The tariff pricing power of the Qing Dynasty was actually a trophy taken from the pockets of the United Kingdom and France. Except for the original vested interests, the United Kingdom and France, I believe other countries will be very happy.

As Britain was the defeated party in the naval battle, Fremantle acted as its representative and signed the instructions: a share of eight points, which I believe will never cause him to suffer domestic criticism.

Because, without the Far East Fleet, Britain would not be eligible to attend this distribution meeting.

Fremantle's fleet gave Britain such an opportunity to attend. Eight points is eight points, which is better than nothing!

After the feast, Li Hongzhang, with an empty stomach, was able to finish listening to the instructions and details.

Generally speaking, the Qing government did not gain much, only 15%, but after all, it regained its own rights.

Sometimes, in national-level negotiations, the amount of benefits is no longer the only criterion for measuring success or failure, but whether they are there or not is the key.

China is a huge country, and according to the tradition from ancient times, face is the most important thing.

Regardless of whether it is 15% or 55%, Liu Kunyi, as the signing representative, regained the tariff pricing power that had been lost for many years for the Qing Dynasty, which was enough to elevate his reputation to the top.

Under such circumstances, no matter how dissatisfied the Qing court was, it was impossible to punish him.

This can be regarded as the winner and loser in politics, and Liu Kunyi is undoubtedly the big winner in this political struggle.

Thinking of this, Li Hongzhang felt a little discouraged. When the banquet was over, he sighed, put down his body, and went to Liu Kunyi: "Master Liu, I have something to talk to you about, let's talk to you alone."

Li Hongzhang can be said to be able to take things up and let them go. Seeing that it is no longer possible to defeat Liu Kunyi, the only wise decision is to put down his dignity and dignity and come to compromise.

Li Hongzhang's patience has been repeatedly proven in historical events.

"Just in time, I also have something to say to Mr. Zhongtang."

Liu Kunyi did not ridicule Li Hongzhang again, but answered in a calm tone, but Li Hongzhang could still feel the arrogance and victor's showoff in his tone.

But at this moment, all I can do is endure.

They found a room and left their men. Liu Kunyi and Li Hongzhang sat down opposite each other. After a while, the door opened, and the more delicate Princess Ashley also walked in gracefully.

Thought it was a private conversation between himself and Liu Kunyi, Li Hongzhang was really surprised by the sudden appearance of Princess Ashley.

Li Hongzhang had mixed feelings about the 'culprit' who ordered the submarine to sink the Jingyuan. He couldn't tell whether it was respect or hatred, and he was silent for a while.

Facing the cold scene, it was Ai Shili who broke through Li Hongzhang's complicated and unspeakable mood with her first words: "Hey, this is Mr. Li Hongzhang and Li Zhongtang, right? I am Ai Shili. I have heard about you for a long time.

His name. When I saw it today, it was indeed extraordinary... I heard that Mr. Li lost a gunboat that day, and it was all my fault. Here, I want to say sorry to you!"

War is the most sensitive, but Princess Ashley said it straight to the point, and Li Hongzhang let go. He waved his hand, shook his head and said: "Swords have no eyes on the battlefield, and it is equally dangerous on the sea. The sinking of the Jingyuan was caused by me, Beiyang."

If a person is not good at learning and art, it is hard to say who is to blame."

Ashley's bright eyes rolled and she giggled: "I know that you Chinese are very particular about using upright teachers to fight openly and honestly. I used advanced submarines to launch attacks on the bottom of the sea, but I was always a little bit invincible.

Wu."

Ai Shili said this in Chinese. Although it was a bit nondescript, Li Hongzhang could understand it somewhat.

He fell silent after listening. In any case, this princess of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was not as arrogant as she imagined. At least judging from these few words, she showed a certain degree of respect for herself and verbally

apology.

To be honest, Li Hongzhang felt quite comfortable after hearing this.

"To express my apology, I will personally give Mr. Li a gunboat to compensate for your losses." Ashley's exotic tone made Li Hongzhang perk up: Well, you have to compensate me.

Gunboat? What a good thing... Wait, this Austro-Hungarian princess is not related to me, so how can she be so kind? There can't be any conspiracy, right?

Using himself to save others, Li Hongzhang immediately said vigilantly: "Your Highness the princess is too generous. It's a pity that I, Mr. Li, am now a defeated general with an uncertain future. I really have nothing to give back to the princess."

Li Hongzhang's implication is that a mere gunboat cannot buy me off. Besides, Liu Kunyi, the most popular fried chicken in the Qing Dynasty, is by your side now. If you want to invest, you should invest in him!

Ai Shili giggled and trembled: "Master Li is joking. Who doesn't know that Master Li has been the mainstay of the Qing Dynasty in the past ten years? The naval battle that day was just an accident. This small setback has no impact on you."

It's just a small storm or a small ditch, so why can't you cross it? Your future is still bright!"

"The princess is so impressed!"

As the saying goes, even if you try to flatter someone, you won't be able to wear it. Li Hongzhang finally showed a little smile: "But it's a pity that my defeated ships are all trapped in a port, just waiting for your disposal, princess! In terms of the future, we still have to do it.

It depends on what the princess wants."

Li Hongzhang's mind was still very clear. Since the princess expressed kindness to him, although he didn't know the reason, why not take this opportunity to solve his heart problem?

Yes, Li Hongzhang's current worry is the eleven Beiyang gunboats, including the Zhenyuan. If all those ships are destroyed, Li Hongzhang will really jump into the sea.

Of course, he also knew that Liu Kunyi now had the upper hand, and unless he went crazy, he would not kill Beiyang completely.

"Waiting for my disposal? How could it be possible? Mr. Li, your battleships can leave whenever you want!"

Ai Shili looked like she didn't know the truth and blinked her big innocent eyes. Li Hongzhang couldn't help but admire her acting skills. Well, in any case, the crisis alarm for this group of gunboats in the Beiyang Navy was finally lifted.

At this point, Li Hongzhang was quite satisfied with the olive branch extended by Princess Ashley, which warmed his heart and lungs a little.

The atmosphere became harmonious, and the conversation went much more smoothly.

Just listen to Ashley continue to say: "Master Li, your failure in this naval battle was not due to personnel and tactics, but to equipment! With all due respect, those gunboats of yours have been outdated for many years. In addition to their tonnage,

Even if I don't use a submarine, your Beiyang Fleet will not be able to defeat my Nianlong."

The battle was lost, but Li Hongzhang did not completely agree with Princess Ashley's words.

Yes, Beiyang's equipment is poor and it lags behind the international trend. However, you said that with just one Nianlong, you can defeat twelve gunboats including the Zhenyuan. This is a bit exaggerated.

?

Besides, the tonnage of the Zhenyuan is just okay?

Is it at least bigger than your Nianlong?

When Ai Shili saw Li Hongzhang's expression, she knew that he didn't believe it. However, she was not in a hurry to defend herself, but said with a smile: "Let's tell the truth to Mr. Li, the navy of our Austro-Hungarian Empire is actually very weak, even in the Mediterranean."

How much capital is there to establish a foothold, let alone the spare capacity to develop the navy to Asia... Fortunately, I know

A noble man. With his generous sponsorship, we, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, can sit at today’s conference table and get part of your country’s tariff pricing power! This person, Mr. Li must have guessed it, yes, he is alchemist

The king of the country, Long Hao! I named him to express my gratitude to him..."

Hey, hey, you two love-struck couple, show affection in moderation, too much is bad! Li Hongzhang had a sullen face, cursing Ai Shili and Long Hao crazily in his belly.

"It turns out that this Nian, Nianlong, is an American ship..."

"No, Mr. Li, you are wrong. The Nianlong is not an American ship, but a new warship independently produced by a shipyard owned by Long Hao!"

Ashley chuckled softly, like a pear blossom in bloom: "However, the main business of this shipyard is not to build large warships. This Nianlong, but I begged His Majesty Hao for a long time before he ordered the shipyard to divide it.

Set aside a period of time to design and build it specifically for me!"

"Then... what is the main business of this shipyard?" Li Hongzhang was shocked and couldn't help but ask.

"It's just...building a submarine!"

Ai Shili's beautiful eyes turned and she gave the answer that Li Hongzhang had already guessed: "So, with the strength of this shipyard, I have absolute confidence that the Nianlong can compete with Mr. Li's Beiyang Fleet on the sea.

I've been beaten once!"

boast!

I don’t know how high the sky is and how high it is!

Li Hongzhang classified Ai Shili's words as 'idiotic words of a nymphomaniac girl'. What he was more concerned about at the moment was: "Your Highness, what is the name of this shipyard?"

"Kunpeng!"

...On the second day, the remaining heat of the tariff allocation meeting had not yet passed. At the Shanghai port, another fire heated up the continuation of this matter to the hottest point!

The eldest grandson princess of the Austro-Hungarian Empire actually wanted to personally receive ten submarines from the Kunpeng Shipyard of the Alchemy Kingdom at the Shanghai port!!

The word "submarine" has become the most popular and fashionable word in Shanghai since the war in the East China Sea. It has been discussed with more enthusiasm than the tariff allocation meeting that is related to China's sovereignty and dignity.

It's as if anyone who doesn't say "Saba what Marin" is out of date.

There was no way, who allowed this "submarine" to frustrate the arrogant British, and also exposed the Qing court's reliance on the Beiyang Navy.

Before today, submarines in Shanghai, and even in the two rivers and three provinces, were simply described as the patrolling mounts of the Dragon King. Not only could they turn over rivers and seas, but they could also swallow the sun and the moon... In short, they were incredibly powerful, as if

As long as you have one, you can roam freely in the dangerous ocean.

Compared with the Chinese people's imagination and worship of deities, foreign friends are much more sensible. They are the darlings of the era promoted by the steam revolution and believe in science more. They read a lot of information and finally found the principle of submarines and other aspects.

It briefly appeared in the American Civil War... However, they, like the naval personnel who had encountered submarines before, could not figure out how the submarine could move freely on the seabed for a long time.

Could it be said that Kunpeng Shipyard has really overcome these problems that plague the development of submarines?

Mastered cutting-edge technology?

If this is true, then the advent of a new generation of submarines will undoubtedly bring about earth-shaking changes in the pattern of world naval warfare.

Today, thanks to Princess Ashley, I can see a submarine floating on the water next to the port. This is a rare opportunity that anyone interested in submarine technology and future prospects will never miss.

Perhaps, we should try to get in touch and place an order for several submarines with Kunpeng Shipyard?

Representatives of the great powers who had gained considerable profits at the tariff allocation meeting had money in their pockets, and most of them had this idea in their minds.

The sea water outside Shanghai Port is crystal clear. Fish and shrimp are plump. All kinds of seafood are vying to jump ashore. Come and enjoy today's strange scene and chaos: Why are there so many humans, and most of them are blocked from the sea?

Some distance away?

This is not surprising, because the true appearance of the submarine is about to appear, and the area around Shanghai Harbor is full of people. If it is not controlled, the drowning incident may be inevitable... Therefore, Liu Kunyi had to dispatch Qing soldiers to maintain order.
To be continued...