Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Solovyov didn't wait long. Before Lazarev returned, he had already sent documents through the Dutch governor to the Qing Dynasty's Viceroy of Guangdong and Guangxi, the Guangdong Provincial Governor's Office, and the Guangdong Customs.

Although Jiang Youxian, the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, was a member of the Han Chinese Eight Banners, he was from Liaodong before he was promoted to the Banner. He didn't seem to be a particularly interesting person.

But his ancestral home is Fenghua, Zhejiang, which sounds a bit effeminate.

Moreover, his great-grandfather, Jiang Yuying, once served as the prefect of Taiwan Prefecture. In the 30th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the Jiang Gong Ancestral Hall was built in Taiwan.

There isn't a single space; you have to look carefully.

As for his grandfather's younger sister, the person she married was Tian Wenjing, who seems to have a built-in commentary.

The deputy general of Jinling would probably start by saying "Damn it," as if he were taking off his official hat and peacock feather.

Solovyov was unaware of these matters, but this Governor Chiang had previously received the British, and now the Russian envoy had arrived.

It was quite a large-scale operation, and the details were clearly written down, so no translation was needed.

It doesn't matter if you can't understand those French and Russian documents.

The other party wrote in very standard Chinese characters, so there was no problem understanding it, and the font was also very beautiful. Although it did not conform to the rules of the official script, it was still pleasing to the eye.

The problem is that this person wrote with so many punctuation marks. "The Count Mikhail Solovyov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Monarchy, Minister of the Imperial Guard, Vice Minister of the Left of the Ministry of War, First-Class Welsh Baturu, Commander of the Infantry, First-Class General, respectfully presents this to His Excellency the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi." It's not incomprehensible, but it's still a bit confusing. In any case, it's a text that is understandable and contains a lot of information.

Solovyov was afraid that the Qing Dynasty people wouldn't understand it, so this piece is very long and somewhat verbose.

However, the envoy from the Rakshasa Kingdom could write a letter that Qing Dynasty officials could understand. It was just that the style was somewhere between the vernacular imperial edicts of the Yuan Dynasty and the novels of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. However, it also contained some classic quotes, which proved that the person had read the classics.

If it weren't for the final stamp, which was clearly a foreigner's signature, and the Russian and French styles of the signature, it would be clear from handwriting analysis that they were all written by the same person. It would look like the handwriting of a fortune teller who couldn't even be considered a scholar who had just read a few books.

But the key point is that you understand everything.

Even Jiang Youxian didn't need to worry too much. Solovyov had written very clearly that this time the "Russian tribute envoy" had come to Guangzhou in preparation for going to Beijing to meet the emperor. The matter was already handled by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The official document stated that the "Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies of the Russian Monarchy" and the Qing Dynasty's Court of State Affairs had reached a conclusion in Kyakhta, and that they would send an envoy to pay tribute this time.

Besides Russia, there were several other countries with kinship ties to Russia, including the current Russian monarch's sister and niece, forming a marriage alliance, as well as countries along the way that longed for the "Celestial Empire" and sent envoys to pay tribute.

There were too many people, which gave Governor Chiang a headache. However, he was a scholar and a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Although Fenghua was his ancestral home, his ancestors were probably like General Mao Wenlong, who went to Liaodong at the end of the Ming Dynasty, or they were descendants of Zhejiang soldiers and civilians who had scattered here.

However, since the other party was so polite, he couldn't very well refuse. Moreover, there was an imperial edict from the Jiaqing Emperor stating that "the British are rude, while the Russians are respectful," and that the Governor-General's Office of Guangdong and Guangxi should treat them well.

In particular, the fact that they brought their female relatives and children was unprecedented in the diplomatic history of the Qing Dynasty.

In fact, when the Qing Dynasty interacted with Russia, back when both Emperor Kangxi and Peter the Great were emperors, although Emperor Kangxi also had some arrogance as the superior nation, he still recognized Peter the Great's status as "Khan" and even acknowledged that Russia was an equal country.

When their respective officials were sent on diplomatic missions, the envoys of the Qing Dynasty and Tsarist Russia would pay homage to the emperor according to the highest etiquette of the other side. Then, each would kneel in their own way, and this practice continued until the reign of Emperor Yongzheng and Empress Anna, who was from a rural background.

Even on Emperor Yongzheng's side, there were some more events, since Russia had changed tsars so frequently after Peter the Great that the two groups of envoys even met on the road.

In Russia at that time, the old system had not been completely eliminated, and it was not the French-style upper class that would later emerge.

Governor Chiang even knew roughly what rank Solovyov would be equivalent to in the Qing Dynasty, perhaps something like the Nine Gates Admiral.

The king of the Russian Empire, after several unsuccessful attempts to send envoys, finally sent a large delegation. Solovyov explained that this time they were not only coming to pay tribute, but also to exchange goods and, in particular, to open trade and establish mutually beneficial and friendly cooperative relations with other countries.

He himself was "sent by His Majesty the Great King of our country," avoiding the word "emperor," and even obtained Alexander's personal consent before setting out.

This was because Emperor Qianlong was petty and concerned about his image; he always had to say something to Emperor Jiaqing, who was very strict and followed rules.

Solovyov's plan, even when mentioning equal and mutually beneficial relations, was to bring it up only after meeting Jiaqing and becoming familiar with him, and to ask what the monarchs of various countries actually thought.

Of course, this also requires a strategic approach to negotiation; it can't be done like the British did.

In fact, the British were also roughly aware of the procedures that Russia and the Qing Dynasty followed when sending envoys to each other.

But the thing the British did back then, even someone as easygoing as the adults couldn't hold back.

That trade policy was practically tantamount to ceding territory; even the emperor wouldn't accept it.

Incidentally, Emperor Qianlong was already over eighty years old at that time, but he was still keeping an eye on the British and wanted to strengthen coastal defenses, so he was highly vigilant against the British.

On the Russian side, during the Qianlong era, the Empress was initially unsure of what cards the Qing Dynasty was playing, but later the Governor-General of Siberia and the foreign minister sent by him figured it out.

If they didn't follow the Qing Dynasty's demands to hand over the criminals, those of high rank would be imprisoned and killed, and those of low rank would be beaten to death with sticks. That would be considered the matter resolved.

Although Emperor Qianlong was still petty and very angry, he couldn't really find fault with the Russians in this matter, and he only reprimanded the Qing officials he had sent.

We won't do it your way, but we're all too naive.

This time, Chiang Yu-hsien was also meeting with foreigners, so we couldn't be negligent.

However, the British left a very bad impression. Over the years, their warships have been active along the coast of the Qing Dynasty, and they even occupied Macau at one point, but they quickly withdrew.

Things got very complicated. In the fifty years between Macartney's mission and the signing of the Treaty of Nanjing, the British were quite unruly.

On the contrary, the two continental countries of France and Russia actually had some contact with the Qing Dynasty.

Napoleon III was an exception; the efforts of the French Jesuit missionaries ultimately proved futile.

As for Russia, it goes without saying.

Solovyov himself was on the flagship "Grace" when he sent envoys to Guangzhou to explain the situation. These warships were also responsible for protecting the "tribute ships." When they were to go north to Tianjin and then to Beijing to meet the emperor, only the flagship "Grace" and its three battleships and two escort ships accompanied them, along with warships carrying envoys from France, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

He had already relayed the message, so the Qing Dynasty officials should understand. This could be considered the first collective overseas visit in European history, and the various countries brought a lot of "tribute," including a list of rare birds and animals.

Even a smiling face is met with a slap, let alone someone who comes to give gifts and discuss business.

As for the ships that arrived in the Lingdingyang in such a grand manner, they soon encountered small boats of the Qing Dynasty's Guangdong Navy, which the British would have called "junks".

Their visit was routine; Solovyov's warship looked excessively large, a former flagship and decorated warship of the Russian Imperial Navy. The Guangdong naval guerrillas who boarded were also there to pay their respects.

When Solovyov met him, he received him according to proper etiquette.

This guerrilla fighter speaks Mandarin with a Cantonese accent, which always makes people want to laugh.

After all, it's just that kind of one.
"According to the rules of the Qing Dynasty, although I am a foreign envoy, I am still a first-class general. Shouldn't you address me as 'General' when you see me?"

"You may address me as such, but your surname is far too long, even longer than the surname of the General of Guangzhou."

“That makes sense. The first character of my surname is Suo, so according to the rules, you can just call me General Suo.”

Unlike the previous British envoy, who required a deputy envoy fluent in Mandarin to translate, this Russian envoy was equally distinguished, handsome, and spoke kindly. In particular, he was fluent in Mandarin and even knew the titles of admiral and general.

This guerrilla leader didn't dare to be negligent. Although he still followed the rules, he was much more respectful.

"Where does General Su intend to go?"

"I will disembark in Macau first and wait for the governor's summons. The governor is a second-rank civil official, while I am a first-class general, but in our country I am a second-rank military officer, which is equivalent to a first-rank military officer in your country. However, if I am to be transferred to a local area as a governor, I will be a second-rank military officer. In terms of seniority, I am only thirty-five years old this year, while the governor is older, so there should be some respect between us."

Ah, he's still much better than that Englishman. This lord is also very efficient; he gave me a telescope and a compass as soon as we met.

“You are also a guerrilla commander in charge of ships. You have a telescope and a compass, which are always useful when sailing. It’s not like you’re using money. This is useful.”

"Thank you very much, Commander Suo."

This foreigner spoke like a high-ranking official from the north, and his attitude was exceptionally humble.

Solovyov's warships were also soon anchored in Macau, and he himself transferred to the "Mercury Memorial" to go to Guangzhou, where he also wanted to meet with the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi.

Jiang Youxian, on the other hand, had prepared a ceremonial procession to welcome him.

After returning, the guerrilla commander Mai also reported on the situation of the Russian fleet.

With the gun ports closed and merchant ships in front and warships behind, only two warships, one large and one small, arrived in Macau first, temporarily settling the female relatives and their families there.

Since the foreigners knew the rules, it was easier to deal with Jiang Youxian. When he arrived in Guangzhou, he was to lead officials of all ranks to welcome him.

Both sides have to go through a basic procedure. The British barbarians went directly to meet the emperor without even giving a heads-up, unlike this Russian envoy who had to come to Guangzhou in person.

However, because Katya also needed to rest, he left his wife in Macau and did not bring her to Guangzhou for the time being.

This also avoids some unnecessary awkwardness. For example, bringing female relatives directly might be seen as impolite, as it would be disrespectful to treat Qing Dynasty officials as outsiders.

The Mercury Memorial is a relatively small frigate, and its entry into Guangzhou Port always attracts crowds of onlookers.

This warship is not small, not to mention that the Russian flagship reported by Guerrilla Mai is a "giant warship".

As for the musical instruments, Solovyov hadn't heard the normal sound of the suona for a long time.

I haven't seen such a lively scene of gongs and drums for twenty years.

As for those Qing Dynasty officials, both high and low-ranking, who wore official robes and had peacock feathers on their heads, although the tops of their hats were definitely not visible from a distance, their ranks were quite high, judging from their robes.

When he arrived in Batavia, he learned about the British actions, which can only be attributed to the fact that the British have always been ignorant of the rules.

After the ship docked, Solovyov came down the gangway and bowed first, saying, "Is the visitor Governor-General Jiang?"

He came by observing the official hats and the order of the officials' positions, which Jiang Youxian found somewhat helpful.

Although he was a foreigner and considered a barbarian, he had studied the classics and knew some Mandarin.

Such officials were probably rare even among the military officers of the Qing Dynasty.

"Indeed, the visitor is an envoy from the Rakshasa Kingdom."

"Exactly."

"I have admired you for a long time."

"Nice to meet you."

The atmosphere was friendly, though Solovyov felt somewhat alienated in his homeland.

The Qing Dynasty officials, however, were curious about his impeccable manners, as it was the first time they had encountered a foreign official like him.

This was a historic meeting between the Qing Dynasty governor and the Russian envoy.

Solovyov was also going to the governor's office in Guangdong, where he needed to be accommodated, and naturally, he was treated with great hospitality.

Even if no family members came, the other party would still be able to figure out the situation.

Solovyov was very thoughtful in his visit, preparing gifts for the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, the Governor of Guangdong, the General of Guangzhou, and the Admiral of the Navy.

Such a sensible foreigner ensured that the meeting proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.

"General, you have come from afar, and I am only here to greet you at the dock. I have failed to welcome you properly."

"I am truly fortunate that the governor, despite his busy schedule, could still find time to visit me."

However, when talking to Jiang Youxian, the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, one should never speak too formally, and so it just passed by.

As for serving tea to guests, it's not surprising. It's just that these foreigners are used to drinking Chinese tea instead of following their own customs, which is quite a novel thing.

Now, let's get down to business. (End of Chapter)