I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 109: Resurrection of Yi and establishment of diplomatic relations as equals
Wen Xiang went directly to the palace and reported to Ci'an and Cixi about the issue of the guns of the Japanese mission escort. He said: "The guns of the Japanese escort are much faster than those of Britain and France before, and their strength cannot be underestimated. "

Ci'an was still frightened when she recalled what happened more than four years ago. The British and French forces invaded the capital, and she fled in a hurry with Emperor Xianfeng. At that time, the sound of distant artillery fire could be heard in the capital, shaking the sky and the earth.

She turned pale and said: "The incident of the British and French allied forces is still before our eyes. We, the Qing Dynasty, can no longer bear such disasters. Since the Japanese envoys have good intentions, we, the Qing Dynasty, should also treat them with courtesy. It must not happen again for a few years." It was a great disaster before.”

Cixi also said: "Sister, what you said makes sense. Wenxiang, what are your Prime Minister's Yamen going to do?"

Wen Xiang cupped his hands and said: "To express my gratitude to the Empress Dowager, I feel powerless. On this occasion, I have the courage to ask the Empress Dowager to reinstate Prince Gong as Prime Minister."

Cixi frowned and said, "Prince Gong is arrogant, domineering and domineering. The Holy Emperor has just dismissed him from office. How can he be restored to his official position in a short period of time?"

Wen Xiang advised: "Empress Dowager, in the Prime Minister's Office, only Prince Gong has experience in negotiating with ambassadors from various countries."

Ci'an thought about it for a long time and said: "Then let Prince Gong perform meritorious service and contact the Japanese mission on behalf of the court first. How about it, sister?"

Cixi nodded and said: "Sister, you have considered everything carefully. In this case, let's give Prince Gong a chance to make meritorious deeds."

"Hey, the Queen Mother is wise!"

Wen Xiang immediately rushed to Prince Gong's Mansion to meet Yi with the instructions from the Queen Mother of the two palaces. When Yi heard that Wen Xiang was coming, he hurriedly came out to greet him and laughed loudly: "Master Wen Xiang, why are you here?"

"Why do I bother His Royal Highness to welcome you?" Wen Xiang quickly returned the gift with a thousand greetings.

Yi smiled and said, "What good news did Lord Wenxiang bring?"

Wen Xiang stroked his beard and smiled: "Your Highness, you owe me a drink."

"Oh? Tell me quickly, let alone one drink, so what if it's ten drinks?" Prince Gong waved his hand, very refreshingly.

Wen Xiang took out the Yi Zhi of the Queen Mother of the Two Palaces from his arms, and Prince Gong immediately stood up and took it.

Wen Xiang said: "Presumably His Highness the Prince already knows about the Japanese envoy coming to Beijing. We have no experience in negotiating with foreign ambassadors. In the end, we have to rely on His Highness the Prince."

Yi put away his smile and said with a solemn expression: "This is not a good job. Lord Wenxiang, how do you feel about coming into contact with these Japanese people?"

Wen Xiang thought for a while and said: "Although these Japanese people are friendly on the surface, their actions, such as the elite escorts and the missions riding on armored ships, are all showing force to our Qing Dynasty.

Although compared to the French, British and other foreigners, these Japanese people have a lot of room for behavior and behavior. I think that if the Japanese just want to do business with us, it is fine. Anyway, the Qing Dynasty also trades with other countries, and there are many One Japan is not too much. "

Yi breathed a sigh of relief, nodded and said: "After hearing what you said, I feel confident about this matter. Okay, I will take over the errand."

Wen Xiang smiled and said: "I knew that His Highness the Prince would definitely be able to take over this matter. I will take you to the Japanese Ambassador later. Next, I will wait for the good news from His Highness the Prince."

Although they were eager to find out the true purpose of the Japanese mission, they could not lose the style of the Qing Dynasty, so Wenxiang returned to the Prime Minister's Office and made out the Prime Minister's wardrobe. On the other hand, Yi also arranged the prince's wardrobe to go to the Japanese mission.

Whether it was the Prime Minister or the Prince's outfit, it was all going with gongs and drums, flags and dozens of soldiers accompanying them, shouting at the people on the roadside to give way, and the scene was huge.

A group of people arrived in front of the Japanese Embassy. Cai Shantaro came forward to welcome the two into the lobby. Zhou Hengjuro was waiting in the corridor in front of the door. When he saw Wen Xiang coming in, he immediately stepped forward to greet them.

Wen Xiang immediately introduced: "This is His Royal Highness Prince Gong. There are some matters that I would like to ask the Ambassador to discuss with His Highness the Prince before I, the Prime Minister's Office, can report them to the court."

Zhou Hengjuro has inquired about a lot of information in the past few days. Many of the accompanying personnel can speak Chinese. They have been sent out to establish relationships in the past few days.

Zhou Hengjuro immediately remembered who Prince Gong was, and he quickly greeted him: "Hello, Your Highness, I am Zhou Hengjuro, the ambassador of Japan."

Prince Gong knew something about Japan and said: "The exchanges between Japan and the Qing Dynasty have a history of 200 years, and the establishment of diplomatic relations this time is also a grand event."

Zhou Hengjuro echoed: "That's what His Highness the Prince said, and that's what the Prime Minister meant."

Wen Xiang said: "Since His Highness the Prince and Mr. Ambassador can chat well, I can rest assured. You two will talk first, and I will take the first step."

After Wen Xiang left, Zhou Hengjuro immediately invited Yi to take a seat in the lobby.

Zhou Hengjuro said straight to the point: "Nowadays, Western countries are running rampant around the world to promote their own products. The Prime Minister has led the court to reform and produce our own products. However, many raw materials need to be purchased from Western countries and are expensive. This is not good for our country." Production.

However, the Prime Minister knows that the Qing Dynasty has a vast territory and abundant resources, and there will be no shortage of these raw materials. Therefore, the Prime Minister hopes to establish equal diplomatic relations with the Qing Dynasty, conduct trade, and achieve mutual benefit with the Qing Dynasty. "

Prince Gong said with a hint of pride: "Our Qing Dynasty is rich in products and never lacks anything. Why should Japan be equal to our Qing Dynasty?"

Zhou Hengjuro put away his smile and said: "Although I don't want to say this, but His Highness the Prince mentioned it, I can only say that it is a pity that if we cannot establish diplomatic relations peacefully, we can only use other means.

Our army learned from Britain and France and used their armaments and warships. The imperial court had a strong force of 5000 people, as well as [-] people from other vassals and tens of thousands of people from the shogunate.The Prime Minister does not want to go to war with the Qing Dynasty, because fighting each other will only make the Westerners happy.

Besides, if we trade with the Qing Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty can get a lot of gold and silver. Isn’t this a good thing for the Qing Dynasty? "

Prince Gong snorted softly and said: "You are right, but I, the Qing Dynasty, have millions of soldiers, and I am not afraid of you, Japan."

Zhou Hengjuro stood up and said: "His Royal Highness, please wait. Captain Imai, please demonstrate to His Highness the Prince."

Imai Yataro immediately ordered his subordinates to prepare for a demonstration. Prince Gong could not understand Japanese and could only watch the Japanese actions first.

Soon, a target had been set up in the spacious yard, and Yataro Imai was seen holding a Spencer gun at the target 20 meters away.

"Bang bang bang..."

In less than 1 minute, Yataro Imai fired seven shots.

Then he took out the revolver from his waist and fired six more times at the target in the distance.

Zhou Hengjuro then said: "Your Highness, we have equipped thousands of people with such guns. Is the Qing army confident of stopping such an army?"

Prince Gong clenched his fists, then changed his expression and said with a smile: "Hahaha, Japan's reform is really great, but our Qing Dynasty is also reforming.

Of course, Mr. Ambassador is right. Fighting each other will only make Westerners happy. We, the Qing Dynasty, will naturally not regard Japan as an enemy. "

Zhou Hengjuro sat down and said: "I am really touched to hear His Royal Highness say this. In fact, there are many benefits to our country's trade with the Qing Dynasty.

We can use gold and silver to trade with the Qing Dynasty. The price is definitely more affordable than Western countries. In addition, we can provide the Qing Dynasty with foreign guns and cannons. How about it? "

Prince Gong was a little moved and asked: "Is it like just now?"

Zhou Hengjuro was a little confused: "That kind of foreign gun is very expensive. One gun costs dozens of taels of gold, and a thousand rounds of ammunition is one tael of gold. Our country only has less than [-]. But for the sake of the friendship between the two countries, we You can spare a thousand handfuls and sell them to the Qing Dynasty."

Yi was overjoyed, stretched out his hand and said: "Ambassador Zhou, don't worry, I will definitely promote the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries."

Zhou Hengjuro shook hands with Yi, and then waved to the clerk on the side. The clerk immediately handed over a box. Zhou Hengjuro smiled and said: "This is the gold, silver and copper used in our country. I give it to His Highness the Prince for appreciation."

Yi opened it and saw a burst of golden light dazzling his eyes. He said with great satisfaction: "Hehehe, Mr. Ambassador is really thoughtful.

Recently, all the Western ministers hope to see the Holy One, but the imperial court considers the Empress Dowager to be a female and will avoid them for the time being. Mr. Ambassador, you can rest assured that I will persuade the Empress Dowager to summon Ambassador Zhou. "

Zhou Hengjuro said quickly: "I hope that the two countries will establish diplomatic relations as equals by then."

Yi was silent for a while and said: "We have discussed that you don't need to kneel down, but you have to bow five times."

Zhou Hengjuro smiled and said: "Then please leave it to Your Highness the Prince."

Yi left the Japanese ambassador's residence very satisfied.

Shantaro Cai came to Zhou Hengjuro and said: "Is it really okay to sell foreign guns and cannons to the Qing Dynasty? The population of this country is ten times that of our country. If the Qing Dynasty becomes stronger, it will be a great threat to us."

Zhou Hengjuro smiled and said: "Don't worry, this is what the Prime Minister told me. The Prime Minister said, 'The Qing Dynasty is now ruled by the minority Manchus. Today's Manchu Eight Banners are no longer the invincible cavalry of 200 years ago. The Qing Dynasty is The first counterinsurgency relied on the Han Hunan Army and the Huai Army. Even though the Qing Dynasty had advanced foreign guns, the guns were aimed at the country.

Brother Cai, although foreign guns and cannons are powerful, the most important thing is the people who use these firearms. Do you understand? "

Cai Shantaro nodded and said: "The Prime Minister is really far-sighted and knows everything about the internal affairs of the Qing Dynasty."

Zhou Hengjuro said: "Continue to give gifts to officials of the Qing Dynasty, and we must promote the establishment of diplomatic relations and the expansion of commerce this time.

In addition, the Prime Minister also asked us to contact the ambassador of Tsarist Russia. The Prime Minister hopes to contact Tsarist Russia. "

Cai Shantaro was a little surprised and said: "Why Tsarist Russia?"

"Because Japan is not a lackey of Britain and France." Zhou Hengjuro said solemnly.

　I will not write about the attack on the Qing Dynasty. The war was mainly between domestic and Western powers.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)