The Han culture is spreading strongly in Southeast Asia

Chapter 736 A Gift from France
After receiving the news from Nanyang, Mo Zibu hurriedly led the Xing Dynasty back south from Luoyang in order to welcome Lagrange, Lavoisier and others.

Normally, an emperor of such a great empire as his would not need to attach so much importance to a few Western scholars, but Mo Zibu knew that these people were of extraordinary value.

Firstly, the current scientific research atmosphere in China still lacks some competitive atmosphere. The overall research is still relatively Buddhist, and it is suitable to introduce some foreign monks to stimulate the catfish effect.

Secondly, Lavoisier is indeed worthy of it. He is not just a great jurist. The greatest thing about him is that he turned chemistry into a system, making this thing that originated from alchemy in medieval Europe a real scientific branch.

In other words, in the field of chemistry, Lavoisier not only possessed the invincible breakthrough ability of Xiang Yu, the King of Chu, but also the ability to lay the foundation like Zhuge Liang.

Today, China's fifteen years of accumulation has finally reached the point of a small-scale eruption, and Lavoisier's arrival is just in time.

'Woo, clang! clang! clang!'

Since the last time Princess Charlotte of France arrived in China, steam locomotive technology has made great strides forward.

Railway police and railway maintenance workers have been fully equipped, and the locomotive exhaust system, the stability of the vehicle body operation, the thermal efficiency of the steam engine, and the heat conversion have all been greatly improved.

Therefore, when Lagrange, Lavoisier, Legendre, Fourier, Dupont and others boarded the carriage which was carpeted, soundproofed, and had spacious seats with cotton padding, they all showed expressions of shock and delight on their faces.

Especially DuPont, this guy was frightened by the Great Revolution, which also destroyed the efforts of his first ten years of life, so he always hoped to find a country where he could display his talents and which was relatively stable and prosperous.

Of course, the country's willingness to accept him as a Frenchman is also an important consideration.

A French steam engine researcher stood up and said excitedly, "I've long pointed out that the steam locomotive is the future. It is the lifeblood of the empire. With it, the empire can control its limbs with its heart, making them act according to its will."

“Wherever the railways are laid, there the empire’s territory lies, and no one can take it away.

I believe that the competition between the Chinese Empire and Tsarist Russia in the heart of Asia will end with a great victory for the Chinese Empire, because Tsarist Russia's legs cannot compete with the wheels of the Chinese Empire.

"Yes, I agree with this view, because the Russians are still too backward and too barbaric. They can hardly even be called a civilized country."

The discussion in the carriage was quite heated. After experiencing the initial confusion, regret and anxiety, these people's hearts began to be filled with hope again.

Because what was presented to them was an empire that was rich and great, and in many ways stronger than France.

Lagrange felt a little uncomfortable. He sighed softly, "I think if His Majesty the Emperor of China could show some respect for talents, then these people would be very happy to serve China."

The great mathematician Legendre was silent for a while after listening to this, and finally he could only shake his head and replied: "This is not our fault. No one wants to leave their homeland and go thousands of miles away to serve a foreign country.

But I believe France won't remain in this state of chaos forever, and when it stabilizes, I will return to France."

Lagrange nodded in agreement, but with a hint of bitterness on his face. "Adrien, you're still young. You'll definitely have a chance. But I don't know if I can wait until that time."

At this time, dozens of horse-drawn carriages were ready at Nanjing Xiaguan Wharf.

This new carriage looked very similar to the chariots of the Spring and Autumn Period. It was extremely spacious and equipped with new springs and rubber tires. Its comfort was far superior to that of previous carriages.

As for steam cars, they are still not very stable and are generally not used in formal occasions.

"Wow, a white flag with a golden sun and moon. The prince has arrived! The imperial court is really giving these Westerners some face."

"The only one who can come out to greet guests in the capital should be the Third Prince, the Prince of Dancheng. I heard that among these Westerners, there are some who can glimpse the door of saints, so of course we have to pay attention to them."

"It must be the Third Prince. The day before yesterday, he was racing against the Prince of Ningxia, and His Majesty confined him to his house for three days. This morning, the Jinyiwei brothers tore down the seal on the gate of the palace and opened it."

The people of the capital are very well-informed, sometimes even better-informed than the officials of the capital.

Because no matter what the dignitaries in the capital want to do, they are indispensable, and there are countless uncles and brothers who work in the family.

A merchant from out of town was not so well-informed. He asked in astonishment, "Is it possible to peek into the door of the sages? Do Westerners also read the books of sages?"

Hearing this, several Nanjing natives immediately looked at the country bumpkin from outside the province with arrogance. After enjoying the feeling of being superior, they explained to him.

"What era is this now? It's been twenty years. Becoming a sage is no longer just about reading the classics of saints.

Nowadays, with a hundred flowers blooming and a hundred schools of thought contending, the West has made great achievements in mathematics, alchemy, the study of physics, astronomy and other disciplines.

I heard that the person coming this time is called Lagrange, a scholar from both England and France, and a master of mathematics and astronomy."

"I heard that the man called Lavoisier is also very powerful. The president of Purple Mountain Academy of Sciences, Huang Tianshi, was once taught by him."

"Ah!" The outsiders were even more shocked. "Immortal Huang is a deity who has descended to earth. When he observed the sky that night, he could tell that a dragon was rising from the South Sea. When he went south to look for it, he recognized Your Majesty as the true Dragon Emperor after only one glimpse.

"That foreigner, so strange and cunning, has the ability to come and teach Immortal Huang. I must take a closer look at him. Could he be the reincarnation of the Western Medicine King Bodhisattva?"

As for elixir-making, most Chinese people still find it difficult to understand that it is a science, and basically regard it as alchemy.

Huang Jue, who controls the Dan Chemistry Promotion Fund of Fuxing Company, actually works on the formula of gunpowder, but among the people he has become a real person who cultivates immortality and refines elixirs for the emperor.

"Oops, we guessed wrong. The one who came to greet us was not the Prince of Dancheng, but the Crown Prince's concubine!" With a scream, the onlookers all stood on tiptoe to look.

I originally thought that several princes wearing dragon robes would appear under the white flag with a golden sun and moon, but what appeared was a group of gorgeously dressed Taixi palace ladies.

The woman in a Taixi dress, surrounded by these beautiful Taixi palace ladies, was none other than the former Princess Charlotte of France and the Crown Prince's concubine of Dayu, Marie Thérèse Charlotte.

"Your Highness, it's great to see you!" Lagrange couldn't help but tears up in his eyes as he looked at Princess Charlotte, who was dressed completely in French style.

As the leader of the French mathematical community, Lagrange did not suffer much impact, but as a scholar at the top of society, he naturally preferred the time when the Bourbon dynasty ruled. At least at that time he only needed to focus on his research without having to worry about other aspects.

During the revolutionary government period, Lagrange had to come out and establish the French Academy of Sciences.

While expressing his willingness to work for the revolutionary government and even support it, he also used the Academy of Sciences to save as many talented scholars as possible.

"Welcome, sir." Facing Lagrange, Princess Charlotte's slightly chubby face showed a smile from the heart. It was the warmth of seeing relatives from her hometown. The princess hadn't smiled like this for a long time.

“Welcome, my compatriots. Although this is thousands of miles away, please rest assured that you will soon regard this place as your second home.

Because here, from His Majesty the Great Emperor to ordinary people of the empire, everyone welcomes your arrival.

We look forward to the wisdom of the East and the West, in the Chinese Empire, a most anticipated collision of civilizations.

At the same time, this princess also looks forward to you showing the elegance of France to the civilized Seres, letting them know that France has not only riots, but also science."

The French people who came from afar, listening to their home language and looking at the princess and palace maids dressed in French costumes, especially the princess's slightly bulging belly, felt inexplicably relaxed.

Warm applause suddenly broke out.

This way of expressing emotions, which was formally formed in Europe historically, was brought to the East by Mozibu in this time and space, and in turn influenced Westerners.

So much so that now both the East and the West use warm applause to express their excitement, approval and love.

"Please get into the carriage and follow me to Ganquan Palace. By order of His Majesty the Emperor, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and I have prepared the most comfortable rooms for you. Everything is just like in France."

The Ganquan Palace mentioned by Princess Charlotte is located in Tangshan, Nanjing in later times, adjacent to Mo Zibu's Tangshan Hot Spring Palace. Although it is called Ganquan Palace in Chinese, it is actually the Palace of Fontainebleau in French.

This palace was built specifically for Mo Zibu to welcome Princess Charlotte.

The entire palace covers an area of more than 400 acres, which is almost one-sixth the size of the Forbidden City in Nanjing, and is of relatively high specifications.

Moreover, Ganquan Palace was almost completely modeled after Fontainebleau Palace. Even the maids in the palace were bankrupt French noblewomen who had been recruited continuously over the years.

It can be said that this is a palace where everything except the guards is no different from that in France.

After more than two years of intermittent drifting on the sea, this Palace of Oasis, which was exactly like the Palace of Fontainebleau, greatly soothed the hearts of these French scientists and allowed them to quickly adapt to this foreign country.

Mo Zibu was also very patient. He waited until fifteen days after they had fully adapted before he chose to summon these people.

Before the summons, Mo Zibu specially asked Crown Prince Mo Zhousen, who was in Xi'an, to rush back.

At this time, it has been twenty years since Mo Zibu officially established the reign title in Beihe. The emperor, who was full of vigor and strong back then, is now forty-seven years old, and at this time, he is beginning to enter old age.

The Crown Prince Mo Zhousen is almost 24 years old, and his physical and mental strength are at their peak.

Looking at Charlotte's slightly bulging belly, Asen couldn't help but touch his waist. It was really not easy to make this princess pregnant. He had to be the only one favored by her for several months in a row, and his body was almost drained before he achieved the goal.

Mo Zibu also looked at his daughter-in-law's belly and nodded with satisfaction. He was also worried that his daughter-in-law Charlotte would not be able to have children.

Historically, this man left no offspring. Although this was probably because Princess Charlotte married his blood cousin Charles Antoine, it still made Mo Zibu worried.

The value of an infertile French princess in exile would be greatly reduced.

Therefore, after Princess Charlotte became pregnant, Mo Zibu was overjoyed and directly promoted Princess Charlotte to the Crown Prince's concubine.

You should know that the Ming Dynasty only established this position of imperial concubine, which was equivalent to the crown prince's wife, in the early days. The last and most famous crown prince's concubine was Empress Sun, the mother of Emperor Baozong Zhu Qizhen.

Since Empress Dowager Sun, there has never been a Crown Prince's concubine. Apart from the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince's harem consists of talented women and selected concubines.

Now, Mo Zibu has resurrected this extremely significant position of the Imperial Concubine, which shows how happy he is in his heart.

Seeing Mo Zibu's look, Crown Princess Ye smiled and said, "Please rest assured, Father. I have carefully selected six female imperial physicians to provide continuous care day and night. We will ensure that this prince, who shoulders the heavy responsibility of the state, is born safely and grows up healthy."

Princess Ye was born into a Hakka family in Meizhou. Although her father was only a brigadier general in the army, he was of high seniority and brave in battle. Many Hakka generals had received his favor or guidance.

The reason why he was only a brigadier general was that when he was about to make great achievements, he was injured in the spine by a stray bullet on the battlefield, and basically lost his ability to move. He was unable to make more contributions and was forced to retire.

"You have always been sensible. Father is assured of this. This is what the future queen should look like." Mo Zibu was quite satisfied with his daughter-in-law.

When she got married at the age of sixteen, she had to face the crown prince's first love, Wang Zhenyi, and Charlotte, the exiled French princess who had to be in a very high position and the crown prince had to favor her.

If it were someone else, let alone handling the relationship well and making these two women obey her, even if they didn't get jealous and cause trouble, it would be considered very good.

Ye accepted her father's praise with a smile, and also understood the meaning of her father's words. The Crown Princess was hers, and the Queen was also hers, and no one could take them away from her.

However, even though Ye received Mo Zibu's guarantee, she still did not feel that everything would be fine with the imperial sword. She tilted her head and gave her husband, the Crown Prince Da Lao Sen, a sweet smile.

"Assisting the Crown Prince and managing the Crown Prince's harem is my duty as a son and subject. As long as I can help His Highness solve his problems, no matter how much or how hard the work is, it is worth it."

Asen couldn't help but feel warm in his heart and gave Ye a warm smile. Compared to Wang Zhenyi, who devoted herself to scientific research and was not willing to sacrifice her scientific research career for Asen.

And Charlotte, a woman with a strong character who dreams of avenging her parents, Ye's silent warmth really makes Asen feel very comfortable.

Having gained the approval of her father-in-law and the love of her husband, Ye slowly stepped back and let Princess Charlotte, the Crown Prince's concubine, become the protagonist of the day.

As someone who was personally taught by Defei Ye Xiaomei Ye Yizheng, Crown Princess Ye knew very well who she should be wary of and who she should not be wary of.

Beside the prince, Wang Zhenyi is a scientific maniac, and with the added bonus of being the prince's first woman, no one can shake her position.

For a woman like this, you should be on good terms with her and not act like a troublemaker, so as not to attract her attention back to the harem.

As for Princess Charlotte, she was destined to take away a large part of her favor, because even if the Crown Prince did not like this woman, he had to stay in her room often.

Because the children born to this woman will be the most effective tools to seize France's overseas colonies and poach French talents in the future.

For this important reason, Princess Charlotte's position is irreplaceable.

If that's the case, then why make enemies with these two people? That's just asking for trouble. No matter how powerful these two people are, they can't become the Crown Princess anyway.

In the Wenhua Hall, the grand and complicated audience ceremony ended. The thirty-five French scientists who were allowed to come to the audience were given a small brocade stool and allowed to sit.

Mo Zibu chatted with Lagrange for a few words first, and then immediately looked at Lavoisier. After all, he also studied chemistry before traveling through time.

Although the time before the time travel was too disconnected from the current reality and was always sometimes blurry and sometimes clear in his mind, Mo Zibu was still very happy to meet the ancestor of this industry.

"I want to establish a university specializing in chemistry and mathematics, with Mr. Lagrange and Mr. Lavoisier as president and vice president.

At the same time, ten French scientists who have sought refuge in Dayu will be selected to join the Imperial Academy."

Mo Zibu said this with an expression that said, "This kind of treatment really represents my sincerity."

Lagrange and others were also very satisfied because Mo Zibu was quite generous to them and gave them appropriate rewards and official positions.

Moreover, this country thousands of miles away was not as difficult to integrate into as they had imagined, because after years of continuous absorption, there were actually more than 20,000 French people in Nanjing.

Among them, seven or eight thousand people are temporarily living here for business, trade and study. The rest are either French heroes when the emperor started his career, or people who have come here in recent years.

These people gathered in Qingliangmen in the west of the city, which was the area of the ancient Stone City, and formed the Taixifang area with French characteristics.

The emergence of such places greatly alleviated the homesickness and sense of discomfort of these French people.

So when the French scientists heard what Mo Zibu said, they felt that Nanjing could be fully settled and knelt down on their knees in worship.

"We are willing to serve His Majesty the Emperor and bring the knowledge of France to this land."

Mo Zibu stood up with a laugh and raised his hands to let them stand up. This was a good start.

As long as they are willing to come down, we can slowly discuss how long they stay and how they stay.

Mo Zibu also noticed Eletair Irene Dupont, who seemed eager to try in the crowd.

Unexpectedly, Lavoisier brought this person here. That’s perfect, as the Spanish army is in need of talents in this area.

If this historical founder of the American DuPont family can complete his task well, Mo Zibu would not mind letting him truly obtain Chinese identity and making good use of him.

(End of this chapter)