The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 40
August 1723, 8, Chang'an (now Toowoomba, Australia).

An exquisite large four-wheeled carriage drove on the flat and wide Xingsheng Road, following the bustling traffic on the road, heading towards the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qi in Xuanwu District.

In the carriage, there were four people sitting opposite each other. Two of them were the diplomatic secretaries of the Embassy of the United Provinces in Qi. The other two were the Minister Maurice Needham himself and Jan van Riebeeck, the director and senior special representative of the East India Company. .

The atmosphere in the carriage seemed a bit solemn. The two big men remained silent, which made the two young foreign secretaries sitting opposite feel a little depressed. In order to relieve the invisible tension in the scene, they each turned their heads and looked at the street scene outside the window.

We have to admit that Qi is far ahead of European countries in terms of urban planning and construction.This magnificent and majestic capital city is one of the most dazzling achievements in their many city constructions.

It is said that more than 60 years ago, the place where Chang'an City was located was just a barren valley woodland and large tracts of meadows, with only a few pastures scattered in this area.However, in just over ten years, the people of Qi built this beautiful and brand-new city on this wild land.

Chang'an City drew on the layout of Beijing and Nanjing in mainland China, and also took advantage of the rivers and undulating mountains here to lay out the entire city scientifically and rationally, making Chang'an City extremely neatly laid out and tightly regulated.Large areas of garden areas and green belts have also been built in cities and on the edge of suburbs, which not only beautify the city, but also provide urban residents with places to visit and relax.

This city, located more than 100 kilometers inland, perfectly integrates human settlements and nature, with extremely beautiful scenery, city parks, lakes, rivers, dams, elegant buildings full of oriental charm, and shocking buildings. Majestic building.

The carriage drove along the wide asphalt road and soon entered the Xuanwu District. In the distance, a building more than 40 meters high was seen standing in front of it.The top of the building is covered with large expanses of red glazed tiles, and the walls are painted with blue-gray paint.Extensive use of glass on each floor reflects the dazzling light under the sun.Presumably the rooms in the building will also be exceptionally bright, and they should be very comfortable whether working or living there.

That building is the imperial court, the legislative body of the State of Qi. It is here that the laws and regulations affecting countless people in the local and overseas colonial territories were formulated one by one after careful discussion and repeated deliberation, and then passed the approval of His Majesty the Emperor. Declared as a formal legal text.

In addition to occupying several floors of the Imperial Court, several departments and groups such as the Ministry of Public Assets Management and the Ministry of Supervision under the Cabinet, as well as the National Federation of Industry and Commerce, the Institute of Foreign Politics and Economics, and the National Association for the Promotion of Disability Welfare also occupy several floors of this building. Work here to make the most of this massive office space.

Perhaps because this was a government area, there were relatively few pedestrians and vehicles on the road, so the coachman couldn't help but speed up the carriage in order to reach the destination early.The asphalt road is so wide that four large carriages can run parallel to each other without any trouble.There are standard drainage ditches on both sides of the road. Next to the ditches are rows of tall street trees.

Not far after passing the imperial court building, a large lake appeared on the left side of the road.The people of Qi built a dam on the south side of the city to block the Changxing River (today's Gaoli River in Toowoomba, Australia), a trickling river that flows through Chang'an city.The existence of this lake not only provides sufficient water for the entire city, but also adds a bit of lake and mountain scenery to the city, giving people an artistic conception of "the lake and the moon are harmonious, and there is no windshield on the lake surface that has not been polished".

Not far from the lake is the Changxing Pavilion, where the Qi government's cabinet is located. Their cabinet prime minister and some important ministers work in this traditional oriental building, managing this huge palace for their emperor. nation.There is a gray-white wall on the outside of this garden building, blocking the prying eyes of all curious people.

However, two secretaries of the embassy had the opportunity to appreciate the scenery of Changxing Pavilion when they accompanied the minister to visit the Prime Minister of Qi State.It is hard to imagine that the office environment at the center of this powerful country is extremely elegant. Inside, there are deep winding paths, ponds, woods, pavilions, pavilions, carved railings and painted buildings, whitewashed walls and black tiles, which are full of " The unique charm of "Jiangnan Water Town".

Changxing Pavilion covers a large area and has many rooms.In addition to the places where the prime minister and several deputy prime ministers work, rest and hold meetings, there are also security rooms, kitchens, information rooms, medical rooms, entertainment rooms, liaison rooms, conference rooms, and places for attachés and secretaries to rest.

The carriage soon arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qi State.After confirming the identification documents with the gendarme guarding the gate, the ambassador's carriage slowly drove in.

"Minister of England." Just as a group of four people had just got off the carriage and were about to enter the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, three men with European faces came out with gloomy expressions. A secretary immediately whispered to Minister Maurice Needham reminded.

Minister Maurice Needham smiled slightly, took off his hat, and nodded politely to the English Minister Chartel Trond.

Chartel Trond just nodded slightly, without any intention of stopping to chat with him, and walked straight towards the place where his carriage was parked.

"If I'm not mistaken, the English must have hit another snag in front of the Qi people." Jan van Riebeeck turned his head and looked at the leaving figures of several Englishmen, and said teasingly.

"They just want to save as many English people who have been convicted as possible." Minister Maurice Needham shook his head and said: "However, as a Qi people who have always been strong, scientists in their own country were kidnapped and killed for no reason. How can we accept the explanations and pleas of the English under such circumstances? Therefore, the English will inevitably be treated coldly by the people of Qi."

"Oh, more than 100 years ago, our East India Company tried and sentenced ten Englishmen to death in Ambon, which aroused fierce public opinion throughout the country and clamored to punish our East India Company. Today, nineteen Englishmen They were all found guilty by the trial courts across the country, and as many as 16 of them were sentenced to death. So, what will be the reaction in England?" Jan van Riebeeck said with gloating.

"I think the English will definitely set up corresponding obstacles on the import of goods from China to express their dissatisfaction." Minister Morris Needham smiled slightly and said softly: "Judging from the comparison of the strengths of the two sides, England should not dare to completely intensify the contradiction between the two sides and trigger an armed confrontation between the two countries."

"With the English people's vengeful character, they shouldn't give up easily, right?" Jan van Riebeeck said thoughtfully: "It is said that there are a large number of English nobles in the shareholder list of the British Hanzhou company that committed the crime. Members, they are inextricably linked to many members of Parliament. Well, it is said that there are even shadows of the English royal family in this company."

"So what?" Minister Morris Needham smiled brightly and said: "Do they still dare to retaliate against Qi with force? You know, with Qi's maritime strength in the Indian Ocean, it can cut off the English in the East at any time Trade. If the people of Qi are willing, they can even cut off their Mediterranean trade."

"Just based on the few maritime strongholds Qi has in Morocco?"

"The Qi people still control the Red Sea and most of Egypt." Minister Maurice Needham said: "If they spend a lot of money, Qi can still get strong support from the Ottoman Empire. So, in In the Mediterranean region, the strength of the English may not be able to suppress Qi. Don't forget, there are also the French, who have always harbored a deep hatred for England."

"Unexpectedly, over the years, the Qi people have been able to profoundly affect the situation in our European region." Jan van Riebeeck sighed and said with some regret: "Then, we are here to talk to the Qi people this time. Can negotiations restore the huge trade interests of our United Provinces Republic in the East?"

"...the Eastern trade interests of the United Provinces?"

Minister Maurice Needham took a deep look at the director and senior special representative of the East India Company, shook his head slightly, said nothing more, and walked towards the building.

Eastern trade should be the most vital interest of your East India Company!
(End of this chapter)