"There are many countries in Europe, but they all obey the Holy See. I remember that at least for a period of time, their pope was greater than the king. Although I don't know whether this is the case now, there is no doubt that the church's influence on various countries is definitely
It exists."
Zhong Jinwei is not very clear about European history and can only describe it roughly based on his memory.
The two of them stopped unknowingly and chatted in the dark. Their guards and entourage had to spread out to protect the two bosses and prevent others from disturbing them.
When Xu Guangqi heard what Zhong Jinwei said, he asked: "Master Hou, do you mean to let my fellow believers lead the way to Europe to learn scriptures?"
"Haha, Mr. Xu, that's well said. Isn't this just Tang Sanzang going to the West to obtain scriptures?" Zhong Jinwei laughed immediately when he heard Xu Guangqi say the word "pursuing scriptures", and then said: "But the Ming Sanzang sent by the Ming Dynasty
, the acquisition is not Buddhist scriptures, nor other religious scriptures, but natural science scriptures, which will lead to a scientific path for the Ming Dynasty and China!"
Zhong Jinwei's laughter attracted the soldiers of the Five Cities Military and Horse Division who were patrolling in the distance, and they came here with torches.
Gu Baichuan immediately sent a few officers over, asked for their torches, and sent them far away. They were not allowed to disturb the adults in discussing national affairs.
Xu Guangqi was not as happy as Zhong Jinwei. He was a little worried and said: "Master Hou, didn't you say that the missionaries in the Ming Dynasty relied on their knowledge to preach? If I, the Ming Dynasty, pulled out all the money and got those knowledge books, so that they can't teach them, then
Will they still agree to serve as guides?"
Jinwei had already thought of this at this time, and he immediately explained to Xu Guangqi: "It doesn't matter, this is where Mr. Xu's cooperation is needed."
"Please speak." Xu Guangqi handed over to Zhong Jinwei with a sincere face. For the sake of the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty, for everyone in the Ming Dynasty to know the natural sciences and read those books with strong logic, he was sincerely willing to do it.
Zhong Jinwei was slightly moved by Xu Guangqi's attitude and immediately said to him: "Master Xu, I am going to find a reason to ask your Majesty to ban their church and not preach in the Ming Dynasty. Then you will come forward to intercede for them. I don't believe it.
You must go to Europe to see what their religion is like before you can safely allow them to preach in the Ming Dynasty."
When Zhong Jinwei said this, Xu Guangqi already understood his intention.
"In this way, in order to resume preaching in the Ming Dynasty, they will definitely protect my envoys from the Ming Dynasty to Europe and serve as guides for sightseeing and inspection in Europe."
Zhong Jinwei's next words were already expected by Xu Guangqi. According to what Zhongxing Hou said before, the church has influence in various European countries, so there will be a lot less trouble and a lot more convenience in the process of going west.
This will make it easier for the Ming envoys to go to Europe, but it will still be difficult for the craftsmen to return to the Ming Dynasty if they just load a few ships of books.
"The Marquis is right, but the church may not allow the Ming envoys to directly transport several ships of books and craftsmen back to the Ming Dynasty?" Xu Guangqi expressed his worries. It would not be difficult to secretly hide some books and bring them back.
Zhong Jinwei nodded and said to Xu Guangqi: "Master Xu is right, the church may not agree with us Ming envoys doing these things on such a large scale. This requires us Ming envoys to be able to adapt to changes after arriving in Europe to complete this task."
After hearing this, Xu Guangqi said: "What the Marquis said is that if you come like this, the requirements for the Ming envoy will be higher, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to find one."
Unexpectedly, Zhong Jinwei's next words made him aggravate his worries: "Master Xu, this is not the most basic condition for the Ming envoy. He must be in good health and arrive in Europe safely; the second is
Not pedantic, knowledgeable, and able to adapt to changes!"
It seems that this Ming Sanzang is much more difficult than the Tang Sanzang in mythology. He was invited by others, and there were such powerful bodyguards, and the sky was full of gods and Buddhas to protect him. When he got there, he could just get the scriptures and come back.
.
Now, Ming Sanzang has to rely on his own personal ability. Of course, he also relies on the big tree of Ming Dynasty to bargain with various gods and Buddhas in Europe to strive for the greatest benefits for Ming Dynasty.
Xu Guangqi fell silent after listening to Zhong Jinwei's words. It was really hard to find such an envoy. If possible, he really wanted to go to Europe in person. But as Zhong Jinwei said, his body did not allow it.
Xu Guangqi also thought of a person who had translated books for him, but that person was a bit bookish and didn't know how to adapt to changes.
After much deliberation, he still couldn't think of a suitable candidate, so Xu Guangqi had to ask: "Does the Marquis have anyone who can be sent as envoy to Europe?"
He couldn't think of such a suitable candidate himself, so he placed his hope on Zhong Jinwei.
Unexpectedly, Zhong Jinwei also shook his head and said: "I can't think of it at the moment, but don't worry about it. There are so many people in Ming Dynasty. It shouldn't be too difficult to find such a person. We can get things done first,
While looking for the right candidate.”
Xu Guangqi thought that this was the only option, or he could ask the emperor to issue an imperial edict to recruit such people from all over the country.
He remembered something and asked Zhong Jinwei: "Master Hou, what reason are you going to find to trigger this matter?"
Only then did Zhong Jinwei realize that the two of them were standing on the street chatting, with torches blazing around them, and his stomach was growling a little.
He pinched the horse's belly slightly, letting the horse continue to walk forward, and then said to Xu Guangqi, who was following him: "In my impression, the teachings taught by these priests are exclusive. In Europe, many people are not interested in this teaching.
Anyone with different opinions was burned to death as a heretic. This is impossible to allow in the Ming Dynasty. I am a little surprised, how can you accept this doctrine?"
If Zhong Jinwei asked others about this matter, he might not know the things he said. But Xu Guangqi knew a little bit. He explained to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Hou, the reason why they have been unable to spread their teachings in the Ming Dynasty is that
Because their teachings could not be accepted by the people of the Ming Dynasty. Later, Matteo Ricci changed his approach and slowly began to promote it, and then he had the opportunity to cooperate with them."
"Oh, how did Matteo Ricci do it?" Zhong Jinwei asked curiously.
"Matteo Ricci himself wears Confucian clothes and speaks Chinese. Except for his skin color, he is no different from us Han people. Moreover, the doctrines he preached allowed the believers of the Ming Dynasty to continue the traditional worship of heaven, ancestors and Confucius, and there was no Jesus
He was crucified on the cross and did not talk about Jesus’ identity as the virgin son. They also tried their best to avoid talking about the theology of their church, and only then was it gradually accepted by Han Chinese.”
Zhong Jinwei was even more surprised when he heard Xu Guangqi's introduction. He asked: "If Matteo Ricci did this, how did you know these things?"