The Indians imagined that the human world was divided into four islands or four continents, all centered on Mount Sumeru and positioned in the four cardinal directions.
Yet the real world was nothing like what they imagined, as could be seen from the maps drawn by navigators. A world map hung in Nick's room, and every marked location was somewhere he had visited. Cao Xi was now standing before it, seemingly admiring it.
Intellectuals such as provincial graduates possessed at least some concept of the "world." He knew of Japan, Ryukyu, Malaysia, Persia, and the Western Regions, unlike rustic villagers, whose world extended only as far as their daily lives. Yet even provincial graduates and sailors drew world maps centered on China, and their maps were far from accurate.
During the Qianlong era, the Qianlong Emperor had also organized a large-scale geographical survey to clearly establish the Qing dynasty's territorial boundaries. This had not been his own innovation; Kangxi and Yongzheng had conducted surveys as well. It differed greatly from the Ming dynasty's strict distinction between the civilized and the barbarian.
After admiring Nick's map for a while, Cao Xi began looking around Nick's room. As a temporary residence, it was simply furnished: a bed, a chair, a table, and a wooden coat rack. Other than that, there were only suitcases that had not yet been unpacked.
Nick was ready to leave at any time and continue on his next journey. For the moment, he had no plans to remain anywhere for long.
Cao Xi stared at his suitcases and paced back and forth several times, as if he dearly wanted to open them.
"What do you want, Company Commander Cao?" Nick asked in stiff Mandarin.
Cao Xi looked at Nick in some surprise.
"I'm learning Chinese." Nick pointed at