Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 101 Invitation

After pretending to help Tang Zhong "appreciate" the New Year's couplets, Xu Guangqi returned to the main hall and began to write an invitation letter to send to foreign merchants. But as soon as he picked up the pen, an official came to him to seek instructions.

"Sir, the imperial edict in reply to the King of Korea has been drafted. Please have a look." The fifth-rank official of the Ministry of Rites and Officials, who was in charge of the tribute payments from the various vassal states, placed the imperial edict drafted in the standard format on Xu Guangqi's desk.

Xu Guangqi didn't let the official leave, but instead quickly reviewed the draft imperial edict. After a moment, he stamped the Ministry of Rites' seal on it and nodded, saying, "Send it to the Ministry of Public Security."

Since this matter was not urgent, the Ministry of Internal Affairs would, as per custom, deliver the draft edict and its copy to Huiji Gate the following morning. The original draft would be received by the eunuch on duty at Huiji Gate and sent to the Silijian, where it would be compiled and edited by the eunuchs holding the seal and writing the pens. A copy would then be sent directly to the Cabinet for their comments.

In this way, Zhu Changluo could integrate the opinions of the two top internal and external yamen and make a decision as soon as he entered the Southern Study.

After the doctor left, Xu Guangqi took out a piece of white paper and began to write the invitation:

The requests of the merchants have been granted by the court. To discuss the details of maritime trade, Dinesh João, Władysław Amato, Harald Brandt, Len Hobbs, and Rogers Heydrich are invited to the Xu residence in Mingshifang on the evening of the seventh day of the winter month. No later than this time will be accepted.

Signed by: Xu Guangqi, Minister of Rites and Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

That night, the Jesuit mission was located in Zhengxifang.

Charles Kleiner was the commander of the mercenary musketeers, a man whose trade was cutthroat and whose wages were high. But after arriving in Beijing, he became a so-called head servant, his daily duties guarding the Jesuits' estates.

But Beijing was protected by the military, imperial guards, and patrol officers. Guarding the house here was essentially like taking turns standing by the door. But Charlie Craner had no objection. Why fight the dogs for food in hell when you could just eat and wait for death in heaven?

For Charles Kleiner, Beijing was a place even more wonderful than the paradise described in the Bible. The mission not only provided food and accommodation, but also five taels of silver per month.

As the saying goes, hunger and cold breed the desire to steal, while warmth and satiety breed lust. Whenever he had a free moment, Charlie Craner visited brothels. Unfortunately, he could only visit earthen brothels that accepted both raw and cold food. Even the more upscale brothels wouldn't let him in. He claimed in broken Chinese that he was rich, but the madams and pimps, feeling that Western-looking soldiers would lower the brothels' class, ignored him.

After living there for a while, Charles Craner began to suspect that the house was being watched. He sent out scouts from the Musketeers to look for any signs of the watcher, but they found nothing. Ultimately, he had no choice but to instruct his men to be more vigilant.

Boom boom boom!
Charlie Craner was leaning against the door, yawning, when he heard a knock.

"Who's there?" That was the best word Charlie Craner said as he opened the door a crack.

"I am a servant of Lord Xu Guangqi, the Minister of Rites." The man puffed out his chest and raised his head, his face full of pride.

"Master Xu? Please come in." Charlie Craner didn't understand the whole sentence, but all the "housekeepers" were forced to learn key words such as "Emperor," "Your Majesty," "Palace," "Master," and "Xu Guangqi." They were required to invite someone in as soon as they heard these terms.

Charlie Kleiner led the servants and walked quickly to the door of Long Huamin's study.

"President Niccolò Longobardi." Charlie Kleiner pushed open the door and prepared to announce, but was interrupted by Long Huamin's unfriendly tone. "How many times have I told you to knock?" Long Huamin had no good feelings towards these barbaric mercenaries. Despite countless instructions, these guys still hadn't learned the importance of knocking before entering.

"Oh." Although Charlie Craner was a bit careless, he still respected the clergy very much. When he heard Long Huamin's scolding, he pulled the door back, closed it, and knocked again.

"Ha!" Long Huamin was so angry at the mercenary leader that he laughed. He shook his head repeatedly, his face full of helplessness: "Come in."

"President Nicolo Longobardi, a gentleman named Xu wants to see you." Charlie Kleiner reported.

Hearing that Mr. Xu had arrived, Long Huamin's eyes lit up immediately. He quickly put down his pen and ordered, "Please invite him in."

After the banquet at Suzaku Pavilion, Long Huamin gave Xu Guangqi three thousand taels of silver, asking him to use the money to "move around and make some money." Xu Guangqi had received funding from the Jesuits many times, so naturally he did not refuse.

The reply came so quickly that Long Huamin subconsciously thought that the money had worked. But in fact, Xu Guangqi had not spent a penny.

As the newcomer came into view, Long Huamin immediately realized that although he looked familiar, he was not Xu Guangqi. He stood up and walked towards the door, searching his mind for the man's shadow. When he reached the door, he remembered.

"Mr. Xu Jian, how are you?" Long Huamin's face was filled with a warm smile and his tone was particularly cordial, which was a far cry from his attitude towards Charlie Kleiner.

"Mr. Long actually still remembers me?" Xu Jian was a little surprised.

"Mr. Xu Jian, you're joking. How could I possibly forget?" Xu Jian was a servant Xu Guangqi had brought from his hometown, and had been with him for nearly twenty years. Xu Guangqi had specifically introduced him to the diplomatic corps the night they stayed at the Xu residence.

"Prepare tea for Mr. Xu." Long Huamin said to another Jesuit who was in the study.

"No need, I'm just here to deliver a letter." Xu Jian waved his hand to stop him, pulling out an envelope from his pocket. "Now that the letter has been delivered, I'll return to report. I won't bother you any further." Xu Jian bowed and said goodbye.

Seeing this, Long Huamin no longer pressed for enticement. He took the envelope, fished out a few taels of silver, and gave it to Xu Jian. He bowed slightly in return and said, "Since that's the case, I won't press you to stay any longer. Farewell."

Only after confirming that Xu Jian had completely disappeared from his sight did Long Huamin allow himself to release his inner excitement. He eagerly opened the envelope, his movements even appearing a bit rough. However, the contents of the letter left him deeply disappointed.

This was the long-awaited invitation letter from the mission, but it contained only the names of five merchants. Furthermore, the first sentence of the reply indicated that the palace had summoned these merchants solely based on their own "petition" and had nothing to do with the Jesuits.

Long Huamin began to worry. He sat back in his seat, took a sip of half-cold tea, frowned and silently thought about countermeasures.

A quarter of an hour later, Long Huamin instructed the young Jesuit, "Go and invite the five business representatives."

(End of this chapter)