Chapter 388 Continental

"Perhaps I shouldn't undermine your confidence, Mr. Governor."

Tang Ruowang said: "It was a terrifying place, and even the Lord was powerless. Everything I saw and heard is in this diary. If you need to know about the situation on that land, it can give you some help."

Tang Ruowang didn't want to mention it, or even think about it. He was afraid because it would shake his faith. He handed the diary to the Governor of Batavia and stood up to say goodbye: "I will return to Europe soon. The East is not a golden Eden, but a hell. If the Governor is not prepared, I think the consequences will be serious. serious."

After saying this, Tang Ruowang and Ai Julius left the Governor's Mansion and went to a nearby church.

The two came and left in a hurry, and after leaving, the governor was still confused.

hell? fear?

The Governor opened the diary and read it with squinted eyes.

...

Madrid, Spain, capital of the Spanish Empire.

The Spanish Empire was a member of the Habsburg dynasty. And the Habsburg dynasty was the royal family with the most extensive rule in Europe - once. The Holy Roman Empire, the Spanish Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Grand Duchy of Austria, and the Austrian Empire were among them, and they were also called the House of Austria.

The current King of Spain, Philip IV, is a member of the Habsburg dynasty.

The Thirty Years of Religious War, which began in 1618 AD, the forty-sixth year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, and has just ended, has caused the Habsburg dynasty to lose its halo.

Spain lost the war and was forced to recognize the Dutch status during ongoing peace talks.

The so-called Thirty Years' War was a comprehensive war that affected the entire European countries. It originated from the religious dispute between Protestants and Catholics, but in essence it was a dispute of interests.

The wars between the new classes that emerged due to the great voyages and the old nobility, and the wars between the vassal states against the rule of the Holy Roman Empire.

The war failed. As a member of the war, Philip IV was naturally not happy. Fortunately, although the war was not victorious and suffered a lot of losses, Spain is still one of the most powerful countries in Europe. The wars in Europe did not affect their colonies too much.

Although the countries in Europe have many conflicts, among the conflicts, they are mostly relatives of each other. If there is a conflict, fight it first, and then talk about it when the fight is almost over. This is their usual approach. Although the Thirty Years' War affected eight million people.

Naturally, the losses in the war must be made up for, but where can we make up for them? colony.

Philip IV was already thinking about urging overseas colonies to increase their blood supply to Spain.

But when the governor of Batavia and a missionary's diary from the far east arrived in his hands, all his mood was gone.

"Those damn barbarians dare to go against the great King of Spain. I will destroy them! Capture them and make them slaves!"

Philip IV threw the silverware on the long table all over the floor.

"Perhaps His Majesty the King should be more careful - that is a powerful country, not barbarians on the island." A great noble said quietly: "Of course I hope it is a barbarian, because if it is a barbarian, Bada Governor Vea will not send a letter to His Majesty the King to displease His Majesty the King."

"Lies! They're all lies!"

Philip IV threw away his letters and diary and shouted: "My governor is incompetent. He actually said that country has 200 million people! He also said that the whole of Europe is not as big as that country. My Lord, 200 million people." My dear Lord, do you believe it?"

The Marquis shrugged: "Maybe. It's also possible that he suffered a defeat and was afraid of the king's punishment, so he exaggerated the enemy's strength."

"Yes, that must be the case." Philip IV said: "My army stretches across the sea, and countless enemies fall under their guns. There is no way such a country can exist in this world. He must be lying to me. I want to withdraw Kill him!"

"But what if?" the Marquis said, "Your Majesty, the missionary's diary may not be without truth."

"Just those cowards?" Philip IV mocked: "They can't even firm up their faith and hide in the East. As a devout believer in the Lord, I won't believe anything about them!"

Yes, most of the missionaries who went to the East in this era were believers who wanted to escape the religious dispute between Protestantism and Catholicism. They did not want to be involved in religious wars, so they chose to escape.

Therefore, in the eyes of the European countries, these people are usable but not trustworthy, and they are all cowards.

"Your Majesty the King, I know the person who wrote the diary. Maybe he doesn't want to get involved in the war, but he is indeed a devout believer. The letter from the Governor of Batavia has stated that he is already on his way back. If he deceives the king, I don’t think he would dare.”

"Then you believe it?" Philip IV said angrily: "The endless bridges that you can see are all made of steel?! A vast and boundless territory with a population of 200 million? Huge machines and fast ships? No , these are all lies."

"Then what does His Majesty the King think we should do?" The Marquis said, not wanting to argue with the King, "Maybe they don't have a population of 200 million, but they should have 20 million. In other words, they can raise an army of one million people at any time. So how many soldiers does His Majesty the King plan to send to fight them thousands of miles away?"

Philip IV was immediately speechless.

He quickly calmed down and said: "You are right, the east is too far away, and I cannot send more troops to fight. So what suggestions do you have?"

The Marquis said: "There is indeed a big country with a long history in the East. Their silk, porcelain and tea have been favored by our nobles countless years ago. We are too far apart and it is not easy to increase our troops. Therefore, I prefer negotiations. .”

"negotiation?"

"Yes, Your Majesty the King." The Marquis said: "Their treasures are very cheap in their country, but when they get Europa, they are very valuable, and the value increases dozens of times. We can talk to them and give up some benefits. In this way Come, they can get more benefits, and we don't have to risk starting a war. Your Majesty, the Thirty Years War has just ended, and we should take a break."

"Well... what you said makes sense." Philip IV thought for a moment and said: "The governor's letter told me that the countries in the east have blocked the sea and cut off trade. As a result, I can't even get a single silver coin. No. If we can get some benefits and allow them to lift the blockade, it will do more good than harm to Spain now."

"Yes, my dear Your Majesty." The Marquis said, "As long as we open an opening through negotiation, it will be easier to handle in the future."

"Then let's do it."

"Okay, Your Majesty. I need a letter of credence from you. I heard that that country pays great attention to formal etiquette in this area."

"Then I'll give you a letter of credence."