After Zhu Youjian finished speaking, a group of people were thinking.

After a while, Li Yizao said: "Spain seems powerful, but in fact it is also in turmoil. It has made enemies everywhere, wars continue, and its national strength is becoming increasingly empty. Its territory is vast. I don't know how many people will die every year and how much money and grain will be used. The officials heard that the Spanish treasury is empty..."

Obai said: "Although the Netherlands is known as a coalition of many provinces, it is actually not large in territory and not many people, Spain is unable to suppress it and let it become bigger. It can be seen that Spain is a strong outside and a middle-level man. The name of Europe's largest country is not in line with it. If we allied with them, it will definitely not be worth the loss."

Several people said and said something, and they were all opposed to forming an offensive and defensive alliance with Spain, believing that this matter was harmful and no benefit.

After listening to it, Zhu Youjian's expression became more firm and said, "I have not threatened around the Ming Dynasty, so Spain cannot help. Similarly, if something happens to Spain, I will be beyond my reach. This offensive and defensive alliance is mostly conspiracy, and I do not agree with it."

After Zhu Youjian finished speaking, he looked at Feng Zhu.

Oboi, Li Yizao and others also turned to him, their eyes as if waiting.

Feng Zhu was the admiral and eunuch assigned by the Ganqing Palace. This time, the real leader was with Zhu Xu's secret mission. His words played a decisive role here.

Feng Zhu looked at everyone, especially Zhu Youjian's eyes, and hesitated and did not speak.

In his heart, he also opposed the alliance proposed by Philip IV. Spain was in turmoil and had no benefit except to implicate the Ming Dynasty.

However, firstly, Philip IV's attitude was quite firm. If they did not agree, they would not only fail to negotiate, but also have a fierce battle. Secondly, according to Feng Zhu's understanding of Zhu Xu, his actions often go against common sense. In this matter, most of all, they may agree.

However, Feng Zhu looked at the attitudes of several people, especially Zhu Youjian's expression, and thought a little in his heart, saying, "Prince, we cannot refuse this matter openly, but we cannot agree to it either. In this way, the offensive and defensive alliance negotiations can be carried out, and we can adopt a vague attitude. If we don't agree or not, just say that this matter is too serious and we need to go back and wait for the emperor and the court to decide. What do you think?"

Even Zhu Youjian could not give a reason to object for a while. After thinking about it, he did not object, and others were even more so.

The Portuguese royal palace seemed to everyone know that things were at a critical moment, and the two sides were as calm as a storm.

The Spanish Royal Palace is now airtight and can't leak water, and no one can enter or exit.

On the sea, Zheng Zhilong's fleet seemed to be conducting military exercises, and would fire artillery from time to time to test the availability of cannons.

But these actions were occasionally alarmed on the shore and reached Philip IV's ears.

These are silently adding dark clouds on the upper floor of the palace, and thunder flashes hidden.

Early the next morning, Philip IV pulled Zhu Youjian for a walk in the garden of the palace.

Philip IV looked quite heart-wrenching and said, "Dear Zhu, do you know? Spain has many enemies and is very powerful. The most threatening is the Ottoman. Its sphere of influence has crossed Egypt and arrived in Gibrón, and it is just one step away from Spain..."

Zhu Youjian has studied Spain very much and knows that these are all facts. In the past, Europe's sphere of influence basically came around the Mediterranean. Now Spain is not only facing the Ottoman directly in the east, but now the Ottoman tentacles have extended to the vicinity of Spain.

Philip IV did not wait for Zhu Youjian to speak, and continued, "My country has huge territory, too many enemies, and has great financial pressure. The most important threat now is not the enemy outside, but the empty treasury. I need the financial support of the Ming Dynasty. For this reason, if necessary, I will make more concessions to the Ming Dynasty..."

Philip IV was so 'hearted', and with Zhu Youjian's character, he naturally had to react. He said: "Your Majesty, our dynasty is not a country that is insatiable and has gained momentum. Our pursuit is to trade fairly with all countries around the world, benefit each other, not a unilateral plunder. I can understand Your dynasty's difficulties. If necessary, our dynasty will provide more help. In addition to direct grain procurement, Spain will be given the highest priority in the Ming Dynasty and Asian trade. I believe that this will bring at least 20 million silver profits to Spain every year..."

In fact, the spices and other businesses monopolized by Daming alone are huge profits, with a yearly profit of tens of millions of silver, plus other things, 20 million is still a small amount.

Philip IV smiled without saying a word and walked on.

Both sides of the relevant trade have agreed. In the view of Philip IV, Spain's fiscal crisis is no longer a problem, and the problem has turned to another perspective: political union.

Spain needs a powerful ally, which may not be reliable or may not really help, but a name is enough, it will effectively put pressure on the enemy of Spain, not only the Ottoman Empire on land, but also at sea.

The Ming Dynasty fleet was so powerful that it could pose a powerful threat to the Netherlands, England and other countries overseas, forcing their piracy to converge. If so, not only the overseas colonies would be safer, but the sea routes would be smoother and safer, and would reduce the losses.

Philip IV was almost talking nonsense, and began to get to the point, saying, "Zhu, I know, you are very close to the Red Sea, and I hope that our joint fleet will have a base nearby."

Zhu Youjian did not hesitate this time and said: "My country does have some plans to contact relevant countries near the Red Sea and are trying to contact the Ottoman Empire. If a canal can be opened in Egypt to communicate with the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, it will be able to connect Europe and Asia closer, and the road length will be shortened by seven or eight..."

Philip IV blinked. He had never thought about this at all. Zhu Youjian mentioned it and was stunned.

In this way, it is indeed the case. It is too far away to go around Africa, even if Panama is opened, it is far inferior.

The most important thing is that Egypt is now in the hands of the Ottoman Empire. If the Ming Dynasty had this idea, then the Ming Dynasty and the Ottoman would definitely face each other!

Philip IV's eyes flashed, and a smile on his lips said, "This is indeed something to be discussed. Zhu, I want to know, what do you think about the alliance between you and me?"

Zhu Youjian said: "Your Majesty should know that we are unwilling to be involved in the war. This time, His Majesty, our country, did not authorize this matter. All I can do is to reach a good agreement with His Majesty, and then return to our country and hand it over to His Majesty. If His Majesty agrees, this matter will be done..."

Philip IV seemed to have expected Zhu Youjian to make excuses and said calmly: "Of course, please turn to your Majesty. Alliance is the basis of everything. If we cannot form an alliance, there is no way to talk about other things. We need the friendship of the Ming Dynasty. I believe that the same is true for the Ming Dynasty."

Spain is the most powerful country in Europe and has the largest colonial territory. If the Ming Dynasty cannot reach a trade agreement with Spain, it will become an obstacle, and it will definitely not be worth the loss. The significance of this visit will be greatly reduced.
Chapter completed!