Due to the robbery in Lincheng, the train can only go to Zaozhuang, Lincheng, and the road is not yet passable. After getting out of the car, Zhao Guanhou received news that the Prussian Consul General in Qingdao, Marquis Li Man, had been waiting in Zaozhuang for a long time.

After Bassens arrived in Shandong, he first went to submit a letter to Yuxian, and the two words were not speculative, so he had to turn to visit Li Man, and now he will come with him. At the same time, there was also a Prussian cavalry company, these foreign soldiers occupied the school field that originally belonged to the golden soldiers, and they were murderous and put on a posture that could start a war at any time. The corresponding force is not the green battalion of the local flag army in Zaozhuang, nor the brave battalion, but the boxers with red scarves on their heads and straw forks in their hands.

These boxers with gossip banners also set up altars in several important mansions in the city, and all day long cigarettes curled and gongs and drums bursted, relatively speaking, they were more popular than foreign soldiers. It's just that they regard foreign countries as hatred, and when they go to the viewing altar or enter the boxing practice, they can't bring foreign characters, which always makes people feel a little awkward.

Zaozhuang is known for its minerals, there are many foreign mining companies, and there are many foreign companies, and foreign goods do not charge gold, so the price is lower than that of domestic products. In the life of the local people, there are really a lot of foreign goods, and the rules of banning foreign goods from the second regiment make people quite uncomfortable, so they have to change their names and not violate each other.

When Zhao Guanhou and his party entered the city, some boxers pointed at them in the distance, especially when they saw Jensen and her servants. Others scolded, "It's them...... It's these foreigners and Ermaozi ......"

But Zhao Guanhou and his party are numerous, and there are not only Guo Yunsheng, an alternate Taoist, but also 500 brave battalion guards, and the boxers are just distant horses, but they don't dare to really come over and do it. When they entered the city, the county order of Zaozhuang greeted the group and went to a mansion to rest. This is a mansion borrowed from a gentry in the city, and as for the guards, they can only be defended in all directions.

Marquis Li Man urged very tightly, and as soon as Marquis Zhao Guanhou settled down, he took Mrs. Jenson and Guo Yunsheng to Li Man's temporary residence. He lived in a Prussian foreign company in Zaozhuang, and more than a dozen soldiers were on duty outside the door, with angry eyes and eyebrows. On the opposite side of the foreign bank, there are more than 100 men with red scarves on their heads, pointing and scolding there. The left and right are not able to understand each other's language, and this kind of scolding is useless.

Zhao Guanhou frowned, "Lord Guo, Li Mannai is the Prussian consul in Qingdao, is it appropriate to let a group of people point and scold him at his residence?" If this is the case, who will bear the stake? ”

"Lord Zhao, you can't say that. The common people have always been arrogant, the people and religions are incompatible with each other, and the people have been hating the foreign for a long time, which is the people's will or people's morale. Guo Yunsheng glanced at Mrs. Jensen, because she knew Chinese, and some things were not easy to say too much, so he had to say secretly:

"It's a good thing that the people's hearts are always available. As for some improprieties in the behavior, the lower officials should respond according to the facts, and ask Yufutai to deal with them properly, so as not to cause any trouble. ”

When Zhao Guanhou saw him say this, he knew that behind these boxers, most of them were supported by the government, and remembered that when he greeted Prince Henry a few months ago, the other party also mentioned that Shandong boxers swarmed, and Yuxian lent his Yuzi banner to open his eyes for the boxers. I also remembered what Cao Zhongying said, the Shandong government connived at the boxers to rob, and the three families shared profits, most of which was true. Although Guo Yunsheng's attitude was not as clear as Yuxian's, it was obvious that he also wanted to use the people to drive out the foreigners and drive the Prussians and even all foreigners out of Shandong.

This robbery of foreigners is a major event in the imperial court and must be properly handled. However, when it comes to the local area, the ideas and measures are contrary to the imperial court, which is a major concern at the moment.

When they arrived at the gate of the foreign store, several foreign soldiers raised their rifles and prepared to shoot, and an officer with a soldier stepped forward and said in Prussian: "For the safety of the marquis, no one can carry a weapon, and we must search." ”

Mrs. Jensen jumped off her horse and responded in Prussian, "I am Amy, a shareholder of Warby Bank?" The Marquise de Jensen, who was friends with the Marquis of Leman and the Earl of Bassens, I don't think he would ask me to disarm. My companions are my dear friends, and I have also greeted Prince Henry, and I am a very good friend of His Excellency. We have come to rescue the hostages, are you sure that we will be prevented from seeing His Excellency the Marquis for such a frivolous reason? ”

The officer was stunned for a moment, and then pointed at Guo Yunsheng with his hand, "He!" Can't get in! The Marquis does not welcome this man, and as for the two of you, I will go and consult His Excellency the Marquis. ”

After a short time, the officer came out and gave a command to the guard, who lowered his gun and took his horse. Guo Yunsheng was just about to enter, but was stopped by the officer with his hand and spoke a long list of Prussian languages. Guo Yunsheng didn't know anything about Yangwen, so he had to look at Zhao Guanhou blankly. Zhao Guanhou snorted coldly

"This foreigner is saying that the Marquis has no good impression of you because of your previous offense, and does not intend to treat you as a negotiation object, so he refuses your visit. Lord Guo, if you are wronged, stay in the concierge for a while, we will pick you up after we finish talking with the foreigners. ”

In the reception room of the foreign bank, Basons sat there, his face sad and angry, which made the instructor, who was as serious and rigid as an old squire, even more formidable. Sai Jinhua did not come with him, thinking that the relationship between the two had ended without a hitch, Sai Jinhua achieved her goal and looked for another high branch, and it was not surprising that Bassens was given a cold reception.

The other man in the room was an old man in his early sixties, with frosty hair but good spirits. He was dressed in a straight military uniform, with a watch on his chest, a pistol on one side and a saber on the other. His appearance is also extremely powerful, not so much a consul as a general. And its eyes are bloodshot, like an angry lion, obviously the whole person is on the verge of eruption, just a small spark, can make this old man explode.

Zhao Guanhou first met with Bassen, the two have the name of master and apprentice, and they must first worship the instructor when they meet. Bassens also seemed extremely dissatisfied with him, gave him a cold look, and didn't say much. Zhao Guanhou didn't mind, and saluted the old man again

"Your Excellency the Honorable Marquis, this official Zhao Guanhou is the minister plenipotentiary sent by the imperial court to deal with the robbery in Lincheng. I hereby personally regret the abduction of your nationals and pledge to you that I will do my utmost to ensure the safety of the hostages. ”

The Marquis of Liman glanced at Zhao Guanhou a few times, obviously surprised by his fluent Prussian language, but soon anger took hold again, and he slammed the table and roared:

"Keeping the hostages safe? Is your country's way of ensuring the safety of the hostages is to organize a group of armed coolies to sweep up those bandits? What's in your head? Don't you know that such an action will force the bandits to a dead end and eventually kill the hostages? Also, the previous Guo Daoist, I don't know what his purpose was, but his actions were obviously accelerating the death of the hostage. Even the negotiators sent by the bandits were arrested by them, which showed no sincerity in rescuing the hostages. And outside my residence, a mob is making noise every day and insulting the honor of a Prussian nobleman, and if, this is the attitude of your country, then I suppose that soon you will pay for your attitude. ”

"I can understand your feelings, Your Excellency, but I hope you will calm down. Our imperial court has never taken the matter of rescuing hostages lightly, and when the officials went out of Beijing, they met with the emperor and the queen mother. Both palaces said that peace talks must be the top priority, and the lives of the hostages will be guaranteed. Your Excellency does not remember the desire of our country to reconcile, but threatens with words and force, which seems to be inconsistent with the public law of all nations and is not in keeping with your status as a diplomat. ”

When Li Man heard Zhao Guanhou say this, his expression seemed to be confused for a moment, and his emotions calmed down a little. "Young man, do you mean that your emperor and queen mother hold opposite views to the governor of Shandong? Then I don't think you'll be able to accomplish your task. Listen to me, to hell with the hostages and the law of all nations! I have three sons, two of whom have left me forever for the honor of His Majesty. The only thing left now is my little Richard. I named him after myself, and poured all my heart and soul into him, hoping that he could live happily and continue my family. And now, my little Richard is in the hands of those bandits. I don't care what conditions they make, whatever they are, you must agree unconditionally to keep my little Richard safe. But from Yuxian to that Guo Daoist, they are all intensifying the contradictions and making the situation out of control, if my little Richard suffers any damage because of this, I will let you see what the anger of the Liman family is! ”

He snorted coldly and stood up, "Our troops stationed in Qingdao have completed mobilization, including the navy and army. There are more than three thousand soldiers, ready to go. If you do not rescue my little Richard within forty-eight hours, our soldiers will have to move freely to ensure the interests of our diaspora. Your country will bear all the consequences that will occur at that time. ”

Basens also said at this time: "I must regret to announce that if your rescue cannot work, I will stop cooperating with Lord Yuan in my personal name." Our entire Prussian advisory group will leave the Wuwei Right Army, and the contract between Lihe and the foreign company and your army will also be reconsidered. ”

Zhao Guanhou first said to Basens: "Instructor, don't worry, even if I throw my life, I will save Hannah." I can understand your feelings, but as you taught me, calm ...... The more this time, the more you need to be calm. ”

He turned to Li Man again, "Your Excellency the Marquis, this is impossible. Within forty-eight hours, I could not even guarantee contact with the bandits, let alone know all about it. You know, I was attacked on the train as well, and now it seems that someone doesn't want me to fix it. If your country sends an army, then your little Richard will really leave you forever. And if you leave this matter to me, I can guarantee that you will hand him over to Your Excellency. ”

Marquis Liman was obviously moved by his statement, was stunned, and asked in a puzzled tone: "You mean, you promise?" Guaranteed as Minister Plenipotentiary? ”

Zhao Guanhou looked directly at Li Man with both eyes, his eyes were full of confidence, "Yes, Your Excellency Marquis." I pledge both in my capacity as Minister Plenipotentiary and in my personal capacity. I will definitely save His Excellency Little Li Man from the hands of the bandits and hand him over to you. If I can't do it, I'm willing to bear all the consequences! But, the premise is, I need time. Please give me ten days to resolve the matter, and if no result can be obtained after ten days, then you can resolve the matter in your own way. ”

Li Man was silent for a while, and his tone returned to calm, but his voice was still cold, "What if I choose to refuse?" ”

Zhao Guanhou stretched out his hands, "If you refuse, then there is nothing I can do, I admit that I am personally powerless to stop the actions of your army." But I must remind Your Excellency the Marquis that if you act at will now, you may be able to get the whole of Shandong, but you will definitely lose your only son. Why not give yourself a chance, and give Richard a chance? Of course, also to give me a chance, to give me a chance to rescue Miss Hannah. ”

Li Man's gaze locked on him, "You are the young man who embarrassed my little Richard in Jinmen?" You have humiliated my son, but you have appeared in front of his father again, and I don't know whether to praise you for your bravery or call you stupid. ”

"There's no way to tell the difference between courage and stupidity. But please believe that for the sake of Hannah, I will do my best. ”

"Well, young man, I have to say, you have caught me in the soft underbelly, and I cannot risk it with my Richard. I'll give you seven days, remember it's seven, not ten. God can create this world in seven days, and you should be able to save my son in seven days. If you can't give me a satisfactory answer after seven days, then it is not only Shandong that will be destroyed, but also you! ”

Bassens said: "Zhao Guanhou, I have to tell you one thing, the Marquis and I have reached an agreement to be engaged to Hannah and Little Richard, I hope you can understand." ”

"Well, of course I understand, I understand all this perfectly. But now we're talking about saving people, aren't we? We'll have time to talk about it when we get them all out. Zhao Guanhou remained silent, not happy or angry, as if he was saying that he had nothing to do with him.

Madame Jensen smiled at this time and said, "Your Excellency the Marquis, I am very grateful that you could agree to this request. ”

"Mrs. Jenson, I am grateful for your willingness to help solve this problem. If the kidnappers have a ransom demand, I will do my best, but I also hope that my wife can help me at a critical time. ”

Zhao Guanhou said to Li Man again: "Your Excellency Marquis, I have a reluctant request. In view of the objective situation in Shandong, I had to report to Zhili and Jingshi, I needed to borrow the telegraph line ......, and I also needed to know some about the facts. After all, all the information I know now comes from that Guo Daotai. ”

"Absolutely, as long as I can save my Richard, I will provide you with all convenience. As for the development of events, you can also get all the news from me, God curses that liar Guo Daotai! I'll make him lose his hat or his head, I promise! (To be continued.) )