The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 837 Dilemma
Under the watchful eyes of the two jailers, Velasco washed himself in shame and resentment, and changed into clean clothes prepared for him, a linen Taoist robe.

Perhaps it was because the jailer heard that Velasco was a religious believer and thought he was a foreign Taoist priest, so he found a Taoist robe to make the foreign Taoist priest look as decent as possible.

Velasco seemed a little confused. In this godless country, evil had no boundaries.

"Why are you dawdling? The adults are waiting outside!"

The jailer was urging him impatiently.

Velasco didn't know who the master was that the jailer was talking about.

Is he a cabinet minister, a governor-general, or a close follower of the retired emperor?
Given the crimes he committed, there was really no need to alarm such a big shot to judge him.

Perhaps it was Emperor Guangde.

Based on Velasco's understanding of Liu Kan, no matter whether the emperor likes him or not, no matter what crimes that person has committed, as long as it is beneficial to the emperor's rule, the emperor will let that person live.

When Liu Kan ascended the throne, he announced a general amnesty. He also specially pardoned some old ministers who were exiled by his father for speaking for him.

Although Liu Kan hated Catholicism and even tortured radical missionaries (who advocated that the Great Qi be ruled by the Pope of Rome), the new emperor needed an envoy, or a bridge, who could connect the East and the West and have a certain influence in Europe.

Obviously, I am that bridge.

In order to prove to the retired emperor, who had made great military achievements, that he had the same abilities as his father, and to resolve the increasingly serious domestic and international crises, Emperor Guangde urgently needed to establish new trade relations with European countries.

Thus, he had by now written several times to the Spanish Governor-General in Manila.

The new emperor hoped to achieve equal foreign trade for the empire through peace talks with Manila, rather than through simple and crude war.

However, the new emperor was naturally opposed to Catholicism, hated the political marriage arranged for him by his father, hated the Swedish princess, and hated the French king.

This is an unsolvable contradiction. The empire's diplomatic situation is complicated, and it needs people like Velasco who can coordinate all parties.

Velasco met Emperor Guangde once.

That was eight years ago, the first year of Guangde, the year the Emperor abdicated. At that time, relations between the Great Qi Empire and the European nations were relatively harmonious, and one could even say that both sides were in a honeymoon period.

As the director of the Imperial Observatory, Velasco participated in the abdication ceremony of the retired emperor. In Tianxin City, he met with envoys from Paris, London, Vienna, and other places.

In the magnificent Tianxin City Palace, Velasco met the seemingly submissive Emperor Guangde Liu Kan, who had just turned twenty. When Liu Kan met with his ministers, he was extremely humble and courteous, demonstrating the typical demeanor of a wise ruler.

Emperor Guangde remained unmoved by the rare treasures brought by envoys from various countries (according to Confucian culture, a wise ruler should forsake the pursuit of wealth). He listened solemnly to the conversations between his ministers Kang Yingqian and Qiao Yiqi and the envoys, occasionally asking about topics he had never heard of, such as Mass, the feast day of Jesus, and baptism.

Now, the face and eyes of the humble learner suddenly revived in Velasco's memory, and a suffocating feeling of terror swept over his body, leaving him with lingering fears.

At that time, Emperor Guangde was very shrewd and used outward courtesy and humility to win the trust of his father.

A crisp sound similar to that of wooden clogs came from the corridor outside the imperial prison courtyard. Belasco looked out the door and saw the majestic Captain of the Straw Raincoat Guard at the end of the corridor.

"Lord Velasco!"

"Are you here to execute me?" the missionary asked deliberately.

"Of course not. I'm here to ask you to be released from prison. The Lord has a new mission for you. There must have been some misunderstanding when he arrested you earlier..."

As the centurion finished speaking, two burly guards in straw raincoats appeared from behind him. They stepped forward to help the Spanish missionary up and carefully escorted Velasco out of the prison. "Your Majesty is so perceptive. I am deeply grateful. Do you want me to follow the King of Han to Annan?"

The Spaniard was very excited. He looked back at the two rude jailers behind him and spoke incoherently.

The centurion's face suddenly turned gloomy. He gritted his teeth and tried to suppress some intense emotions.

"Sir Velasco, if I were you, I wouldn't ask such a question. The prince you're talking about is being avoided by everyone. I hope you understand this."

Velasco said "oh", put away his smug smile, and his expression became serious.

"Your Majesty, I have no connection with the King of Han anymore..."

The centurion waved his hand firmly, signaling the missionary to stop talking.

"Sir Velasco," his official boots creaked disconcertingly on the floor, as if knocking at the missionary's soul, "when you see His Majesty later, please do not mention this matter again, and it's best not to mention your missionary work in the capital. If it weren't for Sir Francisco pleading for you before the Emperor, you probably wouldn't be released from the Imperial Prison."

After walking out of the imperial prison, there was a brand new carriage parked on the street. The driver was a straw raincoat guard in plain clothes, and their hair buns all had a fixed style.

The guards helped the missionary onto the carriage, and the centurion also got in. Four guards on each side, holding pistols, followed behind the carriage and strode towards the imperial city.

"Lord Velasco, my surname is Zhao, and my given name is Tiande. You can just call me by my first name."

The centurion sat opposite the missionary and as soon as he got on the carriage, he introduced himself to the Spaniard.

Velasco nodded awkwardly. Of course, he couldn't call the other person by his name.

"There are some things I must explain clearly to you before I meet you." Zhao Tiande raised his eyebrows, his eyes showing a hint of viciousness.

Velasco nodded, unsure how to respond.

"We've investigated thoroughly. Prior to your arrest, you were still privately contacting Catholic believers in Tianxin City, holding gatherings and celebrating Mass for sick parishioners. Is that correct?"

Velasco remained silent and nodded again.

"What I need to tell you is that in other parts of Da Qi, such things might still be tolerated. However, here at the feet of the Emperor, in this capital, the Holy Emperor has issued an edict that, starting this year, the spread of Catholicism, the construction of churches, and the holding of private gatherings by believers in the capital area are strictly prohibited."

"You are the director of the Imperial Observatory of Daqi, not a missionary sent by the Holy See to Daqi. His Majesty does not want missionaries in Tianxin City. Do you understand what I am saying?"

Velasco nodded repeatedly.

"I understand."

~~~~~~
In recent years, Emperor Guangde has hoped to peacefully resolve trade disputes with European nations before his father's expedition to Manila. As the saying goes, the best strategy is to attack the enemy's strategy; attacking cities and plundering territory will inevitably result in casualties. A prolonged war, costing both the people and the people, will further undermine the empire's rule.

Although he disliked Catholicism and missionaries very much, he now had to deal with these people.

Because in the entire Tianxin City, there are no more red-haired barbarians without religious background.

In fact, Liu Kan hoped to negotiate directly with European countries instead of going through Manila, and to determine the spheres of influence of each country in East Asia at the negotiating table instead of resorting to war.

Liu Kan's eyes fell on Velasco.

(End of this chapter)