In their opinion, the so-called concession is just a copy of the Thirteen Merchants District in Guangzhou, but it is just an expansion of the territory and the addition of some necessary rights and interests to safeguard the personal safety and property safety of their subjects in the concession, if the people of the Qing State are allowed to live in the concession, is it not against the original intention of establishing the concession?

Seeing the expressions of the two people, Yi Zhizhi also wondered in his heart, but he clearly remembered that there were a large number of Chinese living in the concessions of various countries in Shanghai, could there be a difference? When the concession was first established, Chinese were not allowed to live in the concession? In other words, Britain and France did not realize the value of the Shanghai Concession at all, and only regarded the Concession as a foothold. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

After stretching out his hand to let the two of them sit down, he paced back to his seat and sat down, and then he pondered: "You may not really understand the meaning of the concession, the concession is not the Thirteen Merchants House in Guangzhou, within the demarcated concession, you are allowed to take your own way to manage all the affairs in the concession, judicial, financial, tax, trade, finance, municipal construction, etc.

Perhaps it is easier to say that the concession is very similar to the autonomous city of the European Middle Ages, which is equivalent to a miniature autonomous city of your country in Shanghai, and you can plan and build the concession according to your own wishes, opening banks, shops, factories, schools, hospitals, etc. ”

As he spoke, he smiled, "Do you need a closed and independent concession?" Or is there a need for a concession like a self-governing city? If it is the latter, you will need to attract a large number of Chinese into the concession, and only in this way will the concession be vigorous, and I believe that with the concession, you will be able to earn a lot of wealth. ”

Hearing this, Bafur and Mintini were greatly surprised, neither of them expected that the so-called concession proposed by Yi Zhishu was actually a small autonomous city! What kind of concession do they need? This is simply a self-evident thing, how can a small closed and independent small concession be compared to a small autonomous city?

With a slight groan, Bafur asked eagerly, "How long is the lease?" ”

Yi Zhicontent said without thinking: "The permanent long-term lease, unless it is a change of dynasty, but as for the rent, it must be for a period of ten years, and the reasonable rent must be renegotiated according to the land price in Shanghai every ten years, and the relevant details will be negotiated when signing the concession contract." ”

Mintini hesitated, "Will the people of your country be willing to enter the concession?" Besides, Shanghai is just a small city...... ”

"Shanghai is really just a small city at the moment, nothing more than Guangzhou." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile, he said, he looked at Bafur, "Shanghai has a superior geographical location, and its development potential is far better than that of Guangzhou, I believe that your country should be very clear about this, otherwise it would not ask to open up Shanghai into a treaty port."

Your country is interested in Shanghai's superior shipping conditions, river transport and sea transport want to be connected, and Shanghai's hinterland is vast, radiating the most prosperous economy of the Qing Dynasty in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. ”

After a pause, he continued: "The Beijing-Hangzhou Railway and the Baoshan-Shanghai Railway are built by England, and I think the two of you should know very well that with the start of construction of these two railways, I plan to raise funds to build a railway from Shanghai to Jiangning, connecting Shanghai with the Beijing-Hangzhou Railway."

Although it is still only a small county now, it will not take ten years for Shanghai to catch up with or even surpass Guangzhou and become the largest and most prosperous port city in the Far East.

As for whether the Chinese will be willing to enter the concession? I think that as long as the concession can formulate and create a fair, just and relaxed institutional environment and sufficient security, it will be enough to attract many Chinese, especially wealthy businessmen, to enter the concession. ”

Hearing this, Bafur and Mintini were very moved, both of them knew the huge advantages of railway transportation, if Shanghai can be connected to the Beijing-Hangzhou railway, it will certainly be able to greatly stimulate and promote Shanghai's economic development and prosperity, as for the concession, Yi Zhixin said that it is not unreasonable, there is a good system, a relaxed environment and enough security, enough to attract a large number of Chinese and traders from all over the world.

After a slight sigh, Bafur said: "The matter of the concession is not small, may I ask if I can lease your "Feiyan", I want to go to Hong Kong." ”

"Of course you can, but I'm going to be out of Shanghai for a while now." Yi Zhizhi said: "After this matter, you will directly discuss with Mr. Wu, a Shanghai Taoist. ”

Hearing this, Yi Zhizhi was content to leave Shanghai, and Min Tini hurriedly asked: "I heard that Your Excellency has just returned from the capital of your country, I wonder if you have ever seen my country's mission and fleet?" ”

"They came back on the same day as me, maybe a few days slower." Yi Zhixiang glanced at him and said, "Your and our two countries have signed the Treaty of Tianjin, and your country and England enjoy the same rights in our treaty ports. ”

Hearing this, Mintini was full of joy, and said in a relaxed tone: "Since Minister Laqini has returned, the matter of the concession is still waiting for the Minister to discuss with Your Excellency." ”

Listening to these words, Bafur was depressed, England paid a lot of money to win all kinds of rights from the Qing State, but France and the United States sat back and enjoyed the success, and it was effortless.

Two days later, the combined fleet of France and the United States arrived at Haikou, the fleet was anchored in the sea, and the two delegations took two light cruisers to sail to Shanghai.

"Bringing the civil and military officials of the whole city to the dock to greet the two delegations?" Qiying looked at Yi Zhixiang with some surprise, he knew very well that Yi Zhixiang's attitude towards Western consuls was polite and polite, but it was definitely not respectful, and he had always been quite strong, why was it abnormal this time?

Yi Zhixiang smiled and said, "When foreign missions come, it is naturally impossible to move the people so much, but the minister of the Qin Mission, the general of Zhengnan, and Prince Hui also came with the two countries' missions. ”

"Prince Hui, as a minister, how could he take a warship from another country?" Qi Ying said suspiciously: "Is the "Feiyan" in the national city a day ahead? ”

"The 'Feiyan' was too fast, and it was extremely turbulent on the sea, and it was very easy to get seasick, so in order not to let Prince Hui be too tired, he let him take the battleship." Yi Zhizu explained slowly: "In addition, Prince Hui is not riding on a warship of another country, and the Nanyang Navy has already bought fifteen warships in their fleet. ”

"Bought fifteen warships in one go?" Qi Ying looked at him in disbelief, Western warships are not cheap, they are often three or four hundred thousand taels of silver, which is a big deal.

"Originally, I only planned to buy ten ships, but the imperial court allocated two million taels of silver, so I simply bought five ships, and the Nanyang Navy was newly built, and I didn't think there were many warships." Yi Zhishu explained, and then said, "Prepare for it, adults." ”

Qi Ying and Yi Zhishu led a group of civil and military officials in Shanghai to the dock to welcome Prince Hui Mianyu's driver, but he didn't even bring the honor guard of Qincha, and he didn't wear official robes, and he was mixed in civilian clothes in the two countries' missions.

Greeted by the ministers of the two countries and politely exchanged a few words, Yi Zhizhi was content to greet Mianyu who got off the boat slowly, and said with a depressed face after seeing the salute: "Why did the prince come in a small service?" ”

"Liangjiang is not subject to the control of this king, the general who conquered the south." Mianyu smiled: "If you take the boat quickly, it will be fast, but it is too boring, this king wants to come to Shanghai to have a look, and it is natural to come to the micro-service." As he spoke, he said softly: "Su Shun and the others said that they also want to come to Shanghai for an event, this king is inconvenient to make decisions without permission, and the national city can allow it?" ”

"Not really." Yi Zhishu refused without thinking about it: "Let them stay at sea." ”

After explaining that Wu Changqing received the envoys of the two countries, Yi Zhizhi and Qiying accompanied Mianyu back to the West Garden, and as soon as he entered the Sansui Hall, Mianyu directly proposed to take a bath, due to the large number of people on the ship, he had not taken a bath for several days.

When he came out of the shower and changed clothes, he was refreshed, but when he arrived in the hall, he saw only Qiying alone, and couldn't help asking: "What about the national city?" ”

"The French envoy has come to visit, and Master Yi has gone back to his Tingtao Pavilion." Qiying said with a smile: "The prince has worked hard all the way, and the lower officials have prepared a banquet for the prince to pick up the wind and wash the dust, and the prince invites you." ”

Mianyu waved her hand and said with great interest: "It is said that Guocheng is good at diplomacy, hearing is false, seeing is believing, let's go and see?" ”

Qi Ying smiled bitterly and said: "It's better that the prince still doesn't go, he can't understand a word, and he is tired of Lord Yi translating on his behalf, which really hinders the conversation between the two sides." ”

Hearing this, Mianyu's face gradually became solemn, "Jiechun is the minister of trade affairs in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Neijiang, and it is your duty to handle the affairs of foreign affairs, trade, and coastal defense at coastal treaty ports, why do you ignore it completely?" ”

Hearing what he said quite seriously, Qiying hurriedly said respectfully: "It's not that the subordinate officials are derelict in their duties, but that the foreign affairs, trade, coastal defense and other affairs of the treaty ports are not the chiefs of the subordinates." The officials do not know Yi language, do not understand business, but the officials of Western countries in Shanghai have anything, they go directly to Lord Yi.

And the Yi people talk to each other, both in Yi language, and Xia Guan also hired a translator who knows Yi language, but the speed of translation can't keep up with the speed of conversation between the two sides, and Xia Guan's participation in it is purely a deaf ear - decoration! In order not to damage the majesty of the imperial court, the lower officials tried to participate as little as possible. ”

Mianyu said in a deep voice: "If this king understands correctly...... Yi Zhizhi is very strong?" Didn't you take your official seriously? ”

Qi Ying arched his hand and said: "The lower official has already played and asked for a transfer." ”

Hearing this, Mianyu didn't have the heart to watch, so she simply sat down and said, "There are no outsiders, tell me in detail, what's going on?" ”

After a slight sigh, Qi Yingcai spoke: "Lord Yi is indeed quite strong, but to say that he is supreme, but it may not be, the etiquette is still very thorough, the notification that should be notified, the declaration of the declaration is ....., the lower officials tell the truth, whether it is diplomacy, commerce and trade or coastal defense, the senior officials of the DPRK and China, it is estimated that no one can match him."

If the lower officials interfere, it will only embarrass themselves, and even bad things, some time ago, Lord Yi was not in Shanghai, some things involving the West, the following officials also reported everything for instructions, not afraid of the prince's jokes, the lower officials dare to call the shots, there are really few things. Moreover, the prince also knows that Xiaguan, the minister of Nanyang, is an empty shelf, there is no one to ask for people, there is no silver to ask for silver, and even the yamen is not now, and almost all the civil and military officials in Shanghai have close contacts with Yi Daren, in this case, Xiaguan can only obediently make a decoration....... ”

Listening to these words, Mianyu was also speechless for a while, a subordinate official like Yi Zhicontent, whoever comes, is also a part of being set aside, even if an extremely strong official is sent, it can't change the end of being overhead, fortunately, Yi Zhixin is not domineering, otherwise Qiying's life will be even more sad.

Qi Ying can be said to be a stomach of bitter water, this time poured out, his heart suddenly felt relaxed, seeing Mianyue silent, he tentatively said: "Xia Guan secretly thinks that instead of this, it is better to simply take Lord Yi's Nanyang Minister and Nanyang Admiral at the same time, to say, the most suitable is none other than him."

The imperial court can select some young officials to come to Shanghai to study and experience, so that the situation can be gradually improved, and the lower officials will observe that the trade with the West will gradually increase, and the court needs to start training officials who are familiar with the situation and trade in the West. ”

Mianyu nodded slightly, and said: "The current situation is indeed necessary to gradually improve, this time Yi Zhizhi entered Beijing to see His Majesty, and also mentioned Yiwu, and suggested that the imperial court should add the prime minister's national affairs yamen, and the emperor is pondering this matter." As he spoke, he turned his head around, "The banquet is still waiting for Yi Zhizhi to come, and Jiechun might as well carefully tell this king something about Yi Zhixiang." ”

Tingtao Pavilion, hall.

"The Treaty of Tientsin was successfully signed, thanks to the good offices of His Excellency the Viscount." The balding French minister Laverny said politely, and then his tone changed, "However, England has obtained a contract ....... to build your country's Beijing-Hangzhou Railway in accordance with the Jiangning Treaty, and it is reported that the Beijing-Hangzhou Railway is more than 1,000 kilometers long and costs hundreds of millions of silver dollars. ”

That's a lack of greed! Yi Zhixiang secretly slandered himself, but said with a smile: "As far as I know, there are not many railways that have been built in your country, and the railway construction technology is not as good as that of the United States, of course, if your country insists, I am also happy to provide opportunities for your country, but the required loan, the Beijing-Hangzhou Railway, England is committed to giving us a large amount of low-interest loans." ”

Seeing that he didn't speak, Yi Zhizhi took the initiative to say: "Whether it is His Majesty the Emperor of our country or Yuan Qi, they are very happy to maintain friendly and close relations with your country for a long time, and also hope to carry out exchanges and cooperation with your country in many fields. As he spoke, he smiled and said, "I have a great interest in your country's research and development and manufacturing of small arms and shipbuilding. (To be continued.) )