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Volume 1: Fierce Battle in Changsha Chapter 162: Western Secret Agreement

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    Seeing Lord Wenhan's anxious look, Xiao Yungui secretly laughed in his heart. He took a leisurely sip of tea and said slowly: "Our Kingdom of Heaven encourages industry and commerce. After occupying Shanghai, not only will we not reduce foreign trade, but we will  To expand the trade volume, our army needs to be uniformed, so the amount of cloth required will be huge. At the same time, we hope to open up some minerals and seek cooperation from some foreign businessmen to invest in building factories and develop minerals. We also need to build some arms factories.  We will even consider investing in some telegraphs and railways."

    Lord Wenhan was very surprised when he heard this. The Western King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has a big appetite, but there are many things that need to be developed in this ancient land of China, and there is also a large population, which means that China is a huge market.  However, the pace of the Manchu Qing's opening up can be said to have stagnated for a long time. If it hadn't been for the Opium War more than ten years ago, which ushered in a state of isolation, perhaps the only port where the British could trade with this ancient country was Guangzhou.  .  If the cooperative development of minerals, new munitions factories, construction of telegraphs, railways and other projects are implemented as King Xi said, no matter which project it is, the benefits behind it will be very huge. If these projects are monopolized by Britain, then  The benefits to Britain would be unimaginable.

    Lord Wenhan's heart was pounding, and he tried to speak in a calm tone: "Your Excellency, King Xi, your idea is very good. Do you have any specific plans?"

    Xiao Yungui smiled faintly. Although Wenhan tried to stay calm, his slightly trembling hands were still seen by Xiao Yungui. Sure enough, these capitalists would do anything for 100% profit.  Xiao Yungui said slowly: "Of course, but we hope to start our plan after we capture Shanghai. At that time, our communication will no longer be hindered by the Manchus, so our cooperation will be smoother. I think  Even if we tell you the specific plan now, the Minister cannot make a decision, because these huge projects cannot be completed by one or two businessmen or companies in your country alone, and we also hope to cooperate with the most suitable businessmen or companies.  , it doesn¡¯t matter which country it is from, the most important thing is to be suitable, not to hand over the project blindly. Now I can only tell you that we have this intention, and we are very sure that it will be implemented." The implication is that  If you support me in attacking Shanghai, then Britain will have great benefits. In fact, both sides know well that Britain's neutrality is actually weak to a large extent. Whoever provides higher benefits will be favored by Britain.

    Lord Wenhan pondered for a moment. It is true that such a large investment and construction plan cannot be completed by one or two companies. And from what Xiao Yungui said, it seems that the King of the West knows a lot about trade. He seems to want to start a series of projects after conquering Shanghai.  Develop projects and then put them out to tender.  But at that time, I'm afraid it won't be exclusive to Britain. Americans, French, and even Italians will swarm in like sharks smelling blood.

    This is not possible. Lord Wenhan secretly clenched his fists. The first contact with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was the United Kingdom. From now on, only the United Kingdom will have most of the interests. At that time, Lord Wenhan hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, the King of the West, the merchants and technology of our British Empire."  They are all world-class, and we in the UK were the first to have friendly contact with your army. I hope your army can consider long-term cooperation with our UK."

    Xiao Yungui smiled lightly and said: "Lord Wenhan, Britain is indeed a big country, but countries like France and the United States are also outstanding in certain aspects of technology." Wenhan couldn't help but feel nervous when he heard this, but Xiao Yungui's next words made him relax.  He sighed: "However, considering the friendly relationship between the UK and us in the first place, we can agree in a secret agreement that in the future investment, procurement, construction and other projects of the Taiping Rebellion, British businessmen and companies will be given priority under the same conditions. How about this? Minister  Sir, you cannot ask us to give up those companies and businessmen from other countries with favorable conditions. That would be unfair. All I can promise you is the right of first choice. Please understand."

    Wen Han murmured in his heart and cursed. This King of the West did not look like a rebel. He was calm-minded and more like a philistine businessman. But there was nothing wrong with what the King of the West said. Britain was also the pioneer of free trade like Biao Bing. Britain  It was not easy to destroy this free competitive market environment, so Lord Wenhan had no choice but to nod in agreement.

    Finally, Xiao Yungui touched his chin and asked with a smirk: "Lord Wenhan, I wonder if you have any goods that can be traded on the ship when you come to Nanjing this time? We in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom want to get some useful things."

    Wen Han frowned. During this trip, they did not consider any trade other than necessary water, so they did not bring any goods. There were only cannons, muskets, gunpowder and other munitions on the ship, which was quite sufficient, because they were afraid  Clashes with rebels.  However, Britain has a neutral attitude, and arms cannot be used as trading commodities, so Lord Wenhan said euphemistically: "Unfortunately, Your Majesty the King of the West, except for necessary weapons, we do not have any weapons on board."What goods are available for trading? I hope we will have what you want next time our British merchant ship comes again.  "

    Xiao Yungui frowned. What he wanted were those weapons. I heard that Wenhan's ship, the Hamils, was very huge. The British must have equipped her with a lot of cannons, muskets and gunpowder. Xiao Yungui just wanted to buy some.  Why didn't Wenhan understand the cannons, muskets and gunpowder on the British ships?  Then he said with a smile: "Only weapons? That's also good. I heard that the British have excellent firearms. I have been admiring them for a long time. I wonder if I can purchase some?"

    Lord Wenhan immediately shook his head and said: "No, this is not possible. We in the UK remain neutral. Trading arms with your army will destroy neutrality. If the Manchu Qing government knows that we are trading arms, it will do great damage to our British interests in China.  "

    " Xiao Yungui cursed Wen Han in his heart. He said he was neutral, but secretly made a secret agreement with the Taiping Army to attack Shanghai. This is a way to be a bitch and build a memorial at the same time.  But he still had a smile on his face and said: "Let's do this. After we finish discussing the secret agreement, can I go to Lord Wenhan's boat to have a look?"

    Wenhan didn¡¯t notice the deceit in Xiao Yungui¡¯s smile, and just smiled slightly and said: ¡°You are very welcome.¡±

    When Wen Han asked about the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom¡¯s attitude towards opium, Xiao Yungui chuckled and said, ¡°Our Taiping Heavenly Kingdom prohibits people from taking opium.¡±

    Lord Wenhan frowned and said, "Then our opium trade will suffer great losses."

    At this time, Hong Yun'er interjected: "Lord Wenhan, I remember that when the Treaty of Jiangning was signed, Qi Ying, the Manchu Imperial Envoy, asked Baron Pu Dingcha of your country to include the embargo on opium in the terms, but Pu Dingcha was rejected.  Baron Dingcha's refusal, Baron Dingcha's answer was simple. The opium trade was determined based on market demand. If no one in China needed opium, then British businessmen would naturally not traffic in opium, but if the Chinese needed it, and the British  If the opium embargo is written into the terms, it will only benefit other non-contracting countries, and businessmen from other countries will try their best to transport opium to China. The opium trade depends on market supply and demand, do you agree with this, Lord Wenhan?"

    Wenhan nodded and said: "Yes, what Baron Potingcha said is not wrong. In fact, opium is not a contraband in many countries."

    Hong Yun'er hummed and said: "That's right, so our Taiping Heavenly Kingdom only does not allow citizens to smoke opium, but we do not embargo opium. On the contrary, we still have a lot of opium stocks in our rescue centers, which are used to rescue people.  For human use. As Baron Pottinger said, embargoing opium cannot completely eliminate the harm of opium. What we in China have to solve now is our own problem. This is our own business and has nothing to do with trade."

    Regarding the issue of opium, Xiao Yungui and Hong Yuner discussed it repeatedly. In the end, they felt that it was very unrealistic for these powers to ban opium. Even if all countries really banned opium, there would still be people who would transport opium on the black market or through smuggling.  , when it comes to the root, it is not about how many great powers send opium to China, but about how many people in China smoke opium.  Just like Japan during this period, the country's door has been opened by the United States, but the amount of opium sold by the great powers in Japan has been pitifully small in history. Is it because Japan and the great powers have signed treaties embargoing opium?  Obviously not. The cruel reality is that many people in China have degenerated into opium.

    Xiao Yungui thought of the unsatisfactory brother of King Xi, who sold the last few acres of land to smoke opium. In the end, he even joined the God Worship Cult and continued to smoke opium secretly. Finally, King Xi couldn't bear it anymore and punished him through Brother Tian.  After one pass, things changed.  It can be seen that in China at this time, there were many people who were desperate to smoke.  Therefore, to completely eliminate the harm of opium, the key lies not in embargoing opium, but in restricting its own citizens.

    Wenhan doesn¡¯t think that the King of the West can completely stop the Taiping citizens from taking opium. That is almost impossible. Since the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom does not ban opium, but imposes restrictions on its own citizens, it seems that Britain can¡¯t say anything.  Wen Han shrugged his shoulders and said confidently: "Then I hope His Excellency the King of the West's restrictions on his own citizens will be effective, but as long as China still has demand for opium, we will not stop transporting opium."

    Xiao Yungui knows that the anti-smoking and anti-drug campaign is very difficult, and even in later generations it will still be a difficult and dangerous task, so he is not confident that he can completely ban it, but at present it seems that he can only deal with it this way.

    So the two sides began to negotiate the terms in detail. The basic terms were three. 1. Britain would remain neutral in China's civil war; 2. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and Britain would maintain friendly trade exchanges and ensure that Britain's original presence in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's territory was guaranteed.  China's interests shall not be infringed upon; 3. When war breaks out in the five treaty ports, the Taiping Rebellion must ensure that the original order is restored within three months and ensure the normal development of free trade. At the same time, it must not attack the British concession and protect all British concessions in China.  The safety of citizens¡¯ lives and property?.  As for the opium issue, the two sides still did not make any commitments in the treaty, because the four words "interests in China" include it.

    This secret treaty between Britain and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was signed in Nanjing. Because it was signed by the Western King Xiao Chaogui and Lord Wenhan on behalf of their respective countries, and it was in a very special period, it was known as the "Western Secret Treaty" in history. It initially played a very positive role in the rise of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.  But it later became the trigger for the outbreak of war between the two sides, which is a story for another day.

    After signing the treaty, the King of the West treated the British to a rich Chinese meal, and took out a batch of jades from Wu Sangui's treasures and presented them to Lord Wenhan and his party as a show of friendship.  Eaters have a short mouth and takers have short hands, so Lord Wenhan and others very enthusiastically invited the King of the West, the Queen of the West and some important figures in the West Palace to visit their ship, the Hamils.
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