First, of course, was to meet the representative of the Roman Curia. Deceiving them was necessary, so Xiao Ruxun let Ricci go to Rangoon to invite the representative of the Roman Curia. After watching Ricci invite the representative of the Roman Curia, Xiao Ruxun and Chen Longzheng quietly discussed.
"Those French people also mixed in with you?"
"En, yes, Marquis Xiao. They have a total of five people, and they seem to be the representatives of the merchants from France. But Marquis Xiao, why do you want to discuss business with these French merchants? This lowly official thinks that people like Mr. Li are more trustworthy. Merchants only care about profits and are not trustworthy. "
Chen Longzheng still adhered to his inherent beliefs. He believed that businessmen were not trustworthy and that people with faith were more trustworthy.
Xiao Ruxun told this truth to Chen Longzheng.
"Tilong, you have to know that we are not doing business with two merchants in our country. We are doing business with the State of Daming, the State of France, and the State of Genoa. For these two countries, there has never been such a thing as trust. You have read all the history books and should know how high the probability of these words being torn apart is. The most unreliable thing is the alliance between countries. Therefore, whether it is Mr. Li or these French people, they are not trustworthy."
Chen Longzheng was startled, "Then Marquis Xiao, what do you mean?"
"The French people only want to do business with us and make money. They are quite pure, but the believers behind Mr. Li want to preach and control the people's hearts. You also know how terrifying the demonic monks in our country are. The common people are simple and easy to deceive. If they are deceived by these foreign believers, I'm afraid they will be sold and still have to count the money. This Marquis will absolutely not allow this kind of thing."
Chen Longzheng nodded his head slightly and asked, "Then … Then why did Marquis Xiao want me to bring them here? Can't I just directly refuse them? "
"If I let you reject them right there, I'm afraid they'll drive all of you back. If I don't let them preach in our territory, why should they let us go to their territory to make money? They're not pigs, and they're not stupid at all. You've seen how much those foreigners chase after our silk, porcelain, and tea. Even an iron pot can be sold for a good price. They're practically our money bags!
Build a good working relationship with Money Bag and sell them our worthless things. Look at how much gold and silver you brought back this time. How many guns, cannons, and warships can these gold and silver give us? If we give up for no reason, that would be stupid, that would be disregarding the bigger picture. "
Chen Longzheng thought about it and agreed. He cupped his hands and said, "This subordinate did not consider it thoroughly. Please forgive me, Marquis Xiao."
"What is Tilong's fault?"
Xiao Ruxun smiled and waved his hand. "It's just that we can't let these foreigners preach in our territory. I only brought them here to give them some reassurance so that they won't completely despair. As for the matter of doing business together, we still have to discuss it with the French and Genoese. Putting them at the back and discussing with them behind the back of those believers is the best plan.
Sooner or later, we'll have to chase away those Spaniards who have occupied Luzon. These Spaniards have a good relationship with Mister Li's sect, so we'll become enemies sooner or later. It's better for Tilong not to get too close to Mister Li to avoid hurting their relationship. "
Chen Longzheng frowned and said, "Isn't this too inappropriate? Mister Li helped us translate 'The Basics of Geometry' and taught us so many things. Yet, we want to make use of him. Marquis Xiao, this is not what a gentleman should do! "
Xiao Ruxun said helplessly, "In this era, morals are corrupted. The world is so big, where can there be room for a gentleman? Upholding the heart of a gentleman and doing the deeds of a lowly person, it's a necessary measure.
Moreover, those who are not of the same race are bound to have different intentions. Mister Li isn't without a purpose. He also wants to preach here. His purpose is to preach. It's just that his methods are gentler and harder to detect. That's why he was able to settle down in Daming.
As for us, we must wholeheartedly think for the Daming. I'll never agree to anything that might harm the Daming Kingdom. I'd rather bear the burden of karma than allow the people of Daming to be harmed. Even if I have to bear the infamy, I won't hesitate. This is my lifelong ambition and it will never change. Tilong is a sincere gentleman. If you blame me, I have nothing to say. "
Chen Longzheng was touched and immediately stood up. He cupped his fists and said, "Marquis Xiao is magnanimous. It's Longzheng's mistake. Marquis Xiao cares about the country and the world and doesn't care about the gains and losses of a citizen. But Longzheng is still concerned about himself. I'm deeply ashamed!"
He then bowed deeply.
Xiao Ruxun stepped forward and helped Chen Longzheng up. He said emotionally, "Tilong didn't hesitate to risk his life to travel to the Western Ocean for me. I'm very touched. It's just that I need people now. Without Tilong's help, I won't be able to accomplish anything. I hope that Tilong can pacify the French and Genoese merchants for me and facilitate the formation of an alliance to fulfill my ambition!"
Chen Longzheng was greatly moved, "I dare not to give my all to Marquis Xiao!"
Chen Longzheng bowed deeply again and turned to leave. His steps were steady. It was obvious that he had made up his mind and it was hard to change it.
Xiao Ruxun sat back down on his chair and took a sip of tea. He suddenly laughed at himself.
He didn't know when it started, but Xiao Ruxun had also learned these extremely hypocritical and pretentious ways to control his subordinates. He learned to use the carrot and stick method to treat his subordinates. He learned to use superb acting skills to move his subordinates. Especially when he was facing an idealistic scholar like Chen Longzheng, his righteous acting skills had never failed. Every time, he would be able to deceive Chen Longzheng and make him more loyal.
However, such actions ultimately went against his original intentions. Living in this era, he wanted to change this era, but he couldn't avoid being changed by this era. If he didn't have the determination to cut off his own flesh to feed the eagles, there was no need to talk about changing the era. In the face of the era, everyone was weak. If the weak wanted to defeat the strong, the only way was to sacrifice and not forget their original intentions.
It was just that walking on the main road of the mortal world, how many people could not forget their original intentions and persist in their beliefs to move forward?
Xiao Ruxun didn't know where he would go in the future or what position he would reach. Perhaps he would still deceive many people, or even kill many people, but he knew that his goal had never changed.
Being able to feel guilt was probably a sign that he hadn't completely lost his good intentions.
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