The missionaries not only asked Gao Mengnan for a recommendation, but even came to Annam and arrived in Thang Long with the ship.

This news really made Gao Shishi sigh, the missionaries of this era did not completely become the vanguard of the colonizers as they did later, and the vast majority of them still act with the belief that the gospel of God will be spread to the whole world.

However, the missionary probably also knew that the Ming people were suspicious of them, and did not disembark with Gao Mengnan at that time.

It wasn't until Gao Pragmatic listened to Gao Mengnan's introduction that he sent someone to invite him.

But when Gao Shishi saw this missionary for the first time, he almost couldn't help laughing—he was a European with a high nose and deep eyes, yellow-brown hair, and a Western-style beard, and he was actually wearing the costume of a Ming monk!

"Luo Mingjian, the envoy of the great monk and the little monk of Rome, has seen the most knowledgeable and truth-seeking Your Excellency in the Ming Empire, and I wish you eternal health." The European priest said with a very standard bow.

Gao Shishi was slightly taken aback, it is not surprising that he would bow his hand, but this European spoke Chinese, although the tone was a little strange, and even the pronunciation was a little obvious Cantonese, but it was indeed Chinese!

This is a bit powerful, European missionaries just came into contact with the Ming Dynasty, and actually began to learn Chinese.

"Father Luo Mingjian, welcome to you. I dare not accept your praise, but thank you for your wishes, and I wish the heirs of St. Peter's estate eternal health. ”

This time, it was Father Luo Mingjian's turn to be surprised, and his eyes widened: "Ah, Your Excellency, you are indeed the most knowledgeable person in the Ming Empire, and you actually know that the Holy See is the inheritor of St. Peter's estate?" ”

Gao Shishi smiled and said, "Are you surprised?" I even know that the current Pope is Gregory XIII. ”

He did know, but not because of anything else, but that the Pope promulgated a new calendar about a year later to replace the Julian calendar and become the basis for the Gregorian calendar.

The priest was even more surprised, and even stammered a little: "You, your profound knowledge makes me, let me...... It was so surprising. ”

It seems that this priest has not been learning Chinese for a long time, at least his vocabulary is somewhat lacking.

Gao Shishi smiled even more happily and asked, "Priest, you don't have to pretend to be a monk in front of me...... I know more about you than you think...... Well, where are you from? I mean, where is your hometown? ”

"Your Excellency, I am from Spinazzola, thanks to your inquiry."

Gao pragmatic thought for a moment and asked tentatively: "Naples?" ”

The priest was so surprised that his eyes almost popped out: "Oh my God, you ...... Your knowledge is simply too promising. ”

Spinazzola was just a small town in southern Italy, now part of the Kingdom of Naples – well, the co-king of the Kingdom of Naples was King Philip II of Spain.

Gao pragmatic said: If I hadn't watched Serie A for a while, I really didn't know such a small place.

But since he guessed correctly, he could pretend to be mysterious, he smiled and said, "As I said, I know more about Europa than you think. ”

Father Luo Mingjian was both emotional and excited, and hurriedly said: "Yes, yes, your knowledge is far beyond my imagination!" To be able to meet Your Excellency in the Ming Empire is truly a gift from the Lord! ”

Gao pragmatic smiled: "Listen to my brother, you and your peers have hit a wall in Guangzhou, every time you go to Guangzhou, you can only stay in my port, and can't go to more places, so you came to see me, I hope I can create better conditions for you to enter Daming?" ”

"Yes, yes, the most knowledgeable Your Excellency, my colleagues and I have received news that you are the closest friend and classmate of His Majesty the Ming Emperor, and that the Jinghua Private Port is the most friendly and open port for Europeans, and we think that you must be able to understand that we have come from far and wide, not only because of respect and envy for the Ming Empire, but also to spread the gospel of the Lord, we hope to be able to know more about this great empire and its people, so we have found His Excellency Gao Mengnan, who is of high moral character, Ask him to introduce you to us ......"

"With all due respect, Father Luo Mingjian." Gao Shishi smiled and waved his hand, interrupting him, and said, "I remember that your New Testament says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. ”

It is more blessed to give than to receive, another translation is: to give is happier than to receive.

Father Luo Mingjian's theological attainments are of course far beyond Gao Pragmatic, and he is close to forty years old, of course, he is not a person who does not understand human feelings, and he understands the meaning of Gao Pragmatic as soon as he hears it, although he was once again surprised by Gao Pragmatic's "profoundness", but he still nodded immediately: "Yes, the Lord's teachings, we should abide by and implement them, I don't know what Your Excellency needs us to do?" ”

Wonderful, I love talking to smart people like that.

Gao Shishi smiled kindly and said, "I am a very studious person, you should be able to see this......

"Yes, yes, you are as knowledgeable as the Atlantic Ocean, which I have only ever seen in my life, and I am full of admiration for you." Father Luo Mingjian said seriously.

Well, Father, as far as I know, the Pacific seems to be a little more profound than the Atlantic...... Well, forget it, that's not the point.

Gao pragmatic continued: "I like all kinds of learning, of course, you also know that in terms of literature and philosophy, I have achieved the highest achievements of the Ming Empire, I think I can put it aside for the time being...... So my current interest is more inclined to other fields, such as mathematics, physics, and even navigation, shipbuilding, and even the manufacture and use of firearms. ”

"Oh, I understand, I understand, many learned people in the Ming Dynasty have expressed interest in these." Luo Mingjian said seriously: "I am happy to help a great scholar like you to acquire more knowledge, which will make the Lord feel honored, but I don't know what kind of help you need from me?" ”

Gao pragmatically said with a smile: "I need the latest research results in Europe on these aspects, including books, papers, and even invite some scholars to come and discuss with me." Of course, if there are some physical results, it makes me even happier. ”

Father Luo Mingjian nodded and said, "Except for the fact that it may be relatively difficult to invite scholars to come to Daming, I can think of ways in other aspects." His Majesty the King of Naples was also the King of the Kingdom of Castile, a powerful man at sea and extremely loyal to God. When it comes to nautical knowledge, the Kingdom of Castile has the most to say, eh...... His Majesty Philip II is also my king, and I think I can write to him to get his help. ”

----------

Continue to ask for subscriptions and various tickets~