Mastering a new route to the East is a never-ending desire for any knowledgeable European political and business elite. Before the Dutch discovered the secret of the westerly wind belt, the Dutch seafaring adventurers had been trying to find the northern shipping route to the east, and they did not hesitate to invest a lot of money and human resources, but in the end they only discovered Canada.

As the most outstanding politician in France, Richelieu naturally did not forget France's need for overseas colonial trade, otherwise he would not be called the father of the French navy, but he had to take into account French domestic politics and France's political position in Europe, so that he had not yet formulated a detailed plan for France's overseas strategy.

The fact that Song Xiance brought him the common strategy of Franco-sea development just made up for Richelieu's expectations for the French Navy and gave the French Navy a very targeted strategic goal. A navy without a strategic goal can end up being a big and expensive toy for the kingdom.

Richelieu could see at a glance that although this plan would benefit the countrymen, France would also get enough benefits from it. This envoy didn't need to talk much, as long as he spread out this plan in front of him, it would be difficult for him to refuse. No wonder the other party just said that all he needed was a chance to face himself alone.

But even if this plan is extremely beneficial to France, Richelieu does not intend to let the other party lead him by the nose, he leaned back, crossed his hands in front of his chest, looked at Song Xiance calmly and said, "Why France?" Judging from the current control of the sea and the sea, isn't the Habsburgs more suitable for an alliance with the state? ”

Song Xiance looked at Richelieu sincerely and said: "The Habsburg family seems to be powerful, but the way they use their marriage relationship to expand their territory is not to merge the territories under their rule into one.

The territory of the Habsburgs was mainly divided into Spain, Italy and Germania, and the people of these three regions were not only linguistically different, but also very different in their living habits. The only two ties between these people are the blood of the royal family and the common religious beliefs.

In the eyes of our countrymen, such a bond is weak. The blood of the royal family can be replaced, religious beliefs cannot replace the needs of the people's self-interest, and the Habsburgs are almost exhausted just to appease the conflicts of interests between the people of various ethnic groups and regions in the country, so how can they have the spare strength to deal with a highly centralized Ottoman Empire?

If the Habsburgs had really been able to control the local powers, this war would not have broken out at all, would it? What's more, the Habsburgs could not even accommodate the Protestants, so how could they ally with us heretics. We cannot trust a country that puts religious beliefs in the national interest.

What's more, judging from the current political situation in Europe, in the end, France will win the war, so why should I find a loser as our ally? ”

The corners of Richelieu's mouth raised slightly, and he looked at the other party and said disapprenorovingly: "France will win?" Would it be too hasty to say such an optimistic view just because we defeated the Spanish and Holy Roman armies outside Paris? Even I can't determine who the winner of this war is. ”

Song Xiance did not flinch, and continued to say firmly: "I naturally wouldn't dare to assert this because of just one or two tactical victories. The reason why I am so convinced that the victory goes to France is naturally because of your strategic success. As long as France continues to follow your strategy, I really don't see any chance of failure? ”

Richelieu's eyes blinked, and he said gently: "Tactics and strategy? What an interesting statement. So tell me, what is my strategy? Where is the success? ”

Song Xiance spread out his hands and replied in surprise: "Isn't Your Excellency's strategy obvious? Let the Habsburgs become the target of public criticism and the object of unanimous opposition from the countries of Europe.

As Your Majesty has said, the first step in defeating our enemies is to leave them in isolation. Therefore, I really don't see any possibility for the Habsburgs to turn around. ”

Richelieu was finally moved, and if it weren't for the fact that he knew that he was surrounded by extremely reliable and loyal men when he reported to the king, he would almost have suspected that the envoy had betrayed France's most confidential information.

However, as the leader of France's best and most sophisticated spy organization at the moment, Richelieu quickly dispelled his speculation. He was sure that no one could betray French secrets without being detected by his spies. So Song Xiance, who can break through his strategic plan in one go, is indeed a talent.

No matter how bad the cardinal's reputation may be, everyone knows one thing: the bishop's love for talent has always been eclectic. This also makes the French aristocracy, no matter how much they toss, after all, not the opponent of the most outstanding elite in France and even Europe around the cardinal.

Therefore, after being silent for a while, Richelieu said bluntly: "It seems that I see something in common with His Majesty the Emperor of your country, and I have said before Your Majesty that the defeat of an enemy is simple: you only need to unite with his enemies.

Since the emperor of your country wants to seek the friendship of France with the goal of bringing down the Ottoman Empire, what can France gain from it? Please don't prevaricate me with the benefits of trade routes, which we deserve to defeat the Ottoman Empire, right? ”

Song Xiance's face was obviously stunned, but he quickly recovered, he pressed the arm of the chair and thought for a while, and said with a smile: "Your Excellency Bishop is probably the opposite, I think it should be, what kind of price is France prepared to pay in order for our country to choose France as an ally to control this new shipping route." ”

Li Se raised his eyebrows consciously, looked at Song Xiance and said coldly, "Do you know what you were talking about just now?" Do you think that after confessing this plan to me, you will be able to find other allies in Europe to cooperate? I think you should rethink that for the countries of Europe, France is very close and the country is far away, and I don't think that country would dare to snatch this plan from France. ”

Song Xiance shook his head and said, "Your Excellency Bishop is right, but your understanding of the country is too insufficient. There is a written history in China, which can describe the Shang Dynasty 1600 years before Christ came to earth. Your Excellency, can you understand what I mean? ”

Richelieu frowned for the first time, looked at the other party for a long time, and made sure that this was not a joke, before he said with some hesitation: "The history of your country is extremely long, but what does this have to do with the content of our conversation?" Could it be that the history of your country can still influence the choices I make? ”

Song Xiance took control of the situation for the first time in this conversation, and he said humbly and confidently: "For a country like ours that has spread for thousands of years, time is not calculated in minutes and seconds, weeks and months, or even years and years.

China can consider the implementation of the national strategy in the unit of a century, just like the Suez Canal issue that we just talked about, and China did not think that this is a strategy that can be completed tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Although the Ottoman Empire has passed the peak of its national strength, it will not be able to see it in ten or twenty years until the period of decline of its national strength.

Therefore, the alliance of France that I propose is not an alliance with France under your leadership, but an alliance with France in the future. It is true that France today is great because of Your Excellency, but our country has enough patience to wait. Wait for France to find a man of French power who can be used by our country to sign this pact when France loses your Excellency, and it is not difficult to see from your intellect that there will be no more far-sighted figures like you in France in the near future. ”

Richelieu was silent for a long time before he let out a breath and said with a dumb smile: "So, I will lose to time, you really have erected an opponent for me that cannot be defeated." Okay, so tell me what you want from me, and maybe I'll consider it. ”

Although he occupied the cardinal's wind for a while, Song Xiance was not complacent, he knew that the conditions he proposed next were the key, and if the conditions were too high, the cardinal might realize that there was a lack of alliance between the laws, and if the conditions were too low, the other party would expose the so-called centennial strategy that he had just called just a lie.

Therefore, after thinking about it for a long time, he said unhurriedly: "Antonio, the heir to the Portuguese throne, once asked the queen mother of your country for support, and now his granddaughter has become the concubine of His Majesty the Emperor of our country.

Therefore, on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I request to you that if there is a vacancy in the throne of Portugal, it shall be the heir of Princess Isabella, and that France should abide by its commitment to support the heir of Princess Isabella to the throne of Portugal.

And the crown of Portugal is the best guarantee of the French League. What does His Excellency Bishop think? ”

Richelieu's elbow suddenly rested on the arm of the chair, and he held his face with his hand and thought for a long time before he said unhurriedly: "Then according to Antonio's promise to the Queen Mother, should Brazil, the colony of the Kingdom of Portugal, belong to France?" ”

Song Xiance immediately replied: "Your Excellency, bread is just an appetizer for this feast, you can't try to fill your stomach with bread, otherwise how can you taste the next dishes..."

Peter. Natz waited in the hall for 3-4 hours, and when he felt like his legs were about to run out, he heard the door open. Song Xiance quickly walked down the stairs, and said before he opened his mouth to ask: "My stomach is almost hungry, hurry back." Before I went out, I asked the cook to stew a big pot of beef brisket in the pot, and now I rush back, the heat should be just right..."

Mazaran, who had sent Song Xiance out, returned to Richelieu's office and reported to the Lord with disdain about the greedy shape of the envoy when he was leaving.

Richelieu glanced at him before he said, "You heard a man talking to his Dutch interpreter in French, what should they have for dinner?" What an interesting Chinese person. ”

Ma Zaran felt that something was wrong at this time, and he couldn't help but wonder a little and said, "yes, why are they saying this nonsense in French?" ”

Richelieu shook his head and said, "It seems that our envoy does not want to let people know what he and I are talking about. If our nobles have a low profile, our court will not leak like a sieve.

Tell the Marquis Abel that I need a ship capable of going to the country, and send a few spies clever enough to bring back to France all the information that the country can gather. ”

Mazaran agreed to retreat, and when the room was empty, Richelieu looked out the window at the garden and thought for a long time, then went to the corner and pulled a rope, and soon his loyal musketeer captain came running.

Richelieu coldly instructed him: "Send twice as many men to watch over the envoys of the country, and if he finds that he may have contact with the people of Spain or the Holy Roman Empire, give him to... No, try to catch it alive. The place of the accident could not be in France, acting in the guise of a robber. ”

"Yes, Throne." The captain of the musket gave a brief yes, then turned and exited the room.

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