After night falls, the lights of Daotai Mansion are brightly lit, and the oil lamps shine, making Daotai Mansion as bright as day. In the living room, the sound of chatting and talking can be heard endlessly. All the counselors and generals under Li Zhen are seated at the table. Wen Liu Taiping,
Lan Weiwen, Dai Yuanhua, Wu Youhuang Shihai, Yang Banhou, Zhou Xiuying and others, as well as craftsmen and experts from Mas and Italy.
Everyone gathered in the living room, but Li Zhen didn't show up yet.
"My lord is here!"
Suddenly, soldiers shouted from outside the hall.
After Liu Taiping, Qi Zhenhai and others heard this, they stood up reflexively and looked outside the hall. Mas couldn't understand the words outside, but immediately heard Smith shouting in English that Li Zhen was here. Mas didn't dare to hesitate and hurriedly
He stood up and looked outside the hall. The other craftsmen and experts followed suit. They all stood up from their seats, closed their mouths, and looked outside the hall.
The noisy market hall suddenly became quiet.
Under the gaze of a pair of burning eyes, Li Zhen strode into the hall.
Li Zhen held his head high, looked straight, and his eyes were as bright as lightning, giving people a powerful feeling. However, Li Zhen still had a faint smile on his face, giving people a gentle feeling. Two kinds of
The feelings were superimposed, feeling gentle but also slightly distant. Li Zhen walked into the hall, walked to the seat, lifted up his robe and sat down.
Immediately, Li Zhen waved his hand and said: "Everyone, please sit down. This evening is specially for everyone, so there is no need to be formal."
After Li Zhen finished speaking, Smith immediately translated.
After everyone sat down, Li Zhen raised his glass and said: "I welcome you all to come to China all the way. I want to say that coming to Shanghai is the wisest decision in your life. You can make money in Italy, but you can make money in Shanghai."
Get more money. As long as everyone works together, we will definitely get more rewards."
After Smith translated it, the eyes of craftsmen and experts were very bright.
"Gudong!"
Many people couldn't help but swallowed, clenched their fists, and became excited. These people followed Mas across the ocean to come to China, not for their ideals, but to make money. Li Zhen readily stated what they were thinking.
All the experts and craftsmen felt that Li Zhen was straightforward and straightforward, and believed that this trip was the right one.
Li Zhen caught everyone's eyes and raised a smile on his lips.
"Everyone, please!"
Li Zhen raised the wine glass in his hand and drank it in one gulp.
After Smith translated, everyone cooperated and drank and talked together.
The atmosphere in the hall was extremely warm, which was exactly what Li Zhen needed. Next, Li Zhen walked down the hall, communicated with experts one after another, drank and laughed with the craftsmen in the hall, and spoke a few words in English from time to time to show his enthusiasm.
The experts in the hall were even more impressed by the level of performance. The banquet was harmonious and lively and did not disperse until late at night.
…
Guangzhou, on the blue sea.
Ships docked quietly, like ancient behemoths lying on the sea.
These warships carried British and French military flags, clearly representing the British and French allied forces.
Flagship, in the cabin.
On the rectangular conference table, the main figures from Britain and France are sitting on the left and right sides. The person sitting first on the left is Bao Ling, the British Minister to China, and the person sitting first on the right is Bourlon, the French Minister to China, and the commander of the British Fleet.
Adams and French Fleet Commander Russell also sat on the left and right sides of the conference table.
Four main characters gathered here to discuss matters.
Adams looked grim and said in a deep voice: "That old guy Ye Mingchen has been prevaricating and does not agree to amend the treaty. Such a person has seriously hindered the expansion of the empire's interests. It is best to get rid of it, or directly attack Guangzhou."
Adams was frustrated everywhere in Shanghai, his self-esteem was hit, and he had been holding back his anger. He had long wanted to find a place to vent his anger. Now that Ye Mingchen did not agree to amend the treaty, Adams had a reason to send troops.
Russell said: "I agree with Mr. Adams's suggestion to send troops into Guangzhou."
Both of these two people suffered a lot in Shanghai.
Adams was captured by Li Zhen, and Russell had his leg injured, both of which were humiliating.
After hearing this, Bao Ling shook his head and said: "Chinese sages once said that conquering the enemy without fighting is the best way to do good. This is the highest state of the art of war. If we want to amend the treaty to expand the interests of the empire, the first choice
It is to amend the treaty without using troops to gain more benefits for the empire. Moreover, the empire will not be able to mobilize troops to attack Guangzhou in a short period of time. Therefore, I insist on negotiating with Ye Mingchen first. If this is not possible, then let Britain and France join forces.
The fleet went north and asked the emperor to change the treaty."
Bourlon nodded and said: "I agree with Lord Bao Ling's proposal. First try to reach a private agreement. If you can bypass the emperor's interference, then bypass the emperor of the Qing Dynasty. If you can avoid a war, avoid it. The use of force is a last resort.
For this reason, we cannot use troops until the critical moment."
After hearing this, Adams and Russell both looked depressed.
The two are commanders of their respective countries' fleets, but they have to follow the advice of the minister in China.
"Report!"
Suddenly, a British soldier walked in and saluted the four people.
Immediately, the soldiers reported: "Commander Adams, Mr. Bao Ling, there is news from Shanghai that the British consul in Shanghai, Aliguo, and the French consul in Shanghai, Aitang, were both killed. They were all committed by the pirate Lu Shaochuan in Shanghai."
At this point, the soldier told the speculations of the British lieutenant colonel and the French colonel, pointing the finger at Li Zhen, and mentioned the suggestion of exterminating Lu Shaochuan.
After the soldier finished speaking, there was silence in the cabin.
The four main figures in the British and French allied forces were all dumbfounded and frightened by the news.
A Liguo and Aitang were killed, which was shocking.
After a long time, Bao Ling recovered, his face was livid, he slapped his hand on the desk, and said coldly: "The interests of the empire cannot be violated, and the people of the empire cannot die in vain. Li Zhen is so arrogant that he instigated pirates at sea.
The attack on the consulate cannot last long, and the revenge of Aliguo and Aitang must be avenged."
"Must report!"
Burlon clenched his fists, with anger in his eyes.
The killing of the British and French consuls in Shanghai was simply shocking. Adams and Russell looked at each other and wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads. They were angry but felt that it was dangerous. If the two of them had not gone south but
Staying in Shanghai will most likely lead to the same ending as Ali and Aitang.
Bourlon looked at Bao Ling and asked: "What do you think we should do?"
Bao Ling said in a deep voice: "The matter of revising the treaty will be put aside for the time being. The fleet will immediately go north. First, we will destroy the pirate Lu Shaochuan and cut off one of Li Zhen's arms. Then, we will attack Shanghai and kill Li Zhen to take revenge. After finishing Li Zhen
, and then use the affairs of Ali and Aitang to coerce the emperor of the Qing Dynasty and ask the emperor to modify the treaty, otherwise he will launch a war. In this way, the expansion of interests can be completed. "
"Good idea, let's do it."
Bao Ling nodded in agreement, with an expectant look on his face.
The four people discussed carefully and decided on a strategy against Lu Shaochuan. After deciding on the strategy, Russell and Adams went directly to convey the order for the British and French combined fleets to sail towards Shanghai.
Ps: The second update of the third update, the update is late, sorry. I had an accident at home in the morning, and I rushed to the hospital before I came back. I will not interrupt the update, and my character is guaranteed.