The messages Ruan Yuan and Liu Ruozhi sent to Zhu Jingyuan actually had many different qualities.
However, the most numerous ones are "reports", which are copies of the contents of the report to the imperial court in the capital.
The report is not a request for instructions, but mainly the problems they discovered and the decisions they made.
Unless the capital and Zhu Jingyuan feel that there is a big problem with their decision, they will not respond specifically.
Ruan Yuan’s suggestion this time was to wear the new formal suits designed by Zhu Jingyuan for the Thai-Western male translators, and to wear Ming-style clothes for the female translators.
Ruan Yuan may have felt that this decision was natural, and officials from the relevant departments in the capital did not find any problems.
But Zhu Jingyuan has experienced too much cultural penetration in modern times and is very sensitive to many inconspicuous things.
Therefore, Zhu Jingyuan's expression turned ugly after reading Ruan Yuan's plan.
There is a big problem with your operation...
Many things in Dongyi Kingdom are the first time in history, and it is likely that a lot of "routines" will be left behind.
And in culture, many things that can have bad consequences are often hidden in the details.
Zhu Jingyuan did not dare to say that he could completely find out all the details of possible threats.
But you can think with the mentality that you would rather kill by mistake than let it go.
In a group of people who often work together, if the men all wear Thai-style clothing, the women all wear Ming-style clothing.
After a long period of time, will there be an inner suggestion that Taixi is equal to a man and Da Ming is equal to a woman?
Therefore, Ruan Yuan's decision must definitely be changed.
and--
I never said that all I design is men’s clothing…
Zhu Jingyuan was speechless and wrote a more casual reply:
"I never said that the clothes I designed were specifically for men.
“In fact, many of the styles, including all the skirts, were originally designed for women.
“The design of pants also takes into account the needs of women.
“So the female translator can wear the same clothes as the male translator, it doesn’t matter what they wear.
“Thai, Western and Ming Dynasty costumes are acceptable, but they must be unified.
“The traditional costumes of both sides are clearly differentiated between men and women, so they must be specially designed.
“The new formal wear I design is unisex, and you can consider using different colors or different accessories to differentiate it.
"If a woman cannot accept it for the time being, she can change her skirt to be longer or wear pants underneath."
After Zhu Jingyuan's news was sent to Yinzhou, it was Ruan Yuan and Liu Ruozhi's turn to be surprised.
"It's not just... men's clothing..."
After being stunned for a long time, the two of them once again summoned all the translators from their respective Chang Shi Mansion.
This matter must be discussed openly, and Zhu Jingyuan's information must be shown, otherwise neither man nor woman will believe it.
If they weren't sure that this was Zhu Jingyuan's reply, it would actually be hard for Ruan Yuan and Liu Ruozhi to believe it themselves.
The short skirt designed by Zhu Jingyuan was actually prepared for women to wear.
So in front of the confused translators, both of them took out the telegraph newspaper.
Ruan Yuan asked Standong to read the contents of the telegram.
As a result, this young man got stuck after reading only two sentences.
But his face was dull, his tone was stiff, and he read everything forcefully.
All the translators present were also stunned.
There were several translators at the scene, both male and female, and they all subconsciously wanted to shout:
This is impossible!
How can such a short skirt be worn by a woman!
So slutty!
What does it mean to be temporarily unable to accept it? This is never acceptable, okay!
And pants, how can a woman wear pants!
But in the end, the scene was completely silent.
No one directly shouted out any words of disapproval or strong opposition.
Because this is what Prince Dashi means.
Prince Dashi believes that women can wear pants and their legs can be exposed, at least their calves.
This is very outrageous among people in this era, but due to Zhu Jingyuan's identity, no one dares to object easily.
Not only because of Prince Dashi's status, but also because of the relationship between Prince Dashi and these clothes.
These clothes were originally designed by others, and they have the final right of interpretation.
I can't say that Prince Dashi doesn't know anything about new formal wear, so he has to see my interpretation.
The silence lasted for several minutes, and the telegraph newspaper was circulated around the scene twice.
Finally, Stockton took the piece of paper and said with a slightly trembling corner of his mouth:
"Well, I think His Highness Prince Dashi must have a deep intention. It is impossible to design such short skirts for both men and women without any reason, and it is impossible to ask women to wear such revealing clothes in public.
"What I'm thinking about is that the translator should often be active outside, or even go to the countryside. Short skirts and trousers are definitely much more convenient than long skirts. His Royal Highness Prince Dashi should have considered it for this purpose."
Erica seemed to have reacted:
"Yes, His Highness Prince Dashi must have deep intentions. His Highness the Prince cannot be exposed for the sake of exposure.
“His Royal Highness abandoned all complicated and cumbersome designs and adopted the simplest and exquisite design form. The biggest goal should be to make this kind of clothes as convenient as possible.
“Otherwise, you should add a complicated skirt and use a lot of lace and embroidery to embellish it.
"So convenience is the original intention of His Royal Highness, and His Highness has indeed achieved this goal. These new Ming-style formal clothes are much more convenient to wear than traditional Thai and Western clothes."
Staunton also echoed:
“His Royal Highness Prince Dashi’s design has achieved ultimate perfection in terms of convenience for activities and work.
“Using the ultimate simple style to create the ultimate convenience.
“This idea has been implemented from the design itself, to actual use, and even production.
"This kind of clothing is most suitable for mass production, so it is also the most suitable for use as uniforms."
Other men and women also followed suit one after another.
Zhu Jingyuan soon discovered countless design ideas, the core of which was simplicity and justification.
Zhu Jingyuan himself does not actually have any guiding ideology, but Zhu Jingyuan's design actually does comply with these four.
Because Zhu Jingyuan copied the simple design of modern clothing, which was caused by the greatly accelerated pace of society after industrialization and the demand for convenience in clothing.
Ruan Yuan just nodded slightly when he heard this, feeling that these young Thai and Western people were still on the right track.
I didn’t let myself, as a leader, think about how to interpret it.
“If everyone can understand His Highness the Prince’s design intention, then this will be the costume.
"Then let's discuss, what should we do with women's skirts? Extend them or add pants? What do you think?"
This time everyone looked at the female translators present.
Erica, who likes to stand out the most, said hesitantly:
“Since His Royal Highness’s design does not differentiate between men and women, it should support men and women wearing the same clothes.
“The original words in His Highness’ message were that if we couldn’t accept it, the skirt would be lengthened or paired with trousers.
"So what if...I say if...we can accept the existing design...
“Can we use the exact same uniform as the male translators?
“It’s just a matter of color and decoration as suggested by His Highness.
"For example, men use dark blue or black, and women use light blue or white."
Ruan Yuan and the translators understood what Erica meant.
But many people’s eyes immediately widened, and Steckton subconsciously reminded:
“Our skirts, even the longest ones, barely cover the knees.
"It just covers the joint between the tight shorts and stockings.
"Do you women really dare to go out wearing this kind of clothes?"
Erica subconsciously wanted to say: Why don’t you dare.
As a result, the other two girls grabbed her:
"Erica, wait a minute, boys' skirts are too short..."
"We women's clothes must at least cover our knees..."
Erica hesitated for a few seconds and looked at her other women. They all had similar expressions.
They were all obviously timid, even fearful and panicked.
Although they are relatively bold among women, leaking legs is really exciting in this era.
It's basically like the next generation wearing a swimsuit on the street. No one who is not a social superman would dare to do it.
Erica suddenly hated iron and said:
“Have you ever thought that the length of skirts may also be a shackle for Thai and Western men to restrict us?
“They who dominate the cultural sphere believe that it is slutty for a woman to show her legs and arms.
“Then why is it not slutty for a man to expose his thighs?
Two of the other five women seemed a little moved, but still did not dare to speak up.
And Ruan Yuan also has a deeper understanding of Erica. This woman has something even crazier in her heart.
Ruan Yuan interrupted Erica without much hesitation:
"Don't be too radical. Translation is the bridge between the palace and the people. This bridge should not make the people feel too weird.
"So women's skirts shouldn't be too short, and men's skirts shouldn't be too short either. They should be long enough to cover the knees."
Everyone at the scene breathed a sigh of relief.
Both men and women thought Erica was too radical.
Even if a woman wants to try to free her legs, she should start from the ankles and calves.
How can you reveal your thighs in one step?
Staunton said immediately:
"Dong Weng is wise and decisive..."
Erica hesitated for a few seconds, then saluted and said:
"I obey."
Ruan Yuan waved his hand noncommittally and put Stangdong in charge, asking Stangton and Erica to cooperate and handle the uniform matter together.
The three of them got busy. Erica went to go through the approval procedures, and Stockton went to find the tailor and shoemaker in Wilmington.
Ruan Yuan went back and wrote another note. He sent it to Liu Ruozhi in New York and copied it to the capital of the Ming Dynasty and the country of Dashi.
Liu Ruizhi also experienced a similar situation.
Zhu Jingyuan's telegram explanation was like a bolt from the blue.
All the men who have worn the New Ming Dynasty formal attire and the women who have seen these clothes are shocked.
The final reaction was similar to Wilmington's. The translators in Taixi unanimously interpreted Zhu Jingyuan's design intentions on their own.
He found a very reasonable reason for Zhu Jingyuan's design to convince himself and his companions.
As a traditional bureaucrat, Liu Ruozhi finally made a decision similar to Ruan Yuan.
Logically speaking, the two Changshi Mansion of Dongyi Kingdom are actually two semi-independent colonies.
But after all, they are nominally in the same country, and the main residents are very similar. They are both the earliest Western vassal states.
Officials on both sides are groping about how to treat and arrange for the Thais.
So always communicate, refer to each other and be as consistent as possible to avoid unnecessary trouble.
In the end, the uniforms of the Thai and Western public officials of the Dongyi Kingdom were determined.
