Give two days to ask for instructions from home? Erjin's heart sank, if this was an ultimatum, the negotiations must be concluded in two days, he really didn't expect Yi Zhishu to be so strong, perhaps, this is already Yuan Qi's last bottom line!

Gro glanced at him and said, "Why don't you go and talk to Yi Zhishu directly?" ”

"It's time to talk to him directly." Erjin said, both of them know that in this Tianjin negotiation, Yi Zhicontent, the big shopkeeper of Yuanqi, who has not shown up, is the most important negotiation object, and at this point, it is indeed time to negotiate directly with the other party, however, he is a little uncertain in his heart, will the other party meet them?

After a slight sigh, he said: "I'm afraid that Yi Zhishu doesn't want to talk to us, it's best to find a suitable person to take us to visit." ”

"Su Shun, Su Zhongtang." Gro said without thinking.

The wind is blowing, the rain is raining, the tiled roof of the house is crackling, Yi Zhizhi glanced at the gloomy sky, and estimated that the heavy rain was afraid that it would be a while, Zhao Wenlie held a big black umbrella and walked quickly through the yard, stomped his feet in the corridor, and said with a smile: "The spring drought in the northern region has been nine years in ten years, and this heavy rain came in time to alleviate this year's spring drought." ”

Yi Zhizu slowly paced out and said: "I remember that at the turn of spring and summer last year, the Yongding River overflowed one after another, and the rivers rose at the same time, and Yongqing, Gu'an, and Guangping counties were flooded...... Yuanqi also gave relief. ”

"The northern provinces have hardly had peace in recent years...... Zhao Wenlie put away the umbrella and changed his words, "Su Zhongtang led Erjin and Ge Luo to visit, and they were outside the gate. ”

"It seems that they are not giving up." Yi Zhishu sneered: "Since they are here, let them in." ”

Yi Zhizhi didn't go to the door to greet him, he was no stranger to Erjin and Gro, he had dealt with several times during the negotiations between Macau and Tianjin, and Su Shun, who was waiting, got up and smiled when the two entered the room: "As early as when I was in Macau, I said that this war, we are fighting and talking, talking and fighting, or talking and fighting, and now it seems that this war is still necessary." ”

He said these words directly in English, and Ergin remembered that during the negotiations in Macao, the other party had indeed said this, but now that he has translated it, it is quite threatening.

Erjin took off his hat and then spoke: "Your Excellency, we do not want this completely wrong war to continue. ”

Only now to realize that it was a false war? Yi Zhizu showed a sarcastic smile, stretched out his hand to sit down, and after sitting down, he said straightforwardly: "I think my attitude has been expressed very clearly...... ”

"If this war continues, I think it will be a huge mistake for both of us," Ergin said. ”

"Whether it's a mistake or not, we're ready for a long-term war." Yi Zhixiang looked at each other levelly, and said, "I don't think that Prime Minister Palmerston of your country wants to use this war to divert the domestic economic crisis, right?" This is not a wise choice. ”

"No, no, no." Ergin hurriedly corrected: "If the war continues, it can only be for the honor of Great Britain, and not for other reasons." ”

The two fought with each other, fighting against each other, and the English used directly, Ge Luo understood it, but Su Shun and Zhao Wenlie were a little dumbfounded, but fortunately, Lin Meilian followed in time and translated softly.

"Your country is fighting for honor, and our country is fighting for dignity." Yi Zhicontent said in a low voice: "Then carry this war to the end!" ”

The conversation collapsed in a few words, and Gro was also a little dumbfounded, and hurriedly mediated: "Your Excellency, the trade between the East and the West will not be cut off because of this war, for the sake of future trade, for the sake of normal diplomatic relations between the two sides in the future, I hope Your Excellency will give us a little dignity." ”

Speaking of this, he paused slightly, and then said quickly: "We can pay half of all weapons, including the battleship, as the price of taking the initiative to retreat." ”

Half of the payment? Yi Zhishu was really a little surprised, I didn't expect Gro to make this suggestion, it can be seen that the two of them were also forced to be ruthless, it should be that Britain and France could not accept surrender, otherwise, they would not have made such a suggestion!

Listening to the translator, Su Shun and Zhao Wenlie were also a little stunned, it was obvious that Gro's proposal was already the maximum concession, if he insisted on surrendering, this negotiation would end in a breakdown, thinking about this, the two looked at Yi Zhizhi together to see how he replied.

Yi Zhishu was silent for a while, then looked at Ergin and said, "Temasek originally belonged to the Sultanate of Malacca, and it was forcibly occupied by your country, and we must take it back. ”

The Sultanate of Malacca has nothing to do with the Qing Dynasty, and the reason why it is said to be repossessed, rather than ceded, is naturally to maintain the dignity of the British.

As he muttered to himself, Gro said, "Temasek is a free trade port, if your country takes it back, will it change its nature?" ”

With such a well-intentioned question, Yi Zhixiang hesitated and immediately said without thinking: "Of course not, Temasek is a free trade port, and this will never change!" ”

"In this way, we are relieved." Gro smiled and said, this attitude is very clear, as long as Temasek does not change the free trade port, it makes no difference to France in the hands of Britain or Qingguo.

Without waiting for Erjin to speak, Yi Zhizhi continued: "All the land on the southern shore of the Strait of Malacca belongs to our country, and it is an indisputable fact that we jointly control the strait. ”

Hearing this, Ergin suddenly became enlightened, indeed, since it is no longer possible to monopolize the Strait of Malacca, why do you need to keep holding Temasek? After a slight sigh, he said in a deep voice: "I will try my best to lobby the mainland to give up Temasek, but we hope to extend the lease term in Hong Kong as much as possible." ”

After some consideration, Yi Zhizhi nodded and said, "Yes!" ”

The matter was finalized, Erjin and Ge Luo were anxious to send a telegram, and after a few polite greetings, they got up to say goodbye, while Su Shun stayed on the grounds that it was raining heavily outside, and took a few sips of tea before he tentatively said: "The Xiyi coalition army is now a turtle in an urn, why did Brother Guocheng agree to capture only half of the warships and weapons?" ”

Yi Zhizhi lit a cigarette and said slowly: "Although I am not afraid that the war will continue, it is more in the interests of Yuan Qi to end the war as soon as possible, half of the capture is enough, this kind of sail battleship is already facing elimination, and it is useless to have more." ”

Zhao Wenlie continued: "Regarding the railway from Jingshi to Shengjing, Britain and France seem to be a little reluctant, and there may be repeated ....... ”

"Even if Britain and France agree, there are still many details to be discussed." Yi Zhizhi said: "From Beijing to Shengjing, more than 700 kilometers, although the railway construction technology is becoming more and more mature, the cost has been greatly reduced, but the cost of one kilometer is still equivalent to 30,000 or 40,000 silver dollars, which is 30 million silver dollars."

How could Britain and France be willing to pay such a large sum of silver? We will have to cut our expenses as much as possible, such as land acquisition, subgrade earthworks, hired workers, etc., and you must be mentally prepared for this...... Try your best when negotiating. ”

Two days later, Erjin and Gro received telegrams from China, agreeing in principle to a draft agreement, but there were many details to be discussed and finalized, and the negotiations began again.

Yi Zhishu completely left the negotiation matter to Zhao Wenlie, and immediately sent a telegram to recall Yan Yangtian, Feng Renxuan, Chen Hongming, Xiao Mingming, and Seng Lingqin to Tianjin.

The Tiancheng Han family, the head of the "Tianjin Eight Families", won a big fortune this time, Yi Zhizu came to the door in person and gave the Han family enough face, as for what benefits were given, no one knew, but Han Yinjie, the head of the Han family, took out 10,000 silver dollars to reward the Tiancheng shopkeeper and the servants at home, this matter is boiling in Tianjin Weichuan, everyone knows it, everyone knows that the Han family must have received great benefits, and the gentleman and businessman who went out of the city to avoid trouble heard about it, and they regretted it one by one and even their intestines were green.

Two days later, Yan Yangtian, Feng Renxuan, Chen Hongming, Xiao Mingliang, Wu Yundong, Seng Lingqin, and Zaizhao gathered at the headquarters of the Haiphong Office. ”

Hearing this, Xiao Mingliang was secretly excited, Chen Hongming also vaguely guessed Yi Zhi's intentions, but the other people were a little inexplicable, and Seng Lingqin and Zai Zhao were a little nervous, both of them were worried that Yi Zhizu would attack Jingshi.

After a slight pause, Yi Zhishu turned around and opened the curtain on the wall, revealing a huge map of Goryeo, "On the side of the couch, he sleeps soundly, relative to Jinjing, the geographical location of Goryeo is extremely important, although Goryeo has always been a model of the Qing vassal state, but no matter how good the vassal state is, it is also a vassal state."

In the past, the vassal state of Goryeo was retained as a buffer zone with the Wa State and the need to defend the Northeast, but now the Wa State has become a vassal state of the Qing Dynasty, and the vassal state of Goryeo has completely lost the meaning of existence. ”

Monk Greenqin and Zaizhao couldn't react for a while, and when they came back to their senses, Monk Greenqin said: "Sending troops to vassal countries for no reason is not a trivial matter, and this matter can be reported to the emperor?" ”

"Report to the Emperor?" Yi Zhisuff sneered: "The emperor will allow troops to be sent to Goryeo?" ”

Monk Lingqin was silent for a while before he said, "This king doesn't dare to send troops to Goryeo without following the order. ”

Hearing this, Zaizhao also hurriedly said: "Yes, if you don't follow the order, it is impossible for the officers and soldiers of the Beiyang Naval Division to go to Goryeo." ”

"Then you will go to Beijing to make a report." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "If the imperial court does not send troops, Yuan Qi will fight by himself, and then establish a province and send officials to govern, if it is a conquest by the imperial court, it will be handed over to the imperial court to govern." ”

"Is that true?" Monk Lingqin asked happily, this is tantamount to forcing the imperial court to send troops.

"It's more real than real money!" Yi Zhizu joked: "Yuan Qi fought in the east and west, and fought in the south and the north, isn't it all for the imperial court to expand its territory?" This expedition to Goryeo was just a quick one. ”

"Good!" Monk Greenqin glanced at Zaizhao, stood up and said, "This king will return to Beijing!" ”

"I will go to Beijing with the monk king." Zai Zhao said, he knew that the Beiyang Sailor had to participate in this matter.

Yi Zhishu nodded, "Go and come back quickly, wait for the two good news." ”

After the monks and Zaizhao left, Xiao Mingliang said tentatively: "Principal, let's really make a wedding dress for the imperial court?" ”

"Learn to think big." Yi Zhizhi lit a cigarette and said slowly: "When it comes to the outside world, the interests of Yuan Qi and the imperial court are the same, and now that Yuan Qi is outside the imperial court, many things can be unscrupulous, and even kidnap the imperial court." ”

"The big shopkeeper." Feng Renxuan said softly: "After all, Goryeo is a vassal state of the Great Qing Dynasty, and if it is not guilty, will it cause panic among other vassal states?" ”

"If the imperial court wants to send troops to conquer Goryeo, even if there are no trumped-up charges, more than a dozen articles can be drawn up, so there is no need to worry about this." Yi Zhi said disapprerovingly: "Besides, we have conquered and annexed a lot of vassal states, and besides, the scale of Yuanqi's new army has also kept up, even if all the vassal states are panicked and not afraid, it is a big deal to conquer them one by one."

In the past, the land transportation was inconvenient, the communication was difficult, the sea was difficult and dangerous, and the navy was not prosperous, which allowed so many vassal states to exist, but now it can be said that earth-shaking changes have taken place, and with the development of railways, telegraphs, and navigation, no matter how vast the territory is, it is necessary to effectively govern the territory, and those vassal states have no need to exist. ”

Speaking of this, he paused, "What we are doing now is to lay the foundation for the strong rise of the Qing Dynasty, for the benefit of future generations, do not have any psychological burden, these vassal states, there is no good thing, judging from the current world situation, now is the best time to annex the surrounding vassal states." Ethnic integration, cultural identity, and the effective consolidation of rule all take time, not later. ”

"Subordinates are taught." Feng Renxuan said loudly.

"The heart of conquering Goryeo, Yuanqi has long had it, and after the conquest of the Wa Kingdom, he began to collect information about Goryeo." Yi Zhishu said and took a stack of materials from the desk, "Let's take a look, and then discuss it, formulate a plan to conquer Goryeo, and when the four-nation alliance is completely over, we will send troops to Goryeo." ”

"Subordinates obey orders." Everyone hurriedly stood up and responded.

Yi Zhishu stretched out his hand and pressed it, "You look at the information first, and discuss it first." As he spoke, he paced out with his hands behind his back, in fact, he conquered Goryeo, not on his whim, as early as when formulating the plan for the battle of Jinjing, he made a two-handed plan, and Jinjing fought smoothly, so he took advantage of the situation to conquer Goryeo.

He had to tighten the fence of Asia before the formation of the world colonial system at the end of the 19th century, and he had to completely assimilate some vassal states that were vital to China before the tide of the world's national liberation movements!