Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 283 Pilgrimage (Part )

The Ming Dynasty Ministry of Rites was located in the southeast of the imperial city, close to the Imperial Street, and adjacent to the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Revenue and other government offices.

As the most noble "ministry" in the Ming Dynasty court, the Ministry of Rites has a large-scale and fully functional office, which fully demonstrates the majesty and etiquette of the Celestial Empire.

The entire building adopts a traditional layout with central axis symmetry, with the main buildings distributed along the north-south axis and divided into three parts: front, middle and back.

The front part is the ceremonial and reception area, including the ceremonial gate, main gate and reception hall.

The central part is the main office area, which includes the main hall, wing rooms and offices of various departments.

The rear part is the Ministry of Rites' warehouse and corresponding ancillary facilities, which are used to store archives, ceremonial items, etc.

Xinhua envoy Meng Shengxin, led by a Ministry of Rites official, entered the Ministry of Rites office step by step.

The wide ceremonial gate is a three-bay gatehouse with a green glazed tile roof. A plaque with the words "Ministry of Rites" hangs on the lintel, and stone lions guard the two sides.

Tsk tsk, if these were placed in future generations, they would all be cultural relics and historical sites!

"Your Excellency, please follow me closely and do not delay too long. The Grand Master of the Imperial Clan has been waiting for a long time in the yamen." An official turned around and saw Meng Shengxin curiously stopping to look at the shape of the ceremonial gate. He couldn't help but remind him in a low voice with a hint of urging in his tone.

Ha, this envoy from a small vassal state was probably intimidated by the mighty power of our Ministry of Rites.

If they were led into the Forbidden City the next day, they would probably be so terrified that they wouldn't dare to move!

"Excuse me, sir." Meng Shengxin bowed to the other party and followed them into the reception hall.

This is also a three-bay building with elegant interior furnishings. On the walls are hung landscape paintings and calligraphy by several famous artists, exuding a rich cultural atmosphere.

There are several mahogany tables and chairs in the hall, and exquisite tea sets are placed on the tables, which looks grand and solemn.

This is where officials from the Ministry of Rites received foreign envoys, tribute envoys from vassal states, and candidates for the imperial examinations.

An official from the Ministry of Rites nodded slightly to Meng Shengxin, said "Please wait a moment, Your Excellency", and then ran to the main hall to report that the Xinhua envoy whom the Minister wanted to meet had arrived at the government office.

About a quarter of an hour later, an official wearing a crimson official uniform with cloud and goose patches embroidered on the chest and back (a symbol of a second-rank official) entered the hall.

When he entered, he glanced at the Xinhua envoys who were standing solemnly waiting, then calmly sat down at the head seat in the hall, his face serene, and he raised his hand slightly.

"Please take a seat, Your Excellency."

"Come here, serve tea to the Xinhua envoy."

"The envoy of a small country thanks the Grand Master."

"Your Excellency, there is no need to be so polite."

"The envoys from small countries are terrified."

"Yeah." Minister of Rites Lin Yuji nodded slightly.

This Xinhua envoy is quite polite, worthy of being a fellow Chinese and a descendant of Yan and Huang.

"Where is your Xinzhou Huaxia country located?" He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and asked softly.

"To the Grand Master, twenty thousand miles east of the Celestial Empire, across the vast ocean, lies a vast continent called Xinzhou." Meng Shengxin replied with a bow, "Our country, Xinhua, is located on the northwest coast of that continent. We have established our country and are about to prosper."

"How big is the area of ​​your Xinhua and how many people are there?" Lin Yuzhi continued to ask.

"Uh..." Meng Shengxin hesitated for a moment, then said seriously, "Xinhua covers a vast territory of thousands of miles, and the people in the country also number...millions."

Never mind, just brag about it first, otherwise you will be looked down upon by those people in the Ming Dynasty.

"Oh?" Lin Yuji gave the other person a deep look. "With a territory of thousands of miles and a population of millions, does that mean your Xinhua is one of the great nations of the Far East?"

"How dare Xinhua call itself a great power in front of the Celestial Empire?"

Lin Yuji smiled slightly and said meaningfully, "I've heard that the population of Ryukyu, a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, is only about 100,000, and Champa has a population of no more than 200,000. Since your Xinhua boasts a population of a million, you're worthy of being a great power. So, why would the Ming Dynasty pay tribute and pay homage?"

"..." Meng Shengxin was stunned for a moment, then said calmly: "Although Xinhua has a population of one million, compared to Korea and Annan, it is nothing to mention."

The officials of the Ming Dynasty were not stupid! They had clearly seen through his boasting and only then gave him a slight nod with euphemism.

Well, I think there should be hundreds of thousands of Indians along the coast of New South Wales.

The population of over one million in Spanish Mexico can also be counted among us. Adding all these together, we can make up more than one million people.

It’s okay, as long as you have thick skin, you have to stick to the boasting.

Lin Yuji nodded, stopped asking questions, and instead asked, "Why did you, Xinhua, establish your country on that... Xinzhou Continent?"

"This is a story from the past of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty," Meng Shengxin said solemnly. "In the past, the Mongols were brutal and ruthless, stinking China. Unable to bear the Tartar rule, our ancestors fled eastward across the sea with thousands of former Song Dynasty survivors. After many twists and turns, they arrived at the Xinzhou continent. After hundreds of years of multiplying and thriving, fighting barbarians and wild beasts, they finally established a foothold here and became a nation of their own."

"..." Lin Yuji chuckled upon hearing this and looked at him intently, "Before this, for hundreds of years, there was no mention of a new island."

"The ocean is vast and the waves are treacherous, but our Xinhua boats are still rudimentary and we have no means of crossing the sea to the west."

"Oh, is it so?"

"An envoy from a small country wouldn't dare...deceive the Grand Master."

"Due to the busy work of the ministry, I have not received your Excellency's envoy in the past two months. I hope you can forgive me for any negligence." Lin Yuji no longer worried about the "identity" of this small vassal.

"The affairs of the Celestial Empire are complex and complicated, and the Grand Master of the Imperial Household is busy with countless matters every day. How could he be suspected of neglecting them? ... How dare the envoy complain about this!"

"Xinhua has sent an envoy to pay tribute. Does it have anything to ask of our Great Ming?" Lin Yuji smiled and nodded, saying, "Our Great Ming is rich in natural resources and abundant in wealth. If Xinhua needs anything, please let me know. If it's not too difficult, I will grant it to you."

"Thank you, Grand Master." Meng Shengxin was delighted and immediately took advantage of the situation to state Xinhua's needs. "Xinhua is located in a remote area in the far east. Our people are tired, the land is barren, and we are short of supplies. Therefore, we ask the Celestial Empire to grant us the convenience of free trade."

"Xinzhou is full of natives. Although Xinhua has a population of millions, it is difficult to cover the entire territory of the country. Please allow Xinhua to recruit landless refugees or people suffering from disasters and famine within the territory of Ming Dynasty to cultivate and live in the country."

"In Xinhua, there are almost no craftsmen to make tools, which has caused inconvenience to the people. I ask the Celestial Empire to grant craftsmen in various trades to meet the needs of the people of Xinhua."

"Xinhua is located in a barren land, lacking in education and civilization. The people under our rule are rude and uncouth. Therefore, we ask the Celestial Empire to allow our envoys to recruit and invite scholars within the territory of the Great Ming to serve as teachers and educators, so that they can admire the king's rule and admire the holy teachings."

"To bask in the spirit of the Celestial Empire and express gratitude for the Great Ming's kindness, I request that the Imperial Court grant me some temporary accommodation along the coast of Xinhua for use in trade and relocation."

"To demonstrate the power of the Ming Dynasty and publicize the might of the Celestial Empire, I ask the court to grant Xinhua the Ming Dynasty flag and official status overseas, so that we can conquer rebellious lands, punish lawless nations, and protect the people of China overseas."

"...We ask the Ming Dynasty to send master craftsmen in agriculture, water conservancy, metallurgy, and other fields to enhance the development of our Xinhua agricultural and industrial base."

"...Please allow Xinhua to purchase or copy the classics in the Ming Dynasty library, such as books on craftsmanship, medicine, culture, calendars, farming, etc., to promote the dissemination of knowledge and culture in Xinhua."

"...Please allow Xinhua to establish a school locally with the help of Ming Dynasty teachers, and promote educational and cultural exchanges between Xinhua and the Ming Dynasty."

"..."

When Lin Yuji heard the Xinhua envoy's request, he didn't take it seriously at first, but he didn't expect that the other party would talk nonstop, listing more than ten items in one breath, and his expression became increasingly ugly.

Dear Xinhua envoy, what I just said was just routine empty words and politeness in official circles. Why did you take it seriously?

Look at what you mentioned?
Trade, accepting immigrants, recruiting craftsmen, introducing scholars, seeking titles of the Ming Dynasty, and promoting power overseas...

You are not polite at all!

Do you really think that our Ming Dynasty is a rich country that can have whatever it wants?
Lin Yuji coughed lightly and said calmly, "Your Excellency has made many requests. I will report this to the cabinet before giving you a reply."

"In this case, the envoys of the small country will wait patiently for good news from the court."

“…” Lin Yuji’s eyelids twitched and his brows furrowed.

"...wait for good news from the court?"

What? Do you really want the Ming Dynasty to agree to all the requests you have made?

"Your Excellency's audience with His Majesty should be within ten days. Please make preparations early." Lin Yuji took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Shortly, our Ministry of Rites will send several etiquette officials to the Huitong Hall to instruct Your Excellency on the etiquette and procedures for the audience. Please study them carefully and do not be disrespectful before the Emperor."

"The envoy of a small country shall obey the order of the Grand Master of Ceremonies!" Meng Shengxin was shocked when he heard this.

Wow, I’m about to see the living Emperor Chongzhen!
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(End of this chapter)