New Han Dynasty 1834

Chapter 71 This is the only civilization

After the main members of the three delegations had boarded the train, and the train conductor verified all the passengers again, the train emitted a whistle and slowly pulled away from the platform.

After the train left the dock area, everyone was able to see the fields up close.

Everywhere there were wheat fields that were about to ripen, and groups of children playing games.

Occasionally, one can see militia members undergoing intensive training, practicing drills and bayonet fighting.

Apart from the wheat fields, the rest of the scenery was very different from the European countryside, and many people followed the train and watched it all the way.

After nearly six hours of travel, the train arrived at Beijing Railway Station at around 10 p.m.

The moon was quite bright on the night of the 17th of the lunar calendar, and with a large number of oil lamps prepared inside and outside the station, passengers were able to see the surrounding scenery in general.

Most of the ordinary members of the delegation, having no opportunity to interact with Zheng Fuguang, were still filled with high expectations as they admired the night view of the most virtuous place in the world.

But the first group of engineers, including Stephenson, who had brought a lot of equipment to Dahan to invest, and who had also communicated with Zheng Fuguang, were now filled with despair.

Led by the staff of the Court of State Ceremonial, the group settled into official residences in the western part of the city.

The next morning, Zheng Fuguang and Wu Qi went to report back to Liu Yulong, giving him a general overview of their trip.

There was nothing special between Wu Qi and the official delegation from the Three Kingdoms.

Zheng Fuguang reported on the situation of the scholars Owen Deng, complaining that these foreigners were naive and easily startled.

After listening to the complaints, Liu Yulong sighed softly with a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, often including regret or apprehension).

Although scholars like Irving did not truly understand the Han Dynasty, their understanding of it was filled with romantic fantasies.

But at that time, only the Han Dynasty seemed to have any semblance of civilization in the entire world.

The feudal lords of Europe and America were truly inhuman.

Before the workers escalated the situation, capitalists in Europe and America were just as inhumane.

Especially in recent years, the life expectancy of British workers has dropped to its lowest point, approaching twenty years old.

So the workers began to fight, and Irving rallied unions across Britain to form an alliance.

It's unimaginable for modern people, and even people in the Qing Dynasty would find it hard to believe.

The Han Chinese, far more civilized than the Qing Dynasty, could hardly imagine the extent of chaos in British society.

This newly born Han dynasty was indeed a fantasy country for European intellectuals.

At that time, the Han Dynasty was the civilized world, the Celestial Empire.

Wu Qi, Zheng Fuguang, and Zhang Lexing were all Liu Yulong's direct subordinates and close associates.

When Liu Yulong spoke to them in private, he was quite casual: "They are indeed ignorant, but it's also because their barbarian ruler is truly inhuman."

There was no civilization or education, only exploitation, oppression, and slaughter.

"It's perfectly normal for these scholars to be amazed by everything in the Celestial Empire when they first arrive there."

"They are simply following the king's lead; we shouldn't be too harsh on them."

"But the officials of those barbarian countries are no good either."

"They are the typical example of people who fear power but do not appreciate virtue. Don't talk to them about benevolence, righteousness, and trustworthiness."

"If you don't openly bully him, he'll think you're afraid of him."

After listening, all three bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, we have understood. Thank you for your guidance—"

Liu Yulong lectured and instructed for a while, then explained the subsequent arrangements: "Just like last time, Wu Qing will go with Le Xing to meet the British envoy tomorrow."

"The fact that they have returned, and with such a large group of people, means that the parliament has agreed to my request."

"You confirm their commitments, and then arrange for them to come see me."

"After we've finished discussing the British affairs, let's move on to the affairs of the United States and France."

"As I instructed, Zheng Qing went to collect statistics on the demands of those craftsmen and scholars."

"I'll finish dealing with their imperial envoys first, and then I'll find time to summon them."

Zheng Fuguang, Wu Qi, and Zhang Lexing all clasped their hands in agreement.

After Wu Qijun returned to the Honglu Temple, he sent someone to inform Balazon and his party that they would come to the Honglu Temple to discuss matters the next day.

On the morning of April 19, Wu Qijun arranged for a carriage to take Palmyra and Staunton to the Honglu Temple.

In Wu Qijun's reception room, the two sides greeted each other with clasped hands and sat down as host and guest.

A servant brought tea, and Zhang Lexing picked up the teacup, took a small sip, but his eyes were looking around.

Zhang Lexing knew that he was the emperor's spy, watching how the two sides communicated.

Unless necessary, one should not make their presence too conspicuous, nor should they speak.

As for Palmerston and Staunton, although they pledged in the British Parliament to try to secure better terms.

The ideal goal was to send only civil officials from the Han Dynasty to India.

The bottom line is to allow the Han Dynasty to send troops, but the number must not exceed ten thousand.

However, deep down, neither of them wanted to pursue their so-called ideal goals; they were just hoping to maintain their bottom line.

Neither of them had any expectations for this negotiation.

The so-called ideal is merely a reason to persuade more legislators to vote; it is not the actual negotiation objective at all.

Palmerston felt mentally exhausted just imagining this situation.

Wu Qi noticed that Palmerston didn't seem inclined to speak, so he urged him, "Speak! Have your king and parliament agreed to the emperor's demands?"

After Staunton translated, Palmerston bowed to Wu Qi and said, "Your Excellency, in accordance with the authorization of the King of Britain, the British Parliament has held a vote."

"Britain can cooperate with the Great Han to combat the opium smuggling trade and dismantle India's opium plantations."

"However, there are some specific details that need to be clarified."

"British MPs generally believe that the Great Han only needs to send civil officials to India to oversee the operation."

"The Governor-General of British India commanded the garrison to demolish opium plantations."

Wu Qi glared at Ba Mai Zun with a stern face: "The Emperor has long said that you can only choose whether or not to agree to the demands he makes."

"If you agree, come back; if you don't agree, you don't need to come back."

"Since you have come back, you have already accepted it."

"The document signed by your king and parliament shall be given to the Court of State Ceremonies of the Han Dynasty and to the Governor-General of India."

"The Han Dynasty will arrange its own army to deal with those opium plantations."

"We don't trust you, Great Han."

After Staunton finished translating Wu Qijun's words, Palmerston was filled with sorrow.

There's really nothing worth negotiating like this.

Not only is the Han Dynasty inherently very tough, but it is also unlikely to make any real concessions.

The key point is that the delegation came in such a grand manner, especially the merchants, which clearly indicates that they have already accepted the conditions of the Han Dynasty.

The Han emperor and his foreign minister were even less likely to make concessions on the details.

Their current stance is simply to give them a clear answer on behalf of Britain, providing a written commitment so that their troops can go to India to carry out their mission.

Palmerston could only offer a compromise for discussion: "The Parliament demands that the size of the Han army sent to India be limited to no more than one thousand men."

"The Han army was responsible for supervision, while the Indian army was responsible for destruction."

Wu Qijun immediately retorted, "Did the Emperor mention any restrictions on the number of personnel to you?"

Palmerston didn't want to reason with them and wanted to say directly that the maximum number of people was one thousand, but he had to reason with them: "His Majesty the Emperor did not mention any limit on the number of people."

"But during the discussion in the British Parliament, some members of Parliament raised this request."

"The parliamentary vote was passed on this basis."

Wu Qi continued, "Is it written into your so-called legal document?"

Palmerston remained silent; indeed, the issue of the number of participants was not directly stated in the text.

Because he was worried that the big man would ask to see the legal documents, he could not write down the negotiation conditions he had prepared.

These negotiations were incredibly difficult; the other side was far more assertive than any other European country.

They were pressing me relentlessly, and there was nothing I could do.

If this continues, the bottom line will soon be forced out.

Wu Qi felt the time was right and took the initiative to ease his emotions a little: "I know you also have difficulties. If you can't reach an agreement on anything, you won't be able to explain yourself when you go back."

"But you should also think about how your so-called parliament would know how many people the Great Han sent to India."

Why did you let those so-called councilors know how many people the Great Han sent over?

"The Great Han's demand is to be unrestricted and to manage the plantations themselves."

"The Han Dynasty does not trust your army, nor your officials; it insists on resolving this itself."

Palmerzon had some doubts. Although the logic was sound, and he had even been mentally prepared for this before coming to the Great Han, he was still puzzled.

But it's best not to do that, and even if you do, you shouldn't say it out loud.

Palmerston backed down again, while further emphasizing: "The army that the Great Han sends to India must be controlled, and under no circumstances should it exceed five thousand men."

"India doesn't have many opium plantations to begin with, so five thousand people are more than enough."

"If that's not enough, the Governor-General of India can send troops to assist."

"I can tell you directly that Parliament is very concerned that the Han Chinese are taking advantage of this situation to invade India."

"Therefore, it is unacceptable to send troops to India without limit."

Wu Qi looked up at Palmazon and asked, "Is this your response to the Emperor of the Han Dynasty? Do you want me to convey this attitude directly to the Emperor?"

"The emperor could send a large army to directly occupy Luzon, where smugglers gathered, in order to arrest opium smugglers."

"Of course, in order to destroy the opium plantations, we could also send troops directly to attack India."

Palmerston knew this was indeed possible, and now the young emperor of the Great Han was extremely resolute in his attitude.

If the conditions he offered did not satisfy the young emperor, he might be kicked out directly.

Being expelled before even presenting the bottom line conditions is a true blunder.

After some internal struggle, Palmerston decided not to try any further: "The bottom line is ten thousand people. You can report this to His Majesty the Emperor. This is the bottom line of the British Parliament."

"If the goal is to destroy plantations, 10,000 regular troops are absolutely enough."

"If we insist on more, the British MP can only conclude that the Han Chinese are greedy for India."

"Even if the merchants are driven out by the Han, Britain will not allow India to be threatened."

Wu Qi was a shrewd man, and he could naturally see that Palmerston was almost at his limit, and there was no point in pushing him any further: "In that case, I will convey your council's response to our emperor."

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