Southern Ming, my destiny is too abstract

Chapter 53 China is not Rome
The Dutch envoy walked into the tent with his sword slung over his shoulder.

What I saw was a pool of blood and two long pieces of jade stained with blood.

Missionary Wei Guangguo, who was quite famous in Europe, had his head covered in blood, was breathing more than breathing in, and was humiliated and stripped naked.

A Middle-earth general was putting a short coat on him with sleeves that only covered his elbows.

Then he took a Hongsha short knife and shaved off the hair on the top of his head, leaving only a small tuft of long hair.

The other trembling missionaries and interpreters were listening attentively to the scolding of the Ming crown prince.

"Your books about Middle-earth and the Easterlings contain many errors."

"This is something not only for Western nations to see, but also for future generations to see."

Zhu Cixuan's voice was icy: "No mistakes, understand?"

Nan Huairen and others lowered their heads.

Listen carefully to the translation of the young Middle-earth official.

"Whether it's a travelogue or a story, it must be true to historical facts."

"The Han people were ignorant, the Manchus were brave. What do you expect future generations around the world to see from this?"

"Let's discuss it properly."

"Don't go to Middle-earth, just stay by my side and record everything."

"An account, a treatise on the defeat of the Tartars, written month by month, year by year, and sent to Europe every month."

"Let it be known to the popes and kings, and to the emperor who is neither holy nor Roman."

"Rome was defeated and destroyed by barbarians, but China will not."

Zhu Cixuan pointed his finger at the leader of the three Belgian missionaries:
"You returned to China because of the Middle-earth Christian etiquette. You should know how important Middle-earth etiquette is to the Han people."

"This is not a Tatar conquering a civilization, but destroying a civilization."

"This is the Ottomans conquering Rome, and I am another Constantine XI."

"Nan Huairen."

It was not until Pan Huang called out twice again that Nan Huairen came back to his senses and bowed his head and said:

"I am here."

Zhu Cixuan was stunned, with a hint of confusion on his face.

Misheard?
Is the world I traveled to really the world of Taoism, Buddhism and God the Trinity?

Without waiting for the Zhongtu Crown Prince's response, Nan Huairen glanced up and raised his voice, "Your Highness, is there anything I can do for you?"

Seeing that Wei Kuangguo was only half dead, Chen Ande calmed down.

After calming down and thinking for a few breaths, he explained, "Your Highness, Catholic priests are preaching in the East."

"Being separated by tens of thousands of miles and unable to communicate with each other in language, they compared themselves to religions similar to Buddhism and referred to themselves as monks when translating."

Zhu Cixuan nodded slowly, it’s localization.

"Please record what I just said truthfully."

"Write also that the Tatars massacred 30 million people in China and destroyed civilization, even more than the Mongols."

"But I don't know how many 30 million people there are in Europe."

“If you are not afraid, then send a few letters of condolence like Pope Fabio did.”

"If you are afraid, I don't want their crusade, I just want their weapons support."

"I can make a gentlemen's agreement with the Western nations to hold back the Tatars and prevent them from marching westward and threatening their colonies."

[Gentleman's Agreement: When two parties make an agreement, the other party will be more likely to trust your promise.]

Just because the Manchus didn’t march west doesn’t mean the Han people didn’t march west.

Just because the Qing Dynasty did not threaten the colonies does not mean that the Ming Dynasty did not pose a threat.

Nan Huairen leaned forward and said, "Yes."

Zhu Cixuan looked at Nan Huairen deeply.

He had no impression of other missionaries, but Nan Huairen, as Kangxi's teacher, was quite famous.

Shunzhi, Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong all became familiar with the conditions of Western countries through missionaries, and they themselves were even proficient in mathematics, physics and geography.

Even Qianlong and Louis XVI were pen pals and had a close relationship.

Of course, for some reason, Western science was not introduced to the people during the Qing Dynasty, but only circulated within the royal family.

These missionaries were condescending to the people of Middle-earth, but their technical knowledge was still of great use.

Manufacture firearms for the Ming Dynasty and spread science.

As for contact with the West, buying firearms was one aspect, and on the other hand, it was to hope that other countries would take action to contain the Dutch.

If Dai Qing really colluded with the Dutch, it would be a disaster for the dying Ming Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Zhu Cixuan turned his attention to the Dutch envoy.

He was dressed formally, wearing a tricorn hat with the Dutch national emblem on his head, a dark blue military uniform with gorgeous Baroque decorations, and lace on the cuffs and collar.

The Dutch entered the room in a threatening manner, but after seeing Wei Kuangguo's miserable condition, they calmed down a little.

Su Li listened to Zhu Cixuan's words with an uncertain expression on his face.

When the Dutch envoy saw that the Ming prince's attention had returned to him, he immediately raised his head and took the lead in attacking.

"Why does the Chinese prince treat Roman missionaries this way? Isn't he afraid of the armies of our Catholic country and Spain in Southeast Asia?"

Zhu Cixuan snorted coldly:
"I just had some disagreements with Priest Wei Kuangguo, which led to some minor conflicts."

"Why, you Dutch people want to get involved in this religious conflict again?"

Not only the Dutch envoys, but also Nan Huairen, Bai Yingli and others, all changed color when they heard the words.

Even Wei Kuangguo, who was already half-conscious, trembled and shook his head when he heard the words "religious differences and conflicts".

Zhu Cixuan smiled and said, "Yes, you just finished a thirty-year war."

"It seems the Dutch have made considerable profits from maritime trade over the past decade or so. They've almost rested and are ready for another battle."

The Thirty Years' War evolved from a civil war in the Holy Roman Empire into a pan-European conflict.

The Holy Roman Empire lost more than half of its population, Spain was defeated and declined, and the Netherlands became independent and became the new overlord of the sea.

It is the pain of every European in this era.

No European wants another one.

The Netherlands, which is rising by force, doesn't want that either.

Not to mention that he was just a small Batavia official, how could he dare to get involved in such a big event.

Seeing Zhu Cixuan's sharp words, he went straight to the point.

The Dutch envoy was unsure what the conflict between the missionaries and the Middle Kingdom was, so he kept his mouth shut and remained silent.

After a while, under Zhu Cixuan's half-smiled gaze, the Dutch envoy changed the subject:

"Prince, I am here for our country's trading post in Hongsawadi."

"We have been trading with Hongshawadi for decades, and our trading house has been open for 34 years. When the Crown Prince conquered Hongsha, our trading house was affected by the war and suffered considerable losses. The Ming Dynasty should compensate us."

The Netherlands mainly operated in the South Pacific Islands, but Batavia needed large quantities of rice and saltpeter for making gunpowder.

Hongshawadi happened to be the main export destination, and the Dutch had an annual trade volume of 20,000 pounds in Lower Hongsha.

Zhu Cixuan subconsciously looked at Wei Kuangguo, who had his head shaved and his customs changed.

The foreigner is asking you for compensation again.

Are the Dutch so fierce?
Who gave the courage?
Sea coachman, how dare you come and challenge me, the coachman of the giant elephant?

The Ming Dynasty has gathered 100,000 troops in Hongsha. How many troops do they have in Java that dare to come and fight?

Zhu Cixuan responded calmly.

unless.

This coachman is playing with the window and removing the roof first. Zhu Cixuan's expression remained unchanged: "Have you and Zheng Yanping started fighting?"

The Dutch envoy was stunned for a moment. The Ming Dynasty in Hongsha actually knew what was happening on the coast thousands of miles away.

"Your Highness, you're worrying too much. We have constant trade with Koxinga and we get along harmoniously. We even agreed to Koxinga's taxation on Formosa a few years ago."

"Formosa?"

Chen Ande said, "Your Highness, Formosa Island is Yizhou Island."

The Dutch envoy nodded. "It's just that Koxinga failed in his attack on China two years ago, and there are rumors among the people that Koxinga is planning to send troops to Formosa."

"But this news has been circulating for almost two years now, and this year Koxinga has had no problems with our Formosa chief."

"Your Highness, since Koxinga is the king of your Ming Dynasty, please write to him and tell him that the Ming Dynasty is based in Hongsha and no longer needs to go to Formosa."

"In this case, the losses of our trading post in Hongsavadi will not be pursued."

"In addition, we can also sell cannons and muskets to the prince at a low price and purchase rice to finance the Ming military expenses."

"The two countries have made peace, and we are very willing to trade with Koxinga in the East China Sea."

The Dutch envoy paused and said, "As long as the Ming Dynasty hands over this traitorous scum, He Bin, we will immediately establish diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty and establish mutual friendship."

Zhu Cixuan asked, "Who is He Bin?"

Dutch envoy: "A Chinese, a traitor."

"He was our Dutch tax collector in Formosa. He had worked for us for nearly twenty years. Two years ago, he smuggled goods, and the fines sent him fleeing to Koxinga's land."

"It was this person who constantly instigated and encouraged Koxinga, worsening the relationship between our two countries."

Zhu Cixuan continued, "I've been working as a tax collector for you for over a decade. Why would I give up my job just for a small fine?"

"Are you hiding something?"

Those officials who rebelled against the Ming Dynasty and jumped between the two sides all abandoned the Qing and defected to the Ming Dynasty because Dai Qing wanted to take away their official positions.

Zhu Cixuan didn't believe that a traitor would suddenly become patriotic just for a small fine.

All they talk about is the country, but all they think about is business.

The Dutch envoy coughed and said, "It is indeed that simple. He Bin is greedy and stingy, so he betrayed us Dutch."

Zhu Cixuan asked again, but the Dutch envoy still maintained the same statement.

At this moment, one of the missionaries suddenly spoke.

"Your Highness, I know."

Zhu Cixuan and the Dutch envoy looked over when they heard the voice, and the latter recognized the Greek at a glance.

Within two years of arriving in Malacca, he had already become acquainted with the royal families of the major sultanates.

He also traveled to Batavia on behalf of the two sultanates and met with the governors.

This person must have known about the situation in the Dutch colonies.

He immediately glared at her and threatened her.

Zhu Cixuan glanced at the Dutch envoy and asked the Greek:
"Are you Constantine Falcon, the interpreter for the missionaries?"

[Name: Constantine Falcon (Second-rate Civil Servant)

Age: 22
Official Position: Greek, Translator
Command: 40 Military Strength: 42 Intelligence: 72 Politics: 75

"I am deeply honored that Your Highness the Crown Prince knows my name."

Pan Huang felt a little familiar with his words and actions.

"I was in Malacca, asking Wei Kuangguo and others about merchant ships bound for Macau in China. The Aceh State mistakenly thought I was with them, so they arrested me."

Zhu Cixuan waved his hand, not caring much: "You said you know why He Bin defected to the Dutch, just tell me directly."

Constantine pursed his lips and said, "I don't know anything about He Bin."

“But do you know why the Dutch impose fines?”

"And the fines are definitely very heavy, so heavy that even a tax farmer with over ten years of experience would defect."

Constantine explained, "Your Highness, Koxinga has a monopoly on trade along the coast of China. It's difficult for the Dutch to bypass Koxinga and trade with China."

"Last year, the Tatars began to close off the sea in China because of Koxinga's army, and the Dutch lost even their last bit of smuggling."

"Goods were in short supply and prices were high, so the Dutch imposed taxes on the indigenous people of Formosa, who were probably Han Chinese."

The Dutch envoy angrily shouted, "Shut up, you degenerate pagan, you dregs of a lost civilization, you poor parasite."

Zhu Cixuan turned his head and gestured.

Ma Bao immediately drew his sword, and the guards in the tent also drew their swords and pointed them at the Dutch envoys.

Constantine, relieved by this, continued, "It's not just Formosa Island. It's also the same in Batavia, Java, their eastern base."

"Your Highness, the Sultanate of Aceh has just paid tribute and submitted to you. You should know that the Sumatran countries have gradually become stronger due to maritime trade and have broken away from their status as vassal states of the Sultanate of Aceh."

Zhu Cixuan nodded.

“But that’s the same thing in Java.”

"Mataram, the dominant kingdom in Java, initially traded with the Dutch. However, as their vassal states began to slip away from control, the king gradually stopped trading with the Dutch."

"In the past few years, all ports were blocked and no one was allowed to go out to sea."

"The Dutch had no choice but to attack the Aceh Sultanate's Palembang, the old port of the Ming Dynasty."

"Trade declined, and to ensure profits for the East India Company, Dutch governors across the country began to impose a poll tax on the indigenous people. The Han Chinese in Batavia fled to Hongsha."

"He Bin of Formosa probably realized that the Dutch were too greedy and wanted to swallow up all his property, so he defected to Koxinga."

Connect them all at once.

Why did so many Han people from Southeast Asia give up their family businesses that had been held for hundreds of years and come to Hongsawadi?

Why did the Sultanate of Aceh seek help from the Ming Dynasty?

Zheng Yanping recaptured Iju Island and probably saw the strengths and weaknesses of the Dutch.

Both countries have banned sea trade with you. I don’t know whether it is because you, the Netherlands, are unlucky or because you have committed many sins.

Zhu Cixuan looked at the Dutch envoy, who was staring at Constantine with gritted teeth.

The Dutch envoy, ready to fight tooth and nail, turned and said, "Prince, just promise Koxinga not to attack Formosa."

"After the two countries begin trade, we, Batavia and Formosa, are willing to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty annually with 20,000 taels of silver, 100 muskets, 10 barrels of saltpeter, and 100,000 arrows."

"The Dutch ships in the eight cities of Malacca can be evacuated, and Palembang in Sumatra can trade with the Sultanate of Aceh and the Ming Dynasty and collect customs duties."

The Dutch envoy said solemnly: "This is our final condition."

"Madubaba, Madubaba and you too?" Zhu Cixuan looked at Deng Shilian.

"Bai Wenxuan hasn't conquered Maduba yet?"

He had been busy these days receiving envoys from various directions and preparing to deal with Wu Sangui, and he really didn't care about the situation of the other army.

In Zhu Cixuan's expectation, even though Ma Duba was a little troublesome, with Bai Wenxuan, a first-class general, on the scene, it should be easy to capture him.

Deng Shilian: "Your Highness, the King of Gongchang said that the eight cities of Madu are not strong enough to take Ava. Linhai has large ships supporting it and continuous artillery fire. If we don't siege for several months, we will have no choice but to accept Bie Daiyun's surrender."

The Dutch envoy replied proudly: "Bie Daiyun of Hongsha Kingdom has offered to borrow our troops and warships. As long as the prince agrees to the conditions, we will withdraw our troops immediately."

"We're not afraid of Koxinga's army. We also sent a troop to Formosa Island last year. If a real fight breaks out, the outcome is unpredictable..."

Zhu Cixuan waved his hand to interrupt him: "I know that what you want is trade with Middle-earth."

"Whatever the conditions, the key is still trade."

Zhu Cixuan looked directly into the Dutch envoy's blue eyes:

"Perhaps Zheng Yanping only wants Yizhou Island as a backup, but I want the Ming Dynasty's homeland that you have occupied for decades even more."

"The Sultan of Aceh is only a vassal of the Ming Dynasty. We have to manage it. Moreover, Yizhou Island is a territory directly under the jurisdiction of the Ming Dynasty."

"Go ahead and fight. If you fight Zheng Yanping, I'll also go to Madu to meet the Dutch Sea Carriage."

(End of this chapter)