I

in the garden.

Zhao Han is playing with a Japanese sword. This is a small sword with a blade about two feet long. The sword is engraved with "Echizen Yasutsugi". According to the format of the sword inscription, it is probably similar to "Suzhou Zhang San".

This knife is tough and sharp and should have been made by a famous Japanese knife maker.

After slashing for a while, Zhao Han returned the sword to its sheath.

Zhu Youdong stepped forward with the hammer in his hand: "Your Majesty, the pro-army army has replaced many kinds of war hammers, but the Ming Dynasty's standard war hammer is the most practical."

Zhao Han looked at the unpretentious hammer and couldn't help but smile: "Since this hammer can be listed as a weapon of the Ming Dynasty, it has been tested on the battlefield. We made a detour before. The Iron Armored Army will be equipped with this kind of hammer in the future." .”

This warhammer is about two feet long, with the handle accounting for one-third. Made entirely of wrought iron, the hammer head is only the size of a fist.

It looks featureless, but it is simple and effective, and its length and center of gravity are conducive to actual combat.

In fact, not only did Zhao Han decide to equip the Ming Dynasty's standard war hammer, Huang Taiji had trained the Han Army Flag Double Cone Soldiers back then, and he also used the Ming Dynasty's standard war hammer as a weapon.

This kind of hammer force is specially used to break through heavy armored infantry formations.

As the Ming Dynasty's border troops became weaker and weaker, the Manchu and Qing Dynasty's Han flag double-cone soldiers became less and less useful and were canceled before entering the customs. Otherwise, the casualties of the Datong defenders in last year's Gaizhou city defense battle would have doubled.

At this moment, Dorgon was plundering North Korea and reforming the Eight Banners Army at the same time: first, converting the Han flag shotgun vests into Manchu dragoons; second, selecting strong soldiers to reorganize the Han flag double-cone soldiers.

As the war continues, everyone is groping for progress.

"Your Majesty, bring Xi Yi." Li Xiangjun came over to report.

Zhao Han put away his smile, held the Ming Dynasty standard war hammer in his hand, sat back on the chair and said: "Bring them in."

A group of Europeans lined up to enter, their bodies tied with ropes.

Peter Mundy cried when he met: "Your Majesty, I am wronged! I am not a missionary. Even if I am a missionary, I should still spread Protestantism."

Zhao Han held back his smile, waved his hand and said, "You caught the wrong person. Untie him."

Peter Mundy, who had regained his freedom, quickly knelt down to thank him. This guy is not only very proficient in Chinese, he is also very proficient in kneeling and kowtowing. He doesn’t even know who his Chinese teacher is.

Zhao Han looked at the missionaries again and said in a deep voice: "In the Fu'an missionary case, three Spanish missionaries died, 11 Han Chinese believers in Fu'an died, and dozens of others were injured. I... need an explanation. !”

Ben Ande, the Holy See's observer in China, said: "Your Majesty, those who caused trouble in Fu'an belong to Dominican missionaries, and we are all Jesuit missionaries."

"So, it has nothing to do with you?" Zhao Han asked.

"Yes, it has nothing to do with the Society of Jesus." Ben Ande not only wanted to clear his name, but also wanted to take the opportunity to eliminate dissidents. "Your Majesty, 90% of the missionaries in China belong to the Society of Jesus. But there is still 10%, Belong to the Dominicans, Franciscans and other churches. We, the Jesuits, respect Chinese culture, customs and traditions, while other churches are very conservative and completely ignore the cultural customs of the Chinese. Please excommunicate other churches so that they will no longer Something happened."

Zhao Han turned to Peter Mundy and asked: "Have you heard of Domingo?"

Peter Mundy replied: "Of course, Your Majesty. The Dominicans were founded in Spain and began presiding over the Inquisition more than four hundred years ago. They like to accuse believers of being heretics. Over the past few hundred years, they have burned countless people to death. . In Europe, many innocent women, as well as scholars who spread science, were judged as heretics by the Dominicans and burned to death. A hundred years ago, the Dominicans also committed crimes in Britain, and at most they burned to death several people a year. Hundreds of people."

Zhao Han suddenly realized: "It turns out that they are in control of the Inquisition."

Ajulius took the opportunity and said: "Your Majesty, the Dominicans are extremely cruel, while I, the Jesuits, are open-minded and kind. Although they both believe in Christianity, the two cannot be confused. Please authorize the Jesuits' missionary rights and expel all Dominicans from China. I know I will become a monk!"

In fact, the Jesuits were also founded by the Spanish, but are now controlled by the Portuguese government.

In addition to religious disputes, the struggle between the two churches was also mixed with the national competition between Spain and Portugal. Although Portugal has declined, from India to China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, the Jesuits supported by Portugal have a monopoly.

The reason is simple, the Portuguese were the first to come to Asia!

As for the religious disputes in Japan in recent years, it is the Protestant forces represented by the Netherlands that are crowding out the old religious forces in Spain and Portugal.

Missionaries such as Matteo Ricci, Tang Ruowang, Nan Huairen, and Ai Julius were all from the Society of Jesus. They were keen on studying Confucianism and at the same time spreading Western knowledge to China, leaving many positive meanings in Chinese history.

This is related to the tradition of the Jesuits. They like to preach in Europe, like to open schools and hospitals, and are keen on serving as officials and priests (lecturing to nobles).

Even, they do not wear monastic clothes, but only wear daily clothes, which can bring them closer to believers from all walks of life.

Zhao Han did not want to be used as a weapon in the sectarian struggle. He said with a stern expression: "Don't skirt around the topic. This is not a matter of you being good or me being bad. I don't care who your sect is good or bad. According to how many people have been arrested, Missionaries from the Ming Dynasty confessed that the Pope in Rome banned Chinese believers from honoring Confucius and worshiping their ancestors. Is this true?"

Ben Ande said bravely: "There is indeed this order. But the Pope was bewitched by Xiao Xiao, and the Jesuits did not implement this order."

"You really dare to disobey the Pope's order?" Zhao Han said with a playful smile.

"Yes." Ben Ande could only reply.

Zhao Han suddenly laughed happily: "Well, from now on, in every church, there will be a notice of Christianity encouraging believers to respect Confucius and worship their ancestors. If I find out that you are doing one thing on the surface and another behind the scenes, then leave it alone. I will show no mercy!"

All the monks were stunned.

Their plan was to please both the Pope and Zhao Han, and adopt a policy of obedience to both parties.

However, Zhao Han didn't give them a chance and forced them to take sides directly.

This is simply impossible to agree to, especially in churches in coastal cities, where European businessmen must come to worship. Posting a notice on the door of the church that openly defies the Pope may be reported back to the Holy See next year, and the Jesuits will definitely be severely punished by the Pope's order.

The Pope cannot deal with the Jesuits in China, but he can deal with the Jesuits in Europe!

Long Huamin, as a relatively conservative member of the Jesuit order, caused the Nanjing Mission Incident by prohibiting believers from worshiping their ancestors. Now he has changed his attitude toward believers in a subtle way. Although the methods have changed, the concept has not. He immediately protested: "Your Majesty, please take back your order. This is forcing the Jesuits to break with the Holy See."

"You can't do it?" Zhao Han asked.

Long Huamin bravely said: "I can't do it!"

Zhao Han played with a hammer in his hand, slapped the palm of his hand with the hammer head and said: "You once caused the Nanjing religious incident, which is a sin. You helped the Ming Dynasty and Datong compile calendars, spread a lot of astronomical knowledge, and helped people in Shandong. This is merit. The merits and demerits are equal to each other, so I will not embarrass you. I will give you three hundred taels of silver for travel expenses, and order you to leave China within three months. If you don't leave after three months, I will arrest you and do hard labor!"

"Your Majesty..." Long Huamin still wanted to fight.

Zhao Han interrupted directly: "Drag him out!"

Two personal guards stepped forward quickly and escorted Long Huamin away.

After dealing with one die-hard, Zhao Han said to the remaining missionaries: "Whoever doesn't agree, just do this. I won't make it difficult for you. Those who have merit will be given travel expenses. You can do whatever you want to preach when you leave China."

Mild means, tough attitude!

If everyone refuses to agree, then the Society of Jesus in China will be finished, and Zhao Han will order the complete expulsion of the Society of Jesus.

Tang Ruowang, who escaped from the north, suddenly missed Li Zicheng. When Li Zicheng was in Xi'an, he had in-depth exchanges with missionaries, and even went to Beijing to hang a sign at the door of the church: Do not disturb Tang Ruowang.

Some officials of the Ming Dynasty also fled to the church in order to avoid being tortured and were recommended by Tang Ruowang to Li Zicheng as officials.

It would be great if Li Zicheng could conquer the world. Christianity will definitely flourish in China!

Unfortunately, Li Zicheng was defeated and ran away too quickly, and Tang Ruowang ushered in the Manchu regime again. The Manchu Qing Dynasty treated missionaries neither too well nor too badly. Those who could build artillery were reused, and those who could not build artillery were left alone.

Tang Ruowang did not know how to build artillery, so when the Qing Dynasty returned to Liaodong, he did not run away with him, but went south with more than a hundred believers.

Of the more than one hundred believers, a dozen died on the road and were detained in Shandong to settle down and divide their fields.

Tang Ruowang came to Nanjing with full expectations. At first, he was very happy because he compiled the calendar for the Ming Dynasty and was left to work at the Nanjing Qintianyuan Planetarium. He even lectures once a month at Jinling University. Except for spreading religion, which is not allowed, he can give lectures on anything at Jinling University.

But now, the Chinese emperor is forcing him to break with the Pope!

Tang Ruowang swallowed his saliva and said in a hoarse voice: "Your Majesty, can you give us a few days to have a meeting and discuss before making a decision?"

"Okay." Zhao Han continued to play with the hammer.

These missionaries were taken back to the church and detained. Although they could move freely within the church, they were not allowed to leave even half a step without permission.

Convene a general meeting.

Ajulius was the first to speak: "We cannot refuse the emperor, otherwise the Jesuits will become extinct in China, and decades of hard work may be lost in one day."

"Are we going to break with the Holy See?" Ben Ande asked.

Fu Fanji said: "Breaking with the Holy See is tantamount to breaking with the Portuguese royal family."

Saying these words made the missionaries even more desperate.

The Jesuit missionaries to the East were all funded by Portugal. They build churches in China, talk with Confucian scholars in China, and do good to the people in China to recruit believers. These activities all require stable funding!

After breaking with the Pope and breaking with Portugal, there will be no money for missionary work in the future.

Regardless of belief, money is the most practical thing!

Tang Ruowang said: "Once it breaks with the Holy See and Portugal, the Chinese Jesuits will have to change. Missionaries will have to find jobs to support themselves and must be completely integrated into Chinese society."

Ben Ande was shocked: "Do you really want to follow the orders of the Chinese Emperor?"

"Otherwise? Like Long Huamin, was he deported by the emperor?" Tang Ruowang said, "I don't want to leave China, I want to stay here to preach."

Ajulius said: "I also want to stay in China."

Ben Ande said angrily: "You are betraying the Holy See. I would rather be expelled than accept such an order!"

The Chinese Jesuits could not escape the fate of internal division the moment they were forced to take sides by Zhao Han.