Philip IV's ability to claim the title of "King of the Earth" is not unfounded arrogance. The Spanish Habsburg Dynasty, as the first empire on which the sun never sets, owned the richest gold and silver mines in the Americas. And for nearly a hundred years, Spain has almost dominated the Americas, plundering local wealth frantically.

However, the Spanish Empire was at war for many years, and almost all of Europe was the enemy, while the precious metals on the American continent poured into the Ming Dynasty, so in the hands of Philip IV's grandfather, the treasury was already very embarrassing.

Although the Armada was defeated by the British Royal Navy and the Spaniards quickly recaptured another city, the empire was inevitably in decline.

In 1627, six years after the accession of Philip IV, the Spanish government declared bankruptcy. The following year, the Spanish treasure ship was intercepted by the Dutch. The country's economy is getting worse and worse.

The economic rout directly led to a decline in the combat effectiveness of the Spanish army, and the complex ethnic areas were unstable. In 1640, Philip IV continued to expand his army in order to win the Thirty Years' War, and wanted the Catalans of the Iberian Peninsula to bear part of the military expenses, but the French secretly instigated and contributed to the Spanish Civil War.

In the same year, the Portuguese independence movement broke out, and João IV established a new dynasty, the Bragança dynasty, which ended Spanish rule. Two years later, Spain lost its northern stronghold in the Far East, and Manila was almost isolated.

In 1648, the Thirty Years' War between Germany and Germany was decided, and the Spanish Habsburgs were spurned by almost all of Europe, becoming the most unpopular royal family, losing their land advantage. Philip IV had to recognize the independence of the Netherlands in exchange for space to continue the war against France.

In the Franco-Spanish War, Spain conquered Naples and Catalonia for a time, but it still could not change the decline.

The state is declining day by day. It had been a long time since Philip IV had heard good news from afar. Coupled with the early death of his sons, his life always seemed to be clouded.

One day in May 1657, like all boring days in the past, the fifty-two-year-old King of Spain received a note from the Ming Empire from Portugal.

The Ming declared war on Spain.

Because the Ming and Spain did not establish an ambassadorial relationship, nor did they have any channels for mutual envoys, this declaration of war note was sent from Lisbon by the Ming ambassador to Portugal. Judging from the timing of the payment. The Ming Dynasty had already declared war on the New Year of the Chinese calendar, and it was obvious that it took a lot of time on the road.

Philip IV stood helplessly in front of the window, letting the hot wind blow his face.

Speaking of which, he was full of affection for the Ming Dynasty, there were many precious silk products from the Far East in the palace, and he also liked those elegant blue and white porcelain, but there was always a gap between the two countries.

It seems not surprising that the nobles of the distant colonies, who had no respect for a true empire and slaughtered their people like barbarians, were now suffering such results.

"The point is," Philip IV squirmed his massive chin. "What was the outcome of the war?"

Queen Mary? Anna had just pushed the door in and didn't hear her husband's muttering. She had come to receive a letter from her friend Queen Christina, in which she mentioned that certain Spanish actions in the Far East might cause displeasure to the Ming Empire.

"Mr. King, you must stop your colonial officials. We have absolutely no idea what those noble lords want to do! They should not provoke a powerful state, especially if it does not have the ability to defend itself. Queen Anna took out Queen Christina's scented letter and handed it to her husband. Under the key sentence that was unintentionally mentioned, there were marks of her lightly scratching with her fingernails.

"I'm afraid it's too late." In exchange, Philip IV handed the Ming a note declaring war to his wife.

The queen looked at the note written in Chinese, Spanish, and Latin. but my heart was settled.

"Well, now we can only wait for the outcome of the war." The queen said.

"I've already thought of the results." Philip IV said firmly: "This is the trouble that Sabiniano himself has caused. I will not pay a ransom for him. Regrettably, our business tax revenues are probably much smaller. ”

Spain's national approach to business is primitive. Gold and silver were obtained from the province of New Spain and transported to the Ming Dynasty in exchange for tea, silk, porcelain and other goods, and spices from India were also purchased from smugglers when conditions permitted. Some of these goods pass through the markets of New Spain and flow into mainland Europe, which is also the source of income for the Spanish treasury.

This can be seen in this chain of economic activity. Spain did not receive the real currency of Europe - gold and silver, but constantly transfused blood. Philip IV pushed for legislation to ban the flow of gold and silver out of the country, but apparently it did not have the desired effect.

"The gold and silver of New Spain will come back." Queen Anna comforted the king and herself, but soon lost faith. "The only thing we say is that our treasure ship can escape the dirty claws of the English pirates," she said. ”

"It's really sad that we've been driven out of the Far East." Philip IV sighed and said, "Fortunately, the New World and Europe are still safe. ”

Maria? Anna thought so, too.

However, they ignored the urgency of the new ambassador of the Ming Dynasty to make meritorious contributions.

Gong Yonggu, the commander of the horse, has not continued after his wife's death. Because there was really no place to stay in the DPRK, and there was no idle food to eat under the new policy, he invited himself to go to Europe and take a pair of daughters to see the scenery of another world. The Ming Dynasty's declaration of war on Spain was the biggest event since his arrival, and it was also a great opportunity for him to make a name for himself in a foreign land.

Although in terms of duties, Gong Yonggu only needs to hand over the note, but as the spokesperson and eyes and ears of the Ming Dynasty in Europe, he can do more.

In April 1657, Gong Yonggu left Lisbon, Portugal, for Marseille, France. King Louis XIV of France, under the protection of his trusty musketeers, waited there like an ordinary nobleman, excitedly hoping to meet the emissaries from the Far East, and sincerely wishing to be able to go to the Ming Dynasty in person.

It must be said that the impression left by the Tang King on Europe is really exaggerated.

On a sunny afternoon, with the Mediterranean breeze blowing, Louis XIV, who was known for his rebellion against the French court and later known as the "Sun King", met the ambassador of the Ming Dynasty, the uncle of the Ming Emperor, Mr. Gong Yonggu.

Louis XIV, who was wearing white tights, a wide burqa, and long black curly hair, instantly had a good impression of Gong Yonggu, who was wearing a wide robe and a crown scarf.

"You are so suave, personable, warm and friendly." Louis XIV complimented without hesitation.

Gong Yonggu only smiled back with a friendlier smile, he couldn't understand the psychology of this teenage boy, but he knew that the king of France, and even the whole of France, needed to show favor to him, because he represented the Ming Emperor and the right to decide the quota of five hundred artillery.

Legend has it that the Ming Dynasty also believed that the Ming would bring ships of gold and silver in huge battleships whenever they felt necessary.

"I am glad to meet Mr. King." For foreign kings who have not been canonized by the Ming Dynasty, there is no need to use honorifics. Gong Yonggu said: "Presumably, Mr. King has learned that the Ming Dynasty has officially declared war with Spain. ”

"Yes, I know, although I am not involved in state politics......" Louis XIV was clearly a little agitated. He glanced at Wen Chen beside him. This minister has a fair complexion, always with a gentle smile, revealing a upbringing that is in line with the values of the current European high society.

This Wenchen is the real person in charge of the negotiations on this trip, Nicholas? Fouquet.

Nicholas? Fouquet is now France's Chancellor of the Exchequer.

During the Fronde rebellion of 1648 to 1653, he stood firmly on the side of Cardinal Mazarin and the dynastic government, laying the groundwork for his later use by Mazarin.

As for Cardinal Mazarin, there are two other identities: the Prime Minister of France, and the mistress of Queen Mother Anna of Austria.

Indeed, the current Louis XIV is not the Sun King admired by later generations, but a symbol of royal power without pro-government.

Gong Yonggu has put a lot of effort into the relationship between European royal families, and can basically clarify the relationship between each other, but what he has difficulty understanding is: why there is a tragic war between relatives, almost to the point of life and death.

The king in front of him is a case in point.

Louis XIV's mother married King Louis XIII of France at the age of fourteen. She is often referred to as Anna of Austria, but she is actually a Spanish princess, the daughter of Philip III, and now the sister of King Philip IV of Spain. After the death of Louis XIII, it was she who firmly supported Mazarin in his protracted war against his homeland.

"My lord, as you can see, we have been at war with Spain for nine years after the signing of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648." Nicholas? Fouquet cleared his throat, not noticing that the king beside him was squinting at him.

"In the Nine-Year War, France and Spain were like two drunkards, almost exhausted, holding each other tightly without being able to bring the other down. Both we and Spain are suffering from civil rebellion, the impoverishment of our people, and both are on the verge of financial collapse. "Nicholas? Faucet doesn't mind exposing his country's embarrassment, and that's a well-known fact.

Gong Yonggu thought of the situation not long before the Ming Dynasty, and could only sigh, but he couldn't find a suitable language to echo the words of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

"Therefore, we hope that the Ming Empire can provide more financial support." Fouquet leaned forward and lowered his voice: "Real money support." (To be continued......)