The Rise of the European Emperor

Not only that, according to Cortez's report, the city of Zvongombe, the capital of the Mutapa Kingdom in Zimbabwe, is also full of copper ore.

It should be pointed out that these copper ores are all high-purity rich ores. Because those black buddies with poor ore don't pick them up at all. At the same time, those Arab businessmen did not accept it.

In other words, Marin's original statement that the local copper mines are extremely rich is correct. Just these old blacks who don't know how to smelt copper can easily pick up mountains of copper-rich ore, which shows how rich the local copper ore resources are. (Actually, the Zambian area on the north side of the Zambexi River across the river is richer in copper mines)

It's a pity that Cortez's expeditionary force really couldn't carry too many things, so they had to retreat with gold first. If you want copper ore, you can only wait for the next time to trade. Anyway, the area at the mouth of the Zambezi River has been controlled by Spanish warships.

It is foreseeable that if those copper-rich ores can be continuously transported back to the mainland in the future, Spain will be able to mint a large number of Malawi copper coins again. At the same time, a batch of copper cannons can also be cast.

The entire Spanish government and opposition parties have fallen into excitement and frenzy because of the gold and the mountains of copper-rich ore. Subsequently, the Spanish ruling and opposition parties held a nationwide discussion on the multiple-choice question of "trade or occupation". Subsequently, the news was sent back to the mainland by the spies sent by the North Sea State in Spain with carrier pigeons.

Marin took a look—oh, there are still smart people in Spain? To think of the means of the modern colonists who monopolize trade to drive local agents to help dig gold and copper mines!

However, for Marin, it is in his best interest for the Spaniards to send troops to occupy Zimbabwe. Because occupying Zimbabwe and sending people to mine gold and copper consumes a lot of manpower and national power. Even if enough gold and copper are obtained, the cost is very high.

The cost of colonization is relatively low as a means of monopolizing trade to exchange gold and copper. What's more, because of the domestic exchange of goods produced, it can also promote the development of local handicrafts, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

However, most of the Spaniards do not have such a long-term vision, and their vision is relatively short-sighted. Otherwise, in the original history, after occupying the Americas, Spain would not have ignored the development of domestic handicraft industry. As a result, it's cheaper for the UK.

Therefore, in this big discussion, Marin decided to intervene secretly, influencing the judgment of the Spaniards, making them more inclined to send troops to occupy Zimbabwe.

As for the reason, it is very simple. First of all, it is a pity that the gold that cannot be traded (the Mutapa Kingdom cannot trade all the gold, and will definitely leave a small part). Then, question the technical level of Zimbabweans in finding gold mines and mining and smelting gold mines. And pointed out-if the "civilized" Spaniards personally operated, the gold production would definitely increase several times...

In addition, the Spaniards' ability to develop local copper mines is much stronger than that of the locals. Zimbabwe's copper resources are much richer than gold. If they are developed, copper ingots can be shipped to the mainland by boats and boats...

...

Marin's two reasons sound reasonable. Indeed, Spain's technology must be much more advanced than Zimbabwe's Mutapa Kingdom.

However, regarding the high cost of going to battle in person, as well as the adverse conditions such as the harsh local climate and environment, Marin deliberately ignored it...

Not only that, Marin also intends to use Egyptian businessmen to find the Omani Arab businessmen who originally monopolized the East African trade, let them inform the Mutapa Kingdom in advance, and teach them guerrilla tactics to deal with the Spaniards in the tropical rainforest. Once this is the case, even if the Spaniards occupy Zimbabwe, they will be unlucky in the future...

Although the Spaniards occupied the Zambezi Estuary area, they blocked the Arab merchants from going up to the Mutapa Kingdom. However, this is only the mainstream business route. Along the coast of Mozambique, there are many Swahili people who are mixed with Arabs and local blacks. These people may not need to go along the Zambezi River Basin, but they can also go to the Kingdom of Mutapa quietly through the tropical rainforest that does not depend on the river.

Take the news that Marin wants to send someone to take it.

As long as the king of the Mutapa Kingdom does not foolishly fight against the Spaniards, with the number of Mutapa Kingdom's troops, as long as they are scattered in the tropical rainforest to fight guerrillas, the Spaniards will be helpless.

...

Of course, that was later. Right now, Marin decided to send spies in Spain to spread the words of "monopolizing all the gold and copper mines in Zimbabwe" to confuse the Spanish court to send troops to occupy Zimbabwe.

In addition, Marin will also send spies to quietly contact French spies in Spain. On the premise of keeping his identity secret, tell the French what is at stake. Then, let the French work secretly to confuse Spain to send troops to Zimbabwe. The French and the Spaniards have challenged each other for hundreds of years, and the mutual penetration of both sides is very deep. Moreover, there are many aristocrats who are hedging their bets between France and Spain. It is more convenient for the French to do this than Marin. Marin's strongest ability in Spain is the ability to collect intelligence, but when it comes to infiltrating Spain, the French are more powerful. Moreover, after checking this matter, it is also the fault of the French, and has nothing to do with Marin...

Spain is too dangerous, and its excellent geographical location is naturally suitable for colonizing the Americas. Moreover, Spain has a population of more than 8 million, which is much larger than that of England and Portugal combined.

These days, don't think that England is much better than Portugal. In terms of population, England is less than 3 million. Even if you add Scotland's 500,000 and Ireland's 250,000, it's about 3.75 million. And Portugal, at any rate, has a population of two to three million, not less than England.

Even, because of colonizing Africa and obtaining huge profits from Indian spices, Portugal's national power at this time was stronger than that of England.

England's only advantage is probably that it is much stronger than Portugal in terms of coal and iron resources. But when it comes to existing strength, it is really not as good as Portugal.

Spain is different, although more than 8 million people are not many. However, among the European sailing countries, it is already far ahead. Even the combined population of Portugal, England, Denmark and Venice, the four major seafaring countries, is not as large as that of Spain. And this is Spain's confidence and a threat to Marin.

Of course, all of this is under the premise that France, a behemoth, does not intervene in the navigation business. If France, with a population of 15 million, joins, other countries will stand aside.

In fact, France was delayed by the European hegemony. Moreover, Italy is probably the one that delays France the most. France has been coveting Italy for a long time. The Italian war in history alone has been fought for more than 60 years, which has exhausted its national strength.

If there is no super fat piece of Italy hanging in front of France, luring France to engage in European hegemony, France may switch to great navigation and become a navigation power.

Therefore, for Marin, a divided Italy is very necessary. Otherwise, France cannot be attracted. However, France cannot really swallow Italy. Otherwise, if France is too full, it may covet other places.

For this reason, Marin carefully arranged to use Italian volcanic ash as bait to attract the attention of France. And carried out of Spain, and the French dog bites the dog. Marin, on the other hand, has to free up his hands to integrate the North Sea country and England. Then, suppress Portugal. Only in this way can the goal of rising be achieved.

...

Probably after hearing the news that the Spaniards had obtained 150,000 ounces of gold, the Portuguese ruling and opposition parties also went crazy. The Spaniards got the gold, so the news of Timbuktu's gold given by Marin is certain.

As a result, the entire ruling and opposition parties in Portugal are mobilized, intending to speed up the progress of attacking Timbuktu...

But as soon as the Portuguese took action, bad news came from the Far East—after the Ming Empire learned that Portugal had seized the royal city of the Kingdom of Malacca, it sent envoys to the city of Malacca many times, demanding that the Portuguese colonists withdraw from the city. Otherwise, trade between Portugal and the Ming Empire is permanently banned.

If the tin mine in Kuala Lumpur was discovered before, Portugal would really take a step back in exchange for a tribute trade qualification with the Ming Dynasty.

However, after having the Kuala Lumpur tin mine, Portugal is unwilling to give up the interests of Malacca anyway. Therefore, the Portuguese categorically rejected Ming Ting's request.

After being rejected several times, the entire Ming court became angry from embarrassment. Therefore, Zhengde issued an edict to permanently prohibit Portuguese people from coming to Daming to carry out any activities. Once the Portuguese landed, they were all arrested as spies. Moreover, the cabinet also ordered that any officials in the Guangdong region who had contacts with the Portuguese must immediately draw a clear line with them. Otherwise, direct dismissal!

In other words, the opportunity for the Portuguese to obtain secret trade by bribing local officials of the Ming Dynasty was completely lost. Between Ming and Portugal, the possibility of contact has been completely cut off!

The news was sent back to Lisbon, and Lisbon, while paying attention to Timbuktu, also began to discuss how to deal with Ming Ting's reaction.