Chapter 98 The dust settles

At Xiyin Academy, Ye Zhao was tasting tea while listening to the report of the Ningguo grain interception case and the results of the process.

The grain ship has been released, Gao Zhihou, the governor of Ningguo Prefecture, was dismissed from office and handled. More than a dozen gentry who deceived the villagers and slandered the countrymen and were imprisoned, and more than a hundred people were beaten.

Sun Bozheng is carrying out thunder means.

Ye Zhao savored the tea and didn't say much.

"Prince, my subordinates have collected another 50 dan of grain and rice into Ningguo to help the villagers. Ningguo Mansion has now been Ningguo. My subordinates have been criticized and were very frightened this time. But if this is not the case, the unruly people in the Jiangsu and Anhui areas will be rampant, and many troubles will surely arise in the future."

Looking at Sun Bozheng's triangular eyes, Ye Zhao nodded slightly. Sun Bozheng's reputation among the people in the future will not be better. I think he is already a cruel official among the people.

After looking at the memorials on the table, the Minister of Agriculture Li Hongzhang also wrote a note to the bullet chin Sun Bozheng was too strict, and the establishment of a prison caused panic among the people of Su and Anhui. He also said that the whole place of Su and Anhui had just been pacified and should be pacified.

Although Sun Bozheng was recommended by Li Xiaocun as the supervisor of Guangdong Customs and had a good relationship with Li Xiaocun, Li Hongzhang's comment may not be a party dispute. Li Hongzhang strives for stability in his work and pays attention to stability, but his temperament has never changed.

"You go." Ye Zhao waved.

Sun Bo was bowing and slowly retreated.

Ye Zhao picked up the telegram on the table again, which was sent from Shanghai. The Russians suddenly wanted to intervene in the negotiations, and officials from the southern countries left the stage to protest.

Alas, in the Northern Dynasties, Ye Zhao was really scratching his head. The diplomacy of the officials in the North was really messy. Du Han might be a strong man in the officialdom, but diplomatic negotiations were actually a toddler. Don’t you know that without venting any party, you suddenly pulled the Rakshasa people in and wanted them to become a member of the mediation country. Not only did they offend the southern country, but even the three mediation countries of Britain, France and the United States also committed crimes? However, Britain, France and other countries were accustomed to them, and they would not take them too seriously.

Thinking about it, Ye Zhao slowly picked up the paper and wrote a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He naturally wanted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take advantage of this scoring opportunity to communicate with Britain, France and the United States, so that the three countries would better understand the position of the Southern Dynasties and put pressure on the northern countries, and resolve the status issue of Shanghai in the best interests of the Southern Dynasties.

European powers, Ye Zhao, did not want to show his hideous fangs now. Although the focus of Britain and France is not in the Far East, he will not ignore the Russians in the Far East. Especially not long after the end of the Krim War, Britain, France and Russia are actually still in a state of hostility. Britain, France and other countries have always been alert to the Russians' expansion tendency and have always regarded it as a threat.

After writing the letter, he thought about it from beginning to end. The young clerk who had been standing next to him hurriedly took over and ran out.

"Master, the carriage is ready!" A man like a tower appeared at the entrance of the hall, and Urden, deputy general manager of the guards of Prince Qian's mansion.

The US Consulate General in Nanjing has begun to take shape. Originally, this wasteland with broken walls gradually enclosed the walls and planted green grass. Small Western-style buildings with Renaissance-style style also rose from the ground, with stained glass windows as quiet as a church.

When Ye Zhao's convoy entered the iron gate of the consulate, he saw the iron window of the small western building open, and many Chinese and Western figures leaned against each other and looked at the window. Next to the door downstairs, there were several bicycles leaning against the varnished iron fence.

Jackson had already come out, his blue eyes were full of joy. Today was his birthday. This birthday party was held at the embassy. Although the Regent had already said he would come to attend, he didn't want to come, so he naturally had a big shiny face.

You should know that the Regent is becoming increasingly difficult to see now. Consuls from various countries in Nanjing have their own receptions. Although they know that the Regent is in Xiyin Academy, if it is not arranged in advance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is impossible to enter the alley entrance. I guess that, is it true that foreign envoys in London who can meet the queen if they want to meet the queen? The Regent of Southern China is now the same as the emperor. He ruled half of China and was busy with troubles. When encountering critical matters, they could still meet them in Chinese. In Chinese, they were already "graceful and graceful". They were usually very big and small, so they naturally communicated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, the efficiency of the Southern Government's offices is no different from that of the European countries. Consuls from various countries have gradually become accustomed to dealing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Happy birthday to Tom." Ye Zhao wore a yellow robe, handsome and majestic and noble. He smiled and hugged Jackson gently. The other consuls of various countries had different expressions on their faces, but the mysterious representatives of China's royal family also had such approachable moments, which was undoubtedly a good message of kindness.

"This is my gift." Ye Zhao made a gesture, and a blue-armored warrior presented a brocade plate and lifted up the red silk cloth. It was a big pearl, shining brightly, and it was a tribute from the Siam country.

Jackson was stunned and kept saying, "It's too expensive, too expensive."

Ye Zhao waved his hand with a smile, nodded and greeted the consuls of various countries one by one, and then walked into the hall surrounded by them.

The hall is covered with Chinese embroidered carpets, which are half an inch thick. They are extremely soft and comfortable when stepped on them. Octagonal palace lanterns are hung everywhere, and the Huayao Hall is full of oriental charm.

In fact, from these small details, we can tell the rise of the Southern Dynasty. Let’s talk about this carpet. Not to mention the Chinese powerful people, even foreign officials and merchants no longer traveled thousands of miles to buy the well-known French carpet from Europe, but gradually replaced it with Chinese textiles. More and more Western merchants were operating trade with China and South China countries. Merchants from Thailand to plunder South China resources and trade Chinese silk tea gradually discovered that the southern system of transporting opium was more and more restricted and the tax was extremely heavy. In addition, influenced by some articles in the South, mainstream London media also began to discuss why the category of opium, a commodity, should be summarized. Under the banner of free trade, trading such drugs that cause great damage to people's physical and mental health, is in line with the moral standards of civilized society. In this atmosphere, the call for the government to discuss opium trade tariffs with the South China was ignored and even received cold treatment.

Today, merchants from the east come more often carry industrial products. Although the profits are lower due to the competition for local goods in the south, they are still hundreds of times better than the troubles they encounter from time to time when carrying opium.

The southern country gradually recovered its ability to absorb silver before the Opium War. Europeans who once relied on plundering precious metals from the Americas to enter the East Asia Southeast Asia trade system found that time seemed to have flowed back a few years ago, and China's trade with Europe gradually showed a surplus. If it weren't for the craze of purchasing Western machines in South China in recent years, this trend would have been extremely obvious.

Already alert Europeans lamented that if East-West trade and sea transportation cannot be fundamentally improved, Europeans will completely lose the Far East market in the near future. Merchants who go to the Far East trade will find that the previous trade chain is broken. When a large number of tea and silk are transported back to Europe, we find that we have no goods to exchange with them, and can only use a large amount of silver and gold to pay the difference.

With the lament of Europeans, Chinese bonds, which had been gradually received in London, have gradually become active. For businessmen and investors, no one has paid attention to this far-sighted cry. China has a bright future, so it is naturally profitable to continue investing.

Of course, there are opportunities and naturally dangers. Some British people have begun to study cultivating tea trees in India to break China's monopoly on the world tea market. At the same time, the Suez Canal Company established last year accelerated the speed of digging canals, and more and more Egyptians were forced to invest in the construction of the canal.

Ye Zhao had a little understanding of these situations, and knew that at the end of this century, it was precisely because Indian tea and Ceylon tea that defeated Chinese tea in the British market that caused a catastrophe in China's economy and foreign trade.

Nowadays, Europeans have begun experiments on cultivating tea trees in India early, which is naturally very dangerous for China. Even if China can get rid of its dependence on tea trade, Ye Zhao does not want to give up its huge profits early. Therefore, Ye Zhao has already assigned the Ministry of Internal Affairs and sent people to disguise themselves as servants of British merchants to go to India to learn about the situation.

Chinese intelligence spies and secret police, from their scope of activities to their wide application, can now be said to be the veritable world number one.

There is no way, who does not know the important role of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party in competing for power? For Ye Zhao, the construction of intelligence departments and intelligence networks has always been placed in an extremely important position.

As for the Suez Canal, Ye Zhao actually wanted to join the shares, but the British and French would definitely not want the Chinese to get involved. However, this canal is difficult to complete without ten or eight years, so there is no need to worry for the time being.

Thinking randomly, Ye Zhao was transferred to the first seat, Jackson, British Consul Hilton, French Consul Ai Tang and others sat beside Ye Zhao and talked to the Regent. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The consuls of several countries wanted to guess the intention of Southern China's policy and diplomacy from the regent's words.

Especially the British Consul Hilton, a few days ago, the British Consulate received a document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the South, saying that Siam has officially established a tribute relationship with Southern China, so that the negotiations between the Kingdom of Britain and Siam can be held in Guangzhou. China is willing to do its best to help, provide guarantees for the treaties signed by both sides, and at the same time help the two countries sign fair and just trade treaties.

This is a very clear signal. China hopes to participate more and more in the affairs of various countries in the South China Sea. As the original sect leader of several countries in the South China Sea, China has always had an extraordinary influence on the South China Sea. Even the defeated soldiers and defeated generals who failed the civil war or Chinese pirates often established their country in the South China Sea. Hilton, who was increasingly surprised by the changes in South China, naturally had to treat the notes of the South China government with caution. He had sent telegrams to Singapore overnight to understand the situation of signing a contract with Siam.

However, Singaporean Kapoa quickly replied, saying that he did not have to pay attention to the Chinese people's ideas. South China has inherited the Chinese government's usual style of face-saving. Its ties with the tribute countries in South Asia are extremely fragile, and its support for the tribute countries is believed to be within the minimum limit. Consul Hilton also asked Consul Hilton to appease the Chinese, but also let the Chinese know that the British have the right to trade with any country in South Asia without the approval and fingering of a third country.

Hilton could only sigh in his heart. Southern China is not a country that is closed to the public, but is increasingly interested in maritime trade. If it is not easy to comfort one's life, it is afraid that something will happen sooner or later.

Sitting beside Ye Zhao at this moment, Hilton hesitated and interrupted: "Your Highness, about the trade deal between the despise country and the Siam country..."

Ye Zhao waved his hand and said, "I won't talk about official business today." He knew that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would make a boring thing. Although some officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were indignant, Ye Zhao would not keep all the accounts and plan a major revenge plan in his heart. With such national strength, there is no way, and there will always be a time when the clouds will clear and the moon will be seen.

Hilton had no choice but to laugh twice and swallowed his sigh into his stomach. The arrogance of the empire would probably make its own bitter fruit sooner or later.

...

During the negotiations in Shanghai, Britain, France and the United States quickly actively participated in it. Hearing that it had put tremendous pressure on Northern Dynasties officials in private, the Russian fleet had to leave Shanghai and go north to Rostock. Even the plan to build a shipyard and a dock on the Liaodong Peninsula had to be stranded due to strong opposition from Britain and France.

The Southern Infantry Regiment set up artillery near the suburbs of Shanghai, and was ready to attack the city, which forced the directors of the British and French Ministry of Industry to jump and took turns to visit Du Han, but they were almost kidnapped and signed.

At the end of September 1859, the north and the south finally reached a draft agreement in Shanghai, waiting for the six kings and the regent Yu Lan to criticize it. In the draft, it agreed that Shanghai belongs to the northern country, but it is strictly prohibited from entering the country with armed forces. Shanghai Jiang Customs shall be jointly managed by both the north and the south. The tariff distribution shall be based on the goods of all countries going south and north. The goods of the north and the south are freely circulated, and neither side shall impose tariffs on the income.

Ye Zhao was extremely satisfied with the treaty. Not only did he obtain Shanghai's tariff rights, but the most important thing was the free circulation of goods between the two sides, which prevented the entire Chinese economy from being separated and was of extraordinary significance to the South.

Sure enough, he gave the northern country a Shanghai ownership, and he received a generous reward immediately.

The dispute between the north and the south seems to be a matter of words, but Ye Zhao knows that in fact, it is just a new beginning.

As the Shanghai negotiations settled, the candidate for Vice Premier of the Southern Dynasties' State Council also surfaced.

Xiyin Academy, busy clerks are busy cleaning their rooms and preparing official offices for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Political Affairs who are about to work in Xiyin Academy.

In fact, the system of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Political Affairs is similar to that of the Military Affairs Office, but it is more standardized and has clearer responsibilities.

Sitting behind the generous and elegant gold-inlaid table, Ye Zhao made a gesture, and the clerk hurriedly distributed the thick documents on the desk to the officials sitting on both sides.

Li Hongzhang, Li Xiaocun, Li Jianchen, and Yuan Jia were present, all sitting respectfully on the soft pier, each of whom was silent, but in fact, they were afraid that the waves would be stirred up in their hearts.

Ye Zhao tasted the tea and said lightly: "I don't hide it from you. In fact, the four of you are all in my mind. They are all available people, but I'm very worried about who you don't use. It's not long before our Government Affairs Office has established the government office. I can't say who is better. Moreover, you each have their own advantages and their own shortcomings."

The four of them didn't speak, listened quietly.

Ye Zhao said again: "Let's open it and take a look. You should have heard of it. The secretary room of the royal palace is in various departments and among celebrities and gentry. Although these things are not accurate, they are also worthy. At least, I know more about you." As he said that, he laughed, "Don't be afraid, I can still see the truth and lies."

The four of them bowed and said yes, and slowly opened the documents in their hands to read them. The opinions were anonymous, afraid that there was no other person except the Regent who knew who wrote these feelings about the four.

Ye Zhao smiled again and said, "In the past, we were not talking about Shangguan, but I asked me to tell you, how are you doing your job? Is it stupid or capable? People who do things under your hands are the clearest. You can do more of these things in the future. Even if you want to promote officials, you can't just rely on your own likes and dislikes, and listen to the ideas of the people below. It's no harm."

"Yes." All four of them agreed respectfully and slowly read.

Ye Zhao picked up the teacup and slowly tasted the tea. Among the four people, Li Hongzhang was the slowest to read the documents and Li Xiaocun was the fastest. No wonder the two became opponents and their temperaments were completely different.

Seeing that the four of them were almost finished reading, Ye Zhao smiled and said, "Now you should have a secret in your heart. Yixuan and Wuqiao, the virtue and goodness are quite in line with my wishes. I also communicated with the two empress dowagers with more than a dozen telegrams, and the two empress dowagers were very relieved."

Yixuan is the name of Li Jianchen, and Wuqiao is the name of Yuan Jiasan. The two old officials have the best reputation, but in fact, they are both respected and old ministers over 60 years old. They are not comparable to Li Hongzhang and Li Xiaocun. Moreover, they are both old officials, which gives people the feeling that they are relatively stable. The Chinese officialdom is amazing. Li Xiaocun and Li Hongzhang are pioneers of the reformist faction. Although they are instructed one by one, they are always innovative and innovative, which always makes people feel that they are not inferior to the position of the chief minister.

Li Jianchen and Yuan Jiasan are the chief assistants, which was Ye Zhao's original intention, and even made some false comments about Yuan Jiasan. As the promotion of this official, he should pay more attention to seniority. At the age of the two, he can't work for many years. However, if he is to work for Li Xiaocun and Li Hongzhang, it may not be a good thing in the long run, especially Li Hongzhang, who is less than 40 years old and has some experience, let alone if he is appointed as the chief assistant now and is ranked first-ranked, where will he be placed in the future? I am afraid that sooner or later, and he will be taken down by his powerful minister, he will lose his friendship with the host and host. Now, he will be suppressed and tempered, which will only benefit him.

Li Jianchen and Yuan Jiasan both stood up and knelt down to thank him.

Ye Zhao smiled slightly and said, "Get up, let's discuss the candidates for the Minister of Political Affairs. Jianfu and Mingxuan must be in progress. What about the other candidates, Zhou Jingshan and Zheng Zhen, you will consider it if you discuss it."

Of course, all four of them even claimed to be good.

Ye Zhao said again: "You have to take down all your responsibilities in each department. When you go back, you will be ready and wait for the order."

"Yes!" The four of them stood up and knelt down and bowed.

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Merry Christmas Eve!
Chapter completed!