Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms, Volume 56

...Upon entering Russian territory, [the fugitives] were not immediately bound and sent back, so a specific order was given to the Official of Foreign Relations original: 典屬 (Dianshu); referring to the Lifanyuan or the Court of Colonial Affairs, which managed relations with Russia and Inner Asian polities to demand their return in stern terms. It so happened that the rebel leaders

died within Russia, whereupon the Russians sent back their corpses, using respectful language to maintain eternal peace with the Celestial Empire China. The land

is cold and the soil is damp, with much rain and snow, and very little clear or mild weather. The mountains and rivers are treacherous and difficult to traverse, and the land is surrounded by dense forests and thickets; for dwellings, they have permanent houses,

and for travel by water or land, they use boats and wagons. Regarding their customs, they consider it handsome to shave the beard and mustache, and they find curly hair to be aesthetically pleasing.

When those of lower status meet their superiors, they show respect by removing their hats and standing to bow The text describes a "standing kowtow," likely a Chinese attempt to describe a deep formal bow or a salute. They wear clothing made of woolen fabrics, and they are fond of drinking alcohol. They do not know the method of steaming food; they grind wood into cakes original: 屑木為餅; likely a misunderstanding of dark, dense rye bread or perhaps a reference to "famine bread" made with inner tree bark, and they do not eat rice. They understand planting but do not know how to weed, nor do they know how to plow with oxen. Those living along the

riverbanks enjoy bathing and are skilled at swimming. They have various types of silver and copper coins of different sizes. They use a system where sixteen inches make one

foot likely the Russian Arshin, twelve ounces make one qiao original: 勦; a phonetic transcription, likely referring to the Russian pound or funt, and one thousand paces make one li likely the Russian Verst. They have no almanacs for the solar terms, and while they know the four seasons,

they are ignorant of the new and full moons meaning they do not follow a lunar calendar. The people are physically brave and robust, though by nature they are boastful and greedy. In their daily lives, they are harmonious and fond of humor and wit, and they have little...

Historical Evolution of Russia