The Head of the Ming Dynasty Spared His Life

At this time, he got 20 points reward in one breath, which can be called extremely generous.

"With these points, should I summon historical figures? Or should I exchange them for technology? Which one is more beneficial and open to the sea?"

With more points, Yan Song hesitated instead.

Yan Song walked to the window, looking at the deep night, and the sea in the distance where the sea opening project was underway.

"Perhaps, a huge nautical fleet is going to be built..."

Yan Song couldn't help smiling when he thought of the Popes in Europe, who were continuously sending historical celebrities who couldn't draw points to Daming and to himself, such as Michelangelo and Descartes.

"Pope, what a fool!"

……

……

At the same time, on the other side of the world, 977 people said almost the same thing.

"The people of Daming are really stupid!"

Italy, Vatican, Papal Palace.

In the magnificent Pope's Palace, contrary to Daming, it happened to usher in the early morning.

At this time, the ruler of the Holy See was Paul IV of Naples.

Paul IV overlooked the magnificent Pope's Palace. At this time, the Pope's prestige throughout Western Europe had reached its peak, and he dominated all Western European countries.

The cardinals they send occupy high positions in various countries, usually to the prime ministers of various countries, such as in Germany and France, not to mention the more pious Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and other places.

In countless Western European countries, the Catholic Pope has unquestionable authority in politics, economy, ideology, military affairs, and diplomacy.

In politics, the pope is above the monarchs of European countries because the power of the church is greater than that of the monarch.

He is—the King of Kings!

.

----

PS: At this time, it is the time of great changes in the world, so here is a part of the plot to describe the top forces of this era. In the future, they will be the biggest opponents of the protagonist, paving the way for the following plots. .

Chapter 569 The Eyes of the European Holy See - Daming [4]

in this era.

Europe is still in the era when the power of religion overrides the power of monarchy.

The monarchs of European countries need to be crowned and recognized by the pope in person in order to obtain legal right to rule.Once a monarch dares to challenge the authority of the pope or the Holy See, the pope only needs to convene a papal conference to announce that the emperor will be expelled from Catholicism and his rule is illegal. Without too much incitement, the princes and subjects under the emperor will naturally set off Wave after wave of upsurge of resistance forced the emperor out of power abruptly.

For example, Gregory VIII and Henry IV, the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of Germany, had conflicts with the monarchy and religious power, and instigated Henry's electors to rebel.Forcing the majestic emperor to sit still, he crossed the Alps and knelt at the door of the Pope's hall in the heavy snow for four days. Only then did he get Gregory's understanding and he could go back and continue to be emperor.

Economically, the Holy See has more power.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Roman Catholicism economically occupied one-third of what was then Western European land.

At this time, the tithe tax of the Holy See has been promoted all over Europe.

The so-called tithe tax means that all residents must pay one tenth of their total wealth to the Holy See as a religious tax dedicated to God!

Correspondingly, the tax collected by the king is often only one-twentieth, or even one-thirtieth.

In addition, there are indulgences.

What are indulgences?

That is, if you pay money, you can redeem your sins!

No matter how sinful you are, as long as you have enough money and buy enough, you can still go to heaven in the future!

This indulgence note sold very well, and became a good tool for the Holy See to collect money in addition to the tithe tax.

In the confessional rooms of cathedrals, believers who are confessing are often persuaded by the godfather to buy indulgence coupons, buy more and get more free, recharge and gift packages.

For example, in the dark confessional room of Milan Cathedral, an unmarried and pregnant noble girl is confessing to a priest. The daily painting style is like this.

"Father, I want to confess my sins~〃."

"Son, what have you done that violates God's Ten Commandments?"

"I accidentally got pregnant, and the other party is still a married man!"

"I am sorry, my child, that you are sinful enough to go to hell."

"God, Father, I really don't want to..." the girl sobbed.

"Ah, it's okay, my child, the merciful Lord, will give any lost lamb a chance to reform himself."

"Really, Father?"

"As long as you buy indulgences!"

"what?"

"Yes! There is no crime in this world that cannot be redeemed with one indulgence. If there is, then two!"

"Huh? But I have no money!"