Congratulations to Ball, Marco not only sighed. After two glasses of wine, he said: "Actually, it's good for you to stay in the Ming Dynasty like this. Although the current sea trade is profitable, the sea is unpredictable and the risks are too great. Maybe when a storm was encountered on the sea that day, the ship would not only be lost, but even people were buried in the sea."

"Mr. Marco is right. This is the case with the sea trade. It can make people become rich overnight, and it can also make people lose their money or even lose their lives overnight." Another businessman nodded in agreement. They are all sea merchants. Even if some of them do not have the financial resources to directly own their own ships, they will join forces with others to make up a ship of cargo.

From Europe to the Far East, and from the Far East to Europe, this sea route is slightly better than the New World, but who can guarantee that you will not encounter storms when going to sea? In addition to the existence of some pirates, the profits and risks of sea trade coexist. All of them have encountered such and such situations, and there are even some Western merchants who are not lucky and are directly buried in the fishing belly, without any bones left.

"Sometimes, I really want to end it like this. Although the money I earn now is not as good as those big businessmen, it is not a decimal. I use this money to buy a small manor in my hometown, and then put the excess funds in the bank to collect annuity. Although it is not as profitable as it is now, at least I can live a comfortable life." The businessman sighed.

"Haha, you're just talking about it. If you really have this idea, why should you borrow money to buy a new ship last year? You should know that this is a huge amount of funds. If this funds are used as the principal of the annuity, even living in Paris would be enough." Another businessman smiled and exposed the truth of this friend, which immediately caused everyone to laugh.

Yes, after trying it, who will have the real courage to give up wealth that can be obtained?

Westerners’ pursuit of wealth is infinite, which has been the case since the Age of Discovery. It is precisely because of this pursuit that kicks off the exploration of the world.

"Marco, my friend, if you want to be more secure, I think you can stop the voyage from Europe to the Far East, including you all." The laughter gradually stopped, and Ball suddenly said this.

"Why do you say that?" Marco was slightly stunned and asked immediately, and the others also showed curious expressions.

"You know, I am not a businessman, and I don't know this businessman. Speaking of which, I am just a soldier who can be regarded as a barely forced one." Ball shrugged and said this first, then continued to say in the eyes of everyone.

"Don't you think there are too many businessmen going between Europe and the Far East? Moreover, since the European War, the current situation in Europe is not very good. The French government has gone bankrupt. Louis XV is in a hurry to deal with bankers, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands. As for Russia's defeat of Sweden, the northern hegemony of that year will live up to its existence. I don't need to say anything about the central region of Europe. You all know what the situation is."

Ball's words made everyone nodded silently. Ball said that although he did not understand business, he was still quite sensitive to these things as a noble and a soldier. In recent years, with the opening of Eastern business roads, more and more people traveling between Europe and the Far East, but the overall situation in Europe was there, which led to the profits of merchants starting to decrease on the basis of the increase in goods.

In addition, there is the current situation in various countries. Europe has not yet recovered. Although many luxury goods still have markets, the cake in the market is so big. The more people, the fewer the cakes are.

"Baul, do you mean?" Marco asked thoughtfully.

Ball reached out and pointed eastward, saying, "I suggest you go to the New World to try your luck. Of course, it belongs to the New World, that is, the New World. I heard some time ago that France, Spain, Britain, the Netherlands, and Portugal on the New World seem to have blocked the trade of Xinming. I think maybe the chance there is greater. Moreover, you are all merchants who have been trading with the Ming Dynasty for many years, and it is easier to get the recognition of the Ming Dynasty in the New Ming government after going there."

"Is there such a thing? Why don't I know?" a businessman asked in surprise.

"I know this incident has just come from the New World, and it seems that this incident is just a private act of the colonial governments of these countries. It is said that the Governor of Xinming was very annoyed by this." Another businessman said.

"Are they crazy?" The businessman who spoke in front said in amazement: "Do they think they can challenge the Ming Empire? Especially Portugal, after the South China Sea Battle, wasn't Portugal very close to the Ming Dynasty? There are also British people, weren't they fighting for colonies with France in the New World? How could they suddenly join forces? Are they not afraid of the Ming Dynasty's revenge?"

The merchants of the Ming Dynasty were the most familiar with the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty. Let’s not talk about the size of the Ming Dynasty. If the Xinming was added, the Ming Dynasty would be comparable to the total of the entire Europe. The population of the Ming Dynasty was incomparable to Europe, even if France was not as good as that of the entire Europe back then.

As for military power, the Ming Dynasty is even more obvious to all. After the Ming Dynasty occupied Johor, the South China Sea has now become the pond of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty's fleet not only controlled the entire South China Sea, but also controlled the East China Sea, which is the waterway between Xinming.

In addition, the Ming Navy's tentacles had reached the Indian Ocean, and the Ming army was even more powerful. The Qing Dynasty, which occupied the Central Plains, was defeated by the powerful army of the Ming Dynasty in just a few years. In Xinming, the Ming Dynasty could only use the army of Xinming instead of the local elite, and tied with the French army, the most powerful country in Europe, and the Spanish coalition.

"Politics is dirty, nothing more than interests." Ball sneered and said this, shaking his head, "The Ming Dynasty is too powerful, which scares those kings. Some time ago, the incident in Myanmar may be a fuse. As for Portugal's relationship with the Ming Dynasty, don't forget that it was because of the defeat in the war between Portugal and the Ming Dynasty."

"As for Britain, His Excellency Churchill will soon step down as Minister, and the person who succeeds him will arrive in the Ming Dynasty soon. It is said that the new Minister does not have a good impression of the Ming Dynasty like His Excellency Churchill, so no one knows what policy changes will happen after he takes office."

"Where is France? The current national strength of France can support their colonies to do so?" asked a merchant.

Another businessman replied in place of Ball: "Maybe that's why France did this. The French government is struggling on the verge of bankruptcy. Maybe they think that their actions in the New World will change the current situation."

"I need to consider this matter carefully. No matter what, thank you for your reminder." Marco thought for a while and said so calmly.

"This is just a friend's advice. After all, I'm not a politician. But if possible, I suggest you ask after returning to Europe this time. Maybe some professionals will give you better advice." Ball said with a smile. His words aroused everyone's approval. Everyone nodded in agreement, and then changed the topic and talked about other things.
Chapter completed!