PFC Chapter 74 Are you ready to throw your money into the sea?
Chapter 74 Are you ready to throw your money into the sea?
Chapter 74 Are you ready to throw your money into the sea?
After returning to their lodgings, Palmerston and his group did not immediately go off to rest separately, but instead went into the living room together.
The most crucial talks have concluded, and the most important task has been accomplished.
Everyone should have relaxed and summarized the results.
However, an unexpected event occurred after the talks ended, and the relaxed mood vanished completely.
There was a long silence at the scene, and no one spoke.
The official Director of Trade with the Han Dynasty, Lord Napier, spoke first, asking Palmerston, "Your Excellency, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty has directly ordered the arrest of members of the delegation. Should we lodge a protest?"
Palmerston didn't want to talk; there was no way to answer that question.
Under normal circumstances, one should certainly protest, but what would be the consequences if one actually protested?
Staunton, like Palmerston's double, retorted to Napier: "We, as envoys of the King and Parliament of Great Britain, are now protesting the arrest of opium traffickers by the Great Han."
Does this mean that Britain refused to cooperate with the Chinese in combating opium smuggling?
"Does this mean that all the negotiation results we have achieved so far will be given up because of a few opium dealers?"
"Does that mean giving up your hard-won position as Director of Trade with Wuhan?"
Napier also fell silent.
Palmerston remained silent for a long time before finally instructing several of his subordinates: "Inform the key members of the delegation of the reason, so as to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."
"Our most important takeaway today is that we have learned the true goals of the Great Han, as well as its absolute taboos."
"I won't be so embarrassed when I interact with the big man again."
Napier, Davis, and Elliot agreed and went off to visit the other members of the delegation.
The sudden appearance of the Han Dynasty's army and the arrest of several members of the British and American delegations have already caused some panic.
However, the Court of State Ceremonial has placed merchants and officials in the East City, while engineers and scholars have been placed in the West City. The news has not yet spread to the engineers in the West City.
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Upon receiving the news, Citizens Secretary of State John Forsyth instinctively discussed with his staff: "Has the negotiation between Britain and the Great Han broken down?"
"Why is the big man suddenly starting to arrest people? And why is he arresting people from our country again?"
"What exactly is going on? When will we be able to see the emperor?"
Forsyth's companions also wanted to know the answers to these questions, so no one at the scene could provide any.
After complaining for a while, the Secretary of State finally chose the most straightforward approach.
Arrange for a secretary to go directly to the Court of State Ceremonial to gather information and inquire about the situation.
The Court of State Ceremonial had anticipated their concerns, so it prepared a formulaic response in advance: "The trade conflict between the Han Dynasty and Britain has now been resolved."
Britain pledged to cooperate in combating opium smuggling and destroying opium plantations in India.
"Now they have also voluntarily handed over their accomplices in the opium smuggling to gain the understanding of the Emperor of the Han Dynasty."
"No one is allowed to question the fact that the Great Han Dynasty has banned opium smuggling; otherwise, they will be punished as accomplices to smuggling."
"As long as unrelated persons do not come into contact with opium, there is no need to worry."
"When the emperor has free time, he will summon the delegations from the other three countries and the chief engineers."
The Court of State Ceremonial sent another representative to invite the US Secretary of State to the Court of State Ceremonial the following morning to discuss specific trade and conflict issues between the Han Dynasty and the United States.
After receiving the report, Forsyth muttered angrily to his companions, "It seems that the Emperor of the Great Han forced Britain to accept the terms."
"Britain handed over all the opium dealers in exchange for the Great Han's trade and investment licenses."
"But—they handed our people over again!"
Officials around Forsyth pressed him on whether he intended to lodge a protest with the Court of State Ceremonial regarding the arrests of Forbes and others.
Upon hearing this suggestion, Forsyth immediately shook his head: "The Emperor of Han is so resolute; our protests are pointless and may even implicate us—"
In Forsyth's view, the expulsion of Americans was an direct consequence of Britain's actions.
Now that Britain has reached an agreement with the Han Dynasty, trade with the United States can resume.
I've already completed most of my tasks, so I shouldn't go looking for extra trouble.
When the two sides are evenly matched, protesting may be useful in expressing one's stance.
It's meaningless when the difference in strength is too great.
My next task is to present the United States' independence to the Emperor in order to prevent conflict from happening again.
Secondly, we aim to benchmark against Britain and strive to obtain the qualification to invest and build a factory in the Great Han.
As for rescuing opium smugglers, that has clearly failed, and there's no need to try anymore.
The following morning, Citizens Secretary of State Forsyth visited the Court of State Ceremonies and paid a visit to Wu Qijun, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies.
After Forsyth explained his demands, Wu Qi knew that such matters required the emperor's approval.
Wu Qijun then stated that he would convey these requests to the emperor and told Forsyth to go back and wait for news.
In the afternoon, Wu Qijun continued to receive the Prince and Prime Minister of France.
Compared to the dilemma faced by the British and American missions, the Franco mission is now much more relaxed.
Opium traffickers in the past were not Franco, and those arrested this time were not members of the Franco delegation.
In addition, given the long-standing animosity between France and Britain, the French people were all gloating and watching the spectacle with amusement when they learned of Britain's misfortune.
Compared to Britain and the United States, France's demands were the simplest: he just wanted to do business with them.
France doesn't have any significant influence in the East; any attempt to intervene would be a victory.
Wu Qi also noted down Frans's request and went back to report it to Liu Yulong.
Three days later, on the morning of April 27th of the second year of Hanchang, it was still at the Wanshou Palace in the Western Garden of the Great Han Imperial City.
Emperor Liu Yulong of the Han Dynasty collectively summoned the official representatives of the delegations from the United States, France, and Great Britain, as well as some representatives of the accompanying engineers and scholars.
The official delegations from the three countries entered the hall in turn to pay their respects, and then sat on chairs on the side of the hall.
As planned, US Secretary of State Forsyth stepped forward to speak first: "Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty, on behalf of the President of the United States, I extend my highest greetings to you."
"At the same time, I hope Your Majesty is aware that the United States has been independent of Britain for more than fifty years."
"The entire nation of America hopes that Your Majesty will treat America as an independent nation."
"In dealing with British affairs thereafter, American citizens should not be implicated."
Liu Yulong was also prepared, and glanced at Wu Qi, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies.
Wu Qi then came out to explain Liu Yulong's meaning: "The Emperor is already aware that you have been independent from Britain for more than fifty years."
"But you and the Britons are of the same race, and you use the same language and script."
"The British smuggled opium, and you were involved in it as well; you are not innocent."
"Now, most of the opium traffickers have been arrested and brought to justice, and are being dealt with in accordance with the laws of the Great Han Dynasty and the imperial decree."
"Will the United States, like Britain, be willing to cooperate with the Han Dynasty in combating and eradicating opium smuggling?"
Forsyth didn't bother to question what had been said before, and went straight to the last question: "The United States is willing to cooperate with the Great Han in combating opium smuggling."
After listening, Wu Qi continued, "All those entering the country afterward will need to apply for an entry permit. Citizens can simply fill out the form indicating their nationality."
"With an entry permit, the officials of the Great Han will no longer regard you as Britons."
Forsyth replied again, "I understand."
Wu Qi turned to Liu Yulong, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have finished my questioning."
Liu Yulong said, "Then let's proclaim the imperial edict."
Cabinet Secretary Niu Jian stepped forward and read the decree to the United States.
The content is similar to the edict to Britain, but with the addition of information about the United States.
They were permitted to trade with the Han Dynasty, but were required to accept the same rules.
The edict stated that the United States was not part of Britain, but an independent American nation.
After the edict was read aloud, Forsyth accepted it.
Wu Qi, representing Liu Yulong, once again addressed Prince France and the Prime Minister.
Their commitment was confirmed through a live Q&A session.
Then Liu Yulong had his secretary read the edict again. The content was similar to the edict given to Britain, with the addition of an explanation about France.
After listening, Prime Minister France accepted the order.
Finally, Wu Qijun obtained another imperial edict and read it aloud to all the representatives of the three kingdoms.
With special permission from the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, engineers and scholars from Europe and America, after obtaining permission from the Honglu Temple and the Gewu Academy of the Han Dynasty, may build factories in the trading ports of the Han Dynasty to produce and sell products useful to the Han Dynasty.
At the same time, all personnel from Europe and the United States in Wuhan are required to strictly abide by the laws of the Han Dynasty and the social customs of various places, and must not engage in or violate any prohibited activities. Once discovered, they will be dealt with severely.
Listening to their respective interpreters, the delegations from the three countries knew that this request was not directed at any one country, but was open to engineers throughout the entire Western world.
However, after arriving, they still need to be approved by the Court of State Ceremonies and the Imperial Academy of Natural Sciences, and they can only build and operate factories in the two previously designated ports, and they can only be "useful" to the Han Dynasty.
After the edict was read aloud, Wu Qi carefully put it away and took out a prepared copy, giving one to each of the official representatives of the three kingdoms as proof for them to report back.
At this point, all the important business seemed to be done, but most people knew that things were not over yet.
After both sides put away their documents, everyone present looked at the engineers and scholars.
Sitting on the throne above, Liu Yulong also looked at these people: "You people are really reckless and greedy. Add recklessness and greed together and you become stupid."
"After reading the report compiled by the Institute of Natural History, I learned that you people raised tens of millions of strings of cash to invest without any understanding of the Han Dynasty."
"Were you prepared to throw that money straight into the sea?"
Liu Yulong has made up his mind to help Stephenson and his engineers, and in the meantime, to build a slightly better reputation for himself in the world.
But Liu Yulong wasn't going to bail them out of this investment; he wouldn't let them make any money from it.
At most, it will reduce their losses a little, so they don't lose everything.
But you have to make them feel the pain, and also make them realize their mistakes and know that they have been rescued.
Considering the typical way of thinking of these Europeans, Liu Yulong had to point out their mistakes and give them a frank lecture.
Only then can we discuss the specific arrangements for rescuing them.
This will make them more compliant, more cautious in their actions, and slightly reduce the possibility of them acting recklessly and arbitrarily.
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