Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 586 The correct way to open "cultural output"~
Southwest London suburbs.

This beautiful piece of land is the location of the Windsor royal family's family castle and is sacred and inviolable.

but,

Even though it was several miles away, it was as lively as a big market.

London's high society flocked to attend the ball held by Earl Jia Xiaozhen, the Wu Kingdom's ambassador to London and the person in charge of European affairs.

……

The red carpet was laid all the way to the outside of the castle.

A group of smiling Parisian maids dressed in neo-Chinese maid dresses stood on both sides of the red carpet to welcome the guests.

The obese Under-Secretary of the Admiralty, Churchill, stepped down from the carriage and whispered to his chief mistress:
"This count is so rich!"

"I think he must have a housekeeper who is particularly good at managing money."

"It must be." The chief mistress, who was held in the arms, nodded.

A Parisian maid bends slightly:
"Sir, please show me your invitation."

The chief mistress handed over the gold-powder invitation with great distress.

Fortunately, the damn Parisian maid returned it as it was after confirming the qualifications.

The chief mistress breathed a sigh of relief. The gold powder was secondary. She mainly wanted to take the invitation home to study the calligraphy.

……

The two walked into the door on the soft red carpet.

behind,

The Parisian maid shouted in Chinese, which sounded very nice but was totally incomprehensible:
"Welcome, Mr. Churchill, Under-Secretary of the Admiralty, and his beautiful mistress, to the Heart of the Ocean."

Heart of the Ocean, a brand new European-style castle.

It mobilized architects from Paris, German builders, used oak from Scotland and stone from England, and cost a huge amount of money. It is known as the most magnificent castle in England.

A London butler, with an obviously well-kept beard, stepped forward and bowed slightly:

"Dear guests, please come in."

His Chinese pronunciation is very standard and his words are clear and melodious.

Working here earns you Oriental silver coins, wears Suzhou embroidery clothes, drinks Biluochun tea, and is definitely upper middle class, living a very stylish life.

The authenticity of Yanjing, the accent of Suzhou and Songjiang, and the elegance of London are essentially the same thing.

……

The luxury inside the castle is beyond imagination.

There is no place without treasures and no place without design.

Even the air is filled with fragrance~
Churchill was surprised:

"How much perfume did the Count apply in advance?"

"No, no, this is ambergris, Mr. Churchill." A dissolute nobleman next to him was very proud. He was happy to trample on his opponent in front of his mistress and the mistress of his political opponent.

Everyone continued to move forward.

Castle gate~
Two identical 5-foot-tall porcelain statues of nude women, with almost no difference in proportion from real people.

Even though it is a shameful object, it is covered with a white gauze hat, which can be considered art.

……

“God, this is really porcelain.”

"God, this hat is worth at least 50 pounds."

"God, this is so beautiful."

When she looked up, the mistress screamed again.

"God, such a big sapphire?"

As the castle's name suggests, "Heart of the Ocean", a diamond-shaped sapphire of rare size is gorgeously inlaid on the castle gate.

Churchill looked at his rival's mistress beside him, her eyes full of sarcasm, and was extremely angry.

Grabbing his mistress:
"God, please shut up."

……

The moment they entered the castle, everyone couldn't help but shout:

"God~"

It was so luxurious that its degree of luxury was beyond the imagination of Europeans.

Above my head, a pure natural crystal chandelier shines brightly.

Under your feet is a whole Suzhou embroidery carpet, and in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows of the ancient castle are Shu brocade curtains.

There are white jade steps and gold walls, gems can be seen everywhere, and ivory, agate and coral carvings can be seen everywhere.

The most rare thing is that it does not have the aura of a nouveau riche, but is luxurious and has a strong sense of design.

……

The owner of the castle, Count Jiaosibojia, stood on the stairs, smiling and opening his arms:

"Welcome everyone to the Heart of the Ocean."

"Music, start."

There was an inconspicuous kid in the band named Beethoven, whose existence was dispensable. At this moment, he was hammering on the pure silver triangle with a look of despair.

But his eyes kept glancing at the erhu next to him.

For some reason, he always felt that this strange instrument made his soul tremble.

want to cry!

……

visit!

prom!

Cocktail party!

afternoon tea!
London society is so dull.

Earl Jia also unveiled a red silk curtain in public to display some oil paintings by Emperor Wu himself hanging on the wall.

The colors are bold and the characters are avant-garde.

Hit the soul.

If it were exhibited anywhere else, the patrolmen from Scotland Yard would blow their whistles and arrest people. But here, it is a refined art.

……

The London ladies present had shining eyes and were commenting in low voices around the painting.

Earl Jia pricked up his ears and listened for a while, but he was not very satisfied.

He thought that these women were ignorant, their comments were inadequate, and their compliments were low-level. They kept repeating "amazing", "prefect", "nice", and "wow".

At this time,

A Parisian courtesan seized the opportunity:
"My name is Bovary. I studied at the Paris Academy of Fine Arts for one year at my own expense. I think the Emperor's painting has rich shadows, smooth brushstrokes, realistic figures, and especially highlights the environmental and contrasting colors."

“The whole painting is fresh and unrestrained, bright and romantic. It expresses the artist’s pursuit of freedom and desire for nature.”

"Finally, I want to describe it in one sentence: the wind from the south of the Yangtze River ripples the water in Paris."

Earl Jia nodded with satisfaction.

Parisian women are different, they understand art.

He walked over with a smile, and in full view of everyone, he took the initiative to take Miss Bovary's hand.

"Miss, would you like to dance?"

"my pleasure."

……

The fact that they don't speak the same language doesn't affect their socializing.

On the contrary, due to the language barrier, men and women have a better understanding of each other and have reached a new level of cooperation.

When it ends,
Count Jia gently stroked the palm of Miss Bovary's hand three times, and the socialite understood what he meant.

In order to attend a grand banquet like today's, which only invited 100 guests (who could bring one or two family members), she spent 500 francs and entertained two pigs.

Amid the jealous, curious and resentful looks of the ladies, she gracefully walked aside and made herself a cup of green tea.

This is rare.

People in Europe rarely drink green tea. 100 out of 95 people would choose to drink black tea.

In fact, Miss Bovary did not like green tea.

But as a socialite with a lot of brains, she knows what tone is. You drink black tea, and I have to drink green tea.

……

Reception time.

The dishes are pretty standard, with Chinese food cooked in a Western style, and the main feature is that they have little soup and are well-shaped, making them easy to eat.

grace!

Above all else.

In this kind of occasion, you can't serve a plate of greasy twice-cooked pork, right?
After eating, it is free time.

There were a bunch of women and a bunch of men.

Women gather together to talk about art, and men gather together to talk about women.

Only a few young nobles who are short of money and have no actual official position will talk about international affairs, trying to show that they are different and concerned about the country and the people.

……

Unfortunately!
Noble ladies and socialites are not interested in men who care about their country and the people.

I don't want to listen and I don't like to listen.

Afternoon tea is the happiest time of the day for ladies.

They were busy grabbing the best spots on the balcony terrace, eating exquisite snacks, drinking double-sweetened black tea, and exuding elegant charm.

Only a few newspaper reporters who came with a mission would approach these impoverished aristocrats, flatter them a bit, and then extract some valuable information about the upper-class trends from them.

After returning, he fabricated current affairs reports that could be exchanged for pounds.

Workingmen in the East End of London were intrigued by these fanciful reports.

……

Mademoiselle Bovary comes out of Count Jacques's room.

When you come out,
A piece of lipstick fell off, and the black hair was lazily spread out.

The iconic big bustle disappeared, and she changed into a new Chinese style long skirt with a wide open back, a waist and a long skirt that dragged on the ground, making her look slimmer.

At this moment, I was just about to use a loud speaker to shout: "I was fucked by the Earl."

……

Paris is a paradise for socialites.

The annual spending of the top 100 Parisian courtesans could support 500 infantry regiments.

A socialite is not a prostitute, but a kind of courtesan. The peak of her career is, for example, Li Shishi.

Miss Bovary was born in a middle-class family. She was beautiful, graceful, cultured, and fond of art. Later, her family fell into poverty and she was forced to enter the world of fame and fortune.

But I need someone to help me.

Today I met Earl Jia, who has status, financial resources, and a lot of topic to attract attention.

More importantly, it’s scarce!
There are hundreds of nobles in Europe, but there is only one noble in the East.

I, Bovary, only need one article to go from an ordinary socialite to a high-end socialite.

……

She walked gracefully towards Andy, a reporter from The Moon.

The Moon has a large circulation in the three major cities of London, Paris and Amsterdam. Its text is relatively straightforward and its reports are quite sensational, and it is deeply loved by the general public.

"Mr. Andy, can I have a drink?"

"Of course, my beautiful lady."

The fat and bald Andy quickly picked up the delicate hand and pecked it gently. Of course, given his status, the groping ended there.

The two men talked in low voices and bargained.

No matter what era, socialites have to hype themselves up to raise their status.

Andy has the common characteristics of most writers with good writing skills. He looks very ordinary, even a little ugly. But when he walks on the street, he always feels that he is outstanding.

……

Finally, the deal was settled at 150 francs.

With just this little money, you can buy the conscience of a scholar.

Not expensive!

Public opinion is important.

If there were no newspapers to help create public opinion.

How could the Parisian Vanity Fair know that a local socialite had bravely entered Windsor Castle and the series of erotic and fascinating stories that followed?

……

Churchill's chief mistress, Under-Secretary of the Admiralty, pretended to pass by and eavesdropped several times.

I couldn't help cursing in my heart:
"Paris bitch."

She actually wanted to make the content of the overheard content public, but she was reluctant to spend dozens of pounds to hire a reporter, so she had to give up.

Anyway,

That's what Vanity Fair is all about.

Only a very few people are in the spotlight, and most people are just background members.

An embassy doctor suddenly announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the embassy is willing to provide you with the world's most advanced traditional Chinese medicine health experience."

moment,

Afternoon tea is no longer delicious.

A group of noble ladies stood up and signed up actively.
In view of the limited number of places, the only decision was made by drawing lots on the spot, and 4 lucky ladies were picked out.

……

Miss Bovary is lucky again!
Is this some kind of oriental magic? No, this is a universal conspiracy.

but,

People in Vanity Fair know that shady dealings are common.

Don't expose it, otherwise everyone will be embarrassed and no one will play with you next time. You are so upright, why are you in the vanity fair world?

The essence of Vanity Fair is just two words: hypocrisy!
Since there were only two regular doctors in the embassy, ​​the other two were temporarily served by cooks.

A chef who doesn’t want to be a Chinese medicine practitioner is not a good man.

……

The young chief Chinese medicine doctor of the embassy bowed slightly:

"May I help you? young ladies!"

The ladies took off their lace wide-brimmed sun hats and gave the professionals their most elegant smiles.

"Yeah."

The chief Chinese medicine practitioner clapped his hands:
"Remove armor!"

"Yes."

So, the ladies were helped by a group of Parisian maids to take off their armor, lie on the couch, and receive the oriental finger techniques of the Chinese medicine master.

It is not an exaggeration to say that it is like removing armor. It is very tight with three layers inside and three layers outside.

Having Parisian maids serve them also greatly satisfied the self-esteem of Londoners.

……

in the room,
The aroma lingers, the zither plays elegantly, and there are laughters.

Although he is a male master, it doesn’t matter.

It's not shame, on the contrary, it is honour.

The women were not shy at all.

On the balcony next to the room, many ladies who didn't get the chance to draw a lottery cast jealous and envious glances through the only hollow window carving.

……

Since the 17th century, Europeans have been madly obsessed with Eastern civilization. Many kings even spent a lot of money to purchase porcelain, silk, handicrafts, and the four treasures of the study to decorate a Chinese-style room for themselves.

Show your status and financial strength.

By the 18th century, the obsession had reached its peak.

Ladies, you are receiving the most advanced Chinese medicine services in this embassy certified by the Oriental royal family. Don’t you think it’s an honor?
You have to know that in this world, most things themselves are not important. The key is what special meaning is given to this thing?
if~
The point is, there aren’t many people who can give something special meaning.

People who lead fashion need to be both noble and influential enough.

……

Group naked running - could it be the latest fashion activity in 18th century Europe?

George III and Lord Chia held hands and demonstrated naked running on the lawn of Windsor Castle, and that was half the battle. Louis XVI's queen followed suit, and that was all.

if~
If Franklin and Voltaire also spoke out publicly, believing that this was "the freedom given to mankind by God", that would be truly extraordinary.

Windsor Castle and Versailles Palace hold naked ceremonies every week, and guests flock to them.
The Duke ran first, and the Marquis ran later.

The King leads the race!
Ridiculous?
Sorry, that's just how we are in high society.

You poor bastards please shut up!

……

The massage is over~
The embassy presented each of the four ladies with a complete set of Chinese dresses in the patterns of plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, all in completely different styles.

This is very detailed.

The upper class is most afraid of wearing the same clothes as others, and the humiliation of wearing the same clothes is second only to bankruptcy.

The chief Chinese medicine practitioner stressed that the styles of these four dresses were all designed by His Majesty himself.

Big frame, it exploded instantly.

The ladies who put on the clothes felt honored.

They proudly told everyone:

Traditional Chinese Medicine, good!

Who wouldn't have a sore back after riding in a horse-drawn carriage from London to Windsor? Those crinolines that strangled people to death were only slightly better than torture instruments.

The point is, as a high-class person, you have to follow the crowd.

If you don't follow the crowd, you will be excluded and ridiculed.

However, when wearing the casual Chinese-style lady's dress without a crinoline designed by Wu Huang himself, there is no need to worry about "not following the crowd".

Wu Huang, friend of European ladies.

Earl Jia, specializes in noble ladies.

……

In general,

This was a successful dance party and a successful cultural export.

The ladies were delighted and declared that this was the best high-class ball in London in the past five years.

In the future, we should organize more similar activities.

The gentlemen in London are very rigid, but that doesn't mean the ladies in London are also rigid.

They are just helpless~ they can't just go to Paris to attend cocktail parties, dances, and tea parties, right?
The two countries are sworn enemies.

After hundreds of years of fighting, newspapers have been abusing each other, and the people have been criticizing each other. No matter how romantic Paris is, the sisters cannot go there.

Therefore,
The ladies of London could only stay in the damp and cold island and waste their time.

Now, everything is fine.

Earl Jia's castle solved all worries.

……

Although the embassy's activities seemed to be a waste of money, they were actually of great significance and their influence was no less than that of the State of Wu building an Atlantic fleet.

Emperor Wu and Earl Jia said:

The export of military force and the export of culture complement each other.

Cultural output is essentially a non-contact rape of the weak by the strong.

How to export culture?

First you have to be rich, and second you have to be strong.

Poor and cowardly, they can only be exported.

This is human nature, human nature seeks strength.

Who would be interested in what "Wen San, who can run around in Beijing and be slapped by anyone" eats, what clothes he wears, what books he reads, and what birds he plays with?

Grandma!

(End of this chapter)