In the conference room, Li Zhen, Zuo Zongtang, Zeng Guofan, Shi Dakai and others were gathered here.
The expressions on everyone's faces were extremely solemn and solemn.
Li Zhen said unhurriedly: "After Huang Shihai led the First Army into the grassland, it started very smoothly. Now, the First Army led by Huang Shihai has been defeated one after another, which has caused a certain impact. Although Huang Shihai asked to continue fighting, , and it is also guaranteed to defeat the Mongolian army, but based on the news of the defeat sent back by Huang Shihai, we can conclude that this battle was not a strategic and tactical mistake by Huang Shihai, but was caused by a weapon problem, which is the key to the problem."
Zuo Zongtang asked: "President, what kind of weapon is it?"
Li Zhen replied: "Currently, the Mongolian army is equipped with a bomb that can block the line of sight. I will call it a smoke bomb for the time being. It is precisely because of the appearance of the smoke bomb that the First Army lost its direction on the battlefield, leading to Huang Shihai's defeat. , the so-called calculation of defeat before victory, Huang Shihai is not a failure of strategy and tactics, so before he has the weapons to restrain the Mongolian army, he is likely to be beaten everywhere, and even if Huang Shihai continues to use troops, he may be defeated again."
Zeng Guofan asked: "President, have we ever collected weapons used by the Mongolian army?"
"Never."
Li Zhen shook his head and sighed softly.
Zeng Guofan frowned and said: "If we collect the weapons used by the Mongolian army, we can quickly develop them and treat them in their own way. Unfortunately, Huang Shihai failed to obtain the actual weapons after repeated battles."
"Treat others in their own way."
Li Zhen murmured, his eyes twinkling, and a smile gradually appeared on his face.
The Mongolian army has smoke bombs. Li Zhen can also ask Dai Yuanhua to produce smoke bombs, even more powerful smoke bombs than the Mongolian army. Although Li Zhen does not know the specific production process of smoke bombs, the general situation of smoke bombs is You know, the memory in Li Zhen's mind is enough to give Dai Yuanhua feasibility advice on developing smoke bombs.
Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang and others were relieved when they saw Li Zhen's expression.
It seems that I already have an idea.
Zuo Zongtang asked: "What is the president's idea?"
Li Zhen said: "The Mongolian army has developed smoke bombs, so we can do the same. Although the smoke bombs used by Mongolia have not been captured, I know a thing or two about the manufacture of smoke bombs and can help Dai Yuanhua design them."
Zeng Guofan asked: "Do you know the design of smoke bombs?"
"Know a thing or two."
Li Zhen smiled and looked very calm.
Zeng Guofan showed undisguised surprise in his eyes and said: "At first, various countries designed extremely huge tanks with the intention of fighting a tough battle between Hong Kong and China. I didn't expect that you designed anti-tank bombs, so that the tanks developed by various countries All failed. This time Mongolia developed a smoke bomb, and you were once again able to help Dai Yuanhua design the smoke bomb. It is incredible, it is really hard to imagine what is in your mind, and how complicated your knowledge is."
Li Zhen smiled and said, "It's a long story. I'll talk about it later when I have the chance."
In one sentence, he changed the topic.
Li Zhen changed the subject and ordered: "Brother Bohan, immediately send a telegram to Dai Yuanhua and ask him to come to Beijing as soon as possible. I will have a detailed discussion with him and then ask him to bring experts to make smoke bombs."
"Understood." Zeng Guofan nodded.
Li Zhen's eyes fell on Peng Yulin and continued: "Peng Yulin, in the name of the Ministry of National Defense, sent a message to Huang Shihai, asking Huang Shihai to change his strategy. The army will focus on defense, and then supplement it by waiting for opportunities. Wait until we develop a more powerful weapon. After the smoke bombs, we will fight Mongolia again. At this stage, defense is the most important thing."
"Understood." Peng Yulin nodded in agreement.
"Bang, bang,"
A knock on the door came from outside the conference room.
"Come in."
The door to the conference room opened and a security guard walked in.
The guard came to Li Zhen's side and whispered a few words.
In an instant, Li Zhen's expression changed.
He waved the guard to leave the conference room, with a hint of coldness in his eyes.
Hu Linyi asked: "President, what happened."
Li Zhen took a deep breath and said coldly: "Just now, the negotiating teams of various countries sent people to send a message, saying that the officials of the negotiating teams have not reached a unified opinion for the time being, and it will take a while before negotiations can continue."
Having said this, a sneer appeared on Li Zhen's lips, "Isn't it obvious what they mean? They must have received news of the Mongolian army's victory, so they wanted to wait until we were defeated, then take the opportunity to reap benefits and take all the prisoners back. It's a pity, it's a pity, am I, Li Zhen, so easy to bully? In a small Mongolia, even with smoke bombs, it will be difficult to achieve success."
Zeng Guofan said: "President, it seems that we have to stick to our original opinions and let all countries bleed."
Li Hongzhang, who had been silent all this time, smiled slightly and said: "In my opinion, foreigners are all people who need to be punished. Let's just take a tough move and directly send people to tell the people in the negotiating groups of various countries that there is still a chance for negotiations. If we wait, After the war in Mongolia ends, the conditions for ransoming captives from various countries will be further improved."
Zhang Zhidong continued: "I agree that Li Hongzhang's suggestions are very feasible. Moreover, I think Li Hongzhang's suggestions not only have the effect of intimidation, but also have the function of dividing the negotiation group. Among the members of the negotiation group, some People definitely want to wait for the final result, but there are other people who dare not wait. Their country is not strong. Once Mongolia fails, it will be very unfavorable for them to start negotiations and they cannot afford the consequences. Therefore, the negotiation team is likely to be Internal strife.”
"It's a good strategy, you can give it a try."
Peng Yulin laughed, nodded and said: "On the one hand, we let Huang Shihai focus on defense, and on the other hand, let Dai Yuanhua create smoke bombs and put pressure on the officials of the negotiation team. This is a good idea."
Li Zhen also laughed and said: "Leave this matter to Li Hongzhang, be brave and scare them."
Everyone was ordered to perform their own tasks.
Li Zhen left the conference room and went to the study room, where he was thinking about the structure of smoke bombs.
Generally speaking, smoke bombs are composed of fuses, eggshells, smoke-generating agents and explosive tubes. Among them, the most important thing is the smoke-generating agent, which plays a vital role. Li Zhen took a pencil to write and draw, thinking about making There are some things needed for smoke bombs. Even so, Li Zhen cannot explain the professional things thoroughly. He can only do it based on a general situation...
British Embassy, conference room.
When the officials of the negotiation team got the news, they were all in a happy mood.
After they entered Beijing, they began to fight with Li Zhen, but failed without exception. They negotiated with Li Zhen at the Presidential Palace, but Li Zhen put forward extremely outrageous conditions, which made the negotiating team officials from various countries feel angry. Now , the army on the Mongolian grassland was at war with China, and even Huang Shihai, who led the troops there, had failed, which increased their chances of negotiation.
Once the Chinese army is finally defeated and returns, they will be more confident.
British Prime Minister Temple said: "Everyone, the news that we have not seen Li Zhen for the time being has reached the Presidential Palace. Presumably, Li Zhen has felt tremendous pressure, but I thought about it carefully and thought that he should take the initiative to meet him in a few days. Meet Li Zhen and test Li Zhen’s attitude to see what everyone thinks.”
Siward nodded and said: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, what you said makes sense. We cannot be tough. Sometimes we have to be soft. A combination of toughness and softness is the most appropriate way to bring back the captured soldiers."
"Report,."
A British soldier ran in and said: "Gentlemen, China's Vice Minister of Defense Li Hongzhang has arrived at the embassy."
"Oh, what's the matter?" Temple asked immediately.
The soldier shook his head and said, "I don't know, Li Hongzhang didn't say anything."
Temple looked at the people present and asked: "Gentlemen, who knows Li Hongzhang?"
"have no idea."
"have no idea,."
…
Everyone's answer was the same. Someone named Li Hongzhang appeared out of nowhere.
Temple said: "In that case, go and see him."
A group of people left the conference room and went straight to the hall. When they came to the hall, Li Hongzhang had already arrived. Seeing the officials of the negotiation team approaching, Li Hongzhang nodded slightly in greeting. After the officials of the negotiation team took their seats, Li Hongzhang sat down without being humble or overbearing. Poole stared at Li Hongzhang and said with a smile: "Minister Li is already one of the main leaders of China at such a young age, which is enviable."
Li Hongzhang replied: "Your Majesty the Prime Minister has given you the award."
Temple asked: "Do you have any business at the British Embassy?"
Li Hongzhang narrowed his eyes slightly and said unhurriedly: "In the north of China, the Mongolian army is fighting with the First Army led by Huang Shihai. You should know."
Temple nodded and said, "It's not a secret."
Li Hongzhang added: "In this negotiation, the President has put forward varying degrees of demands on the countries in the negotiating group, and a battle between Mongolia and the Chinese army will inevitably affect China's stability and indirectly affect the negotiations of the negotiating group. As you know The battle in the north, and the news of the temporary defeat of Huang Shihai in the north, must have been sent to the president today saying that a unified opinion was not reached, in order to delay time, and to wait for the defeat of the Chinese army before adding insult to injury and bringing back prisoners from various countries."
Siward shook his head and said affirmatively: "Minister Li misunderstood. We did not have this intention. The reason why we postponed the time was indeed because there were some differences among countries and it was difficult to reach a unified opinion."
"snort,."
Li Hongzhang sneered and said: "Sophistry."
After a pause, Li Hongzhang continued: "I don't want to talk in circles with you. I am here to send you a message. Although the conditions proposed by the president are a bit harsh, they are still acceptable. If the Mongolian army is defeated, , the conditions imposed by China will undergo great changes, and I hope you can bear it when the time comes."
"Hahaha……"
Muravyov laughed loudly and said, "Minister Li, can I understand this as a threat?"
Li Hongzhang shrugged and said nonchalantly: "If you insist on understanding it this way, that's fine." He stood up, glanced around the negotiating team officials present with his sharp eyes, and said coldly: "Everyone, I have to say what I have to say. I have already said that it is up to you to decide what to do. I hope you can reach a unified opinion as soon as possible and say goodbye."
Li Hongzhang turned and left, leaving behind a group of negotiating team officials with stunned expressions.