Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 814 The Romanov Dynasty
"Your subject, Johann Adam Schall von Bell, pays his respects to the Regent..." After entering the side hall, Johann Adam Schall von Bell quickly saw Zhu Shencui. Before he could see Zhu Shencui's face clearly, Johann Adam Schall von Bell hurriedly saluted and called out.

Tang Ruowang had been in the Ming Dynasty for nearly twenty years and was already familiar with the Ming Dynasty's rules. He spoke Mandarin very fluently. If one only listened to his voice, he was no different from an ordinary Ming Dynasty person. Moreover, he wore the official robe of the Ming Dynasty and a black gauze hat on his head. If one did not pay attention to his deep eye sockets, high nose bridge and green eyes, no one would notice that he was a European.

"My dear Tang, please stand up and take a seat." Zhu Shenzhu raised his hand and Du Xun at the side understood and moved an embroidered stool over, inviting Tang Ruowang to sit down.

Tang Ruowang bowed again and then sat down steadily. He sat straight, with his buttocks firmly seated, and his head slightly lowered, with an attitude of neither arrogance nor servility.

This look made Zhu Shenzui quite satisfied. As a German in Europe, it was quite good that Tang Ruowang could perform like this.

Before meeting Johann Adam Schall von Bell, Zhu Shenzui thought he would look like Xu Yazhou, but when he really met Johann Adam Schall von Bell, he felt that he looked more like the famous foreign internet celebrity "Cao Cao" in later generations. He also had a big beard, was tall, and wore official robes, but he did not look like a monkey wearing a crown. Instead, he was very appropriate.

"Are you Johann Adam Schall von Bell?"

"I am Johann Adam Schall von Bell."

"Are you a European? Where in Europe are you from? When did you arrive in Ming Dynasty?" Zhu Shenzhui asked.

Tang Ruowang answered Zhu Shenzhu's questions respectfully. There was no need to hide these questions, and how could he not answer them when the Regent asked?

The two of them answered questions one by one, and gradually talked about Johann Adam Schall ...

As a missionary of the church, Johann Adam Schall von Bell was quite familiar with these things. Although he had stayed in the Ming Dynasty for nearly twenty years, there had not been much changes between Europe twenty years ago and Europe today. Except for the changes of monarchs in some countries, the basic pattern remained the same. Johann Adam Schall von Bell spoke about these things with great ease.

Cologne, where Johann Adam Schall von Bell was born, is located in central Europe and is one of the most prosperous commercial cities in Europe. Merchants from all over the world came and went, which naturally allowed Johann Adam Schall von Bell to understand some of the countries through the descriptions of these merchants. After becoming a priest, Johann Adam Schall von Bell traveled to various countries again. He not only went to Rome to meet the Pope, but also visited several countries further east, such as Poland.

“Have you been to Poland?”

"I have been there."

"Have you been to Russia?" Zhu Shenzhu asked.

"Russia?" Tang Ruowang was slightly stunned, and shook his head and said, "Russia is located on the edge of Europe. It is a barbarian country. Moreover, the doctrines believed in by this country are different from those of the Roman Catholic Church, to which I belong. I have never been there, and it is not convenient for me to go there."

When Zhu Shenzhui heard this, he remembered that although Tsarist Russia also believed in Catholicism, their Catholicism was different from the Roman Catholic Church. Because of the marriage between Tsarist Russia and Eastern Rome, they believed that they had inherited the legacy of Eastern Rome. The reason why the Tsar himself called himself the Tsar was that he took over the throne of Eastern Rome and the authority of the Pope of Catholicism, thus combining the two into one and being called "orthodoxy."

Therefore, their sect is also called "Orthodox Christianity". As the name suggests, it means the orthodox sect of the Eastern Roman Empire. Naturally, it is not the same as the Roman Church.

As a missionary of the Vatican, it was certainly inappropriate for Johann Adam Schall von Bell to go to the Catholic territory. Moreover, Tsarist Russia was located on the edge of Europe. In the eyes of Europeans, especially Western Europeans, Russians were barbarians. Except for businessmen, few people would travel there.

"Since you have been to Poland, I heard that Poland borders this country. Do you know anything about Tsarist Russia?" Zhu Shenzhui asked.

Tang Ruowang's heart moved slightly. Zhu Shenzhui's question made him think. Although he didn't know why Zhu Shenzhui was so interested in Tsarist Russia, there must be a reason since he asked this. Could it be that the reason he was asked to come here today was not because of the calendar and the coronation of the throne, but because of Tsarist Russia?

Tang Ruowang immediately replied: "Although I have never been to this country, I have heard some things about it when I was in Poland. If the regent wants to know about the situation in this country, I can tell you a thing or two, but I have been away from Europe for too long, and I am afraid that what I know is slightly different from what I know now..." "No problem, you tell me about the situation in this country, I will listen, even if it is slightly different, it doesn't matter."

When Johann Adam Schall von Bell heard what Zhu Shenzhu said, he immediately introduced to him what he knew about Tsarist Russia. He started with the history of Tsarist Russia, including how this country was ruled by the Mongols for hundreds of years after being defeated by the Mongols, and then after the collapse of the Golden Horde, how the Grand Duchy of Moscow inherited the legacy of the Golden Horde and grew stronger.

In 1547, Ivan IV proclaimed himself Tsar and began his external expansion. In the expedition from 1547 to 1552, he destroyed the Khanate of Kazan, and in 1556, the Khanate of Astrakhan was also annexed. By 1557, the Siberian Khanate also submitted to Ivan IV, and then the Great Nogai Khanate submitted to Tsarist Russia.

Ten years of war led to a rapid expansion of the territory of Tsarist Russia. In addition, Ivan IV established a special conference, compiled a new code, and reformed the local and central politics, administration, economy, and military, especially military reform. He abolished the feudal system, implemented centralization, and made the country increasingly powerful.

After Ivan IV expanded through war, the national strength reached its peak. He also launched wars against Sweden in the north and Poland in the west. There were wins and losses in each war, but apart from taking the outlet to the Baltic Sea, Tsarist Russia did not gain much benefit from the wars with the western countries.

But no matter what, Ivan IV was an English ruler, and it was because of him that Tsarist Russia was born. Moreover, the sudden rise of Tsarist Russia also aroused the vigilance of European countries. Although European countries looked down on this barbaric country on the edge, the military capabilities demonstrated in several wars made European countries shocked.

In order to curb the westward expansion of Tsarist Russia, European countries gave economic and military assistance to Sweden and Poland. This was why Ivan IV failed to open up the situation from the west despite his efforts. In desperation, Ivan IV had to turn east and continue to destroy several small countries in the east. For this reason, his territory continued to expand.

"This Ivan IV is no simple man!" Zhu Shenzhui couldn't help but sigh. To be able to grow from a small principality into a great power in Europe and to achieve such an achievement in just over 30 years is not something that ordinary people can do.

"Ivan IV was indeed a great ruler. Although European countries looked down on Tsarist Russia, they had a high opinion of him. Unfortunately, his descendants were not good enough. After his death, his successor Ferdo died young due to poor health and had no children. His lineage has died out."

Tang Ruowang said: "After Ivan IV died, the Russian Parliament nominated Godunov to succeed the throne. Godunov was not a descendant of Ivan IV, nor a descendant of the Rurik dynasty. He was just a court servant. However, because he was favored by Ferdo, he became the regent when Ferdo was ill and unable to govern. After the death of the Tsar, he received the support of the parliament and ascended the throne."

"Godunov did not rule for long. Because of his family background, he was not recognized by the nobles of Tsarist Russia. In addition, in order to consolidate his rule, Godunov engaged in espionage and eliminated dissidents, which attracted many domestic opponents. After only seven years on the throne, he was poisoned by the domestic nobles. After Godunov's death, his son Fedor II succeeded to the throne, but was killed along with his mother in a domestic rebellion just forty-nine days later..."

Although Johann Adam Schall von Bell had never been to Tsarist Russia, he was very familiar with its history. Listening to his eloquent and detailed explanation, Zhu Shenzhu finally understood the complex political situation of Tsarist Russia, including the succession of several generations of tsars.

To put it simply, after Ivan IV's death, his son succeeded to the throne, but his son was in poor health and power fell into the hands of others. After his death, he had no offspring, so the throne fell into the hands of his favorite minister Godunov. Godunov's ascension to the throne was not legitimate. Although he won the support of the parliament, the nobles in the country opposed it. In order to strengthen control over Godunov, they adopted terrorist means, such as establishing a spy system, attacking political enemies, weakening the power of the nobles, etc., which eventually led to assassination.

After Godunov was assassinated, his son was killed by the rebellious nobles one and a half months after he succeeded to the throne. Not only his son but also his wife was killed. After the killing of Fedor II, the throne of the Tsar was vacant. The country was in a mess over who would succeed the Tsar. At this time, Poland supported a guy who claimed to be the descendant of Ivan IV and announced that he was the real successor to the Tsar. At that time, Poland supported this fake emperor with force in retaliation for the war that Ivan IV had launched against Poland, thus starting a civil war.

The civil war began, and the false emperor was defeated and killed by the army gathered by the nobles of Tsarist Russia. The nobles supported a branch of the former Tsar's family, Vasily IV, to succeed to the throne. But how could Poland let the nobles of Tsarist Russia get their wish? After the death of one false emperor, Poland continued to support another false emperor, declaring to the outside world that this was the real Tsar, and the one killed by the nobles before was just a substitute.

Poland then sent troops directly to help the new pseudo-emperor capture Moscow, killed Vasily IV who had just ascended the throne, and sent the pseudo-emperor it supported to the throne of Tsar. This not only achieved its political goal, but also used this incident to deal a powerful blow to Tsarist Russia, and avenged the old grudge that Ivan IV launched against Poland.

Although the Poles temporarily won, the nobles of Tsarist Russia were extremely angry about Poland's interference in their country. In addition, there was already a feud between the two countries. Not only did they not recognize the Tsar supported by Poland, they also united and sent out troops. The war lasted for a year and a half and finally drove the Poles out of their country. At the same time, they also killed the new pseudo-emperor supported by the Poles.

After many rounds of killing, five tsars (including the false emperor) died in just a few years, and Tsarist Russia was seriously damaged. Although it eventually expelled the Poles and dealt with the two false emperors, the throne of the Tsar was vacant again. In desperation, the nobles and parliament of Tsarist Russia joined forces and chose a young man who was related to the Rurik dynasty to inherit the throne of the Tsar.

In this regard, the sixteen-year-old boy Mikhail, who was the great-nephew of Ivan IV of the Rurik dynasty's first wife, Queen Anastasia, was fortunate enough to ascend the throne of Tsar, and he was also the first monarch of the Romanov dynasty.

(End of this chapter)