I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 402 Preparations before the visit
These crops are easy to grow, resistant to cold and drought, and have high yields. They are very important food crops.

In Zhu Youxiao's memory, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, tobacco and other Americas were all introduced to the Ming Dynasty in the late Ming Dynasty. Xu Guangqi and others also attached great importance to them. Not only did they try to grow them personally, but they also wrote many times to let the Ming court in history cultivate them. .

However, due to years of war and various natural and man-made disasters, the court at that time had no time or thought to promote these crops.

It was not until the Qing Dynasty that after many years of improvement and trial planting, the court and the people at that time paid attention to it. Especially after many generations of improvement, it was very suitable for the local soil and the yield was also very good.

Therefore, in the past life website, it is said that the so-called prosperous age of Qianlong, with a population of [-] million, was actually the prosperous age of sweet potatoes. If it were not for the introduction of these overseas crops, the population at that time would not have exploded to so many people.

In Zhu Youxiao's view, although there were some exaggerations in the previous network, it was not groundless. After all, such a high output would inevitably provide conditions for carrying more people.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao will never let these crops be buried in his hands. As long as there are conditions, he will encourage farming.

"Your Majesty, Dr. Sun is here."

Zhu Youxiao, who was deep in thought, was interrupted by a sudden report. When Zhu Youxiao heard the words, he turned around in surprise and saw Zhang Chang holding his hand on his left hand to report.

"Let him in."

Zhu Youxiao came to his senses immediately and suddenly remembered that he wanted to summon Sun Yuanhua. He did not expect that he would arrive so soon.

Zhang Chang bowed and retreated immediately after hearing this, and walked in with Sun Yuanhua after a while.

"The doctor from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is here to see Your Majesty."

"Exemption."

Zhu Youxiao nodded when he heard this, and He Ning quickly moved a chair and placed it next to Sun Yuanhua.Maybe Zhu Youxiao can't stand people kneeling down to him all the time, so now whenever he summons ministers, he will sit down without exception, which has become a custom.

Seeing this, Sun Yuanhua bowed slightly, sat down along the edge of the chair, and waited for the emperor's inquiry.

"Sun Aiqing, do you know why I called you here today?"

"His majesty is so majestic that we, my ministers, cannot measure it. However, your majesty agreed to the minister's request before. I venture to guess that it may be because of his mission to the West."

Hearing this, Sun Yuanhua stood up again and replied in a humble manner. He had guessed that it was because of this matter before he came, because he would lead the imperial delegation to leave Beijing in two days.Therefore, he thought that the emperor was very interested in Western learning and the West, and he must be here to give him some instructions.

"You are smart. Originally, the imperial court did not want to send you. But Xu Aiqing strongly recommended you to me, saying that you are proficient in foreign languages ​​and have dabbled in Western learning. It is just right for you to be sent to the West.

After hearing this, I thought it made sense. How could the mission to the West not have anyone who understood the West?

But after all, you are the leader of the mission, and you represent Ming Dynasty in every word and deed. Therefore, I would like to ask you, as the representative of Ming Dynasty in going to the West, what are your plans after going to the West. "

Sun Yuanhua did not expect that the emperor would ask him such a question. During this time, he was also supplementing his knowledge of Western countries, sometimes chatting with Tang Ruowang and others until late at night.

Although Tang Ruowang and others had been in the Ming Dynasty for several years, and the situation in the Western countries they described may be very different from the current situation, they still gave him a rough plan.

"Your Majesty, I want to go to the land of ancient Qin first. I heard from Priest Tang Ruowang that the leader of the Western religion lives here. This man has a high position and great prestige in the West. If I meet him first, I can then go to the West after his introduction. Countries will definitely get twice the result with half the effort. I also heard that there are ongoing disputes in the West, and there are divisions in Western religion. Fo Langji has long been an alliance with the big Western countries. They belong to the same family, believe in Western religion, and respect the leader.

However, there are also some countries such as the Red-haired Yi who respect the Western religion but do not respect the leader. The two sides are in the same boat and there are already some disputes.

I thought that Fo Langji and I, Daming, have known each other for a long time, so I just took this opportunity to go to Fo Langji to understand the situation. "

Zhu Youxiao nodded when he heard this. It seemed that Sun Yuanhua's understanding was not bad.

The leader he was talking about was probably the Pope. As for France and the Western powers being ruled by the same family, he was probably talking about the Holy Roman Empire and Spain.They were originally ruled by the Habsburg family, but were split in two in the last century and ruled by different branches of the Habsburg family.

As for the red-haired barbarians, they are probably talking about the Dutch. They were originally a Spanish colony, but they have always wanted independence. Now it is estimated that they have just become an independent republic and will soon become "sea coachmen".

However, Sun Yuanhua has a general understanding of the situation, and the details are not very clear even if Tang Ruowang and others introduce them. After all, Tang Ruowang and others have their own positions, and they are all on the side of the Catholic Church. In addition, since they have not returned to Europe for many years, the situation is also unclear. Not detailed enough.

The two are exactly one of the reasons why Zhu Youxiao called Sun Yuanhua.

I just want to give him a good introduction to the current situation in Europe so that he can be well aware of it before going to Europe.

"Sun Aiqing, I know all the situations you mentioned, and I also know the situations you don't know. Last year, I sent Jin Yiwei to Nanyang and asked them to find Westerners to learn more about the situation in the West.

Recently, I also received their secret information. I didn't expect that you are going to the West, so I can tell you about it. Although I also know it from others, it is also an additional source of information, which can help you further research and judge. "

As Zhu Youxiao said this, he gave He Ning a look. He Ning immediately understood and bowed his head and went out to get the secret book.Sun Yuanhua was slightly startled when he heard what the emperor said. He had never thought of this.

The emperor has actually been interested in the West for a long time. Last year, he sent the Jin Yiwei to Nanyang to inquire about the affairs of the Western countries.

Sun Yuanhua felt a chill down his back when he thought of this. It seemed that the emperor was very concerned about the Western countries, otherwise it would not be the case.

Just as he was thinking about it, He Ning came back from outside holding a thick booklet.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and motioned for He Ning to hand it to Sun Yuanhua.

"Sun Aiqing, the content is a bit too much, but I have verified the reliability of it in many ways. The content is detailed and true. You can take a closer look and don't be in a hurry."

Sun Yuanhua bowed and took the thick book, secretly thinking that it was quite heavy, but he did not dare to neglect it even after the emperor said so.

So he bowed to Zhu Youxiao again, then slowly sat down, opened the book and started reading.

Zhu Youxiao watched Sun Yuanhua read the question book attentively, and stopped disturbing him. He waved his hand and told He Ning and others to leave.

And he picked up the tea cup on the table, took a sip of tea, and then looked at this azure official kiln five dragon cup thoughtfully, admiring its exquisite and precious art.

(End of this chapter)