Britain's intention was misinterpreted, and Qianlong gave the king an imperial edict. Why did Jeangeorges III laugh his head off?

When the Qing Dynasty was in Qianlong, China was still the largest country in the world, but at this time, Britain and other western powers had implemented the industrial revolution, which made a qualitative leap compared with the feudal agricultural society. The Qing dynasty was still a feudal agricultural country, but it was still in the dark and knew nothing about its own situation. Britain sent envoys to the Qing Dynasty to ask the two countries to trade, and condescended to the imperial edict, saying that they did not agree to trade, but they could give Britain something to make the king laugh and cry.

Before the early Qing Dynasty, China was absolutely the first in the world, which was inferior to other countries. China was once the richest country in the world, with a vast territory and abundant resources, but this situation was quietly changing during the Qianlong period. Western powers carried out the industrial revolution, which achieved a qualitative leap compared with the feudal agricultural society. At this time, Manchu was still in a feudal agricultural society, but in fact it was far behind the developed level of Britain.

However, in the Qianlong period, Qing was still complacent, unaware of the great changes that had taken place in the outside world, thinking that he was still the world's number one and continued the policy of closing the country to the outside world. When the British monarch sent envoys to make friends and hoped that the two countries would establish diplomatic relations, he also sent high-level gifts, such as warship models, binoculars, pocket watches and several boxes of the most advanced firearms in Britain. This is actually a good opportunity, and the two countries can promote each other and develop together.

It's a pity that Qianlong ignored the British envoys and made an imperial edict, which meant that the Great Qing Dynasty would not establish diplomatic relations with this remote small country, but could send them some gifts such as tea, silk and ceramics. The king of England was stunned by this stupid imperial edict.