In the last two months of the 27th year of the Guangxu period, Weng Tonghe became very busy, very busy. As the deputy minister of the Zongli Yamen, he is now in charge of the upcoming negotiations with the British.

In 1901, with the Qing government's victory over Russia at sea and on land, the British realized the value of China to itself in the international environment. Therefore, at the request of the Qing government, the British government agreed to negotiate with China on a series of issues in bilateral relations.

Weng Tonghe felt that the reason why the emperor handed him such an errand was to see if he had made any progress in handling Westernization affairs. If this matter was handled well, then he would likely go to the Military Affairs Office again. If it was not handled well, then his official career would come to an end and he should retire and return home.

Therefore, he attached great importance to this errand.

There is another reason that forced him to be very energetic about this matter. That is, this negotiation is different from any previous one.

In the past, negotiations with the British were mostly about cede land, compensation, opening ports and other agreements that were powerless and humiliating. As the leader of the Qingliu River, Weng Tonghe was competent whether he knew Westernization or not. The reason was no exception, at most it was just a "no signing". This would not only not affect his "reputation", but would instead add points to himself because of "shiny iron bones". Even the emperor could not say much.

The emperor can't say: Oh, you didn't sell my country, so I want to punish you.

But this time we are going to negotiate with the British to "return to sovereignty". If you don't have the ability to negotiate, the British will give you a "I won't pay it back, what can you do to me?" Do you dare to refuse a visa? That's true, let alone the emperor can't spare you, even the world's mouths will have to drown you with spit stars, and death is a laughing stock.

Therefore, Weng Tonghe took great pains and put in a lot of effort in order to handle this negotiation well.

"Sir, this is all the treaties we signed with the British since Emperor Xianzong. I have sorted out all the terms involving national interests in different categories. Please take a look at them." Tang Shaoyi said, while handing over a file in his hand to Weng Tonghe.

Weng Tonghe took it and said thank you for your hard work, so he buried his head and looked at it.

Tang Shaoyi compiled a very complete document, including the Sino-British Nanjing Treaty in 1842, the Sino-British Trade Constitution: Customs Tax Rules in 1843, and the Sino-British Trade Constitution and the Sino-British Trade Constitution and the Sino-British Trade Constitution and the Sino-British Trade Constitution and the Sino-British Trade Constitution and the Sino-British Trade Constitution and the Sino-British Trade Constitution and the Sino-British Trade Constitution and four major treaties. The terms involved were also divided by Tang Shaoyi into: land cession, compensation, ports, tariffs, missionary, consular judgment and constituents. They are clearly organized and clear at a glance.

Weng Tonghe looked at it and thought that this time, after listening to the emperor's advice, he chose some young officials who had studied Western learning to assist, which was indeed a great use. For example, Tang Shaoyi, who was in front of him, may not be unable to be awarded the first rank for several years in the future. Others, such as Lu Zhengxiang, Hu Weide, Sun Baoqi, etc., were also chosen for a while.

After reading it roughly, Weng Tonghe covered the file and smiled and said, "Shaochuan, according to you, how many chances of winning do we have in this negotiation?"

Tang Shaoyi hurriedly said: "Students think that there should be a 70% chance of winning."

Weng Tonghe said, "Oh? Why is it 70%?"

Tang Shaoyi said: "Students think that in today's world, not only the Qing Dynasty needs the British, but also the British. The so-called "If you want a horse to run, you have to eat grass. The British naturally understand this principle. Last year, in exchange for the support of the Germans on the Netherlands issue and the pressure on France and Russia, the British even sent two islands. So this time, the students thought that the British would definitely give up. However, the key to success or failure depends on how much we ask."

Weng Tonghe nodded in agreement: "You are right. It is not that easy to think of others as they have already obtained. How much, how much, and when are all the key. According to you, for this time, it is better for us to start with which project?"

While speaking, Weng Tonghe patted the file in his hand.

Tang Shaoyi said: "Return to adults, students think it is more appropriate to discuss the two issues of consular judgment and port."

Weng Tonghe Yi raised his eyebrows: "Why do you say that?"

Tang Shaoyi said: "First, since the compensation has been given to others and they have spent it, it is useless to not get it back; second, the two items of cede land and concessions involve too many problems and are difficult to determine in a short period of time. Therefore, this negotiation is not discussed. Third, foreigners come to China, or Asia, or America, and the purpose of the purpose is nothing more than interests. Interested people are wealth. Therefore, if this tariff is rashly negotiated in depth, it may be counterproductive; as for missionary preaching, this matter is no longer a problem, and it is better not to discuss it. Only the two items of consular judgment and port are involved, which involve the national system and can be interpreted by other things. Moreover, there are the mistakes of Germany before, so it is easy to talk about it."

Tang Shaoyi said, and Weng Tonghe nodded. After Tang Shaoyi finished speaking, Weng Tonghe asked again: "The matter of consular judgment is simple and clear. Only one port is one, although it involves business, travel, taxation and even concessions, how should we get in?"

Tang Shaoyi was about to answer when suddenly a pen-tip broke in outside. While accusing him of guilt, he said, "No, Li Zhongtang died of illness!"

Weng Tonghe was about to break in and disturb his conversation with Tang Shaoyi. At this time, when he heard the news, he was stunned for a while, and then laughed loudly.

If you talk about the grudges and revenge between the Weng family and the Li family, you can write a book. Speaking of which, for the Weng family, what Li Hongzhang did is reasonable. However, Weng Tonghe has been entangled for decades, and even has to retaliate against Li Hongzhang for personal gain. It is indeed a narrow-minded and inseparable villain. But then again, from the Weng family, Weng Tonghe’s own perspective, his father’s revenge is irreconcilable, and this is a great gift for human ethics, and it cannot be considered wrong.

Even Weng Tonghe is now obsessed with Western Affairs and has worked hard to study diplomacy, but he knows that he can't defeat Li Hongzhang by just the name of "Qingliu" and has to start from the strengths of the enemy. It can be said that he has been working hard. Now, when he suddenly hears that his old enemy who has hated him for decades has died, he is indifferent to laughing to the sky.

Since Li Hongzhang completely handed over the responsibilities of the Navy Yamen and the Governor of Zhili last year, he has been living in the Xianliang Temple in Beijing. Since February this year, he has been bedridden. After the autumn, Li Hongzhang's condition suddenly worsened and he began to vomit blood. In the end, this famous minister of a generation failed to survive this winter at the age of 79.

When Li Hongzhang was seriously ill, Emperor Guangxu sent people to visit him many times, and even went to Xianliang Temple twice to investigate his condition. It can be said that this was a treatment that the minister had never enjoyed. After his death, the emperor even wrote the elegiac couplet and wrote the four words "Recreate Xuanhuang" to express his achievements.

The posthumous title after Li Hongzhang's death was approved by the emperor and was posthumously named "Wenzheng"! This is the highest title that ancient literati could get. The last one who received this posthumous title was Zeng Guofan.

Li Hongzhang's funeral became the biggest thing at the end of 1901 - not only in China, but also around the world - the entire funeral was held for more than a month. In January 1902, a delegation headed by the Foreign Minister sent by Britain officially began negotiations between China and Britain on the restoration of normal trade agreements after attending Li Hongzhang's funeral.

The negotiations went smoothly. To the British's expectations, China did not put forward any requirements for concessions and cede land during the entire talks - this was originally the place that the British believed was the most difficult to convince the Chinese. In addition, in port trade, the Qing government did not reduce even one open port. It was precisely because of the great sincerity shown by the Qing government in these two items that the British also made certain concessions in the originally more difficult tariff negotiations.

Based on the original free trade in trade ports, the new trade agreement increased the tariffs on some light industrial products and agricultural products to 8%. At the same time, it further clarified the strict management of opium trade - opium is only used as a medicine and allows small amounts of buying and selling, and must be issued a license by a special agency of the Qing government.

At the same time, the Qing government also took the opportunity to appropriately raise the export prices of some drugs and chemical products. With the plug-in of the little emperor, the Qing Empire's technical level in this area is currently the well-deserved world number one.

The new trade agreement also includes an agreement involving the military industry. During this Boer War, the British Expeditionary Force witnessed the strong advantages of the Qing army's light machine guns and mortars in guerrilla warfare and skirmishes, so he was eager to obtain patents for the production of these two products. The Qing government exchanged the British for patented technology for twelve-inch naval guns.

Regarding this exchange, Zai Tian also specifically solicited Liu Shaoqing's opinions. Liu Shaoqing said that the two technologies that the British saw and can obtain were outdated. Military scientific researchers of the Guards are now further improving and improving the technology of these two weapons. The improved light machine guns have simpler structures, lighter weight, more conducive to maintenance and more durable. Another thing is that regarding mortars, the British actually lack one key, that is, high-explosive grenades. Without this, the power of the mortars will be greatly reduced.

It’s not that the British cannot implement such technology, but that they just don’t pay attention. This is just a layer of window paper. Before it is pierced, you are just a blind eye.

The new trade agreement was basically happy. The British kept all trade ports, while the Qing government received affordable tariffs. As for the issue of tariff autonomy, Zai Tian believed that as long as the silver could be obtained normally, wouldn’t it be enough to regard Hurd as a Chinese? Of course, it is necessary to join a large number of Chinese employees in the General Taxation Department, at least it will play a role in supervision. Even if it is for the time being, it will be managed together.

The main contradiction is resolved, and the secondary contradiction is easier to deal with.

Regarding the issue of consular judgment, in the past, any country that enjoys consular judgment in China, its expatriates in China are not subject to the jurisdiction of Chinese laws. No matter if they commit any illegal and criminal acts that violate Chinese laws or become parties to civil or criminal proceedings, the Chinese judicial organs have no right to make judgments, and can only be judged by the consular and other personnel of the country or judicial institutions located in China based on their own laws.

Not only that, the consulate not only hears lawsuits between the citizens of his own country, but also can judge cases in which one party is a national of the resident country based on the principle of defendants. At the same time, the nationals living in the consulate involved in the lawsuit are also protected.

After negotiations, the British side agreed to revoke the police and troops stationed in the consulate, and agreed to withdraw the troops in the concession, and only retain administrative agencies. When the British expatriates violate Chinese laws, local officials can file lawsuits with the consulate in accordance with relevant British laws and participate in the trial.

This amendment clearly states that British people in China should abide by Chinese laws like Chinese, and if they violate the reaction, they will be punished according to the laws stipulated in their own country for similar cases.

After reaching an agreement with the British, the Zongli Yamen struck while the iron was hot and then began relevant negotiations with the United States, Germany, France and other countries. At the same time, Weng Tonghe also returned to the Military Affairs Office as he wished.
Chapter completed!