Empire Podcast - Episode 250: Victorian Narcos: Banished From Beijing (Ep 4)
Released on April 28, 2025
Host/Authors: William Durand and Anita Anand

Introduction

In Episode 250 of Empire, titled "Victorian Narcos: Banished From Beijing," hosts William Durand and Anita Anand delve into the intricate and tumultuous journey of the British ambassador, Lord Macartney, as he attempts to establish diplomatic relations with the Qing Emperor in China. This episode explores the cultural misunderstandings, diplomatic failures, and the burgeoning opium trade that would eventually undermine the Qing Dynasty.

The Macartney Embassy: A Prelude to Failure

[01:55]
Anita Anand introduces the central conflict of the episode: Lord Macartney's prolonged and arduous journey to meet the Qing Emperor. The British delegation, led by Macartney, spent twelve grueling months traversing mountainous terrains to reach Beijing, driven by ambitions of establishing trade links and expanding British influence.

"They have just gone, a small group, to go and greet the Emperor. They have it in their minds that they're going to turn up and they're going to be embraced and, you know, it's going to be fabulous..."
— Anita Anand [01:55]

However, this optimism was met with a significant obstacle: the Chinese demand for a kowtow, a deep, symbolic gesture of submission that clashed with British diplomatic protocols.

The Kowtow Controversy

[03:26]
William Durand explains the cultural chasm between Britain and China. The kowtow was not merely a bow; it was an act of profound submission, requiring one to kneel and touch the ground with their head, symbolizing one's status as "dust between the Emperor's toes."

“It means don't sort of give in completely and acquiesce completely. But the actual kowtow is the lowest, humblest sort of bow...”
— Anita Anand [04:05]

Despite diplomatic efforts to find a middle ground, such as proposing to bow on one knee, the British delegation remained inflexible, adhering to their own traditions and protocols. This rigidity infuriated the Qing officials and the Emperor, who perceived the British as arrogant and presumptuous.

“In the 18th century? No, they absolutely are forbidden from doing that by diplomatic protocols...”
— William Durand [05:02]

The failure to perform the kowtow led to the Emperor’s decision to cancel all future audiences, effectively severing any immediate prospects for diplomatic relations.

The Emperor's Rebuke

[09:28]
Anita Anand emphasizes the depth of the Emperor’s frustration:

“Strange and costly objects do not interest me. We possess all things. I set no value on objects stranger or ingenious and I have no use for your country's manufacture.”
— Anita Anand [11:01]

This scathing rebuke was formalized in the Emperor’s edict, which dismissed the British embassy and declared no interest in establishing a permanent British presence in China.

“...the Qianlong Emperor merely notes that he'd accepted them, not because he actually wanted them as tokens of your own affectionate regard for me.”
— William Durand [07:19]

Despite this clear message, miscommunications and deliberate obfuscations prevented the British from fully grasping the severity of their diplomatic blunder.

The Aftermath and Public Humiliation

[23:01]
Upon their forced departure, the British embassy attempted to salvage their reputation. However, the public narrative was dominated by humiliating accounts, particularly from Macartney's valet, who described the expedition as a complete failure.

“We entered Beijing like paupers, we remained in it like prisoners, and we quitted it like vagrants.”
— Valet’s Diary [23:33]

The British press seized upon these failures, ridiculing Macartney and depicting him as out of touch with Chinese customs. Cartoons and satirical illustrations exaggerated the cultural misunderstandings, further tarnishing the embassy’s reputation back home.

The Rise of the Opium Trade

[28:19]
Amid the diplomatic fallout, the British East India Company capitalized on the growing demand for opium in China. The transition from traditional consumption methods to smoking opium, a practice introduced from Java, led to increased addiction rates and substantial financial gains for British traders.

“...by the time that the embassy is heading away, it's increased to 1000 [chests of opium].
— William Durand [28:19]

This surge in opium trade began to erode China’s economic stability and social fabric. The outflow of silver, addiction among the elite, and the rise of corruption and crime were early indicators of the empire’s weakening grip.

The Seeds of Colonial Dominance

[30:53]
Anita Anand connects the dots between the failed diplomacy and the escalating opium trade, highlighting how British self-interest and monetary gain paved the way for deeper incursions into Chinese society.

“...the British are undermining everything that gave the Emperor the reasons for his pride and the ability to look down on the British.”
— William Durand [32:16]

The collaboration between British traders and local Indian merchants facilitated the expansion of the opium trade, setting the stage for future conflicts and the eventual colonial domination of parts of Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

Episode 250 of Empire meticulously unpacks the complex interplay of cultural arrogance, diplomatic failures, and economic exploitation that characterized the British attempt to engage with Qing China. The Macartney Embassy's inability to navigate the intricacies of Chinese customs not only resulted in personal humiliation for Lord Macartney but also inadvertently fueled the rise of the opium trade, which would have profound and lasting impacts on both British and Chinese societies.

Notable Quotes

• Anita Anand [04:05]: “It means don't sort of give in completely and acquiesce completely. But the actual kowtow is the lowest, humblest sort of bow...”

• William Durand [05:02]: “In the 18th century? No, they absolutely are forbidden from doing that by diplomatic protocols...”

• Anita Anand [11:01]: “Strange and costly objects do not interest me. We possess all things. I set no value on objects stranger or ingenious and I have no use for your country's manufacture.”

• Valet’s Diary [23:33]: “We entered Beijing like paupers, we remained in it like prisoners, and we quitted it like vagrants.”

Looking Ahead

In the next episode, the podcast will explore the rise of key figures in the opium trade, specifically Jardine and Matheson, who played pivotal roles in the entrenchment of British influence in the Far East. To gain early access and additional content, listeners are encouraged to join the Empire Club at empirepoduk.com.

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Note: All timestamps correspond to the podcast's transcript and are included to highlight key moments and quotes within the episode.