The next day, accompanied by Yang Bo, the envoys and priests had dinner with some active Catholic participants in Lushun, who played a missionary role here and would be the first batch of students to enter the seminary, Europe from the thirteenth century to the fifteenth century, due to the development of handicrafts, the high awakening of individual consciousness provided space for modern science, which was regarded as "heretical" in the Middle Ages, and the rise of modern astronomy represented by the doctrine of Copernicus and Bruno, and the beginning of the great power struggle for hegemony, With the establishment of Newton's physical system and Leibniz function system, scientific research has a standardized system and coordinate support, and in the sixteenth century, science and industrial technology are more and more closely linked, and new scientific theories are quickly transformed into real processes and products. Although the rise of Protestantism and the nation-state weakened the Holy See's ideological control a lot, the power of Catholicism still permeated every aspect, and Yang Bo had to selectively cooperate with the Catholic Church, and these seeds were exported to compete with the Holy See in the future.

Fan Li'an didn't understand Yang Bo's ambitions, he was attracted by the prospects depicted by Yang Bo, especially Yang Bo's meaningful words last night, yes, Yang Bo's words are very reasonable, the pioneer Matteo Ricci has developed hundreds of believers in the Ming Dynasty has caused a sensation and sideways attention from the Holy See, what will happen if he supports Yang Bo? And what about Japan, North Korea, and Southeast Asia as a whole? Isn't that enough to put oneself on the list of candidates for the next pope?

These students should not only study theology, but also be proficient in all aspects of knowledge. I've made some of the courses out there, Mr. Special Envoy, can you recruit some professors for us when we return to the Holy See?" Yang Bo took the time to say to Fan Li'an

Fan Li'an was a little stunned. Nodding his head, "Of course it's fine, but Yang, it seems to me that it's enough for these priests to devote all their bodies and minds to theology, isn't it?" ”

Yang Bo patiently explained: "Mr. Envoy, I hope that in addition to defeating the enemy with the sword in their hands, these knights will also be able to influence their opponents with the kindness, tolerance and erudition that their profound learning brings about them. In the Ming Dynasty, if a priest can solve practical problems for the people, it is far more smooth than empty promise preaching, let us use an analogy. There are three religions of missionaries, Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholicism. Come to Lushun to preach at an ordinary people's house. It just so happens that the crops that the people have cultivated at home this year have been reduced, and what is worse is that the threshing machine at home is also broken, if our priest is very knowledgeable, he will not say to trust God, the reason why the yield of your fields has decreased is because you have not trusted God, he should have said, God has come, now. Surrender your troubles to the Messenger of God, which is me. So the priest solved the cause of these problems for the peasants, Mr. Envoy, what do you think will happen in the end? ”

Father Guo Jujing, who had been listening to the conversation between the two, nodded with a smile: "If it is described to Yang, I think that even if that farmer will not immediately convert to Catholicism, he will definitely have a good impression of Catholicism. ”

"In fact, it is extremely difficult for Catholicism to spread in the Ming Dynasty, and you priests should be well aware of it" Yang Bo looked at Bi Fangji and the others, who nodded in agreement: "I can help you in Lushun, but what about other places?" It's completely the territory of Buddhism, and other religions, my hand can't reach so long, and I can't use force force them to believe in a new religion that is completely unfamiliar to them, to be honest, many of the people of the Ming Dynasty are not even literate, and in the north of the Ming Dynasty, it is not easy for many people to live, and they can understand the difference between the New Testament and the Old Testament? What do they know about Egypt in Exodus? If we want to compete for believers, we must not only make them rich, but most importantly, we must vigorously promote education......"

Fan Li'an interrupted Yang Bo's chatter with a smile: "Yang, this is an interesting but controversial point, and many missionaries in Europe insist that the more people live in poor areas, the more receptive they are to religious beliefs, aren't they?" ”

Yang Bo shook his head: "This is a ridiculous and irresponsible fallacy, why do Lushun have more believers than other places?" Because most of them are educated and live a stable life, in the same way, why are there more believers in the relatively wealthy south of the Ming Dynasty than in the poor war-torn areas in the north? Mr. Special Envoy, Father, you are eager to make a career in Daming for the sake of mission, so you must remember this and vigorously advocate education! ”

Bi Francis nodded: "There is no doubt about it, I firmly believe in this, the pioneer Matteo Ricci did the same in the first place, Matteo Ricci has opened the way for us, what doubts do we have about this sentence?" ”

Fan Li'an nodded, Yang Bo took out a dense manuscript and handed it to him: "This is a course that the seminary needs to learn, and the senior professor of the relevant course will ask Mr. Special Envoy to find it for us, by the way, I heard that there is a man named Galileo in the Faculty of Padua who has a deep knowledge of mathematics, can you please hire him to teach in Daming?" ”

Fan Li'an, Guo Jujing, and Jose looked at each other a few times, and explained with some embarrassment on their faces: "Galileo was imprisoned in the Inquisition for preaching heresy, of course, he is now sixty-nine years old, and he has severe cataracts, even if the Pope agrees, I am afraid he will not be able to cross the ocean to the far east." ”

Yang Bo nodded silently: "I personally think that the best punishment for heretics is to keep them away from their homeland, unable to contact familiar people, and spend the rest of their lives in a completely strange country, Galileo still has many students and like-minded friends, I hate heretics, if the Pope can exile them to the East, it will be my greatest honor, I will prepare a strong cage for them, so that they can no longer propagate those dark and demagogic doctrines, and if necessary, I will prepare a burning stake for them, Mr. Special Envoy, remember to convey to me my own greetings to His Holiness the Pope, who will be honoured to resolve these troubles."

"Yang, I admire your firm faith" Fan Li'an seemed a little embarrassed: "I will definitely convey your thoughts and forget those unpleasant things." Let's talk about the protection of the church, Yang, we all agreed after deliberation. And he will also apply to the Pope, but the result is not optimistic, because the patronage has already been given to Portugal. ”

"Then nullify Portugal's patronage!"

Yang Bo unceremoniously grabbed the topic: "Portugal is already declining, and the area of a single prefecture in Daming far exceeds the land area of Portugal, how many people does Daming have?" Twenty thousand! These are all potential believers, but what about Japan? What about Southeast Asia? If you want to increase your voice in the Holy See, then I don't think I'm asking too much. Mr. Special Envoy, I heard that His Holiness the Pope and the Cardinal of France had a very unpleasant quarrel? ”

Fan Li'an nodded with some surprise: "Yang, you also know this?" ”

Yang Bo smiled: "Of course. You must know that the islands of the Dongjiang River are also often visited by European traders, and the news I know is not as obscured as you think. ”

"His Holiness the Pope needs to raise his prestige, and you, Mr. Envoy. You may not get it yet. You may find it inconceivable that you will bring back a precious and powerful gift to the Pope on your return, but I am optimistic. ”

Fan Li'an nodded: "Since Father Bi Fangji came to Shandong, his name has been widely praised in Europe and in the Holy See, and you, General Yang, have also been mentioned, in the eyes of the Holy See. You represent the East, but given that we are only small messengers. I can't promise you anything, but I think it would be more convincing if General Yang wrote a letter and appealed directly to the Pope. ”

Yang Bo smiled and took out a letter: "Actually, I'm ready......"

Yang Bo did not stay in Lushun for a long time, because he received an urgent report, Dolgon with thousands of soldiers and horses has approached Fuzhou, the soldiers were ripped into ruins of Yongning Prison, the Tartars are stepping up to repair the city, the sentinels have been engaged in several battles in the Fuzhou area, both sides have casualties, he must rush back to command the battle, Fan Li'an understands this, and even once wanted to see the battle with Yang Bo with his own eyes with the foreign races in Liaodong, but Yang Bo politely refused.

"Mr. Special Envoy, it is my task to fight the war, and your task is even more important, next, many departments in Lushun will invite you to negotiate some business" Yang Bo dropped a sentence and hurriedly escorted some supplies to Mopan City.

Since he has made such a big sacrifice, Yang Bo will naturally not give up if he does not squeeze Fan Li'an's ability, in addition to the talent introduction plan required for education, the Ministry of Commerce and Trade is also planning to set up a Far East trade group, dumping Lushun's liquor, cigarettes, weapons, furs, medicinal herbs, tea, raw silk, etc., the Ministry of Commerce and Trade is ready to send a business delegation of more than 300 people to Cambodia, Siam, Champa, Cochin, Srivijaya, the Philippines, Bite Liuba, Malacca and other places, Yang Bo squeezed out some small boats for them, Just like the Age of Discovery game, this small fleet can only move around a few nearby countries, and Yang Bo can't give them more protection for the time being, of course, they all have another identity as a cover, Ming missionary.

In order to tie Fan Li'an, the envoy, together, Yang Bo suggested that they use their private name to invest in the Far East Trading Group, although the priest has a noble profession, it does not mean that they do not eat the fireworks of the world, although Fan Li'an cautiously said that it takes time to consider, but Yang Bo saw the feasibility from the light in the corner of his eyes.

The logistics department also has a plan to introduce high-yield crops, in addition to high-yield crops, there are many cash crops that also need to be introduced, Yang Bo has added fibers such as cotton, hemp and other crops in the plan, oil crops such as olives, sugar crops such as sugar beet, as well as coffee, cocoa, rubber, oil palm and other tropical crops, cotton planting in the south of the Yangtze River is a lot, but there is a problem with Asian cotton, that is, the fiber length is not enough, there is no problem with artificial looms, if there is a mechanical loom in the future, this cotton is very easy to break, Therefore, the introduction of new varieties from India has become a far-sighted move, and olive oil is an important raw material for making soap, although it can be replaced by other oils, but the soap made from olive oil foams more and has a relatively mild effect on the human body.

The R&D department requires more, under Yang Bo's suggestion, the R&D department focuses on the introduction of machinery and equipment, just like the R&D department's subordinate fire gun division has not solved the problem of barrel manufacturing, a skilled craftsman can only make a barrel in half a month, which seriously slows down the speed of flintlock gun assembly, Yang Bo hopes to find a machine with a roller to solve the barrel problem, but Lushun is proficient in machinery There are too few talents, Yang Bo has designed several sketches, but they all ended in failure. In addition, the R&D department handed over the reward notice translated into Italian to Fan Li'an, which is also Yang Bo's move to buy horse bones from Europe's daughter, Yang Bo's idea is very direct, if you can make something according to the reward, you must come to Daming to receive the reward, right? Even if you can successfully reach Daming and get the bounty, whether you can go back or not is a matter of whether Yang Bo is the best at doing this.

Yang Bo stood at the bow of the boat and looked into the distance, the magnificence of the sea did not make him feel better, he was still frowning, the reason was very simple, he was worried about the silver, the package negotiated with Fan Li'an needed to use up a large amount of silver, and the introduction of Guangguang talents cost at least 100,000 silver a year, and what else? The shipyard is still a distant plan, lying in the pile of papers, being able to guarantee the military salary has already made him anxious, how can he have the money to do anything else? (To be continued......)