Borrow the day to change the day

Xu Xiake stood up according to his words, and then reported to Zhong Jinwei with an excited expression: "Your official has lived up to your trust. According to the order of the Duke, he went around in various European countries and brought back a boatload of books. There are also two bows. The boat is full of craftsmen, catch up on the way, and come to Daming together."

When Zhong Jinwei heard this, his brows were filled with joy, and he said repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I even brought the craftsmen of the two bow ships, what a surprise!"

Xu Xiake also smiled, and said with a little regret: "It is said that there was a craftsman with four bows, one of which was sunk by the storm, and the other was infected with the plague, and they all died."

When Zhong Jinwei heard this, the smile on his face stopped involuntarily.He hurriedly asked Xu Xiake, "Are there any sick people on the boat you came back from Europe this time?"

When Xu Xiake heard the Duke's question about this matter, he also knew how serious it was, and immediately replied: "No, those who had the disease were thrown into the sea by the captain."

Sailing at sea at that time, if someone got sick.In order to prevent it from being transmitted to other people, it had to be dealt with.Otherwise, the ship is small and there is no extra space for isolation, and it is very likely to harm other people on board.

Zhong Jinwei thought about it, and ordered: "It's better to be cautious. After you come back from Europe, after arriving in Guangzhou, you all need to shower and change your clothes and pants, and then stay in isolation for ten and a half months. If you have nothing to do, let's talk about it."

"Yes, Duke." Although Xu Xiake felt a little disapproving, he could only obey the Duke's orders.

Gu Baichuan on the side heard the conversation between Zhong Jinwei and Xu Xiake, looked at Xu Xiake, and began to look up and down.

However, after watching for a long time, he still didn't find any sign of Xu Xiake's illness, so he didn't say anything further.

There are more than a dozen sea-going ships floating on the sea, and many people on board are looking at the beach.They had been at sea for so long and longed for land.But now the beach is full of big names talking, and no one dares to complain about their delay.

However, Zhong Jinwei noticed that the beach is not a place for chatting, so he ordered Zheng Zhilong: "You continue to escort the fleet to the Shibo Division, and let Mr. Sun do a good job of sanitation and epidemic prevention according to what I just said. I will deal with the matter here. Will return to Guangzhou soon."

"Yes, Duke." Zheng Zhilong quickly agreed.

Not long after, the fleet resumed and headed for Guangzhou.And Zhong Jinwei returned to the manor after watching the fleet go away on the beach.

As soon as he returned to the manor, Gu Baichuan asked someone to bring soap locusts.When Zhong Jinwei saw it, he was taken aback for a moment, then he understood, and couldn't help pointing at Gu Baichuan with a smile.Then I didn't object, so I washed my hands first.

Things in Southeast Asia have basically been settled, and the next thing is to keep an eye on the development of the situation in Southeast Asia, and secretly control the situation in Southeast Asia so that it does not deviate from expectations.And this job does not require Zhong Jinwei to stay here, it is enough for Jin Yiwei to follow up with Liu Xingzuo.

Therefore, after Zhong Jinwei went through the situation of each country in Southeast Asia and the general precautions with Liu Xingzuo, he left the manor on the third day and returned to the Guangzhou Shipping Department.

The reason why he was in a hurry to go back was because he remembered what Xu Xiake had seen and heard in Europe, what books he brought back, and what kind of craftsmen they were.

After returning to the office of the imperial envoy in the Yamen of the Bureau of Shipping in Guangzhou, Zhong Jinwei first summoned Sun Chuanting, the Secretary of Shipping, and inquired about the situation of anti-smuggling and the distribution of flintlock guns. After receiving a satisfactory answer, he sent Xu Xiake over.

In the lobby where Zhong Jinwei received guests, the guest of honor sat down, drank tea, and chatted.

Zhong Jinwei first asked Xu Xiake, "Can the books brought back and those craftsmen be counted?"

"Go back to the country, the books have been counted during the voyage back. There are the most books on mathematics, and there are many books on alchemy, minerals, astronomy, and military affairs, almost all of these types. All kinds of detailed lists have been sorted out. It’s done, please take a look at it.”

Xu Xiake had expected this matter a long time ago. While talking, he took out a thick roll of paper from his sleeve, held it in both hands to the guards of the Duke of one side, and passed it to Duke Xingguo.

When Zhong Jinwei heard it, he was full of joy, and after receiving it, he unfolded it to look at it.But when he looked at the densely packed titles and introductions, his head became dizzy.

Many of these titles are literal translations, and nothing can be seen from the titles alone.The number is so large that Zhong Jinwei's original desire to see if he is familiar with the title of the book is shattered.

But Zhong Jinwei still pretended to be very happy on the surface, while flipping through the stack of papers in his hand, he repeatedly praised: "Not bad, not bad, very good, very good."

In his heart, he had already made up his mind to let Xu Guangqi or him find someone to organize the translation first.When it's almost over, go see it yourself.

Xu Xiake was very pleased to see that the things he had obtained through untold hardships were highly valued by the Duke.

Guessing that it was almost time for him to pretend, Zhong Jinwei handed the stack of papers in his hand to Yu Changjian, asking him to put it away carefully.

Then Zhong Jinwei turned his head to look at Xu Xiake, and asked expectantly: "Do those craftsmen have any statistics?"

"Returning to the Duke, there are roughly statistics, but what each person is good at is still being counted. I estimate that it will take at least two days." Xu Xiake turned sideways to Zhong Jinwei and replied.

Seeing the Duke nodding and continuing to look at himself, Xu Xiake went on to say: "These craftsmen are involved in many industries, but the most are shipbuilders and blacksmiths. Because these are more valued in Europe and there are many of them. The officials think I am a big Ming It is weaker than Europe in this aspect, so when the officials revealed the news, they focused on these craftsmen."

"Not bad, you did a good job." Zhong Jinwei nodded and praised Xu Xiake.

"This is what a subordinate official should do." Xu Xiake was praised by Zhong Jinwei face to face. He blushed a little and said modestly as he had never experienced the ups and downs of the officialdom.

Zhong Jinwei asked him again with great interest: "You have traveled to Europe, what do you think of it?"

"My subordinate feels that the current Europe is a bit similar to China's Warring States period. All countries attacked each other, and there is no unified empire." Xu Xiake replied cautiously.

Zhong Jinwei was not satisfied with this answer, so he basically knew the content.

Therefore, Zhong Jinwei asked in another way: "Then tell me something that impressed you in Europe, you can say anything, just treat us as friends and chat."

The guards of Zhong Jinwei have been listening to the conversation between the Duke and Master Xu, and now they became more energetic when they heard the question asked by the Duke, and they all looked at Xu Xiake, ready to listen to him describe the far away In the place of thousands of miles, what kind of place is it?

However, Xu Xiake's evaluation left them speechless. They only listened to Xu Xiake's answer to Guo Gongdao: "The impression that Europe gives to lower officials is that they are dirty, messy and lewd!"