The Rise of the European Emperor

The latest website: After sending an envoy to Lisbon, Kohler suddenly found Marin and blocked Marin's approach:

"Your Majesty, do not apply to Portugal for trade rights on the Senegal River!"

"Why?" Marin didn't respond.

"You forgot what happened in the Far East? You cheated the Portuguese. Once the Portuguese know what happened in the Far East, they will definitely find fault..." Kohler reminded.

What he was talking about was that Marin asked Kong Tai to help the Ming Dynasty fight against Da Gama's expeditionary force. Marin provided the Ming Dynasty with the casting technology of the 12-pound cannon, which was equal to the enemy in Portugal. Therefore, once Portugal gets the news of the disastrous defeat of the expeditionary force in the Far East, and then knows the news of the Ming Dynasty's 12-pound gun, Marin must be blamed. At that time, even if the Portuguese do not go to war with the North Sea State, they will definitely take back the North Sea State's trading rights at the mouth of the Senegal River. At that time, Marin will be doing useless work.

"You're right, okay, I'll send someone to chase them back immediately!" Marin said after thinking for a while.

"However, this is very important to us. Do we have to do it secretly in the future?" Marin said unwillingly.

Kohler suggested:

"You can learn from the practice of hunting rhinos in Dakar Peninsula, Senegal, and cooperate with the Duke of Coimbra!"

What Kohler was talking about was that Marin asked Jorge de Rencastre, the Duke of Coimbra, to help him set up a Senegal company.

The Duke of Coimbra is the illegitimate son of the previous Portuguese King João II, who once competed with the current King Manuel I for the throne. The two are mortal enemies, and the enemy of an enemy is a friend. Therefore, the relationship between Marin and Joao II is very good.

Before, Marin relied on the cover of the Duke of Coimbra to launch rhino and elephant hunting operations in Senegal. Then, the rhinoceros skin used to make the armor belongs to Marin, and the elephant skin also belongs to Marin. Rhino horn and ivory, which are luxury goods, belong to Jorge de Rencastre, Duke of Coimbra. Over the past few years, the cooperation between the two parties has been pleasant, as everyone gets what they need.

Thinking of this, Marin said distressedly:

"If it's just hunting rhinos and elephants, the Duke of Coimbra will definitely have no objections. However, if it involves the transit of a large number of cattle and black slaves, the Duke of Coimbra will definitely not sit idly by..."

The reason is simple, Marin sent people to hunt rhinos and elephants in Senegal,

Among them, the most precious rhino horns and ivory belonged to Marin, and the Duke of Coimbra naturally had nothing to say.

However, if Marin transported a large number of cattle and black slaves here, the Duke of Coimbra would definitely not be happy. Because, this huge benefit does not belong to him. In this case, he would definitely not do it.

After all, the Duke of Coimbra and Marin are just business partners, purely interested partners, not loyal allies. It's okay if it doesn't involve interests, but if it involves a conflict of interests, the possibility of turning faces is extremely high.

Especially the black slave trade, which is a typical profiteering industry. If he knew that Marin would leave him alone and do it alone, it would be strange if he didn't turn his face. After all, when he asked Marin for a price of up to 40 gold coins for a black slave, he was so black-hearted.

If he knew that he could get a large number of black slaves cheaply from the Songhai Empire, he would definitely be jealous...

"Let's have a meeting, let's discuss."

Then, the three absolute confidants of Schwartz, Sauer and Stade were called in. As for Kahn, another absolute confidant, he has already gone to the American colonies to play as an orc. Even if he was at home, Marin would not call him. Because, in terms of coming up with ideas, Kahn is just a display...

After Marin explained the situation, everyone also found it difficult. Finally, Sauer gave a suggestion:

"Your Majesty, since you want the Senegal River Basin for cattle in tropical Africa, why don't you use a high price to stun the Portuguese before they realize it, and directly buy the development and trade of the Senegal River Basin right?"

"You mean, before the news from the East comes back, lure the Portuguese to sell us the Senegal River Basin with a high price?" Marin thought thoughtfully.

Saul waved his hand and said:

"No, Your Majesty, we don't need to buy them. We can lease them. I understand what you mean. It is to buy farm cattle and black slaves from the Songhai Empire. I estimate that it will be about 10 years. Within 10 years, the Portuguese It’s probably time to hit Timbuktu. So, it’s meaningless if it takes too long. Moreover, after you bought tens of thousands of African black cattle from the Songhai Empire, there may not be so much demand. At that time, it doesn’t matter. Do you want this piece of land? So, my suggestion is - hurry up and spend a lot of money to lease the Senegal River Basin from Portugal for ten years. The reason is that you want to raise tropical cattle on the grasslands of the Senegal River Basin , to supply the needs of the tropical regions of America. After all, the fact that cattle in the temperate zone are not adapted to the climate of the tropical rainforest has already been reported back to Europe by the investigation team.”

"Leasing the grasslands in the Senegal River Basin for 10 years to raise African cattle?" Marin thought about it and thought it was a good idea. After all, it makes sense.

Although the Senegal River Basin is a tropical area, it has a tropical grassland climate, not a tropical rainforest climate with many poisonous insects and mosquitoes, which is very suitable for grazing. Marin said that the reason for renting here to graze African cattle adapted to the tropical climate is reasonable.

"However, we almost turned against the Portuguese because of the pirate issue before. Will they agree to the loan request?" Marin was a little worried.

Regarding this point, Kohler, who has always been in charge of money, said with a smile:

"Your Majesty, no one has trouble with money..."

Marin thought so, so he decided to send someone to Lisbon to discuss the lease of the Senegal River Basin.

Leasing is not a purchase and does not involve sensitive sovereignty issues. Besides, Portugal does not actually regard African land as its national territory, but its trade sphere of influence. Portugal's domestic population is too small, and the local area is enough for development. Where would you think of developing Africa?

Not to mention leasing out a piece of African land that has not been operated, even if it is sold, it is normal. However, if you want to buy ownership, the asking price will definitely be higher. And if you rent it, you can spend a lot less money.

Marin didn't think about occupying the Senegal River Basin for a long time, but just used this area as a trade channel. Therefore, a 10-year lease is reasonable.

Originally, Marin wanted to send Kohler there, but Sauer wanted to make a contribution and took the initiative to take over the matter. After all, Kohler, Schwartz, and Kahn are already earls, while Sauer is still a baron because of his lack of merit, so he is naturally eager to be promoted through meritorious service, so as to catch up with his friends.

In this way, Sauer, as the plenipotentiary representative of Marin, was going to Lisbon to start negotiations with the Portuguese on leasing the Senegal River Basin...