On September 22, the 10th year of Xianfeng, the Hubei Provisional Government, which had been formed for half a year, finally ushered in the first foreign diplomatic delegation in line with international law, and the British diplomatic delegation headed by the British diplomat Clarlond also officially opened the curtain on Wu Chaoyue's military and political clique on the diplomatic stage. Pen, fun, and www.biquge.info

A large number of Chinese and foreign journalists recorded this historic moment in rich and colorful colors, among which the reporter of the British newspaper "The Times", who came to China again to cover the news, wrote:

“…… When Mr. Clarlonon walked down the dock, Mr. Clarlon, on behalf of Mr. Transcendence Wu, who had become a marshal, came to greet Mr. Clarlon, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Government of the Qing Dynasty, Mr. Huang wore a suit and leather shoes and a tie, which were very rare in the Qing Kingdom, and shook hands with Mr. Clarlon, expressing the warmest welcome to Mr. Clarlon's visit on behalf of Marshal Wu and the people of the Qing Dynasty. ”

“…… The Qing Provisional Government, formed by Marshal Wu, attached great importance to the observance of international law, played our British song on the wharf, fired a gun salute, and invited Mr. Clarlonin to inspect the guard of honor. Seeing these familiar etiquette, as well as the neat rows of honor guard soldiers, the British flag fluttering over the dock, and then comparing with the ignorant and barbaric acts of the Qing court before, we can clearly feel the civilization of the Qing Provisional Government, as well as the respect of the Qing Provisional Government for our British government and people. ”

“…… After accompanying Mr. Clarlonin in a Western carriage to the Marshal's Palace, where the Qing Provisional Government was located, we were immediately surprised to see that the Qing Provisional Government had erected a telegraph cable. Marshal Wu, the supreme leader of the Qing Provisional Government, also wore a suit and tie to us and extended a warm welcome to Mr. Clarlonin and our visit. ”

“…… Marshal Wu not only did not force us to kneel down like those stupid princes of the Qing court, but also shook hands with us one by one and exchanged greetings. Marshal Wu also warmly invited reporters from our major British newspapers to be stationed in Hankow to record in words and photographs how the once barbaric and dark Qing State moved toward civilization and enlightenment, and to disseminate the friendship and goodwill of the Qing Provisional Government to the British Government and people. ”

“…… After a cordial and friendly conversation with Mr. Clarlon, Marshal Wu gave us a great surprise and arranged a banquet for us where Oriental and Western cuisine appeared at the same time, so that we could eat authentic Western steak thousands of miles away. However, my fellow journalists and I prefer to try the delicious dishes of the Qing Kingdom, and one of the dishes with sea cucumber as the main ingredient is so popular that it is also named Wu Chaoyue Chowder. ”

“…… At the delightful banquet, Marshal Wu raised a glass to Her Majesty the Queen more than once, toasted the friendship between Britain and the Qing State, and in return, Mr. Clarlondon also repeatedly toasted the health of Marshal Wu and the victory of the Qing Provisional Government Army, and it can be seen that Mr. Clarlondo was very satisfied with the welcome and hospitality he received in Hubei, Qing State, ....... ”

Bao Bell was not wrong, for Wu Beyond the hospitality in line with international etiquette, Clarlondon was indeed very satisfied, and several times surprised that there could be such a Chinese as Wu Beyond in the far east who understood the West. However, it is a pity that satisfaction is satisfaction, and when the formal negotiations on the establishment of diplomatic relations were held the next day, the veteran diplomat Kralondon still did not have the slightest politeness at the negotiating table, and gave Wu Chaoyue a series of absolutely unacceptable conditions for the establishment of diplomatic relations and alliance.

There are many specific conditions for Kralondon's sky-high asking price, which I will not list here one by one, in short, if Wu Chaoyue agrees to all of them, then even if Wu Jun unifies China with the help of the British, it is just to help the British work and help the British turn China into a second India. Therefore, Wu Chaoyue could only bargain on the spot, while politely refusing, while bargaining with Kralondon one by one, trying his best to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The result of the bargaining was that there was no result, and there were still two ways of retreat of the Manchu court and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, of course, Kra London, who was a veteran in diplomacy, would not give in easily, and repeatedly used the threat that the Manchu court could make unlimited concessions to intimidate Wu Chaoyue, forcing Wu Chaoyue to accept his harsh conditions, and forcing the diplomatic rookie Wu Chaoyue to agree to reconsider, temporarily stopping this fruitless negotiation on the establishment of diplomatic relations.

After Wu Chaoyue left, Ignatiev, the minister of Tsarist Russia who had been paying close attention to this matter, of course, quickly appeared in front of Kralondon, first pretending to be polite to Kralondon, who had forced Tsarist Russia to disband the Black Sea Fleet and not to build an arsenal around the Black Sea, and then Ignatiev immediately got to the point and said: "Mr. Kralon, regarding the negotiation between your government and the Qing provisional government on the establishment of diplomatic relations, do I think your government is too inconsiderate? What a mistake? ”

"How did our government misact?" Clarklondo asked politely.

"Hasn't your government analyzed the dangerous consequences of Wu Chaoyue becoming the ruler of the Qing Kingdom?"

Ignatiev said directly: "Wu Chaoyue is familiar with Western culture and can accept the advanced technology of the West, although it is far easier to deal with than the stupid and ignorant Qing emperor, but once he becomes the ruler of China and vigorously develops industry and science and technology in the Qing country, then with the population, resources and territory of the Qing country, it is very likely that he will become a second United States, become your country's competitor in international trade, and even become your country's military opponent, are these the results that your government wants to see?" ”

"With this pitiful industrial output and technical talent in Wu Chaoyue's hands, can he turn the Qing Kingdom into a second America?" Clarklondo smiled, and his smile was full of pride unique to the officials of the Empire on which the sun never sets.

"Qing Guo has a saying that it is very good, a spark can start a prairie fire." Ignatiev said very seriously: "The meaning of this sentence is that no matter how small the flame is, as long as there is an opportunity, it may become a sky-high fire and burn the entire steppe." I am by no means alarmist, and Wu Chaoyue, who focuses on learning advanced Western culture and technology, is likely to be this small flame. ”

Speaking of this, Ignatiev paused for a moment and said: "Take 10,000 steps back and say, even if the Qing State can never become the second United States, after Wu Chaoyue becomes the ruler of the Qing State, it will definitely be more difficult for us Western countries to seek the interests of the Qing State in his hands than with the Qing Emperor." ”

"The Sakhalin incident, Mr. Kralon, you have personally experienced it, haven't you ever been worried, since Wu Chaoyue can use your strength to force our country to return Sakhalin, can't you use the strength of other countries to force you to return Hong Kong in the future?"

Ignatiev's instigation finally moved Kralondon, in fact, there are actually many people in the British government who are worried that once Wu Chaoyue unifies China, he will turn his face and refuse to accept British extortion, and he is far from being as weak and easy to bully as the Manchu court, so there is no lack of calls within the British government to help the Qing Dynasty destroy Wu. Although the interests of Clallon and British Prime Minister Palmerston were more inclined to help Wu and destroy the Qing Dynasty out of consideration of the cost of supporting Wu and the interests of trade with China, they absolutely did not want to see China become strong again under the leadership of Wu Chaoyue and become Britain's opponent in international competition.

Of course, it is definitely not so easy for Ignatiev to fool the old fox Kra London into directly giving up the establishment of diplomatic relations with Wu Jun and choosing to help Qing and destroy Wu instead. After only shaking slightly, Kralondon immediately smiled and said: "Mr. Ignatiev, your country is so enthusiastic about supporting the Qing court, I'm afraid it's more for the interests of your country, right?" What do you want to take from the map of the Qing Kingdom this time? ”

"It's just a small gift that comes with it." Ignatiev cleverly avoided this question and said with a smile: "Our government is more concerned about the interests of the white race, and does not want to see the rise of the yellow race threaten the overall interests of our white people." ”

"As with Turkey and the Danube?" Clarlondon sneered, "Did you ever consider the interests of the white people as a whole when you invaded these places? ”

"Damn cunning bastards!"

Ignatiev cursed secretly, knowing that compared with the future threat of China, the old fox Kralondon was more wary of the threat of Tsarist Russia to British interests. -- But this is also to blame on Tsarist Russia itself, who told him to seize the interests of Britain and France without mercy, and has been expanding in the direction of Europe, and the old British government will never allow Napoleon to unify Europe, and naturally will not allow the Tsarist Russian Empire to unify Europe.

"On the issue of the division of territory between our country and the Qing State, your country can misunderstand, and our country can also explain it, but not now." After cleverly avoiding the topic again, Ignatiev said very seriously: "But for the sake of the common interests of your two countries in the Qing State, I still suggest that Mr. Kralonon seriously consider the issue of establishing diplomatic relations with the Qing Provisional Government. ”

"After all, the Qing court was more generous and much more incompetent. As a world-class diplomat, would you rather deal with a clever adversary than a stupid adversary, Mr. Clarlon? ”

After thinking about it for a long time, Kralondon said: "Thank you for your kind reminder, dear Mr. Ignatiev, I will seriously consider your proposal. ”

"Mr. Clarlon, if you are interested in visiting Beijing, please feel free to let me know and I can arrange it for you." Ignatiev said: "I am very good friends with Prince Gong of the Qing court, and I can guarantee that the Qing court will welcome you with more grand courtesy, and will definitely let you return to England with more gains." ”

"If it is necessary, I will definitely ask you for help." Clarlondon replied.

"Also, don't worry about France and the United States." Ignatiev said with a cruel smile: "Until now, they have not recognized that the Qing Provisional Government established by Wu Chaoyue is a legitimate regime, and they are also worried that Wu Chaoyue will become the ruler of the Qing State and will no longer be as weak and incompetent as the Qing court. If you and we choose to join forces to support the Qing court, then they will definitely stand by us, they do not have the courage and ability to support Wu Chaoyue to victory. ”

Clarklondon smiled and said nothing, but he was extremely disdainful in his heart, and said secretly: "France and the United States don't have the courage to support Wu Chaoyue? Are you as stupid as you are? In order to get out of the economic crisis and obtain the eastern market, nine out of ten American cowboys will choose to support Wu Chaoyue, but their distance is too far for the time being! Palmerston, that old fox, was in such a hurry to send me to Qingguo because he was worried that the United States would preemptively establish diplomatic relations with Wu Chaoyue's provisional government and take the most benefits from Wu Chaoyue. ”

Although he was not completely moved by Ignatiev's instigation and persuasion, Kralondon still refused to make any concessions at the negotiating table, the first is that Kralondon must be responsible for the British government and use this opportunity to blackmail Wu Chaoyue as much as possible. The second is that Clardon is indeed a little worried that after Wu Chaoyue unifies China, he will not be as weak and bully as the Manchu court, and the British government will no longer be able to take China away.

Therefore, Kralondon made up his mind and was determined to test and understand Wu Chaoyue's ability and character through negotiations on the establishment of diplomatic relations, if Wu Chaoyue really could not let Britain gain more benefits, and might even become Britain's international rival, then Kralondon, as the British plenipotentiary envoy, would never mind immediately going north to Dagukou to negotiate the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Manchu court.

…………

After all, it was in his own nest, and the situation of Ignatiev's visit to Kralondon was soon known by Wu Chaoyue, although he could not know the content of the conversation, but Wu Chaoyue could know with his toes that Ignatiev definitely didn't hold back any good fart, and eighty percent helped the Manchu court persuade Kralondon not to establish formal diplomatic relations with him on behalf of the British government. -- Wu Chaoyue has long known that the nickname given to him by the media in Tsarist Russia is the Oriental Bastard.

"It's troublesome, the British are asking for too high a price, and the old Tsarist is making trouble in the middle, how can I kill the price and let Britain support me to unify China?"

However, after Wu Chaoyue introduced the conditions for the establishment of diplomatic relations proposed by the British side to Zhao Liewen and others, Zhao Liewen, Yan Jingming, Dai Wenjie, Guo Songtao, and others all kept their mouths shut and did not dare to say a word -- the infamy of traitors is not so easy to bear. In the end, under Wu Chaoyue's repeated requests, Zhao Liewen said helplessly: "Weiting, the British are clearly taking advantage of the fire to rob and ask for a price, you can only make your own decisions and bargain with him, we are not proficient in these, and we can't help you in this regard." ”

"But I've tried, and Clarlondon has only made slight concessions on the details, and the key ones have not been conceded at all." Wu Chaoyue frowned and said: "What I'm most worried about now is that if my attitude is too tough, Kralondon may really go to Beijing to negotiate the establishment of diplomatic relations with the chaotic parties in Beijing." ”

Zhao Liewen, Yan Jingming and others were silent again, and it was true that they couldn't give Wu Chaoyue any good ideas in this regard, but when Wu Chaoyue was helpless, Wu Jun's foreign minister Huang Sheng hurriedly entered the venue and said to Wu Chaoyue: "Comfort pavilion, Hankou news, the French Minister Bourblon has decided to hold a banquet at the Legation this evening, and the banquet is attended by Kralondon, and the American Minister Warren and the Russian Minister Ignatiev have also received invitations. ”

"Bastard!" Wu Chaoyue scolded a dirty word and said: "I bet that these foreign devils must want to unite the front, join forces to blackmail me, and force me to make the greatest concessions in exchange for establishing diplomatic relations with them." ”

"There's no way, we have a request for us now, and being ripped off is definitely inevitable." Huang Sheng said: "But you don't need to worry too much that they will all stand on the same front, especially the United States, where I have been to, their current economic problems are very serious, and they can't take too much strength to support the Beijing Rebellion, and they are anxious to open the Eastern market to obtain funds, and the cost of supporting the Beijing Rebellion is too big and the return is too slow." So I reckon, at least the United States will be inclined to support us. ”

Wu Chaoyue sighed, not daring to believe Huang Sheng's optimistic judgment too easily, but when Wu Chaoyue was about to beckon Huang Sheng to sit down and participate in the meeting, his heart suddenly moved, and he hurriedly said, "Pingfu, what did you just say?" Why do you think that the United States is more inclined towards us? ”

"Why do you prefer us?" Huang Sheng replied suspiciously: "Did I say it very clearly?" The United States now has very serious economic problems, and it has no money to support the chaotic party in Beijing, and it is anxious to open the eastern market to sell industrial products in exchange for funds, and the chaotic party in Beijing has now been beaten to the death of our joint efforts with Changmao, and the United States supporting them is not only too costly, but also the return is absolutely very slow, far less expensive than supporting us, and the return is fast, so as long as the United States does not make a fool, it will definitely be inclined to support us in eliminating the chaotic party in Beijing. ”

Listening to this, Wu Chaoyue's face gradually showed a smile, and said: "Pingfu, I really picked the right person for you to be the interim foreign minister, yes, you see it more comprehensively than me, dealing with foreigners, I forgot to consider a key issue." ”

"What's the key question?" Huang Sheng hurriedly asked.

"Cost! The cost of foreign devils supporting the chaotic party in the capital to defeat us! ”

Wu Chaoyue replied categorically, and then said with a smile: "There are very few Bethune and Luo Weilin among the foreigners, most of them are bastards like Ignatiev, if they find that the cost of supporting the rebellious party in the capital is too great, the return is too small, too slow, and even there is a possibility of losing all their money, then they will definitely not do this loss-making business!" ”

Vaguely understanding what Wu Chaoyue meant, Yan Jingming, Minister of Finance of the Wu Army, said: "Weiting, then what do you think should be done to let the foreigners know that it is too risky to support the rebellious party in the capital, and only we are the best investment choice for them?" ”

Wu Chaoyue didn't answer, and after thinking about it for a long time, Wu Chaoyue made up his mind and said: "Arrange for my direct corps and naval division to hold an actual combat exercise, and invite Clarlondon and ministers from various countries to visit, so that they can see the gap between the rebel army and our army." ”

"Will it backfire, so that the foreigners take the opportunity to find out our details, and strengthen their determination to support the rebellious party in the capital?" Zhao Liewen was a little worried.

"Of course, it's also possible." Wu Chaoyue nodded, and said: "However, foreigners will definitely calculate accounts carefully, and they can know how difficult it is to help the rebellious party in the capital deal with us, and I believe they will make a wise choice." And even if the foreigners make any moves, I have a secret weapon against them. ”