My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 407 Should I sell it or not?
When it comes to the relations and situations among European countries, there is only one word in Li Han's mind, and that is chaos. It is a mess, just like the situation in northwest Shanxi.

It goes without saying that Britain and France will continue to fight to the death. A bunch of countries in inland Europe have various marriages with each other, and their complicated relationships are also a headache.

The Byzantine Empire was in the afterglow of its empire at this time. Due to the division within the Muslim Church, the empire had a chance to breathe and was currently in a state of last gasp, while the Ottoman Empire continued to watch covetously.

About 70 years later, around 1453, the Byzantine Empire would finally be annexed by the Ottoman Empire, and the history of the Roman Empire would come to an end.

Although Byzantium had sought help from its fellow Westerners and even agreed to the unification of the two religions with the Vatican, Western Catholics had no interest in Eastern Orthodoxy at all, and the meager aid from the Vatican was a drop in the bucket and could not save the empire from its doom.

After the Grand Duke of Moscow married Princess Sophia, the niece of the last emperor of the Byzantine Empire, he declared himself the protector of the Orthodox Church. His successors used this as an excuse to believe that they were the legitimate heirs of the Roman Empire and Constantinople, and shamelessly declared themselves the Third Roman Empire.

Thinking of this, Li Han couldn't help but find it interesting. If the Principality of Moscow was the Third Roman Empire, then what about the Holy Roman Empire?
This shows that they don't take the Holy Roman Empire seriously at all!
Anyway, the mainstream view in the historical community in later generations has never acknowledged that these two things have even a penny to do with the Roman Empire.

This may be one of the reasons why the Russians always missed Europe. Even if Europe abused him a thousand times, he still treated Europe like his first love. Perhaps it was because his ancestors had a little connection with Rome.

The word "Slav" itself carries a contemptuous connotation of slaves. The Russians have always been at the bottom of the discrimination chain in Europe. They finally married a poor princess of noble descent, so they had to squeeze every bit of her value out of her. This may have also led to the Russians' eagerness to squeeze into Europe.

It really is true that when Rome is by your side, Rome is your biggest enemy. Once Rome collapses one day, everyone will rush to say that they are Rome.

So from a long-term perspective, if Zhu Yuanzhang wants to expand his influence into Europe, the Ottoman Empire is an obstacle he cannot avoid.

Now the Ottoman Empire had risen, occupied Asia, and blocked the main roads between the East and the West, charging high tolls.

The Ming Dynasty went through so much trouble to transport the goods to Europe, but still had to take kickbacks from the obstacles in the middle?
We can't let the middlemen make money from the price difference!

What if I take the northern route?
So the first thing that lay before Zhu was a bunch of Mongol khanates such as the Chagatai Khanate, and then the Timurid Empire. Going further north, there was the Principality of Moscow, and then a bunch of European principalities.

Of course, the Ming Dynasty could also consider doing business with these countries. I believe that the European principalities would be happy to do so, but the Mongolian Khanates and the Timurid Empire might have different ideas.

If the Ming Dynasty had to fight all the way there, it would be too troublesome and a thankless task.

It’s not that these big and small empires and principalities are so powerful, but that the front lines are too far away and the logistics cannot keep up, unless Zhu Yuanzhang builds a railway there.

From the current perspective, taking the sea route is undoubtedly the most cost-effective. Although the sea route is still very risky, it is a step that the Ming Dynasty must take.

What's more, it is necessary to allow the Ming Dynasty to seize the initiative in the great voyages, occupy the waterway first, and eventually become the world's maritime hegemon.

It seems that I have to plan a good method and route for Lao Zhu to travel to Europe.

As for the current strength and industrialization progress of European countries, well...

How should I describe Europe at the end of the 14th century? Although there were certain handicraft industries, most places were poor as hell. People in inland Europe basically relied on the weather for food, while people in coastal areas basically just shopped around. Except for the nobles and monks, everyone was illiterate.

When Li Han thought about the fact that people in medieval times basically didn't take baths, which gave rise to the perfume industry, he couldn't help but feel a little bit of bad taste.

Industry? Forget it. A country that has a blacksmith shop that can make axes and hoes is considered to have developed industry. National strength? That thing is basically non-existent. Wars between countries are almost like rural fights in the Ming Dynasty. Nobles leading knights to fight are not much different from village chiefs leading their children to fight.

As for the Spanish Invincible Armada, that was not even thought of, not even a single step was taken, let alone the British Empire.

I don’t know what Lao Zhu thinks of Europe. If he knew the current situation in Europe, I don’t know how he would feel.

After reading the letter, Li Han had to start looking for information for Lao Zhu. He put the letter away, but at this moment he heard a shout coming from outside the door.

"Boss, is the boss here?"

"Here, there!"

He is here to do business. Li Han hurried out of the inner hall and came into the store, only to see an old man in his sixties pushing the door and walking in.

The old man looked different from other customers. In the past, customers who came to Li Han's store were either the second-generation rich people from Li Momo's circle of close friends, professional strong women, or local tycoons who were so well-dressed that they blinded the eyes of those who spent money on the store.

The old man in front of him was different from previous customers. He was dressed simply and wore an old-fashioned green reporter vest. He looked like a retired teacher from a middle school.

This is probably because they have some free time after retirement and want to find some hobbies to pass the time, just like some retired old men like to raise birds and flowers.

However, in Li Han's eyes, all guests are treated equally. He can't neglect a guest just because he is dressed simply, right?
Besides, retired old men have high salaries, no pressure in life, and have a lot of spare money.

"Uncle, please take a look. I'll show you whatever you like." Li Han said with a smile.

The old man nodded and started watching in the store.

Li Han followed him and continued flipping through the books behind the counter.

The antique business is different from other trading businesses. There is no such thing as shopping guides or sales pitches. To put it bluntly, antique trading is an art that tests one's eyesight and psychology.

To put it bluntly, in this business, customers who buy antiques almost all have the mentality that the boss is a swindler who is taking advantage of them. Rather than the store owner's recommendation, customers are more willing to trust their own judgment.

Like the bosses, customers also have the mentality of finding bargains, so most antique bosses take advantage of this mentality and make a lot of money.

The old man looked carefully in the store and came to the place where Li Han placed the classical tattoo samples. He stopped and watched for a long time, then sighed and said:
"I have never seen such exquisite tying of small patterns. This craftsmanship should be from the imperial court of the Ming Dynasty!"

Li Han raised his head and smiled: "Uncle, you have a good eye and you know what's going on!"

The old man shook his head and said, "You're too kind, young man. I was just playing around and looking around. By the way, are you selling this sample?"

(End of this chapter)