As the outer port of Rome, the port of Antium has always been bustling. On March 28, the port of Antium was emptied. Those who are familiar with this scene immediately know that there are big people preparing to visit.

Sure enough, it didn't take long for it to be set up, and the dragon flag of the Qing Dynasty and the words of friendship between China and Italy were also hoisted. Needless to say, the big man who came to the Far Eastern Qing Kingdom just didn't know who this big man was?

More than 20 nautical miles off the coast of the port of Antium, the French cruise ship Ernastus Simon is heading for the port of Antium. Everyone on the cruise ship knows that there is a big man on board.

That's right, the long-lasting leader of foreign affairs in the Qing Dynasty, the former governor of Beiyang, Li Zhongtang, is on this ship. Li Zhongtang's visit is simple to say, but in reality it is very complicated.

To put it simply, the main purpose of Li Zhongtang's visit was to attend the coronation ceremony of Tsar Nicholas II and to visit other powers.

It's complicated, that is, Li Zhongtang was forced to have no choice but to drag the 74-year-old age across the ocean for a state visit. For this reason, Zhongtang's family was afraid that something would happen, in addition to Li Zhongtang's two sons Li Jingfang and Li Jingshu accompanying him, they also specially prepared a pair of Nanmu coffins to accompany them.

Speaking of which, Li Zhongtang's fall into such a situation is the result of the joint efforts of the two parties of the emperor and queen. That's right, in the Qing Dynasty, the intensifying struggle between the emperor and the queen was able to squeeze Li Zhongtang abroad so tacitly, which is enough to see the jealousy of both sides.

However, in the final analysis, Li Zhongtang's strength was not good, and the Huai army that relied on it was defeated in a Sino-Japanese War, and if he hadn't invited foreign soldiers, he would have fallen long ago.

However, although Li Zhongtang used the Italian reinforcements to avoid being eaten on the spot, some things were inevitable. The Huai Army, which had fallen into prestige, was left by the imperial court on the Yalu River outside the Guan, and it was said that the Huai Army was the most familiar with the Japanese, so it was necessary for the Huai Army to take more care of them.

And Li Zhongtang, who lost the Huaijun Province, then only had one reason left,

For no reason, Russia took the occasion of the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II on May 26, 1896, to invite the Qing government to send dignitaries to attend and, more importantly, to discuss how to restrain Japan.

With Korea as a springboard, Japan began to protect the Koreans who had crossed the border to reclaim land, and its sinister intentions could be seen at a glance.

That's right, even when it was a vassal state, the Korean people had a tendency to cross the border to reclaim. On one side is the vast and sparsely populated area outside the Kansai area, and on the other side is the Korean Peninsula, which is small and populated. The North Korean people close to the border have long been in the habit of crossing the border to open up land. After the beginning of spring every year, cross the river boundary and choose a remote location to open up wasteland for farming, and wait until autumn to harvest.

Of course, if you meet officers and soldiers, you will consider yourself unlucky, but at that time, the Qing army had few troops outside the pass, and often only patrolled the border once a year.

And now the intention of the Japanese is obviously to encroach on the land of Longxing outside the Guan, how can they not make the Qing Dynasty jealous and take more precautions. That's why Li Zhongtang went overseas this time with a different purpose. And this visit to Russia is not to go to the Suez Canal to the Black Sea, but to Italy, which also has Li Zhongtang's own deep meaning.

"Bo Xing, where is this ship?"

In the first-class box, Li Zhongtang, who was not in good spirits, opened his mouth to ask his eldest son Li Jingfang.

"Father, this ship is about to reach the outer harbor of the Italian capital, and it is said that it will arrive in another hour."

Hearing what his son said, Li Zhongtang struggled to stand up.

"Quickly take my official uniform and hat, and we must pay attention to this visit."

Seeing that the old father was about to get up, the two sons rushed to comfort him. "Father, don't move, I'll get it for you."

The second son, Li Jingshu, hurriedly went to bring his father's official uniform.

The two helped Li Zhongtang to put on his official uniform tremblingly, and Li Jingshu helped his father wait with the official hat.

"Do you know why, I attach so much importance to Italy?"

Seeing that the ship will arrive for a while, Li Zhongtang will come to the scene to take a test.

In the face of Li Zhongtang's inquiry, the eldest son Li Jingfang replied, "Father, can you continue to befriend Yiguo for other use?" ”

"Yes and no."

"Father, but you want to make friends with Italy and show it to the Russians?"

"Not really."

Neither of them answered correctly, so the two of them waited respectfully for their father's explanation.

Although he already knew that his two sons would not inherit his mantle, who didn't want his children and grandchildren to be better than the blue, but they didn't give up yet.

Li Zhongtang explained to the two of them after hiding the disappointment in his heart. "There are reasons you mentioned for this visit, but the main thing is to leave some way back for Gongting (Nie Shicheng) and Dasan (Wei Rugui)."

And Li Zhongtang's answer made the two even more confused, of course they knew what their father said, at present, most of the Huai army is deployed on the front line of the Yalu River to watch the Japanese, what does this visit to Italy have to do with Wei Rugui and Nie Shicheng and other Huai army generals?

Seeing that the two sons still didn't understand, Li Zhongtang had no choice but to break it down and tell them. "After I stepped down from my posts as Governor of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang Commerce, it was impossible for me to go back. And the Queen Mother and the Emperor gave me a sign before I traveled, and your uncle will unload the Governor of Liangguang and return to his hometown after I go back. After all, Gongting has been with me for many years, and after I left, I was afraid that his department would have a difficult time, so I visited Italy this time, intending to borrow the power of the Italian people, and wanted to show a head or two for it, so that I could wait for me to return to China. ”

Okay, this Li Zhongtang has already said it in detail enough. Because he was afraid that when he was away, the imperial court pulled his own Huai army to his plate.

Don't think that this is Li Zhongtang's unfounded worries, his family knows his own affairs, Huaijun used to rely on the relationship between his protégés and his ancestors, but now he has added interests as a link.

And in the face of high-ranking officials in the imperial court, how many people can not be trapped?

And Li Zhongtang was unwilling to give Huai Jun to others like this, so he hoped to borrow the power of the Chinese people to give himself a little buffer time.

Li Zhongtang's words, the two Li Gongzi who dyed their hair savored it.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door, and only a voice was heard outside the door. "Lord Zhongtang, the outer port of Rome has arrived."

When Li Zhongtang and his entourage walked out, they found that the port was crowded with people, all waving the flags of China and Italy. A closer look reveals that there were very few yellow people in the crowd at the port, most of them were Italians, and we can see from their elated expressions that they welcomed Li Zhongtang from the bottom of their hearts.

What's going on, the Italians welcome Li Zhongtang so much.

Speaking of which, the Italians are definitely the most favorite Qing country in Europe. Because Italy has earned a lot of benefits in the Qing country, and there are many people who have benefited, it has made unremitting efforts to promote the good of the Qing country. Of course, the Italian government is also one of them, so there are basically no reports blaming the Qing State in Italy, and they are all praised. In this case, there are not too many people who have a good impression of the Qing State.

According to statistics, the number of people who came to the port of Antium to greet this Li Zhongtang today reached 30,000, which is the largest number of foreign guests welcomed by the port in the past ten years, which is enough to explain a lot of problems.

Therefore, if the people of the two countries want to like each other, the most important thing is to use interests as a link.

And after the Ainastus Simon stopped, Li Zhongtang attracted a tidal wave of cheers as soon as he appeared, and this Li Zhongtang waved with a smile on his face and stepped off the boat.

This time, the Italian government welcomed Li Zhongtang with the highest standard, and Foreign Minister Bacona walked over.

"Hello, Prime Minister Lee, welcome to Rome."

Amid the sound of a camera, Bacona smiled and shook Li Zhongtang's hand.