After receiving the order, Xu Xuemo, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, did not hesitate and quickly rushed to the Huitong Hall in a sedan chair with a right young minister of Honglu Temple named Xiang Min.
In the early Ming Dynasty, the Nanjing Mansion was renamed the Huitong Pavilion. Later, after Zhu Di, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was in trouble, the Huitong Pavilion was established in Beijing.
The Huitong Pavilion is divided into two pavilions in the north and south, three in the south and six in the north. The south pavilion is responsible for receiving the southwest ethnic minorities, as well as the tribute envoys from Southeast Asia and East Africa countries that landed on the southeast coast, while the north pavilion is responsible for receiving North Korea. , Japan, and other countries and other regions.
In the past, the Huitong Pavilion was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War, but the management of envoys to the DPRK was the responsibility of the Host and Guest Department of the Ministry of Rites. Therefore, the two sides had many conflicts.
Later, in order to solve the problem of unclear powers and responsibilities, Emperor Jiajing finally personally ordered in the tenth year of Jiajing's reign to transfer the jurisdiction of the Tongguan to the Ministry of Rites.
The Huitong Pavilion in the Ming Dynasty had a series of officials including the admiral, the Huitong Pavilion chief, the Huitong Pavilion ambassador, the deputy envoys, the general secretary, etc. Among them, the Huitong Pavilion general was responsible for interpreting and communicating with foreign envoys.
When Xu Xuemo, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Xiang Min, the right young minister of Honglu Temple, rushed to the Huitong Pavilion in a sedan, Wang Xue, the director of the Huitong Pavilion, and other officials from the Huitong Pavilion hurriedly came out to greet them.
"I've seen you sir!"
"Um."
Seeing this situation, Xu Xuemo nodded, then looked at the director of the hall and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Take me immediately to see the Rakshasa mission that is visiting the capital this time!"
"As you command, my lord!"
Faced with Xu Xuemo's request, Wang Xue, the director of the Huitong Pavilion, did not dare to neglect at all and quickly led the way.
In this way, Xu Xuemo, the Minister of Rites, Xiang Min, the Right Shaoqing of Honglu Temple, and the guards responsible for their safety entered the Huitong Hall together.
Nils and his party were waiting at the Huitong Hall early.
…
"Hello, respected officials of the Ming Dynasty!"
Seeing Xu Xuemo's arrival, Nils quickly stood up from his seat and said hello to Xu Xuemo in half-baked Ming Dynasty Mandarin.
When he was on the ship in recent days, he also took the time to learn some Ming Dynasty etiquette, and barely knew how to respond.
When Xu Xuemo heard this, he nodded and immediately spoke.
"I am Xu Xuemo, the Minister of Rites. I am here to remind you of the things you need to pay attention to before meeting His Majesty!"
Xu Xuemo's words were quickly conveyed to Niels' ears word for word through the interpreter of the general secretary of the Huitong Hall.
After listening to the translation from the general secretary, Nils nodded to show that he understood.
Seeing that Niels understood what he meant, Xu Xuemo continued after a pause.
"Before you formally meet His Majesty, you must follow the official next to me and learn the corresponding etiquette before you can meet His Majesty. This may take several days!"
"Besides, during this period, you must abide by the laws of our Ming Dynasty, otherwise, you will be severely punished!"
Xu Xuemo's words, after being translated by the general manager of the Huitong Hall, reached the ears of Niels and his party.
Unsurprisingly, Xu Xuemo's words quickly aroused dissatisfaction among Niels' subordinates.
"Damn it, these heretics treat us as uncivilized savages. When we meet their emperor, we have to learn the relevant etiquette!"
"Yes, that's right, we are the envoys of the Kingdom of Spain, how dare these heretics treat us like this!"
"These damn heretics should all be sent to the Inquisition for trial!"
Hearing this, Nils couldn't help but have a look of panic on his face. Just as he was about to speak out to dissuade him, the general manager at the side translated the words to Xu Xuemo word for word.
When Xu Xuemo heard this, the expression on his face suddenly became extremely gloomy. Immediately, he sneered and said in a deep voice.
"Huh, how dare you, a small country like this, dare to speak nonsense on the land of Ming Dynasty?"
"Can the words you just said represent your country? If so, can I understand that your Kingdom of Spain wants to officially start a war with the Ming Dynasty?"
Xu Xuemo's words, after being translated by the general manager of the Huitong Hall, fell into Niels' ears word for word just like before.
"These damn, gullible idiots!"
Nils thought so, with a gloomy look on his face.
He knew very well in his heart that if this carefully prepared meeting with the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty fell short because of these idiots who spoke freely, then what awaited him in the future would be the wrath of the royal family.
After all, Niels' trip was not just to launch long-term trade and purchase silk, tea, and porcelain produced in this country. In addition, he also shouldered the mission of expanding diplomacy for the Kingdom of Spain!
If the country that is rich in silk, tea, and porcelain is extremely weak, then when Niels returns home, he will convince the king to send a fleet to conquer this country and spread the glory of Christianity!
On the contrary, if this country is extremely powerful, then Niels's mission is to remain friendly with this country as much as possible and subtly pull it into the Spanish camp to jointly fight against Britain.
Before this, Nils had already had a profound understanding of the strength of this country rich in silk, tea, and porcelain.
After all, before encountering the Ming Dynasty's circumnavigating fleet led by Gu Yan, Niels had never thought that there would be a heretical country with such a powerful fleet!
Immediately, Niels reacted. After sternly reprimanding his subordinates, he looked at Xu Xuemo and explained apologetically.
"Dear Ming officials, these idiots were just complaining, please..."
Xu Xuemo on the side couldn't help but frowned and interrupted coldly after listening to the translation from the general secretary.
"What they said just now is an offense to His Majesty, the Supreme Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. His Majesty's willingness to condescend to meet you barbarians is already a great gift. It's okay for you to be dissatisfied. You actually dare to slander His Majesty!"
When Xu Xuemo said this, he paused for a moment, his tone full of resentment.
"Humph, even I have never seen His Majesty very often!"
The more Xu Xuemo thought about it, the angrier he became. Immediately, he stretched out his hand and pointed at the Rakshasa people who had just spoken rudely, and ordered in a deep voice.
"Come here, take these few under my custody!"
"Yes, sir!"
As soon as Xu Xuemo finished speaking, the wolf-like guards on the side rushed forward and controlled all the Rakshasa people he had pointed out earlier.
It was only at this moment that the few Rakshasa people who had made rude remarks before became panicked. At this moment, their faces were pale and their whole bodies were trembling. They all looked in the direction of Nils, begging for mercy.
"Boss, help us, we know we were wrong!"
"Yes, boss, for God's sake, save our lives!"
"Boss, please..."
Seeing this situation, the remaining Rakshasa people just wanted to rescue them, but when they saw the shining swords in the hands of the guards and the increasingly evil eyes, they still retreated obediently.
Seeing that the matter was irreversible, Niels had no choice but to hold his nose and admit the fact in order not to further intensify the conflict between the two parties.
After that, Niels had a bitter smile on his face and asked.
"This respected Ming official, what are you going to do with them next?"
After Xu Xuemo listened to the translation from his colleague, an inexplicable smile appeared on his face, and he spoke unhurriedly.
"Don't worry, I will handle it impartially in accordance with the laws of the Ming Dynasty!"
After hearing Xu Xuemo's answer, Nils couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief.
In his opinion, since the Ming Dynasty official in front of him said that he would deal with it in accordance with the laws of his country, then those people should only suffer a little because of their unrestrained words.
After that, Nils looked in the direction of Xu Xuemo, nodded, and then spoke.
"We are willing to agree to your request. After learning the corresponding etiquette, we will go to meet your Emperor!"
After Xu Xuemo listened to the translation from the general secretary, he nodded and immediately asked.
"How many people do you plan to send to meet His Majesty?"
These words, after being relayed by the translator, reached Niels' ears word for word.
After thinking about it for a long time, he responded.
"Dear Ming official, we plan to send six people to meet with your Majesty the Emperor this time!"
After Xu Xuemo listened to the translation from the general secretary, he nodded and immediately gave instructions.
"Well, I will report this news truthfully!"
When Xu Xuemo said this, he changed the subject and added immediately.
"In addition, I am here this time on orders from above to conduct a final inventory of the gifts you are carrying this time."
"After the inventory is completed and compiled into a list, I will submit it!"
After listening to the translation, Nils also understood what Xu Xuemo meant. He quickly stood up from his seat and led the way.
"This respected Ming official, please come with me!"
When Xu Xuemo saw this, he didn't doubt his presence, so he immediately led his guards and subordinate officials to follow him.
Under the leadership of Nils, everyone came to the place in the Huitong Hall that is responsible for storing gifts.
The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty who were in charge of guarding saw everyone arriving and got out of the way.
Immediately, Wang Xue, the director of the Huitong Pavilion, and the Ambassador of the Huitong Pavilion hurried forward, each holding a key, and opened the lock on the door.
After the door is opened, what everyone sees is ivory, spices, gold, books and other gifts divided into various categories and neatly stacked.
The surprised look on Xu Xuemo's face only lasted for a short moment, and then suddenly disappeared. Immediately, he came back to his senses, waved his hand suddenly, and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"We can start counting!"
"Yes, sir!"
As soon as Xu Xuemo finished speaking, the subordinate officials and guards who were present with him joined in the order of counting the gifts in an orderly manner.
Those who can participate in this errand are all innocent and loyal people. Therefore, there is no need to worry too much about theft. Besides, who would dare to mess with such a big thing?
Gifts like this sent by foreign envoys are recorded in detail on the list. If there is a discrepancy in the counting process, the officials who handle it will lose their jobs at the least, or harm their families at worst!
Because of this, not many officials dare to interfere with this.
"One, two, three... forty-six, there are forty-six tusks, the number is correct!"
"There are eight globes and five telescopes, all of which are no problem!"
In this way, the subordinate officials and guards began to methodically count the gifts stored in the warehouse one by one.
Time passed by slowly. I don’t know how long it had passed. I saw a subordinate staff walking up to Xu Xuemo and reporting in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, all the gifts stored in the warehouse have been counted, and the gifts are the same as those recorded on the list!"
"Forty-six ivories, eight globes, five telescopes, six thousand kilograms of spices, three thousand two hundred and twenty taels of gold, and various books related to astronomy and arithmetic, totaling one thousand three hundred and ninety-two volumes !”
After hearing the report from his subordinates, Xu Xuemo couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The gifts in the warehouse now were the same as those recorded on the list, which meant that there was no concealment or concealment in the entire process.
At this point, Xu Xuemo's tasks have been completed, and it is now up to the officials from the Host and Guest Department to take over.
Immediately, Xu Xuemo nodded and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Okay, now that the gifts have been counted, our mission for this trip has been completed, and it's time to return to the gift department!"
"Yes, sir!"
Niels on the side saw Xu Xuemo's intention to leave. Immediately, after hesitating for a long time, he gritted his teeth and expressed his thoughts to the general manager of the Huitong Hall on the side.
After hearing this, the general manager of Huitong Hall stopped Xu Xuemo who was about to leave.
"Sir, please wait a moment. The envoy said that he has another gift that he wants to give to Your Majesty in a private name!"
Hearing this, Xu Xuemo couldn't help but have a look of curiosity on his face. He immediately stopped, turned his gaze to the general manager of the Huitong Hall, and then spoke.
"Oh, in that case, let me ask him what gift he wants to give?"
After listening to Xu Xuemo's instructions, the general manager of the Huitong Hall immediately relayed his words to Niels word for word.
Hearing this, Nils looked in the direction of Xu Xuemo and said.
"Dear officials of the Ming Dynasty, the gift I would like to give in my personal name is a flintlock gun from the Kingdom of France. It can be used for self-defense!"
Immediately afterwards, the general secretary translated Nils' words and repeated them again.
When Xu Xuemo heard that the Rakshasa envoy in front of him wanted to give His Majesty a gun as a gift in a private name, he immediately fell into a tangle.
After all, it is not a small matter to give a gift to His Majesty in a private name, and Xu Xuemo is not sure whether His Majesty will like this gift, in case it makes His Majesty unhappy...
Nils, who was on the side, was afraid that Xu Xuemo would not agree with his suggestion, so he quickly called a subordinate. After whispering a few words in his ear, the subordinate left in a hurry. When he came back again, he already had more in his hand. An extremely exquisite, small and exquisite flintlock gun.
When Nils saw his subordinate arriving with a flintlock gun, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly looked at the general manager of the hall beside him and continued.
"The gift I want to give to your Majesty in a personal name is this flintlock gun. It can be used for self-defense!"
This sentence reached Xu Xuemo's ears after being translated by the general manager of the Huitong Hall. After that, Xu Xuemo took the flintlock gun from the subordinate's hand and began to look at it carefully.
"Well, this gun is small, exquisite, and extremely beautiful. According to the messenger, Your Majesty can also use this gun for self-defense. I think Your Majesty will like this gift!"
Xu Xuemo thought so, and immediately handed the flintlock gun back to Nils's hand, and said.
"Don't worry, I will report your request to His Majesty truthfully!"
After listening to the translation from the general secretary, Nils also understood what Xu Xuemo meant. Immediately, he bowed to Xu Xuemo respectfully and said in a deep voice.
"Dear Ming officials, I will remember your kindness!" (End of Chapter)
