I was a god in the 18th century

Chapter 543 He understands everything

The Wanshu Garden was even larger than everyone had imagined. After half a day, except for the botanists who came with the purpose of exploration, the rest of the British delegation had gradually lost interest in the tour.

He Shen said with a pleasant face: "Let's stop here today. We have seen part of the eastern part of the Wanshu Garden. When I have time in the future, I will accompany you to visit the western part that you have not been to yet."

After expressing his gratitude, Macartney said goodbye to the court officials who accompanied him, led by Heshen, feeling quite unhappy.

The purpose of today's garden tour is not to actually tour the garden, but to use the tour to negotiate some diplomatic missions.

But He Shen not only did not respond to his suggestion, but also seemed to want to drive them away, as if suggesting that they should prepare to leave after the Wanshou Festival.

Before Heshen could even open his mouth, Fu Kang'an rejected Macartney's request to travel around the Celestial Empire, saying, "There is absolutely no rule in the Celestial Empire that allows foreign envoys to travel alone in the provinces of the country. It is absolutely not possible."

Macartney and Staunton tried their best to find reasons to explain and tried to flatter the Celestial Empire by describing how intoxicating the scenery was and how fascinating and fascinating the legends were.

But Fukang'an remained unmoved and turned a deaf ear to the two people's earnest requests, pretending not to hear them. After that, he restrained his expression and no longer showed a trace of smile on his face.

Xia Qingdai, who was following nearby, could see clearly that although Fu Kang'an had a condescending attitude towards foreigners and did not think much of their firearms, he still maintained the instinctive vigilance of a military general and was absolutely unwilling to give the British the opportunity to explore the customs and habits of the Chinese people at will.

The same was true of Heshen. After Macartney flattered Emperor Kangxi, he began to become cold towards him quietly.

Even Emperor Kangxi knew that the English red-haired people who were far away in the world actually knew the history of the Qing Dynasty. They couldn't be happy at all.

Because the people present didn't know much about European affairs, they were even a little confused about where exactly the British territory was.

Although they were in faraway Europe, they controlled India, which was right at their doorstep. What was going on? The Qing court, which was still confused about colonial rule, was naturally confused.

Even though they were met with the other side's cold violence, Macartney and others on a diplomatic mission could not remain silent. They had to be thick-skinned and repeatedly pick up the discarded topic from the ground.

Before parting, Macartney earnestly requested Heshen to take the time to meet him tomorrow, as he had many things to consider.

He Shen spoke politely in an official tone: "Recently, political affairs have been complicated, and the emperor's birthday is approaching. I need to arrange and check everything, so I am very busy."

Macartney quickly said: "Then I can wait until after the birthday celebration."

He Shen smiled and firmly declined: "No, the emperor will leave for the palace after the birthday celebration, and I don't think I will be free by then. Your Excellency, please don't worry. Why don't we talk again in the Old Summer Palace after we return to the capital?"

He had said it so firmly, what else could Macartney do? Of course he had to agree.

Staunton interrupted and said, "Since you are busy with your work and can't spare time to meet, can we write you a letter first?"

He Shen smiled and said, "Of course, just send it over."

Being able to write a letter is better than not being allowed to speak at all.

But the British delegation never thought that this was just Heshen's way of procrastinating. If they really wanted to discuss trade and cooperation, they would have done it long ago. If they didn't want to talk, then they didn't want to.

We can't expect the Qing Dynasty to open its doors just by sending some gifts.

Back at the embassy, ​​Owen was writing in his diary as usual, while Xia Qingdai sat cross-legged on the brocade mat beside him and ate fruit. Speaking of fruit, there was a member of the British delegation who died of diarrhea because of his unbridled consumption of fruit.

Xia Qingdai was drunk when she heard the news. She couldn't control her mouth.

"Will the Qing Dynasty and Britain eventually fight each other?" Owen suddenly stopped writing, turned to Xia Qingdai and asked, "Do you know the future? Will there be such a war in the future?"

After Xia Qingdai swallowed the grapes in her mouth, she nodded and replied: "Yes, it was you who invaded the Qing Dynasty."

After a trip to the capital, Xia Qingdai already understood why during the Opium War, the common people not only did not resist the invaders of the Eight-Nation Alliance, but even helped the foreigners pass the ladder.

Just look at the abandoned babies on the streets of Beijing every morning and you will know that everyone is living so numbly, so how can they have any sense of family and country?

Owen was silent for a moment after hearing this, and then said, "I want to compete for that position in Congress. Do you think it's a good idea?"

Xia Qingdai raised her eyes and looked at Owen. She saw a hint of determination in his deep eyes. She pondered for a moment, then suddenly stood up and said with a smile: "Yes! You are a member of Congress now, why not?"

Why had she never thought about this before?
Owen has the backing of his earldom granted by the King of England, so he can seize power legally.

Although the House of Lords is the House of Lords, anyone with a noble status can enter, without elections and without real power, and is just a vase, but since she could support Wen Renyi in his rebellion against the Qing government, why couldn't she support Owen in going to Britain to seize power!
Now that I have money, I can stir up trouble by simply buying some gold bars. It is not difficult to use the big stick of gold to win over the younger sons of the nobles who have no inheritance rights!
If Owen can subdue the Black Mask Gang, there is no reason why he cannot subdue his younger sons who are short of money!

By then, with Owen in the West and Wenren Yi in the East, wouldn’t she really be able to unify the world and become the god of Lilliput!
Seeing Xia Qingdai so excited, Owen knew that he had made the right decision.

Recently, he always felt that the goddess was very absent-minded around him, as if there was someone new outside...so he kept thinking about what else he could do.

After observing for a period of time, he began to come up with a new plan.

"Well, since you think it's a good idea, I'll make a good plan." Owen smiled. "If I can convince Emperor Qianlong to open a trading port, then this mission won't be completely in vain, and it will definitely earn me a lot of reputation."

"Yeah, yeah, Owen, keep working on it!" Xia Qingdai excitedly leaned over his desk to read what he had just written. "Are you working on a proposal?"

"Yes." Owen pushed the brown paper full of words to Xia Qingdai, "You have always wanted me to promote scientific and technological exchanges between the two countries and lead the Qing Dynasty to an industrial revolution, right?"

"Oh, yes, it's a pity that those officials in the court didn't understand the value of the steam engine."

Owen smiled faintly and said, "Really? But I don't think so. On the contrary, I think Emperor Qianlong actually knows it very well, but he will never promote scientific and technological progress."

Xia Qingdai looked at him in confusion: "What do you mean?"

"Because the advancement of science and technology will inevitably affect his supreme imperial power." Owen said firmly, "As an emperor, his biggest goal, in addition to expanding territory, is probably to consolidate the imperial power forever. But think about it, what is the current situation of the royal families in Europe?"

Xia Qingdai was not stupid. As soon as Owen mentioned it, she suddenly realized it and shook her head and laughed, "Indeed. How could he not understand? He and Louis XVI are pen pals."

The spread of industrial civilization will inevitably bring new ideas, which means that the original rigid classes will be broken and may shake the order of feudal rule, which is probably the last thing the feudal emperors want to see.

Jiaqing, who succeeded Qianlong, also banned mining to restrict industrial development for similar reasons.