Diplomatic etiquette sometimes competes not for the etiquette itself, but for a kind of respect between the two parties. Many times the two parties seem to have meaningless disputes over trivial matters, such as the color of the negotiation tablecloth, the pattern of the drinking cup, and when taking photos. Queue ranking, conflicts will occur in these places.
Ordinarily, such trivial matters should not matter to a superior politician, but contacts between countries sometimes have to be like this. The two sides are arguing over a cup of tea or a plate of food, but the core of the argument is still respect. question.
Negotiations between countries are of great importance. Sometimes a small concession may mean the ownership of millions of dollars, which are all real money. The nineteenth century was even more cruel, and national borders changed very frequently.
Many countries may expand their territory by millions of kilometers after a treaty, and some countries may lose half of their territory overnight or even become extinct.
Money, wealth, territory and population are all topics that cannot be avoided in disputes between countries. The war on the negotiation table is more cruel than the actual hot war.
For example, Tsarist Russia could use deception and coercion to seize Vladivostok from the Manchus and take away millions of square kilometers of land. However, it was impossible for them to achieve this goal through war under the conditions at the time.
This is the power of negotiation, this is the rule of the game between countries in the nineteenth century.
Xiao Letian didn't care about the kneeling ceremony at all. Among the Chinese people, the kneeling ceremony has been greatly restricted. All kneeling ceremonies between officials and subordinates have been abolished. Only nobles with the rank of kings and kings such as King Shangtai can enjoy it at the New Year ceremony. A ritual for subordinates to kneel down and worship.
The kneeling ceremony within the Chinese ethnic group is mostly reflected in sacrifices, such as the Temple of War and the New Year sacrifices to the ancestors of heaven and earth. This kind of ceremony still retains the kneeling ceremony.
But this kind of head of state, on the one hand, abolished the kneeling ceremony of the Chinese people, and on the other hand, he won this face for Zai Chun. He was not just doing it for face, he was actually fighting for an equal negotiating position for all East Asian countries.
Xiao Letian was afraid that Zaichun would not get the courtesy he deserved when he arrived in Europe. Although Britain would hold a grand welcome ceremony, it was very calm at the negotiating table. It must start to gain momentum from now on and show a sense of equality. And came out with a tough stance.
Only when you are strong and your opponents dare not look down upon you will you be able to make a fuss at the negotiation table in the future!
Zai Chun was trying his best to act like an emperor, and it seemed that he could still hold on. However, the four eunuchs and several guards behind him could no longer control their emotions, and his eyes turned red and even tears came out of his eyes.
Only Ermao can hold on here. He was born in the Forbidden City. Ermao knows the rules here very well.
Since the Xinyou coup, the ministers from Britain, France, the United States and Russia have always wanted to enter the Forbidden City to meet the Queen Mother and the young emperor, but they could not reach an agreement on this etiquette.
Riding on the majesty of the Second Opium War, the foreign devils are now so arrogant that they will not even kneel down on one knee, not to mention kneeling down on both sides, insisting on bowing instead.
The Qing Dynasty saw that this was not going to work. How can we promote the status of the Qing Dynasty as the unification of all nations if you are playing this way? How else can I promote the concept of the center of the world to the common people?
As a result, the Forbidden City used the excuse that the young emperor was not in charge and the widow was not allowed to appear in public, so the foreign envoys were not seen alive or alive. If anything happened, Prince Gong from the Prime Minister's Yamen was asked to run errands back and forth to send messages.
The two sides were deadlocked because of this etiquette issue, but the Forbidden City was also worried. They knew that the day Zaichun took charge was the ultimatum that the Manchus had to face this issue.
Once Zai Chun takes office, there is no reason not to meet foreign ministers. At least at the ceremony, you have to meet the ministers from Britain, France, Russia, the United States and other European countries, right? This is an unavoidable problem, and temporarily pretending to be an ostrich cannot solve the fundamental problem.
Xiao Letian had heard Er Mao say it a long time ago, and he also recalled some sporadic memories from his previous life. It seemed that in the dark history of the late Qing Dynasty in his previous life, the issue of kneeling down and worshiping was debated between the Qing Dynasty and the European envoys at the Emperor Tongzhi's inauguration ceremony. The end of the painting.
At that time, when ministers from various European countries entered the Forbidden City, they all bowed to complete the entire ceremony. The Qing Dynasty and Europe continued to fight for decades in the War of Kneeling and Bowing, which ended with the complete defeat of the Qing Dynasty.
This is real history, Xiao Letian remembers it clearly.
Er Mao once heard his godfather talk to himself, saying that he wanted to help Zai Chun win back this position, but he didn't expect that it was actually done today!
Why are they crying when they are celebrating their fourth birthday? They are completely familiar with this kind of etiquette dispute. They are very aware of the state of confusion in the Forbidden City about this issue. The old Dong Heng in the Ministry of Rites have a headache when they hear this topic. No one can solve this problem.
But today, an incredible scene actually appeared in front of us. The foreign devil lowered his head and actually knelt down before the emperor. Although it was just a simple kneeling ceremony, it was unprecedented for the conservative and bullying Qing Dynasty.
With this precedent, I would have something to say if I want to meet the emperor in the future. But in this case, Download Chun, don’t be too pretentious, it’s a bit too much!
Xiao Letian clearly saw those eunuchs and guards, and his eyes showed a trace of gratitude to him. This was not the fear and flattery before, but a trace of true emotion from his heart.
"Okay, dear gentlemen, I have prepared the best Chinese food for you. It is the fate of three lives that we can meet together on the Mediterranean today..."
"Please take a seat!" At Xiao Letian's call, the Jason generals took their seats one after another. White tablecloths were spread on their laps, and the waiters began to pour wine for each distinguished guest.
While drinking and drinking, the friendship between the guest and host quickly deepened. After all, soldiers are not politicians. They don't have the charm of diplomats. In their hearts, it is normal etiquette to kneel down on one knee when meeting the queen or king.
No matter how you say it, the emperor of the Qing Dynasty is on the same level as the queen, but his national power is much lower. According to his status, there is no problem in kneeling down on one knee.
What's more, during the banquet, King Zaichun and King Shangtai each gave everyone a valuable gift. Zaichun rewarded everyone with an exquisite Shu brocade robe, cloak and palace ceremonial knife, while King Shangtai each gave a box of pearls, including Precious black pearls.
Several British generals couldn't come empty-handed. Some of them sent statues unearthed from ancient Greece, others gave oil paintings from the Renaissance, and some even sent a set of medieval noble full-body armor, which looked mighty and powerful. Incomparable.
Men all over the world are the same. As long as both parties exchange drinks and gifts, the friendship will naturally increase. The atmosphere of the banquet is no longer so formal. Everyone is laughing and laughing, and people's faces are changing as they drink and drink. They are gradually turning rosy.
"Oh, my dear old friends, you have just come over from the Atlantic Ocean. You may not have tasted Chinese food... This sweet and sour meat is very delicious. I can eat a big plate by myself. Come on, come on, you must try it. …”
“There is also this kind of beef made in China, the taste is also very unique...”
Major General Jason was trying to persuade him to drink, but he didn't know that at this time, the soldiers on the first level of combat readiness in the bottom cabin had already begun to move to the deck like ghosts, quietly!
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