The biggest advantage of China's hard sailing ships is that they can take advantage of the eight-sided wind, and their efficiency when sailing offshore is higher than that of Western soft sailing boats. Xu Yuanzuo set sail against the wind to the north in March, thanks to this characteristic of the hard sail. Although it is a little slower, it is not so bad that it will not wait for the wind. From the exchange with Andewang, Xu Yuanzuo also confirmed that there are European businessmen in Macao who use hard sails on Western-style sailing boats, but there are no specific parameters to prove that such an experiment is worth promoting.

Although Xu Yuanzuo was very disappointed in Andwang, thinking that he had drawn a waste preacher and had to wait for the translation of "Geometric Original", he still felt that the trip was worthwhile, and even a little overjoyed to obtain sweet potato vines, potted potatoes, and 200 plump corns from Guangdong.

The Spaniards strictly controlled the export of sweet potatoes, of course, because they knew the economic value of the crop. However, with the current state of technology, fishermen can easily smuggle large quantities of sweet potatoes from Luzon into Guangdong. According to historical legends, Xu Yuanzuo's plan to use cables to bring sweet potato vines was useless, because people directly transported more than ten baskets out, even the rattan with tubers, and planted directly.

As for the corn that I thought was still in Europe, in fact, someone planted it in Guangdong more than ten years ago, and it was called fanwheat. There are two routes for its transmission, one is that the Portuguese brought it from Europe to India, and then enters Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan, and the other is South Asia into Guangdong and Fujian. Because of the problem of variety and taste, this crop, which later laid the foundation for the "prosperous era", is now cultivated in small quantities, as medicine and supplementary food, and is limited to the mountains.

Being able to get corn so easily, Xu Yuanzuo was already in a good mood. Compared to potatoes, which are still considered ornamental plants today, corn is obviously more adaptable, and after grinding, it is more like millet, which is more easily accepted by northern farmers.

With this "Three Treasures of the Prosperous World" ballast, Xu Yuanzuo didn't feel very annoyed when he looked at the unlucky Andwang.

With constant contact during the voyage. Andewang finally softened Xu Yuanzuo with an innocent and adoring gaze.

"There is no waste between heaven and earth, and if you think about it, you are not useless." After Xu Yuanzuo understood An Dewang's academic background, he explained: "At least you can teach foreign languages to students." ”

Andwang himself is Italian, studied at a university in Paris, and is fluent in Italian and French. As a missionary, Latin is a compulsory subject. And among the missionaries. German and Spanish are both big languages, and many of my "brothers" speak them, so even if you don't learn them systematically, you have no problem listening, speaking, reading and writing. As for his doctorate in literature, it was in Greek.

Andewang was very sure of his language talent, and hurriedly said: "It's a great honor! ”

Xu Yuanzuo thought that he had picked up a teacher who could teach six foreign languages: Italian, French, German, Spanish, Greek, and Latin for free, and he would never lose that little money.

"However, Mr. Jinglian, my appearance is in Songjiang, will it cause unnecessary trouble?" Andwang was worried about that. At the beginning, Xavier was too European in appearance. So after smuggling into Guangzhou, he was quickly caught by the government.

"It's okay, you only have contact with students, so be cautious when you go out." Xu Yuanzuo paused: "Once someone asks, you will say that you are a person from the northwest." Of course, your Ming dialect still has to be improved as soon as possible. I don't think your mission will be to preach, but to learn as much as possible about my Ming society. ”

Andwang said respectfully: "Wise as you, in a word." ”

Xu Yuanzuo chuckled and said, "So the better you learn Chinese." It's easier to complete, right? ”

"An couldn't agree more." Anderwang Road.

Xu Yuanzuo smiled. Soon the topic was over, and Andwang was sent to class.

It is a class on a ship.

Although the fleet was still floating on the sea, Xu Yuanzuo had already selected a few smart and clever young people who could speak a foreign language, a foreign dialect, from among the sailors and the trainees of the Maritime Academy, and began to learn with An Dewang first. The good time on the ship, is it okay for Andwang to spend his time watching the sea and sky all day long? No. He had to make the most of every minute of Andewang. At least let him get into the role and think about the teaching method of teaching foreign languages to foreigners.

Students can come to class in shifts, but Andwang has to have four two-hour classes from morning to evening. In the evening, I also have to report on the progress of teaching and correct homework. And further communicate with Xu Yuanzuo. He was not very comfortable in the first few days, especially when he could not spread the gospel during teaching, but Xu Yuanzuo asked him a question to make him completely settled.

Xu Yuanzuo asked him at the time: "These students are like seeds. Do you 'eat' them now, or do you plow, fertilize, and water them until they are ripe and harvest more food? ”

Of course, the wise do not choose the former. Andwang didn't go hungry either. So he treated these "seeds" with care, careful not to make them suspicious of the Creator, and only concentrated on the lesson, waiting for more and fuller grains to be produced in the future.

This small class brought a fresh atmosphere of learning, which made some veteran sailors interested in literacy. Of course, Xu Yuanzuo was very happy about this, and he still had Cheng Zhongyuan at hand to substitute for the teacher. Of course, this kid doesn't expect the imperial examination, but it is no problem to enlighten the sailors. Of course, there are not many sailors who demand progress, and there are also many stubborn people who are sneering on the sidelines, so Xu Yuanzuo plans to kill this bad trend.

"When you arrive in Hong Kong, don't let everyone disperse." Xu Yuanzuo arranged for Cheng Zhongyuan to say: "I will write a paragraph for each of them, as long as they can read the general meaning, they will add five taels of reward." Of course, those who don't want to participate can go home early. ”

Cheng Zhongyuan was stunned: "Will it be too much?" ”

Xu Yuanzuo smiled and said, "For every person who passes, I will give you a reward of five coins of silver." If you can't bring ten men, you will have less than them. ”

The corners of Cheng Zhongyuan's mouth twitched, but he didn't speak. He didn't know what the use of sailors had to read and write, and they didn't take the imperial examination, so I was afraid that they would not have much chance of changing careers. Do you need to be literate to eat at sea? I'm afraid I won't even be able to see a word!

Luo Zhenquan was also quite curious about this, and seized the opportunity to ask Xu Yuanzuo: "I see that you really have a mind on teaching people to read and write, what is the benefit to you?" I don't think you're short of reading seeds. ”

"If you want to say that the benefits are good for me, it is really negligible." Xu Yuanzuo sorted out his thoughts in his mind: "At least the silver I threw out will never be able to earn it back." ”

"Then why are you doing this?" Luo Zhenquan was even more puzzled. He knew that some people like to spend money to buy fame, but obviously Xu Yuanzuo can't buy any good reputation from this matter. Encouraging sailors to be literate is a good thing, but who cares? Something that no one cares about. Can you talk about inviting names?

Xu Yuanzuo said: "Many times, it is also necessary to buy and sell at a loss. Seeing that Luo Zhenquan was puzzled, he said: "Actually, I am building the cornerstone of a society, the cornerstone of a more civilized society." In the Spring and Autumn Period, only nobles and countrymen in the world could master knowledge, and the savages outside the city were blind. The Chinese civilization was all mastered by those nobles and children of families. So they can lead morality, control public opinion, praise and disparage people, and revise the annals of history to close the coffin. Do you think such a society is good? ”

Luo Zhenquan thought for a while and said, "There's nothing wrong with it......"

"Of course not!" Xu Yuanzuo said with a smile: "It is this method that they used to blackmail the Son of Heaven, the princes, including the later emperor. In order not to leave a stench for thousands of years, those in power must compromise with those who have knowledge. So they divided up social resources, and in the end, it became what Zhang Yanghao said, 'Xing, the people are suffering; The people who died are suffering'. I am the people. Of course, I want this society to go one step further and let more people have knowledge. Only by mastering knowledge can we have the strength to participate in the redistribution of social resources. At the same time, it can also allow more real things that have happened to be passed on to future generations. I always want more people to read and write, in fact, so that there will be such a society in the future. ”

Luo Zhenquan couldn't help but scratch his head. He is now a literate person, and he has personally experienced the days when Xu Yuanzuo was forced to read by various soft and hard methods. Looking back at the illiterate days of the past, I was really blind. Although I don't dare to say that I am coarse and ink-rich now, it is no longer a big problem to watch "Quyuan Miscellaneous Stories". It's like lifting the cloth in front of you and seeing a new world.

"I don't understand a lot of it, though. But it feels quite reasonable. Luo Zhenquan said.

"That is, the ancients only thought about 'to Jun Yao Shun', but we Wang Xuemen people believe that the people can be Yao Shun! To be Yao Shun, literacy is only the first step, only literacy can read, and reading can understand the true meaning of the ancient saints. Don't be deceived by villains. Interpreting the true meaning of the ancient saint, he is naturally a first-class character of Yao Shun. Xu Yuanzuo said with a smile.

Luo Zhenquan said: "In the past, I didn't know what you said about Wang Xue and the like, but now I see you doing things like this, running around to make money, but you have such lofty ambitions." It can be seen that this Wang Xue is indeed remarkable. Can I learn from you? ”

"I'm still far from it." Xu Yuanzuo smiled: "You still study first, and if you have a fate in the future, I will help you find a good teacher." As for me, I'm afraid I'm a stepping stone for you. ”

"What do you mean?" Luo Zhenquan said angrily: "Who dares to step on you and climb up?" This kind of person told me to catch it, and I had to kill it. ”

Xu Yuanzuo stretched out his hand and pressed it falsely: "Don't get excited." If you want to read and reason, you can't do without money. I will be responsible for providing you with money, and in the future, anyone who is interested in learning can walk up the ladder I provide. For me, righteousness is nothing more than that. ”

Luo Zhenquan said solemnly: "Brother Zuo, I have been with you for a long time, and my gratitude has never been forgotten one day. Admiration is also always there. But hearing you say that today is really admiring to me! ”

Xu Yuanzuo said with a smile: "Look at you, now you have a set of empty heads, and you really still want to study, otherwise you won't even be able to say two words if you are obedient." ”

Luo Zhenquan hey, thinking about what Xu Yuanzuo said is indeed true. He couldn't help but recall his ignorant life back then, and in the end he was just glad to be able to follow Xu Yuanzuo. However, he thought that his deed was actually signed with the Xu family, not with Xu Yuanzuo, and he felt that Xu Yuanzuo was young and ignorant, and he took a big advantage, but now he is a little uneasy.

"Brother Zuo, didn't you think about going out on your own?" Luo Zhenquan asked again.

Xu Yuanzuo was stunned for a moment, and asked rhetorically: "Why did I come out and do it alone?" "Now under the banner of Huating Xu Ge, I don't know how much I have taken advantage of. Stepfather Xu Fan even gave him the shares of Renshoutang, this is simply the most perfect cooperative relationship, why break it?

"Didn't I say it, Brother Zuo, who of the people brought out of the Xia Wei Garden back then disagreed with you? They all recognize you. Now it is divided into Renshoutang, in the inn, and in the Canmasque...... Everywhere is divided, isn't this breaking one's own foundation? Luo Zhenquan said.

Xu Yuanzuo couldn't help laughing: "You are still a pirate and immortal!" Do you think it's your own people in the same boat? ”

"You're not afraid that they will change their minds?" Luo Zhenquan said solemnly: "These people were cultivated by you with great painstaking efforts, not to mention their own talents, most of them are still very valued." I've heard that there are a lot of shopkeepers out there who are secretly poaching people, so don't you worry about Zuo Ge'er? ”

-- I would also worry about technical personnel, and the administrative and marketing personnel would have been highly replaceable.

Xu Yuanzuo said with a smile: "If they really dig up, they will also be unaccustomed to the soil." You see no one is leaving now, right? It can be seen that these young men are quite smart. He paused and said, "Why do you think these people came out to work with me in the first place?" ”

"Of course, it's because of the high wages you pay." Luo Zhenquan said.

"Isn't that all there is to it?" Xu Yuanzuo said with a smile: "If someone can give a higher salary, they should go." ”

Luo Zhenquan choked: "Isn't this ungrateful?" ”

"It's called good and good and good." Xu Yuanzuo corrected him and said, "They want to remember my kindness, that's my honor." They are leaving, and it is a matter of course. All I can do is make them not want to go. ”

Luo Zhenquan saw that Xu Yuanzuo said it well, and knew that there must be a deep meaning in it, so he stopped persuading.

The two had such a discussion, but they didn't know that there was really a big event in Songjiang that tested people's hearts.

The market is crazy that the Xu family is going to fall!

Because Li Chunfang sent officials in advance, Sun Kehong did not send people to Beijing to run for office. The Sun Kehong case, which was originally in a uproar in history, has naturally disappeared invisibly. However, Sun Kehong's running official was only the fuse for Gao Gong's revenge on Xu Jie, even if this fuse was removed, the gunpowder bag below was still there.

The case of the Xu family's embezzlement of Songjiang Fucang is still erupting in various undercurrents. This force is a simultaneous force from the cabinet to the localities, and even the six departments in Nanjing cannot directly intervene. The officialdom already knew that Xu Jie's three sons had been robbed of their official bodies, and the Holy Judgment that sent them was on the way.

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*(To be continued.) )