The literary giants of the late Ming Dynasty began by copying books

Wang Wenlong glanced at the officer next to him and saw that the officer obviously looked bad after hearing Peter's evaluation. Apparently, after deciding on the fighting method Peter said, he found that Ming's ships indeed had the problems he mentioned. .

Wang Wenlong recalled the history he knew and found that what Peter said was correct. Later records of the Ming army showed that when they encountered Chinese pirates with the same equipment or weaker weapons, they could take advantage of the rapid firing of artillery. Sink the opponent.

But in the battle with the Europeans, it was basically as Peter said: the Ming army's ship cannons had a too close range, and the European ships would be sunk before they even got close to them. They could only rely on a large number of small boats to get closer and let the other side attack them. But come here and use the tactics of setting fire or jumping gangs when the enemy is in a hurry. Every naval battle was won with great reluctance.

Moreover, this method of warfare also destined the Ming army to be unable to conduct ocean-going attacks. It was okay to use sampans to fight offshore in Fujian, but we could not expect those small sampans to travel thousands of miles across the sea to Luzon. Small ships would be difficult to withstand the wind and waves. If it really happened, If we do that, half of those small boats will probably sink before they cross the Taiwan Strait.

Wang Wenlong said: "If you ask Mr. Peter to design the firepower of Ming Dynasty's ships, how would you arrange it?"

Peter thought for a while, then picked up a quill and dipped it in ink and began to write on the picture. He had been in Macau for more than forty years and had seen this kind of Ming army ship many times. He probably had it long ago. He thought about how he would equip the ship's firepower if he improved it.

After a while, Wang Wenlong saw that Peter had added six cannons to the drawing.

Six guns were placed on both sides of the hull, and were marked with different calibers. Wang Wenlong called the officers on the side to help with the details.

Peter said: "The main reason for this discharge is that the Ming army's ships are small and cannot withstand large-caliber gun emplacements. They also need to be balanced on both sides, otherwise the ship will capsize after firing two guns."

After chatting for a while, Wang Wenlong asked the officer in a low voice: "What do you think of Peter's design?"

The officer nodded and said: "It sounds reasonable, but if the ordnance is not actually used, no one knows what will happen."

Wang Wenlong nodded and asked Peter: "How long will it take to cast six small bronze cannons like this?"

Peter said frankly: "The production capacity of the Bugalao Cannon Foundry is very weak. It will take at least half a year to cast six bronze cannons."

Wang Wenlong remembered that Shen Yourong entered Taiwan to fight against the Japanese pirates in the past few months. If it were delayed for a while, it would take at most half a year, so he said: "This is too slow. Do you have any channels to purchase bronze cannons from outside?"

Peter said: "There are many such small cannons in the Spanish foundries. If you need them urgently, I suggest you buy them from Europe. Half a year is enough for the Spaniards to transport the goods to Macau. If it is only a small-scale equipment, you can first Using second-hand guns purchased from Luzon, it only takes one month, and including modification and training time, it will not exceed three months."

Wang Wenlong asked again: "Will there be any problems with the quality of second-hand guns?"

"The cannon foundry can conduct quality inspections for the cannons. If there are no cracks or other problems, even if it is a second-hand cannon, it will not be in danger if it fires no more than twenty rounds in a battle."

Wang Wenlong nodded and said: "Then please ask Mr. Peter to go to Luzon to order twelve cannons for me. I will suggest Mr. Xu to send a group of ships to the Macau port for modification. The time is very urgent and we need to work overtime. If successful, I believe Fujian will give you more orders in the future."

Peter was very excited when he heard this, and even the Jesuits beside him were happy.

The Ming Dynasty treated the Portuguese in Macau as surrendered foreigners. In the eyes of the court, buying cannons from the Portuguese was similar to buying horses from the Mongols. As long as they didn't take too many kickbacks, there was basically no taboo.

The Portuguese were also happy to maintain a long-term relationship with the Ming court.

Wang Wenlong thought for a while and then released a bigger temptation to Peter: "Sir, maybe you can consider long-term cooperation with Fujian and undertake outsourcing orders for Fujian Navy ships. If things go well, Mr. Xu may be willing to help you get it." to an official position in Fujian."

Upon hearing this, Peter's eyes lit up.

Before he arrived in Macau, he was just an ordinary cannon foundry in Portugal. After more than 40 years in Macau, he had run a Bugalao cannon foundry, which was a huge leap in status. Peter now has two sons to accompany him. Around them, they all grew up in Macau and were quite familiar with the situation in the Ming Dynasty. It was basically impossible for them to return to Europe to live.

Peter's family all knew what it meant to be an official in the Ming Dynasty, and this temptation was too great for him.

Peter finally showed excitement, nodded repeatedly and said, "I will behave well."

Wang Wenlong also smiled in his heart when he saw Peter's appearance. The Qing Dynasty could grant officials to foreigners, and it was not difficult for the Ming Dynasty to grant two officials to foreigners.

Shen Yourong will go to sea to fight against Japanese pirates this month. As long as he wins this battle, it will be really easy to directly report military merit to Peter or one of his sons and become a low-level military attaché.

Wang Wenlong believed that Xu Xueju would probably agree with him after he returned from the inspection.

As Peter said, all the casting formulas of the Bugalao Cannon Foundry were designed for the cannon foundry in Macau. He had no way to move the cannon foundry to Fujian, and he also had no way to move the cannon foundry out of Macau.

The Bugalao Cannon Factory produces cannons in Macau, and the most convenient sales market is definitely the Ming Dynasty. Due to the geographical location, as long as someone connects the cannons, the cannon foundry will inevitably choose to cooperate with the Ming Dynasty.

In the original history, the Ming Dynasty did not start to buy cannons from the Bujialao Cannon Foundry until the Tianqi and Chongzhen years. Because the country was weak, it could no longer afford it within a few years. Then the Ming Dynasty fell and the Manchu Qing Dynasty closed the country. The sales between the artillery factory and the Central Plains Dynasty lasted for more than ten years.

According to historical records, the products of the Bugalao Artillery Factory were later purchased by the British army to participate in the Napoleonic Wars, which shows that at least two hundred years later, during the Napoleonic period, the production technology level of this artillery factory was still among the best in the world. The products of the cannon foundry are a waste if they are not properly used. In the evening of the same day, a banquet for Wang Wenlong and his entourage was held in a large merchant in Macau. The invited guests included not only senior officials of the Macau Council, but also businessmen and sea owners from many countries.

During the Wanli period, the Ming Dynasty's official opening and closing of external affairs was intermittent, and ship navigation was often tightened. The officially designated Fujian Yuegang trading port was extremely unfriendly to foreigners, and foreigners did not have the relationship with fellow Fujianese. It was difficult to smuggle in Fujian and do business with China. Most of the Western businessmen choose to dock in Macau.

Therefore, at today's cocktail party, in addition to Portuguese maritime merchants, there were also Spanish, British, and Dutch people coming. Some Chinese sea owners who were very comfortable among foreigners also actively participated in the meeting when they heard about Wang Wenlong's arrival.

Wang Wenlong was the author of Historical Records and Li Dan's son-in-law. Both identities were extremely attractive to these sealords.

At the beginning of the reception, Father Fan Li'an of the Macau Jesuit Supervisory Committee raised his glass and said: "Today, with joy and gratitude, I welcome Mr. Wang Jianyang from Fujian on behalf of the Macau Jesuits and the Macau Council. Friendship is established by God, and it is wonderful. Friendship is a gift from God. May our God grant all the blessings in heaven and blessings hidden in the earth to the friends present and your families."

"For friendship!" Everyone present raised their glasses in agreement.

Wang Wenlong also raised his wine glass and took a sip.

Who says foreigners can't toast? Isn’t this scene a good talk?

After the toast, Fan Li'an took the initiative to talk to Wang Wenlong with a glass of wine. When he opened his mouth, he spoke in very standard Nanjing Mandarin: "The Ricci rules mentioned by Mr. Jianyang are of great help to our Society of Jesus."

Wang Wenlong smiled and said: "I talked with Long Jingjing in your association two days ago, and he seemed not to support Matteo Ricci's rules."

Fan Li'an said with a smile: "Preaching to the East is a difficult job, and we still have to discuss how to do it specifically."

Wang Wenlong asked: "What does Supervisor Fan think of the choices of Long Huamin and Matteo Ricci?"

Fan Li'an said: "Brother Matteo Ricci is an elegant genius, and Brother Long Huamin has a hidden flame in his chest. They are both elites of the Jesuit order, doing different things for the same purpose."

Seeing Fan Li'an's kind smile, Wang Wenlong couldn't help but say in his heart: What an old fox.

Valian was born in Italy and came to India when he was young. He was a capable minister of the Jesuits who led the Eastern missionary work after Xavier.

He has served as the Archbishop of the Indian Diocese of the Holy See and the Ombudsman of the Diocese of China and Japan.

Fan Li'an has experienced the entire process from the rise of Christianity in Japan to Keicho's ban on Christianity, and witnessed the entire current situation in which the Jesuits initially wanted to preach in the Ming Dynasty by force, but were later beaten to death by reality.

Now this old man has been in Macau for more than 20 years and has a clear understanding of the situation in East Asia.

He supported Matteo Ricci's missionary methods, but he sent Long Huamin, who had different opinions from Ricci, to preach in the Ming Dynasty. Luo Mingjian, who is currently translating the "Four Books" in Europe, was once a subordinate of Fan Li'an. Luo Mingjian was asked by Fan Li'an to teach. Those who returned to Europe to spread Chinese books, including Yang Manuo, Pang Diwo, and Xiong Sanbo, the missionaries mentioned above, were basically trained by Fan Li'an.

This is a missionary who is extremely familiar with the situation in East Asia. It is impossible that he does not know the significance of Matteo Ricci's rules, but he sees through the obvious failure of Long Huamin and others and refuses to say anything about it.

Because Matteo Ricci’s missionary methods were very criticized within the Catholic Church. Later in history, the Jesuits adopted Matteo Ricci’s rules and were sued by the Dominicans who subsequently came to China to preach. Fan Li’an most likely did this to avoid causing trouble. See through, don’t tell.

When the live music started playing, Fan Li'an turned to talk to others, and Wang Wenlong was also surrounded by curious foreigners:

"Mr. Wang Jianyang, do you really think the Netherlands can become the next maritime overlord?"

"After analysis, I think it is very possible."

"This is simply a fantasy. Your understanding of Europe is too superficial!"

"Mr. Wang Jianyang, do you have any other works?"

"I am currently writing a work on Chinese Confucian classics."

"Chinese philosophy books are too profound. I think I can't understand them."

"Mr. Wang Jianyang..."

(End of this chapter)