Qianlong emperor was obsessed with Western automatic toys directly to the minister to ask for tribute, is this true?

It is true that the Qianlong Emperor was very fond of Western toys, and also used to demand tribute from his ministers. The Qianlong Emperor liked Western toys was probably influenced by the Yongzheng Emperor. Yongzheng Emperor is known for his diligence in politics, but he also drummed up those toys from the West in his free time. Yongzheng emperor collected a lot of Western automatic chiming clock watch, telescope, and even he still has a portrait of wearing Western clothes with a wig. The Qianlong emperor grew up in the palace, may be very early contact with these Western toys. Until after the Qianlong emperor ascended the throne, he himself was playing with Western toys.

The Qianlong Emperor even specially to the then Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi issued a decree to them to go looking for a few more Western things, do not care about the price, to find get sent to the palace. It seems that the Qianlong emperor is really like these Western toys. In the Western toys, Qianlong's favorite is the automatic clock. When the time comes, it will pop up a little bird, little man, the Qianlong emperor should be very like these? little surprises?

The Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty liked the news of automatic clocks and watches, some European watchmakers have begun to think carefully about how to make original clocks and watches dedicated to the Emperor Qianlong. Folk craftsmen also followed the European style of automatic chiming clocks and watches, making it difficult for people to distinguish the real from the fake. On the contrary, the Qianlong Emperor was able to distinguish which clocks and watches were European originals and which were imitations. Can do to recognize the authenticity of the Qianlong emperor on the study of Western clocks and watches that can be said to be the level of experts. Of course, in addition to clocks and watches, the Qianlong Emperor also liked Western musical instruments, ordered missionaries to teach eunuchs to learn violin, cello and other Western musical instruments, in order to play in front of the harem ladies.

In summary, the Qianlong Emperor was very interested in Western things. Western things are different from the East, when the Industrial Revolution in Europe has been completed, practical science and technology used in all aspects of life, daily necessities are very convenient and developed, while the Qing Dynasty is still backward period, these Western things few people have seen, but also very magical, Qianlong Emperor will like is also very normal.