Chapter 56: Treasure

Xu Guangqi authored and translated over sixty works in his lifetime, the main ones being the *Chongzhen Calendar*, *Principles of Measurement*, *Right Triangles*, *Nine Chapter Arithmetic*, and *Xu's Culinary Discourses*; he also summarized China's agricultural production experience across the dynasties and compiled the *Complete Treatise on Agriculture*, becoming a pioneer of modern Chinese science.

Xu Guangqi never forgot Jiao Hong's kindness in recognizing his talent, and honored Jiao Hong as his revered teacher for life. In Xu Guangqi's later years, in the works of his descendants, and in the Xu family genealogy, this old story was recorded many times.

Particularly worth mentioning is that Xu Guangqi's descendants produced talent generation after generation. His thirteenth-generation descendant was a military man who had a granddaughter named Ni Guizhen—she was the mother of the "Three Soong Sisters" who shook modern Chinese history: Soong Ai-ling, Soong Ching-ling, and Soong Mei-ling.

When Zhu Youxiao had read this passage in his previous life, he had marveled at it greatly, but it had been only marveling with no particular feeling.

But now it was different. Zhu Youxiao discovered that there seemed to be some hidden, little-known matters within this. Xu Guangqi seemed to be the next successor pushed forward by the Taizhou School, and although he had dawdled for a long time, he had indeed turned things around later.

But Zhu Youxiao truly did not want Xu Guangqi to get involved in ideological debates—he needed Xu Guangqi to go do things. This matter, however, was something he could listen to Xu Guangqi's views on.

That said, he still hadn't given Xu Guangqi an official post yet, which seemed inappropriate.

After thinking it over, Zhu Youxiao said to Chen Hong: "Go summon Xu Guangqi to the palace."

Xu Guangqi's official appointment had long since been conferred—Vice Minister of War, Governor-General of the Capital Camps—and Xu Guangqi had already assumed his post.

It was only that Zhu Youxiao had not yet discussed with him what exactly Xu Guangqi was to do.

Because Zhu Youxiao was waiting for someone—waiting for Qi Jin's arrival.

Once Qi Jin arrived, his new army plan could begin.

After the new army was established, he would also place Lu Xiangsheng into it; this man would become a general of the new army, or rather, its future commander.

Although Qi Jin was very good, he was already old. Even if Qi Jin did not die in battle, he probably didn't have many years left to live, after all, he was already sixty-seven.

At that age, never mind in the Great Ming—even in later generations, that would be many years past retirement.

Many people by that age were already in failing health. Zhu Youxiao had to prepare for cultivating Qi Jin's successor.

Lu Xiangsheng was naturally a very suitable candidate, so Zhu Youxiao planned to put Lu Xiangsheng into the new army.

But these matters could now be discussed with Xu Guangqi. Of course, he also needed to ask him for his views on Li Zhi's doctrines.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Chen Hong acknowledged, turned, and walked out, running off to find Xu Guangqi.

Xu Guangqi had begun assuming his post these past days, but matters differed greatly from what he had imagined. Even in this official position, Xu Guangqi found that the problems were still many and still great.

Obstruction and problems were everywhere. One could say that if he wanted to sort everything out and then act according to his own ideas, it would be very difficult—the chance of success was slim, unless he replaced personnel on a large scale.

But where could he find suitable people? Even if he found suitable candidates, he would probably have left office by then.

If he didn't do that, he would need to struggle and fight with these obstructors. But once he fell into infighting, then truly nothing could be accomplished.

In fact, this was the political ecology of the late Ming—no one could escape it, and no one could circumvent it.

If you wanted to do things, there were plenty of people tripping you up and holding you back. Everyone was accustomed to attacking others as a means of earning merit.

Compared to doing things yourself, attacking others was a simpler and more convenient method. This was like elections in later generations—dragging down your enemy was far easier than standing out yourself, so elections originally meant to select the elite ended up as contests of who was worse.

The Great Ming now was exactly like this.

If this atmosphere were not broken, then handling any matter would become extremely difficult.

Soon Xu Guangqi entered the great hall, a slight hesitation on his face. He was pondering whether he should tell His Majesty.

If he told His Majesty, would it make him seem incompetent? What would His Majesty think of him? But if he didn't tell, then it would consume a great deal of time—could His Majesty tolerate that?

Xu Guangqi felt himself caught in a dilemma.

Zhu Youxiao was not clear on Xu Guangqi's thoughts, but he would not expect Xu Guangqi to produce any achievements in a short time.

The Great Ming's situation was just like this. The Chongzhen Emperor had been impetuous, wanting everything done as quickly and grandly as possible, but given the Great Ming's current official quality and bureaucratic atmosphere, it was basically impossible.

Even drilling troops required all sorts of mediation. Even for military pay and weapons, the Ministry of War would hold things up demanding bribes from you—if you didn't smooth things over with them, you couldn't even get your pay and equipment.

Under such circumstances, for someone like Sun Chuanting to be able to train troops well in Shaanxi and do it with outstanding results—one could say Sun Chuanting truly had done the best possible.

"Your subject Xu Guangqi pays respects to Your Majesty." Xu Guangqi came before Zhu Youxiao and saluted respectfully.

"Beloved minister, no need for ceremony!" Zhu Youxiao said with a smile, waving his hand.

After Xu Guangqi straightened up, only then did Zhu Youxiao give the order: "Seat him."

Xu Guangqi was not young either—he needed to be well taken care of!

In Zhu Youxiao's view, the longer people like this lived, the better. This was a flourishing matter for the Great Ming, his treasure—nothing must happen to him.

"I summoned you here today, beloved minister, because I have matters I wish to discuss with you." Zhu Youxiao looked at Xu Guangqi with a smile and said: "I have heard people say you are Jiao Hong's student? I would like to hear you speak on Jiao Hong's doctrines."

Hearing this, Xu Guangqi felt he was done for—had someone dug a pit for him?

As for his teacher's thoughts, Xu Guangqi knew them very well in his heart. Although his teacher was not as extreme as Li Zhi, the two men's ideas were actually about the same. He had also heard his teacher's doctrines—it was just that his teacher was not as absolute as Li Zhi.

Li Zhi had abandoned his official position, unable to stomach the affairs of officialdom, and lectured among the common people, crying out loudly, hoping to gain the employment of those who cherished talent within the court.

If someone had employed him, he would even have been willing to repay them with death. It was only that no one contacted him—he was even killed by others, and his doctrines were directly branded as heresy.

His own teacher was not that extreme, but their ideas were the same.

In Xu Guangqi's view, someone had brought this matter up before His Majesty.

The reason was also simple—it was aimed at him.

One had to say, whoever had done this thing, they were ruthless enough.

What his teacher's ideas were, Xu Guangqi naturally knew. Abandoning his teacher's doctrines—that was impossible, because his ideas were consistent with his teacher's.

But if he spoke directly, then he estimated this official post of his would be finished.

Even if he betrayed his teacher, the people behind this scheming would likely spread it far and wide.

If he did not respect his teacher, what would he become?