On March 10, 1839, Lin Zexu arrived in Guangzhou. Deng Tingzhen, Yiliang, Yukun, Guan Tianpei and others have been waiting for a long time.
Ting Jian said: "Two months of hard work by boat and carriage, Mr. Lin has worked hard. Yanyun has missed the welcome from afar."
Zexu said: "Master Deng is very polite. I hope you can give me some advice on various matters in southern Guangdong."
Ting Jian said: "I am so ashamed. I am willing to work together and vow to eliminate the source of China's great troubles."
Zexu was not angry and thought to himself: "I have been in charge of Guangdong for four years, and the poison from tooth fragments has doubled year by year. Is Lian Po old? Or does he have a hidden agenda?" But politeness is still necessary, "Shao Mu is willing to join hands with you, sir, and swear to get rid of this poison." "
Yiliang and Tianpei were once subordinates of Zexu, and Yukun was an old friend of Zexu. It was natural for them to meet each other cordially. At the end of the crowd, a person was nodding his head and said slowly, "Isn't that a member of my Xuannan Poetry Club?"
Zhang Weiping hurriedly greeted him and said, "Master Lin, you are fine."
Then Xu Yiran said: "One official can't help the common people, so it is better to go back. Picking chrysanthemums and leisurely seeing Nanshan under the east fence. Lord Nanshan, how can you be content with listening to the pine garden?"
"The adults are joking, Zishu is ashamed. This is Liang Tingnan," Zhang Weiping pointed to the person next to him and introduced him enthusiastically.
Liang Tingnan cupped his hands and said, "I have met Mr. Lin."
Zexu said: "Brother Zhang Ran is a famous person from the southern country. We have known each other for a long time. Now that I see you, I am very impressed."
On that day, Lin Zexu stayed at the Yuehua Academy and had a great conversation with Liang Tingnan and Zhang Weiping, and gained a lot. Liang Tingnan presented his works "Records of the Guangdong Customs", "The Occasion of England", "The Difficulty of Jesus Christ Entering China", "The Theory of Hezhongguo", and "The Theory of Guangdong Tribute to the Country". He also said: "When Mr. Lin first arrived, he gathered his brains and made use of them. As he got closer, there were more and more rules and regulations, which were enough to confuse people's ears. From then on, those who came with barbarian sentiments could only see them."
Zexu spent the whole night reading and made a lot of money.
Before entering Guangdong, Zexu had sent people to conduct a secret investigation and discovered that 17 businessmen and 45 officials were involved in the dental film. He ordered Deng Ting to investigate them.
On the second day after entering Guangdong, Zexu issued five smoking bans. 1. Those who smoke dental tablets must stop smoking within two months. 2. Report drug addicts and reward the defendant with all his property. 3. If a subordinate reports a report to a superior and the matter is found to be true, he will be promoted to a noble rank. 4. In extraordinary times, the public door must always be open so that soldiers can search at any time. 5. Five families of common people, soldiers, students, merchants, and overseas merchant ships will jointly protect the people. Anyone who dares to protect them will be arrested immediately.
On the third day, more than 600 students from the college were called for a class examination and asked: "Who hoards dental tablets? Who smuggles dental tablets? Who protects and condones them?" The test paper is anonymous and the scores are not recorded.
The students spoke enthusiastically and pointed the finger at the Vice-Admiral of the Navy Han Zhaoqing and the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi Deng Tingjie.
Someone wrote a poem and said: "Although Yu's territory is vast, it is poor. Deng Gong used his yue to make the east sea colorful. All day long, the officials were diligent in catching the good and the bad. It was called the Holy Lord's policy of eliminating grains, but it was actually a private sect of amassing fat. . On the day when poppies are banned, the skynet will be restored to you as soon as possible.
It was found that Navy Lieutenant Commander Han Zhaoqing had indeed acted for personal gain and violated the law, and he should be executed according to law. "
Deng Tingzhen was preoccupied and met with Lin Zexu privately, saying: "Brother Shao Mu, now that the matter has come to this, Shanyun can only tell the truth. The poison from teeth has been infiltrated for hundreds of years, who can be immune to it? Kuang relaxed the ban on speech the year before last, and the harm is even greater, Shanyun I am also involved in it; I am afraid that I will follow South Korea. But the broken body will be turned into ashes, and it is impossible to cover up the guilt of this. But at this time when the people are in distress and the country is in dire straits, we can no longer exert our meager efforts. I'm really ashamed! Poison is raging so deep that you can't see its bottom; officials are ruined and soldiers are dead, and the sun and moon are obscured by turbidity. All kinds of things can affect the whole body at the same time. I hope you will take the situation as seriously as possible and not be blinded by trivial matters. . In my humble position, I am willing to bear all the responsibilities of all sins as a foolish person. I just hope that all living beings can pass by; that all living beings will move forward together, turning back the clouds with their backhands, and can they work together with one heart?"
Then Xu was angry and said: "Master Deng, are you talking about your righteousness?"
After hearing this, Deng Tingzhen knew that he could not escape the disaster, his heart and liver were trembling, and he was sweating profusely.
Zexu thought to himself: "Han Zhaoqing's crime was so heinous that the people would not be outraged if he were not killed. But if he were killed, what would Deng and Guan do? Both Deng and Guan should be held accountable for his recommendation and negligence. If they are trapped, Guangdong will be In the local officialdom, people are bound to be panicked. Who will do their best to ban dental tablets? Governor Yiliang has been in office for more than a year, and his worldliness is still being sharpened. The most urgent thing on this trip is to ban smoking rather than to eliminate corruption; this is all we can do. "So, Zexu said: "Now that you know what it means, don't deceive yourself. Brother Xianyun, there is no need to lose all hope. Han Zhaoqing was trapped in a demonic barrier for a while, and that's how you feel."
Ting frame was happy and knelt down to thank him.
Zexu hurriedly helped him and said: "Brother Shanyun, it is absolutely necessary. No one is perfect, no gold is pure, and no one can make mistakes by a single thought. The ancients still heard the Tao in the morning and died in the evening. Brother Shanyun, you must avoid tooth chips." It has been seven days since I left, and I have only obtained ten thousand taels of poison, with little effect. Shao Mu is very anxious. May I ask what good advice Brother Xianyun has?"
Ting Jian had just crawled back from the abyss, and he had the ambition of dying to save himself. He said hurriedly: "Sir, don't be anxious, the teeth of Guangdong can be seen at a glance. There are not many small residential areas, and the officials are just taking millet from the fire and hoarding it." The people are none other than the barbarians. Thirteen businesses always turn around, and there are gaps in every trade."
Zexu clapped his hands in applause and said, "Brother Xianyun, we have agreed. I have sent people to spy on Thirteen Lines for a long time. Tomorrow, I will immediately prohibit all the barbarians from leaving Guangzhou. If you ask for directions, ask the merchant first!"
On March 18, 1839, Zexu summoned businessman Wu Shaorong and others, saying: "You must urge the barbarian merchants to hand over all dental tablets within three days and sign a bond to ensure that they will never carry dental tablets in the future; otherwise, once found, When the goods are gone and there are no officials, people will be righteous."
Although Wu Shaorong was worried, he still conscientiously informed the barbarian merchants of the imperial envoy's wishes. The Yi people suddenly started to quarrel.
Dian Di was very angry and said: "Why, why! The goods are our private property. In our British Empire, private property is sacred and inviolable. As long as there are a few bits of tooth fragments in it, all goods will be confiscated! Ridiculous! People are the dharma, It’s even more ridiculous! Even if we are executed, it must be decided by our courts and juries, and the fire of our lives will not be extinguished with a word from the imperial envoy."
Ma Dichen said: "You have to buy and sell. This is the most basic relationship between supply and demand. Everyone, please always remember! We are not the first businessmen to sell these dental tablets to the people of the Qing Dynasty, but we are not the last either. He Also? If the people of the Qing Dynasty are still so obsessed and the officials of the Qing Dynasty are still so greedy, I dare to say that this tooth will never be banned. Don't be afraid, I want to see what tricks this new imperial envoy can play? "
Wu Shaorong said: "Gentlemen, please allow me to explain. This is my kingdom. The so-called king's land in the whole world, and the king's ministers on the shore of the land. As long as the reason is right and the time is right, you can kill all the officials anytime and anywhere." , People are the righteous Dharma. The imperial envoy is the special commissioner of our great emperor, covering the sky with one hand, and has the privilege of beheading first and reporting later. With just one word, our merchants can lose all their property and behead all the people. Gentlemen, this is not your place. Empire; for our plan, hand over the dental tablets and pledge your consent!"
Dian Di said: "Gentlemen, don't be impatient, please tell me how we have been able to trade smoothly for hundreds of years? We have learned from past mistakes, why don't we follow the same path? Isn't it just a matter of spending a few more money?"
Wu Shaorong would like to say again that the barbarian businessmen were already impatient and asked him to quickly inquire about the amount of disaster relief money so that they could raise funds to put it together and so on.
Wu Shaorong had no choice but to go to see Deng Tingjie.
Deng Ting frame said: "Ziyuan, this is extremely unacceptable. Did you know that my emperor summoned Mr. Lin eight times in order to completely eradicate this poison. Mr. Lin is indeed selfless; Ziyuan, please don't have any evil thoughts."
Wu Shaorong said: "Han Zhaoqing was just dismissed."
Deng Tingzhen said angrily: "If Han is executed, I, Guan Tianpei and the entire Guangdong officialdom will have nothing to do with it! Who will remove the tooth fragment? Ziyuan, I want us to get to know each other, let me say one more thing, don't have any wrongdoing anymore Think about it! Cooperate well with the imperial envoy and spread some extravagant wealth so that I can protect your wealth and life.
Wu Shaorong said: "Master Deng, the Wu family has never sold dental tablets!"
Deng Ting frame stood up and said, "If you sell it, you will lose everything and kill everyone! I'm done! Please don't say any more!"
Wu Shaorong returned silently and summoned the barbarian merchants again to explain the story in detail. But the barbarian merchants were still arguing and arguing. In a blink of an eye, three days have passed.
On March 21, Lin Zexu summoned Wu Shaorong, Lu Jiguang, Wu Tianyuan and others at the Imperial Envoy Hall.
Wu Shaorong looked up and was startled. The imperial envoy, the governor, and the governor were sitting at attention. This was clearly a three-chamber trial.
Lin Zexu said: "Wu Shaorong, the three-day period has passed. Where are the dental plaques?"
Wu Shaorong quickly knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, I have explained my interests to the barbarians, and the barbarians are sincere and frightened. Although I have urged you repeatedly, my words can't compete with the barbarians' stubbornness. The business of dental tablets is approaching. It's been a hundred years; it's deeply rooted and hard to shake; I feel ashamed of my humble position. I hope you will forgive me."
Lin Zexu was stunned and said sternly: "After checking all the barbarian ships imported, we all found out that they did not carry tooth chips, so we ordered the opening of the cabin for import and did not reject a single ship. Today, there are so many tooth chips, poisonous Traveling all over the world, but you guys are still messing around and saying that there is no entrainment on the incoming ship, isn't it just a dream! If it is said that the tooth pieces were unloaded on the pump ship in Lingding Ocean, and you guys are ensuring that there is no entrainment, it means the imported ones As far as the boats are concerned, they are actually hiding their ears and stealing the bell, and are trying to shirk the situation, and their motives are even more unquestionable. For more than ten years, all the silver shops have written meeting orders, all the horses are at the entrance of the kiln, and all the workers working on the speedboats have been colluded, and There are people who write books in the library, and people who hold orders and carry their heads, go up and down the tower day and night, no one cares about them. Yin Yang carries big people with small burdens, openly enters the library during the day, and escorts them off the ship at night. How can you be blamed for not hearing and not seeing? We agreed not to report anything, so we claim that the shares were not secretly established. Who will believe it! Wu Shaorong, the Holy One has entrusted your Thirteenth Party to negotiate with the barbarians on all matters. This imperial envoy even entrusted you with the important matter of announcing the edict, but you have been so perfunctory. You. Can you know the crime?"
Wu Shaorong was frightened and said: "I know my crime because of my humble position."
"Do you know what your crime is?" Yiliang entered Guangdong not long ago, but he did not penetrate deeply into it, and became even more unscrupulous. "Chaton, Diandi, Ma Dichen and others were originally wealthy businessmen in the dental industry, but you were sent to the hospital with such people. . You collude with the barbarians and betray the country for glory!"
Wu Shaorong knew that the crime of "colluding with the barbarians to betray the country and seek glory" was heinous, so he quickly said: "Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, Your Majesty the Governor, and Your Excellency the Governor, when a barbarian ship enters the port, it will first be inspected by the navy, and then reported to the customs. Finally, it will be sent to the Thirteenth Line Buying and selling. When a barbarian ship leaves the port, it must first obtain a sea sign and then be inspected by the navy. The Thirteenth Bank is rarely involved in the entry and exit of barbarian ships. Negotiating with the barbarians is the responsibility of the Thirteenth Bank. For collusion; if there is no trading of dental chips, how can one betray the country?"
Lin Zexu smiled brightly and said, "In this way, you, Wu Shaorong, are still a good businessman."
Wu Shaorong couldn't help but feel that the imperial envoy's smile was so terrifying, and his heart trembled suddenly.
Lin Zexu continued: "Since you are a good businessman, can you dare to confirm?"
How dare Wu Shaorong confirm his promise? "This, this, this - cocoa -"
Lin Zexu said sternly: "Don't I know about this embarrassing thing about you? Since you don't dare to agree to the agreement, someone will come and serve you in shackles!"
The merchants did not dare to confirm the agreement, and all of them were shackled.
Wu Shaorong suddenly remembered Ting Zhen's words of advice, and quickly knelt down and begged for mercy, vowing to save his life with his family's assets. All the merchants also followed.
Lin Zexu said: "If the tooth fragments continue for a day, and this minister does not return for a day, the trend will continue with this matter, and there is no reason for it to end. Wu Shaorong, Lu Jiguang, etc. must persuade the barbarians to hand over the tooth fragments as soon as possible; they will do their best. Don’t miss this opportunity to atone for your sins. If the Yi merchants do not submit their submissions again, this imperial envoy will personally come to the Thirteenth Bank Office at ten o’clock tomorrow to take care of everything. Interrogate the Yi merchants and implement the first and second methods. Now, pass on this imperial envoy’s order and immediately surround them. Thirteen lines.”
When all the barbarian merchants saw the wooden shackles on Wu Shaorong and others' heads, they were all shocked. Some even wanted to use an ax to split the shackles.
Wu Shaorong said: "It's impossible, it's absolutely impossible! There are imperial envoys guarding the seal, and destroying it will lead to greater disaster. I beg you, gentlemen, to hand over the dental tablets as a guarantee. Otherwise, we will kill everyone in the house." As he spoke, he bent his knees and knelt down again.
"All human beings are born free and equal, but they are always in chains." An American businessman quickly helped Shao Rong and said, "Everyone, dental chips are indeed harmful things. We are all cautious and use them with caution. But the people of the Qing Dynasty We are flocking to them like ducks and are confused by them. Now that we know the harm, we should no longer help the evildoers. I have decided not to make any more ill-gotten gains and hand over the ten boxes of dental tablets contained in the goods for free to help Mr. Wu Shaorong."
In his early years, Wu Shaorong's father Wu Bingjian provided free financial support to a down-and-out American businessman. Americans deeply admire his virtues.
One person started, and others followed. In half a day, 1,037 boxes of dental films were collected.
Early the next morning, Wu Shaorong handed over thousands of boxes of dental films.
Lin Zexu said: "Everyone, I'm in trouble for you. If anyone comes, please send them to Diandi quickly."
Deng Ting framed: "Master Lin, are you going to directly negotiate with the barbarian merchants?"
Lin Zexu said: "I heard that the Americans were willing to give up their cigarettes, but they were always blocked by the British. The barbarians brought a lot of smoke and soil, and they were the most evil ones. It was difficult to accommodate them. And this barbarian was not the biggest, an iron-headed rat. That guy Chaton has already escaped."
Deng Ting frame said: "Master Lin, what about these merchants——"
Lin Zexu said: "Remove the shackles. You must eradicate tooth fragments from now on, otherwise I will never be so accommodating again!"
Wu Shaorong and others quickly thanked En and left.
Zexu said: "The Thirteen Lines were specially designed by the late emperor. The merchants have donated huge sums of money. They are not heinous people, and Shao Mu has no intention of killing the goose to obtain the eggs."
Bian Di refused to submit. Then Xu Nu went to the Thirteenth Line in person; all the soldiers waved flags and shouted, beat drums and gongs, and the sound was overwhelming.
On the ground, I still remember the incident involving Ling Chi cigarette seller, my heart palpitates and my buttocks tremble, and big beads of sweat can appear on my face.
The barbarian merchants who were doing serious business were dissatisfied and felt that they had been affected; they were even more resentful that the land should not respond to the call of the Qing Dynasty. Good business has been disrupted.
Diandi said: "I won't go unless the imperial envoy can promise that I will return within 24 hours. You, officials of the Qing Dynasty, everyone should know how to behave. If there is any trapped goods, there will be no officials, and the law will be rectified.' Do you dare to agree?"
"The guarantee is the guarantee! We are serious business people, so don't be afraid!" Yiyi Shang said.
"Aren't you afraid that they will bring cigarettes to investigate and frame you? Others are just turning the clouds over, but we are dead! You guys, don't take chances. Even if it's just one in 100 million, you're afraid that you will be unlucky. Here you go! Just listen for a 'click'!" Diandi rubbed his neck in an exaggerated way.
Ma Dichen said: "My commercial director, Mr. Yilu, has sent a notice asking us all to evacuate Guangzhou. All matters should be decided at that time."
In the evening of March 24, Ying's commercial director Yilu arrived.
Yilu knew what had happened recently, so he could have arrived a day earlier. These days, he is entangled in the distant past and the near present, unable to extricate himself. Back then, as the secretary of Lu Laobei, the first commercial director, he witnessed Lu's life and death struggle with his own eyes. Foreign Minister Palmerston repeatedly ordered that British warships should not approach Humen except under extraordinary circumstances. After Lu Laobei hit the wall again and again, for the sake of free trade and mutually equal bilateral relations, he led the warships and cannons to knock on the border and argue with each other. Unfortunately, he fell ill and died before the start of the battle. Five years have passed, and trade and relations have not yet been straightened out. Dental products have come from behind and taken the lead, becoming an increasingly intractable knot between the two sides.
When the Yi merchants saw Yilu, they burst into tears and cried with joy.
Dian Di said: "Mr. Director, save... my life!"
Ma Dichen also said: "Yilu...sir, help!"
Yilu said: "I have repeatedly warned you not to do it! I have issued many anti-smoking notices, but you just don't shed tears when you see the coffin."
When Lin Zexu's smoking ban was in full swing, Yilu did issue many announcements:
Announcement 1: "This chief supervisory notice warns Her Majesty's subjects who use sailing boats, speedboats or other equipped boats to engage in the illegal tooth chip trade within Humen. If any Qing people are killed or otherwise seriously injured because of you, if you are duly found guilty, you will be subject to severe penalties; as would an offense committed within the jurisdiction of Her Majesty's Courts."
Announcement 2: "This Chief Supervisor further issues a notice to warn Her Majesty's subjects who use sailing boats, speedboats or other equipped boats to engage in the illegal trade of dental chips within Humen; if the Qing Dynasty Zhengfu deems it appropriate to capture and confiscate those subjects Ships, Her Majesty the Queen will not interfere at all."
Announcement 3: "This Chief Superintendent further issues a notice to warn all British subjects employed in these sailing ships, speedboats and other rigged vessels engaged in the illegal tooth chip trade within Humen. The Qing official responsible for carrying out the search and capture mission "Resistance with force by an official is an unlawful act and you will be subject to consequences and penalties in the same manner as if such resistance were committed in your own country against an official of your own country."
But now those announcements are no longer important. Yilu looked at the two people who were waiting for him and said: "Pack your bags and evacuate at night."
"We were banned from leaving Guangdong six days ago, and now we are surrounded at all levels. How can we evacuate?" Dian Di was worried.
Yilu was so anxious in his heart that he no longer dared to take it lightly after seeing the various actions of Lin Qincheng. There are very few strategies to deal with it, and even now we are at a loss.
Yilu not only refused to cooperate with the payment of cigarettes, but also tried to escape with the cigarette seller. Zexu was furious and said: "Yilu is unkind, and this minister is even more unjust. From now on, all barbarian ships will be sealed first; all trading will be stopped immediately; All people employed by the Yizhou Yiguan will be evacuated; food, water, vegetables, meat and other daily necessities will be cut off. In accordance with this minister's previous order, all tooth fragments will be collected and the results will be collected on a due date. If you dare to violate the rules, you will be punished. That is to say, I am requesting an order to seal the cabin forever and cut off its trade!"
Zexu couldn't understand the Yi people. The men were tightly wrapped, with short brown legs and long legs, as if they were pretending to be fox, rabbit or other animals in a drama. His hat is round and long, and there are several sweat towels hidden in the hat. When he sees someone he respects, he takes off his hat and holds his hands as a courtesy. His hair is very curly, and his beard and beard may be shaved in half, which can frighten people when he is seen. The women's hair may be parted in two or three ways, without a high bun. The top of the clothes exposes the breasts, and the bottom of the clothes is a heavy skirt. Marriage is a matter of choice between men and women, and people with the same surname are not to be avoided. This is a really Yi custom.
Yi Lu is even more anxious. Five years ago, Lu Laobei was imprisoned in order to make peace with the Qing Dynasty in accordance with internationally accepted standards. Today, five years later, he is imprisoned because of this shameful dental chip transaction. Comparing the two sides, shame and honor have been divided. This is already a small, most critical piece of tooth, and I don’t have any of it in my hands. A businessman's tooth fragments are all personal property; he must not be deprived of them. However, the officials of the Qing Dynasty vowed to have this thing; and the most unlikely thing to be realized is the pledge that "goods have no officials, and people have righteousness"!
Without water, food, and labor, the barbarian merchants, especially the serious barbarian merchants, couldn't bear it for less than two days, and they all expressed their willingness to confirm.
Zexu was happy to see the Yi people divided. To strike while the iron is hot, the "Four Articles of Instruction to Foreign Businessmen to Handle Teeth, Smoke, and Soil as Quickly as possible" was issued as soon as possible. Rich words, earnest warnings, and good intentions.
The notice said: For decades, Charles and others have been defrauding people of their money by using pieces of their teeth to harm people, and they have gained tens of millions. You seek personal gain and patent, while others go bankrupt and kill their children. God's way is good, can there be no retribution? If you hand it over now, you may be able to repent and eliminate the trouble; otherwise, the evil will become deeper and more serious. You are tens of thousands of miles away from home, a boat comes and goes, the sea is vast, like thunder and storms, disasters like dragons, crocodiles, whales and salamanders, constant crises, and terrible divine punishment.
I heard that your country prohibits people from sucking tooth tablets, and those who eat them will be put to death. This is because you know that tooth tablets are harmful to people. If you are fasting but are not prohibited from buying, it is not an excuse. Moreover, the prohibition on selling is even more severe than that on smoking. Although you were born in a foreign country, your livelihood depends entirely on it, and you live in the interior of the country for many days and in your country for few. Everyday food and drink and the accumulation of family wealth are nothing but grace; they are treated more favorably than the people in the mainland. Pay attention to the laws and regulations, and if outsiders break the law, they will be punished according to the law. Selling dental tablets is tantamount to murdering money and killing people. Besides, the people involved in the conspiracy are more than one family. Shouldn't they die?
When the Eryi people came to Guangzhou to do business, they benefited the market three times. They lost one piece of tooth, but there was a lot of other business. If we must engage in dental chip business, the trade will be cut off. Moreover, if you lack rhubarb and tea leaves, you will not be able to make a living, and raw silk, sugar, cinnamon, etc. are even more unavailable in your country. Our Central Plains is rich in produce and we have no need for foreign goods. If you are forced to retreat because of your selling dental tablets, aren't you the ones to blame?
You have traveled far across the ocean and come here to trade, it all depends on being in harmony with others and staying safe, so that you can seek benefits and avoid harm. For example, when selling dental chips, even the small people in the local area often hold grievances and are easily angered by public anger. What's more, if the goods should not be sold, when this is stopped and no sales are allowed, what difficulties do you have? Moreover, if your country does not eat tooth fragments, it will be difficult to bring them back. If you do not surrender your official position, what is the use of keeping them?
If you know the rules and regulations, you will be able to escape. If you don't hand over the teeth, it will be extremely difficult for you to retreat. And Foreign Minister Palmerston warned: The empire is temporarily trapped in the United States, Afghanistan, and the Qing Dynasty, and there must be peace for the time being.
After thinking about the meaning of the law, he summoned Dian Di, Ma Dichen and others.
Dian Di said: "Mr. Yilu, I am very hungry. Can we escape this disaster?"
Ma Tichen said: "It's been 36 hours and I haven't eaten a bite. Am I going to die here?"
Yilu said: "Gentlemen, please hand over the tooth tablets. It is of extreme necessity, and the right to strive for effective safety and full compensation for all losses is vested in my noble Majesty the Queen."
"That means all our losses will be borne by Her Majesty the Queen!" Diandi and Ma Dichen were surprised and rushed to tell each other. All the barbarian merchants were also overjoyed and reported the tooth fragments they had saved.
On March 28, Yilu presented to Zexu "Yilu obeyed the order and submitted 20,283 boxes of cigarettes."
Then Xu was very comforted and asked about the matter.
The righteousness and law should not be followed, and the teeth have been replaced by the old and the old is adept at making opinions. If there is still the knot of delusion, how can there be an empire based on the sun that never sets?
Zexu said: "Since you are willing to pay the cigarette, let's get rid of this poison first and agree to the agreement before we discuss it." Then he ordered to lift the blockade of the Thirteenth Line and release the supply of materials; all the barbarians were temporarily asked to leave; When the film is paid in full, it is the day of escape.
Yi Lu hates that Ze Xu has broken the promise, but Duo Miruo has pushed the domino to the first piece and has no choice but to cooperate fully. As of May 18, a total of 19,187 boxes and 2,119 bags of dental tablets, totaling 1,188,127 kilograms, had been delivered.
Zexu was proud, looking up to the sky and smiling: Are things in the world difficult or easy? There is no escape from the word seriousness.
A hundred years of trouble came to an end on this day. Ting Zhen sighed and said: "I have checked the tooth fragments, and I have been here for three years." A cunning, powerful and cunning person with a lot of money and wealth. Once he is sure to visit Yan Na, those who have won will be punished and killed, while those who have not won will run away for their lives. With their fortunes lost, complaints will start to spread. At first, rumors will spread, and then songs will spread far and wide. The arrest is the purpose, the cover-up is the merit, the investigation is the conspiracy, and the punishment is the cruel punishment. They even falsely accused him of accepting bribes for personal gain, ridiculed the court for being eager to manage money, and said that new regulations were more important than changing laws. All these wild and unruly behaviors were just to vent the anger of the cigarette bandits.
Emperor Daoguang saw the failure and replied: Lin Zexu, Deng Tingjie, Yiliang, etc. are all my trusted ministers and have been given important responsibilities. At this time of urgent investigation and processing of dental films, we must not be confused by the crowd's words and become slack. Lin Zexu and other officials should work together, encourage more and more, and strictly instruct their subordinates to investigate openly and secretly, to bring the person who fabricated the ballad to justice, to find out who started it, and whether he was the one who directed it, so that the crime can be re-established and punished without any slack.
According to the previous promise, the Yi merchants received five kilograms of tea for every box of dental tablets they paid. All the British businessmen unanimously refused to accept it. American businessmen who had pledged their bonds began to come and go frequently, and there was an endless stream of American merchant ships at Thirteenth Line Pier.
Yilu swore not to acquiesce and led all the British businessmen to leave Guangzhou and go to Macau. Elliot organized his thoughts and sent a long letter to Foreign Minister Palmerston:
My dear Lord, this shameful behavior on the part of the Qing Dynasty is the best reason for His Majesty to obtain compensation for all the damage suffered in the past. This will place our future business with this empire on a solid and broad foundation. The most promising opportunity, the justice of such a countermeasure is beyond doubt.
All these unforgivable atrocities should be dealt with immediately, swiftly and severely, without even a word of warning in advance. The chief minister of the Qing Dynasty has committed cruel war crimes against His Majesty's officials and subjects. Using such a cruel method to force us to hand over our sacred and inviolable property is a kind of aggression. This is so dangerous in principle. It is so intolerable in practice that it has become the noblest duty of a civilized nation to demand full compensation for every loss.
My dear Lord, in this planet, the most insignificant power can blatantly undermine the legitimate principles of international exchanges. My benevolent Majesty really has a duty to the entire Christian world to become this time for truth and justice. All responsibilities of the appropriate adjudicator of the provocation.
My dear Lord, the Qing people did this not because they did not understand that this was an evil act, but because they did not understand the power of His Majesty's anger. In any case, it is appropriate and necessary to teach them to understand.
I advise Her Majesty the Queen to immediately occupy Zhoushan Island by force and tightly blockade the two ports of Guangzhou and Ningbo, as well as the Yangtze River from Haikou to the mouth of the canal. Then he sent an ultimatum to the chief minister of the Qing Dynasty via the mouth of the Baihe River, demanding that Lin and Deng be dismissed from their posts and punished; an apology for the disrespectful behavior of Her Majesty the Queen; certain compensation for the losses caused by the atrocities to our people; and the formal cession of Zhoushan Island to Her Majesty the Queen. and by a full and unreserved edict, expressly authorizing us to do business on those islands and in all coastal ports, until the entire indemnity has been paid and all other terms have been faithfully fulfilled, and then the blockade will be lifted. If so, Her Majesty the Queen will gain the most appropriate satisfaction from now on.
If the compensation is five million pounds, apart from compensating for the huge losses suffered, I think there will be no remainder. However, I think His Majesty will think that it is feasible to exchange part of this amount for a more advantageous method, such as obtaining the right to freely import British goods into Guangzhou, Ningbo, Xiamen and Nanjing for ten years.
My dear Lord, I must also suggest with the greatest urgency that sufficient force should be used, and that a swift and heavy blow should be struck in the strongest manner that the West has ever dealt with this Empire, which will make future This kind of tragedy will not happen again for many years. The time has come for Qing Zhengfu to be taught a lesson and to understand his foreign responsibilities.
After receiving a huge piece of tooth, Emperor Daoguang rejoiced in the court and said: Lin Aiqing's loyalty and patriotism are evident in the world! Immediately, an order was issued: Lin Zexu and others were entrusted by me to investigate and deal with Yueyang Tobacco this time very seriously, and I have no doubt that they were deceitful. And long-distance operation requires the help of people's strength. It was not necessary to unpack it and send it to Beijing. After the collection was completed, it was handed over to Lin Zexu, Deng Tingzhen and Yiliang. They then led the civil and military personnel to jointly inspect and witness the destruction; so that the coastal residents and people in Guangdong and Yiliang could see and hear it together. Shock. The ministers and others should only rely on my will. Verify and audit, don’t cause any harm!
Zexu received the order and announced to the world that except for five boxes of the dental pieces collected to be sent to the capital, the rest will be destroyed in Humen.
On June 22, on the coast of Humen, Xu asked people to dig two large ponds, and set up culverts in front to reach the sea; drains were opened in the back, water was diverted into the ponds, and salt was added to make brine. Then an appropriate amount of dental chips were put in, soaked for half a day, and quicklime was injected, and the water gradually It was boiling, and the soldiers dug and stirred it with their sticks; the pool was filled with mist for a while, turbid waves rolled in, and the poison was burned away.
Then Xu held a candle and burned incense, and personally told the God of the Sea: I am supposed to get rid of the horses, but how can I let the fish be harmed? In order to digest the poison within a day and banish it to the ocean, all aquatic species should migrate temporarily in advance to avoid the poison.
Three hours later, the culvert was opened, and the smoke slurry entered the sea. At first, it was still clearly distinguishable, and then it disappeared with the ebb and flow of the tide.
Slowly and for twenty-three days, more than 20,000 boxes of tooth fragments were destroyed.
