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.

As expected, as rumored, the officials of this old empire were very arrogant, Webster secretly slandered.

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 them?" 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 am so offended. I hope you can forgive me for being rude. This is the first formal official contact between the United States and your country. We do not 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 my late father and the businessmen of your country, especially Mr. Wu Bingjian of Jardine House. Our Astor family was once 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 showed his courtesy.

Many old rich 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. In his early years, Lao As was engaged in the business of reselling Turkish opium to Guangzhou, and thus made a lot of money.

But later, as the Qing Empire intensified its anti-smoking efforts and the British East India Company squeezed it, 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 merchant house in the United States whose main business is the 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 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 very pleasant chat with Mr. Liang and Mr. Fan on the road. The two gentlemen are also of very noble character. We plan to stay at Mr. Fan's house temporarily."

Backhouse's proactive attentiveness reminded Wu Yuanhua of the time he went to the United States to collect debts last year. The feeling is that your family won't pay back the money they owe?

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 boat 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, the Astor family, the Livingston family, the Van Rensselaer family, the Schuyler family, the Beekman family, the Jay family, the Bey family.

The Yard family, the Morris family 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 an 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 was still full of passion for his work.

"Sir Webster, I will do my best."

Vanderbilt took off his hat and questioned Webster.

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

Webster had a relatively good relationship with almost everyone, and Vanderbilt could not be said to dislike this 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."

"Ke Wen, Minister of Household Affairs."

"This is Mr. Conrad, 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."

"Now Governor Hunter of the State of New York."

As Webster introduced it, 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.
Chapter completed!