Chapter 49 Diplomatic Negotiations
Yi Xin promised to be responsible for the business of working with the British, which made me feel relieved. In my imagination, it is very feasible to introduce advanced technology in full and gradual political reform. In terms of the navy, I am even more willing to learn from the UK completely.
Considering the cunning of the British, I made a special emphasis to Yixin that the British must ensure that in the future, in military conflicts across East Asia, on the Chinese side, at least he should be required to remain neutral.
This matter was handed over to Yi Xin, and half of the major incident was completed. Sun Yuwen of the Ministry of Justice also quickly handled the matter and submitted to me the ministry's proposal for the monarchy case of Xu Gongwang's monarchy. Xu Gongwang Lingchi and exterminated the clan. Yung Wing and Nie Shicheng were not guilty of using people, and should be exiled. They were unaware of the people's understanding, neglected education, and dismissed from their posts, and never mentioned it. Because Shi Duo was a prince, the clan's office should be punished by the clan's office.
My heart trembled, and I was going to kill hundreds of people at once... My heart tightened, I sighed, and wrote a comment from Zhu: There is a great mourning in the country this year, so it is not advisable to kill too much, but it is better to kill the main evil to serve as a warning. The rest of the people seemed to be not implicated. Since I boarded the plane, there has not been such a prison, and I couldn't bear it. Xu Gong wanted to ask if he was killed. Ling Chi was too cool and had a bad virtue. The rest of the people were each given a year to be vigilant.
After writing, I threw myself into my heart, was it a kindness this time? Then I took a deep breath and didn't care. No matter what, no matter what, I would never convince myself to accept this kind of torture and accept such a thing that implicates the nine tribes. That's it.
As soon as this was released, the public opinion in the court swept away the chaos some time ago, and they all said that I was a benevolent monarch for all ages and had the virtues of ancient sages and monarchs. Some old censors even brought out the Kangxi Dynasty but killed Oboi without involving clan affairs to flatter them. I always accepted it with a smile.
Today, Li Hongzhang also arrived in Beijing and asked me to inspect the Navy. The time was set on September 1st and he set out from Beijing. There are less than ten days left.
A censor actually asked the emperor to clarify the political system and said in a big way: "Report to the emperor, I heard that Prince Gong will be in charge of negotiations with the British, but Weng Zhongtang, the head of the military officer, did not know the details. I begged the emperor to clarify the political system and major affairs, and it is recommended to be drafted by the Military Office and the emperor will be sentenced to the emperor. This will make the atmosphere of a holy dynasty."
I felt angry when I heard this, and looked at Weng Tonghe coldly, thinking that this was probably your bad idea. Who knew that Weng was also frightened and looked at the old censor angrily.
I wondered, who was the master of this guy? Xiang Shanqi immediately gave a wink, and Shanqi nodded understandingly.
Prince Gong Yixin coughed lightly and said, "Emperor, this dispute over power and power of the monarch has been around since ancient times. In the past, Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty abolished the prime minister and Gan Gang was arbitrary. Our dynasty inherited the Ming system and he did not have the position of prime minister. However, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, the Chief Military Supervisor, had no name as prime minister, but had the reality of the prime minister. Therefore, the political system was a bit confusing. The slaves thought that the emperor should have arbitrary decision. The so-called Military Affairs Office is the office of the Emperor, and we should not seek everything to be managed by the Military Affairs Office. Master Weng must have the same meaning, right?"
Weng Tonghe trembled, nodded to Yixin, turned around and went out and said, "What Prince Gong said is very much, I also thought so. I have another idea, please ask the emperor to judge." I nodded, and Weng continued, "It is a great blessing for our dynasty to return to the court. King Gong has the talent of conquering the world. I think that I have no longer the opportunity to lead the military and are willing to serve the court with King Gong."
Oh? I was suspicious. What does Weng Tonghe mean? I gave up the position to lead the military aircraft for Yi Xin? When did this guy be so disgusted with power? This is not your Weng's style.
I looked at Yi Xin without saying a word.
Yi Xin refused. I nodded and said, "Master Weng is my teacher, the chief military officer, you must not refuse. King Gong shoulders a heavy responsibility, so he should review the title of King of Political Science and work together to contribute to me."
These two are both people I feel relieved. I am going to Weihai military parade soon. These two people are definitely in charge in Beijing. I don’t want these two people to be unhappy about trivial matters, so that others can take advantage of them.
After the court meeting, Yi Xin followed me to the study of Yangxin Palace, sat down and informed him of his initial contact with the British Minister Ogne.
Yi Xin said: "The British meant that they wanted to fully lead the reform of our Qing Dynasty. The first priority was to trade, mining, and purchase. The slaves dare not be good at this matter, so they wanted to ask the emperor's meaning first."
I nodded and said, "All these can be agreed. However, if you want to warn the British about opium, you must ban opium from the Qing Dynasty. This matter is absolutely unanimous. This is what I mean. You can clearly explain it to the British. In addition, we need to take the lead in mining, and the British can give priority to mining rights, and the property rights will still be owned by the state."
Yi Xin wrote down one by one and nodded, "I think this matter is very important and I have explained it to the British. I will discuss this matter at the end. I will ask the emperor to instruct you."
I smiled slightly. The British people have a big appetite. Of course I don’t object to these, but it’s still far from that time. So I nodded and said, “You have done this very well. Now that the people’s wisdom has not yet been opened, they will easily cause many problems. It’s better to slow them down. I’m relieved to do things. I only have a few days of fundamental principles, and you have to grasp them.”
Yi Xin bowed and said, "I have written it down, please give me the emperor instructions."
I stood up and walked a few steps, and said in a deep voice: "First, opium must be strictly prohibited; second, the right to divert water must belong to me; third, what I, the Qing Dynasty wants is the only cooperation, that is, if the British want to seek cooperation in East Asia, they must inform me of the Qing Dynasty in advance, and I have the right to decide whether to comply with the treaty. Finally, both sides are equal, and China has its own universe and is not controlled by the British."
Yi Xin took the notes and nodded, "I am sure to receive the Hadith. The emperor, the British also asked me to reform the military system of the Qing Dynasty, and the British should take charge of this matter. I also asked the emperor to judge the sages."
I thought about it and responded: "This matter can be temporarily adjourned. What I mean is the navy's staff and the training matters can be fully dominated by the British. I have other suggestions from the army. Is there anything difficult to decide?"
Yi Xin nodded and hesitated: "Your Majesty, the British seem to be different from the past. They have a great appetite. The slave is worried that this is 10% of the time, which will cause interference from the great powers. For example, the British asked us to exclude the Russians and Germans. If we want to cooperate with the above two countries, we must inform the British side. If the British side has conflicts of interest with the above two countries within East Asia, the Qing Dynasty must assist the British unconditionally. The slave thinks about it. If this article is signed, it will definitely attract the Russians and Germans."
I sighed, there was nothing I could do about it, nodded and said, "It doesn't matter, this sign is. Yingde, Britain and Russia are the enemy. Sixth Master, you are the person with the most overall vision of the Qing Dynasty. I can make sense with you. The British asked me to encircle the Russians in the east, there was India in the middle, and the Qing Dynasty in the east. Do you understand?"
Yi Xin looked at it and nodded, "Yes, the emperor is wise, the British have other requests. Please rent the Jushan Island in Liaodong as a military port to form a Sino-British joint fleet with our Qing Dynasty. What is the meaning? I didn't know much about it before. Now, after hearing what the emperor said, I suddenly realized it."
The Sino-British Joint Fleet? I was shocked. I had a good chance. I nodded and said, "I agreed, I agreed."
I laughed in my heart. The British knew how to use this Sino-British joint fleet to threaten the Russians. Why can't I use this thing to threaten the Japanese?
Nodded and said, "I will go to review the navy next month, and there will be a special order. The Sino-British Joint Fleet. This is a good thing. You can hand it over to Li Hongzhang. Regarding the Russians, you don't have to worry too much. In short, just remember my fundamental opinions to do things. Next month, I will go to Weihaiwei, and I will ask you and Master Weng in the capital. You performed very well in the court today. In short, you are all good ministers and wise kings. I will pay attention to it and give in to each other."
Yi Xin smiled and said, "I will pay attention to it. Master Weng is so personal. If I don't compete with him for that name, he will lose his temper."
I couldn't help but laugh and nodded, "That's the best. I'll give him a piece of paper in a few days, that's it."
Yi Xin said goodbye now.
Chapter completed!