On the afternoon of the second day after the opening of the cable telegram with Europe, Ergin sent a telegram pleading for the resumption of negotiations.

"This time it should be a sincere negotiation, right?" Zhao Wenlie said with a smile: "It seems that the total annihilation of Grant's 12,000 people really frightened them." ”

"Britain and France are not scared." Yi Zhishu said slowly: "Whether this war ends or lasts depends on the outcome of the negotiations." ”

"The big shopkeeper means ......." Zhao Wenlie pondered and said, "Can't it be too much? ”

"If you want to end this war, you can't go too far." Yi Zhizu nodded slightly: "The war heritage and military strength of Britain and France are unquestionable, and the dignity they deserve must be given, otherwise, the war will continue." After a pause, he continued: "In this negotiation, Huifu will talk to them on behalf of Yuan Qi. ”

Zhao Wenlie was stunned, and then reacted, this is not that he does not attach importance to it, but attaches great importance to it, so he will let him talk first, so as to leave room for maneuver, he does not shirk, and even said: "The terms of the amendment, please also ask the big shopkeeper to make it clear." ”

"Remember." Yi Zhizhi said and took out the jade cigarette holder and lit a cigarette, and Zhao Wenlie, who was taking it, was ready to take notes, and then he said slowly: "All the troops in Bohai Bay and on the ground in Jinjing must surrender, and all prisoners of war can be repatriated unconditionally." ”

Zhao Wenlie quickly recorded that he participated in the Tianjin negotiations of Gro throughout the whole process, and naturally knew that the difference between this article was that the British detachment cruising in the East China Sea was excluded from the scope of surrender, and the prisoners of war could be repatriated, which potentially meant that the weapons and equipment and warships had to be left behind.

"The war military indemnity can be appropriately changed to fund the construction of the railway, and the construction of the railway from Beijing to Shengjing will be equally divided with the imperial court."

Zhao Wenlie listened to it, but he didn't ask much, and quickly recorded it, but he wondered in his heart, is this a gesture of goodwill to the court? In this current situation, even if it is a gesture of goodwill to the imperial court, I am afraid that it will not have the slightest effect.

"Gurkha, Lomintang, Zuomulang (the above three places are Nepal), Zhemengxiong (Sikkim), Bulukba (Bhutan), Assam, Ladakh, Burma, Siam, Annam, etc., are all vassal states of our Great Qing Dynasty, and no country can touch them."

Yi Zhizu said slowly: "These vassal states are not disputed, and the focus is on Bengal and the Strait of Malacca. Bengal was now under the control of the Taipings, and it was possible to negotiate with the British, who needed a buffer zone between the Qing and the British Empire. As for the Strait of Malacca, it is impossible for the British to give up, but we also have to bite a piece down, three ports, let's want one, Temasek (Singapore)! ”

Zhao Wenlie, who was waiting, stopped writing, and he continued: "The Luzon Islands and the Java Islands are originally vassal states of China, and they must be returned unconditionally by signing a formal treaty between Spain and the Netherlands. ”

After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Wenlie said: "Luzon and Java don't seem to be the vassal ....... of the Qing Dynasty. ”

"During the Ming Dynasty, Luzon and Java were our vassal states."

"If you count it like this, we will have more vassal states....... Will it cause panic? ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "Don't worry, Britain and France will not fight for Luzon and Java, Spain and the Netherlands are not as big as our fists, what we say is what we say." As he spoke, he changed his head, "Of course, we also want to give them some benefits, and the three ports of Manila, Groba and Temasek are all designated as treaty ports!" ”

Although he made a lot of concessions, Zhao Wenlie still felt that this negotiation was a bit difficult, and after a slight groan, he said: "In terms of territory, the concessions made are not big, and the British are afraid that it will be difficult to agree." ”

"The British were motivated by commerce, wealth, and markets for the sake of commerce, wealth, and markets, not for territorial expansion, and it can be said that they didn't really care much about overseas territories." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Britain has countless overseas colonies known as the 'empire on which the sun never sets', and they don't care about that place in Bangladesh at all, the Strait of Malacca is what they care about." ”

Zhao Wenlie nodded slightly, that is to say, Temasek is the focus of the competition, and after a slight groan, he said: "The students are really a little confused, Yuan Qi paid money and troops to fight this battle, why did he build the railway from Jingshi to Shengjing, and the ownership was divided equally with the imperial court." ”

"There's no way around it." Yi Zhisuff said with a smile: "The Northeast wants to build a railway, this Liangjing railway is just the beginning, the imperial court has been adopting a policy of banning the Northeast, even if it is forced to let go, it will inevitably be a long process, the construction of the railway, will promote the opening up and development of the Northeast at the fastest speed."

Expecting the imperial court to build a railway, it is impossible at all, Yuan Qi paid money to build, and the imperial court may not allow it, adopt the method of official supervision and business, and there is no foundation in the northeast, so it is best to let Britain and France build this railway in the form of reparations, and Britain and France are also willing to build this railway....... ”

Zhao Wenlie said suspiciously: "Will Britain and France be willing to build this railway?" ”

"Of course." Yi Zhizu knocked the cigarette ash and said slowly: "The reason why Britain and France dare to choose to attack Jinjing shows that they know the contradictions between Yuanqi and the imperial court very well, and their construction of this railway is not only convenient for strengthening cooperation with the imperial court, but also conducive to opening up the northern market of the Qing Dynasty, and furthermore, speeding up the development of the northeast is also of great benefit to them." ”

Zhao Wenlie nodded, he had vaguely guessed that Yi Zhizhi spared no effort to promote the development of the Northeast in order to cut off the Manchu Qing's retreat in the Northeast, and this Liangjing Railway may be a trap for the imperial court at all! After thinking for a while, he asked, "Hong Kong, what is the plan of the big shopkeeper?" ”

"Naturally, it will be withdrawn, but this issue will be discussed by the imperial court." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Send someone to call Su Shun, and the Liangjing Railway must also communicate with the imperial court." ”

Su Shun came quickly, and as soon as they met, Yi Zhixiang smiled and said, "Give a great credit to Brother Yuting ......." He briefly explained the situation.

Give up the war reparations between Britain and France, and build a railway from Beijing to Shengjing free of charge with Britain and France, and divide the ownership of Yuanqi and the imperial court equally? Su Shun had a feeling of pie falling from the sky, how could he feel that this thing was a little unreal, he looked at Yi Zhizhi with a suspicious expression, "Brother Guocheng is not joking?" ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "If the imperial court doesn't want it, then build a railway from Changsha to Jiangning, of course, the ownership belongs to Yuanqi, there is nothing to do with the imperial court, I can give the imperial court some compensation in terms of spoils." ”

This kind of good thing that is hard to find with a lantern, how can it be pushed out? How much more can the loot be compensated for? How much is a railroad worth? Even if it is half of the ownership, there is no comparison between the two at all, Su Shun hurriedly said: "Yes, why not?" ”

Yi Zhishu said slowly: "Report to the imperial court, I have to say that you have worked hard to get it." ”

There's a problem here! There must be a problem! Su Shun pondered for a moment before he tentatively said, "Brother Guocheng shouldn't be looking at the Northeast, right?" ”

"If Yuan Qi gets involved in the Northeast, the court will have to work hard." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "The purpose of building this railway is to promote the development and development of the Northeast as soon as possible and consolidate the Northeast Frontier.

The construction of this railway is also a rainy day, and I did not dare to rely on the imperial court to build a railway in the northeast, so I took this opportunity to let Britain and France repair it, but at present, I have not yet negotiated with Britain and France, so I will first inquire about the opinions of the imperial court. ”

Su Shun said tentatively: "Can the ownership of this railway be given to the imperial court?" ”

"Yuan Qi sent money and troops to fight this battle, and the benefits were all given to the imperial court, what is Yuan Qi's plan?" Yi Zhishu glanced at him, "Want ownership?" Yes! Trade for real benefits! ”

Hearing this, Su Shun put his mind at ease, and said with a smile: "That's it, it's not a trivial matter, I have to go back to Beijing to see Your Majesty." ”

Yi Zhixiang said with a smile: "The negotiations will only be held tomorrow, so there is no need to be in such a hurry." ”

Coming out of the Haiphong Office, Su Shun rushed straight to the train station, and entered the palace two hours later, Xianfeng was summoning Peng Yunzhang, and when he heard the report that Su Shun asked to see him, he immediately realized that there was something urgent, and even if he ordered, "Let him come in." ”

After Su Shun came in to greet him, Xianfeng asked directly: "The battle of Majiakou in Tianjin, is it true?" ”

"Back to the emperor." Su Shun hurriedly said: "The slave played, there is no half-word falsehood. ”

Xianfeng said in disbelief: "The Xiyi coalition army is so vulnerable? ”

"It's not that the Xiyi coalition army is vulnerable, but that Yuan Qixin's combat power is too strong." Su Shun said in a deep voice: "In the first battle of Majiakou, the slave led a group of officers of the Beiyang Naval Division who were stranded in Tianjin to the battlefield to observe, and witnessed it with their own eyes, it was really shocking, the strength of the new army of Yuanqi, the first was artillery, followed by grenades, and then rifles, and the weapons were far better than those of the Xiyi coalition army. ”

Xianfeng frowned, "The Eight Banners New Army and the Xiyi Coalition Army, which is better or worse?" ”

"Back to the emperor." Su Shun said bluntly: "In the opinion of a slave, the New Army of the Eight Banners is slightly inferior. ”

Not even as good as the Xiyi Coalition Army, let alone the Yuanqi New Army? Xianfeng couldn't help but be worried, and pondered for a while before he spoke: "What is the matter with returning to Beijing?" ”

"Back to the emperor." Su Shun hurriedly said: "Yuanqi has resumed cable telegraph communication with Europe, and the Xiyi coalition army has proposed negotiations again, this time it should be sincere peace talks to end the war, Yi Zhizhi is also interested in peace talks, and is ready to make appropriate concessions, and change the British and French alliance's compensation for the war military expenses to build the railway free of charge."

Yi Zhizhi planned to build a railway from Changsha to Jiangning, so as to run through Jingshi to Guangzhou, and the slave felt that it was best to delay the breakthrough, so as to propose the construction of a railway from Jingshi to Shengjing, and the ownership of the railway, the imperial court and Yuan Qi shared the ....... equally. ”

The railway from Jingshi to Shengjing? Xianfeng frowned, although the ban on the Northeast has been lifted and immigration to the Northeast has been encouraged, but he has always regarded the Northeast as a retreat for the Manchus, so he is naturally very sensitive to this? He immediately asked, "Yi Zhishu agrees?" ”

"On the grounds of developing the Northeast and consolidating the Northeast Frontier, it is easy to be content, and it is not easy to be right, after all, the lifting of the ban in the Northeast was proposed by him." Su Shun said with a calm expression: "The slave secretly thinks that the construction of the Liangjing Railway can not only greatly promote the development of Northeast China, but also ...... with the promotion of cooperation with Britain and France." ”

Peng Yunzhang, who had been silent, said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, even if you want to build a railway from Beijing to Shengjing, you can't let Yuan Qi get involved. ”

"Your Majesty." Su Shun hurriedly said: "The slave has also been tempted, and Yi Zhizu agreed to give up the ownership of the Liangjing Railway, but he wants the imperial court to give real benefits in exchange, after all, this battle is dominated by Yuanqi." ”

Hearing this, Xianfeng relaxed his vigilance and asked, "Britain and France agreed to build this railway?" ”

"Nope." Su Shun said: "Yi Zhi's contentment means, the railway from Changsha to Jiangning and the railway from Jingshi to Shengjing are put forward for Britain and France to choose." ”

For the imperial court, if you want to choose between the two railways, you will naturally choose the latter, and Xianfeng said: "Try to lobby Britain and France to choose the Liangjing Railway." ”

"Servant Honor." Su Shun answered with joy.

"Your Majesty." Peng Yunzhang said slowly: "Since it is the resumption of negotiations with Britain and France, the Hong Kong leased by Emperor Xuanzongcheng must take the opportunity to take it back. ”

Su Shun said: "This matter was mentioned by Yi Zhi, and he suggested that the minister of the imperial court should raise it head-on. ”

Although Hong Kong is just an insignificant place, after all, it was forcibly leased by the British from Daoguang, and Daoguang has been depressed for a long time, and now that he has the opportunity to take it back, Xianfeng is naturally unwilling to miss this opportunity.

However, as soon as he thought about it, he felt that something was wrong, and if he forcibly took back Hong Kong, would it affect the relationship between the imperial court and the British in the future? Now he intended to bring the imperial court closer to Britain and France.

After a slight hesitation, he spoke: "Hong Kong was leased out when Yi Zhixiang signed the Jiangning Treaty, let him mention it." ”

On the morning of the next day, Ergin and Ge Luo rushed to Tianjin, and the Tianjin negotiations officially began, and after three days of arduous negotiations, the basic draft agreement had been issued, but there were three points, and the two sides were deadlocked, one was surrender, and Britain and France insisted on withdrawing their troops instead of surrendering.

The second is Temasek, the British resolutely refuse to cede Temasek, the three ports of the Straits of Malacca Settlements, none of the British are willing to give up, for the British, control of the Straits of Malacca, is equivalent to control the trade between the East and the West, and it is very tough on this point.

The third is Hong Kong, the British are unwilling to give up Hong Kong, and they don't know whether to save face or reluctant to get the opportunity to lend.

After listening to Zhao Wenlie's report, Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "The surrender of the four-nation alliance is the basis of this negotiation, if you don't surrender, there is no need for the negotiation to be held, let's continue to fight!" This is non-negotiable!

Hong Kong is a matter of sovereignty of the Qing Dynasty and must be recovered! If the British are unwilling to budge, they can first abolish the right to garrison troops, and then sign a lease term of ten or eight years, to retain them a little dignity, and Macao will adopt the same method.

As for Temasek, the importance of the Strait of Malacca is self-evident, it is in the hands of the British, we are not at ease, we must be managed by both sides, this is already the biggest concession we can make, there is no possibility of retreat! ”

After a pause, he continued: "Tell them my attitude, and give them two days to ask for instructions from home." ”