Chapter 540: Big Brother, I Won’t Take You with Me
1857 was a turbulent year.
Inside Sacramento's new home, Weixiuju.
Liang Yao flipped through the newspaper and saw an inconspicuous piece of news in the newspaper.
It's called news, but it's just a rehash of old news.
The content of the news is that Zhang Mingfeng, the magistrate of Xilin County in Guangxi during the Qing Dynasty, arrested 26 illegal believers headed by French Catholic priest Ma Lai based on the complaints of local villagers, and sentenced two illegal believers headed by Ma Lai to death in accordance with the laws of the Qing Dynasty, and the rest were punished according to their crimes.
This incident happened last year. The French media is now making a big fuss about it. The intention is very obvious, that is, to create public opinion for sending troops to the Qing Dynasty.
This incident is the famous Father Ma incident in history, which was the excuse for France to send troops in the Second Fu Shou Gao War.
If it was the local officials in Guangzhou of the Qing Dynasty who did not allow the British consul and merchants to enter the city, according to a series of treaties signed after the First Fu Shou Gao War, the Qing Dynasty was indeed at fault.
As for the Father Ma incident, the Qing Dynasty was not at fault, and more responsibility lies with the French side.
According to the Sino-French Huangpu Treaty, the French only had the right to preach in five trading ports, and the Qing court clearly stipulated in the treaty that foreigners were not allowed to preach in the interior.
Ma Lai and others ignored the treaty and went deep into the interior to preach, and even went to such a sensitive place as Guangxi to preach, which had already touched the sensitive nerves of the Qing court.
If it was really just preaching, it would be fine, but the key is that these French priests relied on their consular jurisdiction to run rampant in the countryside, robbed and raped, which was purely courting death.
What's more, most of the local officials of the Qing Dynasty at that time did not know the specific contents of the unequal treaties signed by the Qing Dynasty and the powers after the Fushou War.
The Qing Dynasty suffered a loss because it had been almost 20 years since the Fushou War, and there was not a single official in the country who had a modern diplomatic consciousness.
There was solid evidence in the priest incident. As long as the Qing Dynasty notified the French Consul General and dealt with it according to international practice, international public opinion would be favorable to the Qing Dynasty.
Britain and France are not Tsarist Russia. Tsarist Russia often sends troops just because it wants your land, and it doesn't even bother to find a high-sounding reason. The purpose of launching a war is to obtain more territory.
The primary purpose of Britain and France to launch a war is for trade, to dump their own goods in other markets and gain real commercial benefits.
Britain and France are the makers of the international order in the 19th century, and they are more or less concerned about their image and international public opinion. Moreover, with the huge size and remaining flower racks of the Qing Dynasty at that time, the probability of France directly sending troops is very small.
However, this is only feasible in theory, and it is not practical in practice, because at that time, the Qing Dynasty was avoiding foreigners and did not allow foreigners to enter Beijing.
It was difficult for the French Consul General in Shanghai to meet local officials, let alone meet Beijing officials, or even meet the emperor.
It was a foregone conclusion that the British Empire would declare war on the Qing Dynasty, and even the American high-level officials on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean had more or less heard some rumors.
According to the latest news, the House of Parliament in the Palace of Westminster in London has been holding a meeting to discuss the formation of the Far East Expeditionary Force and the selection of the commander of the expeditionary force.
It seems that the last suspense of the British army's dispatch to the Qing Dynasty is only time.
The funny thing is that the whole world knows that Britain and France are going to declare war on the Qing Dynasty and are about to send troops directly, but the Qing Dynasty, the country in question, still knows nothing about what is happening in the outside world at this time.
With the Pacific Railway, a major transportation artery connecting the East and the West, the travel between the East and the West has become very convenient.
Of course, the premise is that you can afford a ticket worth more than $200. In this era, long-distance travel is still a luxury for a few people.
Only those Easterners who are determined to immigrate to the West will be willing to buy a ticket worth more than $200.
The high ticket prices from New York to the West Coast are caused by the insufficient capacity of the Pacific Railway. In addition to passenger transport, the Pacific Railway Company must also allocate part of its capacity to undertake freight orders.
It is impossible to increase the capacity of the Pacific Railway in a short period of time, and Liang Yao has no intention of doing so.
However, the West Coast region has introduced some preferential policies to attract high-quality immigrants from the East.
Taking California as an example, California's latest immigration mechanism for immigrants from the East mainly includes the following three aspects.
First, investment immigration: Anyone who can prove to Canadian banks such as Bank of America, Boston Bank, Jardine Matheson Bank, and Tongfu Bank that his property value exceeds US$1,000 can get a free ticket to the West Coast for himself and his immediate family.
Canadian banks will also provide low-interest loans of different amounts to Eastern investment immigrants based on the amount of collateral provided by Eastern investment immigrants.
Second, technical immigration: Anyone who can prove to California immigration officers stationed in Eastern states that he has a skill can get a free ticket to the West Coast.
Third, entrepreneurial immigration: Those who can provide detailed entrepreneurial plans to California immigration officers can enjoy a 40% discount on ticket purchases.
Buchanan came to California on his presidential train.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Buchanan couldn't believe that the place he was going to was actually a frontier state that had been established for less than 10 years.
In the mid-19th century, the most successfully developed region in the westward movement led by the federal government of the United States was Illinois, located on the southwest shore of Lake Michigan. The metropolis of Chicago rose at this time.
Compared with California, the achievements made by Illinois in recent years are simply not worth mentioning. Chicago, the largest city in Illinois, and the twin cities of California (San Francisco and Los Angeles) are not cities of the same magnitude.
Chicago, whose population has not yet broken the 100,000 mark, cannot even compare with California's capital Sacramento, let alone California's two stars.
As for economic comparison, the eastern region, including the areas along the Great Lakes, is currently suffering from a serious economic crisis, and all industries are depressed. Comparing the economy between Chicago and Sacramento is self-humiliating.
"This is Sacramento, which is much more prosperous than the Chicago I just visited before."
Liang Yao was still quite surprised that Buchanan came to California in person. Liang Yao welcomed Buchanan at Weixiuju, the capital of Sacramento.
"Your Excellency the President came to California without notifying me in advance, so I can welcome him. Your Excellency, please." Liang Yao smiled and welcomed Buchanan into Weixiuju.
Liang Yao and Buchanan's relationship was not so close and friendly. At least Liang Yao's relationship with former President Fillmore was better than Buchanan's. However, Buchanan came to California in person as the president, so he still had to show the proper etiquette.
"General Liang, do you know the Three Sages of the West?" After sitting down, Buchanan did not get straight to the point.
"I've heard of it. It's just a boast from folk gossipers. Don't take it seriously." Liang Yao replied.
"There are three sages in the West, and there are six gentlemen in the South. Whether it's the Three Sages of the West or the Six Gentlemen of the South, they are all members of the American family."
If he talked about this issue with ordinary people, Liang Yao could answer casually. Buchanan is not an ordinary person, he is the president. The fact that he can ask this question shows that Buchanan has vaguely noticed that something is wrong in the West, but he is not easy to say it out loud.
After the opening of the Pacific Railway, the exchanges between the East and the West have become more and more frequent and close.
Since the three states on the West Coast are dominated by Chinese, their cultural customs are very different from those in the East, and such a title was created during the exchanges between them.
The six hardcore slave states in the South: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and Alabama. There is also a saying of the Six Gentlemen of the South in the market.
To put it simply, it is a folk nickname. To look at it from a deeper level, it is that these individuals identify more with each other than with the federal government.
For a country, especially a federal country with an incomplete constitution, this is a very dangerous signal. Buchanan, a veteran in the political arena, cannot fail to see it.
"Well said, we are all members of the big family of the U.S. federal government." Buchanan took a sip of tea slowly, and then expressed his disappointment and dissatisfaction with the current situation in Utah Territory.
"When I passed through Utah Territory, I stayed there for a while. At the station, I could see Mormons preaching to passengers. The new governor of the territory you recommended did not seem to do his job well."
"Mormons have been immigrating to Utah Territory in large numbers under the leadership of Brigham Young since 1845. Brigham Young and others have been working in Utah Territory for 12 years.
Governor Stanford has just taken office for less than two months. It is too impatient to ask him to produce results now. Mr. President, you will not get Scrapple (a traditional breakfast food in Buchanan's hometown of Pennsylvania, namely Scrapple: fried pork pudding, corn patties) if you are impatient." Liang Yao replied.
As a president, Buchanan is too impatient.
"The situation in Utah Territory is complicated, and Governor Stanford's job is not easy. I can understand that. Otherwise, I would not have appointed Stanford as the governor of Utah Territory under great pressure." Buchanan said with some embarrassment.
"If Governor Stanford can't produce even a little bit of results, what can I do to shut up those opposition parties in Washington who are against me? How can I continue to support Mr. Stanford's work? When I passed by Utah Territory, I heard Mormons discussing that Stanford should donate his property to join the church. I wonder if you know about this."
It's better to say that Buchanan is dissatisfied with Liang Yao than with Stanford.
Stanford was recommended by Liang Yao, and Liang Yao can influence Stanford's work. This is an open secret that both the top leaders of California and Washington know.
On the issue of eradicating Mormonism, the attitudes of the top leaders of California and Washington are consistent.
Stanford has been the governor of Utah Territory for more than a month. Not only has he not produced any decent results, he also wants to join Mormonism.
Such an abnormal behavior forced Buchanan to be more careful.
Buchanan and politicians in Washington are worried about Stanford joining Mormonism. They don't want another Brigham Young to appear in Utah Territory.
"Stanford's conversion is also part of his job," Liang Yao said.
"I don't care how Stanford solves the Mormon problem. I want results," Buchanan said anxiously.
"I want to know when Stanford can produce results."
"It will definitely be produced during your term," Liang Yao replied.
"No, it's too long. I can't wait." Buchanan was not satisfied with this answer. Buchanan's current position as president is not stable. What he needs most now is political achievements.
"Then I can only answer you that you will see results soon. Since I recommended Stanford to be the governor, I will also be responsible for my recommendation. If the opposition parties in Washington are in a hurry, you can put all the responsibility on me." Liang Yao withstood the pressure for Stanford.
"I think you came all the way to California not just to talk to me about the issue of Utah's conversion to Mormonism."
Liang Yao didn't believe that Buchanan condescended to come all the way from Washington to Sacramento just to discuss Stanford's dereliction of duty with him.
If Buchanan only wanted to discuss Stanford's dereliction of duty, he could have used a telegram to communicate with him.
Although the federal government's finances were tight, it was not so poor that it could not even send a telegram.
"I am mainly here to consult you on some issues in the Far East, specifically the Qing Dynasty. Our envoys in London and Paris have sent back reliable news that Britain and France have decided to declare war on the Qing Dynasty, and the two countries are likely to form an expeditionary force to fight together." Buchanan asked.
"Who do you think we Americans should support to maximize the interests of the Far East?"
Liang Yao is the most senior Chinese politician in the United States. During the Fillmore presidency, Liang Yao assisted the Fillmore government in successfully dealing with the Japanese issue at the time, making the United States the power that benefited the most after Japan's founding.
In view of this, the American top brass has always regarded Liang Yao as an expert on the Qing Dynasty and the Far East.
"Do you still need to ask this? Form a coalition with Britain and France." Liang Yao took a sip of tea.
"To form a coalition with Britain and France to intervene in the Far East, I have also communicated with the British and French ambassadors to the United States, but the requirements put forward by the two ambassadors are too harsh, requiring us, the United States, to share the concession in Nagasaki, Japan with them." Buchanan said.
Buchanan did not have the idea of forming a coalition with Britain and France, but the price of cooperation proposed by Britain and France was too high for him to accept.
Britain did not share Hong Kong Island with the United States, so why should the United States share the Nagasaki concession with Britain?
Liang Yao also knew the deep-seated reasons why Britain and France were unwilling to take the United States, their little brother, to send troops together.
Britain and France are the two most powerful powers in Europe, one with the world's most powerful navy, and the other with the world's most powerful army.
The formation of a coalition between Britain and France is a powerful combination, what does you, the United States, have? You have no army and no navy. A country bumpkin begging for food on the American continent is also worthy of forming a coalition with my British Empire and the French Empire?
Britain and France must also be aware of the current financial situation of the United States and know that the United States cannot withdraw a large number of troops to form an expeditionary force with them. Bringing the United States will not only not help Britain and France, but will have one more country to share the cake after the war, which is not cost-effective for Britain and France.
"Since Britain and France will not play with us, America, there is no need for us to stick to the cold buttocks." Liang Yao said lightly.
The great powers have never been of one mind, and it is also within Liang Yao's expectations that they can't urinate in the same chamber pot when it comes to core interests.
This is also what Liang Yao wants. Out of personal feelings and the interests of the West Coast region in China, it is not the best choice for him to go along with Britain and France.
Compared with going along with Britain and France, Liang Yao is more inclined to take the opportunity to weaken the power of the two great powers of Britain and France in the Far East.
After all, the Qing Dynasty at this time is not exactly the same as the Qing Dynasty in history.
At least now the Qing Dynasty still has a quasi-modernized force like Yueyong that can barely be shown off.
As long as the Guangdong Yong is provided with sufficient supplies and Liang Shaoqiong commands properly, facing the British and French coalition forces that have come from halfway across the globe, it is possible to win this battle.
Britain and France have just experienced the Crimean War, and the coalition forces suffered heavy casualties on the Crimean battlefield. As long as they fight Britain and France until the cost of the war is so high that Britain and France cannot afford it, it will be fine.
"The Nagasaki concession was obtained by the blood and lives of American soldiers. We must not give it to others easily, otherwise we will not be able to explain to the expeditionary soldiers who were buried in foreign lands in the past, nor to the people." Liang Yao said.
"In addition, the joint operation of the shipbuilding industry between our country and the Qing Dynasty is still on the agenda. If we go to war with Britain, France and the Qing Dynasty at this time, this major project may also fail."
"This is also what I am worried about. If we rashly send troops to attack the Qing Dynasty together with Britain and France, it will not be justified. It seems that we Americans are taking advantage of others' misfortune." Buchanan comforted himself.
Britain and France had a barely justifiable reason to send troops to the Qing Dynasty, but America did not.
Thanks to the large number of Chinese on the West Coast, many of these Chinese were good at using their skin color, appearance, language and cultural advantages to act as middlemen for American merchants of other races, wandering between the local governments of the Qing Dynasty and non-Chinese American merchants. Even in the inland cities of the Qing Dynasty, there were these Chinese middlemen.
The kerosene in Los Angeles was sold to the inland areas of the Qing Dynasty by these naturalized Chinese merchants who used their resources and connections in the Qing Dynasty.
Therefore, the resistance of the United States to doing business in the Qing Dynasty was much smaller than that of Britain and France, and the friction between the two sides in trade was not sharp.
Take Guangzhou, where the contradiction between Chinese and foreigners was the most acute, for example. The Guangzhou authorities prohibited foreigners from entering the city, while American merchants of other ethnic groups could entrust Chinese merchants to enter the city.
After all, among the Thirteen Factories, there were also many naturalized immigrants to the United States and invested in the United States to set up their own businesses.
Local officials in the Qing Dynasty rejected dealing with foreigners, but they did not reject dealing with Chinese-American businessmen. As long as these Chinese did not take the initiative to reveal that they had become American citizens, these Chinese-American businessmen doing business in the Qing Dynasty were no different from Chinese businessmen.
If Britain and France won the so-called trade war against the Qing Dynasty, and extended their tentacles to the inland areas that were originally out of reach, it would objectively be an erosion of American interests.
"For problems in the Far East, if they can be solved by diplomatic means, we should try to solve them by diplomatic means. America's financial resources are not as strong as those of Britain and France. When General Perry and I went on an expedition to Japan, we fought quickly and decisively, never lost, and had almost no casualties, but it still cost millions of dollars." Liang Yao said.
This is Buchanan trying to save face. The above reasons are indeed the reasons why the United States does not need to send troops to the Qing Dynasty.
The deepest reason is that the federal government is currently busy dealing with internal troubles and is in a very tight financial situation, so it is unable to organize a decent expeditionary force.
This is also the reason why Britain and France are unwilling to bring the United States along. At this time, the United States is indeed not qualified to form an expeditionary force with Britain and France.