I can't die

In traditional Chinese culture, there has always been an orthodox concept of winning the world, but before the opening of the new sea route, among the eastern countries, China was the most powerful, so it was also relatively strong. Leading the coast of the land, could it be the momentum of "a king's minister", and China has always regarded itself as the largest country.

Because of such deep-rooted concepts, China generally appears to be relatively strong towards neighboring countries and regimes.According to the official histories or literati records of past dynasties, the surrounding tribal regimes or countries that have exchanges with the Chinese central government are generally divided into two types: "entering the dynasty" and "laying tribute".

"Entering the court" refers to the coming of vassal states to China. These countries pay tribute to China and serve China as their suzerain. Lu, Siam, Ryukyu, etc.

The situation of "Laigong" is more complicated, including commercial fraud by many foreign businessmen.At the end of the Qing Dynasty, countries that had contacts or signed treaties with the Qing Dynasty sent envoys to China, and their status was equal to that of the Qing Dynasty, just like Western countries.

In the early days, out of fear of the power of big powers, foreign envoys to China generally followed Chinese etiquette.The Qing Dynasty collected the great achievements of the feudal etiquette system in the past dynasties, and formulated the order of the five rites of auspicious, Jia, military, guest, and evil.All foreign envoys who come to the court are treated with courtesy.However, in view of the relationship between each country and China, the etiquette for its envoys to meet the emperor is also different.

According to archives, in the early Qing Dynasty, Western countries sent envoys to China mainly from Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, Russia and the United Kingdom.The envoys are generally received by the Ministry of Rites, and the letters and tributes are forwarded to the emperor. If the emperor summons them, they must kneel and kowtow according to the etiquette of the Qing Dynasty.For example, in the 59th year of Kangxi (1720), the Portuguese envoy Pei Lali came to the court, and Kangxi received him in the Hall of Nine Classics and Three Things in Changchun Garden.On the day of the reception, the Ministry of Rites set up a watch table in the middle of the steps of the palace, and Emperor Kangxi ascended to the throne.Under the guidance of the officials of Honglu Temple, the tribute envoy put the inscription on the watch case, kneeled down three times and kowtowed nine times, and then walked to the throne to present the watch to Emperor Kangxi with his own hands, and knelt down three times and kowtowed nine times. Sit down and give tea.

Afterwards, in the 1727th year of Yongzheng (1753) the Western king of Bordugar sent Medela, and in the [-]th year of Qianlong ([-]) the Portuguese sent Bazig to China.

In the late Qianlong period, with the increasing exchanges between Western countries and China, countries gradually realized the importance of audience etiquette in maintaining national status and dignity.Therefore, the envoys were unwilling to leave the impression of paying tribute to the Qing Dynasty, so they raised objections to the audience etiquette stipulated by the Qing Dynasty.During this period, when Western envoys came to China to meet the emperor, some of them were unwilling to follow the kneeling ceremony of the Qing Dynasty.For example, in the 58th year of Qianlong's reign, Britain sent Macartney to China. After negotiations, he finally adopted a compromise method when he had an audience with Qianlong, kneeling on one leg to worship.However, in the 21st year of Jiaqing, the British envoy Sidangdong came to China, but he simply refused to kneel down and was finally driven back by Jiaqing.

After the Opium War, China's national strength gradually weakened, just as the meaning expressed by "a weak country has no diplomacy", at this time China has begun to be unable to maintain normal diplomatic relations with Western countries.Although Western countries have set up permanent embassies in Beijing one after another, they are obviously not based on equality.These foreign ministers pretended to be powerful and kept asking to see the emperor and hand over their credentials in person, but they did not accept the kneeling etiquette stipulated by China.There was also a debate within the Qing court around the etiquette of receiving audiences. Some ministers believed that ministers had to kneel three times and kowtow nine times when they had an audience. Opponents, considering the customs of Western countries, advocated that there is no need to forcefully kneel and bow when they have an audience.It can be called a farce to deal with foreign affairs based on China's current situation.

As for the meeting with the envoys this time, Zai Chun had a long discussion with the empress dowagers of the two palaces and Shen Guifang, the Minister of Rites. Although Cixi Ci'an wanted the American envoys to kneel down to satisfy their so-called "rules", Zai Chun was very firm. objected.When the ministers heard that the supreme emperor of the Qing Dynasty didn't mind kneeling or not, they agreed, after all, they knew very well how powerful the foreign devils were.So in the end, the etiquette was agreed as follows: Zaichun can sit and stand freely when meeting the minister, whether to give wine or tea is up to the emperor himself, and the time and place of the meeting are determined by the emperor's decree; when the minister meets the emperor, there is no need to kneel and knock The ceremony, but five bows are required to show sincerity and respect.

The etiquette for the meeting was agreed upon, and soon, the specific matters of the meeting were implemented. Three days later, in the main hall of Yanbo Zhishuang Hall, Zai Chun formally received American Minister Burlingame Burlingame.After spending a few days at Chengde Mountain Villa, Burlingame was very happy to know the time when the Qing emperor finally received him. A few days before the meeting, he asked his servants to pack up the gifts that they would present at the meeting as a sign of friendship. .

Soon, it will be time for a formal meeting.In addition to Zaichun and Cixi Ci'an, the people who participated in the meeting here in the Qing Dynasty were the six ministers, Yixun, Li Huaihua, and Princess Rongshouchang.There were not many people participating, but their identities were very valuable. Burlingame entered the hall, bowed and looked at the people in the hall. He was also very surprised. What's more, what's even more shocking is that a girl actually appeared in the hall.

In fact, Rongshou's attendance is not surprising. She is here to represent Prince Gong in Beijing. Because Zai Chun and the two empress dowagers really look down on Prince Gong's useless eldest son, they can only ask her to attend. .As for your question, will there be any objection to women attending such occasions?Hehe, let's talk about it after we have dealt with the Empress Dowager of the Two Palaces first.

"Mr. Envoy, Daqing welcomes you very much."

Zai Chun looked at the middle-aged foreigner with a good tone.The translator at the side immediately translated. Burlingame listened to the little emperor's words. Although he was surprised that the lord of the Qing Dynasty was actually a child, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him. After some greetings, the two parties officially entered the stage of political discussions. .

Zai Chun could see that Burlingame came to China this time, and the United States was really very sincere. Burlingame proposed here that he asked the Qing court to officially open the treaty port to the United States, and promised that he would neither demand nor occupy the concession, nor would he ever threaten the Qing Dynasty. The territorial integrity of the empire.Just these two things have already made Zaichun and Cixi Ci'an, who were oppressed by the British, very fond of each other.

Cixi and Ci'an looked at each other immediately, and there was a trace of trust in Zai Chun's attitude in her heart. It was no wonder that the emperor backed down step by step on the matter of the American envoys. This attitude deserved the Qing Dynasty's true courtesy.

"On behalf of the president of our country, I also presented the most advanced American military samples as a gift to the Qing emperor, and I hope the Qing emperor will accept it."

Once these words came out, Zai Chun couldn't sit still anymore.Everyone present knew that Zaichun attached great importance to the arms of foreigners. At the same time, they also learned that the "Anqing" actually beat the British after being equipped with Armstrong cannons. .

"Thank you for the American envoy. Qing Dynasty must cherish this friendship."

Zai Chun was not stingy about this, and fully implemented the Qing emperor's usual heroism in return gifts, and returned gifts far exceeding the value of these arms: silk, gold and silver, tea, porcelain, etc.At the moment, under the joint discussion of the six ministers, a long-term and large arms order was signed with the United States in the name of the empire, and nearly 200 million taels of silver was paid as a deposit.

Burlingame was also shocked and delighted after seeing so much silver.I am glad that after receiving so much capital inflow, the military industry of the Northern Army will definitely be improved, and the Civil War will end as soon as possible.