On November 14, 1906, the official Chinese newspaper "Beiyang Guangbao" published the manifesto of the court about the upcoming official trip of the shangshu (ministers) Zai Zhen and Xu Shichang to Manchuria [AVPRI, f. 188, op. 761, d. 295, l. 15]. The first of these dignitaries headed the important department of agriculture, industry and trade (Nungongshan-bu), the second was the head of the Ministry of People's Administration (Minzheng-bu) and the chief of the imperial police. The manifesto, in particular, stated: "Their Majesties the Dowager Empress and the Emperor, sorrowfully remembering the hardships of the people, ordered the local authorities to do everything possible to ease the fate of the population, to postpone the collection of land tax and to find possible measures to help the needy." Control over the implementation of these instructions was the declared purpose of the business trip of high-ranking officials [AVPRI, d. 295, l. 157]. The document contained hopes for a better future and a hint of upcoming reforms: "... With the cessation of hostilities and the appointment of a deadline for the evacuation of troops, you can breathe more freely and should help to improve your situation. In addition, recently the Highest Decree has been issued to take measures to introduce the constitution and diligently explain its meaning to the population, in order to successfully prepare them for enjoying the benefits of this reform " [AVPRI, d. 295, l. 164]. Keywords: Minister Zai Zhen, Manchuria, Qing Empire, Russia and China. The translation of the manifesto immediately went to the desk of the Russian envoy in Beijing, D. D. Pokotilov, and a little later was sent to the Russian Foreign Minister. The close attention of diplomats to the upcoming visit of Beijing emissaries to the northern outskirts of the Middle Kingdom becomes clear if you take a closer look at the personality of Minister Zai Zhen (1876-1947). He was the eldest son of Yi Kuan (1838-1917), who held the ... Read more