Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 45 The monarch and minister are single-minded

Although Guan Xuqing insisted on going his own way, he insisted on continuing the fight.But many things still need to be done together with everyone's help, but now the military aircraft department is useless.Although the people across the country agreed with the imperial court's proposal, most of them just wanted to have fun for a while.If the war is defeated, it will be the common people who suffer in the end, and there will still be many poor people who will rise up and make trouble.

However, after half a year of war, the little money that the national treasury managed to make a surplus has been wiped out.The lost warships and Mawei Naval Port are not included.Reconstruction after the war is also urgent, and the Great Mosque really cannot delay a protracted war.

Guan Xuqing stared at the map of Vietnam, frowning more and more.Today's war situation in Vietnam can be described as evenly matched. France's deployment of troops in Vietnam is less in the middle and more at both ends.The north faces Beining and Shanxi provinces.The French army concentrated two domestic integrated brigades and four mixed brigades.A total of 4.5 people are in a stalemate with the 5 people of Liu Mingchuan's Department of the Qing Army and the 5 people of the Black Banner Army.After several active attacks were frustrated, they began to bombard the two cities endlessly.Usually bombing in the morning and siege at night.The Qing army repaired the city defenses immediately after the French bombing, and also took the initiative to attack several times.But it was also beaten back by the French.

On the whole, it is in a state of anxiety, and the war has gradually become a war of attrition. The French army has a permanent strategic base in the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam, where the French have been operating for a long time.The masses there basically obeyed the rule of the French, and there were also two integrated brigades stationed in France, as well as a steady stream of colonial troops composed of Vietnamese.In the middle is a long and narrow strip of land along the coast, in which there is an important military port of the French Far East Fleet, connecting the north and the south, and both the army and the navy must pass through here.The French built it into a permanent fortress, and the remaining warships of their Far East Fleet were hiding here at this time.In contrast to the Qing Dynasty, Beining and Shanxi were besieged for half a year.The city was already in a mess, and the local people didn't believe that the Qing army and the Black Banner Army could withstand the French attack, and most of them had already left.There is a great shortage of food and people in the city.For half a year, the grain and grass were transported from Guangxi and Guangdong.This consumption is extremely detrimental to the Qing Dynasty.

Guan Xuqing stared at the map, how can he defeat the French as soon as possible.

At this time, Li Hongzhang was ordering to negotiate with the French representative.In fact, it is purely looking for trouble.Since the emperor has insisted on fighting, this symbolic negotiation has no real meaning.

Kiel, who came from far away from France, had a rather ugly face. After listening to the translation, he said: "It seems that your country has no sincerity to negotiate with the great republic? You know, we signed an agreement with Vietnam. There The land already belongs to the Republic. Your country must recognize it!"

Li Hongzhang smiled slightly and said: "Mr. Keir, Vietnam is a vassal country of our Qing Dynasty. The king of Vietnam is canonized by our emperor. In other words, the king of Vietnam is just a courtier of our Qing emperor. What right does he have to sign with you?" What agreement? The Qing Dynasty will not recognize any agreement he signed with you."

Kiel's complexion was even worse, but he was still patient and tried to put on a sincere look: "Mr. Li, I think we should talk about something practical. Do you think your country's army may take back from our Republic's army? Vietnam? If not, what's the point of your so-called non-recognition?"

Li Hongzhang sneered and said: "My Qing Dynasty has already assembled an army of [-], and Vietnam can be pacified overnight."

Kiel was thoroughly amused by Li Hongzhang, "Really? Just your [-] troops smoking opium? Our country has repeatedly asked the army to be patient, otherwise it would have broken through Beining and set foot on your land. The Republic is peace-loving, I don't want to see bloodshed again. That's why I took the initiative to ask for peace talks. Don't take this as cowardice. If your country insists on this, we can only meet on the battlefield."

Li Hongzhang put away his smile, stretched his face and said, "Then see you on the battlefield." He made a gesture of please.

Kyle left angrily.

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Guan Xuqing summoned Prince Gong.Now the power of the imperial court can be said to be divided into three factions, one faction is Cixi's minion.After the downfall of Cixi, some of them were arrested and dismissed for investigation.Part of it went under the name of Prince Chun.One faction is the imperial party, represented by Dong Liang, Li Zhen, Zuo Zongtang, and Weng Tongsu.Sincerely to Guan Xuqing.The other faction is Prince Gong's party feathers. Prince Gong began to support and train his own party members during the Daoguang period.His disciples and followers are all over the world.Even today's Li Hongzhang is Prince Gong's coated slave.

However, Guan Xuqing still respects his sixth uncle.It can be said that he was one of the few nobles in the Qing Dynasty who saw the world clearly.Although somewhat indecisive in character.But his ability and resourcefulness are beyond doubt.If I can get his full support, I will be able to do a lot of things smoothly, after all, everything needs to be carried out by grassroots people.No matter how perfect the plan is, if Prince Gong doesn't cooperate.Those magistrates under him who are doing things are not working hard, and the results will be greatly reduced.

"Uncle Six, I just called you here to tell you a few words from your heart. I know that you are a little dissatisfied with my nephew's decision this time. But you have also seen what the Qing Dynasty is like now. It is always cutting land and paying compensation, one by one. The clauses have strangled our necks. The tax department is still in the hands of the British, if we don’t fight a tough battle, how can we turn around?” Guan Xuqing said with confidence.

Prince Gong was as stern as ever and didn't say anything.

"I know that this country should have belonged to you, Uncle Liu. To say something disrespectful to the late emperor, if you sat on this chair instead of Lord Xianfeng, maybe the Qing Dynasty would not be like this. But the Qing Dynasty is now This is what it looks like. A few days ago, I went to the Old Summer Palace and saw the remaining pillars, which hurt like thorns in my heart. Has Uncle Liu forgotten the shame of the Xinyou Year? Nephew If I want to make Qing Dynasty stronger, I hope Uncle Liu will help me." Guan Xuqing said affectionately.

"I would like to respect the teachings of the emperor." Seeing Prince Gong's rigid face as always, Guan Xuqing didn't know how much effect these words had, and waved him helplessly to let him go down.

In the next few days, Guan Xuqing drew up several combat plans for the Vietnam War by the Ministry of War, which were repeatedly studied by the Military Aircraft Department.But in the end there was no conclusion, mainly due to the limited strength of the army.We must guard against Russia in the north, Xinjiang in the east and west, Mongolia, Mongolia, and the southeast coast.I really can't break the strength. 10 people entering Vietnam is already the limit, but it is still quite difficult to occupy the whole of Vietnam in a short period of time.

But surprisingly, the Minister of Military Aircraft, the Ministry of Household Affairs, governors of various provinces, and prefects all cooperated with a series of measures such as troop deployment and food collection.It seems that Prince Gong doesn't say anything on the surface, but in his heart he still hopes to assist Guan Xuqing to make the Qing Dynasty stronger!
Now the monarch and his ministers are united and actively preparing for the war.The war against Vietnam will immediately turn into a strategic counterattack!

A new trumpet is about to sound.

At this time, a good news came.Keelung is back!

(End of this chapter)