Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 393 Hong Kong Issue
"I've never said anything false."

Edward thought to himself that Britain did suffer huge losses in the war. If China can really provide so much funds, it will play a huge role in promoting the reconstruction of Britain.Under the temptation of such a large sum of money, who would think about the things behind the money? "Okay, let's keep our word. After the peace conference is over, I will report this matter to Her Majesty the Queen in London immediately. I believe that the wise Her Majesty the Queen will be grateful for your generosity."

Guan Xuqing nodded with a smile, returned to his throne, and said loudly: "Your Highness, this matter has been finished. There is one more thing that has been on my mind all these years. It just so happens that you are here today. I want to talk to you." You discuss it."

"Oh? Your Majesty is too polite. I'm just a little British crown prince. What do you want to discuss with me?"

"There is still an area in the southernmost part of China that belongs to the area of ​​dispute between China and the UK. Have you forgotten this?"

"I'm sorry, how can there be disputed areas between our two countries on Chinese territory? Sorry, I really can't remember."

"Let me just remind you, this area is called Hong Kong."

Edward's face suddenly changed, he didn't expect that the other party would suddenly change the topic to Hong Kong.

Before Edward could speak, Prime Minister Balfour sneered and said, "I'm afraid His Majesty remembered it wrongly. Hong Kong does not belong to the disputed area between China and Britain. The two countries have already made clear terms of agreement there. Hong Kong is still part of the British Empire." The leased land, all affairs shall be managed by the British Empire."

"Leased land? I thought it was a colony." Guan Xuqing's face sank suddenly: "The Opium War in the past has become history, and the empire has suffered huge humiliation and losses for it, but it was caused by history. I don't want to What kind of blood debt is being pursued, but Hong Kong has always been Chinese territory, and you British have cut off a corner of the Chinese territory for no reason, how do you tell me to face the people of the empire in the future."

Hearing Guan Xuqing's words, Edward was very angry. He suppressed the anger in his chest and said: "Your Majesty, the two sides have already made clear regulations on the Hong Kong issue. Britain leases this area to replace China's temporary jurisdiction. Moreover, over the years, Hong Kong It has maintained a good momentum of development under the British administration, and the British Empire has never taken a penny from Hong Kong. I don’t know what you mean by asking this question now?”

"I have made statements on international occasions more than once. The empire will not recognize any unequal treaties signed by the previous dynasty with foreign powers. What's more, Hong Kong is China's territory, and it should be exercised by the empire. On this matter, the Imperial Foreign Office has contacted the British foreign affairs personnel several times, but the British ignored it and had no scruples about the feelings of the empire and the people. So today I will put this issue on the table again." Guan Xuqing said righteously .

Belfort also stood up, the fat on his face twitching uncontrollably: "Your Majesty, the two sides clearly stipulated that Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, and there are still a full 100 years from now, and now Hong Kong's economy is prosperous, the society is stable, and people's living standards are improving day by day. Hong Kong residents have always had hope and dependence on the British jurisdiction. If Hong Kong is handed over to you now, it will immediately plunge Hong Kong into great anxiety and anxiety. There will be panic. For the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, I hope that your country will implement the original agreement.”

Guan Xuqing replied calmly: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, is too worried. Regardless of Hong Kong's political status in the future, I can promise that Hong Kong's economic development will not only not decline, but will reach a new height."

Although Guan Xuqing's words are very implicit, they have actually expressed China's position very clearly, which is: Hong Kong must be taken back!

Edward calmed down his emotions, and said tactfully, "Your Majesty, we expect something more specific."

This time, Guan Xuqing answered very simply: "After the peace conference, we hope to formally contact your country to resolve this issue through negotiations."

Belfort asked angrily: "Do you think the negotiation is a bit hasty now?"

Guan Xuqing shook his head resolutely: "No! 30 years have passed since the Opium War, and the Chinese have waited for 30 years for a Hong Kong. It is too late to talk about this issue now. It is time to solve the Hong Kong issue!"

Edward said lightly: "The treaties about Hong Kong are written there in black and white. No one can erase this fact. Since these treaties still exist, they must be abided by. If China takes back Hong Kong, it will bring disaster to Hong Kong." Sexual influence, undermining Hong Kong's prosperity."

Guan Xuqing replied firmly: "Hong Kong is China's territory. We must take it back. The time is not [-] but now. What China wants to take back is not only the New Territories, but also Hong Kong Island and Kowloon." Guan Xuqing's voice is very High-pitched, the figure standing on the Nine-Dragon Pill Rhino looked awe-inspiring and inviolable.

Edward and Belfort were angry and helpless, and after a while, cold sweat covered their foreheads.

Guan Xuqing's next tone quickly softened: "If you don't take back Hong Kong now, it means that I am a foolish emperor. Now China is no different from the previous dynasty. Neither I nor my subjects can explain to the people of the empire, and even You can't explain to the people of the world, you should automatically withdraw from the political arena, and you have no other choice."

Guan Xuqing went on to say: "China's recovery of Hong Kong is also beneficial to Britain, because it means that Britain will completely end its colonial rule in the Far East by then, and it will also be well received in front of the world's public opinion. After all, the era of Chinese colonialism has passed, and China's Hong Kong is still in your hands, and if China wants to take back Hong Kong, no one will have anything to say."

Guan Xuqing then turned his face sullenly and said in a deep voice: "Now is not a question of whether Hong Kong can be taken back. What I am talking about with you is how and when Hong Kong will be taken back. As for the timetable for taking back, it will not be later than one or two years In time, China will formally announce its decision to take back Hong Kong. We can wait another year or two to make an announcement, but it will certainly not be delayed any longer.”

Edward said in a strong tone: "Although you and your party do not recognize the treaties signed by the previous dynasty and Britain, the British side must recognize them, because these treaties have legal basis and are valid, and should not be overturned unilaterally. It can only be amended by both parties. The position of the UK is to deal with the Hong Kong issue based on this treaty. The UK abides by its treaties. If someone does not like these treaties, the solution is to be discussed by the two parties concerned and come into force by mutual agreement, but cannot Break the treaty. If one party does not agree to these treaties and wants to abolish the treaties, there will be no confidence in any new treaties."

Guan Xuqing sneered and said: "I will reiterate once again that Hong Kong is part of China's territory. The treaties concerning Hong Kong signed by Britain and the previous dynasty in the past were unequal treaties, and China never accepted them. The consistent position of the empire is: no Bound by these unequal treaties, when the conditions are ripe, take back the entire Hong Kong region. Both China and the UK want to maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, for which we can negotiate through diplomatic channels. Do you understand?"

The atmosphere in the Hall of Mental Cultivation was extremely tense, and the three of them were silent for a full 10 minutes.

In the end, Belfort said: "If His Majesty the Emperor insists on taking back Hong Kong unilaterally, the United Kingdom can only ask Her Majesty the Queen to agree to raise the Hong Kong region to a state of combat readiness." This sentence is clearly a military provocation, meaning that if If China insists on going its own way and insists on tearing up the agreement, the UK will take necessary military action to protect Hong Kong.

Guan Xuqing looked up and laughed loudly: "Your Far East Fleet was defeated by the imperial warships back then. What ability do you have to protect Hong Kong? Are you going to bring your Atlantic Fleet, which is in charge of guarding the English Channel? Don't forget the ships in the English Channel At the other end there is a Germany that is eyeing you." He turned his back, looked at the huge military map on the wall, and said, "Believe it or not, as long as I say a word, Hong Kong will be able to return to Hong Kong by the time of dinner today." The map of the empire."

"You" Belfort was about to get angry and then calmed down. He believed that the Chinese emperor in front of him had never said a single empty word. In the hostage rescue incident two months ago, China only sent a secret team of dozens of people. The army rescued Chinese diplomats from under the noses of hundreds of thousands of British and French allied forces, and it was still in Europe, not to mention that Hong Kong is in mainland China, such a tiny place, if China wants to take it back by force, it will be a piece of cake .

Crown Prince Edward had no choice but to say: "Your Majesty, I am just a small crown prince. I cannot make a decision on this matter. It must be discussed and decided by Congress after the Queen's Majesty is invited in the future."

"That's your business. Anyway, I have made my words very clear. I will give you a month to make a decision. The specific location of the negotiation is up to you. But I still say that, what is going to be discussed now is whether it is possible or not. It is a question of taking back Hong Kong, but a question of when and how."

Both Edward and Belfort were like deflated balls, without any confidence, and kept silent with cold faces.

Seeing that the time was right, Guan Xuqing came to Edward's side, stroked his shoulder and said, "Your Highness, Hong Kong must be taken back, but this does not conflict with the Eastern Aid Plan. As long as Britain can agree to this condition as soon as possible, I have decided to take it back." The aid to Britain has been increased from the original 30 billion yuan to 50 billion yuan, and it will be cashed out gradually in the next five years, which can be regarded as a little rebate from me to you Britain."

Edward raised his head, looked at the Chinese emperor in a daze, and said weakly, "What you said is true?"

"Of course, this matter will be written in the memorandum of understanding between the two countries in the future. Go back and tell your Queen that with this 50 billion yuan of funds, you can even go to Northern Europe and Central Africa to buy a country at will, a small Hong Kong What's the point?"

(End of this chapter)