Mascolu took the Portuguese soldiers away, and Zheng Chenggong stepped into the city of Macau.

It has been almost 100 years since the Portuguese obtained the right of residence in Macao in 1553.

The city of Macau is home to many Portuguese buildings built in the Renaissance and Baroque styles.

These buildings are richly decorated, with striking carvings and strong colors.

Zheng Chenggong walked on the street wantonly, looking at these buildings that are different from Huaxia, and he was in a good mood.

Father Spirola, who was accompanying him, saw that Zheng Chenggong was in a good mood, and hurriedly said: "Mr. Count, I regret that your father was deceived and kidnapped by the barbarians. Catholicism does not allow its followers to be persecuted in this way. We're willing to work with you to drive out the barbarians! “

Zheng Chenggong heard this, looked at Spirola and asked, "How can you help?" ”

"Monsieur Count," said Spinola, "we all studied in a Jesuit school, in mathematics, astronomy, geography, mechanics, chemistry, and so on. If Mr. Earl needs it, we can help you forge a cannon. ”

Zheng Chenggong said with some doubts: "Do you Jesuits teach mathematics and astronomy?" ”

Spirola didn't know why the Count would ask this question, but most of the Ming officials were allowed to spread Catholicism, mostly because they knew how to forge artillery and have novelties.

Spirola pondered for a moment and replied: "In the course of our missionary work, we have come to the conclusion that in order to succeed in spreading Christian doctrine, missionaries to the Far East must understand not only the local culture, but also the science!" ”

"Oh, why?" Zheng Chenggong asked.

"Buddhism prevailed in the Far East, and we found that it was impossible to establish the prestige of Christianity without refuting the teachings of Buddhism, and to establish the prestige of Christianity required that the missionaries sent to the East should understand science," said Spirola. We need to use knowledge and science to open the way for the spread of Christianity. So the Roman Catholic Church established academies to teach not only religious content, but also mathematics. ”

Zheng Chenggong heard the busy and said: "I'm very interested in your academy, and I would like you to say more about this!" ”

Seeing that Zheng Chenggong was really interested, Spirola cheered up, hoping to win his favor.

"Yes, Mr. Earl! Founded in 1551 by Loyola, our College of Rome is a "seminary of the spirit of Christ", and its curriculum includes mathematics, astronomy, geography, mechanical mechanics, chemistry, and other subjects in addition to religious content. Even the famous Italian scholar Galileo Galilei had served as a teacher at the academy, and I had the privilege of listening to his lectures, and I deeply admired his learning! If Mr. Earl is really interested, then I can show you around the academy here! ”

"Oh, is there an academy in Macau?"

"Yes, we have established a St. Paul's College in Macau. Would Monsieur de Earl be interested in visiting? ”

"Yes, Father. I'm very interested in visiting your academy and would you please show me the way! ”

"Okay, this way, please!"

As she walked, Spirola introduced the situation of St. Paul's College.

Founded in 1565, St. Paul's College was originally a primary school.

Since 1594, the Jesuits have stipulated that all Jesuits who enter China must first learn Chinese Chinese language and etiquette in Macao, and in December of the same year, the President of the Goa Jesuits, Rudras (Antonio Cuadros), commissioned Belez, Daifengla and Pinto (Andrea Pinto) to upgrade St. Paul's College, which was originally only a primary school to St. Paul's College, which was the first higher education institution in the history of Macao and the earliest Western-style university in the Far East.

The college has a library of more than 4,000 volumes, a printing office, a small clinic and pharmacy, and an astronomical observatory.

Most of the students admitted to the college were European missionaries and some Chinese and Japanese religious students. At its peak, more than 200 people studied here.

Xu Guangqi, a famous scholar in China, once studied here!

While talking, the group came to the foot of a fortress hill, and in the distance they could see a long stone staircase, and when they walked up the 68 stone steps, they saw a church made of granite.

This church is a blend of European Renaissance and Oriental architectural styles, reflecting the fusion of Eastern and Western arts, with fine carvings and majestic grandeur.

The main entrance of the church is composed of three to five floors in the shape of a triangular pyramid, whether it is the towering cross at the top of the torii, or the statue of the Holy Child under the bronze dove and the statue of the Virgin surrounded by angels and flowers, all of them are full of a strong religious atmosphere and give people a beautiful enjoyment.

The various statues on the torii tell the story of the Bible, and the carvings are lifelike.

Looking at this magnificent building, Zheng Chenggong couldn't help but sigh that the West in this era still has a unique side in architecture, and at the same time, he secretly scolded in his heart that this Catholic is really rich!

It would not have been possible to build such a church without hundreds of thousands of taels of silver.

Zheng Chenggong thought to himself, when he went to Europe in the future, should he rob Rome!

Zheng Chenggong doesn't hate Catholicism, but he doesn't have much interest either.

After a casual visit to the church, Zheng Chenggong urged Spirola to go to the academy.

Because of the war, there are many orphans in China, and nearly 100 Han Chinese children are studying here and listening to them sing hymns.

Zheng Chenggong frowned, but didn't say anything.

After visiting the college, Zheng Chenggong also visited the astronomical observatory. The sight seen through the long monoculars strengthened Zheng Chenggong's thoughts.

Zheng Chenggong looked at Spirola and said, "Mr. Priest, we have an ancient saying in China that is called courtesy, and there must be something to ask for!" I wonder what you want? ”

Spirola, who has lived in China for many years and is familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics, knows the meaning of this sentence.

He looked at Zheng Chenggong and said, "Your Excellency Earl, we don't have too high requirements, we just hope to spread the gospel of God in your territory, so that more people can be saved!" ”

Zheng Chenggong looked at St. Paul's College and said, "I am very interested in this kind of academy of yours, I will send many young people over, and I ask you to teach them mathematics, mechanical mechanics and other knowledge." At the same time, I ask you to send missionaries to Xiamen to build a college as well, and of course I will allow you to build churches there as well to spread Catholicism! “