Just when Feng Yunshan was rejoicing in the phosphate fertilizer and oil fields, the Governor's Mansion on Hong Kong Island, which took three years to build, was finally completed in the middle of the Central on Hong Kong Island. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

Amid the sound of crackling firecrackers, the British Governor of Hong Kong and Minister to China, the former British Consul in Shanghi, Alex Alle, the Commander of the British Fleet in China, the French Minister Bourbulon, the US Commissioner to China, and the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in China and Consul Bo Jia in Guangzhou gathered together to celebrate the completion of the Governor's Palace on Hong Kong Island.

However, because Guangzhou was occupied by the Taiping Holy Kingdom for two years, the trade volume of British merchants has decreased significantly, resulting in a great decrease in the income of the British and Hong Kong governorates. Originally planned to be built for four years to build the magnificent Hong Kong Governor's Palace, only a two-story western-style building was hastily completed. Moreover, because Shanghi was occupied by the Taiping Holy Kingdom, the entire foreigners in the Far East were overshadowed.

Therefore, the inauguration ceremony of the Governor's Palace on Hong Kong Island is not so grand.

Several countries with major ideas once again gathered together to discuss their China policy.

Britain, as the big brother, naturally dominates the topic and direction. Both Ali and the commander of the British Fleet in China, Stephen Rodger, had to rush back to London, but their purposes were different.

Regarding the China policy, it doesn't matter if he gives Deling, anyway, he is old, and when the one-year term is up, he just wants to return to his hometown to retire and retire in peace. But Ali Guo has other plans. He strongly disagreed with Bao Ling's current attitude towards the Taiping Holy Kingdom.

The failure of competing with Bao Ling for the governor of Hong Kong and the minister to China made him extremely dissatisfied, but now Bao Ling actually said that he was considering the overall situation, because the Crimean War could not mobilize troops, and he asked for temporary patience, and after the victory of the war in Europe, he would send a large army to attack the Holy Kingdom.

For this, Ali Guo is extremely angry! The dignified United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the hegemon of the world, the empire on which the sun never sets, should have consigned to the rebel forces of a so-called "ancient civilization" that are all barbarians, and this is not a great disgrace for Queen Victoria?

This time, Ali Guo wanted to go back to London, ask someone to personally find the British Foreign Minister and even Queen Victoria, explain the interests, organize the British naval fleet to come to the Far East, and use force to show the holy country the interests of the empire on which the sun never sets.

The French minister, Bourblon, although he was increasingly dissatisfied with the Holy Country, was reluctant to take a growing share of the deal with China and had an ambiguous attitude.

The most hateful thing is that the United States has become closer and closer to the Taiping Holy Kingdom, and some people even suspect that the former commissioner Mashali is colluding with the Holy Kingdom and others. Now that the new commissioner Mai Lian has arrived, the state has changed, but the practical style of the Americans, who knows if the holy country will get over them again as soon as they are slightly wooed.

In fact, Mai Lian was really entangled, but in the end, his thoughts were determined by the ultimate interests, and he could not work with the British. But the dignity of Westerners makes him unable to pull down his face and completely cater to the Taiping Holy Kingdom. He can only swim ahead of the two, and both sides will get cheap and make real profits.

Shortly after the departure of Bourblon, Mai Lian, Bo Jia, and others, two Chinese faces with braided hair and Manchu dress appeared in the newly completed governor's palace, led by two Englishmen.

"Sir Bao Ling, below is the translation secretary of the British Consulate in Sheung Hi, Li Tai, and there are two important people who want to meet Sir Lee." A young Englishman finished speaking and led the two men out behind him.

Ali Guo had long recognized that the person who came was his subordinate, a young translator, and he also took a Chinese name, Li Tai. And the two behind him, the one in front of him is an old acquaintance, Wu Jianzhang, the former Manchu Qing Dynasty's Shanghi Daotai; The other is extraordinary, although Wu Jianzhang walked in front of this person, he did not dare to straighten his waist and bow his head, showing that this person's status is extremely noble. It must be a big man from the Manchu capital!

"It turned out to be Lord Wu! It's been a long time! Adults have been having a hard time lately, haven't they? Ali Guo took the lead and greeted Wu Jianzhang.

"Mr. Consul, it's hard to put into words! Wu is no longer in the position of the Taoist, and Shanghi is also occupied by Cantonese thieves, and the world is unpredictable! Mr. Consul, Wu was able to be pardoned by the emperor of the Qing Dynasty this time, all thanks to the help of an adult, come and come, let Wu introduce you. Wu Jianzhang said with a wry smile, turning sideways to let the person who was very generous after his birth.

"This is my important minister in front of the Qing Emperor, the cabinet bachelor, the left attendant of the Ministry of Works, and the imperial guard Su Shunsu." Wu Jianzhang bowed his head and greeted Su Shun in front of everyone.

I saw Su Shun drop the coat of an ordinary scholar, without squinting, he stood up with his head held high, and said to Ah Li Guo in front of him: "Hello Mr. Consul!" The official is obedient. ”

Ali Guo was about to say something, but Li Taitai continued to introduce: "Lord Su, Lord Wu, this is my British Minister to China, Sir Bao Ling, Governor of Hong Kong Island. Whatever you have, you can talk to Sir about it. After saying that, Li Tai stepped aside with interest.

Before Bao Ling could speak, Ali Guo had already snatched the words with a big grin: "It turned out to be Lord Su of His Majesty the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and he really admired him for a long time. Don't know what's going on? ”

"Mr. Consul, and Sir Boling, can we find a place to sit down and talk in detail?" Su Shun said with a smile, of course, both Ali Guo and Bao Ling could understand his Chinese.

Bao Ling smiled and said in standard Chinese: "This is the British Governor's Palace, it is the most top-secret, there will be no outsiders to disturb it, if there is anything, just say it directly!" After speaking, he also looked at Ali Guo.

Although the two fought in private, in front of outsiders, they would never show the slightest sign and unanimously defended the interests of Great Britain.

Su Shun remembered the words that the emperor had explained to him when he left Beijing, and he felt nervous for a while. He was ordered to come to the British for help! The emperor put aside the face of the Celestial Empire, sent him as the chief envoy, and Wu Jianzhang as the deputy envoy, and came to the governor of Hong Kong to ask the British for help, and asked the British to send troops to assist the Qing Dynasty in suppressing the rebellious party.

Su Shun knew that this matter could not be publicized, otherwise the face of the court would be completely finished. Moreover, it must be done, otherwise, the emperor will not be able to explain it.

But the key is that the emperor vaguely did not say what price he was willing to pay, but only said that he could give the British some sweetness appropriately. It's really hard to get along with that.

On the one hand, he wanted to emulate the foreigners' armament, buy foreign guns, foreign guns, and even warships, and develop a new type of army, but on the other hand, he rejected the foreigners and did not want to see the Qing Dynasty being bullied by the foreigners.

Su Shun saw that the few people present, except for himself and Wu Jianzhang, were all British, so he nodded at Wu Jianzhang.

Wu Jianzhang understood and knew that this kind of undignified thing was undignified, so Lord Su Shun was reluctant to say it, so he cleared his throat and said, "Sir Bao Ling, Mr. Ali Guo, and Your Excellency Shi Deling, Lord Su Shun came this time because I heard that the consulate of Shanghi Concession and your country was occupied by the rebels, and I have come to express my condolences. At the same time, on behalf of the Qing Dynasty, Lord Sushun wants to establish an alliance with your country to deal with the rebels in the south. ”

Wu Jianzhang saw that Bao Ling wanted to speak, grabbed the words, and continued: "Of course, the requirements that your country put forward before, such as opening more treaty ports and expanding concessions, can also be considered by our Qing Dynasty. ”

Wu Jianzhang threw out the bait, which made Ali Guo's heart move and look at Bao Ling.

Bao Ling shook his head and said, "Great Britain and the Taiping Holy Kingdom have always had a good relationship, and this minister has always adhered to Great Britain's neutral position. It is not advisable to intervene in the internal affairs of your country. ”

Wu Jianzhang didn't believe it in his heart, but he felt that this foreigner disliked the conditions he drove was too poor, so he had to look at Su Shun and let him make up his mind.

Su Shun understood that he came to beg a foreigner, and this foreigner would definitely sell at a price, but he had to complete the task, so he helplessly showed a smile and said: "Your Excellency, the cooperation between the two countries to suppress bandits is actually a win-win situation." As long as your country sends troops to assist our Qing court in exterminating the traitorous party, this official agrees to open ten more treaty ports, allow missionary work, and reduce customs duties by 30%, and hand them over to your country's personnel to manage. In addition, all the salaries of your soldiers are paid by the Qing Dynasty, and the bereavement benefits for the dead or wounded in battle are also borne by the Qing Dynasty. ”

Ali Guo was shocked! This condition is too tempting. This is much more lucrative than the re-amendment of the treaty that the former minister Wen Han and his state of Ali have always demanded.

Ci Deling was also dumbfounded. He didn't expect that the rich conditions that could not be achieved with war were actually proposed by the Qing people themselves this time, and the condition was to help them attack the rebels. It is conceivable that Qing Guo was also forced to have no choice.

Bao Ling is also a huge shock in his heart! He also didn't expect that the Qing Congress would offer such conditions. If he had troops on hand, it was estimated that he would immediately agree, but helplessly, in the entire Far East, the British troops were already pitifully small, and they could not afford to go out except for barely protecting themselves.

"It's not that Britain is unwilling to help, but there has been a war in Europe recently, and most of my British troops have been transferred to the European battlefield, and they are really powerless to help. I'm sorry! Bao Ling still shook his head, but he didn't say anything to death, "However, Ali Guo is about to return to China, so you can bring your country's request back to London and report it directly to Her Majesty, and perhaps, you can persuade Her Majesty to squeeze out some troops here." ”

Bao Ling can be described as a cunning man, and his remarks pushed the whole problem to Ali Guo and London, whether he sent troops or not, he was not wrong. Moreover, the more this is the case, according to his experience, the more the Qing people will offer preferential conditions.

Ali Guo also nodded and said, "What Sir said is reasonable. If you don't feel at ease, Lord Wu, you know English anyway, why don't you come with me to London and meet Her Majesty in person to show your sincerity. ”

Su Shun thought for a while, gritted his teeth and said: "In this case, Lord Wu, you will go to the West, if it is done, this official will not only restore you to your position, but also promote you to the next level." But if it doesn't work out, well, your family is still in the capital, so let's do it yourself. ”

Two hours later, Su Shun, accompanied by Li Taitai, quietly left Hong Kong Island on a merchant ship bound for Ningbo.