Chapter 349 Treaty of Peace and Amity 1821
The two leaders then proceeded to make arrangements for the evening's event. Takeyoshi sent word to his aides to prepare a selection of traditional Japanese dishes, while Francis coordinated with his team to ensure everything was in place for the treaty signing aboard the flagship.
Since the dinner will be held in the IFNS Napoleon, Francis ordered the crew to refurbish the mess hall, allowing for a spacious and formal setting. Long tables were set up, draped with white tablecloths, and adorned with centerpieces made of fresh flowers. Chairs were neatly arranged, and fine china, crystal glasses, and silver cutlery were set in place.
Since it's also going to be some sort of cultural exchange, Francis ordered the chef of the flagship to cook the finest cuisine France has to offer. Some includes beef bourguignon, ratatouille, quiche Lorraine, and bouillabaisse. In addition to these main dishes, the menu also featured escargot, coq au vin, and a selection of fine French cheeses such as camembert, Roquefort, and brie. For dessert, there were preparations for tarte tatin, crème br?lée, éclairs, and macarons. A variety of French wines, including some from the renowned Bordeaux and Burgundy regions, were selected to complement the dishes.
Takeyoshi's team, wanting to showcase the depth and breadth of Japanese culinary arts, prepared dishes such as sashimi platters featuring tuna, salmon, and mackerel, tempura vegetables and prawns, udon and soba noodle dishes, and various sushi rolls. Traditional dishes like kaiseki, a multi-course Japanese dinner, and chawanmushi, a steamed egg custard, were also included. For those with a sweet tooth, mochi, matcha ice cream, and dorayaki were on offer. Sake and Japanese green tea were chosen as the beverages for the night.
As the preparations continued, both teams collaborated to ensure that the presentation of the dishes respected each culture's dining etiquette. For instance, the French dishes were served on large plates with the necessary cutlery, while the Japanese dishes were presented in bowls with chopsticks.
At eight o'clock in the evening, the event started. Governor Takoyashi was not alone this time, he brought with him the Council of Elders, or in the Western equivalent, the ministers of various governmental departments. They were key figures in the Japanese administration, responsible for significant decisions related to trade, defense, foreign affairs, and culture.
"I would like to thank everyone for joining us on this momentous occasion. Given that you have come aboard our ship means that you are committed to signing the treaty which I believe will bring prosperity and mutual benefits to both our nations," Francis began as he stood up to address the assembly. "Now, we'll enjoy the cuisines from both our great nations."
With that, the dinner began with the French tasting the Japanese delicacies while the Japanese tasted the French cuisine. However, one unforeseen problem erupted.
The Japanese were using different cutlery to eat their food. While the French dishes were accompanied by forks, knives, and spoons, the Japanese dishes were presented with chopsticks. Many of the French officials, unfamiliar with the use of chopsticks, struggled to pick up the sushi rolls and sashimi. On the other hand, some of the Japanese officials were not accustomed to using a fork and knife, especially with dishes like beef bourguignon.
Seeing the difficulty some were facing, Takeyoshi, always the gracious host, signaled his aides. They quickly brought forth a set of utensils, offering them to the guests who were struggling. Similarly, some of the younger Japanese officials, who had been exposed to Western dining etiquette, began demonstrating the use of Western cutlery to their elder counterparts.
Sitting next to Francis was Daphne, who just simply stared at her food.
"Brother, I don't like Japanese cuisine. The food is not even cooked," Daphne said.
"Well, they eat it raw," Francis replied.
"I know but it also smells fishy, I won't force myself to digest this," Daphne stated, pushing her plate slightly away.
"Well, I won't force you. If you don't like it, just eat our food. You know, these nations don't have the modern technology and techniques we use in cooking. Making their food taste crap, I have to choke it down to appear politely diplomatic."
"You don't have to, you know, brother. But if it's a political move, I won't stop you. And it seems like it's only the Japanese who are enjoying our food," Daphne observed as she saw the Japanese officials exchanging words with a satisfied look on their faces.
"Perhaps you can try their cooked food," Francis suggested. "They have what they call 'tempura' which is deep-fried vegetables and seafood. It's quite delicious."
Daphne looked hesitant but nodded, "Alright, I'll give it a try."
Daphne grabbed one of the tempura prawns and took a tentative bite. To her surprise, she found it flavorful and crispy. "This is good," she admitted with a small smile. "It's like Schnitzel from Austria but with seafood."
"Good observation." Francis chuckled softly, glad to see his sister warming up to at least one aspect of Japanese cuisine. "See? There's always something for everyone."
After dinner, the treaty signing was to commence. Francis and Takeyoshi took center stage, flanked by their respective entourages. The treaty was beautifully crafted on parchment, the ink shimmering under the soft lighting of the room. Both leaders took a moment to read through the document one last time.
Governor Takeyoshi was the first to sign, followed by Francis. As they did, there was a palpable tension in the room, signifying the weight of the moment. With the last stroke of the pen, the treaty was signed, and both leaders looked up, acknowledging the significance of the moment. They exchanged firm handshakes as the room broke into polite applause.
Following the official signing, a toast was proposed. Francis, holding a glass of fine Bordeaux wine. "To the Empire of France and to the Empire of Japan!"
Everyone raised their glasses in unison, echoing Francis's sentiment, "To the Empire of France and to the Empire of Japan!" The room echoed with the clinking of glasses.
Meanwhile, Daphne let out a sigh. "Finally, we can go home."
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