The Qing Dynasty is about to end

Chapter 252 Sir, it's time for a revolution! (Please subscribe and vote)

When "The Great Wall Will Never Fall" was finished, the streets near the Jardine Matheson Pier on the Bund were still harmonious.

Bonham and Alcock did not understand Cantonese, and although Wade understood Cantonese, he was still unable to appreciate its flavor.

Wu Jianzhang and Wu Chaoyue, both grandfather and grandson, understood the situation, but they had already boarded the pirate ship and had no way to get off. They could only hope for the best.

As for Sushun, Shengbao, Yuanbao, Bai Siwen, and Li Hongzhang, they just thought that the etiquette of "singing Cantonese opera to welcome foreign guests" was a bit strange, but they didn't take it to heart. They never thought that Luo Xueyan, a man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, could be a traitor!

After all, Luo Xueyan is a meritorious official of the Qing Dynasty this time!

The enemy defeated in the night battle of Kunshan was an army of 20,000 led by Su Sanniang, the first female general of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. When Su Sanniang led her troops to the north bank of Loujiang River that day, Sushun, Shengbao, Yuanbao, Bai Siwen, Li Hongzhang and others were all terrified.

Su Sanniang was in front, Luo Yaoguo was behind, and Luo Xueyan had only 6,000 soldiers in the middle. Not to mention being defeated by Su Sanniang, even if the two sides confronted each other across the Lou River, it would not work! Once Luo Yaoguo took over the Shanghai Concession, Luo Xueyan's 6,000 new troops would be finished.

But they won this battle which was almost certain to be lost!

After a night of cannon fire, Su Sanniang's army retreated, and then Luo Xueyan led his army eastward, heading straight to Shanghai, first entering the concession, and then conquering the county town. The invincible Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's holy angel, Wu Wang Luo Yaoguo, abandoned the city and fled.

While Luo Xueyan defeated Su Sanniang and Luo Yaoguo, he also used tough diplomatic means to force the British Vice-Consul Wade to sign the "Agreement on the Abolition of the Shanghai Lease Regulations and Related Post-Settlement Agreement" and took back the British Concession in Shanghai.

Since the French Concession was established by the French based on "unilateral most-favored-nation treatment" - that is, the privileges that the British can get, they can also get a share! Therefore, after the "Shanghai Land Regulations" were abolished, the French Concession, like the British Concession, lost its basis for existence. In addition, the record of the 6,000 Shanghai New Army repelling Luo Yaoguo and recovering Shanghai County and half of the concession, the French Consul Ai Tong could only acquiesce to reality.

Therefore, the French Concession in Shanghai was also recovered!

This was the first time since the Daoguang Sino-British War that the Qing Dynasty regained its lost sovereignty from foreigners!
When Sushun and Shengbao sent the report of victory to Luo Xueyan to Beijing, Emperor Xianfeng had to go to the Taimiao to report the good news to his ancestors.

However, these "Manchus" and that "Li Zhongtang" were still a little worried when they watched the flag-raising ceremony and listened to the "opera" just now, for fear that the foreigners would turn against them.

Wenxian came here on a steam gunboat, and that ship was so strong and his guns were so powerful!

If this is bombarded, the consequences will be disastrous.

But at this moment, they saw "Lord Wen" and Luo Xueyan shaking hands cordially and chatting and laughing.

It seems that this foreigner Wen Xian has recognized the "Abolition of the Shanghai Land Lease Regulations and Related Post-Settlement Agreements". Luo Xueyan really understands Westernization! After forcing the concession back by force, he was able to maintain the relationship without breaking down. He is really a great man!
Just as Sushun, Shengbao, Bai Siwen, and Li Hongzhang nodded their heads and admired Luo Xueyan in their hearts, Lord Luo was already waving at them: "Lord Su, Lord Sheng, Lord Yuan, Lord Bai, Lord Li, please come here quickly. I am here to introduce Lord Wen from England to you."

Sushun, Shengbao and others hurriedly stepped forward with smiles on their faces and bowed to a tall foreigner in military uniform who was having a pleasant conversation with Luo Xueyan.

Luo Xueyan then introduced these people in an Oxford accent that sounded very familiar to Wenxian: "Mr. Minister, this Lord Sushun is a member of the imperial family of the Qing Dynasty. He will visit Europe as a first-class imperial envoy. This tall gentleman is Lord Li Hongzhang. He was originally the most trusted secretary of the Qing Emperor and is now the chief secretary and attaché of the imperial envoy. These two are Yuan Bao and Bai Siwen, they are the military attachés of the mission."

When he introduced several main members of the Qing Dynasty's visit to Europe to Emperor Wenxian, he deliberately elevated Li Hongzhang's status, calling him "the emperor's most trusted secretary."

After hearing what Luo Xueyan said, Wenxian took a look at the handsome Li Hongzhang and regarded him as an important figure in the delegation.

As for Yuan Bao and Bai Siwen, Luo Xueyan introduced them as "military officers", and the "military officers" of the embassy were also very important, so Wenxian also greeted them politely.

Then, Luo Xueyan said to Wen Xian: "Mr. Minister, since this is the first delegation of our country to visit Europe in a long time, we have no experience before and lack transportation to Europe, so the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty hopes that your country can provide assistance and allow the delegation to travel to Europe on British ships.

Of course, the relevant expenses will be paid by the Jianghai Customs Supervision Office, and will not cost British taxpayers money. "

Everything would be easy as long as the British taxpayers didn't have to spend any money. Bonham immediately promised to arrange a paddle-wheel steamship to send the Qing delegation to Europe.

Luo Xueyan immediately told Sushun, Li Hongzhang and others the good news, and then he smiled and said to Wenxian: "As for the purpose of the delegation's visit to Europe, I believe that Consul Alcock and Vice Consul Wade have already informed the Minister through express mail, right?"

Wen Xian nodded and frowned slightly: "It seems to be related to the devil, which is really puzzling."

From what he said, you can tell that he is a person who does not believe in superstition, otherwise it would be impossible for him to go to Nanjing to meet the second and fourth brothers of God's family!
Luo Xueyan smiled and replied, "Mr. Minister, this is not important. What is important is that there is finally a delegation that can go to Europe, right?"

Wen Xian said with some regret: "That is indeed the case. It is a pity that you, Lord Luo, are not in the delegation to Europe, otherwise the Qing delegation would have achieved considerable success."

Luo Xueyan shook his head and sighed, "Visiting Europe is important, but China needs me more now... This country is now at a critical crossroads. Looking at the present, only I know where to go!" "I see..." Wenxian nodded slightly, as if he understood something, "You are an idealist!"

"Miss, the tall guy wearing a blue hat is Luo Xueyan!"

On the Bund, among the crowd, there was a middle-aged man dressed as a butler. He was pointing at Luo Xueyan, who was chatting happily with Wen Xian, and talking to a tall woman in a blue jacket and green skirt beside him.

The woman was Zhou Xiuying. She was holding a paper umbrella for sun protection. The umbrella was pulled down low, covering most of her face and partially blocking her vision. In order to see Luo Xueyan clearly, she raised the umbrella slightly.

"Is it the guy with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a hairy beard?"

"It's him!" The middle-aged man nodded.

Zhou Xiuying frowned and muttered, "He looks good, but he's just a dog official. Have you found out where he lives?"

"I found out that he is now living in the military camp at the racecourse, but there is news that he has already asked people to clean up Yu Garden." The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment and then said, "There is a female leader of the Tiandihui from Hunan who is helping him. She is hiring servants through the relationship with the Tiandihui in Shanghai."

Zhou Xiuying's eyes lit up, and she asked hurriedly, "Is there any way to arrange for me to go in and do some work?"

The middle-aged man glanced at Zhou Xiuying and said with a wry smile, "There is a way. Miss, you are also a member of the Tiandihui. However, what can you do in Yu Garden?"

Zhou Xiuying was stunned, and immediately remembered that although she was good at both literature and martial arts, she could not be a servant. Her father, Zhou Lichun, was a big landlord in Qingpu, and also the leader of the Qingpu Tiandihui. He also had many profitable businesses in the county. Because her father had no children, she was trained as the female leader of the Tiandihui. She learned literature and martial arts from a young age, but she could not do housework.
"As long as I can get in," Zhou Xiuying gritted her teeth, "I'll do anything!"

"Can you really do anything?"

"Yes, anything is fine!"

"Then I'll arrange it."

"Wait, remember not to let my father know!"

"Yes, Miss."

"Mr. Minister, look at this."

In a carriage heading to the British Consulate, Vice Consul Wade handed a piece of letter paper written in English to Bonham who had just got on the carriage.

Wen Xian took it and read it in a low voice: "After a hundred years of slumber, the Chinese people are gradually waking up. What is this?"

"These are the lyrics sung by the Shanghai New Army just now!" said Wade.

"I think this is not the national anthem of the Qing Dynasty?" Wen Xian took a few glances and knew something was wrong. The lyrics did not look like the national anthem of a great empire!
"Of course not!" Wade shook his head. "The Qing Dynasty doesn't have a national anthem. I think he is a revolutionary!"

"Revolutionary party members?" Wen Xian frowned. "How come there are such people in China? Are you sure?"

Wade said, "It's not completely certain, but the probability is very high. He has always claimed to be a descendant of Luo Fangbo, the founder of the Lan Fang Republic, and has a good relationship with the American Consul Ma Hui. It is said that he once claimed in front of Ma Hui that he grew up listening to stories about Washington!"

Wen Xian's brows knitted even tighter: "So, will he become a third party outside the Qing Dynasty and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom?"

"I think he already is!" Wade said, "Although his power is still very weak now, he has great room for growth in the future. I suggest that the Empire give him some attention and appropriate investment."

Wenxian looked back at Wade and said, "Don't you think that a China that has achieved a republican revolution will be more difficult to deal with?"

"Mr. Minister," Wade said with a smile, "it is not easy to realize a republican revolution in a country that has long practiced feudal monarchy and has no republican tradition. Moreover, the Qing Dynasty is now showing signs of reform and getting closer to us. In the future, perhaps the Qing Dynasty, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and the Revolutionary Party will coexist, which is very beneficial to us."

"Hmm," Wen Xian thought for a while, "Or arrange for me to go to Jiangning as soon as possible!"

"Yes, Mr. Minister."

(End of this chapter)