Rise of the Arms Dealer in the World War-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.

The next day, a ripple of shock swept through the court: Liu Feng had replaced Li Hongzhang as the Empire's plenipotentiary envoy. While some ministers balked at the unprecedented move, they dared not voice opposition openly.

The Emperor's intent was unmistakable. This was a declaration that he alone would shoulder the consequences of the treaty. Yet, the court harbored its doubts. "A young Emperor blinded by ambition," they murmured. "Still clinging to his mother's shadow, unable to grasp the reality of his position."

What none of them realized was that the Emperor's reforms had already begun.

Two days later, the delegations reconvened at Zhi Huaguan for the second round of negotiations.

"Before we proceed, I must inform you of a change," Li Hongzhang announced. "At your insistence, I have stepped aside. The new plenipotentiary envoy will now take over. Please, step forward."

Liu Feng rose, his tailored black suit cutting a sharp figure amidst the traditional robes of Qing officials. Even the Western diplomats, dressed in their formal uniforms, found themselves glancing at the enigmatic young envoy.

"Greetings," Liu Feng said, bowing with precision. "I am Liu Feng, plenipotentiary envoy of the Qing Empire."

A murmur rippled through the room. The abrupt appearance of this unassuming figure had left even seasoned diplomats unprepared.

"To quell any doubts," Liu Feng continued, producing a document bearing the Emperor's imperial seal. He laid it on the table for all to see.

"So," a German diplomat interjected dismissively, addressing Li Hongzhang, "shall we finalize the treaty?"

But Li Hongzhang merely gestured toward Liu Feng, signaling that the negotiations now rested in his hands.

Liu Feng smiled, unperturbed by the tension in the room. His calm demeanor seemed almost out of place, as if it were the Qing Empire that held the upper hand.

"Ah," Liu Feng said lightly, "it seems some of you are still catching up."

Though his confidence was unsettling and unmatchable, no one in the room dared to assume he held any true leverage. After all, what could one man truly change?

"How does Your Majesty perceive this matter?" Herbert asked, sliding the treaty across the table with a practiced nonchalance, his tone leaving little doubt that he expected a signature without further delay.

"Ah, you mean this garbage?" Liu Feng replied, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "A treaty so one-sided it borders on idiocy.

It might just be the most asinine agreement I've ever seen."

Without hesitation, Liu Feng crumpled the document and flung it aside.

A shocked silence descended over the room. Mouths gaped, and even the stoic Li Hongzhang rose abruptly from his seat, stunned.

What just happened?

Is he mad? Or has he grown tired of living?

Before anger could erupt, Liu Feng unfurled a fresh sheet of paper, speaking with calm authority.

"I despise lopsided treaties.

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.

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"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.