At this time, James Gilbert, a British businessman who came to the Ming Dynasty on a merchant ship sent by Li Dan and Yan Siqi to sell goods and buy rice in Southeast Asia and then came to the capital to pay homage to the emperor, was visiting the missionary Giulio Aleni.
It had been seven or eight days since he arrived in the capital. Although Yan Siqi had sent someone to accompany him and reported the matter to the emperor, the emperor did not respond and only arranged for James to stay in the post station.
There were two Dutch merchants living in the same inn with James. They came from Japan and were introduced by Li Dan's subordinates who stayed in Japan. They came to meet the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty to discuss trade.
Obviously, the Ming Emperor had given instructions to Li and Yan. Otherwise, they would not have dared to bring Western merchants to the Ming capital without authorization.
As a rising star, Britain was suppressed by the old overlord, the Netherlands, and had already withdrawn from trade with Japan. It even had the tendency to be driven out of Asia. This time, Britain wanted to ride on the Dutch's favorable winds, which was also a last-ditch effort.
"Our conditions are simple: we can dock at the ports of the Ming Dynasty, purchase goods, repair ships, and replenish fresh water and food." James said to Ai Ruoliu, "I wonder if the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty will agree to this request?"
Ai Rulie thought for a moment and said, "Although I don't quite understand the Emperor's thoughts, I heard from Ginni that the Emperor speaks English with a London accent. This should be a good sign, right?"
"London accent?" James' face lit up, but then he asked with some confusion, "What's going on? Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor has come into contact with the British and even learned a few words?"
Ai Rulie shook his head and said, "That's not clear. As for the conditions you listed, I think they should be acceptable. His Majesty the Emperor of Ming is quite open-minded. The translation of Western books and the lifting of the maritime ban are clues to this."
After a pause, he continued, "There's another piece of news, and it's also very important. The Ming Empire is suppressing two rebellions and is in urgent need of weapons and technicians. This is also an important reason why the Portuguese are welcomed."
James' eyes lit up and he said, "We have all the guns, cannons, and everything the Portuguese can give to the Ming. We also have the craftsmen and technology."
"Ship it all the way from England?" Ai Ruoliu shook his head and said, "I'm afraid we can't compete with the Portuguese in terms of price."
"By the way, the Ming Dynasty still needs Western-style ships." Ai Ruliu added: "Similarly, you can't compete with the Portuguese."
James thought about it and didn't tell the truth to Aleni.
It is obviously unrealistic and uneconomical to build ships in Britain and then sail them to Ming Dynasty, but they can rob them!
Robbing the Spanish, the Portuguese, or even the Dutch was not a problem as long as they could establish good relations with the Ming Empire and maintain channels for trade.
"Thank you, respected father." James made the sign of the cross on his chest, looking very pious.
"Please also inform the Ming officials and report to His Majesty the Emperor." James finally promised: "What the Portuguese can do, we will do better to show our sincere intentions."
"Moreover, we are not as greedy as the Portuguese and Dutch. We would be grateful for even the smallest favor from Your Majesty."
………………
At almost the same time, the Dutch merchant Provençal was also asking Johann Adam Schall von Bell how to trade with the Ming Empire.
"The Ming Empire was powerful and proud." Tang Ruowang didn't have a very good impression of the Dutch, but he still offered some advice. "I have a very bad impression of you Dutch people. I call you red-haired barbarians. This is because you are accustomed to looting and occupying land, and it is common for you to go ashore and enslave people."
Proven argued, "If the Ming Empire had agreed to trade, such a regrettable thing would not have happened."
Tang Ruowang glanced at Provin with a hint of sneer and said, "The emperor recently convened a meeting with missionaries in the capital and discussed the issue of trade."
Proven's eyes widened in concentration.
Tang Ruowang said, "His Majesty the Emperor has laid out certain conditions for the Ming Empire's foreign trade. They are very fair. You just need to follow these rules."
Looking at Proven, Tang Ruowang emphasized, "His Majesty also mentioned you Dutch. If you want to use force, he will not hesitate to mobilize a thousand ships and a hundred thousand soldiers to start a war, and cut off your trade routes with Japan."
"Does the Ming Empire have such strength?" Proven narrowed his eyes and said, "I heard that the Ming Empire is suppressing the rebellion."
Tang Ruowang smiled with some disdain and said, "Indeed, both of the two rebellion wars involved over a hundred thousand troops. But so what? The Ming Empire has tens of millions of people, and it can even recruit a million troops."
"As for naval power, if we add all the sea merchants who have returned to the Ming Dynasty, organizing a thousand armed merchant ships would not be difficult. The most important thing is, it is simply a foolish dream to think that you can conquer the Ming Empire with only a dozen warships and thousands of soldiers."
Proven lowered his eyes, lost in thought.
If he had not previously believed the vastness of the Ming Empire and the large population described in the travelogue, his impression had changed after what he saw and heard on the way to the capital.
He was also relatively familiar with the situation of Chinese businessmen in Japan and knew that what Johann Adam Schall von Bell said was true.
The armed fleets owned by Li Dan and Yan Siqi were a formidable competitor to the Westerners, especially the Spanish, whom Li Dan hated and frequently robbed.
But due to Li Dan and Yan Siqi's connections on the mainland, even the Dutch had to rely on them to provide commercial goods to the Ming Dynasty.
Now, the temptation of direct trade lies before us. Using force is shortsighted and carries a great risk: the maritime trade with Japan will be cut off.
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