September 16, 1900, 8 a.m. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ

Yanjing, Dongjiaomin Lane, Tsarist Embassy.

As soon as Gers, the Russian minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary in the Qing Dynasty, walked out of his office when he heard his attendant come up and say, "Your Excellency, Li Hongzhang, the minister of Beiyang of the Qing court, has come to ask for an audience. ”

Hearing that Li Hongzhang came to ask for a meeting, Gers did not show any difference on his face, obviously, this was in his expectation, only to see Gers smiled quite smugly, and asked: "Li Hongzhang, did the old guy arrive early in the morning?" ”

The attendant was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Your Excellency, how do you know that Lord Li's palanquin did arrive half an hour ago, but his entourage handed over the name card at eight o'clock. ”

"Hehe, it seems that I'm really in a hurry." Gers sneered, and then said: "Let people lead Li Hongzhang to the living room, but I have to dry him for a while, and then say, I slept late last night and I was not feeling well, you don't dare to disturb at will, understand?" ”

"Yes."

Poor Li Zhongtang, who is nearly eighty years old, had to endure the pain for the sake of this leaky Qing court, and came to the Tsarist Russian embassy early in the morning to ask to see Geers, but he didn't expect that after blowing in the north wind for more than half an hour to show his sincerity, he was actually left there by Geers.

However, when begging for help, Li Zhongtang's patience was indeed extraordinary, even if he was nearly eighty years old, he was still sitting there motionless, his face was not happy or sad, as if he had expected Geers to come to such a set, sitting in the living room of the Tsarist Russian Embassy, quietly drinking tea.

"It's too much, damn Gers, does he think he's Nicholas II?"

Li Zhongtang's son-in-law and staff member Zhang Youqiao looked up at the clock above his head, it was already more than nine o'clock, this damn Gers hadn't appeared yet, which made Zhang Youqiao feel very angry, you must know that Li Hongzhang is now a powerful minister above 10,000 people under the Qing court, what is he Gels, isn't he just a broken minister, and he dares to put this kind of score?

"Young Qiao, don't be impatient." After Li Hongzhang sighed slightly, he continued a little weakly: "I Li Hongzhang can not do much for the Qing Dynasty, and this old face is becoming less and less valuable, but whether it is successful or not, I must try, my days are numbered, I just hope to be able to have a clear conscience, and then I can be blind under Jiuquan." ”

"Lord Zhongtang, why do you bother, the ambitions of the wolf sons of Tsarist Russia are clearly exposed, they now want the German army to do more things, so that their actions in the three eastern provinces can become more unscrupulous." Zhang Youqiao said helplessly.

The battle between Tsarist Russia and the Black Dragon Army ended a week ago, and then, although the war was over, the Tsarist Russian army was still pouring into the three eastern provinces, and the speed of coming, even faster than when it was fighting with the Black Dragon Army, it was obvious that Tsarist Russia was quickly filling the gap in their forces in the three eastern provinces, and its wolf ambition was obvious.

What's even more shameful is that after the end of the first battle of the wolf domain, the Qing army led by Zeng Qi, the general of Shengjing, was told that he had to find a way to go back to Shengjing, and the trains and ships of Tsarist Russia were not enough.

Obviously, Zeng Qi and his army could not return to Shengjing in time, for Tsarist Russia, it was naturally more powerful, otherwise it would not be able to pick it up, and the current situation of the German army, the same is true, Tsarist Russia would like the German army to make a greater noise, in this way, the Qing Dynasty for the safety of Zhili, naturally has no time to take care of the three eastern provinces, the eyes of the great powers will not always stare at the three eastern provinces, and the pressure on Geers can naturally be lighter.

"You have to try it, if you don't try, how do you know that you won't be able to succeed?" Li Hongzhang muttered to himself.

In fact, his heart is like a mirror, knowing that it is difficult to gain anything here, but after he got the telegram from Zeng Qi and Yuan Shikai last night (of course, mainly the latter), Li Hongzhang still wanted to come, if it wasn't too late, or even wanted to rush over last night, perhaps, he wanted to be a dead horse as a live horse doctor, or, as he himself said, it would be good to have a clear conscience.

At about ten o'clock in the morning, Geers finally appeared, and after seeing Li Hongzhang, he pretended to scold several of his attendants, but fools can see that this is acting, because the acting is too fake, even if it is a third-rate politician, it is better than Gers's acting, no way, Geers just deliberately wants to act so badly, that is, it is to disgust and disgust Li Hongzhang.

"Li Zhongtang, you are now picking up the entire Qing Dynasty with one shoulder, there should be a lot of things, why early in the morning, you have time to come to our Tsarist Russian embassy to hang out, could it be that the Qing Dynasty is now singing and dancing?"

Geers's words are extremely bitter, of course, Geers is not a measured person, especially in the face of the Qing court and the little devils, and today, in order to prevent Li Hongzhang from opening his mouth, he has intensified, and his purpose is to make Li Hongzhang retreat.

However, what kind of person is Li Hongzhang, that is a bull who has been immersed in Chinese officialdom for fifty or sixty years, Geers's tricks are like pediatrics in front of him, even Zhang Youqiao is angry, but at the moment he is disdainful, because this is insulting the status of a country's ambassador, such a person, you are really not worth it to be angry with him.

"Minister Geers, there is a saying in China, it is called not to say dark words in front of the Ming people, it is better for us to get straight to the point, first of all, I want to ask, what is the matter of the German army, what does Minister Geers plan to do?" Li Hongzhang said bluntly that the cynicism of Gers was directly regarded as non-existent.

"Germans?" Gers was stunned for a moment and said, "Has the German army arrived?" How did I not know? ”

"Hmph." Li Hongzhang snorted coldly, stood up, glared at Gers angrily, and said, "Minister Gers, are you insulting your intelligence department of Tsarist Russia, or do you think that I, Li Hongzhang, am already dying, so I can bully at will?" ”

"Oh, why did Lord Zhongtang say this, I really don't know, you also know that I was unwell last night, and I have already rested, and before resting, I specially instructed not to disturb my rest at will, I really don't know." Gers said with an innocent look on his face.

"You?"

Li Hongzhang really rarely got so angry, before he came, he thought that Gers would push and drag left, but he really didn't expect that Gers would actually use this kind of rogue trick, and the angry Li Hongzhang was angry in his throat, seeing this situation, Zhang Youqiao hurriedly stepped forward and comforted in a low voice: "Lord Zhongtang, this matter is difficult to achieve, but it is really not worth it to be angry for this kind of shameless person, you still have to escort the Qing Dynasty, if you are really angry, it is not exactly what they want." ”

Zhang Youqiao persuaded him like this, Li Hongzhang really calmed down instantly, looked at the smug Gers, and immediately had a plan in his heart, and after muttering for a while, he said coldly: "At the beginning, in order to let me encircle and suppress the Black Dragon Army for you, I remember Minister Gers, but I made it very clear to me that I will definitely fight for my Qing Dynasty to the end, so as not to make the Qing Dynasty stained with war again, now the German army is coming violently, I don't know, how does Minister Geers plan to fulfill the original promise?" ”

"Master Li, are you saying too strongly, how can you say that your Qing court sent troops to encircle and suppress the Black Dragon Army for my Tsarist Russian Empire?"

"Could it be that you sent troops to encircle and suppress it, isn't it because the Black Dragon Army is a huge threat to the Qing Dynasty?"

"Our Tsarist Russian Empire has paid the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers in order to exterminate the bandits for you, and we haven't asked you to settle this account yet, but I didn't expect Lord Li to say unashamedly that it was for our Tsarist Russia to exterminate the Black Dragon Army, could it be that the Black Dragon Army's activity location is in the territory of our Tsarist Russia, which is simply a big joke in the world?"

Now that he has turned his face, Gers does not intend to hide it, Tsarist Russia did pay for the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and the Black Dragon Army did operate in the territory of the Qing Dynasty, which is a fact, although when the Qing court was united to send troops, the reason why the Qing court agreed to send troops was really because Tsarist Russia promised to act as a mediator and was willing to take the lead in ceasefire, but later, after the Qing court learned about the situation of the Black Dragon Army, it did feel the threat from the Black Dragon Army, so it increased the investment of troops, these are all facts, Since it is a fact, Gers can naturally say it with confidence.

"Well, that's a good point." Li Hongzhang smiled instead of being angry: "Then since Heishui Province is the territory of my Qing Dynasty, and the three eastern provinces are also the territory of the Qing Dynasty, and the Black Dragon Army has also won, I want to ask, why is your Tsarist Russia still increasing troops in the three eastern provinces now, is the ceasefire and peace talks promised by Tsarist Russia before also a fart?" ”

Being able to make people like Li Zhongtang say the word "fart" shows how angry Li Zhongtang is in his heart, but Gers is not a vegetarian, and immediately fought back: "That's because there are still remnants of the Black Dragon Army, not only that, but the Boxers also have more than tens of thousands of evils operating in Jilin, and your Qing army can't handle it, for the sake of the neighbors, our great Tsarist Empire doesn't mind helping you again, that's all." ”

Geers's words are that a robber enters your home and asks for it, but he has to say that it is to help you solve the disaster, which is the typical bandit logic.

"Geers, to be able to put the robber theory so magnificently, I, Li Hongzhang, have lived for nearly eighty years, and today is the first time I have seen it." Li Hongzhang sighed, and suddenly said sharply: "However, Gers, you shouldn't bully me Li Hongzhang, you will pay the price for your words today." ”

"Hahaha." Gers heard the big joke and said, "I'll wait." ”

Li Hongzhang really didn't expect that he came to the Tsarist Russian embassy early in the morning and came with great sincerity, and the process and ending would be like this, he originally thought that the worst plan was to shirk Geers, but at least he had to get by on face, he always had to make a show for himself, invite ministers from various countries, and then put some pressure on the German side together, no matter whether it was successful or not, even if it was a formality, everyone would have to get by on face.

"It's too much of a deception."

After walking out of the Tsarist Russian Embassy, Li Hongzhang glanced back at the Tsarist Embassy and said angrily: "Go to the Dongying Embassy." ”

……

"Oh, Lord Li is visiting, and the humble house is shining."

In the Dongying Embassy, Li Hongzhang's arrival was warmly received by the little devils, and Dongying Minister Komura Shoutaro personally poured a cup of hot tea for Li Hongzhang, which made Li Hongzhang a little uncomfortable.

"Li Zhongtang visited, but he came for the German army?"

Without waiting for Li Hongzhang to speak, Komura Shoutaro talked about the German army first, which made Li Hongzhang's favor increase again, although he also knew that Komura Shoutaro had nothing to do and was courteous, either a traitor or a thief, but at least the face of the family did a good job, unlike those arrogant maniacs in Tsarist Russia, who didn't know how to respect the old and love the old at all.

"Hey, the German army did not land from Tanggu, and the commander of the German army, Wadsey, did not come directly to Yanjing to negotiate peace talks, but chose to land in Qingdao. Li Hongzhang said with emotion.

Although Li Hongzhang himself felt a little awkward, after all, he was in the same executioner who had just killed his compatriots, and said that another executioner was about to kill someone, but Li Hongzhang really wanted to find someone to talk to at the moment, and he happened to meet Komura Shoutaro so enthusiastic, so he chatted.

"Wadsey, I've heard, is a tough person, if you want to stop the actions of the German army, you only need to be afraid that the ministers of various countries can work together, of course, since our Dongying Empire has chosen to negotiate peace with your country, we will definitely stand in the perspective of peace and do our part for your country."

Komura Shoutaro's chest patted and thought, this is beautiful, it makes people feel comfortable to listen to, especially Li Hongzhang, who has just been full of Gers, and feels that this trip to the Dongying Embassy is not in vain, and the plan in his heart is constantly improving.

After the two chatted for more than ten minutes, Li Hongzhang officially talked about the whole, and said: "In Aihui, after the end of the battle with the Black Dragon Army, more than 10,000 soldiers of the Qing Dynasty are still there, but Tsarist Russia is unwilling to lease ships and trains to transport troops to our side, so that our Qing soldiers are still stranded in Aihui, and I happened to pass by the embassy of your country today, I don't know, your country is willing to transport troops back to Shengjing for our country, of course, the remuneration that should be there will definitely not be less?" ”

Recently, Tsarist Russia has made frequent moves in the three eastern provinces, seeing that the three eastern provinces are about to be actually occupied by Tsarist Russia by force, but Dongying's side is full of scruples and has no suitable reason, so he can only stare dryly, and now it's okay, Li Hongzhang's arrival finally gives the little devil an excuse.

Of course, if there is no benefit, Komura Shoutaro will naturally not let go, so he shirked and said: "If you borrow our fleet, then it is bound to enter the Heishui River from the territorial waters of Tsarist Russia, so I am afraid that it will cause disputes between Japan and Russia?" ”

Komura Shoutaro said the truth, although the Heishui River is a boundary river, it should be half of China and Russia, but Tsarist Russia is strong, and the Qing Dynasty is weak, in fact, most of the Heishui River is under the control of Tsarist Russia, and more importantly, the mouth of the Heishui River is in the territory of Tsarist Russia, and even the Chinese people want to enter the sea or river from here, they must obtain the consent of the Tsarist side, and the Dongying people are naturally no exception.

"It's just a little bit of borrowing, and when the time comes, we will also talk to Tsarist Russia, and I think Tsarist Russia will also give your country a little face, so that it will not have any disputes with your country for such a trivial matter, after all, Tsarist Russia's power in the Far East has suffered a lot of losses this time." Li Hongzhang paused, and suddenly said: "Oh, by the way, in the border area between Goryeo and Changbai Mountain in Jilin, China, those bandits have been really serious recently, and our side has suffered heavy losses in the battle of Aihui, I don't know, is your country willing to enter the country to exterminate those bandits for us?" ”

As soon as Li Hongzhang said this, Komura Shoutaro's eyes immediately lit up, and he immediately replied: "You and I are friendly neighbors separated by a strip of water, brothers are in trouble, I will naturally do my best to help, Lord Li, although rest assured, I will immediately explain this matter to the country in detail, and I will definitely give you an answer in the shortest possible time." ”

"So, there is labor."

Li Hongzhang arched his hand and immediately left.

"Lord Zhongtang, if you do this, I'm afraid that it will be easy to invite God and difficult to send God."

After walking out of the Dongying Embassy, Zhang Youqiao sighed, Li Hongzhang also shook his head after hearing this, how could he not know this, but Tsarist Russia is too arrogant today, bullying him so much Li Hongzhang, Li Hongzhang naturally wants to teach Tsarist Russia a lesson, otherwise, wouldn't it be underestimated.

"Hmph, this plan to drive the wolf, although it is not a dangerous move, however, it may not be without a turnaround, besides, no matter what, it is better than watching Tsarist Russia do whatever it wants."

…… (To be continued.) )