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“Send an envoy to the Ottomans?”
After the alliance was signed, Li Wei took the King of Chu’s envoy to Wei Family Restaurant to rest. At this moment, Xiao Ming proposed another plan.
“Your Highness, where is this Ottoman Empire? And what language do they speak? We know nothing at all. How can we possibly send an envoy to the Ottoman Empire?” Fiji and Pang Yukun exchanged glances, both feeling that this plan was very risky, and that the envoy might not even return alive.
Xiao Ming naturally understood what the two meant. Such a shocking plan had only been attempted by Emperor Wu of Han in the past, and Zhang Qian’s return was also due to too many coincidences.
However, this was a different time. The current Age of Exploration was not the environment faced by the Han Dynasty back then. This time, Xiao Ming intended to have the diplomatic mission depart by sea to the Ottoman Empire. As long as the Ottoman Empire could create trouble for the barbarians in Central Asia, the pressure on his side would be greatly reduced.
As for whether it would succeed, one would never know without trying.
Thinking of this, Xiao Ming said, “This diplomatic mission to the Ottoman Empire will be prepared by me. You don’t need to worry. As for where the Ottoman Empire is, I know. But you two have been at Bowen Academy for so long, have you not studied the knowledge of other countries?”
“Your Highness, I have only read some maps of Great Yu Empire, Japan, and Goryeo. I haven’t looked at these yet.” Fiji seemed to take it for granted.
Pang Yukun was a bit awkward. He hadn’t looked either, because in his mind, the world had only two parts: Great Yu Empire, and countries outside Great Yu Empire.
As for the history and development of other countries, he had no interest at all.
Seeing this, Xiao Ming had an idea in his mind. After all was said and done, the concept of a Celestial Empire was still deeply ingrained in the minds of these officials in Great Yu Empire; they disdained learning about other countries.
Although he was angry at their lack of ambition, Xiao Ming also understood that people of one era had the thoughts of that era. Compared to people like Fiji and Pang Yukun, some young officials were willing to understand the current world situation. Therefore, he had been planning to insert some promising young officials into the cabinet to counterbalance conservative officials like Pang Yukun and Fiji, lest no one help him argue with these people in the future.
Xiao Ming took full charge of the diplomatic mission, and the two had nothing more to say. They were merely worried, but if a diplomatic mission could truly be sent to the Ottoman Empire, they would be very happy to see it.
The alliance was signed, and the diplomatic mission was finalized. Fiji and Pang Yukun exchanged glances. Pang Yukun spoke first, “Your Highness, the affairs of the fief need to be handled, but shouldn’t Your Highness also consider the matter of continuing the lineage?”
“Continuing the lineage? Isn’t that my private matter?” Xiao Ming immediately became vigilant. These two old foxes were smiling strangely, a precursor to them working in tandem.
Indeed, after Pang Yukun spoke, Fiji earnestly said, “Your Highness, an emperor’s family affairs are state affairs. Continuing the lineage is of utmost importance. For the stability of the fief, I hope Your Highness will think twice.”
Pang Yukun hesitated, “Your Highness, speaking of which, it has been almost a year since the Princess Consort entered the residence. Is it necessary to call for the imperial physician to take the pulse of Your Highness and the Princess Consort?”
“No need.” Xiao Ming really wanted to kick them. I had no problems at all; these two old men were overly worried.
Fiji’s eyes darted around. It seemed he and Pang Yukun had reached an agreement. He said, “Your Highness, this matter is of great importance, and I have absolutely no selfish motives…”
Seeing that the two were endless, Xiao Ming angrily said, “Shut up. I know what I’m doing.”
With that, Xiao Ming fled the government office as if escaping, leaving only Fiji and Pang Yukun looking at each other.
“Chief Clerk Pang, do you think His Highness has another woman in mind? Why is His Highness so annoyed about this matter?” Fiji was worried. Fei Yue’er was his daughter, and from every angle, he did not want his daughter to suffer.
Pang Yukun recalled and said, “Impossible. His Highness and the Princess Consort are deeply in love. People often see the Princess Consort and His Highness together, and there has never been any rumor of them quarreling in the royal residence.”
“That’s strange. What exactly is His Highness thinking?” Fiji looked clouded. In his view, this was too abnormal. Many family members were already secretly discussing this matter.
Pang Yukun saw Fiji frowning tightly. He said, “I did mention this to His Highness before, and His Highness also ignored it. However, His Highness doesn’t worry, but as his subjects, we cannot help but think for His Highness. Now that Grand Councillor Fei is here, you and I will bring this up to His Highness every now and then. We aren’t afraid that His Highness won’t agree. After all, this is one of the most important matters.”
This resonated with Fiji’s thoughts. He said, “With Chief Grand Councillor Pang’s words, even if I have to lose face, I will see this matter through.”
The two exchanged glances and suddenly smiled.
Meanwhile, after leaving the government office, Xiao Ming went directly to Bowen Academy. With the world in chaos, the development of the fief could not stop, but rather, the development of education needed to accelerate.
And because of Xiao Wenxuan’s death, his last shackle had also been broken. From now on, he could boldly develop astronomy in his fief, popularize the current development of the world, and clarify the concepts of nation and state, without having to worry about anyone criticizing him.
After all, during times of war and chaos, the Confucianists’ control over the secular world was always at its weakest. Everyone was trying to survive; who would still cling to classics to find fault with him? In fact, the Kong family in Qufu was also in a state of panic at this time.
Therefore, given this, Xiao Ming officially sent astronomy books and telescopes to Bowen Academy, establishing an astronomy branch, and recruiting talented individuals with knowledge of celestial phenomena from among the common people to participate in astronomical research.
Upon arriving at the gate of Bowen Academy, students wearing white long-sleeved uniforms entered Xiao Ming’s sight.
As Lin Wentao, Lu Tong, and other students gained noble titles and private estates, the common scholars gradually moved from resistance to desperately wanting to enter the academy. This change was due to Xiao Ming using the previous incident of scholars causing trouble to cut off the path for scholars without formal education to enter officialdom. At the same time, with the onset of war, scholars no longer had the opportunity to take the imperial examinations.
On the contrary, some scholars seemed to see an opportunity. They eagerly wanted to serve Xiao Ming, hoping that one day Xiao Ming would sit on the dragon throne, so that they could rise to prominence.
Of course, these were just some who craved official positions. Besides this type of scholar, there were also more scholars who liked craftsmanship and technical skills. And under Xiao Ming’s deliberate guidance, some children of civilian craftsmen also entered the academy to participate in the study of various scientific knowledge.
And due to two or three years of accumulation, Bowen Academy also had a group of students who mastered various scientific knowledge. Although their level was only at the junior high and high school level, it was more than enough to teach newly enrolled students.
Therefore, Bowen Academy had been unprecedentedly lively during this period, and the number of students had also risen to eight thousand.