Section XXVIII. Negotiation Issues

The change in the situation made the British not want to fight for a long time, but someone wanted to fight. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

The Russians definitely want to fight the most.

What a wonderful opportunity to occupy Northeast China and force the Qing government to sign a cession treaty.

But this is not a few decades ago, the world is now globalized, and the last fat meat that has not been completely colonized has attracted vultures all over the world.

The Germans also wanted to fight, which had little to do with interests, and more about the personal dignity of the crippled emperor of Germany, whose minister was killed in Beijing, and the German emperor claimed to take revenge on the Chinese like the Huns did with their enemies, and he openly told the army that the Chinese who wanted to fight would never dare to look directly at the Germans.

Of course, taking the opportunity to expand Germany's interests in China is also the reason, just like taking the opportunity to invade Jiaozhou, but there is no room for the Germans to invade in the north, needless to say in the northeast, it is the forbidden territory of the Russians, and all countries in Tianjin to the south have interests, so where can the Germans invade next?

Moreover, the Germans did not necessarily want to dominate northern China, so they would not want to see the Russians go south.

It's just that the crippled emperor's overly strong self-esteem makes the British feel so troublesome.

"Mr. Douglas, Minister of the British Empire."

Seymour introduced Yang Chao and Yuan Keding.

Yang Chao was a little surprised, he knew that Seymour asked them to wait for others, he must be an important person, but he didn't expect it to be the British minister, but he secretly admired the pragmatism of the British, you must know that until now Yang Chao has not been able to communicate with the German high-level.

Yuan Keding had already bowed and saluted.

Dou Nale took off his hat and returned the salute.

"This is the son of Yuan Shikai, the governor of Shandong."

Seymour explained in English.

Then he pointed to Yang Chao, and suddenly found that he didn't know Yang Chao's identity.

"Shandong Foreign Affairs Consultant!"

Yang Chao introduced himself, also in English.

Dou Nale nodded, stretched out his hand, and motioned for everyone to sit down.

This is the office of the headquarters, a long table, Seymour and Dou Nale sit on one side, and Yang Chao and Yuan Keding sit opposite.

At first, Dou Nale kept talking to Yuan Keding, translating sentence by sentence through Yang Chao, but soon he found that Yang Chao always answered his questions directly.

In fact, Dou Nale understands Chinese, otherwise he would not be a diplomat, but formal occasions still have to be translated, not because the translation is more accurate, but because of face problems, no one will use the language of other countries when formally negotiating.

"Okay. Mr. Yang, China needs your country's assurance that it will not cede any territory to other countries! ”

After Yuan Keding repeatedly confirmed that Yang Chao had the power to represent Shandong, Dou Nale was no longer serious about procedural issues, anyway, he did not come this time to negotiate, but to listen to the attitude of the Chinese, to be precise, the attitude of the southern power superintendent.

And this time Dou Nale spoke in Chinese, the purpose was nothing more than to ensure that Yuan Keding could understand, and he was also worried that Yang Chao, a guy from an unknown source, was pulling the banner and pulling the tiger's skin, so he had to let Yuan Keding understand, so that Yang Chao would not make his own decisions.

"Of course, it is in our interests not to cede territory to any country."

Yang Chao knew very well that the British were actually referring to Russia.

Dou Nale continued: "At the same time, you must be prepared to send someone with status to apologize to all countries on behalf of your country. At the same time, there is the issue of war reparations. ”

Yang Chao said: "I don't think there is any need for an apology, this war is an unnecessary war, it is entirely because of the Boxer Rebellion, the Queen Mother Lafayette and the emperor were also coerced, as for the issue of compensation, I think my country is the biggest victim, so the issue of compensation is impossible to talk about." ”

Yang Chao's argument is exactly the argument of the Southern Governor, and since he represents Yuan Shikai, he must be consistent on these issues.

Dou Nale spread his hands: "Sincerity, I can't feel your sincerity in negotiating." If you can't even accept an apology and compensation. Then I guess there is no need to negotiate at all. ”

Yang Chao sighed: "I can't apologize, but we can send envoys to Western countries to explain the Boxer Rebellion, and at the same time thank all countries for their help in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion!" ”

History is so funny, the vigorous Boxer Rebellion will develop to the gao tide completely at the instigation of the Empress Dowager Cixi, otherwise it will never develop to any point, but in the end, the attitude of the Qing government is that the Boxer Rebellion is a chaotic party, and the West's attack on Beijing is a righteous act, and I am grateful for this.

Yang Chao felt that it was better to thank than to apologize, so he could only quote the self-deception of the Qing government.

"You need to understand that if your country cannot give an explanation to the Western countries, the military action of the coalition forces will not be legitimate, and the Western countries will not negotiate on this issue," Dou Nale said. Moreover, the issue of reparations is a fundamental one, and no country would sign a victory agreement that would not receive reparations. I don't think your country wants to see this war protracted. ”

Yang Chao nodded, the British attitude was sincere, and Dou Nale was also eager to resolve the crisis of carving up China, Yang Chao concluded that he had accepted clear instructions from the British.

In fact, there is a guarantee from the British, Yang Chao is also relieved, Yang Chao very much does not want to pay compensation, but the current situation seems to be unavoidable, then try to minimize, as for the issue of apology, it is really too hurtful to self-esteem, the Chinese have a good face, if Li Hongzhang comes to power, first run to apologize to the foreigners, it is estimated that he should not be comfortable as president.

Yang Chao said: "China can accept the issue of compensation appropriately, but I think the issue of apology is very unnecessary. ”

Dou Nale felt that Yang Chao should not have been instructed on this issue, so he didn't plan to waste time, his time was very tight, the bodies of Cixi and Guangxu arrived in Beijing, the complexity of the situation was far beyond his experience, if it was not done well, it would get out of control, if hundreds of millions of Chinese peasants were out of control, not to mention the Eight-Nation Alliance, even the Eighty-Nation Alliance, they would not be able to control the field.

"In that case, I need your confirmation as soon as possible, and I will receive an answer within three days. At the same time, I would like you to inform you that, if negotiations are to begin, I hope that you will negotiate with the G-8 countries and not make secret contacts with other countries. ”

Secret diplomacy has always been opposed by the British, because they are world hegemons and need a transparent political environment, that is, open international rules, just as the US imperialists in later generations are always trying to maintain the security of the world's material circulation channels, rather than directly encroaching on oil fields, maintaining a rule is the most beneficial to the hegemon.

"I will notify you within three days!"

Yang Chao said.

The British probably have the most headache for the Chinese, the British oppose secret diplomacy, Li Hongzhang likes to play with razors to control the razor, relying on the use of foreigners to balance foreigners, exchanges with other countries are all carried out in secret, it is estimated that Li Hongzhang is impossible not to contact all parties privately, maybe he has already started contact.

"See you then."

Dou Nale took his hat, nodded lightly and got up, Seymour sent him out, the two didn't know what to say, and Dou Nale got into the car.

Yang Chao and Yuan Keding also bid farewell to Seymour at this time.

"Mr. Yang, why are you so stubborn, if the foreigner wants to apologize, let's apologize, is this matter so serious? What if he offends the British, and he wants to cut the land? ”

Yuan Keding has been a little flustered in his heart, he feels that the British are still very sincere in proposing those things, and they are still very friends, there is no need to offend friends for a little thing. And the British proposed not to cede the land, which is simply a great thing.

Yuan Keding knew very well that Li Hongzhang's people were ready to cede Liaodong, and even prepared to temporarily give up the land north of Shandong and Li Hongzhang to make Nanjing the capital.

Now that the British have jumped out and said that they will not cede the land, and they still want to support China and prevent other countries from ceding China, what do such friends have to say.

Yang Chao smiled: "Don't worry. Foreigners only value profits. Of course, the partition of China is not good for the Qing Dynasty, but the second worst is the British Empire. Of course, we will have to fight for ourselves, and the British will certainly try their best to stop the Russians. ”

Yuan Keding is still not at ease, the international awareness of the Chinese is still very poor, until a long time after the new China, it is not very good, playing international rules, or the British devil is the best.

"Hey! Listen to him. ”

Yuan Keding didn't have a choice, he was not very angry when he saw the Englishman just now, and it seemed that things were not bad.

What Yuan Keding needs to do is to report the situation back immediately, needless to say that the news of the death of Cixi and Guangxu has already been transmitted back, he now has to tell his father that the British intend to support them, and at the same time let the southern governors prepare early and confirm the negotiators as soon as possible.

Yuan Shikai immediately told Li Hongzhang about Yuan Keding's contact with the British, and was greatly praised by Li Hongzhang, believing that Yuan Shikai was able to use people effectively, and asked him to continue to contact with foreigners.

At the same time, Li Hongzhang plans to come to Beijing in person, and obviously intends to negotiate with foreigners in person, which at least shows that it is impossible for Li Hongzhang to become president before reaching an agreement with foreigners, because no big president will personally come forward to negotiate with foreign countries.

This made Yuan Shikai feel a little embarrassed, he didn't know why Li Hongzhang didn't take office as president, this matter is not contrary to negotiations, as for negotiations, China is so big, people who know foreign affairs can always find a few, Sheng Xuanhuai is not bad for that wave of people.

Yuan Shikai even felt that Li Hongzhang seemed to want to use negotiations to delay time and delay not becoming president.