Rebirth of the Northern Giants

Li Hongzhang asked Ye Zhichao to divide the inner and outer cities of Pyongyang into areas of different sizes, and assign various troops of the Huai Army to manage them.Ye Zhikui's Tiger Army is in charge of security issues in an area west of the city. Fortunately, he has Feng Guozhang and Wang Shizhen available. The two divide the Tiger Army into three groups and take turns patrolling day and night. Send people to watch in case of accidents, and the butcher sent thirteen eagles to guard the whole city.Ye Zhikui saw that the three of them took care of everything in an orderly manner from beginning to end, and there was no panic, so he relaxed and concentrated on the negotiation.

Pyongyang Yihe Land is a well-known Chinese restaurant in Pyongyang——Sunset House. Because of the condescending place where the building is located, the scenery is beautiful. In the evening, you can see the sun slowly setting, hence the name Sunset House. Ito Hirobumi heard it for the first time This name, my face turned green, I finally swallowed that breath, there is no way, the Chinese culture is too strong, I can't make a name that originally has no other meanings have other meanings.

At 1894:10 pm on October 21, 2, Ito Hirobumi and his party boarded the Sunset Residence.The setting sun is at the top, and there are more than ten chairs around the square table.Li Hongzhang issued four orders for the negotiations: first, no one except the negotiators was allowed to enter the venue, no matter what happened; No one shall carry a murder weapon.In addition, Li Hongzhang also made a special announcement: the coded and secret telegrams of the Japanese government's peace envoys can be sent out, and public and private correspondence will not be checked.

Both China and Japan took their seats one after another, with Li Hongzhang and Ito Hirobumi at the top.Other negotiators from the two countries sat on opposite sides of a square table.Among them, Ye Zhikui and Shanxian Youpeng are facing each other across the table. They have been famous for a long time in North Korea, but they only met the real person today.Immediately, the square table was filled with sparks. If eyesight could kill, Ye Zhikui would have been hacked to death by a friend from Shan County.

Boy, return my gold, Shanxian Youpeng said with his eyes.

Xiao Mian, so what if you don't pay me back, you bite me, Ye Zhikui replied with his eyes.

The two had already exchanged eye contact for several rounds in silence. Ye Zhikui was basically here to make soy sauce, but he was also the person in charge of the venue's security, and he carried a symbolic knife on him. Shanxian Youpeng took a closer look. His face turned livid. Before the meeting started, he first complained to Ye Zhikui: "Ye Jun! As a negotiator, why do you carry a murder weapon?"

The Chinese and Japanese negotiators all looked at Ye Zhikui after hearing the question from Youpeng from Shan County. They saw that he was carrying a samurai sword.

Ye Zhikui untied the knife and put it on the table, ignoring your friends in the county, and said directly to Ito Hirobumi: "Ito-kun, this knife is named Muramasa, and it comes from Japan. I originally wanted to give this knife as a gift to you." On your side, since Lord Shanxian decided that it was a murder weapon rather than a gift, then I have no choice but to destroy this knife."

Ye Zhikui stood up and smashed the villager to the ground, smashing it with his hands and stomping on it, but the villager was worthy of a famous sword, but it was not damaged at all, and he almost hurt himself.

Ye Zhikui's actions stunned the Chinese and Japanese negotiators.The Japanese side was very angry, and the Chinese side couldn't laugh or cry. Wu Tingfang held Ye Zhikui to hold back his laughter and said, "Nephew Congyun, enough is enough. Be careful that the Japanese become angry from embarrassment."

Ye Zhikui saw that he was almost done playing, so he returned to his seat, but he still stepped on Muramasa.

Ito Hirobumi coughed, attracting everyone's attention, and said: "In Asia, China and Japan are separated by a narrow strip of water and use the same language. How can they kill each other? The two countries should unite with the outside world and resist the erosion of the white European people by the yellow Asian people. "

Li Hongzhang also pretended to be a snake, first traced the long-standing historical exchanges between China and Japan, and then changed the subject, talking about the Sino-Japanese war, saying: "Mr. Ito, your country should be the first to provoke the war this time. Take full responsibility, your country's Japanese army in Seoul should retreat first, and release the king of Joseon and compensate our military expenditure of 2000 million silver dollars."

As a descendant of the "Westernization Movement", Ito Hirobumi had to reply: "The reason for the war has not yet been determined. As for the large number of Japanese troops stationed in Seoul, where will they go after our army retreats? And the compensation is still to be discussed. Our country has been at a loss since the war. Huge, your country's general Ye Zhikui robbed our army like a robber."

Li Hongzhang said: "You can go wherever you want. The two armies only need to draw a line. And compensation is necessary."

The setting sun is at the top, and China and Japan are at war with each other. On the one hand, Japan refuses to withdraw its troops from North Korea, and proposes that the two countries withdraw their troops at the same time based on the "Tianjin Conference Special Articles"; Agreed, China asked Japan to abolish the "Treaty of Ganghwa", withdraw its troops from North Korea, and recognize the suzerain-vassal relationship between China and North Korea.

After the talks, Li Hongzhang immediately sent a telegram to the Prime Minister's Office, stating that Japan must recognize the suzerain-vassal relationship between China and North Korea, and let Japan withdraw its troops from North Korea.

Where did Li Hongzhang know that the Japanese had deciphered the Qing government’s code long before the war, and the Japanese had a clear view of the telegrams between the Chinese mission and the Central Committee, and Ye Zhikui was not a god, and he didn’t remember such a thing, when he understood Why did the Japanese always seem to be stepping on the bottom line of our peace talks, when the contract has already been signed.Therefore, when negotiating, the Japanese side has always known the Chinese side's cards.

Both sides cursed and babbled, and after several rounds of negotiations, there was little progress.

At 10:24 pm on October 5th, after the fifth Sino-Japanese negotiations ended, Ito Hirobumi, who was full of thoughts, stepped out of the Sunset Building and rode back to the post house.Unexpectedly, just as Ito Hirobumi was about to arrive at the post house, a North Korean man suddenly jumped out of the crowd. Before the left and right could react in time, it was determined that Ito Hirobumi was shot.Ito Hirobumi was shot in the left chest, blood stained his official uniform, and passed out on the spot.The assassin fired four more shots at the Japanese who followed Ito. For a while, the scene was in chaos and pedestrians fled in all directions.

After the assassination, Ye Zhikui responded quickly and immediately dispatched Thirteen Eagles to find the murderer.

After interrogation, the man's name was An Jung-geun, a Korean, 16 years old, married and had children, and Ye Zhikui was silent. In history, An Zhong-geun assassinated Ito Hirobumi, but he did not expect to change history. An Zhong-geun still came to assassinate Ito Hirobumi. Afterwards, the only way to be vigilant is to prevent the Japanese from sending people to kill Li Hongzhang. You must know that not all Japanese want to end the war, and many people want him to die.

The murderer An Jung-geun declared in his confession: "Assassination of Ito was not my personal act, but for the peace of the East. The Japanese Emperor declared that the invasion of Korea was to maintain the peace of the East and consolidate the independence of Korea. ... This act of righteousness is part of the independence of Korea. Fighting against the enemy country as a righteous soldier, he is not an ordinary assassin, but should be a prisoner captured by the enemy army."

After the assassination of Ito, what Li Hongzhang was most worried about was that something would fall into the hands of the big powers, so that the Western countries that had been eyeing him would intervene and reap the benefits of the fisherman.Ahn Jung-geun's behavior is tantamount to giving others a handle. Westerners, no matter whether you are Korean or Qing Dynasty, think that this is what China did.

It is a scandal indeed that a foreign envoy is stabbed by a citizen of the host country.The international public opinion was in an uproar, and the Chinese government was also extremely worried: If Ito Hirobumi returned home on the grounds of being injured, so as to suspend the negotiations that are extremely beneficial to China, it is really justifiable. Unexpectedly, it is completely possible to win the sympathy of the world, especially several western countries. If they are also dissatisfied with China, then this will become a major event that cannot be ignored.

Li Hongzhang retreated in consideration of the interference of European and American powers.I went to the sick bed to express condolences to Ito Hirobumi, and the princess of Joseon issued an order to severely punish the murderer.The North Korean judiciary quickly sentenced the murderer An Zhonggeun to life imprisonment for the crime of "attempted murder".After a few years, it was released again.

1895年11月5日上午10时整，中日和议第六轮会谈开始。11时40分，当李鸿章和伊藤分别代表本国在《平壤条约》上签字时，双方脸上都露出了满意的笑容。

The main contents of the Pyongyang agreement are:

1. The Japanese government recognized the Qing government as the "suzerain" of Korea;

2. Both China and Japan withdraw their troops from North Korea at the same time. If there is an accident or major incident in North Korea in the future, Japan should inform China before sending troops.

3 Neither country trains troops on behalf of North Korea.

The contract did not require Japan to pay compensation, nor did it require Japan to abolish the "Ganghwa Treaty" between Japan and North Korea, which planted the seeds of disaster for the Japanese army to invade North Korea again in the future, but it was finally a treaty of equality signed by China.

Volume 36 North Korean Situation Chapter [-] Opening a Bank and Building a Pharmaceutical Factory

Seeing the book rushed to the front page, Xiao Chong was very excited, the brothers are too strong!Thank you bug.

..........................................

The Sino-Japanese War, which lasted three months, finally came to an end slowly. During this period, it included the Battle of Toshima, the Battle of Chenghuan, the Battle of Bailong Valley, the Battle of the Yellow Sea, the Battle of Pyongyang, and countless other small battles. How many people are happy and how many people are sad during the demotion of the post, who can understand it!

The armies of China and Japan agreed to withdraw from North Korea in three batches. Ye Zhikui Huyong Army, as an elite force, was of course the last batch to retreat. King Lee Hee of North Korea was released by the Japanese army. It should go back and forth from there, the only change is that the political center of North Korea has shifted from Seoul to Pyongyang.

In Pyongyang, Li Hongzhang had just rested after finishing the withdrawal of troops, and someone notified Ye Zhikui to see him. Li Hongzhang valued this young Beiyang hero very much and summoned him immediately.

The reason for this is not unrelated to Li Hongzhang's concept of employing people. One is that Ye Zhikui was from Hefei, Anhui. From the way Li Hongzhang employs people in later generations, we can see that he especially valued fellowship, even to the point of being a little partial and unclear about public and private interests. , This can be seen from the fact that Ye Zhichao was able to spend his old age in peace after his defeat in the original history. If it were not for Li Hongzhang's strong guarantee, how could there be such an easy result.The second is that Ye Zhikui, a young man, is very important to him. Let’s say that he toured the various ministries that day. Ye Zhikui’s military discipline of the Tiger Army left a deep impression on him. He thinks Ye Zhikui is a capable general.

When Ye Zhikui walked into the room, he saw that Li Hongzhang was already sitting on his seat wearing a long robe and mandarin jacket. Li Hongzhang, who didn't know how he dressed, thought he was a rich man there, but he didn't expect it to be Li Zhongtang, who was in power.

Ye Zhikui first bowed to Li Hongzhang and called Lord Zhongtang, and sat down after Li Hongzhang's signal. Li Hongzhang looked him over carefully, but didn't make a sound. He just sipped his tea for a while, and Ye Zhikui sat down quietly with his eyebrows lowered. Seeing that Ye Zhikui was neither arrogant nor impetuous, Li Hongzhang thought to himself that the young man is good, and then said: "These days go by so fast. Back then, your uncle and your father followed me, Li Hongzhang You have made great contributions in suppressing the Nian Army, but unfortunately your father died in battle, but now that you can achieve such achievements, I believe he will be happy down below."

Ye Zhikui replied seriously: "It's because my father and uncle have discerning eyes and know the master, and without the support of the old Zhongtang, how could the boy have such achievements today!" This is true, Li Hongzhang is indeed nepotism.

Li Hongzhang smiled slightly, and said: "You, this mouth is good at talking, turning a corner and flattering me, do you want to ask me for something, little brat? I don't usually see how sweet your mouth is."

It is said that if Li Hongzhang is asked to do something, as long as he deliberately speaks harsh words, the matter will be done in all likelihood.

Ye Zhikui was overjoyed, giggled a few times, and felt that it was better to speak directly, so he replied: "Old Zhongtang is really a Bodhisattva in the sky, and the younger generation has something to ask for. There are two things that I want to hear from Zhongtang. My lord’s opinion, one is that the boy opened a pharmaceutical factory in Pyongyang a few days ago, and a newly invented drug will be the main sales object of the pharmaceutical factory. This drug can relieve cough, relieve pain and treat some other diseases, but this drug The raw material is opium, so I would like to ask Master Zhongtang to allow the boy to transport opium from China to North Korea for pharmaceutical use."

In China at this time, as early as 20 years ago, Li Hongzhang said in a memorial: "Please relax the ban to resist the influx of foreign tobacco", which caused poppy planting to flood all over the country, so even without Li Hongzhang's permission, Ye Zhikui would It is easy to get opium, but if you can get the support of Li Hongzhang, things will be much easier, at least the price will be much cheaper. "Congyun, is your newly invented drug made of opium harmful?" Li Hongzhang asked aloud after thinking for a moment.It's not that Li Hongzhang is so compassionate, at least the opium business is officially recognized in the Qing Dynasty, as long as you pay taxes, it doesn't matter if you pay the living or the dead.This is because Li Hongzhang was afraid that Ye Zhikui was too young and ignorant, so high-spirited, that he would not make money but also lose money in business, and that Li Hongzhang, who agreed with him to open the factory, would feel ashamed himself.Ye Zhikui replied: "Master Zhongtang, don't worry, Western countries have already started selling it, and its efficacy has been confirmed. In fact, I can sell this medicine to Japan first for verification. In case of accidents, I am not afraid of attacks by court officials. What's more, this is just a small business, and there will be time to get out." Li Hongzhang agreed after thinking for a while, and said, "You came back from studying abroad in Western countries, and you know more than old antiques like me, so I won't persuade you Now, I will give priority to the supply of opium from Sichuan and Gansu provinces to you." Hearing Li Hongzhang's words, Ye Zhikui was ashamed and dared not answer.When Li Hongzhang mentioned that the supply of opium was given priority, Ye Zhikui was overjoyed, and said happily, "So, thank you, Lao Zhongtang, but the second thing is a little troublesome, that is, the boy wants to learn from Western countries. open a bank in the country."

"Opening a bank?" Li Hongzhang said with a flash of light in his eyes, "This is a big deal, but it is similar to HSBC in Hong Kong."

Ye Zhikui replied: "Exactly, the bank run by the boy is similar to Hong Kong's HSBC, but slightly different. If Mr. Zhongtang allows, the boy will unite with the North Korean government and jointly hold shares to obtain the silver dollar issued by the North Korean state." The privileges of banknotes and silver banknotes make it a hub for sorting out the Korean currency system. In order to compete with the banknotes of foreign banks, the financial power will no longer be controlled by foreign banks."

Li Hongzhang couldn't help but gasped after hearing Ye Zhikui's words. He didn't expect that Ye Zhikui would be so arrogant, and he could achieve as much as he had such a sentence.As a leader of the Westernization Movement, Li Hongzhang had long wanted to run a bank, but in the Qing Dynasty, even Li Zhongtang had to weigh many things.However, if a bank is opened in North Korea and in the name of the North Korean government, many things will be much easier to handle.When the time is right, you can set up a bank in the Qing Dynasty, and you will have experience and precedents.

Li Hongzhang turned his mind around a few times, played Xiao Jiujiu, and said, "Congyun, your idea is good, but this is a big deal, and it will be difficult to accomplish without certain strength. Have you thought about all of this?"

Ye Zhikui hurriedly replied: "That's why the kid came here to see you, Mr. Zhongtang. The old Zhongtang has disciples all over the world, but what kind of talent is there? Please, old Zhongtang, help the kid."

Li Hongzhang smiled slightly, Ye Zhikui is a very good young man, he knows how to share benefits, he scoffed at the nonsense that Ye Zhikui can't find professional talents, in this day and age, there is no one, four-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged people are still available Can't you?

The two talked for a while, talked about it, and then confirmed the matter.

The next day, Ye Zhikui informed Concubine Min and the North Korean government again, explained in detail the benefits of running a bank, and obtained their consent.

Soon the Bank of Korea was established in a hurry. When the bank was founded, it received 1000 million taels of investment shares, and received half of it first, and borrowed 500 million taels from the North Korean government.

Among the shares, Ye Zhikui and Ye Zhichao invested 120 million taels, North Koreans such as Concubine Min’s relatives group invested 100 million taels, Li Hongzhang and his son invested 100 million taels, and others such as Jianren Shiwu and Feng Guozhang, etc. Ye Zhikui who made a fortune in plundering gold The subordinates also invested money in one after another. Their idea is that even Master Zhongtang and Young Marshal Ye have invested in it. Can they lose money?

When these news were heard by other Beiyang ministers, the last shares were also divided up, and the action was so fast that they only drank a little soup.

Ye Zhikui himself owns one-fifth of the shares, and if those related to him are included, it will be as high as three-fifths.Li Hongzhang did have many business talents under his command, birds of a feather flock together, and soon found some financial talents in banking.Because it is the first of its kind, it is based on foreign banks, so there are nine directors including Zhang Zhenxun, Liu Xuexun, Ye Chengzhong, and Yang Wenjun.Ye Zhikui also hired Germans as consultants to integrate Chinese and foreign finance.

Ye Zhikui also formulated a dividend distribution system to lure these managers and make them work hard.