The preparations are staggered, and the seats are full of prosperity.

Xu Yifan's Qincha Training Yamen Office is no longer the same unabated and urgent appearance as before. It has a slight scale, and the flower hall in the backyard of the public hall is readily available. It's not that he pursues enjoyment so much, the big house he gave Li Hongzhang in Tianjin is still empty.

In the era when he came, the so-called white-collar workers provided so many loans every year, lived in a hundred square pigeon cages, and renovated a small place in a European-style pastoral pretend. I don't really care too much about what kind of accommodation is like. When he lives in a big place, he is afraid that he will not be able to find a place to go to the toilet.

The main reason is that there are too many people who eat with him now, and after all, he is a minister of the Qing Dynasty, and there is a system problem. Li Xuan's family wants to settle down, and the cuckoo Chen Luoshi also has his own maid, and the pair of twins sent by Park Yongxiao are also strange goods, Zhan Tianyou can't help but transfer manpower and material resources, and give priority to building this training yamen office for him. Since he settled down, Chu Wanli's cheeky person often came over to eat.

Today, it is for Tang Shaoyi, Tan Sitong and Li Daxiong to catch the wind, and Xu Yifan's team is all together. Li Yunzong, Chu Wanli, Zhang Xuzhou, Chen Jinping, Zhan Tianyou, and even Yuan Shikai were all sideways.

The table is full of treasures, and when a mutton hot pot is churning like a white wave, it is the most lively time.

I heard the sound of cups and plates, but it was Zhang Xuzhou who stood up first: "The Praetorian Guards congratulate Lord Xu!" Since the formation of the army, we have shocked North Korea, and we have dozens of cadet soldiers, but now we are nearly 10,000 tigers! Both sides of the Taedong River are prosperous, whether it is the Huai army in South Korea or the Saiben on the other side of the sea, not to mention the various local Korean figures, who does not look at each other differently? We followed the adults out of Beiyang and started from scratch, but I didn't expect that in just one year, we would have experienced such two bloody storms, and we have come to this day! ”

He held a glass of wine and stood up straight, like a military parade. Zhang Xuzhou was a well-known madman in the Praetorian Guard, and he was proud of it. At the beginning of the Huai Army, he was just one of the depressed petty officers. It's just that his sense of heroism is the most sufficient, and the whole day is empty, thinking about what Feng Tang is easy to be old, Li Guang is difficult to seal, and the man is Hou Zhi, I hope Hai Boping or something. According to the views of Xu Yifan's later generations, he is an angry youth of personal heroism. Compared with those angry young people in later generations, this kid is really open-minded! followed Xu Yifan for a year and a minute, and there were five or six wounds on his body. From a small foreign officer who was not in the stream, he is now a registered general soldier and the deputy general of the Jingkou Wolf Mountain Battalion!

(After the collapse of the green battalion military system, the rank of admiral and adjutant general that should be set up at the head of the battalion in these places no longer means that this officer should be on an errand in this battalion, but only an actual official rank.) There are only a limited number of middle- and high-level officers with battalion numbers in the country, and most of those with this rank are really heavy generals who lead troops, and the difference between the future of the registered deputy general and the general soldier is very different. ）

Listening to Zhang Xuzhou's congratulations, the eyes of the whole table were concentrated. Xu Yifan held a wine glass in his hand and greeted these gazes, his expression seemed to be smiling, reading the things behind these gazes one by one.

The current characters are all of his middle and senior teams, except for a big Shengkui Han Lao shopkeeper who silently supports him, but never likes to show up - he has long been too lazy to guess what is hidden behind Old Man Han.

This team covers all aspects of military, foreign affairs, propaganda, foreign affairs, and internal affairs. These people are either actively or passively tied to him. As he became famous all over the world, he also complained all over the world, and gradually had a situation, of course, he had different expectations for his center, and he also had different pursuits. He didn't believe that everyone was as dead as eating the Three Corpses Brain Divine Pill.

For example, military cadres, the Shuangbi Chu Wanli and Li Yunzong have their own tempers. Li Yunzong is a surprisingly deep person, since he became his subordinate, in addition to official business, the total number of greetings he has heard him add up to less than five sentences. Doing things, training soldiers, and even killing people are simply and decisive, and behind the eyes, they are never very emotional. This guy, Xu Yifan always suspected that he was a complete Machiavellian. He said that he was in the army, except that his clothes were different from those of soldiers, and he consciously felt the same as soldiers in all his living treatments, and the officers of his association had a bit of a puritan taste. He is the most resolute in carrying out his tasks and doing everything thoroughly. This knife is sharp, but it is also used with extra caution, beware of cutting yourself......

Chu Wanli, who haunts Xu Yifan the most, often sees his smiling face as soon as he turns around. Brainy, talented, and seemingly indifferent to positions of power. On him, he can often smell the same bad smell...... He seems to follow himself just to see where his unusual path can go...... When it comes to leading troops, he is not inferior to Li Yunzong, Li Yunzong is leading by example, completely the demeanor of an ancient famous general, coupled with the coldness brought out of the womb by killing and decisiveness, so that his subordinates are subconsciously obedient and follow, for fear of violating the slightest bit. Chu Wanli mingled with the officers under his command, and did things in a chatting and laughing way, he was the most daring to accept new affairs. The Praetorian Guards trained the new army, all of which were explored all the way, and many of the rules and training methods were summed up by his cooperation. It's also quite productive.

For him, he can use it with confidence, and he is not afraid of threatening himself. But Xu Yifan always wondered, has this kid always held a mentality of watching jokes, waiting for himself to get out of some leak? According to his surname, Xu Yifan dared to point to his fake pigtails and bet that he would definitely laugh at it when the time came, and then go to another place to work.

Chen Jinping and Zhang Xuzhou, if they are expanded into two towns in the future, both of them are destined to be promoted to the rank of co-ordination. Zhang Xuzhou is a good dog, Chen Jinping was born in the navy, has the best military literacy, and is also the most stable, he is a talent who can be used with confidence, and he also has the effect of liaising with naval personnel. Sitting there, his gaze was not as eager as Chu Wanli's, but he had a calm attitude. However, speaking of which, these officers with too deep Beiyang background are sometimes the most dismissive of many of his actions......

In general, the army cadres are quite simple, and now they are all Praetorian Guards. and he is already a glory and a loss. In other places, where can they, the petty officers, find opportunities to lead the troops and achieve the rocket-like promotion in the past year? Li Yunzong is already the chief soldier of Nanyang Town, and Chu Wanli is also the chief soldier of Xunyang Town, and they both rewarded the Batu Luyong, with dazzling eyes and yellow coats. With the speed of the promotion of military attaches since the Qing Dynasty, they are also on the top! The warriors changed their courts, and at the time of Chengping, there was absolutely no chance to get important, holding heavy troops and being suspicious, but the civil servants were the object of strict defense.

can have their own Wenchen team...... It's a sigh to say.

Xu Yifan knew what his problem was, and he was not promoted all the way up according to the officialdom system of the Qing Dynasty. There is no teacher to rely on in the same year, there is no gate, and it is the identity of returning from Europe, and I can't count on my hometown! Tang Shaoyi and Zhan Tianyou are both from Beiyang, and they are two devils like him. to come together. But they said that if they want to change jobs, they can jump at any time, as long as they have a stumbling career, or they can't have the ability to give Zhan Tianyou the ability to realize his dream of Western-style industrialization. They can roll up their burdens and leave at any time, and they can eat anywhere, and the opportunity for civil ministers to fill vacancies is easier than that of military ministers. But after all, now, these two people are still desperate to give him their lives......

Tang Shaoyi is a person who thinks highly of himself, and his attitude towards Xu Yifan is neither humble nor arrogant. also has a talent for administrative management, and he is also very capable of dealing with people, if it weren't for the identity of a young child in the United States, I am afraid that he would not have risen early. Now that he can give him the opportunity to be promoted quickly, he is so hard-working. Zhan Tianyou...... This is a guy who is engaged in construction, and he can work anywhere, as long as he is allowed to work. Sitting on the seat, he had the most calm attitude, looking at Xu Yifan frankly, without any intention of flattering, so that he didn't know whether to be happy or angry......

There is also a dodgy Yuan Shikai with dodgy eyes, this guy is Xu Yifan's earliest name to be heard, and the real usurper is only this Yuan fat man and not his Xu handsome guy. Yuan Shikai has worked hard for half of his life, and he is in North Korea. is full of enthusiasm to rely on this Haidong land to ascend to the top, but unfortunately first turned his back on the Beiyang and joined Ronglu, and Ronglu collapsed himself, and he was really desperate before pinching his nose and taking refuge. Although he knows that he is naturally proficient in the way of power, he can actually be a good staff. It's a pity that at least for now, I still don't dare to let go of it. It's just thrown in Seoul as an office, perfunctory Huaijun system. He was also angry enough there, this time to report something to Pyongyang. How much attention does he really have to put into his Xu Yifan's career, and he can say hello......

Wenchen and military generals are like this, Tan Sitong and Li Daxiong are supernumeraries in his team. Li Daxiong was pulled together by Xu Yifan with the belt of his trousers, plus some favors from the artillery shock Surabaya. The two sides were combined, and the Nanyang Chinese forces had considerable support for him in terms of money, material and people. But as long as he no longer has the power to preach comfort in Nanyang, once something happens to the Praetorian Guard, and the problem of the Nanyang children is cut off, can he still get the unconditional support of the Nanyang family?

As for Tan Si and Second Brother Tan...... This guy Qingliu is addicted to it, and he has become a figure in the world, so he takes the world as his own responsibility. Looking at his eyes, he clearly wanted to persuade him to follow the path of governing the country and the world in Tan Shusheng's mind, and not to be so deviant and dance on the wire rope all day long. Maybe it's to persuade him to completely join a certain force...... In the last days of the Qing Dynasty, if that force could be relied on, what would he Xu Yifan do so hard?

Tan Sitong doesn't want to think about this guy, who has supported him in his current position? But speaking of which, Tan Sitong was kicked out of Yanjing, it seems that he Xu Yifan created it......

Everyone's eyes converged, but Xu Yifan, who was sitting in the chief, seemed to be a little stupid. Such a small team is all punched and kicked by themselves, and ants move bones little by little. Since the time travel, in the era of Qing Ji, with his identity of unknown origin. In the torrent of the times, how many hardships and obstacles have been experienced to achieve this step!

However, it is now also a bottleneck. Jianjun, he, a half-tone amateur military history reader, almost shook off his inner pocket. The troops were initially formed, but he was blinded by the construction of a deeper level. The expansion of his power, his identity is embarrassing, his foundation is weak, and his reputation is spread all over the world. Sandwiched between the major forces in all aspects of this dying empire, one step at any time will be an abyss. And one step further, it is almost impossible. He is already a minister of the Imperial Mission, and his title is to be a squire in the military department. If you are promoted again, you are qualified to enter the center, or you are a big official who seals the territory and builds the festival. But the people in these positions are either the ups and downs of the sea for decades, or they are important ministers of the country, and their qualifications are too old to be old.

In the eyes of the entire Qing court, they regarded him as an outlier, but they were also extremely dismissive of him. He kept a distance from any force in the imperial court, so he had no backers, and his promotion was already too fast, and it would be difficult to go further. And he is no longer a silent little person, and people with a heart have begun to be jealous of him.

Leading troops outside, the identity is embarrassing, since you can't move forward, you can only retreat! And once he falls, there is no place to borrow strength left along the way, so he can only fall to the end!

Unless.

History can pull him along.

Let him pass this hurdle safely, and let the road he has taken against him open up a hole.

However, is this history still the history that I know well? The Dongxue Party uprising has been ruthlessly suppressed by him, so will it still be the Jiawu he knows?

His thoughts were racing, and the smile on Xu Yifan's face did not decrease, but the vest was already covered in layers of cold sweat. The arrival of these figures in Pyongyang was their own preparation for the First Sino-Japanese War. But when things really came to him, he realized the problem he had been avoiding thinking about. There is no way back for him! And once things don't go as he expected, then he really doesn't know where to die!

Now hurry up and retreat, hug Du Juan and Luo Shi to enjoy the blessings, how about being Xu Shiren Xu Batian or something? Xu Yifan even secretly turned his mind.

The weak thought was just a flash, and in the blink of an eye, what was floating in front of Xu Yifan was the torch of the horse thief that night, and the pride of the Jingshi who smiled at Hurd and waved away. There is also the bright sunshine of the South Seas, the black oppressive indigenous people, and the shaking muzzles. In the end, it was the blood and fire of North Korea, the piles of corpses, and Gyeongbokgung Palace that seemed to be crawling at his feet!

embarked on this path of reversing and seizing, and he didn't leave a way back for himself......

Under the eyes of everyone, Xu Yifan laughed, unspeakably dignified, and stood up with a big grin: "Congratulations for the Praetorian Guard, congratulations for our group!" ”

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

Tianjin, Beiyang Minister Yamen.

In the back garden, it is also a scene of a dinner party. However, compared to Xu Yifan's reception banquet in his office, I don't know how many times this rich scene has been exceeded.

The entire garden has been opened up as a place for dinners. There are cold tables everywhere, and the Chinese and Western chefs of the Yamen, who are neatly dressed and wearing white hats, are respectfully guarding the counters, waiting for the guests to take the food. The servants in white coats were walking around with trays, and their braids dragged behind their white coats, which was particularly eye-catching. On the tray, in addition to all kinds of foreign wine, there is also Dutch water, and Solaor water is readily available.

The guests are also extraordinary, the head of the Beiyang is full of robes and gowns, and the brilliant feathers are not to mention. There are also foreign consular counsellors and secretaries of various consulates in Tianjin, and ministers from various countries who rushed from Jiaomin Lane in Yanjing are the guest of honor. Men and women are mixed, laughing and chanting while drinking, while talking and laughing in a low voice. Among the officials in Beiyang, those who are familiar with foreign affairs still know how to talk to foreigners, and those who are not familiar with foreign affairs are just smiling there with a smile on their faces, and secretly look at the blonde and blue-eyed foreign women a few more times.

There is also a band in the corner of the garden where a little song is played. Next to the band are sofa chairs, next to which are rows of Turkish smoking guns, soft leather tubes hanging, and all kinds of Chinese and Western tobacco are ready. There were a few foreigners who were lazily smoking. Enjoy the autumn weather in Tianjin.

In the shuttle crowd, a tall foreigner was surrounded by several reporters and asked questions in a low voice. The foreigner was wearing the treasure star of the Qing Dynasty, and his expression was abandoned. It was Hurd, the general director of the Qing Customs and Excise Department, who had a relationship with Xu Yifan, and Yang Shixiang was standing next to him, and he also looked like a face. It seemed that he was waiting for those foreign reporters to ask him questions, but it turned out that Hurd was always there to speak.

"Mr. Hurd, I heard that this negotiation between China and China is a private guarantee that you are involved in it, and you strongly advocate that East Asia should be stable and peaceful, so this negotiation will go so smoothly?"

"As a civil servant of the Qing Dynasty, I am willing to use my diplomatic experience to help His Excellency Li Hongzhang. The venue for the meeting was borrowed from the Tianjin office of our customs, and I worked hard to maintain a friendly and frank atmosphere for the Sino-Chinese negotiations...... When it comes to East Asian affairs, I am detached. ”

"Mr. Hurd, is there the will of the British Empire behind this Sino-Chinese negotiation? The British Empire, was it worried that a dispute between China and China would lead to the expansion of the Russian Empire in the Far East? ”

"Please remember that the contemptible people are public servants hired by the Qing government, and all actions are in accordance with the interests of the Qing state. My status as an Englishman does not affect this meeting. The Qing government longs for peace in the Korean Kingdom, which is also a contemptible idea...... God willing, the meeting went very well. The weather in East Asia is still windy and beautiful, isn't it? ”

"Mr. Hurd, His Excellency Li Hongzhang has led the negotiations with the other party, and he is inclined to détente. But we also note that he has no institutional capacity to restrain General Seo, who is now in North Korea. The goal pursued by the Qing Dynasty and the Ben is the demilitarization of North Korea, and finally the gradual and complete withdrawal of troops, will General Xu's troops also withdraw from North Korea? ”

Hearing Xu Yifan's name, the muscles on Hurd's face twitched, and he seemed to remember the scene where Xu Yifan brushed his sleeves away at his banquet. That time, it greatly swept the face of this old Scottish man who regarded himself as the protector and agent of the Qing Dynasty. He smiled reluctantly: "This, can be answered by Mr. Yang, after all, I am not from Beiyang." ”

He whispered a few words of Chinese in Yang Shixiao's ear, Yang Shixiao smiled faintly, glanced at the reporters, and said with a smile: "Xu Yifan is also my courtier of the Great Qing Dynasty, and Li Zhongtang has absolute binding ability over him." Everyone, please take a closer look, Pyongyang will not be a trouble, and in the end it will be the same as Beiyang! ”

The reporters buzzed and whispered for a while, and wanted to ask questions. I heard the band suddenly change its tune, and the people who were sitting stood up one after another, and those who were standing faced the entrance to the garden.

In the sound of the band, I saw Li Hongzhang and a short man striding out side by side, and behind the two of them were a large group of attachés. Li Hongzhang was wearing a traditional official uniform, but he was middle-aged in a tuxedo, with a white stiff collar stiffly stretched under his neck. Li Hongzhang smiled, obviously in a very good mood. Seeing him appear, the foreigners all over the garden took off their hats and signaled, and the sound of those Beiyang officials beating their horseshoe sleeves to salute was even more crackling.

The two stood still at the entrance, Li Hongzhang glanced at the middle-aged man, and he bowed forty-five degrees to Li Hongzhang with extreme respect, and the smiling man took half a step back. Li Hongzhang also smiled proudly, raised his hand to signal, and the band's voice stopped.

"Dear gentlemen, ladies and friends, today's dinner is just an episode in the serious negotiations between the two countries. We Chinese pay attention to making friends, we can't negotiate with a tight face all day! Therefore, he said that the Minister Asuka ...... on behalf of the Minister of Plenipotentiary in his country."

Then I hurriedly bowed respectfully.

"I have jointly set up this dinner party to invite all friends who are concerned about the situation in East Asia, and just now the old man and Minister Asuka had an informal meeting, what is the content...... Secrecy. However, what I can tell you is that this negotiation is about to be successfully reached! The East Asian sky will be full of sunshine again! ”

Li Hongzhang spoke with a full temperament, and his tall figure was even more straight among the Chinese. The resentment after the Sino-French war seems to have disappeared. The half-step bird minister behind him first clapped his hands with a smile on his face, and the foreigners below applauded. Li Hongzhang enjoyed it for a while, and then raised his hand, and the band played a melodious and cheerful music again. The old man changed his friendly smile and walked into the room to hold hands and talk to the foreigners. The face is full of color, and I really can't hide it.

It was easy for his old man to have a free time, and Yang Shixiang quietly came over: "Zhongtang, the overall situation is decided?" ”

Li Hongzhang touched his beard and snorted coldly: "Xiao Yueben, it's still early to negotiate!" I'm a soldier, and he's not within my scope? We are hemp straw and wolves - two are afraid of ......"

"That condition ......"

"No compensation, no land cession, and a clean withdrawal of troops in one year. The Joseon royal family remains unchanged, and the relationship with my Great Qing Dynasty remains unchanged! Let those clear streams talk! That's it, the person concerned went to the book for a while, and for the person who died in the chaos in Seoul because of a misunderstanding, he apologized to the political axe and finished it......"

"...... that person"

"Isn't it Xu Yifan? He left Korea and sent the Huai army to crush his Praetorian Guard! We will have to evacuate North Korea in a year, and we can't let this guy mess with the peace situation in North Korea. This is the old man's career in my later season, and I can't let him ruin it! ”

(To be continued)