As soon as the British delegate heard Weeser's authentic American English, the expression on his face changed slightly. In particular, Weeser used "afe" to describe his English proficiency, and the expression of the British representative became more colorful.

Compared with the translated Cantonese brought by the British, the English accent was easier for Wei Ze to understand. Moreover, in negotiating such matters, both sides can be very open to their own positions.

As soon as they came up, the British demanded that Weeser recognize the Treaty of Nanking. Wei Ze told the British, "You signed the Treaty of Nanking with the Manchus, not the Treaty of Nanking with us, and our relations with the Manchus are hostile. ”

"And what is your attitude?" The representative of the United Kingdom asked.

"In terms of trade, we are in favor of free trade. Of course, we welcome doing business with all countries in the world, and the UK is of course our trade partner. Weese replied.

This immediately softened the attitude of the British, and the direction of British communication immediately shifted to free trade. Of course, Wei Ze has no intention of giving preferential treatment to foreign capital, but he also has no idea of making it difficult for foreign investment. Weeser put forward the basic concept of foreign trade, first, Weeser will establish and improve the Chinese customs, implement the registration system, in Weeser's territory, if the British want to enter, they must have a license.

Hearing this opinion of Weeser, the British face immediately showed joy. "And what about the rights and obligations of our personnel?"

Wei Ze's answer was decent, "We are in a hurry now, so we can't formulate a new set of laws such as the Marriage Law, the Civil Law, the Criminal Law, and the Commercial Law, but I must explain that we have no intention of inheriting the Qing Law in its entirety." These laws will be enacted and improved gradually. But the people of your country who come to China have an obligation to abide by our laws on our territory, and of course, within the limits of our laws, they will also enjoy the rights prescribed by law. What we must make clear is that extraterritoriality must be abolished, and there is nothing to discuss about this. If you are dissatisfied with our laws, you can discuss with our relevant departments, but after our laws are enacted, before they are amended, citizens of any country must abide by the laws of China when they come to China. ”

Of course, the British were very unhappy about this, but when they discussed it with Weser, it soon became clear that Weeser was really "well versed in international conventions", for example, Weeser recognized the continuation of British territory in the British Consulate in China agreed by Weser in accordance with international standards. The diplomatic immunity of diplomats on both sides was also recognized. Unlike the kind of identification of the Manchus, this was a diplomatic relationship determined in the form of law, and the various powers that corresponded. This attitude undoubtedly took the British by surprise.

As for the trade and tariffs between the two sides, Weeser made it clear that it will be resolved by a new type of customs and a new trade settlement bank.

"Your Excellency, General!" The British delegate had unconsciously adopted the honorific title, "I wonder how such a bank operates?" ”

Weeser did not feel the need to talk nonsense with the British, because the meaning and effect of this kind of institutional nonsense were very limited, "We hope to be able to expand trade with the British, but we don't have so much silver in our hands, so a settlement bank is a good method." We are responsible for the realization of the acceptance of our domestic merchants according to the bank settlement. Of course, you are also responsible for the acceptance of merchants in your country. In this way, we can finally control the customs duties and taxes in trade. Of course, at this stage, we will also maintain the status quo of trade for the time being. ”

Of course, the British can understand Weese's attitude, and the control of customs revenues is an extremely important part of the fiscal revenues of European countries, and it is normal to control them. Therefore, the British representative said enthusiastically: "Your Excellency, General, if you do not have the ability to complete the construction of these systems quickly, our side has experience and can actually help Your Excellency the General quickly establish systems and systems in this regard." Including the bank, we can give you full support. ”

"We welcome this support. But I have a more urgent matter, we want to build an ironworks, steel mills, and enterprises that can repair steam engines and new ships. So we want you to be able to provide a technician. Weeser said.

"Oh?" The British delegates were stunned, they never expected that Weeser would make such a request.

Weeser said lightly: "Of course, we are not only making such a request to you, but we are also making the same request to the French and American sides, and whoever comes quickly, we will do these deals with whomever comes." ”

"I can sign a contract with you right now." The British representative immediately shouted, "There is someone in my family who runs a steel company!" ”

Seeing the excitement of the British official, Wei Zele said, "Okay, then now we can draft a contract." ”

In the end, the two sides signed not only a commercial contract, but also a memorandum of understanding on maintaining the situation in Guangdong, based on the conversation that day. While Weeser fought against the Manchu forces in Canton, the British remained neutral. Similarly, Weeser was obliged to protect the safety of the British, who traded throughout Canton. Of course, Wei Ze will not be stupid enough to accept everything, and it is clearly written in the memorandum that if the British are captured by the Manchu Qing side, or when they are in a war zone, Wei Ze can only guarantee the safety of the British who take the initiative to ask for asylum in Wei Ze's troops, but cannot guarantee that the British in the area that is not completely controlled will be safe and sound.

Even such a flexible policy is a very friendly attitude towards the British. In those years, the Manchu Qing Dynasty had only implemented a policy of protection for its own limited personnel. The state protects the people and minimizes accidental injuries in war, and that is something that only exists in New China. If the officers and soldiers do not loot places, they can be considered morally perfect troops. In 1855, only Weeser's army and the Taiping army were able to do this.

Having temporarily opened up a channel of dialogue with the British, Weeser began to worry about who would be in charge of foreign exchanges and foreign trade. After thinking about it, it was still Levi's and the two hundred or so Hui merchants who decided to follow Wei Ze who went south with Levi's were more useful.

Calling Levi and Li Yuchang, Wei Ze talked to them about it. Li Yuchang wanted to kneel down when he saw Wei Ze, but Levi immediately stopped Li Yuchang. It is forbidden to bow down in the army, and there is no longer a hierarchy such as master. No matter what everyone thinks in their hearts, they are all starting to get used to the title of "comrade".

Li Yuchang also knew this, but after seeing Wei Ze, he was still used to it. was stopped by Levi like this, and he also remembered the rules. Wei Ze stepped forward and stretched out his hand to Li Yuchang, who immediately came over and shook hands while bowing.

Levi stood up and saluted, and after Wei Ze returned the salute. All three sat down.

"Comrade Li Yuchang, you give me an honest chair. Can we concentrate on talking about things, and don't give me the Manchu shitty rules of sitting on a chair with half an ass. Looking at Li Yuchang's cautious sitting posture, Wei Ze said.

"Yes! Be! Li Yuchang said as he sat down in the chair.

Wei Ze frowned, "Comrade Li Yuchang, I am against being condescending to anyone and others, you are cautious about me now, do you know what I think?" ”

Li Yuchang asked a little fearfully: "This ......, but I don't know." ”

Wei Ze frowned and said, "I think you will let your subordinates be so cautious about you, and only sit half of your ass when you sit down." You are my relative, do you think I have set the rules, do you want to implement them first? ”

After Li Yuchang heard this, he immediately stood up, and before he could speak, Wei Ze waved his hand, "You sit down honestly for me!" ”

Levi couldn't stand it anymore, "Uncle, you just sit down!" Do you have to think of yourself as an outsider? ”

This sentence poked Li Yuchang's worry, and he suddenly looked a little tearful, "Dudu, you are really a benevolent monarch!" ”

Wei Ze ordered: "If you think I am Renjun, if you think we are your own people, then sit down and don't go out to embarrass me." Sit! ”

Now Li Yuchang finally sat down on the chair seriously, and it was naturally comfortable to sit down seriously, and his expression was a lot more relaxed.

Wei Ze leaned back in his chair and said slowly: "That's the case, I know that Hui merchants are more moral, and you claim to do business based on faithfulness. But let's be honest, if there are great benefits in front of us, no one can't help but want to take a profit. I can understand it, but I can't accept it. Therefore, what I like in Huishang is that you have seen money, so you will not be dizzy immediately after seeing money. I have an errand that needs someone to do it, so I invite Comrade Li Yuchang to come. I don't know if you're interested in doing this job. ”

Li Yuchang listened to Wei Ze's introduction, and he was not immediately overjoyed, but said with a rather stern expression: "But you don't know what to do?" ”

Wei Ze's expression relaxed a little, and said in a milder tone: "Manage the trade of the customs!" That is, when we do business with foreigners, we have to collect taxes on import and export. It's a lot of money, and it's an easy task for someone to use that power to give themselves some financial benefits. However, Comrade Li Yuchang, you should know very well about our current situation, we are short of money. If someone does something out of this, I will never spare it. Even if it is you, Comrade Li Yuchang, it is impossible for me to let it go. But since you are my relative and followed me to Guangzhou, then I am at ease with you, and you are also at ease with me wanting to come. What are the things, what are the words, you dare to tell me. So I'll start by asking you if you'd like to do this errand. ”

Listening to Wei Ze's gentle tone, Li Yuchang's face did not have the slightest relaxed expression. As a businessman, he has had too many dealings with the government on taxation, and he knows how mixed and deep the water in the tax industry is. And no matter how gentle Wei Ze's tone was, there was no mildness in what he said. Li Yuchang believed that if Wei Ze said that if he killed, he would kill people.

After thinking for a while, Li Yuchang said: "Since the governor can trust me and feel that he will not be moved by a little money in the next place, then he will do his best in the next place." As for whether he can do a good job, he doesn't dare to say nonsense. ”

Seeing Li Yuchang's expression, Wei Ze said: "Comrade Li Yuchang, the rules in our army are like this, one is that your ability is not enough, or the conditions are limited. In that case, we would at best be dismissed. But if you violate discipline and rules, that's your own problem. At that time, we will unceremoniously remove us from our posts and investigate them, or send them to court for trial. In this situation, we must learn to do things. None of us have done any of these things, and we don't believe you when you say you can do it right away. Let's finish things first, and we will summarize the problems encountered in the middle. That's why I asked Comrade Levi to be involved in this matter, just to use the system building he had learned. I invite you to use the experience you have accumulated in business. You should work together to get this thing done. ”

Listening to Wei Ze's purposeful words, Li Yuchang couldn't help but sigh: "Dudu, when you say this, you really treat us as your own!" ”

Wei Ze was more reliable when he heard this, and he said: "Not only my own people, but more importantly, comrades." Like-minded people are comrades! I now believe that Comrade Li Yuchang and I share the same ideals, and we both want to build a new China! Then Comrade Li Yuchang will be responsible for this work! I'll write you an appointment order now, and you go to the personnel department to go through the handover procedures, and after that, you will be the people from the customs office under the government department! ”

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