We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Upon hearing this, all the ministers bowed in unison once again.

Although they were not granted the title, everyone was inevitably disappointed, but they still responded in unison:

"Your Majesty, I will obey your command!"

It’s not that Li Che is stingy with rewards, it’s just that now is not the best time to confer titles based on merit.

The decisive battle with the aristocratic families is imminent, the outcome is uncertain, and there are huge variables.

If we hastily determine the order and titles of the meritorious officials at this moment, it will inevitably cause some people to become lazy and weaken their fighting spirit.

On the contrary, if you don’t confer the title for the time being, you will hang the biggest bait in front of you.

In order to win higher titles and salaries, the generals of the Fengtian Army will work harder in the next war and strive to add another chapter to their list of merits.

And those military heroes who had recently defected also got the opportunity to prove themselves, making their status less embarrassing.

Now that I have become His Majesty, I still have to use the necessary skills to control my subordinates.

"Now that everything is settled, let's get ready." Li Che looked at everyone and said slowly, "The war is imminent. I hope you will all work together to overcome this difficult time."

The ministers saluted again and slowly left the Fengtian Hall in order.

All the ministers had a burning desire in their hearts and had infinite longing for the future.

Li Che succeeded to the throne. No matter what their previous identities were, from this moment on they became his loyal subjects.

Wealth and glory, from this moment on.

When only the core ministers were left in the hall, Li Che turned his gaze to Khabarov, who was still a little at a loss.

"Khabarov," Li Che said, "stay, I want to talk to you..."

Before he finished speaking, Huai En, the eunuch standing beside him, coughed lightly.

Li Che paused for a moment and immediately realized something.

"I want to talk to you about the future of Daqing and the Russian Empire."

Khabarov responded a little awkwardly.

Several clerks had already prepared paper and ink, ready to record the terms.

Li Che spoke slowly: "The Russian Empire expeditionary force invaded our borders without reason. This is a provocative act and the root cause of your country's defeat."

"However, I uphold the benevolence of the Celestial Empire and do not wish to see more wars."

"Therefore, we are willing to sign a treaty with your country to demarcate the border and put an end to border conflicts forever."

The interpreter passed on Li Che's translation, and Khabarov bowed nervously in response:

"Your Majesty, the Great Emperor, your mercy shines brightly everywhere."

"The Russian Empire has deeply recognized its previous mistakes, and Her Majesty the Queen of our country also longs to establish peace and friendship with the powerful Daqing Empire."

Li Che nodded slightly and signaled to Huo Duanxiao beside him.

Huo Duanxiao stepped forward, unfolded a document that had been prepared long ago, and read aloud:

"In compliance with the decree of His Majesty the Emperor Daqing, we hereby sign the following agreement with the Russian Empire:"

"Article 1: The boundary between the two countries shall be demarcated with the Lena River as the boundary."

"The sovereignty of the vast land east of the Lena River and south of the Greater Khingan Range, including but not limited to land, islands, and waters, belongs to the Daqing Empire and will remain unchanged from generation to generation."

"The area west of the Lena River temporarily belongs to the Rus Empire."

"Neither side shall engage in cross-border nomadic activities, settlements, or any form of occupational activities."

Khabarov looked pained.

As a result, the empire's eastward expansion plan could not be implemented at all.

The tribes west of the Lena River alone could not meet the leather needs of the Russian Empire.

But he didn't dare to refute and could only listen silently.

"Article 2: Mutual trade. Citizens of both countries are allowed to cross the border and trade with each other."

"However, all trade must be conducted in designated border cities and be subject to the jurisdiction and taxation of the Daqing government. Russian merchants are not allowed to enter the interior of Daqing to trade without permission."

Every time Huo Duanxiao read out a sentence, the interpreter would translate it right after him.

Khabarov nodded slightly. This was a good thing for the Russian Empire.

The mutual trade policy was the most commonly used diplomatic means by the Central Plains dynasties to deal with the nomadic threat from the north.

But mutual trade also has advantages and disadvantages.

When the Central Plains dynasty was strong and the northern nomadic peoples were weak, mutual trade was a good policy.

The northern nomadic peoples can get what they want through trade, so they naturally won't take the risk of going south to raid the valleys.

But on the contrary, when the Central Plains dynasty was weak, trade would lose its meaning.

They are already powerful, why can't they just come down and rob you? Why should they trade with you?

Now that Daqing is stronger than the Russian Empire, mutual trade is a win-win strategy.

"Article 3: After the treaty is signed, both parties shall strictly search and arrest their own personnel."

"If any fugitives from the other side enter the country, they should be repatriated immediately and not be taken in."

"The Russian Empire in particular must immediately repatriate all Daqing soldiers and civilians captured in previous conflicts without delay!"

Article 4: From now on, if a criminal escapes into the other's territory, the two countries may notify the other party in writing and send personnel to capture and return him. No one may hide or protect him.

Articles 3 and 4 are together. Exchanging criminals is a basic operation between diplomatic allies. There is nothing much to say.

Article 5: The Russian Empire must dismantle all illegally constructed military forts, outposts, and settlements in the area near the Lena River within a specified timeframe, and withdraw all personnel and supplies back to the west of the border!

This article was intended to eliminate Russia's military presence in the Far East and consolidate Daqing's newly drawn borders.

Li Che was also very covetous of the Siberian region, and naturally would not allow the Russian Empire to send troops to station there as before.

Li Che understood the principle of not allowing others to snore beside his bed very early on.

"Article Six: The Russian Empire must pay Daqing one million taels of silver for military losses and civilian casualties in this conflict."

"The compensation must be paid within three years!"

"This..." Khabarov couldn't help himself and said, "Your Majesty, is this one..."

The Russian Empire has no money either.

Compared with the old kingdoms in Europe, the Russian Empire was a poor one, occupying the most barren land in the north.

If they had money, they wouldn't have to come to the dangerous Far East to purchase goods.

Li Che glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "I can graciously allow you to use furs, minerals, and commodities of equivalent value in lieu of compensation."

It is impossible to cancel the reparations. It is not that Li Che really needs them to take some money, but he wants to emphasize the responsibility of the defeated country.

If you lose, you lose money. Isn’t that the most basic thing?

Khabarov was silent for a long time, and finally nodded with difficulty.

Li Che signaled Huo Duanxiao with his eyes, and the latter continued:

"This agreement will be engraved on a stone tablet in both the Daqing and Russian languages ​​and placed on the border between the two countries. It will be observed forever and will be observed by future generations."

"If your country does not abide by this agreement and arbitrarily crosses the border to raise troops, you will be destroyed!"

After all the clauses were read out, the hall fell into silence.

Khabarov's face was pale and beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

These terms were extremely harsh and almost overwhelmingly favored Daqing, especially the territorial and compensation terms, which far exceeded his expectations and psychological bottom line.

But he didn't dare to refute at all.

Because the young emperor in front of him and the terrifying army behind him have the power to crush the Russian Empire at any time.

At this moment, his mission is not to fight for fairness, but to fight for peace at all costs.

All he could do was take this humiliating treaty back and let St. Petersburg make the decision.

Khabarov took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I have heard of your conditions."

"I will do everything in my power to persuade Her Majesty the Queen to accept these... terms for the preservation of peace."

Li Che looked over expressionlessly: "In that case, use the seal."

Huai En brought out two treaty texts that had been prepared long ago, as well as a vermilion ink pad.

On behalf of the Russian Empire, Khabarov signed his name and stamped his fingerprints on the two treaties under the guidance of the interpreter.

Afterwards, Li Che picked up the imperial seal and stamped the bright red seal on the two treaties.

The moment the seal fell, Khabarov seemed to have lost all his strength.

Li Che picked up one of the treaty texts, handed it to Khabarov, and said indifferently:

"Take this treaty back to your queen and tell her that now that the treaty has been signed, your country is expected to abide by it. If you violate the treaty again..."

Li Che didn't finish his words, but his cold eyes said it all.

He didn't care at all whether the Queen agreed or not. The treaty came into effect the moment the seal fell.

As long as the queen is a normal human being, she will definitely agree.

It doesn't matter even if you disagree.

Fengguo is so far away from St. Petersburg that by the time the Empress mobilized her troops, the battle in Daqing would have been over.

If she dares to come then, we can just kill her.

Khabarov took the treaty with trembling hands and bowed deeply: "In accordance with your majesty's will, the Russian Empire... will abide by this treaty."

"Wynn, escort Governor Khabarov out of the palace and arrange for him to leave the country as soon as possible."

Li Che waved his hand and didn't look at him again.

Khabarov's face was bitter. He bowed deeply again, turned and walked out of the hall.

This document, later known as the "Fengtian Treaty", laid a solid foundation for the Daqing Empire to seize the strategic space and rich resources in the Far East.

It also changed the geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asia for more than a hundred years thereafter.

But for Li Che, this is just the first step in his reshaping of the world order.

At this time, the news that Li Che agreed to succeed to the throne also spread throughout Fengtian City and caused a great response.

The people of Fengtian were already immersed in the enthusiasm after the military parade. When they heard that their prince had ascended the throne, there was a cheer in the city.

The envoys and kings from various countries who had just been sent away were called back to participate in the next ceremony.

Although Li Che ordered everything to be kept simple and the succession ceremony was to be held in the imperial capital, the necessary procedures still had to be followed, otherwise it would be improper.

The next day, the Ministry of Works' Astronomical Bureau observed the celestial phenomena and put forward the prophecy that "the Purple Star is moving, and auspicious signs are coming from the east."

Immediately afterwards, officials from all departments in Fengtian became busy.

Emperor Qing's coffin was temporarily placed in a temple outside Fengtian City, and Li Che led civil and military officials to pay homage.

In front of Emperor Qing's coffin, the crimes of the aristocratic family and Li Ming and Li Huan were announced.

Three days later, the auspicious celestial phenomenon reappeared, and the officials of the Astronomical Bureau reported it again.

The next morning, the new emperor ascended the throne.