While Zimbabwe was beating drums and marshaling forces for war, the Kingdom's Central Government received the Far East aid delegation, and Constantin personally met with its members.
Li Ge said, "...By His Majesty the Emperor's command, the Far East government has dispatched Li Ge and Ande as chief and deputy envoys of this delegation, respectfully wishing Your Majesty, the King of your esteemed nation, peace and prosperity."
After listening to their introductions for quite a while, Constantin finally understood. Li Ge and Ande were not doctors, but officials of the Far East Empire. Only the one hundred and three people behind them were Far East doctors.
Constantin immediately had an idea. "Your country has the development of East African medicine at heart. That is a good thing. Since that is so, we cannot fail to show our appreciation. Although our countries have diplomatic relations, your country has never established an embassy in ours. That is unequal by international standards. Why do the two of you not remain in East Africa as Qing China's resident envoys and handle diplomatic liaison between our two countries?"
Constantin's words directly frightened Li Ge and Ande out of their wits. This "foreign barbarian king," Constantin, wanted their lives!
Li Ge and Ande's mission to East Africa had already drawn scorn from some people: "If one cannot serve men, how can one serve ghosts? Why go to the land of our parents?" This was the prevailing attitude among Far East bureaucrats. Otherwise, two mere Juren scholars like Li Ge and Ande, not even formal officials but only candidates awaiting appointment, would never have been sent to East Africa. Historically, the Qing government would not formally station diplomatic envoys in Western countries until the first year of Guangxu, 1875.
Li Ge and Ande were lowly and their