Leaving the Imperial City, two figures emerged, one large and one small. The adult was laden as if dealing in firearms, and the child as if dealing in magical artifacts, both swaddled from head to toe.
The muzzles of their firearms were dark and gaping, their magical banners and tokens swayed precariously, a truly awe-inspiring and fearsome appearance.
"What new weapon is this? The Five Thunder Divine Machine, I recognize this one."
"This is the Meteor Cannon..."
The large, old-fashioned revolver, the "Five Thunder Divine Machine."
The single-person light artillery, the "Meteor Cannon."
The hand cannon "Linked Bullet Cannon" crafted during the Jiajing era.
Of all the myriad daoist arts, this is the firearm!
Of all the myriad daoist arts, this is the cannon!
Of all the myriad daoist arts, this is the grenade!
The Ming Dynasty manufactured a wide variety of firearms, from massive cannons to handguns, all-encompassing. Of course, most of these firearms were matchlock types, not yet reaching the more advanced flintlock varieties.
But that was soon to change.
"According to the address Old Zhang gave me, I'll go visit Zhao Shizhen."
In the late Ming Dynasty, there was a very skilled firearms expert named Zhao Shizhen. He, along with a Turkish friend named Duosima, created the Chinese version of the flintlock gun and improved some Western firearms. Had it not been for the rise of Jianzhou, and the natural disasters and man-made calamities that depleted the Ming court's strength, perhaps his firearms would have been further developed.
Later, a man named Bi Maokang would take over from Zhao Shizhen, creating the flintlock musket. Unfortunately, by his time, the Ming court was already at its last gasp. During the Chongzhen era, there was no time for him to make improvements, nor the capacity to mass-produce this weapon.
After all, the Ming court consistently used the three-eyed firearm not because of its power, but because it was easy to produce, cheap, and expendable without regret.
Old Zhang had explained the origins of those earlier firearms; most were granted by Emperor Wanli's decree. After all, the power of firearms was considerable. With the emergence of new enemies, firearms, when augmented by the Beidou Great Divine Spell, could exert immense deterrence.
Normally, civilians were not permitted to possess firearms. However, Ji Xiang held an official position and was one of the two great ascendants. As part of the privileged class, carrying firearms was not an issue. After all, considering the power of spells cast by ascended cultivators, they were far more potent than firearms.
Firearms were primarily used to counter certain strange and evil arts, things that normal spells found difficult to suppress. A shot from a firearm often had miraculous effects. Following the Dongyue Temple incident, the current Ming army's equipment was undergoing large-scale enchantment with Old Zhang's help.
Therefore, the firearms Ji Xiang carried were also enchanted by Old Zhang. These were truly firearms of the ascended level.
Among firearms, Old Zhang had also mentioned Zhao Shizhen. As a master of firearms in the late Ming, Ji Xiang believed he should visit Zhao Shizhen and provide him with inspiration for the Gatling gun. Perhaps he could truly craft it using the rudimentary machine tools at home...
Alas, this could be considered a small contribution to the Great Ming.
After Ji Xiang left, his appearance was so intimidating that few dared to approach him. Of course, some citizens of Shuntian recognized Ji Xiang and wondered where he was going with such an arsenal to subdue demons and vanquish spirits.
"Are all Daoists doing this now... They certainly look more formidable than traditional Daoists."
"Indeed, I saw Celestial Master Zhang with firearms on his waist. They are very effective against spirits and ghosts!"
"I was at Dongyue Temple back then, I can attest to it."
On the ruined road, patrolling Ming soldiers greeted Ji Xiang, while murmurs of discussion quietly arose.
Leaving the Imperial City, Ji Xiang did not exit through the main southern gate, nor did he head for the west gate. Instead, he went towards the east gate.
This was because if he were to return to Wudang, the waterway from the east gate was the fastest route. It would take only fifteen days to travel from Shuntian to Ying Tian. When Emperor Xuanzong of Ming returned to Shuntian to ascend the throne, he traveled from Ying Tian to Shuntian in fifteen days between the two capitals, using the waterway.
From Ying Tian, he would then travel upstream along the Yangtze River, divert into the Han River, and reach Wudang directly.
Zhao Shizhen's residence was also in this area. He was a minor official of the seventh rank, so he could not reside within the Imperial City. He lived at the border between the inner and outer cities, with his friend. According to Old Zhang, at this time, he should be writing a book about firearms – "A Compendium of Divine Artifacts."
However, before he had gone far, Ji Xiang was stopped.
Matteo Ricci adjusted his clothes and appeared before Ji Xiang. He had previously wanted to apply for entry into the Imperial City, but due to the Nurhaci incident, the Forbidden City and the Imperial City were sealed, prohibiting any outsiders from entering or exiting. The Minister of Rites of Ying Tian, Old Wang, was also arranged to rest outside the Imperial City... In simple terms, they had to be inspected before being allowed in.
Emperor Wanli also had no time due to his visit to Consort Shang, so Matteo Ricci and his companions had been staying outside the Imperial City.
Matteo Ricci now wanted to register the cursed site of Dongyue Temple and request the Emperor to issue a permit for him to build a church. However, before this matter could even be brought to Emperor Wanli's attention, it had already been rejected by the outer personnel.
"You're bringing Jesus Christ to confront the immortal officials of the Song Dynasty? What great divine power you possess."
"I told them, 'Why not give it a try?' and they cursed me like this."
Matteo Ricci saw Ji Xiang and intended to build a connection. After all, Ji Xiang was a reader of his translated version of "Elements of Geometry." Since you read my book, we are friends.
In the Great Ming, having more friends means more opportunities. Moreover, Ji Xiang was the "religious leader" of this place. Matteo Ricci had already had someone explain that his dark-colored robes signified a high official, though he didn't know the exact rank, it was clearly very high.
After all, few Daoist officials were granted the privilege of wearing dark robes by the court. Old Zhang was one such person, but he usually wore blue clothes and sometimes a blue cap.
Building good relationships with the local religions was beneficial for expanding overseas business. Although polytheism and monotheism conflicted, that was a matter for the deities themselves, and had little to do with us mortals. It's like God doesn't need to use the restroom, but it doesn't say priests don't.
Furthermore, Matteo Ricci also had a pseudonym, "Shan Ren of the Great Western Regions," with the courtesy name "Xitai."
When Ji Xiang saw Matteo Ricci appear, his mind suddenly had an idea!
If one were to speak of the usage of wishes and the like, wasn't Christianity precisely the master of this?
"Since we are friends, can you give me a copy of the 'Bible'?"
Ji Xiang responded to Matteo Ricci's familiarity with equally direct counter-offense!
Since we are friends, can I get your book for free?
However, the word "Bible" made Matteo Ricci pause for a moment, but he quickly recovered and said, "It's called the 'Our Father,' not the 'Bible.' But your name isn't bad; I'll consider changing it later."
"But scriptures cannot be given away for free! Are you converting? You clearly aren't, so it can't be given away for free!"
"But I can sell it to you at a discount."
Matteo Ricci stated that the Bible was the sole guide for Christians to enter heaven. If you believed in Christ and underwent baptism to join the faith, then a priest giving you the Bible as a friend would be wishing you blessings in this life and a good destination in the future.
But if you don't believe in Christ, then it cannot be given away. This isn't about friendship or not, is it? Joining the faith allows you to receive it for free, much like a supermarket selling eggs for fifty cents a pound, but you need to become a member. Otherwise, you can only purchase them at the original price.
Ji Xiang held up a finger: "One-tenth of the original price?"
Matteo Ricci replied, "No, just one copper coin."
This was a unique Western humor. Seeing Ji Xiang slightly stunned, Matteo Ricci's beard twitched, and he smiled, "The people of the Middle Kingdom are too serious and proper in their dealings. The relationship between friends cannot be measured by money. Of course, I am also sincerely making friends with you."
"I have been in the Middle Kingdom for twelve years and have met all sorts of people: those who are greedy for profit, those who love fine clothing, those who covet power, and those who desire beauty. When I first arrived, I made many friends, but in ordinary times, it was difficult to discern the true nature of these friends. It is only in times of adversity that the true friendship is revealed."
"In these past few days, I have inquired a great deal about you and learned of your good deeds in the West City, saving countless people from dire straits and bravely slaying demons and evil spirits. I have determined that you are precisely the kind of person with whom one can form a deep friendship!"
"The God I believe in also tells me this: to extend a helping hand to those in need during times of trouble!"