I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 9 Donglin’s support

By the time Xu Guangqi returned to the mansion, it was already afternoon. After a brief meal, he returned to the study and began to think about how to complete this errand.

He was already disheartened about military training, but now that the new emperor suddenly paid attention to it, he regained his ambition.

Now he is not only responsible for training troops, but also responsible for the introduction and casting of artillery.

Firearms were already popular and widely used in the Ming Dynasty. In the central government, firearms were produced by the Ordnance Bureau and the Military Warfare Bureau.

Among them, the Ordnance Bureau was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry, and the Military Staff Bureau was under the jurisdiction of the inner government. During the Chenghua period, it was managed by a doctor from the Ministry of Industry.

Now that he is in charge, he has a heavy responsibility. Although he knows about artillery, he cannot do it alone and needs helpers, but Xu Guangqi has already chosen someone.

This person is his student, Sun Yuanhua, a famous firearms expert in history.

During the Wanli period, Sun Yuanhua failed in the examination, so he followed Xu Guangqi to learn Western learning and make firearms. He was not interested in the imperial examination. Xu Guangqi was training troops in Tongzhou and lacked manpower, so he called him for help.Assist in training together.

So he asked his servant to call Sun Yuanhua. After he arrived and paid a brief visit, Xu Guangqi slightly bearded and said to him:

"His Majesty summoned me to the palace today and asked me in detail about my military training. He also heard that I sent someone to Macau to buy red Yi iron guns. He was very concerned about it.

10 taels were allocated from internal funds to purchase more artillery, and artillery technicians were introduced to mass-manufacture in the capital. To this end, he was ordered to be a doctor in the Ministry of Industry to supervise the Ordnance Bureau, in charge of the production of firearms and artillery. "

When Sun Yuanhua heard this, he was overjoyed and said quickly: "Congratulations to my mentor, Western artillery is indeed powerful. When Teacher Matteo Ricci was here, he had discussed the method of making firearms.

You also have a lot of experience. Now that you are in charge of the Arms Bureau, Your Majesty is really discerning.It’s just that if Your Majesty does this, I’m afraid the Chief Minister won’t like it.”

Xu Guangqi also had this doubt. The Zhejiang, Qi, and Chu Party led by Fang Cunzhe was particularly repulsive to this Western technical knowledge.

The Nanjing Mission Case was presided over by Shen Guan, one of the leaders of the Zhejiang Party, which led to the ban on the spread of Catholicism, which has not yet been lifted.

"Yes, I also called Fang Cunzhe in front of the imperial court today. Although he was more in favor of the purchase of artillery, he still told Your Majesty about the Nanjing Mission Case.

However, His Majesty does not seem to reject Western religion.This is a good thing for us. As long as we do this well, it is not impossible to overturn the lesson plan.

"What the teacher said is that firearms are what the West is good at, and it is not difficult to train troops and forge cannons.

But I am also afraid that the Zhejiang Party will interfere with it.Now that Fang Cunzhe is the chief minister and Shen Guan is also a cabinet minister, we are alone and we are afraid that it will be difficult for us to deal with them if they interfere, just like Tongzhou. "

Xu Guangqi nodded, stood up and walked back to the walk:

"Don't worry about this. The power in Donglin is different now. In the 35th year of Wannian, I gave lectures in Donglin and had close friendships with Ye Xianggao, Zou Yingbiao, Yang Lian and others. I will go to Yang Lian with Yang Lian later. Go to the Lian Mansion to see if you can find support.

In addition, matters in Macau must be stepped up. Li Zhizao should still be in Macau and has not left.

I will write a letter to Li Zhizao later, and you will send your confidants to hurry up and send it to Macau.Ask him not to leave yet, contact the gunners and craftsmen, and wait for the court's decree. "

"Understood, I'll go down and make arrangements right now." Sun Yuanhua was also happy. His teacher has taken on a big responsibility, and as a student, he may not be unable to prosper in the future.

After the explanation, Xu Guangqi simply packed up and asked his servants to prepare the carriage and go to Yang Lian's house.

When they arrived at Yang Lian's house, Yang Lian still hadn't returned from work, so he waited in the living room. After waiting for a cup of tea, he heard a burst of hearty laughter coming from the door of the living room.

"Hahaha, Zi Xian (Xu Guangqi's word), why are you here? But I informed you before you came and kept you waiting for a long time.

It’s been more than ten years since I started listening to Donglin’s teachings.”

When Xu Guangqi heard this, he stood up and said with a smile: "Wenru (Yang Lian's nickname) is fine. It's been 13 years since we said goodbye to Donglin."

"Yes, it's been 13 years since we parted ways with Donglin. I just came from Mr. Liu Yishui's place, and I heard that His Majesty has appointed you as a doctor in the Ministry of Industry, in charge of the Ordnance Bureau, and also asked you to take over the military training in Tongzhou. It's really true. congratulations.

I really want to see Fang Congzhe's expression at that time, it must be very uncomfortable, hahaha." Yang Lian motioned Xu Guangqi to sit down, then sat in the main seat and took a sip of tea.

Xu Guangqi also picked up the tea cup, blew on the tea, and said:
"Thanks to His Majesty's attention, everything was not going well during the military training in Tongzhou. I had no food, no weapons, and no pay for the soldiers. I had been discouraged for a year. Now I have summoned you here specifically to pay special attention to the military training. I have specifically asked the Ministry of War to support it." Cooperate.

Originally, it was just this matter, but I didn't expect His Majesty to be particularly concerned about my proposal to purchase Hongyi cannons. He specially allocated 10 taels of silver from internal funds to buy more cannons. It would be best to invite Western cannon makers to come to Beijing and imitate them in large quantities. "

When Yang Lian heard this, he couldn't help but sigh:

"The emperor is still young and has just succeeded to the throne. However, he is so concerned about state affairs and is wise and decisive. It is really a blessing for our dynasty. He really lives up to the cultivation of the late emperor."

Mentioning Guangzong, the two of them, especially Yang Lian, couldn't help but feel sad. During the Shenzong Dynasty, the Qi, Chu and Zhejiang Party repeatedly suppressed the Donglin Party. Donglin could only place its hope in the crown prince Zhu Changluo.

Zhu Changluo also successfully ascended the throne. After succeeding to the throne, he changed the old and reformed the old. The Donglin Party members resumed their posts one after another, and they were preparing to display their grand plans and ambitions.

Zhu Changluo actually died suddenly, which the Donglin Party and even the court officials never expected.

But now it seems that this young emperor seems more reliable than Guangzong, but the problem is that Zhu Youxiao did not send a clear signal of his liking for the Donglin Party.

This is Yang Lian's worry and the reason why he just went to Liu Yishen's house.

"Yes, but if you want to eradicate the old, innovate, and rectify the government, Donglin is full of talents and has many sages coming to the court. It must be an important support for His Majesty."

Xu Guangqi also agreed with what Yang Lian said and told Yang Lian with confidence.These words really made Yang Lian feel better.

Now the Donglin Party is indeed full of talents.He was full of ambition and enthusiasm for politics, and talented people emerged in large numbers, far less than those in the Chongzhen and Nanming periods.

"What Zi Xian said is that in the past, the court officials suppressed Donglin a lot, especially the Qi, Chu and Zhe party members who frequently suppressed the virtuous people in the court.

Hui Shiyang and I originally planned to impeach Fang Congzhe, but our Majesty unexpectedly rejected it.

Unexpectedly, Fang Congzhe was also worried about his own fault after the Hongwan incident.

Just now at Liu Yishui's house, Liu Yishui told me that Fang Congzhe had discussed with him and planned to resign and return home again, and recommended Liu Yishui as the chief minister of the cabinet. "

Xu Guangqi was shocked when he heard it.
"Fang Congzhe is retiring! If Liu Yishen serves as the chief assistant, Donglin's power will definitely increase greatly. Congratulations to Brother Yang."

He quickly stood up and congratulated Yang Lian.

"Today in front of the imperial court, Fang Congzhe reminded His Majesty that if we purchase artillery from the West, we should not hire cannon casters and gunners from the West, and he also mentioned the Nanjing Mission Plan again.

Although His Majesty has clearly stated his support for us, I am still worried that he will obstruct this process in the name of Chief Assistant, so when I came to Brother Yang today, I originally wanted Donglin to help.

But since he wants to retreat, the obstacles for me to do this will be greatly reduced. "

When Yang Lian heard this, he also understood Xu Guangqi's worries and said solemnly:

"Brother Xu, don't worry. Training troops and forging cannons for the country is beneficial to the country. Besides, brother Zou Yuanbiao often had correspondence with Master Matteo Ricci of the Western religion.

Every time he talks to me about Western religion, he always says that I can learn from it in the Ming Dynasty.Therefore, if the Zhejiang Party and others obstruct this matter, I will try my best to help you.

Although Fang Congzhe is retiring and returning to his hometown, he cannot take it lightly now. There is still Shen Guan in the cabinet, and he is the leader of the Nanjing religious project.I have thought that there will be waves in the DPRK in the next few days. If you deal with it early, I will definitely help you. "

With Yang Lian's promise, Xu Guangqi couldn't help but make up his mind. Western scholars like him have always disliked criticism from the court. Now with Dong Lin's help, he believes that he will get twice the result with half the effort.

　Ask for recommendation and collection

　　


(End of this chapter)