In this day and age, the European currency can be described as a confusing account, and can only roughly estimate the value of the currency.

From 1641 onwards, France minted a gold coin with a high gold content, called the Louis gold, which was considered the main currency for large exchanges. The purchasing power of this gold coin fluctuated greatly with the price of gold and silver, and one gold louis was roughly worth 1,000 yuan in Zhu Cihong's previous life.

Of course, in Zhu's previous life, this currency had become a collector's item, but now it is a lifesaver for the French government. Whether or not the situation at home can be stabilized, and whether it can finally survive the most tormented period and force Spain to sign an unequal treaty that humiliates the country, depends entirely on how much gold France can get.

If there was enough gold, France could even willfully provoke the whole of Europe to go to war against the Habsburgs again, so that Spain would completely become a third-rate country.

"I don't have the right to promise financial support." After thinking for a short time, Gong Yonggu said: "But I have two workarounds, I hope your country can consider it." ”

Fouquet tilted his head slightly, indicating that he was listening, and Louis XIV also looked solemn and entered a state of thought.

"The best policy, tribute." Gong Yonggu said: "According to the tradition of our dynasty, as long as you pay tribute to some local products, the court will definitely give you several times the title." This is also the reason why many foreign profiteers pretend to be envoys to pay tribute. ”

There is no proper word in French to translate "tribute", at least not yet. The general was tormented by how to correctly convey the meaning and avoid misinterpreting the two French guests as feudal obligations. In feudal societies in Europe, only vassals were required to pay tribute, and this tribute was tied to other military and political obligations.

If you use the "courtesy exchange" as an example, this will inevitably weaken the national strength of the Ming Dynasty. Because neither in politics nor in the psychology of the people, they are unwilling to admit that the Ming Dynasty and the Taixi countries are equal friends. In other words, the Ming Dynasty is compared to other countries. Always be a little higher.

After a lengthy exchange, Louis XIV and Fouquet were finally able to understand that this "tribute" had no additional obligations and did not mean to insult France or degrade its national character.

"But it's still uncomfortable." Fouquet whispered in Louis XIV's ear: "Your Majesty, perhaps we should listen to his second plan." ”

Louis XIV nodded. He didn't want to bow to anyone other than Mazarin.

Gong Yonggu saw that the other party was unwilling to accept the tributary plan. He had to say, "The other is only trade." ”

"But Da Ming doesn't need European goods." Fukai said helplessly.

Today's Ming Dynasty is still in a strict position in foreign trade. Even if there is a demand for foreign goods, it is concentrated on Indian spices. Except for the local products purchased by the Ming envoys when they returned to China, almost no European goods could enter the eyes of the Ming Dynasty.

"For the sake of the moral cause of your country, Mr. King, our country can have 'needs.'" Gong Yonggu said: "Before going to work, this envoy had the approval of His Majesty the Great Emperor and could buy a certain amount of art. These works of art are not useful to Mr. King in governing the country and defeating Sikor, but the gold they get back must be extremely useful. ”

Just a work of art......

Fouquet looked at Louis XIV in approval.

"Of course, the price can't be too outrageous. It is still more impossible to use shoddy goods, otherwise it will not be able to gain support in the government and the opposition. Gong Yonggu wanted to explain the gap between the monarchy and the regime of the Ming Dynasty, but he felt that it was not too necessary. Most of today's European countries are in the throes of power struggles, and whether it is France or Sweden, there are class assemblies in which the representatives of each class make decisions on the state of the country.

Generally speaking, the status of the aristocracy and the monks was by no means within the reach of the new bourgeoisie.

"We're willing to make such a deal." Fu Kai Dao.

"You can also sell us some real estate." Gong Yonggu said: "Mainly in the new world. Moreover, we can fully join forces. Fight the power of the Spaniards together in the New World. ”

America is called the New World because the Atlantic barrier has left it almost isolated from Europe. When the wheels of history rolled to the second half of the XVII century. Britain and France also swung their minions into the Caribbean, plundering wealth from the declining Spanish Empire.

"We will be glad to see the forces of justice in the East and West shine in the new world." Fukai said meaningfully.

"However, the cooperation in the new world faces two obstacles, not only because of the war between the Ming Dynasty and Spain, but also because it may affect the relationship between the Ming Dynasty and your country." Gong Yonggu Road.

"We believe that any gap is negotiable." Fuquet assumed the posture of an old negotiator, ready to deal with Ming's outcry.

"First of all, the indigenous side. Da Ming could not accept the inhumane slaughter of the Tessie people. Gong Yonggu said: "Now I agree with the view that the natives are also people, and any slaughter is barbaric. And the approach of the Tessians in the New World. Arouse scorn. ”

Fouquet glanced at Louis XIV, who was already in a hurry to justify: "When the bureaucrats are far away across the ocean, none of us can guarantee what will happen." But believe me, we are also civilized nations and do not want to see blood under the sun. ”

Fukai nodded slightly. Squinted at Gong Yonggu, wondering what the meaning of this envoy's suggestion of this lack of execution was proposed.

If it is only a verbal promise that cannot be implemented, what is the need to give the other party a bargaining opportunity as a condition?

Gong Yonggu's train of thought was to the point, and continued: "The other is to use black slaves. ”

"No one may force another to be a slave by any means, and no one who claims to be a mortal man is no longer a slave." Gong Yonggu said: "This is undoubtedly the clear law of the Ming Dynasty, and it is also the foundation of benevolence and love for others. ”

Europe's population has always been low, and when faced with a huge virgin land, it is easy to run out of labor. This is also the fact that the slave trade has been in full swing in the past hundred years, and even because of the increasing number of new lands, the practice of plundering black slaves from Africa has become more and more popular.

When Gong Yonggu raised the issue of indigenous rights and slavery, it was only because he was influenced by newspaper articles, and he was indeed a compassionate person, that he raised it in an almost formal way on such occasions.

Faced with the lure of gold, the King of France and the Chancellor of the Exchequer did not intend to contradict the God of Wealth, but only verbally agreed anyway. However, after looking back and thinking about it. The shrewd French suddenly found this an excellent opportunity to gain the upper hand and weaken the enemy.

European countries other than Spain do not have much demand for labor in the New World because they occupy a small amount of ground. This also determined that their demand for black slaves was much lower than in Spain. Since the problem of black slavery has attracted the attention of civilized nations, why not use it to occupy the moral high ground and attack Spain theologically and ethically?

If there is universal agreement that the sale and use of black slaves is inhumane, then Spain will be nailed to the pillar of shame.

Or. Forced to curb the slave trade, thus being tied hand and foot, weakened by power.

……

"Gong Yonggu's idea is good, and his wrist is also good."

Thousands of miles away in Beijing, Zhu Cihong obtained the minutes of the "Marseille talks" eight months ago and specially brought them up at a cabinet meeting.

"I think there is no need for Daming to intervene among the Taixi people." Jiang Dejing was quite disgusted by this, especially hated Gong Yonggu reaching out for gold. Nowadays, there are still people in the Ming Dynasty who can't eat enough, and they buy paintings and sculptures of the Taixi people with gold and silver...... And it's something that doesn't have any beauty to speak of. Isn't that throwing money into the sea?

"Mr. Jiang is stubborn." Wu Fu didn't need the emperor to speak, and took the initiative to assume the responsibility of the first assistant: "The people of the world think about the things of the world, where the Tao is, how can I be alone?" ”

Jiang Dejing arched his hand slightly, and did not defend further.

"However, Gong Yonggu was wrong to stand on the side." Zhu continued: "He should not be so unequivocally on the side of France. ”

"Your Majesty, our dynasty has already started a war with the Westerners." Sun Chuanting reminded the emperor.

Of course, Zhu Cihong will not forget this, and in the three months of war. The Spaniards in Luzon were completely routed, and everyone was put in prisoner-of-war camps. Undertake the infrastructure work of Luzon.

The Ming cabinet and the emperor have already made a resolution that they will never accept the ransom.

The Spaniards, led by Sabiniano, were prisoners of war in the Ming Dynasty and had to be punished by the laws of the Ming Dynasty, rather than paying a ransom to obtain pardon.

"Let the French and Spaniards fight as much as possible in Tessie." Zhu Cihong sighed: "So I have the heart to sign a contract with Spain, and at the same time, I want to help them have the courage to continue fighting." Fight for the war that has been fought for nine years. Fight again into a thirty-year war. ”

The elders agreed. If you don't need the Ming Dynasty to send troops, you might as well do this kind of thing to sow discord.

The key is to take the gold out this time, although it will not affect the stability of the currency of the Ming Dynasty, but after all, we need to see some returns.

"I thought that all the territory north of Mexico City belonged to the Ming Metropolitan of the Americas." Zhu Cihong said: "And I want one thing: Spanish sheep." ”

The Peace of Westphalia, signed after the end of the Thirty Years' War, laid the foundations of the modern system of international law. The determination of national borders on a map has become a universally accepted concept. As long as Spain can agree to this point and form a legal text, whether or not the Ming Dynasty has the ability to occupy such a vast North America, it will provide a basis for future generations to fight lawsuits.

Spanish sheep are often overlooked. It was only after Zhu Cihong took charge of the state that he learned that the sheep breeds of the Ming and Mongolia could only harvest coarse wool to make felt, and could not make woolen coats at all to carry out the wool textile industry. The wool textile industry will endure in the future, and it also has its irreplaceable advantages, and it is necessary to do everything possible to fill this gap.

Nowadays, Spain has legislated against any live fine-wool sheep from leaving the country, and only through guò war blackmail can there be a chance to obtain a sufficient number of breeding sheep. (To be continued......)

PS: I'm very sorry, but there was a break in December. But please believe that if Xiaotang can write, it will definitely not be interrupted, which is not only a matter of attitude, but also Xiaotang's hobby. Thank you for your support~!

In addition, I recommend a friend's new history book: "Tang Gun", ISBN: 3341243. Friends who are interested in Sui and Tang should not miss it.