NFBE Chapter 132 A Bountiful Harvest
Chapter 132 A Bountiful Harvest
Yikuang and Li Zhongtang never expected negotiations to go this way. Wasn't it all about ceding territory and paying reparations? Could business dealings really be used as leverage?
Shen Lian was too lazy to explain the organizational structure of Western governments to them; it would be a long story. He also didn't want them to know too much.
As for Russia, the matter was left to Li Hongzhang. This implied allowing their presence in Northeast China and guaranteeing their rights near the Chinese Eastern Railway.
Furthermore, Western countries did not want Russia to gain too much benefit, and under their pressure, Russia had no choice but to agree.
Of course, it wouldn't be acceptable to not pay any money at all. Finally, through negotiations between the two sides, the Qing government paid two million taels of silver to the various countries as repair costs for the damaged embassies.
Moreover, this fee can only be paid privately and cannot be included in the treaty.
Shen Lian originally didn't want to give them this much money, but the special envoys from various countries said they wouldn't get any benefits, and they wouldn't be able to explain it to their respective governments. It wasn't much money, so he figured he'd just give them a little face.
Shen Lian has too many things to do right now and doesn't have time to waste here with them, so he won't waste any more time with them!
After the contents of the treaty were reported, Empress Dowager Cixi was overjoyed. She hadn't expected the negotiations to go so well; it only cost tens of millions of taels of silver to buy some goods.
The imperial court had signed countless treaties, but never one this favorable! The imperial edict approving the treaty was quickly issued, ordering the three to sign it immediately. Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu were eager to return to Beijing as soon as possible.
On October 1, 1900, the Qing government and eleven nations signed a ceasefire agreement in Beijing. The Qing government expressed its apology for the murder of the German minister and stated that it would send a minister to Germany to apologize.
All countries apologized for the misunderstanding, and the two sides agreed to a peaceful ceasefire!
The Qing government guaranteed to suppress the Boxers within the country and punish Boxer members who harmed foreigners. It also guaranteed the safety of foreigners' lives and property in Qing China.
Shen Lian had anticipated this. After arriving in Beijing, he captured many Boxer Rebellion members who had taken advantage of the situation to burn, kill, and loot. He simply handed these people over.
At the same time, in order to better communicate with other countries, the Qing government reorganized the current Zongli Yamen (Foreign Ministry) and established the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The agreement was filled with flowery language and an atmosphere of harmony. There wasn't a single clause about ceding territory or paying reparations!
The governors and viceroys across the country were all impressed upon receiving the agreement; it was the first equal treaty signed by the imperial court. Yikuang and Shen Li were destined to be remembered in history!
Shen Lian's voice, along with the reports sent back by journalists from various countries, appeared in the eyes of people all over the world. His half-length photos, wearing a high-collared python robe, began to appear in newspapers around the world.
Envoys from various countries also showed great interest in him. This Qing official was so different from other Qing court officials!
Young and intelligent. Sharp-tongued and a master strategist. Civilized and pragmatic! Such people were extremely rare in the Qing Dynasty.
After the agreement was signed, Shen Lian even arranged a buffet banquet, just like in later generations. At the banquet, he became the most dazzling person in the room.
Special envoys from various countries extended olive branches to Shen Lian, and he accepted them all without hesitation. He knew he would be dealing with them frequently in the future, so making a good impression was essential.
Seeing Shen Lian moving freely among the envoys and generals of various countries, Li Zhongtang also cast an envious glance at him.
Yikuang had drunk a bit too much today, and his eyes were already a little blurry; "Youth is truly wonderful! I never expected that our dynasty would produce such a brilliant and talented person, and he is still so young. It is truly a blessing for the court! It can at least guarantee the Qing Dynasty for another fifty years."
You're celebrating too soon! Whether it's a blessing or not, you'll find out in a few years! Heh heh! Li Zhongtang sneered inwardly.
Now, Lao Yuan has been suspended from his post pending investigation, and he and Yikuang have agreed to recommend Shen Lian to take charge of Shandong.
All the business deals negotiated privately with the foreign powers will be conducted in Shandong. Even the task of reorganizing the navy will be entrusted to Shen Lian.
Originally, Yikuang and the imperial court were unwilling for Shen Lian to control so many resources and troops.
However, Shen Lian made a grand promise to them, stating that he would provoke a war between Japan and Russia within five years. At that time, he would lead his troops north and recover the territories occupied by Japan and Russia in one fell swoop.
They also seized the opportunity to send troops to Japan to annihilate it and avenge the First Sino-Japanese War. With Li Hongzhang encouraging them, the court agreed.
Shen Lian has made too many contributions, commands a large army, and is utterly loyal to the court. It's impossible not to give such a meritorious official a more important position!
After the treaty was signed and the prisoners of war from various countries were released, Shen Lian finally had some free time to take stock of his gains.
"General! Let me introduce you to two people." Shen Lian was writing and drawing in his study when Shen Daowu walked in and said with a smile.
"Who is it that needs Uncle Daowu to introduce them personally?"
This time, his gains were substantial, exceeding all his expectations. Shen Lian was in a very good mood and smiled as he offered Shen Daowu a cigarette.
"Mr. Wang Kaiyun, I wonder if the General has heard of him?" Shen Daowu smiled slightly.
"Mr. Xiangqi has come to Beijing?" Shen Lian was overjoyed upon hearing this. Shen Lian was also aware of this historical figure from Hunan Province during the late Qing and Republican periods. And his disciple, Yang Du, was even more renowned.
"Yes, Mr. Wang and his beloved student Yang Du are waiting to see me outside the door."
"Hey! What are we waiting for? Let's go out and greet them!" Shen Lian threw away his cigarette and immediately got up and walked out.
Wang Kaiyun stood with his hands behind his back at the gate, while Yang Du stood next to his teacher, carefully observing the new soldiers standing guard at the gate.
"As expected of the elite troops who defeated the great powers, they are indeed mighty and magnificent, with an extraordinary aura! Compared to them, the local officials and soldiers are simply beggars," Yang Du exclaimed. Wang Kaiyun stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction.
"Teacher, do you think Marshal Shen will see us? What if he doesn't?" Yang Du wasn't yet the mastermind who viewed the world as a chessboard; he was still a bit green. It was his first time meeting a renowned marshal like Shen Lian, and he was a little apprehensive.
"That depends on what General Shen is looking for! I have a bit of a reputation, so I should be able to meet him!" Wang Kaiyun said confidently.
"Oh dear! I had no idea you gentlemen were coming. I am so sorry for not greeting you properly!"
The master and apprentice didn't have to wait long before a robust young man wearing a moon-white, high-collared python robe—a style they'd never seen before—and sporting an unusually short haircut, strode out. Shen Daowu followed closely behind.
"General!" The sentry at the door immediately stood at attention and saluted, and Shen Lian also stood at attention and returned the salute.
"Students Wang Kaiyun and Yang Du pay their respects to the Commander-in-Chief!" Both Wang Kaiyun and Yang Du were scholars who had passed the imperial examinations. They did not kneel, but instead bowed deeply.
"Hey! Gentlemen, please rise!" Shen Lian stepped forward and helped the two men up by the arms.
“You two gentlemen are highly talented individuals from Hunan Province. There’s no need for you to wait at the door. I just let you know in advance, and I’ll send someone to fetch you. Please come in quickly!” Shen Lian said, pulling the two men inside.