Chapter 27: The Dark History of Missionaries

  Thank you; thanks for the reward and encouragement from the ghost master book friends!

  Also, I'd like to ask book friends who haven't collected this yet to collect it too. Your support is my greatest motivation.

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  "Oh?" Yang Bo said unexpectedly: "How did you get involved with Ri Ben again?"

  Bi Fang nodded and saw Yang Bo's serious expression with joy: "It has a great relationship, it has a great relationship..."

  "...In the year 1540, Francis Xavier, a pioneer of Catholic propagation from Spain, was sent to India and other places in the East to preach. In Japan, he achieved great success, developing approximately over 100,000 believers in just a few years. Apparently, the success of Christianity caused unease among the local religions, which led them to engage in debates and arguments with Xavier. This debate ended with the Japanese side suffering a crushing defeat."

  "...However, the monks of Japan were not convinced. The reason is simple: many Japanese cultures were transmitted from China, and their relationship with the Great Ming was like that of a student and teacher. They believed that unless Catholicism could convince their teachers, Christianity would not be recognized in the Great Ming."

  “…… Francis Xavier discovered that Chinese culture had a profound impact on the Gospel, and he decided to visit China as soon as possible. However, it was extremely difficult for missionaries to enter China, as the Ming dynasty prohibited all foreigners from entering. Francis Xavier tried every means and endured great hardships, but ultimately failed to achieve his goal. In December 1552, Francis Xavier unfortunately contracted malaria and died shortly after due to a lack of medical care, at the age of 46.”

  “……Although Francis Xavier was unable to enter China as a missionary, his efforts inspired his fellow missionaries. The great geographical discoveries of the 15th century seemed like a major revelation, stimulating the missionaries' sense of mission. China under the Ming dynasty appeared to them as an unexplored virgin land. After some reckless attempts to enter China failed, some missionaries believed that it was hopeless to try to change the faith of the Chinese unless by force. One friar said, "To hope to enter China without soldiers is like trying to reach the moon."

  Bi Fangji looked at Yang Bo, smiled somewhat apologetically: "Of course, to put it in the words of the Great Ming, there will always be some arrogant and ignorant people who think they can see the whole sky from the bottom of a well. Only when you personally arrive here do you realize how powerful the Great Ming is..."

  Yang Bo retorted, "Is the Great Ming really so prosperous?"

  "It's no exaggeration to say that China under the Ming dynasty was one of the most powerful empires in the world." Bi Fangji nodded affirmatively: "In fact, the Spanish, known as Folangji, had once made plans to invade China. Whatever the case, I'm glad this plan was ultimately vetoed..."

  Yang Bo hummed, only he knew that perhaps the great Ming had once been glorious, but now it was like an old man with faltering steps, about to fall under the gaze of a pack of wolves.

  Matteo Ricci cleared his throat and continued, Jesus established the rules of the Society, did not make narrow provisions for the way of preaching, but required its members to learn the language of the country where they were located. They believed that in the process of spreading faith, violence and military forces were not necessary, on the contrary, some agricultural experts, engineers and medical doctors could be brought to the local area...

  Yang Bo suddenly interrupted Bi Fangji's words without warning: "Father, are you saying that you brought these agricultural experts, engineers and doctors to the Great Ming?"

  He nodded: "Yes, I mentioned earlier that there were 23 missionaries and more than 7,000 books on board to the Great Ming, but unfortunately most of them returned to the Lord in the distant journey, leaving only five survivors. Among them was the German Adam Schall, who was a famous mathematician and litterateur before entering the Society of Jesus, and was also an academician of the European Academy of Sciences with the Italian physicist Galileo. There was also the Swiss Johann Grueber, who was an astronomer, and the late Father Nicolas Trigault, who had always adhered to the "Confucius plus" missionary strategy proposed by his predecessor Matteo Ricci, laying a solid foundation for us later generations..."

  Bi Fangji looked at Yang Bo and suddenly stood up from his seat, rubbing his hands in a circle. He stared at Yang Bo with some confusion.

  "For a moment excited, Father, don't be surprised, where are those books now?" Yang Bo looked at Bi Fangji with full of hope, seeing him slightly shaking his head, Yang Bo's heart sank."

  "The journey is long and preservation is poor, most of them have been lost..."

  Yang Bo thought to himself "what a pity", but his face remained expressionless: "Earlier, Father said that the upper route set by Father Matteo Ricci doesn't seem to be going smoothly now?"

  Bi Fangji sighed: "Father Matteo Ricci's idea was good, he actively interacted with celebrities from all walks of life, trying to use his knowledge to influence them and achieve the purpose of spreading faith. This is not a problem in itself, but throughout his life, Father Ricci never saw the emperor of the Great Ming, and the closest time was also bowing to an empty chair...

  “……while getting too close to these officials is also more harmful than beneficial, not to mention losing the religious dulixing, but also providing ammunition for their political opponents. For example, the Nanjing Incident in 1604, and Father Matteo Ricci was once friends with Shi Xing, the Minister of War, but Shi Xing was soon executed for advocating peace during negotiations with the ri ben! Under the attack of local officials and monks, Father Ricci became permanently disabled, and had to endure extortion by the emperor's close ministers. For this, Father Ricci was even imprisoned for half a year. Father Ricci always longed to see the emperor in order to obtain permission to preach in China, but unfortunately he did not get to until his death.”

  Yang Bo burst out laughing: "Our previous emperor was then at odds with the ministers and had not attended court for over a decade. It seems that although you advocate for actively learning Chinese culture, incorporating Catholic doctrine into ancient Chinese classics... unfortunately, you still don't understand my China..."

  Bi Fangji saw Yang Bo speaking recklessly about the Wanli Emperor, and didn't dare to interrupt him. Instead, he changed the subject and said: "It's indeed true that we have been attacked by some radical missionaries who think Matteo Ricci has compromised too much with the Ming dynasty, affecting the purity of Catholicism and slowing down the spread of Christianity. They even hope to adopt more extreme methods..."

  Yang Bo shook his head: "This has nothing to do with what way, you still don't understand where the problem lies. Chinese people's attitude towards faith is quite casual and often very practical. No matter what religion, even if it's a devil, as long as they think it can help them, they will accept it without hesitation. Of course, if they think this belief cannot help them achieve their wishes, they will also ruthlessly destroy these idols."

  "Oh, my God!" Bi Fangji made a cross, looking at Yang Bo with a surprised face "I don't quite understand what you mean..."

  "Excuse me for speaking bluntly, Father, how long have you been in the Great Ming? How many followers have you recruited?" Yang Bo retorted.

  "This... isn't many, although I've been preaching diligently, up to now there are only six believers" Bi Fangji said hesitantly, as if arguing in his own defense "The people here are relatively conservative, they don't believe in us Red Barbarians..."

  Yang Bo stretched out one hand and said slowly: "Within half a year, I can double the number of your followers..."