After Li Ruolian finished recounting what happened that day, Shi Kefa couldn't help but nod in admiration.
"His Majesty the Emperor is indeed exceptionally intelligent, capable of strategizing from afar."
Thinking about this made him even angrier.
"Therefore, I must find an opportunity to drive away that sorcerer surnamed Gao, lest he ruin the future of our Great Ming Dynasty!"
"I'm sure I'll be the top scholar in the first year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign!"
In the following days, there was no major disturbance in the capital.
Although not long ago, Wei Zhongxian was arrested again and even executed by slow slicing.
But the eunuch faction was already severely damaged when he first fell from grace.
So his complete downfall this time didn't have a significant impact.
As for the Donglin Party, they were indeed wiped out in one fell swoop.
However, most of them were not killed; they were simply imprisoned.
Therefore, local officials did not come forward to plead for leniency.
They were all hoping for some auspicious signs next year so they could take the opportunity to request a general amnesty from the emperor.
Before we knew it, the year was coming to an end.
Zhu Youjian stood on the city tower, looking at the snow falling all around him, and felt quite emotional.
"Tomorrow will be the first year of the Chongzhen reign!"
"With Master Gao's help, I believe that my reign title of Chongzhen will last far more than just seventeen years!"
Thinking of this, Zhu Youjian clenched his fist.
After a long while, Zhu Youjian turned around and asked Wang Chengen behind him:
"How's Master Gao doing lately?"
Wang Chengen quickly replied with a smile.
"Your Majesty, Master Gao's situation remains the same."
"With the Lunar New Year approaching, Master Gao stopped teaching the students and instead spent his days playing with them around Taiye Pond."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian's eyes revealed a hint of envy.
But he quickly suppressed these emotions.
"I am already the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, and I have no time to relax."
He sighed inwardly, then returned to his study to begin handling state affairs.
Since confiscating the property of Wei Zhongxian and the Donglin Party, Zhu Youjian had amassed tens of millions of taels of gold and silver.
There are also countless plots of land and shops.
At this point, he finally had the opportunity to follow Gao Qingyun's advice and begin sweeping reforms.
"After Wei Zhongxian and the Donglin Party were finished, the court and the public were very afraid of me for a time."
"But it's estimated that before long, other ministers will revert to their old ways and even try to become the second Donglin Party."
"I must make plans as soon as possible!"
"I have plenty of money now, so I can quickly transfer the White-Spear Army to the capital and then reorganize the Beijing Garrison."
"Master Gao once said that only by having a gun in one's hand can the throne be secure!"
"Once I have completely subdued those civil officials, I can begin to deal with the Jurchens."
"Then came the southeastern financial and tax center, then Japan, then the grasslands..."
Zhu Youjian ordered someone to bring over a map of the Ming Dynasty. He ran his hand across the map, and an excited expression gradually appeared in his eyes.
But soon, his brows furrowed.
"Is there something wrong with this map?"
He had seen the maps Gao Qingyun had drawn on the blackboard on his previous visits to Gao Qingyun's place.
Gao Qingyun's map was different from the map in front of him.
"By the way, I remember when I was looking through Master Gao's luggage, I also found a few maps."
"It seems there is indeed a significant gap."
"Unfortunately, I later returned all those things to Master Gao."
"It doesn't seem like a good idea to ask for it back now."
Zhu Youjian turned to look at Wang Chengen.
"Don't we have any more accurate maps in our Great Ming Dynasty?"
Wang Chengen was taken aback, wondering why the young emperor had suddenly brought up this matter.
However, he quickly said:
"About twenty years ago, when Emperor Wanli was still alive, it seems that a foreigner presented him with a map of the world."
"Your Majesty, if you wish to see it, I will find it for you right away."
With that, Wang Chengen jogged out.
After quite some time, he returned with a few eunuchs.
The eunuchs were holding a large map in their hands.
Even from a distance, Zhu Youjian could tell that the map seemed to have not been opened for many years.
Wang Chengen ordered someone to open the map, and Zhu Youjian took a look at it and became interested.
"This so-called Kunyu Quantu (Complete Map of the World) is still quite good, although it can't compare to Master Gao's map in terms of quality."
"Who presented this map?"
Wang Chengen hurriedly replied, "This servant has already investigated and found out that it was a foreigner named Matteo Ricci and Li Zhizao, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) during the Wanli era, who worked together to complete it."
"However, Matteo Ricci has already passed away, and Lord Li has also retired due to illness. I heard that his health is very poor and he probably doesn't have many years left to live."
Wang Chengen was very efficient; he not only found the map but also thoroughly investigated the background of its author.
However, Zhu Youjian was somewhat disappointed.
"Oh? So, no one can explain this map to me?"
While Wang Chengen was speaking, he had already carefully examined the complete map of the universe.
The numerous place names and explanations of certain countries left him completely bewildered.
He was afraid that these words might reveal something, so he didn't dare to ask Gao Qingyun for advice.
Naturally, I would feel a little worried.
A smile appeared on Wang Chengen's face.
"Your Majesty, you need not worry. Our Ming Dynasty is more prosperous than the Tang and Song Dynasties, and our capital is comparable to Chang'an in the Tang Dynasty."
"Barbarians from all directions are scrambling to come, so how could there be a shortage of foreigners?"
These words sounded like flattery, but Zhu Youjian didn't care.
"So, you've found other foreigners?"
Wang Chengen nodded quickly.
"Your Majesty is wise. You had already guessed before I even spoke."
"This servant has already sent someone to the city to bring the person over."
Zhu Youjian smiled with satisfaction.
Not long after, outside the imperial city, a group of people looked at the city wall in the distance.
Johann Adam Schall von Bell's eyes were filled with excitement.
"The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty has finally decided to see me!"
"I've heard that the Ming Dynasty is currently at war with the Jurchens in Liaodong. If I offer them cannons, the young emperor will surely take notice!"
Johann Adam Schall von Bell was very confident.
However, there is some truth to his confidence.
The historical figure Johann Adam Schall von Bell was known for his cunning and maneuvering.
Even when the Ming Dynasty was still in existence, he gained the favor of Emperor Chongzhen by casting red-coated cannons.
After the Jurchens entered the pass, he went to the Jurchen court and was appreciated by Emperor Shunzhi.
Such speculative skills are quite remarkable.
When Johann Adam Schall von Bell met Zhu Youjian, he first respectfully bowed.
Then, with a mysterious expression, he said to Zhu Youjian:
"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, have you ever heard of physics?"
Zhu Youjian was stunned.
"physics?"
Johann Adam Schall von Bell nodded hastily.
"That's right, it's physics, the principle behind how everything works."
He was about to launch into a long, eloquent speech, using physics to steer the conversation toward artillery.
Then they heard Zhu Youjian shake his head and laugh.
"Of course I know physics. I even sat in on Master Gao's classes."
Johann Adam Schall von Bell frowned deeply.
He had heard of Master Gao's name, but he hadn't paid it any mind.
"That guy surnamed Gao is nothing more than a Taoist priest or a Buddhist monk."
"I heard that the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty was once a monk."
"The second or third emperor later had a senior advisor who was also a monk."
"Therefore, it is not surprising that the Ming emperor trusted monks and Taoists."
"But no matter how intelligent such a person is, how could he possibly understand physics?"
Johann Adam Schall von Bell shook his head.
"Your Majesty, the physics that Master Gao spoke of is probably not the same as the physics I'm talking about."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com