There was an air of shame outside the Presidential Palace. Countless people choked with sobs, and some even cried loudly to express their guilt. After Zeng Guofan's words, Li Zhen's prestige in the eyes of the people rose to a new level. The people firmly believed that Li Zhen's words were right and Li Zhen's actions were right, and they developed into a situation of unconditional obedience.
Such a situation happened, which Li Zhen did not expect, and it can be regarded as an unexpected surprise.
"No, Zeng Guofan lied and is not worthy of belief. He must have deliberately refused to meet with the negotiating team."
Discordant voices sounded in the crowd.
"Brush, brush, brush,,."
All eyes were focused on the speaker. In an instant, this person was picked out and exposed to all eyes. This person was not like the middle-aged Confucian scholar before. This person was just a homeless ruffian. , middle-aged Confucian scholars are knowledgeable and insightful. Although they have no bones, they know what things are not suitable to do. When they see that the people have turned to Li Zhen, they will stop speaking.
It's a pity that the ruffians don't care about this.
After receiving the money, you still have to work hard.
"Beat to death those who slander the president, and those who question the president."
A roar instantly echoed throughout the venue.
"Beat, beat hard, you son of a bitch, he is a waste of food in this world."
"The president is concerned about the country and the people. He slandered the president and deserves to die."
After a flurry of punches, the ruffian quickly completely disappeared from the crowd. Under such circumstances, everyone was on Li Zhen's side. Whoever stepped forward to take the lead would be unlucky. There is no doubt that the ruffian who spoke was the one who took the lead. Bird, Zeng Guofan's eyes fell on the place where the commotion had just occurred. He looked calm and raised his hands again to press down, signaling everyone to calm down.
Soon, everything fell silent outside the presidential palace.
With a smile on his face, Zeng Guofan said loudly: "As for the negotiation groups from various countries requesting to meet with the President, President, I and other officials of the country have already made arrangements. Please don't rush to intervene. Let me say here that since the negotiation groups have arrived, Beijing will definitely be summoned, but the specific time can only be arranged after the president has time."
After a pause, Zeng Guofan waved his hand and said: "The matter has been made clear. Thank you for your trust in the president. Please leave. Don't block the door of the presidential palace. It doesn't look good."
"Let's go, let's go back to our homes."
"Premier Zeng, please tell the President, please ensure your health, we are going back."
"Go home, we believe in the president."
…
The people standing outside the Presidential Palace dispersed one after another, and countless people rushed in all directions like a torrent. In less than half an hour, all the densely packed people outside the Presidential Palace had disappeared, leaving only the soldiers protecting the Presidential Palace, and The soldiers who maintained order, Zeng Guofan, waited for the people to finish leaving before turning around and heading into the Presidential Palace.
In the hall, Li Zhen, Zuo Zongtang, Shi Dakai, Hu Linyi and others were already waiting. Seeing Zeng Guofan walk in, Li Zhen said with a smile: "Brother Bohan's words to repel thousands of people are a great feat. "
Zeng Guofan shook his head and said: "It depends on the president's prestige among the people, otherwise it will be difficult to succeed."
Li Zhen changed the topic and said: "Now, let's discuss what conditions we should give when negotiating with other countries."
Zuo Zongtang said: "We have the trump card in hand, and we must open our mouths."
Peng Yulin looked in agreement and said with a smile: "When a businessman does business, the seller must bid randomly. When the buyer is ready to buy something, he will negotiate the price with the buyer. We have the envoys and commanders of various countries, which are equivalent to the seller. Therefore, we must earn enough benefits for ourselves. No matter what, we must first give a big condition and then discuss it with the negotiation group composed of various countries."
"Yes, I agree too." Hu Linyi said again.
The major giants have expressed their opinions one after another, and they are all ready to speak loudly.
Li Zhen chuckled and said, "I just thought of a very clever idea. Please rate it." After a pause, Li Zhen spoke out his thoughts.
In an instant, Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, Peng Yulin and others were all stunned.
Zeng Guofan swallowed and said doubtfully: "President, we are preparing for the lion to open its mouth, but your words are tantamount to murder and bloodletting. In my opinion, it is almost impossible."
Zuo Zongtang coughed lightly and said: "As expected of the great president, the conditions he proposed are ambitious."
He laughed and was also restrained by the conditions Li Zhen said.
Seeing that everyone had disbelieving expressions, Li Zhen shrugged and said casually: "Since we are proposing conditions, we must do it casually, and we have to open our mouths wider, otherwise how can we make all countries bleed? I This suggestion is the most appropriate, don’t you think?”
Everyone shook their heads, thinking it was impossible.
…
British Embassy, in the lobby.
British Prime Minister Temple, US Secretary of State Seward, Russian Muravyov, French Philip and officials from various countries gathered together. Before that, news about the people gathering in Beijing to surround the Presidential Palace had been reported. As for the people surrounding the presidential palace, Officials in various countries were disappointed that the presidential palace failed to trigger a riot.
The situation calmed down, which meant their failure.
Temple sighed softly and said calmly: "This time, the people were incited to create public opinion and went to the step of surrounding the presidential palace. Unfortunately, there was no bloody dispute, otherwise we would have won. Li Zhen successfully defused the people's anger, and even used this to The matter increased our prestige, we failed, and the matter returned to the original point. Now, we must consider how to meet Li Zhen, otherwise it will be difficult to carry out this matter. Let everyone express their opinions."
Philip said nonchalantly: "This time, my efforts are in vain."
Siward frowned, but made no tit-for-tat counterattack.
Muravyov's eyes fell on Siward and asked: "What do you think of Mr. Siward?"
Siward thought for a while and replied: I think it is not appropriate to send people to ask for a meeting now. Instead, we should change our thinking and let us members of the negotiating team go. Only in this way can we show our sincerity. If we go in person We asked for an audience, but Li Zhen didn’t even meet us, so we left directly. I am sure that Li Zhen will not sit back and let such consequences occur, otherwise the envoys and commanders from various countries he imprisoned will lose their effectiveness and become worthless trump cards."
Temple nodded and said, "I agree."
Muravyov nodded and then said: "Li Zhen will definitely meet us in the end, and we still have a question. After meeting Li Zhen, once it comes to negotiations, and Li Zhen makes rude demands, what should we insist on?" We must communicate the bottom line in advance and know where the bottom line of each country is. Otherwise, if Li Zhen gives some benefits to any country and that country agrees first, we will be very passive. In order to prevent this from happening, we must reach a unified opinion. "
Philip frowned but did not object.
No one from each country stood up to object, and after the discussion, everyone knew the situation of all parties.
ps: Second update, call it a day; there are still some private matters, which Xiaodong will handle as soon as possible.