Hamilton stepped forward and muttered a word of English, presumably about the gift they had brought.

After Hou Xuanyan listened to it, he was not very interested, because of his own efforts in this era, the science and technology of the Hua Dynasty did not lag behind the West, and even the steam engine appeared. But this is an era of change that has not been seen in a thousand years, and even if it is temporarily ahead, the most taboo thing is that Yelang is arrogant and works behind closed doors. Only by opening up the door to exchange can we always maintain a vigorous innovation of productive forces.

"I already know your intentions, and I guess you didn't come to my country across the ocean to give gifts."

Hamilton took off his hat and said respectfully: "Your Majesty the Emperor, I sincerely admire your wisdom, we have come this time to establish friendly relations with your empire, and to support and help each other. ”

Hou Xuanyan stood up, walked to the steps of the main hall, and said in a loud voice: "I know that your European royal family is all related to each other, but it will not affect you to attack each other. To tell you the truth, there are two countries on your side that I don't like very much, and I have formed a grudge. One is Tsarist Russia, the other is Spain, these two countries are bound to have a war with us, if we want to establish diplomatic relations, we must make sure that when we send troops, you Britain will not be able to help them. ”

Hamilton now wants the spearhead of this empire to be against all the European countries, as long as he does not fight Great Britain, no matter what Spain and Tsarist Russia are, it is better to fight and lose.

"Your Majesty the Emperor, I can swear on behalf of my country that I will never interfere in any war you have started." Hamilton said happily, he didn't expect that there would be an unexpected gain this time, and if there was really a war, Britain could take the opportunity to make a profit.

Hou Xuanyan asked the Ministry of Rites to draft a letter of state and asked them to bring it back to the UK, which could be regarded as the official establishment of diplomatic relations. As for the national letter written by the British, Hou Xuanyan didn't even read it, this group of old-fashioned and cautious politicians is the best at making something smelly, long, and without content. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries must be tied by interests, not by the so-called national credentials.

As long as the benefits are enough, let Hou Xuanyan tear up the treaty tomorrow and start a war, and he can do it. Of course, the British Empire was much more capable of doing it.

Next, the officials of the Ministry of Rites took the people of the mission to visit the lecture hall, the craftsman hall, the medical hall and other places.

Hou Xuanyan didn't plan to follow these trivial matters, he enthusiastically stayed in Hamilton for a few more months, in fact, all the people in this mission wanted to stay for a few more months.

The establishment of diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom this time is the beginning, the beginning of exchanges between the East and the West. The businessmen of the two countries have long been very familiar, but this is the first time that they have interacted at the national level.

After the delegation withdrew, Hou Xuanyan summoned a few ministers and Tang Ruowang and Nan Huaili alone, and the little eunuch took everyone to Nuanfang Pavilion, Hou Xuanyan had already changed into a spring shirt, and the formal clothes of the previous dynasty were too tired to wear.

In the Nuanfang Pavilion, it seems to be much more casual, and the ministers are also very relaxed when they arrive here. Tang Ruowang and Nan Huaili were surprised, it seems that the Hua Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty are different, and the relationship between the monarch and the minister here is more harmonious.

Hou Xuanyan saw them come in and said with a smile: "Come on, give a seat." ”

The little chamberlain carried four stools, and Ma Shiying and Chen Mingyu gave in politely and took the two missionaries to sit down.

Hou Xuanyan saw them sit down, and then he spoke: "I heard that the two missionaries were both officials in the Qin Heavenly Prison, and the Ming Dynasty and the Hua Dynasty are in the same line, are you willing to continue to stay in our Dynasty as officials?" ”

The two looked at each other, and both saw the joy in each other's eyes, and they had come to the East to preach. When they arrived in China, they found that if they wanted to preach here, they had to be officials and gain the support of the imperial court. Otherwise, it is a heretical cult, the Ming Dynasty founded the country with the White Lotus Sect, and is very jealous of this kind of sect, and the intensity of the attack is not a joke, and the blood of killing at every turn is like a river.

"Your Majesty is so loving, how can we not be grateful."

Hou Xuanyan laughed and said: "You two are really polite, since you are willing, let's enter the Craftsman Hall." I know that you are Catholic, and that you are here to preach, and that you may be allowed to proselytize in my empire, but you must obey our laws. The Chinese dynasty separated church and state, and no religion should interfere in the affairs of the government, otherwise it would be a heresy. ”

The two missionaries were overjoyed, thanked each other, and then went to report to the ministry in a happy way.

There are two scholars left in Nuanfang Pavilion, Hou Xuanyan said: "This establishment of diplomatic relations is a beginning, and the Westerners are different from Nanyang and Mobei, and they are now the time for their national strength to grow by leaps and bounds. After you go back, organize a group of officials and students from the three universities to send ships to England, which can be regarded as a courtesy. ”

The two of them accepted it, and they didn't take it seriously in their hearts, after all, the Han people at this time were still very arrogant in their bones.

As he spoke, the topic returned to the battle in Moxi, and the generals in front played their thoughts on Hou Xuanyan.

From God's point of view, Hou Xuanyan can probably deduce the situation of the war, Hami is an important bridgehead, and it should not be impossible to fight until now.

There are no strong walls and moats in this kind of place, and it is impossible to defend it. Unless they have the idea of death, they drag time with human life.

In fact, he really guessed correctly, Hami is using human life to drag time for the unification of Dzungaria.

Of course, Chen Mingyu was towards his old partner Yan Yingyuan, who fought side by side in Jiangyin at the beginning, and was born and died. Chen Mingyu admired Yan Yingyuan's ability very much, so he said: "Dzungaria is so big, if you advance step by step, I don't know when this battle will last." The decapitation method that Li Heng said, Chen thought it was a good idea. ”

Hou Xuanyan groaned: "The general is outside, the king's order is not affected, since Xia Wanchun has been fighting in Jingbei for two years, we should trust him." I sit in Jinling, but I remotely command the generals in front, which is a taboo for soldiers. What we have to do is to transport the baggage, so that the front-line soldiers have clothing, food, artillery bombardment, and medicinal use, which is the best support. ”

Ma Shiying hurriedly said: "The minister seconded the proposal, Your Majesty Shengming." The newly made wheels of the craftsman hall have been instructed to go down to the merchants to customize, and there are a lot of willing factories in Jiangnan, I don't know which one to choose? ”

"List our requirements, and then let them bid, whoever has the lowest price will use whom, write this law into the Dahua Commercial Law, and then implement it according to this." Hou Xuanyan talked about the current bidding law, and the specific measures should be carefully considered by the courtiers below.