Hidden Dragon in Qing Dynasty

Xiao Letian had never believed that he would fail today's negotiations, because Ba Zan's decision was clear. He had no way out at all.

In his previous life, Xiao Letian was also very curious, why was Ba Zan such a coward during the war with France? Why did he lead a hundred and seventy thousand strong army to guard such a strong city?

Looking at Ba Zan's personal history of fighting, this person was not a coward!

Starting with the mercenary army, he accumulated battle achievements all the way until he reached the rank of lieutenant colonel by relying on his bravery in Algeria!

The Crimean War had teamed up with McMahon to take over the strategic location of Sevastopol, and immediately turned the tides of the battle. Napoleon III became a Major General, becoming the youngest General in the history of France.

Even his exploits have impressed Britain, and the Queen has awarded him the Bass Medal!

What was worth mentioning was that according to the rules of the Kingdom, the winner of the Bath medal would be a knight. In other words, Ba Zan was not only a baron in France, he was also a knight in Britain!

What was even more dazzling was his performance in Mexico. His excellent leadership had allowed the French forces abroad to defeat the main Mexican forces time and time again. After the failure of political and diplomatic activities, he had sent the main forces back to Mexico unharmed.

Mexico's failure was mostly the failure of the French Emperor's politics and diplomacy, but Ba Zan's performance on the battlefield was still perfect!

Was it possible that a marshal of the empire who fought his way from a commoner to a baron a coward? Could he be afraid of war?

How could he surrender in a month?

The history books said that the Mace City had to surrender due to lack of materials, but if they were to lack of materials, could it be that they would run out in a month?

There were too many mysteries, too many points of doubt. In his previous life, Xiao Letian did not understand why he would surrender in such a strange manner!

Until now, all the riddles had been solved, because Ba Zan and the rest were royalist party. Even if the empire crumbled, they were still loyal to the Bonaparte Family!

People in the 21st century may not understand this kind of loyalty very well, because people in the 21st century have long forgotten what loyalty is, and no one regards loyalty as an advantage.

In that impetuous society, betrayal was the main trend. For the sake of benefits, even kinship could be betrayed!

But nineteenth century was not like that. Ba Zan and the rest were more like loyal to the Bonaparte Family, they were loyal to the system of rewards and punishments that would make people struggle for their entire lives, the system of aristocrats!

Climbing up from the bottom step by step, you will reap the rewards no matter how much effort you put in. You will be sweating profusely and fighting for the privilege of your life and your entire family!

This was a path, a path that would change the hierarchy!

From a lowly commoner to a noble, this was undoubtedly a tremendous change!

After obtaining the privileges of a noble, who would give up? Why should you deny the struggle of my life when the Republic is established?

Are you shouting slogans, swindling votes from the people, forming a government, and finally depriving me of the privilege I've struggled for all my life?

Just because you said "Long live the Republic", I have to roll down from the upper classes to be a commoner?

Is my life's hard work not worth a fart in your eyes? Didn't your Republic benefit a bit from the expansion of my territory?

[What the heck, you are denying my life, making me fall from the clouds into the mud …] What is it? Do you still want me to be loyal to you and kneel before you and sing 'Conquest'?

What is more terrible is that you are not only trying to crush my class, you are threatening my life!

Because there is a debt of blood between us, my army had suppressed your rebellion, I'm afraid no one will forget that debt!

Isn't it enough to turn me into a pauper, and want to destroy me physically?

By... Even if it was just a threat, it wouldn't do!

This logic was like a piece of paper that could be easily broken by someone who was knowledgeable in it!

Ba Zan said coldly with an ashen face, "What exactly did Your Majesty say? Even if it was a restoration, they would at least need a timetable! With the battle having reached this stage, how can His Majesty possibly restore us? "

"Of course Napoleon III can't do it. His reputation among the masses has already been completely used up, and he's too old as well …" Xiao Letian was secretly pleased, to be able to ask such a question, it was already enough!

"But the crown prince still has hope, there must be hope for the revival of Napoleon's fourth generation! Prince Eugen's capabilities are obvious to all. Even though he is young, he already has the potential to become an enlightened Monarch! "

"On the eve of the war, the crown prince was in charge of logistics for the empire, and he did practice good governance in Paris. Many citizens cursed the emperor, but none of them really cursed the crown prince …"

"The Crown Prince had the courage to walk in front of the people during the march and use his charm to resolve the conflict. This proves that the Crown Prince is a courageous man!"

"The only thing we don't have right now is youth. Let him stay in Britain for a good four or five years and observe the chaos within France. As long as the time is ripe, he can return to Paris!"

"At that time, your royalist party will naturally ascend the stage again. The rights and interests of you nobles will naturally be guaranteed!"

"Believe me, believe in the morals of the politicians in Paris! "Those people are good at internal fighting. They don't have the ability to do well, but they do have the ability to mess things up …"

"When the people's feelings of disappointment rise, they will miss the benefits of the Empire!"

Ba Zan wavered, and so did the three generals beside him. Army Commander Radmiro looked at the Marshal with an anxious expression, as if he had already wavered.

The Marshal took a deep breath and said, "Surrender …" "It's not impossible, but I need conditions …"

At such a critical moment, Ba Zan still wanted to fight for it. Unconditional surrender was too shameful, and any soldier would find it hard to accept it.

"After surrender, the troops cannot be dispersed. The formations must be stable … We can hand over our weapons, but we have to live together, and you have to provide supplies free of charge … "

"All officers must be given preferential treatment. Soldiers must receive supplies that are not lower than the standard of the Prussian Army!"

"Hahaha …" Xiao Letian laughed out loud. "Impossible, stop dreaming, you all don't have the qualifications to bargain, you all can only surrender unconditionally!"

"Disperse the formation and disperse the guards …" To get food and lodging, the loser has to work... "Your soldiers will carry out some renovations, expand the railways, move the supplies, and exchange them for food and water!"

"The only thing I can guarantee is that you will be treated like noble officers. We will give preferential treatment to all the surrendered nobles in accordance with the traditions of Europe!"

"Then there's nothing to say!" Ba Zan stood up and was about to leave, "I can't betray my army! Then let's continue fighting! "