...... Isn't this going to drain the oil and water out of that place? After listening to Zhang Fan's words, Long Qing listened. It looked very shocking.

And the voices that came from below also explained. The ministers who heard Zhang Fan's words also had the same mentality as Long Qing.

For all the thoughts of the Celestial Empire. Zhang Fan's words are simply a little unreasonable. If the dynasty of the Central Plains occupies a new territory. At most, the soldiers will be robbed in the early stage. But there will never be such a thing that destroys its roots. In their opinion. Either the place is not favored by them. It will soon be abandoned. Hence the robbery. It's okay to make a fortune. To the door. It's about taking possession of that place for a long time. Think of it as if it were truly its own territory. I won't do such a thing.

But what Zhang Fan said. It completely turned their thinking on its head.

"Your Majesty. This is not unreasonable. Zhang Fan said. After all, for those Francophone people. The country of Tianzhu is too far away. They just want to make a fortune. ”

"Hmm. What Zhang Aiqing said also makes sense. Longqing listened to Zhang Fan's explanation. He nodded and said. "But it's just to sell your stuff to one place. and sent his troops against them. This is a bit too trivial. ”

"Your Majesty is exactly what you say." Zhang Fan said. "But those Francis have been planning for a long time. Although they didn't tell Wechen. But Weichen can guess a few points. ”

"Oh. Let's hear it. Long Qing was intrigued by Zhang Fan's words.

"Actually, Your Majesty can think about it." Zhang Fan said. "If those Francophiles occupy Tianzhu. Then wouldn't the people of Tianzhu Kingdom just let them drive? within their own country. Manufacture of goods. They are all from their own country. Naturally, it won't be too harsh. At least the salary still has to be paid. And if they use those people of Tianzhu to do these things. In that case......"

"Since they are masters. Then those people of Tianzhu Kingdom are slaves. Long Qing continued Zhang Fan's words. Slaves do the work for their masters. Where is there any reason to pay slave laborers? ”

"Exactly." Zhang Fan said with a smile. "That's it. Francos produces these goods. It means that they only need to ship the finished product back to their own country. That's it. The cost of things is almost nothing. They can also make more money. And if they ship these goods to other countries in Europe. Imagine. Two of the same thing. But one price is high and the other price is low. The people don't care how things come from. Or how many people's blood and sweat were soaked. They thought they were picking up the cheapest ones and bought. ”

listened to Zhang Fan's words. Where is there anyone in this great hall who does not understand what he means? But after I got it. They all gasped, too. This idea is just too vicious. It's also wonderful. This kind of lucrative trading. I'm afraid no one will refuse. Of course. Officials in the Celestial Empire. Never take money too seriously. But they all understand the benefits of money. With a large sum of money. It's not just officials who benefit. You can also make your army stronger. This...... It's a good deal.

"And. And that's not all. Zhang Fan ignored everyone's thinking. Go on. "The land of Tianzhu. We all know that. It is rich in gold, precious stones, and spices. And if those Franciscans occupy it. And they can have these things at any cost. You don't have to spend any money to get these valuable things. After transporting it back to China, it will be sold. It's another big deal that makes money every day. ”

listened to Zhang Fan's words. The crowd gasped again. Many people don't have a specific image in their minds. How much is that stuff worth? But just think about it. Collect these things with all your might as a nation. How much wealth can be amassed?

Although disdain is always about money. But once again, the ministers were silent. What Zhang Fan said was really shocking.

And Long Qing, who was sitting alone on the high platform, thought about it.