The so-called "Ice on the cake is worse than giving timely help". The reason why Zhu Cijiu attaches so much importance to Portugal is mainly because of the current national conditions of Portugal. Their local area has been annexed by Spain for almost 60 years. The country can be said to be on the verge of extinction, but they occupy nearly half of the world's colonies overseas. The almost extinct countries are naturally unable to protect these colonies, so they must urgently need a powerful ally.

The visit of Duke Braganza once again proves that Zhu Cijiu's judgment is correct. Portugal is now desperately seeking foreign support to fight against Spain and protect overseas colonies.

As soon as I entered the study on the second floor, Duke Bragansa said anxiously: "His Majesty the Emperor, I feel that our two countries should strengthen cooperation."

Zhu Cijiu calmly asked them to sit down and asked with a smile: "His Royal Highness, what are you referring to?"

Duke Bragansa subconsciously sat on the left side of Zhu Cijiu and said excitedly: "His Majesty the Emperor, I mean all aspects, including economy, military, development of colonies, utilization of resources, etc., etc.."

This seating ranking is a very important part of various meetings. The position you sit in generally represents your position. For example, the person sitting in the middle must be the leader during the meeting, and the person sitting in the head must be the leader during the meeting. During the negotiation, the representatives of both sides sit opposite each other, and the leaders of both sides generally sit in the middle.

Zhu Cijiong asked them to sit on a small long conference table, one position on each side and three positions on each side in a horizontal direction. He habitually sat on the main seat in the vertical direction. According to his instructions, Duke Bragansa should be sitting in the opposite guest seat, and sitting opposite to mean that they are equal to each other. As for Schvira, he can sit at six horizontal positions at any time. Anyway, he is a subordinate to both.

Now, Duke Bragansa took the initiative to sit on the left side of Zhu Cijiu, which means that he agreed that the Ming Dynasty was in the dominant position. Zhu Cijiu was very satisfied with his performance, so he became interested in his proposal and cooperated comprehensively. OK!

Zhu Cijiong continued to smile and said, "Yeah, it is a good idea to cooperate comprehensively, but I would like to ask you, how could you think of comprehensive cooperation with the Ming Dynasty? After all, you are a continental country, and you are tens of thousands of miles away from the Ming Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, the Duke of Braganza said bitterly: "I have also tried to contact the continental countries, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark and Rome. I have sent people to contact them, and even expressed that Portugal is willing to join the Bourbon family group led by France and fight against the Habsburg family group led by Spain. But they have no interest in the olive branch that we have extended in Portugal, and no country is willing to help us until now!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cijiu couldn't help but say, "Oh, why is this?"

The Duke of Braganza sighed, "Ah, I know their idea. We Portugal have too many overseas colonies. If we form an alliance with us, they will not be able to seize these overseas colonies. If we do not congratulate us on alliance, they will be able to seize our colonies unscrupulously. Therefore, they all hope that we Portugal will be their enemy, not their ally!"

Damn, these great powers are really cruel? A country that has even been annexed from its homeland, they still have to trample on death!

Daming wouldn't do this, he joked: "Then aren't you afraid that I will steal your colony?"

Duke Braganza sincerely said: "We all know that Your Majesty is not such a person. We can see His Majesty's performance in the Portuguese Far East Colony. Like the South Asian subcontinent, His Majesty not only does not rob such a colony, but also sends troops to help us garrison. Like Ceylon, we are unable to completely occupy such a large island. It was His Majesty who sent troops to help us defeat all the indigenous people on the island and truly occupy Ceylon. Ceylon can now be said to be completely under the control of the Ming Empire Expeditionary Force, but His Majesty has never robbed any resources on it, but has given them all to us to seize. The Ming Empire is our true ally, and all Portuguese nobles are unanimously recognized. "

Zhu Cijiu was a little embarrassed when he flattered this, but the great powers really did not speak as morally as the Ming Dynasty. For example, the South Asian subcontinent had always dominated the Portuguese since the beginning, and almost all the colonies above were pioneered by Portugal. However, the Dutch came to snatch them later, and Portugal could not resist them, so he asked the British to help. As a result, the entire South Asian subcontinent became a colony of the British, and Portugal saved Goa, a colonial stronghold!

Cooperating with the great powers is like struggling with a tiger. In fact, Portugal knew this from the beginning, but in history, they had no choice. At that time, the Ming Dynasty was dying and had the ability to help them. They had to go to the great powers to help them. As a result, all the meat was almost snatched away, and there were not many pieces of skin left. A huge colonial empire declined!

Of course, if it were Emperor Chongzhen in the dynasty, even if the Ming Dynasty was strong, it would probably not care about Portugal. But now our Emperor Chongzheng Zhu Cijing in the dynasty, he would certainly not leave this rare little brother behind.

Zhu Cijiu thought about it for a while and solemnly replied: "I agree to cooperate with you in full, but this cooperation must be carried out slowly. The Ming Dynasty is now in a stage of development and is not able to help you resist the invasion of continental powers on a global scale."

The Duke of Bragansa did not show any disappointment when he heard this. It would be nice if someone could agree to help. If he asked him to come and help you at all costs, how could that be possible?

He stood up, gave a chest caress, and said solemnly: "Then thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor."

After saying that, he took out a map from his arms, spread it on the table, and pointed at it, "Your Majesty, look, this is the map of all our Portuguese colonies, mainly concentrated in Africa, South Asia and South America. Now the Netherlands and Britain are seizing our South American colonies. The Netherlands and France are seizing our African colonies. With His Majesty's help, the Netherlands and Britain and France have not taken action yet, but I guess they will not be able to bear it sooner or later. Now their main energy is still concentrated in the continental region. Once the continental war is over, they will definitely attack in full. At that time, whether these colonies can be preserved depends on His Majesty."

Zhu Cijiu looked at the map carefully and nodded, "You can rest assured that they should have to fight for a while. After they finish fighting, the Ming Dynasty should have developed almost the same. By that time, the Ming Dynasty will send troops to help you defend all the colonies."

The Duke of Bragansa said excitedly: "then thank you Your Majesty, please rest assured that we will not let the Ming Empire suffer any losses. In the future, the Ming Dynasty, a colony in Portugal, can freely trade, and even the above resources, and the Ming Dynasty can also mine it with us."

Thank you for your kindness. It seems that this Duke of Braganza is OK and is a good partner for cooperation.
Chapter completed!