Why did Marin mention the Spice Islands? The reason is simple - lately Spain seems to have intentions to strengthen its maritime power. In this way, Marin was a little restless.

Why? What if Spain's maritime power increased, and what if they regained their desire to conquer the Americas? Even if Isabella I, who was a keen sailor, died, and the current father and son Ferdinand II and Juan III were not particularly keen on sailing, this does not mean that Spanish navigators were not enthusiastic.

What if a Spanish navigator wanted to establish a meritorious service and offered to go back to the Americas for exploration and colonization? Marin's current sea power was not enough to stop Spain's advance into the Americas. Moreover, Marin is not willing to easily turn against Spain. Today's Spain, through the spice trade, is estimated to have made a profit of more than two million gold coins. With so much money in hand, plus the national strength is already strong, especially with a certain maritime heritage. If you really want to face it, Marin is also a little weak-hearted.

So, after thinking about it, Marin planned to find something to get Spain to divert its attention, so that no one would worry about the Americas.

And there's no better way to divert Spain's attention than the Spice Islands.

Where did Spain get the more than two million gold coins it earns now? Naturally, it was obtained through the spice trade. So, when it comes to spices, the Spaniards are certainly sensitive.

Sure enough, after hearing Marin say the name of the "Spice Islands", even the not-so-shrewd Juan III had a gleam in his eyes......

"What Spice Islands? Aren't spices produced in India? "Although spices are important, King Juan really doesn't know much about the specific information about where spices come from. At least, not as clear as his dead mother, Isabella I.

Marin explains:

"Spices are divided into pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger, etc., and India is actually only rich in pepper and ginger, as for cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, they are actually shipped from outside India. Among them, the main production area of cloves and nutmeg is the spice archipelago......"

As he spoke, Marin also took out a cut version of the world map (without America and Australia) and pointed it out to Juan III:

"Your Majesty, look, this is Calicut in India, and this is the Strait of Malacca. After crossing the Strait of Malacca, to the north was the Ming Empire in the East. However, the Pope had already awarded the colonization of the Ming Empire to Portugal. And to the east of the Strait of Malacca, around the huge island of Kalimantan, and the oddly shaped island of Sulawesi, you arrive at the Spice Islands, the main producer of cloves and nutmeg......"

At this time, Marlin looked up and found that at some point, Queen Margaret had also come over to look at the map together, and she had stopped Marlin's previous introduction......

Queen Margaret suddenly asked:

"Marlin, you mean to suggest that we seize the Spice Islands?"

"Yes, Queen, you are indeed both wise and beautiful!" Marlin gave a small pat on the horse. Anyway, it doesn't cost anything to make a sycophant.

Juan III frowned and said:

"However, we have not received the authorization of the Holy See to colonize the Spice Islands! And, as is customary, the east side should be Portuguese territory. If we rush to the Spice Islands, will we anger Portugal? Also, how strong is this Spice Islands, and is it easy to conquer? ”

The young Juan III was not stupid and thought more comprehensively. Compared to Marin, he is just not very flexible and not shameless enough......

Marin thought for a moment and asked rhetorically:

"Your Majesty, did the Treaty of Rome signed between Spain and Portugal stipulate that the Spice Islands belonged to Portugal?"

Juan III thought for a moment and said:

"Not really!"

"Isn't that enough, why can't Spain occupy it if it doesn't explicitly belong to Portugal? As long as the Spice Islands are occupied, then the supply of cloves and nutmeg is up to Spain! ”

Juan III was still hesitating, but Queen Margaret was already nodding violently.

"I think it's better to be famous...... Juan III hesitated.

"It's simple, isn't it enough to get authorization from the Pope?"

"But His Holiness the Pope won't authorize it easily......"

"I heard that Spain is preparing to attack Morocco?" Marin suddenly asked an irrelevant question.

"Yes, it's just that our military spending, supplies and troop resources are not a problem. The only problem is that the country has not yet made up its mind, and it is still quarrelling! ”

The attack and occupation of the entire territory of Morocco was a plan that Spain had long drawn up. It's just that the Kingdom of Aragon, which belongs to Ferdinand II in the east of Spain, is keen on the hegemony of the Italian region, while on the side of the Kingdom of Coloria, Juan Jr. is a little undecided, and many nobles in the country have not made up their minds, so the matter has been delayed.

Even, in recent times, the seafaring aristocracy has risen to the fore and obtained some funds from the Spanish royal treasury to expand the fleet, which has caused Marin to be uneasy.

And what Marin has to do now is to let Spain not be too idle and have nothing to do, and then accidentally go to the Americas to explore again. After all, now that Spain has deep pockets, it is easy to expand the fleet.

So, after organizing the language, Marin said:

"Why, then, did you, Your Majesty, attack Morocco first, and then, in the name of occupying Morocco and promoting Christianity in Morocco, apply to the Pope for the colonization of the Spice Islands?"

Both Juan III and Queen Margaret were eye-catching, however, Juan III did not seem to be very confident:

"That's a brilliant idea, but are you sure we can take Morocco?" Obviously, Juan III was not very confident. Moreover, there were many people who thought the same way as him in the kingdom of Castile. Otherwise, the Kingdom of Castile would not have been able to make up its mind to attack Morocco until now.

In fact, as early as 1497, Spain sent troops to occupy Melilla on the northern coast of Morocco, and built coastal fortifications there. However, in the battle with the Moroccans, the Spaniards found that the opposing Scimitar cavalry was fierce. The Spanish army wanted to fight in the field, and it simply could not defeat the tens of thousands of scimitar cavalry in Morocco. Therefore, they could only retreat to defend in the fortress of Melilla, and did not dare to attack.

Marin asked rhetorically:

"Why not?"

After a pause, Marin added:

"Your Majesty, now the Castilian army should have promoted the Spanish ...... No, it's the 'Marin Phalanx', right? Speaking of which, Marin was both proud and weak-hearted. This phalanx named after him was actually plagiarized by him, so his heart was weak.

"Yes, this policy is very powerful, the combat effectiveness is very strong, even the French have been defeated!" Speaking of which, Juan III was excited.

"In that case, why don't you use the Marin phalanx to defeat the Moroccan cavalry and occupy the whole of Morocco? Moreover, you and His Majesty Ferdinand II can ask General Gonzalo to come over and be the commander of the attack on Morocco! So, I don't believe I can't beat the Moroccans! ”

"Yes, I can get General Gonzalo back as the boss!" Juan III also patted his head and looked like he suddenly realized.

In fact, Gonzalo/De. Córdoba was originally a general of the Kingdom of Castile, or Isabella I personally hand-promoted. It's just that in the war for hegemony in Italy, he was seconded by King Ferdinand II of Aragon. Today, General Gonzalo is still stationed in the Kingdom of Naples with his army. Because of his long-term absence in Spain, Juan III and many nobles of the Kingdom of Castile almost forgot that the famous general Gonzalo was also a member of the Kingdom of Castile......

Marin nodded and continued:

"Let General Gonzalo lead more than 50,000 elite troops across the sea and use the Marin phalanx, and he will definitely be able to defeat the Moroccan army. In addition, bring more heavy artillery to bombard the Moroccan gates and walls. Their walls are not as strong as those of Europe, and their gates are not made of iron......"

"Once the attack on Morocco is successful, you will have enough confidence to ask the Pope for colonization of the Spice Islands. This is a map of the location of the Spice Islands, and you can find out where the Spice Islands are if you send someone to this Java island. With that, Marin handed the map to Juan III.

"But what if you don't understand the language? We don't know the indigenous language of Java. ”

"Rest assured, there are Allahist countries on the island of Java, and if you send someone who understands Arabic, you can be sure to communicate. After all, in order to read the Qur'an, there must be quite a few people in these Allah-Christian countries who know Arabic. ”

"Makes sense! When I went back, I begged my father to get General Gonzalo back. In the meantime, send a boat to that Java island to inquire about the Spice Islands! ”

"Don't let the Portuguese know, or they'll get the first time!" Marin reminded seemingly kindly.

"You reminded me, thank you!"

"No thanks, in fact, I have something to ask for!" Marin said with a smile.

"Please!" Juan III was not stingy and, moreover, not shrewd.

Marin smiled and said:

"I want to be paid 2,000 pairs of merino sheep, and there are no geographical restrictions!" Marin had gotten a batch of Merino sheep before, but it was forbidden to take them out of the Laayoune Oasis in Western Sahara, which made Marin very inconvenient. Although I came up with a way to take the English sheep ewe to "borrow", it was too troublesome.

"This ......" Juan III hesitated.

"Your Majesty, what are two thousand pairs of Merino sheep compared to the acquisition of the Spice Islands?"

Juan III thought about it, too, compared to the spice trade of more than a million gold coins each time, the mere merino sheep was really nothing. So, after a little hesitation, he agreed to Marin's request......