Transmigrating to the Chongzhen Emperor of the Ming Dynasty: Becoming a Great Emperor Through Idlene

On the 23rd day of the first month, Johann Adam Schall von Bell received orders to enter the palace.

This Jesuit missionary from Germany is 42 years old and has been in the Ming Dynasty for 17 years.

He was proficient in astronomy, calendar systems, and mathematics, and also knew some mechanical principles. Historically, he participated in the compilation of the Chongzhen Calendar and helped the Ming Dynasty manufacture cannons. After the Qing Dynasty entered the Central Plains, he was also appreciated by Emperors Shunzhi and Kangxi.

But now he's just a "Western monk," living in a church outside Xuanwu Gate, preaching, studying the calendar, and occasionally repairing clocks for high-ranking officials.

When he received the imperial decree, Johann Adam Schall von Bell was bewildered. The emperor summoned him. Why?

Is it about the calendar? But it is said that the emperor is "seriously ill" and has stopped attending court. How could he be concerned with the calendar?

However, he dared not be careless. He changed into his best priest's robes and followed the eunuch into the palace.

He was summoned not to the Qianqing Palace, but to the Xiyuan Garden, a royal garden west of the Forbidden City, containing the Taiye Pond, Qionghua Island, and some secluded courtyards.

The eunuch led him to a small courtyard with a plaque above the door that read "Ninghe Hall". This was where the Jiajing Emperor refined elixirs, but it was later abandoned and rarely visited.

"Mr. Tang, please come in." Wang Chengen waited for him at the door with a friendly smile on his face.

Johann Adam Schall von Bell went inside. The courtyard was not large, but it was very clean.

Inside the main hall were some strange objects, not alchemy furnaces, but copper basins, iron racks, glasswares, and several gears of different sizes.

Emperor Chongzhen stood among those utensils, his back to the door.

"Your subject, Johann Adam Schall von Bell, pays his respects to Your Majesty." Schall von Bell performed a somewhat imperfect Chinese greeting.

"Rise." Chongzhen turned around and looked at him. "Mr. Tang, I've heard you're knowledgeable about mechanics?"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell was taken aback: "I know a little. When I was in Europe, I studied some mathematics and natural philosophy."

"Look at this." Chongzhen took a piece of paper out of his sleeve and handed it to the other person.

Johann Adam Schall von Bell took a look and his eyes widened immediately.

The structure on the paper is a cylinder containing a piston, which is connected to a connecting rod, which in turn is connected to a crankshaft.

There is also a simple explanation next to it: Steam is used to drive the piston, which in turn rotates the crankshaft, thereby outputting power.

This is a diagram illustrating the working principle of a steam engine.

Although the drawing is rough and many details are wrong, the basic principle is correct.

In this era, when Europe was just beginning to study steam power, how did such a diagram appear in China?

"Your Majesty, where did you obtain this painting?" Johann Adam Schall von Bell's voice trembled slightly.

"I dreamt about it," Chongzhen lied without batting an eye. "The founding emperor showed me this in a dream. This item could be used to help drain water from mines, saving manpower. I don't understand it, so I've asked Mr. Tang to come and take a look. Can this thing be manufactured?"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He was a scientist, and also a missionary.

Scientists believed the image was genuine and extremely valuable. Missionaries, on the other hand, saw it as an opportunity—a chance to get close to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, this thing... is theoretically feasible. However, it requires meticulous processing, high-quality materials, and numerous experiments."

"I will provide you with the space, the materials, and the manpower," Chongzhen said. "You will stay here and study this. Ostensibly, you will refine elixirs for me, elixirs of immortality. In reality, you must create this thing for me, even if it is just a working model."

Johann Adam Schall von Bell hesitated. He was a missionary; his mission was to spread Christianity, not to become a craftsman. But he could not refuse the emperor's invitation.

"Your Majesty, I...I need an assistant. I've heard there are some helpers who are good at math and skilled in crafts."

"Alright." Chongzhen nodded in agreement: "You can select personnel from the Imperial Observatory or from the general public. But not a word about what's happening here can be said to outsiders. If anyone asks, just say that we're refining elixirs for me."

Emperor Chongzhen picked up a piece of paper from the table: "These are a few things I want you to do first."

Johann Adam Schall von Bell reached out and took it. There were three items on the paper:

1. Fire transparent flat glass, the larger the better.

Second, purify saltpeter to make the most potent gunpowder.

3. Produce precision measuring tools, such as calipers, rulers, and levels.

"These are the basics," Chongzhen said. "Glass can be used to make telescopes, gunpowder can be used to make weapons, and measuring tools can be used to make machines."

Looking at the papers and steam engine drawings on the table, Johann Adam Schall von Bell suddenly understood.

What emperors need is not immortality.

Rather, it is a new force.

"Your subject understands."

"Furthermore," Chongzhen said, looking at Mr. Tang, "Mr. Tang, you are a wise man. I know you came to China to spread Christianity. I can assure you that as long as you can help me with this, I will allow you to build churches and spread Christianity in the capital, provided that you abide by the laws of the Ming Dynasty."

Johann Adam Schall von Bell's eyes lit up. This offer was very tempting. Missionary work was the greatest desire of these missionaries.

"Your subject... will do everything in his power."

"Alright." Chongzhen smiled. "Then you can move in today. If you need anything, just tell Wang Chengen."

After Johann Adam Schall von Bell left, Emperor Chongzhen walked over to the instruments and picked up a copper gear, playing with it in his hand.

The gears are poorly made and do not mesh tightly enough, making a harsh friction sound when they rotate.

It was very simple, but he wasn't in a hurry.

The steam engine was not something that could be developed overnight, and he didn't even expect Johann Adam Schall von Bell to actually build a practical steam engine. He tasked Schall von Bell with researching, accumulating technical expertise, and training talent.

that's enough.

Technology is a path that requires patience and cannot be rushed.

He put the gear back in its place and then went to the window.

It started snowing again outside the window.

Sun Chuanting should already be on his way to Shaanxi.

Lu Xiang-sheng will depart for Nanjing tomorrow.

Johann Adam Schall von Bell also began to prepare to engage in technical research.

All three pieces have been placed on the chessboard.

Now we just have to wait.

Waiting for the seeds to sprout.

Waiting for the undercurrents to converge.

Waiting for the opportunity to come.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, covering all the pavilions and towers in the West Garden.

Emperor Chongzhen stood there and watched for a long time.

Wang Chengen came over and whispered to him, "Your Majesty, Commander Lu has come to see you."

"Announce."

When Lu Wenzhao entered, his face was grave. He brought news that the vanguard of the Jurchens had reached Sanhe, less than a hundred li from Beijing.

"So fast?" Emperor Chongzhen frowned.

"Yes," Lu Wenzhao said. "Moreover, I have verified that the Jurchens' invasion of the border this time may not have been solely for plunder."

"What do you mean?"

"My men captured a Jurchen spy in Zunhua," Lu Wenzhao said in a low voice. "After interrogation, we learned that Huang Taiji... wants to try and capture Beijing this time."

Emperor Chongzhen's heart sank.

When Huang Taiji invaded the Central Plains for the third time, he did reach the vicinity of Beijing, but he did not attack the city. This was because his troops were insufficient and his logistics were inadequate. However, it seems that the situation may be different now.

"What else did that spy say?"

"They say... they say there's an inside agent in Beijing." Lu Wenzhao's voice was even lower: "Once the Jurchen army is at the city gates, someone will open them."

The palace was deathly silent.

Emperor Chongzhen closed his eyes: "An inside man, an inside man!"

The Fan family? Or someone else?

"Where is that spy?"

"It has already been dealt with," Lu Wenzhao said. "I was afraid that word would leak out."

"Well done." Chongzhen nodded. "Continue the investigation. Find out who the inside agent is, which city gate he's at, and how many people he has."

"Yes."

After Lu Wenzhao withdrew, Chongzhen walked to the map and looked at the enemy and friendly forces marked on it.

The Jurchens were less than 100 li away from Beijing.

The debate was still ongoing in the imperial court.

Wen Tiren is currently repairing the three main halls.

He set up a scheme that he didn't know if it would succeed.

It's ironic, but that's reality.

"Your Majesty," Wang Chengen asked in a low voice, "Should we... deploy the capital garrison to defend the city?"

"The Beijing Garrison?" Chongzhen laughed, a cold laugh: "Wang Banban, do you think the Beijing Garrison can defend Beijing?"

Wang Chengen dared not answer.

"It cannot be defended," Chongzhen himself replied. "Therefore, I do not rely on the Beijing Garrison. I rely on others."

"other?"

Emperor Chongzhen offered no explanation. He walked to the window and gazed at the snowflakes falling outside.

He's waiting. Waiting for a signal.

Until those signals arrive, he must continue to play the role of a "sickly and senile" emperor.

The snow outside the window is falling heavier and heavier.

The Jurchens marched south.

Beijing is in grave danger.

The young emperor in the Qianqing Palace remained remarkably calm.

He knew that the worst of times was also the best of times.

Only in times of chaos can the existing situation be broken.