The next morning, Zhang Lingyang saw Wilson and asked, "Your country wants to restore diplomatic relations with my Great Zhou, but you have to pay the price." I just don't know, what sincerity is your country prepared to pay this time? ”

Wilson said: "Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Zhou, Her Majesty the Queen of our country has already said that as long as Her Majesty the Emperor agrees to restore the relationship between Britain and Zhou, Her Majesty the Queen of China is willing to marry her beloved daughter Princess Victoria to Your Majesty!" ”

"Uh......" For a while, Zhang Lingyang didn't know what to say.

In recent years, several vassal states of the Great Zhou Dynasty have continued to offer noble daughters to themselves. Sometimes Zhang Lingyang thinks: "Could it be that my reputation for good shooting has spread to Europe?" ”

To be honest, Zhang Lingyang thinks that he has controlled women very well in recent years, except for the women who had to agree to their sacrifice in order to appease several vassal states, Zhang Lingyang has never accepted a concubine.

But how did Wilson, a European, know this trick?

"It seems that my reputation is completely rotten!" Zhang Lingyang thought about it.

"How old is Princess Victoria of your country?"

"Back to His Majesty the Emperor, Princess Victoria is only fifteen years old this year."

"But I'm in my thirties, Wilson, do you think that's appropriate?"

Wilson replied: "Your Majesty, this is the sincerity of my British Empire, and I ask you not to refuse." ”

"I want to refuse!" Zhang Lingyang muttered in his heart and said: "In this case, then Wilson, you can reply to the country now, just say that I have agreed to the conditions of your country, and the two countries will officially restore diplomatic relations when Princess Victoria comes to Da Zhou." ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor!" Wilson didn't expect things to go so smoothly, and he left the palace with great gratitude.

Watching Wilson leave the hall, Zhang Lingyang was a little speechless.

In fact, in Zhang Lingyang's view, as long as Britain shows some sincerity, he will agree to restore diplomatic relations between Zhou and Britain.

After all, judging from the current situation, the restoration of diplomatic relations with England is still of great benefit to Da Zhou.

But Zhang Lingyang just didn't expect that Ying Li would pay such a big price this time.

According to European tradition, it is all monogamous. Especially with an identity like Princess Victoria, at least one queen in Europe can't run away.

But if Victoria marries Da Zhou, she can only become one of Zhang Lingyang's many concubines. Zhang Lingyang doesn't think Wilson is unaware of this.

But at this time, he was still willing to make such a request, obviously, he was afraid that England would encounter some sad hurdles, so he had to restore diplomatic relations with Da Zhou as soon as possible.

But Ling Yang didn't know much about the situation in European countries, because Da Zhou did not set up embassies in European countries. Therefore, Zhang Lingyang only learned about the situation in European countries from the envoys of various countries in the Great Zhou Dynasty and the businessmen who came and went to the Great Zhou.

"Perhaps, it's time to set up an embassy in Europe!" Thinking like this, Zhang Lingyang called Xiao Fuzi over and ordered: "Spread the cabinet first assistant Zheng Yongji and the six departments and nine secretaries to meet with him." ”

Two hours later, Zheng Yongji and the six departments and Jiuqing came to the Chen'an Palace.

After Zhang Lingyang understood Wilson's intention, he said: "England is a big country and a strong country. In order to demonstrate the sincerity of the Great Zhou, I wanted to send an envoy to England to welcome Princess Victoria over. I don't know what you Aiqing thinks, who can be up to this great task? ”

Everyone, you look at me, I look at you, and finally Zheng Yongji stood up and said: "Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that since it is a matter of marrying the English princess, he should select officials from the Ministry of Rites. ”

Cao Rui, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, said: "Your Majesty, it stands to reason that this matter should indeed be the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites, but most of the officials of the Ministry of Rites do not understand the English language, let alone understand the customs there.

Wechen is worried that if there is any unnecessary misunderstanding caused in the meantime, I am afraid that it will affect His Majesty's major affairs! ”

"So Cao Aiqing doesn't have to worry!" Zhang Lingyang said, "When the time comes, I will order the English envoy Wilson to accompany the officials of the Ministry of Rites to England." Wilson speaks Chinese fluently, so if there is anything you don't understand, you can ask Wilson. ”

"But Your Majesty!" Zheng Yongji said with some worry, "If none of my envoys can speak English, will it be a loss to the majesty of my Great Zhou?" At the same time, it will also make England feel that my Da Zhou despises the diplomatic relations between the two countries? ”

"You don't have to worry about this, when the time comes, I will send Li Tai to England with the mission." For this, Zhang Lingyang is not worried at all.

As early as after the establishment of the secretariat, Zhang Lingyang ordered Li Tai, Zhou Chang, and Zhu Yang to study at the Royal Academy, and each of them learned a European language.

Among them, Li Tai learned English.

So for this, Zhang Lingyang is not worried. Zhang Lingyang was worried about how to communicate with Princess Victoria in the future.

After all, the two don't speak the same language.

There is another point, that is, although Victoria is a princess of England, she can come to the Great Zhou later, and she must learn some etiquette of the Great Zhou, otherwise it will only make people laugh.

Regarding these, Zhang Lingyang naturally did not want to talk about it to Zheng Yongji and others. Even if they did, they couldn't solve it.

Therefore, Zhang Lingyang summoned Wilson into the palace to mention the matter.

Wilson said, "As for the question of language, in fact, His Majesty the Emperor does not need to worry.

There is a young daughter named Jenny in the foreign minister's family, who has been by my side since she was a child and is very familiar with the Chinese language.

When the time comes, the minister only needs to let Jenny accompany Princess Victoria to teach Chinese. ”

Seeing that Wilson quickly came up with a solution, Zhang Lingyang was very satisfied.

After Wilson left the palace again, Zhang Lingyang instructed Xiao Fuzi: "You select a few palace maids and eunuchs to go to England with the envoy group, so as to teach Princess Victoria some etiquette in the palace. ”

"Slaves obey!"

Xiao Fuzi answered, and went out to select qualified palace maids and eunuchs.

In this way, after three days of preparation, the envoy group of hundreds of people gathered left Luoyang City and left Dazhou by boat.

On the boat, eighteen-year-old Jenny said to her father Wilson with a sad face: "Father, I have heard that once you enter the palace of the Great Zhou, the palace maid will not leave the palace without amnesty.

Is it that once I accompany Princess Victoria into the Great Zhou Palace, I will never be able to leave the palace again? ”

Wilson smiled and said, "Silly boy, how can you worry so much? When the time comes, you only need to teach Princess Victoria's Chinese well, and I will implore His Majesty the Emperor of Great Zhou to release you from the palace. ”

Seeing Wilson say this, the sadness on Jenny's face dissipated......