With a wave of Guo Songtao's hand, Sula took out a large piece of brown paper and spread it on the long table, "Please see, ambassador," Guo Songtao pointed to the mountains and rivers above, "We are going to press here," a meandering river flows southward, which is a tributary of the Indus River, "according to the dividing line of this river to divide the border between the two countries." Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info"

Sure enough, as expected by the British, the dividing line between the two countries was indeed carried out in a north-south direction, Weibei picked up a magnifying glass, carefully looked at the map, the border between the Chinese in western Xinjiang and Tibet, towards India bulged part, leaving Russia with a slender section, one end pointed to the Indus River, one end connected to Central Asia, Afghanistan in the west, and the existence of Kokand in the northeast corner, Weibei put down the magnifying glass, not very satisfied with the results of this distribution," I can think that the territorial division of Kashmir this time can be regarded as a territorial exchange between our two countries to a certain extent, and your country's map of Kashmir also shows that this place is both a plateau and a canyon, and there is no economic use at all, and your country wants to give us just a little bit of territory," Weibei gestured on the map to a palm-sized place, "and you want to take away all the territory around Lake Baikal?" This is not a good deal for Russia. ”

"The territory of the Beihai region is already under China's de facto rule," said Prime Minister Yamen Yi Zhang Jing with a sneer, "and it is a surprise that your country can now take Kashmir." "Do you have to think Long Wangshu is not enough?

"A treaty that has not been signed by His Royal Highness the Tsar will not enter into force, and of course, an occupation that has not been officially recognized by us cannot become a territory officially owned by your country," said Vebe in a leisurely manner, "so even if your country has occupied the territory of Lake Baikal for a hundred years, without the confirmation of our Russia, your country will illegally occupy it." ”

Guo Songtao nodded, "We admit this statement, so we are ready for a long time to negotiate," the two of them negotiated again, and found that they could not get close to the opinions of both sides in a short period of time, so they put it aside today, most of the reasons why Guo Songtao invited Wei Bei to come to the Prime Minister's Yamen to negotiate was to stimulate the British, and the British Ambassador Wade had already seen it, and the purpose of the stimulation had been achieved, so he was not in a hurry, and the negotiations were originally not in a hurry.

Guo Songtao proposed that today's negotiations end here, the two sides got up, and talked casually, Sulla sent in tea, wine and some snacks, knowing the taste of the Russians, especially sent vodka and bread smeared with caviar, several Russians really like it very much, Zuo Zongtang seems to be very free today, the negotiation is still here, he holds a tall glass, suspiciously looks at the amber vodka mixed with ice, smells, takes a big sip, his face is flushed, I coughed a few times before swallowing the high-strength vodka.

"Our Russian vodka is strong, right? Prime Minister. Wei Bei held the glass and appeared beside Zuo Zongtang.

Russia has been stationed in China since the Kangxi Dynasty, which is the only foreign country on an equal footing during the Qing Dynasty's diplomacy in the vassal period, so the Empress Dowager Cixi feels incredible after knowing this history, speaking of foreigners in Beijing, this is more than a hundred years of history, how can there be people blindly stubbornly closed off the country, is the existence of these Russians selectively blind?

Therefore, the Russian ambassador to China generally speaks Chinese, especially Weibei in front of him, and sometimes he can also speak some idioms, he raised his glass and saluted Zuo Zongtang, "Our wine is like our nation, simply fierce and emotional." ”

Still have a face? Emotional? Zuo Zongtang sneered in his heart, "Ha, yes, the first time I drank vodka, I was still a little uncomfortable, has Mr. Ambassador ever drunk Chinese wine?" It tastes better than this. ”

"I don't think so," Weibe shook his head, "each drink has its own characteristics, but I think our vodka is unique." ”

Zuo Zongtang was noncommittal, "When I was in Kokand before, I seized a few boxes of vodka, but I gave them to the people below to drink. Over the years, your country has also imported a lot of vodka to China, but how can I see that it is all drunk by coolies? Drink this to warm up. ”

A hint of anger flashed in Wei Bei's eyes, "I thought of the relationship between Lord Zhongtang and Russia, in Central Asia, probably there is no one in China who has more say than you, so this is the reason why you came to the Prime Minister's Yamen to negotiate, right?" ”

"No, it's not this, Ambassador, you are wrong," Zuo Zongtang handed the cup in his hand to his entourage, and his entourage changed a cup of tea, Zuo Zongtang stretched out his hand and invited Wei Bei to the side of the sofa and coffee table, and the two of them sat down, "I came today to express the friendship between the two countries, and then express support for the negotiations between the Prime Minister's Yamen, and then if your country has any questions, we can explain it from the perspective of the center, which is also conducive to the negotiations between the two countries." ”

"Kashmir is already under the de facto effective rule of your country, why would it suddenly be kind enough to cede part of this land to us Russia?" Wei Bei raised his own question, "I know that there is an old saying in China, there is no feast in the world, why should China give us benefits?" ”

"There are many reasons for this, there are questions about Beihai, I will answer one, that is, our Empress Dowager Cixi has taken a fancy to the scenery of Beihai and wants to build a palace there, but if it is too close to the border of your country, isn't it safe?" Zuo Zongtang wiped his white beard and said with a smile, "The Queen Mother wants, so the soldiers always have to use their lives, and secondly, it is also for the sake of friendly relations with your country, and we can't offend the biggest neighbor in the vicinity, otherwise we will have a hard time in the future." ”

"Third, it is also to follow the trick of Lian Wu to resist Cao, you might as well tell your ambassador directly, now the British are aggressive, we have no choice, we always have to find allies, we can't hold Kashmir as a country, rather than cheapen the British for nothing, it is better to take it out and share it with your country," Zuo Zongtang said with a smile, "Then your country will also make concessions here in Beihai, right?" ”

Zuo Zongtang picked up a piece of bread smeared with caviar and looked at it, didn't try it, but put it back and clapped his hands, "I personally think that except for some small contradictions, there is no other conflict between our two countries, so we should," Zuo Zongtang picked up his Jingdezhen official kiln blue and white dragon teacup and stretched it out to Wei Bei thoughtfully, "Our two countries can unite together." ”

Wei Bei looked at Zuo Zongtang, stretched out the glass wine glass in his hand, and touched it with the porcelain tea cup, making a crisp sound, "Lord Zhongtang, I agree with your point of view. (To be continued.) )