Piao Tianwen ? The fleet that visited the UK set off from Nanjing on February 12, accompanied by Li Huamei and other Luzon garrisons.
Six ships formed a fleet and sailed westward.
Shang Yi also held a grand farewell ceremony for these departures. This was the seventh time that Zheng He led a fleet to sail to the West in the fifth year of Xuande (1430). More than 200 years later, China was the first time that the political team came forward by the government.
The sailing activities organized are also the first time in Chinese history to actively dispatch fleets to visit Europe. Therefore, although the scale of this sailing, both the number of ships and the number of people sailing, are far smaller than that of Zheng He's seven voyages to the West.
However, the significance of this visit to the UK, its later influence, and historical evaluation were far greater than that of Zheng He's voyage to the West.
Several years later, Nanjing government captured the Luzon Islands and sent fleets to visit Britain were also considered to be a symbol of China's competition in the world and participating in the Age of Discovery.
There are only three ships sailing from Nanjing, namely the 1,100-ton Fu Ship, the Fushan, the 850-ton three-class cruiser Tianan, and the 620-ton four-class destroyer Jing Muzhang.
The Luzon Islands also made all preparations, one of which was 550 tons and the other was 380 tons.
This is not to say that there are no large ships in Luzon, but because Shang Yi followed the British advice and sailing should not be just big ships, but a certain number of small ships should be added. Although the large ships must be better in terms of stability and resistance to wind and waves, they must be better at ease.
For small boats, but in some dangerous waters, when they need to explore the way or dock or dock, small boats are much more convenient. These are all the experiences of more than a hundred British people sailing.
Shang Yi also made a detailed plan for this departure, first of all, to draw a sailing route map from China to Europe. Although Shang Yi has a world map in his hand, there is still a big difference between the world map and the sailing route map.
In this era, since the Suez Canal has not yet been opened, the East and West routes must pass through the entire African state, turn at the southernmost Cape of Good Hope, and then head north to reach Europe. The entire sailing time is about seven to ten months.
Even if you walk for a year, it is not impossible.
Therefore, there are reference points on the way, where you can hide from wind and waves, where you can moor boats to rest, where you can get fresh water and food supplements, etc., which should be noted on the navigation route map. With this kind of copy
After the detailed navigation route map, China will be able to navigate with Europe on its own without the British leading the way.
In addition, Shang Yi's purpose for this visit was not just to visit the United Kingdom, but to strive to visit more European countries. First of all, France. Although France does not have much power overseas, it has been thirty years.
After the war, France had become the most powerful country in mainland Europe, and has been one of the most important countries in Europe since then. Therefore, this time when France visited Europe, it was also the first choice to visit.
The second is the Netherlands and Portugal. The Netherlands is an emerging country in Europe and the largest colonizer in the South China Sea. At the same time, on the surface, it is also a close partnership between Nanjing government officials. Therefore, after coming to Europe, I will not go to the Netherlands.
, it can't be argued.
Portugal is also a weak old colonial country, but Portugal is still renting China and Macau. On the other hand, the relationship between Portugal and Spain is intertwined with grudges and is very complicated. Therefore, he also wants to submit Shang Yi's accusation letter to Spain through Portugal.
The Spanish colonists accused the murder of Chinese in Luzon, and the purpose of course was to test Spain's attitude towards losing Manila to decide whether to visit Spain. At the same time, we also inquire about the situation of the Gonzalez family.
Another main object to visit is the Holy See. Of course, the missionaries need to first communicate with the Holy See and submit Shang Yi’s accusations against the Manila missionaries. Shang Yi estimated that the church should be easier to deal with than Spain, after all
In this era, the Holy See had a weak momentum and had little influence on the European continent. It was a tool for the actual great powers to compete for hegemony. Therefore, the Holy See would most likely recognize the fact of Manila. No matter what, it would still retain the Jesus Church. If it turned against Shang Yi, it would turn against him.
Luzon and China's two important parish controls are unlikely to be protected.
Shang Yi formulated these countries, and at the same time, gave the mission a certain degree of autonomy, and could add two to three visiting countries according to actual conditions. Of course, to complete these visits, the strong help from the UK is also needed, although the UK and East India
The company cannot be the home, but they still promised to try their best to persuade the association and do their best to help the Chinese delegation.
This time, a total of 2,347 people were dispatched. In fact, these five ships can accommodate up to 3,500 to 3,500 people, but because the journey is long, you need to bring as much food and fresh water as possible. In addition, you also need to take as much food and water as possible.
You must carry a large number of goods, gifts, and money. Therefore, you must minimize the number of entourage members and ensure sufficient storage space.
Of course, Shang Yi could not have been a gift like Zheng He who went to the West, with no cost, as a gift, but when dealing with each other, the gifts he gave were still available. And bringing goods and money, this is the case in Europe.
It is very normal. It is not easy to travel between East and West once. Of course, you cannot miss all opportunities for exchanges, bring more goods and trade.
The head of the delegation was Liang Bingye, who was recommended by Li Gefei to Shang Yi. In the past, when Li Gefei was doing business, he was one of his right-hand assistants. He went out to sea many times. After Li Gefei became the Minister of the Interior Cabinet, he appointed him to be responsible for the navigation company.
He also speaks Portuguese and has a certain understanding of the situation in European countries. Moreover, Liang Bingye passed the scholar exam before and took two provincial exams, but he failed to pass the Juren. Later, because his family was in decline, he defected to Li Gefei to study.
Doing business, it is also considered a talent that combines Chinese and Western styles. It is also very suitable to serve as the leader of the delegation. The deputy regiment was sent by Luzon and was Zhang Zhongqiao, the second son of Zhang Gengqiu. The chief and deputy regiment leaders were both from the same family, but in
In China today, only overseas businessmen can have a considerable intuitive understanding of the overseas world.
The commander-in-chief of the fleet was appointed by Wu Quanfu, who is also Shang Yi's old subordinate. His children all held important positions in Nanjing Zhengfu. They have very rich experience in navigation and the ability to command the fleet, which is also reassuring.
His deputy is son-in-law He Sha.
The delegation visited this time had 727 soldiers, and Andrei was the head of the army. Although he was not old, his ability and experience were enough to make people feel at ease.
Among the people who visited, Lin Zhiyang's youngest son Lin Xujin. He has been 20 years old this year. He received traditional Chinese education when he was a child. Later, he studied new courses at Zhejiang Normal University. He began to follow Lin in the past two years.
Zhiyang learned to do business. When he was competing for Spanish assets in Manila, he represented the Lin family and the three assets he took were very good. This time, Lin Zhiyang asked Shang Yi to ask him to go out for training. Shang Yi
Of course, it was not rejected, and at the same time, Lin Xu was asked to go to the UK to inspect business opportunities. It is estimated that China can sell anything else in the UK.
Among the other personnel of the delegation, in addition to sailors, crew members, soldiers, translators, etc., there were also various craftsmen, painters, medical practitioners, scholars, etc., with a total of 113 students from military academies and other schools.
Seven people. These people are recruited through recruitment. Some of them are interested in the overseas world, and a considerable number are for generous rewards and future development.
Recruiting personnel who join the mission will first receive a very generous settlement fee. After returning to the flight, they will receive a bonus. At the same time, after returning, everyone will receive the corresponding position of the government.
The fleet had an accident in the middle of the journey. Five years later, the fleet still had not returned, and the family could come to collect the bonus.
Of course there are several special personnel, namely the Jesuit missionaries.
The missionaries absolutely supported Shang Yi's decision. At the same time, Shang Yi's visit plan needs the full help of the missionaries. At the same time, Johnson Chan also plans to take this opportunity to conduct a comprehensive report on China's missionary to the headquarters.
The situation and development prospects are also hoped that the headquarters can send more missionaries to China to help further expand the missionary cause here.
In addition, after China occupied Luzon, it all assigned the missionary power of the entire Luzon to the Jesuits. However, the division of missionary areas in the Magna of Manila was approved by the Roman Catholic Church. Although the Roman Catholic Church cannot control Manila now,
It is still necessary to inform the Holy See, and it is best to get confirmation from the Holy See. There are also two letters sent by Shang Yi to the Holy See, which is the second letter of accusation, and missionaries also need to deal with it.
Therefore, after detailed discussions, Johnson Chan and others finally decided that this time, Aconia led the team and returned to Europe with four other missionaries to report to the headquarters of the Jesuits and the Roman Church. And Jesus Luzon
The association also sent four missionaries to accompany Aconia.
Before leaving, Shang Yi put forward three requirements for travelers: First, he went to Europe and only talked about cultural exchanges. Except for Spain, no other countries talked about politics, nor did they interfere with the relations between European countries.
Maintain a neutral attitude; second, respect the customs, traditions, cultural habits and the political system adopted by each country. Do not regard yourself as the arrogant attitude of the Celestial Kingdom, and do not impose it on other countries with Chinese standards.
When spreading Chinese civilization, it is not allowed to make offensive evaluations of European civilization. Third, try to communicate with people from all over the country as much as possible, read more, listen more, remember more, and draw more, and read what you see in Europe.
I write down all the things I hear and hear, draw them down, sort them out after returning home, and then compile them and publish them.