The Zhengde Emperor Zhu Houzhao is convening ministers to discuss national affairs.
"Your Majesty, King Charles V of Spain has asked us, Ming Dynasty, to provide Spain with another loan of 30 million taels of silver!"
Fang Yongliang, the Minister of Rites, reported to Zhu Houzhao.
"30 million silver?"
"How much loan does Spain owe our Ming Dynasty now?"
When Zhu Houzhao heard this, he thought about it and asked.
"There are already 70 million taels of silver."
Fang Yongliang quickly replied.
¡°70 million, if you include these 30 million taels, that¡¯s 100 million taels of silver.¡±
"What are they going to use as collateral?"
Zhu Houzhao asked again after thinking about it.
"They are going to mortgage several colonial islands in Penglai Bay of Huangjinzhou, which is the only land in the entire Huangjinzhou that is not owned by our Ming Dynasty."
Fang Yongliang replied.
"Are those islands willing to be mortgaged?"
When Zhu Houzhao heard this, he quickly looked at the location of Penglai Bay on the world map. The islands Fang Yongliang mentioned were the island of Cuba and several surrounding large islands.
In order to annex the Golden State, the Ming Empire also united with Spain to deal with the English, Portuguese, and French pirates in Europe. The final agreement was that Spain recognized the entire Golden Continent except for those islands as belonging to the Ming Empire.
The Ming Empire recognized Spain¡¯s colonial rights and ownership of these islands, and the two sides formed an alliance to jointly fight against pirates.
Because of their critical geographical location, these islands have always been Spain's most important overseas colonies. Relying on the geographical advantage of being close to the Golden Continent of the Ming Dynasty, the Spaniards relied on these islands to carry out trade with the Ming people, and they just changed hands. Spain has made huge profits from its transactions.
For Spain, the colonies on the Gold Coast of West Africa are important, but their status is far inferior to these islands, and their income cannot be compared with these islands.
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So this is why Zhu Houzhao was surprised that Spain would use these islands as mortgage.
"It seems that the Spanish are having a very difficult time fighting the war in Europe."
Zhu Houzhao thought for a while and said.
"Your Majesty, although Spain has annexed France, it has suffered repeated defeats in the war with the Holy See. After the early defeat, the Holy Roman Empire has gradually stabilized the situation and is constantly counterattacking."
"In addition, on the Gold Coast of West Africa, North Korea, Persia, and Japan have also launched attacks on Spanish colonies one after another, which has greatly restricted some Spanish military forces."
¡°Waging war on multiple fronts is extremely detrimental to Spain, which is why they consume funds quickly.¡±
Yang Yun, the Governor of the Fifth Army Command, stood up and said.
"Well, it seems that if we don't lend to Spain, they may not be able to hold on."
"In this case, our early loan will be in vain."
¡°Give them loans and let them continue to fight.¡±
After thinking about it for a while, Zhu Houzhao gave the order decisively.
"This 70 million tael loan, if Spain were defeated, wouldn't my money be wasted?"
Although the left hand went out and the right hand came in, the money still returned to the hands of the Ming Dynasty, but these are profits and must not be lost.
"yes!"
When the ministers heard this, they all responded respectfully.
"Your Majesty, the Ottoman Empire and the Persian Empire are at war again in the Mesopotamia."
"Are Ottomans and Persians fighting again?"
When Zhu Houzhao heard this, he immediately became energetic and seemed a little worried that the world would not be in chaos.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
¡°This time it was mainly a war launched by the Ottoman Empire to seize the oil-producing areas in the lower reaches of the Mesopotamia.¡±
"As our Ming Dynasty's demand for oil becomes more and more intense, the price of oil continues to rise, and more and more oil is discovered in the Persian Gulf. The Ottoman Empire will definitely not let this rich land go."
Fang Yongliang said quickly.
¡°It turns out it¡¯s for oil, so no wonder.¡±
When Zhu Houzhao heard this, he nodded immediately.
Liu Jin next to him could not help but sigh after hearing this. The Middle East is really a powder keg.?Looking at Liu Jin, he asked.
"Your Majesty, the reason why I decided to go home to retire is because I want to use the remaining time to travel around the world. While I am still able to walk, I want to see the great rivers and mountains in the world. Go and experience the customs and customs from all over the world.¡±
¡°If we really wait until we are seventy or eighty years old, even if we want to visit various parts of the world by then, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to go.¡±
"In addition, Your Majesty, you have been in great prosperity in the Spring and Autumn Period, and you have been a sage king through the ages. Our Ming Dynasty is now in a prosperous age. The country is strong, the people are rich, the military force is strong, and the world is powerful."
"The princes in the court are all virtuous and upright people. Even if there are fewer ministers, the Ming Empire can still become more prosperous and powerful."
"So I sincerely ask for your majesty's permission. The world is a big place and I want to see everywhere."
Liu Jin expressed his inner request to Zhu Houzhao very sincerely.
Hearing Liu Jin's words, Zhu Houzhao also stared slightly. This Liu Jin always has many things that he didn't expect. In the position of the chief minister of the cabinet, he can retreat at any time and let go at any time. He really takes it. You can afford to let it go, it¡¯s impressive.
However, he had only been on the throne for two years. Although Ming Dynasty and Liu Jin said the same thing, Zhu Houzhao felt that Liu Jin's assistant was still indispensable. With Liu Jin here, he felt very comfortable as the emperor.
"Don't make trouble, I will reward you with a few beauties, and then continue to work for me." (Remember the website address: www.hlnovel.com