readx; The meeting between Zhu Youzhen and Portuguese Ambassador Anna can be said to be historic. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 infoAt a time when the Ming Empire was in its worst crisis, this conversation made it possible for China to obtain money and food from foreign countries. Although it is still necessary to negotiate further with King João IV of Portugal, although it is still unknown how much money can be borrowed and how much grain can be purchased, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, Zhu Youzhen is willing to make the greatest efforts for it.

And she learned from Anna that the third Portuguese merchant fleet had set off from Macao for the north ten days earlier. Due to the freezing of sea ice in the Bohai Sea in winter, according to the prior agreement, the delivery port was changed to Dengzhou, which is less affected by the sea ice, and it was time to arrive at the port in the next two days.

The convoy delivered the same goods under the contract as the last time, with both urgently needed artillery ammunition and Andalusian horses, as well as a whole bunch of goods "for sale". However, because João IV was gathering troops in Goa to prepare for the return to the mainland, the volume of goods this time was significantly smaller, and it did not include the food that the Ming Dynasty urgently needed.

However, Zhu Youzhen still has a feeling of sending charcoal in the snow. He immediately consulted with Anna, because the North Sea Fleet was now anchored in Dengzhou, and when the fleet returned this time, he could let the North Sea Fleet escort the ship and take the route in the proposed plan to see how long it would take, and if there were any obstacles on the way, as a reference for the decision of the two monarchs. Anna decided that such a thing would not harm Portugal's interests and that there was no need to report it to João, so she readily agreed.

Zhu Youzhen was overjoyed, and now in his eyes, Princess Anna has become an angel sent by God to help him. The demands of this angel, as long as they are not too outrageous, he certainly wants to meet them as much as possible.

However, Anna asked Zhu Youzhen to make up Christmas for her, and to spare a few days to play with her, which Zhu Youzhen could not do. He had to explain that on the first day of the first lunar month, the Yuan Reform Ceremony and the Suburban Heaven Ceremony would be held, which was the most solemn ceremony in the Ming Dynasty, and the emperor must attend. The thirtieth day of the lunar month is Chinese New Year's Eve, and according to the rules, the emperor needs to set up a banquet in the palace on this day, one is to reunite the royal family, and the other is to comfort all the palace people, so he cannot leave the palace. Today is the 26th day of the lunar month, there are only three days left before Chinese New Year's Eve, and the government of the DPRK is busy, it is really difficult to spare too much time, and at most half a day can be squeezed out.

Anna tilted her head and thought about it, then smiled: "Then on the night of the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month." According to the Gregorian calendar, which is common to us Europeans, this day is the 14th of February, Your Majesty the Emperor, do you know what it is? ”

"Valentine's Day! Uh..."As soon as Zhu Youzhen blurted out, he closed his mouth in embarrassment.

"How did His Majesty the Emperor know?" Anna was intrigued.

"What, Maldini told me..."

"I think it's really fitting for His Majesty the Emperor to accompany me on Valentine's Day." Looking at Zhu Youzhen's embarrassed face, Anna smiled and said, "Hehe! Your Majesty, I'm joking with you. Actually, I wanted to invite the queen and the princess to the Portuguese embassy on this day, I just wanted to take the opportunity to have a lively time. At that time, Miss Li Xiangjun will have a surprise to offer, and His Majesty the Emperor will definitely be very satisfied! ”

As soon as Anna said this, Zhu Youzhen's eyes unconsciously appeared in front of Li Xiangjun's image of self-appreciation. I haven't seen you for a few months, I don't know how this poor woman in the world is doing? Therefore, after pondering for a moment, he replied, "Of course, I am very honored to invite Her Royal Highness the Princess. But this matter still needs to be discussed with the queen, she is the lord of the first house. If the Queen agrees, I will immediately inform Her Royal Highness the Princess. ”

When they saw off Anna and Qiulina and returned to the Forbidden City, it was already two o'clock in the morning, and it was all dark. Originally, according to the unwritten "rules" of the past, Zhu Youzhen should go to Concubine Bao Yulian tonight. However, Anna's invitation was a major event related to the fortunes of the country, and Zhu Youzhen immediately came to Kunning Palace to discuss with Rui'er.

Rui'er listened carefully, pondered for a moment, and smiled at Zhu Youzhen: "Since Princess Anna has helped Banzai so much, this face must be given." Banzai is busy with government affairs, the specific matters will be arranged by Rui'er, and I will inform them early tomorrow morning and let them prepare well. In addition, Rui'er also has an idea and wants to talk about it with Banzai. ”

"Rui'er speaks, of course the husband has to listen." Zhu Youzhen hugged Rui'er who was snuggled in his arms, and said with pity.

"Rui'er is thinking, long live the change of yuan is a great joy, in addition to the ceremonies due to the imperial court, the people should also celebrate, take the opportunity to make the people lively." Rui'er whispered softly, "Long live, please think, today Jingshi was first hit by a meteorite, and then the Tartars entered the Kou, and now there are rebels in rebellion, food is short, and the people have suffered all this year." Finally, at the end of the year, every family must be looking forward to next year being better than this year. Wouldn't it be good if we could manage to make the people celebrate with great fanfare, and everyone would be happy, forget all the troubles of this year, and cheer up their spirits next year and start from scratch. ”

Zhu Youzhen nodded frequently and said, "Okay, you have a good idea!" But now that the people are scarce, the people are reluctant to buy firecrackers, what kind of celebration should they get..."

"It's not difficult." Rui'er smiled and said, "Long live you can set aside a small amount of money from the inner money, buy more fireworks, and choose an open place in the city to set them off, so that the people of the whole city can see it when they look up..."

"High! It's really high! Zhu Youzhen patted his thigh and said, "The fireworks show is such a good idea, why did the husband forget it?" Ordinary people don't have to spend a penny, they can enjoy it for several hours, and it is suitable for all ages. It's so decided, and after a while, the husband will let the Ministry of Rites do it! ”

"Long live can also let the people of the prefectures and counties near Jingshi also come to the city to see." Rui'er continued, "The New Year is approaching, and there must be a lot of people who go into the city to buy New Year's goods, so you might as well lift the curfew for a few days and open the twelve gates of the outer city at night to facilitate the people to enter and exit." ”

Zhu Youzhen nodded and said, "This should be totally deserved, in fact, my husband has long wanted to cancel the curfew." In the past few days of the Chinese New Year, there is no problem in opening the city gate at night, and now the Beijing division is very safe, so let the sergeants on night patrol in the Beijing camp and the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division be more vigilant. Rui'er, you are really a good helper for your husband, how can I thank you for my husband? ”

"Since the concubine is the queen, she naturally has to worry about long live." Rui'er hugged Zhu Youzhen's body tightly, looked up at him, her cheeks were hot and red, she was really beautiful like a peach blossom, "If Banzai really wants to thank Rui'er, then... Then don't leave tonight..."

"This..." Zhu Youzhen just wanted to say something, but looking at Rui'er's eyes full of expectation and tenderness, how could he still say it, but the words became on his lips: "Okay, don't go, I'll accompany you well tonight for my husband..."

...