Forty-eight years of Qianlong

Chapter 230 Heshen's Letter
At the end of the first month, Zhao Xin returned with the first group of people.These people include several teachers from the education department, and Zhang Bo.

Among those who did not come back, Hong Tao and Liu Siting were getting married, and they decided to come back after having a meal with their respective families after receiving their certificates.Because Hong Tao's family believed in the saying "not to get married in the first month", the two postponed the time for obtaining the certificate to the second month of the lunar calendar.

In fact, in addition to the saying "no marriage in the first month", there is also "no marriage in the twelfth lunar month".But at that time, Shen Jingdan was all about clinging, and seeing that Zhao Xin didn't pay much attention to this matter, he deliberately ignored this statement.

Besides preparing for the wedding, Hong Tao and his wife were busy ordering medicines and medical equipment the rest of the time.

Liu Zheng is still waiting for the quotation list from the chemical fertilizer equipment manufacturer; while Zhao Liang is going to inspect a steel factory, where there is a set of 100 cubic small blast furnaces for sale at a low price.

A small blast furnace is not a "soil blast furnace".Earth blast furnaces are built with stone or bricks, and the shells of small blast furnaces are made of steel plates with refractory bricks inside.Earth blast furnaces burn firewood, while small blast furnaces use coke to make iron.

The two old partners, Deng Fei and Ding Guofeng, have gone to West Africa to supervise the transformation of the freighter.After arriving at the construction site, the two of them really "admired" the work efficiency of the Africans!If you don't stare and rush, you can keep doing foreign work for you.This made Zhao Xinqi's seven orifices smoke when he knew the situation, but there was nothing he could do.

After returning to Fuerdan City and seeing Liu Sheng, Zhao Xin learned that a messenger had been sent from Ningguta, and the ransom money would soon be transported to the Mongolian River Military Station.So Zhao Xin decided to meet Fu Kang'an again.

Since Fukang'an learned that the imperial court was raising ransom to redeem them, his whole body quickly became thinner.According to the results of the most recent physical examination, the Marshal Fu now weighs only ninety catties.

When Zhao Xin saw Fu Kang'an, he was stunned in surprise.Is this still the high-spirited and proud general of the Qing Dynasty?
Fukan'an crouched on the chair, his thin body seemed to be blown away by a gust of wind.On that extremely thin face, three strokes of long beard hung down on his chest.On the originally smooth forehead, the short, inch-long hair became gray and mottled.

"Fu Zhongtang, it seems that I have lost my appetite recently. You have to take care of your body. If you fall ill on the way back, it will be embarrassing for you and your lord."

Fu Kang'an didn't speak, but stared at Zhao Xin like a knife.He knew that the guy in front of him was not forgiving, and if he had the slightest criticism, he could suffocate himself to death with his words.

Zhao Xin seemed to see what Fu Kang'an was thinking, and said with a smile: "In a few days, you and Du Erjia can go back."

After Fukang'an heard this, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes, and then quickly went out.

Zhao Xindao: "Marshal Fu, it's useless for you to torture yourself like this. Don't mention you, even Qianlong's imperial conquest is a failure. This is called the replacement of weapons."

"Weapon replacement?" Fu Kang'an repeated the four words in surprise.

Zhao Xin doesn't want to explain anymore, let the bureaucrats of the Manchu Qing slowly guess for themselves!He finally said: "Fu Zhongtang, I'm going to say goodbye. I guess I won't see you for a few days. You'd better tidy up yourself, and you can leave as soon as the news from the Mongolian River arrives in two days."

Zhao Xin turned around and was about to leave when Fukang'an suddenly asked, "Except for me and Du Erjia, where are the others?"

"It depends on how much ransom is sent. If the amount is not bad, I will not keep any of them." Zhao Xin replied without turning his head.

At this time, in the captive camp of the Qing army, all the Manchu, Han, and Mongolian Eight Banners captives and border residents knew that the imperial court had sent people to redeem them.Finally able to go home!All the captives smiled happily, thinking that they had finally survived.

"Your Majesty! The slaves can't repay you for your great kindness to the slaves!" In the cellar, En Hai, Guan Bao and others knelt facing south, kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times towards the direction of Beijing.After saluting, En Haixin said that I finally don't need to eat corn bread and pickles anymore, and the first thing I do when I go back is to cook a pot of meat.

Some people are excited, some people will be disappointed.At this moment, Buddha Biao, a armored soldier with a white flag, was thinking that if he left, there would be no free dramas and storytelling in the future.

On the Qing side, the team escorting the ransom went through all kinds of difficulties, and finally arrived at the south bank of the Mongolian River on February [-]th, across the river from the military station in Beihai Town.

After Na Qitai contacted Beihai Town, the two sides agreed to hand over the first batch of 2000 Qing prisoners of war on February [-].Fearing that Zhao Xin would cheat, Na Qitai asked his side to send someone across the river to check the number of people before paying the ransom.

Zhao Xin asked the Manchu Qing party to transport the ransom money across the river in batches, and pay a sum of money after checking the batches.After the captives crossed the river, Beihai Town was not responsible.However, Zhao Xin was worried that Manqing would renege on his debts after meeting those captives of the border people, so he decided to return Fukang'an and Du Erjia in the end.

On the morning of February [-]th, the prisoners of the Qing army tidied up hastily, and took the "souvenir" given to them by Beihai Town, and embarked on the journey back to the south.

The so-called "souvenir" was brought back by Zhao Xin.One set of toiletries per person, plus a flip-top glass mirror.Toiletries include towels, soap, simple razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Well, Zhao Xin is the kind of toiletry set that he bought in the express hotel of later generations.According to his idea, each ordinary Qing army prisoner was worth one tael of gold, nearly forty grams!

You can't be too black-hearted!
When all the prisoners of the Qing army got the glass mirror and washing suits, they were all amazed at Beihai town's generosity.These grandchildren are too rich, even the glass mirrors that show every detail are as big as pickled radishes!
Many prisoners of war regarded the "souvenirs" they received as treasures and kept them close to their bodies, and they were going to return to their homes in the south to use or sell them to their families.

Before leaving the house, the official security contemptuously threw the things from Beihai Town on the Datong bunk.Enhai on the side saw it and asked, "What? You don't want it?"

Guanbao said: "It's just a skillful thing. If I take it, I'm afraid I will dirty my hands." After speaking, he walked out of the room with his head held high.

Enhai looked around, seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he picked up the package that was thrown on the bed by the officer's security, and quickly stuffed it into his arms; then he strode out of the house to gather.

The prisoners in each district first lined up according to the number of the cell where they were located, and after the people in Beihai Town called and confirmed, they gathered together and lined up to leave the camp.When they walked outside the prison camp, they merged with 2000 prisoners from another district to form a team of [-] people, who were escorted by a battalion of soldiers from Beihai Town.

On the snow field from Juergen City to the south bank of the Suifen River, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has organized migrant workers to carve out a road with a width of three meters, with thick snow piled on both sides, like two high walls.The captives walked south along the middle road, and the soldiers in charge of escorting them used their horns from time to time to yell at them to pay attention to their walking speed, reminding them to keep up with the team.

At this moment in the Mongolian River Military Station, Na Qitai came to a barracks with several accompanying guards, and was reviewing the "peace clauses" drafted by Beihai Town one by one:
Article [-]. From the date of signing this treaty, the Qing Empire and Beihai Town will cease fighting for five years.

Article [-]. From the date of signing this treaty, the Qing Empire recognized the legal status of the Great Ainu Kingdom and agreed to establish friendly trade relations.And recognized Beihai Town as the plenipotentiary representative of the Great Ainu Kingdom.

Article [-]: From the date of signing this treaty, Beihai Town shall return all captives in accordance with the agreement and shall not abuse them.The Qing Empire will grant forgiveness to the families of Seldan, Yalha, Hengji, Erlu and their families involved in the previous battle;

Article 200. From the date of signing this treaty to the expiration of five years, the Qing Empire allows the Great Ainu Kingdom to use Huaniao Island in the Shengsi Islands off the coast of Zhoushan as a temporary stop, and to build trade warehouses and warehouses, and dispatch at most 200 people are stationed.The annual rent is [-] taels of silver.

Article [-]. From the date of signing this treaty, the Qing Empire allowed the Great Ainu Kingdom to send trade representatives to Guangzhou, and the Thirteen Banks will handle trade matters on their behalf, and there will be a department.The Great Ainu Kingdom has a limit of ten ships (times) entering the port each year. The Great Ainu Kingdom agrees to abide by the relevant trade goods regulations and tax rules of the Guangdong Customs of the Qing Empire, and pay according to regulations.

Article 51: After the treaty was signed by He Shen, Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Qing Empire, and Zhao Xin, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Great Ainu Kingdom, it was exchanged on the banks of the Mongolian River in February [-] of Qianlong.To this end, both parties must sign and seal to show their commitment.

Na Qitai read the six items on the paper with wide eyes, and said to Zhao Xin: "Mr. Zhao, can I take a copy of this agreement with me?"

Zhao Xin pointed to the horseshoe watch on the table with a smile, nodded and said, "Please go ahead, but you must stamp and sign before five o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the latest."

"Can this be given some time?"

"My lord, He Shen actually appointed you to take charge of such a big matter. I think you are the only one who signed it."

Na Qitai said dumbfounded: "Mr. Zhao, even with a hundred heads, I can't afford such a big relationship!"

Zhao Xindao: "It doesn't matter, it's up to you whether you sign or not. If you don't sign, then all our previous talks will be void. In the spring, I will take a boat to Dagukou and find someone who can sign. I will see you off!"

Na Qitai reluctantly left the military station, crossed the long-frozen Mongolian River on a sledge, and returned to his camp.As soon as he entered the tent, a personal soldier behind him actually swaggered and sat on the tiger-skin grand master's chair in the big tent.The man took off his hat, took a sip of the hot tea that Qitai handed over, and felt that his body was not so cold anymore.

"This Zhao Xin! He's such an outcast who has no king's constitution! How dare he threaten the imperial court!"

"Zhongtang, you can't be angry with such a bastard. I have dealt with him so many times, and I can understand this person. It's useless to talk about Wanghua and faith with this kind of person. He relies on his sharp guns, They only care about money."

This soldier was actually a fake He Shen!

He Shen really went all out this time. In order to make a great achievement that shocked the government and the public, he actually pretended to be in the enemy camp, just to see who can beat Fukang'an and Agui to death!
He Shen shook his head and said: "It's not that simple. Don't think he is a gangster who only cares about money because he is always messing around with you and looking like a gangster on the street. This person is by no means easy to get along with. There are ulterior motives and treachery everywhere. If you sign this thing with him, with this precedent, the subjects and people of the world will think that the imperial court has exceptions for thieves and bandits. If you can't beat them, you have to sign such a bullshit contract. If others follow suit in the future , how will the imperial court deal with it?"

Na Qitai asked: "Does Zhongtang mean not to sign? Then if he does."

He Shen said: "We brought the gold, and we must take the people back. But this thing must not be signed! If you sign it, you and I will die without a place to bury! My Qing Dynasty values ​​Huayi's defense the most. , Zhao Xin is such an insignificant person, we must not let him show his face!"

Later generations often say that He Shen is ignorant and incompetent, acting like a villain.But in fact, He Shen's knowledge is really good, otherwise he wouldn't be appreciated by Qianlong, and then he would rise to the top.In addition to having passed the Juren examination (failed), He Shen also has certain attainments in poetry.

Na Qitai said: "Master Zhongtang please show me, what should we do?"

He Shen said: "I'll write a letter, and you will send someone to deliver it tomorrow morning."

In the early morning of the next day, Zhao Xin, who was brushing his teeth, received a letter from Na Qitai.He brushed his teeth calmly, wiped his mouth with a towel, and then took the envelope from Gui Sheng.

This letter is very strange. The two sides of the book cover are bare, and there is not even a single word.It is said that the Qing Dynasty was also very particular about the use of envelopes.In this era, envelopes are called "book covers", and a long strip of red paper must be glued in the middle. The red paper must be glued from the top of the envelope to the bottom, and no white edges can be left.The words on the red label must also be written at the top, and cannot be empty; and the bottom word must be at the bottom, and cannot be dangling.The sender's stamp must be stamped on the back of the envelope.

The title of the letter "Brother Zhao Xin" does not include the name of the person. The running script is thin and powerful, and the stippling is crisp and neat, without any sense of sloppy.

Zhao Xin didn't look down, he turned to the last page, and saw that the signature was only five words, "Master of Jiale Hall".Zhao Xin was taken aback for a moment, and then his jaw almost hit the ground!

"Master of Jialetang" is He Shen's number, and he is actually on the other side of the river!
OK!Quite courageous.Zhao Xin smiled, and then started from the beginning again.

What He Shen said in the letter was straightforward.The general idea is that since Shen and I came to Ningguta on business, not even one person has been sent out to make trouble for you, which is enough to show my sincerity in the negotiation.That being the case, why bother to put it on paper?

Besides, after I argued hard, the imperial court agreed to your request and brought in a large amount of gold.People who keep their promises like I do, why do you want to harm me, brother?
Since the fall of these soldiers, their families have no idea of ​​their life and death, and they have been waiting all day long, washing their faces with tears. Even I feel sad when I see them.Your brother did not kill indiscriminately, but thought of releasing them, which shows that you are a compassionate and righteous person.I thank you for the orphans and widows.

As for the two matters you mentioned, landing in Guangzhou for trade and renting Huaniao Island off the coast of Zhoushan, I can agree on your behalf and make private arrangements; but you should also understand my difficulty.If it becomes known all over the world and rumors gossip, don't say that your purpose is not achieved, even I will be implicated, then there will be no one to speak up for you.

After reading the letter, Zhao Xin thought about it for a long time.What He Shen said is very reasonable. If it is true that the contract is signed or Zhao Xin takes a boat to Dagukou, then Qianlong will not agree to anything, and it must be an endless situation.

Zhao Xin still does not want to use troops against the Manchus.One is that there are not enough grassroots managers. Even if they can break into Shanhaiguan, there is no one to manage those towns and villages. Second, the oil in Bitter Leaf Island, the steel in Beihai Town, and the coal mines in Ezodi all need manpower to operate.If you continue to fight, then everyone will have nothing else to do. Conscription, spending money to buy ammunition, this will lead to a vicious circle; the third is the issue of island countries. If this is not resolved, the safety of Ezo will not be guaranteed. Zhao Xin There is no time to look around.

All in all, Zhao Xin still wants to farm and open up wasteland in a down-to-earth manner. After a few years, he has accumulated enough strength to realize the plan in his heart.

Since you are so up to date with your lord, then give him some face!What's more, with the relationship with Heshen, the trade situation in the southeast is expected to open up faster.

Therefore, Zhao Xin asked the messenger to bring back only fourteen characters on the letter, "I hope you will keep your promise! If you go back on your word, I will meet you as a soldier!"

(End of this chapter)