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

Chapter 963 Complex Europa
Zhu Shenzui immediately stunned Adolf with his fluent French, and he felt somewhat pleased with himself when he saw Adolf's reaction.

Speaking of French, Zhu Shenzhui learned it in his previous life. At that time, Zhu Shenzhui specially chose this language as an elective course in college. You should know that although English is more popular in later generations and there are not many people in China who know French, French is an internationally accepted language and is also a language frequently used by the upper class. The beauty of French is incomparable to English. Zhu Shenzhui, who was young and a bit literary at that time, learned it for the convenience of pretending to be cool (picking up girls).

These were all things of the past. Zhu Shenzui had never thought that he would need to speak French one day. Adolf's arrival gave him a rare opportunity to act big in front of the other party. Moreover, he asked someone to bring Adolf here to wait, with the purpose of communicating with Adolf in private, because many things could not be discussed openly in occasions like court meetings.

As a nobleman, Adolf was of course fluent in French. Today, English does not have as much influence as it did in later generations. You must know that the widespread use of English around the world came with the expansion of the British Empire. It was not until after World War II that it became the world language due to the rise of the United States. The so-called British Empire has not yet appeared. In Europe, including the entire Western world, the noble and elegant French is the real language used among aristocrats.

After sitting down, seeing that Adolf was still in a daze, Zhu Shenzhui reminded him with a smile.

Adolf came to his senses and apologized to Zhu Shenzhui quickly. Zhu Shenzhui waved his hand and said it was okay. He kindly invited Adolf to taste the newly delivered cakes and tea. Looking at these things, Adolf's face turned slightly red, remembering that he had eaten all the cakes when no one was around.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Adolf calmed himself down, but did not reach out to take the pastries, nor did he even touch the tea beside him. He placed his hands on his knees, looking restrained.

Seeing this, Zhu Shencui did not force him, and started a conversation with Adolf in a friendly manner, starting with asking Adolf how long it took them to come to Ming from Europe, what they encountered on the way, and whether they were used to the life and diet in Ming. As these topics unfolded, he asked about his age, and gradually asked about his family and family members, etc.

Zhu Shenzhui did not put on the condescending airs of an emperor, but was gentle and concerned, which gradually relaxed Adolf's original restraint. As they exchanged ideas, Adolf slowly calmed down and answered each question one by one with the proper manner and etiquette of a noble. At the same time, he also had a great liking for the most noble and powerful monarch in the world.

Through these conversations with Adolf, Zhu Shenzui finally figured out some of his previous doubts. You know, he had been wondering why Adolf, as a Swedish nobleman, had to shoulder the responsibilities and obligations of an envoy of two countries?

Moreover, he originally asked Johann Adam Schall von Bell to write a letter to Europe with the sole purpose of contacting the Kingdom of Poland, because he learned from Johann Adam Schall von Bell that the Kingdom of Poland bordered Tsarist Russia, the relationship between the two sides was not good, and wars often broke out.

Due to the current outward expansion of Tsarist Russia, coupled with the outbreak of the previous war of invasion by Mongolia in the north, Zhu Shencui is extremely vigilant about the new evil neighbor in the north. However, he is currently unable to deal with this matter because the war in Liaodong has not yet ended. After experiencing internal and external troubles and natural disasters, the entire Ming Dynasty is facing many problems. Zhu Shencui not only has to guard against the Jiannu in Liaodong, but also has to restore domestic production and people's livelihood. In addition, various problems accumulated in the Ming Dynasty over hundreds of years must be changed one by one. These are not things that can be accomplished in a short period of time. Before these problems are completely resolved, the Ming Dynasty is not sure about doing anything else.

This is also the main reason why Zhu Shenzhu wanted to find allies in Europe and unite with Western countries to guard against Tsarist Russia in two directions. In addition, strengthening ties with Europe, actively opening the country's doors through this diplomatic contact, and conducting exchanges between the East and the West will also be of great benefit to the future development of the Ming Dynasty, including the advancement of science and technology.

But unexpectedly, Europe did send an envoy, but this envoy was not only from the Kingdom of Poland, but also from the Kingdom of Sweden. This made Zhu Shenzhui pleasantly surprised and shocked. He didn't know much about the situation in Europe, and even Johann Adam Schall von Bell could only give a general idea.

After all, on the one hand, it had been many years since Tang Ruowang left Europe and came to the Ming Dynasty. He was not very clear about the current situation in Europe after such a long time. On the other hand, Tang Ruowang was just a missionary, who was more familiar with the Holy See, but was not good at the politics of various countries.

On the other hand, Adolf was completely different. As an orthodox noble from the side branch of the Swedish royal family, Adolf's understanding of politics and the situation of various countries was far beyond that of Tang Ruowang. Moreover, many of the issues to be discussed with Adolf today involved many political, military, and cultural issues in Ming Dynasty and Europe, so Zhu Shenzhu specially arranged this private meeting, and even did not use an interpreter.

Through Adolf's explanation, Zhu Shenzhu gradually understood the complicated relationships in Europe and why he served as an envoy between the two countries. It turned out that Adolf's Oxenstierna family was a member of the Swedish royal family, and the Swedish royal family and the Polish royal family actually belonged to the same big family, so the King of Sweden and the King of Poland were actually real relatives.

In addition, the current Swedish Prime Minister Count Axel Oxenstierna is actually the regent of the Kingdom of Sweden. Since the former King Gustav II was killed in the Battle of Lützen during the Thirty Years' War in Europe, the then 6-year-old Princess Christina inherited the throne as the presumptive heir, and Count Axel Oxenstierna ruled the Kingdom of Sweden as regent until the Queen came of age.

After the Queen came of age, she took over the government, but Count Axel Oxenstierna still assisted the Queen in governing the country as Prime Minister. In Poland, because of the parliament, Poland's political system was different from Sweden. Although Władysław IV took the throne of Poland, he did not have complete control over the Kingdom of Poland. In addition, he also had the right of succession and bloodline of the Swedish royal family, so he always lived in Sweden instead of Warsaw, Poland.

In addition, Władysław IV held a series of titles, including: King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Livonia, hereditary king of the Swedes, Goths and Vandals, and elected Grand Duke of Moscow.

Most of these complex titles come from his bloodline and inheritance. This situation is common in Europe. The current situation of European countries is somewhat similar to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period in Chinese history. There are many countries throughout Europe, large and small, even principalities, marquisates, and fiefdoms of nobles. Moreover, due to historical reasons, many families have intermarriages. In addition, the special circumstances and inheritance systems of European countries are slightly different from those of China, which has created this complex political structure and intricate connections.

Although Adolf tried hard to explain these to Zhu Shenzhu, Zhu Shenzhu was overwhelmed after hearing the end. Just the dozens of families, hundreds of members, and the complicated relationships within the royal families of Sweden and Poland were hard to understand.

Moreover, as a foreigner, Zhu Shenzhui could not understand the intricate connections between this family and that family and the royal family. In a word, as long as both parties are related, whether it is the continuation of the paternal or maternal bloodline, they have certain inheritance rights. In addition, many royal families have their bloodlines cut off when they are passed down, and the selection of suitable people from among those who have the inheritance rights makes the matter more complicated in the long run.

To sort out these relationships, it is impossible to rely solely on Adolf's explanation. It is necessary to make a complete table of the bloodline genealogies of the royal families and nobles that are related to each other in Europe, and then use this table to analyze and judge intuitively. Then this also involves religious and traditional factors, plus many historical issues, etc. Even many Europeans find it difficult to understand these, let alone Zhu Shenzhui?

But anyway, through Adolf's explanation, Zhu Shenzhu barely understood the current relationship between the two kingdoms of Sweden and Poland, and also understood why Adolf became the diplomatic envoy of the two kings. In addition, after learning about the current situation in Poland, Zhu Shenzhu's previous expectations for Poland have slightly decreased, because in Adolf's explanation, the current situation in Poland is not very good. Due to the changes in the national constitution, the power in the hands of the king has been greatly weakened, and coupled with the continuous outbreak of contradictions in the serf system in Poland, Poland's national strength has obviously been on the decline.

Given the current state of Poland, Władysław IV was having a hard time, and Tsarist Russia was eyeing Poland's land, which made Władysław IV very worried. This is why Władysław IV agreed without hesitation after receiving the news that the Eastern Ming Empire intended to establish diplomatic relations with Poland and jointly counter Tsarist Russia, and tried his best to bring the Swedish royal family to do this together.

Compared with the Ming Dynasty, Poland currently needs a more reliable external ally. As a great empire in the East, the Ming Dynasty is the most powerful country in the world at this time, equivalent to the United States' position in the world after World War II. Such a country not only has no conflict of interest with the Kingdom of Poland, but there are many benefits to cooperation between the two sides.

Władysław IV was a clear-headed monarch, and in recent years he had been trying hard to regain the real power as the King of Poland from the parliament. If he could take this opportunity to gain the friendship and help of the Ming Dynasty, it would be a good thing for him both politically and in other aspects.

The same is true for Sweden. Although the situation of the Swedish royal family is much better than that of the Kingdom of Poland, Sweden also faces the threat of foreign enemies. Especially after the death of the former King Gustav II on the battlefield, Sweden was seriously injured, while Tsarist Russia in the east has been aggressive and constantly launched wars to the west, threatening Sweden's survival.

In addition to the special circumstances of the Swedish and Polish royal families, after learning of the wishes of the Ming Empire, Count Axel Oxenstierna, as Prime Minister, saw an opportunity. He not only persuaded Her Majesty the Queen, but also selected Adolf from his family as an envoy to the Ming Dynasty. This was the real reason why Adolf came to the Ming Dynasty as an envoy of the two countries.

(End of this chapter)