Domineering Daming

Chapter 573 Consular Jurisdiction

Tang Ruowang has been in the Ming Dynasty for many years, and he is well aware of the etiquette and habits of the Ming Dynasty. He stood up when he heard the words, and said in fluent Chinese: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the reason for my visit to the saint this time is because I and all the believers have visited various places in the Ming Dynasty. According to my observation, there will be rare heavy rain in the south of Daming this summer, we are afraid of a catastrophe, so I have come here to report to His Majesty, so we can deal with it as soon as possible."

Zhu Xu nodded with a smile, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Tang, the imperial court has noticed this matter and is already preparing for it."

Tang Ruowang's expression remained unchanged, but he was somewhat puzzled. In just two sentences of conversation, he could feel that the Emperor Ming didn't like him and seemed to be chasing him away.

He also figured it out, Ming people don't like foreign "gods". Over the years, he has worked tirelessly to preach everywhere, and those who can let go of the shackles to join the religion are some special people, such as the disabled inner prisoner, the poor The common people, as well as the confused officials.In the beginning, they were even regarded as "evil religions". If they were not for persuading people to be good and have no evil deeds, they would have been suppressed long ago. Even so, they were repeatedly suppressed by the government.

Tang Ruowang didn't know what the Emperor Daming thought of them, so he said straight to the point: "His Majesty the Emperor of Ming Dynasty, Tang Ruowang is here to spread the teachings of the West. I hope His Majesty the Emperor will allow it."

What Tang Ruowang said was general, but Zhu Xu knew it well, and said calmly: "We know people don't believe in your God, we have our own religion."

Tang Ruowang saw that the emperor of the Ming Dynasty knew more than he expected. He was silent for a while, and said: "Your Majesty, with all due respect, Confucianism and Taoism in the Ming Dynasty are not religions. They do not involve prayer, belief, and power of vows. God , will bring peace to the Ming Dynasty.”

Zhu Xu shook his head and said, "You guys have tried it before, what a conflict."

Tang Ruowang and some missionaries in Macau entered the Ming Dynasty decades ago, but they have not made much progress, instead conflicts abounded.In the Ming Dynasty at this time, there should have been many people in need of ideological comfort, but it has not been popular, which shows that Ming people are still quite resistant.

Tang Ruowang did not expect the emperor of Ming Dynasty to be so resolute. He frowned and said immediately, "Your Majesty, the learning of the West is beneficial to the Ming country, whether it is culture or technology, especially the artillery. It prevents foreign invasion and protects the territory of the Ming country. , What a great achievement. Tang Ruowang hopes that the Ming Dynasty can open the door of convenience so that China and the West can communicate smoothly."

Zhu Xu remained expressionless, and said, "Our country has a yamen for external management, and the entry and exit are orderly."

Xu Guangqi listened and watched quietly, without interrupting.The emperor's words were simple, and it seemed that he had half-spoken. Although his tone was calm, there was a strong sense of displeasure.This made him very puzzled, but he didn't rush to speak.

Although Tang Ruowang has been in the capital for two years, the management of foreigners in the Ming Dynasty has become more and more strict, especially in Macao. It takes half a month to go to Macau for review before it is possible to obtain the qualification to re-enter.

Foreigners in Macau will be expelled if they have a crime, bad record, or even suspect that their purpose is impure. In recent years, most of them have been forced to leave, including a large number of missionaries.

Tang Ruowang was worried that Zhu Xu would chase him away, so he said directly again: "Your Majesty, I hope that we foreigners can set up judges and criminal officers in Macau, similar to the Ming Dynasty's patriarchal system, to manage people in our country. Of course, everything will respect the Ming Dynasty. The Great Ming law of the court will not exceed the rules."

Zhu Xu frowned. Is this the so-called consular jurisdiction?Isn't this equivalent to a concession?

Of course, he absolutely cannot agree to this point!

Zhu Xu tapped his fingers on the table, and said with a slightly cold expression: "In the spirit of freedom of thought and the desire to exchange ideas, I allow you to preach, but you are not allowed to be involved in politics. Any officials, internal eunuchs, and scholars are not allowed to join the religion. Being baptized, discussing government affairs indiscriminately, and prohibiting contact with dangerous elements. Establishing churches, enrolling personnel, the number of missionaries, and the list must be approved by the court. Armed forces and weapons are not allowed. Everyone is under the law of the Great Ming. They are not allowed to have any privileges..."

Tang Ruowang's expression changed. The emperor of the Ming Dynasty had a resolute, even harsh attitude. This kind of situation had never happened before. You must know that many officials in the Ming Dynasty treated him kindly. The emperor's attitude seemed very strange.

He still refused to give up and said, "Your Majesty, Western technology and Daming have many complementary features. Tang Ruowang thinks..."

Zhu Xu waved his hand, interrupted Tang Ruowang's words, sat up straight, and said with piercing eyes: "I know that Western countries are invading, killing, and robbing everywhere, and missionaries have played an extremely disgraceful role. I don't care if you intend to or not. , everything you know will become a tool for the militants. The Portuguese have fallen, Spain is dying, and the Dutch seem to be powerful, but they are actually a small country with few people. If they invade the coast of Daming again, I will send the navy to the sea Threat! Go back and tell those ambitious people that in the Far East—I am invincible! The entire earth is also invincible!"

Tang Ruowang's face changed drastically, he raised his hand abruptly, and said, "Your Majesty, don't misunderstand, our Holy Roman Church is only for peace and to spread the glory of God..."

Zhu Xu said decisively, "Macau is not suitable for Westerners to live in. I will find a new place for you. After you go back, notify the Westerners in Macau and other places to move. You have no right to refuse. You can either move or leave. !"

Tang Ruowang did not expect such a situation today, frowning, sullen, his expression kept changing.

The resolute attitude of the Ming emperor shocked him, is this to drive them away completely?

Xu Guangqi moved his body. There are many places in Ming Dynasty that need these missionaries, such as firearms, calendar, warships, water conservancy, farmland, etc. Some western technologies can make up for the lack of Ming Dynasty.

Xu Guangqi didn't want these missionaries to leave, so he looked at Zhu Xu inquiringly.

Zhu Xu didn't look at him, but looked at Tang Ruowang resolutely.

Tang Ruowang is a missionary with great ambitions. The population of Ming country is larger than that of the whole of Europe. If he can turn Ming country into a country of faith in God, what a great honor it will be!

He won't give up, even if the Emperor of Ming doesn't like them so much!

Tang Ruowang was also an extremely smart person, he knew that if the Emperor Ming didn't drive him away immediately, if he did it before, there must be something that needed him!

Tang Ruowang was just a missionary. Although he had done a lot of research on the Ming Dynasty, the situation in the Ming Dynasty was still in the dark. He couldn't tell the difference and guess what Zhu Xu was thinking.

Tang Ruowang thought for a while, looked up at Zhu Xu and said, "How can I be allowed to preach, please tell your Majesty clearly."

Zhu Xu smiled secretly, but he was a smart person, and said: "I know that Putmans is mobilizing warships to start a war with me, Da Ming, and I want to talk to him."

Tang Ruowang frowned. Putmans was the person in charge of the Netherlands in the Far East and controlled all the fleets. He didn't actually know this person.

However, in order to preach, he decided to meet this person and spread the word for Emperor Daming.

"I will write back to His Majesty within two months." Tang Ruowang said.Now that he understood the emperor's intentions, he no longer panicked.

"Okay." Zhu Xu smiled and said, "Then I will wait for two months, and someone will come and send Mr. Tang out of the palace."

Tang Ruowang's entry into the palace this time did not meet his expectations at all, and even caused a whole lot of trouble, so he walked out of the imperial study with a frown and a sullen face.

Xu Guangqi then stood up, raised his hand to look at Zhu Xu and said, "Your Majesty, this is..."

Zhu Xu took a sip of tea and said lightly, "Jin Yiwei received a rest from the South China Sea. The Netherlands is ready to go to war with me, Ming."

This news was received not long ago. The Dutch asked Daming to sever trade relations with the Spaniards and Portuguese. They wanted to monopolize Ming's sea trade, or to monopolize East Asia. Naturally, this would not be accepted by Daming.Three days ago, the Dutch launched a surprise attack on the west side of Taiwan, tentatively attacking the island. Although they were defeated, they were "found out" by the Dutch and were preparing to attack with all their strength.

Xu Guangqi's face changed slightly. He has been in the Military Weapons Bureau. He understands the dangers around Daming more deeply than other officials. Hearing Zhu Xu's words, he pondered and said, "Your Majesty, the northern and southern navy have merged, and their combat power is superior. It should Nothing will happen."

If it's just guarding, naturally there won't be any problem.

But Zhu Xu didn't think about these things, looked at Xu Guangqi, and said without concealment: "In my original plan, I was going to cooperate with the red-haired man and go to sea with a battleship to see the world, but now I obviously have to change the plan .”

Xu Guangqi nodded thoughtfully. He understood the emperor's intention and wanted to have another talk with the Dutch.

Naturally, this was not Zhu Xu's idea. Da Ming could choose not only the Dutch, he needed time to communicate with the Spaniards, and the southeast coast also had to prepare, it was just to delay the time.

Seeing Xu Guangqi's slightly pale expression, Zhu Xu sighed inwardly, and said with a smile, "Go back and rest at ease, take care of the affairs of the Military Weapons Bureau, and concentrate on the affairs of the Ministry of Industry."

Xu Guangqi showed gratitude, raised his hand and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, I will keep this in mind. When I enter the palace today, I want to report something about artillery."

Zhu Xu's eyes lit up, this was exactly what he cared about, and said, "Tell me about it."

Xu Guangqi said: "Your Majesty, the power of gunpowder is increasing. The Ordnance Bureau has also tested a bomb that can explode in water. In addition, the range of the artillery has been further increased. These artillery have a longer range than the red-haired man. If In the event of a naval battle, it will definitely occupy an absolute advantage."

Naval battles are different from land battles, and the advantage of artillery is almost decisive. Xu Guangqi naturally knows this.

Zhu Xu nodded slightly. Artillery is indeed very important, but strictly speaking, the Ming Navy is still a "naval division". If it wants to go ocean, there is still a long way to go. It is best to have someone to help.

"Your Majesty, King Ping is here." Cao Huachun said through the side door.

Zhu Xu was startled, then opened his eyes, and said: "Well, King Ping is also going south with me this time, and the date is getting closer. He should come to talk about some details."

Xu Guangqi coughed again. Most of the time he came today was because of Tang Ruowang. After he had finished speaking, he raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, leave."

Zhu Xu turned his head to look at Cao Huachun, and said, "Send the imperial physician to Xu's mansion to take care of him carefully."

Xu Guangqi's eyes showed excitement, the corners of his mouth moved, and he still said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhu Xu watched him leave, tapped his fingers on the table, and said, "Send the decree to Fujian, the navy, and order him to speed up preparations for war, and then order Tianjin Wei to speed up shipbuilding! The court meeting will be held tomorrow, and we will leave Beijing in three days!"