1890 King of Southeast Asia

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Murcha Tieliang, a Manchurian white bannerman, once went to Japan for inspection. He served as Minister of Revenue, Minister of War, Minister of Military Affairs, and now Minister of Army. He is a noble and important official.

But he is just a pawn pushed by the old witch to "balance" Yuan Datou.

Because she was afraid that Yuan Datou would have too much power and Tieliang could not beat him, the old witch put the first, third, fifth and sixth regiments of the new army under Tieliang's direct command. With the addition of the Army, Yuan Datou did have a hard time.

When the old witch was there, Tieliang and others could still take advantage of the situation to compete with each other. When the old witch was gone, these noble wastes...

First, through various political means, Yuan Datou's power was weakened, and then the Wuchang Uprising started, and this person was promoted again.

Even if Yuan Datou may have been loyal to the Qing Empire, after experiencing this cunning rabbit dying and the running dog being cooked, he must have considered what position he would be in if he won this rebellion...

...

On November 6, on the eve of the negotiations, Tieliang's mansion.

"Master, the traitor's spy is here." Tieliang's servant gnashed his teeth.

"I know, don't act like this, everyone is a guest, lead them to the main hall, I'll be there soon." Tieliang was writing, and said without raising his head.

"Main hall? That group of traitors..." The servant was surprised.

"Enough, don't you understand what I said? You dog slave, have you forgotten your roots? Want to go back to your hometown in Shengjing?" Tieliang raised his head and scolded.

Tieliang knew that negotiation was not an easy job. The Qing Empire was weak, and it was certain that he would sell out the country. It was not impossible to be cursed and even infamous for thousands of years.

But he is not like Yuan Datou, who is protected by the political legacy left by Lord Li and has his own strength. He can avoid it when necessary. Everything he has is given by the Queen Mother. He has no right to oppose what the Queen Mother says.

He can only think of ways to seek help from external forces.

Looking at the world, only the traitor Nanhua can help him.

Watching the bondservant leave in disgrace, he changed his clothes. If it weren't for this servant who grew up with him since childhood, he would have changed it long ago.

…

"Lord Lin, I have heard of your name for a long time. Today I see that you are indeed a handsome man, worthy of being a young hero!" Tieliang saw a young man in a suit and shaved short hair from a distance, and hurriedly cupped his hands and greeted loudly.

"Lord Tieliang is polite. I am sorry to bother you today." Lin Pingzhi cupped his hands.

The two exchanged a few words of greeting, and when the servant served tea, Tieliang looked at Lin Pingzhi curiously.

"Lord Lin, what can I do for you? Why do you need me to come to my humble abode to discuss this?" Tieliang sat in the main seat, with a dignified demeanor, and did not show any flattery just because he had something to ask of someone.

"Oh, I came here this time mainly for two things. The first thing is that since your country has decided to negotiate, we have to talk about the bill." Lin Pingzhi took out a stack of papers from his pocket and handed it to Tieliang.

Tieliang looked at the thick stack of papers curiously, which contained a list of imported materials, including weapons and ammunition, tools, medicines, etc.

Tieliang looked at the records one by one, and his heart was lifted. He quickly turned to the last page.

"How can there be so many? It has only been a few months since the war started..." Tieliang exclaimed.

The last piece of paper was written in Chinese and Arabic numerals, "A total of 21,637,692 Kuping taels."

"A rifle costs 45 taels, and your country has imported about 80,000 rifles in total. A 2mm mountain gun costs 7,000 taels, and two regiments of 96 guns were imported.

A 76mm cannon costs 2 taels, and one regiment of 48 guns were imported. A 105mm cannon costs 2 taels, and one regiment of 48 guns were imported. The above is the number that has been delivered." Lin Pingzhi said.

"This is only 6 million taels, this..." Tieliang served as the Minister of Revenue, and his ability to calculate accounts is still very strong.

"Sir, in this battle, the most expensive thing is not the weapons, but the ammunition." Lin Pingzhi smiled, picked up the teacup, and said to his mouth.

"Ammunition?" Tieliang quickly flipped forward.

Lin Pingzhi took a sip and put the teacup down.

"Your country has bought more than 20,000 shells alone, a large number of bullets, expensive medicines, tools and equipment, and freight. This is not the first time we have cooperated. Nanhua is reputable." Lin Pingzhi chuckled.

Of course, the price of ammunition has increased "a little bit", but this is normal. When it is a seller's market, you can't blame others for raising prices.

"This... can you give some discounts? Our two countries are also of the same lineage. Your country needs immigrants, but I have always provided convenience." Tieliang hesitated for a moment and chose to believe, after all, he still needs help.

Anyway, it was not him who paid in the end. He was the Minister of the Ministry of Army, and the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue didn't know that year.

"If you pay attention, you will find that we have given the lowest price. At this price, we are just recovering our capital, or loaning it to you for use, and we still bear the risk." Lin Pingzhi said sincerely.

"Then... what is the second thing that Lord Lin came for?" Tieliang thought about it and put the bill on the table.

"As the mediator of tomorrow's negotiations, I want to hear your opinion as the Qing Empire's representative in the peace talks." Lin Pingzhi put away his gentle expression and became very serious.

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"This matter still depends on Lord Lin... So, report this bill 30% higher, and the extra amount will be my gift to Lord Lin. I just hope Lord Lin can help me during the negotiation." Tie Liang was shocked when he heard this.

30% of more than 20 million, more than 6 million taels of silver, according to the exchange rate at that time, it is about 4 million US dollars. Lin Pingzhi's heart twitched fiercely.

"Let me tell you first, what does Lord Tie Liang think." Lin Pingzhi took a deep breath.

4 million US dollars is a huge sum of money anywhere. The world-famous Titanic cost 1.5 million pounds, equivalent to 750 US dollars, and because of the arms race, from 1907 to 1911 when the Titanic was launched, the whole world was in inflation.

But Lin Pingzhi didn't dare to take this money, or he didn't dare to swallow this money without asking questions.

"We lost this war. I don't expect Japan and Russia to stop while they are ahead. Just follow the old calendar of the last war and pay them some money. After all, we are still guarding Fengtian." Tieliang said after thinking for a while.

Tieliang is not stupid. He has long been prepared to sell out his country. It's just how to sell and what to sell. This is worth talking about.

First of all, he follows the old calendar. Last time, he paid Japan 60 million taels. This time he also paid 60 million. No one can say that he is wrong. He just follows the practice of his predecessors.

Secondly, the land issue. The land of the Northeast cannot be ceded, but we can consider giving them some leased ports in other places.

As for factories and mines, it's better not to have them, but it's okay to have them.

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After listening to Tieliang's meaning, Lin Pingzhi frowned and looked at him without saying a word.

"Are there any difficulties? In fact, Longjiang and Mongolia are not impossible..." Tieliang saw Lin Pingzhi frowning and said hesitantly.

"Fortunately, I can only say that I will do my best. Whether it will succeed or not depends on God's will." Lin Pingzhi reacted and coughed dryly.

'Why did Tieliang give me money? What does it mean? ' Lin Pingzhi was unsure.

Judging from the situation on the battlefield, the Qing Empire was only temporarily passive. Although it lost a lot of land, it was a sparsely populated area, which was not very meaningful to Japan and Russia.

The Qing Empire has stabilized the defense line of Fengtian, and winter is coming soon. The Qing Empire is gradually occupying a favorable position.

If you want to talk, you don't have to lose so many things.

"Yes, yes, just do your best. Then I thank Lord Lin here first? I heard that Lord Lin loves Sichuan cuisine. I have a Sichuan chef here. The Sichuan cuisine he makes is so authentic. You must try it." Tieliang greeted him attentively.

...

After lunch, Lin Pingzhi left Tieliang's mansion with the bill, returned to the embassy, ​​and sent the message back to Nanhua as soon as possible.

Liu Yiming took the report sent back by Lin Pingzhi and smiled proudly at Xu Hui.

"I said that the bottom line of the Qing Empire is very low, but you still don't believe it." Liu Yiming sat on the chair proudly.

He made a bet with Xu Hui, betting on the bottom line of the Qing Empire that was initially exposed.

Xu Hui guessed that the Qing Empire would at most pay compensation, open the market, and allow mining and business.

But Tieliang said nothing except that this land must belong to the Qing Empire and be governed by the Qing Empire according to the old system.

"Isn't this nonsense? Look at Tieliang's resume. He is either investigating, counting money in the Ministry of Households, or training troops. What does this kind of person know about diplomacy?" Xu Hui looked at Liu Yiming's smile unconvinced.

"This is the court. After all, the final decision on such matters is not in Tieliang's hands. At best, he is just a pawn and scapegoat of the old witch. What's the use of having experience?

Tieliang should have realized it. He kept following the old system. What a pity..." Liu Yiming shook his head.

"If you are so weak, it would be strange if they don't ask for a lot. How about we build a few ports?" Xu Hui joked.

"Want that place?" Liu Yiming looked at Xu Hui seriously, which made Xu Hui a little confused.

"Yangcheng, Tianjin, Penghu, Keelung, any one will do." Xu Hui was a little lacking in confidence and was unsure of Liu Yiming's attitude.

Why not Shanghai? Everyone's eyes were on that place. It was impossible. Even Yangcheng would have great difficulties. The French had always been eyeing that place.

"Then Keelung and Penghu, in the name of building military ports and naval cooperation, further shrink the encirclement of Japan." Liu Yiming nodded.

"What's wrong with you?" Xu Hui looked around and asked.

"Nothing, I just figured it out. The Qing Empire government is not worth saving. Instead of letting it linger, it's better to give it a push, but..." Liu Yiming frowned.

There was one thing that made him very uncomfortable. Comrade Vladimir had not completed the revolution. If he changed at this time, the most likely situation would be a few more years of chaos.

Although the Qing Empire is rubbish, the worst order is better than no order, and the warlords' melee period fully proved this point.

As for Liu Yiming's further intervention? From the perspective of long-term interests and ideology, it is better for the Nanhua Empire to stay in the British and French camps before it can be pushed forward.