You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 330 Jiang the Charlatan: The United Empire welcomes all foreign elements to join!
Ferdinand Verbiest never expected that the Grand Secretary would ask such a tricky question.

"Your Excellency, the bishops residing in the Vatican are of high moral character, charitable, and diligent in preaching; they are not particularly interested in women."

"That's right."

Jiang Qingyun turned around and smiled, seemingly with a hint of sarcasm.

Ferdinand Verbiest was uneasy, so he added.

"There are some bad apples among them. But the Pope's eyes are sharp, and the eyes of the believers are even more discerning. They expel any who are found guilty. We have been working hard to purify ourselves internally for more than three hundred years."

How to purify it?

"Eliminate the bad apples and bring in the good ones."

"Hmm, now that you put it that way, I think the Vatican is doing a good job!"

"Thank you for your kind words."

Ferdinand Verbiest's heart was pounding, and he kept praying to God for protection.

……

"Ferdinand Verbiest, do you understand architecture?"

"Understand!"

"Tell me?"

"Eastern and Western architecture each have their own characteristics, and I believe we should learn from each other's strengths and make up for each other's weaknesses."

As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Qingyun.

"To be bold, I am not the kind of person who is stubborn and self-willed."

"Yes. Eastern architecture is mainly made of wood and bricks, and its shape is exquisite and elegant, but it has a very serious problem: the load-bearing capacity is entirely supported by hardwood pillars! It is very difficult to build large buildings! Even if they are built, they will face the problem of small and low interior spaces and too many pillars."

"go on."

"Two methods: domes and shear walls. That might sound a bit technical; could you please explain the principles briefly?"

"No, no, it's not obscure at all." Jiang Qingyun drew his sword, drew a simple structural diagram on the ground, and explained.

“Oh God, I believe that with your architectural skills, you are fully qualified to be a member of the Paris Academy of Sciences.”

"Not at all," Jiang Qingyun suddenly changed the subject. "Actually, I wanted to ask if you could oversee the construction of the bastion? Come on, bring me some pen and ink."

The soldiers brought over a table and the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper).

Jiang Qingyun casually drew a very simple star fortress shape and said with a smile, "I think you won't refuse me. Help me build a simple but large bastion."

"It is my honor to serve you."

"Ferdinand Verbiest, listen carefully! Although I have never met the Pope, we have long admired each other. If we were to meet, we would surely have a great deal in common. We share the same thoughts on punishing evil and promoting good, benefiting the world, and practicing self-discipline and propriety."

……

"God~"

Ferdinand Verbiest wept with joy.

Hallelujah~
A miracle really happened!
Jiang Qingyun: "Show me your true abilities, don't hold back, let me see the power of God. After the war, you will receive the richest reward, including missionary work!"

“I swear to God, I will work diligently here for the rest of my life, until I die.”

Are all Jesuits as determined and knowledgeable as you?

Ferdinand Verbiest thought for a moment, then firmly shook his head.

"Your Excellency, Christianity has a long history and once reigned supreme over the monarchy. However, as it developed, it gradually declined, and we went through a very difficult period. Later, we learned from our mistakes, purified ourselves internally, and reformed ourselves externally, gradually recovering, but we are still far from our most glorious period."

"Perhaps, this is the best state we're in right now."

"What you said is very philosophical."

Ferdinand Verbiest clearly understood; this is called "the moon wanes after it is full!"

“I admire you! So, I will reveal some of the Empire’s top secrets to you.”

The guards silently moved away.

"The Tatars briefly conquered this vast empire with their steeds and scimitars; it was a classic example of barbaric conquest of a civilization. I think you are quite familiar with this."

"Yes."

“Now, I have changed all of this, but my goal is not to return to the Ming Empire of the past; I want to establish a new era.”

"As everyone knows, I am a very tolerant person. I am even willing to let the opposition into the court and guide them to fight against me in the right way within the established framework."

"Besides the opposition, I also want to introduce some foreign figures, such as scientists, writers, nobles, clergy, and so on. At that time, the court will be full of wise men and women, and the world's elites will gather together to speak freely about building civilization. Of course, there will be some disharmonious struggles, debates, quarrels, and even fights."

"A united empire unlike anything ever seen in history!"

Jiang Qingyun spoke with great enthusiasm and passion, his words flowing freely.

Ferdinand Verbiest felt he had encountered a charlatan far superior to himself!

But I'm really tempted~
"Your Excellency, may I describe your grand vision to the outside world? For example, the Vatican." "Of course!"

Jiang Qingyun thought to himself, "The highest level of missionary work is to not give out eggs or use force, but simply to describe a bright future so that you will automatically and consciously come to understand and join us."

……

Shaanxi, Xi'an Prefecture.

A very ordinary two-section brick courtyard house, with peeling red paint on the gate and broken tiles on the walls, this is the residence of Sun Sike, the garrison commander of Tongguan.

It's a bit crowded with a dozen or so people living there.

Dong~ Dong Dong~
"Who?"

No one answered.

Sun Sike's wife opened the door with great displeasure, only to be instantly stunned.

A richly dressed man nodded and smiled at me, with a carriage and two wheelbarrows parked behind him, looking like he was there to deliver gifts.

"you are?"

"I come from the capital."

"Ah, honored guest, please come in."

Soon, Sun Sike arrived in person.

"Sir, you look unfamiliar. May I ask which government office you are from?"

"The Ministry of Revenue".

"But I've never been to the capital."

"Commander Sun, do you still remember sharing a bowl of wine with the Grand Secretary at Fengling Ferry?"

"Remember to remember."

"The Grand Secretary has always remembered you, so he entrusted me to deliver some New Year's gifts to your residence. This is the gift list."

Sun Sike was quite shocked, his face turned red, and he was flattered.

"Thank you for your kindness, Grand Secretary, but this gift is too much for me."

"Sister-in-law, please accept this."

"Hey."

The woman standing to the side took the gift list, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter. Wow, delicacies from land and sea, dried goods from both the north and south, snacks and fine wines.

"I'll go to the kitchen and prepare a few hearty dishes. Brother, please stay and have a drink with my old man."

“Please wait, Sister-in-law. I have booked Hongbinlou Restaurant tonight to host a banquet for civil and military officials in Xi’an. This is the invitation. I would be grateful if Brother Sun could spare the time.”

"well."

Sun Sike readily agreed.

……

That night.

The most luxurious Hongbinlou Restaurant in Xi'an was packed with distinguished guests, filled with laughter and joy.

The first floor is for entertaining ladies and gentlemen.

The second floor hosted civil and military officials from Xi'an. 51 invitations were sent out (all for officials of the third rank or below), and 35 people actually attended, filling four tables.

"Gentlemen, Chief Minister Chiang Kai-shek said that he has always been concerned about the brothers of the Shaanxi-Gansu Green Standard Army, but he is too busy with official duties to come here. Therefore, he entrusted me to visit you in Xi'an. This first bowl is a toast from the Chief Minister to you all. Cheers!"

Everyone was thrilled.

"Dry!"

The roar was like thunder, and the tiles shook.

"The second bowl, for Governor Meng's health, cheers!"

"The third bowl, to toast your bright futures, cheers!"

There were no pretentious, flowery words; they downed three bowls of food in one go, instantly raising the atmosphere to a fever pitch. The flattered officials ate and drank heartily, their cheeks agape.

A row of tables was set up near the window, covered with a layer of red silk cloth.

After three rounds of drinking.

Someone walked up to the red silk cloth.

"My lords, please look~"

The red silk fell, revealing neatly stacked silver ingots underneath. The official silver ingots, each weighing 50 taels, silently radiated a captivating metallic luster.

The once noisy and bustling second floor fell silent instantly.

(End of this chapter)