By Imperial Decree

[DGNT]

Hark to the Words of His Most Imperial Majesty, the Heavenly Emperor of the Ming, Han Tzu.
Tremble at his Wisdom and Know his Words:
By the Decree of the Emperor, as the Soverign of Heaven and Lord of the World,
The sale, consumption, distrubtion and posession of the substance known as 'Opium' is hereby banned, now and forever, within the lands of China and her subject states. This will be enforced by the Imperial Police and all government officials.
The penalty for distribution or sale of opium is death.
The penlalty for consumption and/or posession is conscription and the loss of any titles or government positions by the one found to possess this substance. If the one found guilty of this crime is over the age of fifty then he will have his left hand cut off at the wrist and pay a fine of 100 wen to the state.
Any Europeans or non-Chinese citizens may possess and consume opium at their will within their own property. However if it is found that they are selling or giving opium to Chinese citizens, they will be fined 10,000 wen and deported to their country of origin, and their holdings in China will be siezed.

But, O patient and wise monarchs of Europe who read this, the Imperial Self encourages you not to stop at this point.

It is also hereby decreed that all ports under control of the Ming Empire under the Imperial Self are to be open to trade from any and all who wish to come to them, merchants in those ports are free, and encouraged, to trade with Europeans in any fashion which does not introduce illegal goods into China. (Full listing of illigal goods are avalible at all Imperial Customs Offices)
In order to foster friendship and good relations between European nations and the Great Ming Empire, the Emperor has lifted restrictions regarding Europeans and possession of property in China outside of specific cities.
HOWEVER, possession of that property is conditional upon obeying the laws of China, and any violation of those laws may lead to confiscation of any lands outside of the designated cities.

And lastly, the Emperor has officially lifted the ban on the preaching of the doctrine of Anglican, Protestant and Orthodox Christianity outside of designated cities, on the condition that the leaders of those churches are willing to bear the responsibility for the actions of their parishoners inside China.

These are the words of the Omnipotent Han Tzu, from whom all wisdom flows. Submit to his authority, or be cast aside.

[Risban]

Julius IV, a shrewd and ambitious man recently appointed Pope, decided to start anew with the mysterious--and sometimes hostile--Chinese empire.

To the Great and Generous Emperor of the Most Noble Empire of China,

Long have hostilities existed between the Holy Catholic Church and the Empire of China, but today I write to you not as a religious leader, but as the leader of a nation attempting to rise from ash and rubble to greatness. The Vatican applauds the ban of opium, a vile drug used to cloud the minds and judgement of people.

We also applaud the opening of ports within China, and hereby request a trade deal with your great Empire. Our missionaries will not leave the ships, and we will keep things on a commercial level if the Emperor so pleases. Sucha a deal with be beneficial to all.

Signed,
His Holiness The Pope, Julius IV, Bishop of Rome and Vicar of Jesus Christ, Pontifex Maximus of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Servant of the Servants of God, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the Roman State

[DGNT]

Pope Julius,

I am most pleased that you, as the leader of a great religion of Europe, would be the first European nation to contact our mighty Empire. If China and the Daqin ruler can agree to something, surely the rest of Europe will follow.
Of course China will be pleased to trade with the Daqin, and any ships you send to China will be welcomed with open arms. Your missionaries are not required to stay on the boats, they must not, however, preach to or seek to convert Chinese citizens, outside of ports with primarily European inhabitants. As with the list of illigal goods, these ports can be identified at any Imperial Customs Office.

Han Tzu, the Yongli Emperor, Emperor of the Great Ming.

[AaronH]

To the Great and most Holy Emperor of the the Middle Kingdom,

I write to you today having heard word of your recent liberalistation of trade rules as well as what I can see is a very shrewd move to ban that black drug that is opium from China. As trade is now more possible I will be sending a trade delegation to your ports sometime this year in the hopes of setting up a trade agreement between our two kingdoms.

Signed,
King Josip I, King of Lombardy-Illyria, Prince of Croatia, Duke of Lombardy, Grand Duke of Venetia, Count of Istria, Sovereign of the Illyrian lands.

[DGNT]

Josip, King of Lombardy-Illyria,
The Heavenly Soverign would be pleased to allow one of your servants to meet with his representatives, and we are sure that trade negotiations will proceede well.

[Fatstalin]

Paris, although somewhat discouraged by China's new stance on the Opium trade (which, for the past three decades, had proved profitable), would play this Dynasty's new game. Thus, as with its fellow European neighbors, a small delegation of French emissaries were dispatched to the far away lands of Cathay under the personal directive of the Emperor himself. In addition, French vessels bound for trade posts in India and the East Indies were instead redirected to the ports of Canton and Shanghai in the hopes of greater profit margins.

All in all, however, France's trade policy towards the Middle Kingdom would not be the victim of any radical shifts. But, so long as such treasure chests were open, the French would gladly stick its hand into the gleaming pile.

[DGNT]

The Decree of the Emperor of the Great Ming,

Let it be known that the Emperor has declared that, one month from the day of the issuance of this Decree, that a trade confrence shall be conviened in Hangzhou, all non-Chinese parties who are interested in trade or cultural exchange with China should attend. The Emperors Official of Trade will be present, in order to conduct the meeting and assure that all parties concerns are addressed.

[Imperial Seal]

[Risban]

A letter came by ship announcing to the Chinese government that a Papal Legate would attend the conference.