The two sides completed the negotiations on the war, and in an instant, the atmosphere began to ease. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

Feng Yunshan pretended that the negotiation just now did not exist, and took the initiative to greet Wen Han: "Mr. Minister, you are very good!" ”

Wen Han looked at the rebel leader in front of him with mixed feelings. If there had been no fighting between the two armies, perhaps he would have offered to meet with the rebel leader to discuss the possibility of cooperation between the two sides, but now, he could not speak for the time being.

However, Wen Han still had a task to do, and he wanted to understand the attitude of the rebels towards British interests in China.

Wen Han asked the translator Midile to inquire: "Your Highness the Holy King, in fact, in addition to the misunderstanding just now, there is another matter that I want to ask the Holy King. ”

"At present, your army has occupied most of the area of Liangguang and has become a force. On behalf of the British Empire, this Minister proposes to the Holy King that the interests of the British Empire in the areas occupied by your army are not infringed upon, and that all the important towns of the two regions be opened to the British. Of course, in return, Britain could maintain neutrality between your army and the Qing government, and not meddle in the internal affairs of your country. ”

"Of course, Great Britain, like other nations, can trade and proselytize in the towns designated by the king. However, the king did not want to see anything like this happen again. Otherwise, this king will attack Hong Kong Island at any cost. "Feng Yunshan was a little tough.

"No, of course it won't happen again!" Wen Han shook his head, his face changed, and he secretly raised his vigilance in his heart, "Daying just wants to do business well and become a friend of the Chinese, and does not like to meddle in the internal affairs between your army and the Qing government. But after all, the Qing government was the legitimate government of China, so on the surface, I still have to admit them and cannot openly establish formal diplomatic relations with your army. Please also ask for the understanding of the Holy King. ”

Feng Yunshan nodded in agreement: "Mr. Minister, this king knows that your country is the most powerful empire in the world. Therefore, if your army had not attacked our holy army first, the holy army would not have provoked your army! But if your army comes to the door, our holy army is indeed not bullied, and will be accompanied to the end! ”

After listening to Midile's translation, Wen Han's face was ugly and he smiled awkwardly.

Feng Yunshan saw that his words were a little fierce, so he softened and said, "Therefore, this king sincerely hopes to become friends and partners with your country!" ”

"Your country's core interests are always in Europe! If Europe is unstable, even if it occupies more territory overseas, it will not be worth the loss, Mr. Minister, do you say? Feng Yunshan analyzed.

He knew that Britain's overseas policy, especially its overseas interests, was not comparable to that of India, Canada, and even the newly immigrant states of New South Wales and Victoria. Therefore, he concluded that Britain would not send large numbers of troops to the Far East for a long time.

Wen Han could only nod and reaffirmed his commitment to maintain neutrality between the Holy Army and the Manchu government.

At the request of both sides, the two men immediately signed the closed "Taiying Canton Agreement", which stipulated that the Holy Army would ensure that the interests of the British Empire in its occupied areas would not be infringed upon, that Britain would enjoy the same rights as other countries in trade and missionary rights, and that the Taiping Holy Kingdom would open the same treaty ports to them, on the condition that Britain would also promise to maintain neutrality between the Holy Army and the Manchus.

The reason why Wenham agreed to sign this agreement was also because it was a consistent policy of continental balancing in Britain. Moreover, Wen Han learned that the British merchants complained that the major general Chawei had not allowed them to participate in the Nanyang Company's investment and missed the opportunity to make money, and the merchants all agreed that the rebels were more suitable as trade objects than the Manchus.

Therefore, the rebels who could make it easier for British merchants to sell their goods in the Liangguang region were not so opposed. On the contrary, he felt that it could also stimulate and persecute the Manchu government, and also open more treaty ports.

Wen Han remembered another important matter, hesitated for a moment, and still asked: "I heard that all the people in your army believe in God and participate in the worship of God, I want to know, is your religion Catholic or Protestant?" ”

Feng Yunshan secretly thought that this foreign devil finally asked about this religious matter, he thought for a while, and said slowly: "Mr. Minister, regarding the doctrine, I can only tell you that the worship of God was reborn from Protestantism, but according to the actual situation of our people, some changes and corrections have been made. Just as Protestantism was born out of Catholicism. ”

Wen Han nodded, indicating that he understood. However, he asked the most concerned question: "If the Holy Army defeats the Manchus, I wonder if the Holy King will establish a unified theocracy or a secular state?" ”

"This, this king hasn't thought about it for the time being! Some of them have to wait until the Manchus are defeated, right? Feng Yunshan played Tai Chi and did not answer.

"Your Highness, your army does not believe in authentic Protestantism, can our British Empire send some excellent and devout Protestant missionaries to your army to help you correct your doctrine, and your army will change to authentic Christianity? We want to rise in the Far East an open and at the same time Protestant country! ”

"Sorry, Mr. Minister! A few days ago, the French Minister, Mr. Bourbulon, made a similar request, but he asked us to change to an authentic Catholic religion. For the sake of fairness, this king will not promise either of you. This king does not want my men to be involved in the dispute between Catholicism and Protestantism. Besides, we are all God's people, and we are one, so why should we be so clearly divided? ”

Wen Han only mentioned it, and he himself agreed with the coexistence of various sects, so he no longer asked for it.

It's just that Wen Han still doesn't know what their beliefs are about this rebel army that claims to also believe in God. He had already intended to entrust the British merchants with some contact with the holy soldiers to learn more about the specific doctrines of the rebels' religions, so that the most accurate information could be reported to London.

After getting the information he wanted and the processing results, Wen Han said goodbye to Feng Yunshan, and led Bao Ling and the others back to Hong Kong Island in a hurry to prepare for the ransom.

Feng Yunshan didn't mention to the British about buying weapons and inviting investment, after all, just after the war, he was like no one else, and Feng Yunshan really couldn't do it.

…….

Marshali and Bethchel stayed.

Feng Yunshan knew that they were not just here for the mediation of the British, as he had mentioned last time that their plenipotentiary commissioner, Marshali, would come to Guangzhou.

Marshali hadn't spoken much, just kneading his protruding hooked nose. If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't refute the face of the British minister, Sir Wen Han, he would not have prepared to visit Feng Yunshan with the British, let alone help mediate.

The British monopolized trade with the Qing Dynasty, especially Canton, for more than a day or two.

American merchants could only trade with the Manchus through the agency of British merchants, so various protests had long been lodged against him.

However, the United States does not have any military deployment in the Far East, so it has no right to speak, so it can only follow behind Britain and drink some leftovers.

As the Commissioner for U.S. Affairs, he has long wanted to expand the influence of the United States in China. However, what is infuriating is that in the year and a half since he became the plenipotentiary for affairs in the Qing Dynasty, he has successively submitted credentials in Guangzhou and Shanghi, asking local officials to hand them over to the Manchu emperor, but they have all been refused.

Not to mention expanding influence, it is estimated that the newly enthroned emperor does not even know about the country of America.

As a result, Mashali no longer had much hope for the Manchus.

He became aware of the fact that a rebel army had occupied two large parts of the area, and he took note of this force. When he heard that the rebels had captured the city of Guangzhou, he realized that the golden opportunity to expand American interests in China had arrived, and he could no longer hold back, so he immediately rushed to Guangzhou from Shanghai. (To be continued.) )