As soon as he arrived in the prosperous Ming Dynasty, Victor was fascinated by the prosperity and splendor of the Ming Dynasty. In addition, he was tired of the dangerous mercenary life and wanted to settle down.
So he used his savings over the years to buy this wasteland, built a mill on this wasteland, planted crops, and became a Taoist priest.
Shen Lie responded lukewarmly: "He is indeed a fake Taoist priest."
This is not surprising at all.
When did Europeans arrive in Asia and begin contact with the Ming Dynasty?
Shen Lie vaguely remembered that it was during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty.
At that time, a Portuguese fleet occupied Managa, a subsidiary country of the Ming Dynasty, and then arrived in Guangzhou uninvited.
They even showed off their power and fired salutes at the Pearl River Estuary, causing panic among the local people.
When questioned by the prefect of Guangzhou, the Portuguese argued that firing a salute was an international etiquette.
Although the Portuguese were a bit arrogant, no lives were lost, and secondly, this was a country's envoy after all.
Out of diplomatic etiquette, the fleet was allowed by the Ming Dynasty cabinet to be stationed in Tuen Mun. Later, the Portuguese were allowed to go to Beijing to meet the then Emperor Zhengde.
Those who are willing to die are catching up with the demise of Zhengde.
Then he caught up with the occupied Ming Dynasty's vassal state Manlajia and went to Beijing to complain.
Therefore, the person who temporarily presided over the government at that time was the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty, Yang Tinghe, who faced repeated provocations from the Portuguese fleet.
Yang Tinghe was angry at that time.
Who are you with?
On the second day after the death of Emperor Zhengde, mainland Yang Tinghe ordered the Portuguese mission to be expelled from the capital and ordered all foreigners to leave Ming Dynasty immediately.
The Portuguese were naturally dissatisfied and arrogantly ordered a fleet of eight sail warships. They also wanted to show off their power at the Pearl River Estuary, and then...
There's no after that.
The furious officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty swarmed up and quickly defeated the Portuguese fleet, captured the entire Portuguese fleet, and then chopped them all with swords.
From then on, the arrogant Portuguese and Europeans finally realized the power of Ming Dynasty and had a clear understanding of Ming Dynasty's strength.
As a result, each one became more obedient and began to do business honestly according to the rules of the Ming Dynasty. Only then did the Ming Dynasty court allow Westerners to enter the Ming Dynasty.
Shen Lie knew in his heart that most of the people traveling from Europe to Asia in these years were desperadoes who had committed murders in the country, or sailors or mercenaries seeking wealth.
I just didn't expect that this man was actually a mid-level general of the Royal Guards of Sweden before he fled to Southeast Asia. This is quite a talent.
Shen Lie had also read several novels and vaguely remembered that there was a very powerful emperor in the Kingdom of Sweden named Gustavus II.
But after asking, I found out that the current King of Sweden is called Karl VI. Shen Lie was thoughtful, and it seemed that Gustav II was not born yet.
The trial is over.
With a look from Shen Lie, the tiger-like and wolf-like Jin Yiwei couldn't help but put a sack on the foreigner's head, knocked him unconscious with one punch, and dragged him out like a dog to death.
Shen Lie said softly: "Throw this person outside to dry first, and then train him properly."
Tian Hong nodded and said softly: "Why is that? It's just a Thai man with no household registration and no relatives. As long as he does it cleanly, it doesn't matter if he is killed."
Shen Lie hurriedly said: "Brother Tian, listen to me, keeping this person will be of great use."
Potatoes are not easy to grow. You need someone who knows how to grow them. Besides, this person is proficient in archery and navigation. It would be a pity to kill him like this.
If you can conquer this person...
At this moment, Shen Lie's eyes flashed with a profound look, and he whispered in Tian Hong's ear, "We have to trouble Mr. Tian to find a way to control this person in our hands."
Now that he has found potatoes, Shen Lie naturally wants to firmly control these potato fields and potato seeds in his own hands and not allow others to get involved.
Then this foreigner becomes the key.
Hearing that Shen Lie wanted to subdue this person, Tian Hong was slightly surprised, but he actually agreed: "Let him grow those... potatoes here obediently. This matter will be easy to handle."
Shen Lie nodded and said softly: "After the matter is completed, Shen will be deeply grateful."
Tian Hong hurriedly said a few words in a humble tone: "Brothers, I don't need to thank you, it's easy to say."
During the conversation.
Shen Lie walked out of this small Western-style mill.
He looked at Victor, who was curled up in the corner shivering, and then at the two sacks of potatoes in the corner and the dozen acres of potato seedlings outside.
Shen Lie's eyes couldn't help but narrowed.
At this time, the situation suddenly changed. It was still a sunny day in March in March, but a large amount of dark clouds came from nowhere, covering up the warm sun.
As the light dimmed, spring thunder was brewing in the thicker and thicker clouds. Soon the spring thunder rolled and light rain began to fall from the sky.
The spring rain is as precious as oil, filling the moist green leaves of alfalfa and potatoes with vitality.
The drizzle of rain keeps falling, moistening the soil, the air is filled with a faint smell of earth, and the smoke from cooking is curling up in the small mountain village not far away.
Several guards in gilded clothes sat under the eaves with their hands on their waist knives, cutting some alfalfa to feed the horses, and at the same time looking after the tied-up Westerners.
In the mill, the breeze blew the windmill, driving the millstone to rotate slowly.
Shen Lie and Tian Hong were sitting at a simple table, chatting and enjoying their afternoon leisure time.
As Shen Lie picked up a boiled potato, looked at it, broke it open, and tasted it, he felt another burst of ecstasy in his heart.
The potatoes of this era have thicker skins, smaller sizes, and less sweetness, but that’s the taste!
Shen Lie couldn't hide his excitement after finding the potatoes, so he picked up a potato and gently broke it open, then ate it with great taste.
Tian Hong also imitated his example and picked up a potato and took a bite.
The taste quickly made Tian Hong frown, swallowed with some difficulty, and then coughed.
Tian Hong, who almost choked, took a sip of water and looked over suspiciously. He didn't understand what was so delicious about something called potatoes.
Why is Shen Lie as if he has found a treasure?
Shen Lie smiled slightly and didn't say much. Plates of delicacies had already appeared in his mind, including shredded potatoes in vinegar, stewed pork ribs with potatoes...
With potatoes, Shen Lie is at least 90% sure that he can develop a series of signature dishes and make Bianyifang's business prosper.
According to the history that Shen Lie knew, potatoes were introduced to the Ming Dynasty during the Wanli period, and were not taken seriously at first. It was not until a few years later that someone tried to cook with potatoes, and they soon became a delicacy.
Obviously at this moment, the wonderful uses of potatoes have not been developed by people of this era.
After swallowing the remaining potatoes in the bowl, Shen Lie looked outside the door again. Victor was shivering in the rain and was already soaked in the rain.
The heat is almost done.
Tian Hong waved his hand and asked someone to carry Victor in, who was shivering like a quail, and said quietly: "Do you want to live?"
Victor, who was cold and scared, nodded hurriedly: "Think, think!"
Who is Tian Hong? Is he an ordinary person who can become a member of the Imperial Guard under the Emperor's feet? It is just a matter of effort to deal with a Western missionary with no background.
During the conversation.
Tian Hong said coldly: "As long as you want to live."
With a glance, a royal guard took out the ink pad and a blank document from his arms, grabbed Victor's hand and bowed forcefully.