I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 350 Xu Guangqi's Request
Wei Zhongxian stood beside Zhu Youxiao with his hands lowered. He couldn't help but feel anxious when he saw that the emperor and Xu Guangqi did not mention the compilation of the calendar at all, but instead talked about patents, craftsmen and other matters.

Before he came, he had received news that Shen Guan was discussing the matter in Wenyuan Pavilion, and his words were very fierce. He wanted Liu Yishui and others to go to Qianqing Palace with him.

That's why Wei Zhongxian brought Xu Guangqi here so early. The purpose was to allow His Majesty to discuss with Xu Guangqi and finalize the matter of compiling the calendar.

It's just that nearly half an hour has passed since he looked at the time, and the emperor didn't mention this matter, which made him worried.

At this moment, He Ning bowed and walked in from outside carrying a teapot. Upon seeing this, Wei Zhongxian hurriedly went to pick him up.When the two handed over, He Ning nodded secretly, and Wei Zhongxian understood immediately. It seemed that Shen Guan and the others would be coming soon.

"Although I don't understand, I heard His Majesty say the word patent and I thought it was very good. Patent means exclusive benefits. Doesn't this imply that those who invent technology can enjoy exclusive benefits?"

Listening to Wei Zhongxian flattering himself while pouring tea, Zhu Youxiao laughed and couldn't help but look at him.

"You are really good at talking. You can make any words come out of your mouth."

When Wei Zhongxian heard this, he quickly bowed and pretended to be aggrieved.

"Your Majesty, if you say this, you will offend me. I have never read any books, and I can't say anything eloquent. I just talk about things. For example, I think your Majesty is wise and decisive, and can appoint talented people. The slave will also tell the truth.

Xu Shangshu was entrusted with important tasks by Your Majesty. He has done so many things, and it is not all due to His Majesty's credit. Now you have arranged to compile the calendar and formulate patents. This is all due to Your Majesty's ability to appoint people on their own merits. I don't dare to tell lies. "

Xu Guangqi below heard this and wondered, what was Wei Zhongxian doing involving him for no reason? It was really annoying.

However, when he heard Wei Zhongxian flattering the emperor like this, he thought that he would not fall behind and would bow down and say a few words no matter what.

But just as he stood up, he saw the emperor chuckle when he heard Wei Zhongxian's words, immediately waved Wei Zhongxian to step back, and then turned to ask Xu Guangqi.

"Xu Aiqing is loyal to the government and has the courage to do his job, so I naturally put him in high regard. But Wei Zhongxian, you have reminded me that today I originally asked Xu Aiqing to discuss the calendar. I was chatting about how to go to the patent. .

Xu Aiqing, you must have seen my edict yesterday. I wonder if you have asked Tang Ruowang and others to see if they are willing to participate in helping me compile the calendar for the Ming Dynasty. "

When Wei Zhongxian heard that the emperor remembered the matter again, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that he finally got his words back.When Xu Guangqi heard this, he also understood what he was going to do today, so he immediately sorted out his thoughts, stood up, bowed and replied:
"Your Majesty does not regard me as humble, but entrusts me with important responsibilities. I have nothing to repay, so I can only do my best. Yesterday, after the edict was issued, I went to the Tongwen Hall in the capital to discuss the matter with Li Zhizao, Tang Ruowang and others.

They also strongly agreed with this matter. In fact, as early as the 45th year of Wanli, Zhou Ziyu, the emperor of the Qin Dynasty, wrote to Emperor Shenzong, asking for the translation of the Western calendar to make up for the shortcomings of the Chinese calendar.

Emperor Shenzong also suffered from the inaccurate calendar, so he asked the Ministry of Rites to recommend Xing Yunlu, Fan Shouji, Wei Chen, Li Zhizao and others to change the calendar.But in the end it didn’t happen due to various reasons. Zhu Youxiao also nodded when he heard this. He knew about the calendar dispute in the late Ming Dynasty, which lasted until the Manchu and Qing Dynasties. However, it turns out that the "Chongzhen Almanac" compiled by Xu Guangqi and Tang Ruowang and others was more accurate. , more valuable.

Of course, there will be no "Chongzhen Almanac" in the future, only the "Apocalypse Almanac".

"As long as they support it, since Zhou Ziyu from Qintianjian also agrees to compile the calendar, then this time you will participate in the compilation together with Zhou Ziyu, Xing Yunlu, Fan Shouji and others from Qintianjian, and collaborate with Tang Ruowang and others.

The calendar matter is of great importance. I originally thought of waiting a few more years, but Wei Zhongxian gave me a heads up.Things that are related to people's livelihood should be done as early as possible without delay.

It’s just that I also understand that there will be a lot of resistance in doing so, but you don’t have to be afraid. I will support you. If you have anything, just tell me and I will really help you solve it. But you must complete this matter as soon as possible and to the best of your ability. "

When Xu Guangqi heard this, he suddenly realized that it was Wei Zhongxian who had caused this incident.But he couldn't help but wonder, why did Wei Zhongxian help him when he had no reason to do so?

"Your Majesty, please rest assured that there are people who are familiar with astronomy and arithmetic among the priests in the capital. Tang Ruowang said that he will send a letter to Macau and ask them to send more priests who are familiar with astronomy and mathematics. When the time comes, the compilation will be more effective. "

"That's very good. I have also read the books translated by the Capital Tongwen Library, and the quality is very good. When the time comes, we can also ask Tang Ruowang to take these Western monks to translate more books, and I will reward them generously."

"They are all doing things for the imperial court, and I don't dare to ask for rewards. But Your Majesty, Tang Ruowang made a request to Wei Chen yesterday. According to Wei Chen, if he agrees, it will be of great benefit to our great Ming Dynasty without any harm, so I would like to take the liberty to ask for it." Your Majesty, please give me a heads up."

When Zhu Youxiao heard this, he immediately became interested. He immediately looked at Xu Guangqi and asked eagerly:

"What good thing? Tell me quickly."

Upon hearing this, Xu Guangqi said solemnly:
"Your Majesty, Tang Ruowang told me yesterday that he received news from Macau that there is now a ship that wants to pass through Nanyang, passing through the West Ocean and Tianzhu to reach the distant Europa.

He thought that Your Majesty was very interested in the "Kunyu Ten Thousand Kingdoms Map" before. The last time he met with Your Majesty, you were also very concerned about the countries of Europe and asked him many things about Europe.

Thinking from this, it is better to let the imperial court send our envoys to follow the ships to Europe to visit various countries: firstly, to promote the power of our country to these foreign people, and secondly, they can also understand the specific situation there.Otherwise, we will only see people coming from the West and not our dynasty, which will lose the majesty and far-sightedness of our dynasty. "

Xu Guangqi made this request carefully, for fear that the emperor would misunderstand his meaning.Because he knew very well that as a so-called Celestial Kingdom, only the surrounding barbarians could come for pilgrimage, so how could the Celestial Kingdom be willing to visit other countries.If the Ming Dynasty sends envoys to the European countries, it is easy for the courtiers to misunderstand and think that the Ming Dynasty's move will destroy its majesty.

But he never expected that when Zhu Youxiao on the throne heard this, his reaction was not confusion or objection, but joy.

(End of this chapter)