This was due to her immemorial policy of isolation.

Once in a decade or a score of years Chinese ambassadors arrived, but they came overland, around the Yellow Sea, across the country of the Hong-du, and down the Mandarin Road to Keijo.

The round trip was a year-long journey.

Their mission was to exact from our Emperor the empty ceremonial of acknowledgment of China's ancient suzerainty.
But Hamel, from long brooding, was ripening for action.

His plans grew apace.