I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 110: The face of the Qing Dynasty, pressure from the five countries

With Yi's participation, the Japanese mission's contact with the Qing court accelerated. Originally, Wenxiang and the others wanted to use the Hunan Army to test Japan's new weapons, but Zhou Hengjuro made a show of force first, letting Yi and the Prime Minister's Yamen know about it. Japan's strength.

However, Zhou Hengjuro still encountered a lot of resistance when he wanted to meet the Qing emperor as an equal. Although the first and second Opium Wars opened the door to the Qing Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty still maintained the idea of ​​​​the Kingdom of Heaven. identity.

Even the ministers from Britain, France, the United States and Russia did not have the right to meet the Qing emperor without having to kneel down.

Even though Yi made it clear to the empress dowagers of the two palaces the benefits of establishing diplomatic relations between Japan and the Qing Dynasty, the Qingliu people fiercely opposed it in terms of etiquette.

Someone said: "Today Japan is allowed not to kneel and worship. Then Britain, France and other countries ask how the court can refuse. When the time comes, no one wants to kneel and worship. This matter cannot be started and must be delayed!"

In fact, Ci'an and Cixi were not very willing, and Yi, Wenxiang and other Westernizers could not persuade them.

Yi came to the Japanese mission's residence and complained to Zhou Hengjuro: "There are many people in the court who are trying to prevent this. I have tried my best."

Zhou Hengjuro could see that Yi was unwilling to give in, and he immediately said: "Now that the civil strife in the Qing Dynasty has not been settled, why not ask His Highness the Prince to introduce us to the ambassadors of Western countries? I can contact them to put pressure on your political opponents and force them to make concessions. .”

Yi thought about it, shook his head and said: "No, if other countries' forces participate, it will only make the Queen Mother unhappy."

Zhou Hengjuro was a little anxious. He had to return to Kyoto before mid-May, because at that time the general arrived in Kyoto and Yagyu needed a political achievement to consolidate his reputation.

He looked at Prince Gong and found that his expression was a little strange. In an instant, he suddenly realized: "Since Your Highness the Prince is in trouble, just pretend that I didn't say anything."

Yi cupped his hands and said, "I will try my best to persuade you. If Mr. Ambassador has any idea, please tell me in time."

Zhou Hengjuro cupped his hands and said: "Definitely, definitely."

Not long after Zhou Hengjuro sent Prince Gong away, someone sent a message from the ambassadors of Britain, France, the United States and Russia.

The embassies of Western countries are all in Dongjiaominxiang.

Zhou Hengjuro immediately brought gifts and first visited the British Embassy and met the consul Parkes. Parkes did not expect that Japan would actually send an envoy to the Qing Dynasty, so he asked: "Why did you come to the Qing Dynasty?"

Zhou Hengjuro replied: "The Prime Minister sent us here. The Qing Dynasty is rich in materials and can meet Japan's industrial needs."

"Prime Minister?" Parkes was very surprised. He did not expect that Japan was already learning from the Western system.

Zhou Heijuro explained: "Yes, Prime Minister Yagyu imitated your national system and established a cabinet to assist the emperor in governing the world."

Parkes was very happy and said: "Very good. Prime Minister Yagyu is very wise. I welcome Japan to become a civilized country."

Zhou Hengjuro and Parkes had a pleasant conversation. Half an hour later, Zhou Hengjuro left a gift of almost a thousand pounds and left the embassy.

After he came out, Cai Shantaro was waiting outside.

"Let's go to the Russian Embassy."

Zhou Hengjuro went directly to the Russian Embassy.

Shantaro Cai caught up and asked, "Yingjili will mind!"

Zhou Hengjuro smiled and said: "I have already told Ambassador Parkes, in order to force the Qing Dynasty to accept the fact that ministers will not kneel before the Qing Emperor."

Cai Shantaro was a little happy and quickly handed over the gift.

Zhou Hengjuro came to the Tsarist Russian Embassy to explain his intention. The guards in front of the embassy looked down at Zhou Hengjuro with some disdain.A few minutes later, a secretary came to the embassy and invited Zhou Hengjuro to meet with the Russian ambassador.

When Woliang Gali saw Zhou Hengjuro, he said very rudely: "Ha, isn't this the bastard relationship between England and France? Why did you come to see me? Didn't your master throw a bone for you?"

Zhou Hengjuro said with some sullenness: "Mr. Ambassador, I must have some misunderstandings. We in Japan are not anyone's lackeys. Although some people in the country cooperate with England and France, the imperial court has been reforming and revitalizing the country's strength.

Although England has hinted that we want to be an enemy of your country, the Prime Minister believes that the Russian Empire is not our enemy, but our friend.

But it seems a pity now that Tsarist Russia does not welcome Japan. "

Woliang Gali put away his previous unkind expression and said: "Although Japan is a small country, we have quite a lot of communication. I misunderstood before. Now we can talk. If there is anything I can do, I think you are friends of our country.”

Zhou Hengjuro directly took out a letter of credence and said: "This is the proposal of our Prime Minister. Our country can give up Huatai Island (Sakhalin Island) and exchange the Thousand Islands with your country. If possible, our country can pay for the purchase of Alaska." .”

Warangali looked at this official letter of credence and was confused for a moment. Although he didn't understand why Japan wanted the barren land of Alaska, some people in the country proposed selling Alaska to reduce the empire's defense pressure.

He couldn't help but ask: "How much money do you plan to spend to buy Alaska?"

Zhou Hengjuro said directly: "150 million pounds."

Wolianggari was a little surprised and continued to ask: "Why are you buying Alaska? Isn't it a British conspiracy?"

Zhou Hengjuro explained: "Mr. Ambassador, you should know that Japan's territory is small, so the Prime Minister hopes to expand the territory as a political achievement and improve his reputation, which will be conducive to the restoration."

Wo Liang Gali nodded slightly and said, "I see your sincerity. I will ask for domestic opinions on this matter."

Zhou Hengjuro saluted and said: "When the time comes, just ask your country to send envoys to Japan for negotiation. In addition, I have already reached an agreement with the English Ambassador Parkes, and together we will put pressure on the Qing Dynasty and ask the Qing Dynasty court to allow our ambassadors to visit the Qing Dynasty. The emperor bows, and I hope the ambassador can also participate."

Woliang Gali stretched out his hand and said, "I am extremely happy."

Zhou Hengjuro left the Russian Embassy with a gift of almost one thousand pounds, and then visited the American and French embassies.

Everyone agreed to put pressure on the Qing court.

However, the officials of the Qing Dynasty refused because the Queen Mother was a female and it was inconvenient to see outsiders.

However, things soon took a turn for the better. At the end of April, Seng Gelinqin was ambushed by the Nian Army during the counter-rebellion and died on the battlefield, which shocked the Qing court.

Zhou Hengjuro once again persuaded the ministers of the four countries to request an audience with the emperor instead of the queen mother. Ci'an and Cixi were worried about the recurrence of war, and coupled with Yi's persuasion, they could only agree to allow the ministers from the five countries to meet the emperor Tongzhi.

On the first day of May, Emperor Tongzhi summoned the envoys from the five countries at Ziguang Pavilion. Prince Gong and Prince Chun accompanied the emperor as auxiliary princes to receive the envoys from the five countries.

Zhou Hengjuro and other ambassadors bowed five times to Emperor Tongzhi, and then the two countries exchanged letters of credence, formally established an alliance, and started trade.

At that time, Yi, Wenxiang and others will set up coal mining companies and iron ore companies to trade with Japan, and the two parties will settle in gold and silver.

The Embassy of Japan will also be moved to Dongjiaomin Lane.

Zhou Hengjuro returned to the temporary embassy and breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Great, I have completed the two things that the Prime Minister told you. Brother Cai, you immediately return to Kyoto with your credentials to report to the Prime Minister. I Stay in the Qing Dynasty to consolidate the results of the war."

　The Manchu copy is finally over and may rarely be mentioned in the future.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)