At the same time, Johnson, who was rushing back as quickly as possible, met the Portuguese King Joao IV and was reporting on the situation in the Far East.

The prosperity of the Eastern Empire is a long-standing impression that Europeans have. Many Western colonists left Europe's original intention, but actually wanted to explore a great Eastern power that was very rich in legend.

Joao IV did not expect that the military power of this empire was so powerful that it could defeat the Dutch in a destructive way.

For the Eastern Emperor ** team equipped with flintlock rifles on a large scale, with longer range and higher accuracy artillery, as well as warships that can emit smoke, and can not be affected by wind, he certainly knew what such force meant. Not to mention, there were so many troops in the Ming Dynasty!

Listening to Johnson's story about the wealth, power, etc. of the Eastern Empire, Joao IV did not speak, and was basically shocked throughout the whole process.

At the end, Johnson was a little worried, but more of an expectation, saying to Joao IV: "Your Highness, if we Portugal can be recognized by the Ming Empire, we will definitely become the most powerful country in Europe from now on!"

The six words "The No. 1 Powerful Country in Europe" immediately brought back Joao IV to his senses.

Because these words are really too sensitive to him!

This is not to say that he has this ambition, but because of Portugal's weakness, he felt a deep sense of humiliation.

Although the title of "Restoring the Country" sounds very nice, he knows the bitterness and pressure in it most clearly.

At the end of the 13th year of Chongzhen, Portugal was independent from Spain. It was a pity that Spain was in the most critical stage of the Thirty Years' War and had not been able to send troops to suppress Portugal's rebellion. At most, some border conflicts occurred, and there were no major wars as a whole.

However, this does not mean that Spain will not send troops to attack Portugal. For this reason, after declaring independence, Portugal immediately sought foreign aid.

Originally, Joao IV thought very well. Wasn’t Spain fighting with France and other countries? The enemy is an ally. As long as you form an alliance with the enemy of Spain, Portugal will be safe.

Unexpectedly, first of all, in religion, the leader did not oppose Spanish independence but did not recognize it.

Therefore, Portugal proposed to France to formally establish a multinational alliance against Spain; in fact, this alliance already exists, but the French ignored Portugal at all.

Even if Portugal later proposed a formal alliance, that is, Spain reconciled differently in Portugal, France also reconciled differently in Spain; but France still avoided mentioning this.

At the end of the Thirty Years' War, as a hostile country to Spain, Portugal demanded a seat in the final peace talks so that Spain would recognize its independence so that it would not continue to fight in the future; however, France did not accept Portugal.

Even Portugal's envoy in Paris sent some unconfirmed news that the French intended to use Portugal as a bargaining chip in the final negotiation agreement with Spain.

After hearing this news, Joao IV felt very powerless, helpless and humiliated. As a weak country and a small country, his feelings were never deeper than before.

Britain was originally a traditional ally of Portugal, but now Britain is in a civil war and the royalists are defeated, which makes Joao IV afraid to make his position, for fear of offending the final winner.

As a result, the Royalist Party ran to Lisbon under the pretext of previous relationships and used Lisbon as a fleet base to attack Cromwell's fleet. Now, Joao IV has been worried about being retaliated by Cromwell.

If history develops, Cromwell will indeed retaliate and send a fleet to block the Port of Lisbon, cut off the maritime access to Brazil, and force Joao IV to sign an unequal treaty.

In desperation, Joao IV even raised his eyebrows to the Dutch, wanting to unite the Dutch against the Spanish. But the Dutch replied that it is possible to unite here in Europe, but overseas, if you should steal your colony, you should steal your colony. There is no other reason, there is a bargain to take!

Basically, it can be said that Joao IV asked for help everywhere but encountered a wall everywhere. In order to prevent the Spanish from revenge, he increased his income and taxes to the whole country; the tax he received was used to form a standing border guard, build fortresses on the border, rebuild navy, build a number of arsenals and shipyards, etc.

Although at the moment, the Portuguese people did not complain about this because they also hated the Spanish. If they continued for a long time, the lives of the people were always poor, or worse than those of the Spanish rule, they would definitely be dissatisfied, and they might be rebellious for Joao's fourth lifetime.

Now, just when Joao IV of his life was in a state of internal and external difficulties, he heard the news brought by Johnson.

What surprised Johnson was that after hearing this, Joao IV did not hesitate at all and immediately replied: "Okay, let's recognize the Ming Empire as the sect leader and ask them to send troops as soon as possible!"

"..." Johnson was stunned when he heard this. The thing he was most worried about didn't happen at all. So much so that many of the words he had thought about along the way were useless.

Seeing him like this, Joao IV explained to him, and perhaps convinced himself: "The Ming Empire allowed us Portuguese to trade, so the orphans would no longer have to collect taxes on their orphans' people. All nobles would also welcome this. If you have money to make money together, the whole country would be happy..."

"I'm happy too!" Johnson immediately added in his heart.

"The Ming Empire is willing to sell us their military and national weapons. Then we can guarantee that we will not only be local, but also overseas territories and will no longer be robbed by those robbers. Those overseas will also support us!"

When Johnson heard this, he nodded immediately, yes, that's it!

"So what if Rome doesn't recognize us Portugal, then he is alone in the imperial emperor's enthronement?" Joao IV said this, and said with a little hatred, "Living is more important than anything else. With the Ming army helping us Portugal, who dares to use Portugal as a bargaining chip to negotiate with Spain!"

Speaking of this, he looked at Johnson and said in a slightly sharp tone: "The Ming army is strong. Even if we don't agree, they want to garrison troops in our territory, which is different? Even if they are unhappy, they can directly occupy it. However, they are called vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, so they are embarrassed to rob our territory. If that is the case, isn't it better to garrison them?"

The European thinking is just this kind of thinking. When Johnson heard this, he nodded and echoed: "Your Highness is wise!"

"Now our Portugal is still useful, and the Emperor of the Ming Empire will give us this opportunity." Joao IV's heart was clear, "If they found a European country that could replace us Portugal, or simply changed their ideas, then we Portugal would not be able to gain the benefits of becoming a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty! Instead of waiting for a decisive battle with the Spaniards or even being reoccupied by the Spaniards, it would be better to recognize this sect leader!"

"Your Highness is wise!" Johnson immediately praised faithfully when he heard this. The actual interests were in front of him, and this is the most realistic!

Seeing that the Spaniards were about to escape from the Thirty Years' War, Joao IV did not waste any time at all, he quickly made a decision to send his eldest son, thirteen-year-old Theodosio, on behalf of him, and Johnson as his deputy, to quickly go on a mission to the Far East.

If it is true as agreed before, then sign the contract immediately and recognize the Ming Dynasty as the sect leader.

……………………

In the East, after the New Year, it was the twenty years of Chongzhen.

The Spring Festival Gala was also organized for three sessions. Those who watched it all the time felt a little aesthetically exhausted and felt that it was just that.

However, those who have just returned to the capital to watch the live Spring Festival Gala, like Prince Zhu Cixuan and Sun Yingyuan, the general of Yongwei Battalion, feel different, especially when they are excited about the prosperous atmosphere expressed by this Spring Festival Gala, and naturally they think it is very good.

Discussions on the Spring Festival Gala are naturally a must-have topic in the past few days after the New Year, at least in previous years.

But this year is completely different, because everyone knows that Princess Kunxing will marry Duke Xingguo after the New Year!

This is the first major event in the Ming Dynasty!

Five years ago, Duke Xingguo suddenly appeared in the air.

From then on, the situation in the Ming Dynasty immediately changed. From the years of war and natural disasters before, it gradually changed to the current prosperity of the country and the prosperity of Chongzhen!

From then on, when I was not covered in my body and couldn’t eat enough to fill my stomach, the worst thing is that food and clothing are absolutely fine, and life is getting better and better!

Salt, one of the essential items in daily life, is less than one-third of the price in those years and months. Moreover, the quality of salt is getting better and better. Even if you are poor, you will dislike the pieces of salt that are not only salty but also bitter, and at most they are used to pickle food.

The price of grain is always relatively stable because of the supplements of potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Food, clothing, housing and transportation are the most basic needs of everyone. In addition to eating, clothes are because of the spinning machines and shuttles invented by the Duke. Now they are cheaper and better every year. Those who only had new clothes in three years, but now they will definitely have new clothes to wear every year. If you are poorer, as long as you save food and use it simply, at least by the Chinese New Year, you will always have a new clothes.
Chapter completed!