The Forbidden Kingdom Read Online Free PDF Page A

astonishment I heard the dominant voice in this conversation several times mention the King’s name with bitterness, which was answered with grunts of agreement by the other.
    “…Keeping all tributes for himself, exploiting the colonies, squandering everything on wars and debauchery , letting his subjects perish on exhausted soil; he gives no chance to men of enterprise. I offered to cede a third of the profits to the state, but I wasn’t allowed to fit out a ship; why should he make do with a third? I tried to argue that twenty times more ships could sail to distant lands than the state could fit out, that it would make it possible to dismiss many thieving officials and that in that way he would be better able to withstand the attacks of the English and the Spanish, which were becoming increasingly shameless, since a free merchant is not a weak protégé but a powerful ally. That was my case, but his ears were under his crown and his sense was in his imperial orb.”
    Again a growl of approval. I liked this conversation exceedingly , and climbed out of the boat onto the deck. The two merchants, caught in the act, saw me as a courtier who would denounce them to the King. The one who had been silent made a feeble effort to save the other:
    “Forgive him, my Lord. He’s generally a good citizen , but he’s suffered heavy losses and drunk too much tonight.”
    I said nothing.
    “Forgive him. If you happen to have debts with the Jews…”
    I shook my head.
    “If you want to run some up, we’ll settle them.”
    I wanted to deal carefully with the power I had acquired over these two people; the power I had had over the King for an instant, I had squandered too quickly; it also amazed me that the old man, who at court was governed by drink, his confessor and his sons, could close off whole seas and forbid ship owners to fit out ships; I was also amazed that two men experienced in commerce allowed themselves to be so driven by fear and did not simply deny what I, as an individual, accused them of. When I was young I didn’t yet know the power of the nobility, and when I later came to know it, I had lost my noble status. So I decided to dismiss one and question the other.
    “So let him go and rest and sleep off the drink. I’ll deal with him tomorrow.”
    The guilty man tried to say something, but his friend pushed him and off he went, forgetting to totter. I asked the other man:
    “Why can’t you put to sea? The mouth of the Tagus isn’t barred with chains, is it?”
    “We have no crew, my lord.”
    “But I’ve often heard the King complaining about the widespread desertion in the army and the fleet.”
    The merchant continued to give evasive answers, but when I promised him that I would not bring his name into it, he told me that trade with the overseas possessions , ships, everything, was the property of the King, that his councillors set the prices, and that all ships were searched to make sure those on board were not trading for themselves. It was made almost impossible for ordinary citizens to go into commerce. In Portugal a merchant was on almost the same level as a Moor or a Jew. I listened to him with great satisfaction. The spirit of resistance would grow, and collecting beneath the throne like an explosive gas would hurl it into the air and smash it to pieces.
    “If you yourself or your father have influence,” the merchant concluded, “use it for the good of trade and hence of the fatherland.”
    I laughed to myself. That was how they all talked, the priests about their church, the officers about the army and the merchants about their trade: as if it were the most sacred thing on earth. I thanked him for his information.
    “You friend will come to no harm. The only penance I ask is that tomorrow he knocks the priest over and empties a bucket of water over him.”
    The merchant looked at me in dismay and again raised the question of any debts I might have.
    “Quite the contrary; that sweaty friar