Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Prince Zhi also noticed that these Russians would start to speak the truth after having a couple of drinks.

Solovyov, however, spoke Mandarin very well, and all the Qing officials present could understand him.

These assessments suggest that countries around the world share the same problems as the Qing Dynasty, with even the British engaging in the sale of official positions.

At this point, it's inevitable that someone will come out and ask questions.

However, the first to take action cannot be a prince or a Grand Councilor. According to the order of taking the hardest blows, the first official to step forward certainly cannot be a red-robed official.

Moreover, by the eighth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, everyone wore glass beads on their heads, albeit in different colors, to represent their official rank.

However, it was still more likely that the princes would have pearls on their heads.

Solovyov was about to say, "Why do we always see Qing Dynasty dramas where people clearly don't understand the situation?"
"What the general said about military preparedness may be a momentary opinion, but he does not know that the Celestial Empire is rich in the world and governs the world with rites and music. Its civil and military systems are superior to those of the Westerners. Using force is really a bad strategy."

Who is this man?

Solovyov had thought that Woren's statement, which he had seen before, was already outrageous enough.

Now that he's here, he wants to observe it in person.

He couldn't very well ask Prince Zhi directly, since Prince Zhi was also a prince, so he had to ask Grand Councilor Tojin.

"Lord Tuo, who is this person?"

"General Suo, this is Xu Naiji, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy."

"I wonder which list of scholars the Hanlin scholar passed the imperial examination in?"

"I am a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the Ji-Si year of the Jiaqing reign (1819)."

"Since you are a member of the Hanlin Academy, you must be well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics."

"Then you still need to ask?"

"What does it mean that 'Though one holds the position, if one lacks the virtue, one dares not perform rites and music'?"

"It comes from the Doctrine of the Mean, and it also says, 'Even if one has the virtue, if one does not have the position, one dares not perform rites and music.' Does the general also wish to consult the Doctrine of the Mean?"

"The Hanlin scholars are well-versed in poetry and literature, and although they understand the meaning, they do not know that Zhu Xi's decision to separate 'The Great Learning' and 'The Doctrine of the Mean' from the Book of Rites also had its merits."

Solovyov was somewhat excited, perhaps because he had been drinking, and he actually wanted to debate with a scholar from the Qing Dynasty.

Moreover, the opponent was somewhat caught off guard, not expecting that this blond-haired, blue-eyed barbarian would actually quote from the Doctrine of the Mean.

Logically speaking, it's already quite good for a military general to be able to read the Spring and Autumn Annals a lot, especially since it's practically a large-scale cosplay event where everyone wants to pretend to be Guan Yu reading the Spring and Autumn Annals at night.

If a civil official becomes the commander-in-chief of a large army, he will most likely be willing to pretend to be Zhuge Liang while holding a fan.

However, Solovyov had translated a lot of the Four Books and Five Classics in his spare time. He studied them himself and also taught Nikolai the Analects, Mencius and the Book of Documents, so he was somewhat familiar with these contents.

Well, if you were to look for a sinologist in Europe, he would probably be among the top, except that his main profession is military, and he has spent more time in the military over the past twenty years, so he has naturally read more books.

As for bringing up this passage about the Doctrine of the Mean, it's something Solovyov has studied extensively on his own, and he even uses it to mock Xu Naiji's argument.

Although Solovyov was well aware of the burning of opium at Humen, he was not very familiar with a figure like Xu Naiji.

But you won't know about his decision to lift the ban on opium until you see it in person; it was a stroke-inducing operation.

Later, he was forced to retire by Emperor Daoguang, and retired home as a sixth-rank official, which was a huge embarrassment for him.

Moreover, Solovyov started with a moderate statement, which was rather polite.

His point is that "virtue and position should match," and establishing rites without position lacks enforceability. Establishing rites without virtue lacks persuasiveness.

There are still quite a few people whose virtue does not match their position.

"But does the Hanlin scholar know that the Western nations have fought for over twenty years, only managing to end the war after months of alliance meetings in Vienna, Austria? During these wars, the strength of the nations was roughly equal, and the conflicts continued unabated, with the advantages of weaponry constantly evolving. Meanwhile, the area surrounding the Celestial Empire, since the Qianlong era's pacification of the Dzungars, the Jinchuan, the Hui people, and Lin Shuangwen, and the conquest of Burma, Annam, and the Gurkha, has enjoyed peace and prosperity, with only a few minor bandits remaining. Without a strong enemy, the advantages of weaponry will inevitably lead to military fatigue and accumulated problems. Furthermore, the Qing dynasty, having risen beyond the Great Wall, also possesses the advantage of artillery. Just now, I reported to Your Highness that discussing warfare inevitably involves the use of powerful weapons. If cannons can be fired several miles away, there are also large warships equipped with a hundred 'General Cannons.' I ask the Hanlin scholar, can we politely refuse such attacks?"

Speaking of which, Solovyov, when drunk, can be quite fierce when he speaks.

Xu Naiji was caught off guard when this guy actually brought up the old story of how the Qing Dynasty, when it was still the Later Jin Dynasty, manufactured its own red-coated cannons and introduced artillery and new weapons.

This can be considered a politically correct approach within the Qing Dynasty, and even the Manchu and Mongol nobles and Han officials present had to give it a thumbs up in private.

The former was mentioned as "the rise of the dragon beyond the pass", while the latter thought it made sense and was even more sarcastic later on.

This made Prince Zhi wonder if it was some kind of divine intervention from his ancestors, or if one of his most sharp-tongued forefathers had suddenly possessed him.

"While benevolence and righteousness are commendable and can educate the people, they are utterly inapplicable on the battlefield. Take Duke Xiang of Song, for example. His ambition was admirable, but in his struggle for hegemony against Chu, he overestimated his own strength, attacked before his army was even halfway across the river, and failed to engage the Chu army in battle with proper etiquette. In the end, he was defeated by the Chu army. I ask you, even if such benevolence and righteousness were to be upheld, could it truly be effective?"

He was about to say that Zhang Xu came over and stopped him.

Xu Naiji's father, Xu Xuefan, was a classmate of Pan Youwei and Zhang Xu; they were both Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in the thirty-seventh year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign.

Unlike the top scholar who spent his life as a Hanlin scholar, Pan Youwei who was both wealthy and talented, and Zhang Xu who eventually became a Grand Secretary and Military Councilor, his strength lay in educating his sons. All seven of his sons achieved at least the lowest rank of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations), and all of them became Hanlin scholars after passing the Jinshi (the highest level of the imperial examinations).

Xu Naiji's family had seven members who passed the imperial examinations, some becoming provincial graduates and others becoming imperial scholars. Their family education was undoubtedly good. However, despite his extensive reading, he still had serious problems, and even this understanding became an issue.

From then on, Ma Dahuzi would give him a separate speech criticizing his "lifting of the ban" theory on the opium issue.

Solovyov spoke fluently today, quoting classical texts. Although he is a foreigner and his vocabulary is a bit rough, what he said makes a lot of sense.

"General, you've drunk a bit too much. Let's call it a day."

"Does Minister Zhang think my words are reasonable?"

He even started, which was somewhat comical. "General, there is some truth to that."

"We cannot emulate the benevolence of Duke Xiang of Song. Although he was a decent man, friendly and respectful to his brothers, and able to govern the State of Song well with his half-brother Mu Yi, and even help Duke Xiao of Qi return to Linzi to become the ruler, his actions in the Battle of Hongshui were nothing more than the benevolence of a fool."

He was in a good mood today, though it's true he can't hold his liquor. He drank and then challenged a Qing Dynasty scholar to a drinking contest, not even giving the scholar a chance, and kept talking nonstop until a Grand Councilor arrived, at which point he finally stopped.

Xu Naiji has really lost face this time.

Solovyov's book is indeed a good read, and what he says makes a lot of sense.

There's no way to refute that, that's just how it is.

As for the face of a Hanlin scholar, it's not that important.

The banquet was held that very evening.

Solovyov rested the next day and didn't say anything to Prince Qing. He was drunk and slept soundly.

While reviewing memorials in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Jiaqing also took the opportunity to summon his two sons and the Grand Councilors to hear what had happened the previous day.

Then he learned about the strange incident where Xu Naiji was hit hard by Solovyov and became completely drunk.

"I never imagined such a thing would happen."

“Father, I believe the Russian envoy is a learned and courteous man. Yesterday, he was merely drunk at the banquet and, in his drunken state, had a disagreement with the Hanlin scholar. I also asked the Russian deputy envoy, and according to the interpreter, Sokhonn is usually very strict in managing his troops and does not usually drink alcohol, so he was unable to hold his liquor at the banquet.”

“But what he said makes some sense to me.”

Then Jiaqing sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed) to review memorials. What he saw at this moment were reports from governors and viceroys of various provinces on the situation in their respective regions.

The Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi also reported that Jiang Youxian claimed that after the Russian envoy went north, he left a giant ship at Humen, while the remaining merchant ships went back and forth to purchase goods and sell them in Guangzhou.

Emperor Jiaqing's reply also agreed that Russian caravans could be granted special trading privileges in Guangzhou while the Russian envoys remained in the capital.

Moreover, the Thirteen Factories could hire armed merchant ships from Succouv, and Pan Youdu, as the head merchant, could take this opportunity to send French ships to Manila to bring back some copper and timber.

"The Military Affairs Office can go back now, only Mianning will stay."

"Whoo!"

The Emperor Jiaqing's approval meant that, until Solovyov returned to Guangzhou, the activities of Russian and French merchant ships in Guangzhou would not be affected.

He had anticipated the situation, and this could be considered an attitude from the Celestial Emperor. Envoys from various countries who came to the capital would receive special favors after performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows according to the Celestial Emperor's etiquette.

"I know that although the Russian envoy was respectful, he was ultimately somewhat arrogant. What he talked about with you was probably those foreign guns and cannons, warships and giant ships, and he also mentioned Duke Xiang of Song. This system of rites and music requires not only moral cultivation in office, but also some military support. When your grandfather was alive, he had the Ten Great Military Achievements. In my years on the throne, I have only quelled local religious bandits, and they don't have many muskets, unlike Russia which has rapid-fire rifles. Mianning, tell me, what should we do?"

"Your Majesty, I think the Russian envoy's remarks did not seem like a boast of military might, but rather like a peddler of guns and cannons. He claimed that his grandfather was a close confidant of Peter the Great's henchman, the Iron-Capped Prince Menshikov, and that his father was also a merchant, so he was inevitably somewhat mercenary. I think he also wanted to sell weapons, and he also said that when our Great Qing Dynasty rose to power outside the Great Wall, it also used cannons, just so that these powerful ships and cannons would have a place to go."

"I believe he also has this intention. The exchange of goods and the promotion of trade mentioned in the official letter indicate that he has some plans."

"Even the Emperor's wisdom and insight can discern the Russian envoy's thoughts."

"His actions are quite interesting. I also intend to establish a trade charter, and then have Tojin and Zhangxu negotiate it. Mianning, you should also go along on the mission and see what attitude the Russian and French envoys have. As for Suo Qing, needless to say, the French Marshal is a capable general and a sincere man, and his interpreter is fluent in Mandarin. So, try to gauge their attitude. Also, go to the Imperial Household Department and find a few sets of the Four Books and Five Classics from the fifty-fifth year of Qianlong's reign. Your grandfather printed quite a few when he was alive. Giving them these sets would be fine. It would be a form of etiquette and moral education. The monarchs of those two countries are not like the British, who are completely ignorant of etiquette."

Although Emperor Jiaqing had a good temper, he couldn't help but hold grudges in this matter.

Prior to the banquet at the Hall of Preserving Harmony, there were no official events arranged by the Qing Dynasty.

Solovyov can finally get some rest these few days, and he even gets to exchange poems with Prince Qing Yonglin and his son-in-law Fengshen Yinde.

Solovyov was somewhat interested in how Fengshenyinde recovered after falling ill in Uliastai.

Moreover, as someone from a family of unscrupulous merchants, he was inevitably curious about how much money the adults had.

Half of this mansion belonged to Yonglin, and the other half belonged to Princess Guren Hexiao and Fengshen Yinde. Unless the princess passed away and Yonglin's descendants were demoted to the rank of Beile or below, the mansion might not be reclaimed.

Solovyov didn't go to the garden; he just drank tea here.

Fengshen Yinde explained it clearly: he recovered after returning home and taking the medicine prescribed by the missionary.

This is not surprising, since Johann Adam Schall von Bell did the same thing during the Shunzhi reign.

Solovyov, however, believes that in the 18th century, the relationship between the Qing Dynasty and various European countries was a two-way exchange.

However, the final results were quite different; after Macartney, the West's filter was probably shattered.

At this time, the Qing Dynasty was still in a state of partial isolation, which was exacerbated by the British disturbances, which eventually led to the opening of a single port for trade.

Yonglin received a secret decree from Jiaqing: since the Russian envoy was willing to speak, then reveal more information and submit a memorial later to explain the situation.

Therefore, at least one scribe was always by Yonglin's side to take notes.

Solovyov also intentionally revealed that although the Qing army's elite battalion and some elite cavalry were powerful, they lacked advanced weapons and equipment.

As for the quality of the muskets, because of his previous experience in designing weapons, he strongly recommended the "Tula rifle" flintlock musket, 6-pound and 12-pound cannons, half-putt and one-putt unicorn cannons, and warships with between 24 and 50 cannons to Yonglin and Fengshen Yinde.

It could even be a discounted price, including technology transfer.

His arms sales were purely tailored to the characteristics of the Qing Dynasty at that time.

If we encounter the British in the future, we might be able to keep them in check for a while.

In addition, the deployment of fortifications and coastal defenses in various locations should be taken into account, and it would be best to hire military engineers to improve existing coastal fortifications.

There was even an advantage to hiring people from Russia: engineers living in the governorates of Orenburg, Kazan, and Siberia wouldn't have to worry about them leaking secrets to the British after returning home. (End of Chapter)