When Gonzalez and Francisco left the pier and walked into the small hotel. On the deck of a Dutch ship that had just docked at the Manhattan port pier, several people pointed behind them and talked in low voices.
Among the people standing on the deck, one was tall and wearing a black woolen coat. The middle-aged man with a big red beard narrowed his eyes.
He is the captain of this ship, Joubert.
"Nasty Spaniards, it's not surprising that they appear here. As long as there is a place of interest, their sense of smell will always smell it. Here is rich in ceramics and tea, and the voyage is closer than the east. And here is a lot of value for slaves. It¡¯s such a big market, it would be strange if they didn¡¯t show up here.¡±
Joubert said something softly.
"Ignore these Spaniards. We need to sign a trade agreement with the people of this empire as soon as possible. We cannot let the Spaniards get ahead. Now the British have started trading with Song Dynasty, and we are already a step too late."
Thinking of the ceramics that were popular in Europe a few days ago, Captain Joubert couldn't help but feel hot in his heart.
The merchant ship brought privately by the Governor of Virginia got the news as soon as possible and came to Manhattan to purchase goods. That time made Williams a lot of money, and the exquisite ceramics also completely shocked the Europeans.
Although the Dutch would also transport porcelain from the East in this era, the journey was too long and the loss of porcelain along the way was also very serious.
At the same time, the Ming Dynasty had very strict restrictions on trade. They could only rely on practicing with smugglers along the coast of the Ming Dynasty and buy porcelain, tea and silk from them.
And in transactions with smugglers, the Dutch, who are at a disadvantage, are often tricked.
The price of the porcelain or silk they buy often goes up a lot.
But now that the Song Empire has appeared, this situation has been reversed.
Not only is the distance here short, the price of porcelain is very cheap. Although there is no silk, tea and spices are also profitable commodities.
This is completely more profitable than coming from the East.
Therefore, the merchants in Europe went crazy for a while, and they began to use various methods to get ships to rush to the New World.
"The Dutch don't want to be angry with the Eastern smugglers anymore, so they come to Manhattan to have a look. If the situation is feasible, then their focus will be on the New World.
Of course, through the mouth of the Governor of Virginia, the "power" of the Song Empire also spread throughout the European countries. A huge empire with a population of 30 million was definitely more powerful than Spain ruled by the most powerful Habsburg family at this time.
In addition to carrying out trade with the Song Empire, they all also want to develop diplomatic relations with the Song Empire and strive to win over a powerful partner.
??Among them, the British, Spanish and Dutch are the most anxious.
The reason for this is very simple, because the Song Empire is in North America. If they don't build a good relationship, the Song Empire can destroy their coastal immigration points as long as it sends its army.
Although these countries have strong maritime power, facing an empire with a population of 30 million, it is unrealistic to fight on land.
Therefore, it is necessary to have a good relationship.
Speaking of which, the Dutch are really miserable. In Europe, they are very powerful now, but in the East, the Dutch are just pure "sluts". They always play the role of being bullied by the "tall, rich and handsome" group of Ming smugglers.
But if you want to resist the rich and handsome men of the Ming Dynasty, after being hit a few times, the Dutch prostitutes will understand the situation clearly.
At this point, apart from being an honest person and not fighting back, I really don¡¯t dare to do anything bad.
Of course, when the Ming Dynasty was turbulent in the future, the Dutch slowly gained courage. But this is all future history. Now that the little butterfly Zhao Hongyu appears, no one knows whether the future will be the same as before.
After the Dutch arrived in Manhattan, they immediately began to sell the black slaves on the ship.
A whole boat of more than 500 black slaves were all sold in just half a day. This made the Dutch sigh that this is indeed a good place to do business, and they also became excited.
¡°But when they heard that a trade agreement was required before they could buy goods, they were instantly unhappy.
But when they knew that even the Spaniards hadn't figured it out, these guys relaxed again.
"Captain, do you think this person from the Song Empire is a bit like the Ming Dynasty people who are looking to the east? "After Captain Joubert landed, he took a small follower of his and wandered around the port.
In the port, Joubert could not help but admire the imperial soldiers wearing luxurious clothes and carrying flintlock rifles that could be seen everywhere.
The little follower¡¯s words caught Joubert¡¯s attention.
¡°Well, it¡¯s really true.
They also have black hair, black eyes, and yellow skin. Listening to the occasional conversations among the soldiers of the Song Empire, it seems that the language is somewhat similar to that of the Ming Dynasty.
It¡¯s just that what they say is not as difficult to understand as the people of the Ming Dynasty.
Joubert has lived in the East for more than ten years, and he still has some understanding of the Ming Dynasty.
"This little Ge, may I ask if your Shuo Di is Mandarin?"
Joubert was more courageous. Now that he had this question, he immediately started testing.
It happened that Zhang Tie was walking towards the port with a group of guards, preparing to check the cargo list. Suddenly, a strange voice came. If you didn't listen carefully, you would have thought it was Henan dialect.
¡°Oh, are there Henanese among our genetic people?
When Zhang Tie looked around, he immediately saw Joubert, who was dressed in European style and bowed with his hands clasped in fists.
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????: He's actually a European guy.
"The person who teaches you Mandarin must be from Henan!"
Zhang Tie asked with a surprised expression.
¡°Zubert was also a little surprised to see that Zhang Tie understood what he said.
He thought to himself, is it possible that these people are really inextricably linked to the Ming Dynasty?
"Little Ge (brother), murmuring (I) is a self-taught Mandarin, what is Henan (Henan) people? Still oily (there), silly (what) is a pot fish (Mandarin)?", Joubert put down his hands. , started chatting with Zhang Tie in that nondescript tone.
Zhang Tie was really dumbfounded, but he also saw the difference in Joubert.
There are definitely not many Europeans who can communicate with them normally these days, in fact they are very rare.
Therefore, Zhang Tie also thought carefully and prepared to have a good chat with this European guy.
Under Zhang Tie¡¯s greeting, they came to a nearby small barbecue stall and sat down. The stall owner is a genetic person with a crazy thinking personality. He has his sights set on the future of the dock, so he and his Indian wife opened a snack bar here.
¡°Now, those genetic people under Zhao Hongyu who have **thinking personalities have found their significant other one by one. Among them were Indian girls, and some were British women who were captured from afar.
Even women from Virginia came to Manhattan to marry men from the Song Empire.
Of course, the first target is the one with black hair and eyes, and then the Gurkha. Next are the Asans who are responsible for public security and city management in Manhattan, and Lao Hei has sadly become the last person chosen by women.
Lao Hei¡¯s leader, Lamour, was a little angry that he couldn¡¯t even compare to Asan.
Therefore, he encourages his men every day to get close to those British women. However, all the genetic people under him were very disappointing. They only came into contact with some fireworks women But those were also British women
"We are the remnants of the Song Empire. When the Mongols attacked our palace, the emperor at that time asked a loyal general to bring the prince to this continent from the sea in order to preserve his bloodline."
Zhang Tie told Joubert about the origins of these people.
And this origin is a rhetoric that Zhao Hongyu and Wang Shan have discussed long ago. It is also the easiest one to believe and can withstand scrutiny.
Joubert is convinced of this because he has been to the East and understands its history fairly well. At the same time, Marco Polo's Travels, which was popular in Europe, also mentioned this ancient Eastern Empire.
Song!
Yes, this country was mentioned in Marco Polo¡¯s travels. This country happened to be invaded and defeated by the Mongols.
As the captain of the Eastern Route, he had to study the travels of Marco Polo before going to the East when he was young. Because this allows them to understand the customs of Orientals and better enable them to interact with Orientals.
But when Joubert went to Ming Dynasty, he realized that the things he learned were useless, so he could only slowly relearn them.
After listening to Zhang Tie¡¯s words, Joubert sighed: ¡°It turns out that you are the successors of that ancient country. No wonder you can speak Eastern languages ??and look like the people of the Ming Empire that I have met.Same. "
Zhang Tie¡¯s eyes flashed because he heard Joubert mention the word ¡®Ming Kingdom¡¯.
"Have you ever been to the East?" Zhang Tie asked tentatively.
Joubert nodded: "Yes, I joined the fleet when I was seventeen and went to the East. I lived in the luxurious land of the East for seventeen years and only returned to Europe three years ago." Listen. Zhang Tie couldn't help but feel happy when Joubert admitted that he had been to the East and came back three years ago.
Now they are very closed-minded about the news from the East, and this kind of people are exactly what they need.
However, Zhang Tie did not show much interest, but said to Joubert indifferently: "The homeland of the East, it is a place that the older generation dreams about. But for us young people It is just a place name in their mouths, and we are not very interested. After all, we have left that place for hundreds of years, and we did grow up on this continent."
Zhang Tie shrugged his shoulders and made a helpless face.
Joubert said yes repeatedly.
"By the way, since you have been to the East, can you tell me some interesting stories about the East? We always hear them talk about the East from the older generation, but that was all hundreds of years ago. And they have never gone back. So I want to hear what you have to say. If it is really interesting, I will introduce you to the Lord of Manhattan, the Lord of this place, and the Crown Prince of the Empire, the Prince of Manhattan."
Zhang Tie¡¯s words made Joubert tremble!
"Who are you? How can you let me see the crown prince?"
Joubert felt that his thinking was a little confused. Although Zhang Tie was wearing a uniform that he thought was relatively luxurious, this kind of uniform was worn by all the imperial soldiers on the street.
Therefore, he also thought that Zhang Tie might also be a soldier.
It¡¯s just that Joubert didn¡¯t observe carefully. Although Zhang Tie was also wearing a uniform, his epaulettes did have golden tassels, which were different from those of ordinary soldiers.
At the same time, his clothes are more elegant and refined than those of ordinary soldiers.
The lining of this dress is embedded with black beaver skin to keep warm.
"The linings of ordinary soldiers' clothes are just lined with rabbit skin and rabbit velvet.
"Sitting in front of you is Mr. Zhang Tie, the Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Trade, and Director of the Royal Umbrella Company!"
A gene man standing behind Zhang Tie promptly announced his identity, which shocked Joubert so much that he could not close his mouth for a long time.
¡°Mom**, is it possible that I am so lucky that I met high-ranking figures in the empire even when I was shopping?
"Of course he knows Zhang Tie's name like a thunderbolt.
¡°Compared to Zhao Hongyu, Zhang Tie¡¯s reputation is greater in Europe.
The reason is simple. Who has businessmen dealing with Zhang Tie the most?
¡°The power in Zhang Tie¡¯s hands to allocate the amount of commodity trade is even more important to businessmen.
Therefore, before coming to Manhattan, Joubert had collected a lot of information about Manhattan through the mouths of other businessmen.
It¡¯s just that he didn¡¯t expect that the person he was originally planning to meet would now appear in front of him like this.
You must know that Joubert was a little embarrassed earlier. He didn't know what attitude and method to use to meet this high-ranking official in the empire who controlled the wealth of these businessmen.
And what kind of gift should I give?
These questions have always troubled Joubert.
It has to be said that after staying in the East for a long time, he had to deal with the officials of the Ming Dynasty for a long time. In Joubert's bones, he has been assimilated by the rules and methods of the Ming Dynasty, and his thinking is almost the same as that of the people of the Ming Dynasty.
After being shocked for a while, Joubert quickly stood up and prepared to salute.
Zhang Tie held Joubert's shoulders and said, "We have been away from the East for a long time, so many etiquettes have become less troublesome, and you don't have to do this."
Strictly speaking, Joubert¡¯s Eastern etiquette is also two swords, not so formal.
But compared to Zhang Tie and the others, they are still much stronger.
However, when Zhang Tie saw a European with red hair, blue eyes and a beard performing an Eastern salute to him, he really felt that he had to laugh and cry a little bit.
"Can you first tell me about the current situation in the East? Also tell me about your life there, as well as the local customs and customs" Zhang Tie said to Joubert with a smile after Joubert sat down. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to (this site) to subscribe and reward. Your support is??The biggest motivation. )