I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

Johann Adam Schall von Bell glanced at the book and then returned it.

"Your Majesty, this book was written by my own hand. What are your instructions?"

Zhu Youjian asked, "I want to know, did you write this book yourself?"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, at that time, I assisted Mr. Xu Guangqi in compiling the Chongzhen Calendar. After Mr. Xu passed away, this monumental work remained unpublished. Unable to bear seeing Mr. Xu's efforts buried, I reorganized and revised the 137 volumes of the Chongzhen Calendar, condensing it into 103 volumes of the Western New Calendar, which were then entrusted to missionaries in our country to take back to Europe."

Zhu Youjian raised an eyebrow and asked, "Since you knew this was Xu Qingjia's masterpiece, why did you change the title without authorization? Our Ming Dynasty's culture is profound and extensive, and we are never afraid of outsiders learning from or referencing it. But what are your intentions in changing the title?"

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Johann Adam Schall von Bell's forehead as he hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, it is not that I intentionally changed the title. It is simply that the original book contains many profound and subtle points that only scholars well-versed in Chinese studies can understand. To facilitate dissemination, I had to revise it into more accessible language. After the revision, I felt the overall quality had declined considerably, and I worried that it might tarnish Scholar Xu's academic reputation, which is why... that's why I changed the title."

As he spoke, he kowtowed deeply: "Your subject has absolutely no intention of offending you, much less dare to claim credit for Heaven's work!"

The hall fell silent. Zhu Youjian suddenly changed the subject, asking, "Leaving aside this book, do you know why I summoned you here today?"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell looked up, his eyes filled with confusion: "Isn't it because of this book?"

Zhu Youjian shook his head and said, "I want to ask you, besides this calendar, what else did you bring back?"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell trembled and hurriedly kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please understand! I only brought back this calendar; nothing else!"

"Yeah?"

Zhu Youjian sneered and suddenly asked, "Do you know Johannes of the East India Company?"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell's face turned deathly pale instantly, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

However, he still managed to remain calm and said, "Your Majesty, I do not know this person."

Zhu Youjian took in the changes in his expression and was now certain that the person who leaked the information was probably Johann Adam Schall von Bell!

I thought Western technology could revitalize the Ming Dynasty, but I never expected that these people would be eyeing the Ming Dynasty's technology!

Considering the evaluations of Johann Adam Schall von Bell by Yang Tingjian, Zhao Mian, and others, it seems that Schall von Bell was not very flexible in accepting new things, but rather preferred to follow the established routine and had a rather outdated way of thinking.

The artillery he improved was basically based on technology that Westerners already possessed, not technology he created himself.

This is why the Ministry of Works made very slow progress in improving firearms, while the Academy of Sciences lagged far behind.

He slowly stared intently at Johann Adam Schall von Bell and said, "I'm giving you one last chance. If you confess now, you might receive a lighter sentence. But if I wait for evidence..."

"Your Majesty!" Johann Adam Schall von Bell kowtowed heavily, "I truly do not know any Johannes!"

"Good! Very good!"

Zhu Youjian, enraged, laughed abruptly and slammed his hand on the imperial desk: "Wang Banban!"

Wang Chengen immediately stepped forward: "This old servant is here."

"I have handed this man over to the Eastern Depot. You are to investigate him thoroughly!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured," Wang Chengen glanced coldly at Johann Adam Schall von Bell, "this old servant will make him speak."

Upon hearing this, Johann Adam Schall von Bell collapsed to the ground, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty! I am innocent! I have always been loyal to the Ming Dynasty..."

Wang Chengen waved his hand: "Take him away!"

Four agents from the Eastern Depot immediately stepped forward, lifted the limp Johann Adam Schall von Bell, and dragged him outside.

"Your Majesty, please have mercy! I did not steal anything, but I could not bear to see Mr. Xu's hard work go to waste..."

Johann Adam Schall von Bell's official hat fell to the ground, his golden hair was disheveled, and he looked extremely disheveled.

After his voice faded outside the palace gates, Zhu Youjian wearily rubbed his temples and said, "Issue my decree: from this day forward, all people in the Western Regions of Ming shall be strictly monitored."

Beizhen Prefecture, Imperial Prison.

"Eunuch Wang, I'm truly innocent!"

With a hoarse voice, Johann Adam Schall von Bell staggered behind Wang Chengen, saying, "I only want to spread the gospel of the Lord and the civilization of the East..."

Without turning his head, Wang Chengen sneered, "Minister Tang, you should save those words for Admiral Wang. He is highly skilled in martial arts, proficient in all eighteen instruments of torture, and most adept at distinguishing between the loyal and the treacherous."

Johann Adam Schall von Bell's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down. He was then dragged inside by two guards.

Wang Dehua had been waiting for a long time. He sat upright in a grand chair, the fire in front of him reflecting a red glow on one side of his face, while the other side was hidden in shadow, making him look even more sinister and terrifying.

Wang Chengen instructed, "His Majesty has decreed that this man is suspected of colluding with foreign barbarians and leaking the secrets of our Great Ming Dynasty. The truth must be thoroughly investigated."

"Please convey to His Majesty that my specialty is interrogation!"

"Our family is waiting for your news!"

After Wang Chengen finished speaking, he left on his own.

Inside the prison cell, candles flickered.

Wang Dehua circled around Johann Adam Schall von Bell and slowly said, "Minister Schall von Bell, is that you? I've heard so much about you! I've heard you're well-versed in the calendar of our Great Ming Dynasty, improved firearms, and enjoy His Majesty's deep trust. Why then have you engaged in treasonous acts?"

With tears in his eyes, Johann Adam Schall von Bell said, "Admiral Wang, you are wise enough to know that I, Johann Adam Schall von Bell, have served the Ming Dynasty wholeheartedly for over twenty years, with absolutely no disloyalty!"

"Yeah?"

Wang Dehua pulled a letter from his sleeve. "Then how do you explain this letter you wrote to the Roman Catholic Church, which mentions bringing Eastern wisdom back to the Christian world?"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell's expression changed drastically: "That, that was just an academic exchange... Wait, you searched my house?"

"Let me correct you, it wasn't a search, it was a raid!"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell's face was ashen, and he murmured, "You can't do this, you can't do this..."

"That's not up to you!"

Wang Dehua waved his hand: "Take him away! Let him taste the Iron Lotus first!"

Two guards immediately stepped forward, grabbed Johann Adam Schall von Bell, and dragged him toward the torture chamber.

Johann Adam Schall von Bell struggled to turn around and shouted, "Admiral Wang! I am a missionary, protected by the Pope! You cannot treat me like this!"

Wang Dehua smiled sinisterly: "On the land of the Ming Dynasty, only the Emperor has the final say."

Inside the torture chamber, various instruments of torture were neatly arranged, and the walls and floor were covered with indelible bloodstains. Johann Adam Schall von Bell was pinned to a specially made iron chair, his hands and feet bound by iron rings. Wang Dehua slowly put on a pair of leather gloves and took a red-hot branding iron from the brazier.

"This iron lotus is truly wondrous; when burned onto flesh, it blooms like a lotus flower. Do you wish to confess now, or wait until your body is covered in lotus blossoms?"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell closed his eyes, his lips trembling as he began to pray: "Our Father in heaven, may the world hallow your name..."

laugh--

The moment the branding iron touched the thigh, the smell of burning flesh filled the air.

Johann Adam Schall von Bell's prayer turned into a heart-wrenching scream, echoing throughout the torture chamber.

Wang Dehua leaned close to his ear: "Tell me! What information did you pass on to that Johannes?"

Tang Ruowang was sweating profusely and nearly fainted: "I...don't know any Johannes..."

"Someone come here to change your toiletries!"

At Wang Dehua's command, the guards immediately brought over iron brushes and salt water.

The iron brush slowly scraped across the flesh, and the pitiful screams could be heard even through the wall.

Wang Dehua couldn't help but curl his lip: "Too brutal!"