Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 298: Learning from Chinese Culture

Dong Yuanbao found it hard to understand why his younger sister was so flattering to the Zhang brothers.

It's obvious that those two guys are just after your beauty. They are uneducated and unskilled.

However, Dong Yanyan's words made Dong Yuanbao fall into deep thought.

"Brother, ever since we were defeated by the Ming eunuch Wang Zhi and the military commander Wang Yue during the Chenghua period, we are no longer as powerful as we were during our grandfather's time."

"My grandfather almost unified the entire Jurchen tribe. Now my father is old. If he wants to realize this ambition, he can only rely on you. You are the hope of our Aisin-Gioro family."

He made a serious analysis to Dong Yuanbao: "Although the Haixi Jurchens, the Wild Jurchens and other tribes are scattered, their fighting power is still strong. It is very difficult for us Jianzhou Jurchens to unify them."

"Brother, have you ever thought about how to unify the entire Jurchen tribe?"

Dong Yuanbao shook his head slightly.

Dong Yanyan narrowed his eyes and said, "We should learn from the strengths of the Han people and avoid the weaknesses of Jianzhou. The culture and economy of the Han people are worth learning and cooperating with. This is one of them."

"The weapons of the Han people are the key point we need to understand. In the Chenghua War, we have seen the power of the Han people's firearms. We are still using long swords and bows and crossbows, lagging behind them by hundreds of years. If we really have to make enemies with the Han people in the future, how can we win?"

Dong Yuanbao asked in confusion: "What does this have to do with you trying to please the Marquis of the Zhang family?"

Dong Yanyan smiled and said, "Brother, don't you think the manufacturing principles of fireworks and muskets are very similar? I want to know the manufacturing principles and formulas of these fireworks to see if I can research the key to the Ming Dynasty's firearms."

This time, she came to the Ming Dynasty with ambition and purpose, not just to pay tribute.

"It's obvious at first glance that the Zhang brothers aren't very smart. Wouldn't it be most convenient to use them?"

"Brother, we have nothing to be proud of. Apart from our horseback skills, which are worth boasting about in front of the Han people, what else is there for us to be proud of?"

"As the Han Chinese say, arrogance brings harm, while humility brings benefit."

"You were too abrupt today. Don't make enemies with the Han people anymore. Put away your blind confidence and disdain for Han culture. Be humble. If you want to unify the Jurchens, you must learn from them. Don't look down on the Han people. This nation has survived in the Central Plains for thousands of years. Naturally, they have their strengths. We should learn from them."

Dong Yanyan narrowed his eyes and said seriously: "If one day we Jurchens unify the Central Plains, we will have to govern the Han people who are more populous than us. It is right to learn more about their culture now."

Listening to his little sister's words, Dong Yuanbao couldn't help but take a breath. Unifying the Central Plains... He didn't even dare to think about such a grand ambition. His biggest goal was just to unify the Jurchen tribe!
……

On an April night in Peking, the waxing moon was like a hook, and the lights from thousands of homes made the entire Tongji Canal as transparent as daylight.

Barrels of fireworks were neatly arranged on both sides of the embankment.

The fireworks technology of the Ming Dynasty was already very advanced. The Zhang brothers spent a lot of money tonight, spending more than fifty taels and buying hundreds of barrels of fireworks.

Dong Yanyan stood beside the Zhang brothers, her pretty face full of anticipation, and the Zhang brothers felt extremely satisfied.

These Jurchens have never seen the world and are so easy to deceive!

Zhang Heling waved his hand, and fireworks shot up into the sky, which was beautiful, colorful and gorgeous. The explosions came one after another like waves.

Every ray of light illuminates Dong Yanyan's delicate face.

The Zhang brothers sighed: "It's so beautiful!" Dong Yanyan's pretty face was full of excitement, and she nodded vigorously: "Your Daming fireworks are really beautiful, really beautiful. I have never seen such a wonderful scene on the grassland."

"Thank you, my Lords. You are really amazing."

Zhang Heling was extremely excited, but his face was as calm as water, and he said, "Normally."

Zhang Yanling followed suit and said calmly, "That's it."

Dong Yanyan asked with admiration: "I just don't know how these fireworks are made. The two marquises are talented and knowledgeable, so they must know how to make fireworks, right? Can you tell me? Please, please."

Zhang brothers: "Ah? Oh, haha, I know, I know, of course I know."

"Zhang is so knowledgeable, but he still knows this little trick... Um, Miss Dong, wait a moment, Zhang is feeling a little uncomfortable, so I need to go to the bathroom first."

Zhang Yanling hurriedly said, "Brother, wait for me a moment. I also feel sick in my stomach... Hehe, Miss Dong, you enjoy the fireworks first."

Looking at the backs of the two brothers leaving, Dong Yanyan sneered, and continued to look up to admire the gorgeous fireworks in the sky, and couldn't help but sigh: "Da Ming's technology is really superb."

Dong Yuanbao said disdainfully: "As the Han people say, 'We are born in hardship and die in comfort.' They only know how to invent these things for the sake of pleasure. Sooner or later, they will be in danger of the country's destruction."

Such a grand fireworks display attracted many young men and women from the night market to watch, and the Tongji Canal was crowded with people.

Ning Zhijun, Su Hanmei, and Lun Wenxu were also among them. After hearing what Dong Yuanbao said, Lun Wenxu walked up unhappily and said coldly, "Your Excellency has deeply misinterpreted the meaning of our pilgrim."

"The sage said that we are born in worry and die in comfort. This means that even if we are in a comfortable environment, we should still think about possible worries, know how to plan ahead, be prepared for danger in times of peace, and prevent trouble before it happens. It's not that we can't live a comfortable life, but while we are comfortable, we must make plans for the future so that our comfortable and beautiful life will not disappear."

“You can live in misery, but you must plan for the future so that your life will not be more miserable.”

"As for what you said, that we only know how to invent these pleasure-seeking gadgets, and sooner or later our country will be in danger of extinction, this is even more nonsense. Obviously, you have misinterpreted the meaning of our saint."

"Your Excellency still doesn't understand the famous sayings of us Han people. You are just imitating others and making yourself look ugly!"

Lun, the top scholar, was a hot-blooded young man who would not allow outsiders to say anything bad about the Ming Dynasty, so he acted in anger. His words won applause from the whole room, but made Dong Yuanbao feel a little embarrassed.

Dong Yuanbao asked Lun Wenxu in return: "If your country knew this intention, why did the Tumu Incident occur, and why was your emperor captured and taken to Wala?"

This is the pain of the entire Ming Dynasty. Lun Wenxu retorted: "Your Excellency seems to be a Jurchen? It has only been a short time since the plowing of the fields and sweeping of the caves. How dare you speak nonsense in our Ming Dynasty?"

Dong Yuanbao's face turned red and his fists were clenched!

Dong Yanyan hurriedly stepped forward to mediate the conflict and said to Lun Wenxu: "My dear, my brother does not know etiquette. I will apologize on his behalf."

"We are discussing Han culture, and there is no need to elevate it to a national level, don't you agree?"

Lun Wenxu snorted and said contemptuously: "What do you know about Han culture? You only know the basics, why are you making a fool of yourself?"

Dong Yanyan smiled and said, "Your Excellency is teaching us that when we came to your country, my teacher gave us a question that we still haven't solved. He asked my daughter to consult the talented scholars of your country when we go to Daming."

"The Six Dynasties, the music and singing, the old days of traveling in skirts and sandals, the most unforgettable are the pride of Beihai and the elegant gathering in Xiyuan."

(End of this chapter)