The first assistant of the poor family

Chapter 540 The Importance of Culture [4000 words in two chapters]

Rodriguez followed the clerks to the huitongguan office and saw Xie Shen among them, he was taken aback for a moment and said, "Master Xie?"

"Why? Are you so surprised to see me?"

With a slight smile on his face, Xie Shen looked at the Fulang robot in front of him.

For him, Rodriguez is simply a living treasure.

First potatoes, then corn and sweet potatoes, the most important American crops were brought to Ming Dynasty by him.It seems that next time he will have to get chili peppers, which can also improve the eating habits of the people of Ming Dynasty.Now if you want something spicy, you have to use cornel instead, but the charm of chili is not comparable to cornel.

"Master Xie, this time I came to Daming to offer corn and potatoes to His Majesty the Emperor of Ming. His Majesty the Emperor is very happy, and I think Sir Xie is also the same?"

This French robot!

Xie Shen couldn't help sighing in his heart, as expected, people are always worthless.

For Rodriguez to say this is blatantly asking for credit.

It's nothing to invite credit, he is indeed rewarded.

"Tell me, what reward do you want? I will invite Your Majesty."

Rodriguez rubbed his palms together, and said with a smile, "I implore His Majesty the Emperor Ming to reward me with some silk, so that we can bring the silk to Europe in exchange for some money."

Xie Shen thought that Rodriguez is really good at calculating.Su silk was originally top-grade silk cloth in Ming Dynasty, and only relatives of the emperor and princes and grandchildren could afford it.Although merchants can afford it, they can't wear it out, because merchants made in the Ming Dynasty can only wear cloth, not silk, and it is arrogance to wear it.So Su silk is a symbol of status.

But no matter what, the price of Su silk in Ming Dynasty was not that exaggerated, while the price of European silk was dozens or even hundreds of times that of Ming Dynasty. European nobles took pride in wearing silk.

Rodriguez can earn a lot of money as long as he buys some silk and sells it back to Europe.

But he was not willing to spend even this little money, and hoped that the Emperor of Ming Dynasty could directly reward him with silk cloth, so that he could do a no-cost business.

But this is also within reason.After all, Rodriguez traveled across the ocean and came to Daming, and he deserved some rewards for his bumpy and tiring journey.

People can't always think about problems from their own perspective, sometimes they need to think in another way.Especially for a meritorious person like Rodriguez, if he wants to work hard without reservation, he must be given enough benefits.

"Well, I will bring the message to His Majesty. Is there anything else?"

Rodriguez pondered for a moment and said, "I will ask someone to bring these silks back to Europe to sell. But I want to stay in Daming to study culture."

Uh.
Xie Shen never expected that Rodriguez would make such a request.

"Of course there is no problem with this, but are you really staying in Daming to learn culture?"

"Naturally."

Rodriguez nodded frequently: "Da Ming's culture attracts me, and I want to settle down and study carefully."

What else can Xie Shen say?Although Rodriguez may want to take this opportunity to learn techniques such as silk weaving and porcelain firing, but on the bright side it is indeed under the banner of learning culture, and Xie Shen has no reason to refuse.

You must know that what Zhu Houzhao wants to see most is that people from Fanbang come to Daming to study, so that they can show the strength of Daming.

"I will also ask Your Majesty about this matter."

The Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple and Zhao Ji, the actual person in charge of the Huitong Hall, are all stupid. The old Xiaoge is really expensive. This kind of thing can replace the voice of the emperor. It seems that I have to hold the old thigh of Xiaoge tightly. .

Press here and don't mention it, but said that Zhu Houzhao still loves the taste of boiled corn after returning to the Leopard Room, and couldn't help but want to order someone to make another one several times.But when he thought that these were precious seeds, the glutton in his stomach stopped again.

Alas, whoever said that being an emperor can do whatever he wants, Zhu Houzhao can't even if he wants to have a good meal, it's really sad.

When Zhu Houzhao was depressed, Zhang Yonglai reported that Mr. Xiaoge asked to see him.

Zhu Houzhao then called Zhang Yongxuan to Xie Shen to meet him, thinking that he would take this opportunity to complain to his husband.

Xie Shen entered the main hall, bowed slightly to Zhu Houzhao and said, "Your Majesty, I just went to Huitong Hall to meet the Flangji businessman. The man hoped that His Majesty would reward him with some silk so that he could take it back and earn some money."

"Reward! This person has made great achievements, no amount of reward can be too much. Zhang Yong, I will send a reward of [-] bolts of silk from Suzhou this year to the Fulangji merchant."

"The slaves obey the order."

Gu Dayong hastily said respectfully.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing. This Frangji businessman wants to stay in Daming to study Ming culture."

"Well, this is a good thing. Let Honglu Temple Shaoqing Zhao Ji arrange it. The food and clothing expenses are all in charge of the Huitong Hall, and everything is in accordance with the highest standards, and we can't fall into the prestige of the Ming Dynasty."

Xie Shen was not surprised at Zhu Houzhao's attitude.

The Emperor of Ming Dynasty always had a good face. After all, a businessman from Fan Kingdom wanted to stay in Daming to study culture. How could the emperor refuse? He had to serve delicious food and drink, so he should set a model for other countries to see.

"Your Majesty, if this person intends to spread Ming culture, I think he can be taught Confucianism."

Uh, Zhu Houzhao looked at Xie Shen suspiciously, not knowing what happened to Mr. today, but unexpectedly admiring Confucianism uncharacteristically.

Whether Xie Shen is willing to admit it or not, in Zhu Houzhao's view, he is a firm Confucian black man.Although he got his position through the imperial examinations, Xie Shen didn't have the slightest trace of corruption. Instead, he treated others with a sense of vigor.

Relying on this vigor, Xie Shen implemented new policies one after another, covering various fields.

After the implementation of these reforms, it was naturally the scholar-official class who were most affected.And these literati and bureaucrats are firmly tied to Confucianism.

They naturally held a grudge against Xie Shen, which was reflected in Xie Shen's idea of ​​establishing a craftsman academy and giving craftsmen a higher status.

Xie Shen actually talked about the goodness of Confucianism, which was really beyond Zhu Houzhao's expectation.

"Sir, do you really think so?"

Xie Shen naturally understood what Zhu Houzhao was thinking. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the former minister dares to speak nonsense. Since these barbarians want to learn culture, they can choose one of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Buddhism and Taoism should not be considered. Now, these barbarians have their own religion and are very devout. Then the only thing they can learn is Confucianism."

After a short pause, Xie Shen continued: "Besides, Confucianism has a great effect on reforming barbarian thinking. If they really recognize Confucianism from their hearts, then Ming Dynasty has already conquered them."

Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "Actually, what you really want to talk about is the latter point, right?"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The corner of Xie Shen's mouth twitched slightly and said: "Although the barbarians are not as good as Daming, they are still good in some areas. If they can be used by Daming, it might not be a bad thing."

Cultural invasion is more terrifying than military invasion, because it can control an ethnic group or even a country from the ideological level, so as to achieve actual control over the country.

Europe has just experienced the dark Middle Ages and is in a period of ignorance of thought. If the cultural export of Confucianism is completed at this time point, it is not impossible to completely change the thinking of Europeans.

In other words, Xie Shen took advantage of a vacant window period. If Europeans awakened in the future, it would be impossible to complete the cultural export of Confucianism.

"Well, Mr. who knows me. In fact, I think so too."

Zhu Houzhao said: "All of my vassal states in the Ming Dynasty respect Confucianism. How can this Xiyi be an exception."

Xie Shen felt a little helpless, Zhu Houzhao still didn't fully understand what he meant.

But it doesn't matter much, as long as he does what he says, everything will be fine.

Xie Shen thought of the envoys sent to Tang Dynasty in the heyday of Tang Dynasty.

During the Tang Dynasty, all countries sent Tang envoys to study in Tang Dynasty.

The aspects of learning cover political system, religion, economy, culture, and craftsmanship.Among the countries, Fusang country is the worst.

It is a pity that although the Tang Dynasty already had imperial examinations at that time, the imperial examination system was not as complete as it was in the Song Dynasty or even the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Confucianism without imperial examinations at most only provides a direction of learning, but does not have a strong cultural export ability.

This is why Tang exported so much to the Fusang Kingdom, and in the end it was able to maintain its independence and not be assimilated.

If the Tang Dynasty already had a complete imperial examination system in the Ming and Qing Dynasties at that time, then these countries that sent Tang envoys to study would undergo fundamental changes and truly become Tang Dynasty vassal states.

Fortunately, it's not too late now.

The Folangji people wanted to learn the culture of Ming Dynasty, so they showed them the essence of Confucianism. It would be best if they could export the culture.

"Just do what Mr. says."

Zhu Houzhao rubbed his palms together and said, "As for Gu Dingchen, I have also thought about it. I will allow him to be the right servant of the Ministry of Rites and let him join the cabinet to participate in government affairs."

His majesty's thinking was really jumpy, Xie Shen was taken aback for a moment before he realized that the emperor was already talking about another thing.

"Your Majesty is wise. Gu Dingchen has shown impressive abilities in this test, and I believe that he will not disappoint His Majesty's kindness."

What Zhu Houzhao said means that Xie Qian may really be not far from becoming an official.

There is no way to do this, Mr. Xie's body is really getting worse day by day.Originally, Xie Shen planned to let Xie Qian work for a few more years, but now it seems that it may not be possible.

Once Xie Qian retires, Xie Shen will replace him as the second assistant, and there will only be him and Li Dongyang in the cabinet, which is indeed too small, so there is no problem in calling Gu Dingchen into the cabinet.Can we just ask him to participate in government affairs instead of conferring the title of Grand Bachelor?

There is an essential difference whether there is a bachelor's title or not.This is a recognition of the cabinet ministers.Often, only cabinet ministers who have been in the cabinet for a long time and have won the most sacred hearts will be awarded the title of cabinet bachelor.

Even if Gu Dingchen entered the cabinet, it was for Li Dongyang and Xie Shen. It is normal for him not to have a name.

"I hope so." Zhu Houzhao sighed and said, "To be honest, I'm used to quarreling with Xie Cifu from time to time. I'm really not used to him suddenly wanting to retire."

Xie Shen: "."

He has a dark face all the time, can His Majesty the Emperor pursue it a little bit?Has it become a daily task to quarrel with the cabinet minister?ah?

"Your Majesty, my lord has also reached the age of being fond of grandchildren."

Xie Shen said helplessly: "He has devoted his whole life to Daming, and he should take care of his life."

"Well, I won't force you to stay this time."

Zhu Houzhao couldn't bear to watch the sick Xie Qian run to the palace again and again.Although Zhu Houzhao gave Xie Qian a shoulder car, that thing is not comfortable to sit on for a long time.

Xie Qian can be regarded as an old man who grew up watching Zhu Houzhao, and it is inevitable to be sad to leave Zhu Houzhao now.

Xie Shen was somewhat relieved about this.Zhu Houzhao valued affection and would show favor to his courtiers who were close to him.

This is very rare for a king. From another standpoint, only in this way will the king's subjects work for him.

If it was a king with a cold personality like Jiajing or Wanli, and the courtiers were busy fighting among themselves to protect themselves, how could they care about handling government affairs and doing practical things?

Sometimes it is a very learned thing to be under the imperial court, and what you can gain by simply playing power and tricks is definitely just renunciation.

"What position is your majesty going to confer on Tang Zhuangyuan?" Xie Shen didn't want to discuss such a sad topic anymore, so he changed the subject and started talking about the appointment of Tang's great talent.

Talking about Tang Yin, Zhu Houzhao finally had a happy face.

He coughed and said, "He is the number one scholar, so naturally he was awarded to Hanlin to compile the manuscript. This is custom-made by the ancestors, and it is not something I can do at will."

After a short pause, Zhu Houzhao continued: "However, I plan to ask him to work in Honglu Temple after a few years of experience as the number one scholar of the Tang Dynasty."

"what?"

Xie Shen couldn't help but lose his voice.

What a joke, don't Hanlin Ci officials go to the East Palace to be gilded after they finish serving in the Hanlin Academy?Even if you can't go to the East Palace, you can go to Liubu.The six ministries are still first-line yamen, so what is Honglu Temple?If it is exhausted, it is the second line, and there is no prospect of improvement.

If Tang Yin heard the news, he would vomit blood out of anger.

"Sir, do you think it's wrong?"

Zhu Houzhao is obviously not very confident. If even Xie Shen is skeptical, he is indeed a little uncertain.

"I just think that Tang Zhuangyuan is not suitable for serving in Honghe Temple. Honghe Temple is in charge of court rituals, and Tang Zhuangyuan is obviously not that kind of serious person. I am afraid that Tang Zhuangyuan will not be able to make the best use of him if he goes to Honghe Temple."

In fact, what Xie Shen said was very clear, after all, the opposite is the emperor, so we should save him some face.

"Sir, I misunderstood. What I mean is to ask him to hold the position of Honglu and Shaoqing, and actually go to the Huitong Hall to preside over the affairs."

That's it!

Xie Shen made up his mind a bit, so it seems that His Majesty the Emperor is still very useful.

The Huitong Hall is responsible for the reception of the pilgrimage envoys. To put it bluntly, it is to accompany them to eat, drink and play.

Tang Yin's temperament is bohemian. Although he has been honed over the years, it is impossible for him to completely change his nature, which is easy to change.

The reason why Zhu Houzhao chose Tang Yin was probably because he valued his unscrupulousness. After all, Tang Yin started out as a erotic painter, and got involved with prostitutes. He must have a lot of ideas for escorts.

(End of this chapter)