The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

Min Xi smiled and said, "In fact, the charm and integration of our Confucian culture are really strong. You see, from ancient times to the present, all the barbarians will eventually be assimilated by us, and even many barbarians will take the initiative to assimilate. It's a pity that we are too good at internal consumption, fighting among ourselves, and losing our enterprising spirit. In my opinion, if the Ming Dynasty was so powerful, as early as when the eunuch Sanbao sailed to the West during the Chengzu period, we should have included all the islands such as Luzon and Malacca into the territory of our Ming Dynasty."

Yun Ji said, "Weren't those already our vassal states?"

"It is a vassal state, but we don't have actual control over it. The most important thing is that our cultural influence is not there. Today, the Ming Dynasty is in deep trouble, and those islands have been colonized by Spain and Portugal. If we want to control those places now, the resistance we face is terrifyingly great." Min Xi felt a little regretful.

"Can we still control this land you mentioned?" Yun Ji asked, pointing at Australia.

Min Xi looked at Australia and said, "We have to give it a try. It's a bit far, but it's much closer than going to Europe. There are islands along the way where we can get supplies. It's less difficult than going to Europe."

Yun Ji looked at the Australian continent on the map in silence and said, "Okay, let's try it."

"In fact, we can also encourage Ming Dynasty merchant ships to take risks there, just like Western countries, let the Ming Dynasty navy escort them, and share the gold, silver and copper they dig equally with the court." Min Xi said.

"you're right!"

They are now officials appointed by the court, and they have to consider not only their own personal interests, but also the national interests of the Ming Dynasty.

Min Xi looked at the map and suddenly said, "I suddenly want to go out to sea again."

Yun Ji turned his head and glanced at him: "Want to go here?"

Min Xi nodded: "Yes, I have been there many times before, and I am quite familiar with this area. If I lead the team, it should be smoother."

Yun Ji frowned and said, "You are now an official appointed by the court, how can you just leave like that?"

Min Xi tilted his head and looked at him with a smile: "Have you forgotten what official position I hold now? In ancient times, Zhang Qian was sent as an envoy to the Western Regions. Why is it not the case that I, Min Xi, am sent as an envoy to the East China Sea now?"

Yun Ji held his forehead with his hand: "You really have a wild imagination, and you come up with whatever you want."

Min Xi nudged him with his elbow and said, "You can also go with me. It doesn't say that a Hanlin editor can't serve as an envoy."

Yun Ji listened to him talking more and more outrageously, but then he changed his mind and felt that it was not impossible. He could just go to sea in the name of the court, just like Zheng He's voyages to the West. The only difficulty was that the court might not have the financial resources to support their mission.

"It sounds simple, but it's actually quite difficult to do." Yun Ji poured cold water on Min Xi, telling him not to be so impulsive. "If we go to sea in the name of the government, I'm afraid we won't get much support. Although the court has no external threats, it has internal worries. I'm sure the officials won't support us going to sea."

"I know that the court has no money. But we can organize merchant ships to go there, and then go out to sea in the name of the court. The only thing the court needs to do is to send a navy to escort us." Min Xi said.

Yun Ji looked at Min Xi and smiled: "It seems that it is not impossible."

Min Xi smiled proudly: "Really? Look how smart I am! I told you, just like the European model, let the merchants go out on their own, the court will support them, and the gold and silver they earn will be shared equally with the court."

Yun Ji pinched his earlobe: "You are the smartest! When are you going to go?"

"Not so soon. Let's wait until Captain Reis returns from Europe."

Min Xi was actually a little worried about Zhang Juzheng's fate. Sebastian I died young when he was only 24 years old. This was the trajectory of history. Would Zhang Juzheng also be unable to escape his fate? He was already 54 years old this year, and he died before he was 60. He didn't have many years left.

Min Xi was quite worried that Zhang Juzheng and Wanli would follow the old path of history. According to their current situation, they would also be classified as Zhang Juzheng's faction. Once Zhang Juzheng was convicted by Wanli, he and Yun Ji would inevitably be implicated.

Of course, if this is true, it means that all the efforts he and Yun Ji have made over the years have been in vain. The torrent of history is rolling down, and it will not be diverted by his will and efforts alone, so he can only seek benefits and avoid harm.

"Diego invites us to his house for lunch tomorrow. Are you going?" Min Xi asked.

"I have to go to the government office and can't leave. You guys go ahead."

"I knew you couldn't go."

"Then you still ask me."

"I respect you and I'll let you know. Otherwise, I won't report anything to you."

"That's great, I'm very relieved!"

"speak English!"

"Very good, I am very happy!"

"Haha, that's pretty much it!"

Before noon the next day, Min Xi left the yamen, rode his bike back home, changed out of his official uniform, called Captain Reis, and the two of them took a carriage to Diego's house. On the way, they passed Qianmen Street and bought some fruits and Chinese snacks. Of course, they couldn't visit empty-handed.

Looking at the bustling Qianmen Street, Reis said with satisfaction: "Beijing is much more prosperous than Lisbon. Living here is much more interesting than Lisbon, right?"

"Yes, for me. I don't know about you, but here you can't eat fresh seafood like in Lisbon, only some dried goods." Min Xi said.

“But apart from seafood, other foods are much richer than in Lisbon. It’s because you have such a rich heritage, so you are particularly particular about food,” said Reis.

"That's true." Min Xi thought about it and told the truth. "But I still have to tell you one thing in advance. The winter in Beijing is very cold. It's the coldest cold in Europe. You may not be able to adapt to it."

"Will it snow?" asked Reis.

"It rains every year! And it's very thick."

Leis smiled and said, "It doesn't matter, as long as it snows! I haven't seen snow many times. I like places where it snows every year."

Min Xi smiled silently. Well, snow really has a fatal attraction for southerners. "That's good. But even if it's really cold, don't be afraid. At most, you can stay at home and warm yourself by the fire. If you really settle down in Beijing, I will teach you to lay floor heating in your house and burn charcoal, so that the house will be warm." Anyway, Reis has plenty of money, and it is not difficult to renovate the house. It's just a matter of spending more money.

"Okay!" Reis was also looking forward to the future life described by Min Xi, and he himself was also trying to adapt to life in Beijing.

When they arrived, Diego was still cooking and said to them, "Boss, please help me greet Captain Reis while I cook first."

Gao'er served them some snacks and said, "Business is good today, so we baked some extra snacks. He came back a little late. You guys can eat some snacks first. These are what Diego brought back from the store. You can eat later."

Min Xi waved his hand: "It's okay, we're not hungry, you go and do your work, we're not outsiders, just take care of ourselves."

Reis was very interested in Diego's house. Min Xi accompanied him around and toured the entire house. He asked about the price and said, "I'd like to buy a small courtyard of this size in the future. I live alone, so I don't need a house that's not too big."

"I think it's okay!" Min Xi said, "When the time comes, there will be a suitable candidate to adopt a son, and we can take care of you in your old age. If you don't want to adopt, then let us take care of you."

Lei Si nodded: "We'll talk about it when the time comes."