On the sixth day of the fifth month of the first year of Longwu, the envoys from the State of France and the State of Genoa crossed the ocean to visit the emperor of China.
The emperor, Xiao Ruxun, issued an edict to entertain the envoys and personally received them.
However, there were some disputes over the etiquette of the meeting.
Xiao Ruxun's trusted aide, the temporary assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, Zhang Yue, suggested that when the great emperor received them, because it was the first official meeting, they needed to bow five times and kowtow three times to the great emperor according to China's etiquette to show respect to the great emperor.
The envoys from the State of France and the State of Genoa objected to this.
Although Ricci told them to do things according to China's etiquette, they still had doubts after hearing such etiquette.
"Our highest etiquette is to kneel on one knee to show respect. Why do we have to kneel so many times in China?"
Ricci explained, "This is China's ancient etiquette. In formal occasions, we need to use such etiquette to show respect to the great emperor. His Majesty the great emperor calls himself the Son of Heaven and exercises power on behalf of the heavens. His status is second only to the heavens and can also be understood as our God."
"There's actually such a thing?"
The envoys further understood the authority and power of the emperor of China.
However, they were divided on whether to accept this etiquette. The envoys from the State of Genoa felt that it was beneath their dignity, while the envoys from the State of France felt that it was acceptable.
Then Xiao Ruxun gave the order to receive the envoys from France and ignored the envoys from the State of Genoa at the posthouse.
This caused the envoys from the State of Genoa to panic. The great emperor talked to the envoys from France alone for three consecutive days. Every day, he would come back very late, and then he would look very happy. The envoys from the State of Genoa were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.
No matter who it was, they could not go against money. Wasn't it just kneeling?
I admit it!
The envoys from the State of Genoa said that they were willing to accept the etiquette of five times and three kowtows and requested to see the great emperor.
However, they were rejected by Xiao Ruxun.
I don't want to see you.
Now the envoy of the State of Genoa was even more perturbed, and the envoy of the State of France was full of sarcasm.
He was summoned by the Great Emperor every day, invited to feasts, and had pleasant conversations. He was so happy.
More importantly, he had tasted the legendary Chinese cuisine in Europe.
He had never tasted such delicacies in France. The two Chinese cooks who went to Genoa a few years ago only cooked Chinese food for the Genoese governor and his distinguished guests, and taught them how to use the magic China utensils.
The governor of Genoa was so proud of this that he would flaunt it in his mansion every day. Everyone else was envious of him, but only the kings and nobles of the friendly countries of Genoa were lucky enough to enjoy this privilege.
Although a new noble like him was favored by the King, his status was not high enough, so he could not eat. The governor of Genoa did not even look at him in the eye.
He had only heard people describe the utensils called "chopsticks." It was said that it was a special utensil made of two thin and long sticks.
Every time he heard those nobles talking about how delicious Chinese food was, he would be overwhelmed by the other descriptions. It was a feeling that no amount of veal could compare to the taste of Chinese food.
Not only that, but the place they lived in and the daily necessities they used were either made of gold or silver.
There was also the expensive and exquisite porcelain, the good toothbrushes, the exquisite rooms, the beds, and the quilts made of silk …
Oh my god, they used such expensive materials as silk to make the quilts, sheets, and tablecloths!
How rich was China?
How powerful?
Not only that, other than the delicacies, there were all kinds of pastries, sweet and delicious.
White, red, green, yellow. The sweet smell made him unable to stop.
In Europe, expensive tea leaves not only had to be soaked in hot water, but they were also reluctant to throw them away. They had to think of a way to eat them. In China, they did not drink plain water at all. Any cup of water was tea, fragrant and distant.
There was incense burning in the room, and the inside and outside of the room was filled with a fragrant smell. He felt comfortable when he entered and slept soundly.
Oh yes, there was also a Chinese breakfast. Other than the main meal, there was also a delicious breakfast called steamed buns and dumplings. There was also porridge and tea eggs. He had never heard of such food, but it was so delicious.
Oh my god, were the people in China living in heaven?
He felt that it was right and worthwhile for him to fight for the right to go to China with his life.
For this day, he had prepared for a long time and was prepared to suffer some unpleasant treatment. But who would have thought that good luck would fall from the sky? He had only knelt a few times and received such a special honor. This was really …
China was great!
That was what he thought.
He felt like he was in a dream.
The more he thought about it, the more he could not help but mock the envoy of the State of Genoa when he saw his face turn green.
So it was not the first time he mocked the envoy of Genoa. He mocked that he only had simple food every day, no incense or silk products, and that he could not follow the Chinese officials around to see the spectacular scenery of the capital of China.
That stupid guy was not even willing to kneel. Now that he knew how to be anxious, he said he was willing to kneel. But the envoy did not care. He did not need it. Go home!
If you do not know how to respect the other party, how can you do business?
Just nice, the trade with China will be monopolized by our country! We can sell it for as high a price as we want!
We can become the richest country in Europe through trade with China. We can equip ourselves with the most powerful army. We can even form an alliance with China and gain the friendship of China to develop and strengthen our country!
In that case, Spain, the Netherlands, and England will not be a match for us!
He was full of confidence.
Then he found out that in order to gain the favor of the Emperor of China, those fellows from Genoa had raised the price of China goods by five percent. Then, they were received by the Emperor of China and kowtowed to the Great Emperor, apologizing to the Emperor of China!
Weren't these fellows too ruthless? Directly raising the price by five percent?
He immediately went to the palace to seek an audience with the Great Emperor. In the end, he was told that the Great Emperor was discussing the relevant details with the envoy of Genoa. The Great Emperor asked him not to disturb them for the time being.
He was infuriated, infuriated by these shameless Renaya who had no bottom line!
The lower the price of China goods, the higher the profit. That was because the price was already very expensive. If it continued to be raised, the selling price would be even higher, and it would be even more unacceptable.
Of course, the lower the price, the better.
But those fellows from Genoa actually made another mistake in order to make up for their mistake. Those stupid fellows!
Once the price was raised, it could not be lowered. Didn't these fellows know?!
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