Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Emperor Jiaqing lived in the Yuanmingyuan Garden and knew about Solovyov's performance as a female impersonator.

"Is there such a thing?"

"Your Majesty, everyone has seen it at the Prince Qing's residence."

"That's interesting. I didn't expect Suo Qing's hobby to be so unusual."

Solovyov was even discussing pacing with the actors, as these different roles naturally required different pacing.

For example, female roles related to young actresses and courtesans are more likely to have a more unrestrained gait. The former usually needs to be more lively, while the latter is a matter of social status, and the unrestrained gait must be just right.

However, Su San is different. She is always wearing shackles, and in the play, her story with Sanlang is clearly about her leaving the shackles and going back to the right path.

As for the wording used, we should also pay attention to some things.

Those already existing in zaju (a type of Chinese opera) are another matter.

However, Ma Su was clearly not incompetent; the historical accounts exaggerate his abilities. If someone were to actually use the Empty City Stratagem, it would probably be worth considering.

Even the content of these discussions about the play was known to Emperor Jiaqing within the palace.

He's practically doing live streams in the Qing Dynasty, though he's always the top influencer on the leaderboard.

"If that's the case, then Changyin Pavilion will also have a show during the New Year."

Since Emperor Jiaqing had said so, the palace naturally had to arrange a performance.

He's usually very busy, so he doesn't have much time to write plays.

He can only come to see us during the Chinese New Year.

The officials wouldn't spoil the New Year celebrations either. The Emperor had performed quite well, at least he hadn't caused any major trouble. Now that foreign powers were paying tribute, it was naturally a good thing.

These people wisely kept quiet.

On the Dutch side, they had previously witnessed Emperor Qianlong's abdication ceremony, but the members of that mission did not return to the Qing Dynasty.

This group of people has been replaced.

During the Qing Dynasty, they were considered small countries that received special treatment, along with Portugal.

After all, the short-sighted British were less obedient in business than the Dutch and Portuguese.

They arrived, but the Qing emperor didn't seem to cause them any trouble.

Emperor Yongzheng was practically ready to send a banner to the King of Portugal, while the ever-arrogant Emperor Qianlong allowed the Dutch to come to Beijing in the sixtieth year of his reign, and even treated them with some preferential treatment afterward.

We're spending the Lunar New Year here now, and the hospitality from Haidian has never stopped. The envoys from various countries haven't caused any trouble in the capital either.

Solovyov was also looking forward to the New Year, first the year 1817, and then Christmas according to the Russian calendar.

Katya, who was always devout, still went to church to pray even though she was about to give birth in the first month of the lunar calendar.

Solovyov was also convinced by her; at this point, he still believed more in God.

But there's no way to refute it, since he always had a sacred icon to protect him.

Therefore, he accompanied Katya to the church. However, the Orthodox Church, which was able to be based in the capital, was not like the Jesuits, because the Pope's reckless behavior always caused trouble.

They're here, and they haven't accomplished anything.

Solovyov was both a secular official and a soldier; otherwise, things would have been much more complicated.

If the Grand Pastor knew this, he would probably think that the church really couldn't play any role here.

They often couldn't even deliver a message to the Qing emperor.

This kind of thing is both laughable and frustrating.

Solovyov simply wrote them a check, which was considered a way to maintain the presence of the Orthodox Church in the capital.

As for what they will do next, we don't know.

Before we knew it, the New Year was approaching, and Beijing was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.

Solovyov also received an invitation; this time, the emperor was hosting a banquet at the Qianqing Palace.

Entering the palace doesn't guarantee you'll get to eat well.

However, contact with the emperor could always either improve or worsen diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Solovyov's audiences always yielded positive results.

His mission in the Qing Dynasty was also nearing its end.

The two sides were expected to resume negotiations around the first month of the lunar calendar to finalize several matters of mutual concern before signing trade regulations between the Qing Dynasty and other countries.

This treaty was divided into separate treaties of independence for Russia and its related German principalities, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

Naturally, this is a trade agreement under an equal environment, and both sides are required to make concessions.

In the future, the Qing Dynasty will probably hitch a ride on a ship to Europe and "consolate" various European countries.

Although Emperor Jiaqing understood the situation, he also felt it was only right to "reciprocate," so he generously bestowed gifts, including Jingdezhen porcelain produced during the Jiaqing era, regardless of whether they were from official or private kilns, or even some pieces with minor flaws from the official kilns.

As for the remaining rewards, Jiaqing also ordered the Imperial Workshop to create the Qing Dynasty's first highest honor medal, the "Double Dragon Treasure Star Medal," according to the standards of European national gifts and medals.

This thing appeared almost a hundred years ahead of schedule, yet the Qing Dynasty didn't even have a pill for it.

To understand history, this thing appeared only three months after the Qing Dynasty's pills were introduced.

Solovyov couldn't say anything, and he himself even received a First Class Order of the Black Dragon.

After all, he was a military officer who made outstanding contributions to the diplomatic relations between the Qing Dynasty and Russia, so it was not a problem for him to receive this medal.

Especially now that the Lunar New Year is just around the corner, it's quite festive.

"This imperial seal was bestowed by the Emperor. After General Suo receives it, he will naturally enter the palace to express his gratitude at the banquet held in the Qianqing Palace."

Tozin said so, and Solovyov understood.

They finished by giving gifts, but the emperor also wanted to entertain them for the winter, so this New Year's greeting was also considered part of the family's contribution.

Emperor Qianlong passed away as the retired emperor on the third day of the first month of the fourth year of the Jiaqing reign.

His activities within the palace were extremely taxing, and he didn't get enough rest. He was already eighty-nine years old, so he eventually died peacefully in his old age.

After that, the adults went down to keep him company.

During the Jiaqing era, there were still some preparations for the New Year.

It's just that things are not as simple as they were during the Qianlong era.

When Solovyov visited the palace, he didn't need to bring any gifts.

The Emperor has always been wealthy and powerful, and he has even accepted contributions. This time, he might have to give out red envelopes in return.

Solovyov, at this time, also wanted to explain the matter of porcelain firing to the Jiaqing Emperor.

Those solid-colored porcelains could always be fired at a certain temperature, which required standardizing the weights and measures in the Qing Dynasty.

The market system and the old system will naturally still exist, but the metric system... he has thought of many things, but how much of it can be implemented in the end depends on the situation.

However, much of what he wants to do will likely have to be done through Qing Dynasty officials, and he will need to contact them. Solovyov will also be bringing his family with him when he goes to the palace.

Every time Katya entered the palace, she had to be carried by others.

In contrast, Russian noblewomen are willing to participate in social activities even when they are close to giving birth, which is something that confuses the Chinese.

As for them, some may be able to move around freely in just over ten days and resume their social lives within a few months. Then, some of them will have to continue to make the most of their time with their husbands the following year, which is something that many people cannot understand.

Moreover, there was still some time before the due date, and Solovyov himself had delivered babies several times, so he naturally knew that his wife's physical condition was fine.

This time, he did bring a doctor along again.

Of course, after Katya entered the palace, she sat next to the noble ladies who came to the palace to express their gratitude.

Coincidentally, she and Mihrima became increasingly fluent in their speech, and in this environment, she was able to communicate with them.

Empress Niohuru was also somewhat curious about her. She had spoken to her during their previous audience, but they didn't talk much because of the tribute and the hot air balloon taking off.

Today, inside the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Jiaqing has hosted a banquet, inviting many princes, nobles, and trusted ministers.

As for those who come out to greet each other, they will inevitably say some auspicious words.

Solovyov's side has already made all the arrangements.

After all, he brought his son with him, and his son still needs to show off at crucial moments.

As for him personally, that's secondary.

The banquet arranged by Emperor Jiaqing was designed with everyone's preferences in mind.

The palace was bustling with activity at this time.

The plaque above the Qianqing Palace reads "Upright and Bright," and behind the plaque is the place where imperial edicts were usually kept.

According to Jiaqing's arrangement, Prince Zhi, Mianning, who holds the highest rank and is the son of the late Empress Hitara, is the most qualified to inherit the throne.

No matter how much he dotes on his youngest son, he must take into account Prince Zhi's previous behavior.

Niohuru was well aware that what she was seeking for her son was to ensure a stable reign for the next emperor.

As for the job of emperor, only those who have done it know.

Although the lust for power is there, whoever takes the position will suffer.

It was only at this point that Emperor Jiaqing had some leisure time to relax. Even while watching the hot air balloons take off, he would turn around and check on the memorials coming from all over the country.

There were no hot air balloons released today, but Emperor Jiaqing did think of something. If there were a pair that could take off from the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the future, he would simply pull down a couplet. If it were made of cloth, the cost wouldn't be too high, and it would look festive and grand.

At the banquet, the princes all came to pay their respects, followed by the hereditary princes, and then the higher-ranking members of the close relatives of the royal family.

If it were during Emperor Qianlong's time, he would have been busy there for half a day when receiving relatives.

Then came the ministers.

There was an exception: when Zhaolian came to the court, because he was known for his talent among the imperial family, Emperor Jiaqing asked him to compose a poem.

After hearing this, Jiaqing was quite satisfied.

Next, it was time for the ministers to take the stage, but Emperor Jiaqing still wanted to add some scenes for them.

"In your opinion, when I send an imperial envoy to comfort the various countries in the future, who would be the most suitable to go?"

Actually, this question had been asked before, and Solovyov had given the answer then.

This time, it can be considered a public confirmation.

"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this matter requires a learned scholar who speaks eloquently, is of noble birth, and possesses quick wit. This is not something that can be accomplished by one person alone."

"I know, I knew you would say that."

Then he looked at Mianning and asked, "Mianning, what do you think we should do?"

“Father, I think General Suo’s words make some sense. However, none of the princes and ministers in the court are fluent in the languages ​​of Western countries, so we still need translators. We can select capable people from the Guangdong Customs, and we also need the help of the foreign missionaries in the capital.”

"It makes some sense."

After hearing this, Emperor Jiaqing was very satisfied with Mianning.

Solovyov understood that Daoguang's strange questions were mainly due to the information cocoon that the Qing Dynasty faced, which naturally led to some strange answers.

Of course, some of Emperor Daoguang's advisors had figured out what the British wanted to do and what their direction of action was.

But there's nothing we can do about it, because of the generational gap.

This trip to Europe by Qing Dynasty princes and ministers is meant to broaden their horizons.

However, Emperor Jiaqing was naturally dissatisfied with the educational level of the princes and nobles he sent.

However, he also learned that Chinese culture was very popular in Europe.

There's also Voltaire of France. This old gentleman lived during the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns, a period of great prosperity. He was a China enthusiast, although to a large extent, his ideal state was designed to satisfy his political aspirations.

Even when Macartney came, he believed that the Qing Dynasty was still very powerful, but it was declining.

And this member of the royal family who went to Europe must also be cultured.

Zhaolian's fate was changed inadvertently.

"Zhao Lian, you were previously confined by the Imperial Clan Court for assaulting a minister. Do you know what you did wrong?"

"This servant is aware that he has made some mistakes."

"That's fine. I'm restoring your hereditary title of Prince Li, not because you admit your mistake, but because the court needs capable people now."

In this regard, Soryon owes Myeon-nyeong a debt of gratitude, since it was Soryon who suggested that a talented member of the royal family should go when the final decision was made.

Zhaolian may not be good at practical matters, but his cultural knowledge is truly outstanding.

Compared to the later Prince Li's collateral branch, who was so eccentric that he didn't even know it was snowing in the foreign lands, this prince was already among the most accomplished princes in the Qing Dynasty.

After hearing this, Zhaolian was so moved that she prostrated herself in admiration.

"I thank the emperor for his grace."

"Get up, but you must still follow the rules and regulations from now on. Don't forget the instructions of the royal family, and be diligent when doing your duties."

The restoration of Zhao Lian's title was also unexpected.

This Prince Li, also prone to tears, wept and bowed before returning to his seat to express his gratitude.

Solovyov was taken aback, but given Zhaolian's level of knowledge, his cultural background was indeed worthy of the status of a member of the Qing Dynasty's imperial family visiting Europe.

Moreover, Prince Li is considered the most prestigious among the hereditary princes of the imperial family, although he was once renamed Prince Kang.

However, he made contributions to the establishment of the Qing Dynasty and the suppression of the Three Feudatories during the Kangxi era.

Moreover, the Daishan lineage has three hereditary princes, making them quite influential.

As for the other personnel to be dispatched, although Jiaqing has not yet made a decision, Solovyov can foresee that these people must also be quite capable.

If their skills aren't up to par, they'll probably make a fool of themselves in Europe. (End of Chapter)