The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

Chapter 259 All Nations Pay Tribute?

A grand fireworks display followed the banquet. Watching the colorful fireworks bloom in the night sky, Shen Lian was incredibly excited.

Five years have passed, and I've finally reached this point! From now on, I will lead this nation to forge ahead and restore its former glory. I will strive to achieve feats far surpassing those of the Han and Tang dynasties, making this journey through time worthwhile.

"Your Majesty, it's late and the wind is cold. Let's return to the palace! The Empress and the others are waiting for you!" Li Lianying said in a low voice.

"Alright!" Shen Lian nodded.

"Mr. Wang, Mr. Gu, please see these envoys off later. I'll return to the palace now!"

"Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!" A group of officials hurriedly rose to see him off.

"Have fun, everyone, and have a few more drinks!" Shen Lian smiled, waved, and turned to leave.

Shen Lian woke up promptly at seven o'clock the next morning. Today was the first grand court assembly, and he needed to prepare well.

Shen Lian abolished the Qing Dynasty's outdated practice of holding court before dawn and changed it to 8 a.m. Wasn't making people get up in the middle of the night for court just deliberately tormenting them?

I heard that this rule was established by Zhu Yuanzhang during the Ming Dynasty. Old Zhu was full of energy, and Shen Lian didn't like doing it this way.

Shen Lian dressed and washed with the help of palace maids, then went to the dining room. Nie Xiaoqian had gotten up earlier than him and was already waiting for him there. Even his eldest son, Nie Junze, sat obediently to the side.

"It's so cold, why don't you sleep in a little longer!"

"His Majesty has to attend court; what kind of behavior is it for us to just lie here!" Nie Xiaoqian smiled slightly. The Emperor still doted on her as usual, making her feel incredibly sweet inside.

"Hehe! I have no choice. Otherwise, who would want to get up so early in this cold weather!" Shen Lian shook his head helplessly.

"The children are still young, let them sleep a little longer!"

“It doesn’t matter about others, but Ze’er is the Crown Prince, and he must develop good habits from a young age.” When talking about her eldest son, Nie Xiaoqian’s smile disappeared, and she said seriously.

Shen Lian still wanted to prioritize a joyful approach to his son's education. However, Nie Xiaoqian clearly didn't share this view, and Shen Lian couldn't very well argue with her in front of the child, so he could only look at his son with pity.

Breakfast was similar to before, except for a few more items. There was porridge, soy milk, and milk. For main dishes, there were steamed buns, fried dough sticks, meat patties, and boiled eggs.

Shen Lian slurped down two meat patties, downed his milk in one gulp, and stood up.

"Enjoy your meal! I'm going to court now!"

"Wait a minute!" Nie Xiaoqian put down her bowl, took out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, stood up and walked over. She reached out and straightened Shen Lian's clothes, then looked him up and down before nodding in satisfaction.

"Ze'er, hurry up and see your father off!"

"Uh!" Shen Junze quickly swallowed the bun in his mouth, wiped his mouth, and walked over.

"Respectfully seeing off Father Emperor!" The little fellow bowed respectfully in a very formal manner.

"Okay! Go eat your breakfast! Eat more!" Shen Lian nodded.

Shen Lian followed Li Lianying to the outside of the palace, where Lu Da and hundreds of guards had been waiting for some time. The guards were all dressed in bright red robes, which were very similar to the flying fish uniforms of the Ming Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard.

It was originally designed by Shen Lian based on the flying fish uniform of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He had always liked this kind of clothing, which was majestic, domineering and beautiful.

A magnificent bright yellow sedan chair stopped at the entrance, and Li Lianying stepped forward to lift the curtain. Shen Lian sat inside; a charcoal stove was lit inside, making it very warm, and there was a faint scent of sandalwood.

"Let's go!" Li Lianying shouted. Eight guards lifted the sedan chair and slowly made their way to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The procession entered from behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Shen Lian alighted from his sedan chair and straightened his clothes. He then walked around the screen wall and entered the main hall. The ministers inside had been waiting for quite some time.

Shen Lian walked up to the throne and sat down, with the Han generals standing around him.

"Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" After Shen Lian sat down, the ministers hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down to pay their respects.

"Rise, my beloved subjects!" Shen Lian raised his hands.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After bowing in gratitude once more, the ministers returned to their seats.

"All ministers, begin submitting your memorials!" A censor in his fifties stood up, glanced around, and announced loudly.

This court assembly procedure was said to be a rule from the Han and Tang dynasties, but Shen Lian wasn't clear about it. It was all determined by Mr. Wang and his colleagues through research.

Shen Lian also felt that it was a bit strange for the eunuchs to shout "Speak up if you have something to say, otherwise the court is adjourned," but he still adopted their suggestion.

"Your Majesty! Special envoys from various Western countries congratulate Your Majesty on your ascension to the throne and present their letters of state!" Gu Hongming was the first to rise and step forward to report. He was the Vice Premier of the Cabinet and concurrently in charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Yes! Proclaim it!" Shen Lian nodded. The Grand Court Assembly is a ceremonial event, and most of the arrangements have already been finalized.

"The special envoy of the British Empire is here to pay his respects!" The shouts echoed down the street.

Soon, Sa Daoyi walked into the hall led by officials from the Ministry of Rites.

"The British Empire's Special Envoy, Sir David Sadao, pays his respects to His Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Sadao knelt down and shouted.

Shen Lian smiled slightly. Who said foreigners have hard knees and won't kneel? Whether they kneel or not depends on your country's strength. Nowadays, even British ministers kneel before their king.

"Please rise, Special Envoy!" Shen Lian waved his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Sa Daoyi bowed again before standing up.

"On behalf of His Majesty King Edward VII of the Great British Empire, I congratulate Your Majesty on Your Accession to the Throne and present my credentials!"

"May China and Britain enjoy lasting friendship and move forward hand in hand!" Sir John Sadao said loudly, holding up the bright red letter of credence.

"Thank you for your congratulations, Your Majesty! Both China and Britain are major world powers. I hope that we can cooperate amicably in the future and make greater contributions to world peace!"

Shen Lian nodded! He had watched the news broadcast quite often, and he could use diplomatic language fluently.

Next, diplomatic envoys from all over the world came up to offer their congratulations and present their credentials.

Later, the Japanese Emperor, the King of Ryukyu, the King of Korea, and the Burmese envoy were all summoned to the palace for a brief appearance.

This is probably what they call "all nations paying tribute"! Dynasties throughout history have done this, and Shen Lian couldn't easily change it.

Shen Lian did not kill Emperor Mutsuhito of Japan, but instead bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Anle, rewarded him with 10,000 taels of silver, and granted him a courtyard for his family to live in.

Shen Lian didn't know if Mu Ren was still of any use, but he would keep him around for the time being!

Let's also show off our magnanimity!

Monarchies are still the most prevalent system in the world today, with most countries ruled by royal families. Even in the fiercest battles between warring parties, it is rare for the opposing king to be executed.

The kings of Korea and Ryukyu were respectively granted the titles of Marquis of Guiyi and Marquis of Fengguo. Both were awarded ten thousand taels of silver and a mansion. The two kings expressed their gratitude in court, thanking the emperor for his great favor.

Shen Lian didn't know if these two guys were acting, but it didn't matter.

As long as they behave themselves, they can live a life of wealth and comfort. But if they dare to cause trouble... hehe!