Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 161: Beijing

Twenty-eight days later, in the Summer Palace of Beijing. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The Emperor of Qing China stepped out onto the stone terrace overlooking the quiet gardens of the palace. The morning air was cool, carrying the scent of trees and still water from the lake beyond the walls.

He was a man in his mid-fifties.

His figure was slender but upright, his posture straight from years of imperial discipline. His face was narrow with high cheekbones and a firm jaw. A neatly trimmed mustache rested above his upper lip while a thin beard extended from his chin.

His skin carried the pale tone common among the Manchu nobility who spent most of their lives inside the palaces rather than beneath the sun.

His hair was worn in the traditional Manchu queue. The front portion of his head was shaved clean while the remaining hair was braided tightly into a long queue that fell down his back beneath the imperial robes.

He wore a robe of deep yellow silk, the color reserved only for the Son of Heaven. Embroidered golden dragons coiled across the fabric, their claws stretching toward pearls stitched carefully into the cloth.

A court attendant stood several steps behind him, waiting quietly.

The Emperor took one last glance across the peaceful gardens before turning.

"It is time," he said calmly.

The attendant bowed deeply.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Moments later the Emperor walked through the palace corridors toward the Hall of Court.

Guards in ceremonial armor stood along the entrance as the great doors were opened.

Inside, the imperial court had already assembled.

Rows of officials stood in their designated positions along the sides of the hall. Each wore the robes of their rank, the embroidered badges on their chests displaying animals that symbolized their bureaucratic status.

Civil officials stood on one side.

Military officials stood on the other.

The hall itself was enormous.

Red pillars supported the high roof while large golden carvings of dragons wound across the beams above.

At the far end stood the Dragon Throne.

As the Emperor entered the hall, every official immediately dropped to their knees.

"Long live the Emperor!"

Their voices reverberated across the chamber.

The Emperor walked slowly toward the throne before taking his seat.

Only then did the officials rise.

The morning court began.

One of the senior ministers stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, the Board of Revenue has submitted its reports regarding the southern provinces."

The Emperor listened without speaking.

Several matters were presented.

Taxes.

Grain shipments.

Military supplies.

Then another official stepped forward.

This one wore the robe of the Board of War.

"Your Majesty, there are continued concerns regarding foreign traders in the southern ports."

The Emperor raised his eyes slightly.

"Speak."

The official bowed deeply.

"The British merchants in Canton continue to trade opium with local smugglers."

A murmur passed through the court.

The Emperor’s expression remained unchanged.

The official continued.

"The drug spreads quickly through the coastal provinces. Many officials report that it weakens soldiers and corrupts local administrators."

Another minister stepped forward.

"This trade continues despite repeated bans issued by the court."

The Emperor rested one hand on the arm of the throne.

"The British have been warned before."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The minister bowed again.

"But they continue to bring the drug into our ports."

Another official spoke.

"The Canton authorities report increasing difficulty controlling the smugglers."

The Emperor remained silent for several seconds.

Then he spoke calmly.

"The poison weakens our people."

"Those who profit from it," the Emperor continued, "care little for the well-being of the Empire."

The officials nodded quietly.

Another minister stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, some suggest stronger measures against the foreign traders."

"Such as?"

"Closing certain ports... or limiting the merchants’ activities."

The Emperor considered the suggestion but did not immediately respond.

Before the discussion could continue further, sudden footsteps echoed near the entrance of the hall.

A palace guard hurried forward and knelt.

"Your Majesty, a messenger from the south."

Several officials turned in surprise.

Messages rarely interrupted the imperial court unless the matter was urgent.

The Emperor raised a hand slightly.

"Send him forward."

Moments later a courier entered the hall.

Dust clung to his robes from long travel.

He dropped to his knees immediately.

"This humble servant brings urgent news from Canton."

The court fell silent.

The Emperor watched him calmly.

"Speak."

The messenger bowed his head.

"Your Majesty... foreign ships have entered the Pearl River."

Several ministers exchanged glances.

Foreign ships arriving in Canton was hardly unusual.

The British, Portuguese, and other traders came every year.

One official spoke quietly.

"Another merchant convoy?"

The messenger shook his head.

"No, Your Majesty."

The court grew still again.

"These ships arrived in formation... as a fleet."

The Emperor leaned slightly forward.

"A fleet?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The messenger swallowed before continuing.

"The local authorities report that the ships are far larger than the merchant vessels normally seen in Canton."

One minister frowned.

"British ships?"

"No."

The messenger raised his head slightly.

"The ships carry the flag of France."

The name moved through the hall like a quiet ripple.

Some officials had heard of this Western kingdom.

Others had not.

The messenger continued.

"They arrived with many warships."

Another murmur spread across the court.

The Emperor’s expression remained composed.

"How many?"

"The reports say several large warships and supporting vessels."

The messenger hesitated briefly before continuing.

"The lead ship is described as enormous... larger than any vessel previously seen in Canton."

One of the ministers frowned.

"Exaggerations from frightened fishermen."

The messenger shook his head.

"The Viceroy of Liangguang personally confirmed the report."

Now the hall fell completely silent.

The Emperor spoke again.

"What do these foreigners want?"

The messenger lowered his head again.

"They claim to be envoys of the French Emperor."

Another ripple of murmurs spread among the ministers.

The messenger continued.

"They have requested permission to travel to Beijing."

The hall erupted into quiet discussions.

"To Beijing?"

"They wish to meet the Emperor?"

"That has never been permitted."

The Emperor raised his hand slightly.

The room fell silent again.

The messenger finished delivering the final part of the report.

"The French envoy claims he carries a message from his Emperor."

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"And he wishes to present it... directly to the Son of Heaven."

The hall remained completely silent.

For centuries the Qing Empire had allowed foreign merchants to trade through Canton.

But foreign rulers did not send envoys to demand audiences with the Emperor.

Such matters were unheard of.

One of the senior ministers stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, the British attempted something similar years ago."

The Emperor nodded slightly.

"Yes."

"That mission was refused."

Another official added quietly.

"These foreigners should be reminded of their place."

The Emperor leaned back slightly on the Dragon Throne.

"Where is this envoy now?"

The messenger answered immediately.

"In Canton, Your Majesty."

"The Viceroy of Liangguang has sent this report and awaits instructions."

The Emperor remained silent.

Far to the south, a fleet of foreign warships now waited in the Pearl River.

And their envoy was asking for something no Western ruler had ever been granted.

An audience with the Emperor of China.