In this era, although there were many colonies of the European powers, they only regarded those colonies as raw material plundering and commodity dumping grounds, and they did not count them as their land.

Even the Europeans themselves did not consider those colonies their own land, let alone others?

When they really counted it, they found that the territory of the Great Zhou was so huge.

Originally, it was not that the European powers had not invaded civilized countries, and Tianzhu was not a living example?

But Tianzhu and Da Zhou have obvious differences.

Tianzhu's land area is actually not small, but it is only half of the Great Zhou.

What's more, there are many ethnic groups in Tianzhu, dozens of states, and they are already chaotic, and there is no cohesion at all.

It is also for this reason that the European powers will occupy Tianzhu so easily.

In addition, Tianzhu was influenced by religion, and has always paid attention to obedience, and did not know how to resist at all, so the rule of the great powers was even more handy.

On the other hand, although there are many ethnic groups in the Great Zhou, the Han people have always occupied the dominant position. In addition, the Great Zhou implemented a centralized system, which was beyond the reach of even the European powers, not to mention Tianzhu.

Before the Renaissance in Europe, the lordship system had been in practice, which made it difficult to centralize state power.

Even in Zhang Lingyang's time, the power of the European powers was held by the domestic aristocracy, and the kings of various countries were only nominal leaders, and they did not have much actual power at all, so it was even more difficult to compare with the Great Zhou.

It is also for this reason that if the European powers start a war at this time, the victory or defeat is really uncertain.

For all these reasons, the European powers did not take action against the behemoth of the Great Zhou.

Not to mention the Great Zhou itself, even if they treat the vassal states of the Great Zhou, the European powers do not dare to act lightly.

Just like Burma, adjacent to Tianzhu, the British governor in Tianzhu once submitted an application to the English Parliament to colonize Burma.

However, out of fear of the Great Zhou, the parliament ruthlessly rejected the proposal of the governor in Tianzhu.

The Great Zhou was too big, and in the absence of absolute strength, England did not want to go to war with the Great Zhou.

Even, no European power had enough courage to go to war with the Great Zhou in this era.

But at the same time, they covet the wealth of Da Zhou, how can this be good?

So equal trade was born.

Any of the European powers understood that without figuring out the true strength of the Great Zhou, it would not be worth the loss to rush into war with the Great Zhou.

After repeated weighing, all European countries felt that it was more cost-effective to start normal trade with the Great Zhou.

So, after Wilson returned to England for the first time from the Great Zhou, European countries began to flock to England.

England, in this era, can be said to be a true hegemon of the seas.

The other European powers were undoubtedly weaker than England.

Therefore, after Wilson's second envoy to the Great Zhou, France, Prussia, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and other countries united to form a mission and sailed to the Great Zhou, thousands of miles away in the east......

By the time the missions of France and other countries reached the end of the week, it was already in August.

At that time, the governor of Guangdong saw that the envoys of the Xiyi countries jointly asked to see the emperor, and felt that the matter was too big to dare to slack off, so he hurriedly ordered people to rush to the capital for 800 miles.

In the Palace of Cultivating the Heart, Zhang Lingyang looked at the letter from the governor of Guangdong, couldn't help but smile inexplicably, and said to himself: "Originally, I thought that these European countries would not arrive until next year, but I didn't expect it to come so soon. ”

Since he decided to start large-scale trade with Europe, Zhang Lingyang naturally would not choose only England.

Without thinking about it, Zhang Lingyang ordered someone to send a message to the governor of Guangdong, asking him to send someone to escort the European delegation into Beijing.

By the time the European mission arrived in the capital, it was already late September.

Before Prussia completed the unification of the country, France was the undisputed hegemon of the European continent.

It is also for this reason that the mission was dominated by the French envoy Pierre.

"The French envoy Pierre has seen His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Zhou...... "According to European etiquette, Pierre took the envoys of European countries to kneel down on one knee and salute.

"Excuse me!" Zhang Lingyang waved his hand and asked Pierre and the others to get up.

"This is a gift specially brought by His Majesty the Emperor of our country, please accept it with a smile from His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Zhou!" It is not surprising that many people give gifts, even in Europe, it is popular to give gifts.

No, as soon as they met, Pierre brought a gift from the French Emperor to Zhang Lingyang.

In fact, it is not a particularly precious thing, it is just a model of a battleship made of gold leaf.

Although things are not expensive, they are better than new and ingenious.

Isn't a mosquito meat no matter how small it is?

Besides, with so many countries, the gifts added together are not a small amount.

Looking at these greeting gifts, Zhang Lingyang naturally smiled.

After receiving other people's things, Zhang Lingyang naturally had to give a gift in return.

It's all jade, porcelain, silk and so on.

Although Zhang Lingyang's return gift is not a first-class good thing in the Great Zhou, it is definitely the best thing in Europe.

Porcelain, naturally, is from Jingdezhen, and silk is specially paid tribute by the Jiangning Weaving Mansion, and it will never be lost when it is sent out.

After the politeness, Pierre explained his intentions: "Dear His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Zhou, I am ordered by His Majesty the Emperor of France to start trade with the Great Zhou, and I also ask His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Zhou for permission." ”

In this regard, Zhang Lingyang naturally allowed it, "I think you must know a little about the previous trade treaty between Da Zhou and England.

As long as the merchants of various countries abide by the treaty, there is no reason why I will not allow it. ”

When Pierre heard that His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Zhou was so good at talking, he was all excited, and he exchanged heads below......

In fact, in his heart, Zhang Lingyang was overjoyed.

If trade was to be carried out with England alone, the control of the prices of commodities, especially the prices of those machines, would always be in the hands of England.

But now it is different, once the Great Zhou and European countries start trade, then in order to open up the market for their own national goods, the Great Zhou must have a certain right to decide on the price of goods.

"Let these European countries compete with each other, and then I will only reap the benefits!" Zhang Lingyang thought in his heart.

At this time, Europe was like the Warring States period in the previous life, and it was not clear who was the ally of whom, and it was very chaotic.

Because of this, Zhang Lingyang didn't think that they would unite to suppress Da Zhou.

Besides, even if the European powers unite and start a trade war against the Great Zhou, Zhang Lingyang is not afraid.

At this time, it is the European powers who have a demand for the Great Zhou, not the Great Zhou for Europe.

Porcelain, silk, tea and other items are very in demand in the European market.

The initiative in trade is in the hands of Da Zhou......