Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 43 Aftermath of the war
On the second day after the naval battle in the East China Sea, the "Daqing Daily" published the news of the victory of the naval battle, which immediately caused an uproar in the whole country. Since the Daoguang year, foreigners have been bullying our Qing Dynasty with the strength of ships and guns. It has been more than 40 years. .When the foreign warships arrived, no matter if they were Daoguang, Xianfeng, or Tongzhi, they would all pay for land reparations. Now that the Qing Dynasty has won the war, it is said that we have also captured two of the oldest iron ships belonging to the foreigners.This lifted the hearts of the people.Regardless of a person's high status, knowledge and cultural differences, there is a sense of pride in the country and the nation, even if they are traffickers, they will be happy for the strength of the country.The people of the country are full of recognition and trust in Guangxu's new ideas, and they have more thoroughly implemented the orders issued by the imperial court.

At this time, Li Hongzhang was sitting on the rosewood chair in the living room, smoking a dry cigarette, with a serious face.Sitting next to him was his student Fang Baiqian, who said to Li Hongzhang: "Teacher, you should eat first, you haven't eaten all day."

Li Hongzhang looked at Fang Boqian and said: "Boqian, the emperor has deceived me so hard. A few days ago, he asked me to go to Tianjin to take charge of the defense of the Nanyang Navy and overhaul the Tianjin Fort. When I arrived in Tianjin, what I was waiting for was the East China Sea Battle Report. The old minister still learned about it from the newspaper, but in the end, the emperor still didn't notify me."

Fang Boqian said to the decadent Li Hongzhang: "Teacher, don't worry about it. Since ancient times, there has only been the crime of deceiving the emperor, but not the fault of concealing the minister. The emperor wants the minister to die, and the minister has to die. And from the students' point of view, the emperor's deception this time is not just for the The teacher was alone, and even his biological father was kept secret from the bottom of his heart. No one in the civil and military courts of the Manchu Dynasty knew about the plan for this naval battle. The students heard that the person who delivered the emperor's oral order was Zhang Yu, the personal bodyguard who killed Li Lianying with a single shot."

Li Hongzhang jumped up and roared angrily: "The legal person is fierce, and the emperor doesn't know how deep it is. In such a big battle, you didn't discuss it with the military aircraft department. You have been to Europe. How can the legal person's strength be compared with the current Qing Dynasty? This lucky victory angered the French. If we send more warships, what should we do? Our Qing Navy still has a few ships. How can we resist it!"

There was a sudden silence in the living room, and the two of them stopped talking.Suddenly a servant hurried in and said, "My lord, there are people coming from the palace. The emperor hastened to call my lord back to the military plane."

"What's the matter? Did someone explain anything?" Li Hongzhang said slowly.

The servant scratched his head and said, "It seems that the French envoy submitted a peace request to the imperial court, and the emperor summoned the ministers of the military aircraft department to go back to discuss."

Li Hongzhang jumped up at once, feeling a little overwhelmed with joy.Excitedly shouted to Fang Boqian: "God bless me Daqing, God bless me Huaxia."

In the Forbidden City, there is no joy after the victory ahead.There was a scene of silence, the eunuchs and maids were doing their own things.Not even daring to say one more word, the summoned ministers entered the Military Aircraft Office in twos and threes.

These people are not too afraid to see the emperor, it should be said that they are not willing to see the emperor.Guan Xuqing was playing around with him this time, if he proposed the ambush plan in the court meeting.It will definitely not be adopted by the ministers, and if there is no ambush, how can this great victory in the East China Sea come about?
Since the emperor likes the universe to be arbitrary so much, why does he ask us to discuss everything?If we don't listen to our opinions, what else should we do?
The ministers of military aircraft entered the military aircraft department with their own plans, and no one mentioned the naval battle.They didn't say anything about the purpose of this convening. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they sat down and said nothing more.Even Prince Jin and Prince Gong, who have always been on good terms, didn't strike up a conversation.

Guan Xuqing finally came late, walked into the military aircraft office and smiled happily: "Ah! Haha, everyone has arrived so early? I thought I would wait for you here, but I didn't expect to let all the ministers wait for me .”

"The emperor is auspicious" All military ministers knelt on the ground.

"Pingshen, Pingshen." Guan Xuqing sat down and continued: "Everyone, just now the French Minister Nuo Li proposed to me the intention of peace talks. The conditions proposed by the French are: the Qing Dynasty recognizes the rule of France in Vietnam and returns the captives. French warships and French soldiers, the soldiers compensated 50 taels of silver as the loss of the French army. Everyone, take a look, how should I reply?"

To be honest, the compensation proposed by France is only a symbolic figure, and it just wants to leave the last fig leaf.Use reparations to prove that the French are the victors of this war, and the French have actually occupied most of Vietnam's land now.Whether you admit it or not, it is impossible for France to withdraw automatically, and it is useless if you don't admit it, unless you beat them away.

After France failed in the Franco-Prussian War, it was forced to cede Alsace and Lorraine to Germany, which made France regard Germany as a sworn enemy.However, the national strength of France was greatly weakened after that war. Germany's strong military strength made them feel tremendous pressure and threats. Go to other wars, like the previous Crimean War and the current Sino-French War.

The navy of the Qing Dynasty has proved their strength, although they do not have any large ironclad ships.However, due to the hostile relationship with Germany, France, which was at war with the Qing Dynasty, became a bridge of friendship between the Qing Dynasty and Germany.The so-called enemy of the enemy is a friend. In this way, Germany and the Qing Dynasty became friends. The four large ironclad ships rushed to build by the Munich shipyard in Germany have been launched for sea trials.It is said that two months later, he was personally escorted back to the Qing Dynasty by a German warship.That is a large ironclad ship of more than 7000 tons. Once it returns to China, unless the local fleet is dispatched, France will forever lose its command of the Far East. However, the local fleet must not only defend the German High Seas Fleet, but also fight against aggressive Russia in the Balkans. People, once they are transferred away, the changes in the situation in Europe will be unpredictable.Therefore, although Ru Feili was not reconciled, he still accepted the suggestions of the majority of congressmen and made peace with Daqing.

Originally, Guan Xuqing wanted to see everyone's opinions, if he thought it was appropriate.We can talk about it, otherwise the fight will continue, and the economy that has developed in the past few years will stagnate again.The consumption of military pay, food, and ammunition in Vietnam alone can drag down the Qing Dynasty.The reconstruction of the navy and the restoration of Mawei Harbor do not know until the Year of the Monkey.

But after Guan Xuqing posed the question, what he got was surprisingly unanimous silence.No one responded, and no one objected.It's as if everything has nothing to do with me.

"What's the matter? Are all the ministers overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the French?" Guan Xuqing said humorously.

Still silent.

Guan Xuqing was really angry, facing these old-fashioned old men.He didn't have much interest in discussing with them, but most of the physical properties of the Qing Dynasty were in their hands.It really made them anxious, and it didn't do much good for the country.

"Li Hongzhang, tell me." Guan Xuqing asked by name.

Li Hongzhang quickly stood up, in his opinion, winning and seeking peace is the best ending.But at this time, he still had some concerns in his heart, and said angrily: "Back to the emperor, the redeemer is so stupid that he can't see the mystery here. The emperor is wise, and I ask the emperor to make a decision."

Guan Xuqing snorted coldly, and said with a smile: "Li Hongzhang, as a minister of military affairs and a minister of the country, you can't share my worries, so why should I keep you?"

Prince Jin hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, calm down, Li Zhongtang didn't mean that. The legal person is obviously scared by us, and I think it's the most appropriate time to negotiate peace with him. Li Zhongtang can be my negotiator in the Qing Dynasty, and the conditions can be changed again." Change it."

At this time, Guan Xuqing was already full of anger, of course he knew that his father was doing it for his own good.Li Hongzhang teased his son, this matter is really difficult to handle.The foreign affairs and diplomacy of the Qing Dynasty were all handled by him. Once he went on strike, the Qing Dynasty's diplomacy really couldn't be turned around.This time he was able to defeat the French army, thanks to the fact that he bought two large ironclad ships "Invincible" and "Long Victory" from the British before.The four ironclad ships from the Germans were also purchased by Li Hongzhang.However, he just couldn't understand Li Hongzhang's arrogant attitude.

He reprimanded loudly as if angry: "Are you scared? If you are scared, you still want us to pay money? If you are scared, you still want to recognize his rule in Vietnam? Do you want us to return the prisoners and warships? He wants us to pay money when the Frenchman dies." ?Our warship sank, our Qing soldiers died, and our Mawei military port disappeared. Who do we ask for compensation? Li Hongzhang, you want me to make a decision, right? You can draw up an order for me now, order the left Zongtang regained Keelung within three days! All Lu Yiwei's troops entered Vietnam to reinforce Liu Mingchuan, and divided into left and right routes to wipe out all French troops in Vietnam within three months. Order the Nanyang Navy to go south to block the South China Sea, cut off all foreign ships entering Vietnam, and cut off Food and ammunition for the French army."

Li Hongzhang knelt on the ground in horror. Facing the emperor's angry will, no one made a sound to stop him or disagree with him even a little bit.Frankly speaking, through this battle in the East China Sea, Guan Xuqing's prestige in the court has also been greatly improved.All the ministers just carry out the will and don't give any more ideas.Seeing that the matter has come to this point, Li Hongzhang can only accept the order.

(End of this chapter)