The Qing Dynasty is about to end

Chapter 305: The God Worshipping Society is now available for export! (Please vote and subscribe)

Yu Garden, Sansui Hall.

A trial is underway that fully reflects the fairness, justice and openness of the "Shanghai Special Economic Zone" judicial system.

Shanghai Governor General Luo Xueyan was sitting in the hall. He was the chief judge of today's trial.

The plaintiffs were represented by French Minister Bourboulon and British Minister Bonham. They represented the Nanjing Diocese of the Catholic Church, which had just lost its leader, as well as the Chinese and foreign Catholics who had been injured or killed in the "Shanghai Religious War" a few days earlier.

The representative of the defendant was Luo Dagang, the Consul General of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in the Straits Settlements. Hong Xiuquan and Yang Xiuqing would certainly not appear as defendants, so Luo Dagang, who was training at the Military and Political School of the Governor's Office in Luodian, Shanghai, had to be the representative of the defendant.

Although he was representing the defendant, Luo Dagang looked like he was about to laugh.

Because today he represents Luo Yaoguo, the military strategist of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom!
After Hong Xiuquan fled, Hong Xuanjiao, who stayed behind to clean up his mess, told the officials from the Shanghai Governor's Office who went to collect evidence that "Mr. Hong" was Luo Yaoguo!
Although Wenxian did not think that "Mr. Hong" was Luo Yaoguo, he did not dwell on this issue too much.

Because no matter who "Mr. Hong" was, the Shanghai Military Governor's Office could not arrest him.
So Luo Dagang represents Luo Yaoguo today.

The American Minister, Marsalis, was invited by the plaintiff, the defendant and the Chief Justice to act as a notary.

In addition, there were many people outside the Sansui Hall who were listening to the lecture. Among them were Hong Xiuquan's cousin Hong Rengan, Rear Admiral Matthew Perry, the commander of the American East India Fleet, and Prince Gong Yixin and Gui Liang who came to visit and learn. Since the Opium War, "teaching cases" have been a very troublesome project for local officials in the Qing Dynasty. Favoring foreigners will make the Qing Dynasty criticize them, while handling them impartially will push the trouble to the higher-ups and will also bring bad luck.

As for favoring the Han people, this is impossible!

Luo Xueyan was in big trouble this time, because the plaintiffs were Britain and France, and the defendant was Luo Yaoguo, the King of Wu of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Luo Xueyan could not afford to offend either side.

But why does Luo Xueyan still have a smiling face?
Of course Luo Yaoguo would laugh!

Because he was too satisfied with the ability of Hong Xiuquan and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom to stir up trouble!
In fact, after learning that Yang Xiuqing had arrived in Shanghai, Luo Yaoguo had already sneaked back to Shanghai and hid in the military camp at the racecourse to watch how Hong Xiuquan and Yang Xiuqing performed.

The performance of Hong Xiuquan, Yang Xiuqing and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, who had been "educated" by Luo Yaoguo, made Luo Tianshi very satisfied!
Especially Hong Xiuquan's ability to perform magic tricks, he is worthy of being the first leader of all time! With the blessing of "The Book of Prophets" and "Theory of Heaven", Hong Xiuquan's "True Covenant" can now attract white people to join.

Now the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had nothing to fear when it went out to sea. The Muslim religion and Theravada Buddhism of the indigenous people of Southeast Asia could never fool the white foreigners, but the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had this ability, and it was very powerful.

By then, change the name to True Testament Christianity, which will sound more "real". Then, if you can fool a group of foreigners and use it as a signboard, you won't have to worry about the European colonists and the natives joining forces.

In addition, the ability of the Church of God to "convince people with reason" is also quite impressive!

The Chinese and foreign Christians in Shanghai were frightened by them. When they arrived in Southeast Asia, they would definitely be no match for the natives. They were not afraid of the fate of the foreigners because the weather in Southeast Asia was too hot and there were many tropical infectious diseases. In fact, there were not many real foreigners.

Moreover, with foreigners who believed in True Testament Christianity, Luo Yaoguo could set up some "shell companies" to serve as a shield.

For example, Winster White could use the name of "British Company" to go to Borneo to deceive the Dutch.

This is the true way of using barbarians to control barbarians!

With a "bang", Luo Xueyan had already struck the gavel, and then cleared his throat: "Now, I need to confirm whether the plaintiff and the defendant have any objection to my jurisdiction over this case?"

His words were translated into English and French by Wu Chaoyue, who served as an interpreter on the scene.

Wen Xian and Bulblom were both stunned.

This is a case concerning jurisdiction!
Britain, France, the Catholic Church, the London Missionary Society and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom all recognized the Shanghai Governor-General's judicial power in Shanghai!
He is worthy of being called “the first person to promote China’s Westernization”!

"Marshal Xue, my King Wu has no objection to you trying this case!" Luo Dagang said with a smile.

And Luo Xueyan glared at him - Be serious!

"France and the Catholic Church have no objection to this, as long as the trial is truly fair and just."

As the French Minister Bourboulenc spoke, he glanced at the British Minister Bonham.

He knew very well how Zhao Fangji died.

But the blame can only be put on Luo Yaoguo's head first.
Wenxian looked calm. Zhao Fangji deserved to die. The British Empire must prevent the spread of the "Prophet of Mass Destruction". If Luo Yaoguo wanted to leave his territory, the only place he could go was Britain! As an Italian, Zhao Fangji was seeking death by getting involved. He must have been old and confused!

Bonham nodded slightly and said, "England and the London Missionary Society have no objection either."

"Okay!" Luo Xueyan continued with a smile, "Then let's move on to the evidence collection phase. First, I need to confirm whether the conflict that occurred seven days ago was a Christian sect conflict?"

James Legge, a missionary of the London Missionary Society who was following Bonham, immediately raised an objection: "Lord Luo, the Church of God is not a Christian sect!"

"No?" Luo Dagang asked with a smile, "Then why did your Mr. Medhurst discuss issues related to the Bible, Ji Du, and God with King Luo Wu?

If the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is not a Christian sect, then what is the relationship between their Ji Du and your Jesus, and between their Heavenly Father Hao Tian Huang Shangdi and your God?
Do you discuss similar issues with Muslim religious leaders in other parts of the world? Will your Pope go to Constantinople to discuss with the Muslim Caliph how many sons God has?

Good question!
Luo Yaoguo thought to himself: "It seems that his lessons these days have not been in vain! I wonder what the level of those Hakka friends who came to Shanghai with him is like? If they can all be of this level, the Lan Fang Republic will be saved!"

"The Catholic Church's Nanjing Diocese believes that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is a heretical sect of Christianity!" Bourboulon said, "This is also the view of France!"

The French government of Napoleon III was meddling in other people's affairs and had to call for the destruction of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. It regarded the God Worshipping Society as a heresy of Christianity - heresy is more hateful than paganism!

"Mr. Marsali, what do you think?"

Luo Xueyan kicked the ball to the Americans.

Now the British say that the God Worshipping Society is a pagan cult of Christianity, and the French say that the God Worshipping Society is a heresy of Christianity. So let the Americans have the final word!

"The U.S. government will not define the nature of a sect," Mashari said with a smile, "but I have seen the original text of the debate between Medhurst and Mr. Hong seven days ago in the Shanghai Times. I think that at that time, Mr. Medhurst regarded the God Worshipping Society as a Christian heresy!"

Luo Xueyan nodded and said with great sorrow: "In fact, I think so too. The conflict that occurred seven days ago was a Christian sect conflict, and Bishop Zhao Fangji unfortunately died in this sect conflict! This is very regrettable, and all parties involved in the sect conflict are obviously responsible and must compensate for Bishop Zhao's death! The God Worshipping Society, the London Missionary Society, and the Catholic Diocese of Nanjing should each compensate Zhao Fangji's family with 10,000 silver dollars!"

Then he sighed again: "What's even more regrettable is that after the incident, the Shanghai Governor's Office still couldn't track down the murderer after six days of investigation!"

The murderer was actually already at the bottom of the Huangpu River. He was caught by Sister Yuegui's men and sunk into the river that night!

In addition, several gangs of the Cao Gang hired by Medhurst and others were also attacked.

But those things can't be said in court.

Luo Xueyan sighed again: "Obviously, the public security capabilities of the Shanghai Military Governor's Office are still too weak. They are unable to prevent incidents before they occur, and are difficult to detect after they occur.

Therefore, the Military Governor's Office is preparing to convene a meeting of gentry from Shanghai New District, Shanghai County, Baoshan County, Jiading County, Fengxian County, Nanhui County, Chongming County, Chuansha County, and other one district, six counties, and one hall as soon as possible to reorganize the Military Governor's Office, the Advisory Council, and the governments of the counties, districts, and halls, pass the Temporary Judicial Regulations of the Military Governor's Office, comprehensively strengthen Shanghai's administrative and public security management capabilities, and strengthen supervision of various religious sects to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again! "

When the three envoys Wenxian, Bulbrunn and Marsali heard what Luo Xueyan said, they all frowned slightly.

He is taking this opportunity to strengthen his control over Shanghai!
What's the point of holding a "one district, six counties and one hall gentry conference"? The gentry in the seven counties and halls surrounding the Shanghai New District all regarded Luo Xueshuai as their savior. As long as their land was not divided, whatever Xueshuai said was right.

If one district, six counties and one hall were to be merged into one "big district" and a unified administrative, judicial and legislative body were to be established, wouldn't all power be vested in the Governor-General's Office?
On this basis, strengthening administrative and public security management capabilities is just concentrating all power in the Governor-General's Office, isn't it?

At this time, Luo Xueyan said to Wen Xian and Bulbulon in an unquestionable tone: "This is my final judgment on the sectarian conflict case that occurred seven days ago. Since the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom cannot go to Beijing to respond to the lawsuit, if the plaintiff and the defendant are dissatisfied with my judgment, they can go to Tianjing to appeal to His Majesty the Heavenly King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom within three months! Do you have any objections?"

While the British and French envoys were still weighing their options, Luo Dagang spoke on behalf of Luo Yaoguo: "King Luo Wu has no objection to Marshal Xue's verdict!"

Luo Yaoguo had no objection, and that was also the case with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

French Minister Bourboulon also nodded: "France and the Catholic Church have no objection either!"

He knew that although France and Britain were still allies against Russia, it was difficult for Britain and France to reach any consensus on the issue of the Book of the Prophets.

So he was unwilling to be a bad guy and continue to conflict with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. After all, Yang Xiuqing had already been won over by him!

James Legge, who represented the London Missionary Society, also smiled and said, "Sir, the London Missionary Society has no objection either!"

This time, he did not come forward to debate with Hong Xiuquan, nor did he participate in the case. Moreover, he had just come to Shanghai from Hong Kong, and brought his good brother Hong Rengan with him. Therefore, Medhurst, William Mu and others would be transferred out of Shanghai later, and James Legge would become the head of the London Missionary Society in Shanghai, and even serve as the British Consul General in Suzhou!
(End of this chapter)