Give two days to ask for advice from the country? Erjin felt a little nervous. If he gave an ultimatum, the negotiations would have to be concluded in two days. He really didn't expect Yi Zhizu to be so strong. Perhaps this is Yuanqi's last bottom line!

Gro looked at him and said, "Why don't you go and talk to Yi Zhizu directly?"

"It's time to negotiate with him directly." Erjin He said first. Both of them knew that during this Tianjin negotiation, Yi Zhizu, the shopkeeper Yuanqi who had never appeared, was the most important negotiator. At this point, he should have negotiated directly with the other party. However, he was a little confused. Will the other party meet them?

After pondering for a moment, he said, "Yi Zhizu is afraid that he is unwilling to talk to us. It is best to find someone suitable to take us to visit."

"Sushun, Suzhongtang." Gro said without hesitation.

It was windy and raining. The roofs of houses with soybean-sized raindrops crackled. Yi Zhizu glanced at the gloomy sky. I guessed that this heavy rain would be a while ago. Zhao Wenlie walked through the yard with a big black umbrella, stomped his feet into the corridor, and smiled: "The northern region has been drought in spring for nine years. This heavy rain came in time, alleviating the spring drought this year."

Yi Zhizu walked out slowly 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. The floods in Yongqing, Gu'an, Guangping and other prefectures and counties... Yuanqi is also providing relief."

"The northern provinces have almost never had peace in recent years..." Zhao Wenlie put away his umbrella and changed his mind. "Suzhongtang was in Erkin, and Gro came to visit him, and the people were outside the gate."

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

Yi Zhizu did not go to the door to greet him. He was not unfamiliar with Erjin and Ge Luo. He had had several dealings during the negotiations between Macau and Tianjin. When Su Shun led the two into the room, he stood up and smiled and said, "As early in Macau, I said that we will fight and talk about this war, fight again and again, or fight while talking. Now it seems that this war is still necessary to continue."

He said this directly in English. Only then did Erjin remember that the other party did say this during the negotiations in Macau, but now it was very threatening.

Erkin gave a hat-taking ceremony and then said, "Dear, we do not want this completely wrong war to continue."

Now he realized that this was a wrong war? Yi Zhizu showed a sarcastic smile and reached out to sit. After sitting down, he said straight: "I think my attitude has been expressed very clearly..."

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

"Whether it is wrong or not, we are all ready for the long-term war." Yi Zhizu looked straight at the other party and said, "I think your country's Prime Minister Bamaitun wants to transfer the domestic economic crisis through this war, right? This is not a wise choice."

"No, no, no." Erkin quickly corrected: "If the war continues, it can only be for the honor of Great Britain, not for other reasons."

The two of them fought each other and fought against each other. They could understand the English they used directly, but Sushun and Zhao Wenlie were a little stunned. Fortunately, Lin Meilian followed in time and translated softly.

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

The conversation collapsed after a few words. Grolo was also a little stunned and quickly mediated: "Dear Your Excellency, the trade between the East and the West will not be cut off because of this war. For future trade and for the normal diplomatic relations between the two sides, I hope you will give us a little decent."

Speaking of this, he paused slightly, and then quickly said: "We can pay half of all our weapons, including warships, as the price of voluntarily withdrawing the troops."

Pay half of it? Yi Zhizu was really surprised. He didn't expect that Gross would make this suggestion. It can be seen that the two were forced to do so. It should be that Britain and France could not accept the surrender, otherwise they would not have made such suggestions!

The translation, Su Shun and Zhao Wenlie were also a little stunned. It was obvious that Gro's proposal was already the greatest concession. If he insisted on surrender, the negotiations would end in a breakdown. Understand this point, the two of them looked at Yi Zhizu and saw how he replied.

Yi Zhizu was silent for a while and looked at Erkin and said, "Temasek belonged to the Sultan Kingdom of Malacca and was forcibly occupied by your country. We must take it back."

The Sultan Kingdom of Malacca has no relationship with the Qing Dynasty. The reason why it is said to be taken back instead of ceding is naturally to maintain the decency of the British. Erkin glanced at Grolo and felt helpless. It was obvious that the French had already planned to end the war and were out of the matter. Whether it was Temasek or Hong Kong, it had nothing to do with France.

He was pondering himself, but Gros said: "Temasek is a free trade port. If your country takes it back, will this nature be changed?"

With such a question full of kindness, Yi Zhizu would not hesitate. He immediately said without hesitation: "Of course not. As a free trade port, this point will never change!"

"In this way, we will feel relieved." Gro said with a smile. His attitude was very clear. As long as Temasek does not change the free trade port, it will be no different from France in the hands of the British or the Qing.

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

After hearing this, Erkin suddenly realized that it was true. Since he could no longer monopolize the Strait of Malacca, why should he always hold on to Temasek? After pondering for a moment, he said in a deep voice: "I will do my best to lobby the country and give up Temasek. However, we hope to extend the lease term in Hong Kong as much as possible."

After considering it, Yi Jingzuo said, "Yes!"

The matter was finalized, Erjin and Ge Luo were eager to send a telegram, and after a polite greeting, he stood up and said goodbye. Sushun stayed on the grounds that it was raining heavily outside, took a few sips of tea, and then he tentatively said: "The Western-Air Alliance is now in a turtle, why did Brother Guocheng agree to seize only half of the warships and weapons?"

Yi Zhizu lit a cigarette and said slowly: "Although you are not afraid of the war continuing, it is more in line with Yuan Qi's interests to end the war as soon as possible. Half of the seizures are enough. This kind of sailing warship is already facing elimination, and it is useless to have too many."

Zhao Wenlie continued: "About the railway from Beijing to Shengjing, Britain and France seem to be a bit reluctant, and there may be repetitions..."

"Even if Britain and France agree, there are still many details to negotiate." Yi Zhizu said: "The capital has been from Shengjing, which is more than 700 kilometers. Although the railway construction technology is becoming more mature and the cost has been greatly reduced, the cost of one kilometer is still equivalent to 30,000 silver dollars, which is counted as 30 million silver dollars.

How willingly Britain and France to pay such a large sum of money? We must try our best to reduce expenses, such as land expropriation, roadbed earthworks, and hiring workers. You must be mentally prepared for these... try your best to get them during negotiations."

Two days later, Erkin and Gross received domestic telegrams respectively, and in principle agreed to the draft agreement signed, but there were many details that needed to be discussed and finalized, and the negotiations began again. This time, both sides were very concerned and took a lot of time.

Yi Zhizu completely threw the negotiation matter to Zhao Wenlie, and then sent a telegram to recall Yan Yangtian, Feng Renxuan, Chen Hongming, Xiao Mingliang, and Senggelinqin to Tianjin. In his spare time, he took the time to meet with a group of gentry and merchants in Tianjin who actively responded and supported the Yuanqi New Army and the Beiyang Navy to fight against the Western Barbarians.

The Han family, the leader of the "Eight Great Masters of Tianjin", won a big prize this time. Yi Zhizu came to the door in person and gave him enough face to the Han family. As for the benefits he gave, no one knew. However, Han Yinjie, the head of the Han family, took out 10,000 silver dollars to reward the shopkeepers and servants of Tiancheng. This matter was very popular in Tianjin Wei Chuan, and everyone knew that everyone knew that the Han family must have received great benefits. When the gentry and merchants who went out of the city to avoid disaster heard this, they all regretted it so much that they even lost their intestines.

Two days later, Yan Yangtian, Feng Renxuan, Chen Hongming, Xiao Mingliang, Wu Yundong, Senggelinqin and Zaizhao gathered at the command of the Haidong Office. Yi Zhizu glanced at everyone and said slowly: "The battle between Tianjin and Beijing has basically ended. This opportunity is rare. The sea and land gather together, and the supplies transported to Tianjin are not very expensive, so it cannot be transported back to Shanghai."

After hearing this, Xiao Mingliang was secretly excited, Chen Hongming also vaguely guessed Yi Zhizuo's intention, but the others were a little confused. Senggelinqin and Zaizhao were a little nervous, and both were worried that Yi Zhizuo would attack the capital.

After a brief pause, Yi Zhizu turned around and opened the curtain on the wall, revealing a huge map of Goryeo, "Why can you sleep soundly on the side of the bed? Compared with Tianjin and Beijing, Goryeo's geographical location is extremely important. Although Goryeo has always been a model of the Qing vassal states, no matter how good the vassal state is, it is a vassal state.

In the past, the vassal state of Goryeo was retained as a buffer zone with Japan and the need to defend the Northeast. Now that Japan has become a vassal state of the Qing Dynasty, the vassal state of Goryeo has completely lost its meaning of existence. Given the strength of the navies of Western countries, for the safety of Tianjin and Beijing, Goryeo must be incorporated into the territory of the Qing Dynasty to achieve the effect of collecting it like an arm to make a finger!”

Senggelinqin and Zaizhao couldn't react for a moment. After coming to his senses, Senggelinqin said: "It is not a trivial matter to send troops to vassal states for no reason. Can this matter be reported to the emperor?"

"Report to the Emperor?" Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Will the Emperor allow troops to be sent to Goryeo?"

Senggelinqin was silent for a while before saying, "I dare not send troops to Goryeo without following the order."

After hearing this, Zai Zhao also hurriedly said, "Yes, if the Beiyang Navy officers and soldiers would not go to Goryeo if they were not ordered."

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

"Are you serious?" Senggelinqin asked happily, which was equivalent to forcing the court to send troops.

"It's more real than real gold and silver!" Yi Zhizu joked: "The Yuan Qi's eastward struggle and westward struggle and southward struggle are all about expanding territory for the imperial court? This conquest of Goryeo was just a handy task."

"Okay!" Senggelinqin glanced at Zai Zhao, stood up and said, "I will return to Beijing now!"

"I'll go to Beijing with the monks." Zai Zhao said, he knew that the Beiyang navy must participate in this matter.

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

After Senggelinqin and Zaizhao left, Xiao Mingliang tentatively said: "Principal, do we really make wedding dresses for the court?"

"We must learn to have a sense of the overall situation." Yi Zhizu lit a cigarette and said slowly: "When we are external, Yuan Qi has the same interests as the court. Now Yuan Qi is away from the court, and many things can be unscrupulous, and even kidnapped the court."

"The shopkeeper." Feng Renxuan whispered: "After all, Goryeo is a vassal state of the Qing Dynasty. Will it cause panic to other vassal states if they are not guilty?"

"The court wants to send troops to conquer Goryeo, and even if there is a false charge, there are more than a dozen of them. There is no need to worry about this." Yi Zhizu said uneasy: "Besides, we have many vassal states that have been conquered and annexed. In addition, the scale of the Yuanqi New Army has also been raised, and even all vassal states are panicked and not afraid. At worst, they can conquer one by one.

In the past, there were inconvenient land transportation, difficult communication, dangerous sea routes, and unrestrained naval forces, which allowed so many vassal states to exist. Now it has been said that there have been earth-shaking changes. With the development of railways, telegraphs, and navigation, even the vast territory is like a finger to effectively govern, and those vassal states will not be necessary 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, to seek benefits for future generations, and not to have any psychological burden. There is no good thing in these vassal states. Judging from the current world situation, it is the best time to annex the surrounding vassal states. It takes time to carry out national integration, promote cultural identity, and effectively consolidate rule. It is better to be early than late."

"I am educated by my subordinates." Feng Renxuan said loudly.

"The Yuanqi has already had the intention of conquering Goryeo. After conquering Wa, he began to collect information about Goryeo." Yi Zhizu said as he took a stack of information from the desk, "Everyone will take a look, then discuss and formulate a plan to conquer Goryeo. After the four-nation coalition forces were completely settled, he sent troops to Goryeo."

"Subordinate to obey the order." Everyone stood up and responded with a loud bang.

Yi Zhizu reached out and pressed, "You can read the information first and discuss and discuss it first." As he said that, he walked out with his hands behind his back. In fact, it was not his whim. As early as when he was formulating the Tianjin-Beijing battle plan, he had made plans. Tianjin-Beijing fought easily and took advantage of the situation to conquer Goryeo.

He must tighten the fences of Asia before the formation of the world colonial system at the end of the 19th century, and must completely assimilate some vassal states that are crucial to China before the world's national liberation movement!
Chapter completed!