Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 142: Rising from the plain ground

In Zhang Xiao's house.

"Zhenzhi, you said you have met Matteo Ricci several times and had a good conversation. How did you meet?" Zhang Xiao asked curiously.

"When Mr. Li came to the capital, he visited all over the capital. All the officials in the capital knew that such a foreign monk had come. However, Mr. Li did have some knowledge. Li also had some questions that he wanted to discuss with someone, so he and Li We met, sir." Li Zhizao replied.

"What did you all talk about?"

"We talked about astronomy, calendar, and geography. Mr. Li also asked me where I studied, so I told Mr. Zhang your name. When Mr. Li heard your name, he said he wanted to come and visit you."

"Does he want to talk to me about something, including astronomy and calendars?"

"I definitely want to talk about astronomy and geography, but Mr. Li also wants to discuss your "Conquest of Mexico" with you. He feels that you have misunderstood their Christianity. He wants to ask you to explain it and what else can you say to save it. I don’t quite understand what it means about lamb, and I don’t know if this foreigner particularly loves mutton.”

"I am also looking for this foreign monk. If he wants to visit me, I am still very welcome. Can you find him now?"

"Okay, now Mr. Li and I meet every now and then. Tomorrow is the next time we meet."

"Xitai, okay, I took note of it."

"Isn't it to save the lost lamb?" Zhang Xiao asked.

"No, but I still understand what you are saying. There is no problem with purely academic discussions." Zhang Xiao declared in advance.

"Student, obey. One more thing. Although Mr. Li is from Xiyi, and Matteo Ricci is also his Chinese name, he also took the nickname, Xitai. It would be better for you to call him by his nickname." Li Zhizao He solemnly took the famous assassin handed over by Zhang Xiao.

"Mr. Li. There is a saying in an ancient Chinese book that leads a cow to invade someone's field and seize the cow. If someone else takes the cow to eat the seedlings in their own field, they are naturally making a mistake. But if you take other people's fields, they will It's too much to seize the family's cattle and treat them as your own. The Aztecs were indeed cruel, which is why Cortez was able to recruit so many American natives to fight for him. But you just treat other people's cattle like this? The Aztecs were destroyed, and they plundered countless wealth from the Aztecs, and then found a pretext to conquer barbarism and civilize civilization. European countries have continued civil wars and killed countless people. Even if they are brutal, they will not give in. Nothing more. It’s just relying on the strong to bully the weak.”

"No, Li Mou has already paid tribute to the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Li Mou wanted to go to the capital last year, but at that time the Ming Dynasty and the Japanese country were at war. It was inconvenient for me as a foreigner to go around, so I had to stay in Nanjing. ”

The next day, Zhang Xiao received a greeting card from Matteo Ricci. Along with the greeting card, there was an exquisite Western-style walking clock.

"Oh, what's the misunderstanding?"

"Zhang Shidu, your eloquence is so good. No wonder the emperor of Ming Dynasty asked you to be his literary attendant. Let's not talk about these political topics for now. I am willing to exchange academic knowledge with you, Zhang Shidu." Matthew found a step for himself.

"At that time, in the Battle of Korea, the First Army Corps led by Governor Konishi of Japan was at the forefront. They were flying cross flags and wanted to turn Korea into a country of crosses. The cross flags were too conspicuous, so His Majesty was very dissatisfied. I am happy and wonder if Xiyi is supporting the Japanese country behind my back. So although Mr. Li pays tribute to His Majesty, I am afraid that his sincerity is not enough."

Although the clock later had an unpleasant homophone when given away, in this era, this self-propelled clock was considered a precious gift, so Zhang Xiao naturally accepted it happily.

In the palace at this time, the emperor was carefully looking at the gifts presented by Matteo Ricci.

"Our church did not support Japan. Although Governor Konishi did believe in God, his war actions did not receive the blessing of His Holiness the Pope. The church feels very sorry for Japan's war with Ming Dynasty and Korea. A group of us came I came to Ming Dynasty for the cause of peace and to enhance exchanges and understanding between the East and the West."

"Since Zhang Shidu knows a lot about us in the West, I, Matteo Ricci, am also willing to communicate with you. Can I give you some suggestions? There are many misunderstandings about our church in "The Conquest of Mexico" written by Zhang Shidu."

"No problem, no problem, we can talk about anything." Zhang Xiao also said downhill.

"Ah, Zhang Shidu is a church member?" Matteo Ricci was a little excited.

"Chen Ju, you see the Queen Mother's birthday is coming. I have been thinking about it for a long time, but I don't know what novelties to give to the Queen Mother. Fortunately, this foreign monk Matteo Ricci also brought some things in as tribute."

"Then when you see him, you can hand him my famous assassin and let him come to visit me next time."

"Shi Zhang read what you wrote in "The Conquest of Mexico". Cortez's conquest of the Aztec country was for gold. The missionaries followed him to prove that the gold belongs to the Lord, that is, to Europe. Owned by people. This is the biggest misunderstanding about our church. The Aztecs believed in evil gods and evil idols, and they also killed living people as sacrifices. Their king had been controlled by demons. When missionaries went to Mexico, they let The local people felt what the true God was and brought civilization and enlightenment to the local people.”

"Mr. Li traveled thousands of miles to come here and even gave me a gift. There is a saying in China, which is called sending goose feathers from thousands of miles away. The gift is light but the affection is heavy. But this self-walking clock cannot be a tribute to His Majesty, right? The officer must hand it over to His Majesty immediately."

At the appointed time, Matteo Ricci arrived as promised.

"Yes, the Queen Mother must have never seen these novel objects. The ministers saw that these objects are also very delicate, and they were brought here from thousands of miles away. The Queen Mother must have never seen these novel objects." Chen Ju replied.

"But it's easier to tell about the clock and the sculptures. How to play with the Atlantic." The emperor touched the Atlantic.

"How to play it depends on the person who pays tribute. Since it is Matteo Ricci who pays tribute, then Matteo Ricci will naturally play it."

"But the origin of Matteo Ricci is not completely clear yet, and Matteo Ricci is a barbarian. What if his strange description disturbs the Queen Mother?" The emperor was worried.

At this moment, a young eunuch hurried in and whispered a few words to Chen Ju.

When Chen Ju heard this, his expression suddenly changed.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Zhao Ge has something urgent to report to Your Majesty."

"Oh? Why are you in such a hurry? Why do you want to report to me alone? Just let him in."

Although it was an urgent matter, Zhao Zhigao still walked calmly when he came in, but the anxious look on his face already showed his anxiety.

"What does Zhao Aiqing have to say? Why are you so anxious?" the emperor asked.

"I do have urgent matters, but..." Zhao Zhigao looked at Chen Ju beside the emperor and hesitated to speak.

"Chen Ju, since the matter is urgent, please stay away for a while." The emperor said to Chen Ju.

"Eunuch Chen, Zhao is offended because of official business." Although Zhao Zhigao has the integrity of a scholar, he is not willing to offend the eunuch leader for no reason.

"What did Mr. Zhao Ge say? Chen will avoid it right now." Chen Ju saluted and left first. The eunuchs and maids nearby also went out one after another. Only the guards, covertly and covertly, were left to protect the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I was browsing the book market and found this book. It contains important content." Zhao Zhigao took out a book from his pocket.

The guard next to him took the book, looked through it carefully, and then handed it to the emperor.

The emperor picked up the book and started reading it. He only turned the first few pages and put it down.

"Zhao Aiqing, I know this book. It was written by Lv Kun, the inspector of Shanxi Province. The book is called "Pictures of Girlfriends". It tells the deeds of virtuous women and martyrs in history, and it also has pictures. Chen Ju went to buy it outside the palace. When I went to study for books, I also bought some of this book, and each of the concubines in the palace was given a copy. I have also read this book, and there are no important words. Promoting women's virtues can make customs pure. Hua, isn't this the kind of governance that a saint wants?" the emperor said.

"Your Majesty, I have read the original version of this book, and there is indeed nothing wrong with it. But this book is a reprint, and some other words have been added, especially...especially the last chapter." Zhao Zhigao mustered up the courage to say .

"Oh? The last chapter. Let me take a look." The emperor picked up "Pictures of a Girlfriend" again and turned to the back. As a result, when the emperor saw the title of the last chapter, he almost didn't hold the book firmly.

"Zhao Aiqing, where did you find this book?"

"It is sold in several bookstores in Beijing, but according to the store, the sales are not very good."

"Zhao Aiqing, you immediately order the officials in charge of book management in the Ministry of Rites to go to the store where this book is sold and ask them to take it off the shelves. Those who have already bought the book...forget it, those who have already bought the book... Leave it alone. Remember, the book must be taken off the shelves quietly and the people in the capital are not allowed to be alarmed."

"Wei Chen obeys the order. I still have questions to ask about this book." Zhao Zhigao said.

"I know what you want to ask, so don't worry about it for now and take this book off the shelves immediately."

"I obey the order." Although Zhao Zhigao wanted to say something, seeing that the emperor had gone so far as to say everything, he had no choice but to leave.

"Go and call Chen Ju back." The emperor looked at the "Pictures of a Girlfriend" in his hand. The more he looked at it, the more it felt hot to his hands, so he put the book aside and asked the guard to call Chen Ju back.

"Your Majesty, the minister is back." Chen Ju rushed back excitedly, but was stunned when he saw the gloomy emperor.

"Read this book, let's start with the last chapter first." The emperor patted the "Illustrated Story of a Girlfriend" on the table.

Chen Ju took the book respectfully and began to read it carefully. But when he read the last chapter, he looked as if he had been struck by lightning.

"You bought this book and brought it to the palace," the emperor said.

"Your Majesty, this is not what I brought into the palace." Chen Ju looked at the last chapter and held it in for a long time before he could say this sentence.

"Nonsense, I know that the one brought into the palace certainly doesn't have this paragraph. I just want to ask who added these chapters,"

"The ministers don't know, it should be the harem..." Chen Ju's voice became weaker and weaker.

"If you don't know, go check it out. Who did it in the harem? Tell me clearly."

"Your Majesty can ask Concubine Zheng directly. This is probably the fastest way. Of course, the factory guards can also investigate, but it will be slower." Chen Ju was silent for a moment before he said bravely.

"You go down to investigate first. I have my own considerations. And if you send books to the palace indiscriminately, you will be fined for one year."

"Your Majesty, my ministers, thank you for your kindness." Chen Ju resigned.

The emperor picked up the expanded edition of "Illustrated Notes on Girlfriends" in his hand and read through it from beginning to end. But when the emperor saw the last chapter about Concubine Zheng with a preface, he couldn't bear it anymore.

"Pass the decree and drive to Yikun Palace." The emperor put the supplemented edition of "The Illustrated Notes on Girlfriends" in his pocket and hurriedly ordered.

In front of Yikun Palace, Concubine Zheng was already dressed up and waiting.

"Your Majesty, why aren't you busy in the imperial study? If you have time to see my concubine, I still want to see Xiao'er." Concubine Zheng said coquettishly to the emperor.

The emperor said nothing, his face solemn.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you? Is there something wrong with my concubine?" Concubine Zheng looked pitiful.

The emperor looked at that familiar face. If Concubine Zheng had been so coquettish before, he would have softened his heart no matter what. But today I feel a little different. Although this face is beautiful, there is a trace of stupidity in it. It would be fine if she was just her favorite concubine, but if she really became a queen, or even a queen mother in the future...

Of course, these thoughts only lasted for a few seconds, and the emperor quickly regained his composure.

"My beloved concubine, now is not the time to act coquettishly. There is an important matter that I want to talk to you about seriously," the emperor said.

Seeing that the emperor's expression was still so serious, Concubine Zheng felt powerless for the first time. The pity and pity that had been a bit artificial turned out to be true feelings, and her eyes filled with tears without realizing it.

"Your Majesty, what mistake did I make to make Your Majesty so angry? Please forgive me for the sake of Xun'er and my several young children." Concubine Zheng began to sob as she spoke. .

"Okay, okay, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Let's talk after we go in." At this moment, the emperor, who was rich in the world, was at a loss and had to coax his beloved woman into the palace.

After entering the palace and seeing that Concubine Zheng's mood had stabilized a little, the emperor took out the expanded edition of "Illustrated Notes on Girlfriends" from his pocket.

"My dearest concubine, do you know about this expanded edition of "The Illustrated Story of a Girlfriend"?" the emperor handed the book to Concubine Zheng.

Concubine Zheng picked up the book and flipped through it quickly.

"Your Majesty, I saw that the "Illustrated Notes on Girlfriends" sent by Eunuch Chen was very well written, but there were no deeds of women from this dynasty in it, so I added the deeds of twelve women from this dynasty and made another one. I also entrusted my uncle and brother to add these additional deeds and the preface written by my concubine, and reprinted the "Illustrated Notes on the Girlfriend". Is there anything wrong with this "Illustrated Notes on the Girlfriend"? ?" Concubine Zheng still looked confused.

The emperor wanted to scold her, but he swallowed his words silently. He just looked at Concubine Zheng helplessly, and then let out a long sigh.

(End of this chapter)