Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

Senggelinqin quickly left Beijing and returned to Tianjin to deploy the next defense of the capital.

As for Liu Ye, he began to select Qing troops from various departments in the capital to form a firearms battalion. In order to complete the formation as soon as possible, Emperor Xianfeng specially allocated 100,000 taels of silver from the national treasury and allocated land in Tong County to build barracks and training facilities.

In the following period of time, Liu Ye was almost busy all the time. He was really too busy. As for the affairs in the court, they were not something that a small lieutenant like him could influence.

However, the court was now in great trouble. The reason was simple: the envoys of Britain, the United States, France and Russia appeared in Beijing together. The American envoy John Warren, the French envoy Bourboulon, the Russian envoy Braviev and the British envoy Prussia came to Beijing with their entourage and once again put pressure on Emperor Xianfeng to further sign an agreement.

If it was just one or two countries, Xianfeng would have ignored it long ago. Is our Celestial Empire just a decoration? If they want to go to war, then go ahead and fight. However, now that four countries have come together to put pressure on us, Xianfeng can no longer sit still.

Emperor Xianfeng sent Grand Secretaries Gui Liang and Weiren to communicate with the envoys of the four countries. However, after a full half month, there was still no gain. The envoys of the four countries remained tough and their conditions must be met, otherwise the four countries would once again unite and invade the Qing Dynasty!

Emperor Xianfeng was somewhat dumbfounded. He was no fool, and he knew how powerful the four nations were. If their fleets truly rampaged through the Qing Empire's maritime borders, the entire region would be plunged into chaos, bringing enormous losses to the court! However, he couldn't agree to their terms; their demands were simply too harsh!

It’s really harsh!

The Tsarist Russia's demand for the land east of the Ussuri River of the Qing Dynasty alone must not be agreed to. This is no joke. The entire area outside the Great Wall is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. It was won by our ancestors with great effort. If we hand it over to others now, how can we have the face to see our ancestors in the underworld?

The entire court was filled with gloom and helplessness. Even the upright officials who were always fierce in their words and boastful in their speeches had completely calmed down. There was no other way, as there was no one in the entire court who was good at handling foreign affairs!

Not to mention how to bargain, even if you can't understand other people's language, your understanding of the national conditions of various countries is even poor. In this case, how can you take the initiative in the negotiations?

The important officials in the court have been replaced several times in succession, and all of them have returned empty-handed. They are all dejected and no one dares to step forward again. Once they mess up, they might be used as a scapegoat by the emperor. It is not easy to be the first to step forward.

Emperor Xianfeng was furious. Usually, you all acted so arrogant and behaved so well, but now you have become so helpless just because you encountered a little problem. So, as the emperor, am I just supporting you with my salary for nothing?

"Speak! Speak!"

Emperor Xianfeng slammed the dragon desk and shouted, but still no one paid any attention to him!

cough cough...

Emperor Xianfeng was so angry that his blood rushed to his head and he started coughing continuously. The ministers below him quickly knelt down and kept saying, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please calm down. Your health is the most important thing!"

"Waste, a bunch of waste, what use is there to me having you? I've been feeding you with huge salaries for nothing, but at the crucial moment you failed me like this! You're all a bunch of waste!"

Emperor Xianfeng was furious, but the important ministers under him had become taciturn. He could only sigh helplessly. Should he remove all these bigwigs?

At this moment, Prince Gong's voice was heard from below.

Yi Xin said, "Brother Emperor, I do have a memorial to submit!"

Xianfeng snorted angrily. He had always looked down upon Yixin. This brother was too capable, and he had to be careful in dealing with his cunning.

But at this time, only Yi? stood up, and no one else dared to say a word.

"Prince Gong, please speak!"

Yi Xin replied, "Your Majesty, although the ministers in the court are all veterans, they have always had little understanding of Western affairs. Negotiations with foreigners must be conducted by those who are well versed in Western affairs..."

Su Shun snorted coldly, "Prince Gong, it's easy for you to say that. We are not familiar with foreign affairs. Do you think you are well versed in them?"

Emperor Xianfeng glared at Sushun and replied, "Prince Gong, are you interested in coming forward? If you can resolve the threat from these four countries, it will be the greatest achievement of our time!"

Yi Xin replied, "Your Majesty, you know my abilities. I may be a bit clever, but my understanding of Western affairs is very limited. However, I can recommend someone..."

Emperor Xianfeng raised his eyebrows and asked, "Who?"

Yi Xin replied, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that over a month ago, you gave a banquet in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, during which you asked Counselor Liu Ye about Westernization? But Liu Ye had said that he was fluent in English, French, Japanese, and German, and had a dabbling in Russian, and was very familiar with Western customs and practices. He was a man of extraordinary courage and profound insight. Your Majesty, why don't you order Liu Ye, who is stationed in Tong County, to return to Beijing overnight for questioning and entrust him with the important task of using his talents to resolve this crisis?"

Emperor Xianfeng was shocked. He had been busy with state affairs for a while and had forgotten about this matter. But Liu Ye had admitted to him personally that he had dabbled in foreign affairs of various countries. He was also very strategic. If he were allowed to take action, he might really be of great use!

Just as Emperor Xianfeng was tempted, Grand Secretary Weiren stood up and shouted, "Your Majesty, this is not allowed!"

Xianfeng and Yi? Both were a little puzzled. Why not do this? If Liu Ye really has such ability, it would be a great thing!

Xianfeng said unhappily, "Woren, why not?"

Weiren quickly said, "Your Majesty, Liu Ye is only a lieutenant commander, a third-rank military officer. He is not familiar with the etiquette of the imperial court. The envoys of countries like Britain and France are equivalent to our governors or viceroys. The difference in status is huge. Firstly, it will make the foreigners look down on us, and secondly, it will also bring down the dignity of our Celestial Empire. This is absolutely unacceptable!"

Yi Yi was almost amused by his anger and refuted, "Lord Woren, although Liu Ye's official rank is low, his influence on foreign affairs is real. The most important thing now is to negotiate with the foreigners and achieve a breakthrough. As for matters such as official rank, they are all minor details and should not be mentioned!"

Weiren's face straightened, and he shouted sternly, "Prince Gong, this is a matter concerning the dignity of the imperial court. How can it be considered a trivial matter?"