Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

To travel to the capital, one would naturally need to arrange for carriages and horses.

Solovyov actually preferred to ride to Beijing, as he had been on the battlefield just a year earlier, and this would be a way to show off.

But when Suleng'e heard this, his tone changed completely: "General Suo, do you still think you're on the battlefield? You're going to the palace to meet the Emperor, and before that, you'll be touring the Imperial Garden, and afterwards, you'll be staying and moving around in the inner city. The Emperor has issued an edict, specifically granting you permission to travel by carriage, which is also..."

This Lord Suleng'e is indeed quite eloquent.

Another point is that the strict arrangement of attendance ensured that foreigners were never truly aware of the Qing Dynasty's strengths and weaknesses.

"I know Lord Su's good intentions. Even the British made the same arrangement. However, they can also see the scenery along the way. Compared with the time of Emperor Qianlong, there are always some comparisons. They can also glean insights into the true state of the Celestial Empire."

"The general has a good eye, but he must also follow orders."

"Ok."

Solovyov got into the carriage, and if he wanted to take care of Katya, it wouldn't be enough for Mihrima to go alone.

The itinerary for this trip also includes a visit to the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan).

The bumpy ride in the carriage was much easier than the ride at sea.

Solovyov found that his wife and children were in good condition, especially his son Pasha, who was quite curious about the scenery along the way.

"Dad, look at this village, it's different from the one at home."

"Yes, they are somewhat different, but how are they different?"

In fact, Solovyov valued the early education of the children he raised, as he didn't want to raise spoiled brats. However, Katya had been raised at home by him, and it was time to hire a tutor.

However, given the French-run church in St. Petersburg, he preferred to find a tutor from Switzerland or Germany.

He now has the energy to take care of his child, so he also needs to take the school entrance exam.

Pasha discovered many differences between the Qing Dynasty and Russia. Such an observant child is indeed endearing. He would also be very beautiful if he dressed as a girl.

It's kind of funny to think that most boys of my blood are like this.

Seeing the rooftops, villages, farmlands, walls, and the differences among the people, Solovyov knew his son was intelligent and observant, which pleased him greatly.

As for Lisa, she's sleeping in the car right now.

He was too lenient and indulgent towards girls.

However, the current state of the Qing Dynasty cannot be called a "golden age" at all. It looks like it is on a downward slope, but the Jiaqing period was still a slow slide, far from the free fall that would follow.

Before going to the capital, they were first settled in Tongzhou, awaiting the emperor's decree.

When Emperor Jiaqing learned of the arrival of the foreign envoys, he decided to have them visit the Yuanmingyuan Garden first. There, they would be received by Grand Councilor Tuojin, Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs Qingpu, and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works Suleng'e. After their visit to the Yuanmingyuan Garden, they would be given a banquet and arranged to "meet the emperor" in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

These steps were tedious and lengthy, but the group was still very interested.

For diplomatic missions and their families, it is an honor to visit China's most magnificent royal garden, and it is also a place that is somewhat novel.

For Solovyov, this opportunity was unlikely unless he was sent on another mission.

If I'm not careful and fail to manage the situation, and then during the Boxer Rebellion, the Eight-Nation Alliance attacked Dagu Port, this place would probably be destroyed as well.

It's worth the visit, even if you only see part of it.

In fact, the relationship between France and Russia and the Qing Dynasty was much better than that between the unscrupulous British, and the damage caused was far less severe than that between Britain and Japan.

However, Russia couldn't withstand the combined looting by the French and British, and it seized another 150 million square kilometers, which was bound to damage its public image.

In terms of harm, the British were more lethal.

During his conversations with Solovyov, Sulenge also brought up this issue several times, especially the outflow of silver.

Because Solovyov came from Europe, he knew to some extent what the British East India Company was doing, and that they were also engaged in such unethical business.

While waiting in Tongzhou, he talked to Suleng'e about some things.

"Does Lord Su know the reason for this outflow of silver?"

"I have submitted memorials to the Emperor before and know some things. I wonder what General Suo thinks of this matter?"

"Although they traded separately, with Russia in Kyakhta and Western countries in Guangzhou, all coming from the same port, Britain has always sought open trade, which they call 'free trade,' demanding that the Celestial Empire fully open up. As for Zhoushan, they are also insatiably greedy, wanting to use the story of India to gradually erode it."

"Such a heinous thing could happen?"

"This is a summary of British colonization in India that I wrote the other day, as well as their methods. I will ask either Lord Su or Minister Qingpu to forward it to the Emperor. It is a small token of my appreciation as a foreign subject who has long admired the prestige of the Celestial Empire."

"I am aware of General Suo's good intentions."

After Suleng'e saw it, he invited Qingpu to take a look.

Solovyov also explained the reasons for the silver outflow based on materials collected from informed sources in the Netherlands and France.

"The Celestial Empire is the wealthiest country in the world, with numerous special products. Therefore, Western countries flock here for profit, trading tea and silk, as well as precious porcelain and medicinal herbs, reaping the benefits of trade. However, what the Celestial Empire needs are merely furs, ginseng, and silver dollars. Thus, the Celestial Empire benefits from the influx of silver. Now, the outflow of silver is solely due to opium. Opium is extracted from poppy flowers; the extract is used for medicinal purposes."

Solovyov also submitted memorials; after all, he wrote a great many memorials to the Tsar in Russia, although they were mainly military intelligence.

This time, it opened the eyes of Qingpu and Suleng'e. The writing was done with a pen, and there were punctuation marks to separate the sentences, making it easier to read.

He mentioned the dangers of opium, and how the Ottoman Empire, the Persian Empire, and Bengal (part of India) were major opium-producing regions at the time, and how the British used trade to plunder wealth from China.

Solovyov also emphasized the addictive dangers of opium.

"If this continues, the Celestial Empire will be in grave danger. I urge you two gentlemen to convey this to His Majesty. Our sovereign also greatly abhors anything that harms others, especially since the Ottomans and Persia are our enemies, and tensions are high on the borders."

He had already said everything he wanted to say, and Qingpu's expression turned very unpleasant.

Although I had seen the pipes of Lord Ji and others before, they were always filled with roasted tobacco.

Nowadays, adults might end up with these kinds of things in their pipes. "Although the general is an envoy, he is also a mature and shrewd strategist. If he had studied the classics in the Celestial Empire, he would probably have passed the imperial examinations at this age."

"You flatter me, sir. I am merely familiar with the countermeasures."

The mutual flattery continued, but Su Leng'e realized that silver was flowing out of the country, yet he had few countermeasures.

Solovyov's memorial was very well written. The envoys from the eight countries all wrote from left to right, even the Russian envoy did so when writing Chinese characters.

However, after he finished praising him, Suleng'e realized that this was no ordinary person. He was even familiar with the inner workings of the British, had close ties with the British Crown Prince and the "Grand Princess," and knew the crux of the silver outflow problem.

It even mentioned that during the Song Dynasty, Japanese people traded in Ningbo, mostly with copper coins.

And the current outflow of silver is not only at the monetary level, but also at the commodity level.

What's even more troublesome is that, despite being a global giant in the production of raw silk and tea, the Qing Dynasty's processing techniques gradually fell behind.

Although Solovyov did not mention the technical aspects, he did write about the British building tea plantations in India.

Qingpu and Suleng'e now realized how powerful this "foreign military leader" was, so they also sent the document he wrote to Emperor Jiaqing's desk.

This is why Suleng'e, who once managed the Guangdong Customs, was quite familiar with "barbarian affairs," and thus became somewhat sensitive.

If it were any other high-ranking Manchu or Han official, it would probably be seen as a whitewash of reality.

As for Emperor Jiaqing, he was currently sitting cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed) reviewing memorials and didn't have much time to concern himself with women's affairs.

At this moment, Eroli opened the door again.

"Your Majesty, Lords Qingpu and Suleng'e are already waiting outside."

"Let them in."

Emperor Jiaqing still attached great importance to this "tribute". He "bestowed" an equal relationship with Russia and France, rather than a "tributary state", which was just for show to foreigners.

As for the missionary Nathan, he doesn't need to do anything for the time being. However, since the envoys from various countries are all familiar with French, he will be of some use when summoned for an audience.

However, the matter of the minister in charge went relatively smoothly this time, without the trouble that occurred with the British.

After the two of them kowtowed, Emperor Jiaqing graciously allowed them to stand up.

"Get up, everyone. It's not convenient to talk on the heated kang. Let's go to the garden to talk."

Emperor Jiaqing wanted to keep this a secret and didn't want the palace maids and eunuchs around him to spread rumors.

Important things still need to be kept secret.

Once they arrived in the garden, Jiaqing spoke.

“It’s spacious and empty here, Eroli, you should go and rest too.”

"It is my honor to serve the Emperor."

The rules nowadays are not as strict as they were during the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong periods. Although Qingpu was a hereditary official, his father, Yin Jishan, was a Manchu who passed the imperial examinations. It is not surprising that he addressed others as "subject" when speaking.

Suleng'e was a member of the Manchu Plain White Banner, so it's not wrong for him to call himself a "slave," given his background as a scribe.

"How did the errand go?"

Qingpu was the higher-ranking official, so naturally he spoke first.

"Your Majesty, the reception of the envoys from eight countries, as well as the tribute missions from the Prince of Imrena, the envoys from Aceh, Brunei, and Sulu, went smoothly. The envoys from all countries were very respectful and followed the rules, performing grand salutations during the banquet. The Russian envoy even brought his son to bow as well."

"That's good, at least they know the rules. But that Solovyov, that Russian name is quite a mouthful. I've read the memorials of Jiang Youxian and Dong Jiaozeng, as well as the memorial of Zhili Governor-General Fang Shouchou. In their memorials, they all wrote that you should use the appropriate form of address according to our Manchu customs. Don't rush to kneel. I think this is a good idea. Under the Mongol Plain White Banner, isn't there a Russian Zuo Ling?"

"Your Majesty, the Russian envoy is quite a remarkable person. He also mentioned to Lord Su the outflow of silver and the secrets of trade with the British. He then gave Lord Su and me copies of the important matters concerning the British."

"Furthermore, I also have a memorial from the Russian envoy here, which also concerns the outflow of silver. I believe it should be reported to His Majesty truthfully."

“Suleng’e, I remember two years ago, in the nineteenth year of Jiaqing’s reign, it was you who submitted a memorial on the outflow of silver. I thought it made some sense, so I ordered it to be implemented. However, in the past two years, silver has continued to flow out. If war breaks out on the border, or if there are religious bandits causing trouble in the interior, or if there are peasant uprisings and famines, we will not be able to survive without silver.”

"Your Majesty is wise. This is due to trade with foreigners, but it cannot be completely prohibited. Otherwise, the revenue of the Guangdong Customs will also decrease sharply, and the national treasury will be empty, making it even more difficult to deal with the situation."

"I think so too, but Suleng'e, what did that envoy tell you?"

"Your Majesty, everything is in the memorials. In my humble opinion, they are all well-intentioned advice. Although I know the extent of the silver outflow, I do not know the intricacies of the matter."

Solovyov was lucky to meet Suleng'e, as he had submitted a similar memorial before, which Jiaqing praised, and some of it inevitably slipped out during their conversation.

At this time, although many of the Manchu and Han officials in the Qing Dynasty were just going through the motions, they were still able to do their jobs when asked to, regardless of whether they were actually doing the work or just going through the motions.

Jiaqing received Solovyov's memorial from Suleng'e. It wasn't the first time he had seen it; Jiang Youxian had sent it by express courier before, and Fang Shouchou had also sent a memorial. It could be said that the attitude was respectful. The Russian Chaghan Khan, this envoy was very well chosen. He had some talent, but unfortunately, he was a military general on the battlefield.

Of course, Jiaqing was unaware that Russian generals could also be appointed as governors-general, just as Qing Dynasty military officers could sometimes serve as governors-general.

He did do intelligence work, but some of it was outdated.

As for opening this memorial, Jiaqing's eyes lit up after reading it.

"It's quite interesting indeed, and it even comes with graphic illustrations. Suleng'e, you know the rules of the imperial court."

"This servant knows he has committed a crime, but he must also think of His Majesty and our Great Qing."

"Yes, the fate of the nation is not just my business. But why is it that a foreign official has a broader perspective than all the civil and military officials, and so many learned scholars? Suleng'e, you and Qingpu did a very good job this time, but you can only be awarded three ranks for your record. After the envoys from various countries have finished their homage at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there will probably be some matters that I will need you to handle."

Although Emperor Jiaqing was a bit stingy, he rewarded Qingpu and Suleng'e with a brush washer from the imperial kiln because his father had left behind a great many treasures.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Alright, all of you, go and carry out your duties. I do have some objections to this Russian envoy, and I'd like to offer my opinion." (End of Chapter)