For the Europeans, there was no reason to die for the Burmese. They were just hired by the Burmese. The tradition of mercenaries was very popular in Europe. Even today, France still had a foreign legion. In the beginning, the Qing government also hired a large number of foreigners as instructors and sailors in the Beiyang Navy, Nanyang Navy, and Fujian Navy. They did not think that there was anything wrong with their tradition, even if they had to fight for China and other countries.
For them, it was just a job.
These Europeans were the medium that Xiao Ruxun intended to use. After the establishment of the Burmese military town, Xiao Ruxun wanted to develop the local economy. He also planned to recruit some useful talents from Europe through Ricci and the Europeans who were on good terms with him to help him develop the machinery industry that the Europeans were good at. At least, he wanted to help China catch up with and surpass Europe in his own territory.
The welcoming banquet was very grand. Because of Xiao Ruxun's special identity, not only did King Narexuan of Siam treat him respectfully as a distinguished guest, but the Europeans living in Siam also rushed to greet him. The French, Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese all sent their own representatives to greet Xiao Ruxun. They were very well-behaved and brought their own Chinese interpreters. They also brought their own gifts, such as guns, ammunition, gold and silver from other places, as well as some mechanical products from their countries. Xiao Ruxun accepted them all with a smile.
The Japanese ronin group also sent their own representatives to greet Xiao Ruxun respectfully. They carefully presented their gifts with a humble attitude, as if they were afraid of being blamed by Xiao Ruxun. "You don't have to worry.
I have killed Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the chaos in Country R has been quelled. The Japanese have ceded land and paid reparations. They have signed a peace agreement with Daming. Daming will not attack Country R again, and naturally, he will not blame you. What's more, you have nothing to do with that war. You just need to do your best to serve the king. "
Xiao Ruxun comforted the Japanese Ronin Corps, and the Japanese were at ease and no longer worried. King Narexuan also felt that he had gained face and was very happy.
The local Chinese group, led by Lin Yuanshan, came to visit Xiao Ruxun. They offered a hundred thousand taels of silver to Xiao Ruxun as a "reward", wishing the Daming Heavenly Army a victory. Xiao Ruxun was overjoyed and accepted it with a smile. Then, he enthusiastically pulled Lin Yuanshan to sit next to him and personally poured wine for him, expressing his condolences to him and the Chinese living in Siam. Lin Yuanshan was very happy and happy.
During the meal, Xiao Ruxun asked about Lin Yuanshan's hometown. Lin Yuanshan said that he was born in Fujian, and his hometown was in Fuzhou. When he was six, he followed his father to Southeast Asia to do business. After a few rounds of business, he settled down in Siam. Thanks to the King of Siam, he became an official and got to where he was today.
"Do you miss home?"
Xiao Ruxun's question made Lin Yuanshan burst into tears. He said that more than 40 years had passed, and he could still dream of the food he ate in his hometown when he was a child. When he occasionally heard businessmen from Fujian speaking in their hometown language, he could also cry. His mother passed away early, and the ancestral grave was still in Fuzhou, but he had never been able to visit his mother's grave. He felt deeply unfilial and cried for it every year.
"What your ancestors did was indeed the wrath of heaven and the resentment of men. You can't blame others."
Xiao Ruxun was silent for a while and said something that made Lin Yuanshan tremble. Only then did Lin Yuanshan know that Xiao Ruxun already knew their details.
"You don't have to worry. It has been so many years, and the past is the past. The imperial court has not said that they will continue to pursue your responsibility. After all, you were only six years old at that time, and you didn't do anything. It is indeed not a wise thing to put the sins of your ancestors on you. I will mention these things to the officials in Fujian, Zhejiang, and Guangdong. If possible, you should go home when you have time!"
When Lin Yuanshan heard this, his eyes widened in disbelief. "What the Admiral said, is it true? Can we really go back to our hometown to have a look? "
"It is human nature to return to one's roots. So many years have passed, and it is time to let go. Go back and have a look. It can be considered as fulfilling a little wish of your ancestors. After all, the most difficult thing for people to forget is their hometown. Once some people go out, they will never be able to return to their hometown for the rest of their lives. How sad that is …"
Xiao Ruxun kept sighing.
Other than tears, Lin Yuanshan could only cry.
Regarding this matter, King Narexuan seemed to be a little concerned.
"Admiral, regarding this matter, does Daming really not care about it anymore?"
Xiao Ruxun looked at King Narexuan and realized that King Narexuan was worried that his high-quality officials who could make money, educate, and build infrastructure would never return. He smiled and said, "They are officials here, and when they go back, they can only be merchants and civilians. They know very well how to choose. King Narexuan can rest assured. They have received the kindness of Siam, and at least in this life, they will repay King Narexuan."
King Narexuan heaved a small sigh of relief. He was really worried that after Daming's policy was relaxed, all the Chinese under his command would go home and never come back. Then, his loss would be great. Among his officials, the group with the highest quality was the Chinese. He relied on these Chinese to help him build infrastructure and build political power. It could be said that these Chinese were one of the important bases for him to compete with Myanmar.
Enjoying the Siam's specialty wine and eating special food, as well as the barracks that the King of Siam had built for the army. Everything was well arranged, and even the heat was reduced a lot. Everyone ate, drank, sang, and danced. However, under Xiao Ruxun's strict orders, no one dared to really get drunk. They all had a good control.
When the banquet was about to end, because it was really hot, Xiao Ruxun ordered his soldiers to get some ice cubes and put them in the wine to relieve the heat. However, King Narexuan and the people around him were stunned. They thought that Daming was so rich that the army could go to war with the army and bring ice cubes. When did the Ming Dynasty Army become so extravagant?
"Well, not bad, not bad. Someone, distribute these ice cubes to everyone. Everyone can enjoy them together!"
The ice cubes were poured into the bowls, and the wine immediately became cold. Everyone no longer cared about the ice cubes. They only knew how to enjoy the coolness.
When it was time to sleep at night, King Narexuan brought Xiao Ruxun a kind of thatch that was used as a real estate in Siam. This thatch was set on fire and fumigated the barracks to ensure that the army would not be bitten by mosquitoes. It was quite similar to Daming's wormwood.
The first night in Siam ended like this.
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