Robert. Blake shook his head at Methwold and said, "You know, the situation in the country is getting more and more serious, and the contradictions between the Scots and the king seem to be irreconcilable. At such a moment, I can't rest easy to enjoy in the East.

Besides, my idea of a formation for naval training and combat has almost been tested on the Ming Navy. These experiences and lessons are also a valuable asset to the British Navy, and I hope that I can use them for the British Navy, so it is natural that I should return home. ”

Methwald got to know Robert. Blake took out a letter from his bosom and placed it in front of him, and continued: "This is for Henry, the governor of the company. Mr. Gayn's letter of recommendation, which may be of some help to you in implementing a new way of organizing and fighting in the Navy. ”

As a major shareholder of the Levant, Moscow, and East India Companies, Henry. Gawyn was a real big man, and with his help, Robert Brown. Blake was a little more confident in lobbying senior Navy officials for reform, and he stood up and sincerely thanked Methwold, accepting the kindness of the other party.

After making overtures to the other party, Methwald continued: "Actually, I asked you out today, and I still have one more thing I hope to be able to help." That is, what do you think of the agreement we are negotiating with the Ming Navy? ”

Hearing Methwold mention the secret agreement that was being negotiated with the Ming Naval Staff Headquarters, Robert Murphy was able to bring up a secret agreement with the Ming Naval Headquarters. Blake suddenly became cautious, and he thought carefully for a long time before he said to Methwald.

"In my personal opinion, if this secret agreement can really be realized, the Chinese will gain great benefits, not only will they gain control of the Pacific Ocean, but also turn the entire Nanyang region into their own backyard, and no country will be able to challenge the Chinese in the South Seas and East Asia in the future."

From this point of view, the conclusion of this secret agreement is at least detrimental to China's future interests in East Asia and the South Seas.

However, with our maritime power today, even the Atlantic Ocean is not fully controlled. As for the Mediterranean, which is vital for Europe, our country was even more excluded by the Spaniards.

Therefore, it is necessary for us to recognize the reality that our country is not a maritime power in Europe, the Spaniards are the maritime hegemon in the past, the Dutch are the current maritime hegemon, and we are surviving in the gap between these two powers.

Even the English Channel on our doorstep is now divided between the Dutch and the French. The English Channel, the last bulwark against Britain and the gateway to the River Thames to London, has the consequence of not being able to control the Channel is to expose London to the guns of the continental powers.

Compared with the problems that our country is currently facing, our future interests in the South Seas and East Asia are simply insignificant.

Therefore, I think that reaching this secret agreement with the Chinese, dividing up the world's sea power, and dealing with other maritime countries will still have more advantages than disadvantages after all. What's more, Britain is not the only ally that the Chinese can choose, but we cannot find an eastern ally that can replace the Chinese..."

For Robert. Methwold seemed somewhat persuaded by Blake's statement, but Wilson was still worried: "But China is not Spain and the Dutch Republic after all, it is a huge country that is several times larger than the two combined."

We have been in China for several years, but we still haven't been able to get a basic idea of this huge country, which shows the vastness of the country's territory. The population of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, just a small number of cities that are open to us, far exceeds the total population of China.

These Chinese are hard-working, intelligent by nature, and the arts and sciences that we Europe are proud of, but in just a few years they have been almost digested by these Chinese, and they have even developed monster machines such as the steam engine to replace animal power and natural power.

Once such a country is allowed to grasp the hegemony of the sea, will we face an even more desperate Ottoman Empire on the sea? ”

Robert. Blake shook his head and replied: "China is too far away from Europe, and no matter how strong China's national strength is, it is impossible to occupy all the seas from Europe to the East.

And I think the Chinese are much more rational than the Ottoman Empire, at least they know how to restrain their own power and share the rights and interests of the sea with us, and they will not blindly swallow and eat the whale, and they will not even leave the soup to others.

In addition to the South Seas, the Chinese only want the Pacific Ocean, which is the same as the Atlantic sea power we need, and the Chinese need to protect their interests on the west coast of the American continent. However, with regard to the Indian Ocean region, which is closer to China, their proposition that the two countries should open their bases to each other, cooperate with each other, and have equal interests, can be regarded as a certain concession to us.

You see, if we had first proposed a secret treaty, we would not have allowed the Chinese to enter even if the Mediterranean region was not yet in our hands. So, I think the Chinese are still very sincere. ”

Methwold waved his hand to stop Wilson, who was still trying to express his opinion on the matter, and turned to Robert W. Blake said: "Thank you for your valuable advice, I will consider it carefully before making a final consultation with the Chinese..."

On the second day after the completion of the ceremony of the Guards' return to the city, an official document led by Yuan Chonghuan and signed by Liu Jingting and others was sent to the capital.

And just a few minutes before this official document was delivered to Chongzhen, Zhu Youzhen heard a rather surprising news from Lu Qi.

"Amin and Erli were intercepted at the Niangzi Pass? What are they going to do with the girls? Didn't I already ask you to send someone to Fengzhen to explain to Amin? His case is just a formality, what is he running? ”

Lu Qi said helplessly: "The envoy sent by the palace is estimated not to have met with Amin, according to the news received by the minister, it is said that Amin and his son have stayed in Fengzhen for less than half a day, and it is suspected that after hearing that Gon Chuktaiji was dealt with in public by Governor Yuan, he immediately came to the capital, thinking that he came to seek His Majesty's protection. ”

Zhu Youzhen shook his head and replied to Lu Qi: "Forget it, let them go to Beijing to recuperate for a few days." Didn't you say that Yuan Chonghuan had an official document arrived, bring it to me first..."

After reading the official document reported by Yuan Chonghuan, Zhu Youzhen said with a mocking look on his face: "His boasting and self-aggrandizement has not changed." That idea was put into words, and it's no wonder that such a simple errand should be messed up. Did Mr. Sun send this copy? ”

Lu Qi naturally knew who Mr. Sun was referring to in the emperor's mouth, and he hurriedly replied: "It hasn't been sent yet, and the minister thinks that he should let His Majesty look at it first." ”

Zhu Youzhen leaned back, looked at the table in front of him for a long time, and then said softly: "Send someone to Mr. Sun, and by the way, send the report of Jinyiwei on this matter, so that Mr. Sun can understand more comprehensively..."

Lu Qi immediately nodded in agreement, and after he stepped forward to take the official document in front of the emperor, he took a few steps back before saying, "The Manchu Nanchu that Mr. Liu sent back has already begun to explain. He claimed to be the son of Yehebe Delegel Taiji and the grandson of Jintaishi. According to his confession, he should have been an envoy who had been liaising with the Mongol tribes on behalf of the Manchus, and should be familiar with the affairs of the Mongol tribes in eastern Liaodong. ”

Zhu Youzhen was silent for a moment, and then instructed Lu Qi: "Since he is willing to cooperate, then find a house to house him, and there is no need to detain him." Give him a name in the East Asian Tongwen Museum, and let him write down all the inside information and mutual connections between the various departments of Liaodong Mongolia that he knows.

Inform him, collect all the materials he has written every day, and check them carefully. If there is a preamble that does not match the afterword, his living treatment will be reduced; If it is indeed an honest confession, then raise him first. Anyway, I won't need him for a year or two, so let's just leave it like this..."

Sun Chengzong, who was raising himself at home, received the two official documents sent by Lu Qi personally, although he was a little strange about the prudence of today's emperor, he still immediately took the official documents and read them carefully.

After all, he is an experienced bureaucrat, not one of those clear streams who can only make a big difference, so after reading Jinyiwei's report, he immediately believed in his heart, and he didn't regard it as a non-existent thing because it was Jinyiwei's report.

After he read the content of the official document reported by Yuan Chonghuan, he pieced together the contents of the two reports and roughly restored the scene at that time.

After understanding the truth of the matter, Sun Chengzong couldn't help but shake his head at the official document in his hand, his protégé was really difficult to pick up.

Sun Chengzong quickly reined in his emotions, looked up at Lu Qi and asked, "Does Your Majesty have any opinion on this matter?" ”

Lu Qi replied respectfully: "Your Majesty just asked the minister to send the official document to Mr. Sun, and nothing else was explained. ”

Sun Chengzong raised his head and looked at the sky, and then said, "At this hour, is Your Majesty still listening to the report of the soldiers of the Guards in the Wuying Palace?" ”

Lu Qi seemed to remember something at this time, and hurriedly replied to Sun Chengzong: "Ao, Your Majesty has a message for me to convey to Mr. Sun."

The day after tomorrow, His Majesty will begin to discuss some personnel issues with the Cabinet, and His Majesty means that he will be able to meet with Mr. Sun before that. At 9 o'clock tomorrow morning, His Majesty will set aside half an hour for Mr. Sun, I wonder what Mr. Sun thinks? ”

Sun Chengzong naturally would not refuse Chongzhen's proposal, although Yuan Chonghuan messed everything up, but the hard work spent on him over the years made Sun Chengzong unbearable to give up this protégé.

Therefore, he pondered slightly for a moment, and then replied: "Then please ask Gonggong Lu to reply to Your Majesty, saying that I will go to see Your Majesty early tomorrow morning..."

(. = )