As the British parliamentary quarrel continued, the Whigs fought back at two key points, one was the global strategic interests of the British Empire, and the other was the question of the dignity of the British Empire. Much of the Whig debate was devoted to these two themes: the empire on which the sun never sets now has colonies all over the world, British industry, which claims to be the world's factory, needs the Far East, an untapped base of raw materials and dumping grounds, and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's development of its own industry and commerce and strict tariff barriers have caused damage to British interests!

After Derby's speech, Elkin's other friend, a Whig and former foreign minister, Claranton, stood up and spoke, and Elgin had been promoted to minister plenipotentiary for the Far East. Therefore, Clarandon's statement is very meaningful, and he must resolutely support Ergin's action, and he is embarrassed to approve it all. But he grasped one side: "I do not believe that there is no problem with Elgin's actions, but in the change of place, gentlemen, under the circumstances of the time, no one can act to the detriment of British interests, so there is no problem with Sir Elgin's actions." Sir Ergin had already negotiated with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom many times, but it had little effect, and more and more local products of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom were squeezing the market for our British goods, especially opium, which could not be traded normally in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. And the Manchu government in the north had become a dumping ground for opium, and Sir Ergin and we both believed that the Manchu government could not fall, and even that its existence could continue to allow us to continue the arms trade and opium trade in the Far East, so Sir Ergin's choice at that time was not wrong! Now we have no other way but to support Sir Elgin. ”

Another important point is the dignity of the British Empire. Ever since the UK embarked on its global expansion strategy, it has always been them who are bullying others. Africa, the Americas, Asia, everywhere the sun never sets the figure of the empire. When was the British Empire so humiliated? Moreover, it was regarded by the British Empire as a self-proponent against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Russia, which was a shameless betrayal and a stern provocation.

Lord Frankville, the Whig spokesperson for the government, said impassionedly during the debate: "I think the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is a shameless and immoral nation, and they have taken advantage of our sympathy and fraternity and forgotten how we helped them in the past!" We brought them the fashion of civilization, and they gave us back barbaric war! Sober up, gentlemen, a country we have raised is humiliating us, and we must fight back strongly! Otherwise, more and more countries will follow suit! Who's next? India? Egypt? Or the Arab world? ”

Palmerston's statement reads: "Xiao Chaogui, the leader of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, is the most brutal barbarian who has brought shame on the nation, and is the culprit of all crimes that trample on human dignity and mutual trust; Cobton's motion. It will make old friend Ergin sad; If this condemnation is confirmed, our compatriots will have no dignity in China, and be careful, your decision may be a desecration of the dignity of the British Empire abroad. ”

As in the previous two wars in the Far East, public opinion was polarized, with those in favor of a retaliatory war and those in favor of a peaceful settlement and the return of captured soldiers to their homes as soon as possible. However, because the Crimean War was not long after the end of the British were somewhat afraid of launching another large-scale war, the public opinion still prevailed in the peaceful settlement of the incident. But public opinion is not incapacitated, and this heavyweight influence lies with their queen majesty. It is undeniable that during Queen Victoria's reign as Queen of England, the British Empire became the world's number one power, and the British loved her very much. So her words and deeds can change the direction of public opinion, just as her support for the Opium War brought great benefits to Britain twenty years ago. The British trusted their queen.

But this time, Her Majesty the Queen has not made any statement, and the cabinet and the opposition parties know about it. Her Majesty was waiting for news from France and Russia, and the wise Queen knew very well that the British army alone could not accomplish this great expeditionary feat, and that if troops were forcibly withdrawn from other colonies, it would inevitably affect the rule of other colonies, so Her Majesty waited for an ally who could fight alongside her.

St. Petersburg, the capital of Tsarist Russia, the majestic Winter Palace still stands on St. Petersburg's Palace Square, and the heavy snow covers the entire city, covering the whole city in white and silver. Tsar Alexander II walked around in his bedroom irritably, the fireplace in the room was burning with fine firewood, and the warm flame dispersed the cold air of the whole room, but it seemed to be too hot, and the Tsar looked very irritable.

Suddenly, his chamberlain came in tremblingly and said, "Your Majesty, Count Suvorov and Onkovsky are here. ”

The Tsar came back to his senses, nodded and said, "Let them in!" A moment later, two Russian nobles came to the Tsar's house.

After saluting the Tsar, the Tsar sat the two of them down, and he first looked at Count Suvorov, the head of the St. Petersburg Council of Nobility, and said: "My dear Count, the plan for the reform of the land of serfs that you have recently promulgated seems to be very conservative, and I have heard rumors from all quarters that are unfavorable to the reform of serfdom in the Empire, and I would like to hear your opinion for myself. ”

On March 30, 1856, the newly succeeded Tsar Alexander II explained the need for serf reform when he summoned the Moscow aristocracy, for the simple reason that the feudal serfdom system was still practiced in Russia at that time, and the serfs had no land but had to work for the landlords without compensation, which was low productivity and hindered the flow of people to the factories, and severely restricted the development of capitalism in Russia.

On January 3, 1857, the tsarist government set up a secret committee on peasant affairs, which was attended by mostly large aristocratic landowners, who hoped that they would make a difference, but they were not enthusiastic about reform, and the committee did not solve any problems. On 20 November, the Tsar issued an edict to the Governor of Vilna Province, Nazimov, allowing the establishment of provincial councils of nobility in the three provinces of Lithuania, demanding that the relationship between peasants and landlords be adjusted according to the following principles: the preservation of ownership of all land by the landlords; The landlord enjoyed the right to the security of the hereditary domain; Guaranteed properly. Taxes are paid in full. Local and monetary taxes. In fact, this edict was the government's initial reform program. This program did not touch the feudal relations of production, except for the personal freedom of the peasants.

The edict was sent to the provincial governors. And published in the newspapers. After the promulgation of the edict, the provinces successively established provincial aristocratic committees according to the edict. By the end of 1858. In the provinces of Europe and Russia, with the exception of Arkhangelsk, noble councils were generally established. The big aristocratic landlords made up 10% of the aristocratic class, but owned 30% of the serfs. They enjoyed high official positions and privileges, were staunch supporters and strong pillars of feudal serfdom, and opposed any reforms. The publication of the Tsar's Edict, which caused great dissatisfaction among them, led by Count Suvorov, formed the Council of the Nobility of St. Petersburg. The plan they have drawn up is the most conservative of all. The main contents of the plan are: all the land will remain owned by the landlord; The peasants may use their allotments indefinitely under the condition of full service; Guarantee the landlord's right of domination over the peasants. It can be seen that they are the biggest obstacle to the reform of serfdom.

Count Suvorov said unhurriedly: "My Majesty, the plan formulated by the Council of Nobles of St. Petersburg is the most in line with the current needs of reform, what we need is not reform but reform, my Majesty, excessive reform will plunge the whole of Russia into turmoil." ”

The Tsar's bushy beard trembled slightly, and then he said calmly: "Count, I hope you will notice a little, throughout the last year. There were 297 serf uprisings throughout Russia, and the entire Russian army was in a state of domestic counterinsurgency, while in the Far East, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had officially declared war. I can't come to the aid of Muravyov in the Far East, the Far East Navy has been destroyed, and Muravyov has retreated to Nebuchu. Vladivostok and Kamchatka are also under the threat of their forces, and I need to do everything I can to put an end to the chaos in the country. ”

Count Suvorov said very calmly: "Your Majesty." No offense, there is very little to be gained in those remote places of the Far East. Moreover, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was about to end Manchu rule in the Far East, and perhaps it was time to negotiate a new treaty with them. Are we going to give up the dignity and interests of the nobility in exchange for the useless vast woodlands of the Far East? ”

The Tsar snorted softly and said, "But now that the shape has changed, the British ambassador has recently expressed his willingness to join France in sending troops to the Far East with us, and I think it is a good opportunity." ”

Count Suvorov shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, the British and the French are our enemies, they are the most untrustworthy, the first emperor was forced to die by them, do you want to unite with our enemies?" ”

The tsar finally couldn't bear it anymore and shouted: "Enough! Watch your words, Count! I want you to dissolve the Council of Nobility in St. Petersburg at once, and all reform matters must be subject to the government's edicts! ”

In Russia, the authority of the Tsar is unshakable, and Count Suvorov will not go into a head-on conflict with the Tsar, he stood up and bowed politely: "We obey Your Majesty's edict and will dissolve the committee, but Your Majesty, I hope you will consider it, excessive reforms will make all the nobles dissatisfied." After saying that, he respectfully withdrew.

Then the Tsar looked at the Governor of Tver Province, Onkovsky, and said in a mild tone: "My Governor, I have seen the plan of your Tver Province, it is very good, and I plan to promote it throughout the country." ”

The serf reform program proposed by Onkovsky in the Tver province represented the interests of the landlords in the non-black land belt who wanted to put their economy on the capitalist track. The program demanded: complete abolition of serfdom; The land was distributed to the peasants by way of redemption; The land was bought by the peasants themselves, and the ransom of the feudal rent was to be borne by the state, and Onkovsky's views were the most progressive of the landlords of the time and were favored by the tsar.

But Onkovsky said worriedly: "Your Majesty, although our plan is the most beneficial to the reform, but at present each province has its own serf reform committee, although you have just dissolved the St. Petersburg committee, but the other nobles will not carry out this kind of reform, they can only accept a certain amount of reform." And I am afraid that if we have difficulties in carrying out the reforms, we will inevitably make the noble landlords dissatisfied, and we will be able to meet the demands of the serfs, and the result will be that both sides are not satisfied, and it will bring even greater turmoil to the country. ”

The tsar clenched his fists and said: "I will use force to ensure the implementation of this qiē!" I will not back down, if Russia does not carry out reforms, it will inevitably be abandoned by the world. ”

Onkovsky said: "Your Majesty, the Count is right just now, we cannot send our precious troops to the Far East now, there can only be a negotiated solution, otherwise the reform in the country will be slowed down by the war, and we will lose more." ”

The Tsar pondered for a moment and then said: "But I do not want to lose this opportunity to take this adventure, to unite with the British and the French, and perhaps we can get from the Far East something that we lost in the Crimean War." I still have a reserve of 30,000 Cossack cavalry, and I will send them to the Far East to make one last attempt, and if that fails, we will abandon the Far East......" (to be continued......