What Zhu Yijun doesn't know is that the infamous Inquisition is actually the cornerstone of justice in Europe at this stage. In other words, the Inquisition at this time was not as bad as later generations publicized. On the contrary, it brought mercy to the religious people of the mainland countries - a large number of so-called "heresies" who should have been executed by unlearned and unskilled lords. The court made a relatively professional determination and was acquitted.
In the original time and space of 2000 AD, in order to find out what happened in the Inquisition, the Vatican opened all the files of the Inquisition. Thirty experts in European history conducted a thorough study and discovered that the historical truth is relevant to the general public. There is indeed a gulf between them.
Zhu Yijun made a mistake here. He brought the "common sense" that later generations regarded as truth to missionary elites such as Fan Li'an, and naturally regarded it as a powerful blow. Little did he know that if he were not an emperor, these missionaries would laugh at him.
Fan Li'an and Luo Mingjian looked at each other and signaled Luo Mingjian to answer. Luo Mingjian considered the words and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, I don't know how you got the 'notoriety' of the Inquisition. Anyone who told you about the rumors of the Inquisition must have malicious intentions towards the Holy See. "
"In fact, the current laws of European countries consider heresy to be a crime. The main role of the Inquisition is to promptly rescue those 'heresy' that kings and lords want to execute from the gallows—— After all, not every parishioner has enough knowledge to prove that his occasional blasphemous behavior does not mean that he is a 'heretic'."
"It has been three hundred years since the Inquisition was established, and the number of 'heresies' convicted is less than one percent of the parishioners arrested. I also implore you to understand that in Europe, Catholicism is not just something people practice in churches, it is It is the hope of science, philosophy, politics and personal salvation. It is not a personal religious preference of the people of your country, but is regarded as an eternal and universal truth, the cornerstone of social stability - those unlearned kings and The lord, who did not understand the nature of the heresy at all, started killing indiscriminately. The Inquisition used its own professional knowledge to identify it, which reflects the mercy of God."
Although Luo Mingjian spoke in a gentle tone, the emperor's insult to the Holy See still made his voice feel a little aggrieved. After the long speech, Zhu Yijun's face turned red. He could only say softly with a little apology: "That's because I just listened and believed."
After a pause, he continued: "But in China, there is no such thing as heresy. Any Chinese has the freedom to choose his or her religious belief. I believe you have read my edict. No one is allowed to use it for any reason - including patriarchal clan, family Relationships, coercing anyone to believe in religion. In my country, you are free to have no faith."
Fan Li'an said quickly: "Your Majesty, we fully understand and support these. Our arrival may be God's will, allowing us to explain to you face to face what the real Christ is. I think, in His eyes, what you have It is a pity that no one in our country has yet bathed in the light of Christ.”
Zhu Yijun no longer dwelled on the issue of the Inquisition after hearing Fan Li'an turn the topic to missionary work. He continued: "Well, I have said that if you can appropriately modify your scriptures, I will not object to your preaching. But... I have said it bluntly that Christianity must be under the management of the Imperial Religious Department. Please serve my country and people. If you want to build a church to preach, in addition to complying with the edicts on religious management, you also need to show your sincerity."
Shen Shixing listened on the sidelines, stroking his forehead in his heart. Xin said that we all know that Your Majesty is "realistic" and likes to get things done, but you are too naked! How embarrassing is the situation of our country in China?
When Fan Li'an heard this, he thought that indeed, the emperor was indeed practical. Although the mission had discussed this along the way, there was really not much they could offer in the face of a truly cosmopolitan civilization.
After considering the language, Fan Li'an said: "Your Majesty, thank you for your kindness and generosity. As for your request to modify the scriptures, I don't think the Vatican will agree. But I can assure you that missionaries who come to China will Sir, I will not teach you any content that is objectionable to you."
Zhu Yijun considered it for a moment and nodded: "Yes, I allow you to do this. I will also send people to check every Bible and booklet you send out to check whether there is any content that violates the prohibition."
Therefore, regarding the killing of heretics in the Bible, the missionaries made a big step, and Zhu Yijun made a small step. The missionaries used incredible concessions to overcome the biggest resistance to the missionary cause.
When Matteo Ricci listened to Luo Mingjian's translation of Fan Li'an and the emperor's words, his face turned pale and he kept crossing himself. Ines, with a smile on her lips, seemed to enjoy seeing the missionaries' behavior that clearly violated the doctrine.
Fan Li'an continued: "We missionaries have nothing to offer, and what we can contribute may not meet His Majesty's requirements." Well, when Shen Shixing heard this, he realized that the emperor had really done something to rip off the money.
Fan Li'an said: "Your Majesty, I think you have noticed the prosperous spice trade. We also saw your country's merchant ships in Guangdong. With all due respect, it seems that your country's craftsmen have not yet mastered the latest methods of making ocean-going clippers. , I saw that they all used hard sails. Although this can make a big ship, it can't borrow headwinds, and it's almost impossible to sail on the ocean in the non-monsoon season."
Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "Well, go on."
Fan Li'an swallowed and said: "We in the Holy See can provide you with excellent shipbuilding craftsmen and the latest soft-sail clipper manufacturing technology."
When he said these words, Ines's face turned pale. If he wasn't in Bailu Palace, he would have scolded Fan Li'an loudly. But Fan Li'an didn't even look at him, and continued: "Besides, I heard Luo Mingjian relay the words of Governor Luo Wanhua, he said that you like gold and silver. The mission will advise the Holy See to encourage the European countries to increase their wealth and wealth. China’s trade, I think this is a win-win solution.”
"That's about as much 'sincerity' as my poor mind can come up with. I'm terrified."
Zhu Yijun listened and gently tapped the armrest of the throne with his hand. Fan Li'an and others held their breath, waiting for the verdict on the fate of their missionary career.
After pretending to think about it for a while, Zhu Yijun said: "Luo Wanhua, he said that I am like a miser who is greedy for money. What do you mean by 'I like gold and silver'? Who doesn't like those shiny things? Huh?"
All the ministers in the palace nodded, saying that they, like His Majesty the Emperor, like those shiny things. Zhu Yijun smiled and said: "I have heard about Europa before. China had trade relations with you during the Han Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, and Song Dynasty. In the past hundred years or so, our exchanges have been less."
"I thought that you always come to see the Chinese emperor, which shows that China does not know etiquette. I want to send a mission to visit the Holy See in Rome, meet with the Pope, and establish commercial relations with European countries - I hope the Holy See can facilitate it."
Except for Ines, the other three seemed to have a holy light shining above their heads, and Fan Li'an was so excited that he even started to tremble. He stammered: "Merciful Lord, your great Majesty! This will become an epoch-making and glorious page that will go down in history forever! We are deeply honored to be able to participate in it, and we will die without regrets!"
Ines' mood is completely opposite. Although he is not a leading member of the mission, as the secretary of the Governor of Goa, he definitely does not want China to take the initiative to carry out trade with Europe. It is obvious that once China builds an ocean-going fleet, which he has no doubt about, and participates in East-West trade, will Portugal still have a place to eat with its population strength?
But unfortunately, the emperor had no intention of communicating with the governor's representatives and always focused his attention on the Holy See. For the first time, Ines clearly felt that the interests of the Holy See and the interests of the Kingdom were not always the same, even though the Portuguese were also loyal people of God.
After Fan Li'an got over his excitement, Zhu Yijun continued: "You just said that the Vatican is the cultural center of Europe. If I want to develop culture and education, I naturally have to be eclectic and learn from the strengths of others. I believe that between our two major civilizations, the East and the West, there are also great differences in culture. There is a need for exchanges. I must also follow Nicholas V's example and build large libraries in the two capitals and twenty-five provinces to collect the world's art and knowledge and store them in them so that all people in the world can benefit from them. In this regard I hope to have the support of the Holy See and the diplomatic corps."
Fan Li'an was completely impressed by the emperor. He never expected that this visit would yield such fruitful results. He bowed and said: "Praise Your Majesty, the mission will provide all-out efforts for this."
Zhu Yijun thought for a moment and had no other requests. As for the others, they can all be gradually deepened on the basis of these two major principles. So he ended the topic and said: "Shang Shu, give them food." Before Shen Shixing could receive the order, he suddenly remembered and asked: "Who is the priest Matteo Ricci?"
When Fan Li'an heard this, he thought he was right to call Matteo Ricci. Busy informed Matteo Ricci in Portuguese that the emperor summoned him.
Matteo Ricci went out and performed the ceremony according to the instructions of the Ministry of Rites. The emperor looked at him carefully and said warmly: "I can't remember when I heard your name."
Ricci overcame the psychological tension and replied in Portuguese: "This is my glory." Luo Mingjian translated.
Zhu Yijun said: "My sister, Princess Leping, Queen Mother Rensheng likes her very much. Her fiancé is Earl Xu Guangqi. The Earl is very interested in your knowledge. I specially approve Matteo Ricci as a priest before the mission completes the missionary licensing process. , communicate with Count Xu Guangqi and teach him your teachings. In addition, Shen Shangshu."
Shen Shixing said: "I am here."
"Pass on my will to choose a place in the capital and allow them to build the first church."
"Praise you, may the Lord be with you forever!"
Zhu Yijun stood up from the throne and listened to Fan Li'an and Luo Mingjian's emotional praise, and thought to himself: "I hope you can always praise me like this, or - be afraid of me."
