Updated: 202-09-02

Ningbo Port is located at the mouth of the three rivers outside the east gate of Ningbo City, where the Yongjiang River, the Fenghua River and the Yuyao River converge.

After the defeat of the Opium War, foreign ships, foreign goods, and foreigners poured into Ningbo. In order to avoid the occurrence of "Chinese and foreign miscellaneous" as much as possible, the Ningbo government at that time painstakingly came up with a plan, that is, to establish a wharf area on the north bank of the river, which was specially used to moor foreign ships, stay in foreigners, operate foreign goods, and handle foreign affairs, and the north bank of the Ningbo River became a "place for foreigners to stay".

Most of the foreign consulates, churches, commercial houses, patrol houses and other buildings on the north bank of the Ningbo River are built along the west bank of the Yongjiang River, and the houses all sit west and face east, facing the Fujiang River. More than 0 meters of open space is set aside between the building and the river bank to allow the cargo on board to be picked up and unloaded, and to allow the passage of civilian boats.

On the morning of 24 October, the whole of Ningbo was in a state of anxiety, and the foreigners' settlements on the north bank of the Yangtze River were also in a state of gloom, and there was no such thing as the lively scene of the past.

An Englishman patrolled along the riverside road with a squad of raiders. Watson, the leader of the team, spoke in half-baked Chinese, "Everyone give me a little formality, don't be hippie and smile." Today, **oss is all gathered by the river. ”

During the Xianfeng period, the British consul discussed with the Ningbo government to set up a patrol house on the road outside the river, recruited more than 40 ruffians and hooligans as patrol arrests, and appointed the British Watson as a supervisor.

The patrolmen, in accordance with the British military code, threw off the pace. After a while, a patrolman called Xing Luzi couldn't hold back his mouth, "Sir Hua, if the Ming army on the other side of the sea really calls, what should we do?" ”

Watson raised the stick in his hand and pointed to the French ** ship "Gasini" moored in front of the French consulate, "You shut up for me, these things are naturally worried by the big people on the warship." ”

Xing Luzi hurriedly nodded, "Yes, yes!" ”

"But don't worry, you're our people now." Watson said haughtily, "No one in the world has dared to disturb us Englishmen. ”

"Of course, that's of course."

Far away, the security in front of the French consulate on the north bank of the Ningbo River was much stricter than usual. On the road in front of the consulate, two neatly lined and heavily armed French sailors crossed and patrolled back and forth. The six cannons of the French ** ship "Gassini" also removed their gun jackets, revealing their black muzzles.

The Garcini was a 200-horsepower, engine-powered two-wheeled oarship with six guns, a crew of 20 and a special chapel.

The "Garsini" came to Ningbo two days ago. British Minister Bao Ling and American Minister Mai Lian led five warships and ships to Dagu on 15 October to force the Manchus to negotiate a treaty amendment. French Minister Bourblon sent an attaché as a representative to go north on a U.S. ship because of the failure of the ship "Gasini".

Due to Lin Shenhe's brilliant appearance, history has deviated here, and the Manchu Jiangsu side politely refused the help of the French to attack the Little Knife Society. Feeling that there was nothing to do in Shanghai, Bourblon took the troubleshooting "Garcini" to Ningbo to learn about the situation of merchant ships being intercepted at sea to pay taxes.

The so-called revision of the treaty means that Britain, France, the United States, and other Western countries, which began in 54 years, under the pretext that there are provisions in the "Wangxia Treaty" regarding the provision of trade changes after 12 years, and according to the "most-favored-nation treatment," the "Nanjing Treaty" should be amended after 12 years, in an attempt to expand their privileges in China through "treaty amendment."

Dinghai was captured by the Ming army, and when the news came, Burbulon thought it was a big deal. Dinghai has long been forbidden by the French. It's a pity that because of the Crimean War, the French could not draw troops to the Far East.

The Opium War Britain got Hong Kong as a springboard to the Far East, which coveted the French, and they set their eyes on Dinghai. As the gateway of the Yangtze River and a natural deep-water port, Zhoushan Island is the springboard of the Far East that the French dream of.

As the highest-ranking Western diplomat in Ningbo at this time, Bourblon immediately invited the British and American consuls to discuss the matter on his ship, the "Garsini".

In the small restaurant of the "Gasini", the French consul informed the British acting consul Wen Jistu and the American consul Bradley about the situation, "According to the report, the combat strength of the rebels on the opposite side is very amazing, they have occupied Dinghai in less than three hours, and in particular, a large number of regular troops have gathered in the city, which were specially sent by the emperor of Beijing to exterminate them. As soon as they entered the city, the rebels took control of the situation and did not carry out large-scale killings. The rebels were friendly to foreign missionaries, several churches outside the city were not disturbed, and two paddle steamers and some so-called Coast Guard boats were found in the Dinghai port area. No legendary steel ships were found. ”

"Steel ship! Is this possible? The British Vice-Consul Moonpole sneered, "The short Japanese gnomes have never seen the world, and they mistake the paddle steamer for a steel ship, and the Dutch who live in Japan spread the rumor." ”

U.S. Consul Bradley was originally a businessman at Qichang & Co., and most of the U.S. consuls at various ports in China were businessmen. As a descendant of European immigrants who experienced the rapid development of American national power, Bradley has always admired science, "Maybe it's true, science has brought us so many surprises since the Industrial Revolution." ”

"Surprise, just these Chinese?" Wen Jistu smiled contemptuously.

The British have always been very strong, and the American consul Bradley Howe did not care about the attitude of the French consul, he asked the French consul, "Is this report true, it really did not reach the steel ship?" ”

"This is a diaspora sent by us, and he serves God." As he spoke, the French consul drew a cross on his chest.

It turned out to be a message from the "robbers in black", and Bradley nodded and didn't speak again.

The American consul Bradley had always been unimpressed by the French missionary fanaticism, and the United States, like the British, liked trade, and the American mission was only in the service of trade.

"Steel ships?" Burblon shook his head, "Since the rebels have two paddle steamers, it is completely understandable to take Dinghai quickly. ”

Bourblon was very depressed, it was all a good thing done by these guys who only cared about making money and did not care about the overall situation of the Far East. He stared at the British and French consuls, "Then who provided this big steamer to the rebels, I remember that there is no such big deal on the statistical list of French trade in China, this is definitely a good thing done by your British and American firms." ”

"Ships are not arms at all." British Vice-Consul Moonstud didn't care about Bourblon's attitude, "We in Britain have always adhered to neutrality and the principle of free trade. ”

He said to the American consul, "But this matter should be done by you Americans, there is no shipyard in the Far East that produces big steamers, and I said from the documents sent by China that Jardine Matheson sold several big steamers from Singapore, because of the huge trade volume, it has won domestic awards, and the buyer is the American Far East Huafu Ocean Company in Shanghai." ”

Bulblon suddenly had a fierce light in his eyes, this group of shameless Yankees who got into the eyes of money, didn't care about anything but money.

The U.S. consul hurriedly argued, "I also heard that Huafu Foreign Bank bought a few big steamers, but they were used for trade. The steamer of the Qing rebel forces is not necessarily provided by our Huafu Foreign Bank. ”

"Huafu Foreign Company?" Burbulon suddenly remembered the amorous Zhu Yangni, who was really a charming woman.

"Mr. Minister!" Seeing that the corners of the minister's mouth were drooling, Gu Si, Burbulon's secretary, hurriedly handed over the handkerchief.

Bourblonsven's handkerchief wiped the corners of his mouth, "Alright, let's get down to business." Mr. Consuls, the rebels occupy Dinghai and threaten sea shipping, what are you Britain and the United States going to do? ”

"We remain neutral for the time being, as long as the rebels do not infringe on our American interests."

U.S. Consul Bradley was hesitant, the United States had always been close to the Manchus in order to expand trade more. Now Huafu may have trade with this rebel army, and perhaps this is another business opportunity.

The British were also very indignant at the Manchu authorities' repeated delays in amending the treaty, just because they were concentrating their efforts on the Crimean War at home and could not spare their forces to deal with the Far East for the time being. Wen Jistu very much hoped that the rebel forces in China would teach the Manchus a lesson and force the Manchus to make concessions in the treaty revision negotiations.

As the British consul in Ningbo, Wen Ji Situ has always been unhappy in his heart, the British have been attacking Ningbo for two hundred years, and finally forced the Manchu Qing to open the port of Ningbo. But more than ten years have passed, Ningbo has been suppressed by Shanghai, and now there are only 22 British and American people in Ningbo, including only five businessmen.

"More than ten years have passed, Ningbo's business opportunities have not been opened, and now there is a rebellion in Dinghai, and the trade of Ningbo Port is about to decline again." Wen Jistu shook his head, "However, this is China's internal affair, we will not interfere in any way, if the rebels hinder free trade, then we will teach them a lesson." ”

"Yes, it can't affect our free trade, that's the principle." Bourblon stood up, "Gentlemen, I have decided to visit Dinghai and inspect these rebel forces on the spot. ”

What are the French doing here? The negotiations on the north have not yet begun, and they want to get on good terms with the rebels, uh! Probably to put a little pressure on those stubborn Manchurians.

"Mr. Minister, I will also participate in the inspection on behalf of the British government, and I hope you will allow it!" ”

"We, the United States, also participated in the expedition."

"Of course." Bourblon nodded, he couldn't refuse the request of the Anglo-American consul.

In the afternoon, a black-robed foreign devil came from outside the east gate of Dinghai, and the two soldiers guarding the city looked at him curiously, and before he could ask, the foreign priest said in a broken Chinese dialect, "I am Father Ifari of Yongdong Church, and I have something to find your leader." ”

The squad leader guarding the East Tower immediately appointed a soldier to lead Ifari into the city.

Along the way, Ifali saw that the soldiers of the Ming army were cleaning up the streets and cleaning up the garbage. The work of the soldiers was coming to an end, and the streets of Dinghai, which had been dirty and messy, had become tidy and tidy.

"Are you soldiers, how do you help the people clean up?" Ifari was a little curious.

The soldier who led the way glanced at Ifari and said proudly: "We are the people's soldiers, and it is our duty to help the people. ”

In the General Army's Palace, Xu Nanying, who can speak fluent French, told Yi Fali, "The Ming army welcomes the visit of your minister, and also welcomes the British and American representatives to visit together. We are ready to engage in dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. ”