In January 1841, the Qing commissioner Qishan negotiated with the British envoy Charles Elliot at Canton. On January 20, Elliot announced preliminary arrangements that included the cession of Hong Kong.
The Daoguang Emperor did not accept them. A Chinese account summarizes his reaction: “The emperor was furious and said that Qishan had given Hong Kong to others on his own authority and had agreed to trade on his own authority. Dismissed, his house confiscated.” On January 30, an edict named Yishan to replace him.