The Rise of the European Emperor

Why did Marin mention the Spice Islands? The reason is very simple. Recently, Spain seems to have the intention to strengthen its maritime power. After doing this, Marin was a little restless.

Why is Spain's maritime power increased, what if they regenerate the idea of ​​conquering the Americas? Even if Isabella I, who was keen on sailing, died, the current father and son Ferdinand II and Juan III are not particularly keen on sailing, but this is It doesn't mean that Spanish navigators are not keen.

If there were Spanish navigators who were eager to establish merit and proposed to re-explore and colonize the Americas, Marin's current maritime power would not be enough to stop Spain from marching into the Americas. Moreover, Marin is not willing to easily turn against Spain. Now Spain, through the spice trade, it is estimated that the profit is as high as more than two million gold coins. With so much money in hand, and the national strength is already strong, especially with a certain seabed. Really want to meet, Marin is also a little guilty.

Therefore, after thinking about it, Marin planned to find something to make Spain look away, so that no one would think about America.

And the best way to divert Spain's attention is the Spice Islands.

How did the more than two million gold coins that Spain earn now come from the spice trade. So, when it comes to spices, Spaniards must be sensitive.

Sure enough, even the not-so-savvy Juan III's eyes lit up after hearing the name "Spice Islands" by Marin.

"What spice islands are not produced in India?" Although he attached importance to spices, King Juan was really not very clear about the specific information about the origin of spices. At least, not as clear as his dead mother Isabella I.

Marin explained

"Spice is divided into pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger, etc. India is actually rich in pepper and ginger. As for cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, they are actually shipped from outside India. Among them, cloves and nutmeg The main place of origin is the Spice Islands”

With that said, Marin also took out the abridged version of the world map without America and Australia, and pointed it to Juan III.

"Look, Your Majesty, this is Calicut in India, and this is the Strait of Malacca. After passing through the Strait of Malacca, the East is the Ming Empire in the north. However, the Pope has already awarded the colonial power of the Ming Empire to Portugal. The Strait of Malacca goes eastward. , bypassing this huge island of Kalimantan, and the oddly shaped island of Sulawesi, to the Spice Islands, the main source of cloves and nutmeg.”

At this time, Marin raised his head and found that at some point, Queen Margaret came over to look at the map together, and stopped Marin's previous introduction.

Queen Margaret suddenly asked

"Marin, you mean to suggest that we take the Spice Islands"

"Yes, Queen, you really value both wisdom and beauty." Malin patted the horses. Anyway, flattery doesn't cost money.

Juan III frowned.

"However, we have not been authorized by the Holy See to colonize the Spice Islands. Moreover, as usual, the east should be Portugal's territory. If we rashly send troops to the Spice Islands, will it anger Portugal? Also, how strong is the Spice Islands, and is it easy to conquer? "

Young Juan III is not stupid, and his thinking is more comprehensive. He's just not as flexible and shameless compared to Marin

Marin thought for a while, then asked rhetorically.

"Your Majesty, did the Roman Treaty signed by Spain and Portugal stipulate that the Spice Islands belong to Portugal?"

Juan III thought for a while, and said

"It doesn't"

"That's fine. Since it doesn't clearly belong to Portugal, why can't Spain occupy the Spice Islands? 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 have a famous teacher," Juan III hesitated.

"It's simple, you just need to get authorization from the Pope"

"But the Pope will not easily authorize it."

"I heard that Spain is preparing to attack Morocco" Marin suddenly asked something irrelevant.

"Yes, it's just that our military spending, supplies and troops are not a problem. The only problem is that the country has not made up its mind and is still arguing."

Invading and occupying the entire territory of Morocco was a plan formulated by Spain for a long time. It's just that the Kingdom of Aragon, which belongs to Ferdinand II in the east of Spain, is keen to compete for hegemony in the Italian region, while in the Kingdom of Castile, little Juan is a little uncertain about his proposition, and many nobles in the country have not made up their minds. determined, and things were delayed.

Even recently, the maritime nobles raised their heads, won some funds from the Spanish royal treasury, and expanded the fleet, which caused Malin's unease.

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 is well-funded, it is still easy to expand its fleet.

So, Marin organized the language and said

"That being the case, why don't you attack Morocco first, and then, in the name of occupying Morocco and promoting Christianity in Morocco, apply to the Pope for the right to colonize the Spice Islands?"

Both Juan III and Queen Margaret are bright, but Juan III seems to be less confident

"This idea is very good, but you are sure that we can occupy Morocco." Obviously, Juan III is not very confident. Moreover, there are many people in the Castile Kingdom who think like him. Otherwise, the Kingdom of Castile would not have made up its mind to attack Morocco until now.

In fact, Spain sent troops to occupy Melilla on the northern coast of Morocco as early as 1497, and built a coastal fortress here. However, in the battle with the Moroccans, the Spaniards found that the other side's machete cavalry was very ferocious. The Spanish army wanted to fight in the field, but it couldn't beat the tens of thousands of Moroccan scimitar cavalry. Therefore, they could only huddle in the Melilla fortress to defend and dare not attack.

Marin asked rhetorically

"Why not"

After a pause, Marin said again

"Your Majesty, now the Castilian army should promote Spain, Abu, it's the Marin phalanx." Speaking of this, Marin was both proud and guilty. This square array named after him was actually stolen from him, so he felt guilty.

"Yes, this policy is very powerful, the fighting power is very strong, and even the French have been defeated." Having said this, Juan III was very excited.

"In that case, why didn't your country use the Marin phalanx to defeat the Moroccan cavalry and occupy the entire territory of Morocco? Also, you and His Majesty Ferdinand II can ask General Gonzalo to come over as the commander of the attack on Morocco. So, I If you don't believe it, you can't beat the Moroccans"

"Yes, I can bring General Gonzalo back to be the head coach." Juan III also slapped his head and looked suddenly realized.

In fact, Gonzalo de Córdoba was the general of the Kingdom of Castile, and was personally drawn by Isabella I. However, in the war for hegemony in Italy, he was seconded by Ferdinand II, King of Aragon. Today, General Gonzalo is still stationed in the Kingdom of Naples. Because he was not in Spain for a long time, Juan III and many nobles of the Kingdom of Castile almost forgot. The famous general Gonzalo was also a member of the Kingdom of Castile.

Marlin nodded and continued.

"Let General Gonzalo lead more than 50,000 elite troops across the sea, and use the Marin phalanx to defeat the Moroccan army. In addition, bring more heavy artillery to bombard the Moroccans' city gates and city walls. Their city walls are not like Europe. The walls are strong, and the gates are not made of iron.”

"Once the attack on Morocco is successful, you will have enough confidence to ask the Pope for the right to colonize the Spice Islands. This is the location map of the Spice Islands. You only need to send someone to this Java island to ask them, and you will know the Spice Islands. The location is here." With that, Marin handed the map to Juan III.

"However, what if we don't speak the language? We don't know the native language of Java."

"Don't worry, there are countries that teach Allah on the island of Java. As long as you send people who understand Arabic, you will definitely be able to communicate. After all, in order to read the Koran, there must be many people who understand Arabic in these countries."

"It makes sense that I will ask my father to get back General Gonzalo when I go back. At the same time, I will send a boat to that Java Island to inquire about the Spice Islands."

"Remember not to be known by the Portuguese, otherwise they will preempt them," Marin reminded kindly.

"You reminded me of that, thank you"

"No thanks, I actually want something," Marin said with a smile.

"Please say" Juan III is not stingy, and, not shrewd.

Marin said with a smile

"The reward I want is 2,000 pairs of merino sheep, and there are no geographical restrictions." Marin had obtained 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 uncomfortable. convenient. Although I figured out a way to take British sheep and ewes to "borrow", it was too troublesome.

"This" Juan III hesitated.

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

Juan III also thinks about it, compared with the spice trade that exceeds one million gold coins each time, the mere merino sheep is really nothing. So, after some hesitation, he agreed to Marin's request

bq For more wonderful novels, welcome to visit our school