Chapter 714: Bargaining

readx; Joao Wan didn't expect Zhu Youzhen to dig a big hole for him, and the first thing he did was to claim the sovereignty of Macau. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 Since he agreed to the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" put forward by Zhu Youzhen, he could not fail to respect the sovereignty of the Ming Dynasty over Macao.

Thinking of the broad prospects for cooperation between Portugal and the Ming Dynasty, Joao gritted his teeth and was ruthless, so he had to sign a written agreement with Zhu Youzhen, writing: "If the Kingdom of Portugal is restored, the sovereignty of the Ming Empire over Macao will be recognized, and the existing Portuguese rights of abode and business rights in Macao will be discussed later." João, Duke of Bragança of Portugal, and Zhu Youzhen, King of Qin of the Ming Empire. ”

Of course, the signing of this first treaty also established another thing, that is, the Chinese name for Portugal is no longer "Franco", but officially changed to "Portugal" according to the transliteration of the Portuguese portuguesa. In fact, "Franco" was originally a generic term for Europe by the Arabs, that is, a transliteration of the word "Frank". The Chinese do not understand the Western world, and they use false rumors to call all Europeans "Franco-machine people." This is really a big fallacy, and Zhu Youjian must of course correct it.

In the first round, Zhu You retrieved the sovereignty of Macau, although it was only a literal thing, and it could not be implemented now, Joao still felt that he was left behind. In order to gain the initiative, he immediately put forward the most common, but often denied, request of the Ming Dynasty to open its treaty ports.

Zhu Youzhen agreed, promising that as long as he ensured that Portuguese merchants abided by the laws and regulations of the Ming Empire and obeyed the supervision of the Municipal Shipping Division, in the near future, China would open at least five treaty ports and allow the Portuguese to enter and trade freely.

This was obviously deviant at that time, because soon after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, it began to implement the policy of closing the country to the outside world, in an attempt to reduce the impact of foreign civilizations on Chinese civilization by isolating foreign exchanges. This lock was hundreds of years, until the Opium War, when Westerners opened the door to China with strong ships and cannons. Facts have proved that closing the country to the outside world is an extremely stupid ostrich policy, which not only fails to resist external shocks, but instead abandons its own martial arts, allowing China to lag behind the world in the midst of arrogance.

Therefore, Zhu Youzhen has long made up his mind to change this policy and face the world with an open attitude. The trade between the five ports is only the beginning, and sooner or later it will be opened up in all directions. As for being impacted by Western civilization, Zhu Youzhen is not afraid. Because the exchange and integration of civilizations is inevitable, whoever is more advanced will be able to export their own civilization. During the Tang and Song dynasties, China implemented a policy of opening up, but it was during that period that Chinese civilization established itself as the pinnacle of the world. China's 5,000-year-old civilization will never disappear because of the opening of ports for free trade, and Zhu Youzhen has strong confidence in this.

Joao didn't expect to agree to his request so happily, and at the same time he was a little remorseful, feeling that Zhu Youzhen was only concerned about sovereignty, and he could also propose a higher price. So he put forward again: I hope that the Ming Dynasty can give Portuguese merchants the treatment of exemption from customs duties.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Youzhen resolutely refused this time, and stated that the right to tariff is part of the state's sovereignty and will never be given up. However, Zhu Youzhen also made some concessions, agreeing that Portuguese merchants would be exempt from taxes for ten years after the contract came into effect, and then according to the situation after ten years. However, Zhu Youzhen also put forward additional conditions, that is, Portugal should give the same treatment to the Ming Dynasty, and if the Ming merchant ships trade in Portugal or its territories in Asia, Africa, and the New World, they must also be exempt from duty.

João pondered for a moment, then immediately agreed. His abacus was very fine, thinking that his negotiating opponent was still more important to "name", how could Daming have merchant ships that could trade in the ocean now? Therefore, the so-called equal treatment is actually unilateral treatment. Ten years of tax exemption has been able to bring huge benefits to Portugal, you must know that the tariffs in this era are often twice or even several times the price of goods, if it can be completely duty-free, the profits can be imagined.

In fact, Zhu Youzhen had already seen through Joao's thoughts. In his opinion, it is true that Daming does not have an ocean-going caravan now, but it does not mean that there will be no in the future. By making provisions in the treaty now, you will save yourself the trouble of going forward. At that time, I am afraid that it will not be the West that will attack China, but China will attack the West, just as China has become the "world's factory" in the 21st century.

Next, the two sides discussed specific products. João wanted to buy traditional Chinese goods such as tea, porcelain, and silk at low prices, while exporting expensive goods such as handicrafts and wine to China, and demanded to maintain a surplus.

Zhu Youzhen smiled slightly and said, "Your Excellency, I can export goods at a low price, which I can do; But if you want to keep a surplus with goods like handicrafts and wine, I'm afraid it's not likely, because the Chinese people don't need these things. ”

Joao's face was slightly red, and he also knew very well that European goods could not be sold in China at all, so there was a deficit in trade for many years, resulting in a large amount of silver flowing into China, which of course Westerners with the most fundamental purpose of making profits did not want to see. He pondered for a moment and then laughed, "So, does China need blacks?" The Negro was strong, simple-minded, easily tamed, and both a laborer and a good fighter. If His Highness needs it, our country can sell it in large quantities. Isn't your country fighting against the barbarians of the North? Just enough to get them into battle, how about it? ”

Zhu Youjian immediately said with a straight face: "I'm sorry, other trades can be done, but slaves and opium must not be touched, this is not in line with our Chinese principles!" If your country tries to smuggle black slaves and opium to the Ming Dynasty, all treaties will be null and void, and the Ming will regard your country as an enemy country! ”

When Joao saw Zhu Youzhen's anger, he suddenly felt very embarrassed, and he also felt that he had lost face, so he couldn't help but sink his face, and the atmosphere at the negotiation table suddenly became tense. Maldini was so anxious that he was sweating profusely, and his purpose was to preach, and if the two of them collapsed, then his teaching would not be preached.

It was Zhu Youzhen who broke the silence first, and said with a slight smile: "Your Excellency the Duke doesn't need to be impatient, you want to keep a surplus, no problem, but what we need is another commodity." ”

"What commodity?" Joao's eyes lit up again.

"Cannons, sea ships, and craftsmen!" Zhu Youjian said with blazing eyes, "If your country can provide these goods and personnel that we urgently need, let alone a surplus, commodities like tea and porcelain, I can give you them for free!" ”