Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 426 Diplomatic Rivalry

De Ling also said: "Yes, the political economy I have learned will also be of some use to the emperor in governing the country."

Guan Xuqing smiled, thought for a while and said: "Okay, I will give you a certain amount of freedom, and I will give you a certain amount of time every year, allowing you to travel and study in Europe and around the world. You are not ordinary women, and I also You cannot be restrained by common etiquette.”

"Really?"

Guan Xuqing smiled and nodded.

Concubine Zhen said angrily: "The emperor is biased, just accepted them and made another rule."

Guan Xuqing shook Concubine Zhen's hand and said, "I treat you all equally. When have you ever been biased, as long as you want, I will give you no matter how difficult it is."

Concubine Zhen said again: "So, are you willing to enter the palace?"

Rong Ling and De Ling were shy and silent.

At this moment, the eunuch Xiao De'an came in and knelt down and said: "Master Feng of the military department is waiting outside the palace."

"Oh? Let's go and have a look." Guan Xuqing turned his head and said to Sister Rong Ling: "Choose an auspicious day later, and you can come into the palace with the master of ceremonies. I have something to go first."

When he came outside the palace, Feng Xianghua hurriedly walked a few steps and said: "My Majesty, all of Hong Kong has been taken."

Guan Xuqing didn't show much surprise, but asked flatly, "What's the reaction from the UK?"

"As of now, Britain has not issued any statement on this matter." Feng Xianghua wondered why the emperor didn't ask about the situation in Hong Kong when he came up, as if the victory was already well-established.

"How are the casualties?"

"This is the process of this battle and the casualties, please have a look."

After watching it, Guan Xuqing said to Feng Xianghua: "The future war will be fought like this Hong Kong battle, understand?"

"Cha." Feng Xianghua could hear that the emperor was obviously very satisfied with this battle, but there was not much surprise on his face.

"The most urgent task now is to maintain social stability in Hong Kong. Foreign businessmen and British soldiers participating in the war must be treated differently. British businessmen must be monitored but must not be easily detained. British prisoners of war must not be abused, but they must be detained and closely monitored. .”

"Cha. Are we taking the initiative to contact the British side or"

"Don't pay attention to them. China is the winner. Hong Kong is firmly in our hands. The British will soon lose their composure."

Guan Xuqing’s judgment was correct. Fifteen hours after the Hong Kong Battle ended, the British Foreign Office and the Military Department issued a solemn statement in London. In the statement, they severely condemned China’s barbaric invasion of Hong Kong. hypocrisy, and called on peace-loving countries all over the world to unite and condemn China's aggression.

Regarding this, Guan Xuqing just laughed it off. He immediately instructed the Ministry of Culture to activate the imperial propaganda machine and bombard the UK together. Not only did it once again expose the truth and historical origin of the Hong Kong issue, but it also posted photos of the British invasion of China and other countries in the past. Announce it together.All of a sudden, the war of words between China and Britain permeated the whole world.

After several days of mutual attacks, the British were finally defeated. After all, for the aggressive Britain in the past, there were too many things that could not be put on the table. It also greatly aroused the anti-British sentiments of the people in the British colonial countries and regions. The British knew that if the fight continued like this, Britain’s diplomatic situation in the world would be extremely embarrassing. In the end, Queen Victoria instructed the Parliament to cooperate with the China makes formal contacts for further consultations on the Hong Kong issue.

But this time Wu Tingfang was not in a hurry. In one day, the British Foreign Office sent power to Beijing six times, hoping to have an early consultation. Tang Shaoyi, the director of the Information Department, came to Wu Tingfang in a hurry. We have sent power to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs several times, should we give an answer, we are always so indifferent, what if the emperor blames it!"

Wu Tingfang said with a smile: "The emperor will not blame. Before this war, we showed full sincerity. How did the British make things difficult for us at that time? Can you forget it? Now, Hong Kong is already in the We have it in our hands, and it is not us but the UK that are flustered now. Don't worry, wait a little longer."

Tang Shaoyi wiped the cold sweat off her brow and said, "What if the British declare war on our country in a hurry?"

Wu Tingfang's complexion sank: "Shaochuan, I have said many times that diplomatic work is related to the national system. We only need to maintain the dignity of the empire. As for the following things, we can't control them. This is called doing everything possible." What's more, the British were almost dragged down by the world war, and now they are devastated, dare to declare war on our country for a small Hong Kong? You must know that today's England is not the powerful empire on which the sun never sets."

"Yes."

On the second day, the British could no longer hold back, and directly sent a telegram to Beijing, stating that regardless of whether China agreed or not, Britain would immediately send a negotiating team led by Foreign Secretary Smeigley to Beijing, hoping to get China's fair and friendly reception.Wu Tingfang immediately brought this telegram to see the emperor.After reading it, Guan Xuqing said with a smile: "The British people sometimes can't sit still, so they don't need to give a reply, but when they come, they should be received according to formal diplomatic etiquette."

"twitter."

On the fourth day after Lu Rongting's troops occupied Hong Kong, the British diplomatic negotiating delegation finally arrived in Beijing. Wu Tingfang led a group of key officials from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hold a brief but warm welcome ceremony.After the ceremony, at the request of the British representatives, the press meeting and other links were omitted, and the group went directly into the conference room prepared by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.There is no redundant welcome speech, no redundant thank you speech, and the negotiation between the two parties will proceed immediately!

Smegley first said: "Your Excellency, the whole world now knows that a regrettable incident occurred on September 9. China brazenly launched an act of aggression against Hong Kong. We are very angry about this. , Today I am here to meet you on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and the people of the British Empire, in order to state our three requirements."

"Really?" Wu Tingfang didn't expect the British to be so aggressive at this point, but he knew that diplomatic negotiations always pay attention to the first move, as long as they can overwhelm the opponent in terms of momentum, then the next negotiations will be even stronger It went well. For the British who are used to seeing the world, this one is of course very skillful. "Which three requirements, we are all ears."

"First, both of us must be soberly aware that this war is a war of aggression against Hong Kong launched by China unilaterally. All the British working in Hong Kong. Third, the Chinese army must immediately withdraw to the border line before the war began, and Britain will resume the management of this area. Considering the friendship between China and Britain, and the reasons for this war Due to some accidental factors, we have decided not to hold the Chinese side accountable for the losses suffered by the British side in this war.” Smegley spoke quickly, staring sharply at every Chinese official present.

Wu Tingfang listened quietly, knowing that the other party was arguing three points unreasonably. He was obviously a loser, and he tried his best to show an aggressive posture. It was not until the other party finished speaking that he coughed dryly and said: "Smig Mr. Lai, we refuse to accept these three demands you put forward."

This very plain sentence made all the representatives of the British side change their colors, and Smeigley said with a livid face, "Why?"

"Our position and views on the Hong Kong issue have been expressed many times by His Majesty the Emperor and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is no need to reiterate it. Before this war, we have always maintained a positive attitude and hope to cooperate with your country in this It is a pity that you turned a blind eye to our efforts, and instead expressed your decision to use force to prevent China from taking back Hong Kong on formal diplomatic occasions. This is unacceptable to the empire and the people. As a result, you, the UK, should I take full responsibility." Wu Tingfang replied calmly.

Smeagley suddenly stood up, the muscles on his face twitched in anger: "Then what exactly do you want?"

Wu Tingfang sneered: "If the UK wants to continue to maintain friendly relations with China, the Hong Kong issue should be properly resolved. China and the UK will sign a new agreement and hold a formal ceremony to exchange Hong Kong back to the empire. If the UK wants to maintain a friendly relationship with China If the empire turns against each other, we have nothing to fear, whether you admit it or not, Hong Kong will be reintroduced into the territory of the empire from now on. But the empire will make a new evaluation of the relationship between China and Britain."

Wu Tingfang's meaning is obvious, that is, if the UK wants to continue to maintain diplomatic relations with China and receive financial assistance from China, it must unconditionally recognize the ownership of Hong Kong. Otherwise, China and the UK will embark on the road of hostility. Anyway, Hong Kong has already It is occupied by China, even if you do not admit it, there is nothing you can do about it.

Smigley was furious, and couldn't help shouting anymore: "Minister, do you want to get the British Empire's declaration of war for a Hong Kong?"

This is no longer a negotiation, but a threat or intimidation.Wu Tingfang snorted with a cold face: "The development history of the empire in the past 20 years has shown that even in its weakest period, it has never been afraid of any power. Back then, the British Far East Fleet maintained its invincibility in the world, but in the end it was still defeated by China. In the hands of the fleet, I am afraid that you have not forgotten this matter."

Wu Tingfang's words were full of needles, which made Smegley speechless for a moment, and his pale face turned purple.

(End of this chapter)