"ExcuseMe," Zhang Fan said.

When Joanna and Richard heard this, they were stunned, they never thought that a young earl in an oriental country very far away from the European continent could actually speak English, and that accent was definitely the purest London high society tone, both of them had lived in England for a short time, but they both felt that the spoken English of the Earl of Ming in front of them was more standard than their own.

Zhao Xiande was also stunned, although he couldn't speak English, but he had also dealt with British businessmen and nobles in high society, he really didn't expect Zhang Fan to know English, and the people around Zhang Fan all looked at him in surprise, especially with Zhang Fan Yingyue, who was the longest in this, looking at him with eyes as if he knew Zhang Fan for the first time, but Liu Shan was not much surprised, there were all kinds of translators in Jinyiwei, he thought that Zhang Fan had also learned some, but he didn't feel it when he couldn't hear the pure accent.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop on the conversation between the two, but I didn't know that the two of them knew the English language just now, so I didn't tell the truth," Zhang Fan explained for fear of causing a misunderstanding.

Joanna suddenly became interested, and said in English: "Your Excellency, I beg your pardon for being rude, my companion and I did not expect Your Excellency to speak English, and it is so pure, it is possible that Your Excellency has been to England before,"

Zhang Fan saw that Richard on the side was also looking at him very curiously, and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, knowing that he could show off a little just now, he thought about it, and hurriedly explained: "I am in charge of a relatively special department in our country, and I can't tell you the truth about its specific role, but because Chinese of the particularity of this department, there are many translators who need to know how to speak in foreign languages, and I also learn from these people," Zhang Fan had no way but to explain it like this.

The two people in front of them listened to his words, and they were relieved at first, but one of the two was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the other was in the military, and they immediately thought of something else from Zhang Fan's words, a country's department, the most likely thing that needs to be translated is the diplomatic department, but the two don't think that a foreign affairs department needs to be as secretive as Zhang Fan, so there are not many such departments left, the two looked at each other, and immediately thought of the word "intelligence department", After all, in the imperial era, a country's intelligence department was almost only responsible to one person, that is, the emperor, Zhang Fan can be in charge of the past intelligence at such a young age, and become the emperor's ears and eyes.

When the two thought about it like this, Richard's mind just now was a little shaken, after all, when he came by boat, Zhao Xiande had already roughly introduced him to this mysterious country in the East, which not only has a long and profound historical and cultural heritage, but more importantly, this Eastern Empire has an extremely large territory, and the area can almost be compared with the whole of Europe. Those Zhang Fan's men must be very good in his eyes, so if the emperor of his own country dares to act near such a huge country without notifying, it will probably cause a lot of trouble, although the current Spanish emperor Philip II has the blood of the Portuguese royal family in his body, so Portugal and Spain are united again, but even if these two countries work together, they can't cope with the anger of such a huge empire.

And Joanna, who had originally wanted to discuss the matter with Zhang Fan, has now made up her mind, after all, uniting with a powerful power, plus the first person they know now is the top official of a national intelligence department, which will only benefit their future actions.

The two glanced at each other again and found that the correct answer had been given in the eyes of their companions, so they decided to tell Zhang Fan the truth, but before they could say it, they had to probe Zhang Fan's tone.

Naturally, Foreign Secretary Richard came to speak about this matter, he stood up again, bowed to Zhang Fan, and said: "Your Excellency Earl, His Majesty Philip II has sent me and me this time, and in addition to getting in touch with your country, there is indeed something that needs to be discussed with your country."

"Hehe, we have an old saying here, 'It's fun to have friends from afar', and your envoy can say whatever he wants," Zhang Fan could see that the two had made a decision, but he didn't know what it was for, so he had to say so.

"This ......" Richard looked at the crowd with some difficulty, not knowing how to speak.

Zhang Fan knew what he meant at a glance, and said: "Please rest assured, there are only three of us who can understand what we are talking about, and my country and your country have had friendly exchanges for a long time, and the Franco cannon purchased from your country has also solved a lot of troubles for our country, even if I can't agree to the things in your envoy's mouth, it will definitely not be passed on," Zhang Fan's words were also a reminder to Richard, so that he was ready to be rejected.

Richard didn't care, listened to Zhang Fan's words, and then asked with a smile: "I don't know what your impression you have of a country called India in the southwest of your country,"

"India, what are these foreigners doing when they mention India," Zhang Fan listened to Richard's words, and couldn't help but start thinking about it in his heart, and suddenly a flash of inspiration flashed in his mind, thinking of something, "Yes, it is the sixteenth century, it is the time when colonialism began to expand, and I have the impression that Portugal began to establish colonies in India at this time," Zhang Fan's little historical knowledge gave his own answer, he thought for a while, it was from this time that the strength of Europe began, but Portugal wanted to threaten the land of China, Now he still doesn't have this qualification, not to mention, Zhang Fan, who was not an angry youth in his previous life, doesn't like the country of India.

"I've heard a little," Zhang Fan said, "we did have a relationship with them hundreds of years ago, and now maritime trade passes through there," Zhang Fan was almost sure what the two men wanted to ask him.

"Your Excellency, I don't think you understand," Richard heard that Zhang Fan knew about India, but he still didn't get the answer he wanted, "I mean, Your Excellency, or what is your country's impression of the country of India,"

As soon as he said this, coupled with the fact that Richard and Joanna on the side were staring at him with their eyes, Zhang Fan was already 100% sure of their thoughts in his heart, and said: "As you heard, my country and India have been in contact with each other for hundreds of years, and recently we have only had some economic contacts with them, if you really talk about it, there have been some conflicts with them, but although their territory is close to our country, it is really desolate there, and it has no direct relationship,"

As soon as Zhang Fan said this, Richard and Joanna were relieved, they had already gotten the information they wanted, Da Ming didn't care about India, which was not a bad thing for their colonization plans, but they also had to make sure that if they really sent troops to India, what would Da Ming's reaction be.

At this point, it was Joanna's turn to play, and in any case, what they were going to discuss next was a more sensitive issue, and the appearance of a woman would not cause much conflict.

"Then, Lord Count," said Joanna.

"Your Excellency Baron Joanna, don't be so respectful, this will inadvertently distance us," Zhang Fan said with a smile.

Joanna didn't expect that the Earl of Daming in front of her would even know some European habits, she smiled and said: "In that case, I will call you directly, and please don't have to be so polite, just call me Joanna,"

Zhang Fan is nothing, but Richard on the side has been sideways for a long time because of her words, although Joanna is a hereditary earl, but she has a more or less tough demeanor in the army, don't look at her delicate appearance, but how many princes and nobles, the courtship of the sons of the family has been rejected, but now he is so tolerant of a Ming earl who met for the first time, which made Richard can't help but also look at Zhang Fan, this look, he found that the Ming Dynasty earl in front of him is very handsome, It's just that it doesn't meet the aesthetic standards of Europeans, but Richard found that Zhang Fan's fair face and skin can't be compared with many European aristocratic women, "Perhaps, that's why Joanna doesn't accept courtship, he prefers this type," Richard couldn't help but think in his heart.

"In that case, Joanna, please tell me what you want to ask," Zhang Fan said.

"I mean, sir, what would be the reaction of your country if we were to send troops to India," said Joanna.

Zhang Fan didn't expect her to be so direct, but he was relieved when he thought about it immediately, there are so deep cities in Europeans, not to mention that Zhang Fan can be regarded as a few people who have seen the most tricky people in the Ming Dynasty, and he was relieved that Joanna asked so directly, but Zhang Fan also had a faint contempt in his heart.

"What, is there any contradiction between your country and India," Zhang Fan pretended not to know what they were planning to do, and asked with some doubts, "As far as I know, your country and India are thousands of miles away, so there must not be any conflict that requires your country to send troops,"

Joanna listened to Zhang Fan's words, her face turned red, she heard Zhao Xiande say, this is a country of etiquette, never take the initiative to invade other countries, now she is really difficult to do, can she directly say that her country and Britain are now tense, the war situation is about to break out, but there is no resources in the country to carry out the war, want to come to India to plunder resources, Joanna can't help but regret, maybe shouldn't tell Zhang Fan about this.

"This ...... Although there is a long distance between our country and India, there are fewer and fewer blanks on the map these days, and the world is becoming more and more connected," Joanna had to say, "Isn't it the best proof that I am sitting and talking with Your Excellency now, so there are indeed some contradictions between our country and India that need to be resolved, and we imagine that your country is asking for advice for friendly reasons."

Zhang Fan couldn't help but feel a little funny when he heard her words, thinking that this foreign girl looked quite beautiful, and he didn't expect to be so good, but in addition to being funny, Zhang Fan also had to admit her words, as he said, there are fewer and fewer blanks on the map, and the world is getting closer and closer, Zhang Fan can't help but think about whether the Ming Dynasty is going to take this step.

"Your Excellency," Seeing Zhang Fan pondering and not responding for a long time, Joanna couldn't help but remind him.

"Oh, I was thinking about something just now," Zhang Fan came back to his senses and said, "I don't think the affairs of your country are a problem, my country will not pay too much attention to India, but although I am the minister of my country's emperor, but these things cannot be decided by me, it is best for you to go to the capital of our country to meet His Majesty the Emperor and explain to His Majesty in person, but I don't know, is your country very anxious about this matter?"

"That's not it," said Richard, "Your Majesty the Emperor of our country only has this plan, and now I can say hello to your country in advance,"

"In that case, then please explain it to His Majesty the Emperor of our country in person at that time," Zhang Fan said, "But I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you back to the capital together, and I still have to complete some things that Your Majesty has explained here,"

"When will Your Excellency return to Beijing," Joanna asked.

"It could be another two months," Mr. Zhang said.

"I think we'll be here for a while, and then I'll hope you can take us with you to the capital," said Richard, and Joanna nodded yes.

"Oh...... Since this is the case, then let the two of them arrange it themselves," Zhang Fan didn't expect these two to be so patient, or if there was something else.

What else is there to do with Richard and Joanna, although the colonization of India has been put on the agenda, but it has just begun, Richard doesn't care, the main thing is Joanna, this female officer baron who has always been tough in the past is like a different person when she goes to sea, and she has become cheerful, this time she wants to stay in Jiangnan to have a tour, she also proposed it to Richard, Richard thought about how to return to China has to wait until next year, there is plenty of time, so he agreed.

"The two of you just got off the ship today, and they must have been very tired after sailing on the ship for a few months," Zhang Fan said, "I will ask people to arrange a place for the two of them to rest, and if you have any requirements, you can just ask for it with my people, but now I have some things to do with this Mr. Zhao Xiande, and he can't be a translator for the two for the time being, I don't know ...... the two."

"Your Excellency, please don't worry, although we didn't bring much retinue this time, but there are people from your country who understand my Chinese, and I have asked him to act as our interpreter," Joanna said.

"That's very good, the two of you go to rest first, and I will personally set up a banquet in the evening to entertain the two guests who have come from afar," Zhang Fan said.

The two said goodbye to Zhang Fan, and walked out under the leadership of Zhang Fan's factory guards, and everyone in the room came back from their surprise, not to mention the others, Luo Linger has always looked at Zhang Fan with curious and adoring eyes, and Yingyue seemed to have forgotten her anger towards Zhang Fan before and kept asking this and that.

Zhang Fan was very annoyed and didn't know how to explain to her, so he had to say: "Wait for me to tell you in detail, I still have something to do now,"

"Hmph, what's the big deal," Yingyue said dissatisfiedly, and then saw Luo Ling'er beside him looking quiet and lovely, and the resentment in his heart rose again, and then turned around and left, no longer paying attention to Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan saw Yingyue's puffing appearance, so he had to smile bitterly in his heart, but it didn't last long, he still had a lot of things to ask Zhao Xiande now,