Chapter 20: The leader of the Hanziying ()

The next day's negotiations were also in the banquet living room of the imperial envoy, but there was a long sandalwood table in the middle of the banquet living room. Ye Zhao and Wu Jianzhang sat on one side and the consuls of the Three Kingdoms sat on the other side, but it seemed more formal.

Because of the imperial envoy, Prime Minister Ye Zhao, Xu Naizhao was happy to be idle. This was not a good job, so he would not be able to do it. Therefore, although he was a tutor, he used the excuse to eliminate Xiaodao and become the boss of the remaining party.

Before the negotiations began, Aliguo stared at his gray eyes and asked Ye Zhao: "Sir Qin, how should the captured officers and soldiers of your country be dealt with?"

Ye Zhao had long expected that he would say this and said with a smile: "Let's talk about the serious matter first?"

Aliguo was so angry that he had no choice but to the officials of this country. He could only say sarcastically: "In the eyes of the people of the despicable country, human life is the most precious. I admire the captured officers of your country very much. He is very brave, and I regret his fate even more now."

In fact, Ye Zhao is not as serious as Xu Naizhao? Although Ye Zhao doesn't care much about the fate of the Qing officers, he was captured after all when fighting against foreigners, and he can't be a lonely ghost. But this is the case with the negotiations. If you show that you attach great importance to this captive, the other party will ask for a price everywhere. You show that you don't care. Consider the historical records of the Qing officials. Considering the values ​​of this country, the other party can't really use this important chip as a bargaining chip.

Ye Zhao first threw out several documents sent by Aliguo last night, which were actually the plans for merchants from various countries to prepare for the establishment of the Industrial Bureau.

The Ministry of Industry and Technology is generally equivalent to an autonomous government, and it has indeed become a management agency of the concession in the past life, a country among the country. If it is based on its functions, it is probably more appropriate to call it the Municipal Committee or the Municipal Hall, but after all, it is a concession on other countries' lands, nominally, and not a colony in the Americas or Africa. It is not unreasonable to establish an institution similar to the municipal government. Therefore, it has the inappropriate title of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

In his previous life, foreign merchants set up a bureau of the Ministry of Industry but did not greet the Qing central government at all. They only gave local officials a note after the establishment.

At present, no matter what considerations are, the foreign merchants' plans were sent to the imperial envoy of the Qing Dynasty, which surprised Ye Zhao slightly.

However, after getting a bargaining chip out of thin air, Ye Zhao would not let it go easily. He tapped the thick document with his hand and said, "Dear Consuls, what are the concessions? They are rented to various countries. I also know that the expatriates in Western countries have a strong sense of autonomy and respect the expatriates in various countries' rights for the community. However, I see that the regulations of the Industrial Bureau of the Ministry of Industry are really suspected of being overrepresented and overseeing the management of our local government."

Ali's country was in a state of stagnation. He knew that the other party would definitely oppose it. He was originally planning to use a vague principle of civil autonomy after the other party opposed it. But he was told by Ye Zhao first, which left him speechless.

Ye Zhao pushed the regulations aside, and looked completely uncontroversial, and said: "Where my Qing Tian Army is here, Xiao Xiao gave the head to the head. Now he has broken through Shanghai City. As I said, the customs will restore old business and will impose heavy punishments on tax evasion merchants from all over the country!"

Ye Zhao is very confident. The lion opens his mouth wide. The Battle of Xinnicheng has told you that the Shanghai Concession does not have absolute power to fight against the Qing Dynasty. Even if you want to transfer a fleet to start a war, how many days will it take? Letter exchanges, coupled with the quarrels in your House of Lords and Houses of Commons, are not the immediate thing, let alone that Britain and France are still fighting with the Russians in Turkey. How can you free up your hands to teach me a lesson now?

A Liguo's face turned pale. Yesterday, he knew that Xiaodao Congregation abandoned the city and broke through. The county town of Shanghai had been conquered by the Qing army. The most important bargaining chip in the tariff rights negotiation suddenly disappeared.

Ye Zhao said again: "Of course, I am not unkind to human nature. Those who make up for taxes within ten days will not be investigated. If the ten-day period is passed, don't blame me for being strict!"

Wu Jianzhang sat respectfully on the side, holding the celadon tea bowl in a daze. He listened to the young master and the foreigners' verbal battles, and said nothing. But the more he listened to the young master's words, the more he felt nervous. If this angered the foreigners, it would not end.

Seeing the atmosphere stiff, the American Consul Ai Tang, who was gentlemanly, smiled and interrupted, but his words were very important: "Mr. Imperial Envoy, if your country wants to receive full taxes, it will be difficult to do without our assistance. I believe the Mr. Imperial Envoy is very clear about this, and I also hope that Mr. Imperial Envoy will be calm and we will jointly discuss a constitution that satisfies both sides."

Ye Zhao picked up the teacup and drank tea. Everyone looked at him. Everyone thought differently, but they were all wondering what the constitution was in the mind of this imperial envoy and what bottom line was.

Finally, Ye Zhao put down the teacup and said with a smile: "I can understand that you hope to intervene in tariff affairs, but if you set up a committee of the Three Kingdoms and your countries will determine the customs tariff rate of the Qing Dynasty, it is really unacceptable. If the basis of the negotiation is for this, it would be fine if you don't talk."

In fact, last night, several consuls including Aliguo and more than a dozen heavy businessmen also discussed the matter. Shanghai City had been recovered by the Qing army, and the bargaining chips that would threaten the Qing Dynasty with the Xiaodao would no longer exist. If you insist on competing with the Qing Dynasty for the power of customs management, it would seem quite whimsical. Moreover, the imperial envoy from the Qing Dynasty's capital seemed to be clear about the affairs of the various countries, but it was not so easy to fool. In fact, in the previous life, the Three Kingdoms Committee, which was temporarily pieced together because Xiaodao would occupy the Shanghai county town, did you even think that it would really be able to control Shanghai Customs in the end?

Therefore, after a night of negotiation last night, the consuls of the Three Kingdoms and the representatives of merchants drafted a new charter. At this time, Aliguo took it out and handed it to the Library Office next to him, and the Library Office respectfully delivered it to Ye Zhao.

Ye Zhao looked around for a few times and just changed his name, but he still required that the Jiang Customs Taxation be jointly held by representatives of Britain, the United States and France and officials of the Qing Dynasty. "The Jiang Customs Affairs, the right to speak with the Qing government is equal." Ye Zhao was just aware of it. How can this be equal? ​​In other words, it is impossible to handle customs affairs without negotiating with other countries. This is not qualitatively different from the Three Kingdoms Committee, but the Qing Dynasty is just good-looking.

Ye Zhao put the charter aside and smiled and said, "Let us discuss and reply to the consuls of all countries."

The consuls of the Three Kingdoms readily agreed that although the Shanghai county was conquered, the Jianghuguan Office in the concession was in their hands and they still had the last bargaining chips to bargain.

At this time, Ye Zhao waved his hand, and the translations on both sides retreated. Ye Zhao smiled at Ali National Highway: "The issue of the overseas Chinese in various countries preparing to establish a labor department in the concession is not within my rights and responsibilities. I can only provide you with private insights for reference. I think, the primary task of overseas Chinese autonomy is naturally to obtain the consent of the local government." He was hinting to Ali Country that you can fool the local officials. If I want me to clearly agree to establish a labor department, forget it.

Aliguo began to be puzzled, and then suddenly realized that there was a smile on his face and said, "The imperial envoy is of great opinion."

Ye Zhao smiled again, "I heard that the business group caught several illegal people in the concession yesterday. I don't know if I could send them to the place and severely punish them to serve as a warning." After giving them a candy, I naturally had to get back a few dates.

A Liguo turned his head and discussed with Ai Tang for a few words. He felt that this country was so careless that he was so detained by the prisoners that he really didn't know how to deal with it. He tortured the officer many times last night, but the tough guy didn't say a word, let alone admit his identity. It would be useless to keep such a small character in his arms. It would be better to give this imperial envoy a favor.

After the discussion, Aliguo smiled and nodded at Ye Zhao.

He sent away the consuls of several countries and left Wu Jianzhang's remarks in the flower hall.

After Wu Jianzhang read the new terms proposed by A Liguo, Ye Zhao asked a few questions about customs affairs, but Wu Jianzhang just said extremely respectfully: "See the instructions of the young master."

Ye Zhao finally became angry and glared: "Does Lord Daotai think I'm easy to bully at a young age? Then I will reply tomorrow, agree to the foreigners' regulations, and return to Beijing only said it was your idea!"

Wu Jianchang was startled and was not sitting very steadily. After hearing Ye Zhaozhi's words, his butt seemed to be on fire and he stood up suddenly, "I'm humble, I dare not."

"Then give me an idea, how to go back to Beijing to block those people's mouths." Although Ye Zhao had already made plans in his mind, if it were to deceive the superiors and subordinates, veterans like Wu Jianzhang would be more slick, so he would have to listen to what he said.

After hearing what Ye Zhao said, Wu Jianzhang had a heart and put it back on his stomach. The young master clearly regarded himself as his own person. His bones all over his body felt a few taels of lighter. After pondering for a moment, Wu Jianzhang said: "Foreigners are arrogant, and the young master also treats them with rudeness. I think the new charter is actually a big concession. The young master might as well agree. The memorial to return to Beijing only said that because the Jiang Customs Office is located in the concession, it is just to hire foreign employees to serve him. Of course, this charter is still signed by the Fuyuan Lord. The Fuyuan Lord is newly promoted and it is also necessary to take some connections in this regard."

Ye Zhao was quite dumbfounded. "Hext foreign employees" is OK? The tricks of these officials to shirk relations are really incredible. If you think about it, you will feel relieved. Because of the lack of information now, there are still many officials who falsely report natural disasters, let alone this small trick?

Ye Zhao thought for a while, smiled and picked up the teacup, and said, "Brother Daopu is here more often." He shouted his words, and he even thought he was his own person.

Wu Jianzhang immediately showed a look of gratitude on his face, and he threw his horse's hooves and beat him down, "I obey my orders, I am afraid of my humbleness."

Ye Zhao smiled and said, "Okay, don't be polite to me, get up."

"Resigned from the humble position." Wu Jianzhang respectfully left the flower hall.

Ye Zhao looked through the new regulations of foreigners in the flower hall for a while. When he was about to discuss with the old master again, a Goshha stepped into the hall and reported to Qian: "Master, the foreign devil has sent the person." Following Ye Zhao, he didn't learn anything else, but learned to call foreigners "foreign devils".

Ye Zhao nodded slightly and said, "Bring it in!"

He lowered his head and put away the charter, and he heard the sound of footsteps. When he looked up, Ye Zhao was shocked, wow! What a big man!

I saw a man with a tiger-backed and bear-waisted waist walking into the flower hall. His muscles were kneaded, like a black tower. Although he was unkempt and had scars on his face, he could not hide his tough aura that seemed to rise into the sky.

"Han Jinchun, the chief of the Beizhihe Town Camp, met the Lord!" The Han Han knelt down and said, "and looked ashamed. In this era, the shame brought by being captured by the enemy chief will be difficult to clean up for the rest of his life.

Seeing his majestic posture, Ye Zhao liked it a little, and smiled and said, "Get up, I feel wronged General Han!"

"I dare not be a humble position. I will be a shameful general. I will be punished by the court. I ask the great man to punish me!" The big man's voice was as clear and loud as a bell, and he was obviously not the kind of real rough man. He also said: "I am called a humble general, but I really dare not be a humble position!"

Ye Zhao laughed and said, "It is not a crime of being captured by mistake. Lord Han doesn't have to take it seriously. I will win it back tomorrow."

"Yes! Yes!" Although the man said yes, the grief, anger, and shame on his face could not be reduced slightly.

"Do you know who I am?" Ye Zhaopin asked slowly.

"I know that sir is the imperial envoy from the capital!" The man still knelt so straight.

Ye Zhao nodded and said, "It's good to know. You don't have to go back to Zhenying anymore, and you can't go back. I'll write a letter to the Fuyuan tomorrow, so I want you to help me with the job? Are you willing?" In fact, this man had nowhere to go, and he was probably on the list of deaths planned by Xu Naizhao.

The big man was not a rough man, so he naturally understood what Ye Zhao meant. He kowtowed to Ye Zhao a few times, "Thank you, Lord! The youngest one is to sacrifice his life to do the job!"

Ye Zhao laughed and said warmly: "Get up, I don't have those bloody errands here."

The man then slowly got up.

Ye Zhao looked at him and asked again, "What is the name of Brother Han Taifu, and what is his origin?"

The big man said he didn't dare to say that he said respectfully: "The little man's name is Wansheng, and he was a martial Jinshi for 30 years."

Ye Zhao didn't know that this name was powerful in Jiangnan in history. It was the number one strong general of the Green Camp who wiped out the Taiping Army. He had no feelings at all. He heard that he was from a martial arts scholar, so he couldn't help but look at him a few more times. Although he had been in this world for twenty years, he still felt that his origin in martial arts was quite new.

"Rui Sier, Rui Sier" Ye Zhao shouted twice, and his voice was not loud, but immediately, a thin monkey rushed in outside the hall, and Rui Sier called a thousand to pay his respects: "Master, Rui Sier is waiting!"

Ye Zhao pointed to the big man and said, "Take General Han to take a shower and change clothes, and rest for a few days, and then call the old master."
Chapter completed!