Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 1003 Persuasion
John IV was a qualified monarch. Naturally, he considered issues from the perspective of Portugal's interests. Although his plans were somewhat suspected of taking advantage of the Ming Dynasty, for him as the King of Portugal, they were for the country.

Moreover, from the facts, the Ming Dynasty has been revived. Once the war in Liaodong is resolved, the biggest hidden danger will be completely eliminated. According to the development of the Ming Dynasty, the loss of Luzon is indeed a slap in the face of the Ming Dynasty. As a vassal state protected by the Ming Dynasty, it was occupied by Spain, and even the royal family was massacred by the Spaniards. How could the Ming Dynasty tolerate this?

The Ming Dynasty was unable to take care of other things before because of internal and external troubles. When internal and external troubles no longer exist, the problem of Luzon has come to be solved. Moreover, Wang Fuzhi knew that Emperor Zhu Shenzhui was not a mediocre person. He was a strong emperor like the founding emperor Hongwu and Yongle. Apart from other things, just from sending him and Zheng Hongkui to Europe this time, it can be seen that Zhu Shenzhui has begun to shift his focus from the Ming Dynasty to the world and started to make plans for the future.

In the future, the Ming Dynasty will inevitably expand outward, and in the case of outward expansion, the competition for the ocean is the top priority. This is what Zhu Shenzhui specifically told Wang Fuzhi and his team before they went on the mission. This mission not only shoulders the diplomatic mission, but also the planning of alliances with European countries. In addition, they must obtain advanced shipbuilding technology from Europe, including shipbuilding personnel, etc. Under this circumstance, the problem of Luzon will have to be solved sooner or later.

So after John IV tentatively expressed his plan and expressed his desire as the King of Portugal to establish diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty, Wang Fuzhi also understood John IV's true intentions.

Although he knew that what John IV really wanted was not just what he said, but also some other unknown calculations, but as a qualified diplomat, Wang Fuzhi did not care about these. Although the term "diplomacy" was a new term in the Ming Dynasty, the so-called diplomacy in Chinese history was actually another way of saying "diplomacy".

The Chinese had strategists in ancient times. These strategists are synonymous with diplomats today. The Chinese are no newcomers in this skill and are even more skilled than those in Europe.

"Since Your Majesty hopes to establish diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty, as an envoy of the Ming Dynasty, I will naturally not refuse. Moreover, our two countries have had exchanges for a long time. If it were not for the special circumstances back then, I am afraid we should have established official diplomatic relations long ago." Wang Fuzhi said to John IV with a smile.

"So you agree?" John IV asked in surprise.

"Of course, why not?" Wang Fuzhi said, "My Ming Dynasty delegation was able to come to Europe smoothly, thanks to your country's assistance. If it weren't for your fleet, it would not have been so easy to meet your Majesty. In addition, before I went as an envoy, our Emperor told me that I should visit you after arriving in Europe and thank you for your previous help. And the suggestion you put forward today, in my opinion, is also what our Emperor expects. Personally, I am very happy to see the establishment of diplomatic relations and cooperation between our two countries. Of course, the formal establishment of diplomatic relations still needs the approval of our Emperor, but I don't think it's a big problem. If your Majesty agrees, you can first submit a letter of credence to my Ming Dynasty court in the name of the Kingdom of Portugal, and then send a formal envoy, just like Viscount Adolf's envoy to the Ming Dynasty. After our Emperor approves and accepts your king, our two countries can formally establish diplomatic relations."

"Great!" John IV smiled widely, feeling overjoyed. He had originally thought that convincing Wang Fuzhi would be a difficult process, but he had never thought it would be so easy. He was even more impressed by Wang Fuzhi's straightforwardness.

Immediately, John IV said that there was no problem at all. He would write a letter as soon as possible and then select a suitable noble to visit the emperor of Ming Dynasty to seek the other party's approval and establish normal diplomatic relations.

Wang Fuzhi smiled and nodded, saying that he could write a letter and let John IV's envoy take it to Ming Dynasty together with the letter of credence. With his own letter, Ming Dynasty would be much smoother. Logically, he should take the other party's envoy with him when he returns to his country, but he has just arrived in Europe and has a long journey ahead, especially to Sweden and Poland, and the final return date is still uncertain. Since Portugal already controls the East-West route, Portugal has the ability to go directly to Ming Dynasty. John IV can make arrangements on his own, and there is no need to wait until he completes his trip before setting off together.

Of course, if John IV felt that it would be more appropriate for the envoy to go with him, Wang Fuzhi would not force it, but it was hard to say when this would take, perhaps half a year, perhaps a year or even longer. After all, he would have to wait until his mission to Europe was completed before he could return.

John IV smiled and nodded, saying that there was no need to go together, he would just send an envoy to Ming Dynasty first. He would trouble Wang Fuzhi to write a letter to take with him, and sincerely thanked Wang Fuzhi for his help.

Waving his hands, Wang Fuzhi said that these were all trivial matters and it was what he should do. This nonchalant attitude made John IV even more grateful.

"Have you arranged your next trip? When do you plan to leave?" John IV asked with concern.

"That's it. I plan to rest in Lisbon for a few more days, and will leave Lisbon for the next trip at the beginning of next month at the latest. Of course, I will complete the letter I promised Your Majesty just now as soon as possible, and have someone deliver it to Your Majesty when the time comes."

"Thank you very much. I hope you can stay in Lisbon for a few more days. Communicating with you makes me happy. I feel the profound knowledge and tolerance of oriental nobles and scholars in you, which is not available in Europe. I have benefited a lot." "However, as a king, I can understand your mission and it is inconvenient to force you to stay and delay your trip. But I hope that when you set out on your return journey, you must come to visit me in Lisbon again. You and your delegation are honored guests of me and the Kingdom of Portugal. The gate of Sintra Palace is open to you at any time to welcome your arrival."

The sincere words of King John IV moved Wang Fuzhi, who sincerely expressed his gratitude to King John IV and made a promise.

Then, John IV said, "As for your subsequent itinerary, I have a small suggestion. Is it appropriate?"

"Your Majesty, please feel free to say whatever you want to say. There's no need to be so polite."

"In that case, I'll be presumptuous," John IV said, "According to what I know, you and your delegation intend to go east from Lisbon, then enter Spain, then directly enter France from Spain, then cross the heart of Europe to Poland, and then go to Sweden from Poland, is that right?"

"What? Is there anything wrong with this?" Wang Fuzhi asked curiously. This route was discussed before they arrived in Lisbon. According to this route, they would pass through several important European countries directly, such as Spain, France, Germany and even Austria, and then enter Poland. After arriving in Poland, they would first complete the diplomatic mission with Poland, and then head north to Sweden.

In this way, not only can he come into contact with many European countries along the way, but he can also better understand the situation of Europe as a whole along the way. This is also one of Wang Fuzhi's missions to Europe.

John IV shook his head slightly and said solemnly, "The route you chose would have been a good one in the past, but it is not suitable for you now. The war between European countries has lasted for more than 20 years. This war has involved almost all European countries. No one can predict how long this war will last and when it will end."

"Moreover, the outbreak of this war was mainly due to Protestantism and Catholicism. The countries in Europe have different beliefs. The Catholic League, which is mainly composed of the Habsburg Dynasty, the Vatican, and the German Catholic member states, and the Protestant League are incompatible. They went to war with each other and refused to give in to each other."

"In this sense, it was a religious war, and it was far more brutal than you could imagine. For that reason, it's too risky to travel this route through Europe."

"Of course, as an envoy of the Ming Empire, I believe that the European countries will not regard you and your delegation as enemies, but anything can happen in a war. Sometimes many accidents are beyond human control. Once you encounter some problems during the journey, it will not be a good thing for you and your members."

"For your safety, I suggest that you and your delegation take a ship directly from Lisbon to Northern Europe and arrive at Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, to complete your diplomatic mission in Europe. This will not only be more convenient, but also safer. As for the ship, you don't have to worry. As a friend of the Ming Dynasty and the King of the Kingdom of Portugal, I can make arrangements for your delegation. I hope you can accept this kindness."

"This..." Wang Fuzhi hesitated after listening to John IV's story. The itinerary had been arranged and was already in preparation. It would not be easy to adjust the itinerary now. And from John IV's suggestion, it would be more convenient and safer to go directly to Sweden by ship, but in this way, his mission would only be limited to Portugal, Sweden and Poland. In the plan, he intended to travel directly through European countries, taking the opportunity of the trip to get in touch with various countries and understand Europe.

But what John IV said was not wrong. The war in Europe has not ended yet. It has been going on for more than 20 years. No one knows when it will end given the intensity of the war. Moreover, the cause of this war is religious, a dispute between Catholics and Protestants, and it is also mixed with the interests of many other countries. If something unexpected happens during the trip as planned, it will be a real hassle.

Wang Fuzhi hesitated for a moment and couldn't help but ponder. He didn't know which choice was better, and as he remained silent, John IV didn't persuade him much, but sat aside quietly waiting for his decision. No matter what, he had fulfilled his obligation to remind him, and as for the final decision, it was up to Wang Fuzhi to make it himself.

(End of this chapter)