Xu Xiake stood up as he was told, and then reported to Zhong Jinwei with excitement: "The official has lived up to his trust. According to the Duke's instructions, he traveled around various European countries and brought back a boatload of books. In addition, there were two bows.
The ship was full of craftsmen, and we caught up with them on the way and came together to the Ming Dynasty."
When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he was overjoyed and said repeatedly: "Okay, okay, we even brought the craftsmen of the two bow boats. What an unexpected surprise!"
Xu Xiake also smiled and said with a little regret: "It is said that there were originally craftsmen with four bows. One of the bows was sunk by the storm, and the other bow was infected by the plague, and all of them died."
When Zhong Jinwei heard this, the smile on his face couldn't help but stop. He quickly asked Xu Xiake: "Are there any sick people on the ship you came back from Europe this time?"
When Xu Xiake heard the Duke ask about this matter, he also knew how serious it was, and immediately replied: "No, all those who were sick were thrown into the sea by the captain."
At that time, when sailing at sea, if someone got sick, he had to deal with it to prevent it from being transmitted to other people. Otherwise, the ship was small and there was no extra space for isolation, and it was very likely to harm other people on the ship.
Zhong Jinwei thought about it and ordered: "It's better to be cautious. Those of you who have returned from Europe need to take a shower and change your clothes and pants after arriving in Guangzhou, and then stay in isolation for ten and a half days. If you have nothing to do, we will talk about it."
"Yes, Duke." Although Xu Xiake felt a little disapproving, he had no choice but to obey the Duke's instructions.
Gu Baichuan on the side heard the conversation between Zhong Jinwei and Xu Xiake, and looked at Xu Xiake and began to look up and down.
However, he watched for a long time and never found any signs of illness in Xu Xiake, so he said nothing further.
There are more than ten bow boats floating on the sea, and many people on the boats are looking at the beach. They have been floating on the sea for so long and are eager for land. But now the people talking on the beach are big people, and no one dares to complain about them.
Delay time.
However, Zhong Jinwei noticed that the beach was not a place for chatting, so he told Zheng Zhilong: "You continue to escort the fleet to the Shipping Department, and ask Mr. Sun to do a good job in health and epidemic prevention according to what I just said. I will handle the matter here.
I will return to Guangzhou soon.”
"Yes, Duke." Zheng Zhilong agreed quickly.
Not long after, the fleet resumed its journey to Guangzhou. Zhong Jinwei watched the fleet go away on the beach before returning to the manor.
As soon as he returned to the manor, Gu Baichuan asked someone to bring soap for the basin. When Zhong Jinwei saw it, he was stunned for a moment, then understood, and couldn't help but smile and pointed at Gu Baichuan. Then he didn't object and washed his hands first.
Things in Southeast Asia have basically been settled. The next step is to keep an eye on the development of the situation and secretly control the situation in Southeast Asia so as not to deviate from expectations. For this work, Zhong Jinwei does not need to stay here. Jinyiwei commander Liu Xingzuo is following
Just come in.
Therefore, Zhong Jinwei went through the situation and general precautions of each country in Southeast Asia with Liu Xingzuo, and then left the manor on the third day and returned to the Guangzhou Shipping Department.
The reason why he was eager to go back was because he remembered what Xu Xiake had seen in Europe, what books he had brought back, and what kind of craftsmen they were.
After returning to the Imperial Envoy's office at the Yamen of Guangzhou City, Zhong Jinwei first summoned Sun Chuanting, the City Shipping Secretary, and inquired about the anti-smuggling situation and the distribution of flintlock rifles. After receiving a satisfactory answer, he summoned Xu Xiake.
In the lobby where Zhong Jinwei received guests, the guest of honor sat down, drank tea, and chatted.
Zhong Jinwei first asked Xu Xiake: "Can we have statistics on the books and craftsmen brought back?"
"Returning to the country, the books have been counted during the voyage back. Mathematics books are the most numerous, and there are also many alchemy, minerals, astronomy, and military books, almost all of which are in these categories. Detailed lists of various types have been compiled.
When it’s done, please let the Duke take a look.”
Xu Xiake had already expected this. As he spoke, he took out a thick roll of paper from his sleeve, held it with both hands to one of the Duke's guards, and passed it to Duke Xing.
When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he was filled with joy. After receiving it, he started to read it. But when he looked at the densely packed book titles and introductions, his head became dizzy.
Many of these book titles were literal translations, and nothing could be discerned from the titles alone. There were so many of them that Zhong Jinwei’s original intention to see if he was familiar with the titles was dashed.
But Zhong Jinwei still pretended to be very happy on the surface. While turning over the stack of paper in his hand, he repeatedly praised: "Not bad, not bad, very good, very good."
In his mind, he had already made up his mind to let Xu Guangqi or find someone to sort out the translation first. After it was almost done, he would go over it himself.
Xu Xiake was very pleased when he saw that what he had worked so hard for was highly valued by the Duke.
Guessing that he had almost time to pretend, Zhong Jinwei handed the stack of paper to Yu Changjian and asked him to put it away carefully.
Then Zhong Jinwei turned to look at Xu Xiake and asked expectantly: "Do those craftsmen have statistics?"
"Gui Guogong, we have roughly collected statistics, but what each person is good at is still being calculated. I estimate that it will take at least two days." Xu Xiake turned sideways to Zhong Jinwei and replied.
Seeing that the Duke nodded and continued to look at himself, Xu Xiake continued: "These craftsmen are involved in many industries, but the most common ones are shipwrights and blacksmiths. Because these are more valued in Europe and there are more of them. The lower official thinks I am a great Ming.
It is weaker than Europe in this aspect, so when Xiaguan first revealed the news, he focused on these craftsmen."
"Yes, you did a good job." Zhong Jinwei nodded and praised Xu Xiake.
"This is what a lower official should do." Xu Xiake was praised in person by Zhong Jinwei. He, who had never experienced the ups and downs of officialdom, blushed slightly and said humbly.
Zhong Jinwei asked him again with great interest: "You have visited Europe, what do you think of it?"
"Xiaguan feels that Europe today is a bit similar to the Warring States Period in China. Countries are attacking each other and there is no unified empire." Xu Xiake replied cautiously.
Zhong Jinwei was not satisfied with this answer, so he basically knew the content.
So Zhong Jinwei asked in another way: "Then tell me what impressed you about Europe. You can talk about anything. Just treat us as good friends and chat."
Zhong Jinwei's guards had been listening to the conversation between the Duke and Mr. Xu. Now when they heard the question asked by the Duke, they suddenly became more energetic. They all looked at Xu Xiake, ready to listen to his description of the distance.
What kind of place is it in a place thousands of miles away?
However, Xu Xiake's evaluation left them all speechless. They only heard Xu Xiake's reply to Guo Gongdao: "The impression Europe gives to lower officials is that they are dirty, messy and lewd!"