On February 23, 1854, on the East China Sea, several warships flying British flags rode through the wind and waves, with dense bows full of figures standing solemnly and silently, looking at the western coastline together.

In the luxurious cabin of the 'William', Captain Rismon looked at Li Hongzhang with relief and said with a smile: "Congratulations, Mr. Li, your country is coming."

Bao Ling, the new Minister to China, also looked at Li Hongzhang meaningfully. After passing through Europe, Bao Ling clearly felt the difference between the officials on the ship and the officials in the Han Dynasty. When he looked at the Europeans, he was no longer afraid or rejected, which made him again

He was excited and nervous. The Han Dynasty was already strong enough. Bao Ling did not want a great power to appear in the Far East, which would threaten the interests of the British Empire.

Li Hongzhang bowed to the two foreigners and said, "I wonder if you can send us directly to Nanjing. You have also seen it. The colleagues outside are really eager to see it!"

Riston looked at Bao Ling. Although he was a captain, Bao Ling was indeed the governor of the Hong Kong government and the ambassador to China, and was even named a knight. No matter which one was, he had to obey Bao Ling's opinions.

Bao Ling shook his head and said, "Mr. Li is the new ambassador to China. I must go to Shanghai to discuss with my citizens. This is my top priority since I took office, so sorry, we must dock in Shanghai!"

Li Hongzhang nodded in agreement and smiled: "It was also because Li was forced to do something. He left his hometown for more than a year and a half, but he couldn't wait for these days. I'm ashamed!"

Li Hongzhang withdrew from the cabin and came to the deck. Many large and powerful officials surrounded him.

"Mr. Li, Shanghai is ahead! I have been floating on the sea for several months and finally I can dock!"

"Yes! Lord Li. Will there be family members on the shore to greet us?"

"Mr. Li, can I go home first when I get off the boat?"

...

Li Hongzhang saw the noise and waved his hand slightly with a smile. After the crowd calmed down, he said loudly: "Don't worry, you will be docked in another hour! Don't worry, go back to Nanjing to sign in first, I will apply like the emperor.

I will give you a month off to visit your relatives. Of course, officials who do not want to go home can take office immediately."

Many people breathed a sigh of relief and looked relaxed and joyful. When the emperor left, he said that everyone would be promoted to the third level when they returned. Then they were at least sixth-rank official positions, which was much better than working in the Hanlin Academy.

.

Li Hongzhang brought a few fellow villagers to the side. Looking at the vast sea, Li Hongzhang's confidant was in a state of great excitement. After a while, he seemed to have made up some decision, and his expression gradually became firm and serious.

Liu Bingzhang, Zhang Shusheng, Liu Changyou, Li Hezhang, Zhou Shengbo and others looked at each other, and they didn't dare to say anything.

Li Hongzhang asked: "What do you think Li should do?"

Relying on Li Hongzhang's younger brother, Li Hezhang took the lead in replying: "Why did your brother say this? Didn't the emperor agree to appoint you as a minister! This is a second-rank official position. It is not acceptable to ordinary people for ten years. If you are willing to miss such an opportunity?"

Li Hongzhang frowned and sighed: "If it is a peaceful season, it is not a bad idea for a minister, but as today's turmoil, I suddenly ascend to this high position. Ordinary people are not convinced!"

Liu Changyou immediately understood Li Hongzhang's thoughts and said solemnly: "Does Brother Shaoquan want to handle military affairs? If so, I wish to follow you to the death to repay your kindness."

It turned out that Liu Changyou and Jiang Zhongyuan were defeated in Luzhou. Jiang Zhongyuan committed suicide, and Liu Changyou and others were captured and taken to Nanjing. Li Yunzhong intends to execute him because he participated in the Battle of Sanyidu. It was Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, Chang Dachun and others who recommended him.

This made him spare his death and followed Li Hongzhang abroad, which made Liu Changyou very grateful and kept it in his heart.

Liu Bingzhang smiled and said, "Brother Shaoquan is really a great man! Now the Han Dynasty advocates military merits, and the emperor also trusts the ministers who are most in charge of military merits. The six ministers and more than 90% of the officials in the border have experienced wars. Shaoquan's move is just right.

To be in line with the trend, I am not talented and willing to commit myself to my aide.”

The rest of them agreed and agreed. They were all Li Hongzhang's fellow townsmen and had long followed his orders. Moreover, the people in Anhui were fierce, so they were looking forward to the war.

Li Hongzhang smiled and said, "Okay, since everyone agrees, I will start handling this matter after I go back."

Riston heard the noisy sound outside the cabin, got up and closed the doors and windows to death, complaining: "These people really don't understand gentlemanly demeanor, how can they be so noisy!"

As the doors and windows closed, the room suddenly became silent.

Bao Ling smiled and said, "They are also excited. I have come to the Far East for a few years and can understand their feelings."

Riston returned to his original position and sat down, sighing: "The Russian army has begun war with the Ottoman Empire, and the Ottoman army has been defeated in a row. I think the country can't sit still."

Bao Ling took out a newspaper and said, "This is the newspaper you brought. Didn't it be written on it? Britain had no intention of sending troops directly, hoping that the Russians would restrain themselves..."

Riston grabbed the newspaper, tore it to pieces, and said, "These are all confusing Russians, Mr. Bao Ling, when I came to the Far East, the Prime Minister had already ordered me to lead the Far East warships ready to fight at any time."

Bao Ling was shocked. This was related to his vital interests. He hurriedly asked: "What does Prime Minister mean? Does he want to drive the warship back to his homeland?"

Riston shook his head and replied solemnly: "It is not driving back to the mainland, but advancing north along the Chinese coastline and fighting in the North Pacific. The Prime Minister has planned to send two naval formations to the Far East to assist in the war."

Bao Ling looked depressed and sighed: "Oh, God! This is really not good news. I also plan to use the navy to force the Han army to retreat south, so that the Qing Dynasty can get a breather and hold back the Han army. It seems that this plan is

It's going to fail!"

Riston asked: "Why do you have such great hostility towards the Han Dynasty? The Han Dynasty agreed to open up the market and establish diplomatic relations with the British Empire. This is something that the ignorant Qing Dynasty could not do. For this reason, it has been planned to commend Sir Wenhan.

, Why do you do the opposite?"

Bao Ling smiled bitterly and explained: "You know I am still the governor of Hong Kong. I have already planned to force the Qing Dynasty to cede Kowloon Island and other areas. If the Han Dynasty takes power, it will definitely not agree to my request. Instead, it will take back Hong Kong. This may be nothing, but Han

If the country is strong, it will affect Southeast Asia, India and other regions, and perhaps Australia. After all, they are too far away from the British Empire, and in the end we will lose more than we get."

Riston thought about it and said with a smile: "You are too worried. The Han Dynasty is poor and careless. The British Empire has been struggling for two hundred years to achieve its current status. I think it will take three hundred years for the Han Dynasty to compare with the current British Empire. Who knows the three

What will the British Empire look like in a hundred years?”

Bao Lingqiang smiled and said, "I hope this is the case. Mr. Wenhan supports Japan. Does the Prime Minister agree?"

Riston thought for a while and replied: "The Prime Minister did not express his opinion. He privately believed that Japan did not have this ability. However, Napoleon III of France was very interested in this plan and had sent someone to contact Japan."

Bao Ling sighed inwardly, the domestic authorities did not pay attention to the Far East, and they also believed that the Far East was medieval Europe.

Seeing Bao Ling's deep look, Riston wanted to say something happy: "Sir, do you know that Austria and Prussia have formed a secret alliance!"

Bao Ling frowned, thought for a while, shook his head and said, "Austria, Prussia, Russia, signed the "Three Emperors Alliance" as early as the Napoleon era. Now Russia has started war with the Ottoman Empire. Austria, Prussia should stand on the Russian side according to the treaty.

Yes, are they going to abandon Russia?”

Riston gave a thumbs up and said, "This is the result of the British Empire's deterrence. The Three Emperors Alliance is designed to defend France, but the Russian Empire also provoked Britain, France, Austria and Prussia, of course, are unwilling to take risks in fighting for Russia. Britain

The ultimatum has been issued to Russia, restricting the Russian army from retreating in March, and perhaps our country will declare war with the Russian army in a few days!"

Bao Ling suddenly cursed: "Damn war! Damn Nicholas I! Damn Emperor of Han!"

Riston comforted: "Sir, I know that our participation in the war will affect the situation in the Far East. I think in order to maximize the favorability of the Han Kingdom, I suggest you stand on the side of the Han Kingdom."

"Woo!"
Chapter completed!