Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

Chapter 730 Don’t forget the well digger

Johann Adam Schall von Bell had been in the Ming Dynasty for many years and had been in the General Manufacturing Bureau for a year.

But Johann Adam Schall von Bell felt that what he learned during the year he spent at the General Administration of Manufacturing was far more than what he had learned in many years before that.

In Johann Adam Schall von Bell's mind, the General Manufacturing Administration was truly a holy place for scientific researchers, gathering the best talents in various fields in the entire Ming Dynasty.

In his distant hometown, perhaps only a few capitals of the major kingdoms had similar research facilities, but their scale could not be compared with the Ming Dynasty's General Manufacturing Bureau at all.

But there was only one thing that puzzled him during this year, that was that Song Yingxing, Bi Maokang and other gentlemen did not seem to want him to conduct research in the various workshops of the General Administration of Manufacturing.

Most workshops and research sites are guarded by soldiers from the Ming Dynasty's Imperial Guard on a rotating basis. Even if he is a visiting senior craftsman from the Manufacturing Bureau, he is not allowed to enter.

But it was just a doubt. He came here from faraway Cologne, and his primary purpose was not to do scientific research.

Moreover, several nobles such as Song Yingxing, as well as the young king and the Ming Dynasty court, treated him with great courtesy, not only giving him an official position, but also giving him a lot of salary and bounty.

In one year, he received more than 10,000 taels of silver in rewards from the court by helping the Manufacturing Bureau improve artillery.

This young prince even asked the court to grant him a piece of land in the western suburbs of the capital to build a church for the Lord.

The Ministry of Works of the imperial court only charged the cost, and he built the church with only more than 10,000 taels of silver.

Although all the money was spent, he felt that he had a home from then on. He firmly believed that as long as he worked hard, he would be able to spread the Lord's gospel in this land.

If Song Yingxing and other gentlemen do not like him to investigate Ming Dynasty's scientific research projects, then he will not go.

But now, the potatoes that Mr. Song Yingxing brought out and the crop improvement methods he claimed made Tang Ruowang very excited.

He believes that this is different from those scientific research projects. Increasing potato production can feed more people.

Moreover, if his crop improvement methods were passed back to his hometown, they would certainly help increase the yields of other crops.

This was gospel and a gift from the Lord to the people of his hometown, and he wanted to fight for it.

Although he could still write a letter and ask someone to pass the method back to Europe even without permission, Johann Adam Schall von Bell still insisted on getting permission.

He had lived in the Ming Dynasty for so many years and knew an old Chinese saying: A man without integrity cannot stand.

Johann Adam Schall von Bell was very fond of the cultural heritage of the Ming Dynasty, especially the ancient proverbs that had been passed down for thousands of years, such as "He who knows the times is a hero."

He cannot steal things that belong exclusively to the Ming Dynasty without the owner's consent. That is immoral.

When Bi Maokang heard this, he shook his head secretly.

Based on his understanding of His Royal Highness Prince Wuying, Zhang Shikang is unlikely to agree to let such technology be passed on to outsiders. After all, this has always been the rule of the Manufacturing Bureau.

However, Zhang Shikang's next words surprised him a little.

"That's absolutely fine, Your Excellency Johann Adam Schall von Bell. I'm happy to see your country feeding more citizens thanks to the technology of the Ming Dynasty.

However, there is one thing you must understand. There is an old saying in the Ming Dynasty: When you drink water, remember the person who dug the well.

You must tell your king and people that it is the Ming court and Mr. Song Yingxing who have saved them from starvation."

Zhang Shikang's tone was very gentle.

In his opinion, matters concerning weapons, national defense, and even other important scientific research projects must be kept confidential.

But the food issue should not be used as a political tool. Even if all countries can produce more food as a result,

That is good news not only for its own country, but also for the Ming Dynasty.

Not only could he feed more people, he could also buy more food through maritime trade and realize his ambition of ensuring that all the people of the Ming Dynasty had enough food sooner.

This is a good thing.

Since it was a good thing, he naturally had no reason to refuse.

Zhang Shikang actually admired Johann Adam Schall von Bell quite a lot. This old man had traveled across the ocean to come here, and he had to go through countless hardships and encounter many dangers.

His ultimate goal is only one, and that is to preach.

In view of the inhumane things that European colonists did in America under the guise of missionary work, Zhang Shikang always had a certain aversion to missionary work.

But he thought that Johann Adam Schall von Bell was different, a very pure person.

He simply wanted to preach and firmly believed that letting the Lord's gospel shine on more people would be good for the people of the Ming Dynasty.

To this end, he spent all his belongings without complaint.

Zhang Shikang had no reason not to admire such a person. Of course, he would not pay for Johann Adam Schall von Bell because of this admiration.

The court could grant him a piece of land to build a church, but he had to find the money to build the church himself.

The Ministry of Works could help him build it, and Tang Ruowang would provide the silver, which would make Tang Ruowang happy. The court could also provide more people with opportunities to work and make money.

Kill two birds with one stone.

Zhang Shikang’s current approach to missionary work is non-interference.

If you have the ability, you can spread it at will. As for whether the people of the Ming Dynasty believe in you or not, the people have the final say.

Tang Ruowang grinned from ear to ear when he heard this. He turned to his European colleagues and said:

"Did you hear that, Reverend Thomas? His Royal Highness is not who you think he is!"

Then he stood up again and saluted Zhang Shikang solemnly.

"I will definitely keep your Highness's teachings in mind, and I will write to my Majesty the King and tell them what your Highness said.

I believe that if we can feed more people, His Majesty the King and his subjects will definitely remember the contributions of His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty and His Highness!"

Johann Adam Schall von Bell was truly happy. He felt more and more that his decision to follow the young prince to Beijing was the right one.

Zhang Shikang waved his hand and said nonchalantly:

"Pastor Tang, there's no need to be so polite. Oh, perhaps I should address you as Your Excellency the Bishop. Congratulations on your promotion to Bishop."

Not long after the church in the capital was built, Zhang Shikang learned through the Embroidered Uniform Guard that Johann Adam Schall von Bell seemed to have been appointed bishop by the Vatican in recognition of his many years of missionary work in the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Shikang's congratulations were just a casual remark, and he thought that Tang Ruowang would be happy about it. However, he did not expect that after Zhang Shikang finished speaking, Tang Ruowang's smile disappeared.

His brows were filled with disappointment, and he sighed:

"Your Highness, this honor is truly unworthy of me."

"Oh? Is it because the missionary work is not going well? I wonder how many believers Your Excellency the Bishop has developed in the capital?" Zhang Shikang asked curiously.

When Tang Ruowang heard this, his face became even more embarrassed. He hesitated for a long time before saying:

"I dare not hide it from Your Highness. There are only... only a dozen or so."

……