Ancient castle in the southern Aegean.

"Have you found out the news?"

Li Laosi sat in the center of the banquet hall of the ancient castle, eating barbecue with relish, with maids serving him.

After taking a sip of wine, he asked the soldier who had just come over.

"Boss, we have found out that Mr. Zhao has gone to Constantinople and is not pursuing us."

The brother who spoke asked with a bit of ease.

After being chased all the way to Europe, they can finally take a break.

At this time, the brother next to Li Laosi said: "Boss, why should we be so afraid of him? This is no longer a place that the Ming Dynasty can control."

"We have about 700 to 800 people here, and Mr. Zhao has only a few thousand people. If a fight really breaks out, we have the support of this city, so why should we be afraid of him?"

"As long as he dares to come, let this scholar Zhao die in a foreign land. Once this great worry is solved, we can live a good life."

Li Laosi glanced at the brother who was speaking, put another piece of barbecue into his mouth and chewed it slowly.

The lack of response made the atmosphere a little awkward. No one dared to speak and waited for Li Laosi to finish eating.

After a while, Li Laosi finished eating the barbecue, and then he slowly said: "Seventh Brother, you followed me later, and you don't know Zhao Xiucai's ability. I blame you for this, but don't say such stupid things in the future."

"Don't think that Mr. Zhao is just leading two or three hundred people and collecting some mercenaries. But in fact, the one standing behind Mr. Zhao is the grandson of the Ming Dynasty."

"We can't afford to offend His Royal Highness, even if we are in Europe now."

"We can't fight against Mr. Zhao. If Mr. Zhao really dies, we can't do that unless there's no news at all."

"Don't underestimate the influence of the Heroes Chamber of Commerce. If His Royal Highness really wants to kill us at any cost, even though the world is big, there is no place for us to stay."

The man called Lao Qi replied in disbelief: "Boss, isn't that a bit too exaggerated?"

"It takes at least a year to get here from Ming Dynasty. There are so many countries in between. How can Ming Dynasty soldiers possibly come here?"

Li Lao Si shook his head slightly, looked at Lao Qi in dismay, and asked, "If the Ming Dynasty's grandson rewards us with ten thousand taels of gold and spreads it throughout Europe through the imperial gazette, do you think we can still survive here?"

"Although I, Li Laosi, did something wrong to the Crown Prince, my respect for him has never diminished. I also advise you to maintain your respect for him."

Li Laosi was once considered one of the core members of the Qun Ying Chamber of Commerce.

Therefore, he is very clear about many secrets of the Qun Ying Chamber of Commerce.

The clearer it is, the more you will understand how terrifying the development model of the Qun Ying Chamber of Commerce is.

So when Zhao Xiucai was chasing him, even though he had the chance to counterattack, Li Laosi still chose to escape.

He had no intention of confronting Zhao Xiucai at all.

Li Laosi was under the command of Zhao Xiucai in the early days, and he was more aware of his ruthlessness, especially in terms of planning, which was almost unmatched by anyone.

Is that seeming opportunity really an opportunity? Isn’t it a loophole deliberately set up by Mr. Zhao?

Li Laosi doesn't dare to gamble. He has only one life. Now he has put so much effort into running to Europe, thousands of miles away, just to enjoy a free and lawless life.

There is really no need to fight to the death with Mr. Zhao.

"Okay, everyone remember what I just said. Since Mr. Zhao has entered Constantinople and did not come to hunt us down, it means that we don't have to worry so much for the time being. We just need to keep an eye on his movements."

"Constantinople has just been freed from the siege by the Ottoman army. Mr. Zhao must have some plan for going there. I guess he will ignore us for a while."

"What we need to do now is to start the business. We have spent a lot of money on the journey, but we have not made much money. This cannot go on for a long time. We cannot support ourselves just by relying on the taxes from the surrounding areas."

"Why do we come here just to have a full meal?"

"Hurry up and open our firearms workshop. There are wars everywhere in this area now, so we will have no problem finding someone who wants our firearms."

Li Laosi was a smart man. When he left Annan, he brought with him several Ming Dynasty firearms craftsmen stationed in Annan.

This is the basis of his wealth.

Although they were captured, they were not treated badly along the way. After arriving in the southern Aegean Sea and purchasing the ancient castle, they also provided the craftsmen with beautiful European women, which was a simple way to win them over.

This area in the southern Aegean Sea once belonged to the Byzantine Empire. It was an important trade route and fortress. After firearms were produced, they could be sold more quickly.

I have to say that Li Laosi’s time in the Qun Ying Chamber of Commerce was not in vain.

Of course, this has something to do with Zhu Ying’s training method.

When Zhu Ying was in the Western Regions, in addition to focusing on ideological education, he also paid great attention to the training of his subordinates, especially in the area of ​​talent reserve.

Thanks to this training method, Li Laosi also learned a lot.

Especially after Zhu Ying entered the palace, these former core members also began to be influenced by culture.

Li Laosi, who used to be illiterate, has now learned some literary skills.

In the early Ming Dynasty, no one thought it was a big deal. Instead, many people complained that what they learned was useless and that they were exhausted all day long.

I would rather go to war and fight for my life on the battlefield than study hard facing those huge characters.

Now that I'm in Europe, I realize how important what I learned was. Even when I think back to some of the things that happened in the Heroes Chamber of Commerce, my mind seems to have been opened and I understand a lot of things.

This made Li Laosi realize even more clearly how far-sighted their former boss was and how huge the gap between himself and his boss was.

Although he is not as good at learning Latin as Zhao Xiucai, at least Li Laosi and others have no problem communicating in daily life now. Even if they occasionally say the wrong words, they can still express the basic meaning.

…

Constantinople.

Zhao Yuanhong's mind was obviously not completely focused on Li Laosi.

Because he feels that there are really huge opportunities in Europe now.

He seemed to have found the feeling of secretly lurking in Annan to plan for the country.

Compared to Annan, Byzantium is much more relaxed now.

"Dear Lord Zhao, I really didn't expect to meet you here again. Please allow me to express my highest respect to you."

"This is the patriarch of our Hines family, Searle Hines, who has come specially to visit you, Honorable Lord Zhao."

Inside the Holy Palace of Constantinople.

A European man in his forties touched his chest and bowed his head to greet Zhao Yuanhong, and introduced the old man next to him.

The Hines family is considered an aristocratic family, and its main industry is maritime trade.

In fact, Zhao Yuanhong did not know the person who was talking to him. It was the person who conveyed the message who said there was an acquaintance from afar.

After the self-introduction, I learned that when Zhao Yuanhong was inspecting the docks and ports in Annan, this merchant was standing not far away.

I'll bring the family patriarch over to visit right away.

The merchant didn't know how high an official Zhao Yuanhong held in the Ming Dynasty. He could only see from afar that those powerful and mighty Ming soldiers, without exception, lowered their proud heads in front of the honorable Lord Zhao.

"Sell Haines expresses my respect to the honorable Lord Zhao. I never thought that I could meet a noble from the far east. This is something I never thought of in my life."

Sel Hines is about sixty years old. His ruddy face makes him look energetic, and his clean face shows that he pays great attention to maintenance.

Zhao Yuanhong could tell at a glance that the silk she was wearing was made in the Ming Dynasty.

Being able to wear such silk in Europe is itself a symbol of wealth.

Europe's maritime trade has not yet reached its peak. Throughout the entire European region, being able to have the strength to trade to the distant East is not something that an ordinary family can do.

In addition to ocean-going ships, one also needs to be familiar with the entire route, even the pirates on the route, including officials from various countries.

After paying a large amount of fees, the voyage will take two to three years, and there will be various unknown risks.

But a trade trip can often bring huge wealth to the family.

The Hines family is a family that has the ability to sail across the ocean.

After a brief familiarity.

Serge Hines was also very direct.

"I heard that the honorable Lord Zhao has become the minister in front of the emperor. I wonder what Lord Zhao's plan is. If there is any way that my Hines family can help, please feel free to tell me."

At this point, it’s a matter of interests.

The Heins family wants to curry favor with Zhao Yuanhong, of course, because they want to get more benefits.

After all, this has a lot to do with their maritime business. The only thing they are not sure about is whether Zhao Yuanhong’s coming to Europe is his own idea or the Ming Dynasty’s.

The first thing Zhao Yuanhong did was to take out the pass again and show it to the two of them.

Then he said, "The Byzantine Empire is the ancient Roman Empire. Although it is very far away from our Ming Dynasty, there has always been trade between the two sides."

"The reason I came to Europe was to hunt down a traitor in the name of my great Ming crown prince."

“It’s just that seeing the current state of the Byzantine Empire, I feel a little sorry.”

"When I was in the Ming Dynasty, I often listened to the teachings of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and I knew that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was very interested in the ancient Byzantine Empire."

"I have already written a letter back to the Ming Dynasty, telling His Royal Highness the Crown Prince all the news about this place. I believe that it won't take long before His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will send a fleet to Europe."

Looking at the seal on the document and listening to Zhao Yuanhong's story.

The eyes of the two people from the Hines family suddenly lit up.

If the Ming Dynasty had a fleet coming to Europe, even if it only reached the Persian Gulf, it would be a sign of great wealth.

The two looked at each other, and the old man Sel said, "Respected Lord Zhao, the ship you sold in the Persian Gulf happened to be bought by our Haines family."

"The shipbuilding technology inside is a great inspiration to us."

"I didn't expect this to be Lord Zhao's ship. I am willing to return it to Lord Zhao and help his cause."

When Zhao Yuanhong himself did not go out to sea, he did not carry a large amount of cargo.

So after arriving at the Persian Gulf, they had no choice but to sell the ship and use the money to recruit mercenaries to hunt down Li Laosi.

After hearing what Searle said, Zhao Yuanhong shook his head and said, "Since it has been sold, the ship belongs to the Hines family. It is useless for me to keep it now."

"But your family can sail this ship to the East. I can provide you with a document stating that I sold this ship to you."

"If your family can reach the East, with my seal, you should be able to gain some convenience in the Nanyang region."

Zhao Yuanhong's words filled the two people from Hines with surprise.

This was their purpose.

One reason was to find out whether Zhao Yuanhong came to Europe to escape from the Ming Dynasty or for other reasons.

Now it seems that it was ordered by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

This shows that Zhao Yuanhong still has a great influence in the East.

You have to know that foreign businessmen face great restrictions when purchasing goods in the Ming Dynasty, and they cannot even get low prices. Even so, they can still make huge profits.

The most important thing is that with Zhao Yuanhong's documents, they can be protected by the Ming Dynasty's naval forces in the Nanyang region, or even in the Far East Ming Dynasty.

This is the most important reason.

Perhaps many European kings do not understand this, but these maritime merchants know very well that among the world's naval forces today, the Ming Dynasty is absolutely invincible.

Because the waters near the Ming Dynasty are a forbidden zone for pirates from all over the world, and there are no pirates at all.

All ships at sea that arrive in Ming Dynasty must abide by the rules of Ming Dynasty.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for helping our Hines family. Our Hines family will be Mr. Zhao's most loyal ally in Europe."

"If you need any help from our Hines family, please don't hesitate to ask, Lord Zhao."

Searle said solemnly that this was his oath.

Zhao Yuanhong did not mince words and said frankly: "It is my honor to be a friend of the Hines family. I also hope that the Hines family can become a friend of our Ming Dynasty."

"I really need the help of the Hines family now. You should also know that Constantinople is in a mess now. The residents can't even get a mouthful of porridge, and the soldiers haven't received their salaries for a long time."

"I hope the Hines family can help me and the Palaiologos Dynasty now. I believe that the Crown Prince of Ming will be very happy after knowing the help of the Hines family."

At this point, Zhao Yuanhong paused for a moment and said, "I have many businesses in Annan, and the current commander-in-chief of Annan is my best friend."

"I won't make it difficult for your family. I will write a letter and hope your family can help me bring it to Annan. I need to sell all my properties in Annan and bring the wealth to Europe."

What Zhao Yuanhong said here has become very clear.

He had to borrow a large amount of gold coins and food from the Hines family to maintain the army's expenses and ensure the lives of the residents of Constantinople.

This will ensure that Constantinople is firmly under control.

After a brief silence, Sel Haynes, the patriarch of the Haynes family, said with emotion: "It is an honor for Constantinople to be valued by Mr. Zhao."

"This matter is of great importance. It is difficult for my Haines family to maintain it with all our strength, so I hope that Lord Zhao can give me a few days to let me unite with several other powerful families to support Lord Zhao together."