Chinese Embassy
In late 1805, a Chinese Embassy was sent to Britain to ensure the return of the Celestial dragon Lung Tien Xiang (known to the British as Temeraire). They journeyed from China to Britain on four ships confiscated from the East India Company, and spent several months attempting to persuade Temeraire to leave behind his captain, William Laurence, and return to China, something that he refused to do.
In the end, Temeraire was convinced to travel to China on the condition that Laurence and his crew were to accompany him. The Chinese Embassy then journeyed with them on the HMS Allegiance back to China. Following this, the Embassy may have disbanded, as their services were no longer required. No more contact was made with Temeraire or his crew, save for Prince Yongxing and the two envoys, the latter of whom were on good terms with the aviators.
Members of the Embassy
- Prince Yongxing - Brother to the Jiaqing Emperor.
- Liu Bao - Envoy.
- Sun Kai - Envoy.
- About fifteen soldiers (two of whom perished in the Valerie engagement]]).
- Three physicians; one for Prince Yongxing, one for the envoys and the last for the remainder of the embassy.
- Assistants to the three physicians.
- An English/Chinese translator.
- Two cooks with assistants.
- About twelve body servants, including Feng Li and Huang.
- About twelve other men, including a poet. Two known Chinese passengers; Ye Bing and Li Honglin, may have been part of this group.
Because the journey back to China took more than six months, and Temeraire was only discovered to be a Celestial a few months prior, it could be assumed the Embassy initially left several months before this discovery for France, with the intention of checking on Temeraire's welfare, before heading for England after hearing the details of the Battle of Dover. Alternatively, the ships that the embassy travelled on may have been smaller ships, capable of greater speeds, and thus capable of reaching Britain within two months.
