Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 377 The Merciful Emperor of Ming Dynasty

Theoretically speaking, although Macau is the gathering place of Portugal, the actual sovereignty belongs to Ming Dynasty.

For example, the Portuguese have to pay 500 taels of silver every year as lease money to Xiangshan County.

For example, Chinatown in the United States.

Until 1887, Portugal used the power of Britain to force the Qing government to send people to sign the "Sino-Portuguese Conference Draft" and the "Sino-Portuguese Treaty of Peace and Commerce" in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

Not only did it stipulate that Portugal should permanently reside in and manage Macao and the places it belongs to, but it also allowed them to live in treaty ports, rent and buy land, build houses, and set up churches, etc., thus making Macao separate from the motherland and becoming a Portuguese colony.

Of course, the symbolic loan of 500 taels was also cancelled.

At this time, the imperial court also had its own considerations.

During the Jiajing period, Japanese pirates were prevalent. The matchlock guns and Fran cannons brought by the Portuguese were of great military value. In addition, the nature of the leased land was not ceded, so let them turn a blind eye.

However, at present, the advantages of the existence of Macau still outweigh the disadvantages.

Portugal has this foothold and has gathered a lot of wealth and talents from the West, all of which Ming needs.

It has to be admitted that although Daming still has advantages in agriculture and light industry, the West has even greater advantages in technology.

For example, navigation, casting, geographical discovery, astronomical research, mathematics, physics, etc.

Just like astronomy, since Tang Ruowang accurately predicted the solar eclipse, the position of Qin Tianjian was held by Westerners for more than two hundred years in the Qing Dynasty.

Back in the palace, Zhu Yixi thought for a long time, and finally decided to meet the Portuguese.

It is not terrible to fall behind, what is terrible is arrogance and complacency.

The missionaries were very surprised. Before being summoned, they asked Ban Li for questioning, hoping to learn from him the real situation and taboos of Emperor Ming.

Ban Li was just dazzled by the gold fan, and said with admiration:

"Honorable priest, the emperor of Ming Dynasty, has supreme power, for example, he declares that he is the son of God."

"Oh, God!"

A priest with a brown beard opened his mouth: "Heretic, absolute heretic, apart from Jesus, God will not have a second Son."

"Dear priest, you have misunderstood, their God is just a synonym for the blue sky above our heads."

Ban Li hurriedly shook his head and explained, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"In addition, the emperor can add his own wives at will, and no one can stop him, so they have a large number of heirs, and there is never a crisis of extinction."

"God, this is the tradition of the Ottomans."

muttered the black-bearded priest.

On this one, it is relatively easy to accept.

The legalization of mistresses may cause an uproar in Europe.

"If Henry of England knew this, he would not have divorced again and again, let alone betray Rome."

Several priests laughed out loud immediately.

Henry VIII of the Tudor dynasty in England, in order to give birth to a legal heir, did not hesitate to carry out religious reforms and married five queens.

Finally gave birth to Edward VI, who died young.

"Of course, it's enviable that he has the power to levy taxes at will."

Ban Li's eyes lit up, and he said enviously and jealously: "There is no third-level meeting, no noble priests, and so-called free people to stop."

"Hundreds of thousands of officials across the country are all running for his tax collection, and dare not have the slightest complaint."

"Oh, God!"

Hearing this, the three priests couldn't help lowering their heads, and their expressions suddenly became serious.

In Europa, the level of royal power lies in the size of the taxing power. Even the Pope of the Papal State cannot override the cardinal to collect taxes.

Now, the three priests who had just arrived immediately realized the power of the Ming Emperor.

Kneeling down on one knee, looking serious.

Zhu Yixi also understands that in Catholicism, kneeling on both knees is a religious ceremony, and ordinary people are fine. If you make these priests kneel, you are forcing them to convert!

"How many years have the priests been in Macau?"

The emperor asked with a relaxed face.

"Answer Your Majesty, it has been half a year since we arrived in Macau, and we have learned Chinese quite well."

The leading priest had a huge nose under a pair of brown eyes, and two thick lips covered under his thick black beard.

Speaking of it, there is always a smell of mutton skewers.

Of course, it could also be an illusion.

Zhu Yixi was very pleased.

As expected of a high-level talent, in only half a year's time, he has almost learned the Chinese language.

However, ordinary people cannot reach those who travel thousands of miles to the east.

After some exchanges, several people exchanged ideas on mathematics, clocks and watches, shipbuilding, astronomy and other aspects.

In the field of science, several priests are also well-read and have their own strengths, which makes Zhu Yixi quite happy.

In Europa at this time, science and theology are not opposed to each other, but unified with each other.

If we say that theology is about understanding the Bible, the sacrament, etiquette, etc., is about respecting God, while science is about proving the existence of God.

Different routes lead to the same goal, and they all want to illustrate the greatness of God.

And when science developed and matured, it began to "rebel".

The great physicist Newton, he did not convert to religion in his later years, he was a believer from childhood to old age.

A mathematician, an astronomy, a watchmaker.

Mathematics can be applied to drawing, construction, artillery calibration, and shipbuilding; while astronomers are more important to navigation and are indispensable pilots.

And clocks and watches, not to mention, can make complex clocks and watches, and other handicrafts such as artillery and machine tools are even easier to grasp.

Zhu Yixi looked at these three great talents and suddenly thought: "If I hadn't intercepted them, then these three people would be from the Qing Dynasty."

"I allow you to worship in Mr. Wang's church. The only requirement is that you must teach a group of students."

The emperor looked serious and said seriously.

"No, Your Majesty!" The priest with a black beard quickly waved his hands and said, "We came to Daming to preach, and teaching students will delay the cause of the Lord."

"is it?"

The emperor said indifferently: "In this way, as long as each of you can teach two hundred students, I will not only build a cathedral for you, but also allow you to preach in Nanjing."

"Of course, the premise is that no coercion is allowed."

Several priests were taken aback and their faces were full of joy.

They didn't expect to get permission so easily, it was like a dream.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor, your generosity is wider than the sky."

Zhu Yixi nodded silently, looking at the three of them with a little satisfaction.

It's great to get three free laborers, and it seems that shipbuilding can be accelerated.

(End of this chapter)