Section Six

One had to admit that Westerners were indeed remarkably efficient. Ever since Lin Feng had promised to “encourage missionary work,” Ferdinand Verbiest and the other men of the cloth had immediately hurried to Macao, loudly spreading the news and urging large numbers of missionaries to travel northward to preach the Gospel.

At first, although the news was novel in the Macao region, it did not create anything like a sensational stir. Historically speaking, the various Chinese dynasties of the past had shown considerable interest in Western civilization. At the very least, they had not rejected it as extremely as later generations would. This could be seen from the sales of such products as Western cannons, music boxes, and clocks. In terms of cultural exchange, although the Ming and Qing governments had regarded Western moral and ethical principles with contempt, they had nevertheless shown a certain admiration for Western achievements in metallurgy, chemistry, mathematics, and astronomy. Quite a few scholars had even put aside their pride and humbly become pupils.

Thus, over the past century and more, the missionaries’ careers had become deeply ironic. As far as their actual missionary work was concerned, they had achieved very little indeed. Yet in terms of their personal prospects, they had risen to extraordinary heights. Matteo Ricci and Adam Schall von Bell were the foremost examples; both men had even risen to high-ranking official positions in the Chinese government.

This time, however, the news Verbiest had brought back was clearly more extraordinary. Judging from Lin Feng’s promise, the Church had achieved a “breakthrough” in China. In truth, its original hope had been merely to persuade the Chinese government to maintain a fair attitude—to refrain from discriminating against, excluding, or suppressing Catholicism. That alone would have been an immense stroke of good fortune.

Now they had suddenly learned that the head of the government in northern China had decided to offer the Church official support. It seemed almost too good to be true. Therefore, when Verbiest returned to Macao and began praising Lin Feng to the skies, most people remained unimpressed. They assumed that “the ruler of the north” merely wanted a few scholars capable of compiling calendars and casting cannon.

But after Verbiest, Thomson, and the others posted a commercial notice announcing the establishment of the “Eastern Seminary,” and began recruiting Catholic missionaries on a large scale to travel north, the various merchant guilds stationed in Macao suddenly seemed to have been struck over the head. Only then did they awaken to the enormous commercial opportunities involved. European trading companies promptly swarmed to the local Catholic churches, hoping to obtain a ship’s ticket from Verbiest.

Lin Feng attached great importance to this first “Eastern Seminary” in history. To demonstrate the sincerity of the Han court, the Han government covered the missionaries’ travel expenses. Two warships from the First Fleet of the Han navy would escort them directly from Tianjin to Macao. Command of the mission was entrusted to a Han naval colonel named Su Mao.

The representatives of the trading companies soon discovered that they could apparently communicate with Han officials here in Macao. Thus, on a clear and pleasant day, after persistent demands from numerous merchants, Viterra, the governor of the Kingdom of Portugal in Macao, had no choice but to send a letter inviting the Han navy to pay a friendly visit to Macao.

Su Mao was a native of Fujian. Like Shi Lang, he had originally made his living in the Taiwan fleet and had been one of Shi Lang’s trusted officers. Later, because of his overly close relationship with his superior, when Shi Lang fell out with Zheng Chenggong, Su Mao feared being implicated and losing his life. He therefore surrendered to the Qing court alongside his commander.

After years of twists and turns, he had eventually become a colonel in the Han navy. As one of the general’s trusted men, he had naturally been assigned this important escort mission.

Because of its special status as a leased territory, Macao had maintained neutrality throughout China’s civil war. Although the Jin-Hui Consortium and other groups had conducted considerable trade with Macao’s merchant guilds, and the two sides were far from strangers, the Han military still found it inconvenient to send warships into Macao for fear of alarming the Taiwan fleet. Nor could the ships simply slip in unnoticed. Apart from the impossibility of keeping the movement secret, there was another important reason: the Chinese square-headed junks and the Western multi-masted vessels differed so greatly in appearance that anyone could identify them at a glance.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, once the escort fleet reached the waters around Macao, Su Mao steered the ships to Huangpu Harbor to replenish their supplies. There they waited for word from Verbiest and the others.

The spectacle filled the officials of the Han court with immense pride. Even in history, events of this kind had been rare. Over several thousand years, those who had recorded such occasions had all been mighty and renowned dynasties—nations powerful, rulers wise, and ministers capable. Although this large-scale arrival of foreign peoples had little to do with the officials themselves, that did not prevent them from savoring the sense of achievement.

When Lin Feng heard that Verbiest and the others had arrived in the capital, accompanied by numerous representatives of trading companies, he immediately sent word summoning them to an audience at the Han King’s residence in Zhongnanhai.

For reasons of etiquette, only the principal figures from the trading companies were permitted to meet the Han King. Lin Feng sat high upon his throne as he watched the foreigners file in one after another, and he felt immensely pleased with himself. Back in his own era, he probably would not even have qualified for a job at a foreign-funded company. How could he ever have imagined enjoying such glory?

“Greetings, Your Majesty. I am the representative of the Olei Trading Company of Portugal...”

“...I am from the Ohm Trading Company of Portugal...”

Because the governor of Macao had paved the way for them, the Portuguese stood at the head of the procession. One by one, they followed Chinese etiquette, kneeling before Lin Feng and performing two kneelings and six kowtows in remarkably perfect unison.

After the Portuguese had completed their formalities, two tall representatives of a trading company stepped forward. They did not kneel. Instead, they placed their right hands over their chests, bowed deeply, and spoke in Dutch.

“Your Majesty, we are representatives of the East India Company of the British Empire...”

Before they could finish, Li Ergou, standing nearby, shouted angrily, “How dare you, barbarians! Get down on your knees!”

Lin Feng waved a hand and turned toward Verbiest.

“What language are they speaking?”

“Dutch!” Verbiest replied, looking somewhat astonished. As far as he knew, the king was extraordinarily intelligent and learned, and even spoke English fluently. How could he fail to understand Dutch? He pointed toward the two men below. “They are representatives of the British East India Company!”

“British? The East India Company?”

Lin Feng stared blankly for a moment, then nearly laughed aloud. He had run into an old enemy. Shaking his head, he looked at the two Englishmen and spoke in English.

“You are Englishmen?”

“Oh! My God...”

The foremost Englishman stared at Lin Feng with an expression suggesting that he had just suffered a sudden heart attack. In disbelief, he stammered, “You... Oh, no—Your Majesty, you speak English?”

“Of course. What is so strange about that?” Lin Feng asked with a grin. “What is your name?”

“Your Majesty, your wisdom is astonishing.”

The man gradually recovered and bowed slightly.

“I am Lord Shalin Nelson, representative of the East India Company.” He gestured toward his companion. “This is Major Durando of the Royal Navy of the British Empire.”

With that, the two men once again placed their hands over their chests and bowed together.

“On behalf of the British Empire, we hereby—”

“Stop, stop, stop!”

Lin Feng waved his hand and smiled.

“All right, Lord Nelson. Do you know that, as diplomatic representatives, what you have just done is improper etiquette?”

“Of course, if our British friends truly cannot accept this ceremony, you need not perform it.” Lin Feng turned toward the Portuguese representatives. “Gentlemen, this is perfectly understandable. Not long ago, I conquered several primitive tribes in Liaodong. They had no written language, no history, wore the skins of beasts, and ate raw flesh dripping with blood. When such barbarians refuse to accept etiquette and civilization, we can only show them tolerance. After all, teaching savages to understand the vast and profound reaches of civilization is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Would you not agree?”

Everyone burst into laughter. Suddenly, one of the Portuguese called out loudly, “Your Majesty is truly merciful and wise! We treat crude and illiterate pirates in exactly the same way!”

Damn those Portuguese, Lord Nelson thought viciously. Dear God, why did You not cast every one of them into hell?

He hurriedly knelt down with Durando, imitating the Portuguese. Facing Lin Feng, they performed two kneelings and six kowtows with stiff precision. Then he raised his head.

“Your Majesty, please forgive our discourtesy. We must admit that before today, we lacked a profound understanding of Eastern civilization, which led to this misunderstanding.” He gave a bitter smile. “Please believe that we are both well-bred members of the nobility, and that the British Empire is an advanced and civilized nation.”

“Of course! I understand that. That is why I speak English.”

Lin Feng raised his hand with elegant ease.

“Please take your seat, Lord Nelson.”

He turned toward the Portuguese and smiled.

“Gentlemen, you may sit as well. I have plenty of fine tea here—and it is certainly not the cheap street-market stuff aboard your ships!”

Amid a great roar of laughter, the atmosphere became warm and friendly, and everyone took their seats.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

A Portuguese merchant rose and bowed to Lin Feng.

“Your Majesty, we have come to Beijing this time to seek your permission to trade with the Han Empire.”

“Certainly.”

Lin Feng raised his teacup in salute.

“Please, everyone, help yourselves. You will soon discover that the Han Empire places tremendous importance on commerce and trade, and that our laws provide many conveniences for merchants.”

He smiled.

“Of course, you will still have to pay taxes.”

Lin Feng’s warm and humorous manner was clearly very disarming. The Portuguese merchant had originally been somewhat nervous, but now he visibly relaxed.

“Your Majesty, I am actually from the Ohm Trading Company... well...”

He thought for a moment, searching for a suitable Chinese term, then settled on one he knew.

“...the manager, Ohm. Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but I suspect you may not realize that our request for permission to trade is rather complicated.”

“Oh? Go on.”

Ohm lowered his head slightly in a gesture of respect.

“We hope Your Majesty will open several additional port cities.”

“Of course. That is no problem at all.”

Lin Feng nodded.

“Tianjin, Lüshun, Juehua Island, Dalian, Qinhuangdao—and in the near future, Qingdao and Yantai as well—may all be opened to trade.”

“Oh! My God, your radiance shines upon the East!”

Ohm excitedly patted his chest and glanced at Lin Feng.

“Then may our ships sail freely within your territorial waters?”

“Merchant vessels may do so. However, for the sake of national defense, the Imperial Navy has the right to order your ships to stop and submit to inspection at any time. In addition, according to international custom, your navy may not enter our territorial waters without permission. Should it do so, the Imperial Navy will regard the act as aggression.”

At this, Nelson looked at Lin Feng in surprise. People often said that Chinese rulers were diligent and intelligent. It seemed the saying was entirely true.

Lin Feng continued, “Furthermore, all merchant vessels trading with our country must be registered with the Imperial Government and apply for a trade certificate. They must pay taxes according to law. Before departure, our customs officials will board and inspect the vessel to determine whether it is carrying smuggled or contraband goods, and whether its armament exceeds the permitted standard.”

“But, Your Majesty...” Ohm frowned. “What, in your opinion, constitutes an acceptable level of armament for a merchant vessel? You may not know this, but there are many pirates in Asian waters at present. Navigation is extremely dangerous if a ship cannot defend itself.”

“You may discuss that matter with General Shi Lang. However, I can promise you one thing: the Imperial Navy will spare no effort in suppressing piracy. Within our waters, any legitimate merchant vessel attacked by pirates has the right to request assistance from the Han navy.”

“Oh! Excellent! Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Ohm bowed slightly and sat down with satisfaction.

Lin Feng turned toward Lord Nelson, who was seated beside him.

“Now that we have finished discussing the Portuguese merchants’ affairs, what suggestions do you have, Lord Nelson?”

“Your Majesty!”

Nelson hurriedly rose and bowed.

“On behalf of His Majesty the King of England, I offer you his greetings. We of the East India Company hope to strengthen trade with the Han Empire and request Your Majesty’s assistance.”

“Certainly,” Lin Feng replied with a smile. “What sort of assistance do you have in mind?”

“Your Majesty, the Portuguese are permitted to establish a leased territory in Macao, while the great British Empire is not. Do you not find that unfair?” Nelson pointed toward the Portuguese merchants beside him and spoke with pride. “The British Empire is so powerful that, in my view, Your Majesty ought to seek the friendship of the Royal Navy rather than that of Portugal.”

Lin Feng stared at him in astonishment.

“Are you suggesting that your country’s Royal Navy intends to declare war on me?”

Nelson was startled and hurriedly denied it.

“Of course not, Your Majesty. We wish to trade peacefully with your nation and become friendly countries on opposite shores of the ocean. How could you possibly think otherwise?”

“Of course I would think so. I am the king of a country. If I seek friendship, it is with your James the Second that I would establish it. What would I want with the friendship of the Royal Navy?”

Lin Feng frowned.

“Lord Nelson, pay attention to your words and your station. You are a nobleman, while the man before you is a king.”

Caught completely off guard, Nelson was left in an awkward state. He bowed hurriedly.

“I apologize. I spoke without thinking.”

“Very well. I shall write a letter to your King James later. What is happening in your British Empire? Do you not know that a nobleman ought to conduct himself like a nobleman?”

Lin Feng frowned again.

“His Majesty James is a king, yet it appears that he has neglected to educate his subjects in proper etiquette. As the king of a friendly nation, I believe I must offer him a little well-intentioned advice. If this continues, the dignity of the British Empire will truly become a matter of concern.”

This book...

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