Diplomat Broke Belgian Etiquette

Woodcut of Li Huang Chang (or Li Hongzhang) with Otto von Bismarck in 1896 ~
Li Hongzhang was a Chinese politician, general and diplomat of the late Qing dynasty. Quelling several major rebellions and serving in important positions in the Qing Imperial court, he was also the Viceroy of Zhili Province.

Li Hung Chang has earned the thanks of all inveterate smokers. He has broken down the rule of the Belgian Court etiquette, which strictly forbids smoking in the State apartments, by the simple process of taking out a long pipe, and, after it had been filled by his secretary, smoking it. 

King Leopold, though, we doubt not, a good deal astonished, rose to the occasion admirably. He at once caused cigarettes to be handed round, with the result that Li Hung Chang soon found his position no longer one of "splendid isolation." — San Francisco Call, 1896

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