The next morning, Li Hongzhang brought Li Jingfang to the British Consulate in Shanghai and met with the British Consul Huo Bilan (arren).

But after arriving at the British consulate, Li Hongzhang found that the atmosphere was wrong, because it was not only Huo Bilan who was waiting to greet him, but also consular members of various countries such as Bezaure, the US Consul General in Shanghai, goodno, Russian Consul General in Shanghai, p.a. Dmitriyev, and Japanese Consul General in Shanghai, and other consular members of various countries.

Li Hongzhang is such a smart person. When he saw this posture, he knew that there must be a major incident. However, he was a very cunning person after all, and he remained silent at this time, and greeted the consuls one by one and sat down.

After everyone sat down, Huo Bilan said, "Master Zhongtang, I wonder what news your subordinate from Tianjin has brought you?"

Li Hongzhang calmly said, "Mr. Consul, I'm afraid you will disappoint you. My subordinate didn't bring me any news."

Huo Bilan was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but say, "What?"

Li Hongzhang said: "That is, this group of overseas Chinese did not convey any news to me through my subordinates. They just asked me to come to Shanghai to see me in this way."

After hearing this, the consuls looked at each other, whispered to each other, and started talking. After a while, the Russian consul Dmitryev said: "Master Zhongtang, why is this happening? Isn't this group of overseas Chinese going to negotiate with us?"

Li Hongzhang was forgiven in his heart. The foreigners were too late to come over. Do you have to say, "You can't say that either. They didn't bring me a letter, so it didn't mean they refused to negotiate."

Huo Bilan looked at Li Hongzhang and said, "Mr. Zhongtang, your subordinate is so difficult that he has not told you that overseas Chinese have abolished the customs in Tianjin."

Li Hongzhang was stunned and said, "What's going on? Overseas Chinese abolished Tianjin Customs. My subordinates have never treated me this."

Huo Bilan said: "Lord Zhongtang, this is the news we received last night. It was yesterday that overseas Chinese cancelled the blockade in Tianjin and reopened the Tianjin route. However, it was also stipulated that all merchant ships arriving in Tianjin must go to the Maritime Affairs Bureau opened by overseas Chinese to pay tariffs. The original Tianjin Customs has been in name only."

Li Hongzhang's father was shocked when he heard this. Li Hongzhang said, "What happened like this?"

French Consul Bai Zaotai said: "And overseas Chinese have set new tax rates, almost all commodity tax rates exceeding 10%, and more than 70 commodity tax rates exceeding 15%, of which more than 0 commodity tax rates are above 0%. Now the average tax rate of Tianjin Customs has reached 16.6%. There are more than 500 commodities that have entered the Tianjin market and have to pay income taxes, with an average tax rate of 11.4%. Such behavior has greatly damaged the commercial interests of our countries. We will use any means to protect our own interests."

After listening to it, Li Hongzhang's father's expression changed. Both father and son were people who had been in charge of Western affairs for a long time and engaged in diplomatic affairs. They had a good understanding of the situation of various countries. They knew that Western countries were all based on business and attached great importance to commercial interests. The Opium War, which opened the door to China, was in a sense a war started by commercial divisions.

According to the information we obtained before, after the overseas Chinese captured Tianjin, they did not make things too difficult for merchants from various countries. In addition to taking back the property plundered by the Eight-Nation Alliance, they did not infringe on the property of merchants and shops. On the contrary, they also maintained public order and protected them, making people feel that this group of overseas Chinese still understands international rules. Therefore, after the end of the Tianjin Defense War, various countries had the idea of ​​negotiating with overseas Chinese. After all, it was easier to negotiate with people who understood the rules. Then they knew that this group of overseas Chinese had raised the tariffs in Tianjin so rashly. Don’t they know that this is the interests of various countries? I’m afraid that countries are now discussing the expansion of the war.

Of course, the Qing court's tariffs were only 5%, and after foreign goods paid tariffs, no need to pay other taxes. No one would consider whether such a tax rate was reasonable.

During the discussion yesterday, Li Hongzhang planned to kick the ball to foreigners and let the foreigners decide how to deal with the behavior of overseas Chinese. But now it seems that he has underestimated the courage of this group of overseas Chinese. He thought they just wanted the foreigners to propose negotiations first, but he did not expect that this group of overseas Chinese actually had more amazing means. Now it seems that overseas Chinese are obviously making foreigners really angry.

Li Hongzhang said: "So how do countries plan to deal with overseas Chinese? Will the scale of the war be expanded?"

Dmitryev said: "Of course, the interests of the country cannot be violated, and no one is forgiven. Therefore, it is inevitable to expand the scale of the war."

Huo Bilan frowned and said, "At any time, war is one of the options. Our British Empire and other countries will not be shaken to protect their own interests. This master of the central government should understand."

After hearing this, Li Hongzhang had to smile bitterly, and said, "I naturally know this."

Huo Bilan glanced at the Russians and said, "But war is the last choice after all, and we don't want to develop to that point. Since overseas Chinese send people to contact Zhongtang, we hope that Zhongtang can convey our attitude to overseas Chinese. We hope that they can see the situation clearly and not think that after winning a few battles, they can challenge the low-interest interests of various countries."

As the situation has developed to this point, Li Hongzhang did not dare to play tricks with foreigners. After all, at this point, the peace talks are a luxury, but they should try their best to avoid the expansion of the war. Therefore, Li Hongzhang immediately said: "Okay, after I go back, I will arrange for people to go to Tianjin immediately to convey the attitudes of the consuls to overseas Chinese."

Huo Bilan bowed his head and said, "Then it's a blessing for Li Zhongtang. As far as I know, our countries have already started negotiations on the affairs of overseas Chinese. I hope that before the results of our countries' negotiations come out, Lord Zhongtang can work hard to achieve a result that satisfies all countries. I think the Qing Dynasty may not be able to withstand the demolition of war anymore."

Li Hongzhang turned his head. Of course, he could hear Huo Bilan's threat, so he did not dare to neglect. He immediately stood up and said goodbye to the consuls of various countries and returned to his residence.

As soon as he left the consulate, Li Hongzhang immediately ordered someone to invite Zhou Fu and Sheng Xuanhuai. Therefore, after Li Hongzhang arrived home, everyone had already arrived. Li Hongzhang had no time to be polite and told them the news he had obtained from the British consulate.

After hearing this, everyone was shocked. They never expected that this group of overseas Chinese would really dare to provoke foreigners. Zhang Peilun said: "Father-in-law, do you want to call Zhao Weizhong here to ask, what's going on?"

Li Hongzhang waved his hand and said, "No, I don't think Zhao Weizhong will know these things, so it's useless to ask him."

Sheng Xuanhuai said: "I have passed by a long time ago. I can't count on this group of overseas Chinese. How is it now? They are completely seeking death. Now they not only block the door to peace talks, but they may also implicate our Qing Dynasty."

Zhou Fu frowned and said, "What's the use of these at this time? But before overseas Chinese are resolved, foreigners may not negotiate with us again, and even if they are completed, they will be useless. I think the advice from the Jingfang yesterday was good. Now we should send someone to Tianjin immediately to meet overseas Chinese. First, understand their intentions, and then try to persuade them to restore the tariffs in Tianjin. If they can't persuade them, they should also repay them as soon as possible so that we can prepare. We should try to separate our ties with overseas Chinese."

Li Hongzhang looked down, pondered for a while, then said, "Who of you wants to go to Tianjin?"

Everyone's eyes immediately focused on Li Jingfang, and at this time Li Jingfang's heart was secretly complaining. Yesterday he volunteered to go to Tianjin to go to the overseas Chinese, which was indeed as Li Hongzhang had. He hoped to find an opportunity to move overseas Chinese and support Li Hongzhang. But today he discovered that this group of overseas Chinese were really bold and dared to touch the most fundamental interests of foreigners. Li Jingfang dared to persuade Li Hongzhang to betray the Qing court, but he did not dare to provoke foreigners. At this time, he dared to go to Tianjin again, let alone persuade them to support Li Hongzhang. But Li Jingfang was too talked yesterday, and now he couldn't take it back, so he was also very embarrassed.

At this time, Zhang Peilun said: "Father-in-law, I'll go this time."

Seeing that someone had come forward to take over this job, Li Jingfang breathed a sigh of relief and felt quite grateful to Zhang Peilun. After all, he saved the siege for himself. Originally, Zhang Peilun dissuaded Li Hongzhang to appoint Li Jingfang as a general, the two of them had a great momentum for a while, but now Li Jingfang is also feeling a little

Li Hongzhang glanced at Li Jingfang, then turned to Zhang Peilun, and said, "Okay, you have always been calm in your work. I can rest assured to let you go to Tianjin. This is how you go. You can prepare and ask Zhao Weizhong to send a telegram to Tianjin to clarify and see what the attitude of overseas Chinese are."

At this time, Zhou Fu said: "Zhongtang, I think this matter must be notified to the court as soon as possible."
Chapter completed!