Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 322 The famous Qing blower, Macartney, arrived in the Qing Dynasty that he had always dreamed of!
Li Yu stood up:

"That's it, I'm leaving."

Grandma Rong quickly closed the book and followed behind with her little feet to express her loyalty again.

For example, we must regularly organize the hooves to thoroughly understand His Majesty's instructions, draw inferences from one example, and implement alignment.

Anyway,

Once one becomes a leader, one's knowledge expands rapidly. No matter what industry, I can give you some advice.

Not to mention this superficial art, even sows giving birth, nuclear fusion theory research, and cosmic interstellar science, we can also seriously talk about some precautions!

Are you pretending to understand if you don’t understand?
Of course not, but giving advice from a high-level perspective.

In all industries in the world, the secrets are ultimately nothing more than two points: being a person and doing things. If you master any of these points, life will be smooth sailing.

And now that he is His Majesty the State of Wu, it is more than enough for him to guide a group of hooves.

Dance
People who are too pure cannot dance well, and they don’t have that taste!

Starting from the mainland port of Portsmouth, passing through the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean to Malacca, and then passing through the South China Sea, we finally arrived at the first stop of our visit: Guangzhou.

The Dutch army was in full readiness, and Governor Suijin led the city's important officials, priests and indigenous leaders to greet important guests at the dock.

He just moved his eyes back and asked:

In such a large fleet, 8 of them are merchant ships.

Everyone was in high spirits and looked towards the skyline.

This was a diplomatic move that cost a lot and attracted the attention of royal families across Europe.

It seemed like there was an answer, but it seemed like there was no answer.

At the same time, the sails were lowered and the gunwales were closed to show friendship.

Malacca City.

"My Lord Governor, what do you think of this Saxon visit to the east?"

After Iberia, the Netherlands has been dominant for a hundred years, but now its power is almost exhausted. Saxon began to prosper, and its colonial territory became more and more grand.

"So, Mr. Viscount, where is the envoy of your country?"

The flagship "Portsmouth" docked and lowered the gangplank.

Sui Jin didn't mind the peculiar smell on Macartney's body. It was normal for sailing to be smelly. Coupled with the fact that he is a troublemaker (diplomat) who graduated from Trinity College, it becomes even more reasonable.

The Saxon sailors munched on fruits and vegetables and drank heavily.

I took advantage of this opportunity to do some business, and the profits were huge.

……

"Dear Governor General, please allow me to introduce myself. I am the deputy envoy of this mission, Macartney. I have served as Secretary of State for Ireland and Governor of the Caribbean. The king has awarded me the title of Viscount."

The dinner was sumptuous.

This is the reason why the whole city of Malacca is on alert, to warn against the insidious Saxons who have no moral ethics and turn the mission into a pirate group.

Macartney made the sign of the cross awkwardly:
"Unfortunately, Mr. Kasekate died of illness on the way. We will bring his body back to London and bury him in his hometown. May the glory of the Lord shine forever."

Suijin straightened his collar, straightened his thick mustache, and walked towards the dock with his head held high.

"Well, an epoch-making visit. It is likely to have an immeasurable impact on the Nanyang territory and even the division of European power in the next 50 years."

Then go north to reach Dagokou.

"There are talented people from generation to generation, and each has led the way for hundreds of years", which is also very suitable for colonists.

It was like meeting old friends, but in fact no one knew anyone.

After settling the major matters at hand, Li Yu was ready to look back, personally point out the main members of the group, and inject some brilliance of humanity into them.

"I'm coming."

In the past 3 years or so, the Netherlands and Saxon have fought three full-scale wars.

A huge fleet of 12 ships suddenly appeared on the sea.

……

……

Sui Jin also sighed and made the sign of the pious cross.

Everyone who understands understands, and those who don’t understand pretend to understand.

Two older men shook hands and hugged warmly.

A middle-aged man, wearing a green velvet jacket, took off his black top hat, and bent down politely:

This is the closest the two have ever been, since they both believe in Protestantism.

Overall, the Dutch won.

This is the basic quality that a mature colonial bureaucrat should have!

"May there be no more wars between the two countries, and may there be friendship and peace."

"Well, for peace."

Macartney and Sui Jin raised their glasses in public, pushing the atmosphere to its peak.

However, it is normal for a political leader to say something that is not true and contains 100% lies.

There is a joke in London:
The teacher angrily said to the parents: Sir, your child can lie 100 times a day at school. The parent thoughtfully said: Thank God, my family can finally have a big shot.

……

Malacca's forts, garrisons, and warships were always ready.

Until I looked at the fleet and disappeared into the east.

Governor Suijin took off his hat and smelled it exaggeratedly:
"Oh my God, get me the bathwater. When these Saxons arrive, my governor's palace will be filled with all kinds of strange smells and I'll need to waste ten ounces of perfume."

Everyone laughed.

The last patriotic war between the two countries was in 1672. The Saxons suddenly attacked on the pretext of a painting in the Netherlands, which humiliated the Saxons' self-esteem.

The fight was extremely fierce, with the army and navy joining the battle, and neighboring countries helping out. In the end, the Saxons achieved a slight strategic victory.

Suijin stood on the castle and sighed:
"It's been a hundred years, how long can this peace last?"

The guard next to him was silent.

Anyone with a sense of crisis will understand that the military power of the Netherlands is somewhat out of step with the times. Everyone has a dream of getting rich and making a lot of money. They are generally afraid of war and hate war.

……

"Portsmouth" is a level 3 sailing battleship with 70 guns, two gun decks and a displacement of 1500 tons.

The entire ship is built of oak and is very strong.

"How's the sea state?"

"everything is normal."

Macartney nodded, returned to the cabin at the stern, and wrote in his diary:

"~I am both excited and afraid of the Eastern Empire that I am about to arrive. She has a vast territory, perfect system, unimaginable wealth, and magical tea, silk, and porcelain. An old friend of mine, Vol Mr. Tai once said that the emperor of the Qing Empire was kind and generous, long-lived and wise, and was the most ideal example of an enlightened king in history. I personally respect Mr. Voltaire who was both a teacher and a friend. I can't wait to arrive at the Qing Empire. Coastline, learn about the elegant and classical culture, ponder the exquisite and orderly rule of the Qing Empire, and meet the long-lived emperor who seems to have been blessed by God~ I also want to climb the legendary Great Wall, which I think will definitely be better than Scotland. The stone wall that protected the region from the barbarians is a hundred times more majestic. Perhaps, my name will be recorded in history due to this journey. Hundreds of years later, if an authoritative organization selects the 18 people who influenced the world in the 100th century, my name will be included. "

As he was writing, the adjutant opened the door.

"Mr. Viscount, I think it is necessary for you to come out and take a look."

Macartney hurriedly walked to the deck, and the sailors quickly moved out of the way, only to see several corpses floating on the sea, as well as some broken boards.

……

"Mr. Viscount, according to my inspection of the clothes and belongings of the recovered bodies, this shipwreck should have been caused by a domestic merchant ship that encountered pirates. The cruel pirates killed them all~"

Macartney nodded, this was not uncommon.

But this sea area is a bit sensitive.

"Adjutant, how far are we from Guangzhou?"

"About 1500 nautical miles."

The fleet continued to sail north, but the monsoon was in the wrong direction, so its speed was slow. This is under the premise that skilled sailors have been sailing in a zigzag pattern. That night,

Macartney had a dream and woke up sweating profusely.

open the door:
"Find Hong Renhui."

Hong Renhui, a Saxon, was the first Chinese translator in the Kingdom.

In the 20th year of Qianlong's reign, he took the risk of sailing to Tianjin to protest to Qianlong that the Ningbo Customs tax burden was too heavy. He was imprisoned by Qianlong for several years and then deported.

After that, the Qing court started an era of trade in Guangzhou.

[Non-fictional characters, real people. 】

"Please take a seat."

"Thank you, Your Excellency Viscount, my understanding of the Qing Empire has finally been put to use."

……

Macartney poured him a glass of wine, his attitude gentle.

"I want to hear you talk about the mysterious Qing Empire."

"What aspect does Your Excellency the Viscount want to know about?"

"Everything. The voyage is long and boring, and I think I have plenty of time to listen."

Hong Renhui drank up the strong wine in the glass with a gulp, and his face gradually turned rosy:

"I asked the senior officials of the East India Company to submit a memorandum of the Qing Empire to London that I drafted myself very early on. It's a pity~"

Macartney smiled generously:
"It's not surprising, they only have profit in their eyes. Even if it is submitted to London, your memorandum will not be taken seriously by Parliament."

"why?"

"The gentlemen of the Parliament even rejected the Admiralty's suggestion that sailors should be universally equipped with dried lemons to prevent scurvy. Let alone a memorandum across the ocean."

Hong Renhui felt a little sad and angry, and took the refilled cup:
"Are all the council idiots?"

"No, no, it's just the opposite. The people sitting in the parliament are all elites. They don't adopt it because once it is adopted, it will cost money."

……

Hong Renhui was confused for a moment.

Macartney simply explained to him more clearly:
"After sailing for more than two months, sailors began to fall ill and die in large numbers because of the lack of fruits and vegetables. In fact, a respected military doctor in the Royal Navy had already done a targeted experiment. Just drink wine containing lemon or similar fruits regularly, and this terrible disease will stay away from us."

"However, this will increase funding."

"The Royal Navy has no shortage of sailors. As long as you scan the cities around the dock before setting sail, you can get hundreds or even more homeless people."

"A slice of lemon?"

"Thank you."

Macartney used a delicate knife to cut two slices of wrinkled dried lemon and put them into the cup.

"Cheers to the success of this mission!"

"cheers."

……

Eleven days later, the fleet successfully arrived off the coast of Guangzhou.

Under the guidance of the Admiral of the Guangdong Navy, it slowly sailed into the Pearl River Estuary.

Macartney and all members of the mission looked excitedly at the scenery on both sides of the Pearl River. It was early spring and the temperature in Guangzhou was gradually rising.

The grass is long, the warblers are flying, and the greenery is abundant.

Yierhang, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, led the civil and military officials to welcome him. All the merchants of the Thirteenth Bank of Guangdong and foreign merchants from various countries living in the suburbs of Guangzhou were present.

The specifications are very high and the treatment is very good.

Eight Banners cavalry wearing cotton armor and green battalion soldiers holding spears escorted them all the way.

Macartney felt a little relieved, and at the same time he heard a fresh word from Hong Renhui's mouth: receive him with princely etiquette!
at the banquet,
At the banquet, Yierhang, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, besides asking if the journey went well, also inadvertently mentioned a key question:
"In addition to paying homage, does your delegation have any other purpose for coming to Qing Dynasty this time?"

Hong Renhui was Macartney's translator.

And a disciple of the Thirteenth Generation of Guangdong served as Yierhang's translator.

The backs of both translators were sweating. Without him, it violated the biggest principle of translation, which is to be original.

The two communicated with each other with their eyes.

During the whole banquet, the two of them were the most tired and unwilling to eat.

……

When the meeting is over,
The translator of the Guangdong Thirteen Lines found an opportunity to stuff a small cloth bag into Hong Renhui's face. When he opened it, it was filled with bright gems.

He bent slightly and said respectfully:
"A small gift is not a sign of respect."

"No reward for no merit."

"No, you are meritorious. I can see that you are a Yi people who know the etiquette of the Celestial Dynasty very well. You are different from those Yi merchants who only know money! By the way, this is really your first time to set foot on the mainland. Qing’s land?”

More than ten years have passed since Hong Renhui was imprisoned in Guangdong and deported.

The appearance has changed a lot, not to mention that in the eyes of the Qing people, the Yi people all look the same.

Therefore, no one recognizes that he is normal.

He calmly put away the bag of gems and said:
"I have never been to your country. As a member of the mission, I hope everything goes well, friendship between the two countries, and in-depth cooperation in business and trade."

"That's good!" The merchant young man added happily, "If you mediate a lot in the middle, someone will naturally take care of you when you get to the capital. I, the Qing Dynasty, have always been generous in treating friends, and I will not let you down."

Hong Renhui is different from other Saxons in that he fully understands the hidden meaning.

……

The mission stayed at the luxurious manor of a businessman in the suburbs.

Rare and exotic animals, rockeries and flowing water, as well as extravagant and indescribable room decorations, deeply surprised nobles like Macartney. He had a new understanding of the wealth of the Thirteenth Line - wealth that rivals the country.

Just when he was interested in a Jun porcelain bottle from the Song Dynasty.

The maid waiting at the door knocked on the door and came in.

Behind him were several East India Company merchants.

After closing the door, everyone began to complain loudly:
"Your Excellency, the merchants in Guangzhou are too shady. Their silk tea prices have been increasing. It is almost to the point that we cannot bear it."

"why is that?"

"They said it was because of the war and the weather!"

"Can anyone explain this in detail?"

A Scottish captain gave a brief introduction:
"It's like this. A nobleman who actually controlled the rich area south of the Yangtze River in the Qing Empire went to war with the central government. The troops under this nobleman were brave and good at fighting, and they controlled the main producing areas of tea and silk. Therefore, the price has been soaring."

……

Macartney frowned:
"is that true?"

"Yes. We even got the Qing Empire's newspaper about this war."

The captain took out a translated newspaper from his pocket.

Macartney glanced through it briefly, raised the paper, and asked:

"Where did it come from?"

"The yamen in Guangzhou clearly mark the prices. Because we are from Yi people, the prices are 5% higher."

Macartney couldn't help but joked:

"Never let the civil servants in London know, or they will think themselves as pure as the saints."

The room was filled with cheerful laughter.

Suddenly, a senior employee of the East India Company whispered:
"Your Majesty the Viscount, you will burn it after reading it."

After reading the note, Macartney was horrified, word for word:
"Listen up, cut off all contact with that side. This is not a suggestion, but an order from me as the plenipotentiary diplomatic envoy of the Saxon Kingdom!"

(End of this chapter)