Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

After visiting the Zheng family’s port and fleet, Zhang Shikang wandered around under the reception of Zheng Zhilong.

In the afternoon, Zheng Zhilong took him to the Catholic church in Zheng Mansion.

When Zhang Shikang and his companion arrived, there were already several foreigners with big beards sitting in the church.

After Zheng Zhilong exchanged pleasantries with those people, he introduced them to Zhang Shikang:

"Marshal, this is a European who has been spreading the gospel of the Lord in our Ming Dynasty for many years, Johann Adam Schall von Bell."

Zheng Zhilong seemed to respect this man very much and introduced him with a respectful smile on his face.

Tang Ruowang looked to be nearly fifty years old, dressed in typical Ming Dynasty gentleman's attire. If it weren't for his European face, he would have looked like an old scholar.

Especially with a beard that was several inches long, thick and dense, he looked even more like a scholar.

Zheng Zhilong was about to introduce Zhang Shikang to Tang Ruowang, but unexpectedly Zhang Shikang took the initiative to speak:

"hello, mr.tang, nicemeetyou.I`mzhangshikang."

Zheng Zhilong and Johann Adam Schall ...

Along the coast of Jiangnan in the Ming Dynasty, especially in places where maritime trade was concentrated, there was indeed a small number of people who knew foreign languages.

But they are only a small part after all, and most of them are people of low status employed by merchants.

But who is the person in front of him? The reason he came here was because Zheng Yi Guan told him that an important figure had come to the mansion - the Grand Marshal of the Ming Dynasty.

Originally he had no time, after all, he had run into countless obstacles among the so-called bigwigs in the Ming Dynasty.

But Zheng Zhilong told him that this big shot was actually interested in their master.

Tang Ruowang could no longer sit still.

But he was still extremely surprised when Zhang Shikang spoke in their European language as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Oh, my God! Marshal, you actually speak English?" Johann Adam Schall von Bell walked up and respectfully bowed to Zhang Shikang in the Ming Dynasty style.

"I know a little bit." Zhang Shikang replied with a smile.

He had heard of this person and had seen him more than once in novels and film and television dramas from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

This old man has been preaching in China for many years, and it seems that he has put a lot of thought into getting the upper class of the court to support his missionary work.

Including but not limited to presenting religious books, calendars, firearms and other methods, but ultimately he was not welcomed by Emperor Tianqi and Brother Chongzhen.

After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, the old man relied on his cannon-casting skills and eventually followed Man Qing.

It can be said that the missionaries who came to China in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties were all experts on China, and they knew everything from cannon casting, calendars, firearms, and even chemistry. They put in a lot of effort to preach.

After the three of them exchanged pleasantries for a while, Tang Ruowang finally couldn't hold back his slightly excited expression and said:

"Your Excellency, Grand Marshal, does the northern part of the Ming Dynasty really need the Bible?"

This question had been in his mind for a long time. When Zheng Zhilong told him the original words, he was so excited that he couldn't sleep well that night.

"Yes, but they also need food, and the north of Ming is experiencing disaster.

Mr. Tang has been in the Ming Dynasty for many years, so he should know this." Zhang Shikang did not deny it, but also emphasized the importance of food.

He is only interested in Western technology. As for their gods, sorry, there is no room for them on Chinese land, you have to step back.

But as the saying goes, if you want to take something, you must give it first. Zhang Shikang certainly would not pour cold water on the other party.

"I heard from an official that he promised to provide the court with 200,000 shi of grain every month. I think this will surely save many families.

I came to Yiguan's house today just to see you. If the people in the north of Ming Dynasty need the gospel of the Lord, I will be very happy to go there." Tang Ruowang said eagerly.

He spoke Ming dialect fluently, but his way of expressing his ideas seemed to still be European, quite direct and without any beating around the bush.

"Mr. Tang, you can go anytime." Zhang Shikang said after taking a sip of tea.

There are no visa procedures at this time, so you can go whenever you want.

But the people there are simple and honest. As long as you are not afraid of going in with clothes on and coming out naked, you can do whatever you want.

After the Age of Exploration, missionaries from Europe learned that there was such a vast empire in the far East and they rushed to preach there.

But they soon discovered that it was very difficult to preach in China. They sought help from the upper class, but the Ming officials only liked money.

They walked into the mountain villages, wanting to start with the lower class people, and brought with them a lot of rare things from Europe. However, as soon as they entered, they were robbed of everything, leaving them with nothing even the clothes they had.

Tang Ruowang was stunned for a moment when he heard this.

"But Your Excellency the Grand Marshal, I need your help." Johann Adam Schall von Bell was very confused. They were talking fine just now, why did he suddenly become cold?

"But why should I help you? You know I'm very busy." Zhang Shikang spread his hands.

Tang Ruowang and Zheng Zhilong looked at each other and immediately understood why Zhang Shikang was respectful at first but arrogant later.

"Your Excellency, Grand Marshal, I know a lot of knowledge and technology that the Ming Dynasty needs. As long as the Grand Marshal can help me, I am willing to serve you!"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell stood up again and bowed to Zhang Shikang.

But in fact, Johann Adam Schall von Bell still didn't quite understand in his heart what a good thing it was to let the people in the north of the Ming Dynasty receive the Lord's favor. It would only benefit the court and not harm it.

But the Ming court has always been cold.

Especially after Paul Xu passed away, Johann Adam Schall von Bell lost confidence in missionary work in China.

At that time, Xu Baolu was the second assistant of the cabinet of the Ming Dynasty court and was already a figure at the center of power in the Ming Dynasty court.

Xu Baolu was a believer developed by his predecessor, Priest Matteo Ricci, and had a good relationship with him before, but even so, the missionary work in China still did not improve.

But no matter what, Zhang Shikang's arrival gave Johann Adam Schall von Bell hope again.

After all, Xu Baolu's power cannot be compared with that of the extremely young marshal in front of him.

The Grand Marshal actually wiped out so many people in one fell swoop and held the military power of the Ming Dynasty. I heard from an official named Zheng that the current emperor also particularly favors this young man.

As long as he had the help of this great Marshal, he would be able to spread the Lord's gospel to every aspect of this land.

"Okay, I will be returning to the capital in a while. If you really have an idea, you can follow me back to the capital."

Zhang Shikang finally smiled, and Johann Adam Schall ...

Zheng Zhilong had been drinking tea quietly. He had known Johann Adam Schall von Bell for a long time, and he invited him over, naturally hoping that he could contribute to the beliefs in his heart.

With Pastor Tang following the young marshal, he was influenced by what he saw and heard. It seemed that the Lord's gospel would truly shine upon the Ming Dynasty in the future.

By then, Zheng Zhilong will certainly have made a considerable contribution, and the Lord will understand.

After chatting with Tang Ruowang for a while, Zhang Shikang looked at Zheng Zhilong and said:

"Zheng Youji, there is something I have been thinking about for several days, and I think I should discuss it with you."

Zhang Shikang's expression was very serious. Zheng Zhilong didn't know what the other party was going to say, but his intuition told him that it was definitely not a good thing.

"Please speak, Marshal." Zheng Zhilong said helplessly.

He also figured it out. The Grand Marshal came to him just to fleece him.

Zhang Shikang saw this and gave Zheng Zhilong a serious analysis:

"Look, General Zheng, I have ordered 20 silk ships from your shipyard, and purchased more than 60 auxiliary warships.

However, we have to wait until at least the year after next to form combat power. I am an impatient person, and it is really frustrating to have to wait for so long.

Do you think this will work?" Zhang Shikang glanced at Zheng Zhilong and said seriously:

“Why not just sell the small fleet that Ma Tong is in to me?

The ship is old, so I will just use it for now. Of course, I will never let Zheng Youji suffer any loss, and I will quote the price as if it were a new ship!"

……