Chapter 65 Section ten

Wen Shuo, the minister in Tibet, led a delegation composed of the three major monasteries in Lhasa to Shigatse, Tibet.Stayed in Tashilhunpo Monastery for a few nights, waiting for the Ninth Panchen Lama to come back from taking a bath in Lazmanka Hot Spring, and then dispatched Da Khenpo Wangjiu to join the delegation, sent grooms, and provided enough silver needed along the way.They started on the road again and went straight to Gangbazong. On the way, envoys from the official residence of the Minister in Tibet chased him three times and delivered a telegram from the imperial court to Wen Shuo.Every time, Wen Shuo took a casual look, then put it in his sleeve with a smile, and didn't tell anyone about it.

Ten days later, Wen Shuo and his entourage came to the Saisaila grassland bordering Gangbazong and Zhemengxiong in Tibet.They lived in the tents of herdsmen, and sent people to the three countries of Zhemengxiong, Brukba, and Gurkha to deliver letters for discussing important matters.This is a common practice. In the past, when encountering large, medium, and small matters, as long as Tibet sends a letter online at the border, the three countries will send representatives to meet and discuss according to the level of the matter.Of course, the discussion this time was of the highest level, and according to the Tibetan custom, the letter was tied to the arrow shaft tied with chicken feathers, emphasizing the importance and urgency.

The first to arrive were people sent by Gurkhas.But the rank is very low, and he did not bring letters from the king and government departments. He repeatedly said that he was just a border tax officer and came here to be a witness. Representatives of the three major monasteries in Lhasa and Zha Monastery were surprised: What do you want to witness?The Minister to Tibet, Wen Shuo, was silent.Finally, Brukba's people came. Although their rank was not low, they said they were here to be a witness.When asked about jointly attacking the British, they either shook their heads and said nothing, or said: "Remember, you must report to the king when you go back."

The last one to appear was Zhe Mengxiong's man, a lower rank, but a young guard.The officer said, "I'm here to report that the prince will arrive tomorrow, and he will definitely arrive." Wen Shuo showed joy, and said loudly: "Zhe Mengxiong and Brukba have been my vassal states in China since ancient times. They have received a lot of blessings from Tibetans and Tibetan religion. The Buddha's light in India can't shine for a while. The Buddha's light in Tibet has spread all over the two countries. If King Tudorangjie can’t come, naturally the prince will come.” He said this to the Brukba people: Aren’t you Brukba also a vassal state? Woolen cloth?

But Prince Zhe Mengxiong did not arrive on the second day, nor did he arrive on the third day.The fourth day was about to pass, and Zhe Mengxiong, who was as desperate as the minister in Tibet Wen Shuo, suddenly cried and ran away, saying, "The prince has an accident." Wen Shuo looked desperately at Zhe Mengxiong who left without saying goodbye Officer, how ugly his face is. After two days of silence, Wen Shuo called all the members of the delegation into his account room, and said solemnly: "I came to the border with the last ray of hope. If we can agree to join hands with China to fight against the British, we can see the dawn of the British’s failure. I also have reasons to bluntly say that the court implements such a strategy: on the surface, it is hypocritical to appease the British, and secretly supports Tibet or at least acquiesces in Tibet’s resistance to the British. The two countries Or a multinational alliance, even if the British have India as their backing, I am afraid that the front line will be too long and the troops will not be enough. If one side is blocked and the other side is exposed, then even the defense will be stretched. How can we talk about attacking Tibet? However, the sky is not I and the British took the lead, and our neighboring countries have been controlled by them."

Wangjiu, the representative of Zha Temple, said: "It seems that this trip is in vain. It is better to read scriptures in the temple for a few days. If the Dharma Protector God does not bless, Manjushri Avalokitesvara will bless you. .” Wen Shuo said: "You monks are afraid that Buddhism will be damaged, so it is only natural to resolutely resist the British. As the imperial court official stationed in Tibet, I have no reason to disagree with you. You have come and seen it. I have tried my best. " Sejun, the representative of Ganden Monastery, said: "We can see whether you are good or bad, and we almost didn't lead troops to fight with the British."

Wen Shuo said: "I can hear it. You still have complaints inside and outside your words. I know that you hope that the court will solve the arms and send troops to fight against the British. But once the court sends troops, how will they solve the problem? One soldier cannot lead for a year How many Manchu and Han soldiers can be supported in Tibet? Moreover, once the imperial court gets involved, it means canceling the buffer between Britain, India and Tibet, and there is no one who wants to find a mediator. There is another level that you would not have imagined that the British are waiting for the imperial court to send troops. Once the imperial court sends troops, they will have an excuse to occupy other places along the coast of China."

Wan Jie, the representative of Sera Monastery, was obviously dissatisfied with this explanation, and smacked his lips and said, "That is to say, in order to prevent foreign demons from occupying other places, the imperial court left Tibet alone. The fate of our Tibet has always been bad, but relying on The statutes of the ancestors are still safe. The statutes rely on the blessing of the Buddha first, and the protection of the court. It is not good now. I don’t know if the Buddha blesses or not. The protection of the court seems to be gone. What mediators, no Just bow at one end and bow at the other end? We are used to looking at the stars in the sky, but we don’t know that the stars will also run under our feet. Go back, let’s go back, we didn’t come here to listen to the explanation of the minister in Tibet.”

Wen Shuo said: "I can't go back. If you can't wait for friends from neighboring countries, you can only wait for the British." Da Luo, a representative of Drepung Monastery, said: "Will the British come here? Wenlai or Wulai? We are all lamas who can only read scriptures and worship Buddha." Several other representatives also said: Without the presence of the Tibetan army, we cannot directly deal with the foreign demons.Foreign demons don't believe in Buddhism, so they are not afraid of us reciting sutras and casting mantras.We have no swords and guns, but we are the ones who are afraid.One is afraid and the other is not. This kind of meeting is like a mouse meeting an owl.

Wen Shuo pondered.From the sleeve, he took out three telegrams that he had refused to reveal.Handing it over helplessly: "There is no need to hide it now. You all have a look, what the court said." That was an order issued by the Prime Minister's Yamen of the Qing Dynasty to Wen Shuo, the Minister in Tibet, asking him to make a pact with the British.Representatives of the three major monasteries in Lhasa and Zha monastery quickly passed them on to watch, and only then did they know why Wen Shuo, the minister in Tibet, took the initiative to lead the delegation of the three major monasteries in Lhasa and Zha monastery?When the illusion of contacting Zhe Mengxiong, Brukba, and Gurkha to fight against the British together was shattered.Now there is only one purpose left: to negotiate with the British.No, not negotiations.It doesn't matter what to talk about, what is important is that no matter what demands the British make, they must be acknowledged and then pledged.No wonder the Gurkhas and Brukba people who came here said that they were here to be a witness, and it turned out that they wanted to witness the signing of a treaty.The British actually told them the result a long time ago.

For a long time there was silence.The representatives of the three major monasteries in Lhasa and Zha Monastery stared at Wen Shuo, the minister in Tibet without giving up hope, as if Wen Shuo's final decision could go against the imperial court's will. Wen Shuo said bitterly: "Please tell me, Buddhas, as a member of the court, can I not obey the above? Tell me, what should I do in my situation? If I don't obey the order of the court, I will die; I obeyed the imperial order, and I am afraid it will be difficult to survive. I had a choice between two deaths. I chose to resist the British first, and died in the imperial court. However, even if I would rather die than surrender with a mere physical body, the British can go back from Tibet? It doesn’t help, it doesn’t help .I can’t resist the British. I can only obey my orders and do what a rich person should do. But if this is the case, I will still die. Alas, I am not sorry to die, but there will be another resident like me in Tibet. Minister of Tibet? I am dead, and I will be dead from now on. But I have to die to understand that I can't close my dim eyes with grievances." Tears streamed down my face. Sejun, the representative of Ganden Monastery, asked loudly, "So you want to make a pledge?" Wan Jie, a representative of the Sera Monastery, said: "Even if it is a pledge, it must be approved by the general assembly. I dare not wait." Da Luo, the representative of Drepung Monastery, pressed Wen Shuo: "What does the Regent Dimu Living Buddha mean? What did he say before you came?" Seeing that Wen Shuo shook his head, he asked again, "So the Regent Buddha doesn't know yet? How can it be done?" He stood up suddenly and shouted provocatively, "Hurry up and leave before the foreign demon arrives." Wangjiu, the representative of Tashilhunpo Monastery, said: "Wait, wait, I have something to say. The Minister in Tibet led us here, and he didn't abandon us even in all kinds of difficulties. How could we abandon him and leave without authorization?" We are for Buddhism, Mr. Wenshuo is for Tibet, the journey is different, but the purpose is the same. We will discuss whether to draw or not. In my opinion, there is still room for maneuver. Can Mr. Wenshuo use the name of the regent Buddha and the delegation? I wrote to the imperial court, earnestly expressing the reasons why it is necessary to resist the British and the demons, and it is absolutely difficult to make a contract. We people, relying on our sincerity, can persuade the Buddhas of stone, wood, and gold, silver, copper and iron to take pity on us and protect us , the great emperor and all the officials in the court are flesh bodies. I don't believe that they can't be softened." Everyone stared at Wen Shuo, the minister in Tibet again.Wen Shuo didn't speak, but looked outside the accountant's room. Da Luo, the representative of Drepung Monastery, got impatient: "Go and find the Buddha Regent." He said, and took the lead to walk outside.Sejun, representative of Ganden Monastery, and Wanjie, representative of Sera Monastery, followed closely. But as soon as they got out of the accounting room, they found that they couldn't leave. At some point, a group of heavily armed British had surrounded the entire camp where the delegation stayed. Those who came to the Saisaila Grassland bordering Gangbazong and Zhe Mengxiong in Tibet were First Secretary Brand and General McGory of the British and Indian Governor's Office.General McGory, who was dressed in military uniform, stood on his legs, holding a wine glass and sipping wine, as if the toast to celebrate the signing had been advanced by him before the signing.They brought fine wine and troops, as well as documents that needed to be signed and stamped, and surprisingly, an order issued by the Qing court to the Minister in Tibet, Wen Shuo.The decree says: Pleased by the British, we are reasonable, and we are not allowed to cross the border and cause trouble, causing great troubles.Wen Shuo, the minister in Tibet, was the minister with full power, and he obeyed the repeated edicts, and negotiated with the British officials in person.The Minister of State and the Minister of Plenipotentiary sent by the Great Britain signed a covenant. Wen Shuo said in amazement: "The British are our negotiating opponents of the Qing Dynasty. How can the order of the Qing Dynasty be sent to you first and then to me?" Brand said bluntly: "Your Excellency, you are mistaken. We are not here to negotiate. When Minister Watson of the British Empire came in and out of the prime minister's office in your country, you still regarded us as opponents. If If you are an opponent, then you should meet with swords. Look at your Qing Dynasty, and then look at Tibet. The place of the weak, the country of the dwarves, is a place of fate and trembling. How can you face the strong and majestic What about the soldiers of the British Empire? We can't bear to treat you as opponents. It doesn't matter whether we are in charge or not. Wherever we go, God's will will be fulfilled. Please tell these malicious monks behind you, no We want to enter Tibet, God wants to enter Tibet. God has given us the guarantee of victory, that is guns and cannons. Do you still need to read the content of the treaty carefully? Do these ignorant monks still need to read carefully? I can wait patiently. But my friend, General McGory, doesn't want to waste a moment here. Don't you see he's had enough of the signing?" General McGory looked like he was doing nothing.Holding a rifle, he fired a shot at the hawk flying across the sky. Wen Shuo was very distressed, looked up to the sky and sighed, then closed his eyes and did not open them for a while. On this day, all the helplessness and sighs came to Wen Shuo, the minister in Tibet.He and his delegation including representatives from the three major monasteries in Lhasa and Zha Monastery, surrounded by the British army, signed the Sino-British "Tibet-India Treaty" with Brand, the first secretary of the British-Indian Governor's Office, and General McGory. "The eight clauses of the "Tibet-India Renewal Agreement" and the nine clauses recognized all the conditions proposed by the United Kingdom, namely: allowing British and Indian Christians to enter Tibet to preach; The border between Tibet and Zhe Mengxiong was established. Rina Mountain, Longtu Mountain, Zelila Mountain, Yadong and other places were owned by the British protector Zhe Mengxiong; Kaichunpi was used as a commercial port, and apartments, offices, and post stations were built. British businessmen could Free to go back and forth for trade, and the British and Indian governments sent officials to live in Yadong and Langer.Manage British trade affairs.Whenever British businessmen have commercial disputes with Chinese and Tibetan businessmen in Tibet, Chinese officials stationed on the border must ask British officials to discuss and resolve them; the trade of Indian tea shipped to Tibet should be paid by the British side; The possessions and goods of the British and Indian merchants and people in the border must be safe and sound.For this reason, the British side is obliged to send an army to protect the British and Indian merchants wherever they go. According to the "Holy History", Wen Shuo, the minister in Tibet, suddenly fell to the ground at the moment when he was drawing and pledging, his whole body convulsed, foaming at the mouth, and unable to speak.Hua Ya's right hand was tightly clenched into a fist, while his left hand tightly wrapped the right fist and refused to let go.The Englishman Bland and General McGory brought the treaty to Wen Shuo.He wanted to break away his hand and forcefully press his fingerprints, but Wen Shuo resisted and it didn't work.In the end, five or six British soldiers came over, pressed and pulled, and Wen Shuo's right index finger dipped in ink touched the treaty.At this time, Wen Shuo sternly screamed and passed out. The beautiful and capable Xuecun girl who was sent by the regent Di Mu to take care of Wen Shuo hastily had him carried into the account room.He didn't wake up until the next day, and the seven-rank official Chinese chef sent by the regent had carefully cooked Chinese food for him, and he didn't eat a single bite.The five-rank monk official Tibetan food chef made him the best Tibetan food.He doesn't eat either.When I started eating, the "Holy History" didn't say, only that Wen Shuo, the minister in Tibet, almost lost his appetite since then. Wen Shuo returned home crying.From the Saisaila Grassland in Gangbazong, via Shigatse, back to Lhasa, I don’t know how many tears shed on the way.Anyway, I dried my tears.After arriving in Lhasa, he would not shed tears when he was sad.