Chapter 35 - 35 The Diplomatic war

Words : 794 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 35: Chapter 35 The Diplomatic war The Emperor's thoughts churned behind his calm exterior. To think he dared to eliminate the regent. Madness? Or brilliance? Perhaps both. "And what would Your Majesty have me do?" Liu Feng asked. "I'd keep you by my side, but that won't be easy. There are mountains to climb before we reach that point." "Indeed." The two men resumed their quiet drinking, the third bottle of sorghum liquor now empty. Yet Liu Feng's face betrayed no sign of inebriation. "Tch," the Emperor thought, "there's no hope for coaxing secrets out of him through wine." "Are you aware of the agenda for the current negotiations?" the Emperor pressed. "I am." "How?" "I learned of it two days ago. A friend informed me." The Emperor's eyes narrowed in surprise. The document, delivered to him with urgency just this morning, was already known to Liu Feng days prior. "Then you must know what needs to be done." "For whom? Your Majesty? Or the Qing Empire?" "Both. There's no need to separate the two; I am the Empire." "I know the answer," Liu Feng said plainly, "but I cannot share it. Speaking of it would only diminish my leverage." The Emperor's lips quirked into a half-smile. So much composure. So little surprise. As if he always holds the answer to every question. "What would it take to loosen your tongue?" the Emperor asked. "Would you have me replace the entire Privy Council and put you in charge?" "Are you offering me power, Your Majesty? If so, I must refuse. Even in death, I'd rather not." The Emperor laughed, incredulous. "You know the solution but won't share it, and you reject power outright. How, then, am I supposed to uncover the path forward?" "To your benefit, to mine, and to the Empire's," Liu Feng replied, his tone unwavering. "That is all I can offer." "Very well," the Emperor conceded. "You shall have your price."@@@@ Their conversation stretched long into the night. By the time Liu Feng left, it was nearly midnight, leaving the Emperor to brood over his thoughts until dawn. If the Qing Empire falls, you'll be the ones paying the highest price. Why rip out the roots of the very tree that shades you?" The gathered diplomats bristled. While they knew the Qing Empire's collapse would bring instability, they had always assumed it wouldn't come to that. "Even so, nothing will change," Herbert said, his impatience showing. "Sign it or leave." "If it's flawed," Liu Feng replied with a faint smile, "then we'll simply change it." The room fell silent again, diplomats now waiting, skeptical but curious. "Let's begin with the reparations figure. It's incorrect," Liu Feng declared. A derisive laugh escaped one of the delegates. So he's going to haggle over the amount like a merchant? Predictable. "I might reduce it to 250 million taels," Herbert offered dismissively. "But anything less isn't worth discussing." "Too low," Liu Feng countered smoothly. "Four hundred million." What? Every face in the room froze, unsure if they had misheard. Moments ago, they had expected desperate pleas for mercy. Instead, this man had more than doubled the proposal. "For our mutual benefit, the Qing Empire is willing to pay. We are not without means." While the diplomats struggled to process his words, Liu Feng pressed on. "We understand the conflicts surrounding Liaodong, Shandong, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula. We propose a solution to settle these disputes once and for all." He unfurled a map onto the table. "You'll see marked areas. These represent port cities we're prepared to lease to you. But we're not just offering ports—we'll grant a one-year tax exemption. Whether you impose tariffs, waive them, or manage foreign trade as you see fit, Qing will not interfere." "Tax exemption?!" Herbert blurted, unable to mask his shock. He had anticipated a tug-of-war over customs revenue, not an offer to forgo it entirely. "Furthermore," Liu Feng continued, "we'll address the issue of military presence. Troops will be permitted within designated port cities. While numbers will be capped, the arrangement will satisfy all parties involved." This proposal, subtle yet revolutionary, implied that each power would maintain its own forces separately, avoiding direct confrontation. "If you wish to exchange designated cities with another nation, notify us before the treaty is finalized. Coastal artillery in leased ports will remain, but joint supervision will be permitted. However," Liu Feng's voice grew colder, "any unilateral attempt to bring warships into these waters will nullify the agreement." The diplomats, now furiously calculating, barely had time to respond before Liu Feng continued.

Chapter 35 - 35 The Diplomatic war

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