The Yamen of the Domain is not far from the Yuehua Academy, but in two quarters of an hour, Yi Zhishu rushed to the outside of the Qin Cha Xingyuan, as soon as the post was handed in, he was soon led in by the porter, in the study, Qi Shan was holding the pen and contemplating, seeing him come in to salute, he immediately put down the pen and got up, and said with a smile: "Contentment is coming, no need to be formal, sit." ”

Seeing Qi Shan's warm face, Yi Zhizhi secretly wondered, could it be that the negotiations with England had taken a turn for the better? Sure enough, as soon as he sat down, Qi Shan said: "This time I negotiated with Yingyi, and after five days of consultation, Yingyi's attitude finally relaxed, and he gave up the two items of land cession and compensation for military expenses, but still insisted on asking for cigarette prices, and additionally proposed to open Xiamen, Fuzhou, Ningbo, and Shanghai as treaty ports. ”

Hearing this, Yi Zhixiang was slightly surprised, and when he thought about it, he understood, Yilu was anxious, and wanted to reach an agreement as soon as possible, at least to reach an agreement with the Qing court before the reinforcements arrived, and complete his mission decently.

"Benjue Pavilion believes that the opening of additional commercial ports is the most fundamental purpose of Yingyi, although it is also unreasonable, but compared with the compensation for land cession, it is much easier to accept, how to look at contentment?"

After a slight sigh, Yi Zhizhi said: "Guangzhou's trade is the ancestral system set by Emperor Gaozong (Qianlong), is it possible for the emperor to agree?" ”

Qi Shan shook his head slowly, and said with a bitter face: "It's difficult——。 ”

Yi Zhicontent can understand the feelings of the other side, the British side gave up the two items of land cession and compensation for military spending, and instead proposed to open more commercial ports, which can be said to have made a big concession, but this article, Daoguang is also impossible to allow, to this point, the negotiations are basically deadlocked, and then ask the British side to make concessions, this is already impossible.

After being silent for a long time, Qi Shancai said: "I am in a hurry to summon the contentment to come, just to discuss this matter, in the eyes of this Jue Pavilion, the lesser of two evils, a war that is impossible to win and the opening of additional commercial ports, which is more important, is self-evident." At present, it is impossible for Yingyi to make concessions, the question is, how can the emperor agree, and is there an international practice in this regard? ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled secretly, shook his head, and said, "No." European countries attach great importance to commerce, and all ports suitable for trade are as open as possible, and there are few bans on trade. After a pause, he asked rhetorically: "Why did Emperor Gaozong change the four-port trade to the one-port trade?" ”

Why did Qianlong settle for trade? This point, Qi Shan is very clear, Qianlong issued an edict that year: "After that, the port is set in Guangdong, and no more can go to Zhejiang Province, which is beneficial to the livelihood of the people of Guangdong, and Jiangxi, Shao and other passes, and Zhejiang Province's coastal defense must also be cleared." "The focus is naturally on the cleansing of coastal defense in Zhejiang Province.

This point, Daoguang, who is familiar with the ancestral teachings, thinks more clearly, out of the consideration of long-term stability of the southeast coast, Daoguang will categorically not agree to open four more treaty ports!

After a long silence, he sighed, and said in a hoarse voice: "Is there no way?" Can only watch the southeast erode? ”

Yi Zhixiang glanced at him and said, "It's not nothing." ”

"Is there a way to be content?" Qi Shanden came to his senses, and his body unconsciously leaned forward, and said, "Tell me quickly." ”

"This method is not good for adults, so it's better not to say it."

"What's the disadvantage?"

Yi Zhizhi said word by word: "The general is outside, and the king's order is not affected." ”

Qi Shan's eyes widened, and he looked at him stunned and said, "What do you mean?" Signing an agreement privately? ”

"Your Excellency is the minister of the Imperial Mission, representing the emperor." Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "If your Excellency signs an agreement with Yingyi, the British side will definitely agree. ”

He didn't say this casually on a whim, he remembered very clearly that in the real history, it was Qi Shan who privately signed the "Nose Piercing Grass Treaty" with Yilu to cede Hong Kong and pay 6 million in compensation, which shows that Qi Shan has the courage and courage.

Qi Shan's courage is not small, but when he heard this proposal at first glance, he also gasped, knowing that it was impossible for Hikari to agree, he signed an agreement with Yingyi in private, what consequences were waiting for him? This is something that can be figured out with an ass, this kid is purely cheating him! But this is really the only way to avoid war with the Yingyi.

Seeing that he was silent, Yi Zhizu smiled slightly and said, "Lord Zhongtang is really tempted?" ”

Is this kid joking? Qi Shan turned his mind and denied it, impossible! This kid is not a person who does not know the importance of things, nor is he a frivolous person, how can he joke about such a big thing? After a slight groan, he said, "Contentment is only half of what you say?" ”

"Lord Zhongtang has the courage to be able to serve the country and the people without caring about personal gains and losses, and he will dare to continue to say it later." Yi Zhizu said calmly: "The two battles of Sharpening the Knife and Dinghai, the British army can be said to be disgraced, after we return all the prisoners of war, the two plenipotentiaries of the British side, Yilu and Yilu, have no intention of fighting again, and just want to complete their errands with dignity before the arrival of reinforcements."

The question is, would the English court be satisfied with such an agreement? In the following repliantly Nakado-sama, English will not be satisfied! Even if this agreement is signed, after the arrival of the British reinforcements, they will tear up the agreement and continue the war in order to fight for greater benefits! ”

Qi Shan listened to a mouthful of mist and said puzzledly: "Then why did Ben Jue Pavilion take a big risk to sign this agreement with Yingyi?" ”

"As I said below, state-to-state diplomacy is nothing more than two - momentum and reason." Yi Zhishu said slowly: "Lord Zhongtang signed this agreement with Yingyi, and Yingyi tore up the agreement and continued to wage war, which is treacherous and unreasonable. ”

With a slight groan, Qi Shancai said: "What does it mean to be content, and you have to negotiate after the war?" Is this a preparation for future negotiations? ”

"Exactly." Yi Zhishu nodded and said: "After the big war, no matter whether you win or lose, the two sides will eventually sit back at the negotiating table. ”

"Yingyi is coerced by the power of a great victory, will he reason with us?"

Yi Zhixiang glanced at him and said, "If Yingyi wins, it is naturally useless, but what if Yingyi fails to win?" What if it's just a small victory, a miserable victory, or an undefeated victory? ”

Qi Shan said suspiciously: "Contentment is sure? ”

"How can you be sure of it?" Yi Zhicontent said with a smile: "However, if the emperor resolutely resists, the result will be difficult to say, this can be regarded as a rainy day." ”

After a slight groan, Qi Shancai said: "If you do this, I'm afraid you won't be able to wait for the war to end." ”

"Lord Zhongtang can report to the emperor truthfully." Yi Zhizhi said: "However, the mustache is cut first and then played." ”

Qi Shan still said uneasily: "Yingyi will really tear up the agreement and continue to provoke wars?" ”

"I have been dealing with British businessmen for a long time, and I know their temperament." Yi Zhi said confidently: "My lord will keep the price of cigarettes compensated low, preferably no more than three million, and the arrival of Yingyi reinforcements, the successor commander, will inevitably tear up the agreement." If you are not at ease, you can name it on the fold. ”

Seeing that he had even said this, it was obvious that he was very sure, Qi Shan thought for a moment and asked, "Is there any progress in the issuance of treasury bonds?" ”

This was to ask him if he had time, although Yi Zhixiang was reluctant to participate in the negotiations, he also knew that he couldn't hide from it, so he immediately said happily: "Everything is ready, only the east wind is owed, just wait for the printing of treasury bonds." ”

Qi Shan said: "Okay, then go to Humen with Benjue Pavilion tomorrow." ”

In the afternoon of the next day, Yi Zhizu arrived at Humen with Qi Shan's official ship, and the military generals who came to greet Guan Tianpei and his party saw that Yi Zhifen also came, and they were all very happy.

Yi Zhizhi knew that he couldn't escape this meal, so he responded happily, and immediately took out a silver ticket to arrange a banquet, and the generals dispersed in a hurry.

Qi Shan was welcomed into Humen Village and placed in the Admiral's Office, as soon as he settled down, he instructed someone to contact Yingyi and arrange negotiations, seeing this posture, Yi Zhizhi knew that he had decided to cut down first, and he couldn't help but secretly admire, with Qi Shan's status and status, it was not easy to dare to take such a risk, and the general officials came to his part, basically everything was a stable word, the pursuit of a level and eight stability, not to seek merit, but to seek no fault.

Qi Shan, who was waiting for the arrangement, went back to the room to rest, Yi Zhizhi slipped out, and as soon as he walked out of the door, Mai Tingzhang greeted him and said: "I only came out in the middle of the morning, go, the military gate has been sitting with me for a long time." ”

The two hurried to Mai Tingzhang's adjutant general's mansion, and when they walked into the lobby, they saw Guan Tianpei leaning over the table looking at the coastal defense map, listening to the footsteps, he turned his head to look, straightened up, and said with a smile: "Congratulations, congratulations." ”

Yi Zhifen quipped: "The military gate is so happy, could it be that Ba Wangzai left Guangzhou earlier?" ”

Guan Tianpei glared at him and said, "The old man is worried, you kid went to Shanghai, who will take care of this stall in Guangzhou?" ”

"Who else can take care of it?" Yi Zhizhi said: "The big shopkeeper of Yuanqi has not been replaced. ”

"Sit." Guan Tianpei sat down casually as he spoke, and said, "If you are not satisfied, the old man is going to Guangzhou in a few days." As he spoke, he raised his palm and gently swung it back, Mai Tingzhang hurriedly retreated from the lobby, and Guan Tianpei continued: "When are you going to go to Shanghai to take up your post?" ”

"Next month, if nothing else."

"How many regiments are you going to bring?"

This is the other party's concern, Yi Zhixiang smiled and said, "How much does the military gate think is appropriate to bring down?" ”

Guan Tianpei rolled his eyes and said, "Want to test the old man?" Or do you want to give the old man a problem? ”

With a smile, Yi Zhizhi said solemnly: "Don't hide it from the army, I am going to take ten battalions to Shanghai." ”

"Henan camp or flower land camp? Or is it half and half? ”

"Henan Daying." Yi Zhishu said truthfully, he couldn't be full of Guan Tianpei in this matter, and he had to tell the truth.

Guan Tianpei nodded and said nothing, of course he knew that the Henan battalion was the elite of the Yuanqi regimental training, and the Huadi battalion was basically a new recruit, which was equivalent to withdrawing all the elites of the Yuanqi regimental training, how could he not have pressure, now up and down Guangzhou, who doesn't know, the Yuanqi regimental training is the backbone of the entire Guangzhou.

Seeing that he was silent, Mai Tingzhang spoke: "All the Henan battalions have been transferred to Shanghai, and if you are content, you won't worry about the British fleet attacking Guangzhou?" ”

With a long sigh, Yi Zhizhi said: "There is still Humen in Guangzhou, but Wusongkou in Shanghai is equal to nothing. ”

This is the truth, Wusongkou Fort and Humen Fort can not be compared at all, especially after Humen Fort replaced with all Western artillery, the two can be said to be very different, the British fleet attacked Shanghai, and captured Wusongkou Fort without much effort.

Guan Tianpei didn't know what the imperial court thought, Yuan Qi undertook a national debt of 10 million, and it was just a matter of not giving benefits, but at this juncture, he actually taught Yi Zhi to be content with Shanghai Dao, and Shanghai Daodao was stationed in Shanghai, and Shanghai Zhixian was the same as the county governor of Shanghai, and it was the responsibility to defend the territory, which was not to make it clear that he wanted to divide and weaken the strength of Yuan Qi's group training.

After being silent for a long time, he said in a muffled voice: "What does the court mean? ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "The Yuanqi regiment is allowed to practice to assist in the defense of Su Song, but there is no specific number of troops involved." ”

"Why do you need a specific number of troops?" Guan Tianpei laughed and said: "Contentment is the responsibility of guarding the land in Shanghai, I am not afraid that you will not be dedicated, Yuanqi industry is all in Guangzhou, and I am not afraid that you will transfer all the Yuanqi group training to Shanghai, perhaps, Yuanqi group training will be transferred to Shanghai, which is more in line with some people's wishes." As he spoke, he sighed lightly and said, "Contentment is if you plan to, can you give the old man a secret." ”

took out a cigar and lit it, took a slow breath, and was content to speak: "Although the Huadi battalion has not experienced a war, the grassroots leaders - squad leaders, platoon commanders, and company commanders are all regimental warriors who have participated in the battle of Modaoyang and Dinghai. ”

Mai Tingzhang said: "What about Macau? ”

"Macau gave up and handed it over to the Portuguese." Yi Zhicontent said without thinking: "At the end of the year, the defense will be withdrawn from Macao, and each battalion will take turns to garrison Humen, and be familiar with the fortifications and terrain of Humen. ”

Mai Tingzhang said: "Is it possible for Yingyi to bypass Humen, land from other places, and directly attack Guangzhou?" ”

"Of course it's possible, the British are used to outflanking in a roundabout way." Yi Zhizhi said: "However, if Humen is not captured, the British army will not dare to land and outflank on a large scale, the logistics burden will not be able to keep up, and the small-scale roundabout outflanking will be completely able to deal with Yuanqi regimental training." ”

"The old man is not worried about Yingyi attacking Guangzhou, he is worried that they will outflank and attack Humen." Guan Tianpei said: "Yingyi's attack on Shanghai Wusongkou Fort and Xiamen Shibi Fort were all captured from the flank. ”

"Humen is now a fortress." Yi Zhishu said slowly: "When the British army comes from afar, it will definitely not gnaw the hard bone of Humen first, and if they can't fight a battle, it will greatly affect morale." Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and coastal defense are far inferior to Humen, and the British army will inevitably pick soft persimmons first, and besides, the British army's attack on Guangzhou is of little significance.

Comparatively speaking, Jiangning and Tianjin are more attractive than Guangzhou, and on the other hand, in the next time he entered Beijing, he once tried his best to persuade the emperor to tour Jiangning in the south, and if the emperor toured south, the British army would definitely attack Jiangning directly. ”

Hearing this, Guan Tianpei raised his eyebrows, "Contentment is a suggestion to fight with Yingyi in Jiangning?" ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "For the British army, Jiangning is much more attractive than Guangzhou. (To be continued.) )