公使 Traditional form: 公使 Pinyin (reading): gōngshǐ Definitions: minister diplomat performing ambassadorial role in Qing times, before regular diplomatic relations Characters: 公 - fair, equitable; public; duke 使 - cause, mission, orders; envoy, messenger, ambassador Traditional characters: 公 - fair, equitable; public; duke 使 - cause, mission, orders; envoy, messenger, ambassador