Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

The British then thought of trade with the Qing Dynasty, so they sent someone again, this time as a senior trade commissioner to China. Although Britain had always been the largest trading partner, their problem was that the Qing Dynasty had never been willing to cooperate.

Therefore, Britain has no embassy, ​​and problems in trade always affect long-term cooperative relationships.

As a result, Russia and France both saw significant increases in market share at this time. What made the British even more envious was that they learned about the Russians' secret trade route from Ryukyu.

Although this route was Solovyov's private route, it was able to reach Ningbo, a major production area for tea and raw silk needed by Britain, as well as an important distribution center for medicinal herbs.

After reaching Ningbo Port via the trade routes of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the Russians could then import North American furs, medicinal herbs, spices, and rare birds and animals to the Qing Dynasty.

Overall, trade between the Qing Dynasty and Russia at the ports was conducted in a healthy business environment and a friendly social atmosphere.

Anton also specially dispatched a diplomat to Ningbo to help Russian merchants who had arrived there negotiate with the local Qing government.

Speaking of which, people from Zhejiang are indeed very conscious of their business environment. They have low tariffs, a wide variety of products, and no internal traitors like the Wu family.

Under such circumstances, importing goods here is indeed more convenient.

The reason why Emperor Jiaqing tacitly approved of Solovyov was because he was too shrewd and understood the situation in China. As a result, he received a lot of rewards, and the two sides communicated frequently.

If a Hanlin scholar in the Qing Dynasty were given the opportunity to travel thousands of miles with imperial credentials, he would have to go to Moscow and St. Petersburg to spread the teachings of the Celestial Empire.

As for critically appreciating ballet performances and engaging in friendly conversations with the female dancers, that's not uncommon.

However, Qing Dynasty officials had a good reputation among the actresses because the women who came were all scholars from the Hanlin Academy and those who had taken the imperial examinations. They were not only civilized and polite, but they also often rewarded these girls with gifts, and even created works of art themselves.

Qing Dynasty officials actually gained a good reputation because of the critical appreciation of Russian art by the literati, since these people were all artists, skilled in calligraphy, painting, poetry and prose.
However, the Russian side has been wondering what the Song Dynasty, the cultural peak admired by the Thracian prince, was like, and why the prince dislikes the Ming Dynasty so much. Although he has a good relationship with the Qing emperor, he does not have a high opinion of the current Tatar-Chinese emperor.

And why does he personally prefer dynasties that are full of martial virtue?
These questions remain unresolved, but Russian diplomats, upon arriving in China, also found that while the people there were friendly, they generally had an impression of being ignorant and backward.

Those civil service elites were just one type of "candidate for prime minister." Local governors and prime ministers in the central government of the empire were chosen from among these people, as were the military nobles.

But these people are not like the cultured people; they might even give the emperor wrong advice.

Russian diplomats generally spoke highly of the Chinese emperor's diligence in governing, noting that the emperor's entertainment activities were mostly during festivals, and that he rarely held court banquets or luxurious salons at other times. Even the emperor's dragon robe looked old, and one could only tell the nobility and majesty of the bright yellow robe from the materials used.

The emperor himself would summon civil advisors from the cabinet and frequently hold academic discussions on the philosophy of governing the country.

Based on their understanding of Confucianism, Russian diplomats believed that Chinese emperors tended to adopt a cautious and conservative approach to governance, and that innovative attempts always stemmed from external influences.

Anton was recently promoted to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China, and since it was no longer a secret that he had married Tsar Paul's illegitimate daughter, he was always treated with high regard in the Qing court.

Because the Solovyov family had become the noble family of "Princess Shishang," except that the eldest brother was a prince of the highest rank, the second brother was a count of France, and the third brother was a count of Russia, the family was able to produce three branches, each with its own talents, and Emperor Daoguang valued them highly.

Even if we exclude his position at the Russian embassy, ​​Anton frequently travels within the Qing court, and Emperor Daoguang often summons him to inquire about the situation in Europe.

This also includes recent news from the Persian Empire that Solovyov decisively defeated a Persian army of 200,000 and subsequently conquered the country.

Speaking of which, Solovyov has been on a killing spree in the Middle East these past few years, consistently climbing the ranks.

His fame was known from Ireland to the Khitan.

So Daoguang also wanted to ask Andong, and he was summoned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your Majesty, the Russian envoy has arrived."

"Let him in."

"Whoo!"

When Anton came in to pay his respects, he didn't have to kneel and kowtow three times, which could be considered a privilege reserved for the ambassadors of Russia and France, since the countries behind them were both major powers.

Napoleon was even jokingly called "Father of the Law" in the Qing Dynasty because he actually did the same things as King Wuling of Zhao and was compared to various ancient figures.

The conclusion is that this person was indeed very capable, and he was used to taking risks in military strategy. How did he manage to combine Han Xin and Xiang Yu in such a way? He even had their weaknesses, not just his strengths.

Solovyov, on the other hand, became a representative of the Confucian general because of his many associations with intellectuals, his beautiful wife and concubine, his eloquent speech, and the fact that he often carried his pipe and fan even when he returned to Europe.

However, Solovyov's past experience shows that he once charged into battle as a junior officer, wearing fine clothes, but he was also very fierce when it came to killing people.

"Your Majesty, I was unaware of this summons to foreign officials."

"Suoqing, come here. I only just learned of your brother's outstanding achievements in the Persian campaign."

"Regarding my elder brother's matter, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already sent an official document to the embassy, ​​and the foreign minister has also heard about it."

"If we were to discuss famous generals today, who could be considered the foremost?"

“My elder brother has always been modest and dares not presume to be in the limelight, especially since Napoleon, the deposed emperor of France, was famous throughout Europe and was related to my mother, so it is only natural that he should be.”

“Your brother mentioned this matter when he was alive.”

Emperor Daoguang found the Solovyov family quite strange. The eldest brother was rather humble, while the two younger brothers were more flamboyant. Hanlin scholars who served as envoys to Russia also had this view: Russians are generally warm-hearted, but they are also rather flamboyant.

"If we compare them, my elder brother is still slightly inferior when the two armies are on the battlefield."

"how so?"

“My elder brother has always been cautious in his military campaigns. In the Battle of Reims, the French and Russian armies faced each other across the river. Those who are good at defense are the ones who win. Unlike my elder brother, I am not good at military strategy. Although I know the Nine Grounds chapter, I cannot memorize it.”

"It's alright, I know that. But what is your country's wise ruler's plan to deal with this?"

Because the three brothers in the Tsarist royal family were humble and refused to kill each other, they were considered to have the virtue of Jizha. Therefore, when Daoguang and his ministers addressed Nicholas, they always called him a "wise ruler" and were full of praise.

It didn't seem like a good match for Nikolai's somewhat reckless personality.

"Your Majesty has his own judgment. As a foreign subject who has lived in the Celestial Empire for a long time, I am unaware of the affairs in the capital."

"It's alright."

Emperor Daoguang then inquired about many other matters. He was quite interested in Solovyov's renewed military campaigns in recent years. Furthermore, the Qing army's increased training intensity meant that, in the eyes of European instructors, they were a force with considerable fighting power, capable of easily defeating countries like the Ottomans and Persia.

However, it would still be difficult to encounter the British, especially since the enemy's navy has always had an advantage. Even though the Qing army now has first-class battleships to support it, and its navy is the strongest in East Asia, in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, apart from the East India Company and the Royal Navy's squadrons, there is no one stronger than the Qing army.

He still wanted to know how the strength comparison was.

Although Anton did not join the army, he was still aware of these matters.

"The Ottomans and Persians are not worth mentioning compared to the Celestial Empire."

“How come you see?”

"If a ruler does not practice benevolent governance and does not strengthen military preparedness, there will be internal strife for power and profit and external threats. Although he may have great ambitions to strengthen the country, he is ambitious but lacks the ability to do so. Therefore, his plans will not succeed and his government will not be well-governed. His bad reputation will spread overseas, so he is not worth mentioning."

"In that case, what insightful opinion do you have, Lord Suo? I am also concerned. Your country has a wise and capable ruler and generals, and has always maintained good relations with our country. However, the British are truly a cause for my worry."

"When my elder brother left, he had a good plan, and all the instructors did their best. All the barbarian tribes admire Your Majesty's benevolence, and we also have experienced generals who are skilled in battle. Why does Your Majesty have any worries?"

Anton was unaware of Daoguang's true thoughts because his elder brother was so terrifying, having wiped out Persia in one fell swoop, which caused Daoguang's anxiety.

However, Russia also has its own national policies. In the Far East, it mainly adopts a trade policy, allowing everyone to do business with the Qing Dynasty, which actually greatly benefits Russia's finances.

Trade between China and Russia over the years has greatly improved Russia's economic environment, and even filled a significant portion of its huge debt hole.

Russia still needed such blood packs, and the Qing Dynasty indeed had no intention of fighting on the border. The two sides even cooperated happily to divide the Khanate of Kokand and establish their respective spheres of influence in Kazakhstan.

The neighboring areas of the two countries are too far from their own core areas, so there is no need to start a war. Those who want to earn military merit here are somewhat out of their minds.

Moreover, while the Qing Dynasty was making money from Russia, it also learned about the situation in various European countries.

And when the great Russian poet Pushkin visited China last time, Emperor Daoguang bestowed many gifts upon him, and the cultural exchanges between the two sides were very lively.

In this peaceful and friendly atmosphere, there is no need to start a war.

All that remained for Emperor Daoguang was to guard against the British.

The British have the advantage of a navy, and this is the information Daoguang knows now, based on the latest intelligence updated by Andong.

The British had gained access to the South China Sea through Singapore as a transit point, and their fleet was able to threaten Guangzhou.

Emperor Daoguang was also very wary of this. He assigned heavy frigates to the Guangdong and Fujian navies. At that time, the most powerful navy in the Qing Dynasty was commanded by European naval officers, and many of the frigate commanders were already Qing Dynasty naval officers.

On paper, the power gap between the two countries is not that large compared to that of Britain.

While reforming salt administration and maritime transport, Emperor Daoguang also strengthened coastal security.

He was well aware that the British and barbarians might go to war with the Qing Dynasty because of the opium issue.

But Anton was a diplomat, while Drouot had some experience; he had served as an artilleryman in the navy and was very familiar with artillery fire.

To this end, Drouot personally went to various coastal areas to discuss coastal defense with the various admirals, generals, deputy generals, and brigadier generals, as well as the commanders and deputy commanders of the Eight Banners.

The Qing Dynasty did not intend to send its fleet out to sea to fight, but rather to remain in the South China Sea to prepare for a possible invasion by the Royal Navy.

Therefore, it was even more necessary to strengthen the construction of fortifications, and the Qing army strengthened the defenses on both sides of Guangzhou during this period.

However, the British were unable to arrive immediately, a fact that Emperor Daoguang was unaware of.

He also knew nothing about Queen Charlotte.

He was unaware of the significant conflicts between Queen Charlotte and her cabinet regarding the Far East. Charlotte genuinely disliked opium and was particularly willing to intervene in politics; the power of the royal family was also documented in the constitution.

If he finds out, he'll probably relax.

However, the final decision on the British side will definitely be made by Parliament.

The Royal Navy's strength was clearly unmatched by any other nation. The Qing fleet was now essentially a squadron. If the British gritted their teeth, they could still send an army on an expedition.

It's hard to say what the outcome will be.

Even Anton wasn't sure he could say these things, and Emperor Daoguang would frown upon hearing them.

However, Anton was always very proper when he was in the palace, even more so than his brother.

After all, Solovyov had actually come out of a pile of dead bodies with swords and spears; it wouldn't be shameful for him to be spirited.

"Your Majesty, is there anything else you wish to ask?"

"Suoqing, it's alright now. Although I was worried, you and your brother have relieved the worries of a wise ruler and formed an alliance with our Great Qing, so I have nothing to worry about."

Therefore, this diplomatic treaty now needs to be supplemented with some additional clauses, turning it into a mutual defense agreement.

The Qing Dynasty was obligated to provide assistance in a certain overseas location when Russia was at war with a certain country, and when it was declared war on and launched an offensive.

The Qing army now has the strength to do so. Although most of its troops are security forces, after years of training, it can be considered a Western-style army, and its equipment is even constantly being upgraded.

Some experimental weapons from Russia were also sold to the Qing Dynasty.

For example, in addition to machine guns, there were also grenade launchers deployed in Guangzhou.

Emperor Daoguang received a memorial from the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, indicating that this type of pole-mounted torpedo was extremely powerful and would definitely be a powerful weapon in naval warfare in the future.

For the Qing Dynasty, whose primary objective was defense, this thing was actually quite useful.

In addition, there were reports from governors and viceroys across the country, indicating that the Qing Dynasty's replacement of the original silver taels and copper coins with silver dollars and copper coins had some effect. (End of Chapter)