The cutlery used at this banquet was completely different from European dishes.
There were no knives and forks, and the wine flasks and cups were completely different. The chopsticks were made of exquisite wood, and the spoons were made of iron, wood, and porcelain. They were also decorated with various patterns. As for the bowls, they were high-class porcelain bowls in the eyes of Europeans.
Seeing these cutlery, the nobles and merchants hesitated. They didn't know how to use it, and they didn't understand China's food culture and etiquette. If they used it rashly, they might be slapped in the face and laughed at.
There was no need for that. Looking at the fragrant and colorful food that was still steaming, he kept swallowing his saliva. His stomach was really hungry, and he was really curious.
So they were a little lost whether they should say it or not.
At this moment, the governor of Genoa appeared in an expensive silk uniform that only China officials could wear. Then, he rolled up his sleeves and slowly picked up the wine flask in front of him. He used the method that Chen Zurong had taught him and poured himself a glass of white wine.
Then, he raised his glass and gave a toast.
The nobles and merchants below the stage immediately poured themselves wine in the manner of the governor and raised their glasses together.
Then, it was time to drink the white wine brewed in China. Then, it was time to eat.
Everyone watched helplessly as Genoa's viceroy operated the machine.
Then, they saw the governor pick up two wooden sticks, pick up a piece of meat, and put it into his mouth with a smile on his face as he chewed slowly.
Oh, so that's how the wooden sticks were used!
They immediately started, but realized that while it was easy for the governor to use them, it wasn't easy for them to use them.
They couldn't get the two wooden sticks to listen to them, and they didn't know how to pick up the piping hot food in front of them. This made them very anxious.
At this moment, the governor knew that it was time for him to show off.
So he stood up first, walked to the small table of an honored guest, and personally picked a few pieces of meat and fish for the noble couple. Then he personally poured wine for them and taught them how to use chopsticks step by step.
Then, he pretended that he had just realized that they didn't know how to use chopsticks, and said that it was his mistake. Because his family had always been eating with chopsticks, he forgot that they didn't know how to use them. This was his mistake, so he called the servants to bring them European cutlery.
The group finally felt liberated, but they soon discovered that Chinese -style dishes were very inconvenient to eat with a knife and fork.
Looking at the Governor elegantly picking up food with his chopsticks, the group of them, whose statuses weren't low, felt that they were inferior.
After the banquet was over, the group of nobles and rich merchants immediately went back to practice eating with chopsticks.
The method was also very simple. Cut two sticks that were about the same size, put some tea and snacks in front of him, and then practice picking up food. It was also a process from failing to pick up food at the beginning to successfully picking up food.
In any case, during that period of time, the servants of the various aristocratic families would always see their masters strangely using two thin and long wooden sticks to eat, and they all felt that it was very strange.
But later they found out that this was the custom of the mysterious and rich and powerful country, China.
In any case, the Governor of Genoa had gained a lot of face, and his vanity was greatly satisfied. Then, he humbly asked Chen Zurong to teach him about China's etiquette and culture, sparing no expense to get the Four Treasures of the Study and other things that symbolized China's culture from China.
He even learned to dress like Chen Zurong, and in some informal occasions, he would wear a scholar's robe, a scholar's handkerchief, a folding fan in his hand, and China's shoes. He would receive some of his aristocratic friends, and it was very satisfying to see their envious and curious gazes.
This was especially so with Chen Zurong by his side, a Chinese cultured man through and through. He knew how to write with a brush and draw Chinese landscape paintings. His words and actions were all like that of a cultured man, which made them admire him greatly. This made the Governor of Genoa even happier.
It was also during this period that the Kingdom of Genoa and France officially received a diplomatic envoy from the Daqin government, who represented China.
The Daqin government announced that China was willing to establish formal diplomatic relations and trade with the two countries. This made the King of France, Henry IV, and the Governor of Genoa ecstatic.
They immediately sent an official diplomatic mission to Beijing to meet with Xiao Ruxun, and established formal diplomatic relations with the Daqin. They also negotiated some trade issues, and the official opening of the two China stores in Genoa in the fifth year of the Dragon Age was also finalized during this period.
At that time, the French and Genoa diplomatic missions had a heated argument over this matter, and a serious conflict arose.
In the end, it was Genoa who obtained this honor with more favorable terms, and they won. The King of France was very angry about this, and he openly and secretly mocked the "vampires" of Genoa.
However, this honor was won by Genoa, and the opening of the China stores and China hotels in Genoa immediately attracted the attention of the aristocrats from all over Europe.
Almost immediately, many European aristocrats who admired China culture, as well as their children and family members, came to Genoa to personally visit the two China stores.
It was completely Chinese, and Chinese management. The architectural style was all Chinese, authentic, and all the goods and appliances were from China. Not a single item was produced locally.
The floor was covered with soft mats, and the aristocrats who came in would carefully visit the stores and hotels with expressions of admiration. The people who received them were also Chinese, but they were all trained people who had learned Western languages from missionaries, and knew how to deal with these European aristocrats.
Unlike how they treated their own King, their King told them to show the magnanimity of a great country, and to be neither servile nor overbearing when facing these aristocrats. Don't worry, they can't control you, only our country's ambassador can.
So they taught these European aristocrats what it meant to be a great country.
In order to satisfy the needs of these European aristocrats, the hotel also integrated some local styles. For example, the European aristocrats liked afternoon tea, and the hotel specially arranged for the same style of service in the private rooms.
Using China's tea and rich pastries, coupled with elegant incense and specially arranged court musicians to play music, these aristocrats had a good taste of China's way of enjoying life.
The fragrant tea and never-before-seen Chinese desserts immediately captured the appetite of many aristocratic ladies, and also satisfied their curiosity.
They strongly hoped to bring the chefs who could make these things back to their homes to make China desserts for them to enjoy often. They also loved China's musicians and elegant Chinese music.
However, they couldn't satisfy them in this aspect. The hotel owner made it clear that it would only be in Genoa, and not out of Genoa. If you want to enjoy it in your homes, please forgive us, but we can't do that.
This is a diplomatic issue between your country and ours. We are only businessmen, and we don't care about these things.
The French were luckier, because the Daqin government promised that once Genoa's operation started, France's operation would follow.
It was just a matter of time. About three months later, the China shop and China hotel opened in Paris, the capital of France. Instantly, the French aristocrats laughed.
King Henry IV of France's pursuit and love for China's culture did not lose to the viceroy of Genoa. Of course, this greatly satisfied the king's vanity, which was also an important reason. When he found out that the viceroy of Genoa had Chinese tutors, China restaurants, and Chinese chefs, Henry IV was very unhappy.
How can I lose to those vampires in Genoa?
Please remember the original domain name of this book:. Nine Heavens Godly Emperor mobile version website:
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