From ancient times to the present, sending envoys has been an extremely important matter.
It may even be important to the life and death of the country.
With Zuo Mengeng's authorization, Liao Zhongjian and Chonghua began to select suitable ambassadors.
Today's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not very large and does not have many staff. Many people hold multiple jobs.
Although he is very busy, he also trains people and has given the Ministry of Foreign Affairs many talented people with outstanding abilities.
In the end, Liao Zhongjian ordered that Lu Guangzhai, director of the Jiangnan Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, be transferred back to serve as the first ambassador abroad.
Lu Guangzhai is thirty-five years old, a scholar, and a native of Yizhou.
This person is smart, eloquent, and good at communication. He is a famous figure in Yizhou. After entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he quickly rose to prominence and was reused.
After receiving the transfer order, he quickly handed over the work and returned to Shandong by boat.
Liao Zhongjian took him to show Zuo Mengeng.
"In your opinion, what is diplomacy? What is an ambassador?"
The assessment started as soon as they met Zuo Mengeng.
His time is limited, and all his energy will be devoted to the military immediately, so he will not play in vain.
Lu Guangzhai had obviously thought carefully.
"Diplomats are an extension of their country's politics in other countries and a manifestation of their country's political will to other countries. Therefore, diplomats must work hard to safeguard their country's interests no matter when and where they are."
This summary impressed Zuo Mengeng.
Shandong's diplomacy originated from him, and the first batch of diplomats all came from his teachings.
However, his time was limited. After teaching the first group of diplomats, he only compiled diplomatic textbooks. He did not pay much attention to the subsequent work.
Zuo Mengeng was originally worried about the growth of diplomatic talents.
But now it seems that with a little tempering in the war-torn times, talents will surely shine and show their value.
"I feel relieved if you have this awareness. However, diplomatic work is delicate and complicated, especially when you are in a foreign country. The power you can mobilize is limited, and it also tests the quality and adaptability of diplomats themselves. You must be mentally prepared for this in the future.
You must remain calm and collected when facing any difficulties.”
Lu Guangzhai nodded, no longer as relaxed as before.
Zuo Mengeng continued to teach earnestly.
"You are alone outside. Although your power is limited, you still have to act bravely and fear no danger. You must not only protect the interests of your country, but also act as the eyes of the country. Everything you see over there and everything you encounter must be dealt with in a timely manner.
Report to the country. When we attack Southeast Asia in the future, all the information you provide will be important help."
Lu Guangzhai woke up quickly and kept Zuo Mengeng's words firmly in his heart.
After returning home, his journey as ambassador began.
However, because all the ships in the country have been mobilized to deal with the upcoming war in Korea, they cannot be sent to Southeast Asia for the time being, so his trip will not be possible until at least next spring.
There is still half a year left, which is just enough time to make preliminary preparations.
Lu Guangzhai didn't wait long before he received the order to meet somewhere.
When he arrived at the place, he discovered that Liao Zhongjian and Chonghua, two big bosses from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were there. In addition, Huang Zongxi was also here.
He was arranged to sit with a few smart and capable people.
These people included staff members like him and soldiers in military uniforms. The whole team looked very strange.
"Ambassador Lu, let me introduce you. These are the staff of the embassy in Batavia who will be traveling with you."
Lu Guangzhai quickly put on a smile when he learned that he was his colleague and would share joys and sorrows overseas.
"I, Lu Guangzhai, was formerly the Director-General of the Jiangnan Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and this time I assume the position of ambassador. I ask for your understanding and cooperation in safeguarding national interests in the future."
Several other people were polite and showed no surprise on their faces, obviously they already knew his identity.
The young man in military uniform stood up first.
"I am Zhuang Jiuyan, special service officer of the General Headquarters. I have been ordered to serve as the attaché counselor of the embassy in Batavia and be responsible for the work of the attaché's office. From now on, I will be responsible for the security of the embassy and many military tasks."
Lu Guangzhai was surprised to learn that the military actually sent staff to the embassy.
He had always believed that diplomacy was the domain of civilian officials and was an opportunity for civilian officials to show off their talents. He had never expected that this time the military would actually send a representative.
He was still a little confused and didn't understand the purpose of having military attachés in the embassy.
Zhuang Jiuyan did not explain more, and sat down after introducing himself.
But the identity of the next person really shocked him.
"I, Xu Erjue, will serve as the commercial representative of the Embassy in Batavia this time. From now on, I will be responsible for all business issues with the Dutch and overseas businessmen."
Although Lu Guangzhai had never met Xu Erjue, he also knew that he was Zuo Mengeng's brother-in-law.
All the royal family and relatives were sent out, which shows how much the higher-ups attach great importance to this mission.
In addition to Military Attaché Counselor Zhuang Jiuyan and Commercial Representative Xu Erjue, important staff members of the entire embassy include First Secretary Ning Maoxiang and Second Secretary Yu Shouxuan.
After the explanations of the two people, Lu Guangzhai learned that they would serve as his deputies to assist him in his work.
As for where they came from and what their original jobs were, the two men remained silent, apparently due to confidentiality requirements.
At this point, the first batch of diplomatic staff teams dispatched by Xia State officially took shape.
What Lu Guangzhai never expected was that after the diplomatic team was established, the first thing they had to go through was attending classes.
The teacher who appeared in class on the first day was an old man.
"The old man Zhang Jinhua traveled across the ocean with his family when he was young, and went to Batavia to make a living. He lived there for decades and was considered a local aborigine. Today, the old man was invited to tell you about Batavia.
I hope it will be helpful to your work.”
Lu Guangzhai and others quickly became serious, knowing that this was a rare opportunity to accumulate knowledge.
Otherwise, when you get to Batavia, your eyes will be dark and you will not know anything, and your work will definitely not go smoothly.
The second lecturer who appeared was even more surprising.
It turned out to be E Honglue, Deputy Minister of the Navy.
The navy has now been fully mobilized and is busy preparing for the Korean War. Even in this busy schedule, E Honglue still has to give them lessons.
"What I want to tell you is the geopolitics of Europe. Although you are only going to Batavia, which seems to be thousands of miles away from Europe. But in Southeast Asia, there are still shadows of European geopolitics. Only by understanding these
, you can look for opportunities and fight for our interests."
Lu Guangzhai and others are relatively clear about this point.
After all, there were reports of battles between the Dutch and the Spanish in Southeast Asia.
Since there is a conflict between the two parties, there is an opportunity to take advantage of it.
But the third teacher who appeared surprised them the most.
"I am Li Zhenli, director of the Department of Literature and Art of the Political Department, and I am now responsible for teaching you piano, violin and other musical instruments. This will help your social activities in Batavia, and make it easier for you to establish personal relationships and penetrate into the local community."
Lu Guangzhai and others were all numb when they learned that to do diplomacy, they also needed to study music.