Chapter 170 The Ottoman Sultan’s Gift

Zhu Jingyuan couldn't help but frown secretly when he heard the request of the Ottoman Grand Vizier Zayadin.

How could it be possible to exchange for so many things just for a land property right in Crete?

This old man may be testing himself to see if he will give up the national interests of Ming Dynasty for his own personal interests.

He personally obtained the land ownership given by other countries, allowing Ming Dynasty to pile up concessions on land and population issues.

This routine is no different from kickbacks in corporate purchases.

But obviously, with my own status, I can basically get anything that belongs to Ming Dynasty, and there is no need to make such exchanges.

At the same time, only things that belong to Ming Dynasty can be truly obtained by oneself, and can be possessed with complete confidence.

How can I use things that are placed on other countries' lands and are guarded by other countries' troops?

However, considering the ability of the Grand Vizier, he should not be just testing, but also asking for a lot of money from himself.

Therefore, Zhu Jingyuan responded in a serious and serious manner:

“Advice on the development of the Ottoman navy and guidance on port construction can be provided to the Ottomans as a token of friendship between our two sides.

"However, all other conditions proposed by the Grand Vizier are impossible.

“Unless the Ottomans directly cede Crete to the Ming Dynasty, they could gain access to the populations of Tripoli, Tunisia, Algeria and other places.

“As for the land in these areas, if Osman wants to intervene again after giving up on the attempt, it will mean competing with the Ming Dynasty again.

"This kind of behavior that violates the content of the peace treaty just signed will definitely affect the friendship we just established..."

Zhu Jingyuan's meaning is very clear. Friendship can only be exchanged for friendship, and interests can be exchanged for interests.

The Ottomans' commitments in the peace treaty and the fact that they had given up the lands in the northern part of Mozhou were now considered forbidden by the Ming Dynasty.

If the Ottomans now go back on their promise and send troops to occupy these areas by force again, then there will be no friendship between the two sides.

This last sentence is a blunt warning.

Zayadin was silent for a few seconds, still unwilling to give up and said:

"Your Highness, is there really no room for negotiation about the population and land in those areas? Those lands have not been captured by the Ming Dynasty.

"Our true thoughts are not hidden from His Highness. We want to use these people to develop the colony of Mozhou.

"We know the abilities of the Mo people, but we won't use them unless necessary."

Zhu Jingyuan thought about it for a while and said more frankly:

"I can personally give a piece of advice to the Grand Vizier and Osman. You should focus your main energy on the development of Mozhou.

"I believe that if the Ming Dynasty had not intervened at all, the current Ottomans might not be able to conquer the Barbary pirates on their own.

"If the Ming Dynasty conquered the land of the Barbary pirates on its own, it would be impossible to cede it to other countries. There is no need to talk about this matter.

"Population can be discussed. If Ottoman wanted to get the population conquered by Ming Dynasty, he would cede Crete to Ming Dynasty.

"Osman can also take away all the people on the island of Crete, and the Ming Dynasty can do without those people at all.

"Otherwise, don't think too much, just trade your personal land ownership for technical support."

Zayadin hesitated for a few seconds, but ultimately could not make a decision directly on the spot:

"Thank you for your sincerity, but I'm sorry, we need some time to think about it, and we need to ask His Majesty the Sultan for instructions.

"However, the relationship between Crete and Tripoli, Tunisia, and Algeria, as well as how the local population and land issues are ultimately decided, should not affect our friendship.

"So whether it is Her Royal Highness Irene, the land ownership of Rhodes Island, or His Majesty the Sultan's other wishes, I hope that His Highness Prince Dashi can accept them directly."

As he spoke, Zayadin took out a Ming-style gift list and asked the guards at the scene to check it before passing it to Zhu Jingyuan above.

Zhu Jingyuan directly opened the gift list and looked at it. It stated what the Ottoman Sultan had given him.

The first was the deed to Rhode Island, which both parties knew was the most important gift.

Then there is Princess Irene of the Ottoman Sultan.

Her birth date is written on it, and she just turned thirteen at the end of this year.

Her mother was not one of the wives of the Ottoman Sultan, but an ordinary slave girl who came from the Ermao ethnic group in Lucia.

However, his mother was not imported, but a second-generation slave born in the Ottoman territory.

The reason why the Ottoman Sultan chose Irene to give to Zhu Jingyuan was not because Zayadin said she was the most beautiful princess.

But because her ears are dry, she will most likely not have body odor as she grows up.

Influenced by the Ming Dynasty, in today's Europe, Europe and other countries around the world, lack of body odor is a characteristic that overrides beauty.

This has led to a sharp increase in the mate-choosing rights of a small number of inexperienced men and women in various ethnic groups, and they have naturally become the first choice for marriage between nobles and elites of all ethnic groups.

This will obviously gradually expand the number of people who do not have body odor.

Children without body odor are more likely to be screened out and focused on developing their abilities.

Princess Eileen is one of them. She can now use Daming Yayan relatively fluently and can also write simple articles in Chinese characters.

Perhaps after several generations of continuous screening, the upper-class groups of various ethnic groups in Thailand and Spain will gradually lose their body odor.

This result is likely to be a sign of what they consider to be true civilization.

Zhu Jingyuan looked at the relatively detailed introduction on the gift list and felt that this Irene was most likely a real princess and not just a random female slave to pretend to be.

But she was written on the gift list as a princess and was given directly to Zhu Jingyuan as a gift.

But without a slave contract, you are still theoretically a free person.

Following closely behind were sixteen female slaves from various ethnic groups in Thailand and Spain, all of whom had their names, ages, ethnic groups, origins, and characteristics written down.

The eldest is no more than sixteen years old, and the youngest has just turned ten.

These girls were all attached to slave contracts and now have a clear status as slaves.

They also have common characteristics, like Erin, they both have dry ears and are expected to have no body odor in adulthood.

Finally, there is a batch of jewelry and antiques, as well as several calligraphy and paintings from the East.

No gold, silver or any money was given directly.

This shows that Osman specializes in national affairs and knows what the people of the Ming Dynasty like most.

These gifts are definitely considered a great gift to ordinary people, even to ordinary nobles.

But for Zhu Jingyuan, the food prince, it seems to be nothing.

With Zhu Jingyuan's appetite and status, there is probably no one in this world who can afford to give him a truly great gift.

Considering the support Zhu Jingyuan gave to the Ottomans at the League of Nations meeting, the Ottoman Sultan was absolutely willing to give these gifts to Zhu Jingyuan.

It can really be regarded as a pure gift of thanks. Zhu Jingyuan can accept it without any psychological pressure and does not need to consider any feedback.

Zhu Jingyuan closed the gift list and looked up at the dozen girls not far away.

Their first priority when being selected is that they are tasteless, and their appearance is not the highest priority in theory.

But now it seems that the appearance and body shape of the leader Irene can be regarded as very excellent.

After all, the fact that her mother was selected by the Sultan shows that her mother's physical foundation is good enough, and she has inherited her mother's characteristics.

Although the other dozen girls are slightly worse, at least they are all at a high level.

And because they come from different ethnic groups and have their own unique looks and temperaments, they are all considered beauties among the people.

If it really didn't look good, the Ottoman Sultan wouldn't have given it to Zhu Jingyuan as a gift.

To the Ottoman Sultan, these sixteen female slaves, who had no body odor and were pleasant in appearance, should be the real hemorrhage.

Now they are all wearing Ming-style girl clothes, standing aside very obediently and honestly, waiting for Zhu Jingyuan's sentencing.

From the slaves of the Ottomans to the maids of the Ming Dynasty, this change in status can be regarded as liberation to a certain extent.

But not everyone is qualified to be Zhu Jingyuan's maid.

Even if they, ordinary female slaves, stay, they will most likely only be ordinary maids doing odd jobs.

Only Irene, the daughter of the Ottoman Sultan, had the opportunity to be played and nurtured by Zhu Jingyuan like sisters An Xiaona and Luo Feiya.

Zhu Jingyuan was actually worried that if he had too much money, he would not be able to use it all, which would be a waste of resources.

Tasteless Thai and Western girls are precious resources in the Thai and Western continent, and they cannot resell them after receiving them.

But then I thought about it, this kind of maidservant sent by Osman to the West occupied the resources of the various races in the West, not the resources of the Ming Dynasty itself.

It can contribute to the population control of various ethnic groups in Thailand and Spain.

Why not?

Zhu Jingyuan evaluated in his mind for a long time, and finally nodded lightly:

"In that case, let's all stay. The Grand Vizier will go to rest first. We will talk another day..."

Including Zayadin, Princess Irene, and a dozen girls on the left and right, all breathed a sigh of relief when they heard this.

"It is their blessing to be able to stay and serve His Highness..."
To be continued...