Chapter 146 Jiangning’s job (3

Yi arrived in Jiangning and met with officials at all levels in Liangjiang. He had been socializing every day, and he had to go to the food and drinks every day. After living in Jiangning for three days, he realized that he had gained a lot compared to Beijing.

During the few days in Jiangning, Guiliang accompanied him and the General Administration's yamen and ministers from various countries to the factory shed by the dock to see the nine carriages transported by the British, which made Yi, who witnessed the true appearance of the train for the first time, admired him very much. Birmingham and others were naturally happy to see their compatriots in the distant foreign country, and they were particularly intimate in their conversations.

That's not all. Within a few days, Birmingham held banquets to entertain the Archi Machinery Company's group, which made Yi even more surprised: Why, as an official of the court, Birmingham cared so much for the last of the four peoples? It can be seen that the temperament of the barbarians is elusive.

Living in Jiangning City, business still has to proceed as usual. The negotiations between China and Britain were restarted after a few days of interruption. Both sides were still entangled in the opium trade, but no one could convince anyone. In the end, Birmingham became a little irritated and said again that if the opium trade cannot achieve a result that satisfies both sides, any disputes in the future will be borne by the Chinese side.

Yi sneered at such intimidating words. He had gained something in his heart for several years and returned without fear. "Mr. Minister, we had already discussed such topics in Beijing. Today I will reiterate: The Celestial Empire has always welcomed those countries and merchants who have increased their relationship with our dynasty with good intentions. The Special Envoy only plans to seek profit and does not hesitate to stir up disputes between the two countries for such harmful things."

"Your country's approach is completely contrary to the fundamental agreement on trade import and all freedom policy in the Jiangning Treaty signed with the Chinese Emperor." Birmingham replied with a sensible remark, "And, your government has always interfered in free trade exchanges and has issued a decree a few days ago to prohibit the sale and sale of opium in the form of legislation. In this way, your great emperor has no desire to resolve this matter peacefully?"

"Just" Yi said angrily, "The opium merchants only care about interests and do not think about the evil consequences of opium harming others. His Majesty, the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty, has a wise and slight insight, and interrupts opium sales. This is for our dynasty to be healthy and get rid of drug addiction as soon as possible." He said, "Besides, the issuance of government orders is an internal matter of our Celestial Dynasty, so why would you let your country intervene inquiries?"

"It is related to the interests of our government and business people in China, and it cannot be considered entirely your internal affairs."

Yi was furious, "The bastard" he shouted, "As long as he said, the envoy thought that any matters between our people in the dynasty and your country's business people had nothing to do with China's internal affairs, and you could let your country intervene?"

Seeing Yi's fair face turned red, Mianzhu, who came with him to serve as a translator, was frightened and even forgot his position. However, he didn't need to translator, just looking at Yi's face, Birmingham knew that there wouldn't be any good words to hear.

Xu Jishe and Li Hongzhang also hurriedly stood up to persuade him, and the talks were temporarily suspended. They went back to their rooms to rest. Yiwu was furious, "It's simply ridiculous that the foreign devil actually wanted to take charge of my own affairs in the Celestial Empire? It's purely ridiculous."

"Prince, why bother to get angry at the British's crazy words? Impotence words are just the usual tricks of the barbarians, and they are not worth laughing at." Li Hongzhang persuaded with a disdainful look.

"Shaoquan said this very right." Xu Jishe said slowly, "The British people are just quick-witted and slow to act."

"oh?"

"Your Majesty, Brother Shaoquan doesn't know anything. When I compiled the book "Yinghuan Zhiluo" back then, although it was seen by scholars, historians' general principles are relatively far and wide. In order to find that the descriptions in the text are not contrary to the truth, they have also searched many places, including the political systems of the various countries in the Yi Dynasty that are very different from our Celestial Empire."

The book "Yinghuan Zhilu" compiled by Xu Jishe almost ended up losing its head in the downtown area. This book was listed as the 18 provinces of the Qing Dynasty. The governors and governors of various provinces were collected and destroyed. However, such things were just like the "Dayi Jue Mi Record" published by Emperor Shizong. Although Qianlong issued an order to stop explaining and take back the original book, it was still like a melon that was separated and could not be picked. There were always many that were circulated in the world.

Xu Jishe, who brought a disaster to himself, felt ripples. Now is not the time for him to express his grievances. He paused and continued, "It's like this Britain. Although Britain has a king, it is completely different from the emperor of our dynasty. There is no room for intervention in the political system. Everything depends on the decision of the parliament."

Xu Jiye explained a few briefly, and then he said, "Just like what we are discussing today, even if the British intend to have another dispute over opium, they must wait for the two houses of parliament to pass it before it can be issued. If the army and personnel arrangements are added to that state, and when the sails are set aside, I don't know when it will be."

Yung Wing stood by, nodding in his heart. He knew these things, but his experience was very comparable. After living in the United States for several years, it is not surprising that Xu Jishe did not go abroad for a moment. Although there were minor mistakes in the conversation, it was enough to make him proud - I just don’t know how he understood it?

He was thinking, and Xu Jishe turned to smile at him, "Prince, Young Brother Dameng has lived in the United States for many years. Of course, he has a clear understanding of the differences between the political systems of Western countries. Why don't you ask Brother Rong to explain it in detail to us? Let's make people understand?"

Yung Wing held his fists and bowed: "I'll thank Lord Xu for his love." He is now very proficient in Chinese and has also understood the use of sentences in the officialdom. He said, "What Mr. Makita said was very much, and what the students knew in their hearts was not right, so there was no need to show off their ugly faces in front of Fang's family."

"Where, I know, but the details of the fur are here, please explain to Brother Rong."

Yung Wing had to be humble, and Yi waved his hand to interrupt their polite words, "Da Meng, if you know, you might as well say a few words so that I can know that when the two countries negotiate in the future, they will be more targeted."

When the prince spoke, Yung Wing dared not refuse to listen. He also wanted to take this opportunity to show his talent and talked endlessly. "The founding king of the United States was named George Washington, of which Washington is the surname and George is his name. Yongzheng was born in Virginia, USA in the tenth year of the United States. Washington was from a wealthy family. From the 40th year of Qianlong to the 47th year of Qianlong, he led a team called the Continental Army, claiming to be the commander. After several battles with the British, he finally made the United States ***."

Yung Wing said casually about Washington's deeds, as he knew them all. Listening to his nice accent, everyone was fascinated by the fact that although the national system was very different, such talents and such leaders also made people admire them.

When he finished speaking, Yi sighed and looked around, "You guys, don't sigh for your ex. I'd better think about how to answer the conditions of the British. "

Everyone was excited by his words, and their thinking was towards how to handle this difficult game. Yung Wing was in a hurry to talk, and now he spoke without regard for his superiority and inferiority, "Your Majesty, I think that what Lord Xu said just now is very true. The British people pay attention to interests, and even among the members of the parliament, there are also many collusion with merchants and many of them have become their spokespersons in the government,..."

Yi couldn't understand this strange relationship and asked, "What endorseer?"

"Yes. When it comes to the prince, there is a special organization in the British political system, which is filled with most of them. The most are merchants. The disputes between the two countries in the 20th year of Daoguang are the precedents." He said, "At that time, even the British themselves did not regard the opium trade, and the attitude of Elliot, who was then the deputy plenipotentiary representative of Britain, was the most exciting."

After all, Yung Wing has lived in the United States for many years. Many archival materials have been revealed, and Li Hongzhang and Xu Jishe are dumbfounded. They never expected that among the British, there are also those who are willing to speak out loudly about the fact that opium harms people?

Yung Wing said a few words, shook his head and sighed, "It's a pity that everything can't resist the word "interest", especially after the Queen of England gave a speech in the House of Commons, the resolution on our Celestial Empire was finally passed by 271 votes to 262..."

"Brother Rong, wait a moment." Yi stopped him and said with a very polite name, "What does it mean to pass by 271 votes to 262 votes? Can you still be able to pass?"

"Yes, prince." Yung Wing replied, "If it cannot be passed in the House of Commons, the British court will not be able to mobilize its own army, and naturally, it will not be able to launch troops against our Celestial Empire."

"How could such a thing happen? The king and father of a country cannot mobilize all officials and send troops to war. What's the matter?"

Yung Wing knew that the heavenly state was like a frog in a well, looking noisy and ignoring everything outside, so he smiled and didn't say anything. In Li Hongzhang's eyes, he said: "This kind of thing is probably within my heavenly state, only those who are as experienced as brother Da Meng can understand it. Prince, don't talk too much, right?"

Yi reminded Li Hongzhang that such topics have emerged from the scope of discussion that ministers can discuss. He heard that the situation of the Li Yi country was very hindered from the Celestial dynasty's political system and that he could not stop it. Instead, he talked about it with relish. Later, it was spread to the emperor's ears. Based on his temperament, he studied the previous cases of dealing with Xu Jishe. Thinking of this, he hurriedly said, "Oh, what Shaoquan said is the most. There is no need to talk about the political system of other countries."

After lunch, I took a break, and the talks started again. After several hours of conflict, both of them calmed down a little. This time, Yi no longer entangled in the relaxation of the opium trade. He turned to other things. "In the Treaty of Jiangning signed by our two countries, there was a clause that allowed the British to punish evildoers who committed crimes on our country's territory. It said: "How can the British punish the crime? The British agreed upon the laws of the Regulations and issued them to the officials in charge of the affairs of the authorities. I think this regulation should also be within the process of this conspiracy. I wonder what the envoy thinks?"

Birmingham was extremely agile and shook his head and refused immediately, "Your Highness is wrong. The act of revising the contract was originally an negotiation between our government and the Qing Dynasty. The terms should be revised, and the funds withdrawn by our country should be mainly based on the funds withdrawn by our country. Since your country has never made such a request, naturally, such requests cannot be agreed by our country."

Li Hongzhang laughed and said, "This is a strange thing. Justice is the first element of exchanges between the two countries. Why? Is it only your country can make a request and we agree; but it is our turn to make a request, so it is not accurate?"

He spoke with a bit of ruffian spirit naturally in a difficult situation. The latter laughed a few times and replied, "Please forgive me for being rude. Is this time the amendment of the treaty signed by your country and the United States not because the two countries should send personnel to handle fairly after twelve years, and after the peace agreement is ratified, the officials and people of both countries should abide by it." Invoked, there is a meeting between the two countries today. Whether it is the Jiangning Treaty signed that year or the Wangxia Treaty signed by your country and the United States, there is no relevant provision for China to proactively propose the amendment of the treaty. Therefore, the reasons raised by your country cannot be regarded as basis."

Li Hongzhang was speechless to Birmingham. After a long time of long time, Yung Wing was sitting aside, and he really felt embarrassed for him. Li Hongzhang was not a talented person in this area, and he was born with a very easy-to-care attitude. He wanted to show off in front of others, but unexpectedly he refuted it all. Seeing his blushing face, he was really a rare embarrassment in the world.

Xu Jishe said, "The origin of the Commitment is already discussed when the envoy spoke to your country on his first negotiation with our country. There is no need to re-mentioned old things at this time. Let's talk about the issue that we are still struggling with each other."

Such words finally alleviated the embarrassment in Li Hongzhang. He nodded to Xu Jishe and silently expressed his gratitude.

On June 20th before the railway construction ceremony, representatives from China and the UK participated in the negotiations for the revision of the agreement made people tired and exhausted. Even if Yi was well maintained and the young man had a strong foundation, he felt unbearable, let alone Xu Jishe looked at the seven old men like that. Every morning, as long as he thought of having to sue the British, the old man felt his brain hurt.

However, the two sides' revision of the agreement was not without any results. China gave a very positive answer to four of the seven requirements put forward by the British, namely, first, British merchants and priests are allowed to travel along the coast of China, in mainland provinces, and officials from all over the country must not be stopped.

Second, the British were chaotic and traded, and wanted to meet with the Chinese local Magna Constitution for the terms of complaints. China agreed that the local governors and governors would need to give a clear reply within three days. If they can be handled within the province, they will be handled within the province. This is too much of a problem and the governors and governors have no right to make decisions, they can go to the Beijing Central Office to file a lawsuit.

Third, regarding the British's proposal, the Qing Dynasty asked the Qing Dynasty to lift the border ban and allow Chinese people to work in the UK, Yi also agreed in principle. However, this matter cannot be decided now. After returning to Beijing, we must report to the Emperor Ming, and select the Ministry of Justice and the British side to conduct further communication, properly formulate the methods of Chinese workers to go abroad, and other details such as the interests in the UK.

Finally, China agreed to dispatch troops to combat pirates in the seas under the Wukou Trading Port to ensure that the merchant ships of Britain and other Western countries are not disturbed by pirates.

The issue of opium legality that the British are most concerned about is not to be discussed. Another thing is that when British merchants transport goods through mainland China, the Chinese have extremely firm attitudes and only responded to one sentence: "Tariffs are the sovereignty of our customs, and foreigners cannot be allowed to intervene." He blocked all the answers from Birmingham.

Birmingham is really unwilling to argue with China over such a thing, and there will be no effect on the left and right. It is better to bring the final result of the negotiation back to China. Everything is decided by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister.

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Chapter completed!