I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 159: The New Stuff of the Western Barbarians ( Words)

Lu Fang expressed his intention to send Lin Shisan to Tianjin.

First, Emperor Jiajing hoped that the trade with the Portuguese would proceed smoothly, but he was also afraid that the maritime ban faction within the court would cheat.

The purpose of sending Lin Shisan to Tianjin was to keep an eye on the Jinhai faction and prevent them from interfering.

Second, Lin Shisan was a palace messenger. If there were any new toys on the Portuguese merchant ships, Lin Shisan had to bring them back to the palace to entertain Emperor Jiajing.

Lin Shisan groaned in his heart.

This is not a good job at all. This matter involves the dispute between the court of open and ban sea faction.

A few months of good times are over.

Xu Jie was also busy. His student Zou Yinglong, who was originally a censor in the Censorate, was suddenly transferred to the Ministry of Rites as an acting deputy minister.

On the seventh day of the third month of the thirty-seventh year of the Jiajing reign, the diplomatic corps that was to go to Tianjin to contact the Portuguese was preparing to leave Beijing. The lineup was magnificent.

The leaders were Yang Bo, Minister of War, Li Chunfang, Left Vice Minister of Rites, Yan Shifan, Left Vice Minister of Works, Jia Yingchun, Right Vice Minister of Revenue, and Huang Jin, the Secretary of the Imperial Household Department.

This team has far exceeded the standards for receiving envoys from vassal states.

Among the five, Yang Bo, Yan Shifan and Jia Yingchun all followed the Shanghai School.

Huang Jin's idea is very simple: If the emperor wants to open the sea, I will risk my life to make it happen.

As for Li Chunfang, he was a well-known good man in the court and a centrist.

It seems that the Kaihai School is the dominant force in this trip to Tianjin. But it is not the case.

The Ministry of Rites was responsible for the negotiation with the Western Barbarians. The officials in the Ministry of Rites were all students and friends of Xu Jie, who were members of the Jinhai faction.

The interpreters of the Ministry of Rites all obeyed the doctors, assistant doctors and officials above them.

The key to the problem is to grasp the key issue.

What is the most critical issue in negotiating with the Western Barbarians? It is simply the language difference, which requires accurate translation.

Otherwise, when the Western barbarians say "city gate tower", the common translation is "hip bone elbow". When the Western barbarians say "Long live the great emperor Jiajing", the common translation is "Jiajing the great turtle is broken into pieces".
Not to mention that the trade talks may fail, there is even the possibility of a major naval war breaking out.

Black Mountain, eighteen miles away from the western suburbs of the capital.

Black Mountain is a place where old eunuchs live together after leaving the palace. The meeting hall of the secret society of eunuchs, the Black Mountain Society, is located in the Huguo Temple here.

There is a river beside the Black Mountain, named "Xiao Qiao River".

In Mahjong, the elegant name of Eight Wan is "Da Qiao Liu Shui Hua La La", because "eight" looks like two legs spread out.

Sixty thousand is like "Xiao Qiao's running water", because six is smaller than eight, and the legs are also open.

The river is joined by two tributaries, and the river course looks like a "six", so it is named Xiaoqiao River.

On the bank of Xiaoqiao River, an 80-year-old man was fishing with a fishing rod. He did not look like a Han Chinese, and his skin was dark.

Lin Shisan, Li Gao and Sun Yue sat beside him, helping the old man stir the nesting materials.

The octogenarian's name is Yasan. His life is truly legendary.

He was originally from Malacca. When he was young, he followed his father into business and learned to speak fluent Portuguese and Chinese.

In the 13th year of the Zhengde reign, the Portuguese envoy Pillaizi came to the Ming Dynasty on the orders of King Manuel I and hired five Malaccas as interpreters. Yasan was one of them.

Later, when Pillaizi returned to his country, Emperor Zhengde kept Yasan in the Leopard House and taught him Portuguese.

The Malaccas are the most lustful.

There are not only leopards in Emperor Zhengde's Leopard Room, but also a large number of beauties.

How could Ya San hold back? He actually had an affair with a concubine and was discovered.

Emperor Zhengde was always out of tune with this kind of thing. When he found out that he was cuckolded, he was not angry at all, but found it interesting.

However, the favorite minister Qian Ning reminded Emperor Zhengde: "This trend must not be allowed to continue. Otherwise, if the concubine in the Leopard Room becomes pregnant and gives birth to a boy, will he be considered the prince or not?"

Emperor Zhengde thought about it and thought it made sense, so he ordered Ya San to be castrated and made the fireman of the Leopard Room.

After being castrated, Yasan became even more favored, often sleeping on the same bed with Emperor Zhengde and Jiang Bin. Yasan was also regarded as a thorn in the eyes of the civil service group.

Later, when Emperor Zhengde passed away and Jiang Bin rebelled, Yasan was implicated and falsely accused of treason, and was taken to the Ministry of Justice, where he died of illness in prison soon after.

It was false that he died of illness in prison, but it was true that he was saved by Chang Feng, the chief of the Jinyiwei at that time.

Since then, Yasan has lived in Montenegro under an assumed name and has lived until today.

Lin Shisan came this time to ask Yasan to act as an interpreter, in case the interpreters of the host and guest department played tricks.

While Lin Shisan was stirring the millet husks, he asked, "Father-in-law, how do you say money in Portuguese?"

Yasan replied: "Pass the inner bean."

Lin Shisan asked again: "How much money do you want to pay?"

Yasan replied: "Watching Dou'er dig up shit."

Lin Shisan asked again: "How do I say I want to do business with you?"

Yasan replied: "Look at the ground and see the tears and shit dripping."

Sun Yue asked from the side: "What did that bastard say?"

Ya San turned his head and glanced at Sun Yue: "Jump into the Xiaoqiao River and ask the turtle yourself."

Although he is over 80 years old, he is still very clear-headed and energetic. He is not inferior to young people in arguments and chats.

Lin Shisan said, "Eunuch Yasan, it would be a pity if you don't serve the court with your ability to speak and understand things. Just agree to let us come out."

"This time the Portuguese come to Tianjin to trade. If someone can serve as an interpreter, the transaction will be successful and benefit the country and the people."

Ya San glanced at Lin Shisan and said, "Remember, my last name is Qin. Ya San died of illness in the prison of the Ministry of Justice thirty-seven years ago."

Lin Shisan nodded: "Yes, Eunuch Qin. What do you think about leaving the mountain?"

Yasan shook his head: "I hid my identity and avoided being hunted by my enemies. I managed to survive for 37 years, but now I am old and I want to show my face in public?"

"Do you want to make me die a miserable death?"

Lin Shisan said, "My old grandfather, Yang Tinghe, has been dead for nearly thirty years. The grievances and grudges of the Leopard House have also passed for nearly forty years."

"No one will harm you, and no one will bring up those old scores with you."

Ya San sneered: "Young man, I have eaten more shit than you have eaten rice."

"When Emperor Wuzong went south to fight, he was determined to open up maritime trade, but he died that year without knowing why."

"I came out of seclusion to help the Ming Dynasty do business with the Portuguese. Will those civil servants in the court who made their fortunes from smuggling trade let me go?"

"Those bastards kill without blinking an eye. I won't even know how I died when I die."

Lin Shisan said: "We, the Jinyiwei, will protect you."

Ya San smiled contemptuously: "Jinyiwei? Can Lu Bing be as powerful as Lord Chang back then?"

"Back then, Lord Chang couldn't even protect Lord Wuzong. Can you protect me now?"

Sun Yue said from the side: "Is it really that weird?"

Ya San said: "You guys haven't even grown all your hair yet. You have no idea how cruel those civil servants are."

Lin Shisan said: "We can't persuade you. But one of your old friends will come to persuade you in a while."

Ya San was stunned: "Old friend? All my old friends are dead now, except for one." At this moment, Chang Qingyun, the captain of the elephant training station, rode a fast horse to the river.

Chang Qingyun walked quickly to Ya San and said, "Eunuch Ya San, do you still recognize me?"

Yasan looked at him carefully and asked, "You are a common person?"

When Emperor Zhengde went on a southern expedition, Chang Qingyun was only thirteen years old, but he was appointed as an experienced official who accompanied the emperor on the southern expedition to suppress the rebels, and was in charge of the military documents. Therefore, Ya San called him "Chang Experience".

Yasan and Chang Qingyun are close friends regardless of age difference since their days in the Leopard House.

Chang Qingyun's grandfather Chang Feng was Yasan's savior.

Chang Qingyun nodded: "It's me. The little Qingyun who followed the late emperor back then."

Ya San burst into tears: "Xiao Qingyun, how come you have become so old!"

Chang Qingyun smiled bitterly: "I am already over fifty years old, how can I be the same as when I was thirteen? Most of my hair is white now."

Ya San said: "Lord Chang passed away many years ago, but I was not able to go and pay my respects. I am ashamed."

Chang Qingyun said, "My grandfather in heaven knows that you have your own difficulties and will not care."

The two reminisced for a while.

Chang Qingyun talked about business: "Eunuch. This time I go to Tianjin to negotiate with the Portuguese, I hope you can come out and act as an interpreter."

"The interpreters in the Ministry of Rites are all members of the court's anti-sea faction. They can only bring evil forces and trip up people."

"Opening the sea is not only the wish of the present emperor, but also the wish of the late emperor and my grandfather."

"Please do this for the sake of the spirits of the late emperor and my grandfather in heaven."

Ya San said, "Forget it, forget it. I have lived for eighty-four years. At seventy-three or eighty-four, the King of Hell will not call me to go. What kind of death should I be afraid of?"

"I promise you."

After saying that, Yasan turned around and threw the fishing rod into the Xiaoqiao River.

Chang Qingyun pleaded for mercy, and Lin Shisan got help from Yasan. He immediately found a carriage and escorted Yasan to Tianjin.

Three days later, at the Tianjin Wei Commandery.

Raul González Blanco, captain of the Spanish Armada, entered the palace with ten followers.

The five envoys, Yang Bo, Li Chunfang, Yan Shifan, Jia Yingchun and Huang Jin, sat in the lobby.

Lin Shisan, Yasan and a group of envoys and their entourage stood on both sides.

Raul placed his right hand on his left shoulder, bowed and said, "Hoora."

An interpreter from the Ministry of Rites translated: "The barbarian envoy said 'hello'."

Li Chunfang frowned: "The envoys of a small country in the Western Yi, seeing the important officials of the Celestial Empire, only said 'hello'? They didn't even kneel? This is really a barbarian country, with no manners at all."

Yan Shifan said, "Don't worry, Li. The interpreters in your Ministry of Rites are all mediocre. My brother Lin Shisan has found an old interpreter who is proficient in Portuguese."

"Hey, you turn it over. What did this barbarian say?"

Ya San said: "The foreign envoy said, I pay my respects to all the ministers, long live the great Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty."

"As for why he didn't kneel, it was because the barbarians have defects in their bodies and their kneecaps can't bend."

Yang Bo was suspicious: "How could you make so many sentences out of his short sentence?"

Huang Jin tried to smooth things over: "Let's not worry about these trivial matters. It makes us look petty. Let's talk about business."

Everyone questioned Raul, one after another. Raul answered fluently. Yasan translated every word.

Li Chunfang asked: "What is your purpose in coming to Tianjin?"

Raul replied: "I will meet with your emperor and seek friendly trade between our two countries. I will also sell the cargo on the ship to your country."

Yang Bo asked: "If it is a trade, why are there two warships in the fleet?"

Raul replied: "Because the sea journey is long, there are many pirates on the way. The warships are accompanying for self-defense. After arriving at the safe place of Tanggukou, I have ordered all the artillery to plug the muzzles with buttercloth."

Yan Shifan asked: "What goods did you bring?"

Raul took out a list of goods and began to name the items: "Dear gentlemen, the goods my merchant fleet brought include Seville's arquebuses, hawk cannons, leather products, and wine."

"Liqueurs from Malaga; olive oil from Naples; lead ore and one-handed swords from Barcelona; cheese from Calvi; ham from Madrid; woolen cloth from Genoa; lemon oil from Naples; pocket watches from Hamburg."

Yasan could translate other goods into simple and easy-to-understand words, but he couldn't translate this pocket watch.

Ya San hesitated: "This last item is, is it the Xiyi Bell in your arms?"

Clocks were invented in the West 200 years ago. During the Ming Dynasty, when maritime smuggling flourished for decades, clocks were introduced to the country.

Yan Shifan was a little curious: "Xiyi Bell? Isn't it just a clockwork sundial? There are two of them in Yongshou Palace. But it's so big, how can I hold it in my arms?"

Yasan had a conversation with Raul.

It’s no wonder that both Westerners and Easterners know that courtesy is the most important thing.

When Raul saw that the Ming Dynasty official was interested in pocket watches, he generously offered to give them ten pocket watches to facilitate the smooth progress of the trade.

He sent an attendant back to the merchant ship to get the pocket watch.

Yang Bo and others continued to ask Raul some questions about the Western Barbarians, such as how big Sibania was, how far it was from Ming, how many people there were, what the products were, and so on.

The two sides chatted for about half an hour, and Raul's entourage brought back ten "Western Yi bells in their arms".

This Xiyi clock is the size of a palm, and can be kicked into the arms, making a creaking sound. There is a pointer on the clock. There are twelve scales around the pointer, corresponding to the six hours of the Daming period.

A group of senior officials praised the pocket watch highly and praised its exquisiteness.

Raul said with great joy: "This pocket watch was invented by Peter Henry, a watchmaker from the Electorate of Nuremberg in the Holy Roman Empire, more than 40 years ago. It is very popular among European royal families. It is a clock that can be held in the hand."

Yang Bo immediately discovered its military value: "If every commander-in-chief and commander-in-chief of the Ming Dynasty had one of these, there would never be the embarrassment of missing the agreed time during a battle again."

"Your Excellency, how much do you plan to sell this exquisite little thing for?"

Raul thought about it and offered a "sky-high price": "Each pocket watch shall be exchanged for two pieces of fine silk."

"Pfft!" A group of senior officials burst into laughter.

Raul laughed along. He naturally didn't know that those high officials were laughing at him, a toad in the well who had never seen the sky. He was born in a poor family and couldn't get a good price.

Two rolls of top-quality Jiangnan silk cost only twenty taels of silver.

Yang Bo and his companions originally thought that such an exquisite gadget would cost at least 100 taels. But Raul said that it could be exchanged for two rolls of silk.

Yang Bo and others naturally laughed out loud.

Yang Bo and others did not know that the price of two pieces of high-quality Ming silk could be increased twenty times if shipped to Europe.

The European royal family was willing to pay 800 ounces of silver for these two pieces of silk, which was about 400 taels.

Yang Bo was quite satisfied with Raul's little gift.

At this time, Lin Shisan, the official in charge of delivering the message, jumped out to spoil the mood: "My fellow officials, this item is so new and unique, and it is not available in Yongshou Palace, so I'll let you have it first. Isn't this an act of usurpation?"

As soon as this was said, Yang Bo quickly expressed his opinion: "Ah, these ten exquisite things will be presented to Yongshou Palace first."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Reluctantly, he put the ten pocket watches into a red lacquer tray and handed it to Lin Shisan.

(End of this chapter)