Chapter 132: Broken, a Great Ming official must know mathematics in the future

The Great Ming has no ocean-going capability; this is the biggest problem in the Great Ming's maritime trade at present. Although the Great Ming can rely on its commodity advantage to take Lu Song while wanting both, the Red-Haired Barbarians' four-masted sailing ships can still arrive at the port on schedule. However, the Great Ming cannot go on long ocean voyages, and the trade routes are in the hands of others, leaving the Great Ming in a passive position.

Therefore, when Antonio wanted to offer gifts to the Emperor and proposed exclusive rights, Chen Xuehui did not hesitate. Such a big matter, he, a Minister of the Court of Ceremonial, simply could not make the decision, but he clearly knew that the imperial court could not agree.

Chen Xuehui could understand this kind of exclusive rights; it was sole agency—in Lisbon, only his Antonio's ships could sell Great Ming goods.

Antonio spoke again, "I can accept a 20% punitive tariff."

Antonio was an heir to the Portuguese throne, but his status was somewhat awkward. He was an illegitimate son. His father was the second son of Manuel I, Luís. Antonio's awkward status as an illegitimate son determined that he would not be supported by the nobles.

But he gained a lot of support among the commoners. Antonio did this for the throne.

The exclusive rights to Great Ming goods would be an important tool for him to gain recognition from the nobles, so he hoped to firmly hold onto this power of exclusive operation in Portugal.

"No," Chen Xuehui smiled and said, "The imperial court cannot issue an edict telling the merchants of the world to whom they must sell their goods. Even if such an edict were issued, it would just be a piece of waste paper."

An edict really can't do it. The imperial court wanted the powerful families in the Southern Yamen to hand over their armor and crossbows, but the Ge family sold all the armor and crossbows to the Japanese pirates. The Liaodong Deputy Regional Commander Zhao Wanze, Provincial Governor Yang Zhao, and others even sold the armor sent from the capital to Liaodong to the Jurchens and the Northern Tatars.

The imperial court's edicts did not have the immense power one might imagine. Being able to strictly constrain the world was something that simply couldn't be done, even Emperor Hongwu couldn't do it.

When the Great Ming was newly established, many old scholars of the Yuan Dynasty refused to serve, refusing to serve the Emperor and denying the legitimacy of the Great Ming regime.

Emperor Hongwu issued an imperial edict for the old scholars to serve. Two scholars from Guixi County, Guangxin Prefecture, Xia Boqi and his nephew, each cut off their left thumb, using their physical disability to refuse to serve. Zhu Yuanzhang was furious, arrested the two and brought them to the capital, and interrogated them personally.

Therefore, in the Great Ming Code, there is: "If a scholar in the empire does not serve the monarch, and the Emperor's will arrives, the scholar who refuses to serve will have one outcome: beheading and confiscation of property."

When Zhu Yijun issued an edict to recall Liang Menglong and Zhao Mengyou, they had no choice but to return to the court to serve as officials.

Antonio said very depressedly, "No, the Great Ming can do it. Under the Great Ming imperial court's edict, we can no longer buy any raw silk; we can only buy finished silk. I have never seen any country's edict possess such magical effects."

"Things are not as simple as you imagine." Chen Xuehui did not continue to explain. To explain this problem clearly, one would have to talk about the Contradiction Theory to reach the complex unity of opposites between power from top to bottom and from bottom to top.

In deconstructing power and contradictions, the Contradiction Theory is so invincible. The Great Ming can ban raw silk from going to sea because the Great Ming merchants' workshops need raw silk to produce silk, so the imperial court's strict ban is one aspect, and the cooperation of the powerful families and wealthy households is another aspect.

Banning raw silk from going to sea is a rare consensus between the imperial court and the powerful families.

Look at the land clearing, cleaning up encroachments, returning land, and tax inspection—how much chaos did they cause?

"Then can the Portuguese merchant ships I brought be exempted from punitive tariffs? I have expressed my sincere personal respect in exchange for the Great Ming Emperor's personal leniency." Antonio changed his tactics. Since he couldn't obtain exclusive rights, he would settle for the next best thing: expressing personal respect in exchange for his personal tax exemption.

"You want one thing; it won't work." Chen Xuehui shook his head, "If the Great Ming exempts you from punitive tariffs personally, it means you possess special privileges. Your privileges will bring about even worse influences. All the merchant ships of the small Portuguese will come under your name, regardless of whether they are yours personally."

Privilege economy—this is dancing on the minefield of the Great Ming imperial court. Because of the late Emperor's arbitrary decision, the Northwest fell into ruin. With such a big mine placed in the imperial court, Antonio actually wanted special privileges? Tomorrow, the Embroidered Uniform Guards would kick down the door and drag Antonio to the vegetable market to be beheaded.

Antonio discovered that Chen Xuehui was really, really difficult to deal with. This guy could always see his purpose at a glance. He waved his hand and said, "Forget it, no gifts then."

Chen Xuehui said unhurriedly, "I remind you, this is the Great Ming. Since you have things the Emperor is interested in, and you refuse to take them out, the Great Ming has plenty of people who will make you hand them over."

"Too shameless!" Antonio stood up suddenly and said in disbelief, "I always thought the Great Ming imperial court was a heavenly kingdom. This is a business deal; how can it be so shameless!"

The translator didn't know whether to translate or not for a moment.

Chen Xuehui ignored the translator, stood up, and said quite calmly, "Thank you for the compliment."

"This is different from the West. The clergy, nobles, and wealthy merchants there have no respect for the imperial court, but here, the Emperor is still the only piece of sky in the Great Ming, the father of all people in the Great Ming. You either don't mention it, or you offer the gift."

"In theory, the entire empire, even the earthworms underground, must serve the Emperor."

Shameless?

If the diplomats of the empire couldn't even be shameless, how could they seek profit for the Great Ming imperial court? Constantly shouting about "gentleness to those from afar" only resulted in the Red-Haired Barbarians joining the Japanese pirates' big family, colluding together to invade.

The concept of "propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame" is something the Great Ming talks about to Great Ming people, just like the Black Barbarians with black hair are just farm tools on plantations, while the Westerners on the ground in the West, with black hair, are symbols of nobility, authority, and holiness.

Chen Xuehui was not joking. The earthworms really had to work in the fields of the Baoqi Office to turn the soil.

Chen Xuehui smiled and said, "You can think about it, while there is still time, to exchange for a bargaining chip that can be exchanged."

Antonio was silent for a long time before saying disheartenedly, "Then what about the exclusive rights to glass? As far as I know, firing glass is the Emperor's own business. This can be done, and the output is not very large. Can I have some money? You can't just rob me!"

Chen Xuehui stood up and said, "I will report it truthfully, but don't hold onto the hope of permanently possessing the exclusive rights to this commodity. If the imperial court agrees, it will be for five years at most, and then a better candidate will be chosen."

"Alright, the deal is reached. Then I will report this list."

Antonio looked at Legazpi, his brows tightly furrowed as he asked, "The Great Ming imperial court has lost its former kindness."

Antonio partially agreed with Francisco's opinion. The Great Ming was indeed extremely arrogant. In the past, the arrogance was looking down on people; expressing a little sincere respect could exchange for massive benefits, which was the reward of the tribute trade.

But now, the Great Ming court was still extremely arrogant, but in this arrogance, it focused more on the tyranny of profit.

Legazpi thought for a moment and said quite affirmatively, "To be more precise: it's just not easy to deceive anymore."

"I agree with your idea." Antonio and Legazpi looked at each other and smiled bitterly. The Great Ming imperial court had become more pragmatic, which was not good news for them.

"I think the most important thing you should do now is to pay off the tax notice, because if you don't pay it clearly, it will become... unfortunate." Legazpi's expression carried a rich fear. In the Great Ming, not paying taxes was a great terror.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards would deliver the death warrant to your hands at any time, and it was truly life-threatening.

The Ge family of Jiangsu had their property confiscated.

Chen Xuehui reported the gift list and other items in great detail to Wan Shihe.

After Wan Shihe heard Chen Xuehui's threat, his brows furrowed tightly, and he said, "How could you say that? Doing it is already shameless enough; saying it out loud makes it look like the loss of all decency. Don't threaten again next time."

"I thought Lord Wan would say something like 'gentleness to those from afar,' but I didn't expect him to just tell me not to say it." Chen Xuehui was somewhat surprised. His wish to go further fell through. At the third-rank, he coveted the position of Minister of Rites at the second-rank, which was a Great Official who could sit in the Wenhua Hall for court discussions.

Wan Shihe said quite affirmatively: "Hasn't it already been gentle enough? Just report it in your own name."

The supreme Emperor of the Great Ming held the "Mathematics Treasure Mirror" and couldn't put it down. This could be called the crown of the Great Ming's mathematical masterpieces through the ages. Calling it a comprehensive collection of ancient and modern knowledge was not an exaggeration. If it were published and became popular, the Great Ming's mathematics would inevitably rise to a higher level.

For example, in the "Mathematics Treasure Mirror," there is a "Calculation Table" used for solving equations, etc.;

For example, the "Mathematics Treasure Mirror" strongly promotes the idea of "analyzing principles with words, solving bodies with diagrams," emphasizing the importance of combining numbers and shapes;

For example, there are clear regulations on the "Principles of Calculation," such as definitions and the deductive logic-based proof thought, which is also the reason why there are very few errors in the "Mathematics Treasure Mirror";

For example, the "Mathematics Treasure Mirror" shows the distinct characteristics of mechanical, procedural, and structural nature.

Of course, looking at it from the perspective of Zhu Yijun's later generations, there are still some errors in this book, as well as many places that are difficult to understand. Zhu Zaiyu, together with the Anhui merchant Cheng Dawei who had already entered the capital, launched an annotation of this book, combining Western mathematics to further simplify mathematics.

This includes the use of a large number of mathematical symbols, the comprehensive promotion of lowercase numbers, the habit of writing from left to right, the combination of numbers and shapes, standard ruler and compass, definitions of the principles of calculation, proofs, etc.

These things seemed extremely appropriate to Zhu Zaiyu. Mathematics was already difficult; simplification, the easier to understand and the simpler, the better. However, the wind of public opinion in the court needed to be considered. Zhu Zaiyu had already seen the terror of the public opinion in the court; it was simply not something he could handle.

"Your Majesty, the study of mathematics has been abandoned for hundreds of years in recent times. There are two reasons for its abandonment: one is the scholars of nominal principles, who treat the practical affairs of the world as dirt; the other is the art of demonic delusion, which falsely claims that numbers have divine principles, can know the coming and the hidden, and can achieve anything. In the end, those who believe in the divine have no effect, while the practical ones have not a single one left."

"Once this book comes out, I fear it will provoke criticism from the world." Zhu Zaiyu had already fully compiled the "Mathematics Enlightenment" and had passed the Emperor's approval, but he dared not release it.

Even the Anhui merchant Cheng Dawei, who was responsible for the compilation work together, held a conservative opinion on this "Mathematics Enlightenment," which was extremely rebellious but very accurate.

In Cheng Dawei's "General Principles of Algorithms," there is a song about the conception of boys and girls. In Cheng Dawei's view, "three diameters for one circumference, five squares for seven diagonals" is the royal and correct path.

Zhu Yijun smiled and asked, "Can the Imperial Uncle understand the 'Heavenly Origin Art'?"

"I can," Zhu Zaiyu said especially affirmatively.

"Can Dr. Cheng understand the 'Heavenly Origin Art'?" Zhu Yijun looked at Cheng Dawei and asked.

"I can," Cheng Dawei was also very sure.

Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "Most of the Great Ming scholars can't understand the 'Heavenly Origin Art,' so, Imperial Uncle, don't be afraid, because they really don't understand."

Wang Yangming's disciple Gu Yingxiang was already one of the few scholars proficient in mathematics. When he wrote "Classification and Explanation of Techniques in the Mirror of Measuring Circles," because he couldn't understand the "Heavenly Origin Art," he said, "Every detailed draft only uses the Heavenly Origin to set up calculations, but there is no place to start," and deleted all the content of the "Heavenly Origin Art," buying the box and returning the pearl, inviting the ridicule of being ignorant through the ages.

It doesn't matter if you don't understand. If you don't understand and don't learn, just delete it all. Don't even look at it. This is what the Confucian scholars of the Great Ming Dynasty do.

This is also why those Confucian scholars who advocate for the "Correct Learning" repeatedly clamor for Wang Yangming to enter the Confucian Temple, but have always been blocked by the imperial court. Most of Wang Yangming's disciples are these kinds of wine-bag-and-rice-sack people who delete what they don't understand. Clearly, it is "knowing through difficulty," but it becomes "not knowing through difficulty," and they delete it, and once deleted, they act as if it doesn't exist.

With this kind of goods, is Zhu Yijun afraid of them?

The "Heavenly Origin Art" is just setting up an unknown number x, and the "Heavenly and Earthly Dual Origin Art" is setting up two unknown numbers x and y. Liu Dajian's "Universe Bag" has Heavenly, Earthly, and Human origins, etc., and finally, Zhu Shijie founded the "Four Origin Art."

As long as you pay a little attention to the "Heavenly Origin Art," you know what it is talking about. Even Feng Bao, Zhang Hong, and the little eunuchs in the Inner Study can understand it. Did Gu Yingxiang not understand it, or did he not look at it at all?

If you don't understand and still want to be sloppy, then don't blame Zhu Yijun for scolding people.

Degrees and side communication, precise calculation and recording—it's not that there are no results. For example, the parts diagrams, general assembly diagrams, design descriptions, and modification descriptions of the flying-wing sailboats entered the capital again. Even if the Great Ming shipyards were destroyed in a day, as long as one wanted to do it, one could take these flying-wing sailboat blueprints and build them again immediately.

"Publish the 'Mathematics Enlightenment' through the Three Classics Factory, and circulate it to the world. If they are not convinced, let them submit a memorial to argue," Zhu Yijun looked at Zhu Zaiyu, determined the formula for "Mathematics Enlightenment," and prepared to promote it to the world.

The next morning, the August sun was bright, and the daily court discussion began again. Zhu Yijun arrived at the Wenhua Hall and began the daily imperial audience.

When Zhang Juzheng took out the first memorial, he looked a bit distracted.

"Zhang Yuanfu?" The Second Minister Lu Diaoyang reminded Zhang Juzheng. It's a court discussion! Why are you distracted? Preside over the meeting!

Zhang Juzheng placed the memorial on the table, stiffened his face, and suppressed his laughter, saying, "Hanlin Yu Menglin submitted a memorial saying that the 'Mathematics Enlightenment' book is a book of prophecy and demonic delusion, which should be strictly prohibited, and it is an act that violates the ancestral laws."

This memorial was very long, but the content inside was actually relatively empty. Zhang Juzheng summarized it concisely and continued, "The Emperor's vermilion comment: 1,200 shi of rice, each dou costs 6 fen 2 li 5 hao of silver. Ask, how much is the rice silver?"

"Yu Menglin replied: 1,500 taels of silver."

"The Emperor's vermilion comment: Don't do business in the future."

After Tan Lun finished listening in a daze, he was stunned for a long time before saying with surprise, "Yu Menglin is our Great Ming's top scholar! He... he... he can't even calculate this? One shi is ten dou, one dou is 6 fen 2 li 5 hao, one shi is 6 qian 2 fen 5 li, 1,200 shi—shouldn't it be 750 taels of silver?"

"Grand Minister, did I calculate wrong?"

Wang Guoguang sighed in admiration, "No, it's just a problem of accumulation, it is indeed 750 taels of silver."

Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "I was afraid that the top scholar Yu wouldn't be able to calculate it and would make a joke, so I specially gave him an integer, but he still didn't calculate it correctly."

"Hahaha!" Tan Lun slapped his thigh and laughed out loud. After realizing he had lost his composure, he waved his hands repeatedly and said, "I am guilty, Your Majesty, please forgive me. I didn't mean to destroy the majesty of the Fengtian Hall, but really... I couldn't hold it back. If he goes to supervise military affairs, wouldn't that be... wouldn't that be..."

"No matter, no matter." Zhu Yijun waved his hand indifferently. If you want to laugh, just laugh. Yu Menglin couldn't calculate it, or calculated it wrong—can't people laugh?

Tan Lun really couldn't imagine Yu, the top scholar, supervising military affairs in the future, calculating military rations, and buying grain at double the price—it would be laughable to death.

Zhang Juzheng continued, "The top scholar Yu was probably unconvinced, and submitted another memorial saying: 'I calculated wrong, it should be 750 taels,' but still submitted a memorial to argue about the method of mathematics."

"The Emperor gave another vermilion comment: Three people share 3 taels 5 qian, and want to make A have 5 qian more than B, and B have 3 qian more than C. Ask, how much should each have? Explain the mathematical principle."

Tan Lun smiled and asked, "And then? The top scholar Yu couldn't calculate it himself, doesn't he know to ask someone for help?"

"Ashamed to ask below," Zhang Juzheng shook his head, "The top scholar Yu refused to ask below, and couldn't do it himself, so he just gave an answer: A should have 1 tael 6 qian, B should have 1 tael 1 qian, and C should have 8 qian."

"The Emperor gave three solutions, among which, the Heavenly, Earthly, and Human Origin Method: set the unknown, Heavenly + Earthly + Human = 3.5 taels, Heavenly - Earthly = 0.5, Earthly - Human = 0.3, x+y+z=3.5, x-y=0.5, y-z=0.3, solved: x=1.6, y=1.1, z=0.8, substituted into the verification, it holds."

It's just the application of Heavenly Origin, Heavenly and Earthly Origin, Heavenly, Earthly, and Human Origin, and Four Origin Arts.

"Let me see." Wang Guoguang took the memorial and looked at it simply. He let out a breath of turbid air. This thing is said to be simple, but it is actually not complicated. But let Yu Menglin solve it, Yu Menglin would probably not be able to solve it. This answer of Yu Menglin's was probably guessed.

The Emperor's application of the "Heavenly Origin Art" can be said to be pure and perfect. Wang Guoguang can understand it; he can understand such a big mess of accounts in the Great Ming Dynasty.

Wang Guoguang sighed with emotion, "The Emperor's other two solutions are both differences: (3.5-0.8-0.3)/3=0.8, C is 8 qian; or (3.5+0.5+0.8)/3=1.6, A is 1 tael 6 qian, all roads lead to Rome. Actually, it can also be (3.5-0.5+0.3)/3=1.1, B is 1 tael 1 qian."

"Wonderful."

"The top scholar Yu is considered good; he wasn't called to the Wenhua Hall by the Emperor to be scolded," Tan Lun said with a full face of smiles. He understood it—A is 8 qian more than C, B is 3 qian more than C, subtract 8 qian and 3 qian from the total, and divide by three.

"What are you talking about?" The Minister of Rites Wan Shihe took the memorial and only felt a wave of dizziness. Broken, if I want to continue to be this Great Official in the future, do I have to learn mathematics?!

Wan Shihe suddenly felt that Chen Xuehui was not bad. Isn't his name Xuehui (Learn)? Let him learn it.

Zhang Juzheng took back the memorial and said, "The top scholar Yu is still unconvinced, submitting memorials one after another. The Emperor gave another problem: 'The government encourages 220 shi of grain, 24 upper-upper households, 31 middle-upper households, 45 lower-upper households, 68 upper-middle households. The upper-upper households have 7 dou more than the middle-upper households, the middle-upper households have 4 dou more than the lower-upper households, the lower-upper households have 3 dou more than the upper-middle households. Ask, how much should each of the four types of households have?'"

"The top scholar Yu finally gave up this time, submitting a memorial saying: 'I am dull.' The Emperor's vermilion comment: Read more books."

There are many types of households in the Great Ming: upper-upper, middle-upper, lower-upper, upper-middle, middle-middle, lower-middle, upper-lower, middle-lower, lower-lower, etc. Once there is a war, they have to encourage grain, and each household is different. When Yin Zhengmao was pacifying the Japanese pirates in the two Guang regions, he encountered this problem: how much should each household donate?

"How much?" Wan Shihe let out a sigh of wonder as a mathematical blind.

Zhang Juzheng calculated for a while and said, "Upper-upper: 2 shi 3 dou, 24 households total 55 shi 2 dou; middle-upper: 1 shi 6 dou per household, 31 households total 49 shi 6 dou; lower-upper: 1 shi 2 dou per household, 45 households total 54 shi; upper-middle: 9 dou, 68 households total 61 shi 2 dou."

"Is the Zhang Yuanfu also good at mathematics?" Wan Shihe looked at Zhang Juzheng stretching out a hand and said with extreme horror.

Zhang Juzheng smiled and said, "Generally, when I have nothing to do, I read two books."

"Is it general?" Wan Shihe said distractedly. If this is considered general, then what is not general?

Zhang Juzheng smiled and said, "Actually, it's very simple."

"Oh..." Wan Shihe fell silent. Like the top scholar Yu, he didn't know how this thing should be solved.

"The method is the same. Minister Wan, think about it carefully and you will understand." Zhang Juzheng closed the memorial. Yu Menglin went through several rounds in the Emperor's hands, defeated again and again, and finally ended with "I am dull." Yu Menglin could see the difficulty of the problem. If he asked again, the Emperor would have called him to the Wenhua Hall to attend class.

Wan Shihe sat there in a daze, then the expression on his face changed from horror to peace. After two years as Minister of Rites, Wan Shihe felt that the moments he was alive were when he was scolded to the point of wanting to die, but Wan Shihe also gradually got used to it. Being plain, numb, and indifferent—rotten is rotten. Anyway, the Emperor, the Zhang Yuanfu, and the court officials didn't require him to do more.

It's good enough to handle the errands in his hands well and not make mistakes.

"Sir." Zhu Yijun opened his mouth and said.

Zhang Juzheng stood up like a conditioned reflex and bowed, saying, "I am here."

"Sir, why did our country establish the method of lecture banquets?" Zhu Yijun asked very calmly.

Zhang Juzheng bowed and said, "The learning and laziness of the Emperor today are related to the governance and chaos of the future. If you love learning, then the gentlemen of the world will admire you and be willing to stand in the court to serve you with the straight path, assisting your virtue to achieve peace. If you are lazy, then the villains will all move their hearts, striving to be evil and flattering to seek wealth. If people don't learn, they don't know righteousness."

Theoretically, the little Emperor playing with an abacus and learning mathematics is not doing his proper job. As the Zhang Yuanfu and Imperial Teacher, Zhang Juzheng should have spoken out to criticize and correct the Emperor to return to the right track. But the Emperor is doing his proper job quite well—Four Books and Five Classics, Contradiction Theory, Public and Private Theory—so playing a little mathematics is just playing. Besides, the Great Ming is indeed lacking in mathematical talent.

"It is indeed so." Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "If a son doesn't learn, it is not appropriate. If you don't learn when young, what will you do when old? If jade is not carved, it will not become a vessel. If people don't learn, they don't know righteousness. But these Confucian scholars clearly don't understand mathematics, and they don't want to learn even if they don't understand. They are truly tired of learning."

"Sir, submit a memorial to rectify the school administration according to the old regulations. The top scholar and the top scholar Yu don't understand mathematics—shouldn't they learn?"

"They should." Zhang Juzheng bowed again and said.

Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "Promote the 'Mathematics Enlightenment' from the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Academy. Starting today, like me, the Academy and the Imperial Academy will have a monthly examination on the 29th of each month. The Imperial Uncle will set the questions and papers. If you fail, you will be punished by copying it three hundred times. Every month, the ten highest and lowest scores will be posted for one month."

"I will also take the mathematics examination on the 29th. The examination of mathematics starts with me."

"When this yellow list is posted, the characters must be large. Post them at the city gates of the capital, set up small plaques in front of each workshop to post them, and let's do it like this for now."

Finding something for these Hanlin and students who have nothing to do all day to do, increasing the intensity—there is no punishment or reward, just posting the list.

As long as the students and Hanlin can afford to lose this face, Zhu Yijun will post it every month.

"I... obey the decree." After Zhang Juzheng heard this, he bowed to accept the order. The Emperor is already a mature Emperor. This series of moves—the Hanlin and students are afraid they will have a hard time.

"Do the court officials take the examination?" Wan Shihe shuddered and asked with confusion. He was already at this age, and if he took the mathematics examination again, he was afraid he would be the last one every month. When the time came to post the list, he would just hang himself on the beam, which would save him from being pointed at.

Hanlin and students are all students, but he is the Minister of Rites. He really can't afford to lose that face.

Ge Shouli looked at Wan Shihe with indifference. He was the Minister of Revenue during the Longqing period, and he had put a lot of effort into studying the "Mathematics Treasure Mirror." He had full confidence in the mathematics examination and would not be the last.

"Let's talk about the court discussion." Zhu Yijun smiled and said, continuing the self-study class. Beside him were not only Zhang Juzheng's "Four Books Direct Explanation," but also "Mathematics Enlightenment" and "Mathematics Treasure Mirror."

Zhang Juzheng took out a memorial and said, "The Minister of the Court of Ceremonial reports that the Red-Haired Barbarian Antonio from the West offers several auspicious signs and requests the imperial court's permission. He wants the exclusive rights to glass. The Emperor's comment: Five-year term, select for exclusive operation."

"What do you all think?"

Wan Shihe immediately expressed his position, "The Ministry of Rites proposes, the Ministry of Rites agrees."

Wang Guoguang took the circulated memorial, stood up suddenly, looked at the list in his hand for a long time, and said, "Antonio has a heart of submission. Does he just want the exclusive rights to glass for this? Shouldn't he exchange it for something more valuable like punitive tariffs?"

Tan Lun took the memorial and said, "What does he want to offer that makes the Grand Minister so shocked? Ho! Good, good, good! Very good! The Ministry of War has no opinion."

The court officials discussed it one after another. The things Antonio brought, if you say they are expensive, they are actually very cheap; if you say they are cheap, for the Great Ming, they are priceless treasures.

The court discussion was undoubtedly passed unanimously. Zhu Yijun stamped it and said, "Tomorrow, let Antonio offer the gifts tomorrow. He is a businessman. If he is delayed in the capital for too long, isn't that delaying business?"

Zhang Hong took the imperial edict and ordered the Ministry of Rites to supervise it.

Wan Shihe heard the Emperor and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty shows kindness to those from afar, this is the goodness of gentleness to those from afar."

This business made a lot of money. Wan Shihe immediately changed his face. From "barbarians fear power but don't cherish virtue" to talking about the goodness of gentleness to those from afar. The basic political literacy of changing faces to say nice things after getting benefits, Wan Shihe still had.

Sorry for being late. I went out to handle some things today. The update is finished. Seeking monthly tickets, Aowu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 133 =====