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

Chapter 1055 Heading East
"Your Highness didn't go out today?" Zheng Hongkui looked up at Charlie and asked with a smile.

Originally, Wang Fuzhi and Zheng Hongkui should have called Charles II "Your Majesty". Although Charles II was just a king in a hollow barrel, he was a prince who actually sat on the throne, and he was recognized as a king in all countries.

However, Charles II never wanted to let them call him "Your Majesty". He originally planned to call him Charles directly, but Wang Fuzhi thought such a title was not in line with etiquette. After removing the initial short name title, Wang Fuzhi felt it was inappropriate and later changed it to "Your Highness". This title was very appropriate for the current Charles II.

Since arriving in Poland, Charles has been busy interacting with local princes and nobles in an attempt to gain their support. Although he has traveled from Spain to France and then from France to many states in Germany in the past six months, and met many kings, grand dukes and nobles, no one is willing to help Charles. This result makes Charles frustrated, but his inner persistence makes him still unwilling to give up. Even if he keeps hitting snags, Charles still persists.

In addition to his status, Charlie also had the advantages of his personality. His cheerful and indomitable character was also the main reason for his persistence. In addition, Charlie was quite popular with women. He was handsome and eloquent, which attracted the attention of many noble women. After failing to open up the situation among the princes and nobles of various countries, Charlie took a step back and started with the women around these people, such as the mistress of a king, the daughter of a noble, or the viscountess and countess. Along the way, he had many affairs and left many romantic anecdotes.

Princess Catarina, as his wife, was helpless about her husband's behavior. If he was in the Kingdom of Portugal, Charles II could still restrain himself because of her father, but now that he had left Portugal, Charles II, who was no longer restrained, had completely let go of his long-cherished wish and tried to win over supporters in this way. Faced with such a reality, Princess Catarina could only turn a blind eye and not be bothered. After all, they were still husband and wife in name. Although Charles II betrayed her in the relationship between men and women, it was because of the throne. Princess Catarina could also understand her husband's difficulties.

Charles II shook his head slightly, a look of loss flashed across his face, but in an instant he returned to his usual cynical expression.

"I attended a ball hosted by Count Schlachta yesterday and played a little late, so I'd like to relax today." Charles II said with a smile. Zheng Hongkui didn't know how to respond and could only smile bitterly.

While they were chatting, the chef prepared the noodles. After the noodles came, Zheng Hongkui and Charles II, who had been hungry for a long time, said a few polite words, picked up their chopsticks and started eating.

Charles II did not consider himself an outsider either. He picked up the chopsticks in front of him and started eating noodles. During the six months he followed them, the already very smart Charles II had learned how to use this special oriental tableware and could use chopsticks properly.

Charles II couldn't stop praising the exquisiteness of oriental food while eating noodles. Simple flour plus special processing technology and cooking methods can make food completely different from European food. Although oriental noodles are similar to Italian noodles, the taste is very different. Add delicious mutton soup as the base soup and simple fried eggs, and you will be intoxicated by the enjoyment of food.

"Sir, you are going to Sweden in a few days, right?" After quickly finishing the noodles and even drinking up all the soup, Charles II took out a handkerchief to wipe his lips, and asked Zheng Hongkui with a smile.

"About the same. If nothing unexpected happens, we will set off next month. We have made an appointment with the Viscount, and he has returned to Sweden to wait for us. If we leave any later, it may not be appropriate." Zheng Hongkui replied casually.

"After completing the journey to Sweden, will you go directly back to the East? Or do you plan to continue traveling around Europe? And visit a few other countries along the way?" Charles II continued to ask.

"What's the matter? Your Highness, what are your plans?" Zheng Hongkui asked with a smile. After interacting with Charles II for more than half a year, he had long known that he was a restless young man. He could be said to have gone crazy because of the throne.

Although Charles II usually behaved in a cynical manner, he was very concerned about the throne of the King of England. Otherwise, he would not have been so busy all the way, following them in the name of the diplomatic corps and seeking benefits everywhere.

Although Zheng Hongkui was born a military general, don't forget that he was also a scholar with a good reputation. As the core figure of the Eighteen Zhi Pirate Group, Zheng Hongkui was no novice in politics. As the deputy envoy to Europe, he and Wang Fuzhi have been together day and night for more than a year, and they are no longer the same as they used to be. Charles II smiled and said easily: "After staying in Europe with you two gentlemen for a long time, I have developed a strong interest in the Ming Dynasty. Compared with Europe, the Ming Dynasty is the most powerful and most advanced country in the world. If conditions permit, I hope to continue traveling with you two, and even go to the distant East to see the greatness of the Ming Dynasty."

"Your Highness, are you serious?" Charles II's answer surprised Zheng Hongkui. He guessed that Charles II would continue to follow them to Sweden, and even accompany them for a while on the return journey until they completely left Europe.

But Zheng Hongkui never thought that Charles II would want to follow them back to Ming Dynasty. This really surprised him. You know, although Charles II was an exiled king, he was still the nominal King of England. In addition, Charles II had been seeking help from European countries to restore his throne and ascend the throne of the King of England. Under such circumstances, why did he suddenly give up his efforts? Instead, he wanted to go to Ming Dynasty?
"Of course it's true. As a friend, don't you want me to visit your motherland, the Ming Dynasty?" Charles II asked with a smile.

Zheng Hongkui looked at him deeply and asked directly: "Your Highness wants to visit the Ming Dynasty. I am naturally welcome to visit the Ming Dynasty. And if your Highness comes to the Ming Dynasty with your status, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty will certainly give you the highest etiquette and hospitality. But your Highness has always been seeking to return to Britain and become a real king? Europe is more than ten thousand miles away from the Ming Dynasty, and it takes several years to go back and forth. Once you go to the Ming Dynasty, the risks along the way are unpredictable, and you don’t know when you can return to Europe. Aren’t you worried about changes in the country? In the end, you will never have a chance to be the king again?"

"So what?" Charlie shook his head and said, "Your Excellency, I think you have seen all my efforts over the past six months. Although I was once the crown prince of England and the nominal king of England, my current situation in Europe is worse than that of an ordinary noble, not to mention a king. You have seen how the royal families and even the nobles of various countries treat me. In their eyes, I, a king, have no use at all, and they are even more unwilling to offend the great protector of the country by accepting me."

"Europe has no meaning to me now. It is impossible for me to return to England and take back the throne from Cromwell by relying on the power of the royal families and nobles of various countries. As for Cromwell, he will never give up his power easily and let another so-called king of England be above him, because once he does so, he will lose everything he has now. No one will make such a decision."

Looking to the side, I saw a portrait hanging on the wall. This portrait was of Jagiełło Jogaila, the monarch of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This monarch could be said to be the founding monarch of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, because after marrying a Polish princess, the two countries gradually merged and eventually formed the later Commonwealth.

Staring at the portrait intently, Charles II said leisurely, "I think there is a saying in the East that makes a lot of sense, which is that it is better to rely on oneself than on others. In the past, I always relied on the support of the royal families and nobles of European countries, but now I understand thoroughly that external support and strength are not my own. If I want to change all this, I can only rely on myself. Only when I become strong can I fulfill my long-cherished wish."

"Although God closed a door for me, making me drift overseas and become an exiled monarch, God is merciful and has also opened a window for me. The appearance of you and your companions has made me gradually understand this truth, and you have also made me feel the strength of the Ming Empire and its national system that is different from those of European countries."

"These days, I have been reflecting on my past actions and thinking about what path I should take in the future. I have to admit that your presence has given me another possibility. If I continue to stay in Europe, I will never achieve anything. Even if I gain the support of some people, their purpose is just to watch me use them in the name of the King of England."

"More importantly, Cromwell is in his prime and in good health. He can still control the British government as Lord Protector for at least a few more years. Even if he is old and weak and faces the call of God, based on my understanding of him, he will not easily hand over power to me, let alone welcome me back to England to be the king."

"Since I have no way out in Europe, why don't I go to the East? Maybe I can find the answer I want in the East. If so, I will seek the possibility of returning to Britain when I return to Europe. If I can really take back the throne, it will be of great benefit to the Ming Dynasty to have the friendship of a future true British king. Your Excellency, what do you think?"

Charles II's words surprised Zheng Hongkui and made him think deeply. Regardless of the other party's real purpose, what he said did make some sense. Charles II was in an awkward situation in Europe. Cromwell would not let him return to England, and the royal families and nobles of various countries would not risk offending England to help the exiled king.

But this was not bad for the Ming Dynasty. After all, Charles II was still a king. There is a Chinese saying that helping someone in need is better than adding icing on the cake. In addition, there was Lu Buwei's "rare goods are valuable" during the Warring States Period. If the Ming Dynasty extended a helping hand at this time, what if he could really return to England to become a real king in the future? Wouldn't that mean that the Ming Dynasty had a new ally in Europe besides Poland and Sweden?
Moreover, as a newly emerging power in Europe, Britain is small but strong, which Zheng Hongkui, who has been in Europe for more than half a year, naturally knows very well. From this point of view, agreeing to Charles II's request is not without disadvantages but benefits. However, Zheng Hongkui is only a deputy envoy, and the real mastermind is Wang Fuzhi. He cannot make the decision on such a big matter, and must discuss with Wang Fuzhi before making a decision.

(End of this chapter)