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

At Quanzhou Port, a large number of Westerners were gathered, preparing to go to sea.

"We must fight! You can't do this! Faith is everyone's freedom!"

A young missionary is loudly protesting, expressing his discontent.

In front of him were fully armed Imperial Guards, personally led by Commander Tian Dunji.

"Shut the hell up! I'm talking to you, step back, step back!"

Tian Dunji was filled with impatience as he faced these red-haired barbarians.

However, the Westerners were very agitated and shouted that the court should stop its violent acts.

Tian Dunji frowned, walked up to the young man, and asked, "What's your name?"

"I am Ferdinand Verbiest from Belgium. You can call me by my Chinese name, Nan Huairen!"

Ferdinand Verbiest was only in his early twenties and had just arrived in the Ming Dynasty this year. He had planned to go to the capital to be Johann Adam Schall von Bell's assistant, but unexpectedly, Schall von Bell passed away!

Moreover, all churches were demolished and all missionaries were to be deported.

Thinking this, he added loudly, "Your behavior is barbaric!"

Tian Dunji couldn't help but laugh and asked, "You people are really funny. You're always clutching that tattered book, 'Lord, Lord!' Didn't your Lord tell you that this land doesn't welcome you?"

Ferdinand Verbiest immediately retorted, "God is merciful; no one can stop civilization!"

"What are you talking about? What mercy, what civilization? Get on the ship now, I won't care once it leaves!"

Ferdinand Verbiest continued, "We will not leave; we will stay, believers for the Lord..."

Tien Tsun-ki didn't bother with any more words. He reached out, drew his knife, and held it against Tsun-ki's neck.

"Can you shut up now?"

Nan Huairen's lips moved slightly, and he whispered, "Too barbaric, too barbaric..."

Tian Dunji suddenly raised his voice and said, "Listen up, everyone! This ship will be leaving port in two hours. Anyone left on shore after that will be killed without exception!"

The noisy crowd finally quieted down, and everyone seemed to suddenly understand manners, boarding the ship in turn.

This is a treasure ship that can accommodate more than 500 people. Today, a total of 320 missionaries boarded the ship.

The boatmen and sailors were also Westerners, all of whom were crew members who had previously sailed with fleets.

The sea breeze carries a salty, damp scent.

Ferdinand Verbiest stood on the deck, watching the coastline recede into the distance, his fists clenching unconsciously.

"We were just kicked out like that?"

A young missionary with a face full of freckles walked up to Ferdinand Verbiest, his tone full of resentment.

"I've recruited over thirty followers in Hangzhou. What should I do with them now?"

Ferdinand Verbiest did not answer immediately; his gaze swept over his dejected companions on the deck.

They came from all over Europe: Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium...

How glorious they were when they set sail, but now they are driven away like a pack of stray dogs.

Ferdinand Verbiest suddenly spoke up: "No, we can't go back like this."

The conversation on the deck gradually quieted down, and everyone's eyes turned to them.

Did you know?

Ferdinand Verbiest surveyed the crowd and slowly said, "The Ming Dynasty still possesses many weapons and technologies that we haven't obtained. Father Johann Adam Schall von Bell once told me something; they have a magical weapon that can instantly reduce a city to ashes!"

At this moment, a Portuguese missionary with a long beard said, "We have breech-loading cannons; could the Ming dynasty's weapons be more powerful than these?"

Nan Huairen shook his head, a mysterious smile appearing on his lips: "Not a cannon, but a kind of, um... bomb that can fly out on its own."

A murmur arose on the deck.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

The bearded missionary asked in astonishment, "How can a bomb fly by itself?"

Ferdinand Verbiest walked to the ship's side, gazing at the Ming coastline that had become a thin line, and said, "What Father saw with his own eyes was a cannonball about the size of a breech-loading cannon. Once ignited, it could fly several miles on its own before exploding over the enemy's head."

After he finished speaking, he turned around, his eyes flashing with fanaticism, and stared intently at the crowd.

"Just imagine what would happen if we could bring this technology back to Europe?"

"This... is impossible!"

The bearded missionary shook his head repeatedly, his face full of disbelief.

"Unless it's witchcraft!"

"It's not witchcraft, it's science!"

Ferdinand Verbiest immediately corrected him, saying, "The Han people are far more advanced than us in the application of gunpowder. They have bombs that can be buried underwater to attack ships, and bombs that can fly into the air for long-range strikes."

Silence fell on the deck, broken only by the sound of waves crashing against the hull.

Everyone was processing this shocking information. After a long silence, the freckled missionary broke the silence: "So what can we do now? The Ming emperor has ordered the expulsion of all missionaries; we can't even get ashore."

A sly glint flashed in Ferdinand Verbiest's eyes: "This ship will stop in Malacca for supplies. We can disembark in Malacca, then transfer to another ship to Siam, Cambodia, or Annam, and then return to the Ming Dynasty by land. This time, we cannot act as missionaries; we must disguise ourselves as merchants."

The bearded missionary exclaimed, "It's too dangerous! If we get caught, we'll die!"

"What are these risks compared to bringing the Gospel and advanced technology back to Europe?"

Ferdinand Verbiest's voice was rousing. Looking at the crowd, he said, "Just imagine how happy our king would be if we could bring back the technology for these flying bombs! The Church would have an overwhelming advantage in the war against the infidels! Then, we would all be heroes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up, and they became excited again.

The bearded missionary stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment, then suddenly grinned: "I know some Portuguese businessmen in Macau; perhaps they can help."

Ferdinand Verbiest nodded: "We need to split into groups, posing as merchants or sailors. Macau is the best entry point; we still have compatriots there. This time, we won't act alone. There's a saying among the Han people: 'Money makes the world go round.' We can buy our way in!"

A white-bearded missionary couldn't help but exclaim, "But, but... this is espionage! Our mission as missionaries is to spread the gospel, not to steal technology!"

"Father, you're wrong!"

Ferdinand Verbiest calmly replied, "Do you remember His Holiness the Pope's instructions? Any action that contributes to strengthening the Christian world is sacred. What would happen if these technologies fell into the hands of infidels? Think of the fall of Constantinople!"

These words struck like a hammer blow. The white-haired priest opened his mouth, but ultimately did not refute them.

"Those who are willing to come back with me..."

Ferdinand Verbiest looked around at everyone and raised his voice: "Meet in the lower deck tonight; we need to develop a detailed plan!"