Chapter 29: The Conditions of Exchange

  "After Father Matteo Ricci set the strategy of using Confucianism, Chinese language and academic teaching to spread Christianity, we followers have been following his guidance. We studied hard to learn the official dialect of the Ming Dynasty, wore long black robes like those of Ming officials to alleviate the hostility of local people, temporarily avoided talking about religion, and hired famous local scholars with high pay to introduce situations, explain scriptures, so that we could have more common language with the scholar-official class of the Ming Dynasty. We also used Western science and technology, new and strange Western objects to attract them, win over the goodwill of local people. We integrated Catholic doctrine into ancient Chinese classics, excerpted relevant entries about "Heaven" and "Emperor" from books like "Zhongyong", "Shi Jing", "Zhou Yi", "Shang Shu", etc., comparing them with the concept of God in Western Catholicism..."

  Yang Bo suddenly coughed and interrupted Bi Fangji's endless talk, "Father, get to the point."

  "Huh? Focus? Alright, alright." Bi Fangji pulled his thoughts back: "Actually, we brought all sorts of books, covering various humanities and natural sciences, such as: astronomy, geography, mathematics, nature, mechanics, language, medicine, and so on..."

  Yang Bo was overjoyed and thought for a moment before asking: "I think there are still many books left on the priest's side, right?"

  He nodded and said, "Although we lost a lot, with the help of scholars and literati from the Ming Dynasty, we Jesuits translated and wrote many books on astronomy, calendrical calculations, geography, physics, and linguistics. For example, in mathematics, there is Matteo Ricci's oral translation and Xu Guangqi's written translation of 'The Original Meaning of Geometry'; in geography, there is Matteo Ricci's 'Complete Map of the World' and various versions of world maps; in astronomy, there are 'The True Meaning of Heaven' and Giulio Aleni's 'Record of the Observatory'; in physics, there is Deng Yuhan's oral translation and Wang Zheng's written translation of 'Illustrations of Strange Devices'; in linguistics, there are Matteo Ricci's 'Romanized Chinese Characters' and Jin Nige's 'Aid to the Eyes and Ears of Western Scholars'. To attract the curiosity of officials, we also brought some mechanical gadgets like self-ringing clocks, triangular mirrors, and images of the Virgin Mary..."

  Every time Bi Fangji mentioned a book, Yang Bo couldn't help but rub his hands together. When he heard that Bi Fangji had even brought a watch, Yang Bo was beaming with joy.

  "Know Xiān?" The priest didn't feel that his relationship with Yang Bo had become so close: "I see Know Xiān's face is full of joy, I wonder..."

  Yang Bo nodded: "Father, you see, our second question is solved, isn't it?"

  Bi Fang was stunned: "Could it be, could it be that Zhi Xian wants the private school teachers to teach these miscellaneous subjects? Would they be willing to do so? Isn't a private school supposed to teach the Four Books and Five Classics? Their goal in studying is to seek official positions..."

  Yang Bo shook his head: "A phrase often said by our later generations? Cough, cough... I don't know if the priest has heard this phrase before? The way of governing is Confucianism, and Buddhism is for chaotic times. From order to chaos, it's all about being a Confucian scholar. Therefore, this private school doesn't need those profound things, but miscellaneous learning is essential because I need such talents... As for whether they are willing or not, the priest doesn't need to worry."

  Bi Fangji didn't make a sound, and Yang Bo's impression of him was contradictory. He seemed to be familiar with Western countries and not opposed to new things, but judging from the matter of his style name, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was unlearned and lacking in skills. However, the overbearing words he spoke just now made Yang Bo feel that it was necessary to reevaluate this person.

  "What does he want? Why is he doing this?" The priest fell into a daze.

  "Look, Father, we've already solved one problem, haven't we? As for the most difficult part, I think it will be resolved soon too. But now the biggest problem is, are you willing to go to Shandong with me?" Yang Bo's casual remark had led Bi Fangji into an even more difficult choice.

  Just a few days ago, Bi Fangji had entrusted his friends to negotiate the purchase of land, and the construction of the Lotus Hall was also in tight preparation. At this time, Yang Bo suddenly proposed giving up all of this and running away to an unfamiliar Shandong province...

  Of course, Yang Bo's suggestion on developing followers was indeed exciting to him. His faith, his mission, everything he did wasn't it all for this result? Even if Yang Bo was speaking nonsense, he felt that he should still give it a try!

  After some thought, Bi Fangji shook his head calmly: "Brother Zhi Xian, forgive me for speaking directly, why do you want to choose Shandong Prefecture? As far as I know, the rebellion of the Dengzhou General has been going on for a long time. I even heard that there is no food in Dengzhou and the rebel generals have started killing people to satisfy their hunger! Oh God, maybe they exaggerated the situation, but Brother Zhi Xian, why not consider Xuzhou Prefecture? I was planning to visit Lord Yan Erkuai of Huai'an Prefecture these days, maybe I can recommend you to him..."

  "Father, do you know the Magistrate of Huai'an?" Yang Bo suddenly looked like he had discovered a new continent.

  "Cough, actually... I don't actually know him, I just found someone who knows him and asked for an introduction, but there's no news that the Magistrate is willing to see me. Just now, I was at the silk shop preparing some gifts for the meeting." Bi Fangji replied somewhat awkwardly

  "I suppose Father is seeking the protection of the Magistrate, right?" Yang Bo looked at Bi Fangji with a profound meaning and continued: "Perhaps this is an opportunity for us to solve the first problem, I need to think of a perfect plan..."

  Bi Fangji was very dissatisfied with Yang Bodong's way of thinking, and he interrupted him, asking "Zhi Xian, you haven't answered my question from just now yet?"

  "What was the question just now?" Yang Bo raised his head in surprise: "Oh? Why not in Huai'an Prefecture? Ah, Xuzhou is a place of four battles, it's not suitable for me."

  Bi Fang's mouth was agape in an "O" shape for half a day without closing, no matter what answer Yang Bo gave, he could accept it, but...

  "A place of four battles? I still don't quite understand what you mean"

  After a while, Yang Bo finally realized that Bi Fangji was still waiting for his explanation, and couldn't help but smile and say: "Father, don't you understand yet? The rebellion of Kong Youde in Shandong has caused the people in the surrounding areas to flee and lose their homes. Isn't this your best opportunity? Can this explanation dispel your doubts?"

  "I finally understand what Brother Zhi meant by understanding the needs of every individual. That explanation really moved me, but if we put it that way, why don't we go to places like Shanxi and Henan where the disaster is more severe? It should be better for development there, right?" Bi Fangji felt he was about to be led into a trap by Yang Bo and quickly corrected his thinking.

  "Shanxi? Henan? There's no sea port there, nor any 19th century fortifications?" Yang Bo shook his head and ignored Bi Fangji's open O-shaped mouth as he said: "Now it's time for you to make a decision, Father. Are you going to spend your days idly in Huai'an Prefecture with nothing accomplished, or follow me to Shandong Prefecture to create a new situation?"

  "I need some time to think" Bi Fangji leaned back in his chair weakly: "I need God's guidance, you know, this choice is really too difficult for me... We still have many difficulties that we haven't found a solution to."