When "The Great Wall Will Never Fall Down" ended, the street near the Yihe Matheson Terminal on the Bund was still peaceful.
Wen Xian and A Liguo don't understand Cantonese. Although Weitoma understands Cantonese, he hasn't tasted it yet.
Wu Jianzhang, Wu Chaoyue and his grandson all understood it, but they had already boarded the pirate ship and had no way to get off, so they had no choice but to pray for themselves.
As for the adults Sushun, Shengbao, Yuanbao, Bai Siwen, and Li Hongzhang, they just thought that the etiquette of "singing Cantonese opera to welcome foreign guests" was a bit strange, but they didn't take it to heart. They didn't even think about Luo Xueyan, a thick-browed man. A sharp eye can also be a rebel!
After all, Luo Xueyan is a hero of the Qing Dynasty this time!
What was defeated in the night battle in Kunshan was the 20,000-strong army led by Su Sanniang, the first female general of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. When Su Sanniang led her troops to the north bank of the Loujiang River that day, Sushun, Shengbao, Yuanbao, Bai Siwen, Li Hongzhang and others were all frightened. .
Su Sanniang is in front, Luo Yaoguo is behind, and Luo Xueyan only has 6,000 soldiers in the middle. If Su Sanniang is defeated by Su Sanniang, even the two sides can't fight across the Loujiang River! When Luo Yaoguo takes over the Shanghai Concession, Luo Xueyan's six new troops will The army is really finished.
But this kind of battle that is almost inevitable is won by others!
After a night of rumbling artillery fire, Su Sanniang's army retreated. Then Luo Xueyan sent his army eastward and attacked Shanghai, first entering the concession and then conquering the county seat. The invincible Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Holy Angel Wu Wang Luo Yaoguo abandoned the city and left.
While Luo Xueyan defeated Su Sanniang and Luo Yaoguo, he also used strong diplomatic means to force the British Deputy Consul Wetoma to sign the "Abolition of the Shanghai Land Leases Charter and Related Follow-up Agreements" and took back the British Concession in Shanghai.
Since the French Concession was established by the French based on "one-sided most-favored-nation treatment" - that is, the privileges that the British can get, they can also get a share! Therefore, after the "Shanghai Charter" was abolished, the French Concession, like the British Concession, lost Without the basis for its existence and the record of the Six New Shanghai Army repelling Luo Yaoguo and regaining Shanghai County and half of the concession, French Consul Aitang could only acquiesce to reality.
Therefore, the French Concession in Shanghai can be considered recovered!
This was the first time since the Daoguang Sino-British War that the Qing Dynasty regained its lost sovereignty from foreigners! When Sushun and Shengbao helped Luo Xueyan's victory report were sent to Beijing, Emperor Xianfeng had to go to the Ancestral Temple to announce the good news to his ancestors.
However, these "Mandarins" and the "Li Zhongtang" were still a little worried when they were watching the flag-raising and listening to the opera, for fear that the foreign adults would fall out.
Wenxian came on a steam gunboat, so he had a strong ship and a powerful gun! If this was to be bombarded with artillery, the consequences would be disastrous.
But now they saw "Master Wen" and Luo Xueyan shaking hands cordially, talking and laughing happily.
It seems that this foreigner, Wen Xian, has recognized the "Abolition of the Shanghai Land Lease Charter and Related Agreements on the Aftermath"... Luo Xueyan really understands foreign affairs! After taking back the concession by force, he can still maintain the relationship without breaking up. He is really an outstanding person!
Just when Sushun, Shengbao, Bai Siwen, and Li Hongzhang were nodding their heads and admiring Luo Xueyan in their hearts, Master Luo was already waving to them: "Master Su, Master Sheng, Master Yuan, Master Bai, and Master Li Sir.\nCome here quickly, I.\nI'm here to introduce you to Mr. Wen from England."
Sushun, Shengbao and the others hurriedly stepped forward with smiles on their faces and saluted a tall foreigner in military uniform who was chatting happily with Luo Xueyan.
At this time, Luo Xueyan introduced these people in the "Oxford accent" that made Wen Xian sound very friendly: "Mr. Minister, this Lord Sushun is a member of the Qing royal family. He will serve as the first-class imperial envoy this time. The minister is visiting Europe.... This tall gentleman is Master Ji Hongzhang and Mr. Li. He was originally the most trusted secretary of the Qing Emperor, and is now the chief secretary and attaché of the imperial minister. These two are Yuan Bao and Bai Siwen. They are Military attache of the mission."
When he introduced Wen Gan to several key members of the Qing Dynasty's mission to Europe, he deliberately omitted
Ji Hongzhang's status was elevated and he was described as "the emperor's most trusted secretary."
After hearing what Luo Xueyan said, Wenxian took a look at the handsome Li Hongzhang and regarded him as an important role in the mission.
As for Yuanbao and Bai Siwen, they were introduced as "military attachés" by Luo Xueyan. The "military attachés" of the embassy were also very important. So Wen Xian greeted them equally politely.
Then, Luo Xueyan said to Wen Wei: "Mr. Minister, since this is our country's first mission to visit Europe in a long time, it has no previous experience and lacks the means of transportation to Europe, so the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty hopes that your country will Help can be provided to allow the mission to travel to Europe on British ships.
Of course, the relevant costs will be paid by the Jiangsu Customs Supervision Office and will not cost British taxpayers."
As long as the British taxpayers were not exposed to any expense, Bonham immediately promised to arrange a paddle steamer to send the Qing envoys to Europe.
Luo Xueyan immediately told Sushun, Li Hongzhang and others the good news. Then he smiled and said to Wenxian: "As for the purpose of the mission's visit to Europe, I think the consul of Ali and the deputy consul of Wetoma have informed them through express letters. Are you Mr. Minister?
Wen Xian nodded and frowned slightly: "It seems to be related to the devil... It's really puzzling."
If you hear this, you will know that he does not believe in evil. Otherwise, it would be impossible to go to Nanjing to meet the second and fourth sons of God’s family!
Luo Xueyan smiled and replied: "Mr. Minister, this is not important. What is important is that we finally have a mission to go to Europe... isn't it?"
Wen Xian said with some regret: "That's true. It's a pity that Mr. Luo is not among the delegation visiting Europe. Otherwise, the Qing delegation would have achieved considerable success."
Luo Xueyan shook his head and sighed: "Visiting Europe is important, but today's China needs me more... This country is now at a critical crossroads. Looking at today, only I know where to go!"
"I see..." Wen Xian nodded slightly, seeming to understand something, "You are an idealist!"
"Miss, the tall one wearing a blue hat is Luo Xueyan!"
On the Bund, among the crowd of onlookers, a middle-aged man dressed as a butler was pointing at Luo Xueyan, who was having sex with Wen Xian, and talking to a tall woman in a blue jacket and green skirt next to him.
This woman is none other than Zhou Xiuying. She is holding a paper umbrella to protect herself from the sun.
It was very low, covering most of his face and part of his line of sight. Now in order to see Luo Xueyan clearly, he raised the umbrella slightly.
"Is he the one with thick eyebrows, big clear eyes, and a hairy beard? "That's him!" The middle-aged man nodded.
Zhou Xiuying raised her eyebrows and murmured: "The appearance is quite good, but it's a pity that he is a dog official... Have you found out where he lives?"
"I heard that he is currently living in the military camp at the racecourse, but there is news that he has asked people to clean up Yuyuan Garden." The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, and then said, "There is a female boss of the Tiandihui from Hunan who is helping him
To do things, we are hiring servants through the relationship between Shanghai Tiandi Club."
Zhou Xiuying's eyes lit up and she quickly asked: "Is there a way to arrange for me to go in and do things?" The middle-aged man glanced at Zhou Xiuying and said with a wry smile: "There is a way, Miss."
You are also a member of the Tiandihui. But...what can the eldest lady do in Yuyuan?"
Zhou Xiuying was stunned, and immediately remembered that although she was talented in literature and martial arts, she could not be a servant. Her father, Zhou Lichun, was a big landowner in Qingpu and the leader of the Qingpu Tiandi Association. There were many people in the county who made easy money.
Because her father had no children, she was raised as a female boss of the Tiandi Society. She practiced literature and martial arts since she was a child, but she didn't know how to do housework.
"As long as you can get in," Zhou Xiuying gritted her teeth, "I can do anything!"
"Is it true that anything can be done?" "Yes, anything can be done!" "Then...\n.\nI will make arrangements."
"Wait a minute, remember not to let my father know more!"
"Yes, Miss."
"Mr. Minister, look at this...
On a carriage driving to the British Consulate, Vice Consul Witoma handed a piece of letter paper written in English to Wen Wei, who had just got on the bus.
Wen Xian took it and looked at it, and muttered in a low voice: "After sleeping for a hundred years, the people of our country are gradually waking up...is this?"
"These are the lyrics sung by the Shanghai New Army just now!" Witoma said.
"I think... this isn't the national anthem of the Qing Dynasty, is it?" Wen Xian glanced at it a few times and already knew something was wrong. The lyrics didn't look like the national anthem of a big empire!
"Of course not!" Witoma shook his head, "The Qing Dynasty has no national anthem at all... I think he is a revolutionary!"
"Revolutionaries?" Wen Xian frowned, "How come there are such people in China? Are you sure?"
Weitoma said: "It's not completely certain yet, but the probability is very high... By the way, he's back home.
He has always claimed to be a descendant of Luo Fangbo, the founder of the Lanfang Republic, and has a good relationship with the American Consul Ma Hui. It is said that he once claimed in front of Ma Hui that he grew up listening to the stories of Washington!"
Wen Gan's brows furrowed even more tightly, "So...will he become a third party besides the Qing Dynasty and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom?"
"I think...he already is!" Weitoma said, "Although his power is still very weak now, he will have great room for growth in the future. I suggest that the empire gives him some attention and appropriate investment.
"
Wen Xian looked back at Wade: "Don't you think that a China that has achieved a republican revolution will be more difficult to deal with?"
"Mr. Minister," Witoma said with a smile, "it is not easy to achieve a republican revolution in a country that has long practiced a feudal monarchy and has no republican tradition... Moreover, the Qing Dynasty is now showing signs of improvement and getting closer to us. In the future
, maybe the Qing Dynasty, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and the Revolutionary Party will coexist, which will be very beneficial to us."
Chapter completed!