Prince of Chaos

Chapter 454 Tribute
In the early morning of the next day, the sky was dimly lit, and a cool breeze blew on the street, causing passers-by to tighten their collars unconsciously.

It is now the winter moon season. Although the capital has not yet welcomed the first snow of this winter, the first cold has already quietly arrived last night.

Looking at the gray clouds in the sky and trying to shine without the sun, everyone had a hunch in their hearts that the first snow of this winter was coming soon.

Matteo Ricci went out early, dressed in solemn black missionary attire, with a silver cross hanging around his neck.

Originally, Xu Guangqi chose a decent Han suit for him, but in the end Matteo Ricci still chose to wear his long-cherished missionary suit, thinking that only this suit can set off his mission.

When Matteo Ricci arrived in front of the palace gate, the guards guarding the gate did not show any curiosity when they saw Matteo Ricci in such a strange costume. They still faithfully performed their duties and guarded the palace gate.

At this time, the little official who had been waiting in front of the palace gate saw Matteo Ricci coming, he stepped forward quickly, and asked, "Is the person here the envoy of Frangji?"

Matteo Ricci said to the eunuch, "Exactly."

The little eunuch looked at Matteo Ricci curiously. This Xiyi man is so strange. He is dressed in Xiyi clothes, but he is doing Han etiquette and speaking Chinese. With a human face, the little internal official couldn't help but think that this Xiyi man might be a swindling Xibei product.

After the little eunuch finished looking around, he said, "Let's go, enter the palace with our family."

After all, the little internal official led the way, Matteo Ricci followed behind, and behind him were the four attendants who accompanied him.

Each of these four attendants held a well-sealed box, and a seal with the word "tribute" was pasted on it.

Arriving in front of the gate of Ciqing Palace, the little internal official stopped in his tracks, turned around and said, "Wait here first, after our family notifies His Highness, we will announce you into the palace."

Matteo Ricci replied: "I have to thank you, father-in-law."

After the little internal official left, Matteo Ricci relaxed, and then he took a good look at the surrounding scenery.

Just before entering the palace, Matteo Ricci was already shocked by the majestic Forbidden City.This place is even more majestic than the Holy Land of the Pope, St. Peter's Basilica, which he had seen before!
Looking at this majestic and majestic building, when standing on the root of the imperial city, Matteo Ricci couldn't help being in awe, and at the same time, his heart was also extremely excited, because he was finally going to see this great building. ruler of the empire.

If his sincerity can impress the ruler of this great eastern empire, maybe the missionary work is expected to be realized.

While Matteo Ricci was still carefully observing the scene in front of the gate of Ciqing Palace, the little internal official came out again.

He said to Matteo Ricci with a little respect: "Your Highness announces your audience."

After Matteo Ricci heard these words, he quickly adjusted his clothes, and after making sure that his clothes were correct, he carefully followed the little internal official in.

Passing through the gate of Ciqing Palace, Matteo Ricci was brought to the front of the main hall of Ciqing Palace.

At this time, the eunuch guarding in front of the hall saw Matteo Ricci coming in front of the hall, and he immediately shouted loudly: "Xuan Folang invites the emissary to see you!"

Matteo Ricci glanced at the eunuch excitedly, as if wanting to make sure, the eunuch said, "Go in."

Matteo Ricci was encouraged by the little internal official, he imitated the etiquette of the officials of the Ming Dynasty to meet the monarch, and walked quickly to the main hall of Ciqing Palace with his head down.

When Matteo Ricci arrived in the hall, because he came in with his head down, he never raised his head to look around, so he didn't see clearly the appearance of the first person in the hall.

"Your Majesty Matteo Ricci greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty."

Matteo Ricci came up with a standard Ming etiquette.

Zhu Changluo looked at Matteo Ricci's outfit, smiled at the corner of his mouth, and said, "Get up."

After Matteo Ricci heard the voice of the crown prince, he relaxed his body and got up from the ground.

After Matteo Ricci got up, he saw clearly the appearance of the people in the temple, and he was stunned.

"Zhu Zhengshou?"

Matteo Ricci spoke in a daze, Wei Zhongxian heard Matteo Ricci say these three words, he immediately said from the side: "Presumptuous!"

Matteo Ricci came back in shock this time, and then bowed again: "I am terrified."

Zhu Changluo waved his hand at Wei Zhongxian, and Wei Zhongxian immediately shut up and stood aside and waited with his head bowed.

Zhu Changluo said: "Mr. Xitai's Ming etiquette is well learned."

Matteo Ricci said: "I have always admired the culture of the Ming Dynasty. The culture of the Ming Dynasty is extensive and profound. The more I get in touch with it, the more I am amazed. So I have been working hard to learn various cultures of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Changluo nodded and said: "Mr. Xitai did a good job of going to the country to do as the Romans do. In fact, Gu is also very interested in Taixi's civilization, but he has no choice but to be alone and take on heavy responsibilities, and he cannot come and go freely like Mr. Xitai. Otherwise, Gu will definitely go to Taixi. Take a walk to see the Aegean Sea civilization in ancient Greece, and learn about the wisdom of Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Archimedes and other Taixi sages.”

When Matteo Ricci heard Zhu Changluo mention the names of these Taixi sages, he was stunned.

He never imagined that an Eastern ruler thousands of miles away would know so many Taixi sages!
For this, Matteo Ricci didn't know how to introduce his civilization anymore, because he felt that the young crown prince in front of him seemed to know a lot.

Seeing Matteo Ricci's shocked look, Zhu Changluo felt very happy in his heart. Sometimes he likes this kind of surprise that catches people off guard.

Zhu Changluo said: "I heard that you brought Taixi's tribute. I don't know what it is?"

Matteo Ricci immediately presented the memorabilia in his hand, and then said, "Your Highness, please have a look."

Wei Zhongxian took the play sheet from Matteo Ricci, and then handed it to Zhu Changluo.

Zhu Changluo opened it and glanced at it, skipped the flattering nonsense, and went straight to the point.

Zhu Changluo saw this sentence:

"I would like to dedicate one image of God, two images of the Mother of God, one Bible, one cross inlaid with pearls, two chiming clocks, one volume of pictures of all nations, and one piano, and dedicate them to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Shy, but coming from the extreme Saigon, it’s quite different.”

After Zhu Changluo read it, he put down the memorial.

Zhu Changluo looked at Matteo Ricci and said: "Mr. Xitai is not real. Gu Yuan thought we were friends, but I didn't expect you to pay tribute with these vulgar things. Gu is a little disappointed!"

Matteo Ricci immediately argued: "Your Highness, this is not a vulgar thing! The statue of God, the statue of the Mother of God, the Our Father and the cross are all sacred objects! They are all sacred objects of our Tessie!"

Zhu Changluo said: "Okay, what you say is right, I thought you were going to pay tribute to Taixi's sage classics. It's a pity, it's all these."

After all, Zhu Changluo sighed.

Matteo Ricci panicked when he saw Zhu Changluo's reaction.

If Zhu Changluo's interest really cannot be aroused by his gift, the preaching work will be abolished. This kind of result is not what Matteo Ricci wants to see.

He came to Daming after going through all kinds of difficulties and dangers, and he didn't know how many twists and turns he encountered before he met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Daming. No matter what, he couldn't just fall short at this critical moment.

PS: Change first and then change. . .

(End of this chapter)