"So! It's just a barbaric natives' island, absolutely not India!..."
Sebastian questioned with reason and evidence, each sentence like the pounding of an aggressive drumr, striking Columbus's heart. Columbus's face turned red, wanting to retort loudly, yet he didn't know where to start. Finally, he could only grit his teeth and shout like a provoked stubborn mule.
"Nonsense! Those natives have cotton yarn, and it's a hot tropical zone; where I reached is indeed India!... As for why those natives are ignorant... it's only... only because they are far from the center of India, being islanders from the oriental islands of India, uncivilized boundary natives!"
"Furthermore, we continued our voyage and reached the civilized West Pan Gu Japan! We even encountered the navy of the Xipangu Kingdom, saw their oar-sail ships and copper cannons! Many in the Xipanguan army wore Ancient Greek-style bronze armor, wielding golden long spears; it's a nation both barbaric yet civilized!"
"But if it weren't for an encounter with the Xipanguans, we certainly could have reached further westward to the Eastern Continent, reached Khitan of milk and honey, reached Seris of silk and porcelain! This is indeed a genuine new route to the prosperous East!"
"...The navy of West Pan Gu Japan... oar-sail ships and copper cannons..."
Upon hearing this, Sebastian paused, speechless and not knowing how to respond. The encounters between the Castilian fleet and the native navy on the Great Island were also truthfully confessed by the interrogated sailors.
Though the natives' navy seed backward, like city-states from Ancient Greece... but they have cannons, tal weapons, and considerable numbers, indeed representing a powerful and civilized Native Kingdom. Such a Native Kingdom requires prudent handling and respect, much like the "Sanghai Kingdom," or "Mwenembe Congo" that Portugal encountered on the Southern Continent.
"Aha! Columbus, the sailors confessed that you sailed south from the 'Indian Islands' and then reached 'West Pan Gu Japan'? In your exploration, Japan is to the south of India and in the hot tropics between 20 to 22 degrees north latitude?"
Once again, the navigation scholar Leonor stood out, following up on Sebastian's questioning. Upon hearing this question, Columbus opened his mouth, mumbled a few words, and finally could only say.
"The Almighty bears witness! That must be West Pan Gu Japan! As for the Indian Islands previously reached... perhaps it's an extrely long strip extending from the south all the way to northern Japan..."
"Haha! A long strip of Indian Islands? Hahaha!"
Leonor laughed disdainfully, turned, and saluted King Joao above.
"Respected King Your Majesty, we've asked enough. The truth is crystal clear! Columbus discovered so islands in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, encountered so barbaric natives, and even a native kingdom... but according to the unanimous opinion of the court scholars, that's absolutely not the East, and certainly not India or Xipangu!"
"Hmm... you've worked hard..."
Joao II nodded slightly, his expression still calm. The court scholars' judgnt aligned with his own. After the initial shock and disbelief from hearing the news, through the sailors' interrogation records over the past two days, he had a clear assessnt of Columbus's claim of discovering the "Eastern New Route."
"Columbus, what you reached is not the East. The native islands you discovered are neither India nor Xipangu... it's rely a savage archipelago in the depths of the ocean, far, far away from the East... Indeed, whether a route even exists in the Atlantic leading from the west to Seris remains uncertain!... Of course, if one day you do manage to sail ten thousand miles westward and encounter a large landmass... that indeed would be an incredible discovery!"
In a serene tone, Joao II spoke, his expression still calm yet with a hint of indifference, just like when Columbus had sought an audience with him so ti ago. He had no intention of discussing further with Columbus, of revealing Portugal's knowledge of India, or even its secret envoys who had reached India. Nor did he plan severe punishnt for this "Genoese navigator," who had already caused quite a stir, for doing so would only suggest that the other party truly discovered so "Eastern route" worthy of Portuguese persecution.
In reality, he only planned to detain Columbus for a few days, send soone to issue a warning, and then release him. At this mont, focusing on developing the Indian route, the Kingdom of Portugal was in no position to engage in any direct conflict with the Kingdom of Castile, known for its fierce and aggressive conduct following the Holy War. Previously, had he captured the other party on the high seas, executing or secretly detaining them wouldn't have been a big deal. But now that it had beco such a public matter, it was no longer appropriate...
"Columbus, you've damaged the dock bridge of the port. That damaged Clark Galleon has been impounded by the Kingdom Navy... hmm... leave a compensation paynt for the repair of the port and the rchant ships damaged by your collision, and you can be released from prison! Then, you may return to Castile and report to Queen Isabella, who appreciates you, about your so-called discovery of the East, the so-called new route."
"However, with the Almighty bearing witness! I need to remind you. According to the Alcazovash Treaty, witnessed by the Pope, although Castile holds sovereignty over the Canary Islands and exploration rights over further western islands...the unknown rights and islands in the Atlantic should primarily belong to the Kingdom of Portugal, not the Kingdom of Castile, unless voluntarily relinquished by Portugal. Hence, the so-called Indian islands on which you landed and the so-called eastern territories you claid are essentially null and void, violating the papal treaty... As for your purported title of Eastern Governor, Queen Isabella's promise also holds no validity, as it must be recognized first by Portugal."
Joao II's expression remained calm, with an underlying hint of contempt, mirroring his deanor when Columbus initially sought an audience. Hearing these final words, Columbus's head buzzed, anger coursing through him, and veins bulged on his forehead, filled with overwhelming rage!
"rda! Minchia! Damned! Damn the Portuguese, damn the Portuguese King! Even at this point, why do you still not believe ? Why do you still belittle ? I've endured so much hardship, the trial of the Almighty, and returned alive from the East!... Yet you continue to deny my voyage, deny my discovery of a new route, even deny the Queen's judgnt in choosing !"
"Cuzzo! Che cazzone! Not only do you seek to dismiss the honor of reaching the East, but in the end, with a flippant remark, you want to strip of the power and wealth in the East promised under the exploration contract, strip of the governor title granted in the contract? Even seeking compensation, wanting to pay for repairing the port and rchant ships! Damned! Truly damned! Damn King João, may you find an early spot in the Hell of Fire, drilling the Devil's rear!"
Filled with boiling anger, Columbus's face turned red and then pale. He had no money; he was deeply in debt to Jewish rchants! Discovering a new route westward to the prosperous East, rather than so barbaric natives' islands... was his spiritual anchor of two decades, and his sole hope for a reputation, his only leverage for a coback.
Therefore, no one can deny him, deny the new route he discovered! Even if it costs him his life, he must affirm it diligently, with unwavering belief, that it is indeed the prosperous East, the new route to the East!
"King João... I swear by the na of the Almighty, by my noble status, that I truly reached West Pan Gu Japan! The Almighty bears witness!"
Columbus gritted his teeth, raised a hand, and swore to the Lord in the heavens. Yet, witnessing this scene, the Portuguese scholars sneered disdainfully, and soone muttered.
"Swearing again... truly a compulsive liar..."
João II subtly shook his head. He waved his hand, signaling the guards to return Columbus to jail. Hearing the scholars' snickers, observing João II's indifference, and the swiftly approaching guards, Columbus finally panicked! He could no longer suppress his desire to prove himself, could no longer hide that crucial secret, and shouted loud and clear.
"The Almighty bears witness! I have evidence, indisputable evidence! Proof that it is indeed the East!"
"Oh? What evidence?"
"I found a native book in a Xipanguan village! The only book!... That book is proof of the East! The characters in that book are the square characters ntioned by Marco Polo, unprecedented square characters!"
"Hmm? A native book? Square characters?... Hmm! The Eastern letters brought back by little Pero!"
Upon hearing this, Joao II's eyes instantly widened, his deanor visibly changed. His accustod calmness finally faded, revealing an unprecedented seriousness as sothing dawned on him. Subsequently, he took a deep breath, locked his eyes on Columbus's, and sternly inquired.
"Columbus, where did you hide the book? Bring it out!"
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