Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 328 The Royal Navy can lend a helping hand and bombard the Wu army in Zhoushan!

Zhoushan Islands, east sea.

A large fleet headed north, including 12 Saxon ships and 2 overseas warships of the Guangdong Navy.

On the deck of the flagship "Portsmouth",
Guangzhou General Fu Min looked solemnly at the black smoke rising from the island on the west side.

This is a stronghold of the Qing government in the Zhoushan Islands, Zhujiajian Town!

Now Wu Jun finally freed up his hands and transferred two battalions of infantry from Ningbo Prefecture to start sweeping the Zhoushan Islands. The steps were to first cut off the branches and leaves, and then cut off the tree trunks.

Gradually clear out many Qing troops around the Zhoushan Islands, and then besiege Dinghai County and the surrounding Xiaofengling Fort.

……

Macartney opened his telescope and looked carefully.

He saw a shocking scene. The rebels were wearing uniforms that looked like European military uniforms and were chasing each other in small groups.

From time to time someone kneels down and shoots.

Several sea miles away, the sound of the gunfire was almost inaudible, but from the rhythm of the firing, he could tell it was a flintlock gun.

And the quality of the soldiers is good!
A local rebel army has such strength.

How powerful and majestic the elite national defense force of the Qing Empire must be.

He ignored the howling guys holding big blades who were being chased by the rebels, instinctively thinking that these were the Qing Empire's fish-belly troops.

According to intelligence, the essence of the Qing Empire's military is in the north! It has an extremely large number of cavalry groups, heavy infantry groups, and firearms corps. Their defense focus is in the north, in the northwest!
Except for the war against Burma, the Qing emperor briefly transferred his elite troops to the south, and the rest of the time they were stationed at the northwest border of the empire.

The Qing Empire was so vast that the emperor could not take care of it for a while. If given time, these rebels will definitely be eliminated.

Unknowingly, Macartney also became a Qingchui.

……

He walked to Guangzhou General Fu Min with his translator Hong Renhui and asked in a low voice:

"Your Excellency, the Royal Navy can shell the rebels on the western island."

Fu Min's expression changed drastically, as if he had seen a ghost, and he refused sharply:

"No, absolutely not. We do not need barbarians to interfere in the internal affairs of the Qing Dynasty. They are just rebelling against the bandits in the south of the Yangtze River. The imperial court has mobilized all its troops to encircle and suppress them. Victory can only happen in a matter of seconds."

After listening to Hong Renhui's translation, Macartney silently bowed and bowed before leaving.

Judging from his experience in Trinity College and colonial affairs, this arrogant Eight Banners general was right.

Same situation,

The Saxon kingdom would also reject such "friendly and sensitive" military assistance.

The fleet continued to sail against the wind.

Fu Min was quite surprised by the speed of the ship, but out of an inexplicable Chinese mentality, he never asked about the secret.

If he took the initiative to inquire, the Saxon sailor would definitely explain it in detail.

Because everyone in the mission has a mentality.

Can't wait to show off their scientific and technological strength, eager to be recognized and respected by the Qing Empire, and get rid of the impression of barbarians.

East India Company merchants who frequently dealt with Guangzhou knew that the Qing Empire was very arrogant and collectively referred to all countries except vassal states as "barbarians" - barbaric barbarian countries.

Macartney naturally heard about it and felt inexplicably sad and angry about it.

The Saxon Kingdom has always arrogantly called the colonial natives "humanoids", but now this arrogance has met its enemy~
Angry, shaking, cold!
……

In early spring, there is still a weakened northerly wind.

The Saxon sailors' superb sail control skills and zigzag positioning allowed the fleet to sail far faster than Fumin expected.

Although he was a little frightened, he didn't take a high look at it.

Only the barbarians who couldn't survive sailed and did business all over the world. The Qing Dynasty is rich in the world, self-sufficient, and does not need to go to sea.

According to prior arrangements,

The fleet anchored at Haizhou Port in Jiangsu Province to replenish supplies.

If Li Yu had not raised troops to cause trouble, supplies should have been made at Ningbo Port or Chongming Island!

After traveling an extra 1000 miles, there was no fresh water and food left on the ship.

When I see the land and the crowds on the pier,

The Saxon sailors rushed to the side of the ship enthusiastically, waving all their hats and clothing within easy reach, expressing their ecstasy.

ashore,

Haizhou Zhizhou whispered:
"Barbarians are really unstable."

The master on the side echoed:
"What Dong Weng said is the same as the poor relatives who come to beat the autumn wind."

Zhizhou smiled and said:

"Your metaphor is very wonderful."

……

Contempt is contempt, but the welcome should still be grand.

This is not to give face to the barbarians, but to express loyalty to the emperor.

Macartney and senior members of the mission were listening to Hong Renhui's long gift list with shocked faces.

He suddenly blurted out:

"If there are too many, the food won't be eaten and it will rot."

The governor of Haizhou finally found an opportunity to show off his superiority and said with a smile:

"Your Majesty, you don't have to refuse. Our Qing Dynasty is rich in products. What does this mean? It's just the tip of a drop in the bucket."

As soon as these words came out, Fu Min nodded in approval.

Hong Renhui translated it calmly. Based on his understanding of the Qing court, this was a routine operation.

In theory,

Among the millions of citizens of the Saxon Kingdom, he was the one who knew the Qing court best.

The next day,

The fleet set sail as normal, looking at the crowds of people stretching their necks on the shore as they stretched for miles.

Macartney couldn't help but ask:
"What are they looking at?"

Stangdong, the mission’s material manager, said with emotion:
"It reminded me of the London Zoo, with people curiously looking at the monkeys."

Macartney opened his mouth, but no words came out.

……

Speechless all the way, we arrived at the sea outside Dagu in 10 days.

The general army of Jinmen mobilized more than 30 large and small warships, as well as all land soldiers to stand ready, both to welcome and to be on guard.

This was in compliance with Qianlong's instructions.

It has to be said that Hongli, this old boy, does see the problem very clearly. He pretends to be nice, but it does not affect his understanding of the nature of European colonists in the slightest.

When encountering a weak country, they will kill with guns and cannons, showing dominance and prosperity.

When encountering the Celestial Empire, they are cautious, trying to make profits through business, and even have arrogant missionary ideas.

A small boat carrying the prefect of Jinmen and the commander-in-chief.

With the help of ropes, he climbed onto the flagship "Portsmouth".

"The emperor has an oral message. The Saxon mission is not afraid of the waves and pays tribute from thousands of miles away. I am deeply gratified. As the fleet anchors at Dagukou, the mission will temporarily allow three people to disembark. The rest will not be allowed to disembark without notice."

Hong Renhui completed the translation,
Macartney and Staunton were stunned and surprised.

"Tribute? No, no, Qing and Sa are equal and friendly. We are not a vassal state of the Qing, so how can we pay tribute?"

The prefect of Jinmen was displeased and immediately refuted:

"If it wasn't a tribute, why did you bring so many gifts?"

After a debate, the atmosphere became tense.

As a translator, Hong Renhui quickly smoothed things over:
"Chinese and English have different understandings of context. This is just a small misunderstanding. We can put aside the dispute first and talk about it later."

The prefect of Jinmen nodded happily, feeling that this barbarian was quite pleasing to his eyes.

……

The mission fleet was anchored in two places.

Anyone who is interested has noticed that the berths of the four battleships are just under the fort.

The other eight merchant ships were anchored at a civilian dock a few miles away.

The Saxon sailors were not dissatisfied, because these foreigners gave too much.

20 cows, 120 sheep, 200 pigs, 200 chickens, ducks and geese, 100 baskets of fruits, 100 baskets of vegetables, and 300 jars of wine~
Even clean laundry, charcoal is taken into account. In addition, all sailors were given 20 taels of silver and 2 pieces of silk.

The sailors reveled on the deck every day, eating until they were full of food and drinking until they were drunk. There were even prostitutes who rowed small boats to solicit customers.

As the lowest level of roughnecks, sailors who may die at any time are of course enjoying themselves in the moment.

As for what results the gentlemen of the mission can negotiate.

That's not something sailors should think about.

……

Jinmen Fucheng,

In the post house, Macartney, Staunton, and translator Hong Renhui were worried.

He lived in a spacious and luxurious post house, ate exquisite food and drank fine wine, but he still couldn't wait for the emperor's summons.

It’s lunch time again,
More than a dozen maids and servants prepared the table with wine and food.

After that, as usual, the half-hearted Lifanyuan official who only knew a few words in English came in and looked around:
"Please eat."

Macartney had an expressionless face and forced a smile:
"Thank you."

On the first day, when he heard this guy with pigtails speaking English, he was ecstatic.

Then I discovered that this guy kept saying a few words over and over again.

Staunton walked around the room irritably, complaining:

"I don't understand why the royal family of the Qing Dynasty treats us like this? We represent the powerful Saxon Kingdom and have traveled thousands of miles to open up the bright future of the two countries."

Hong Renhui remained silent, which was very reasonable based on his experience of being imprisoned in the Qing court for several years.

Macartney was calmer and sat at the table:

"Gentlemen, what surprises are there for us to try today's delicacies? I think maybe this is a test."

……

Outside the post house,
It was guarded by green soldiers armed with spears on three levels inside and three outside. No one is allowed to approach within 30 feet.

So, Stangdong complained while drinking:
"It's like we are prisoners."

Hong Renhui smiled:
"Then there will be countless people all over the world, crying and shouting to join this big prison. There is an old saying in the Qing Dynasty, which is to make peace with what you have come. Why not enjoy the treatment of a prince of the Qing Empire in peace? We spend every day here The sales are no less than 100 pounds, and the salary is even better than that of the Prime Minister in Downing Street.”

Macartney carefully tore into the lotus leaf glutinous rice chicken:
"I agree."

……

The third master of the Lifan Academy is the red flag man.

Because he was said to be able to speak a few words in foreign language, he was brought to Jinmen to be responsible for reception.

Before leaving,
His boss warned him sternly: speak less and listen more.

The emperor's favorite ministers and lords have orders to ignore these Saxon envoys first, and then call them into the capital to facilitate communication.

at this time,

He is racking his brains to prepare a "report on foreign affairs" to his boss.

The content is all made up.

In the forty-second year of Qianlong's reign, on the first day of March, noon. Lao Ma from the Saxon mission said: The glutinous rice chicken with lotus leaves is very delicious. It would be even better if there is a woman with small feet who can sing.

In the forty-second year of Qianlong's reign, on the second day of March, Mao hour. A Yi man surnamed Hong who can speak Chinese said: He loves the Qing Dynasty and hopes to visit the Old Summer Palace.

In the forty-second year of Qianlong's reign, on the second day of March, it was Shenshi. Discussion of the mission: If they want to do more business with the Qing Dynasty, they would be worse off than dead without tea.

~
These fabricated reports on foreign affairs actually attracted great attention.

Everyone in the Military Aircraft Department believes that the Saxons want to open more treaty ports and lift more restrictions, which is probably true.

……

In the Yangxin Hall,

Qianlong glanced at the barbarian report and smiled disdainfully.

"It will never change the principle of trade. However, other requirements can still be met. There are talents in the Lifan Academy."

With a word from the emperor, the third master's good fortune will come.

The Lifan Yuan specially set up a Nanyang Pavilion, and he served as its supervisor. When one's luck comes, nothing can stop it.

Heshen, out of concern that the Thirteenth Bank of Guangdong would be exposed by privately lifting the ban, summoned the Andorra mission and the Netherlands mission.

In order to keep it confidential,

The official interpreter of the Lifanyuan was not used, but a disciple of the Thirteenth Line was used.

"How are you doing during this time?"

Everyone was feeling guilty, nodding like pounding garlic, all filled with complimentary words. One person even knelt down and kowtowed three times.

He Shen frowned. For some reason, he always felt that the kneecaps of these small country barbarians were too soft and they had no integrity.

"Besides paying tribute, do you have any other important things to do when you come to the Qing Dynasty this time?"

Everyone shook their heads again.

The book on getting rich that was bought with a lot of money emphasized one point: silence is golden!

The comment about this idiom reads:

Gentlemen, when you set foot on the land of the Qing Dynasty, try to remain silent and smile, and you will get more gold.

……

He Shen was a little embarrassed and looked at the translator surnamed Pan uncomfortably:

"Ask them, the Saxon mission has landed. Who can tell me about the relationship in Europe? Compared with the Franks, which one is stronger and which one is weaker?"

The thirteen descendants of the Pan family started chattering.

The guilty "fake envoys" suddenly became extremely nervous and turned pale. Li Gui met Li Kui.

In that booklet on getting rich, it was emphasized again and again:

No one can pretend to be Saxon or Frank, or they will be exposed.

When they heard this young Qing imperial interpreter say that the Saxon mission had arrived in more than a dozen ships, led by a nobleman, everyone was panicked.

One of the most eloquent “envoys” quickly lied:
"Dear Minister, the Saxon Kingdom is the maritime overlord of Europe, while the Frankish Kingdom is the land overlord. Small countries like us do not dare to stand alongside them."

He Shen quickly asked:
"Then you made an appointment to come to Qing Dynasty together?"

"No, no. It's just a coincidence."

"Saxon hopes to have more business dealings with the Qing Dynasty. Don't you have similar ideas?"

"No, no. We just hope that the Great Emperor will reward you with more gold."

……

He Shen nodded with satisfaction, feeling that these wretched guys were somewhat handsome.

Then he asked:

"How are you on with the Saxons?"

"It's bad, it's bad. We hate them and we don't want to see them."

Everyone's stress reaction was great, and their expressions didn't seem to be fake.

He Shen had a general understanding of the Saxon Kingdom. It was a regional power with strong military strength. It had launched many wars against its surroundings, which made envoys from these small countries very disgusted and fearful.

In this way, when necessary, you can use envoys to envoys.

He Shen stood up with satisfaction:
"Everyone, please live in peace. If you have any needs in daily life, you can directly ask for them. Our country is rich in resources and treasures, and there is no possibility of being stingy with your sincere envoys. I may see you in a few days."

……

The next day,

Qin Si, the eunuch in charge, is here.

"There is a reward in the palace, 2000 taels of gold, 20000 taels of silver, 1000 bolts of silk and satin, and a box of precious jade. There are also 1 maids."

The servants came in carrying boxes.

When the 30 barbarians saw the golden light, they knelt down.

Regardless of the hardness of the floor, he kowtows loudly.

In fact, even Qin Si was startled by his honest and honest attitude, and sighed repeatedly: "It's quite similar to how honest the red-haired envoy Siris was a few years ago~"

It is a pity that the Qing treasury is now empty.

It would no longer be possible to reward tens or millions of people like the Siris mission was rewarded at that time.

Shame on you!
For a moment, Qin Si felt a little shy.

I feel sorry for these barbarians who, although they are very poor, "sincerely admire the Qing Dynasty"~
(End of this chapter)