When Zeng Yongzhong hurried to the mansion, Wu Zongrui was wandering around the back garden with his youngest daughter Wu Fanxuan in his arms.

Zeng Yongzhong lives in the backyard of the Fu Yamen in Huai'an. Normally he would not come to Wu Zongrui's mansion. However, these days, Wu Zongrui is usually very busy. After going to the Fu Yamen every day, he goes directly to the Caoyun 3000 Battalion military camp.

Handle many matters in the military camp, and sometimes participate in training with the soldiers.

After handing Wu Fanxuan to Yuhuan beside him and kissing his eldest daughter Wu Bingyue's face, Wu Zongrui came to the front yard.

Zeng Yongzhong was waiting in the wing room in the front yard. When he saw Wu Zongrui coming in, he stood up quickly.

"Sir, come to the mansion at this time. Is there anything urgent?"

"Sir, the Catholic Jesuit missionary Yang Manuo came to Huai'an Fucheng and said that he wanted to see you. This is the excerpt of Yang Mano's request. This is the document I collected about the Catholic Church..."

Wu Zongrui looked at Zeng Yongzhong, a little dazed.

It was at this moment that the words "Three Pillars of the Holy Religion" came to his mind.

The three pillars of the Holy Religion are actually the three most accomplished people who were civilized by the late Catholic Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci during his missionary work in the Ming Dynasty. They were Xu Guangqi, Li Zhizao and Yang Tingyun. Among them, Li Zhizao and Yang Tingyun were both

Having died of illness, Xu Guangqi is now the Minister of Rites.

It was precisely because of Xu Guangqi's support that the Catholic Church of Jesus was able to preach in the Ming Dynasty.

After Matteo Ricci died of illness, Tang Ruowang, the actual person in charge of the Catholic Jesuits in the Ming Dynasty, now works in Qintian Prison, and it was Xu Guangqi who recommended him.

Including Matteo Ricci, Tang Ruowang and Yang Manuo, Xu Guangqi was indispensable for their ability to preach in the Ming Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty did not ban Catholicism, but most local people did not accept it, especially the gentry and gentry, who generally opposed Catholicism. The reason is very simple. Catholicism believes in God Jesus and promotes monogamy. Its clergy are prohibited from marrying and require abstinence.

, at the same time, the Catholic Church rejected the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, and even banned concubinage and other measures.

The most conflicting point is the Catholic theory of original sin, which believes that even newborn babies have traces of sin and need constant redemption, while Confucianism believes that human beings are originally good by nature.

It can be said that Catholic teachings are incompatible with Confucianism in many aspects, and of course they will be rejected.

However, when Catholicism entered the Ming Dynasty, it brought advanced Western technology with it. All missionaries who came to the Ming Dynasty can be called scientists. They brought the latest innovations in astronomy, geography, calendar, mathematics and even physics.

The knowledge promoted the development of science and technology in the Ming Dynasty to a certain extent.

The most famous one is the Hongyi cannon, also known as the Western cannon, which was passed over from Spain and Portugal.

Seeing that Wu Zongrui was in a daze, Zeng Yongzhong placed Yang Manuo's notes and documents on the table.

Picking up the booklet from Yang Manuo, Wu Zongrui spoke.

"Sir, what are your thoughts? Is this Yang Manuo thinking of preaching in Huai'an Prefecture?"

"It should be so. Yangmano is a Portuguese who came to the Ming Dynasty during the Wanli period. He once preached in Guangdong and was expelled. In the first year of Tianqi, he came to the capital and helped make artillery. Later, he received the support of Xu Guangqi, the Minister of Rites.

We have been preaching in the Nanjing area for many years, but unfortunately our mission has had little effect."

Wu Zongrui nodded slightly and quickly finished reading Yang Manuo's excerpt.

"Yang Manuo came to Nanjing in the sixth year of Tianqi's reign, and it has been five years. There are not many religious people in the southern Zhili area. It can be seen that their so-called Catholicism is not suitable for the customs and climate of our Ming Dynasty."

"My lord is saying that, and I see it that way too, but Yang Mano has the support of Lord Xu."

"I can meet you, but I don't support Yang Manuo's missionary work in Huai'an Prefecture."

Hearing Wu Zongrui say this, Zeng Yongzhong showed a troubled look on his face.

Seeing Zeng Yongzhong's troubled expression, Wu Zongrui smiled on his face.

"Sir, there is no need to worry. I do not support Yang Manuo's missionary work in Huai'an Prefecture, and I will not offend Mr. Xu Guangqi. Sir, make arrangements for me to meet the Yang Manuo missionary tomorrow morning."

The embarrassed look on Zeng Yongzhong's face still did not disappear.

"Sir, I think that if Yang Manuo is not allowed to preach in Huai'an Mansion, he will disappear. To avoid difficulty in explaining, I can tell Yang Manuo that you have many official matters to deal with and do not have time to meet."

"Are you worried about something, sir?"

"Yang Manuo got the support of Mr. Xu and stayed in Songjiang Prefecture for two full years. Last year he was in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. This year I don't know why, but he came to South Zhili again. I am a little worried. If Mr.

After the meeting, if Yang Manuo is not allowed to preach in Huai'an Prefecture, he may encounter difficult things."

"Now that you have said this, sir, let me ask you, what do you think of the Catholic Church?"

"Of course I don't agree with the development of any Catholic Christian church in Huai'an Prefecture."

"It seems that Mr. Yang Mano has the same idea as me, but Yang Manuo traveled thousands of miles and left his hometown to come to our country. This persistence is worthy of recognition, so I want to meet this Yang Manuo. As for the Catholic Christian Church in Huai'an

The development of the government is a matter for later. Sometimes I also wonder why Catholic Christians came to our country to preach in the Ming Dynasty. Yesterday I also read some newspapers from the imperial court and made some inquiries. Matteo Ricci, Tang Ruowang and others

When I came to my country in the Ming Dynasty to preach, I was also expelled from the local area, but I was still so persistent. This persistence is admirable."

"Sir, please don't have such thoughts. When Yang Manuo and others came to our country, they didn't come to preach because of the wealth of our country. They have bad intentions. I think this Catholic Christian Church should be expelled.

.”

"Sir's idea is still a bit extreme. We don't comment on what the Catholic Church is like. Although I don't support Yang Mano's missionary work in Huai'an Prefecture, you can also listen to what Yang Mano said. What he said makes sense.

We listen, and we ignore anything that makes no sense. Is it possible that our majestic Ming Dynasty is still worried about the Catholic Church?"

"Sir, that's not necessarily the case. I heard that the Catholic Church of Christ is very capable of deceiving people. I still don't understand why Mr. Xu believes in Catholicism."

Wu Zongrui's face gradually became serious.

"Sir, you know me. Not to mention why Mr. Xu believes in Catholicism, I will never believe in Catholicism, but this does not mean that I am completely opposed to Catholicism. Catholicism is prevalent in the West, and it always has its merits. Otherwise,

It can’t be spread. Since Catholicism has merits, we might as well calm down and see what good things there are in it.”

"The good things are absorbed, just like the red barbarian cannon. Its attack power is amazing, which helped our Ming army defeat the Houjin Tatars many times. The same is true for Catholicism. If there are three people walking together, there must be my teacher. If Confucianism is not

If you can absorb foreign knowledge and remain stubborn, you will surely decline one day."

"In this regard, we should learn more from Mr. Xu and absorb more foreign things."

Zeng Yongzhong left with shock and doubts.

A smile appeared on Wu Zongrui's face, a comfortable smile.

History books have a very high evaluation of Xu Guangqi in the late Ming Dynasty, thinking that Xu Guangqi was "the first person to open his eyes to see the world". Whether it was the research and dissemination of Western learning, or his understanding and attitude towards the West, he was better than the civil and military ministers of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Too many, Xu Guangqi persisted in admonishing the emperor, and even purchased firearms at his own expense to donate to the frontline troops, and invited Western technical soldiers to China as a Catholic to teach artillery technology, which made the Ming army's weapons and equipment and military quality change.

a big change.

Undoubtedly, Xu Guangqi played an important role in absorbing advanced Western technology.

It is a pity that the Ming Dynasty was already terminally ill, and advanced technology could not save this decadent dynasty. Although Tang Ruowang later helped the Ming army create a lot of red barbarian cannons, they still could not stop the peasant uprising army and the Houjin Tatars. The Ming Dynasty finally

Collapsed suddenly.

What Wu Zongrui needs most is advanced Western technology.

Not to mention the collapse of the Ming Dynasty, let’s talk about the century-old humiliation of Greater China hundreds of years later. The root cause is the isolation of the country. The Qing Dynasty was arrogant and like a frog in the well. It rejected all foreign civilizations and closed the door to external contact, which led to the establishment of the world.

Greater China, which has been at its peak for thousands of years, has been reduced to a weak country at the mercy of others in just over a hundred years.

This is what Wu Zongrui is most distressed about, and it is also a situation that he must avoid at all costs.

There is no way out for a closed country. Opening the door to absorb advanced Western technology and even to a certain extent, absorbing Western advanced ideas is the only way to consolidate Greater China's pinnacle status.

Of course, what Wu Zongrui values ​​is the advanced technology and advanced ideas of the West, and he will never accept any Catholicism.

Wu Zongrui is not a Catholic or a Christian, but he still knows about the dark church in the Western Middle Ages.

If you think about it, Confucianism is the belief of Greater China, while Catholicism or Christianity is the belief of Westerners.

Confucianism in Greater China advocates propriety, justice, benevolence, wisdom, trust, and promotes self-cultivation, family governance, and world peace. Its core ideas are positive. Of course, Confucianism does have many areas for improvement. This needs to be changed slowly from top to bottom, and it does not happen overnight.

In addition, in the process of improving Confucianism, advanced ideas in Catholicism can also be absorbed.

Tolerance to all rivers is great, and inclusiveness is the fundamental way for the long-term continuation of Confucianism.

Early the next morning, Wu Zongrui came to the government office.

At two o'clock in the morning, Zeng Yongzhong took Yang Manuo into the government office.

Yang Manuo was waiting in the Yin Hotel of the government office, while Zeng Yongzhong came to the wing of the second hall.

Before Zeng Yongzhong could speak, Wu Zongrui stood up.

"Sir, did you feel that the words I said yesterday were abrupt?"

Zeng Yongzhong sighed, shook his head slightly and spoke.

"To be honest, I can't keep up with your thoughts. I thought about it almost all night yesterday. I can't lie to say that I completely understand what you mean. But I think that your daring to absorb things from the outside world is the most important thing for me.
Chapter completed!