The news that a negotiating team composed of officials from various countries requested to see Li Zhen spread as quickly as possible in Beijing. As the saying goes, money makes things easier. The negotiating teams from various countries used money to open the way, so there was no obstacle. The more the news spread, the more outrageous it became. Under control, more and more versions appeared, and in the end, some people openly supported the negotiating team composed of various countries.
The main argument is that the negotiating team came with sincerity, and China has been a country of etiquette since ancient times. It is a country with a broad mind and cannot turn into a dog and bite it back just because it was bitten by a dog.
The news spread like wildfire, and several big figures in the government also got the news.
Zeng Guofan, Shi Dakai, Zuo Zongtang, Hu Linyi and others came to the Presidential Palace together to prepare to persuade Li Zhen.
The foreigners have already given enough face, and they are not willing to make the matter a big deal.
In the conference room, Li Zhen met with Zeng Guofan and others.
Except for Li Zhen, who had a kind smile on his face, the rest of the people had serious expressions.
Li Zhen chuckled twice and said unhurriedly: "What's wrong? Looking at you all looking sad, you must have encountered some difficulty. You are the most elite people in the country."
Zuo Zongtang said: "The president knowingly asked questions, it is a matter for the negotiating team."
Li Zhen laughed loudly, leaving Zuo Zongtang, Zeng Guofan and others scratching their heads. Li Zhen waved his hand and said loudly: "What came to China is just a small negotiating team, and now there is only a little uncontrolled speech." , It’s not worth mentioning. I think back then, when faced with the complicated situation and the eyes of all countries, we were not afraid. But now that the negotiating team is here, are we afraid? I think there are only a very small number of people who support foreigners, and there is nothing to worry about. , there will be no chaos.”
Zeng Guofan coughed twice and said in a deep voice: "President, as the old saying goes, a thousand-mile embankment is destroyed by an anthill. When it comes to the development of the country, even a superficial matter is a big deal. This matter must be taken seriously and cannot be Ignoring the sentiments of the people, if ignored and allowed to develop, will definitely have an impact on our country, so I think we should change our strategy appropriately to control public opinion in Beijing to avoid an uncontrolled situation."
Zuo Zongtang nodded and said seriously: "After the negotiation team arrived in Beijing, they still played tricks without any sincerity. I think we should just give the foreigners a declaration and expel the negotiation teams composed of various countries from China, and let the queens, presidents or kings of each country People like this come, otherwise they will be ignored."
Compared with Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang was more aggressive.
As soon as he opened his mouth, he was ready to expel the members of the negotiating team composed of various countries.
Peng Yulin shook his head slightly and continued: "Actually, when we discuss how to deal with the negotiating groups of various countries, we should consider the purpose of the negotiating groups of various countries to publicize the president's refusal to meet. Obviously, they want to push the president into the public opinion The opposite is true, so that the people turn to support the negotiating teams of various countries, and then use the people to put pressure on the president."
Peng Yulin's expression gradually became serious, and he said in a deep voice: "The focus now is not to deal with the negotiating groups of various countries, but to resolve the pressure caused by the other party on us. This is the most appropriate. Otherwise, the negotiating groups composed of various countries will have more reason to proceed. Fight back.”
Hu Linyi nodded and said: "I agree with Minister Peng's opinion."
Li Zhen said: "I also agree with Peng Yulin's analysis, but the negotiation team only notified twice, and they sent people to notify, without any sincerity. I am waiting for them to send people to notify the third time."
Peng Yulin raised his eyebrows and asked: "This is the third time the negotiating team has sent someone to notify us. Does the president still want to refuse?"
Li Zhen said: "The person who knows me is Peng Yulin."
Shi Dakai went on to say: "The president is also preparing to hold the negotiation for the third time. When the public sentiment becomes boiling, there will definitely be many people siding with the negotiating team, which will be even more detrimental to us."
Zeng Guofan stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Opportunities and dangers coexist. Does the president plan to strike back sharply when the negotiating teams of various countries take action for the third time?"
Li Zhen nodded slightly and said no more.
…
Two days passed quickly. The negotiating team headed by British Prime Minister Henry Temple once again sent people to the Presidential Palace, hoping to see President Li Zhen. However, the final result was that Li Zhen was still very busy and did not have time for the time being. The news The news was sent back to the British Embassy, and under the control of the negotiation team, the news of Li Zhen's rejection spread quickly.
After several days of deliberation, news began to spread in the country.
This result gave rise to three different voices among the people in the country. One, they desperately supported Li Zhen, believing that Li Zhen did the right thing and should leave the foreigners aside; the other, it didn't matter whether they saw each other, it had nothing to do with them anyway; Third, they think that Li Zhen is unreasonable and has no tolerance for others. Of course, many people who think this way are scholars from the Manchu and Qing Dynasties, and even some old Manchus and people with thousands of years of corrupt Confucianism.
The second sound is almost non-existent, while the first and third are noisy.
The two kinds of people are becoming more and more distinct.
News from the outside continued to come back, and envoys from various countries were also excited by it. No one expected that Li Zhen would hide in the Presidential Palace and be a coward. The pressure of public opinion became stronger and stronger, and countless people who supported the negotiating teams from various countries gradually emerged. This is undoubtedly what the negotiating team wants to see.
Philip said with a smile: "The public sentiment is boiling. I really want to see countless people taking to the streets to demonstrate and then rush to the Presidential Palace to block the gate. I'm really looking forward to it."
Henry Temple said with a smile: "Don't worry, I believe Li Zhen will give in in the end."
Siward was not very excited, but was slightly worried, and said: "Mr. Temple, Mr. Muravyov, Li Zhen didn't react at all, and allowed us to throw dirty water and push the people to oppose him. , I always feel that it’s not like Li Zhen’s style. According to Li Zhen’s character, he definitely wants revenge. If we stumble him, he will definitely get it back. But this time, he was a coward. I always feel that It’s a little weird.”
Philip said with a smile: "Your Excellency Siward is worried too much. In my opinion, it is not surprising."
Seward shook his head and his eyes fell on Henry Temple and Muravyov. In the eyes of Seward, a cunning man, Philip was a waste sent by Napoleon III, purely for soy sauce. People who could play a role were British Prime Minister Henry Temple and Tsarist Russian Governor-General Muravyov.
Muravyov glanced at Temple again, then returned to Siward and said, "Your Excellency Siward, are you worried about Li Zhen's plans?"
"Hmm~~"
The Siwardians are old thieves who think about problems not just in terms of victory.
Muravyov said: "For us, whether we go to meet Li Zhen in person for the first time or whether Li Zhen lowers his head and sends someone to inform us is just a matter of face. Even if we lose, it doesn't matter. We have nothing anyway. Yes, you can still keep coming if you fail, don’t worry about the next steps, just do it.”
Temple nodded and said, "I agree."
Siward thought about it carefully and figured it out, and immediately ordered people to continue to add fuel to the flames.