The motorcade carrying Pope Alexander VII finally stopped in the middle of Chang'an Avenue, in front of the Jinshui Bridge.
The Pope got out of the car and looked at the two infantry fighting vehicles on the square two hundred meters away - this was the first time the Pope had seen such war machines in kind.
For the people in Beijing, the prestige of infantry fighting vehicles has spread throughout Northern Zhili through the mouths of 400,000 Ming Dynasty defeated troops. Whether they are well-informed businessmen or peddlers in the market, they all know about infantry fighting vehicles from rumors.
How it was fought. The details of the chariot have long been known to the world.
Therefore, there is no need for Li Zhi to hide such weapons in the warehouse.
The infantry fighting vehicle looks like a steel box from the outside, and no technical secrets can be seen. The technology of the machine gun and breech-loaded cannon is very complicated, and it is impossible to see the manufacturing technology from the outside. Li Zhi placed two tanks in the square.
The common people in the capital watched and demonstrated, allowing the common people to satisfy their curiosity and increase a little sense of national pride.
It is now 1656, half a year has passed since the decisive Battle of Tianjin. The people in the capital have long been tired of seeing these two infantry chariots. There are no people near the chariots. Only a few merchants from other provinces are still curious and stand
Watch and discuss next to the chariot.
However, for Europeans who have just set foot on Chinese soil, these infantry fighting vehicles can be said to be extremely important. Legend has it that the Chinese relied on this weapon to defeat the Ottoman Turks and Persia. If you can learn more about this weapon
Its characteristics may be of great benefit to future decisions.
The Pope and the King of Portugal looked at each other, both hoping to get closer to see clearly.
King Joao IV coughed and said to the ceremonial staff beside him: "Dear Mr. Officer, we hope to go to the square and have a look."
However, Zhang Yu, the deputy battalion commander of the Huben Army who was in charge of the reception, immediately saw through the Europeans' thoughts. He sneered and said: "Your Majesty, the square in front has our confidentiality regulations and is not open to foreigners.
"
King John IV looked at the retinue on the left and right and laughed.
"Portugal and Daqi are close allies and cooperate closely on the European battlefield. His Majesty the Emperor's most advanced weapons are sold to Portugal at the lowest cost price. What is there not to see in this square?"
The King of Portugal has a natural affectionate temperament, which makes people subconsciously feel close to him. He said this so easily that the surrounding Tiger Soldiers were a little shaken.
Now that Portugal is a vassal state of Da Qi, the Portuguese king and the people in the capital took a look at the appearance of the infantry fighting vehicle, which seemed to be nothing.
But the soldiers' trance was interrupted by Zhang Yu's cold words.
"This is a rule, Your Majesty."
Zhang Yu looked at the newly built bell tower in the distance and said coldly: "It's almost time. If you don't enter the palace, I'm afraid you'll be late. The Pope and the King should enter the palace!"
After being slapped by Zhang Yu, Joao IV's face twitched and he smiled awkwardly. He subconsciously looked at the Pope, wanting to see if the Pope would despise him - Joao IV was a very shameless person.
He is now relying on the Easterners to serve as China's retinue, but the Chinese are so wary of him. This is really embarrassing.
Alexander VII, however, seemed not to see anything. He lowered his head and slowly followed the ceremonial staff into the Chengtian Gate of the Forbidden City.
John IV blinked his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief as he felt that the Pope's calm demeanor relieved his embarrassment. He followed the Pope's pace and walked quickly into Chengtian Gate.
After passing through one city gate after another, everyone finally arrived at the Huangji Palace.
In the Huangji Palace, the first thing Alexander saw was a young and middle-aged man with fine features and handsome features, even according to Western aesthetic standards. This man was sitting on a steel wheelchair and was wearing a purple official robe. He looked like he was only thirty-five.
He is six years old, but his eyes are very calm and determined.
A young and middle-aged man is sitting in a wheelchair, discussing matters with several senior officials next to him. The middle-aged and elderly officials next to him respect the man in the wheelchair very much, and they all bend down to talk to the man.
Seeing a large group of European guests entering the Huangji Palace, the young and middle-aged man in the wheelchair just raised his head and glanced here, and then continued his own business.
Tang Ruowang came close to Alexander VII and introduced: "Your Holiness, the man on the chair is His Excellency Cui Changwu, Marquis of Qinghe of the Daqi Empire. Cui Changwu lost his legs for the cause of the emperor, and no one in the world dissatisfied him. Now he serves as Daqi
Prime Minister."
Alexander VII looked at Cui Changwu and nodded.
The Europeans stood in the middle of the Huangji Hall for a while, and then heard the sound of a clear bell and tripod striking. Then they saw Li Zhi, wearing a simple and gorgeous marshal uniform, walking into Huangji, escorted by a few attendants.
temple.
John IV quickly bowed to Li Zhi, and the Pope also bowed his head in greeting. Both of them were a little nervous. After all, this was a Han leader who controlled two oceans and conquered countless countries. Even in history, no one has ever
Reaching the power of Li Zhi.
Li Zhi stood on the royal road and looked at Alexander VII. After pondering for a while, he quickly walked to the throne and sat down.
Everyone in the Huangji Palace knelt down. João IV hesitated, and finally knelt on one knee - he was the king of the vassal state of China, and he did not dare to show any confidence in front of Li Zhi. Alexander VII
Shi Ye twitched a little. Finally, he chose to bend slightly and bow to the Chinese emperor to show his respect.
Li Zhi waved his hand, causing everyone to stand up, and asked directly: "Pope of the Holy See, why did you come to see me?"
Alexander VII raised his head and said in Latin: "Great Emperor of China, I came to China to see the great Tianjin and the great construction achievements you have made here."
Li Zhi looked at Alexander VII and smiled.
After laughing for a while, he suddenly said: "Now do you know whether it is witchcraft, magic, or technology?"
Upon hearing Li Zhi's words, the Pope's face turned pale.
Obviously, the priests' surprise and panic in front of all kinds of new things in Tianjin these days have been reported to Li Zhi's ears verbatim.
To be honest, it is impossible for Li Zhi's technology to be taught to Europeans, so in the eyes of the Pope, there is really no difference between Li Zhi's technology and witchcraft. From the standpoint that the Holy See has always shown to the outside world, these things of Li Zhi cannot be used
Common sense explains that Alexander VII should not stand here talking to Li Zhi.
But the Holy See is not that simple. What Alexander VII thought was far more complicated than what the Holy See usually showed. For the benefit of the Holy See, even cooperating with the devil was nothing.
Alexander VII said categorically: "That is not witchcraft or magic, it is technology."
Hearing the Pope's words, John IV looked at him in surprise.
The other bishops and priests behind the Pope were also very surprised. They saw the Pope being as panicked as themselves a few days ago, but they did not expect that the Pope would suddenly confirm that everything in Tianjin is technology.
Since it is technology, then the Holy See can cooperate with the Chinese.
John IV grinned silently and began to re-examine the old man, the Pope.
Li Zhi also smiled when he heard what Alexander VII said.
Cui Changwu had been reading a report in his hand. At this time, when he heard the Pope's insincere words, he finally couldn't help but raise his head and glance at Alexander VII.
Li Zhi rubbed the index finger and thumb of his right hand and said, "So, what does the Pope, who can influence the whole of Europe and even mobilize all Catholic countries to launch a holy war, stand here and want to say to me?"
Alexander VII looked directly into Li Zhi's eyes, took a step forward, and said, "I hope to have a private conversation with His Majesty."
Li Zhi smiled and said nothing.
Cui Changwu suddenly put down the report in his hand.
Sitting in a wheelchair, he no longer dealt with other official duties and looked directly at the European Pope.
After a moment of silence, he said loudly: "The European Pope, as the Prime Minister of China, I can tell you frankly that the cooperation you want is impossible.
