Chapter 55 Lecture 61 Three halls outside the palace

Nantang is the earliest Catholic church established in Beijing. It is located in Xuanwumenli, Xicheng District, Beijing, which is now No. 141 Qianmen West Street.In the history of Nantang, there are three people - Matteo Ricci, Tang Ruowang and Nan Huairen who are the most famous and influential. Matteo Ricci (Matteo Ricci, 1552-1610), Italian, Jesuit, went to Beijing in the 29th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1601), and presented the self-ringing bell, "Kun Yu Wan Guo Quan Tu" to the Wanli Emperor, etc., and Scholar-bureaucrat contacts.He studied the "Four Books" and translated "The Elements of Geometry" with Xu Guangqi.In the 33rd year of Wanli (1605), Nantang was built.In addition to the priest's house, there are observatory, library, instrument room and so on in the hall.Afterwards, the Nantang suffered from earthquakes and fires, and it was destroyed and rebuilt several times.After Matteo Ricci's death, he was given a cemetery, which is located in the courtyard at No. 6, Chegongzhuang Street, Fuwai, Beijing today.

Tang Ruowang (Johann Adam Schall von Bell, 1591-1666), a German, a Jesuit, studied theology, mathematics and astronomy in Rome when he was young.After coming from the East, I went to Macau to learn Chinese.In the third year of Mingqi (1623), he went to Beijing and lived in Nantang.Co-edited "Chongzhen Almanac" with Xu Guangqi and others.Some scholars believe that the celestial globes and sundials he made for the imperial court are now hidden in Lama Temple.After the Qing army entered Beijing, Nantang was preserved because of a Manchu notice issued by Dorgon.The story goes like this:

The Regent of the Qing Dynasty, Prince Rui Dorgon, ordered that all residents of the inner city be moved to the outer city within a time limit, including Nantang and Tang Ruowang.Tang Ruowang wrote a memorandum, which briefly stated: The minister sailed 80,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and came to the east to serve the master. He was not married and would not be an official. If he moved in a hurry, the equipment would be damaged, and it would not be easy to repair it.He applied: still live in the original residence, and continue to practice devoutly.Tang Ruowang followed the crowd of petitioners to the gate of the palace and knelt down to present the letter.Many petitioners were driven away with whips by officers and soldiers, but Tang Ruowang was received by a senior official.This high-ranking official is Fan Wencheng, a bachelor.After Fan Wencheng submitted the memorial to Prince Regent Rui Dorgon, he was ordered to post a notice in Manchu outside the gate of Nantang to protect Nantang without moving.Nantang was protected in the inner city.

Tang Ruowang participated in compiling the calendar.In the seventh year of Shunzhi (1650), the South Hall was expanded.Tang Ruowang served as the supervisor of Qintian Supervisor.Tang Ruowang cured Emperor Shunzhi's unmarried queen and was praised by Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.Emperor Shunzhi visited Nantang 24 times to talk with Father Tang Ruowang.Emperor Shunzhi's 19th birthday was celebrated at Tang Ruowang's home in Nantang.In the third year of Kangxi (1664), Tang Ruowang was framed by Yang Guangxian and was arrested and imprisoned.Hou Aobai and others planned to sentence Tang Ruowang to Ling Chi's execution.In the event of the Beijing earthquake, he was released from custody.Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang intervened and was later released.In the fifth year of Kangxi (1666), he died of illness in Beijing, and was buried in Chegongzhuang Cemetery.

Nan Huairen (Ferdinand Verbiest, 1623-1688), a Belgian and Jesuit, went to Beijing in the 17th year of Shunzhi (1660) to serve as Tang Ruowang's deputy. Later Tang Ruowang was imprisoned unjustly and Nan Huairen was implicated.At this time, Tang Ruowang was old and sick, and Nan Huairen accompanied him to appear in court during the trial, defending him on his behalf.Nan Huairen cared for Tang Ruowang in prison, and later handled his funeral.The princes and ministers were moved by Nan Huairen's spirit, and said: "Tomafa has committed a death penalty, and others will have no time to avoid it, but Huairen defends him righteously, and he is a loyal friend." ("Biographies of Jesuits in China and Bibliography") Tang Ruowang was rehabilitated, and Nan Huairen served as the deputy supervisor of Qintian Supervisor.The main contributions of Nan Huairen are:

First, measure astronomy.Nan Huairen, Yang Guangxian, and Wu Mingxuan (xuan) argued in front of the Meridian Gate and at the observatory outside Jianguomen. More than 20 senior officials, including Prince Kang Jieshu, Da Shi Tuhai, and Li Qi, observed and discussed the calendar issue collectively.The test items include the beginning of spring, rain, lunar, Mars, Jupiter astronomical calendar and other questions.The result of the observation is: "What Nan Huairen said is consistent with each paragraph; what Wu Mingxuan said is wrong with each paragraph." (Volume 28 of "Records of the Holy Ancestors of the Qing Dynasty") The imperial court rejected Yang Guangxian's mistakes in the calendar and adopted Nan Huairen's correct opinions .Soon, Nan Huairen was appointed as the deputy of the Qintian Supervisor. From then on, the Qintian Supervisor "accounted for the solar terms, and learned from Nan Huairen's words". (Volume 272 of "Manuscripts of Qing History Biography of Nan Huairen")

Second, make instruments.Nan Huairen and others successively manufactured the ecliptic theodolite, the equatorial theodolite, the horizon theodolite, the horizon dolite, the chronograph, and the celestial instrument, and illustrated them into "Lingtaiyi Xiangzhi", which has 117 exquisite drawings.Later, the Jiheng Fuchen instrument was added.Chinese astronomers have used these instruments to carry out observation work for more than 200 years, and it still stands in the ancient observatory outside Jianguomen in Beijing, which has become a historical witness of cultural exchanges between China and the West. (Xi Zezong's "Nan Huairen") In addition, the book introduces simple machines such as center of gravity, specific gravity, levers, pulleys, and screws, as well as the principles of thermometers and hygrometers.The large stele of the Xiaoling Mausoleum of Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty was transported from Fangshan to Dongling. How to cross the Lugou Bridge?Nan Huairen suggested to use the Western method to build a pulley to pull the large stele across the Lugou Bridge, which solved the transportation problem.Later, Nan Huairen was promoted to be the supervisor of Qintian Supervisor. "Manuscripts of Qing History·Nan Huairen Biography" said: Since the Qintian Supervisor used Westerners, they gradually became supervisors and deputy supervisors, successively.Nan Huairen invented and manufactured a car, two feet long, with four wheels, a stove and a copper gas pot in the middle.There is an air nozzle on the top of the gas pot.After the water in the gas pot is heated, the steam is ejected from the gas nozzle, and the energy generated is shot on the turbine blades, pushing the rear wheels of the car and driving the car forward.This impulsive steam engine had a profound impact on later generations.Nan Huairen's related manuscripts were published in the "European Astronomy" magazine published in Germany after the 26th year of Kangxi (1687), which preserved this scientific and technological achievement.Some people say that "the automobile was invented in China".There is some truth to this statement, but unfortunately it has not formed productivity.

Third, build artillery.When the San Francisco Rebellion was quelled, the failed artillery in front was brought back, and a request was made to replace it with a new one.Emperor Kangxi ordered Nan Huairen to be in charge of maintenance.He found that most of the cannons were useless due to rust. After removing the rust, 150 cannons were still usable.Emperor Kangxi also ordered Nan Huairen to preside over the manufacture of light guns, and went to Lugou Bridge to observe the test firing of the new guns. The results were good, and Kangxi was overjoyed.Emperor Kangxi ordered the Lianzhu cannon to be built again.After the new cannon was finished, they tested and fired 96 out of 100 rounds. Emperor Kangxi took off his mink coat and gave it to Nan Huairen.Nearly a thousand of the new light-armored artillery developed by Nan Huairen were sent to the front lines.He wrote the book "Shenwei Tushuo" on the manufacture and use of artillery.In recognition of his achievements, Nan Huairen was awarded the title of Right Minister of the Ministry of Industry. "Manuscripts of Qing History Biography of Nan Huairen": "Nan Huairen has been an official and supervised for a long time, and is accumulated to the Minister of the Ministry of Industry." According to the "Chronology of Officials in the Qing Dynasty", there is no Minister of the Ministry of Industry Nan Huairen, and he should be the Minister of the Ministry of Industry. "Records" can be used as evidence: add the title of "Nanhuairen Ministry of Industry Right Minister" (Volume 12 of "Records of the Holy Ancestors of the Qing Dynasty"). (Volume 12 of "Records of the Holy Ancestors of the Qing Dynasty")

Fourth, be an emperor teacher.For a period of time, Nan Huairen taught geometry and astronomy to Emperor Kangxi, and also translated "The Original Geometry" into Manchu.Emperor Kangxi "called Huairen into the inner court every day, like every May. He stayed all day long and asked him to teach mathematics and astronomy", and sometimes studied philosophy and music. Emperor Kangxi also ordered people to teach Nan Huairen Manchu and Manchu.He also accompanied Emperor Kangxi on his east tour, observing the sky and measuring the earth along the way.In the twenty-first year of Kangxi (1682), Emperor Kangxi visited the east and took Nan Huairen with him, ordered him to measure the height of the North Pole in Shengjing, and expressed his appreciation.Nan Huairen said: "The emperor expressed his extraordinary affection for me, just as he said, just as he trusted his friends, and hoped that I would not leave his side." On the way back to the capital, one day, Emperor Kangxi naturally He boarded the boat first, he asked the accompanying princes and nobles to wait for a while, and called Nan Huairen to get on the boat and cross the river with him.

The Nantang where Nan Huairen lives is recorded in historical records: The Catholic Church in the capital was built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, and it was rebuilt repeatedly in this dynasty. The imperial inscription said "Tongwei Jiajing".There are two brick buildings on the left and right, standing between the halls.The Tianqin is stored on the left. At noon, the door of the building opens automatically, and the qin makes its own sound. When the time shifts, the qin stops and the door is closed.There are hourglasses, telescopes, and dragon-tailed cars as a test. ("Qing Barnyard Banknotes Jingshi Catholic Church" page 1957) In the twenty-seventh year of Kangxi (1688), Nan Huairen died of illness in Beijing at the age of sixty-six. Tang Ruowang Cemetery.

After Nan Huairen's death, the relationship between the Catholic North Church and the court became increasingly close and important.