Daming: Apocalypse of Longevity

Chapter 69

Zhu Tianqi thought for a moment and then said to Sun Yuanhua: "Sun Aiqing, since these Taixi people are so sincere, we can't just ignore them all the time. Let's go to the Huitong Hall to make arrangements at noon. Before that, I led the Taixi craftsmen to the Emperor’s Palace to meet the Holy Spirit!”

When Sun Yuanhua heard this, he was immediately shocked. According to the previous imperial court's attitude towards the Taixi people, the emperor was not willing to receive them in person. Even if the Taixi people wanted to give gifts to the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty would often send someone to accept the gifts. , then sent the person away.

This is not entirely because the Ming Dynasty regards the Taixi people as foreigners and rejects them in their hearts. It also has something to do with the etiquette and laws of the Ming Dynasty, because according to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, generally speaking, only the vassal countries of the Ming Dynasty are qualified to submit to the Ming Dynasty. He paid tribute and was received by the Emperor of Ming Dynasty.

The Thai and Western countries were not vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty had never intended to establish diplomatic relations with them. Therefore, starting from Matteo Ricci, several Taixi people who came to the capital to try to meet the Ming Emperor ultimately returned without success, even though they were The emperor of Ming Dynasty presented exquisite gifts, but he didn't even get the treatment that Ming gave to the vassal state.

Now Zhu Tianqi was willing to summon the Taixi craftsmen to the Huangji Palace on the second day after they arrived in the capital. This was an unprecedented courtesy. Sun Yuanhua hurriedly saluted: "I obey, I will go to the Huitong Hall to make arrangements!"

After Sun Yuanhua withdrew, Zhu Tianqi told Wang Yuanbao: "Help me change my clothes later and show off in the Emperor's Palace!"

At this time, the Thai and Western people in the hall had long been prepared to live here permanently, because many of the people who came to the capital of the Ming Dynasty to meet the emperor of the Ming Dynasty were much more noble than them. , and some were even relatives of the emperor, but without exception, they were unable to see the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and ultimately returned without success.

Therefore, even if they were recruited by Sun Yuanhua due to the personal order of the Ming Emperor, they may not necessarily have a chance to be summoned by the Ming Emperor.

And now is the Spring Festival of the Ming Dynasty, which can be said to be the most important festival for the people of the Ming Dynasty. I am afraid that the current Emperor of the Ming Dynasty has no time to pay attention to them. Even if he wants to summon them, he will go there in a month at least. !

However, what they never expected was that the day after they arrived in the capital of the Ming Dynasty, Sun Yuanhua hurriedly came to inform them, quickly prepared, and immediately left with him to the palace to meet the saint.

Because the incident was so sudden, these Thai people were in disbelief. They all looked at Sun Yuanhua in a daze, but no one started to make preparations until one of the priests who was familiar with Sun Yuanhua asked: "Ignatius (Sun Yuanhua) Holy Name), does His Majesty the Emperor really want to summon us?”

Sun Yuanhua looked at the astonished Taixi people and was a little confused about whether to laugh or cry. He quickly replied: "Father Volger, how could I make such a joke with you? Everyone, you'd better prepare quickly. The emperor is already waiting for you in the palace!" "

After hearing this, Volger suddenly came back to his senses. He turned around and said to the Thai and Western people: "Everyone, stop being stunned and get ready quickly. Don't keep the Ming Emperor waiting for too long!"

Hundreds of Thai and Western craftsmen also came to their senses instantly, quickly went back to their rooms to change clothes, and moved out the gifts prepared for the Ming Emperor.

Because the Taixi people also attached great importance to this, they did not waste too much time. An hour later, they followed Sun Yuanhua into the Forbidden City, passed through the Huangji Gate, and arrived in front of the Huangji Hall.

Zhu Tianqi was already sitting on the dragon chair. As Wang Yuanbao shouted a summons, Sun Yuanhua led the Taixi craftsmen into the hall.The Forbidden City at this time can be said to be the most magnificent palace complex in the world today. Therefore, since they came to Chengtian Gate, these Taixi people have been shocked by the magnificent towers in front of them. After entering the Forbidden City, they couldn't help but Looking around at the towers and palaces around the residence, I was a little dazzled.

As the tallest and most luxurious palace in the Forbidden City, the Huangji Palace's interior decoration is even more magnificent, with every brick and tile demonstrating the national power and wealth of the Ming Dynasty.

Seeing that everyone's faces were still filled with shock and obsession, Father Volger couldn't help but coughed in a low voice as they kept looking around. Then he followed Sun Yuanhua and took the lead in kneeling down on his knees, bowing, and shouted: "Goodbye, Foreign Minister Volger." Emperor Ming, long live Emperor Ming!"

All the Thai people came to their senses after hearing Volger's dry cough. At this time, they all knelt down and knelt down to worship respectfully, shouting "Long live!"

This move of the Taixi people was beyond Zhu Tianqi's expectation, because although the Taixi people had always wanted to meet the Ming Emperor, they had never given in in terms of etiquette. Even the many contacts between the two sides ended in discord due to etiquette issues. Generally speaking, Thais and Westerners can at most accept kneeling down on one knee to salute, but kneeling down on both knees has never been allowed.

But there are exceptions. Matteo Ricci was a very shrewd man at that time. Not only did he follow the local customs in terms of etiquette, but he was also very active in preaching. Not only did he take the initiative to grow his hair and wear Ming Dynasty clothes, he even studied Confucianism and combined Confucianism with Combined with teachings, these measures of his also made his missionary work in the Ming Dynasty a great success.

Therefore, both himself and the teachings he preached were very down-to-earth, which made the people of the Ming Dynasty more willing to accept him. As a result, he got to know a large number of scholar-bureaucrats of the Ming Dynasty and received support from these people, including There are Xu Guangqi and Sun Yuanhua!

Perhaps it was Matteo Ricci's success that allowed these later Thai and Western people to know how to please the Ming emperor, so they did not get entangled in etiquette issues this time, but directly chose to follow the Romans. Although according to diplomatic Etiquette, they really don't have to do this big gift.

As a result, Zhu Tianqi felt more and more that the Taixi people were well prepared. They racked their brains to please him, probably not out of respect and surrender to himself and the Ming Dynasty, but because of the dissatisfaction in their hearts that had not yet been revealed. The purpose of being known.

Zhu Tianqi seemed very happy on the surface. He raised his hand to signal them to get up, then stood up with a smile and said loudly: "You don't have to be polite, you are all guests of my Ming Dynasty. Next, I hope You can only do your best for my Ming Dynasty!"

Most of the Thai and Western people present could understand Chinese. They immediately imitated the Ming Dynasty people and bowed and saluted: "We will serve your Majesty loyally!"

Zhu Tianqi nodded with satisfaction and told Wang Yuanbao: "Go ahead and tell me, I will entertain the Taixi craftsmen at noon today, and let Supervisor Shang prepare the banquet as soon as possible!"

"My slave, I obey!" Wang Yuanbao nodded and accepted the order, and quickly went down to make arrangements. It was already less than an hour before noon, so he had to urge Supervisor Shang Shan to prepare quickly!

(End of this chapter)