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Text Section 44 Treaty (Part 2)

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    After learning that Liang Huafeng not only refused to send troops to assist, but also called on the court to recruit troops to pacify the troubled people, Zhao Guozuo gave up his last hope and once again sent someone to invite Consul Zhang Tao to come to the Governor's Yamen for discussion. He also had someone bring a message saying that he had  Willing to agree to all requests made by the Ming army.

    After Zhang Tao learned about it, he brought several bank bosses from Sichuan to see Zhao Guozuo.  After meeting the Governor of Zhejiang, Yu Youming said that he was also from Zhejiang and would not cheat his hometown. As long as Governor Zhao signed the prepared agreement, the muskets would be shipped immediately. When the equipment was in the hands of Green Camp, Governor Zhao  This gave him the confidence to recruit Zhuang Yuncheng.

    These days, Sichuan people are still spreading rumors in Hangzhou, saying that the Zhoushan Army has the intention to return to the mainland - Zhang Huangyan does want to return to eastern Zhejiang, but Zhang Huangyan does not intend to resort to force because he already knows that the Sichuan Army is about to reach an agreement with Zhao Guozuo  .  After Zhao Guozuo cedes all the forbidden sea areas to Sichuan bankers, Zhang Huangyan can return to the mainland of Zhejiang with the people who fled to Zhoushan openly.

    With the land under his control, after operating it for a few years, and then purchasing some rifles from Sichuan, Zhang Huangyan will be sure that Zhao Guozuo will not drive him into the sea again, so there is no need to use force now.  Zhang Huangyan even asked his subordinates to restrain themselves and not to disturb Zhao Guozuo, who was already frightened, in the short term, so as to encourage the Governor of Zhejiang to make up his mind to sign the agreement as soon as possible.

    The agreement before Zhao Guozuo lasts for two years. From the date of signing, Zhejiang officers and soldiers will not be able to enter within fifteen miles of the coast, and will not be allowed to enter the restricted sea area to collect taxes.  In return, the Sichuan people provided Zhao Guozuo with 10,000 bird guns worth 300,000 taels of silver in the first year, and the same value of military supplies the next year - no longer limited to bird guns, but could be armor, broadswords, spears,  Crossbows, etc.

    If Zhao Guozuo is still the governor of Zhejiang in two years and is not at war with Sichuan, the Sichuan people have the right to request a renewal of the two-year agreement, and the increase in fees charged by the Zhejiang governor's office shall not exceed 5%.  Payment will still be made with military equipment or other materials agreed upon by both parties.

    In addition, there are some provisions. For example, in the future, Zhejiang consuls appointed by Sichuan can live in Hangzhou. In exchange, Hangzhou can also send consuls to Chengdu.

    Zhao Guozuo stared at the agreement for a long time without saying a word.  Songkui, who came to observe the Hangzhou Treaty Ceremony, asked worriedly: "If Zhuang Yuncheng still refuses to accept the recruitment after the gunfire arrives, and continues to sideline the emperor, what should we do?"

    "This is the order of Duke Baoguo," Zhang Tao took out a document with a smile on his face and read aloud: "With the approval of the Academy Council, the order of Deng Ming, the governor of Sichuan and the governor of the Yangtze River and the commander of the army to support the Qing Dynasty and destroy the Ming Dynasty"

    "What is the Courtyard? Is it the court of Emperor Yongli?" Zhao Guozuo asked somewhat strangely.

    "It's somewhat similar to a cabinet. It was set up when the emperor was hunting in the south to sign the orders of Duke Baoguo." Zhang Tao didn't point out that the council could cancel all the orders issued by Deng at any time. Zhao Guozuo didn't think much about it.  It is speculated that this was probably a tool used by Deng Ming to usurp the throne.  He nodded and indicated that Zhang Tao could continue reading.

    In this order, Deng Ming promised that during the validity of the Hangzhou Treaty¡ªincluding the first two years and all future renewal periods, the imperial government had the responsibility to prevent arms from flowing into the hands of those who attacked Governor Zhao.

    "That is to say, as long as Governor Zhao signs the agreement, I will immediately send Boss An an injunction from the imperial government, prohibiting him from selling guns to Zhuang Yuncheng." If Anles objects to this injunction, theory  He could appeal to the Tixing Yamen and request that the ban not be implemented; but it is not certain whether the Tixing Yamen will finally recognize the ban and how long it will take to resolve the dispute.  However, Zhang Tao did not explain this on the spot. He planned to send a set of Sichuan Provisional Code to the Governor of Zhejiang in a few days for Zhao Guozuo to read for himself.

    "Whether it is Zhuang Yuncheng or others, as long as they fight against the Governor, they will be within the scope of the ban until they accept the recruitment." Zhang Tao considered the words and continued to explain: "The order of Baoguo Gong is not allowed.  flowed into the hands of those who 'attacked' Governor Zhao, so if Zhuang Yuncheng accepted the recruitment, or went on the defensive and stopped attacking Governor Zhao's army for more than three months, then we would think that he purchased the arms for peace.  The purpose is no longer within the scope of the prohibition.¡±

    Zhao Guozuo and Songkui looked at each other and knew that Deng Ming still had a back door.  If Hangzhou gains the upper hand, he may still continue to sell arms to Zhuang Yuncheng so that he can continue to fight.  Songkui's eyes widened and he wanted to argue, but Zhao Guozuo smiled bitterly and shook his head to signal him not to argue.

    It is Hangzhou, not Huzhou, that is eager to cease the war now. If Zhao Guozuo can regain the upper hand in three months and threaten the survival of the Jingnan Army, it will mean that the situation will be a hundred times better than now.

      "If I want to recruit the Anjing Nanjun Army." Zhao Guozuo made the final confirmation.

    "We will make an argument on your behalf, and during the negotiation period, we will stop selling arms to Zhuang Yuncheng to strengthen his belief in accepting the recruitment." Zhang Tao assured loudly. Seeing that Zhao Guozuo still looked doubtful, he further  Explanation: "Dong Baoguo ordered me to be friends with the people of Zhejiang. Governor Zhao can rest assured that I wholeheartedly hope that Zhejiang will be peaceful and will do my best to promote peace in Zhejiang. After all, only a peaceful Zhejiang can make peace  The Forbidden Sea Zone prospered.¡±

    Zhao Guozuo gave another wry smile, but he no longer hesitated, picked up his pen and signed his name on the Hangzhou Treaty.  The treaty was made in two copies, with Chengdu and Hangzhou each retaining one copy.

    After collecting the agreement, Zhang Tao smiled and said: "Don't worry, Governor Zhao, I will send someone to Huzhou immediately to persuade Zhuang Yuncheng and the others to negotiate the terms of recruitment with you."

    "Thank you, Your Excellency." Zhao Guozuo hugged his fists to the imperial officials: "There is one more thing that is very urgent, and that is this year's water transportation."

    Although Zhejiang has become a mess, Beijing has not exempted Hangzhou from water transportation this year.  If the water transportation of a province was spared just because the two village owners rebelled, Beijing knew that it would definitely become the laughing stock of the world.  As long as Zhuang Yuncheng is willing to accept the recruitment and Zhang Huangyan does not come to attack Hangzhou, Zhao Guozuo can still squeeze out water transportation supplies by tightening his belt.  However, both Huzhou and Jiaxing were the Jingnan Army, and Zhao Guozuo could not transport the silver grain to Yangzhou at all: "Can you please do me a favor and ask my men to use the banner of the Ming Army so that the grain can pass through Huzhou smoothly?  "

    Zhang Tao immediately shook his head: "Governor Zhao, this can't be done. Now the two countries are enemy countries. It's impossible to wear another country's military uniform. It can't be done, it can't be done."

    "My subordinates will never harass the local area, rob women or steal people's property. Anyone who violates military discipline will be executed without mercy. I will never do anything that damages the reputation of your army.  Things are coming"

    Although Zhao Guozuo was sincere, Zhang Tao refused to agree to anything.

    "This is not too difficult. We have signed the contract, but your envoy is not even willing to help with this small favor?" Songkui also spoke to the governor on the side: "If your envoy is still not at ease, this general  I personally led the Eight Banners garrisoned in Hangzhou to escort the water transport. With this general here, Caoding will definitely be trembling and will never dare to harm the people."

    "The important cases assigned by the imperial court cannot be handled, and the Qing emperor's flag has been raised, and finally he has to recruit people. Now even the water transportation cannot be completed. This is when your army is not in the southeast." Zhao Guozuo and Zhang Tao presented the facts and reasoned: "  If other provinces can complete water transportation, but only Zhejiang has failed everything, what use does the imperial court need from me as a governor? This treaty was signed by me. If I can¡¯t even keep my position, then who will ensure that this treaty is obtained?  What about complying?¡±

    "Okay." Zhang Tao heard what Zhao Guozuo said was so pitiful, so he pushed Yu Youming out again: "You want to dress up as our army. This matter is indeed beyond my authority. I can't nod. But water transport is not something  It's a difficult matter, Boss Yu will definitely have a solution."

    Yu Youming strode forward and asked confidently: "Zhejiang's water transportation quota this year is one million taels of silver and five hundred thousand shi of grain. I dare to ask Governor Zhao, according to common practice, does the Zhejiang vassal treasury have to spend 2 taels of silver?  One million taels of silver, one million stones of grain?"

    "Two million and two million." Zhao Guozuo shook his head slightly: "After entering the canal from Yangzhou, half of it was lost due to drifting and loss, and another two hundred thousand from Hangzhou to Yangzhou."

    "Can Governor Zhao get such a large sum of money?"

    "Of course we can't take it out," Zhao Guozuo sighed: "It's not Zhuang Yuncheng who caused the trouble! The two prefectures fell, the four prefectures were under martial law, and the provincial capital was under martial law. But a little luck is better than no luck."

    "How much does Governor Zhao plan to spend on water transportation?"

    Zhao Guozuo hesitated, and finally felt that there was nothing to hide. If the Ming army forced him to buy bonds at this time, it would be a life-and-death struggle: "One, four hundred thousand taels of silver, eight hundred thousand shi of grain."

    "I have a proposal. In fact, my colleagues should have made the same proposal to Jiangxi and Huguang by now." Yu Youming smiled slightly: "Governor Zhao will give me an additional 20%, and I will be responsible for paying the full amount."  The water transport of silver and grain to Beijing will not be affected by the war. Even if a war breaks out in Yangzhou and Huai'an in the future, Governor Zhao's water transport can be delivered to Beijing in time. How about it? Give me 1.2 million taels of silver this year,  With 600,000 shi of grain, Governor Zhao's mission has been completed. If Governor Zhao is worried, our bank can advance the payment first, and when Beijing confirms that it has received the Cao Yin and Cao grain, Governor Zhao can pay us the money again -  ¡ªIt¡¯s just that we need to add another 10%, which is 1.3 million taels of silver and 650,000 shi of grain.¡±

    Zhao Guozuo was stunned for a while, his voice hoarse.Ya: "The Ming army wants to help me transport grain?"

    "It's not the Ming army, it's the Sichuan Industrial Bank that takes over the water transportation from Zhejiang. We are very familiar with the Zheng family in Zhoushan, and we can rent their ship to transport it to Tianjin." Yu Youming explained: "You don't even need to give us food, as long as Governor Zhao  Pay us silver or Sichuan dollars, and we can even buy the rice on your behalf, ensuring that it is full in quantity and that it is all new rice - at least half of the water transportation to Beijing every year is old grain, right? This will never happen to us.  , to ensure that Governor Zhao will get excellent performance in water transportation every year from now on."

    Zhao Guozuo was stunned for a moment: "What do you want me to do?"

    "Just pay 20% of the floating fee. In addition, the matter of Zhejiang's canal entering the canal will be handled by our bank."

    "Aren't you going to Tianjin by sea? Why do you need to bring boats into the canal?" Zhao Guozuo asked in confusion. When he saw Yu Youming smiling and saying nothing, he suddenly realized: "You want to carry a full load of goods to do business!"

    "Governor Zhao will see you tomorrow."

    "After entering the canal, you will be continuously collected money. From the canal transport governor's office to the local government offices, you will be cut down! This is how hundreds of thousands of taels of silver were lost." Zhao Guozuo shouted: "There are also canal workers.  Every time my subordinates come back, they report that there are unscrupulous people blocking the river to pull chains, and they won't give them anything if they don't pay, and they charge exorbitant prices for fiber pulls."

    "It all depends on my ability." Yu Youming said that he is willing to sign a new contract with the Zhejiang Governor's Yamen: "If I lose it, it's mine. If I make money, the Governor's Yamen will get 30% of it, which will be credited to the next year's account."  If you make more money, maybe Governor Zhao won¡¯t have to pay for water transportation next year. Don¡¯t worry, Governor Zhao, I¡¯m also from Zhejiang and I won¡¯t cheat you.¡±

    "You are the Eastern Zhejiang Army! If you don't cheat me, who will you cheat?" Zhao Guozuo retorted. He lowered his head and thought for a while, then suddenly looked up: "I want 40%! 30% will be put into the next year's account, and 10% will be paid immediately  Give it to me, I will send two accountants to accompany you."

    "Okay." Yu Youming smiled and extended his hand to the Governor of Zhejiang.

    But Zhao Guozuo did not take it immediately, but added another one: "This is our first cooperation this year. Don't blame me for being cautious. You can go transport the grain first. I will give you the money and grain after Beijing receives the water transportation."  And you can only harvest 20%, not 30%. If everything goes well this year, it will be 30% in the future."

    "Deal!" Yu Youming shook hands with Zhao Guozuo, and then went back to prepare the formal contract.
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