Guan Zhuofan is in a good mood.

The day after the visit of the "American delegation to China" at the Qianqing Palace, the delegation issued a "note" thanking the Chinese Government for its hospitality. At the same time, Vice President Johnson wrote an enthusiastic letter to Kwan Zhuofan in his personal capacity, and the theme and idea were the same as the "note".

The two texts were immediately made public.

At the same time, what was "exposed" was a "press release" written by a reporter accompanying the "delegation to China" to a newspaper in the United States.

Although these three texts vary in length, tone, and detail, they have one obvious thing in common: in addition to trying to exaggerate the "warmth and friendship" of the Chinese government and people, they also vigorously praise the beauty of China's palaces and gardens, and are full of words such as "extremely magnificent," "unprecedented," and "truly miraculous," repeatedly admiring the "greatness" of the "imperial civilization," and repeatedly claiming that they have left a "beautiful impression that will be unforgettable for a lifetime" of "the industriousness and wisdom of the Chinese people."

Of course, this is a "public opinion propaganda" that Guan Zhuofan has colluded with the Americans, but the Americans' good words are not unwilling. It is true that the American buns have not seen much of the world, and the situation of Doolittle entering the Hajj is like the magnificence of the palace complex of the Forbidden City, which made everyone in the "delegation visiting China" feel deeply shocked.

These "advertorials" did have the effect of cooking oil with a blazing fire.

From the queen mother of the two palaces to the small people in the market, they are inevitably proud: how long has it been since I heard foreigners praise us so much?

Those who supported the release of Americans into the Forbidden City and the Qianqing Palace in the "Son of Heaven" were even more justified in the face of those who did not think so: when the guests came, they naturally wanted to put out the best things in the house, and the poor and small families were still like this, but the Celestial Empire? If not, why is it "prosperous and prestigious"? Just find a remote place to meet guests, and don't let foreigners look down on us!

In Beijing, the warm atmosphere aroused by the "American delegation to China" was still more than that of Zhou Fu's time in Beijing, and it was close to the "fanatical" Cheng Dù.

The members of the delegation found that they had almost no way to move freely in the city of Beijing, not because the Chinese government did not allow it, but because as long as they were identified as "American delegations to China," the citizens of Beijing would gather in large numbers, laughing and watching, so that the roads in front and behind were flooded.

If the members of the US delegation want to go out, they must make arrangements in advance and send enough personnel to close the border and open the road.

The customs defense of the "Foreign Affairs Hotel" in Zhanyunfang, Xuanwumen, also had to be strengthened. Because, outside the mouth of the alley, from morning to night, there has been a large group of idlers who stretch their necks to watch the excitement, and they will slowly disperse at night.

Teahouses, restaurants, theaters, casinos, sinus, baths, among the people in the market, the first thing to talk about must be this "American delegation to China". The "foaming energy" and "big wedding" that Guibao said in the hall of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are no longer comparable.

It is said that at the foot of the Son of Heaven in Beijing, people have seen the world, and it is not that they have never seen foreigners, but this "American delegation to China" seems to be a completely new species to Beijingers.

What's going on?

Unlike other foreigners, Americans are "allies" or "blood alliances" - it is the first time that a red-haired, green-eyed foreigner has brought the relationship so close, which is quite a strange feeling.

Also, these Americans have been in the Forbidden City, and they have met our emperor and queen mother.

The Forbidden City, the Emperor, the Queen Mother...... After coming out of the palace, looking at these sub-Americans, not only did they become more and more cordial, but they were also a little dazzling - how could they be golden?

What about other than that?

Guan Zhuofan found that China in this era was really a "gangster" society, and it was not a difficult thing to influence and control the thoughts of ordinary people with low cultural level and lack the ability to think independently, and to blow something to the sky and make the people rejoice—provided that the "superiors" were firm and consistent, and truly suppressed the dissent among the courtiers, especially those on the way of speech.

In the name of "humbling oneself to listen", we cannot sway from side to side.

In particular, certain things are actually just a matter of concept, and do not directly harm the vital interests of the opponents - in this case, as long as the "superiors" are tough enough, the opponents will sooner or later die down.

Foreigners entering Beijing and the palace to meet the emperor and the queen mother with the etiquette of the common opinion of all countries - this is the nature.

In this mentality, the introduction and replacement of technology, system and civilization can be made possible and twice the result with half the effort.

Well, the momentum is good.

Guan Zhuofan has another gain, which seems to be inconspicuous, but in fact, it has a heavy meaning:

The Chinese translation of the name of the document of the "delegation visiting China" to the Chinese government officially adopts the word "note".

In Chinese, "note" means above and below, and the imperial court often uses the word "note" in the language of vassals. Therefore, 20 years before Daoguang, the imperial court would sometimes use the word "note", but on the other hand, it was "violation" and was absolutely unacceptable.

Twenty years after Daoguang, foreigners refused to keep their voices down anymore, and demanded that the words used in the text be "parallel to each other". This skin has been ripped for more than 20 years. In this regard, the imperial court has always been vague and prevaricated, and the correspondence between China and Western countries has actually become a situation in which each has its own words.

The United States asked Xuanjun to "help suppress it," and the copy handed by Minister Pu Anchen to the Prime Minister's National Affairs Yamen was a "post" that "Ask for Permission for Wall and Other Volunteers to Bravely Go to the United States to Quell the Disorder." At that time, it was the United States that asked China to do so, and in terms of the format and words of the documents, it could not but submit to others.

This kind of verbal contest stems from the outdated "Celestial Empire" system and concept, which has had a rather negative impact on normal foreign exchanges. If this is not changed, China will not be able to carry out truly normal exchanges with "civilized countries", and there is no need to mention those who are close to modernization.

Taking advantage of the "American delegation to China", the imperial court finally officially announced in the form of an edict issued by Ming: From now on, all the countries of Taixi will be "parallel to each other" and will use "notes".

Diplomatic documents, "parallel to each other", each using the word "note", in fact, after Xinyou, it has become a fait accompli - otherwise, your documents will not be accepted at all. This edict is only an official acknowledgment of this fact. However, the embassies in China still unanimously welcome this.

The "note" is divided into a "formal note" and a "general note," and the "note" sent by the "American delegation to China" is the first "official note" received by the Chinese Government since the issuance of this edict.

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The porter reported: "Sir Ale, Minister of England, has asked to see you." ”

Guan Zhuofan took the post and saw that it was written uprightly with the name "Teaching Foolish Brother Ali Guodunshou" - whether it was written in Chinese characters or with a brush.

couldn't help but smile: "He has also learned this set." I don't know if if he talks about 'etiquette', it is not in line with his identity as a minister to China? ”

He took out his pocket watch and looked at it, just handed it over to Shen Chu, nodded, and said, "He is on time - please meet Sir Ali Guo in the study." ”

Under normal circumstances, it is rare for foreign envoys to visit private residences at the Prime Minister's National Affairs Yamen or at the Advisory Committee.

This means that this time, the things that Ali Guo wants to talk about with Guan Zhuofan are, first, very important; Second, it should not enter the ears of a third party.

*R1152