Chapter 147: Arms Trading (1)

Prince Gong Yixin was fully responsible for the British's entry into the capital. The emperor was very satisfied with his work. Moreover, the British had great demands. Sometimes the king and his ministers discussed details and always wanted to temporarily summon important officials of the Military Affairs Office. Later, the emperor felt that this was too delayed, so he simply told Yixin to meet him when he summoned the Military Affairs Office.

Yi Xin couldn't interfere in the matter next to her, but just knelt down and listened to her. She admired herself in her heart. Listening to the emperor and everyone's handling of state affairs was both quick and clear. With just a few words, she clearly prepared the things that seemed very complicated.

What happened today is like this: the last time Yi Xin went to Tianjin to discuss with the British, and she was still responsible for inspecting the Dagukou Fort. Who knew that the inspection was disappointing after the inspection, the military appearance was still purged, and the morale of the soldiers was still full. There was only one: the power of the artillery was too weak and almost had no practical effect of consolidating the sea (pronunciation).

The emperor also felt embarrassed. The insufficient use of artillery was not enough, and it could not be solved by manpower. The Qing Dynasty also had a military preparation department responsible for sorting out and repairing damaged weapons and equipment, but the artillery was not damaged. How to solve it? A few days ago, he sent Sun Baoyuan, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, to inspect Tianjin again, and the results were even worse.

In the memorial on Sun Baoyuan, it said: "There are many turrets along the coast, and every time the cannon is fired, the smoke is narrowed,..." His tone was very straightforward.

Jia Zhen, Sai Shanga and others knew that Sun Baoyuan was too upright and straightforward, and he was inevitably extreme. Therefore, he did not believe in the words of this memorial. However, the Dagukou Fort was a major coastal defense site and could not be neglected. Therefore, the Military Affairs Office discussed it and thought it was very difficult. It could only be a request for an order to seize it.

"I think that the terrain of the Dagu Fort is important and is also the gateway of the capital. In the Sun Baoyuan's memorial, my emperor wanted to '... Yonggu border, so the Dagu Fortress must be thoroughly investigated and renovated to improve the military preparations'. Although the words are straightforward, it is also a frank advice for the country. Therefore, I think that the military preparation department officer should be sent to Tianjin again to discuss with Lord Sun and others, and then seek a solution."

"Lao Liu," the emperor suddenly turned his face and asked Xiang Yixin, which made him stunned: "Ah. I am here."

"Have the British envoy returned?"

"I have never returned yet."

The emperor nodded and turned his face again, "I think about this matter, can I ask for some help from the British?"

Yi Xin was stunned for a moment: "What does the emperor mean?" After a moment of silence, he suddenly kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I am so stubborn, please forgive me for not agreeing with me!"

"What's too much to be inverted?"

"What the emperor means, didn't you take the British to take care of my important task of Qinghai defense?"

"Are you confused?" the emperor laughed and cursed, and he said, "When did I say that I would let the British be responsible for the coastal defense of the Qing Dynasty? What I mean is that in the artillery section, we should discuss with the British, even if we buy it, we should get artillery with a longer range and greater power. Wait for a while and discuss with the British. If the other country agrees, we will agree on this matter and report it."

"twitter."

After explaining to Yixin a few words, the emperor looked down at Sai Shanga and others: "What do you think?"

"The emperor is wise and wise. The British are diligent in military preparations and have proven their progress back then." Jia Zhen dared not say it thoroughly, and it was just that the king and ministers were in harmony with each other. He said: "But, everything about military preparations is related to my Qing Dynasty's defense and security. I am afraid that the British may not agree to sell advanced military preparations to me."

"You are wrong." Taking this opportunity, the emperor happened to preach to everyone: "What the British seek is only the word "profit". Do you think they are just for opium? No. They are just to gain greater benefits in China." He said: "And the most profitable thing that can satisfy the British greed is the word "arms". My Qing Dynasty has such a need, hey. You can wait and see, not only the British, but also the barbarians from all over the world will take the initiative to come."

"My brother understand..." Yi Xin was very unwilling to have any connection with the barbarians in this way, but she also understood the principle of comparing the three schools. She knew in her heart that the emperor's words were all at the point, and she kowtowed to the orders.

"There is another thing. A few days ago, I visited the West Garden. There was a North Hall Church outside the palace wall. The terrain was very high. Looking down at the forbidden garden, what kind of style is it? Go and discuss with the British and let them demolish the church."

"Yes." Compared with the previous job responsibilities, Yi Xin was willing to accept this official business and agreed loudly.

The founding of the Beitang Church was in the 42nd year of the Kangxi reign. The emperor suffered from typhoid fever, which turned from typhoid fever to malaria. It was very difficult to get cold and heat at two days. Therefore, he issued an order to collect medicine, and no matter whoever he was, he could apply for it. He specially sent a former minister, Soetu, Grand Secretary Mingzhu, and Longkodo to be responsible for the examination.

There were many people who applied for it, but the drugs they were given were completely invalid after taking them by patients with malaria. In the end, two French Catholics presented a white powder, saying that they had just sent it from their country, called "Jinjina Frost", which was specially used to treat malaria. The four ministers asked about the origin and the preparation method, and thought it might as well give it a try.

So I found three eunuchs who were slapped to test it. The first one was taken after the disease occurred; the second one was taken when the disease occurred; the third one was taken before the disease occurred, and the result was all cured in one dose.

The Holy Ancestor believed in everything in the West, and he himself was well aware of the Western science of heavenly calculations, so when he heard the four ministers report the results of the experiment, he immediately took it. However, the Crown Prince Yinreng disagreed and blamed the four ministers for taking the liberty, if a different medicine was useless or harmful, who could bear the responsibility?

This was a dilemma. Later, the most straightforward way was to taste the medicine in person. Moreover, the four ministers heard from the French priests that cinchona cream can not only cure malaria, but also a tonic. Therefore, the four of them took one dose and swallowed it with wine. They were sleeping peacefully overnight and were full of energy. Seeing this, the prince's doubts were dispelled.

The Holy Ancestor also learned from the nearby servant that he had tried medicine, so he summoned Soetu early in the morning and asked about the past. He was very pleased, so he took a dose at that time. At three o'clock in the afternoon, it was supposed to be the time of illness, but it was not released. So Tianyu praised it, and the ministers praised it. Of course, he had to reward it for merit. The Holy Ancestor decided to reward the first area of ​​the house of the priest in the imperial city to pay for merit.

The gift was selected by the Holy Ancestor himself to inspect the map of the imperial city. It was at the entrance of Canchi on the south of Sanzumenwai Street. Inside the three gates, in the northwest corner of the West Garden, in the Ming Dynasty, the Renshou Palace, where Emperor Shizong's Xuanxiujing land, and on the side of the palace was the place where the queen was in the silkworms. There were buildings such as silkworm altars, mulberry picking altars, garbha halls, silkworm chambers, etc. The mulberry bathing silkworms had a pool. Outside the palace walls, the entrance of the water from the West Mountain into the pool was called Canchikou. There was a Yunji Temple, which was a workshop for palace men in the Ming Dynasty who weaved brocades. At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, most of them were abandoned, but many of the ministers who were close to them were left behind. The Holy Ancestor chose the best one and rewarded them to French priests, and appointed officials and craftsmen from the Ministry of Works to modify them into the style of the Catholic Church according to the priest's meaning, and the title was "Rencied Hall", which expressed his gratitude to the Holy Ancestor.

In the second year, the French priests had an open space thirty feet long and twenty feet wide on the west side of the Hall of Mercy and had an intention to build a cathedral. They reported to him: "I am very grateful for the reward of the house, but there is no Great Catholic Church, which is to respect the rules. The houses are now beautiful and good, and the church is a God-like tribute, which is especially magnificent and serious. You dare to ask for gifts again so that you can afford to build the lobby."

The crown prince believed that the French priests were more and more demanding, so he deliberately refused. It was the emperor who did not take his son's words as a matter of fact. He specially assigned ministers to investigate and rewarded half of the vacant land. After the construction of the lobby started, he rewarded another stone plaque with gold: "Imperially built the Catholic Church". This hall is the so-called "Bei Tang".

After Yongzheng drove the foreign countries, Beitang had been in the air for a long time. Although the ban was issued in the 24th year of Daoguang, it was only at the Wukou trading port, but it was still not allowed to preach missions in the capital.

After listening to Yi's explanation of China's request, Birmingham was helpless, "Your Highness, I cannot decide this. First of all, the North Hall Church was built by French missionaries and was also managed by the French church. Whether it is built, demolished or moved, you must apply to the Catholic Church located in that country. I cannot give you a clear reply at this time. And..."

Yi couldn't understand any words like these churches, Catholic churches, and just knew that the other party had rejected his problem. His young man couldn't hide his problems, so his face was not very good. However, he seemed to have an unfinished meaning in his words, so he had to continue asking patiently: "And what?"

"And, the demise of churches is a great taboo, both in our country and in the eyes of legal persons, and should not be reckless."

"From the envoy's opinion, it seems that it can't be solved?"

"It can't be said that," Birmingham kept it a secret. He said: "If this matter is hoped to be successful, we can only send people to Paris to discuss with the president of the church to which the North Church belongs. With his permission, the French will not stop it."

Li Hongzhang suddenly interrupted, "If you ask the special envoy to talk, can it work?"

Birmingham did not expect the Chinese to make such a request. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I am British, but I believe in Catholicism and can also say it as a church member."

"If you ask the envoy to come to do this matter specifically, I wonder if the envoy has a final say?"

"First," said Birmingham, "I want to ask the Chinese government to give me a letter of appointment as a certificate; second, when I arrived in Paris, I first contacted several prestigious people and asked for their assistance; third, when I met the president of the French Catholic Church, I thought I could say this..."

The statement prepared by Birmingham is that Catholics preached in China and have always been favored and protected. For example, when the Chinese Emperor was grateful to French priests to build churches in Beijing and to preach in China. This kind of grace of extra compassion cannot be forgotten.

The Beitang system is too high, and it is untolerable to look down at the palace and follow China's customs. Now the Chinese government is willing to allocate another base and bear the cost of building a new hall. This is a reasonable move. If you accept the Chinese government's request, the Chinese government can also issue a special edict: Any foreigner who preaches in China who is obedient and does not violate the law will be protected and will not be bullied.

"I think," he said, "in roughly, in this way, I should be able to obtain consent. Then, I will turn to Rome to meet the Pope, and everything will be done."

Yi Da frowned. Unexpectedly, a small church would have to go through such a lot of trouble. Even if he took action, what would it be possible to forcefully demolish it?

He discussed with Baofeng beside him for a few words, "I don't think I'm perfunctory when I hear Birmingham's words. This matter will be put on hold for the time being. Should I ask them about the artillery that the emperor is thinking about here?"

Yi gave Ying Zhi on the opposite side a blank look: "Peheng, please tell me."

"Zha." Bao Yun agreed and took over the conversation: "His Majesty the Emperor of my country intends to strengthen exchanges between China and Britain, and specifically proposes: to purchase your country's military equipment."

Birmingham was stunned: "I don't know what kind of martial arts it is?"

"It's artillery. I wonder if your country is willing to sell it?"

Birmingham was very happy! As the emperor and several people said, the British pursued interests, from the government to the merchants, all of whom wanted the scenery. Before the "Yi Crow", China first launched a ban on sea, and Britain was very excited to open up such a vast market as China. Merchants either rented or purchased merchant ships and came across the ocean. Who knew that it was a huge joke!

The British were greedy for profit and did not conduct any investigations. They transported pianos, pajamas, knives and forks, porcelain, coffee and other items. How can such things be sold in China? Even the freight was paid, which made British merchants miserable. On the contrary, Chinese goods were continuously sold to Britain and colonies through the Guangzhou port. In the early years of Daoguang, the surplus of import and export trade between China and Britain reached 3,5 million taels!

Later, the British also learned to be smart and instead entered some mirrors, clocks, watches, plays, pickled wax, seafood, foreign wine, medicinal materials, groceries, cloth and curtains, but they still could not match the trade volume of goods exported from China to the UK.

Moreover, in the "Customs Tax Rules" agreed by China and the UK, all the above items must be subject to heavy taxes. For example, bird's nest, a high-quality bird's nest must be paid 500 taels of tax per 100 hu of bird's nest; even wood-fish (dried fish), a tax of siqian is paid; however, foreign rice, foreign noodles, and grains - these are tax-free - but Chinese people use these things very little. The only one that can recover some of the decline is the East India Company imported Chinese opium. (Note 1)

Birmingham was overjoyed when he heard that China proposed to purchase weapons and equipment, especially the British-made artillery! If this business could be negotiated, his position in the government would be further improved! If this thought was that, this trip to Beijing would be really surprising!
Chapter completed!