Tuqing: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 169 Su Yi’s will! Negotiation failed! Tragic death

To be honest, Su Yi had no intention of fighting with Xianfeng at this time.

There was even no intention of compromising with Xianfeng at all.

In the past two and a half years, he just wanted to quietly develop the Jiujiang Economic Pilot Zone and complete the gambling agreement.

His next strategic node was in 1860.

That was his intensive explosive period.

Before that, all he had to do was use clever means to avoid all right and wrong.

Even when necessary, play the role of a victim.

To be honest, the current situation cannot be undone even if the gods come.

At this time, no matter who goes to negotiate with the British, they will either lose their power and humiliate the country, or return in failure.

There is absolutely no third outcome.

After the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan returned from Yangzhou, his attitude was different and became more severe.

Because in his opinion, the two new wings of the army have been transferred, Su Yi's strongest force is no longer available, and he can decide what to do next.

He came to Jiujiang Magistrate's Yamen again.

Sushun said he wanted to stop Kuang Yuan from scolding Su Yi, but it might be too late.

It was indeed too late. When Kuang Yuan returned to Jiujiang, the news of the fall of Guangzhou had only just arrived in Beijing.

Jiujiang is completely clueless.

"Lord Su Yi, the emperor has an oral message."

Su Yi wanted to receive the edict.

Kuang Yuan said: "This oral edict requires the presence of all the adults in Jiangxi, including the envoy, the envoy, the prefect of Nanchang, the prefect of Jiujiang, the commander-in-chief of Ganzhen, the generals of Ganzhen, guerrillas, etc., all of them are present."

Su Yi said: "Then the official will summon them to Jiujiang immediately."

Next, Su Yi sent troops to Nanchang and summoned all important civil and military officials from Jiangxi to the Jiujiang Prefecture Yamen.

Shen Baozhen found Su Yi and said, "Sir, is this necessary?"

Su Yi said: "It is necessary. The more aggrieved you are now, the more proactive you will be in the future."

"There is one thing, Mr. Youdan needs to be prepared."

Shen Baozhen said: "You tell me."

Su Yi said: "Next, your official position as Jiujiang Magistrate may be taken away, and the court will replace someone as Jiujiang Magistrate."

Shen Baozhen's expression twitched slightly and he said: "That's okay, as long as you work under an adult, it's the same."

Su Yi said: "At that time, Mr. Youdan may be in charge of Jiujiang's internal affairs as my staff for a long time. It will probably take more than two years. At that time, I will not only reinstate you to your post, but also make you the chief envoy."

Shen Baozhen said: "Thank you sir for your support."

Then, Shen Baozhen said: "Sir, it doesn't matter if I, the prefect of Jiujiang, are lost, but the cause of Jiujiang is important now. What if the emperor sends a political enemy here to cause trouble for you in order to mix things up?"

Su Yi said calmly: "If the person who comes is a friend, then treat it as a Bodhisattva and make a good offering. If the person who comes is an enemy..."

Su Yi paused for a moment, and then said: "I will not let him go to Jiujiang alive."

Although his tone was calm, it was full of murderous intent.

Shen Baozhen was frightened when he heard this.

Then, Shen Baozhen said: "Sir, if you do this, you have angered the emperor. What if he issues a decree and dismisses you from the post of governor of Jiangxi?"

The relationship between Su Yi and the emperor has not deteriorated to that point yet.

Su Yi said: "I won't let such a thing happen."

His tone became even calmer.

"I paid countless prices to establish the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone and set the country on a different path. No one can destroy it."

From Su Yi's tone, Shen Baozhen smelled an extremely strong will.

He didn't know what Su Yi would do, but it would definitely be amazing.

I hope the imperial court will not be so stupid, otherwise it will be another collapse.

If Su Yi doesn't take action, it will be very scary.

Previously, Shen Baozhen stood from the enemy's point of view, watching Su Yi's rapid advance, the great victory in Yangzhou, the victory over Jiujiang without bloodshed, and the easy deception of Nanchang. He felt that Su Ye was full of tricks and cunning.

And now it seems!

This guy is purely an absolute idealist.

It looked easy for him to walk before, but now when I look at him, I see that the road he has to walk is the most difficult.

It was difficult for Zeng Guofan, but Su Yi was much more difficult than Zeng Guofan.

Because although the things Zeng Guofan did were great, he had never done anything like Su Yi, who had never wanted to open up a completely different path for the country.

Even Shen Baozhen, a determined egoist, was infected.

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A few days later, Hu Linyi led all the civil and military officials from Jiangxi.

All those of rank three and above were present, a total of more than a dozen people.

Even several important prefects were present.

Then at the magistrate's office, the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan shouted: "The emperor has spoken."

Su Yi said: "My lord, I respectfully send you my holy greetings."

Imperial Envoy Kuang Yuan cupped his hands toward the north and said, "Blessings, Holy Gong."

Next, he used the tone of an emperor.

He reprimanded Su Yi extremely severely.

In front of more than a dozen officials from Jiangxi, he spoke a thousand words eloquently.

There is only one core meaning. You, Su Yi, have achieved what you have today. Although you have your own talents and abilities, it is more due to my respect.

Without me, where would your new army come from? Where did you come from the great victory in Yangzhou? Where did you get the great victory in Nanchang?

As a result, you, Su Yi, completely thought it was your own ability, left the capital, left my side, and forgot about it?

He violated the rules by taking concubines, illegally amassed money, traveled to various provinces, and did not do his job properly.

The main reason why I asked you to be the governor of Jiangxi is to suppress rebellion. Have you forgotten?

I asked you to expand your victory and continue to conquer rebellion. However, you repeatedly shied away, saying that foreign barbarians would attack our Qing Dynasty, and that your new army would defend the capital and me. How ridiculous is that?

Are you cursing me and the Qing Dynasty?

Do you still want to be the governor of Jiangxi? Can it be done?

This reprimand did not mean anything to Su Yi. On the contrary, Hu Linyi and the other officials were sweating profusely and frightened.

Next, the emperor calmed down slightly and said that Su Yi is a young man and it is inevitable to make mistakes. In line with the purpose of treating diseases and saving people, I will give you the opportunity to make meritorious deeds.

What the future holds next depends on your fate, Su Yi.

See if you realize your mistakes and reflect deeply.

But that’s what it means anyway.

In short, the entire oracle lasted two quarters of an hour.

Ordinarily, Su Yi, the governor of Jiangxi, would lose his authority in the face of such an oracle and reprimand.

However, many Jiangxi officials kneeling below also cried out for Su Yi.

It wasn't that they admired Su Yi's career or anything like that. To be honest, they were confused and didn't know what Su Yi was going to do.

But one thing is that Su Yi, the governor of Jiangxi, does not make money or look for trouble.

And Hu Linyi is also a well-rounded person.

Many officials in Jiangxi have almost had the best time.

Compared to Hubei and Hunan, it was really a paradise day.

Needless to say, Hubei’s Zeng Guofan lost several layers of skin.

Although Luo Bingzhang of Hunan was not in charge of affairs, the head of the family, Zuo Zongtang, could not tolerate any sand in his eyes. There was no one in Hunan who was not afraid of the officials, from the admiral to the commander-in-chief, from the chief envoy to the academic admiral.

In the eyes of many officials, Su Yi, the governor of Jiangxi, was like a parent.

Previously, most of the entire Jiangxi Province fell and was controlled by rebellion. Not only did everyone lose their official positions, but they also risked their lives.

As soon as Master Su Yi came, he recovered Jiujiang and Nanchang, and wiped out the rebellious army of tens of thousands in one fell swoop. Then he forced the Hunan army to go south, eliminated other rebellions, and recovered the entire Jiangxi.

After he became the governor of Jiangxi, there were no new officials to take office, so no one could give away money even if they wanted to.

I finally used my concubine to treat me to a drink. Is this considered making money?

Everyone was so happy to give the money, but they were afraid that Mr. Su Yi wouldn't accept it.

Now that the emperor has reprimanded him so severely and Mr. Su Yi is not guaranteed his official position, then... wouldn't everyone's good days come to an end?

After the emperor finished reciting the oral instructions, the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan said: "Okay, you all can leave first, but you still stay in Jiujiang and don't leave in a hurry."

Hu Linyi left with many officials to inquire.

Many officials came forward to inquire: "Master Hu, Master Su Yi, are you really going to remove them?"

Hu Linyi's heart was extremely complicated. On the one hand, if Su Yi was dismissed, could he, Hu Linyi, take over? Probably not.

The most important thing is that the emperor didn't know what Su Yi was doing, but he, Hu Linyi, knew.

He couldn't quite understand it, but he also exclaimed in his heart that it was awesome.

If we were dismissed just like that, what would happen to such a big stall in Jiujiang?

This is about the relationship between the Qing Dynasty and the British Empire, about tens of millions of taels of silver, and about the fate of hundreds of thousands of people.

Just wiped out like ashes?

After Hu Linyi and many officials left, the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan faced Su Yi alone, and his expression suddenly softened.

"Lord Su Yi, Your Majesty shows deep love and deep responsibility." Kuang Yuan said: "So, Lord Su Yi is extremely smart and should know very clearly what to do next."

Su Yi said: "Write an apology letter."

Kuang Yuan said: "Yes, Sir Su Yi, please start writing immediately. If you review everything deeply and be more sincere, then this test will be over. The Emperor still values ​​you after all."

Su Yi said: "Then please ask me to stay in Jiujiang for a while. After I have written the apology letter, please bring it back to the emperor."

Next, Su Yi went to write an apology note.

Shen Baozhen wanted to ghostwrite, but Su Yi still did it herself.

The next day, Su Yi handed over the first apology letter. After reading it, Kuang Yuan was not satisfied.

"Master Su Yi, you should rewrite it. This attitude will not satisfy the emperor."

Another day passed, and Su Yi wrote another one.

After Kuang Yuan read it, he was still not satisfied.

Another day passed, and Su Yi wrote the third copy.

But the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan was still dissatisfied.

"Master Su Yi, do you still want to be the governor of Jiangxi? Can your confession of apology satisfy the emperor? You didn't even mention the key point." Kuang Yuan said angrily: "You know, What will be the consequences if we just return to Beijing like this?"

At this time, Hu Linyi and Jiangxi senior officials were all present.

Su Yi said: "Excuse me, my superior, what should I write in my confession? Didn't the emperor reprimand me for taking concubines beyond the limit and taking the opportunity to make money?"

Kuang Yuan said: "Master Su Yi, do you really not know, or are you just pretending to be confused? About setting up a factory? About cursing the court? About pushing the envelope and attacking and rebellious, you didn't mention a word."

Su Yi said coldly: "As for these things, I feel that I have done nothing wrong."

As soon as these words came out, the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan was stunned.

Can't believe my ears at all.

Hu Linyi and other Jiangxi officials were also shocked.

Su Yi, you, did you take the wrong medicine?

So tough?

Do you know the consequences of saying this?

Su Yi said: "I said that Ye Mingchen's repeated irritation of the foreign barbarians would lead to catastrophic disasters. The new army cannot start a war, cannot attack the rebels, and must always be prepared to defend the capital and the emperor. I am speaking from the bottom of my heart. What's wrong with that? "

Imperial Envoy Kuang Yuan said: "Su Yi, do you know what the consequences will be if I take these exact words back? Your future is gone, and you have nothing."

Su Yi said: "Have you forgotten? As early as when I predicted the Battle of Jiujiang, I said that I, Su Yining, will not bend. For the sake of the country, I will say what others dare not say. Others are coaxing the court, Coax the Emperor. I am telling the truth. As for the consequences? Lord Kuangyuan, when you took the two wings of the new army away from me, did I say a word? Did I regard the new army as my own private army? ?"

"I, Su Yi, am devoted to serving the public, and I can learn from this from heaven and earth!"

The imperial envoy Kuang Yuan was so angry that he was shaking all over and said: "What a lesson for the world. The whole world is drunk and you are the only one who can wake up, right? OK, OK, OK, I will tell the emperor what he said, and all the consequences will be yours." Take it.”

Then, the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan left Jiujiang angrily and took a boat to go north.

He was extremely angry, and he just wanted to accuse Su Yi of being stubborn and arrogant and ignorant when he returned to the capital.

It's a pity that he left a few days ago!

Just four days later!

The British launched a war, and news of the fall of Guangzhou had already reached Jiujiang.

However, a few days later!

When the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan left the ship and just arrived in Tongzhou, he had already received the bad news.

Time!

He was completely stunned.

The British sent troops and Guangzhou fell.

He was stunned for a moment.

But looking back, I'm afraid the emperor will be even more angry if this happens.

So, while organizing his language, he headed to the capital to prepare for the meeting with the Holy Spirit.

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By the time the news of the fall of Guangzhou reached Jiangxi, it had spread almost throughout China.

It completely set off a storm.

All Jiangxi officials were completely stunned.

Master Su Yi, you are so awesome.

It turns out that you are really loyal and patriotic.

It turns out that the whole world is really drunk and you are the only one awake.

Mr. Su Yi, for this matter, you reminded the emperor again and again, and as a result, you lost the Holy Family.

It's really well-intentioned, why bother?

Suddenly, the admiration of many officials in Jiangxi for Su Yi reached a new level.

And Shen Baozhen began to promote it.

Suddenly, everyone in Jiujiang Mansion felt sorry for Su Yi.

Mr. Su Yi serves the country and the people, warning the emperor and the court. He is such a loyal minister. What kind of talent is this?

As a result, the emperor ignored it and instead vented his anger on Mr. Su Yi, which led to today's catastrophic disaster.

Now, he actually took away Master Su Yi's military power and sent an imperial minister to reprimand him?

How unfair is the way of heaven?

If Mr. Su Yi is transferred away, will everyone still have a good life?

Suddenly, the entire Jiujiang's admiration and support for Su Yi reached a whole new level. But after the news reached Hubei, it was in a different state.

Zeng Guofan, the governor of Hubei, secretly came to Jiujiang to hold talks with Su Yi.

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"Master Su Yi, what do you think of the foreign barbarians' capture of Guangzhou?" Zeng Guofan asked.

Su Yi said bluntly: "This war will be fought and discussed, and it will be postponed for two or three years."

Zeng Guofan asked: "What will be the final outcome?"

Su Yi was silent for a while and said, "I don't know."

At this time, he did not confess, but he knew the outcome.

He even wants to influence the outcome.

At the most critical moment, he had to turn the tide.

Zeng Guofan said: "Master Su Yi, what is your position?"

Su Yi was silent for a moment and said, "I only care about the country and the country."

Zeng Guofan understood it instantly.

But he actually didn't fully understand it, but at least he understood what Su Yi meant now.

Zeng Guofan said: "During this period, Master Su Yi, do you want to advance and retreat with us?"

This is heartbreaking.

Su Yi said: "Okay!"

Zeng Guofan stretched out his hand.

Su Yi reached out and shook hands with Zeng Guofan.

This was considered silent thunder.

The two strongest military forces in the South reached an agreement on this key issue.

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At this time, the emperor in Beijing fell into anger again.

Because after the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan came back, he severely sued Su Yi.

The emperor was so angry.

Well, Su Yi, I gave you a chance, but you didn’t cherish it?

Is this how you wrote the confession?

Are you still so arrogant? And you said you were half right?

you are right? So it was me who was wrong?

Could it be that you knew that after Guangzhou fell and the British invaded, you felt that your opportunity had come?

Do you think I need to ask you for help?

Do you think the Qing Dynasty really cannot live without you?

Suddenly, he had an impulse and immediately issued an order to remove Su Yi from the post of governor of Jiangxi.

But Sushun stopped the emperor and said that he should wait for the outcome of the negotiations with He Guiqing.

just in case!

What if He Guiqing's negotiations fail?

What if Su Yi is really needed?

Therefore, even if Su Yi, the governor of Jiangxi, was to be dismissed, it would not be too late to issue an order until He Guiqing's negotiations were successful.

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He Guiqing came to Guangzhou with the expectations of the court and the expectations of the emperor!

He has a certain degree of confidence in this negotiation.

Because the emperor's tone has relaxed, it is not impossible to agree to the condition proposed by the foreigners before.

After waiting for three full days, he finally met Elgin, the supreme commander of the British Empire in the Far East.

After a brief exchange of greetings, the two sides decided to start negotiations tomorrow.

next day!

He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, appeared at the negotiation table with a team of more than a dozen people and professional translators.

Sitting opposite were not only British representatives, but also French and American representatives.

He Guiqing was about to make a formal opening statement, condemning the other party's military actions and harming innocent civilians.

However, the British representative handed over a document directly.

"If you want us to withdraw our troops, if you agree to these conditions, we can withdraw our troops."

The French representative next to him said: "These conditions must not only be promised to the British Empire, but also to our French Empire."

The American representative next to him said: "There are still us."

He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, took it and took a look. He almost fainted.

How could this... how could this be agreed to?

If he agreed, the emperor would probably kill him.

The compensation was 20 million taels of silver.

Twelve more cities were added to serve as trading ports, and they also enjoyed the power of consular adjudication and free missionary rights.

The most dazzling thing is that the envoys from the three countries want to enter the capital, and they have to station troops at the embassy for protection.

This last one completely trampled the emperor's bottom line a hundred times.

The emperor would never tolerate foreigners entering Tianjin, let alone entering the capital.

There are dozens of provisions, including that foreigners can freely enter and leave China, and can go to any city to preach, travel, and do business.

The tax customs in many cities must be handed over to the British.

The entire Yangtze River route should be opened to the British, French and American fleets.

Etc., etc.

He Guiqing is simply impossible to talk about.

He tried to speak, but Elgin said: "Either agree to sign the contract, or our fleet will go north to Tianjin, our troops will land in Tianjin, and we will go to the capital to talk to your emperor in person."

After saying that, the British commander, Count Elgin, stood up and left directly.

The first day of negotiations ended unhappily.

Next, the second day, the third day, the fourth day.

The British side made no concessions.

There is only one meaning in words.

Either agree completely or continue the war.

Even in the subsequent negotiations, the British commander Earl Elgin did not show up.

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At this time, Ye Mingchen, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, ushered in his most painful and humiliating time.

Historically, he was captured and shipped to Calcutta.

Rumor has it that he was exhibited like a monkey.

Some people say that this is a rumor. He was treated politely at the manor in Calcutta, and he was even invited to attend banquets and the like.

But Ye Mingchen still insisted on being Su Wu, and even wanted to negotiate with the King of England.

Finally, after eating the food brought from the Qing Dynasty, he chose to go on a hunger strike and died.

The inside story is difficult to explain clearly.

But judging from the portraits leaked from the British side, Ye Mingchen was definitely not very respectable in Calcutta.

But regardless of history, in this world, Ye Mingchen is very disgraceful.

He was locked in a cage and most of his clothes were taken off, revealing his fat body.

Then, I specially found a painter to paint his appearance from all angles.

Because the British hate Ye Mingchen more than in history.

In the past few months, Ye Mingchen arrested and detained more than dozens of officials and more than a dozen military attachés from the Guangzhou Consulate and the Hong Kong Legation.

And these people were punished to some extent.

In retaliation, the British also treated him dishonorably.

Ye Mingchen was also arrested last time, but at least he was not mistreated.

But this time, the majesty was gone.

He was a dignified governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, the pinnacle of a feudal official, but he was treated like this.

Extremely indignant.

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Another day of new negotiations.

Britain, France and the United States still made no concessions.

They still insisted on either fully agreeing, or they would attack the capital and force the emperor to agree.

He Guiqing had no choice but to negotiate small conditions and open a gap.

"Ye Mingchen is a first-class official in our country. Please ask the other party to release him to show his sincerity in negotiations!"

The other party disagrees.

He Guiqing said, "Then it's always okay for me to visit him, right?"

The British side agreed.

Then He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, went to visit Ye Mingchen.

Within the prison.

Ye Mingchen was completely ashamed to death when he saw He Guiqing.

If no acquaintance saw him being humiliated like this, there seemed to be a protective layer.

He Guiqing is not only an acquaintance, but also a political opponent to some extent, and now he is seen like this.

Ye Mingchen felt that all the dignity and decency in his life had been lost.

He Guiqing said with great complexity: "Governor Ye, you have caused great harm to the court and the emperor."

"But don't worry, I will try my best to rescue you. Then you can give an explanation to the emperor."

Then, He Guiqing couldn't bear to watch any longer and left the cell.

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The next day, a new round of negotiations began.

He Guiqing once again started from Ye Mingchen.

"We insist that you must first release Governor Ye and show your sincerity, and then we will continue to negotiate other terms."

He felt that this should be an effortless matter for the British. As long as the British agreed, it would be a good start.

Only in this way can we continue the next negotiation, and maybe we can chew it off bit by bit.

However, the other party was silent.

He Guiqing said: "I once again state that Governor Ye Mingchen is a first-class official in our country and has a very high political status. Your imprisonment in this way is a serious violation of the majesty of our Qing Dynasty."

After a while, the British representative said: "Okay, we agree to release Ye Mingchen."

Suddenly, He Guiqing was overjoyed.

Finally a good start and the British are not that difficult to talk to.

As a result, hope for the next negotiations was once again restored.

"Please come with us." the British staff said.

Then, He Guiqing followed him to the cell again.

However, he only saw the body of Ye Mingchen, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, with a deep mark on his neck.

The British personnel said: "I am very sorry, Governor Ye Mingchen committed suicide last night."

For a moment, He Guiqing's soul was gone and his whole body was cold.

His heart was filled with fear.

He felt that Ye Mingchen did not commit suicide, but that the British killed him last night.

Then, He Guiqing returned to the station with Ye Mingchen's body.

That night, he had nightmares again and again.

The more I think about it, the more frightened I become, and the more I think about it, the more terrifying it becomes.

The more I think about it, the more I feel that Ye Mingchen did not commit suicide, but was strangled to death by the British. He felt that this was killing the chicken to scare the monkey, threatening himself with Ye Mingchen's death.

We can't talk about it anymore.

If we continue talking, we will not be able to protect ourselves.

Therefore, He Guiqing fled Guangzhou directly the next day and gave up the negotiations.

Historically, the governor of Liangjiang faced the Taiping Army, with nearly 100,000 troops in his hands, but still abandoned the city and fled, which made Wang Youling extremely angry.

Here, after feeling the fear of death, he once again chose to run away.

The British were originally waiting for a new day of negotiations, but they have shown extremely toughness these days.

Next, I want to take a break.

Make concessions on several issues.

For Elgin, war is not an end, but a means.

As long as the goal can be achieved, negotiation is the best means.

Moreover, he felt that He Guiqing was a good negotiating partner, as compromise was written all over him.

He deeply felt that this negotiation would be successful.

But I didn't expect that He Guiqing, the negotiator of the Qing court, would run away like this.

Suddenly, there was only one word in his mind.

Fu...ck!

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Note: This is the first update. I finished it at seven o'clock, which is quite early.

For those of you who have monthly votes, please vote a few for me. Please, I’m going to sleep!

(End of this chapter)