The Rise of the European Emperor

The next day, Marin took Ferdinand II and quietly went to see Julius II, and the three of them discussed how to cheat Portugal.

If you want to blatantly go to Portugal, you must have a righteous name. Otherwise, Portugal is not so easy to mess with. To this end, Julius II and Ferdinand II turned their attention to the "dog-headed military division" Marin at the same time...

"Cough cough..." After being a little uncomfortable by the two of them, Marin decided to bring out some dry goods:

"Your Majesty the Pope, His Majesty the King, it's actually very simple to overwhelm Portugal in the name of justice..."

"It's very simple?" Ferdinand II was a little puzzled.

"Of course, Your Majesty, when you signed the Treaty of Tordesillas with Portugal, the Holy See presided over it, right?"

"Yes."

"Then what is the Holy See's plan?"

"Pictured by the Holy See?" Ferdinand II was a little puzzled, and then glanced at Julius II next to him. My heart said, "Marin, you really dare to say that you are talking about the Holy See's plans next to the Pope"...

"I would like to hear you!" Ferdinand II was very cunning and let Marin say it himself.

"What the Holy See wants, naturally, is to spread the glory of Christ all over the world!" Marin said.

On the side, Julius II nodded. Because, what Marin said is indeed tall.

When Ferdinand II heard this, he rolled his eyes—what the heck, I thought you were going to say that the Holy See was plotting gold and silver treasures... But isn't it... Those cardinals of the Holy See are all greedy for money... However, this It's hard to say something like that...

"So, what does this have to do with us and Portugal?" Ferdinand II asked, puzzled.

"Yes, of course there is!"

"I remember that Your Majesty and Queen Isabella captured Granada, the last pagan country on the Iberian Peninsula, in 1492?"

"Of course!" said Ferdinand II triumphantly. That was one of the most glorious events in Spain, and the most proud thing in the life of the Spanish king and his wife.

"This matter should be regarded as a great contribution to the great cause of Christianity, right? His Majesty the Pope?" Marin looked at Julius II.

"That's for sure. The Spaniards did a great job of religion by expelling the infidels from Western Europe!"

"That's right, Spain made a huge contribution to Christianity. What about Portugal?"

"What? They didn't preach in Africa?" Julius II was a little angry. Julius II was a devout Christian with a passion for religious causes. He seemed angry when he heard that the Portuguese were not doing anything in Africa.

"Of course not. The Portuguese have been operating on the west coast of Africa for decades, but most of them are just building a few fortresses along the coast for trade, and they don't care about missionary at all..." For this, Marin is very clear, and he doesn't care about it. framed Portugal.

"It's so unreasonable! If they don't preach, what are they doing to Africa?" Julius II was really angry.

"Sir Pope, we in Spain will always be committed to proclaiming the glory of God!" At this time, Ferdinand II immediately jumped out to show his loyalty. Because, such a statement will easily make His Excellency the Pope favor Spain.

"Of course, it can't be said that Portugal has no mission at all. It is said that they were in Congo, West Africa, and a Portuguese missionary put their prince,

developed into a Christian. After two years, the old king died, the prince ascended the throne, and Congo would almost become the first Catholic country in Africa. "Marin said slowly.

"And this?" Ferdinand II and Julius II were surprised.

"Yes, my teacher went to West Africa two years ago and heard the news there." Marin said firmly. Einstein was his biggest shield. And, as it does famously, the Kingdom of the Congo has become the first Catholic country in Africa since the prince who converted to Christianity became King of the Congo in 1506. Later, it was repeatedly boasted by the Portuguese to show their contribution to the mission. Of course, this is the only bright spot in their missionary career.

"Then there will be the first Christian country in Africa?" Julius II said happily.

"No, that's not the first Christian country in Africa. Ethiopia in East Africa, the country of the legendary Queen of Sheba, is already a Christian country. However, they believe in the Greek Orthodox Church (Orthodox)."

"Hmph, it's just a group of heretics!" Julius II said angrily. Apparently, he hated seeing the Orthodox Church.

Marin didn't care about the heretics or not, but continued:

"Of course, even if the prince takes the throne, it will take a few years, but these days, the Portuguese have no ability to use this as a negotiating capital. After all, this has not happened yet, and Spain has captured Granada. The kingdom can be used as a bargaining chip for negotiation.”

Julius II and Ferdinand II both nodded, indeed, what has happened can be said. And what hasn't happened is just speculation. It's impossible to tell the story. At most, it can be used to brag.

"Don't Portugal do missionary work?" asked Julius II.

"There are definitely some, but there are also a few. Moreover, most of the missionary behaviors are spontaneous behaviors of the priests. The Portuguese official, it seems that they are not officially engaged in missionary work, they are busy making money. It is said that the gold that the Portuguese bring back from Africa every year. , is it half a ton, that is, 1,100 pounds, about 140,000 gold coins can be minted."

Ferdinand II's eyes suddenly lit up, this person can't hear the news of gold and silver the most...

And Julius II's focus was not on this, and he said angrily:

"Hmph, I only know how to make money, but I don't know how to spread the glory of the Lord. The Portuguese really only have money left in their eyes. This time, let the Lord forgive me and show partiality to Spain once, and teach the Portuguese a lesson!"

In fact, Julius II had already colluded with his son-in-law Marin, just to show it to Ferdinand II.

When Ferdinand II saw Julius II say this, he nodded sharply:

"Mmmm, the Pope is wise! We Spain are willing to give up the wild continent in exchange for Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia in southeastern Africa!"

"Actually, Spain can also keep the wild continent..." Julius II suddenly said.

Marlin was stunned for a moment - there is nothing in this script...

In fact, this is indeed a temporary addition by Julius II. Because, Julius II had an ambition to unify Italy...

"What should Spain do?" Ferdinand II asked with interest. It can keep the wild continent, although it cannot be used for the time being. However, it is also good to occupy the pit first.

"It's very simple, as long as Spain hand over the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily to the Holy See, then it can keep the huge wild continent..." Julius II tempted.

However, Sicily was the lifeblood of Ferdinand II, and the kingdom of Naples was also highly valued by Ferdinand II. So, Ferdinand II shook his head firmly:

"Forget it, I still don't want the wild continent, Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples are very good..."

This is the difference between Ferdinand II and Isabella I. If Isabella I was here, maybe Julius II's proposal would be considered.

Because, Isabella I was a strong woman with a pioneering spirit. Ferdinand II, on the other hand, was a monarch who set his sights in front of him. Therefore, Isabella I preferred to expand the colonies, while Ferdinand II preferred Continental Hegemony.

However, Isabella I was seriously ill and almost died. And Ferdinand II attached great importance to Spain's interests in Italy. Therefore, the proposal of Julius II was mentioned in vain. As for the American continent, it was actually discovered and paid attention to by Isabella I's Kingdom of Castile, and it was also Isabella I's private money that was used by the Kingdom of Castile to fund Columbus's West Air. At that time, Ferdinand II and his kingdom of Aragon had no interest in great voyages.

Therefore, Ferdinand II, who focused on the European hegemony, with a few words, under Marin's flickering, threw America away and replaced it with Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique... I have to say, this is also Marin's luck. In exchange for Isabella I to negotiate, Spain would not abandon America so readily... 8)