On May 11, the 26th year of Chongzhen, João IV finally met Li Zhi in Tianjin.

Li Zhi met the King of Portugal in the three halls of the Qi Palace. In the halls of this era, there were no equal sofas placed on both sides of the main hall, and Li Zhi was sitting on the throne. But in any case, Li Zhi did not let his friend from Europe stand, but set up three chairs under the Third Highness.

João IV was not dissatisfied with the fact that Li Zhi was in the throne. After confirming that he could sit and talk to Li Zhi, he was even a little happy and felt a little courteous. Sitting in a chair, the Portuguese king was clearly in a good mood.

These days, Joao IV was really frightened by the strength of one town and nine provinces, and now he even had a feeling of awe for Li Zhi, sitting in the three halls slightly nervous.

Alves and Raphael were also very nervous, because they now understood that they were not meeting an ordinary king, but the king of Qi of a town and nine provinces that was so powerful that they were shocked. Every little detail of this meeting could have had the difference between the rise and fall of Portugal.

Li Zhi thought for a while, and first spoke: "So, respected King of Portugal, what is the purpose of your coming to one town and nine provinces?" ”

When the King of Portugal heard this inquiry, he looked up at Li Zhi.

The Li Zhi he saw was a man in his thirties who looked very young. From Li Zhi's eyes, João IV saw vigorous vitality.

Before seeing the strength of one town and nine provinces, João IV's purpose was clear, he came to demand benefits. The Portuguese helped Li Zhi attract the firepower of the Dutch and the British, and according to European rules, Li Zhi, who had made a lot of profits, should share some of the benefits to his ally Portugal.

But after meeting with Shimazu Mitsuhisa and seeing the strength of one town and nine provinces, João IV was a little afraid to make this request. Shimazu Mitsuhisa made it very clear that Portugal could not become an ally with Li Zhi on an equal footing, and could only become a subordinate state that obeyed Li Zhi's orders. However, the subordinate state has no right to make demands on the suzerain.

For the subordinate state, the only thing that can be done is to passively wait for the suzerainty to arrange the distribution of benefits, just as a vassal is to the sovereign.

Joao IV stood up, bowed to Li Zhi, and said, "Great King of Qi, we have come from distant Europe to one town and nine provinces, mainly to understand the strength of the Qi Kingdom. ”

Li Zhi smiled and asked: "So you have stayed in one town and nine provinces for a few days, what do you think of our strength in one town and nine provinces?" ”

João IV replied: "The country of Qi is very advanced, very advanced. Frankly speaking, one town and nine provinces have exceeded our imagination, and let us understand how advanced a civilization can be. From the inside to the outside, one town and nine provinces are very advanced. ”

Li Zhi nodded and did not speak.

Seeing that Li Zhi was no longer talking, Joao IV did not dare to say more, so he sat down again.

Raphael was very dissatisfied when he saw that the King of Portugal had completely lost the confidence to negotiate. He sat in his chair and thought for a long time, and finally couldn't help but stand up.

"Great King Qi, on behalf of the people of Portugal, we have to make a request to you."

Li Zhi looked at the young Raphael.

Raphael exclaimed: "The people of Portugal have fought valiantly in Europe against the invasions of the Dutch and the English over the years, defeating the attacks of these two European powers countless times. ”

"Of course, the Portuguese people are defending their country and doing what they have to do. But from another point of view, the Portuguese also attracted the firepower of the Dutch and the British for the king of Qi, dragging the fleets and main forces of these two powers all in Europe. It was precisely because the Dutch and the British all withdrew from the Far East that the expansion of the Qi king in Southeast Asia was so smooth. ”

Hearing Raphael's words, Li Zhi smiled.

When Joao IV saw Li Zhi's smile, he immediately felt that Raphael's words were wrong - even if the Portuguese did not support the British and the Dutch, I am afraid that Li Zhi would still be able to win Southeast Asia.

Raphael didn't pay attention to Li Zhi's expression, and still said loudly: "His Royal Highness King Qi, in Portugal, we have killed 43,000 soldiers, and 110,000 have been wounded, leaving us with eternal disabilities. His Royal Highness King Qi, Portugal has suffered heavy losses in this war, and we have to ask you for some reasonable distribution of benefits on behalf of the people of Portugal. ”

Li Zhi looked at Raphael for a while and did not speak.

He quickly lost interest in this young man full of energy, who was only a vice minister of diplomacy after all, and Li Zhi could completely ignore it.

Li Zhi did not answer Raphael's topic, but turned to Joao IV and asked, "Your Royal Highness the King of Portugal, what do you think about what Mitsuhisa Shimazu said?" ”

João IV was stunned, stood up and said: "Frankly, at first we were very dissatisfied with the advice of General Shimazu. ”

"But after a comprehensive understanding of the strength of one town and nine provinces, we began to seriously consider his proposal."

João IV took a breath and asked, "Your Royal Highness the King of Qi, I have to ask carefully, what do we need to do if we become a subordinate state of one town and nine provinces like the Japanese princes?" What is the final outcome? “

Li Zhi smiled, waved his hand, and asked the attendant next to him to open a map of Europe.

"Portugal is a small country, a small piece of land in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. More than a decade ago, Portugal was annexed by Spain. It was João IV who was able to break free from Spanish rule through war and make Portugal an independent kingdom. “

"What I need João IV for you to do is to turn Portugal into a bridgehead in Europe with nine towns and nine provinces. Portugal will pin down our enemies in Europe, gather intelligence on Europe, and play the role of our scouts. Of course, we will continue to supply Portugal with advanced weapons. “

"As for the ending..."

Li Zhi smiled and began to draw a big pie: "I promise to let João IV make you the consul of the entire Iberian Peninsula and govern the whole of Spain and Portugal." Maybe you will no longer be a king then, but I promise you will get as much power and status as a king. If you do well, your jurisdiction can expand into Italy! “

After a pause, Li Zhi added: "At that time, the Portuguese aristocracy at all levels will be reused and become an important grassroots force for the rule of the few in Europe." “

Hearing Li Zhi's words, Raphael's face turned white. He didn't know if Li Zhi was boasting or if he really had a plan, and he actually distributed distant Europe as a reward to João IV.

If Europe is conquered by Li Zhi, what is the future of the white people? Become a colony in one town and nine provinces? To be a second-class citizen under Han rule?

João IV was attracted by the prospect depicted by Li Zhi to rule Spain and Italy? It was a great cause that he had never dared to think of before!

His eyes lit up, and he said: "His Royal Highness the Great King of Qi, after careful consideration, all the nobles of our Portugal are willing to become the servants of one town and nine provinces and fight for the cause of the King of Qi. “