Chapter 39 219 European visitor Marco Polo

When Yuan Shizu was in power, the huge Mongolian Khanate established during the Genghis Khan period had split into four Khanates (Qincha Khanate, Chagatai Khanate, Wokuotai Khanate, and Yier Khanate). The emperor is still the great khan of the four khanates in name.At that time, China was the most powerful and richest country in the world, and envoys, businessmen and travelers from all over the world came to China for sightseeing.The most famous of these is Marco Polo. Marco Polo's father, Nicola Polo, and his uncle, Ma Fei Polo, were originally merchants in Venice.The brothers often go abroad to do business.After the establishment of the Mongolian Khanate, they brought a large number of treasures to the Chincha Khanate to do business.Later, a war broke out there, and they went to Bukhara, a city in Central Asia, where they lived.

Once, when Kublai Khan's envoy passed through Bukhara and saw these two European businessmen, he was very surprised and said to them: "Our Dahan has never met a European. If you can go to see Dahan with me, you will surely get rich; besides, go to China with us, there is no safety at all." Brother Nicholas was a person who liked to travel around. Hearing that he could see the Great Khan of China, why didn't he want to?The two followed the envoy to Shangdu (now northwest of Duolun County, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region).Kublai Khan was very happy when he heard that two European guests had come, and met them in his palace, asking questions about this and that, very enthusiastic.

The Nicholas brothers did not intend to stay in China. Kublai Khan heard about the situation in Europe from them and asked them to return to Europe to send a message to the Pope of Rome, asking the Pope to send someone to preach.The two bid farewell to Kublai Khan and left China.After walking on the road for more than three years, I returned to Venice.At that time, Nicholas' wife had died of illness, leaving behind a child, Marco Polo, who was already fifteen years old. When Marco Polo heard his father and uncle talk about China's prosperity, he was very envious and begged his father to take him to China.Nicholas felt uncomfortable leaving the child alone at home, so he decided to take him with him.

After seeing the Pope, the Nicholas brothers brought Marco Polo to China.It took another three years on the road and arrived in China in 1275 AD.Kublai Khan had already ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. When he heard that the Nicholas brothers were coming, he sent people to welcome them to Shangdu from far away. Brother Nicholas took Marco Polo into the palace to meet Yuan Shizu.Yuan Shizu saw that there was a young boy beside Nicholas, and asked who it was in surprise, Nicholas replied, "This is my child, and also His Majesty's servant." Seeing Marco Polo's handsome appearance, Yuan Shizu repeatedly said, "It's very kind of you to come."

That night, Yuan Shizu specially held a banquet in the palace to welcome them.Later, they were left to work in the court. Marco Polo was very clever and quickly learned Mongolian and Chinese.Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty found that he had made rapid progress and appreciated him very much. After a while, he sent him to Yunnan to do business.Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty liked to know the customs and customs of various places. In the past, imperial envoys went to inspect various places. When they came back, they asked them about the customs and customs, but they couldn't tell.When Marco Polo went out, he paid attention to the customs and customs wherever he went.After returning to Dadu, report to Yuan Shizu in detail.After hearing this, Yuan Shizu praised Marco Polo for his ability.In the future, whenever there was an important task, Yuan Shizu would always send Marco Polo there.

Marco Polo lived in China for seventeen years, and was sent by Yuan Shizu to inspect many places. He also often went abroad as an envoy and visited several countries in Southeast Asia.He stayed in Yangzhou for three years, and it is said that he also served as the general manager there. As the days passed, the three Europeans couldn't help but miss their hometown, and asked Yuan Shizu to return to the country over and over again.But Yuan Shizu doted on Marco Polo and was reluctant to let them go.Just at that time, one of the concubines of the king of the Il Khanate died, and he sent envoys to Dadu to propose marriage.Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty chose a royal girl named Kuo Kuo Zhen and gave it to the king of the Il Khanate as his concubine.The envoy of the Il Khanate thought it was too inconvenient to go by land. Knowing that Nicholas and the others were familiar with the sea route, he asked Yuan Shizu to send Nicholas and the others to escort the princess back home.Yuan Shizu had no choice but to agree.

In 1292 A.D., brothers Nicholas and Marco Polo, together with the envoys of the Ilkhanate, left China and passed through the Indian Ocean by sea boat, and escorted Kuokuzhen to the Ilkhanate. After three years of trekking, they returned. to Venice. At this time, it had been twenty years since they left Venice.The locals haven't heard from them for a long time, and they all thought they died abroad.Now seeing them come back in oriental costumes, and hearing that they have been to China and brought back many pearls and gems, it is a sensation.People nicknamed Marco Polo "Millionaire Marco".

Not long after, Venice clashed with another city-state, Genoa, and their fleets fought in the Mediterranean.Marco Polo bought a warship with his own money, drove it himself, and joined the fleet of Venice.As a result, Venice lost the battle, and Marco Polo was captured and imprisoned in Genoa.When the Genoese heard that he was a famous traveler, they visited him in prison and asked him to tell him about the East and China. In the prison with Marco Polo, a writer named Ruth Tichen recorded all the things Marco Polo said and compiled them into a book. This is the famous "Marco Polo" ·Polo's Journey" (a "Oriental Hearings and Experiences").In that travel note, Marco Polo gave a detailed introduction to famous Chinese cities, such as Dadu, Yangzhou, Suzhou, Hangzhou, etc., praising China's prosperity and civilization.As soon as this book was published, it aroused Europeans' longing for Chinese civilization.The Genoese released Marco Polo because of his fame.

Since then, the exchanges between China and Europeans and Arabs have become closer.Arabian astronomy, mathematics, and medical knowledge began to spread to China; the three ancient Chinese inventions—the compass, printing, and gunpowder—also spread to Europe during this period (another great invention of China, papermaking, spread to Europe. earlier).