Chapter 3 Chapter 2 Another blow

Elliot stood proudly on the warship Melville, facing the Pearl River Estuary on June 28, 1840, with a smile floating on his slightly tired face. From the 21st to the 28th of this month, the fleet of the British Empire fighting against China has completely completed the blockade of the Pearl River Estuary. Looking around, there are clouds and masts, black smoke, and a floating city on the sea rumbles up. Looking around the magnificent scenery, Elliot thought, it's time for that pretentious Lin Zexu to taste the fist of Great Britain. The sea breeze was gentle, and the flags and flags on the ship were blown by the wind and crackled.His heart was scorched by the flames of vengeance, and his eager expression was as clear as a banner.

His younger brother, Yilu, the commander-in-chief and plenipotentiary of the British Expeditionary Force to Invade China, couldn't help laughing sadly when he saw his brother's impatient expression.He didn't just think of old childhood memories.On the lawn of his hometown in Scotland, whenever he was bullied by others, his brother Elliot would do everything possible to find someone to settle the score.When seeing his elder brother knocking others down with fists and kicks, Yilu felt his elder brother's affection.My brother is very brave.Even if the opponent is taller and stronger than him, he is not afraid.He couldn't let his brother be bullied.It is his duty to protect him.How many years have passed.

Today's elder brother is a retired colonel, his hair is thinning, his muscles are slack, he is past the middle of the day, and will enter old age.But his vengeful character has not changed at all. Yilu may not be as brave as his brother, but he is more scheming than his brother.When the two brothers reunited on the warship Melville, Yilu found that the elder brother, whom he had not seen for many years, once again regarded the China Sea as the lawn of their Scottish hometown.His elder brother kept telling him about all kinds of evil deeds of Chinese officials, especially that arrogant and unreasonable Chinese official named Lin Zexu. At this time, his childhood expression appeared.This is the expression that seems to be aggrieved.

The difference is that the older brother is no longer powerful.But he has the power in his hands-the commander-in-chief and minister plenipotentiary of the British Expeditionary Force to Invade China.He has dozens of warships and thousands of soldiers, and has the trust of Her Majesty the Queen.Now, it's his turn to fight for his brother. Yilu knows clearly that his brother's revenge must be avenged.That's what he's here for.But he can't act like his brother.There is a difference between my elder brother thinking with the head of a former naval colonel and myself thinking with the head of a superior general.

To deal with China, the eastern empire, it seems that we cannot show bravery for a while, but we must be cautious. From Yilu's words, Yilu saw the solidarity of the Chinese military and civilians at the Pearl River Estuary.Cursing or scolding, Elliot still has to admit that Lin Zexu is the most difficult person in the world to deal with.In order to further ascertain the real situation along the coast of the Pearl River, Yilu sent many spies to investigate. When they came back, they reported: Humen has entered a state of emergency alert. More than 3,000 officers and soldiers are on standby, patrolling the Macao area day and night, and 1,300 soldiers are lying down along the coast, waiting for the British... Tsim Sha Tsui, Kwun Chung Mountain, etc. Nearly 1,000 officers and soldiers guard the mountain ridges... ...It seems that the Chinese defenders in the Canton Sea area are very well-prepared. If they want to tear a hole here, it is not impossible, but the price is too high.

Yilu looked at his brother, and said in a consulting tone: Since Lin Zexu is not easy to deal with, can we attack him in another way? On June 30, 1840, Yilu and Elliot led the fleet northward in search of another strike. Now that the younger brother has explained the whole story, and since the younger brother has not forgotten to avenge his elder brother, as a former naval captain, he still knows how to avoid the truth and just lie. According to Palmerston's instructions, once the fleet entered the China Sea, the first thing to do when it docked was to hand over the letter from the Foreign Secretary to the Chinese Prime Minister to the Governor of Guangzhou.Elliott did not do this.

If the letter was given to Lin Zexu, then he would know all the intentions of the British Empire, and his law of justice would become insignificant. Elliot thinks that Lin Zexu should be made fully aware of his own extraordinaryness, that this chunky Chinese man should know that this huge fleet is controlled by two brothers named Elliot and a brother named Elliot, and that this arrogant The Chinese official lowered his huge head and obediently regretted his past actions. The best way is to keep Lin Zexu in the dark.Let him face the floating city on the sea and be at a loss. Elliot, who is well aware of China's national conditions, also knows that Lin Zexu is a minority of Chinese officials who don't stick to their will.If it is said that Lin Zexu is the iron bow of a Chinese ship, then most of the hull has already decayed and is vulnerable to a single blow.That being the case, why bother confronting Lin Zexu head-on?Let's go to the side or stern of the ship first, and attack its rotten parts, let them be destroyed piece by piece, let the ship fail, let it be slowly swallowed by the raging waves, and when the halberd sinks into the sand, What is the use of Lin Zexu's resounding and hard iron head?

Thinking of this, Elliot felt a sense of relief in his heart.This is also a kind of revenge. The younger brother is scheming and has always been calm in his work.Since he proposed another way to strike, Elliot quickly found his pulse. For Elliot, who has been wandering at sea all his life, facing the Chinese ship, he feels like a pirate. The decay and fragility of this gigantic, aging ship before us was palpable.In the past days, those years that revolved around it, Elliot had a glimpse of its fatal point, and at the same time detected its stalwart point.If handled properly, it can be defeated and tamed in no time.If it is not handled properly and a certain part of it is touched, it will erupt like a sleeping volcano, and it will be as violent as a lion or leopard.

It should be a myth that the eastern empire could be defeated with a mere four thousand soldiers and dozens of ships. Under normal circumstances, it is simply impossible.But this is the thinking of ordinary people.Elliott is the mind of a pirate. He has the world's most elite strike force, and at the same time has the passion for revenge, coupled with the greed of a sea wolf and the thinking of a pirate, this is destined to become a disaster for the Eastern Empire in front of him. On July 2, 1840, a group of pirates fled into the inner harbor of Xiamen on board the Brown Die.This is a messenger with a mission.

On a sampan, more than 30 Englishmen were flying white flags, trying to land, but were spotted by the Chinese defenders and ordered to retreat. Unexpectedly, this group of soldiers was eager to try and landed forcibly.The Chinese garrison fired arrows to stop the enemy; several British soldiers were shot down into the sea.Immediately afterwards, the Brangdi sent British soldiers to cause trouble and attempted to occupy the fort. Chen Shengyuan, the participating general, stabbed one of the British soldiers to death with a spear. The Brangdi bombarded Xiamen, killing nine soldiers and one woman on the spot, wounding fourteen soldiers, and destroying dozens of houses.

The defenders in the middle fought back vigorously, and the navy dispatched one after another. Some of them pretended to be merchant ships and went to sneak attack, burning the bow and stern of the ship with a torch, killing and wounding dozens of British soldiers, and making the Brownie flee in embarrassment. Palmerston's crucial letter still has not been delivered to Chinese officials.Captain Curse of the Brownie had no choice but to put this document in an empty wine bottle and throw it in the sea, letting the tide send it to the beach in China. It seems that they don't even have the strength to send a document... On July 4th, the fleet led by Brigadier General Bohme appeared on the beautiful sea of ​​Zhoushan.This is Dinghai in the Qing Dynasty. The sudden arrival of the British ship did not arouse the vigilance of the local people.More people regard it as a newly added landscape.Zhang Chaofa, commander of the Dinghai Division, said: What's the fuss?It is common for barbarian boats to be blown by the wind. As an official of the Celestial Dynasty, what kind of rare things have you never seen?What kind of intelligence is this? When the British ships lined up, the officials happily told each other, saying, this is a good time. These British ships come to Guangdong for trade and feel that there is no market there. It seems that we should set the sea. It will become a big wharf and a big market, and the income in the Dinghai area will greatly increase! The British came to Dinghai because they had coveted the Zhoushan Islands for a long time.Palmerston once wrote to Elliot, saying that the British cabinet has decided to use troops against China. The expeditionary force will arrive in the spring and will occupy the Zhoushan Islands or Xiamen as a base of operations. They can be used as reliable bases for British commercial organizations in the future. We will plan to Several such islands are permanently preserved. Not long after, Palmerston wrote to the Admiralty that after the expeditionary force arrived in China's waters, it should immediately occupy an island off the coast of China...if circumstances permit, the island should be permanently occupied.Her Majesty's Government considers one of the Zhoushan Archipelagos more suitable for this purpose; and the favorable position of the Archipelago, midway between Canton and Peking, and near the mouths of some great navigable rivers, makes it in all respects suitable for the headquarters to be located there. islands.Dinghai has long been in the calculations of the British Empire.Palmerston issued six documents in a row, making a series of deployments for the policy of aggression against China.These six documents summarize the following six main points: 1. After the expeditionary force arrives in China, it should immediately blockade the major estuaries, occupy the Zhoushan Islands, and then go north for negotiations.UK requirements: 1. Open five ports including Shanghai to trade with the UK; 2. The United Kingdom has the right to establish a territory; 3. China will permanently cede one or several coastal islands to the United Kingdom; 4. Compensation for more than 20,000 chests of opium surrendered by British businessmen that had been completely destroyed by Lin Zexu; 5. Repay the arrears of the merchants of the public bank; 6. Compensation for military expenses. Palmerston pointed out that if the Qing government is unwilling to cede the island, Britain can delete this clause in the future treaty, but the following clauses related to commerce must be added: 1. The quasi-British people build houses, warehouses and commercial buildings in Wukou, and British businessmen can freely trade with anyone without going through the public bank; 2. Agreement tariffs; 3. The British enjoy the most-favored-nation treatment; 4. If the British bring in contraband, the Chinese side can confiscate it, but it is not allowed to treat the British harshly; the British Commercial Supervision or the Consul General has the right to set up a court, and the British crimes in China will be judged by the court. Palmerston’s instructions and documents reflect the fundamental purpose of the British Empire’s invasion of China, which is to use force to open the door of China, establish a vast market in China, and give Britain a special dominant position... Dinghai thus became the first prey of the British army.When the British ships came to Hong Kong one after another, Yao Huaixiang, the magistrate of Dinghai County, went to inspect the Wellesley.As a local official of the Celestial Dynasty, he has the right to question visitors.When friends came, there was good wine. Yao Huaixiang wanted to know if the Huangmaoyi people on the other side of the sea had good wine like Nurhong.When he walked gracefully around the Wellesley, instead of being treated as he should, he was given an ultimatum. The ultimatum stated that the city of Dinghai must be handed over before 2 pm on July 5th, or else we will face each other... This is simply an international joke!It turns out that these barbarians are here to fight! Yao Huaixiang, the county magistrate, returned in a hurry, and hurriedly discussed with Zhang Chaofa, the commander of the navy, the strategy of defending against the enemy. At this time, the two realized that it was too difficult for Dinghai to protect his family and safety! Although Lin Zexu had repeatedly ordered the coast to take strict precautions, most officials believed that this was nothing more than sensationalism and exaggeration, and they often yelled and shouted for a while before abandoning it. Now, Lin Zexu's prophecy appeared under the blue sky, and the white sun illuminated these blond foreigners clearly, and the danger became palpable. Zhang Chaofa and Yao Huaixiang hurriedly dispatched troops and generals. In the rush of warehouses, they actually placed the rice bags from the grain depot at the intersection of the alley, and scattered the vagrants in the vital places to make up for it.Without artillery guns and sharp knives, they picked up sticks and bricks, and when they saw the shadows of ships on the sea, they shouted in unison to show their strength.That's all for the preparations.In addition, there is the determination to be loyal to the Celestial Dynasty. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon on the 5th, the British saw that there was no movement from the Dinghai defenders, so Brigadier General Boehme ordered the fleet to fire at the Chinese navy and the shore defenders. With the rumbling cannons and frightening flashes, Zhang Chaofa's naval warship was immediately smashed to pieces.At the beginning, Zhang Chaofa was still standing on the bow of the ship, holding a flag to direct the battle. A few minutes later, a shell fell right beside him, and he was seriously injured and fell into a pool of blood.The Chinese defenders lost their combat effectiveness in an instant.The soldiers who knew they were defeated by the British army fled.Zhang Chaofa was carried to the city by his subordinates in a coma, and soon died in Zhenhai.Yao Huaixiang threw himself into the water and died. On July 6, 1840, the British army occupied Dinghai. When Lin Zexu received the news of the fall of Dinghai, it was already August 3rd, and nearly a month had passed. Zhejiang Governor Wuer Gong reported in his speech: Thirty-one British and barbarian warships fled to Zhejiang Ocean and ran rampant, causing Dinghai County to fall... Lin Zexu was greatly shocked. There are 2,600 defenders in Dinghai, 300,000 people, and more than 500 square kilometers. How can it fall in the blink of an eye? Is the Chinese army so vulnerable?Are the Chinese people as weak as sheep and chickens? Lin Zexu seriously recalled the situation of the British army in Guangdong, and decided that although the British army was formidable, they would not be wise if they were not brave.If the Chinese defenders use their strengths to avoid their weaknesses, lure the enemy to land, disperse the villages and towns, make their cannons ineffective, and then mobilize the people's soldiers to fight a people's war, the British army will be divided and wiped out... The key question is Don't be afraid of foreigners, don't lose your mind, don't lose your morale... The fall of Dinghai put Lin Zexu in a passive situation. He knew that Daoguang would blame him for all this, and this was the deep meaning of Yilu. But victory or defeat is a common matter in military affairs. Dinghai fell, didn’t it mean that Guangzhou still survived? The British army succeeded in Dinghai, but they might not succeed in the coastal areas. The British people in Guangdong and Hai were repeatedly blocked.However, Emperor Daoguang was a self-willed and contradictory person. He sat alone in the nine-fold palace curtain and had no idea of ​​the public opinion. Therefore, his decisions often changed from day to day, either left or right.When Daoguang heard that Dinghai had been lost, Longyan was furious: he repeatedly issued decrees to order the governors along the coast to take strict precautions. Why was he still unprepared, like puppets, and sent foreigners ashore? Although Daoguang did not directly blame Lin Zexu by name, he no longer trusted him.On the second day when the news of Dinghai's fall reached Lin Zexu's ears, Lin Zexu drafted a plan to recover Dinghai. Level, give a very heavy reward.At this time, Dinghai was being ransacked by the British army.The nature of pirates is exposed. One Englishman admitted it was downright violence and robbery.He said: "When the troops landed, the British flag was unfurled.From this moment on, the terrible scene of robbery unfolds before the eyes, every house is violently broken into, every box is looted, the streets are full of pictures, chairs, tables, utensils, grain... until When there was nothing to take, the robbery stopped. Two British soldiers were blocked by more than ten villagers in the sheepfold during the robbery.The two Englishmen casually pointed their rifles at the healthy villagers and pulled the trigger, killing two of them on the spot, and walked away with the lamb on their backs under the terrified eyes of the rest of the villagers... Three British soldiers found Lin Xiugu's family hiding here in a forest. They brutally killed Xiugu's father and elder brother, tied Xiugu's grandfather to a tree, and raped Xiugu and her family in front of him. Her mother, and then shot them all... The residents of Dinghai abandoned the city and fled. The people scattered in the countryside were full of hatred for the invading British army, and launched a resistance movement in the style of strengthening the walls and clearing the wilderness. There was no water, and the clean and clear well water was filled with filth and filth, and the water inside was yellowish. Each British soldier could only drink a small cup of black water that could not be clarified.There is no food, and the food on the ship has been exhausted, so it can only be replenished on the shore, but it is more difficult to buy food from the people than going to heaven. The British army began to buy traitors to raise food and water for them. However, the local people confronted each other by capturing traitors.The traitor Budingbang once organized an underground grain transport team to replenish supplies for the British army, and the local people set up an ambush along the way he passed.Once, when he was delivering meat to the British army, the local people immediately captured him, tied him like a pig, and sent him to the Ningbo government for punishment.Later, the British army sent Indian sailors to the islands to buy livestock and food, but they were also captured by the local people. The British army was struggling in Dinghai. Although the British army also established a political power in Dinghai, appointed German missionary Guo Shili as the false magistrate, and posted notices to let the common people return to the city, open shops, transport food and taxes, and order the people to help them, but the people did not recognize these foreign governments. Still refused to follow. If the stalemate continues like this, although the British army can occupy Dinghai, it will be difficult to maintain it for a long time. Even without the recovery of officers and soldiers, Dinghai will return to the embrace of the country.However, Emperor Daoguang panicked. Half a month after the British army fell to Dinghai, the news reached the capital.On the same day, Emperor Daoguang ordered Yu Buyun, the admiral of Fujian, to rush to help at night.Afterwards, Deng Tingzhen was ordered to send Fujian boat divisions to Zhoushan to suppress the British army. Daoguang ordered Wu Ergong to be relieved of his post and temporarily stay in his post for the incompetent Wu Ergong. , I didn't feel anything about the strong ships and guns of the British army. However, immediately afterwards, the British army also launched an offensive in Guangdong. As the news of the fall of Dinghai spread to Guangdong, some of the British troops who stayed here were resurrected like corpses. In the past few days, they picked a quarrel and kidnapped more than a dozen salt boats, and killed several boatmen. The local people shared the same hatred and fought back with fire. When an Englishman named Vincent Stanton sneaked into Macau illegally, he was discovered by the local people. They immediately reported to the patrolling soldiers, who captured Stanton alive in Kasiran Bay and sent him to Guangzhou. Upon learning of the complaint, British army leader Shimi immediately rushed to Macao on the Enterprise to demand the release of Stanton, and threatened that if he was not allowed, he would enter Macao to cause disturbance. Under the pressure of the British, the Portuguese authorities in Macau had to forward the letter to Lin Zexu. Lin Zexu was furious when he heard the news, and flatly rejected this unreasonable request. He also increased the troops in the direction of Macao, mobilized 20 large military boats, hired 20 red single boats, 26 tugboats, and equipped them with artillery fire. Equipment, ready to meet the enemy. At this moment, the personal letter from the British that the Navy obtained from Dinghai was delivered to Lin Zexu. Lin Zexu translated it into Chinese, knowing that the British army had run into a wall in Dinghai, and that Dinghai's recovery was just around the corner. Right now, his first task is to keep a close eye on the British army in Guangdong, so as not to allow them to take advantage of the slightest chance. The British army jumped the wall in a hurry. Shi Mi personally led the Enterprise to attack the Guanzhai Fortress, and more than 300 sailors rushed towards the boundary wall separating the mainland from Macau.The Chinese defenders put up a tenacious resistance, and nearly 5,000 brave soldiers who heard the news joined the ranks of blocking. However, human flesh and blood is difficult to resist the cannon.In less than an hour, most of the iron cannons on the fort and the firearms on the boundary wall were blown into the sky by the British cannons. The fierce British artillery fire drove the Chinese defenders into the back of the mountain like dogs and sheep. I can watch the British rush up the boundary wall with the Miyu flag. The British invaders set fire to the sheds of the Chinese defenders at Guan lot, blew up all the artillery guns, and then retreated to the ship beating the tin drum and humming war songs. The failure of closing the gate shocked Lin Zexu.This was the first time he failed in a match against a foreigner. Although it was a small defeat, it still deeply annoyed him who is very strict with himself.The Chinese army with 5,000 men was driven like chickens by the British with 300. It really loses the dignity of a big country.Although the enemy's artillery fire is fierce, who can say that there is no element of fear of death? If a person is not afraid of death, he will display great initiative and fearlessness, which will shock the enemy, and the enemy will not swagger, as if entering a land of no one. So he ordered the army to fight tenaciously, and if there was a rout or a delay in the army's situation, one or two people would be killed in order to rectify military discipline. In order to eliminate the fear of Britain, Lin Zexu ordered the navy warships to attack the enemy ships actively instead of being passively beaten in the past.Dare to find the enemy to fight, and win once to boost morale.The navy went abroad. The British ship was not found for several days.The enemy was finally discovered five days later.The British ship appeared on the surface of the Modaoyang Sea.The cunning enemy seems to have seen the intention of the Chinese navy to fight a decisive battle to improve morale, so they took advantage of their own ships' fast speed and strong maneuverability to go around in circles with the Chinese navy on the vast sea.However, their traces were discovered by the united soldiers and civilians of Guangdong. After knowing that the British ships were gathered in Modaoyang, Lin Zexu and Guan Tianpei formulated a combat plan to jointly destroy the British ships.Lin Zexu personally went to Shajiaokou to mobilize before the war, and encouraged the sailor brothers not to be intimidated by the aggressiveness of foreigners.He said that the enemy is an unjust teacher, and he has been struggling for days, wandering around, and is dying.We are at our doorstep, justice is in our hearts, and we have a large number of people, a lot of soldiers and food, and we are waiting for work at leisure. As long as we get rid of the foreign-phobic thinking, we will give them color!Lin Zexu also said in a contemptuous tone, look at the virtues of foreigners, with yellow hair and shawls, full of embarrassment, wearing tight trousers and jackets in hot weather, and leggings entangled stiffly, if you fall to the ground, you will be unable to get up like wooden rafters. Where will they fight?If you want to talk about the war, we still fight in the Qing Dynasty. I think back then... the soldiers and brave men were enthusiastic, and they were all gearing up, determined to deal a heavy blow to the enemy in Modaoyang. On July 31, 1840, the Chinese navy found a steamer of the British army sailing into the Longgu Sea during a patrol, and immediately bit it and attacked it. The British steamer was hit by artillery fire and fled to the deep sea with billowing smoke.Afterwards, the Chinese navy received information that several warships were berthed in the southwest sea of ​​Longxue, and the navy immediately swung Longxue. When the Chinese navy approached the Fanshiyang area, it encountered the British ship, and the two sides launched a fierce artillery battle. The navy rushed to the British ship Jiali first, and attacked it with a three-thousand-jin copper cannon. After a burst of artillery fire, the nose and nose of the Jiali was damaged, and the hull was injured in many places. Many people fell into the sea.At this time, its shells had been exhausted, and it could only use empty cannons to frighten the navy.When the Chinese navy was about to step forward to seize it, the rest of the British ships rushed to rescue them desperately, and only then did the Jiali be freed. The battle didn't stop until night fell. The British ship was severely damaged, and the only things that were caught by sea ships were oil cables, sail booms, and rotating shafts.According to reports, dozens of British soldiers were killed. Although there was no great victory in the Battle of Alum Stone, it dealt a blow to the arrogance of the British army.Although the British army is well-equipped and well-trained, it is by no means easy to win a battle against a people and army who share the same hatred.It also shows that although the British army can capture Dinghai, they may not be able to capture Guangzhou. Although the British army can win in Dinghai, they may also lose in Guangdong.If things go on like this, the British army will not be able to withstand consumption... However, Emperor Daoguang gradually became afraid of the British invasion.Since the capture of Dinghai, the main force of the British ships gradually invaded the north.The northward movement of this calamity is a test of life and death for bureaucrats everywhere who have always been drunk. Most of China's coastal defenses are vulnerable. The long-term singing and dancing, especially the mixed peanut trees, the beautiful southern coast, and the inherently gentle township, have long soaked the iron horses and glaciers, and the bones of the nation that stretches across thousands of miles like tigers, and the courage of the Eight Banners has long been dissipated by the wind.When the endless days of peace wash over them like a long river, due to their special status, the waists of these rulers are often much softer than ordinary people. Up and down.Since the upper level enjoys so much pleasure and corruption, the lower level coastal defense fortresses are also intoxicated.According to the official report at the time, the Zhejiang military was unprepared for the British invasion, and felt flustered before the incident.The Jiangsu army has never heard of the word that it pays attention to training. The soldiers on the waterways in Shandong have not practiced the cannons of thousands of catties, and have tried to fire them hastily. Rusty, unusable... With this current situation and this situation, most officials have a deep sense of fear in the face of the strong ships and guns of foreigners. Who attracted these powerful foreigners?Who led the disasters of the West to the East?So they all turned their attention to Lin Zexu in Guangdong.Before Lin Zexu banned smoking, although foreigners made South China a miasma, and opium smoke made people weak, it did not endanger national security, did not start war against China, and did not spread the flames of war to so many places.Lin Zexu once banned smoking, which angered the British. The barbarians came because of the ban on smoking. Last year, when Guangdong paid cigarettes, they first promised the purchase price, and then reneged on the contract, resulting in a drastic change. Although Lin Zexu was successful in banning smoking, he was more guilty of leading wolves into the house and provoking war... Amidst the rumbling guns of the British army, the Lord and the faction sent slanderous words to Emperor Daoguang loudly, making Emperor Daoguang treat Lin Zexu's crimes against him. Trust slowly faltered. On August 11, 1840, the fleet led by Yilu and Yilu had berthed at Dagukou in the North Sea. This was the defense area of ​​Qi Shan, the leader of the Peace Faction, who was the governor of Zhili at that time. At this time, Emperor Daoguang already knew how powerful the British were, and most of the original power had been removed. He gave Qishan an order: If the British ships come, if they are not rebellious, don't shoot. Whatever letters and posts, no matter whether they are in translation or English, you just submit them immediately.Qi Shan figured out what Emperor Daoguang was thinking. For any ruler, the stability of Longting is the most important thing.Now the British are only a stone's throw away from Beijing and Tianjin. If they are annoyed, the British may enter the Forbidden City overnight. If it becomes a reality, the emperor's throne will change hands. Qishan kept playing Lin Zexu's book to Emperor Daoguang, saying that he was the maker of this war, and at the same time instilled in Emperor Daoguang the theory that resistance is useless, saying how great the British army is, and saying that he once sent people on the British ship to understand. There are three floors in the ship's cabin, and there are more than a hundred cannons on each floor. There are cannons at the front and back of each floor, and each cannon weighs more than 8,000 jin. Terrified.In order to keep the flames of war under control and not affect Beijing and Tianjin, Emperor Daoguang began to rely heavily on Qishan and asked him to negotiate with foreigners with only one purpose, to keep his throne in Longting! When Elliot's fleet was moored at Dagu Port, Elliot sent the Mata Yasika to approach the port to deliver a copy of the letter from British Foreign Secretary Palmerston to the Chinese Prime Minister and to ask for food.If this kind of request was in Guangdong, Lin Zexu would definitely have rejected and condemned it. However, here, Qishan readily agreed to their request and sent the British army what they needed.Elliot laughed. There is a saying in China that the east is not bright and the west is bright, and the south is dark and the north is dark. Now, this saying has come true. Elliot bypassed Lin Zexu's thorny head and put pressure on his master directly, which achieved initial results. Especially the hatred in his heart, it is very likely that Daoguang and Qi Shan will avenge it.During the brief contact with Qishan and others, Elliot judged that they were a completely different type of people from Lin Zexu. They didn't take the country seriously. It is the first principle. They are a kind of people who are easy to master. They are not like Lin Zexu, who is indifferent to water and fire.They have a common view on Lin Zexu. Although the perspective and direction of this view are not quite the same, they all feel extremely disgusted with him.This common ground will be the basis for them to work together. So Yilu and Qishan put pressure on Daoguang together.As far as Qishan is concerned, the so-called Sino-British war letter is the result of Lin Zexu's provocation and bravado to attract these British sea wolves. If my Tianjin is not guaranteed, it will not do my business. Emperor Daoguang punished Lin Zexu.In terms of Elliott, we originally didn't want to provoke a war, which was the result of Lin Zexu's lack of cooperation.Isn't it good that we come to open up markets and trade with each other?Although some businessmen bought some opium, which is suspected of poisoning the Chinese people, but this does not affect the security of your regime, nor does it affect the exchanges between countries.What's more, you proposed a smoking ban. Although it is harmful to our interests, we still basically implemented it. But why did you, Lin Zexu, insist on pressing us every step of the way? Stay alive.Is our British Empire to be trifled with?Today, we have come to question Lin Zexu, first, to ask Lin Zexu, and second, to agree to all our conditions. Our attitude is tough.We Westerners pay attention to civilization and gentlemanly demeanor, but we will not apply these to you China today, because you have missed the opportunity, and the one who missed this opportunity is none other than Lin Zexu who is still fighting against us in Guangdong... … Emperor Daoguang's distrust of Lin Zexu quickly turned into resentment. On August 20, 1840, he issued a decree to Qishan, saying: I sent Lin Zexu to ban smoking, which was originally for the benefit of the country and the people.Unexpectedly, he messed up this matter.He didn't act according to my lord's most righteous intentions, he was completely deceived by people with ulterior motives, his voice was harsh, and he dealt violently.The foreigners were indeed wronged.Now, the foreigners are coming across the ocean with their troops, purely for the sake of gaining a sigh of relief, and the conditions they put forward are just to save face.I hope you will tell Yilu and Yilu what I mean at the right time without losing the national dignity, and say that I have known your grievances for a long time, and I am about to send people south to Guangdong to investigate Lin Zexu and others in detail , once it is found out, it will be dealt with immediately, and I will definitely redress your grievances on your behalf... At this time, Lin Zexu's memorial about the opium criminals captured in the late period of the smoking ban and the actual number of confiscated tobacco and smoking equipment just arrived in Beijing. Emperor Daoguang was very annoyed by Lin Zexu's ignorance of current affairs, and immediately criticized the memorial: Externally, commerce is cut off, but it has not been cut off; internally, chana violates the law, and it cannot be cleaned up. It is nothing more than empty talk.See what you say to me! As the saying goes, accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. Now, Emperor Daoguang's tiger nature is gradually revealed.At this point, Lin Zexu's political future came to an abrupt end. Qishan is a smooth and quick-witted person.When Brother Elliot came on the waves with his fleet, he was initially scared out of his wits.According to the customs and defenses of Zhili in Tianjin, it is almost impossible to compete with foreigners for a day.In this way, if Dinghai repeats the same mistakes, his black gauze hat will disappear, and maybe Qingqing's life will be ruined. However, can he take a road opposite to Lin Zexu's, neither brave the wind and rain like Lin Zexu, and put his heart and soul into it (he Can't stand that kind of hard work, and doesn't have Lin's virtue?, and can protect himself. After thinking about it, Qishan thinks it's completely possible. The important thing is to grasp yourself, not to be confused in the critical execution, and not to be self-willed. 1 The country is the country of the emperor Laozi, and the country is the country of the emperor Laozi. Why should it be as serious as Lin Zexu? There is no need to work hard and be loyal. Tianjin is the gate of the capital. If it is lost, it will bring disaster to the imperial city. How can Emperor Daoguang sleep To be safe? Therefore, try everything possible to deceive these British sea wolves who don't understand human language, even if they return to Lin Zexu in Nanyue, let him go and enjoy these yellow-haired monsters! Therefore, Qishan tried his best to treat Brother Yilu with the gentle means that a state of etiquette could think of.Didn't he, Lin Zexu, treat you British people with cold eyebrows, and I treat you with spring breeze.Didn't he, Lin Zexu, not give you food and fresh water, while I sent you twenty cows, two hundred sheep, and a lot of chicken, duck and fish, and I brought you a hundred loads of sweet water.He, Lin Zexu, put on a show, and even a foreigner like Yilu is unwilling to talk to him. I, Qishan, don't give you general knowledge. Today, I will set up a special tent in a colorful building to meet you in person.Didn't you propose to punish Lin Zechu again? I can give you a clear answer. Your thoughts are exactly the same as ours, and even Long Live God also thinks the same way.We were all played by that pretentious Lin Zexu, and it was all the result of his nonsense.Alright Brother Elliot, now let's sit down and talk. On August 30, 1840, Elliot and Qishan started talks on the south bank of Dagukou.Elliot received the most lavish hospitality from the Chinese side since his appointment as plenipotentiary. On September 13, 1840, Qishan sent Bai Hanzhang to negotiate with the British ships, hoping that they would return south to eastern Guangdong.If the fleet really goes south, China can send ministers to follow Guangdong to negotiate. Yilu considered that it was autumn and the weather was getting colder. If the naval army wanted to launch an offensive with sufficient and appropriate effects, it might have lost the opportunity. It would be better to go along with the current and borrow the donkey from the slope, and give this Chinese official with a good attitude a face. Go south. On September 15, 1840, Yilu wrote back to Qishan, saying that the British ship will go south, but you must keep your promise, please inform the coastal provinces, do not provoke troubles, and we will never cause troubles.On the same day, he weighed anchor and headed south. When the news of the departure of the British ship reached Beijing, Emperor Daoguang was overjoyed and praised Qishan for doing a good job. I was so happy, and immediately appointed Qishan as the imperial envoy. He came to Beijing to listen to his orders, and then rushed to Guangdong to meet British negotiations. Qishan was reused, and during the training period, he further attacked Lin Zexu wantonly. Therefore, Emperor Daoguang finally ordered Lin Zexu and Deng Tingzhen to be dismissed for the crime of harming the country and the people, and mishandling the affairs. In this way, with the help of Daoguang and the Zhuhe faction, the Yilu brothers finally took out Lin Zexu's thorn in the flesh. Although Lin Zexu was in southern Guangdong, the deep coolness of sad autumn had already blown through his chest.This is the coolness that gradually intensified one by one, and his originally fiery heart was blown cold by the cold autumn wind. Regarding his order to ban smoking, some people in the court have long made irresponsible remarks.只身南下，在禁烟中纵横捭阖，三日一奏折，五日一咨文，大清朝沸沸扬扬，满朝谁人不识林？早有人说他占尽风流，是借禁烟抬高自己的身价地位，使道光帝重爱邀宠他林氏。这些他都不在乎。 他林则徐天地良心，上可对天，下可对地，并无半点私心杂念。作为人臣，道光帝金殿宣召当面谕示他禁烟之策，数日之内竟达八九次之多，这份信任够重够重了。无论如何，他也要对得起天子的圣恩。作为一个中国人，眼见得鸦片荼毒生灵，使我华夏顿成鬼域世界，人将不人，国将不国，他怎能不恨这西来的夷人？鸦片烟是该禁了，而且非禁不可。现在，禁烟的任务历史地落在了他的身上，他林则徐怎能不竭尽全力事之？ 正因为他心气太盛，用心太专，责任心太强，才遭来周遭上下官员们的一片蜚声。 我林则徐一人对天，青天丽丽，心迹可察，只要皇上老子信任我也就行了，至于别的，戡乱纠偏年代，大敌当前之时，顾不得许多了，日后再一一释解罢。 可有谁知，现在竟连道光皇帝也对他林则徐侧目而视了。林则徐是个敏感的人，多年官宦生涯，京师七年伴君，怎能看不出皇帝对自己的冷热？当他得知英人在京津递呈，皇上准其呈诉时，就顿感自己失势了。 他能管好南粤，能使广东金瓯不缺，他能管得了江苏山东天津吗？英人如蝇逐蛋，广东无隙，可沿海各省，有缝的地方太多太多了，叮咬一处，妥协一片，协和之声顿起，官员们只顾自保，谁肯真正为国家民族着想？这样，他林则徐反而成了少数派，成了大家的众矢之的。 现在，主和派的声音一浪高过一浪，道光帝也决意妥协，此意已决，谁人能挡？ 林则徐心情悲凉，无力回天的感慨油然生出。他曾致书怡良陈述自己的郁闷：此次仰蒙严谕，本在意中，然实专为徐一人而发，恐此后必更有重于此者。徐不敢不懔天威，亦不敢认罪戾，惟事之本末，诚不得不明白上陈耳。 不久，为英人代申冤抑的琦善到达了广州，接替了林则徐的职务。 林则徐知道这一天终会到来。 秋天的寒意已渐入骨髓，琦善之流弹冠相庆之声充斥着督府衙门。禁烟抗英本来是为国为民之举，谁知却如秋深寒蝉。 林则徐明知他人生的悲秋就要降临（实际上他已步入其中？，但他仍不甘心，他仍上书道光，继续陈述他的抗英主张。他说：鸦片之害，甚于洪水猛兽，即尧舜在今日，亦不能不为驱除。圣人执法惩奸，实为天下万世计，而天下万世之人亦断无以鸦片为不必禁之理！ 在《密陈办理禁烟抗英不能歇手片》的奏稿中，他警告退让求和的后果时说： 抑知夷性无厌，得一步又进一步，若使威不能克，即恐患无时，且他国效尤，更不可不虑…… 但是，一切都是命里注定的。 秋天已经来了，冬天的脚步也随之而至。 1840年11月下旬，钦差大臣琦善来到广州，一是为英人代申冤抑，二是和英人谈判。 义律的弟弟懿律此时因病已辞职回国，义律成为英方唯一的全权代表。 义律终于如愿以偿。他把无法攻克的对手林则徐巧妙地干掉了，而且干得如此巧妙，真让人回味无穷，称得上对华作战的经典之作。现在，他面前端坐着一个面团似的人物琦善，他想，既然林则徐我都把他拿下了，似这等人不也就是一团面团吆，我想怎么捏就怎么捏！ 但是，琦善毕竟是经过训练的面团。他首先提出英人索赔烟土，这在理论上是站不住脚的。烟土系违禁之物，法律不允，缘何赔偿？但是，看你们万里而来，感念你们辛苦，我们同意酌酬大洋五百万元。注意，是酌酬，而不是赔偿。至于你们提出割让海岛一事，我们祖宗向来没有这个规矩。你们侵占我们定海也要马上归还。义律说，关于烟价赔偿一事，事出有因，是林则徐处置不当。你们自己也承认他举措失当，我们的商人和国家蒙受了极大的损失。因此，我们提出索赔七百万元，这个数额仅比你们提出的五百万元多出二百万元，以你们这样大的国家，是应该承受得起的。第二，请中国政府允准开放广州、厦门、定海对英贸易，如果同意，我们可以放弃割地要求，并且在一月内将定海交还中国。为了保证顺利交割，英方还打算占领香港岛作为在华英人的立足点和支撑点，直到中英双方纠葛彻底解决后再交回。 琦善复照说：烟价可给至六百万元，如定海交还，通商口岸除广州外还可再增设一处。 义律也复照说：鸦片赔款可以六百万元，但通商口岸必须在浙、闽两省各增开一处。如果中方同意此条件，英军才会从定海撒出…… 经过讨价还价，琦善终于被义律揉搓成了面团。他决定答应义律的条件。 1840年12月19日，琦善奏请道光帝说：夷人一启而即言打仗，此时若竞与交锋，无论船炮既不相敌，兵心亦多畏葸……因此，琦善建议说，根据以上情况，还是同意洋人的条件为好，要不，他们将占领香港，日后必定在此屯兵聚粮，建台设炮，给广东添乱。 哪知道光早已摆脱了英军围城时的恐惧，这时腰又似乎变硬了。他览阅奏折后不禁大怒，他说：夷人欺人太甚，情形桀骜，所提条件不通情理，提出要在厦门和福州两处通商的要求也非常过份。什么赔偿烟价，均不准行。 这次轮到琦善左右为难了。他虽然油滑，但圣意难违。而义律却又态度强硬，动不动就亮武力威胁。他只得用拖的办法来对付苦苦相逼的英国人。 义律12月26日向琦善发出最后通牒，限定琦善给予答复。琦善立时复照义律说，所提之事，已奏圣上，现在正等候圣上裁决，望再宽限些时日。义律又进一步提出：如果不能立时决定，我们将暂屯香港。 双方你来我往打着嘴皮官司。 然而，义律在打嘴皮官司的同时，还悄悄运筹帷幄，几乎兵不血刃地攻占了沙角和大角两个炮台，并得寸进尺地提出占据沙头角的要求。 义律深知该怎样对付眼前这个面团和他的主子。倘苦靠耍嘴皮子，靠谈判去索要想得到的东西，以自己的口才和谈判技巧，顶多和这个胖乎乎的中国官员打个平手。这样，自己就不会完成任务。还是应该把手中的拳头握起来，朝对手的软肋处击打。现在的世界，仍然是靠拳头说话的时代，谁的拳头硬，谁的话就算数。边打边谈是最好的谈判技巧。 果然，琦善无可奈何地对义律说，沙头角和香港，这两处地方你们只能挑一处地方泊船，要是都占去，那也太说不过去，我实在无法给皇上交待。 这正是义律求之不得的。本来他的目的是要占领香港，却欲擒故纵，提出占领沙头角的要求。见琦善答应挑一处地方的方案，他立时表态说，好吧，看在你的面子上，沙头角我们就不再坚持占领，我们将选择香港…… 香港地区面积为1066。8平方公里，位于珠江出海口的东侧，由香港岛和九龙半岛两部分所组成。数万年前，香港岛和九龙还是连在一体的陆地，后由于地壳变化，陆地浮沉，才与大陆分离。 香港地貌以浅山丘陵为主。城区占总面积的18，耕地渔塘占9%，山地占73%。香港岛与九龙半岛南北隔海相望。岛上有太平山、歌赋山、桕架山等，地势高峻，山峰陡峭，峰峦海拔多在三、四百米。九龙和新界的地形中间突出，四周偏低，位于中心的大雾山脉主峰海拔957米，是香港地区的最高峰。诙山渐次向下向海中延伸，或五六百米，或二三百米，或百十米等，梯次成为冲积平原，然后没入海内。 一百多年前，香港当然不是上述的模样，但却不像有人所描绘的是不毛之地，或一个偏僻的小渔村，而是一个在当时已颇具规模的大市镇。 据1841年5月15日《香港公报》公布的人口统计资料，香港岛已有人口7450人，有15个村庄，一个市镇。港岛的南部赤柱是全岛的中心，是一个2000人口的市镇。在一百多年前，它的人口密度已不能算小。 香港自古以来就是中国领土不可分割的部分。秦汉东晋时，该地区属番禺县管辖，后属宝安、东莞县管辖。从明朝万历元年（公元1573年？起，到清朝道光二十一年（公元1841年？该地区一直属广州府新安县管辖。 英占以前，香港地区的农业已比较发达。据锦田邓族道光年间所作《香港等处税亩总呈》显示，在康熙年间，邓族在香港岛的香港和大潭已拥有不少田地。香港当时是一个小小的地名。香港之名何以得来？说法很多，仅举以下几例： one of 据说古时候有个叫香姑的农家姑娘，武艺高强，美貌绝伦，不知何故，在此落草，成为威振一方的海盗，久而久之，人们便将此岛叫做香姑岛。时间长了，便简称香岛。后来海运兴起，此地辟为港湾，便借岛名日香港。 second 香港岛东南的石排湾，有一条全岛最大的溪涧，其水甘甜清洌，芳香扑鼻，过往渔民常到此溪汲水饮用，人送该水日香江。香江汇流入海，入海处又被渔民聚泊为港，沿用水名，叫做香港。 third 传说很久很久以前，有一只红香炉自海外漂来，那香炉造型独特，精美无比，如活物一般。偌大的炉身，那样沉重的份量，竟在海上飘飘若羽，真是不可思议，人们都说它是天后显圣，便将此炉供在岛上的天后庙里，并将这个地方叫红香炉港，后来人们简叫香港…… 说法不一，传说有之，神话有之，虚幻飘渺，似都有理，然都不确切。当笔者在珠江三角洲一带采访，特别是到现今的东莞市采访时，东莞市主管宣传的市委副书记黎桂康谈起香港名字的由来，笔者认为他的话似乎更具权威性。