The Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was extremely rebellious

Chapter 699 Land cession and compensation
European colonial plunderers had another habit: if they couldn't win a fight, they would ask for peace talks.

The Ming Dynasty originally did not have this habit. The Ming Dynasty's habit when dealing with enemies was to fight to the bitter end, until the enemy was completely annihilated or submitted to the Ming Dynasty and paid tribute.

This is a good habit.

However, Wanli still decided to talk to the Netherlands, Britain, and France.

Because he did not want to waste manpower and resources to fight in Europe, nor did he want these colonial bandits to become vassal states of the Ming Dynasty.

Now that the Ming Dynasty has won, it doesn't want the colonial powers to become vassals and pay tribute. Under these circumstances, it's natural to take the opportunity to gain some benefits and squeeze these colonial powers dry, so that they can't even get up.

To prevent these guys from coveting the advanced technology of the Ming Dynasty, he even moved them to the camp on the shore.

Next, he began to think about how to show these colonial bandits the power and strength of the Ming Dynasty.

This seems somewhat contradictory. He didn't want the colonial bandits to covet the advanced technology of the Ming Dynasty, so how could he let these guys witness the strength of the Ming Dynasty?
In fact, being powerful doesn't necessarily mean showing off advanced technology. Many things can demonstrate the strength of the Ming Dynasty, such as its frighteningly large army and navy, its breathtaking architecture, and even its food, clothing, and daily necessities.

He specifically ordered De Shera to send his subordinates, who had hired soldiers from vassal states, to take over all the recaptured colonies. Then he had the navy bring all the Beijing garrison soldiers back to Pernambuco and set up a joint camp covering a radius of hundreds of miles near the port.

At the same time, he ordered people to arrange the middle of the camp, and used steel specially used for building port docks to erect a frame that was dozens of feet in diameter and two feet high.

The steel frame was covered with a waterproof tent-like tarpaulin to create a palace-like roof, and the inside was decorated with various silks.

Below, a platform half a person's height was built using thick wooden planks, and on the platform, several large tables were pieced together to form an enormous negotiation table that was over ten zhang long and wide.

He also mobilized thousands of naval ships, including the Weiyuan warship, the Flying Dragon ship, the Flying Shuttle ship, and the Centipede ship—at least a thousand of them.

He had prepared everything and waited several more days before the Dutch and British/French negotiators finally arrived by ship.

Although these guys' warships were almost wiped out, they still had quite a few merchant ships. This time, the Netherlands, Britain, and France even mobilized hundreds of merchant ships to form a huge fleet.

Perhaps these guys also want to show off their strength.

However, they chose the wrong target.

Emperor Wanli directly ordered his naval fleet to form two square formations spanning hundreds of miles outside the port of Pernambuco!
This guy really gave those European colonial bandits a big fright.

The news they received indicated that the Ming Dynasty's navy had almost been wiped out, and it seemed that only about two hundred warships remained.

Who knew that the Ming Empire dispatched more than two thousand ships.

After their fleet entered the middle of the two formations, it took them more than two hours to finally see the port at the end of the ships!

To prevent these guys from resorting to desperate measures, Emperor Wanli specifically ordered hundreds of centipede-shaped ships to block off the area within five miles of the port and docks.

Dutch and British/French negotiators who wanted to go ashore for negotiations had to transfer to their centipede ships to reach the dock, and were not allowed to bring weapons or guards.

The three negotiating envoys originally thought that the Ming Empire had already given them a good beating at sea.

Who knew that what happened after we got to the dock was truly terrifying.

The dock was surrounded by Ming army camps, so densely packed that there was no end in sight.

Emperor Wanli even ordered three open carriages to be prepared for them, so that they could ride in the carriages and see the strength of the Ming army.

This place is full of armored chariots and artillery pieces lined up along the way. Although the cannons are covered with tarpaulins and only the muzzle is visible, the dark metallic texture is definitely not fake.

The strength of the Ming Empire's army was beyond their comprehension. It took them more than an hour to travel by carriage to reach the huge canopy in the middle of the camp!
How many troops, armored vehicles, and artillery pieces are there?
They had originally arrived at the waters near Pernambuco around noon, but it took them more than four hours to get through the array of the Ming Dynasty's army and navy!
The sun is almost setting now.

The power of the Ming Empire has far exceeded their expectations; how can they possibly continue negotiations?
The three of them walked heavily up to the high platform under the large canopy.

When they climbed onto the platform and saw what was happening, their hearts sank even further.

Opposite that negotiating table, which was several tens of meters long, sat two rows of Ming army generals in full armor.

How many generals did the Ming Dynasty actually have?
When they sat down at the negotiating table under the guidance of the Imperial Guards, they didn't know how to start a conversation.

Seeing this, Wanli said decisively, "De Shera, let them introduce themselves."

De Shera was incredibly pleased with himself; he had not only become the de facto governor of Brazil but had also taken over the Gold Coast.

He is now the most powerful man in all of Portugal.

He couldn't help but say smugly, "His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire asks you to introduce yourselves."

This guy is speaking Spanish.

Actually, he has no problem speaking Portuguese. European nobles may not be good at much else, but they are particularly good at languages. This is because most royal families and nobles in different countries are related by blood, and they need to learn several languages ​​if they want to marry or inherit land.

This time, three genuine European nobles arrived, and they introduced themselves in turn:
"Prince Maurice of Nassau, Commander-in-Chief of the Dutch Army and Navy."

George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, First Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacramento

"Maximilian de Bettina, Duke of Sully, First Minister of France"—what a strange name.

Emperor Wanli frowned slightly, then asked, "Ask them if they can make decisions on behalf of their respective kings?"

This seems to be fine, right?

Descartes thought for a moment, then introduced them in detail: "Your Majesty, these three are all famous nobles in Europe."

The Prince of Nassau, Maurice, was the second son of the King of Holland; the Duke of Buckingham was a favorite of the King of England; and the Duke of Sully was a favorite of the King of France. They should be able to represent their respective kings.

You have no idea what I want to talk to them about.

Wanli shook his head slightly and said, "You should ask them first, otherwise it will be a waste of time to talk to them."

Upon hearing this, Deshera could only ask, "His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Empire asks if you can act on behalf of your respective kings?"

Sure enough, the three of them nodded slightly upon hearing this.

Wanli nodded slightly, then asked, "Speak, what do you want to talk about?"

This is actually a negotiation strategy—to get the other party to state their intentions first.

The three people opposite seemed to have no experience with negotiation strategies.

They exchanged glances, and then Prince Maurice of Nassau began to chatter on: “We three kingdoms did not attack the Ming Empire, so why did the Ming Empire attack our colonies?”

Have our more than 200,000 naval troops and thousands of ships been seized by your Great Ming Empire? We beg Your Majesty to return them to us.

These colonial robbers just love to daydream.

Can I return the prisoners to you?

Emperor Wanli said solemnly, "The Governor-General of Brazil, De Shera, is a count personally appointed by me. His territory has been invaded by you, so naturally I will help him take it back."

Your invasion of the territories of the Ming Dynasty's nobles is the same as attacking the Ming Dynasty itself. I will not release prisoners, and you will have to make corresponding compensation.

Oh dear, the nobles of the Ming Dynasty had such prestige.

Desila couldn't help but boast about it with pride.

This guy was actually a nobleman personally appointed by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty!
Upon hearing this, Prince Maurice of Nassau couldn't help but frown slightly.

What to do now?
The emperor of the Ming Dynasty not only refused to release the people and ships, but also demanded compensation from them!
He frowned and pondered for a while, then whispered to the two people next to him to discuss it.

The three of them discussed it for a while and actually came up with a solution.

Prince Maurice of Nassau solemnly declared, “Your Majesty, Brazil is a Portuguese colony, not a colony of the Ming Empire.”

We have no intention of offending the Ming Empire, and reparations are unlikely. However, we can pay a ransom to buy back our men and ships.

You want to redeem your men and ships and continue to serve me, right?

These colonial robbers really love to daydream.

Upon hearing this, Wanli shook his head without hesitation and said, "The ransom is another matter; let's talk about compensation first."

Why is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty so difficult to deal with?

Prince Maurice of Nassau, left with no other option, consulted with the two men beside him for a while before asking, "Your Majesty, what compensation do you require?"

That would naturally mean ceding territory and paying reparations.

I don't want the land.

You don't have many colonies overseas, and I'm too lazy to send people everywhere to guard them.

I want money.

Emperor Wanli said in a serious tone: "You must compensate De Shera with all your overseas colonies. In addition, you must compensate me for the expenses incurred by me in sending troops this time."

Oh dear, I can get even more colonies?
Upon hearing this, Descartes couldn't help but repeat it with a touch of pride.

The three people opposite were so angry that they gritted their teeth.

If it weren't for the immensely powerful naval and land forces of the Ming Dynasty standing there, they would have been furious.

That's too much.

(End of this chapter)