Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 344: The Dharma Decree of All Buddhas! May You Be Freed from the Cycle of Reincarnation!
"Good! Good!"

Upon hearing this, the Wanli Emperor, who was standing to the side, immediately clapped his hands in delight. He felt extremely pleased and praised the words repeatedly.

"Shiyuan's words may be rough, but they make sense. The envoys from various countries have come to our Great Ming to study, which is to exchange and learn. Our Great Ming cares about the world and spreads the principles of science to all countries. Do you expect us to do things perfectly and serve the food to you? What kind of logic is that!"

Emperor Wanli was clearly furious. He had long been disgusted by the arrogance of the Annamese. Although his words seemed to be directed at the envoy, they were actually spoken to Nguyen Van Trung.

The civil service was unusually united against external forces, with Minister of Rites Yu Youding also speaking out.

"Nguyen Van Trung, don't be too presumptuous. This is the territory of the Great Ming, not your so-called Annamite little court. The Great Ming is the suzerain state, but can the affairs of other countries be governed by the Great Ming? If we have no right to govern, what obligation does the Great Ming have to assist other countries!"
This statement is truly laughable.

Ruan Wenzhong blushed with embarrassment. Seeing that the envoys present were about to waver, he became quite anxious and stammered.

“The Great Ming is a superior nation, why should it be so petty with people from a small country like ours? A superior nation should do better, and we will naturally submit.”

Furthermore, "

Ruan Wenzhong positioned himself as the weaker party, emphasizing that whoever is weaker is right, and then he suddenly said something else.

"Since the founding of our country, there have been very few cases of 'students studying abroad.' Why is this precedent being set again now? It is extremely inappropriate."

"This humble subject humbly requests that the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty rescind his decree. We should return to our homeland and report to our sovereign for a decision; only then will the matter be handled appropriately."

Zhang Yunxiu squinted and scrutinized the other party. In the end, all these "words" and "suggestions" stemmed from one point: the tributary relationship between the Ming Dynasty and these vassal states was not obvious.

In countries like Annam, the Jiaozhi Provincial Administration Commission was established during the Yongle reign, and the court even selected "Jiaozhi students" to study at the Imperial Academy. However, after Annam was restored to the country, there was much turmoil.

From the Annamese perspective, they had driven away the Ming Dynasty, the invader, so naturally they would not submit to the Ming Dynasty. There were even wild claims within Annam that they would launch a counterattack against the Ming Dynasty.

Take Japan as another example. Since the Yongle era, Japan has established the "Kanhe System," which requires the Japanese to pay tribute every ten years. However, the turmoil within Japan, coupled with the "Wokou Rebellion," has long since led to the cessation of tribute between the two countries.

If it weren't for this business in Nishiyama, Oda Nobunaga probably wouldn't have sent an envoy here.

Ultimately, the reason is that the Ming Dynasty has been declining in recent years and is not as powerful as it used to be. Even the Japanese and the Annamese can cause the Ming Dynasty a lot of trouble. How can it possibly make these envoys submit?
In Zhang Yunxiu's view, the Ming Dynasty was no longer the Ming Dynasty it once was. Its current predicament was only because the firearms of Xishan had not yet been mass-produced and the fleet of Xishan was still being built. All of this required a process, but it did not mean that he had no confidence now.

He had no intention of persuading Ruan Wenzhong. Zhang Yunxiu knew that the most crucial thing in arguing with others was to gain their agreement.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and shook his head, saying, "Ambassador Ruan boasts of his extensive knowledge of the past and present, but he still doesn't know enough about my Great Ming Dynasty."

You say that the system of 'international students' is rare, but since the Yongle period, there have been Korean students going to the Imperial Academy in Ming China every year. For example, which of the various officials in Korea, such as the State Councilor and the Ministry of Rites, did not have the experience of studying in Ming China?

As for the Ryukyu Kingdom, since the time of our founding emperor, Emperor Taizu, there has been a tradition of sending students abroad. Taizu even praised the Ryukyu people as "diligent in their duties and most respectful." The Kings of Chuzan and Sannan both sent nobles and officials to study there, and this tradition has never ceased.

He emphasized this point again.

"Our Great Ming will certainly not force you to do this, but as vassal lords, you should be given the necessary respect, as this is a matter of etiquette."

Good things are obvious to anyone with eyes. While abstract scientific theories might be difficult for some to understand, the good life in Xishan is a tangible reality.

Ruan Wenzhong, however, had something else to say: "That's incorrect."

Zhang Yunxiu lost his patience and no longer wanted to pay attention to the other party's unreasonable arguments. This matter was impossible to resolve. Did the Annamese's thoughts really matter? As long as the majority of envoys agreed, that was enough.

Zhang Yunxiu wasn't in a hurry, but a group of people were.

Many of the Tibetan envoys were dissatisfied with Nguyen Van Trung's behavior, seeing him as someone who had come to cause trouble.

Science is the Dharma, and science can save all sentient beings. If the Ming Dynasty can spread science and enable everyone in the world to live a good life, what a great merit that would be.
If the Tibetans could also participate and accumulate this merit, wouldn't everyone be able to become a Buddha?

But the Annamese, for reasons unknown, repeatedly spoke rudely and even tried to stop the Ming Dynasty from spreading Christianity!

What are they doing? They're preventing Tibetans from attaining Buddhahood!

What if we really anger the Ming Dynasty and then decide not to spread this scientific way?
That is why the Tibetan envoys were enraged. Yeli stepped forward first. He was not tall, but he was very strong. He angrily rebuked Nguyen Van Trung.

“You are a traitorous scoundrel! The superior nation spreads the way of science to assist all nations, which is beneficial to everyone. Yet you are here to confuse the public. What are your true intentions?”

"Even a superior nation can tolerate you, but Tibet will never allow it!"

In reality, Tibet's relationship with the Ming Dynasty was not that close.

From the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty consolidated the power of the various tribes in Tibet by "conferring titles on religious leaders and local kings", rather than by maintaining relations with them through tribute and trade.

The Ming Dynasty's loose control over Tibet even created a certain crisis after Altan Khan of the Mongols marched south.

Later, Altan Khan was bestowed the title of "King of Shunyi," and the policy of dual control over Tibet and Mongolia was a compromise made out of helplessness.

But things will be very different after today.

The envoys from Tibet who arrived in the Ming Dynasty were either disciples of religious leaders or officials of local kings.

Today, they are witnessing the miracles of Xishan "Shambhala" here. Everyone yearns for that scientific wonder, and naturally, they also feel a strong sense of loyalty to the Ming Dynasty.

Nguyen Van Trung was stunned for a moment. He turned his head sharply and saw a group of Tibetans wearing monks' hats, each with anger in their eyes. He immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

The Tibetans are martial, and even monks carry knives. You never know when someone might pull out a knife and cut you.

Fortunately, this was in front of the Wanli Emperor, and the swords on the Tibetan envoys had already been removed, which reassured Nguyen Van Trung somewhat.

He took two steps back, trying to avoid the Tibetans.

Seeing the other party's furious expression, Ruan Wenzhong knew that the other party could not make a move, so he became even more unscrupulous.

"You are kept in the dark and do not know that this so-called 'Shambhala' is nothing but a smokescreen. Growing vegetables in the shed has been around for a long time. This place is just made to look nicer, and you are made to kneel and worship like Buddha. It is really laughable."

If you're talking about 'Shambhala,' then Annam is the real Shambhala. We can see green vegetables almost year-round. Why not come to Annam to worship Buddha?

Ruan Wenzhong had made up his mind. He had already broken ties with the Ming emperor and his ministers today, so he didn't care about saving face anymore. He might as well have a good time.

He knew very well that "opening up the seas" was already a national policy of the Ming Dynasty, and it was only right to cooperate with the vassal states in order to open up the seas.

Annam's geographical location was particularly important, and the Ming Dynasty even needed Annam's rice, which could be harvested three times a year.

If the Ming emperor and his ministers dared to kill him, the various vassal states would inevitably harbor resentment. If the envoy was killed before the caravan even set sail, how could they do business?
In Nguyen Van Trung's view, as long as he did not do anything treasonous, the Ming Dynasty not only could not kill him, but also had to protect him and let him return to Annam safely.

"You filthy scoundrel!"

Yeli was so angry that he trembled all over. If this were in Tibet, he would have killed such a treacherous person with a single blow, and no one would have dared to say anything.

But this is within the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and we must give face to the Ming Emperor, especially in front of all the officials. If we were to act rashly, wouldn't that be a great disrespect?

He looked up at the Wanli Emperor, seemingly seeking help and approval from the fat emperor.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Wanli did not pay any attention to this place at all. He had already turned his head and pointed to a building in front of him.

"Look, everyone, that is the laboratory of my Xishan Peiwen Academy. Science is not a dinner party or a game; it must be verified through experiments. What's the use of empty talk? No matter how eloquently you speak, you still have to come back to reality and let the facts speak for themselves."

He was shaking his head and shaking his head with his hands behind his back.

"Please come with me to see the wonders of that laboratory; you will surely be amazed."

With Emperor Wanli taking the lead, almost everyone's attention was focused on that laboratory.

The Tibetans were disheartened. They had wanted to help the Ming Dynasty, but the Ming emperor seemed unappreciative. Was the mighty Ming Dynasty afraid of this small Annam?
But at that moment, a loud "bang" suddenly rang out from the crowd, as if a firecracker had exploded on the spot.

For a moment, everyone was terrified and panicked, but Emperor Wanli narrowed his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips, and shouted loudly.

"Protect the emperor! Protect the emperor!"

He then led the way and ran toward the laboratory.

The emperor led the way in fleeing, and the envoys and Ming officials were also in a panic, genuinely believing they had encountered some kind of assassination attempt, and rushed forward in a swarm.

Zhang Jing was startled and quickly shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Protect Your Majesty!"

But when you look up, you can no longer find any trace of the Wanli Emperor.

He was terrified and rushed forward without looking back, shouting in a hoarse voice, "Your Majesty! Wait for me!"

However, a shrill shout suddenly rang out from among the envoys.

"He did it! Kill that bastard!"

The sound came out very strangely, blending into the crowd with a peculiar accent. Just as everyone was wondering what was going on...

The Annamese envoy, Nguyen Van Trung, who was trying to move forward, was kicked hard.

"Which scoundrel attacked me? I am an envoy from Annam! To hit me is to antagonize Annam!"

But before he could finish speaking, he was kicked again in the chaotic crowd.

I wonder which country's envoy spoke this time.

"You little bastard! You've committed heinous crimes, take this kick!"

This kick was extremely vicious, striking directly into Nguyen Van Trung's groin.

"Ow~"

Ruan Wenzhong let out a loud howl, his whole body almost arching over.

"Who exactly is this person?" The accompanying Annamese wanted to step forward to protect them, but were blocked by the crowd and could not get through.

Ruan Wenzhong's howling had not stopped when that frightening sound was heard again.

“I’ve had a bad eye on this scoundrel for a long time. He’s so rude and even dared to flirt with my little mare.”

"How dare you insult the Buddha! We are acting on behalf of Heaven to uphold justice."

Countless people emerged from the crowd, speaking with strange accents, and occasionally gesturing towards Ruan Wenzhong.

The Tibetan envoys noticed the change and their faces showed surprise. Yeliben was still somewhat hesitant, but as soon as he heard the words "insulting the Buddha," he immediately made up his mind and spoke.

"Let's show this madman what's what!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the lamas moved forward in twos and threes, gathering around Ruan Wenzhong.

Ruan Wenzhong finally caught his breath and stumbled as he tried to run out of the crowd, but was suddenly pulled back by a hand wearing Buddhist prayer beads.

"you."

Before he could even speak, he felt a chill run down his spine, followed by excruciating pain.

Ruan Wenzhong was also a remarkable man. Even in this critical situation, he managed to protect himself, curling up like a hedgehog while shouting something.

"Assassin! Assassin! Help!"

But the Tibetans were not lenient at all, and used all their skills to target Nguyen Van Trung's vital parts.

"This kick was a gift from the Buddha!"

"Our Buddhist Vajra is wrathful; how can we tolerate your insolence!"

Seeing that Nguyen Van Trung was like an eel, Na Yeli was furious. He took out the vajra from his waist and stabbed it towards Nguyen Van Trung's groin.

"I, as the mother of all Buddhas, carry out the Dharma decree, enabling you to transcend the cycle of rebirth!"

"You stinking monks! You certainly don't have any!" Ruan Wenzhong scrambled out, but a chill ran down his spine. He turned around abruptly and saw a pair of angry eyes, followed by a sharp pain in his groin.

“Ah~~~~Woo!”

A loud howl, even higher than before, echoed throughout the valley, even causing snow to fall from many tree trunks.

From afar, Emperor Wanli suddenly stopped and turned his gaze toward the source of the sound.

"Your Majesty, please slow down," Zhang Jing said breathlessly as he caught up.

Emperor Wanli narrowed his eyes, took out his telescope from his pocket, and looked into the crowd in the distance. The Tibetan lamas seemed to have gone mad, and even the Annamese who accompanied them had joined the fight. It seemed that the two sides were about to fight to the death outside the gate of Xishan Academy.

Among the crowd, those dressed in strange clothes and of unknown identity were constantly moving about. Wanli could vaguely recognize them; he had seen them before in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Wanli Emperor smiled slightly, but quickly suppressed it, and spoke sternly to Zhang Jing.

"What's going on? How did the envoys start fighting? What kind of behavior is this in this culturally rich area of ​​Xishan!"

"Zhang Banban, take men and stop this immediately! If someone dies, I will hold you accountable!"

Zhang Jing paused for a moment, then said instinctively.

"Your Majesty, that assassin..."

Emperor Wanli, however, said with a stern face: "What kind of assassin? I can tell. Perhaps there was an accident at the gunpowder factory down there. This happens all the time. Don't make a fuss."

"Quickly save Ambassador Ruan's life! We absolutely cannot let him live. We must protect his life!"

He looked very serious.

Zhang Jing dared not disobey, and immediately called upon the Eastern Depot agents around him to run towards the center of the crowd.

Emperor Wanli had a serious expression, but he couldn't help but cover his face with his sleeve and chuckle from time to time. Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed a pair of eyes staring at him.

"Mr. Yuanfu?"

He noticed Zhang Juzheng, who was not far away, staring at him with a livid expression.

The Wanli Emperor, feeling somewhat guilty, avoided eye contact, took a couple of steps to the side, and then coughed as he spoke.

"Ahem~ Gentlemen, please calm down~ This is a misunderstanding!"

(End of this chapter)