I'm really not the carpenter emperor

Xu Guangqi is different from Bi Maoliang and Bi Maoliang, who were called to the capital by Zhu Youxiao in his early years and presided over the Armament Department.

Xu Guangqi is not only proficient in military weapons, but also proficient in agricultural administration. He once served as Wang Zaijin's deputy and promoted sweet potatoes in Jifu. He is an all-rounder.

Such a person should not stay in the Ministry of Rites to do those rites and music, nor should he be directly thrown into the Armament Division, as he will not be able to display his full talents.

Going to Qin Tianjian would allow him to get in touch with the missionaries headed by Tang Ruowang, and quickly absorb scientific and technological knowledge, but Qin Tianjian is after all a yamen for observing astronomy and revising the calendar.

It seems that a new yamen is going to be built for Xu Guangqi and his group to allow them to follow up (imitate) Western science and technology, similar to the "research institute" of later generations.

Xu Guangqi can be Daming's chief scientist!

Naturally, Xu Guangqi's words were too advanced, and many people were confused by what they heard, and they fought against each other before they fully understood.

A spokesperson came out, sneering:

"Before our dynasty won the Penghu naval battle, many islands near the sea were occupied by Hongmao Fan. Fujian's general Yu Zizao and others also played a role in your majesty at that time. The Hongmao Fan has strong ships and cannons. In naval battles, one of them often beats ten!"

"My navy is not the opponent of the barbarian fleet. If the barbarians occupy Haojing in the future and don't leave, it's not right for me to fight, and it's wrong not to fight. What should I do?"

Xu Guangqi sneered: "Since you know that you are not as good as others, then learn!"

"Learn their strong ships and guns, and let my Ming Dynasty navy become an invincible fleet. Now that all parts of the world are striving to improve, how can my Ming Dynasty lag behind others."

"In case future generations suffer the shame of a thousand years, isn't this related to the princes?"

After all, this speaker is not like Xu Guangqi, who often asks foreigners about the world situation, and has no ink about the West in his stomach, so he suddenly has nothing to say.

The Yanguan stood there groaning and deflated for a long time, but he didn't know how to fight back, so he had to return to the ranks.

At this time, all the ministers were whispering, but no one came out to blushed and said big things.

Seeing that the situation is good, Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Xu Guangqi's words are good, and they fit my wishes."

After finishing speaking, he turned to Xu Guangqi and said, "You will accompany the British official to discuss with the embassy, ​​and you must come up with a result that satisfies me and the people of the world."

"After coming back, a great achievement!"

Xu Guangqi was very grateful for the emperor's enlightenment, and said respectfully:

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will do my best. Haojing is our Ming territory. I know the difference between lease and occupation!"

……

After the court meeting was over, Zhang Weixian selected a few of the most elite soldiers from the Yongwei Battalion, and specially equipped them with the latest sudden-fire shotguns, thinking of giving the barbarians a big blow.

The number of soldiers is not many, but the quality, so Zhang Weixian only brought more than 200 people, which happened to be equivalent to the number of Spanish missions.

On the way, Zhang Weixian thought about it and couldn't figure it out. What are the benefits to Daming from doing business with the barbarians, so he couldn't help asking:

"Xu Shilang, can you guess His Majesty's condition?"

"How can you guess?" Xu Guangqi laughed, and took out a small bright yellow letter from his sleeve, saying: "If you don't understand such important matters, how do you deal with them?"

"After the court meeting is over, the lower officials will go directly to meet His Majesty. Please make an order. The British Lord please read it."

When Zhang Weixian heard this, he slapped his thigh and laughed endlessly: "This... is the old man's ignorance. Thanks to Xu Shilang, otherwise this trip will have a black eye!"

After finishing speaking, he took the secret decree to his hand and read it carefully word by word.

Xu Guangqi laughed loudly: "Your Majesty was joking. Your Majesty asked you and me to come with you. I think it was because of this that we both have our own uses."

Zhang Weixian understands this reason, he just evaded the temptation just now, after hearing Xu Guangqi's words, he knew in his heart that he is a man of good sense, so he didn't say any more.

Not long after, the group came to a selected garden in the Forbidden City, and met the Spanish mission who had been waiting here for a long time.

The place chosen for this negotiation contract was also carefully selected.

On the way here, the Spanish missions will first pass through the Chengtianmen corridor, and see the guards of the imperial city, the guards of the Yongwei Battalion, the captain of Jinyi, and the Jinwu, and then pass through the royal garden and come to the pavilion in the middle of the lake.

Zhang Weixian's seat was backed by the majestic Forbidden City, and he and the Spanish ambassador Diaz set foot on the mirror lake. After exchanging courtesies, they began to discuss the contract and lease.

After coming this way, Dias has indeed changed a lot from his previous attitude. Knowing that the person who came to negotiate is actually a duke, he is even more polite.

Xu Guangqi, who was next to him, was talking to the Spanish deputy envoy in a casual manner. The two met for the first time, but they seemed to hit it off very well.

Chapter 400 Signing a Commercial Treaty

"Your envoy, please sit down."

Zhang Weixian gave a gesture, and waited for the other party to sit down first before he would take his seat. At this time, Xu Guangqi was standing beside him chatting with the Spanish deputy envoy.

On the way here, Dias was really shocked when he saw the magnificent Forbidden City and those mighty Forbidden Army warriors.

Originally, according to the meaning of King Philip IV of Spain, the first thought was to come to see if he could directly conquer Daming by force and turn Daming into a Spanish colony.

With such a colony, the Spanish colonial empire will rise again!

However, it was later discovered that such an idea was unrealistic at all. Now after a deeper understanding, Dias discovered how naive the king's previous thoughts were.

The Ming Dynasty was not only "somewhat powerful" as Bishop Jinnige said in his letter, it was an eastern empire, and they had just defeated the fleet of the Dutch East India Company in Penghu!

You know, that fleet is dominated by galleys, and there are also powerful Galen warships, equipped with the most advanced cannons in the world today, and their strength is not weak at all!

Since they can defeat the Dutch fleet, it is not difficult to defeat the Spanish navy that has suffered heavy setbacks.

Right now, it seems that he should listen to what conditions the other party wants. He believes that as long as the bid is not too excessive, the king can nod in agreement.

After all, life is not easy for Spain now. The sooner they can open up the eastern sea route, the sooner they can alleviate their stretched financial situation!

Thinking of this, Dias said with a standard aristocratic smirk:

"Using your oriental words, let's get straight to the point. What conditions does your country have, please list them one by one, so we can discuss them."

Zhang Weixian laughed loudly and said:

"Since your envoy speaks so quickly, I don't want to hide it anymore. The two countries' business relationship is beneficial to Daming and you Spain."

Zhang Weixian also heard the word Spain from Xu Guangqi on the road, and he learned it and sold it here. Just yesterday, he called the group of Spanish missions barbarians in the mansion.

After speaking, he winked at Xu Guangqi.

The latter took out a clause prepared overnight from his sleeve, and handed it to Dias respectfully. The Spaniards in the mission hurried over, but they were taken aback.

What surprised them was nothing else, but that it was written in Spanish!

Dias stared at Xu Guangqi in astonishment, but didn't realize it for a while. It seemed that not only they were interested in Dongfang, but Dongfang was also very interested in them.

If he is not interested, Dias will not learn the language and culture of the Han people, and the courtiers of the other party will not learn their Spanish.

In this way, Dias is a little more firm in his idea of ​​returning home with a full load.

As long as you have what the other side needs, then there is room for bargaining in this negotiation. It is the best choice for the two countries to get what they need.

Xu Guangqi handed over a lot of terms and conditions. At a rough glance, there must be dozens of items. This is not something that can be read at a glance. It needs to be studied carefully.

Dias stood up politely, saluted and said, "Please wait a moment, your envoy, let's discuss it carefully."

Zhang Weixian raised his legs, looked nonchalant, said "Oh", and said: "Your envoy can do whatever you want, I have kung fu."

Hearing the answer, Dias led the Spaniards to reunite to the other side, and quickly pointed at the content of the terms.

Zhang Weixian glanced slightly at the corner of his eyes and said:

"Xu Shilang, can you hear what they are saying?"

Xu Guangqi shook his head and said with a smile, "It's too far away, so I can't hear you clearly. You don't have to worry. The Spaniards are not doing well. As long as we don't raise too much, they should be able to accept it."

Zhang Weixian nodded and sneered:

"I'm not worried. Although Daming is in trouble now, it's not as many as them. His Majesty entrusts this mission to me. Of course, he will kill these barbarians severely."

Xu Guangqi smiled and nodded, noncommittal.

In fact, he didn't learn Western languages ​​and cultures because he was interested. He didn't care about the interests of these Spaniards at all.

Now what he thinks about is how to win more benefits for Daming in this trade agreement, which is no small matter.

Dias was indeed somewhat dissatisfied, but not to the point of being completely unacceptable.

As mentioned earlier, the contents of the terms are mainly divided into three categories.

One is the issue of trade and mutual assistance between the two countries, the other is the issue of the Spaniards continuing to lease Haojing, and the third is the issue of who will take the lead in this agreement.

Trade and mutual aid issues.

According to the agreement, the period of trade between the Ming Dynasty and Spain was five years, and the scope of the agreement covered the Apocalypse Emperor Zhu Youxiao and any region ruled by King Philip IV of Spain, including the nominally ruled Northern Netherlands.

In fact, what Dias values ​​the most is this, that is, "If you want to continue the trade after five years, you need to send a mission to sign the agreement, and no country can voluntarily cancel it during this period."

This is equivalent to a guarantee given by Ming Dynasty. In such an Eastern Empire, the words will not be counted, right?

During the five-year trade period, all kinds of goods in the two countries can be freely traded and sold, but there must be a representative group other than the imperial court, that is, random buying and selling are not allowed.

That is to say, Spain has to select a merchant group responsible for doing business with Daming, and all merchants who do business need to join this merchant group, which is bound by the state.

Daming also needs to have a corresponding non-governmental organization. Daming will handle this matter on its own. Once an agreement is signed, these two business groups will be responsible for contacting and conducting business.

Moreover, both parties are obliged to protect the safety of the other party's merchant group in the territory during the period of commercial cooperation. If there is an accident, the state will pay the bill.

Regarding the various terms of commerce, Dias raised his hands in favor.

In fact, in his opinion, it is Spain, not Daming, that will benefit the most from the trade between Spain and Daming. As long as they can do business, the requirements are not too excessive.

Hao mirror rental problem.

Daming proposed to set a specific boundary, that is to say, to draw a circle. I have no control over where you Spaniards go, but you can only live in this circle.

Any Spaniard who went to Haojing, no matter noble or civilian, whether official or soldier, had to abide by the local laws of Ming Dynasty.

That is to say, if the Spaniards and Portuguese committed crimes in Haojing, the local police officers had the right to interrogate them according to this agreement.

However, considering that the cultures of the two sides are different, there will always be conflicts. Daming will also set up a new yamen, which will be responsible for interrogating foreigners who have committed crimes.

In addition, Spain has to take out a one-time silver payment as the price of renting Haojing for five years.

Zhu Youxiao’s initial pricing is 10 taels per year, and 50 taels of silver for five years. This can be negotiated, and Daming can also provide loans, but the loans are usury, and the Spaniards need to choose what to do.

For this, Dias and others have some criticisms, but they can barely accept it.

After all, there is nothing wrong with this. I obtained the right of temporary residence diplomatically, and I didn't open the country's door with a strong ship or gun.

Moreover, they were a little guilty. Da Ming didn't look like he was suffering from internal and external troubles all this way. I heard that he just won a big victory and regained a lot of territory.

As far as the current situation in the West is concerned, it is Spain, not Ming, who urgently needs trade.

If the two sides had a quarrel here, Da Ming could just slap his ass and leave, and the only ones who would feel uncomfortable in the end would be themselves.

As for the last point, on the issue of who will lead the signing of the agreement, Da Ming holds a strong attitude, and the agreement must state that this signing is led by Da Ming.

In a word, this is not discussed, if it doesn't work, just get out!

To put it bluntly, the signing of the agreement this time is because you traveled all the way across the sea from Spain to find us, not me, Da Ming Pi Dian Pi Dian, begging you to sign it, so we have the final right of interpretation!

Chapter 4: Signing the Trade Treaty

This agreement is different from the commercial treaty between the Manchu Qing Dynasty and Portugal in later generations. It is a purely bilateral trade agreement.

After all, there was no war between Daming and Spain, and Spain also knew that Daming, who had just won a few battles, was not easy to mess with, and his attitude was completely different from that of the Eight-Power Allied Forces in the late Qing Dynasty.

In this agreement, Daming and Spain are standing on the same footing, to carry out trade, mutual benefit, both sides benefit.

As for the terms stated in the terms, Dias discussed with the people in the mission, and they all felt that there was no problem. After all, Daming also made concessions here.

About half an hour later, Dias came back with a much more relaxed expression. He sat back and said, "As stated in the terms, I can make the decision now, and His Majesty the King will definitely agree."

Zhang Weixian smiled and sat there without saying a word.

Dias had no intention of leaving either, and said after a while, "But your country should have other intentions, right?"

"It's easy to talk to smart people." Zhang Weixian laughed loudly and said, "Then I'll cut to the chase. I heard that you Spaniards built the Bugarao Cannon Factory outside Haojing?"

Dias was taken aback, and quickly asked, "Why does your envoy ask this? Could it be that we want us to dismantle the cannon factory?"

Zhang Weixian shook his head, cupped his hands towards the imperial city behind him, and said:

"Your Majesty means that the Bugarao Cannon Factory does not need to be dismantled, but the craftsmen of your country and all kinds of firearms inside must be shared with us."

Seeing the hesitant look on the other party's face, Zhang Weixian continued to speak calmly:

"Your envoy, don't worry, Ming Dynasty will not rob you of your firearms technology. We will build a workshop of the Armament Division outside your country's cannon foundry, and hire your craftsmen at a high price to guide the cannon casting."

"After all, this can be regarded as an income!"

Zhang Weixian laughed out loud as he spoke.