In the afternoon of the same day, the British, French, and American fleets that had gone north to seek a "treaty amendment" returned to Hong Kong from Dagukou. =Top=Point=Small- said

Article 34 of the Sino-US Treaty of Wang-Ha (i.e., the Sino-US Five-Port Trade Charter: Customs Tariff Rules) stipulates: "If the circumstances of each port are different, and all trade and sea conditions may not be without the slightest variation, the two countries shall send personnel to act fairly after 12 years." ”

In 1854, as soon as Bao Ling took up his post as minister to China, according to the instructions of the British Foreign Office, under the pretext that the "Treaty of Wangxia" contained a provision for "amending the treaty" after 12 years, he invoked the one-sided most-favored-nation clause and demanded a comprehensive revision of the Sino-British "Treaty of Nanjing" in order to further expand British rights and interests in China.

Bao Ling's move was fully supported by France, the United States and other Western powers.

On October 15, the British Minister Bao Ling's representative Ali Guo, the American Minister Mai Lian, and the French representative Ge Shiqi arrived at Dagu Pass with five large and small warships to force the Manchus to negotiate a revision of the treaty.

Bao Ling wanted to personally lead the team north, but before the warship left, the deputy governor of Hong Kong, William . is ready to move, wanting to seize the position of chairman of the two Hong Kong bureaus.

Bao Ling was to have to work with Lieutenant Governor William. He was worried that the siege of Guangzhou by more than 200,000 Hong soldiers would affect Hong Kong and endanger British interests, so he appointed Shanghai Consul Ali Guo as his plenipotentiary representative, led the warship north to Dagukou, and stationed himself in Hong Kong to pay attention to the development of the situation.

In the face of the high pressure of Britain, France and the United States, Emperor Xianfeng issued an edict that he could consider reducing or reducing the customs duties owed by foreign merchants to Shanghai and the tea tax in Guangdong to show his tenderness, but he refused to fully revise the treaty and asked Britain, France and the United States to go south to Guangzhou to find Ye Mingchen, the governor of Liangguang and Ye Mingchen, the minister of the Qincha who had full authority to handle the trade affairs of the five ports, to negotiate specifically on matters such as "the people's dispute, the division of the tea tax in Guangdong, and the exemption of Shanghai's tax arrears".

In early December, representatives of Britain, France, and the United States returned to Shanghai on a warship.

After a short rest, on 13 December, the British and American warships left Shanghai and headed south for Hong Kong.

On the afternoon of 15 December, the fleet returned to Hong Kong.

Ali Guo gave Bao Ling a detailed report on the negotiation of the revision of the treaty, and finally said: "If there is no external military pressure, the Tatar Emperor will never bow his head." ”

"It seems that we have to show force, or some other rebel force, to threaten the damned Tatar regime." Bao Ling nodded in agreement, and then he sighed, "It's just that the current situation in China is very unclear, in addition to the Taiping Army and the Hong Army, there is a Ming regime in Taiwan, we must wait and see what happens, and wait for the opportunity." ”

Bao Ling really wanted to use gunboats to intimidate the Manchus by force, but the country was busy with the Crimean War and had no time to look east. In addition, the Taiping army was marching north and west, the Hong troops in Guangdong were besieging Guangzhou, and the Ming regime was also trying its best to control Taiwan.

Although Ali Guo had just arrived in Hong Kong, he had already heard too much news about the Ming regime.

For example, Western countries have sent people to open business offices in Shanghai, and in response, the Ming regime has also opened a commercial bank in Hong Kong as an informal business office.

"Mr. Minister, I heard that the French government is about to recognize this Ming regime, and the American Minister Mai Lian is also going to Huwei." Ali Guo asked tentatively, "Do you also plan to support Da Ming?" ”

"The Ming regime is already here, and it is not in the interests of our British Empire! Nor can France and the United States go against the principle of unity among the great powers. ”

Bao Ling rolled his green eyes, "Looking at Wen Ji Situ's report, this Ming Kingdom is like Prussia in Europe, although its strength is still relatively weak, but it is shrewd and strong, ambitious, and very difficult to deal with." In comparison, the Tatar government seems to be a big stupid cow, and if they could be a little more honest and enlightened, I would still be willing to deal with the Manchu people in Tatar. ”

The pacifism in Bao Ling's mouth is in essence sugar-coated imperialism ~ nationalism, which is to better pursue Britain's national interests.

Ali Guo shook his head, "Unless there is a military demonstration of support or coercion, this big stupid cow will not be obedient." ”

Bao Ling smiled, "Now is the opportunity, 200,000 rebels are now besieging the city of Guangzhou, Ye Mingchen, the largest official of the Tatar government in Guangdong, has already sent me a letter asking for help, and tomorrow I will enter the Pearl River with a warship." ”

At the beginning of December, the situation in Guangzhou was urgent. Hundreds of warships of the Hongbing Naval Division launched a fierce attack on Guangzhou from the waterway, and defeated the Qing Army's naval divisions at Dahuang, Xinzao and other places.

The powerful rebel army and sailors threatened the city of Guangzhou, and due to the disagreement of the Pearl River, the Qing army was doubly tightened. Ye Mingchen was at a loss, so he had to send a note to Bao Ling, asking him to cooperate with him in the operation to eliminate Hong Bing.

Bao Ling stood up, looked at the warship moored in the harbor, and said faintly, "As long as the Manchu lords of these two Cantons promise to amend the treaty and allow us to enter Guangzhou City, we will cooperate with Ye Mingchen to protect him through the siege of the Hong soldiers." ”

Entering the city of Guangzhou was the first goal that Bao Ling diligently pursued after coming to China, and revising the treaty was his second goal. As long as the Manchu Qing fulfilled these two wishes, Bao Ling's mission to China would be considered a complete success.

In the evening of the same day, the Governor's Palace of Hong Kong held a reception to welcome the fleet back from its voyage.

In the small meeting room of the Governor's Palace, Bao Ling announced his plan to Burbulon and Mai Lian, "I intend to send a fleet deep into the Pearl River to the city of Guangzhou to protect our expatriates. ”

The French minister, Bourbulon, and the American minister, Mailian, immediately became serious.

"Are you planning to support Ye Mingchen?" Bourblon was very straightforward, "Sir, Ye Mingchen is a bastard full of lies, you can't help him, Britain can't violate the principle of unanimity among the powers!" ”

In the early days of the Flood Rebellion, Britain, France, and the United States discussed together, and the three countries agreed that the great powers should be unanimous, believing that it was necessary to maintain strict neutrality in the struggle between the rebels and Ye Mingchen, and to stop direct and indirect intervention of any nature.

Burbulon had always had a bad impression of Ye Mingchen, and the failure of the treaty revision made him extremely disappointed in the Manchu regime. Although he had a favorable impression of the Ming regime, it was a matter of French national interests, and Bourblon decided to keep the principle of neutrality unchanged and not to help any rebel forces, let alone help the Manchurians.

"To hell with this barbaric Tatar government!" Mai Lian expressed her support for Burbulon, "The rebels are strong, and supporting Ye Mingchen will inevitably allow the war to drag on endlessly." ”

In 1853, the new president, Pierce, sent his political close friend Mai Lian as minister to China, and Mai Lian's mission was to negotiate a "treaty amendment" with the Qing government to establish unrestricted commercial relations in China. In view of the fact that the Taiping Rebellion in China was in its heyday at that time, another mission of the Mai Lian envoy to China was to study the political situation in China in depth in order to determine the US policy toward China.

After Mai Lian came to China, he first went to the city of Nanjing, and he was greatly disappointed in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. This time she went north to revise the treaty, and Mai Lian felt that the Tatar Emperor was as stubborn as the prince of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

I heard that the Ming Dynasty had occupied northern Taiwan and opened a free port in Huwei. Mai Lian was very pleased that the new Ming regime was particularly friendly to the United States, and that the American commercial banks had already gained many business opportunities, and the opening of the Huwei Free Port would certainly bring the United States' trade with China to a higher level.

After he decided to end his trip to Hong Kong, he would go to Huwei to see if he could sign a satisfactory agreement with the Ming Dynasty.

"Justice and good policy require us to observe strict neutrality between the opposing sides."

Bao Ling first agreed with the French and American ministers, but he changed his words, "However, the turmoil in Canton is destroying all the lifeblood of commerce, and this has seriously damaged our interests. Neither the government army nor the anti-~ government has protected this well, can the British, French and American powers turn a blind eye to this state of affairs?! ”

Bulblon frowned at Bao Ling's shout, "Sir, what does Britain intend to achieve?" ”

"Rest assured, I only intend to establish a neutral zone under the city of Canton to protect our diaspora and protect British commercial interests. In addition, I have to ensure freedom of navigation between Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Bao Ling looked compassionate, "By the way, help those poor good people, so that they can avoid the troubles of war." ”

McLene agreed, "This is also the wish of the United States. ”

"We in France want that too." Bourblon looked at Bao Ling with suspicion, "Sir, that's all the British are aiming for?" ”

"I must maintain our position in China for trade, and ensure that British nationals, property, and business are not violated." Bao Ling's eyes widened, "Therefore, I will solemnly negotiate with Ye Mingchen again and put forward three requirements, the legation will be stationed in Guangzhou City, allow European and American businessmen to lease land freely, and agree to revise the treaty." ”

Bourblon and Mai Lian shook their heads at the same time, "Lord Man will never agree to such a request!" ”

Bao Ling snorted coldly, "If Ye Mingchen doesn't agree to our reasonable request, the British ** ship will definitely remain neutral." ”

After heated discussions, the British, French, and American envoys decided to take a boat to Guangzhou together tomorrow, and at the same time sent a note to Ye Mingchen. If Ye Mingchen refuses the legitimate demands of Britain, France, and the United States, the three ** ships will immediately withdraw from the Pearl River and go straight to Huwei.

On 16 December, Bao Ling, Bourblon, and Mai Lian respectively arrived at the city of Guangzhou on the British Hermes, the French Cassini, and the American Susquehanna.

Britain, France, and the United States immediately posted notices in the vicinity of Canton, declaring that "if anyone infringes upon the persons, property, and business of British, French, and American nationals, Britain, France, and the United States will regard it as the end of a provocation and will make every effort to confront them." ”

It also demanded the establishment of a so-called "neutral zone" outside the city to protect the lives and property of its expatriates. The people in the "neutral zone" were to be demolished and relocated, no war was allowed, and political blackmail and military intimidation were carried out against the rebels.

Under the threat of strong force from Britain, France, and the United States, the rebel forces had no choice but to agree to set up a neutral zone on the Pearl River outside Guangzhou, open water lanes, and allow free navigation between Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

As a result, a large number of wealthy merchants in Guangdong were able to flee to Hong Kong by water on merchant ships. The arms and materials needed by Ye Mingchen to defend the city also entered the city of Guangzhou smoothly through the waterway.

The next day, Bao Ling, Bourbulon, and Mai Lian sent a note to Ye Mingchen, requesting to enter Guangzhou and meet with him at the Liangguang Governor's Office to discuss important matters.

To the disappointment of Bao Ling and others, Ye Mingchen refused to meet with the idea that "military superiority is not to mention this", but only sent two seven-grade officials to bring courtesy greetings, and avoided replying to the requests of Britain, France and the United States for leasing land and amending the treaty.

Bao Ling, Bourbulon, and Mai Lian were greatly disappointed, and they immediately sent notes to the Qing government in a solemn tone, "There is no need to discuss the details, but I ask that another minister be sent to discuss important matters and make peace with each other, not later than the sixth year of Xianfeng (1856), otherwise you will bear the consequences." ”

On 19 December, three warships sailed out of the Pearl River estuary in succession. At this time, two British-flagged ships were swimming up the river and passing by the side of the fleet.

Standing on the slipway, looking back at the steamer going upstream, Bao Lingxin said, "The purpose of entering the Pearl River has finally succeeded, and now it depends on whether the Ming regime is in line with the interests of our British Empire!" ”