After the First Opium War, the "consular declaration system" was implemented in all treaty ports, and foreign consuls began to directly participate in China's customs affairs.

In 1846, on the grounds that it was inconvenient to declare and pay taxes, the British consul Barfur asked the Shanghai Daotai Palace to set up a special "new customs" for foreign merchants to handle customs clearance in the British concession, which was called "Jianghai North Customs" at that time.

In September 1851, the Shanghai Daotai appointed the Englishman Nicholas. Bayliss served as the port director of customs, which became the beginning of the entry of foreigners into Chinese customs.

In September 1853, the Little Knife Society Uprising broke out in Shanghai, and the British consul Ali Guo took the opportunity to send troops to occupy the customs, and Jianghai Beiguan was paralyzed.

In July 1854, the Shanghai Consular Tax Administration Committee, nominated by the consuls of Britain, the United States and France, was established, and then the Jianghai Xinguan was established under its chairmanship, which was the first Chinese customs to be managed by foreigners.

In January 1861, the prime minister of the Qing government, Yamen, led the minister? The Briton Li Tai was appointed as the General Department of Customs and Excise to oversee the customs affairs of the whole country. June Robert. HD acted as the General Taxation Department and continued to open the Guangdong Xinguan, Chaohai Xinguan, Zhenjiang, Zhehai, Tianjin, Minhai, Xiamen, Hankou, Jiujiang and other foreign customs.

In 1863, the General Taxation Department was established in Shanghai.

In 1865, the General Taxation Department moved to Beijing.

In this way, China's customs gradually fell into the complete control of foreigners, and in the end, they could not even control the customs tax rate.

The importance of customs to a country can be understood even by future generations of primary and secondary school students. Customs cannot be autonomous, let alone develop the country's economy. Even national security cannot be guaranteed.

However, from another point of view, if you stand on the position of foreigners. I'm afraid no one wants to see China take back its customs autonomy.

If China takes back the autonomy of its customs, it will inevitably add a lot of trouble to the entry and exit of China's customs in the future, and the actual profits in China will also be greatly reduced.

This is something that all the ministers and deputies present are not happy to see, and even the American minister Rui Enshi frowned at this time, and was very unhappy with Wang Mo's request.

Without hesitation, Zhu Erdian refused again: "Commander Wang, you should understand that this is absolutely impossible. Don't say I didn't have the authority to promise you. Even if there were, I wouldn't have said yes anyway! ”

The French representative Millers also said at this time: "Commander Wang, your request is a bit excessive. Your customs business is not just a matter between your country and the UK. This involves the entire civilized world. Even if Mr. Earl had promised you to take possession of the British army, it would have been impossible for the ministers and delegates present here to promise your country to take back control of the customs. ”

U.S. Minister Reinsch nodded and agreed: "That's right, Commander Wang, your country doesn't even have a decent naval fleet. There is simply no ability to control customs. Commander Wang's haste to take back the autonomy of customs will only cause chaos. With unforeseen consequences, I suggest that it is better to maintain the status quo. ”

The Russian minister, Kudashev, then said: "The Chinese officials do not have the corresponding knowledge and ability to manage the customs, and I think it is more appropriate for Commander Wang to slowly regain the autonomy of the customs in the future." ”

The wind direction of the meeting changed again, and Iji Yanji was suddenly happy, and couldn't help but sneer: "Commander Wang, I'm afraid you have forgotten that your current identity is at best a self-proclaimed commander. You are not qualified to talk to us about customs in your country at all. Even if your country wants to take back customs autonomy, it should be up to your country's central government to be able to raise it. ”

This time. Lu Zhengxiang couldn't help it, and immediately stood up and said: "Since His Excellency Minister Iji Yanji believes that only the central government of our country is qualified to make a request for the recovery of customs, then here, on behalf of the central government of the Republic of China in Beijing, I submit a request to Minister Zhu Erdian to remove the personnel of the General Taxation Department of your country and take back the autonomy of the customs. ”

Wang Mo, an arrogant and arrogant warlord, is it enough to go against the will of the British Empire even the Beiyang government, which has always been obedient to the British Empire?

Zhu Erdian's eyes lit up, and he said coldly: "Minister Lu, are you sure you have the authority to make this request?" If President Yuan of your country has not granted you such power, I advise you not to talk nonsense. ”

Lu Zhengxiang was not intimidated by Zhu Erdian's warning and threat, and said in a deep voice: "This is not a matter of concern to His Excellency the Minister, since I am the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China and the plenipotentiary representative to participate in this mediation meeting, I naturally have this power. As for President Yuan Da of our country, I believe that he will be very willing to see our country take back its customs autonomy. ”

Lu Zhengxiang would have such an attitude, which was really unexpected by Wang Mo, it seems that not everyone in the national elite in this era is immersed in power struggles and infighting, and there are still many people who care very much about national sovereignty and interests.

The ministers and representatives of various countries objected to his request to take back the customs, which had long been expected by him, so Wang Mo didn't care much, and still said calmly: "Your Excellency Minister Zhu Erdian, I have to remind you that my father Wang Haoshan has led the Sichuan army to wipe out the Kuomintang provincial forces in southern China. The Yangtze River basin, as well as all the important ports in southern China, are already under our actual control. I think you should know that we have enough strength to forcibly recapture and control the customs offices in various places. ”

Is Wang Mo's words arrogant?

No, the ministers and representatives of various countries know very well in their hearts that Wang Mo really has this strength.

Not to mention that Wang Mo's flying group, which is unique in Asia, is enough to deter the coastal sea, as long as Wang Mo builds fortresses in various ports and deploys large-caliber coastal defense artillery to resist the attack of the fleets of various countries, it will definitely not be a problem.

As for the artillery power displayed by the Yimeng Autonomous Alliance Army a day ago, no one doubted that Wang Mo could not get enough large-caliber coastal defense artillery.

Thinking of this, the ministers and representatives of various countries did not speak again, forcing Wang Mo to die and break the net, and no one wanted to see such a thing happen.

Zhu Erdian's expression at this time was also uncertain, he wanted to refuse Wang Mo's unreasonable request to take back the autonomy of China's customs without any room for negotiation, but he knew very well in his heart that Wang Mo really had the strength and the courage to regain control of the customs in the south by force.

"Ladies and gentlemen. The reason why I did not forcibly take back the autonomy of the customs, but made representations here, is because I want to tell you. In the case of fairness and equality, we welcome all legitimate economic and trade without discrimination. Wang Mo said again.

Wang Mo's words made the American Minister Rui Enshi's heart move, and he treated everyone equally, that is, the Yangtze River basin, which has always been regarded as forbidden by the British, can also be opened to the United States?

The huge interests contained in China's Yangtze River valley cannot be indifferent to the United States, which has always been unable to intervene because it is afraid of Britain. But if Wang Mo took the initiative to open up, there would be no way to come to the British.

Zhu Erdian already understood that a powerful warlord like Wang Mo could not be shaken by a few words of falsehood, intimidation and threats. And forced him to compromise.

There are advantages and disadvantages only when there is comparison, compared to Wang Mo, who is extremely hateful and hardliner, the Beiyang government that has always been obedient and afraid of the British Empire is so cute. The well-informed President Yuan Da is so satisfied.

It seems that for the sake of the British Empire, it is necessary to persuade the cabinet to increase support for the Beiyang government and completely exterminate the damned Wang father and son.

Zhu Erdian once again had such a thought. Of course. This is also a method that these Western colonizers are used to. Supporting obedient agents and suppressing and exterminating the forces that rebel against disobedience has always been an effective means for them to control the colonies, and I don't know how many years they have been playing.

These thoughts flashed through his mind, and Zhu Erdian immediately said to Wang Mo: "I must call our cabinet for instructions on the matter of customs, and I can't answer you now." ”

"It doesn't matter, as long as Your Excellency the Minister reports clearly to your Cabinet about the current situation in the Far East. I think your cabinet will make a wise choice. Wang Mo said in a good time, he knew very well that Britain, which was mired in the quagmire of war in Europe, could not spare his hands to directly interfere in the affairs of the Far East.

The mediation meeting can only be concluded for the time being. Wang Mo took the lead in leaving the conference room with a few guards, and then the ministers and delegations of various countries also left one after another.

"Mr. Earl, please wait a moment." Ijihikichi shouted to Juerdian, who was about to leave, and walked over.

Glancing at Ijihikichi, Zhu Erdian, who was in a very bad mood, didn't think much about dealing with the Japanese minister, and said impatiently: "Minister Ijihikichi, I'm really sorry, I have to rush to our cabinet now, and ask our cabinet for instructions on the customs matter. If there is anything, let's talk about it later. ”

"Mr. Earl, are you willing to be blackmailed by that damn guy Wang Mo like this? If the control of China's customs is taken back by the Chinese in this way, it will not only greatly affect the interests of our countries in China, but will also be an indelible stain on Mr. Earl's career. Ijihikichi said, and the provocative meaning in his words was very obvious.

How could Zhu Erdian not understand what Iji Yanji meant, and said with great disgust and disgust: "Is there any way you can stop Wang Mo? If it weren't for the defeat and defeat of your country's army, almost all of them would have been defeated and annihilated by the Yimeng Autonomous Alliance, Wang Mo would never have dared to be so arrogant and arrogant, and now we will not be so passive! ”

"Before, it was only our Imperial Japanese Army that underestimated the enemy, so that the Yimeng Autonomous Alliance Army was lucky enough to win a few times." Ijihikichi argued with his neck curled.

"How your country's army failed, I am not interested and do not want to know, I only look at the results of the war. If you want to gain control of the Jiaozhou Bay lease, it is not enough for me to have the support of the British Empire, and I think you should be aware of this. Zhu Erdian said that he was so disappointed with the performance of the Japanese army that if it were not for the fact that the Japanese navy was still needed in the Far East, he would definitely recommend that the cabinet abandon Japan as an ally and support China instead.

"Mr. Earl, you may have overlooked one point, after several major battles with our Imperial Japanese Army, although the Yimeng Autonomous Alliance Army won a small victory, it also suffered very heavy casualties. At present, the Yimeng Autonomous Alliance Army stationed in Qingdao is only about 10,000 people, including the wounded, and such a small number of troops, no matter how good their weapons and equipment are, they will not be able to compete with our Imperial Japanese Army. Ijihikichi said confidently.

"Oh?" Zhu Erdian glanced at Iji Hikoji in surprise and asked, "Your country's reinforcements are about to arrive?" ”

Iji Yanji smiled proudly, nodded and said: "That's right, as soon as tomorrow night, at the latest the morning after tomorrow, the 19th Division that our country has come to reinforce will be able to arrive at Laoshan Bay." Moreover, the nearly 20,000 troops, mainly the 18th Division of our country, have also begun to move southward and will advance north and south with the 19th Division, thus completing the encirclement of Qingdao. At that time, Mr. Earl, do you think that Wang Mo will not be able to be forced to comply? ”

To deal with a powerful warlord like Wang Mo, only by force can he be forced to compromise and retreat.

Zhu Erdian nodded with satisfaction and said, "Okay, if your country can really force Wang Mo to submit, my British Empire is willing to support your country in seizing the leased land of Jiaozhou Bay and replacing all the positions and interests of the Germans in Shandong, China." ”

After receiving Zhu Erdian's promise again, Ijihikichi's face blossomed with a smile and said: "We are allies, and I believe that as long as we cooperate closely with each other, we will be able to eliminate the resistance of the Chinese and ensure our interests in China." ”

Knowing that the reinforcements of the Japanese army were about to arrive, Zhu Erdian did not rush to report to the cabinet about the customs, but waited for the Japanese army to besiege the city, and then took advantage of the situation to force Wang Mo to submit.

……

At 9 a.m. on November 5, 1914, the former Jiaozhou Governor's Mansion, now Wang Mo's official residence, and the headquarters of the Yimeng Autonomous Alliance.

Not long after Wang Mo finished breakfast, he received a report from the guards, and the American minister Ruinz came to visit.

As for the thoughts of the Americans, Wang Mo can guess a little bit according to the development of the world situation in later generations.

Most Americans have the same idea as Wang Mo, and they both want to seize the opportunity to rise while European powers are killing each other.

Judging from future generations, if the United States had not made a lot of money in the two world wars, how could it have turned over from a broken country full of criminals, adventurers, and bankrupt workers to replace Britain as the world's number one power in one fell swoop?

As Wang Mo expected, after Rui Enshi came to the door, he spared no effort to sell Wang Mo the "open door" policy of the United States, and expressed his willingness to deepen trade cooperation with China under fair and equal conditions.

Wang Mo knew very well that closing the country to the outside world would bring about its own destruction, and opening up the market would also be conducive to the development of the country's economy, so he naturally readily agreed to the initial request of the United States to deepen trade cooperation. As for more specific related cooperation, then let the people from the Department of Industry and Commerce negotiate with the Americans, and it is better to let professional people do professional things.

Rui Enshi was very satisfied with Wang Mo's attitude, and when he left, he seemed to remember and said to Wang Mo: "Oh, by the way, Commander Wang, there is a situation that I have to remind you. The Japanese seem to have sent another division of troops over to reinforce them, and they should be here soon. (To be continued......)