The Australian Revolution of 1828

Chapter 91 The Armistice Agreement

After the envoys from both countries left in a huff, Luo Bingzhong returned, worried that the negotiations might go wrong. He impatiently asked, "Your Majesty, aren't our conditions a bit too harsh?"

Originally, Han Qingyun didn't need to participate in the negotiations, but the situation in Xia Kingdom was too unique. Throughout the country, there wasn't a single official knowledgeable in foreign affairs, nor was there a well-established foreign affairs agency.

While some foreign affairs are temporarily under the management of the Civil Affairs Yuan, Grand Secretary Luo Bingzhong has a shortcoming: he is too cautious and handles matters relatively mildly.

When faced with an unreasonable Dutch envoy, he was not as tactful as Li Guochen, was easily swayed, and could not stand firm on his bottom line.

It was precisely because Han Qingyun understood Luo Bingzhong's character that he met with the British and Dutch envoys and listened to the conditions proposed by the Dutch side.

In response, Han Qingyun also made an outrageous demand to test the reactions of Britain and the Netherlands.

Two old capitalist empires, the Netherlands, though in decline, was still young at heart, and the conditions it proposed were simply absurd and unacceptable.

As if he had seen through the Dutch intentions, Han Qingyun said, "Bingzhong, negotiations require give and take. If we appear too weak, the Dutch envoy will take advantage of us."

"The Netherlands is anxious about the naval defeat; we must remain calm."

Ultimately, Luo Bingzhong was worried about the Xia Kingdom's weakness, and said, "Your Majesty, I'm not worried about the Netherlands, but I am worried about England."

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"Brunei, north of Borneo, is a British trading post. If this arouses the British's suspicion, I fear they might intervene in the wars in Southeast Asia."

Intervention in regional conflicts is indeed a possibility.

Han Qingyun, after careful consideration, said, "If Britain really wanted to intervene, it wouldn't have come to mediate; it would have just sent troops."

"Since they've chosen mediation, it means they don't want to send troops and want to end the current war through mediation."

Of course, to avoid provoking Britain, this war really should be stopped!

Britain may not want to send troops, but that doesn't mean it can't. If the threat from Xia becomes too great and jeopardizes Britain's trade routes, a naval battle will be inevitable.

Given the current situation of the Xia Kingdom, it is definitely at a disadvantage in naval warfare.

Wanting to acquire Lanfang's population but not excessively provoking Britain, Han Qingyun added some mediation conditions, saying, "Bingzhong, you handle the details of the mediation, but you must uphold our bottom line."

"Firstly, Lanfang must allocate a 50-square-kilometer area of ​​land to be administered by the trading post and garrisoned there."

"Secondly, the Netherlands must recognize that Xunyang Island, Zhaoyang Island, Lombok Island, Sumbawa Island, and Sumbawa Island are within the sphere of influence of the Xia Kingdom and must not interfere."

Thirdly, the captured ships will not be returned.

Fourth, Lanfang's rights and interests should be 50%.

Fifth, Chen Qi'en succeeded Lanfang as the head of the General Staff.

"These five points are my bottom line. It would be great if I could get compensation, but it doesn't matter if I don't. But all five points must be met."

These five measures are like cutting flesh off the Netherlands; it's no wonder they hurt.

Although Luo Bingzhong was a bit cautious, he was still capable of handling things, as long as Han Qingyun could point out the direction.

Following Han Qingyun's instructions, Luo Bingzhong felt duty-bound to comply and replied, "Your subject will take care of it immediately!"

Before leaving, Han Qingyun gave one last instruction: "Maintain a proper balance and reach a ceasefire agreement as soon as possible."

Han Qingyun genuinely did not want the war to continue and wanted to end it as soon as possible and resolve the immigration issue.

The Dutch envoy was truly enraged. He complained to Han Qingyun, saying, "Mr. Lawrence Claflin, the King of Xia is simply unreasonable. Batavia will not agree to this condition."

Lawrence Claflin, a lieutenant commander in the British Indian Navy, had witnessed Britain's dominance overseas as well as its setbacks, and was quite familiar with this kind of negotiation. He said, "Sir, there is no need to rush."

"King Xia is just asking for an exorbitant amount. Let's come back tomorrow, and we'll see a different result."

Indeed, as Major Lawrence Claflin said.

The next day, when they arrived at the Xia King's Palace to meet Han Qingyun, Luo Bingzhong took charge and led the two to the Civil Affairs Bureau, saying, "You two envoys, His Majesty has personally ordered me to take charge of this matter."

"Regarding the armistice agreement, I still hope to hear the opinions of both countries, but I hope that both are aimed at a ceasefire, rather than extorting our country."

Having been delayed for so many days, the Netherlands' trade losses were increasing daily. The Dutch envoy could no longer delay and said, "Mr. Luo, I have come to negotiate a ceasefire with your country on the orders of the Governor of Batavia."

Lawrence Claflin then expressed the opinion of British India, saying, "The war between the Netherlands and the Netherlands has affected the stability of the South Pacific."

"As the representative of British India, we hope that the two countries can end the war as soon as possible and maintain stability and smooth trade in Southeast Asia."

Then, the representatives of both sides argued about the cause of the war. In short, neither side admitted that it was their problem, but rather the other's.

Luo Bingzhong insisted on his opinion, accusing the Dutch of attacking Tang Boqian's trading post without cause.

Unable to win the argument, the Dutch side accused Tang Boqian of detaining Dutch soldiers without cause, resulting in one soldier being killed and another wounded.

The negotiations had reached a dead end. British representative Lawrence Claflin, unwilling to listen to such tedious discussions, interrupted the conversation, saying, "Gentlemen, let's talk about the armistice agreement!"

Having ruled for centuries, Britain naturally understands the law of the jungle and has no interest in arguing about who is right and who is wrong; it simply hopes that both sides can reach a reconciliation as soon as possible.

Luo Bingzhong listened to Han Qingyun's instructions without rushing. He patiently listened to the Dutch side's conditions and then refuted each one one by one.

That's how negotiations work; every point raised will elicit different opinions.

Luo Bingzhong was in charge of the detailed negotiations, so he naturally needed to refute each clause and express the Xia Kingdom's opinion, so that the terms could be reached as soon as possible with the help of the British envoy.

Thus, the two sides argued for four or five days before reaching the "Hanyang Armistice Agreement," which consisted of 11 articles:

Article 1: The Netherlands and Ireland mutually recognize each other's spheres of influence;

Article 2: The Netherlands recognizes that the Xia Kingdom owns a 60-square-kilometer piece of land in Pontianak New Putou, which will be used to build a new trading post and military camp.

Article 2: The Czech and Dutch sides shall cease all acts of war on February 1, 1829, and withdraw to their respective camps;

Article 4: Xia and He mutually recognize Lanfang's rights and interests, and the Netherlands is willing to cede half of its rights and interests to Xia.

Article 5: Both Chelsea and the Netherlands recognize Chen Qi'en's succession as Chief of Staff of Lanfang.

Article Six: The Netherlands shall pay Xia State 50 silver dollars as compensation to cover the losses of wounded and injured soldiers.

Article 7: The Xia Kingdom promises not to provide guns, cannons, or other weapons to the Java Island rebels.

After receiving the final ceasefire agreement, Han Qingyun was very satisfied and said, "Bingzhong, the ceasefire agreement will not take effect for another ten days or so. We must not be careless during this time."

"Immediately send a document to Xunyang and Lanfang, ordering Li Guochen, Meng Xiong, and Wei Guochang to be on high alert and guard against a Dutch sneak attack before the agreement takes effect."

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