Villeneuve repeated the words slowly.
"The Viceroy of Liangguang? Did I pronounce that right?"
Beauvilliers allowed a small smile.
"Close enough."
Villeneuve looked back toward the city where the river widened near the busy docks of Canton.
"And this man governs the entire region?"
"Yes," Beauvilliers said. "Guangdong and Guangxi. Canton falls under his authority, so every foreign merchant and diplomat who arrives here eventually answers to him."
Villeneuve nodded slowly.
"So he is our doorway to the Qing court."
"Exactly."
Beauvilliers leaned slightly on the railing and pointed toward the busy stretch of waterfront ahead.
"The Viceroy rarely deals directly with foreigners. Normally the local governor of Canton or the customs officials handle all matters involving trade."
"And we are not here for trade," Villeneuve said.
"No," Beauvilliers replied. "Which is precisely why this will become complicated."
