The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 526 Negotiations Always Have Compromises

After Wei Jinghai, Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang introduced the current war situation and peace negotiations, Li Jingfang, Ning Xingpu, Zhou Xuexi, Xi Ligong and Huang Chujiu were all very excited.

Even Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang were the same, as they also did not have a clear understanding of the details of the battle situation.

Zhou Xuexi said with emotion, "This peace negotiation is probably the most confident one for Li Zhongtang since he participated in the negotiations with the foreigners. This is all thanks to the great victory won by the vanguard army led by the commander-in-chief. Otherwise, the foreigners would not have agreed so easily to give up pursuing the list of culprits they proposed."

"This time, I'm afraid the Queen Mother will be grateful to the Marshal!"

Ning Xingpu touched his newly grown beard with excitement and said, "The Marshal is right! What you can't get on the battlefield, you can't get at the negotiation table either."

"If our vanguard army didn't win a great victory this time, how could the foreigners agree not to pursue the matter?"

Li Jingfang nodded in agreement and said, "One more thing, the Marshal's strategy this time is very good. If the Marshal hadn't taken the initiative and let the foreigners come up with the terms of peace, they would definitely ask for a huge amount of compensation from us."

"If we compare it to the 200 million taels of silver indemnity for the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, I estimate that the foreigners will at least offer a price of 1 billion taels of silver!"

Yang Shixiang sighed and said, "Rui Fu is right. According to Li Zhongtang, he believes that if the Marshal had not taken the initiative, the foreign devils would have to pay billions of taels of silver as compensation. He estimates that even if the foreign devils took the court's revenue and expenditure into consideration and were afraid that the court could not afford it, they would at least ask for a few hundred million taels of silver."

Xu Shichang also said, "The foreign devils did not ask for compensation this time. It is estimated that they were frightened by the huge amount of tens of billions of taels of silver from the Marshal. Even if they asked for compensation, not to mention that the court could not afford it, even if they could, they could not afford these tens of billions of taels of silver."

Xi Ligong also smiled and said excitedly.

"Don't say the court is in financial difficulty. Now, except for the Americans who are slightly better off, even the old powers like Britain, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy can't afford it."

"The British were busy fighting the Boers. In order to win, they even transferred almost the entire British Army to the Boers. The military expenditure alone was enough to keep them busy."

"Now, in order to suppress the Germans who just defeated France, they have to vigorously develop their navy. I heard from British naval personnel in Shanghai that the Germans are vigorously developing their navy to compete with the British Royal Navy for colonies because they have no valuable overseas colonies."

"The Royal Navy is preparing a new round of shipbuilding plans. It is said that the British are planning to build big ships this time, and they are likely to build heavy ironclad ships. They also don't have much money."

"The French and Germans are also unable to pay. One of them has just paid the indemnity, and the other is busy dealing with the British Navy's shipbuilding plan. It would be better for them to withdraw their troops than to ask them to pay."

Huang Chujiu also smiled and said, "Marshal, if the foreigners really want to pay compensation, you have to help talk to Yucheng Bank and ask it to give me more loans. As long as the funds are sufficient, I promise to monopolize the pharmaceutical market in major coastal cities."

Huang Chujiu's words caused everyone to burst into laughter.

Teng Yuzao knew very well that Xi Ligong not only had strict supervision over the loans he issued, but also conducted extremely detailed assessments of the purpose of the loans and the development prospects of the companies in which the funds were invested. He was better off with regard to Huang Chujiu's investment in medicine, but he refused to give Huang Chujiu a loan as he wanted to set up an entertainment company in Guangzhou. Huang Chujiu even went to Ning Xingpu to complain about this.

In response to the expressions of several people, Teng Yuzao just nodded and smiled, without saying anything. Only after everyone had finished speaking did he ask Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang.

"This time, Li Zhongtang asked you to come back not just to inform us about the peace talks, but probably for something else."

Teng Yuzhao's words made Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang stop smiling.

Yang Shixiang said, "Just as the commander-in-chief said, I came back this time for something that Li Zhongtang had assigned me."

Yang Shixiang went on to say, "This time, the Marshal showed his might and defeated the foreign devils so badly that they had no choice but to negotiate peace with us. In addition, the Marshal put forward the peace terms first, so the foreign devils can only follow our peace terms proposed by the Marshal, which saves us a lot of trouble."

"In the current peace negotiations, the Americans have been silent. When they are pushed to the limit, they will say some meaningless words. Anyway, the purpose is the same, which is to end the peace negotiations as soon as possible."

"Britain, France, and Germany are shouting loudly, and Italy and Austria-Hungary will also support them, but they are just venting their anger. According to Li Zhongtang's judgment, their countries can no longer fight, and it is impossible for them to send more troops to us. We can completely ignore their threats."

"It's just that the Russians and the Japanese devils have been clamoring to continue to increase their troops. However, according to Li Zhongtang, he has received reliable information that Britain, Germany, and even France are very wary of the Russians and the Japanese devils. They are worried that Russia will seize more interests in the Qing Dynasty. They have now cut off financial support to the Russians and Japanese in order to achieve the goal of stopping them."

"Li Zhongtang is very happy about this peace negotiation!"

Yang Shixiang frowned and said, "It's just that Li Zhongtang is under a lot of pressure now. The Queen Mother calls every day to ask about the progress of the peace talks that day. She seems to be dissatisfied with Li Zhongtang. The Queen Mother's intention is to end the peace talks as soon as possible. Even if the court takes out some silver, it seems that there is no problem."

"Li Zhongtang asked us to come back just to see what the Marshal meant."

Seeing that Teng Yuzhao's face looked normal and there was no reaction, Yang Shixiang continued.

"The focus of the current peace talks is mainly on concessions, customs, and compensation. Li Zhongtang understands that the Marshal is asking for too much. Even though he is asking for an exorbitant price, he can actually pay it back."

"But Li Zhongtang wants the Marshal to give him some real information. He can't keep being so tough. Negotiations always require compromise. Otherwise, the peace talks will probably be delayed for a long time, and he won't be able to explain to the Queen Mother."

"Moreover, Li Zhongtang also asked me to tell the Marshal that if the peace talks are delayed for a long time, it will not be a good thing for the Marshal."

Teng Yuzhao sighed lightly, he knew that what Li Hongzhang said was right.

The peace terms he proposed were originally intended to gain the upper hand and make the great powers revolve around his conditions. However, if the peace talks were delayed for a long time because his conditions were too high, people from all walks of life would inevitably complain about him, which would be detrimental to his future plans.

He didn't know whether Li Hongzhang, the wise old man, had seen through his foresight and was reminding him indirectly.

Moreover, the pressure that Cixi put on Li Hongzhang, the initiator of the peace negotiations, was indeed unbearable for the already frail Li Hongzhang.

Teng Yuzhao is now very worried that one day Li Hongzhang will become ill-fated and Cixi will replace him and Li Hongzhang and negotiate peace directly with the powers. At that time, it will be difficult to talk about it since it is written in black and white. It is unknown how much effort will be needed to overturn this possible peace treaty in the future.

If that's the case, the result will be more trouble than gain.

After taking a deep breath, Teng Yuzao did not directly answer Yang Shixiang's words about Li Hongzhang, but asked Yang Shixiang, "Mr. Lian, how is Li Hongzhang's health?"

Yang Shixiang glanced at Li Jingfang and said twitchingly, "Li Zhongtang is not in good health. He even coughed up blood the day before yesterday."

With a "clang", the teacup in Li Jingfang's hand fell to the ground and broke into pieces.

When he heard that Li Hongzhang was coughing up blood, Li Jingfang's face turned pale.

Teng Yuzao asked anxiously, "Did you call a doctor?"

Yang Shixiang nodded solemnly and said, "The court has telegraphed Li Zhongtang that the imperial physician is on his way to Baoding. In addition, Li Zhongtang has entrusted Liu Kunyi to invite a famous doctor in Suzhou, who has already boarded a ship in Shanghai and will arrive soon."

Before Yang Shixiang finished speaking, Li Jingfang stood up with a pale face and said, "Marshal, I want to ask for leave. I want to go to Baoding to accompany my father. I don't know..."

Teng Yuzao nodded and said, "No problem. Tomorrow you will rush to Baoding with Lianfu and Juren. Right now, we in Beiyang have nothing to negotiate with foreigners. During the peace talks, you will stay in Baoding to accompany and take care of Li Zhongtang!"

"Thank you, Marshal! But I'm leaving tonight."

Teng Yuzao sighed softly, "Okay!"

Then he said to Wei Jinghai, "Ningbo, take all of our dozen or so Guandong old mountain ginseng that are over a hundred years old to Duanfu, and also take the thirty kilograms of South China Sea golden bird's nest. Oh, and I remember there should be a few kilograms of saffron and cordyceps, take them all with you to replenish Li Zhongtang's body."

"Also, send another squad of special guards to be responsible for Duanfu's safety. They don't have to rush back after arriving in Baoding. Just wait in Baoding and be responsible for Duanfu's safety."

Teng Yuzao's words shocked everyone present, especially Huang Chujiu, whose eyes widened in shock.

Huang Chujiu knew best that the things Teng Yuzhao mentioned were all extremely precious medicinal materials. Old mountain ginseng that was over a hundred years old alone was hard to buy even with 10,000 or 20,000 taels of silver, but Teng Yuzhao actually gave him more than a dozen of them!

Other expensive medicines and supplements were also sold by weight. All of these added up to at least 100,000 taels of silver.

"Commander!"

Li Jingfang, with red eyes, bowed deeply to Teng Yuzao and said, "These things are too valuable. Please take back your order, Marshal!"

Teng Yuzao waved his hand and said, "Duanfu, stop saying these polite words. As long as Li Zhongtang can recover as soon as possible, don't mention these little things. I will find it for you no matter how much or how difficult it is."

"When you see Zhongtang, please give my regards. I really can't get away right now. Tell Zhongtang that I won't make things difficult for him. Tomorrow, Lianfu and Juren will go back and bring him good news!"

"Also, if there's anything else you need, just let me know and I'll find a way to get it."

Li Jingfang bowed deeply to Teng Yuzao again and said, "Marshal, you must not leave for even a moment. Otherwise, if there is an emergency, it will be easy to make mistakes. My father will definitely understand!"

After Li Jingfang finished speaking, he followed Wei Jinghai away.

Looking at Li Jingfang's departing back, and thinking that Li Hongzhang might very likely die of illness around the beginning of winter, Teng Yuzhao couldn't help feeling sad. After a long while, he sighed, took out a cigarette, lit it, took a puff, and said to Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang.

"Let's talk about your business first. Go back and tell Li Zhongtang that there is no room for compromise on the concession and customs. This is a matter of right and wrong concerning a country's sovereignty and cannot be discussed."

Teng Yuzao's words not only stunned Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang, but also Ning Xingpu, Zhou Xuexi, Xi Ligong and Huang Chujiu. This was in conflict with what Teng Yuzao had just said to Li Jingfang!
Teng Yuzao didn't seem to notice their expressions and continued speaking thoughtfully.

"I have a way to make the foreign devils stop entangled with Li Zhongtang on these two matters. Let Li Zhongtang tell the foreign devils that I agree to keep their existing concession in Tianjin, but only take back the administrative power and public security power. I will guarantee the personal safety of the foreign devils."

"Moreover, not only in the concession, I can guarantee the personal safety of the foreigners throughout Zhili. There are no other restrictions on them. They can still live in the concession and do their business in the concession. This is in consideration of historical facts and to give them face."

"If they refuse to accept my toast, I will not be polite. I can keep the concession as it is, but I will block it. People and goods entering and leaving will be subject to inspection. I will collect taxes on all goods, and they will be high taxes."

Teng Yuzhao's words immediately wiped away the surprised expressions of the few people. Everyone looked excited. Zhou Xuexi was the first to give a thumbs up and spoke sincerely.

"Great! The Marshal's move is really great! If the foreigners don't agree, their concession will become a dead place, and no one will go there to do business. If the Marshal's tax is high enough, the foreign devils will even have to eat outside the concession."

Zhou Xuexi's words immediately caused everyone to laugh, and several people praised Teng Yuzao's idea in unison.

Teng Yuzao waved his hand and said, "As for the customs, the same thing can be done. I will set up a tax station outside of the customs, and collect taxes on all foreign goods entering."

"As for the compensation, we can also negotiate it. I was the one who asked for an exorbitant price in the first place, so this can naturally be negotiated."

"Even if the foreign devils wanted to ask me for compensation, they couldn't give it to me."

Teng Yuzao took another puff of his cigarette and said, "Even if we remove the five states and nineteen counties under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture, including the capital, and even if we demolish and rebuild all the towns in Zhili, we still won't need these tens of billions of taels of silver."

"With this much money, if we build railways all over our country from south to north and from east to west, we may not be able to use it all."

"If we are buying warships, just a few of the fleets of the British Empire, which currently dominates the world, would be enough."

"So, this is something that can be compromised. The success of a negotiation is actually a process of compromise between the two sides. Concessions and compromises must always be made."

(End of this chapter)