Chapter 674 Governor Li's Trouble (Second Update, Please Subscribe)
Behind any treaty there is an unknown secret treaty. This is a basic principle in the game of international politics.
Even secret diplomacy is the core of diplomacy in this era. We try our best to gain our own interests through secret negotiations with other countries and through mutual alliances and betrayals.
What is the most terrifying thing about secret diplomacy?
You never know what is behind secret diplomacy. But one thing is certain: in any secret diplomacy or secret treaty, there will be hunters and prey.
When the news of the signing of the Quadruple Alliance Treaty was exposed to the world, all countries were speculating about what the four empires were planning.
What are they planning?
No one knows, but one thing is certain: it is definitely not as simple as it is “exposed”.
In order to conceal one's tracks, some action is always needed.
What kind of action to take?
In fact, Emperor Zhu had already known about the so-called "cover-up" operation and had a specific plan.
For example, the ownership of Hawaii. The Ming Dynasty has always been eyeing Hawaii. At least Emperor Zhu has been coveting Hawaii for many years. However, due to factors such as Britain and France, it can only watch there.
Now is the perfect time to throw Hawaii out to cover up the real goals of the four countries. In fact, there is not just one Hawaii. In order to cover up the ultimate goal, France, Russia and Austria-Hungary will all expand to some extent in Africa.
To some extent, the "Vienna Conference" is basically equivalent to a "Conference on the Partition of Africa". Of course, these are just smoke bombs, which are used to confuse other countries.
What Zhu Xianhai didn't know was that the news of the "Quadruple Alliance" not only caused a strong response in Europe, but also caused a sensation in America. Brazilian Emperor Pedro I directly sent his foreign minister to Yingtian to inquire whether the treaty had any clauses targeting Brazil. As for the American community, they believed that the secret treaty had clauses targeting the United States.
In a word, a seemingly insignificant "Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendship to Eliminate War and Maintain Peace" has caused an unprecedented response around the world. However, this world does not include East Asia. For East Asian countries, no matter how the world changes, they still live their own lives, or live their own lives according to their own ideas.
The end of 1874 was not a good time for Governor Li of the Qing Dynasty.
He has been very worried recently.
What are you worried about?
Of course, it was the "kidnapping" of Sassoon a few months ago.
Several months had passed, but there was no news from Sassoon, and the British consul and the British company had protested to him many times. Britain even sent a warship from Hong Kong to visit Haizhou.
As soon as he entered the Governor's study, Zhao Tianfeng heard Governor Li sigh.
"Ziqing, who do you think kidnapped this Sassoon?"
Without waiting for Zhao Tianfeng to speak, Governor Li continued.
"Logically speaking, since it happened in the concession, it has nothing to do with us. But Sassoon... although he is a British Indian, his family has great influence. He is even related to a big British family. If we don't handle this matter properly, who knows what kind of trouble it will cause."
Governor Li said as he opened his eyes and looked at Zhao Tianfeng.
"I don't know how many people and eyes are staring at me in the Qing Dynasty. If something goes wrong, how will I deal with it?"
In response to the Governor-General's question, Zhao Tianfeng said.
"Sir, I have almost found out who did this."
"What? Do you have any news?"
Governor Li, who was originally busy and overwhelmed, immediately said in surprise.
"That's about right."
While speaking, Zhao Tianfeng took out a copy of Ming Pao published in the Ming Concession and said.
"Sir, have you read today's edition of Ming Pao?"
"How can I have the time to read it! Now the court and the British are asking about my whereabouts. Can I just pretend that I, Li, kidnapped him? How can I have the time to ask about other things?"
Governor Li even wondered if Sassoon was kidnapped by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in the south and framed. Who would have nothing better to do than kidnap such a person? After much thought, only the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom would have the motive to attack such a person. They kidnapped Sassoon to cause a diplomatic dispute and force the court to fire him.
Without Li Hefei, who in the world can withstand the attack of the spears!
"My lord, you better take a look."
Zhao Tianfeng delivered the newspaper, and then said, "The adults are safe."
"Well, it's just a piece of news, it may not seem important, but it may be related to Sassoon."
"Maybe it's related to Sassoon? What's the relationship?"
Governor Li took the newspaper and glanced at it, then saw the report on the "Four-Power Treaty".
Of course, he had heard about the "Four-Power Treaty", but in his opinion, it had nothing to do with him. Of course, he said so, but in his heart, Governor Li really envied the status of the Ming Dynasty.
They were able to stand on equal footing with great powers like France, Russia and Austria-Hungary and sign treaties, but what about the Qing Empire... well, it was also a great power.
However, there is nothing new about this treaty. It is nothing more than friendly coexistence, enhancing mutual trust, maintaining peace and so on. But it is all empty words, clichés, and empty talk.
Continuing to read, he soon saw another piece of news.
"Hundreds of drug dealers brought to justice!"
The content of the news was only more than 100 words, but the information it revealed shocked Governor Li.
"This, this... They actually went to Peru to arrest the people who were trafficking drugs to them?"
"Not only did they arrest people, but they also shot them directly. I almost found out that it was Sassoon's company that sold opium to Peru."
After Zhao Tianfeng said this, Governor Li immediately spoke.
"This... so that guy also sold opium to Ming Dynasty..."
Governor Li stood up suddenly, clapped his hands and said a little excitedly.
"I was wondering, who in this world would be so bold as to kidnap a respectable foreigner like Sassoon? After all this time, it turns out to be that group of people. They are really bold. They even dare to kidnap the British, so they are not afraid of the British..."
But then again, they are indeed not afraid of the British. If they were afraid of the British, they probably wouldn't have done this. After all, the Ming Dynasty is not the Qing Dynasty.
"It's really worthy of being the Ming Dynasty. They always act unexpectedly..."
When the words came to his lips, Governor Li looked at Zhao Tianfeng and said.
"But we have no evidence for this matter. How can we make the British believe us without any evidence?"
What he needed was not for the British to believe him, but for the British to stop bothering him about this matter. The court no longer put pressure on him because of Sassoon's matter. As for Sassoon's life or death, he didn't care at all.
"Sir, you are the one who needs to go to Haizhou. Go and ask him in person what Consul Liu means."
Zhao Tianfeng said with a smile. As a person from Nanhua, he didn't dare to go to the Ming Concession in Haizhou until now. Even though he knew that the Ming Dynasty didn't take him, a "traitor", seriously at all, and even met a few old friends from Nanhua here in the past few years, he was still avoiding the Ming Concession intentionally or unintentionally?
Why is this so?
Maybe it was because he felt guilty, or maybe it was because... Everyone has their own ideas and persistence. Zhao Tianfeng has his own ideas.
“You should ask.”
Governor Li thought for a moment and then spoke.
"They have caused me so much trouble. I want to hear how Liu has to explain this matter."
(End of this chapter)
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