Zhu Jinsong appeared completely justified, to the point where, aside from Louis XVI, the remaining three decision-makers suspected Zhu Jinsong of bragging.
After all, aside from a few translators present, the rest were either kings or grand commanders, or heirs to the next Tsarist throne. They all had a wide range of hobbies, and bragging was a rather important one among them.
However, the bragging of these individuals was truly not on the same level as that of the Ming Emperor.
Observe how the Ming Emperor's entire process of bragging was as natural as a gazelle leaping over a mountain, seamless and untraceable, exuding a three-point arrogance in its ordinariness, a true pinnacle of bragging.
It was simply impossible to find even a shred of evidence.
Killing a chicken to warn the monkeys?
This was clearly killing a monkey to warn the chicken!
What was even more troubling to these decision-makers was, what if Zhu Jinsong, this Ming Emperor, was not bragging?
The reason everyone agreed to establish this little broken pot was for world peace. If they went to war with the Ottomans, the entire little broken ball might be dragged into the flames of war, and then what peace (and profit) would be left?
Of course, it couldn't be said there was no profit at all. After all, the ones who didn't have any profit were the silly eagle, England, Russia, and the first Ming admirer in Europe, France. The Ming side had plenty of profit to gain.
Not only could they seize the opportunity to export firearms and artillery, but they could also seize the opportunity to get all the oil from the Ottoman side into the hands of the Ming.
Therefore, aside from Louis XVI, the remaining three decision-makers exchanged glances and decided to jointly stop Zhu Jinsong, this Ming Emperor.
George III spoke first, trying to persuade him, "Actually, I don't think it's necessary to go after the Ottomans."
"I heard from Howard and the others that the Ming currently seems to need a large amount of oil? If the Ottomans are destroyed, it will be less convenient to get oil in the future, won't it?"
"How about this, since no one doubts the Ming's status in the Far East, this time, it will be England, France, and Russia. The three of us will join forces and pick a country in Europe that has some reputation but not much strength."
"As for the Ottoman side…"
George III lowered his head and pondered for a moment before saying, "The Ming sells firearms and artillery to their opponents. We English and a few others help deliver firearms, artillery, and oil, and we earn some hard-earned money in the process. What do you think?"
Uncle Sam also nodded and said, "I represent the silly eagle and agree with George III's proposal. At the same time, the silly eagle will also pick a country near us that hinders world peace."
Paul I also followed suit and said, "I represent Russia and agree with George III's proposal."
Zhu Jinsong, however, let out a scoffing laugh and said, "In fact, the Ming has already sent troops—for the sake of world peace, for the sake of the Ottoman people who are suffering in deep water and hot fire, the Ming will first eliminate the remnants of the Great Qing occupying Gurkha, and then proceed along Gurkha to eliminate the Ottomans."
George III's face immediately darkened.
What relationship did the Ottomans have with Gurkha?
Of course, if you wanted to deal with Gurkha or the Ottomans separately, it was up to you. The problem was, if you were going to deal with the Ottomans through Gurkha, who would guarantee the British Empire's interests in India?
After thinking about it, George III stated plainly, "Regarding India, England is willing to share the benefits equally with the Ming Empire. Moreover, England is willing to dispatch a fleet, plus an artillery regiment and three thousand musketeers, to help the Ming Empire fight against the Ottomans."
Hearing George III say this, Louis XVI immediately became spirited and taunted, "An artillery regiment? Three thousand musketeers? Don't be ridiculous, the Ming has millions of troops, what difference do your three thousand men make?"
"If you ask me, you shouldn't send troops to the Ottoman side either. Keep your men and pick on a soft persimmon in Europe for fun!"
After taunting George III, Louis XVI looked at Zhu Jinsong and said, "I would like to send some officers to form a military observation group and learn how to fight alongside Ming Empire officers. Is that possible?"
Uncle Sam was even more direct, saying, "Our silly eagle is willing to send the navy to help the Ming transport soldiers and supplies by sea."
For Louis XVI and Uncle Sam, how the Ming dealt with the Ottomans was the Ming's business. The key was that as long as they could make George III uncomfortable, Louis XVI and Uncle Sam would feel comfortable.
As for Russia, since Russia had been fighting with the Ottomans, even if the Ottomans were to die, they should die at the hands of Russia. If they died at the hands of the Ming, wouldn't Russia lose out?
Especially since Zhu Jinsong said he would deal with Gurkha first and then destroy the Ottomans, wasn't that reaching into Russia's bowl? xxs
Therefore, Paul III chose to stand with George III and persuade him, "If the Ming advances into the Ottomans through Gurkha, I don't think it's cost-effective, given the long distance and the fact that the Ottomans have millions of troops. It's better for us to pick a few soft persimmons to bully."
As Paul I finished speaking, George III and the others turned their gaze towards Zhu Jinsong, as if trying to discern something from his face.
However, Zhu Jinsong simply scoffed and said, "A mere million troops is nothing significant. If you are willing, you can send a military observation group, just like France, to see what the Ming army is like."
"Oh, by the way, for this campaign against the Ottomans, the main force will be the Right Army Directorate. The remaining troops will not participate in the war against the Ottomans."
Louis XVI quickly explained, "The Right Army Directorate is equivalent to about one-tenth of the Ming's total military strength, and its main task is to garrison the western territories of the Ming Empire."
Paul I looked at Louis XVI and said, "Do you take me for a fool? I've learned before that the Ming has five directorates in total: Front, Rear, Left, Center, and Right. The Right Army Directorate is about one-fifth of the Ming army."
Louis XVI let out a cold laugh and said, "You've only counted the five directorates, but you don't know that you haven't counted the Imperial Guard, the Defense Army, the Royal Guard, and those retired soldiers. If the Ming Emperor is willing, the Ming can expand to ten directorates or even twenty directorates at any time, understand?"
After taunting Paul I, Louis XVI looked at Zhu Jinsong again and asked, "And what happens after the Ottomans are defeated?"
Zhu Jinsong silently praised Louis XVI in his heart and then replied, "Of course, we invite all countries to join the little broken pot, send ambassadors as they should, and pay membership fees as they should."
Seeing that the Ming was determined to deal with the Ottomans, Uncle Sam directly asked, "How about we all send some people respectively and learn together?"
George III looked at Zhu Jinsong, then at Louis XVI, and could only nod reluctantly, "I think that's acceptable too."
Now, it was Paul I's turn to be dumbfounded.
Out of the five decision-makers, four wanted to deal with the Ottomans. Wouldn't that mean dividing Russia's profits?
Thinking of this, Paul I also said, "Dealing with the Ottomans is fine, but Russia also wants a piece of the action. Everyone competes based on their own abilities, and whoever can get what they can get, gets it."
Zhu Jinsong said, "As you wish. The Ming only wants the oil; the rest of the territories can be divided as you please."
Paul I pursed his lips, effectively accepting the proposal. As long as he could get some benefits, it was much better than getting nothing at all.
After the other four great benefactors had discussed how to divide the Ottoman Empire and agreed on their respective targets for action, Zhu Jinsong continued, "The reason I called everyone together this time, besides the matter of the little broken pot, is that there is another benefit to share with you."
Upon hearing the word "benefit," Louis XVI's spirit was immediately piqued. "What benefit?"
Zhu Jinsong said, "In fact, this benefit, whether it's big or small, is a tremendous benefit if you care about the lives of your people. If you don't care, then this benefit is no benefit at all."
Hearing Zhu Jinsong say this, the others became even more spirited.
Zhu Jinsong continued, "If the people have plenty of oil and fat, their bodies will be healthier. If they lack oil and fat, the people's bodies will inevitably be weaker."
"Fortunately, someone in the Ming has recently discovered that cotton seeds can be used to extract oil, and the residue after extraction can be made into cottonseed cakes for feeding livestock such as cattle and horses."
"However, the Ming people are more accustomed to eating animal fat. This cottonseed cake is somewhat useful, but this cottonseed oil is considered a useless item, only suitable for burning for light."
"If you are willing, I will take you to see the workshops for extracting oil from cottonseed and making cottonseed cakes from the residue."
"As for the price of technology transfer, it will certainly not be too high. If your country does not produce cotton, I can also export finished products to you, and the price is negotiable."
Zhu Jinsong intended to change his approach this time.
If the Ming personally entered the market to sell cottonseed oil and cottonseed cakes, the profit would not be too high, and the risks would be significant, making it entirely unprofitable.
Therefore, Zhu Jinsong decided to directly sell the technology and let these barbarians extract oil and make cakes themselves.
More importantly, the Ming would also build some cottonseed oil workshops and export cottonseed oil to the barbarians. By mixing cottonseed oil treated with an alkali process with untreated cottonseed oil and raising the price slightly, there was no fear that the barbarians would not be enthusiastic about extracting oil.
Even if problems occurred, they could be attributed to the barbarians' imprecise processing or immature technology.
...
After Zhu Jinsong, Louis XVI, George III, Paul I, and Uncle Sam had discussed the framework of the little broken pot, the kings and grand commanders of other countries on the little broken pot also arrived in Jinan Prefecture one after another.
Then, Zhu Jinsong, together with Louis XVI and others, jointly announced the establishment of the little broken pot in the "Ming Daily." Subsequently, the French, English, and Uncle Sam newspapers also reprinted this news.
In short, the establishment of the little broken pot was for the sake of maintaining world peace and stability. All countries that joined the little broken pot would have to honestly abide by its regulations in the future and report any problems to the little broken pot first, instead of fighting each other casually.
Of course, countries that did not join the little broken pot would not be eligible for its protection. If they engaged in war with countries that had already joined the little broken pot, it would be considered a provocation to the little broken pot.
Think about it, the most formidable father in the world, the Ming, took the lead, and powerful European nations like England and France, Russia, and the dominant power in the Americas, Uncle Sam, all joined the little broken pot. As for those who were unwilling to join, were they not giving face to the five great benefactors?
Therefore, as many as thirty-odd countries chose to join the little broken pot. The remaining ones either did not know the news or could not come due to intervening reasons.
Of course, some countries like Korea, Jiaozhi, and Myanmar had already been completely incorporated, so they did not need to participate in the little broken pot. Vassal states of the Ming like Japan also did not need to participate.
The existence of the Ming father was enough to guarantee their status in the world.