Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 293
Three days later, Zheng Zhifeng, the Shaoqing of Honglu Temple, came to see him. One day later, the head of the Ritual System Department of the Ministry of Etiquette brought several officials to Zheng's mansion to explain and teach Zheng Zhifeng the etiquette and details needed for an audience.

Zheng Zhifeng knew in his heart that the court's move was because he was afraid that he, who was born as a pirate, would make a joke in front of the emperor, which was also the meaning of the title.Moreover, Zheng Zhifeng learned from the envious words of the officials of the Ministry of Rites that most officials of the fourth rank and lower ranks will never see the sky in their entire lives, and officials of the fourth rank like him who rarely participate in the affairs of the ministry can be summoned to play alone. The right ones are even rarer.

It was only then that Zheng Zhifeng realized how honored it was for him to be allowed to have an audience, so he was extraordinarily serious when receiving instruction.

After tossing for more than an hour and confirming that there were no mistakes, the officials of the Ministry of Rites gave up.After politely rejecting Zheng Zhifeng's enthusiastic retention banquet, and carrying the generous gift from Zheng Zhifeng, the officials of the Ministry of Rites went back to the Ministry contentedly.

A few days later, Zheng Zhifeng, who had been worrying about gains and losses, finally received the order to be allowed to enter the palace for an audience.

In the Qianqing Palace, after paying homage according to the etiquette taught by the Ministry of Rites, Zheng Zhifeng heard a young and gentle voice: "Zheng Qing, don't be too polite, show Zheng Qing a seat!"

Zheng Zhifeng didn't dare to raise her head to look where the sound was coming from. After Yili bowed and thanked her, she just sat down on the brocade stool brought by the little eunuch, but she only dared to touch half of her buttocks and dared not sit firmly, and her head was slightly Lowered, his whole body became extremely stiff under the accelerated heartbeat, and his forehead was also covered with beads of sweat.

Although the two were separated by more than ten steps, Zhu Youjian vaguely saw Zheng Zhifeng's face.

Since he has been in Beijing for several years, his dark skin, which was originally blown by the sea breeze, has gradually turned white, making Zheng Zhifeng look handsome and extraordinary. In addition, the Zheng family has continued to provide great help to the court over the past few years. Zhu Youjian's impression of Zheng Zhifeng became more favorable.

"Zheng Qing is handsome and looks very young. She should be under thirty, right? How many children are there?"

Zhu Youjian saw Zheng Zhifeng's nervousness, and then smiled and asked about homework in order to help Zheng Zhifeng relieve her nervousness.

"Reporting to the Holy Majesty, Wei Chen is in his mid-twenties. There are two sons and three daughters in his family, his wife Zheng Huang, and three concubines. Wei Chen has sent people back to Fujian and moved all his family to the capital. It is expected to be completed by the end of this month. You can arrive in Beijing!"

After hearing the emperor's question, Zheng Zhifeng hurriedly got up and bowed her hands and answered.

"Zheng Qing, please sit down. There are no outsiders in the hall. You don't have to be nervous. You can just sit down and answer later. The Zheng family is from Jinghaibo, with the ambition of being loyal to the emperor and serving the country, and is anxious about Ming's urgency. At this time of natural disasters and man-made disasters In the constant time, I have paid a lot for Daming over the years, and I know it in my heart. Rest assured, Zheng Qing, I and Daming will never treat the ministers who have contributed to the country. If the Zheng family continues to make contributions to Daming, the virtues of the Zheng family today There will definitely be rewards for descendants!"

Seeing that everyone moved their family members to the capital to show their loyalty, Zhu Youjian immediately drew a big cake and threw it out.

"Your Majesty's reputation makes me ashamed! As a minister of the Majesty, the Zheng family's actions are all within their own bounds, and they should not be praised by the Majesty. Moreover, the Majesty has always shown great favor to the Zheng family, and the elder brother of the minister is very precious." As an earl, the third elder brother of the minister is also the top of the military ministers. The humble minister has made no merit, but he was promoted to the fourth-rank high position by the Holy One. The kindness the Holy Master has shown me to the Zheng family is rare among the courtiers of the Ming Dynasty! Even if the humble ministers are smashed to pieces To repay the Holy Grace, from now on, we can only do our best for the affairs of the state, so that we can live up to the mighty grace of the Emperor!"

The emperor's gentle attitude and tone made Zheng Zhifeng slowly relax. After hearing the emperor's high evaluation of the Zheng family, he quickly stood up and saluted the Zheng family.

"Zheng Qing, please sit down. It's good if you have this heart. I also want to believe what you say. I think you have a good idea of ​​why I brought Zheng Qing here today. Before that, I still have some questions that I need you to clarify." Zheng Qing has lived on the southeast coast for a long time, and it is said that he has communicated with people from foreign countries, so he should be familiar with their customs and customs. I would like to know how you view the countries in the far west such as France and the Netherlands? If you go far to the west, What is the purpose to be achieved?"

Although Zheng Zhifeng has a very correct attitude and said that he will continue to make due contributions to the court and Ming Dynasty in the future, but Zhu Youjian, who has always regarded listening to his words and more importantly watching his actions as the principle of employment, did not praise him for this , Instead, he changed the subject and brought out today's topic.

Although Zheng Zhifeng is the most suitable candidate for his westward plan no matter from which point of view, Zhu Youjian still needs to see his view of the world outside of Ming society.

In this Daming where almost everyone regards themselves as the center of the world, they discriminate and despise all foreign countries except Daming from top to bottom. Except for the vassal state of Korea, the rest of Daming are collectively called Yidi.

National self-confidence is an excellent quality that the people of the whole country should have, but excessive self-confidence is equivalent to arrogance, and what is even more terrifying is that they will run all the way towards the oblique road of blind arrogance.

Zheng Zhifeng, who had been prepared for a long time, was completely relaxed, and then cupped his hands and answered: "My lord, people in the world say that countries such as Folangji are barbaric and rude, and they must say that their actions are rude and direct, and there is no modest gentleman." The wind is as gentle as jade, and the people of the country only see the benefits of gold and silver, but have no virtue of benevolence and righteousness. , its atmosphere is really too unbearable, it is indeed a common feature of Yi and Di. But after communicating with him, the ministers realized that what the world said was really absurd because they knew very little about him!"

Zhu Youjian couldn't help but feel happy when he heard the words, it seems that the person he chose really has a very good way.

Since the former cabinet minister Xu Guangqi passed away, there were very few people in Ming Dynasty who opened their eyes to see the world. Although Fang Yizhi did not reject the learning of foreigners, he was not as good as Xu Guangqi in terms of status or influence.Fortunately, Fang Yizhi is still young, and I believe that given time, this piece of rough jade will shine brightly one day after being honed.

"What did Zheng Qing say? What Qing Shicai said about the Western Yi in my Ming Dynasty is indeed a common theory, but as far as I have heard, the Western Yi is not only not as bad as it is, but there are still many things that my Ming Dynasty can't compare to. Since Zheng Qing meant something, you might as well speak freely today, and I will listen to it!"

Zhu Youjian smiled and encouraged him, he really wanted to hear what he wanted to hear from Zheng Zhifeng.

"Returning to the Holy Spirit, I have had several contacts with a man named Andre Gano from the Dafo Langji Kingdom, during which time I was accompanied by the general manager Fan. According to what Andre Gano said, in the extreme west of Daming There is a continent called Europe, which is as vast as our Ming Dynasty, but it is divided into several large and small countries, and they often fight with each other, so those who do it benefit! The big and small Frangipani countries and the Dutch red barbarians are among them The outstanding ones, but to the west there is the country called Francie and Odili, and its rise is unstoppable. Some men and women in Europe are bold and unrestrained, and they like to drink and indulge in lust. Produced silk and porcelain. Although all the people in the country are interested in profit, there are rules and regulations in everything. Anyone who exceeds the rules will have their own court to follow the law, and the rest will have no objection. Because of the perennial wars between several countries, Therefore, the research of firearms is particularly important, and its firearms and cannons are becoming more and more sophisticated. Andrew promised that there are countless skilled craftsmen who are good at researching strange and obscene techniques in several countries, and the words seem to despise my great firearms. My minister also I once thought that if the maritime merchants of our Ming Dynasty are going to Europe, we might as well seize the opportunity to capture their skillful craftsmen who are good at making firearms and giant ships and return them, so that they can work with our Ming Dynasty. If so, our Ming Dynasty can also compete with them at sea! "

Zheng Zhifeng talked for a long time with a bit dry mouth, Zhu Youjian turned sideways when he saw this, Wang Chengen personally poured a cup of tea and brought it over, Zheng Zhifeng stood up in a hurry, bowed first and then took the teacup with both hands.

"What Zheng Qing said is very good! I have rarely heard such remarks about treating others with a fair view since the death of Xu Ge. Regrettably, since the Three Treasures eunuchs in the reign of Emperor Taizong, no one in my Ming Dynasty dared to travel across the oceans to see the customs and customs! Nowadays, the people of the small country of Europe are tens of thousands of miles away, and they do not hesitate to risk their lives. As far as Daming, no matter why he came here, his courage is really admirable. On the other hand, although my Daming has hundreds of millions of people, there is no one to follow what he did. This is really regrettable! Fortunately, today Zheng Qing is willing to relieve this worry for me, I am very happy to hear that! Sure enough, I have not misunderstood, Zheng Qing is indeed a hero!"

(End of this chapter)