Chapter 20: The Boss of Hanzi Camp

  The negotiations on the second day were also held in the banquet hall of the Imperial Commissioner's Office, with only a long sandalwood table placed in the middle of the banquet hall. Ye Zhao and Wu Jianzhang sat on one side, while the consuls of the three countries sat on the other side, making it look more formal.

  Because of the imperial envoy Ye Zhaotong's handling of official duties, Xu Naiqian was happy to be idle, this was not a good job in the first place, and he would avoid it if possible. Therefore, although he was the governor, he used the excuse of eliminating the remnants of the Small Sword Society to become a figurehead.

  The negotiation had yet to begin, but Ali Guo stared at Ye Zhao with dull eyes and asked, " Envoy, how does your country handle captured military officers and soldiers?"

  Ye Zhaolong had expected him to say this and smiled: "Let's talk about the main issue first?"

  The national anthem of the country was played, but to the officials of this country, there is no way, can only sarcastically say: "In our country's eyes, human life is the most precious. I highly admire the captured military officers of your country, he is very brave, and now I am more sorry for his fate."

  Actually, Ye Zhao didn't take the Qing officer's life seriously, but after all, he was captured while fighting against foreigners. He couldn't just let him become a wandering ghost. It's just that negotiations are like this - if you show that you attach great importance to this captive, the other side will make exorbitant demands. If you show indifference, considering the historical record of Qing officials and the values of this country, the other side really can't treat this important bargaining chip as a bargaining chip.

  Ye Zhaow first threw out several documents sent by Ali Guo last night, which were actually the plans for the establishment of a Ministry of Works prepared by merchants from various countries.

  The Shanghai Municipal Council was essentially a self-government, and in the past it had indeed become an administrative body for the concession, a state within a state. If according to its functions, it would be more appropriate to call it a municipal committee or municipal hall, but after all, it is on foreign land, nominally a concession, not a colony in America or Africa, and it is not reasonable to establish a city government-like institution, so there was this name of the Shanghai Municipal Council that did not fit into any category.

  In their previous life, foreign businessmen set up the Board of Works without even notifying the Qing central government, and only informed local officials after its establishment.

  At present, no matter what consideration is given, the foreigners' plans are sent to the Qing Dynasty's imperial envoy, which makes Ye Zhaowei feel surprised.

  However, Ye Zhaowen did not let go of the opportunity that had fallen into his lap. He tapped his thick file with his hand and frowned, saying: "Your Excellencies, consuls, what is a concession? It is land rented to various countries. I also know that Western expatriates have a strong spirit of autonomy and respect for the rights of foreign communities. But looking at this charter from the Municipal Council, it seems to be overstepping its authority and overriding local government management."

  A Li Guo hesitated, knowing that the other side would definitely oppose it. He had originally planned to use a roundabout way of folk autonomy to get past the opposition, but unexpectedly Ye Zhao spoke first, leaving him speechless.

  Ye Zhao pushed those articles to one side, with an attitude that brooked no argument, and continued: "My Great Qing Heavenly Army has arrived, the bandits have surrendered, and Shanghai City has already been breached. As I said, the customs will resume their old duties, and heavy penalties will be imposed on tax-evading merchants from various countries!"

  Ye Zhaoying was quite confident, the lion opened its mouth, the Battle of New Mud City had already told you that the Shanghai Concession did not have absolute power to confront the Qing Dynasty. Even if you wanted to deploy a fleet to start a war, how many days would it take? The correspondence back and forth, plus the quarrel between your Upper House and Lower House, in short, it's not something that can be done immediately. Moreover, your two countries, England and France, are still having a great time fighting against Turkey and Russia, so where do you have the energy to teach this arrogant imperial envoy?

  Ah Li's face turned iron-green, he had known since yesterday that the Xiaodao would abandon the city and break through, Shanghai County was already occupied by the Qing army, and the most important bargaining chip in the tariff negotiations suddenly disappeared.

  Ye Zhao continued: "Of course, this official is not one to disregard human sentiment. Those who make up the tax payments within ten days will be let off without investigation; but if you go beyond the deadline of ten days, don't blame this official for being severe!"

  Wu Jianzhang sat quietly to the side, holding his celadon tea bowl and lost in thought, listening to Xiao Gongye and the foreigner exchange verbal blows. He didn't say a word, but the more he heard Xiao Gongye's words, the more anxious he became. This was going to infuriate the foreigner, and there would be no way to wrap things up.

  The atmosphere was tense, and the American consul, Mr. Ai Tong, smiled and interjected in a gentlemanly manner: "Your Excellency, if your country wants to receive full taxes, it will be difficult to do so without our assistance. I believe Your Excellency is well aware of this point. I hope Your Excellency will calm down and we can jointly discuss a satisfactory agreement for both parties."

  Ye Zhaoduan picked up his teacup and took a sip, with everyone's eyes fixed on his face. Each person had different thoughts, but they were all guessing what was going through the mind of this imperial envoy, and what his bottom line was.

  At last, Ye Zha put down his teacup and smiled: "You want to intervene in tariff matters, I can understand, but if a three-country committee is established by your several countries to determine the customs tariff of our great Qing dynasty, it is really unacceptable. If the basis of negotiation is this, then don't talk about it."

  Actually, last night, Ali Guo and several other consuls, as well as more than a dozen influential businessmen, also discussed this matter. Since Shanghai has been recovered by the Qing army, the leverage of the Small Swords Society to coerce the Qing government no longer exists. If we still insist on competing with the Qing government for control over customs management, it seems somewhat unrealistic. Moreover, that imperial envoy from the capital of the Qing Empire seems to be quite clear about the affairs of various countries and is not easily fooled. In fact, in the past, because the Small Swords Society occupied Shanghai County, the temporary three-country committee hastily formed at that time did not expect that they would really be able to control the Shanghai Customs.

  It was drafted overnight, and the consuls of the three countries and commercial representatives drafted a new charter. At this time, Alai took it out and handed it to the bookkeeper next to him, who respectfully presented it to Ye Zhao.

  Ye Zhaoyang glanced through it several times, but it was nothing more than a change of name. However, it still required that the customs duties at Jianghai be jointly managed by representatives from Britain, America and France, as well as officials from the Qing government. "The affairs of the Jianghai Customs are to be discussed on an equal footing between each country and the Qing government." In Ye Zhaoyang's heart, this was just a joke - how could they possibly be equal? In other words, without consulting with various countries, customs matters couldn't be handled, which wasn't fundamentally different from the Three Nations Committee. It just looked better on the surface for the Qing.

  Ye Zhao put the charter aside and smiled: "Let me discuss it with others before responding to the consuls of various countries."

  The three nations' consuls agreed, although the Shanghai county town had been taken, the Jianghai Customs House inside the concession was still in their hands and there was still a last trump card for bargaining.

  At this time, Ye Zhaowaved his hand, and the interpreters on both sides retreated. Ye Zhao smiled at Ari Country and said: "Regarding the establishment of a workers' bureau in the concession by foreign residents, it is not within my authority, I can only provide you with personal opinions for reference. In my opinion, the first priority for self-governance of foreign residents is to obtain the consent of the local government." This was a hint to Ari Country that he should go and fool the local officials, if he wanted Ye Zhao to clearly express his agreement to the establishment of the workers' bureau, it would be settled.

  A Li Guo initially looked puzzled, then suddenly enlightened, and finally a smile appeared on his face as he said: "The imperial envoy is indeed wise."

  Ye Zhao smiled and said, "I heard that the merchant group caught several lawless people in the concession yesterday. I don't know if they can be sent to the local authorities for severe punishment as a warning." Having given a sugar, one naturally wants to get back a few dates.

  Ali and Ai Tang discussed for a few sentences, both feeling that this country is too cruel to human life, detaining several prisoners really doesn't know how to deal with them. Last night, they repeatedly tortured that officer, but the tough guy didn't make a sound, let alone admit his identity. Keeping such a small role locked up has no benefit, it's better to give him to this inspector as a personal favor.

  The discussion came to an end, and Ariya nodded at Ye Zhao with a smile.

  ……

  Seeing off several consuls, Ye Zhaoyu left Wu Jianzhang in the flower hall.

  After Wu Jianzhang read the new clause taken out by Ali Guona, Ye Zhao asked a few questions about customs affairs, but Wu Jianzhang just said with unusual respect: "Everything listens to Young Master's instructions."

  Ye Zhaung finally lost his temper, glaring: "Does the Governor think I'm young and easy to bully? Well, tomorrow I'll respond, agree to the foreigners' terms, and when I return to Beijing, I'll say it was your idea!"

  Wu Jianzhang was startled, and he wasn't sitting very steadily to begin with. After hearing Ye Zhaoyi's words, his butt felt like it was on fire, and he quickly stood up, "Your subordinate, your subordinate doesn't dare."

  "Then give me an idea, how to go back to the capital and shut those people's mouths." Although Ye Zhao already had a plan in mind, if it came to deceiving superiors and subordinates, Wu Jianzhang was likely to be even more cunning, so he wanted to hear what he had to say.

  When Wu Jianzhang heard Ye Zhao say this, his heart suddenly felt at ease and he felt a few pounds lighter. After a moment of contemplation, Wu Jianzhang said: "The foreigners are being arrogant, but the young master is also being arrogant in response. In my opinion, the new charter is actually a major concession on the part of the foreigners. The young master might as well agree to it. When we return to Beijing, we can simply report that the Jianghai Customs Office is located within the concession area and that we hired foreign employees to work for us. Of course, this charter still needs to be signed off by Governor Yu, who has recently been promoted due to his military achievements. It's only fitting that he takes some responsibility in this matter."

  Ye Zhaopu was somewhat stunned, "Hiring foreign employees", is this okay? The officials' tricks to shirk responsibility are also unbelievable. After thinking about it again, it's actually understandable, because nowadays information is not well communicated, and there are still many high-ranking officials who exaggerate natural disasters, let alone such a small trick?

  Ye Zhaocuo thought for a moment, smiled and picked up the teacup, saying: "Dao Pu old brother often comes to my place, that's more like it." He even called out his name, treating him as one of his own.

  Wu Jianzhang's face immediately showed a grateful and tearful expression, and with a flick of his sleeve, he kowtowed, "Your subordinate obeys, your subordinate is terrified."

  Ye Zhaosheng smiled and said: "Alright, you don't have to be polite with me either, get up."

  "I bid you farewell." Wu Jianzhang backed out of the flower hall with great respect.

  Ye Zhaoye was flipping through the foreigners' new charter in the flower hall again, just about to find Lao Fuzi for another discussion, when a Geshaha rushed into the hall and saluted: "Master, the foreign devils have brought people over." Following Ye Zhaoye's side, others hadn't learned anything else, but had learned to call foreigners "foreign devils".

  Ye Zhaowu nodded slightly and said: "Bring him in!"

  He lowered his head and put away the charter, just as he heard the sound of footsteps, "Dong dong dong". He raised his head to take a look, Ye Zhao was shocked, "Ah! What a big fellow!"

  Then, a robust man with a tiger's back and bear's waist walked into the flower hall. His muscles were knotted like black iron, although his hair was disheveled and his face had scars, he couldn't hide that air of ferocity that seemed to be about to burst forth.

  "Humble officer He Zhenying has seen the great lord!" The big man pushed Jinshan and Yu Zhu down to his knees, his face filled with shame. In this era, the humiliation of being captured by the enemy general was a shame that would be hard to wash away for a lifetime.

  Seeing his heroic bearing, Ye Zhao suddenly had a few points of liking and smiled: "Get up, General Han has been troubled!"

  "I dare not, I am unworthy of the imperial court's sacred grace, please, sir, punish me!" The loud voice was like a great bell, yet clear and resonant, obviously not that of a true roughneck. He continued: "Sir calls me General, but I really do not dare to accept it!"

  Ye Zhao just smiled and said: "Lost in the battle, it's not a crime of war, Lord Han doesn't have to take it to heart, we'll win it back tomorrow."

  "Yes! Yes!" The big Han said yes in his mouth, but the sadness and shame on his face could not be reduced.

  "Do you know who I am?" Ye Zhaopin asked slowly and calmly while sipping his tea.

  "This humble servant knows that you are an imperial envoy from the capital!" The big man remained kneeling upright.

  Ye Zhao nodded and said, "It's good that you know. Don't bother going back to Zhenying, you can't go back anyway. Tomorrow I'll write a letter to the Fu Yuan, saying that I need your help with some business, are you willing? This big fellow really had nowhere else to go, probably he was already on the list of martyrs set by Xu Naiyuan."

  Dahan is not a rough person and naturally understands Ye Zhao's meaning. With a few knocks, he kowtowed to Ye Zhao, "Thank you, sir, for your kindness! I will risk my life to do the job!"

  Ye Zhao just smiled and said warmly: "Get up, there's no bloody business here."

  Dahan slowly got up at this point.

  Ye Zhaogazed at him and asked: "How does Lord Tai Fu address you, Brother Han, and what is your background?"

  The little man hastily said: "Your humble servant's name is Wan Sheng Cao, and he was a Wu Jinshi in the 30th year of Daoguang."

  Ye Zha didn't know that this name had shaken Jiangnan in history, and was the first fierce general of the Green Camp to annihilate the Taiping Army. He felt nothing, only hearing that he was a Wu Jinshi by origin, couldn't help but take a few more glances at him. Although he had been in this world for twenty years, he still found it fresh for someone from the Wu Ke.

  "Rui Si'er, Rui Si'er!" Ye Zhao shouted twice. The voice wasn't loud, but immediately, a thin monkey rushed in from outside the hall. Rui Si'er saluted with a bow: "Master, Rui Si'er is waiting for you!"

  Ye Zhao pointed at Da Han and said: "Take General Han to bathe and change his clothes, let him rest for a few days, then call Lao Fuzi over."

  "Ah!" Rui Si'er stood up and made a welcoming gesture, "Lord Han, please come in!"