The envoys of England, France, the United States, Prussia, Russia, Austria, the Netherlands, and other seven countries of Taixi, plus Spain, which was represented by France, and the envoys of the eight countries watched the enthronement ceremony as scheduled and met with Emperor Hongxu. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

However, Guan Zhuofan did not think that the scene of the ministers prostrate and danced, kneeling and bowing three times and nine bows was suitable for calling international friends to "watch the ceremony" - although this scene was magnificent, it did not represent the progress of history! Besides, the Chinese have all knelt down, leaving eight foreign devils with pestles directly there, what is the matter? This "height difference" is not cute at all!

As a matter of fact, the envoys of the Eight Nations entered the Forbidden City at two o'clock in the afternoon, and at that time, the enthronement ceremony had already ended.

Within one day, the emperor received congratulations from the envoys of the eight countries in the Zhonghe Hall for the second time.

For the Zhonghe Palace, the place of audience, the envoys of the eight countries were very satisfied.

Previously, the Chinese monarch received foreign envoys, and the highest level was the Qianqing Palace-Mu Zongfeng and the Empress Dowager received the "American delegation to China"; Later, the envoys of Britain, France, Russia, and the Netherlands invited an audience according to the "Treaty of Tianjin" and submitted their credentials, and the specifications of the audience venue were lowered and placed in the Ziguang Pavilion in Zhonghai, Xiyuan.

The reason for this arrangement was that the courtiers at that time had a major controversy over the etiquette of the envoys' pilgrimage.

The envoys of the four countries originally insisted on bowing, and Guan Zhuofan finally managed to change to kneeling on one knee, but the defenders represented by Xu Tong were still dissatisfied, thinking that "since ancient times, His Majesty has no kneeling ministers", and the envoys of the four countries, if they do not kneel on both knees, the emperor and the queen mother should not be received; Moreover, this view had a deep impact on Muzon, which has already been explained above.

In order to reduce the resistance of the envoys to the Hajj, as a balance, the size of the Hajj site had to be lowered.

The envoys of the four countries raised objections: Why did the reception of the Americans be in the Qianqing Palace, and the reception of us was changed to the Ziguang Pavilion? ――I heard that it was the emperor's private garden, and it was not an official office space?

Guan Zhuofan had no choice but to be stubborn, "The 'American delegation to China' is led by Vice President Johnson, I don't know which of the ministers of Britain, France, Russia, and the Netherlands is the vice head of state?" ”

The other party has nothing to say.

This time, the venue for the audience was the Zhonghe Hall, and the envoys of the eight countries, including the US minister, all felt that it was a surprise -- this was simply a "triple jump"!

The envoys of the Eight Kingdoms all knew that the lofty status of the "Three Great Palaces" was especially above the Qianqing Palace, the head of the latter three palaces; although the Qianqing Palace was said to be the "Son of Heaven Zhengya," in the end it still had the emperor's personal color, but the "Three Great Palaces" did not have any private color, and they were the highest representatives of the entire empire and the entire government.

In fact, Guan Zhuofan originally wanted to place the place where the emperor met the envoys of the Eight Kingdoms in a more spacious and solemn Baohe Palace, but thinking that the Baohe Hall also has the function of "palace test", in order to avoid some "scholars" jumping too high, he finally chose the Zhonghe Hall with the lowest status among the "three major halls".

The emperor did not receive eight envoys at once, but one by one, and the British minister came out, and the French minister went in again.

Compared with the visit to Ziguang Pavilion, some people even said in a letter to a friend, "It is hard to imagine that the current emperor and the previous emperor are actually biological brothers." ”

The last time, the envoys of Britain, France, Russia, and the Netherlands met Ziguang Pavilion, and from beginning to end, Mu Zong did not say a word - it was the empress dowager of the two palaces who spoke after the yellow mantle. That's it, the key is, why is this little emperor's face so long? Moreover, you twist your body from time to time, as if you are very impatient?

And this time?

The following are the remarks of the envoys of the eight countries who have been circulating through various channels on the occasion of the visit.

The Emperor was a stunning beauty - there is nothing beautiful about her appearance described in diplomatic circles! Moreover, in front of the emperor, there was no hazy yellow curtain like the two queen mothers, so that the ministers could look at the royal face generously.

The emperor was very young, but he had a noble bearing, a modest attitude, and a smile on his face from beginning to end, which made people feel like a spring breeze.

Even more surprising was the Emperor's conversation, which could not have been more appropriate for a sixteen-year-old girl.

For example, when he received the British Minister Ali Guo, the Emperor said: "I am very saddened by the death of Prince Albert, and what a merciful, kind, and loyal man he was! I ask Sir to convey my condolences to Her Majesty, and I empathize with her grief for the loss of my dear brother not long ago. ”

After a pause, "Her Majesty please be careful, I am as concerned about her health as the rest of her friends, and please tell her that her health is not hers alone, but to all the people of England, and to all her friends, including me." ”

Sir Alex was so moved that he knelt down on one knee again to express his sincere gratitude to His Majesty the Emperor and assure him that he would convey His Majesty's words to Her Majesty the Queen word for word.

When he met with the American Minister Pu Anchen, the atmosphere was much more relaxed, and the emperor said, "Although it is the first time that I have met Mr. Minister, since you are an old friend of my husband, you are naturally my old friend!" ――Also, you are also an old friend of the Chinese! ”

When receiving the Prussian minister Liforth, the Emperor said that she was eagerly looking forward to the visit of Crown Prince Frederick and the Crown Princess, and she said with a smile, "Although I grew up in Beijing, I am not very familiar with the roads of Beijing; However, if it is just to visit the Forbidden City and the West Garden, I will definitely be a good tour guide. ”

When receiving the Austrian minister, the emperor said, "I heard that Her Majesty the Empress of your country has just given birth to a little princess?" Heck, that's special, really good news! Well, Her Royal Highness must be a special, especially cute little angel! Please congratulate the Emperor and Empress on my behalf! ”

And so it goes, Balabala.

Some people even wonder if these words of the emperor are really her own words? Is it the "free play" of Prince Xuan, who is in charge of interpretation?

However, among the envoys of the eight countries, all of them knew Chinese, for example, Pu Anchen's Chinese was very fluent; Ali Guo can also speak simple Chinese, at least, there is no big problem in listening, both of them say that these words are the emperor's original words; When Prince Xuan interpreted, some words were used or slightly polished, but the general meaning remained unchanged.

So, afterwards, more than one minister said: I have become an admirer of His Majesty the Emperor!

After the audience, the emperor issued a decree to "give a banquet".

However, the location is not in the Zhonghe Palace, nor in the Forbidden City, but in the Zhonghai of the West Garden, which is the Ziguang Pavilion where the Empress Dowager of the two palaces last Mu Zongfeng received the ministers of Britain, France, Russia, and the Netherlands.

The envoys of the eight countries didn't know, why didn't they find a place to hold a "state banquet" in the Forbidden City nearby? Do you have to go to great lengths to go to the royal gardens? However, everyone happily "obeyed the edict". The specifications of the Ziguang Pavilion naturally cannot be compared with the Zhonghe Hall and the Qianqing Palace, but it is very suitable to hold a "state banquet": in addition to the magnificent volume, although in winter, the surrounding pines and cypresses are still verdant, and there is a huge artificial lake in the east, the scenery is pleasant, and the beauty is enough to accompany the meal.

After exiting the Zhonghe Palace, the envoys of the Eight Kingdoms left the palace from Xihua Gate and got on the bus and went straight to Xiyuan.

But after half a cup of tea, and without turning a corner, the carriage stopped—it had reached the west gate of the West Garden.

Only then did I realize that this royal garden was actually close to the palace, and it was very convenient to get here, not to mention "a lot of trouble".

In this time and space, the "Banquet" of the Ziguang Pavilion was recorded in history as the first "State Banquet" in the true sense of Chinese history.

However, although it was the first "state banquet" in the true sense, the situation was still traditional:

The imperial case is above His Majesty.

Under His Majesty Dan, it is divided into two columns on the left and right, and on the left is the guest: every two envoys, according to a large food table, a total of four food tables; On the right is the master: five ministers of military aircraft, Qian Dingming, the secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wan Qingqui, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, plus Zeng Guofan, a scholar of Wenhuadian University, are also eight people, and there is also one food table for every two people, which is also a total of four food tables.

The left and right sides are opposite each other.

The eight people in the main seat, the Minister of Military Aircraft and the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, needless to say, the other two-

Zeng Guofan belonged to the "order and banquet", and he was originally going to resign, but the edict said that he represented the cabinet - there was no way to resign.

Zeng Disheng's merits and status are there, and he is the first person to do foreign affairs, according to the words of the will, "known as the respect of the Taixi countries", "the order and the banquet", no one can say anything, but, Wan Qing Quinoa? Why did he also participate in this "state banquet"? That's ...... It's a bit of a discord!

The head on the table is that the enthronement ceremony is organized by the Ministry of Rites, and the "banquet" of the envoys of the eight countries is a part of the enthronement ceremony, and the Ministry of Rites has the obligation to feast.

Eight food tables, delicacies, water and land are displayed.

The dishes on each table are the same, that is, each dish is served in eight copies.

What about the royal case above?

Only wine, no food.

In advance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already informed the guests that due to the limitations of the system, the emperor could only "give wine" for one round, and then he had to "send him back to the palace".

The guests all expressed their understanding, after all, the audience in the Zhonghe Palace and the "banquet" in the Ziguang Pavilion were already a major breakthrough in diplomacy with China, and they all had to be regarded as unexpected joys, and they couldn't ask for more for the time being.

Some people thought that the one above was both an emperor and a woman, and with her present, we were not too embarrassed to let go of our bellies and eat and drink!

Ahem, if so, wouldn't it be a disappointment to the wine and food in front of you?

*(To be continued.) )