1850 American Gold Tycoon

All the Chinese businessmen changed into official robes and hats and filed out of the cabin.

The leaders, Pan Zhengwei and Wu Yuanhua, are the highest-ranking Chinese businessmen, both of whom are of the third rank.

As the leaders of the Thirteen Businesses, the Pan family and the Wu family had the highest official titles in the court.

Take the Wu family as an example. The late Wu Bingjian donated an official of the third rank, and the current head of the Wu family, Wu Shangrong (Shangrong is Wu Chongyao's business name), is the second rank.

The second grade of Zheng is also the highest-level official title obtained by donation among all merchants in Guangzhou, and this is the only one.

According to the regulations of the Qing Dynasty, Wu Shangrong could not obtain the official title of the second rank. The reason why Wu Shangrong was able to obtain the official rank of the second rank was because Emperor Daoguang believed that he had made a contribution in mediating the peace talks of the Opium War. He was so happy that he rewarded Wu Shangrong with the second rank. Wearing flower feathers on top.

Except for the head of the Wu family, the children of the Wu family basically have official positions, large and small.

Of course, in order to obtain these official positions and consolidate the family's status as an imperial merchant, the Wu family sent tens of millions of taels of silver to the court through gifts, donations, and repayments.

According to the "Guangzhou Prefecture Chronicle": Ji Wu has helped more than ten million, and his donation is the highest in the province.

The situation of the Pan family is similar, but not all the Pan family's children obtained their official status through donations.

The Pan family transitioned into the official career very early, and there were not a few Pan family children who passed the imperial examination, and there were even Pan family children who passed the imperial examination and served in the imperial court.

As for the Wu family, the one with the highest fame is Wu Shangrong, the current helmsman of the Wu family, with the title of Juren.

However, Wu Shangrong's meritorious service was a reward from Emperor Daoguang, which was not the same as the meritorious honors obtained by the Pan family's children through their own abilities.

Take Pan Zhengwei, for example. Pan Zhengwei obtained the title of Juren by himself.

Therefore, within the circle of scholar-officials in the Qing Dynasty, the scholar-officials had a better impression of the Pan family than the Wu family.

This was the first time for Vanderbilt to see the official uniforms of the Qing Dynasty. He was full of curiosity about the strange official uniforms of the Qing Dynasty. He couldn't help but reach out and touch the sapphire bead on Pan Zhengwei's head.

"The official uniforms of the Qing Dynasty are really strange." Vanderbilt said to the Chinese businessmen, "Gentlemen, welcome to New York."

His current thoughts are all on the railway business, and he doesn't care what Liang Yao, his partner, is going to do.

The port of New York was very busy, and the New York State authorities also learned about the Qing envoy's visit to the United States.

At this time, the United States' position among the great powers was very embarrassing. Due to the poor relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom and its distance from the European continent, the European powers did not take the United States seriously.

There are foreign missions, including missions from major countries, visiting the United States. The U.S. authorities attach great importance to this matter.

The Qing Dynasty took the initiative to visit the United States, which was considered a very honorable thing by American politicians.

The European powers have marginalized the United States, and the United States is growing in national strength. It regards itself as a world power and is very eager to gain recognition from other powers and major countries in diplomacy. Therefore, the United States attaches great importance to face.

In the eastern part of the United States, people who are bilingual in English and Chinese are rare. There is not a single person in the entire state of New York who can be a competent translator.

In the end, Yale University in Connecticut next door recommended Rong Hong, the only foreign student from Qing Dynasty in their school.

The news that the Qing Dynasty sent a mission to the United States made Rong Hong, a student studying alone in a foreign country, very excited. However, while being excited, Rong Hong also found it incredible.

How could the Qing Dynasty, which always regarded itself as the supreme power of heaven, take the initiative to send a mission to the United States across the ocean to visit the United States?

In order to make himself more pleasing to the envoys of the Qing Dynasty, Rong Hong even put away the suits he usually wore, put on a robe and mandarin jacket and rushed to the New York port to wait for the arrival of the envoys.

The port of New York was very busy. Although the New York City authorities had prepared the port authority in advance for the arrival of the Qing delegation, it still took some time for the ships to dock and anchor.

After the boat stopped, everyone stepped off the boat with their heads held high.

The naval fleet responsible for escorting along the way fired a salute at the instruction of the naval officials at the port to welcome the Qing envoys to disembark.

The New York Infantry Regiment military band waiting at the port began to play music to welcome the arrival of the Qing envoy.

Before the Franco-Prussian War, the French Army was a learning object for many countries, and the United States was also a learner among them.

The New York Infantry Regiment was deeply influenced by the French Army, which can be seen in the uniforms of the New York Infantry Regiment.

The uniform shape of the New York Infantry Regiment is similar to that of the French Army. The most obvious difference is that the Saco bucket hats worn by the New York Infantry Regiment soldiers are tilted forward, which is more "American" and has evolved into the Hardy hat during the Civil War. the trend of.

Due to the special national conditions of the United States, the United States is a country that pays more attention to its characteristics and individuality. Even the military that least needs individuality can still perform well.

The uniforms of the troops in each state are different. At the beginning of the Civil War, military uniforms of different national styles such as France, Scotland, Ireland, Poland, etc. could be seen on the battlefield.

In the final analysis, the reason for this phenomenon is that the federal government, in order to save money, allows the commanders of the regiments to select and purchase military uniforms and military items on their own.

Liang Yao also designed the uniforms of the California Infantry Regiment himself, and the three companies accompanying him to escort the gold were all regular troops of the California Infantry Regiment.

The soldiers of the California Infantry Regiment wore Prussian-style pointed steel helmets. The top of the helmet had no spikes and was replaced by a hollow copper ball. The copper balls on the top of the helmets of the infantry and cavalry were different in color. The infantry was green and the cavalry was blue.

The military uniform is a black single-breasted tunic. The difference between the infantry and cavalry tunic is the color of the breastplate, which is yellow for the infantry and white for the cavalry.

The jacket is very simple. No matter whether it is an infantryman or a cavalry, an ordinary soldier or a sergeant, there is no fringe. The cuffs are simply gathered to facilitate the movement of the hands, without any unnecessary decoration.

In terms of trousers, infantrymen wear gray trousers and cavalry wear gray breeches, supplemented by red piping. The difference is that the infantry has one piping and the cavalry has two piping.

The flag bearers arranged the flags on the ship, then walked ahead under the reprimand of the officers, and walked off the ship neatly with the soldiers behind them.

The American military, whether regular troops or militia volunteers, generally carry two flags, one is the American flag and the other is the regimental flag.

In terms of regimental flags, militia regiments and volunteer corps have great flexibility. They usually make magical changes based on the state flag.

Regular standing regiments are relatively strict in their regimental flags. The background color is dark blue. The pattern basically represents the bald eagle (bald eagle), the national bird of the United States, with the name of the regiment attached to it.

The situation in Liang Yao's California is a bit special. Although the regimental flag follows the regulations of the Army Department and uses dark blue as the background color of the regimental flag, the pattern of the regimental flag is a five-clawed golden dragon with teeth and claws.

Therefore, Californians also like to call the California Infantry Regiment the Dragon Flag Regiment.

The visiting envoys from the Qing Dynasty and soldiers dressed in Prussian style stepped off the ship one after another, which was an eye-opener for the onlookers of New York citizens.

The person in charge of receiving the "Qing Dynasty's delegation to the United States" in New York Harbor was Secretary of State Webster.

As for the foreign minister of the United States, the United States does not have a foreign ministry, so how can it be called a foreign minister.

Not only is it not happening now, it will not happen in the future, but it has happened before.

At the beginning of the founding of the United States, the Articles of Confederation stipulated that the federal Congress could select committees and personnel responsible for U.S. foreign affairs as needed.

According to this regulation, the Federal Congress of the United States established the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1780. After several twists and turns, in September 1789, after Thomas Jefferson returned from France, Washington, who had just taken office as the first president of the United States, signed an act. , transferred diplomatic authority to the State Department.

The first Secretary of State of the U.S. Department of State was appointed by Jefferson. It can be said that the position of diplomacy was reserved exclusively for Jefferson.

After Jefferson, the Secretary of State was also responsible for the foreign affairs of the United States, and this has not changed.

The 69-year-old Webster is an evergreen tree in American politics. He has been active in American politics since he entered politics in 1832.

Webster's prestige in American political circles is no less than that of the late Calhoun. Unlike Calhoun, although Webster is highly respected, he is not a person who does not know how to adapt. He is very flexible in his political skills and in his behavior. changeable.

This is why Webster served as Secretary of State three times.

The fact that Webster came forward to greet the "Qing Dynasty Mission to the United States" shows that the United States attaches great importance to the "Qing Dynasty Mission to the United States".

"Your Excellency Webster, this is Mr. Pan, the Minister of Rites of the Qing Dynasty. He is also in charge of the diplomacy of the Qing Dynasty."

After briefly introducing himself to Webster, Liang Yao introduced Pan Zhengwei to Webster very calmly.

Although Webster served as Secretary of State of the United States three times, he was already very skilled in foreign affairs.

However, during Webster's tenure as Secretary of State, he mainly dealt with European countries and had never dealt with the Qing Dynasty. Webster did not understand the unfamiliar official position of Minister of Rites.

Hearing Liang Yao say that the envoy of the Qing Dynasty was only in charge of foreign affairs, he felt a little dissatisfied. Webster frowned slightly and asked Rong Hong and Liang Yaodao.

"Does this Minister of Rites have a great status and power in the Qing Dynasty?"

Rong Hong was confused and didn't know how to explain the official position of Minister of Rites to Webster.

"Let's put it this way, the Qing Dynasty has a population of about 400 million, but there are only 6 powerful ministers, and one of them is standing in front of you now." Liang Yao said to Webster in a decent manner.

Webster was overjoyed when he heard this, and the smile on his face was like a blooming autumn chrysanthemum.

"Welcome! Welcome! Your Excellency, Shangshu, is visiting the United States on behalf of the Qing Dynasty. It is an honor for the United States!"

Webster warmly extended a hand of friendship to Pan Zhengwei.

In these scenes in California, Pan Zhengwei was also accustomed to the understanding of the United States. He hummed in grace, shook hands with Webster in a very dignified and formal manner, and then asked Liang Yaodao in Chinese.

"How big of an official is the Secretary of State in the United States? Does he need to kneel down? I only know that the President is the highest official in the United States."

"Officials who are about the same age as you don't need to kneel. The United States doesn't like kneeling, so you don't need to kneel even when you meet the president."

Liang Yao said.

Not to mention, Pan Zhengwei's calm temperament and demeanor were really like those of a high official of the Qing Dynasty. Even Liang Yao himself was intimidated, not to mention those American politicians who had never seen a Qing official. .

"Chairman Liang, what did Your Excellency Shangshu say just now?"

Webster asked Liang Yaodao very politely, completely ignoring the international student from Yale University.

Webster, who had worked in foreign affairs for most of his life, knew from a brief encounter that Liang Yao understood the Qing official system better than Rong Hong did.

"His Excellency Shangshu was a little unhappy and asked why Mr. President did not come to welcome the Qing Dynasty's envoy. Does he look down on the Qing Dynasty? It would be too arrogant for the United States to neglect the envoys of the Qing Dynasty!

Your Excellency, the Minister, plans to cancel his plan to visit the United States and visit the United Kingdom. "

Liang Yao said pretentiously, then lowered his voice to remind Webster.

"The Qing Dynasty attaches great importance to etiquette and took the initiative to visit the United States. The president did not come to meet him in person, which made His Excellency the Minister feel very embarrassed."

Pan Zhengwei was also very cooperative, snorted and walked away.

Sure enough, as rumored, the officials of this big empire are very arrogant, Webster secretly sneered in his heart.

Although he thought so in his heart, as a mature and experienced diplomat, Webster still apologized to the Minister of the Qing Dynasty with a smile on his face.

"I'm very sorry, Your Excellency. Please allow me to explain. The President is dealing with some very difficult matters in Ohio and is on his way to New York. The President is also very eager to meet with you. I wonder if you have credentials from the Qing Dynasty?"

"The credentials of the Qing Dynasty can only be presented to the president. How can you, a small secretary of state, ask for it?" Wu Yuanhua on the side was furious when he heard this and blurted out in fluent English.

"Who is this?" Webster asked cautiously.

"The Minister of Rites, also known as the Deputy Minister, also serves as the translator for the mission." Liang Yaoxin explained in a matter-of-fact manner.

"It turns out to be your Excellency the Vice Minister. I'm very offended. I hope you can forgive me for my rudeness. This is the first official official contact between the United States and your country. We don't know your country's diplomatic practices. Since your envoy must follow your country's It is customary to submit the letter of credence to His Excellency the President, and we respect your country’s diplomatic practice.”

Webster had a good temper and explained with a smile.

"Mr. President will not arrive in New York until the day after tomorrow at the earliest. Do you plan to rest in New York for two days or go sightseeing around? We can arrange the reception."

"My lords, I, Backhouse, have a close friendship with the merchants in your country, especially Mr. Wu Bingjian of Jardine House. Our Astor family used to be the agent of Jardine House in the United States.

It would be a great honor for the Astor family to receive you all. "

Backhouse stepped forward and offered his courtesy.

Many old wealthy people and old aristocrats in New York earned their first pot of gold from trade with the Qing Dynasty.

To be precise, it was the opium trade. What Lao Asi did in his early years was the business of reselling Turkish opium to Guangzhou, so he made a lot of money.

However, as the Qing Empire intensified its anti-smoking efforts and was squeezed by the British East India Company, American businessmen whose backers were not as tough as the British businessmen had to temporarily withdraw from China's opium market.

At present, the only major commercial bank in the United States whose main business is opium trade is Qichang Foreign and Commercial Bank.

Backhouse and a group of wealthy New York merchants and aristocrats were not so much courting the Qing envoys visiting the United States as they were courting the Qing's huge market.

This is a market with a population of more than 400 million, a market that makes the British salivate.

"Are you Backhouse? I've heard a little bit about the Astor family. As far as I know, the Astor family is a family that doesn't keep its word, is extremely stingy, and likes not to pay back the money it owes.

Our Qing Dynasty is a country that attaches great importance to morality, and we do not want a person with moral defects to entertain us, as this will tarnish our reputation.

We had a great time chatting with Mr. Liang and Mr. Fan on the road. The two gentlemen were also of very noble character. We planned to stay at Mr. Fan's house temporarily. "

Backhouse's proactive attentiveness reminded Wu Yuanhua of the time when he went to the United States to collect debts last year. The feeling is that your family will not pay back the money it owes?

John's rogueness left a deep impression on Wu Yuanhua. As the saying goes, like father, like son, and vice versa.

"Mr. Fan?" Webster felt a little confused.

"I boasted to the ambassadors on the ship that I had purchased a new estate by the Hudson River. The ambassadors were very interested in my new estate."

Vanderbilt said.

According to the plan, he was originally responsible for receiving Liang Yao and the Chinese merchants as a landlord.

Vanderbilt's eyes swept over the American dignitaries and New York dignitaries who came, including the Astor family, the Livingston family, the Van Rensselaer family, the Schuyler family, the Beekman family, the Jayin family, the Bey family, and the others. The Yards, the Morrises, and other families.

These self-esteemed families usually looked down on Vanderbilt, who was born a farmer and sailor. Arrogant people were humbled in front of even more arrogant people, which made Vanderbilt feel very happy.

He didn't know what Liang Yao and these Chinese businessmen had planned, but he still decided to help make the aristocratic families in New York feel uncomfortable.

The unhappiness of New York's wealthy merchants and aristocrats was Vanderbilt's greatest source of happiness.

"In this case, we respect your adults' decision."

Webster walked up to Vanderbilt with a stick of civilization and said to Vanderbilt: "Mr. Vanderbilt, the diplomacy between the United States and the Qing Dynasty is very important. Please be sure to entertain the Qing Dynasty's visit." US Mission.

If the two countries can achieve a diplomatic breakthrough, both I and the United States will remember and thank you for your contribution to American diplomacy. "

Webster's physical condition is not optimistic at his advanced age. The staff of civilization is a dispensable decoration for politicians in their prime, but for Webster, it is an unobtainable necessity. It's his crutch.

Despite his poor health, Websterdu is still passionate about his work.

"Sir Webster, I will do my best."

Vanderbilt tipped his hat to Webster.

He did not refuse the request of a conscientious Secretary of State.

Webster had a better relationship with almost everyone, and Vanderbilt couldn't say he disliked the smooth old politician.

Webster nodded happily, and then introduced the American dignitaries and New York state dignitaries on the dock to the Qing envoys.

"This is Mr. Corwin, the Minister of Finance."

"Kewen, Minister of Household Affairs."

"This is Mr. Conrad, the Secretary of War."

"Conrad, Minister of War."

"This is Fish, the former governor of New York State and the representative of the Whig Party."

"Former New York State Governor Fish."

"This is the current governor of New York State, Hunter."

"Hunter, now Governor of the State of New York."

Webster introduced that Liang Yaoyi translated for "the envoys of the Qing Dynasty's mission to the United States" and attached the corresponding official positions in the Qing court to facilitate their understanding.

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