Shao Shude stood up in person and cooked a pot of tea for him, which attracted the attention of everyone in Jixianyuan.
We copy books every day, even rubbing inscriptions and epitaphs found somewhere, and compile them into books, which makes us almost blind. When the five elders came to copy the books, two of them died violently, and we didn't see the saints being so enthusiastic.
ah.
Sour, sour!
"Your Majesty..." Li Shouxin was also a little moved.
"Sit down, let's drink tea first, and let's have a chat." Shao Shude chuckled and pulled Li Shouxin to sit down.
Li Shouxin's eyes were slightly red, and he was extremely moved.
Of course, as the saint's most trusted confidant, Li Shouxin knew Jinshang very well.
To put it bluntly, when you are polite to others, you must ask for something. And he probably knows a few specific things you ask for.
Isn’t it just a mission to the West?
As early as thirty years ago, his father Li Hang, as the saint's most trusted lobbyist, went to various towns many times and made great contributions to the great cause of Huangxia.
My father is old and suffering from illness. He is currently taking care of himself at home and is no longer able to go on missions. So, he can only do this.
"Has Li Qing ever heard of Khwarazmi?" Shao Shude asked.
"I've vaguely heard of him, he seems to be a very knowledgeable person in Persia." Li Shouxin said.
He was not bragging. When he accompanied him on the Western Expedition, he had indeed vaguely heard of this name from Ba Khan, and secretly guessed that this man must be quite famous.
"There are many wise men in Persia." Shao Shude said.
Khwarazmi was born in Khwarezm and was active in China from Tang Dezong to Tang Xuanzong (780-850). He was a famous Persian mathematician and was known as the "Father of Algebra". About eighty years ago, he
Wrote a book: "Algebra".
The book systematically proposes a series of concepts such as algebra, known numbers, unknown numbers, roots, transfer terms, sets, irrational numbers, etc., and contains more than 800 examples. After being introduced to the West, it has been circulated as a standard textbook for hundreds of years.
He also wrote a book "Arithmetic", which systematically described decimal notation and decimal arithmetic, and made a great contribution to the popularization of decimal calculations in the world.
Indian numerals 0-9 were introduced to the West through his writings and were called "Arabic numerals", which soon replaced European Roman numerals (i.e., I, II, III, IV, etc.) - Shao Shude also planned to promote India
Numbers replaced the traditional one, two, three and four because they were very easy to use and he got used to them.
Al-Khwarizmi was also an astronomer and geographer. Because of his outstanding talent and outstanding contributions, the World Astronomical Union named a crater on the moon after him in 1973.
When Shao Shude heard this name, he suddenly realized that this outstanding man was so close to him.
The book "Algebra" is stored in the Wisdom Palace Library in Baghdad. There should be a small amount of it circulated to the outside world, but you need to bother to find it - in 1258, the Mongols invaded Baghdad, carried out a massacre, and either burned the books in the library.
Either throw it into the Tigris River and dye the water black...
Shao Shude didn't understand why the Mongols hated knowledge so much.
Why are the books in the library bothering you? Why should they be destroyed? It’s hard to understand.
"I would like you to go to Baghdad as an envoy. What do you think? Do you dare to go?" Shao Shude asked.
"Why don't you dare?" Li Shouxin said: "Your Majesty is destined to go through fire and water, so what are you afraid of?"
"Okay, okay!" Shao Shude said with a smile: "Baghdad is the capital of the black-clad food. This country is somewhat similar to the former Tang Dynasty. Although we often call it 'Saman Persia', strictly speaking, this Samani Persia is just
In a vassal town under the Black Clothes Dashi, King Saman was just a military governor. Bahna, which the king's army captured many times, was only a branch state under the jurisdiction of this vassal town."
"The relationship between the Baghdad court and the vassal towns is not very harmonious. Those who are particular about returning tributes, and those who are not particular about it are just superficial respect, just like the three towns in Heshuo back then."
"If you want to go to Baghdad, you will definitely not be able to go to Samampos." Shao Shude continued: "Because of Wang Shi's campaign in the Western Regions in recent years, the Oghuz people have a different view of Daxia. In addition, they surrendered back then.
After passing Balasagun, the Uighur prince of Talas wanted to send envoys to the court to pay tribute."
"Of course, this kind of tribute is nothing. I am not so vain that I think they will surrender. This is unlikely. But at least they are not enemies, and they will maintain a relatively good relationship with Daxia in the short term. This
You can take advantage of it."
After Pang Teqin led 200,000 Uighurs to move westward, they were so powerful in the west of Congling that the Oghuz people once surrendered.
But that's all old history! Nowadays, the Geluolu people are not very obedient, let alone Ogus.
In a word, the male camel king has no cards!
But then again, if someone doesn't buy your fault, he or she is not necessarily an enemy. The relationship between the Oghuz tribes and Persia is also very poor. They have the need to unite with Balashagon to fight against Persia. The relationship between the two parties is
It's still ok, there shouldn't be any problem if you use the road.
"Your Majesty, after I arrive at Balasagon, can I order King Suiye to send someone to escort me?" Li Shouxin asked.
"Yes." Shao Shude nodded and said, "I will pass the decree to Shaiye, Gongyue and Gongyue, and order my son and Ogurchak to send a few soldiers and horses to escort them along the way."
"After arriving in the pastoral areas of Oghuz, send people to contact the Khazar Khanate first. This country is not strong, so it should not be difficult for you to wait. After passing through their territory, we will find a way to contact Baghdad."
"Of course, the above are all my guesses. When we go on the field, various unexpected things will definitely happen, and you will need to adapt accordingly." Shao Shude said: "I will select three hundred silver-saddled warriors.
, carry the goods, and be led by Zhe Congruan. They all listen to you, and you have the final say in everything."
"Yin Anzhi is His Majesty's personal soldier, and General Zhe is a relative of the Emperor..." Li Shouxin said hesitantly.
"It doesn't matter." Shao Shude said directly: "I need to be escorted by this kind of people, so I can rest assured. The people in Ogurchak can be trusted, but they cannot be fully trusted. At critical moments, our own people are still reliable."
"I obey the decree." Li Shouxin responded. After a pause, he asked again: "Your Majesty, may I ask what the purpose of this trip is?"
Shao Shude pondered for a moment and said: "There are three major purposes."
"First, make good friends with the Baghdad court and find a way to obtain the books in the Wisdom Palace Library. No originals are needed, just allow us to copy them. Or, you can spend money to buy the Da Shiyu version of the books."
"Your Majesty, this is not necessarily easy, right?" Li Shouxin asked.
Shao Shude glanced at him approvingly.
Some ministers will not question him like this, but ask him instead. Whatever you say, he will nod and agree, regardless of whether he can do it or not.
"It's very difficult." Shao Shude sighed; "Try your best to obtain it. This is also the most important task of this trip. Even if knowledge is far away in Dashi, you should still seek it."
"Then we need to bring along the Imperial Academy Gongsheng who is proficient in Dashi, Persian, Turkic, and Sogdian." Li Shouxin immediately said: "Your Majesty had better write a letter of credence with your own hands and choose--choose something nice to say.
, maybe we can get a few more opportunities.”
"I will." Shao Shude said: "The collection of books in the Wisdom Palace is all-encompassing. Most of them were Persian ancient books at first, and later there were many books from other countries. They themselves also wrote a lot, and they are all very valuable. As the saying goes, they are the most valuable books in other countries.
Stone can be used to attack jade. Our Chinese ancestors have certainly written countless books, but the collection of books in the Wisdom Palace is generally complementary to the Chinese books. What we lack is what they are good at. What they lack is what we are good at."
Having said this, Shao Shude pondered for a moment and said: "If possible, I can exchange with them. We in China also have many useful books, some of which may be of interest to them."
"Your Majesty, are you interested in foreign books?" Li Shouxin asked.
"I'm interested, and I even tried my best to search for it." Shao Shude said with certainty.
He remembered that in history, the great king of Sicily heard that the king of Sicily in Western Europe had a very rich collection of books, so he wrote to him and asked for the collection. For some unknown reason, the Sicilian actually gave it to him.
Moreover, most of the books in the Palace of Wisdom are from foreign countries. Persia, Greece, etc. There are really not many original works by the Arabs themselves. After all, they started out as desert horse bandits.
"Then, I will prepare a book list with a general introduction to see if the cannibal is interested in exchange." Li Shouxin said.
"Yes." Shao Shude nodded, and then said: "I heard that most of the scholars in Baghdad are not cannibals, or even heretics. If you can, invite them to Luoyang, and I will give them everything and property they want.
, mansions, beauties, official titles, etc., so that they can have food and clothing without worries, and can do research and take care of students with peace of mind."
"I understand." Li Shouxin understood Shao Shude's determination.
The former Tang Dynasty was very open, with a large number of foreign scholars living in Chang'an.
If others are good, they will learn immediately. I will never think that they know it and I don't, but I will feel embarrassed and deliberately do not learn.
Nor will you blindly reject others out of pride and cling to your own backward and superficial things just because others have studied relatively deeply in a certain aspect while you have studied it superficially.
They are very pragmatic. I admit that you are better than me in areas where you are better than me. I am not ashamed to ask. Once I learn it, I will make it my own.
It seems that the saint is also this kind of person.
"If they are not willing to do this -" At this point, Shao Shude's face flashed with a stern look, and he said: "I will let them know what a 'natural disaster' is."
Li Shouxin lowered his head.
The word "natural disaster" has gradually become popular in Bakhna, Talas and other places in recent years to describe the nomadic armies that plundered them.
To the Persians, the nomadic army is more terrifying than the Xia imperial army. Because they are completely unreasonable and go around burning, killing and looting. They are capable of doing all kinds of heinous things. They fight wherever they hit, eat wherever they go, and rob wherever they go.
, the damage caused was greater than that of the Xia Kingdom's Forbidden Army.
"The second task -" After saying this, Shao Shude said: "Draw a map, record the scenery along the way, and find out where you go, what tribes live within hundreds or even thousands of miles nearby, and what kind of tribes there are.
Country. Regarding these tribes, the history and rumors of the country, we can also briefly record it. To the west of Dashi, there is the 'Flu Country', let's see if we can make contact with it."
Fu Fu is the Chinese name for the Byzantine Empire.
Byzantium and China had diplomatic relations.
In the seventeenth year of Zhenguan (643), Byzantium sent envoys to Chang'an to present gifts (red glass, green gold essence).
Li Shimin gave Lingqi a gift in return.
During the Tang Dynasty, Byzantium sent envoys to Chang'an seven times, the last time in the early years of Xuanzong's Tianbao period. Due to the rise of Arabia, the next few times either entrusted people to come over indirectly, or sent private envoys - "Great Virtue Monks".
As for what "Fu Fu" means, the most likely reason is that "Fu Fu" is pronounced "Ma", and there was a dispute when the name was passed on. Fu Fu may mean Rome, because their merchants call themselves "Rome" to the outside world.
The history of the Song Dynasty has recorded that the Eastern Roman Empire sent envoys here three times. This may not be the real Rome, but the Seljuk Turks. They have falsely called "Rome" more than once in history, deceiving outsiders, so much so that the "History of the Ming Dynasty" directly "suspicious" it.
It is not Da Qin.”
Of course, it is also possible that he was a Roman emperor "supported" by the Turks.
"History of the Song Dynasty" calls it "Destroying Yin Linggaisa", so this person is most likely Alexius I Comnenus's brother-in-law, Nikephorus Melisonus Caesar, who was once
The Turks "supported" him, assumed the throne of emperor, and handed over the management of cities in the Asian region of the Eastern Roman Empire to the Turks.
Even the Romans could come to China many times, so why can’t China go there to see it? It’s strange, it really doesn’t happen in history.
Is it because your legs are not as fast as others, or something else? Shao Shude believes that the monarch does not have this will.
Isn't it a coincidence? Now he has this intention!
Communicate, communicate, you must communicate more with outsiders, whether it is peacefully or by force - if you don't fight, you won't get to know each other.
"The third thing is to establish a feasible and stable trade route." Shao Shude finally said: "The sea route has the advantages of the sea route, and the land route also has the advantages of the land route. It cannot be generalized. Moreover, this route can not only be used as a trade route, culture, and scholar
Communication is more important. I don’t like to work behind closed doors, and prefer to learn from each other’s strong points. With more cultural and commercial exchanges, Anxi Road and even Helong will not be like this, and the imperial court will be able to rule these areas better.”
Unfortunately, China is located at the eastern end of the Eurasian continent. If you want to communicate, you can really only go to the Western Regions. After all, the risk of the sea route is too great. If you are not careful, the ship will be destroyed and people will be killed - six or seven hundred years later in history
, there was a saying in Portugal that "no ship can travel between Lisbon and India three times in a row." This may be a bit exaggerated, but in terms of navigation technology in the 16th century, ocean navigation was still a very dangerous thing, let alone
That's it.
"I need more than a month to make some preparations." Li Shouxin said solemnly after listening carefully to the three major tasks.
"Don't be in a hurry." Shao Shude said: "We will set off after the first month. I am patient. Also, don't be too pushy. If it is really difficult to move forward, you might as well take the results you have achieved and turn around first. I have my own considerations.