Not only Macartney and others had great hopes for this visit to the Qing Kingdom, but Jiaqing was also very interested when he heard about the visit of the British high-level diplomatic team. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info it can be said that the core diplomatic relations of the entire Qing Dynasty now revolve around the Tang Dynasty, and the main way for the Qing Kingdom to communicate with the world is also through the Tang Dynasty. As a result of the Tang Dynasty's expansion in East Asia (referring to East Asia, Northeast Asia, and Southeast Asia in the geographical sense), a large number of Qing vassal states became overseas territories of the Tang Dynasty. Now there is only one North Korea left that can barely be called a subject country, but even so, Datang has completed a great penetration of North Korea. Many years ago, the Tang people signed the terms with the Qing Dynasty and North Korea, and even obtained the right to build a military base and garrison military on Jeju Island.

At such a time, a European country takes the initiative to contact feelings, which is of great significance to Jiaqing. Zonghengxue has been inherited in China for 2,000 years, and Jiaqing has long wanted to contact some forces to join forces to deal with the Tang Dynasty. Even if it's not on the surface, it's okay to block Datang secretly.

His hearing and hearing are not completely closed, and the arrival of the Tang people actually brought a lot of information. Jiaqing also knew that the Tang people had defeated the British in North America, helped one of the British colonies to become independent, and also took a large piece of land from the British. Although Tang and Britain are quite friendly now, Jiaqing intuitively believes that there is serious mistrust and hostility between the two countries.

Macartney's audience was very official, lackluster. Macartney gave some humble gifts, and then Jiaqing returned the favor with some valuable gadgets. Macartney had never found the right opportunity to have an in-depth conversation with the Qing emperor, and he could feel the same eagerness in the other party's eyes. But whether it's a formal court meeting. It's still a state banquet. None of this is the occasion to speak.

Finally. On the third day of Macartney's visit to Jiaqing, Jiaqing invited Macartney into the palace. When Macartney came to the upper study, thinking that he could finally talk to Jiaqing for a long time, Jiaqing gave him a look, and then said: "Your envoy, why don't you accompany me to walk in the imperial garden, and let your envoy also take a look at the weather in my palace." ”

Margarney had practiced Chinese so hard that his conversation with Jiaqing did not need a translator. He seemed to understand something, and then bowed his head.

The two came to the imperial garden, and Jiaqing casually let a few eunuchs stay away, and stood in the middle of the flower path, and there was no one around. Jiaqing didn't explain anything to Macartney, and more than a year ago, he accidentally knocked over a vase that he didn't usually move and found something strange hidden inside. He didn't know what this thing was for, but he was still afraid, and Jiaqing was furious in the palace. He also asked for a thorough investigation, but no results were found. A few days later. Jiaqing found the same thing in his dormitory, where he had his minions look for it.

The icy aura enveloped Jiaqing, which made him quite terrified. He knew that it was definitely not a good thing, it looked like some kind of mechanical creation, and the best at mechanical creation in the world was undoubtedly the Tang people, maybe the Tang people were using some means he didn't know to monitor his every move. What frightened him even more was that those eunuchs were infiltrated like this by the Tang people. He couldn't imagine that he was just setting up something strange now, and what would happen if someone poisoned or assassinated him in the future. The frightened Jiaqing wanted to kill the eunuchs, but was opposed by the palace officials.

The position of chamberlain in the palace also appeared after the Jingshi Incident, one of the measures of the New Deal. The state cabinet dealt with it, and even if it was the matter of the Forbidden City, the Tang people forced Jiaqing to admit it, he couldn't completely decide, and the palace attendants had the possibility of suggestion and opposition. The current court attendant is already the fourth after he ascended the throne, and even the person he chooses himself, but he still can't imagine that this guy dares to oppose him. said that there was no justifiable reason to kill the eunuchs in the palace indiscriminately.

After that, Jiaqing was almost desperate, he didn't even think that he couldn't maintain it by his side. He ordered the dismissal of the chamberlain, which was all he could, and then he appointed a new chamberlain, but the choice was still decided by him and the cabinet. He ordered the new chamberlain to sweep the palace again, but the chamberlain replied that there was nothing superfluous in the palace.

In the past, Jiaqing had endless fantasies about his authority and status, but after this incident, Jiaqing knew that he had been living in a sweet dream. He may indeed be an emperor with great power, but he is not as omniscient and omnipotent as he imagined.

Jiaqing was sure that there was a cat in the upper study, so he subconsciously didn't want to talk to Macartney in the imperial study, so he chose to call Macartney to the imperial garden, and let go of the eunuchs, at least get a chance to speak.

He wouldn't tell Macartney about his concerns, because it would be too humiliating.

The two exchanged pleasantries for a long time, and even Macartney showed off his Sinology skills and wrote a sycophant poem. Jiaqing was deliberately guiding the topic at this time, and sighed: "I didn't expect that your envoy can be good at poetry and knowledge, and his knowledge is admirable." Compared with the noble envoys, those Tang people who claim to be the people of China, but few of them understand this, which is simply a shame on the face of the ancestors. ”

His words are naturally like a fart, and there are many Chinese scholars in Datang, which are much higher than the level of him and his lame old man. The study of traditional literature is an important part of Datang's basic education. And more importantly, the ancestor who created the poems was the ancestor of the Han people, and he put gold on his face with a wild boar skin.

On the other side, Macartney also climbed up the conversation and said: "The foreign ministers have always admired the culturally fragrant Qing Dynasty, and I heard that your king is virtuous, the scholars are talented, and the people know the courtesy, so it deserves to be regarded as the best country. Although the Tang Republic is strong, it is really inferior to the Qing Dynasty, which is full of culture and morality. ”

Although he knew that it was sycophancy, Jiaqing was still very happy, and he nodded and said, "Yes, although Datang calls me Daqing as a state of brothers." But act tiger wolf. There is no morality at all. It is said that the country is full of moral decay, the people are shameless, the guidelines are often abolished, and the benevolent people are ashamed to be with them. ”

Macartney felt that the conversation was getting better, and that it was clear that two people with common topics could reach some constructive consensus. Macartney is a very smart person, so he won't pretend to ask anything, "Why are the Tang and Qing countries so friendly, but His Majesty the Emperor doesn't like the Tang Dynasty", "Why did the Tang Dynasty provoke you", "Is His Majesty the Emperor being oppressed by the Tang Dynasty" and so on. He could feel it. The young monarch on the other side seemed to attach great importance to face. This is a typical example of the Qing people's high society, and Macartney knew it very well.

The Tang people also have a good face, but the Tang people will not have a good face to the point of losing their actual interests. So Macartney clearly realized that the Tang people were sensible, while the Qing people were stupid.

Macartney said, "The feelings of His Majesty the Emperor are the feelings of my King and the people of Britain!" The domineering and arrogant Tang people are like a rampaging bison in the whole world, they do not pay attention to the etiquette of the nobility at all, nor do they have the noble sense of morality that His Majesty the Emperor said. threatens civilized society. But, alas. This bison is a little big, and it is too powerful, and any brave man who wants to seek justice and justice standing in front of it will be overturned and trampled by it. However, fortunately, it is not just a lonely person who does not want this pesky bison to continue to exist, the Qing Dynasty does not want the Tang Kingdom to be strong, and we in Britain and even many countries have the same opinion. ”

When Jiaqing heard this, his eyes lit up, and he didn't have any subtlety, because the opportunity in front of him was too rare. He had run into the wall of Datang too many times, and every time he felt extremely lonely and scared. He needed a friend, a friend who could fight against the Tang Dynasty like him. Numerical superiority is the best solution for courage.

So, he said: "Although the Tang State is strong, it is unpopular. Those who have no way will be cut down by all, this is an eternal truth. England is the largest state in Europe, and I have heard of the name of Your Majesty George III for a long time. The Tang people are unscrupulous in my Qing Dynasty, and everyone is angry, I can't sit back and watch this situation for a long time, and sooner or later I will give the Tang people a blow. However, it is true that as the noble envoy said, the Tang state is strong, and although the national strength of our Qing Dynasty is prosperous, the country is constrained by traitors and has many other affairs, and it is not a simple matter to defeat the Tang people. Now there are friends of Britain, who are indignant at the evil deeds of the Tang Kingdom, it is better for me to become a brotherly state, fight against the Tang Dynasty together, and return the world to a clear world. ”

Macartney was overjoyed, he didn't expect this Qing emperor to hate the Tang Dynasty so much. He didn't use himself to prove right and wrong, and he had already taken the initiative to seek their help from the British. But Macartney was also very relaxed, and he realized that the situation was very good for Britain, and he could use it to get more benefits for Britain.

"His Majesty the Emperor's intentions have moved the foreign ministers very much, but the power of the Tang State is really strong, although it sympathizes with the situation of the Great Qing State, but our country is also very hesitant to resist the Tang State head-on."

Macartney almost clearly told Jiaqing about the conditions, which means that the alliance can be formed, and the benefits must be taken out.

Jiaqing waved his pen and said: "If things can be done, then all the places in North America can be returned to your country." ”

Macartney's eyelids jumped, it was definitely not excited, but a little frightened, even a little angry. He was a little skeptical about what he was doing. Jiaqing said that there are only two possibilities for ceding North America to Britain, one is that there is no sincerity at all, and he talks casually; The other is that he really thinks that the British and the Qing can unite to destroy the Tang Dynasty, and then give up North America, which he has no idea how important and valuable it is, to the British.

The former is unintentional, and the latter is stupid. Either way, Macartney felt very bad.

Macartney coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, it's better for us to discuss some practical issues. ”

Jiaqing found that Macartney did not take the bait, and did not care. He was originally talking nonsense, he felt that the British had a presence in North America, and they were defeated by the Tang people in North America, so he must be interested in North America. In fact, he just wants to win over the British, but the British are not interested in this kind of idiotic behavior at all.

Jiaqing was also helpless, so he could only say: "Your envoy, please speak." ”

Macartney said: "Britain and the Qing Kingdom, one in Europe and the other in Asia. There are no borders, there is no hatred and conflict, and it is natural to be friends. We in England are happy to contribute our small efforts to our friends to resist the invasion of the Dons. Datang is a global country with overseas territories in many places, and it also pays attention to Europe. Even if it is a powerful country, it is very dangerous to face a war on multiple fronts, and as long as it can be dragged down, it is likely to erupt into a fierce problem and make it plummet. ”

Jiaqing suddenly felt that this Yiren was very discerning, and what he said was very reasonable.

Macartney said: "His Majesty the Emperor has a large army, but it lacks good weapons, and we in England can provide these for your country. Not only weapons, but also all kinds of goods, Britain was able to provide to the Qing Dynasty to fight against the Tang people. ”

Jiaqing raised his eyebrows and asked, "Do you give it for nothing?" ”

Macartney sneered: "Naturally, you have to pay." ”

Jiaqing's face deteriorated a little, "You mean Tongshang?" ”

Macartney said solemnly: "This is a mutually beneficial thing, I heard that the Tang State does not sell excellent artillery to your country, which makes the number of artillery in your army insufficient, for the sake of friends, we will never restrict the export of artillery or warships." As long as Your Majesty the Emperor nods, we will be open to supply you. ”

Macartney seemed to see Jiaqing's unhappy face, and immediately said: "Of course, in terms of cooperation, Britain and Qing, which are relatively weak, should strengthen mutual communication in intelligence, and look for every possible opportunity to weaken the Tang State. If the Qing were to go to war with the Tang in the future, Britain could promise to contain the Tang army's forces in another battlefield and create an opportunity for the Qing Dynasty. ”

Jiaqing naturally knows that a two-front war is destructive to a country, although he doesn't look down on Britain and thinks it's a small country, but the population is not much different from the Tang State (in fact, it's a lot worse), if it really fights, it should be able to make use of it.

After Jiaqing found his confidant Fukangan and others for further discussion, he finally agreed to sign a secret treaty with Britain to deal with Datang together. (To be continued.) )