Chapter 329 Behavior of Selling National Sovereignty
The night was hazy, and the shadows of the dancing trees were fluttering in the courtyard. Li Guolou followed the servant to a small living room. There was a bed inside.
In ancient times, people used a bed to chat and receive guests. Bamboo mats were spread on top and a table was placed in the middle. In the Tang Dynasty, Hu chairs were replaced with chairs. When receiving guests, hosts and guests were seated. They chatted with guests on the bed. It shows that they are very close people. In the Qing Dynasty, the use of Tao for chatting also had another function. It was to smoke opium together among friends. This kind of display in the homes of princes, nobles, and wealthy families was used to smoke opium. Of course, Li Hongzhang and Li Guolou did not Smoking this kind of thing. Although in the promotion, Fu Shou Ointment is also a kind of medicine.
At this time, Fushou Ointment was also sold in pharmacies and medical clinics in the Qing Dynasty. Fushou Ointment was also included in doctors’ prescriptions. But it was a trace ingredient and it was an anesthetic.
The Qing Empire planted opium poppies extensively in the Yunnan-Guizhou region. It has benefited from the cultivation of opium poppies. Tobacco taxes are very heavy. Taxes from opium cultivation have become the largest source of tax revenue in the Yunnan-Guizhou region, surpassing grain cultivation. Therefore, the price of opium is high and smuggling is prevalent. Even Li Hongzhang The Huai Army is also engaged in the business of smuggling opium. Everywhere where opium is sold, there are smugglers. The underworld and the army are all taking a share of the pie. Selling opium has become a fixed income for the army. Even the navy along the coast I am also doing this business because opium is dumped from abroad and the price is extremely cheap. The use of opium is the best stepping stone to harm the people of the Qing Dynasty.
Li Hongzhang was holding a copy of the manuscript written by Li Guolou in his hand. He had written many words densely on the side. He criticized several of them completely. But now he was in a good mood and did not show it to Li Guolou. With a stinking face, he no longer cares about Li Guolou's impulsive lies.
Li Hongzhang and Li Guolou sat cross-legged facing each other. Li Hongzhang got straight to the point: "Xiaolou, I have read your statement. Most of it is quite pertinent. It also points out many of the ills of our country. As long as the country is reunited, some of the ills will It will disappear. Things like the General Administration of Customs being run by foreigners. In fact, the Little Knife Society occupied Shanghai. The British helped to save the General Administration of Customs. It was a last resort at that time. Now the Tianping Heavenly Kingdom, the Little Knife Society, and Dongniu have It is imperative to purge and take back the General Administration of Customs. However, there is a serious shortage of talents. Important positions are all foreigners. It will take a long time to train Chinese people who understand international law. Start by opening schools. Those foreigners will also support it. They are all employees. I also know that one day I will leave."
Li Guolou nodded and said: "Uncle, the General Administration of Customs cannot be ruined. The professional ethics of foreigners are better than those of the Manchus. They will not be corrupt when they get high salaries. But if the Manchus are allowed to occupy high positions in the General Administration of Customs, the national customs duties will be reduced than the current income. .This is too dangerous. Once it has grown, it cannot be taken back. It has become an ancestral rule. Changing it back is worse than not changing it. It is just like Shanhaiguan. It is rotten."
Li Hongzhang said: "Shanhaiguan is exclusively for the emperor's servants. It has become an ancestral rule. Let him go. The General Administration of Customs here is a new thing. There will be no such thing. As you said, use high salary to maintain integrity. Let the customs The policies of the General Administration will continue. The new people will also be motivated to do things. I think we can roughly regain sovereignty in two years. Put the General Administration of Customs in Shanghai. I can control it. I admire you very much."
For example, Shanhaiguan Customs used to be the main import and export customs of the Qing Empire. It was like the national customs duties earned by the General Administration of Customs (and the Guangzhou Thirteenth Branch). In addition to officials enriching their own pockets, most of the revenue was transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It became The emperor's little treasury. Because there are many concessions across the country, there are more customs ports. Shanhaiguan Customs is not as prosperous as it used to be. It has already sunk into the west. Less than 200,000 taels of customs duties are paid to the national treasury in a year. Li Hongzhang has ignored Shanhaiguan Customs and rectified the administration. Some Places cannot be touched, which is also a common problem in the Qing Empire. Huangzhuang occupies rich areas, and Huangdian sells exclusively (stores opened by the Ministry of Internal Affairs). The state cannot control the financial income of these places. They are all under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The palace spends 40,000 taels of silver a day. Three parts are real and seven parts are empty. That is to say, seven parts of the expenses are misappropriated by eunuchs at all levels, as well as the emperor, queen mother, empress, and concubines. Yes. The emperor also needs to be filial to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and use his money. That's how it came about.
The national fiscal revenue is inconsistent with the facts. Anyone who is an official knows this. The money in the filial palace cannot be put in official articles. The common people only know that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has money. But the specific figures are the top secrets of the country.
Li Guolou listened silently, nodded frequently, and secretly praised Li Hongzhang for being courageous and flawless in doing things. He handled things clearly and clearly. As long as the General Administration of Customs is taken back, the sovereignty of the customs will be taken back. This is of extraordinary significance. Generally speaking, it is a symbol of the re-emergence of the Qing Empire. But he is sensible and to the point. He can see the current problems and think of solutions. He should be given the highest reward. "Jinshi" will return to his hometown with honor. Two Jinshi in one discipline. .
Li Guolou spied on Li Hongzhang's facial expression. He probably didn't know that he was going to take the imperial examination. It would be better not to say this. It would add great glory to the Li family. When he returns to his hometown, he will rebuild the ancestral hall and renovate the old residence for the world to visit. Li Guolou was the place where he lived and studied when he was a child. Where could he hear the regulations of the General Administration of Customs? His mind was wandering, thinking about important events that would honor his ancestors.
Li Hongzhang became more and more excited as he talked. He did not notice that Li Guolou was perfunctory with him. He warned: "Xiaolou, I am optimistic about you. Since you have studied abroad and your conversation is organized, you can broaden students' ideas and horizons. In the future, you will be the General Administration of Customs You can also be qualified to do things. Be a teacher and teach those new people."
Li Guolou said happily: "Uncle Xie, my grandson's ability in the criminal department is not long, but his ability to preach is good. Even Mr. Bao likes to listen to my preaching. Now, Mr. Bao will follow me wherever I go in business."
Li Hongzhang stroked his beard and shook his head and said: "Xiaolou, your ideas are advanced and reactionary at the same time. What does the statement say about moving the capital? Lushun and Weihai cannot be defended. Where do you want me to put it? Where can I put Prince Gong? How do you know you can't defend the ground without attacking it?"
Li Guolou replied: "Uncle, the last time the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded, our Qing army had many troops that could fight. Some of them were wiped out, but we still couldn't hold on. History has proven it. Now we don't have control of the sea, and we still can't hold on. I will only stick to the fort. Thinking about it makes me feel aggrieved."
Li Hongzhang shouted: "Then you still don't support the construction of the Beiyang Navy."
Li Guolou said in a low voice: "Master Zhongtang, don't be angry. It's not that I don't support it. I'm not risking my life to raise military expenses for you. But we have to see our strengths and weaknesses. If they are all weaknesses, which one It can be used as a breakthrough point. The results are quick and the world is astonished. The army has passed the test of blood and fire. As long as more capital is spent, it can immediately compete with the Russian, British and French armies. The defeat of the Annan French devils last time is the best proof. .Now our land is surrounded by eager wolves. The vassal states have been lost. Territories have been ceded and indemnities have been paid time and time again. The army is at a critical point. It has broken through. Our army is one of the strongest armies in the world. If it does not change, it will still be defeated by the Western powers. From now on. The country will still be lost. The navy is slow to achieve results, and the army is quick to achieve results. You should be very clear about this, Lord Nakataka. If you don’t do things that are quick, you will do things that are slow. Wouldn’t it be counterproductive?”
Li Hongzhang shook his head and said: "Young boy, how can you understand? I am setting a historical precedent. The Beiyang Navy must do it. No matter how difficult the difficulty is, we must do it. If we have the conditions, we must do it. If there are no conditions, we must create the conditions. Otherwise, we will overtake it." We are becoming more and more backward. Now we cannot even protect the inland river of the Yangtze River. Foreign warships enter and exit the Yangtze River estuary at will. The Huangpu River has become an exhibition of Western warships. Even plaster flags are flown to Shanghai to show off their power. This is so embarrassing and shameless. To the people of my country, I will do it no matter how much I spend. I am determined to do this. The sun will tell me. No one can stop me from my determination. Even if the road ahead is a mountain of swords and a sea of fire, I will have to do it. It will take more than ten years. The Qing Empire will have a modern navy traveling in the East."
Li Guolou was speechless. He was not the decision-maker of national defense policy. Li Hongzhang could not listen to objections. Although the Beiyang Navy was still in its infancy, the senior generals were all from the Huai Army. They were also Li Hongzhang's political capital. Can the "imported navy" built with all the efforts of the whole country be successful? The territory cannot be defended. Even the old nest will be taken away. What about the navy? Li Guolou is not optimistic about the future of the Beiyang Navy.
Li Guolou retreated to his son and asked for the next best thing. He spoke his inner thoughts and said slowly: "Uncle and grandson have a poisonous plan. It is guaranteed to be a great success. The Qing Empire will turn around in less than ten years. But it has to swallow a poison. .Fighting poison with poison will lead to great success."
Li Hongzhang glanced at him and said: "Xiaolou, this is what the family says. As long as it doesn't talk about rebellion."
Li Guolou waved his hand and said: "My grandson has no intention of rebellion. He wants to sell the country's sovereignty in exchange for the Qing Dynasty to rise again."
Li Hongzhang sighed: "Let me tell you, Xiaolou. There are countless precedents for selling national sovereignty. It doesn't hurt to add one more thing."
Li Guolou glanced at Li Hongzhang's face. This is a traitorous act. He will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history by the Chinese people forever. But in troubled times, if you don't do this, who will help you? Choose the lesser of two evils. This kind of trick .Li Guolou is very familiar with it.
Li Guolou did not dare to sit cross-legged. He stood next to the bed, ready to kneel down and admit his mistake at any time. He said solemnly: "Uncle, my grandson is familiar with history books. Our Qing Empire is now like the Yue Kingdom in the Spring and Autumn Period, with countless heroes. For the sake of the cause of King Goujian of Yue, you have to grovel to the foreigners. No matter how despicable or shameless you are, betraying the country, you have to swallow poison and satisfy the foreigners before you can have a chance to breathe and wait for a comeback. From Emperor Daoguang to Emperor Xianfeng and then to Tongzhi. The three generations of emperors did this. It can be said that they all worked hard to rule and wanted to avenge their previous humiliation. No emperor was extravagant and led the Qing Empire into the abyss of eternal destruction. But the gap is still obvious to this day. On the contrary, it is getting wider and wider. Trend. The foreigners can scare us half to death with just one warship. We have no choice but to satisfy them with the most superior trade conditions. Let our country's silver flow overseas, and all the wealth is gathered in the foreign concessions. If we don’t change this situation, the country will become increasingly poorer. The Qing Dynasty will run out of silver. We will have to borrow money from foreign banks to survive."
Li Hongzhang stroked his beard and nodded: "Xiaolou, you said it very well. You are qualified to be a teacher. Do you have any countermeasures?"
Li Guolou nodded and said: "Yes, uncle. There are two ways to go. One is to choose a friend. Sell some national sovereignty to this friend. In exchange for this friend's full support, we can establish the modernization of the foreign system in the Qing Dynasty. The military. Even military industrial facilities. For example, military factories, including firearms factories, artillery factories, and shipyards. Even the Beiyang Navy can ask this friend to build it for us. Another thing is to change the bad habit of silver circulation. Like the silver coin system in Western countries. Compared with the silver system of the Qing Dynasty, the currency system is more advanced. It is directly borrowed from doctrine. Even the fire consumption is saved. There is no harm at all. No one can line their own pockets."
Li Hongzhang laughed loudly and said: "b1 3Kanwang/b is great. But the government still needs to study it. The silver coin system is based on the advanced industrial level. A certain proportion of nickel, zinc, tungsten copper must be added to a silver coin. Our Qing Empire is still unable to make the kind of silver coins that foreigners have. There is still a hurdle to overcome. But this is a good way to solve the loss of silver. I support the implementation of silver coin circulation in the Qing Dynasty. Now what do you say? A friend is worthy of betraying our national sovereignty in exchange for the world scolding us."
Li Guolou said: "Uncle, the enemy of our enemy, is our friend. Only this enemy will ignore the prohibitions of other Western countries and help our Qing Dynasty build modern industrial facilities, including military industry. And we will have no future troubles. Selling out The territory, interests, and sovereignty of the polar bears can be brought back after a hundred years. Unlike the polar bears, if you sign a treaty with them, the territory will be lost forever. And this friend is born an enemy of the polar bears. He also hopes that there will be someone like us in the East. An ally."
"Oh..." Li Hongzhang looked deeply at Li Guolou. The "grandson" actually wanted to sell the country's sovereignty. He even wanted to lease a large piece of land to the Prussian Empire (Germany). He also wanted to build a military port It was also leased to the Prussian Empire. It was looking for a Western ally to change the situation of the Qing Empire, which was completely impoverished.