The rise of a strong country will always be accompanied by the decline of a strong country, which has now been staged more than once in the history of the world.

For example, at the beginning of the Age of Discovery, Spain and Portugal took advantage of their maritime advantages to rise rapidly and even divide the colonies of the entire world.

For another example, the Netherlands took advantage of the destruction of the Spanish Armada and the battle for European hegemony involved almost all of Spain's experience, and seized the position of maritime supremacy in one fell swoop, and then, the British navy gradually became stronger, and the vast sea seemed to accommodate these two allies of the anti-Habsburg alliance, but Britain was strong enough to a certain extent, and suddenly made a move against the Netherlands, pushing the Netherlands off the altar in one fell swoop and seizing the position of maritime hegemon.

If the original historical process is followed, at this time, Spain should be forced to start negotiations with the anti-Habsburg alliance, ready to cede land and sue for peace, France will replace Spain as the hegemon of the European continent, while Britain is secretly accumulating strength, preparing to overthrow the Netherlands in one fell swoop and seize the position of maritime hegemon.

It's a pity that at this time, Zhang Bin, the Patriotic Duke of the Ming Empire, was born out of thin air, and suddenly inserted a lever, which not only helped Spain withstand the attack of the anti-Habsburg alliance, but also captured the Duke Cromwell Jr. and thousands of British and Dutch soldiers, forcing Britain and the Netherlands to send envoys to Lisbon for peace talks.

His appearance not only blocked the Dutch road to hegemony, but also made Britain's plan for maritime hegemony very uncertain.

Naturally, these two powers would not be willing to withdraw from the competition and give up the position of maritime supremacy to the Ming Empire, but they had to send envoys to Lisbon to negotiate, because neither the Duke of Cromwell Jr. nor the thousands of soldiers captured by the Ming Empire could not be left behind.

Therefore, on the third day of Zhang Bin's return to Lisbon, the British and Dutch envoys arrived one after another, as if they had made an appointment, and they all asked for a day off on the grounds of fatigue from the journey, and then began negotiations the next day.

Obviously, they have all received a little bit of news, knowing that Portugal and the Ming Empire "invited" the two of them to negotiate at the same time, so they want to negotiate before the negotiation to see how to unite to put pressure on the Ming Empire, although in history these two countries will soon fight for the position of maritime supremacy, but at this time, the two countries are still allies, allies of the anti-Habsburg alliance, at this time they will negotiate behind closed doors first, it is not surprising.

Zhang Bin did not interfere with their actions, they want to negotiate privately, let them negotiate privately, this kind of thing can't be stopped, even if the negotiation starts, they can delay the time for a few days and find a chance to negotiate again, rather than this, it is better to let them negotiate in advance.

You discussed, 200 Weiyuan battleships and 200 Zhenyuan cruisers are parked in the port of Lisbon, and I ask you if you are afraid!

The British and Dutch negotiators did not take a day off, as they had said, but stayed behind closed doors in the lodgings arranged by João IV for the British legations, and it is not known whether they were frightened by the two hundred battleships and the two hundred cruisers of Zhenyuan.

In short, the next morning, when the peace talks began, there was no panic on the faces of the negotiating envoys of the two countries.

In this peace talks, the negotiator sent by the Duke of Cromwell of Britain was his right-hand man, Baron Fairfax, the commander-in-chief of the new model army, and Prince William, the governor of the Netherlands, sent Speaker Jockman of the Dutch Parliament.

Zhang Bin smiled and nodded to the two negotiators opposite, and then spoke: "Two, I believe you have learned that our Ming Empire happened to capture some generals and soldiers some time ago, and they happen to belong to your two countries, so we invite you to talk." Our Ming Empire has always advocated that peace is precious, so we don't have any other requirements, just ask your two countries to sign a non-aggression pact with our Ming Empire and our ally Portugal, and everyone will live in harmony and do business with harmony in the future, what do you think? ”

His tone was polite enough, but it didn't have the desired effect, and after Fairfax and Jockman glanced at each other, Jockman, who was more eloquent, took the lead in asking: "Your Royal Highness, I think we have to figure out a problem first, the relationship between us and Portugal is an internal matter of the European continent, and it seems that it is not your turn to intervene in the Ming Empire." ”

Oops, the mouth is quite hard.

Zhang Bin replied quietly: "Your Excellency Qiao Keman, I am a little curious about what you say, what is the internal affairs of the European continent, is your European continent a country?" Or rather, is there any special relationship between you? ”

With that, he also cast a meaningful look at João IV, who was sitting on the throne.

João IV originally came to watch from the wall, and Zhang Bin told him before the negotiations began, he didn't have to participate in the argument, just sit there and listen, of course, sometimes he had to say a few words when he had to express his position.

As soon as Zhang Bin's eyes looked at him, he immediately realized: "Of course not, our European countries are independent of each other and do not have any special relationship." ”

Fairfax and Jockman seem to have discussed, first messing around with geopolitical relations to see if they can isolate the Ming Empire from the European continent, but it really can't be done, and then talk about other things.

Therefore, as soon as Joao IV's words fell, Fairfax expressed his support: "Your Majesty, I have no objection to what you say, the royal marriages between the countries of the European continent have lasted for thousands of years, and everyone has a certain blood relationship, how can it be said that there is no special relationship, we can all be said to be relatives, how can outsiders interfere in the affairs between relatives?" ”

Zhang Bin mocked mercilessly: "You are all relatives, so why did you fight so fiercely with Spain, both sides were killed and injured hundreds of thousands of horses, does your kinship mean that you will never die?" ”

When Fairfax heard this, he was immediately embarrassed, but Qiao Keman said shamelessly: "How we fight it is our internal affairs in Europe, your Ming Empire is tens of thousands of miles away from the European continent, but you came to take care of our affairs, this hand is too long, right?" ”

Still dead duck with a hard mouth, Zhang Bin sneered: "Our Ming Empire's hand is long? You should know that the so-called Formosa is the territory of our Ming Dynasty, did you ask us when you invaded it? Also, Batavia, where your original East India Company headquarters is located, is also owned by our Daming Old Port Xuanfu Division, you can occupy it if you want, have you asked us Daming? Don't say these useless, everyone knows in their hearts that in these years, whoever has a big fist will make sense, and whoever has a big fist will be wide, and now, our Ming Empire has a big fist, so we are in charge of Portugal's affairs! ”