Alchemy Greater China

"I have more than [-] warships in Beiyang, among which there are as many as ten main iron-clad warships! There are Zhenyuan and Dingyuan finale... If we fight that Long Hao in the sea, we will surely win! But, although Long Hao has many shortcomings , but he has an advantage, that is, he is rich! He spent a lot of money to buy many warships from Europe. It can also bring losses to my navy!"

"This kind of loss is completely unnecessary. Our country has a vast land and abundant resources, but there are too many places that need to use silver. To be able to form a Beiyang team has already received strong support from the Queen Mother and the Emperor. It is a blessing from heaven. Such unnecessary losses, You can avoid it if you can!"

"Using power to overwhelm people and defeat them without fighting is the best strategy of war! To tell you the truth, the old minister has already contacted the British Far East Fleet, and they are also heading towards Shanghai. When the time comes, we will join hands with the British , will definitely be able to suppress Long Hao so much that he dare not move! We can only negotiate peace!"

Hearing this, Cixi suddenly raised her spirits: "What? The British Far East Fleet? No, if they capture Shanghai, if the remaining anger is still there, and they want to continue to attack Beijing, what should they do? Li Aiqing, can you stop the British? Oh, you can’t, you definitely can’t! Why didn’t you tell me this news earlier?”

"Don't panic, Queen Mother! This Far East Fleet, the veteran is fully confident that it will not let it attack the capital."

"Oh, are you serious? Li Hongzhang, can you guarantee it? How can this be explained?"

"The old minister dares to use the head of the item as a guarantee... According to the information obtained by the old minister, this Far East fleet has actually been attacked by an unknown force on the way to Shanghai, and many warships have been lost. Now its leader He was the former deputy commander of the fleet. He was very careful and ordered the entire fleet to slow down by more than half. Their goal is very clear. As long as they take back Shanghai and keep the concession, everything else can be discussed! Cough, queen mother, you may still I don’t know. The newly enthroned king of England has a very poor ability to control the navy..."

After Li Hongzhang explained the current international situation, the Empress Dowager Cixi was relieved.The long nails also shook strangely again.

"Okay, the first question counts you as qualified, and the second question from Ai's family is to ask Li Aiqing you. How sure are you of getting back our tariff rights?"

The tax thing.Cixi didn't understand it at first, but who made the treasury empty year after year since the loss of tariff pricing power?

Therefore, in order to refill the national treasury and rebuild the Old Summer Palace for her entertainment, Empress Dowager Cixi has been paying attention to the tariff issue for more than ten years!

However, China's tariffs have been controlled by the sophisticated China Tong Hede before.Drip does not leak, with the ability of Empress Dowager Cixi.Even if you want to reach in and earn a little bit of power, you can't do it.

Now, Cixi obviously knows all of Li Hongzhang's propositions, so she pays special attention to this tariff right.

"To be honest, I'm only [-]% sure!"

When Li Hongzhang faced Cixi, he was so honest that he didn't dare to play tricks, because he knew that the woman in front of him, no matter how old she was, was always the actual manipulator of the Qing Empire... No one!

"Hey, huh, [-]% is pretty good!"

Cixi's head is not stupid, and after sorting out the whole article, she has understood the current situation: "So, Liu Kunyi made such a disturbance, but it was a blessing in disguise for our Qing Dynasty? Although a Nanyang navy was lost, the British were deployed in our country. The military strength of the army has been destroyed, hoho, this duizi is good and wonderful! Liu Kunyi, I still have a little credit for the Qing Dynasty!"

"Queen Mother, this Liu Kunyi is absolutely unforgivable!"

Of course Li Hongzhang could hear that Cixi was in a good mood and was joking, but he couldn't take it lightly.

After all, if you don't get rid of Liu Kunyi, don't say that you can't take advantage of the Nanyang Navy, I'm afraid even Liu Kunyi's rise to fame as a national hero can't be stopped!

Because, if the Qing court acquits Liu Kunyi, then he will surely become the No.50 of the Qing Dynasty to defeat foreigners in the past 1 years!

(The Sino-French war does not count, because that war was lost by Li Hongzhang at the negotiating table.)

"Hehe, Li Aiqing, you are worried about Nanyang Navy..."

Cixi is not good at anything else, but she is as smart as a fox when it comes to political struggles. She squinted her phoenix eyes, stared at Li Hongzhang, and just smiled.

"The empress dowager misunderstood the old minister. Liu Kun's lack of strict control caused conflicts between his subordinates and British ships. Later, he didn't know how to adapt or reconcile, so he insisted on going to war with the British. Hmph, if it wasn't for the help of Long Hao, he would be in trouble now." It is my sinner of the Qing Dynasty, a sinner who lost a navy and a city of Nanjing through the ages!"

Li Hongzhang knew very well that he could not give in at this time, otherwise, if the old woman had the dirty idea of ​​checking and balancing, Liu Kunyi would not be able to push it to the end: "Queen Mother, Liu Kunyi's charges are uncertain, and the old minister will not be able to negotiate peace with the British! Queen Mother, Please think again, the British lost thousands of people this time, and lost dozens of ships along the way, and don’t hand over a person of weight to take the blame? I’m afraid, even if the commander of the Far East Fleet is interested in us, it’s because of face I won't agree either!"

With Li Hongzhang's continuous efforts, several tons of saliva were spent, and Cixi finally said nothing, as if Liu Kun must be given the role of "scapegoat" by default.

"Okay, Aiqing answered both questions, Aijia... very satisfied."

The Empress Dowager Cixi nodded at the end, and she gave Li Hongzhang what he wanted most this time when he came to Beijing: "One million taels of military expenses will be handed over to the emperor, and he will allocate it to you in batches. You know how full it is."

"The old minister knows, in fact, this money is not in a hurry..."

Li Hongzhang was taken aback for a moment, and quickly stood up to express his understanding.

"You still have to give what should be given, Aijia is not stingy." Cixi smiled, and her words seemed to mean putting righteousness first and abandoning ego.

This made Li Hongzhang very strange: Is the sun coming out from the west?Why did this old woman suddenly change her gender? 100 taels, before it was put, she was required to take out even one-tenth of this amount.It is also as difficult as reaching the sky.

But soon, Li Hongzhang knew the reason.

"Aiqing's Beiyang is also my Daqing's Beiyang. It is good to distribute this little money to all the soldiers so that they can boost their morale and strengthen their spirits, and serve my Daqing with all their heart! But, since the Ai family is out If you get the money, then you have to do some tasks."

"Uh, please tell the queen mother clearly!"

Li Hongzhang had a bad feeling.

"This money. The national treasury didn't have it. It was all picked up by the Ai family one by two from the reserve of Xiu Yuanzi. The Ai family was distressed! However, whoever asked the soldiers to kill the enemy in front, the Ai family would not Paying the salary will make people laugh at my Qing royal family."

"The empress dowager is serious. Beiyang's salary in recent years has never been in short supply..."

at the same time.Li Hongzhang also added a sentence in his heart: You have been withholding the money for purchasing new warships. Beiyang hasn't changed new ships for many years. In this regard, it is not as good as Nanyang Navy!Thinking about it makes me breathless, at least someone else has a new battleship sponsored by Long Hao, who has touched it for a few days...

"So, this money is considered to be lent to you by the Ai family! Li Aiqing, don't panic, this money. Don't rush to pay it back, um. As long as you return it before the tenth day of March next year, it will be used for the Ai family's birthday banquet. Already!"

The tenth day of October is Empress Dowager Cixi's birthday, and the tenth day of March is six months in advance. This period is really not short.

"Thank you Queen Mother for your kindness!"

Li Hongzhang's mouth was bitter.

"You're welcome, Li Aiqing, you said this yourself. If you go this time, you will be 200% sure that you will be able to take back the right to tariffs. Well, there is still some time before March. During these times, the tariffs collected are enough for you to pay the interest. It’s paid off! Well, on the tenth day of March, you’ll pay back a total of [-] million taels of silver even with the principal and interest!”

With a 'plop', Li Hongzhang tilted his body and fell to the ground: mb, you dare to charge double the interest in less than five months!Is there any usury in this world more ruthless than this old woman?

……

Li Hongzhang got what he wanted, and left Beijing contentedly. He was going to rush to the nearest seaport by land, catch up with the Beiyang navy who was one step ahead by boat, and personally put pressure on Long Hao.

For uniting with foreigners to 'bully' his compatriots, our Lord Zhongtang has no guilt at all.

He only knows that the Nanyang Navy, which is deeply troubled, will soon be merged with Beiyang, and if he can recover part of the tariff pricing power, even if it is only one-tenth, he can become a hero of the Qing Dynasty. Will surpass my mentor Wen Zhenggong!

Become the No.1 minister of the Qing Dynasty for a hundred years!

However, when he thought of the 100 million taels of unreasonable 'debt', Li Hongzhang's jumping mood dropped seven or eight points: Damn, the old woman's family is all blood-sucking leeches, fuck, my Beiyang must change its business strategy, Otherwise, sooner or later, she will be sucked dry by her!

After leaving the capital for two days, before boarding the ship, a piece of news shocked Li Hongzhang, who was overexcited, into a daze, not knowing why.

When he was a little more awake, Li Hongzhang shouted: "This Long Hao, why doesn't he play cards according to common sense? Really, really suffocate me to death!"

After all, our Lord Zhongtang vomited a mouthful of blood and passed out.

It is naturally a major event that can make Mr. Zhongtang faint from anger, and this matter, as can be heard from Li Hongzhang's yelling, must have something to do with Long Hao.

So, what exactly did Long Hao do to make Li Hongzhang lose his composure?

Things have to be pulled back a little bit, to Shanghai on December [-], the day after the 'Open Concession Robbery Day'.

The Robbery Day shocked all walks of life at home and abroad. According to subsequent statistics, the loss of the great powers on this day was no less than a small defeat!

The wealth they accumulated in China by stealing and plundering was wiped out in the day of robbery, or in the words of the "Alchemy Express": "Things returned to their original owners."

After hearing about the robbery day, people of insight believe that Long Hao is a pure nationalist fighter. Next, there is no doubt that he will completely cancel the concession and tear up the treaties signed by various countries and the Qing government. I will always be the enemy of white people all over the world!

However, at noon on December [-]th, Long Hao issued a telegram again, or to be precise...he ordered someone to issue a telegram to announce the position of the Alchemy Kingdom and the next course of action on his behalf.

This person is Li Enfu, a former child studying in the United States, a former American citizen... Now he has grown into a bright banner of Chinese nationalism!

Under the publicity of Long Hao's media, many people know that he has abandoned the good life of the middle and upper class in the United States.He traveled around at his own expense for the unfair situation of the Chinese in the United States. He was warned by white supremacists and his life was threatened.He was forced to have almost nowhere to go, and could only wander in the continental United States, from the east to the west...

These have all contributed to Li Enfu's current reputation.

And this prestige reached its peak after he went to Chicago to reach a ceasefire agreement with the US government on behalf of Alchemy Nation!

Therefore, Long Hao's position as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Alchemy Kingdom was reserved for him.Who else can I leave it to?

Even Rong Shangqin has nothing to say about this!

Li Enfu is a star, a diplomatic star held up by Long Hao.

Li Enfu returned home this time.This electrification was the first thing he did for Long Hao.

"Our country of Alchemy is a friendly country yearning for peace. In the Sino-British conflict that started last month, our country of Alchemy has always maintained a rational, fair, objective, and conservative attitude. We have force. But we will never abuse force. We are close to the Chinese regime, but we will never favor the Qing government...we only stand on the side of justice!"

"Our country of alchemy, the cooperation with Governor Liu Kunyi of the Qing Dynasty is open and transparent. This time the Sino-British conflict, our country has undergone careful consideration and extensive evidence collection. It can be believed that 90.00% of the responsibility lies with the British side..."

"His Majesty Long Hao, the king of our country, has a very good personal relationship with Queen Victoria of England. Therefore, the queen's misfortune will arouse his personal emotional impulse. After all, our country is a monarchy! Therefore, in the past few days, our ** team may I did some extreme things in Shanghai and hurt some friendly foreign friends. Here, on behalf of His Majesty Wang Hao, I would like to say to those friends who have been hurt, im sorry..."

"Now, His Majesty Hao of our country has calmed down. He regrets what he has done. He said that he will compensate the losses of friends from countries other than the UK..."

……

Li Enfu's position in this power-up is completely opposite to Long Hao's previous attitude!

It's jaw-dropping!

Previously, Long Hao put on a terrifying posture to drive out all the foreigners in Shanghai, but now, when Li Enfu came out, he was apologizing to all the countries (except Britain) in the concession for Long Hao. It's too big, and the transformation is too fast!

As soon as this power-up came out, anyone with a discerning eye seemed to understand: Long Hao was a little scared after playing the world, so he asked Li Enfu to speak out, just to find a way for himself!

This alchemy king, there are times when he is afraid!

In this regard, the ambassadors and officials from various countries other than the United Kingdom in Shanghai breathed a sigh of relief, and those foreign captives who were in constant panic in the cells also let go of their hanging hearts.

After all, the beheading on December [-] frightened them.

As long as Long Hao, a butcher, stops killing and is willing to sit down and discuss in a civilized manner, then everything will be easy to talk about!

There's no way, whoever makes it near Shanghai at this moment has the biggest fist is Long Hao, so even though the great powers of various countries hate Long Hao to death, they have to bow their heads in the face of such a situation.

The electrification continued, and on December [-], Li Enfu announced the opening of the sealed concessions and the release of prisoners from all countries (except Britain).

On December [-]th, Li Enfu announced that the land troops of the Alchemy Kingdom had withdrawn from Shanghai, and Shanghai's defense was handed over to Governor Liu Kunyi for full management.

On December [-], Li Enfu and Liu Kunyi issued a statement stating that the concession in Shanghai would be re-divided, and that the Qing Dynasty and Britain would hold peace talks on the Sino-British conflict, including but not limited to tariff pricing rights.

On December [-]th, Li Enfu invited ambassadors and dignitaries from various countries to participate in the Sino-British peace talks, to conduct consultations and discussions on the deletion of the rights that the United Kingdom once retained in China.

On December [-]th, Long Hao issued a telegram in Xiajiaqianji City: From now on, he will not intervene in any consultations and negotiations between China and Britain on this conflict, and he will only treat the situation with a neutral identity and perspective. The process of this peace talks.

Long Hao completely announced the power-up of 'I retreat', and it was the power-up that caught Li Hongzhang by surprise.

After Li Hongzhang woke up, he cursed in his heart: This Long Hao, why did he run away like this?It's all right to run away, but hand over Shanghai to Liu Kunyi and let him preside over the peace talks. Now, what name do I want the old man to use to arrest him?

You know, those high-ranking dignitaries from all over the world (except the UK) who have been released are all surrounded by Liu Kunyi, begging him to redefine the concession and fight for their own interests!

That's right, the current situation in Shanghai is that Long Hao's forces have retreated behind the scenes, and Liu Kunyi is in charge of Shanghai's leader, preparing for peace talks. Those representatives from various countries who were frightened by the "Concession Robbery Day" are coaxing Governor Liu and secretly Agreed on how to redefine the scope of the concession and renew the agreement on preferential tariffs...

These extra discounts are actually drawn from the pockets of the original British.

Those representatives may be really afraid of death, but they may also be pretending to be deaf and dumb, ready to take advantage of the golden opportunity of Britain's weakness to snatch the profit cake from the British dinner plate and redistribute it.

Hmph, who said the great powers are of one mind?

Britain is very powerful, but being strong also means that it attracts the most hatred.

It was so easy for the British military power in the Yangtze River Basin of China to be completely wiped out. If the representatives of these other countries don't know how to grasp it and take the opportunity to kill them, they would be too stupid!

At this time, Li Hongzhang was already sitting on the ship bound for Shanghai with his sick body in his arms.

Things have changed, big changes!

The Beiyang navy can no longer launch an attack in the name of maintaining Shanghai's stability and crusading Liu Kun, a traitor. (To be continued..)