Zhu Youjian returned to the imperial study, and along the way he noticed that the eunuchs on both sides were exceptionally respectful to him.
It seems that this rainmaking ritual is seen not only by outsiders but also by the people as a divine mandate.
Even the eunuchs in the palace shared the same idea.
Zhu Youjian sat in his chair with a smile and said to Wang Chengen, "Hehe, these little eunuchs under your command now treat me like I'm a god."
Wang Chengen immediately said;
"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven."
Although the flattery was a bit awkward, it was just right in this context.
Zhu Youjian laughed heartily.
"You certainly know how to talk."
"Alright, go and deliver the decree, summon those foreigners to see me."
Since Li Zicheng killed Huang Taiji with a single cannon shot, Zhu Youjian has placed even greater emphasis on artillery.
At first, he even wanted the craftsmen to replicate the Italian cannon.
But soon, the craftsmen discovered that this cannon was impossible to replicate.
This was not unexpected for Zhu Youjian.
The items that Gao Qingyun brought out were definitely of the highest quality.
It's something that's at least several hundred years from now; it would be quite unusual if it could be successfully replicated now.
"In that case, I still have to find a way out from those foreigners."
Zhu Youjian had this idea, which is why he let foreigners come to watch him "pray for rain".
This is to intimidate these people and prevent them from thinking that they can provide artillery and taking the opportunity to demand too many benefits.
Not long after, Johann Adam Schall von Bell took the lead and entered the Imperial Study.
This guy has lived in the Ming Dynasty for many years and has long since adapted to local customs.
Coupled with what he had just witnessed, he was already somewhat afraid of Zhu Youjian.
Therefore, upon meeting Zhu Youjian, he made no pretense and immediately knelt down to pay his respects.
Upon seeing this, the priests behind Johann Adam Schall von Bell hesitated for a moment and also bowed their heads.
However, he only knelt on one knee.
Zhu Youjian smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities."
"After you arrived in my Great Ming, what did you think of my Great Ming?"
After standing up, Johann Adam Schall von Bell sighed and said:
"The Ming Dynasty is naturally the Celestial Empire."
“Any city here can rival the capitals of my European kingdoms.”
"As for the capital of the Ming Dynasty, it is comparable to Rome."
At this point, Johann Adam Schall von Bell worried that the emperor might not know where Rome was, so he decided to explain.
But Zhu Youjian already knew what Rome represented when he chatted with Gao Qingyun.
He shook his head, stood up, went to the map behind him, and pointed directly to the location of Rome, saying:
"Tang Ruowang, you're just patting yourself on the back."
"How can Rome compare to my capital?"
"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore."
Zhu Youjian did not continue this topic, but instead brought up serious matters.
"I intend to purchase cannons from you, and also hire some gunners."
"I wonder how many men Goa can provide for me?"
"As for the silver, that's easy to handle."
Upon seeing this, Johann Adam Schall von Bell was startled.
"How come this Ming emperor is so familiar with us Europeans?"
Zhu Youjian knew about Rome, which was fine.
After all, decades ago, Western missionaries had already made contact with the Ming Dynasty.
But Goa was Portuguese territory in India.
Even many Ming Dynasty merchants who had been in contact with foreigners for many years might not have known about this place.
Johann Adam Schall von Bell tentatively said:
"I can't make the decision about buying artillery, but I think it shouldn't be a big problem."
"But Goa is tens of thousands of miles away from the Ming Dynasty. It would be quite a long way to recruit artillerymen from there."
Zhu Youjian's expression darkened, and he gently moved his finger, placing it on the southwestern region of India.
"From Goa to our Great Ming Dynasty, it's only two or three thousand miles away, and by sea it's only a two or three-month journey."
"Where is it tens of thousands of miles away?"
Upon hearing this, Johann Adam Schall von Bell completely gave up hope.
He smiled wryly and said, "It really is true that nothing can be hidden from His Majesty."
"Where did Your Majesty learn so much about all this?"
Zhu Youjian smiled mysteriously: "That was naturally told to me by Master Gao."
This wasn't the first time Johann Adam Schall von Bell had heard Gao Qingyun's name. A thought struck him, and he made his request again:
"Your Majesty, could you please arrange for me to meet this Master Gao?"
Although Zhu Youjian had already explicitly refused once before, he wanted to try again.
"If you allow me to see him just once, I will do everything in my power to help with this artillery matter."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian's face darkened.
Are you trying to blackmail me?
No sooner had he finished speaking than Wang Chengen, who was standing next to him, also said sternly, "You foreigners are really audacious!"
The people behind Johann Adam Schall von Bell were terrified, but fortunately their faces were already very pale, so they wouldn't become even paler now.
Johann Adam Schall von Bell did not show any fear.
"Your Majesty, I dare not threaten you; I am merely making a request."
“In fact, even without our help, as long as you are willing to spend real money, there are plenty of foreigners willing to sell you cannons.”
At this point, Johann Adam Schall von Bell sighed.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian suppressed his anger.
"Hehe, you know how to talk."
"Don't mention seeing Master Gao again."
"As for the procurement of cannons and the recruitment of gunners, I will ask you to help with that as well."
"Once the matter is settled, I will naturally reward you."
"Alright, you may all leave."
After Johann Adam Schall von Bell and the others left, Wang Chengen asked curiously, "Your Majesty, since anyone could handle the purchase of cannons, why do you always bring in Johann Adam Schall von Bell?"
Zhu Youjian rolled his eyes: "Of course I have other intentions!"
He had already set his sights on Southeast Asia.
However, in Southeast Asia today, the influence of the Ming Dynasty is still enormous, but the influence of foreigners has already taken root there.
The Spanish colony in the Philippines had been operating for decades.
If you can find someone to guide you, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort.
"Foreigners are greedy and forget morality. As long as I offer enough benefits, I'm sure many foreigners will work for my Great Ming."
"I always see Johann Adam Schall von Bell because I want to use him for advertising, do you understand?"
Unbeknownst to him, Zhu Youjian was also influenced by Gao Qingyun.
I used the word "advertisement" unintentionally.
Wang Chengen nodded quickly.
"This servant understands; this is what they mean by 'spending a fortune to buy a horse's bones.'"
Zhu Youjian chuckled and said, "At least you're not completely stupid!"
However, he knew in his heart that Wang Chengen might not have truly failed to see through these things.
Wang Chengen was probably asking questions on purpose, just to give him a chance to show off.
Just like the tricks Wei Zhongxian played back then.
"These eunuchs are indeed all shrewd."
Zhu Youjian shook his head slightly, not paying much attention.
Now that his throne is firmly secured and he has a firm grip on military power, he no longer needs to pay too much attention to these details.
He stood up and went to the door of the Imperial Study.
The heavy rain had stopped, and the sky was gradually clearing.
And then, as night fell, fiery clouds lit up the horizon.
Zhu Youjian was in a great mood upon seeing this.
He wanted to compose poems and essays, but hesitated for a long time and didn't manage to write anything.
The Zhu family really doesn't have much of an artistic talent.
For every person who is happy, there is someone who is unhappy.
Although the sunset was extremely beautiful, Yue Tuo's heart was filled with gloom.
"There's definitely something wrong with Ao Bai!"
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