It was already the end of December, but the port of Xihai City, located on the Mediterranean island of Crete, welcomed a merchant ship flying the flag of the sun and the moon again.

More than a dozen customs officers arrived at the giant merchant ship with a cargo capacity of 10,000 tons in a small boat, first checked the ship's customs clearance documents, checked the tax payment certificates, and finally counted the seals in the cargo hold.

The ship slowly approached, and the owner of the ship, Monte, breathed a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on his face. "We have to wait for the west wind to stop before leaving, and these days, the crew on board can take turns to land and take vacation. Mongolian side, on the personnel arrangement, you have to make good statistics. ”

Monte is a pure Westerner, with obvious Western characteristics, but he is wearing a typical Ming costume, even his hair is long, with a square scarf.

In front of him, there were several middle-aged people dressed as merchants, and two young people, with a bit of Westerner characteristics, but more like a Ming man.

The older young man replied, "Yes." Father. I'll keep watch over the ship for a few days. ”

Monte smiled: "No, after the ship enters the port, the customs officers will also help us keep an eye on it." After a while, you and I will go to the Admiral's Mansion to meet General Xu. Meng Zheng, it's your first time in Europe, go out with Manager Xiao, but don't make trouble. ”

The younger Meng Zheng is fair-skinned, and the dark skin of a sailor who has not been running a ship for a long time is full of youthful vitality. "Father, can I lift that Earl off the ship?"

Monte smiled and said, "Yes, but I'm afraid there aren't many roads on the island where you can drive." ”

Meng Fang glared at his younger brother and warned: "This is the center of trade of all nations, and there are people from all over Europe. Although I, the Ming people, are superior here, but if I provoke the powerful, I will also be in trouble. Be honest with me! ”

Meng Zheng's face showed a hint of embarrassment, when he was in Kurumus, he was curious, and lifted the veil of a beautiful big eater girl, but he caused a trouble, and now, the big eater girl has become his concubine.

Before he even married his wife, he already had a concubine, and after he went back, I was afraid that Duan Enquan and Duan Jianguo's father and son would have to beat themselves up.

"No, I will be honest this time, and I will definitely not cause trouble."

Monte was especially fond of this little son, he was smart since he was a child, excelled in learning, and looked like a real Ming man.

And during his studies at the Polytechnic Institute, because of his outstanding ball skills, he was appreciated by Duan Renzhi, a famous combat hero of the Ming Dynasty, and was willing to marry his daughter to him.

Although he is now an honorary nobleman by His Majesty, and he also has the help of his nephew, they will not be discriminated against in Daming, but they have never been able to integrate into the real circle of power in Daming.

He doesn't want to do it in his life, and it is impossible for his eldest son to marry a civilian woman because he has been going to sea with him for a long time. Only this little son is his hope for the future.

Monte began to run the sea in the ninth year of orthodoxy, from the beginning as a sailor for the Duke of Liang, to the captain, and then to do it himself, becoming a maritime merchant specializing in Xizhou and Europa, and it has been thirty-one years.

He has also been running the European line for more than ten years, and he is very familiar with almost every naval commander, chief soldier, and admiral.

In the Ming Dynasty, with the help of the Duke of Liang, he was originally from the Roman Empire, so people on both sides could accept him.

The average Ming merchant would not bother to transport the goods to Rome at all, and when they were transported to Crete, they would sell.

And every time he spends a little more effort and a little more cost to get a trade certificate, he can sell the goods directly to Rome, or even Paris and London.

So, naturally, he will also make more money than others.

In the twenty-third year of orthodoxy, he began to work on his own, doing the Europa trade, and at that time he joined the Consultative Division.

The Department of Intelligence does not need him to act as a secret agent, as long as he records in detail what he sees and hears every time he trades, the task is very easy.

But he also gained a lot of convenience because of this, and even got a lower price than others, which also made his business bigger and bigger, and he became a celebrity on the Europa trade line.

However, for him who wants to integrate into the Ming Dynasty, he would rather use all his family property to exchange for a real title.

Two brand-new Piaget cars were hoisted off the ship by a crane, which was his new car this time.

Originally, the Earl was not sold to civilians, but this time His Majesty relaxed the ban, and the common people who had military merits and were awarded honorary titles could also buy the Earl's car as long as they had money.

For the sake of face, he bought two at once, and this time deliberately loaded them on the ship, ready to go to Europa to show his style.

Here in Europa, not to mention cars, there are not even the simplest steam harvesters. Most of them still rely on horses for transportation, how can they see the grandeur of the Ming car.

The car drove out of the port, and near the port was a huge market built by the Ming Navy.

In this market, there are people from almost every country, who have settled here for a long time and traded. Over time, the market grew bigger and bigger, and originally only Ming merchants rented shops, but now, most of the shops are run by Europa.

They buy Daming's goods here, and then ship them back to their own country, buy them whole, and sell them in retail, plus some freight, to earn some difference.

Although there are no 1,000 nationalities in total, it is known by everyone as the center of international trade.

took his eldest son Meng Fang to the Admiral's Palace, which was not far from the port, and Meng Fang was sent by Monte to deliver the post.

The porter here had known the Monte father and son for a long time, and warmly welcomed them into the second room and served tea. "Originally, the Admiral said that as long as you came, you would receive you immediately. But it's unfortunate today, Lord Huang, the commander of the horses, is a guest at the Admiral's Mansion today, and I can only go and pass it on, whether the Admiral has time to see you, it's hard to say. ”

Monte grabbed two silver dollars in his hand, and was about to stuff them into the other's hand, but this time he froze. asked: "But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Huang Ting Huang Shenzhi?" ”

The money was still in Monte's hands, and the porter didn't pick it up, and it wasn't either. "Exactly! Why does Lord Meng want to see Lord Huang if he has something? ”

Seeing that the other party was embarrassed, Monte hurriedly stuffed the silver dollar into the other party's hand, hugged his fists and said: "When the contemptible people came west, they met the British government in Yingzhou Port, saying that the former prime minister, the speaker of the parliament, Duke Huang Qianjiu, died of illness, and the entire Ming Dynasty lowered the flag at half-mast to show mourning. ”

The porter was also shocked when he heard this, and hurriedly said to him: "I'll go and report ......."

Yingzhou Port is the port of Daming in the South Seas, and it is also the southwesternmost region of Daming.

Although many areas of the Indian countries have fertile land, they have too many populations, and the Ming Dynasty doesn't want those burdens, so they don't bother to occupy them.

Without occupation, the telegraph line would not be able to be pulled over, not to mention the high cost of building a telegraph line, and the cost of later maintenance is also high, so it is also the farthest area in the southwest that can receive telegraphs.

Monte didn't wait long before he saw several middle-aged men striding over, led by a man dressed in a green coat with fire patterns on his shoulders.

He wears a crown of seven on his head, and his identity is also obvious.

According to the "Daming Huidian" "Yongle three years" system, the emperor uses twelve crowns, the crown prince and the prince use nine crowns, and the paulownia wood is used as the silk (board, covered with Qi outside, Xuanbiao Zhuli, front round and rear.

The prince of the prince uses eight crowns, eight before and after the silk board, and each one uses eight colorful jade beads to reel through red, white and blue.

The king of the county uses seven crowns, seven before and after the silk board, and each one uses seven colorful jade beads to reel through red, white and blue.

However, in the twelfth year of orthodoxy, His Majesty established diplomatic etiquette and authorized diplomatic envoys to use the five crowns to increase the momentum of our Ming officials.

The foreign secretary and the lieutenant can use the seven crowns in the same way as the county king.

Monte didn't dare to slack off, and took the initiative to greet him and said, "Xiaguan Monte has seen the Captain of the Horse. ”

Huang Ting knew Monte as a person, his father Karlsoli built the first arena in the Ming Dynasty, including the current parliament building, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a series of buildings, all of which were written by Carlsoli.

Monte's elder brother Enke, who inherited his father's business, is now also a well-known architect in the Ministry of Engineering, and also participated in the construction of the Wuchang Yangtze River Bridge.

It's just that Montevin is not a martial artist, but he is interested in doing business.

Huang Ting grabbed Monte's arm and said, "No need to be polite, this news is ...... Seriously! ”

Looking at Huang Ting's hopeful eyes, Monte let out a long sigh and nodded slightly.

Huang Tingden burst into tears, knelt down facing the east, wept silently for a long time, and then kowtowed three times. "The child is not filial, and he cannot serve his father......"

As an important minister of the country, even if Huang Ting has a thousand words, he can't say it in front of many people at this time, so he can only put his head on the cement floor and cry silently.

Admiral Xu Songyuan, the admiral of the navy stationed here, came to Huang Ting's side, gently held his arm and said: "Your Excellency Prime Minister has worked hard all his life to serve the country and the people. Shen Zhi is now running around for state affairs, and he is not filial, where to start. It's just that the Prime Minister is now immortal, and Shen Zhi's trip ......"

Huang Ting's emotions at this time have gradually recovered, his father's health is not good, he has long known it, but this father is immortal, but he can't serve by his side, which is really a regret in his life.

He wiped away his tears with his sleeve, and when he looked up, his complexion had regained his calm, except for the redness of his eyes.

He turned his head to look at his group of subordinates, sighed and said, "Although Your Majesty has always preached thin burial, and the Ding Wei system has been reformed, Ding Wei is only allowed for one year at most, and the love grabbing system has also been simplified. I have a heavy responsibility and dare not slack off, but I hope that my colleagues will help me on this trip to Europa. ”

A group of foreign ministry officials behind him all shouted, "I would like to listen to the instructions of the vice minister." ”

Huang Ting wanted to speak, but he was stuck again for a while. As a diplomat, this was his first gaffe.

After a long time, he sighed and said: "My heart is in turmoil today, and I hope that Admiral Xu will forgive me. I will not be able to attend today's feast. ”

Xu Songyuan said: "As it should be, I immediately asked people to prepare yellow paper and firecrackers." ”

Huang Ting saluted him, and said to his subordinates: "Follow-up arrangements, I will talk to you tomorrow, and forgive me for dereliction of duty today." ”

A group of his subordinates didn't even dare to say anything, so he said to Monte again: "Please also talk to me in detail......

Monte hurriedly said: "As it should be, the captain of the horse is not welcome. ”

Monte didn't know much, because when he set off from Daming, Huang Yuan had not yet died, and when he arrived at Yingzhou Port, he knew that it was because Huang Yuan died because the sun and moon flag in the port was lowered at half-mast.

But when Huang Ting heard that even the national flag had been lowered to half-mast, he would not doubt Monte's words. The flag of the port represents the face of the imperial court, and it is not the death of an important person, and the flag will not be lowered at half-mast at all.

The Admiral's Mansion sent someone to buy sacrificial supplies, and Huang Yuan thanked Monte before setting out with them, looking for a beach to the east to worship his father.

Monte thought she had nothing to do with her and returned to the ship. But the next morning, before he got up, he was invited to the Admiral's Mansion by the guards of the Admiral's Mansion.

came to the Admiral's Mansion and entered a reception room, but there was no Admiral Xu Songyuan in it, and Huang Ting, who obviously hadn't slept all night, sat in the first place.

On the left and right sides of Huang Ting, there were people wearing different official uniforms, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of General Affairs, and even the liaison of the Advisory Department in Crete.

He didn't know what task he was going to be assigned for a while, and he didn't dare to spoil the silence of the scene, so he just arched his hand and sat down in a position on the left hand according to Huang Ting's gestures.

At this time, Huang Tingcai spoke: "Mr. Monte, I am now talking to you as a deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Ming Empire, not an old acquaintance. From now on, our conversations will be recorded in the minutes of the Ming Dynasty, and I hope you will understand. ”

Monte immediately said with a straight face, "I understand. ”

Huang Ting said: "According to my understanding, you officially joined the Advisory Intelligence Department in the 23rd year of Orthodoxy, became a formal peripheral member of the Advisory Intelligence Division, and have been providing intelligence to the Department for the next 18 years. In the twenty-ninth year of Orthodoxy, you were awarded the title of Majesty by His Majesty for discovering that the other party had acquired the technology of flintlock pistol making in the Holy Roman Kingdom of Europa, and was officially given the surname Meng. ”

Monte nodded, "Yes." ”

"So, you should also know something about my Ming diplomatic secrecy regulations, right?"

"Yes!"

Huang Ting breathed a long sigh of relief, stood up and said, "This saves a lot of tongue, and I don't need to explain those regulations to you anymore." Lord Monte, Your Excellency! ”

Monte stood up straight, raised his right arm, put his palms together, aimed at his temple at a forty-five degree angle, and replied loudly: "Lord Honor of the Ming Empire, Monte is on standby!" ”

In the 20th year of Yongle, Zhu Zhanji took out the military salute of later generations for the first time at the military parade. However, this kind of military salute did not spread among the army, but because of the grace and sonorous power of this posture, it became a common posture for greeting nobles.

Zhu Zhanji didn't expect this to happen, and when he saw that those nobles all saluted with the military salutes of later generations, it was difficult to correct it.

He simply officially promulgated the etiquette standards of all classes of the Ming Dynasty in the seventh year of orthodoxy.

Students use the level; Subordinates to superiors, juniors to elders; Civilians bowed with their chests; The military commander saluted with a fist; In the military, the upper and lower ranks used a chest salute, while the nobles saluted with one hand.

Monte had always dreamed of becoming a nobleman of the Ming Dynasty, and although his Lord of Honor was only the lowest level, his hand-to-hand salute was still very standard.

Huang Ting's face did not show the sadness of yesterday at all, and he said in a clear voice: "Entrusted by His Majesty the Ming Dynasty, the contemptible man was ordered to lead a diplomatic mission to Europa to investigate the basic strength of science and technology, industry, agriculture and other aspects of each country, and thoroughly investigate the composition of the allied forces in Europa countries to find evidence. ”

He took out a blank letter of appointment, and said: "Honorary Lord Monte was born in Europa, but his heart is for the Ming Dynasty, and the contemptible people are ordered to recruit subjects from all walks of life who are interested in serving the Ming Dynasty, and he is hereby granted the post of Plenipotentiary Special Envoy to Monte, and if the task is successfully completed, he will ask His Majesty to grant Monte the title of Baron of Monte Ming as a reward." ”

Monte trembled with excitement and replied loudly: "Monte will definitely live up to his mission and serve the Ming Empire!" ”

After completing this set of procedures, Huang Ting waved his hand again and said, "Let's sit down and talk, I read all your information yesterday, and I still have many questions I want to confirm with you." The information of the General Administration Department is not in place, and it is really a dereliction of duty to let you, an excellent talent, not know how to use it, but let the Information Department pick up the cheap. ”

The two sat down again, and Huang Ting took out a stack of materials and said: "At the beginning, we will confirm from the scope of your business, and then, from the scope of your business, to those people you know, and will completely sort out the people you come into contact with in your business scope."

Then, based on your social network, we will develop a more detailed strategy that we hope you will work with. If this mission is completed smoothly, it is not impossible to say that the baron, even the viscount, and the earl. ”

Monte nodded in response: "I will definitely fully cooperate with the actions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." ”

At this time, Huang Ting began to take a back seat, pinching the bridge of his nose and sitting aside. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of General Affairs, began with Monte's first trade with Europa, and carefully sorted out his network of relations in Europe.

In this, who can be used, who can be bought, and who can be coerced by means are all classified.

And this process went on for two whole days.

Two days later, Monte also made a careful count of the materials carried by the trade with Europa.

The main reason why he came over during the Chinese New Year this time was because he had accepted an order from the King of Burgundy, the bold Charles, for iron pots.

From the sixteenth year of Yongle, the Ming fleet appeared in Europa for the first time, and this originally chaotic area suddenly became quiet.

They fought for the throne and for their interests, but now they suddenly realized that they were just frogs at the bottom of the well. No matter how much you fight, no matter how much power you have, in the face of the powerful empire of the Ming Dynasty, you are like a small reptile.

Da Ming didn't even need a kick, just a light finger, he could crush them to death.

At this time, the fourth war of the Hundred Years' War between England and France was not fought at all, and Louis XI negotiated to take back the Champagne region occupied by the British.

When the Europeans studied the industry of the Ming Dynasty, developed a new type of high-temperature furnace, and understood the manufacturing method of the new type of musket, the Holy Roman Empire (at this time they only dared to call it a kingdom), first made a musket, and then Poland, Lithuania, Kiev, Moscow and other principalities learned this method.

France, which received the musket, made the musket earlier than the British, and at this time, the British voluntarily withdrew from Normandy and Calais, and the Mann region.

Since then, France has been united.

However, Charles, who occupied Burgundy, was not afraid of France because he had the support of the Holy Roman Empire behind him. He grew up with Louis XI and knew that this king was no match for him.

In today's France, only Burgundy has been seeking independence.

Because of the emergence of the Ming Dynasty, the situation in Europe has changed, but it is not only these things that have changed.

What has changed is more about the local culture, economy, and living habits.

There are no iron pots in Europe, they can only roast on fire, and they will only cook soup and stew meat in clay pots.

But when the Ming Dynasty occupied Gibraltar, occupied Ceuta, occupied Crete, and occupied the Suez Canal, hundreds of thousands of Ming people directly let ignorant Europeans know what kind of life is a civilized life.

In this, there is also the Medici family in Rome who played a huge role.

When the family learned from the Ming Dynasty in every move, they used iron pots to cook, stir-fry, boil soup, and boil water.

After the spread of the word, Europeans discovered that it did not cost much to enjoy the lifestyle of a superior person, without having to nibble on immovable black bread.

Therefore, in addition to spices, iron pots are now the favorite commodities of Europeans, and many people have to buy an iron pot when they are bankrupt.

And the bold Charlie, in order to confront France, put forward the slogan of letting everyone have an iron pot in their home.

Meng Zheng postponed his trip because he participated in the 43rd Royal Football Tournament held in November, and no matter how much money he made, it was not as important for Monte to be accepted by the Ming nobles.

But the trip can't be postponed for too long, because in addition to these orders, most of the various goods loaded on his ship already have buyers.

Since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Ming Dynasty and the General Administration Department want to take advantage of Monte's identity, in addition to selling these goods according to the original plan, they also want to go deeper into the interior of Europe.

Therefore, they moved a lot of goods from the warehouse of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the island of Crete, and used two cargo ships of 4,000 stone to load them.

Munters' ships are 10,000 tons, and most of the areas are inaccessible except for some ports that can dock directly.

Now there are two more cargo ships of less than 500 tons, and most of them can enter as long as there is a river.

During the collection of goods, they also gave Monte some training so that he knew when, on what occasion, and what kind of words he could say, without arousing suspicion from the other party.

The Monte father and son were excited to receive the training, and even during the Spring Festival, they did not stop thinking about it.

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, two cargo ships sailing from Suez arrived in Crete.

Monte then departed from Crete, and the first stop on their destination was Venice, which was already in decline.

(Some book friends say that if you focus on a certain person, otherwise it will look a little tired.) These chapters are laid out and will soon tie these relationships together. And in addition to the protagonist, you can't put too much pen on other people, I hope to understand)