Chapter 901

Europe as a whole was plunged into a period of darkness, at least as it has historically defined. The steel fleet of the Ming Empire was rampant in any sea area in Europe, and the fleets of European countries were not even safe to hide in harbors.

Britain, which once defeated Spain, the maritime hegemon, was greatly damaged by the newly rising maritime power. The whole of Europe is thinking about the question of how to defeat the navy of the Ming Dynasty. This problem now seems unsolvable, and the reason is very simple, the level of science and technology cannot reach the height of the Ming Dynasty. Even in terms of system, European countries are not as good as Daming.

In Nantes, a quiet beach, a small boat quietly docked, and the man who got off the boat saw the lights flickering in the distance. One, two, three, the code was matched, and the man quickly packed his luggage and strode forward.

"Mr. Joseph?" A middle-aged man who looked like a housekeeper stepped forward to greet him. The man nodded: "I'm Joseph, who are you?" Looking at Joseph's wary eyes, the man who looked like a butler whispered, "I am the steward of Madame Rambouillet's estate, you can call me Valle." ”

"What's the weather like lately?" Joseph remained vigilant, his hands in his arms, ready to draw his weapon at any moment. Balle hurriedly added: "The weather has been bad recently, and it has been raining in Paris. Hearing this, Joseph withdrew his hand and explained: "I'm sorry, I have a heavy responsibility, and I don't dare to be careless." ”

"Yes, let's go, the carriage is waiting in front." After walking along the beach for a while, I saw a dirt road and a horse-drawn carriage waiting quietly in the dark. After the two got into the carriage, Balle waited for the carriage to start before he spoke: "Recently, France has fallen into an oppressive atmosphere. His Majesty the Emperor is still in control of the army, and if he cannot defeat the French Army, there will be any move against His Majesty the Emperor. will be ruthlessly suppressed. Just like in Marseille, Protestants were either killed or exiled in the New World. Many people also went to the territory of the Ming Dynasty in North America. ”

Joseph listened quietly to what he said, and said unhurriedly: "So, you people are useless?" ”

"No, no, don't get me wrong. The meaning of the aristocracy. It was only when the Ming army landed and attracted the attention of the French army that they could do it. Of course, I am only a messenger, and you need to communicate with them privately. If you want the nobles to do it first, in my judgment, it's not very feasible. ”

After Madame Rambouillet fled to the Ming Dynasty, his butler also went underground. has been responsible for contacting some nobles who have a lot to do with the Ming Dynasty. They could rebel against Louis XIV for the sake of profit, but they would not act rashly for the sake of profit. After all, Louis XIV had been in power in France for many years, and his prestige was very high and his strength was very strong.

The carriage entered a manor, and Joseph, who got out of the carriage, looked around vigilantly. Then he followed Bariel inside.

"This is the manor of a nearby nobleman who usually lives in Nantes. You know. Because of the appearance of the Ming fleet, the overseas trade of the whole of Europe was hit hard. There is no doubt that for the warring countries of Europe as a whole, the consequences are serious. In France now, there has always been a voice, why should we fight for other countries? Entire aristocratic circles. This topic has been discussed, but the French Empire is now the dictatorship of His Majesty the Emperor. Balle's tone was somewhat helpless, and the maid who approached him held a candlestick and illuminated the two of them as they walked all the way into the prepared bedroom.

"Alright. Tonight you rest here, and tomorrow morning we will leave for Paris. ”

A week later, staying in the manor house of a nobleman on the outskirts of Paris, Joseph set out every night and met several nobles. There is no doubt that they are all the top nobles in France now, and they are also the nobles who have close trade contacts with the Ming Dynasty. In the same way, they had to be very careful in their every move, and it was a sensitive time for the emperor's spies to be everywhere. Especially these nobles who have a good relationship with the Ming Dynasty are the key targets of surveillance.

The Duke of Anjou was quietly coming to the manor, and Joseph was shocked when he heard the news. This is a family with close ties to the royal family, and this family has profited greatly from this anti-China wave. How did he get involved?

"Baal, are you not mistaken?" Joseph's tone was a little gloomy, and Valle explained: "No, the Duke of Anjou has been in charge of the emperor's spies, and I think he found something. In fact, when I received this news, I was also very shocked. You know, I'm usually very careful, but just now I don't know how to get an extra note in my carriage. ”

After taking the note handed over, Joseph read it carefully, and said with a solemn face: "It seems that you are not as meticulous as you say. Daming has a saying, there is no impermeable wall. Now that he's here, let's meet him. ”

The Duke of Anjou, with his beautiful mustache, has been chattering and commenting on the various decorations of this manor. Bariel, who led the way in front, turned himself deaf and dumb, hearing nothing and saying nothing. This secret agent of His Majesty the Emperor, it already says that he can find this manor.

"The Cadillac family is more wealthy than I expected. Such a good estate is worth at least a million dollars. The Duke of Anjou suddenly stood up and asked Valle. The old guy replied quietly: "You are mistaken, half a year ago, this manor was already sold to my master, and the price was not one million, but five hundred thousand Chinese dollars." ”

"Hehe, it seems that my people are still not careful enough." The Duke of Anjou touched a soft nail, but he was not angry at all, and followed him into the study with a smile, and saw Joseph standing at the door.

"Hello, Count of Monte Cristo." The Duke of Anjou took the initiative to greet him, "Your Excellency, you can call me Joseph. "Joseph did not know the origin of this Count of Monte Cristo, but he knew that he had bought it with money from above.

The two of them sat down, and the Duke of Anjou did not beat around the bush, and said directly: "Well, I know your every move in Paris, from the afternoon of your arrival in Paris to the present, you have secretly met a total of eight nobles. Their prestige and influence, combined, can influence at least half of French politics. Do you need me to name them one by one? ”

"Your Excellency came here in a light car, and you are going to say these things to me? If so, I don't see any need to continue this conversation. What about your people? Please come out! Joseph was not polite at all, and directly blocked his words back, what does it mean to have no fear, this is to have no fear. With the great victory of the Ming army in Spain, the sacking of the Ming navy in Marseille, and the cruising of the European coastline, the current Joseph's waist pole can be hardened.

"No, no, no, what I want to know is, who is standing behind you?" The Duke of Anjou made it clear, and Joseph smiled as expected: "For your peace of mind, I'd better show you something." As he spoke, he took out a pennant made of silk from his bosom, spread it out and placed it on the table: "Do you see this flag?" If the Ming army enters Paris, you can hang this flag in front of your house and you can survive the crisis safely. ”

The Duke of Anjou sat up straight, staring at the flag for a long time, it was an ordinary red flag, embroidered with a black eagle flying high. "This flag, I've heard of it. He symbolizes the most noble family of the Ming Empire! ”

"Your message is completely correct, and if that doesn't tempt you, you'll have to give up on this conversation." Joseph was an ultimatum, and the Duke of Anjou smiled bitterly: "Okay, I have one condition, Louis XIV abdicates, and everything else remains the same." ”

"This is impossible, the Bourbon dynasty must not continue." Joseph refused without thinking about it, and the Duke of Anjou was not in a hurry, but analyzed very calmly: "Your Excellency, it seems that we have a difference of opinion, but it is not important, we can talk slowly." Joseph stood up and opened the door: "No need, France can have an emperor, but it must not be Bourbon." ”

The Duke of Anjou still sat still, and said with a smile: "Your Excellency, don't worry, we can talk slowly." The banking institutions of the Ming Empire in France are quite well preserved. And I don't think that the army of the Ming Empire will stay in France forever. At least so far, your army still has no intention of landing in France, and the operation of the fleet in Britain has no intention of subsequent large-scale landing. May I understand that your country's aim is not to occupy Europe, but to the attitude of European countries? What if I could convince some nobles to unite and force the emperor to abdicate? ”

The negotiations went on all afternoon, and when the Duke of Anjou left, he did not get a clear answer. Joseph said that he needed to ask for instructions, and this time was about a month. These words frightened the Duke of Anjou, from France to the Ming Dynasty, why not more than four months, then it is still going to be smooth. He didn't know that there was a thing called telegraph in Daming, and the line was paved from Guangzhou to Beijing. As long as the news was sent to Alexandria, it could be sent to Suez by telegraph line, then from Suez to Mumbai, then to Yangon by telegraph line, and then by sea to Guangzhou, and the time spent on the road was greatly reduced. This is still the result of the terrain of southwest China, otherwise the telegram could have been sent to the capital of the Ming Dynasty in a very short time. In fact, the Ming Dynasty has been surveying the terrain and intends to lay a cable from Yunnan to Mubang.

At the time of the French undercurrent, in order to strengthen the control of the Mediterranean, the Marines of the Ming Dynasty started a new battle plan after completing the battle of Valencia. In the strategic battles of the Mediterranean islands, according to the requirements of the navy, the islands of a little value must be occupied, and docks and batteries must be built on them. As for the labor, hehehe, catch! (To be continued......)