Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 83 Face, Money and Intrigue
Harald Brandt was eager to see the emperor. He believed the emperor would be impressed if he could see the guns and cannons he brought with him. He admitted that the Ming army's firearms had their merits. However, the quality rate was too low. Only three out of ten muskets could be used without exploding. The soldiers had to thank their officers for their "grace of not being greedy."

"His Majesty the Emperor is busy with all kinds of affairs. How could he be thinking about such trivial matters all day long? Besides, the court bulletin is right there, don't you read it?" Long Huamin's worship was not yet complete, so it was Tang Ruowang who stepped forward to answer.

Twenty-eight years old at the time, Johann Adam Schall von Bell was born into a noble family in Cologne, Electorate of Cologne, on the banks of the Rhine in the Holy Roman Empire. His parents were devout Christians. He harbored an instinctive aversion to the money-obsessed merchants, believing them to be solely concerned with money and profit, lacking true faith and morality. He accompanied Ginnig across the ocean, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, while the ship held only silver and the smell of money.

Despite the many twists and turns and hardships he had experienced along the way, his heart was still filled with the passion and enthusiasm of a young man. These merchants, for their own benefit, even did not hesitate to interrupt the sacred worship, so there was no need for him to be polite to them.

"You!" Dinesh Joao suddenly became angry.

However, Władysław Amato quickly intervened, stood in front of Dinesh João, and asked Johann Adam Schall von Bell in a calm and composed manner: "Father John Adam. You know, we can't understand Chinese. Please translate it for us." His tone was full of respect and humility, much gentler than Dinesh João's questioning attitude.

"The court report said that Lord Xiong Tingbi, who guards the northern border, led the imperial army and won consecutive victories against the Liaodong bandits from August to October. These victories have basically stabilized the situation in Liaodong." One should not hit a smiling person. Since Mr. Władysław Amato was sincere, Johann Adam Schall von Bell did not act politely. Instead, he put aside the airs of a "scholar" towards a "businessman" and explained patiently.

"Daily official duties are busy, grand events need to be prepared, and border wars are urgent. Even if the emperor has forgotten about this matter, I would not be surprised." Johann Adam Schall von Bell has begun to share the emperor's worries from the perspective of state affairs.

"This? Victory news. What should I do?" Arms dealer Harald Brandt panicked. His face was pale, his heart filled with despair and helplessness, his eyes filled with fear and anxiety. He seemed to have seen the outcome of his gamble.

If the emperor lost interest in foreign firearms because of the good news from the north, all his accumulated wealth and fame would be gone. Harald Brandt seemed to have seen his future: he would become a laughing stock on the Eastern routes, and all merchants would laugh at his ignorance and greed.

"Don't worry, my friend." Long Huamin's prayer finally ended. He stood up with a smile to comfort everyone: "The tribute we present to the emperor is still in Tianjin. As long as the emperor hasn't expressed his position, everything remains unknown. The unknown means possibility, and perhaps also hope."

As Long Huamin spoke, he slowly approached the merchants. Although his dissatisfaction remained, a friendly and warm smile graced his face. After all, there were many places to pay, and the support of the merchants was indispensable.

Now that Long Huamin had spoken, Dinesh Joao no longer needed to argue with Tang Ruowang. He approached Long Huamin, his attitude much softer than when he first arrived. "President Nicolo Longobardi, we've submitted our gift list for several days with no response. It's like a drop in the ocean, a stone sinking into the water. We're just too concerned."

Listening to Dinesh Joao speaking broken Chinese with a thick Portuguese accent, Tang Ruowang couldn't help but laugh. "Ha." He laughed inconspicuously, but fortunately no one noticed.

"Actually, the gift list was also submitted to Paul, and we don't know the specific details. I guess it involves some connections that need to be opened up, such as the eunuchs who serve the emperor. If they are not fed, then the gift list may not have much effect even if it is submitted to the emperor." Long Huamin paused and continued:
"You also know that the monarch's decisions are often influenced by his close ministers. This is the same whether in the East or the West. They only need to say a few slanderous words in front of the emperor, and our business may suffer a major blow." In order to appease the merchants and encourage them to continue investing, Long Huamin even said that the "business" is "ours."

This greatly displeased Johann Adam Schall von Bell, who was standing by: How could missionary work be described as business? "Then let's go and ask for an audience with His Excellency Paul," Harald Brandt suggested to Dinesh João.

"You can't see it." said Johann Adam Schall von Bell.

"Why? Didn't Mr. Paul host a banquet for us and have a drink with us?" Dinesh Joao frowned.

"That was a chat with President Niccolò Longobardi." Tang Ruowang didn't attend the reception at Zhaixinglou, but he was quite clear-headed: With a rank like the Minister of Rites, even local merchants in the Ming Dynasty would have to go through countless rounds to pay their tribute. Why would a foreign merchant like you have the right to drink and chat with him?
"Enough! After the Ministry of Rites is dismissed, we will go to visit Paul together. I think as long as we can help him get through the connections in the palace, things will surely fall into place." Long Huamin stopped him and winked at Johann Adam Schall von Bell.

After all the merchants had left, Long Huamin spoke in Chinese to Johann Adam Schall von Bell, who was almost half his age, "Young man, you must be flexible. We still need them. The Jesuits have face, and they have money. Face without money is empty and without substance."

"Their attitude..." Before Tang Ruowang could finish his words, he was interrupted by Long Huamin waving his hand.

"There's no harm in trying to appease them verbally. They only dare to come here to talk." Long Huamin chuckled as he watched the merchants depart. His previous kindness and gentleness were completely gone.

"Why?" Tang Ruowang asked subconsciously, as if he was thinking about something.

"Because if you don't have face to protect your money, you're nothing. Without a letter from the Ministry of Rites and the banner of the Jesuit Mission, Western merchants can't even enter Beijing. They'll be detained on the way." Long Huamin suppressed his smile and returned to his calm demeanor. "Don't they know? They know it very well. We need them, and they need us even more. That's the rule."

"Thank you for your instruction." Johann Adam Schall von Bell performed a not very standard bow.

"Where are Guo Jujing and Ginni Ge? Why didn't they come to church today?" Long Huamin asked.

"Guo Jujing led Ginni Ge to Tenggong Fence." Tang Ruowang replied.

"Hmph! You go again without even saying hello." Long Huamin frowned slightly and spoke in a bad tone.

(End of this chapter)