British Consul in Tianjin, Li Weihai, had been circling around the crowd and returned to the office on the second floor. Tianjin's lesson plan that shocked China and the world mainly targeted the French. What attitude should the UK take?

The United States and Russia are now closely allying with the Qing Dynasty. Even if there are some minor losses and casualties, they will not support France in putting pressure on the Qing Dynasty. Belgium and Italy cannot be at the top of the Qing Dynasty. Only Britain can support France. However, he feels that Britain is unlikely to support France.

As a European power and a protector of Catholicism in China, France must have a strong response to the Tianjin lesson plan. It will inevitably take the opportunity to fight for more rights in China and put forward harsh conditions. Britain will not strongly support France in order to safeguard its own interests in China and to curb France's power in China. The most likely thing is to adopt an impartial and neutral attitude.

Another thing is that through the Tianjin lesson plan, it is enough to see that the people of the Qing Dynasty had serious xenophobia and that Britain had huge interests in China. If they openly supported France, it would be very likely to cause trouble. They should suggest to the newly appointed minister, Vitoma, that a calm attitude must be maintained.

Before Li Weihai finished his letter, he received a letter from the new minister Weituma. Weituma's attitude was very clear. He not only had the Qing Dynasty bear the responsibility to handle the case impartially, but also avoided hatred between Qing officials and the people. He could agree to the compensation proposed by the Qing Dynasty, but he must be cautious in rebuilding the church and tried his best to avoid causing confrontation among the Qing people.

In the letter, Witoma repeatedly reminded him not to try to lead the compensation matter. Britain is not the main victimized country. It should make its own compensation claims based on France's request for compensation. It should actively support France's reasonable demands, but it should also curb France's unreasonable demands and excessive behaviors.

At the end of the letter, he mentioned a note that Rochechouart, the French agency in China, had already rushed to Tianjin.

Tianjin government office, flower hall.

There were about a dozen gentry sitting there, and no leader of the Water and Fire Society came. Although an announcement was posted, the city of Tianjin was still under martial law. There were naval officers and soldiers patrolling live ammunition in the streets and alleys. Zhang Guangzao sent out a lot of posts, but few of them dared to come to the prefect's banquet. After all, this banquet was obviously a Hongmen Banquet. Those who dared to come to the banquet were asking themselves that they had nothing to do with the lesson plan.

"You should have heard of Wu Zhongtang, the imperial envoy who came to Tianjin?" Zhang Guangzao said slowly with a warm face: "Wu Zhongtang was born in a businessman, and the right-hand man of the King of Zhennan has always been the Prime Minister's affairs minister. The court used Wu Zhongtang as the imperial envoy to come to Tianjin to handle the lesson plan with full authority. You should be relieved?

Although Yuanqi advocated Western learning, constitutionalism, actively developed Western trade, and introduced Western industry, he had never been ruthless to foreigners. England, France, Tsarist Russia, Spain, and the Netherlands were beaten by Yuanqi to find teeth all over the ground.

In the battle of Beijing and Tianjin, Yuan Qi killed foreigners in a sea of ​​blood, and there were no 10,000 or 8,000. The dozens of foreigners who died in Tianjin were not worth mentioning to Yuan Qi. So, don’t worry, Wu Zhongtang or Yuan Qi will never favor foreigners!”

These words are the truth. As soon as the words were finished, the gentry present whispered to each other, "Everyone, calm down." Zhang Guangzao said with a smile: "Wu Zhongtang will not favor foreigners, there is no doubt that this is the most important point of constitutionalism? It is to protect private property! It is not only to protect the private property of the people of the Qing Dynasty, but also protect the private property of foreigners. Otherwise, no foreigner dares to come to our Qing Dynasty to do business, right?

Wu Zhongtang must be investigated for what happened two days ago, and those who commit murder, arson, robbery must be investigated, otherwise Wu Zhongtang cannot explain to the court.

However, everyone knows what happened the previous two days. It was a provocation by the French, which aroused public anger. The incident happened suddenly, no one organized it, and there was no premeditation, let alone the mastermind, murder, arson, and robbed the fire. Hunxingzi, who were afraid that the world would not be in chaos to take advantage of the situation.

Today I am calling you to tell you a message and call on the fellow villagers in Tianjin to report and expose the Hunxingzi who are bad apples. In addition, I hope you will raise some money... and kill the white duck! For Hunxingzi who dares to kill foreigners, we cannot watch them being sent to Xishikou."

Killing the white duck is to buy someone to take the money to take the blame and take the blame. This is almost an open secret. When Zhang Guangzao saw him, he even told him that killing the white duck. Everyone was upset. But if you think about it carefully, this is indeed the best way to quell the lesson plan as soon as possible. After all, it is impossible not to catch a few scapegoats in such a big case.

"Time is urgent!" Zhang Guangzao said loudly: "Everyone go back and discuss. At this time tomorrow, our mansion will be waiting for you here. I hope that the leaders of the Water and Fire Society will come in person and decide the list as soon as possible." Speaking of this, his face darkened, "The black veil of this mansion is not guaranteed, and many people are still unable to protect their heads!"

After sending away a group of gentry, Zhang Guangzao immediately got into the sedan chair and rushed to the imperial envoy's headquarters. He got out of the sedan chair outside the gate. He heard someone shouting behind him, "Sir, please stay." As he spoke, the magistrate Liu Jie ran and chased him, and bowed, "Sir, more than ten people have been confirmed as the incident, murder, arson, and robbers. When will they be arrested?"

"Don't worry, wait and see." Zhang Guangzao whispered: "I've kept a watch on my family, and no one can escape."

The two were talking in a low voice, but Zhang Guangzao saw two four-wheeled carriages galloping towards him. The coachman he saw was a foreigner. He quickly stopped talking, "The foreigner is here, hurry up and see the imperial envoy."

Seeing Zhang Guangzao and Liu Jie and the other two came in, Wu Changqing said with a bad expression: "When will we start to arrest people?"

"Go back to the imperial envoy." Zhang Guangzao said quickly: "There will be people one after another tomorrow, but it will take two or three days to catch all the leaders of the Water and Fire Association in one go."

"It must be as soon as possible." Wu Changqing said in a deep voice: "This case is not only the attention of the government and the people, but the world. This is a major diplomatic incident and cannot be delayed, it must be as soon as possible."

"The official understands." Zhang Guangzao quickly bowed and paused. He tentatively said: "Sir, the inside and outside the city have gradually become calm. Can martial law be lifted? Otherwise, the people will be uneasy..."

Only when the martial law is lifted will the vigilance of the Water and Fire Association be reduced. Wu Changqing naturally understands what he means and immediately said: "You can..."

Before he finished speaking, he heard a report outside, "Reported to the imperial envoy, the French agent Luo Shuya, Bishop Fan Guoliang, English Consul Li Weihai, Russian Consul Kong Qi and others were looking for a visit."

After all, he couldn't help but come to the door. Wu Changqing nodded, "Take them to the living room and let Chonghou take the translator here."

After changing his suit, Wu Changqing rushed to the reception room. He liked to wear long gowns, but in the Prime Minister's affairs office for many years, he had developed the habit of wearing suits to meet foreign guests. After entering the reception room and politely introduced both sides, Luo Shuya couldn't wait to speak quickly and urgently.

Before he could finish his words, Wu Changqing rudely reached out to interrupt his words and said straight away: "According to investigation, the cause of the Tianjin lesson plan was that your country's consul Feng Daye led his troops to trespass on the three-port trading yamen in our country, and shot and intimidated our officials. Then he came out of the yamen and shot the magistrate of Tianjin, and accidentally killed a member of the ranks, which aroused public anger and caused chaos.

Feng Daye is not familiar with diplomatic etiquette, arrogant, bold, reckless and stupid. What is your intention to send people of such low-quality people to our country to be diplomatic officials? I hope your country will give our country a clear explanation and all countries that cause casualties and property losses!”

After being interrupted with ruthlessness, Luo Shuya was full of displeasure. When she heard the translation, she turned around and pushed all the responsibility on them. She was so angry that she couldn't speak. The church was burned, the consulate was smashed, the diplomatic officials were killed, and dozens of people died of priests and nuns, and even asked them to give an explanation!

After hearing the translation, the British and Russian consuls also stared at Wu Changqing blankly. He was shocked and felt a little wrong. It was because of his strong attitude, and it was not like a proper solution to the problem. Russian consul Kong Qi immediately made up his mind to speak less or not, so he would not offend Yuan Qi.

Chonghou looked silly on the surface, but his heart was stormy. He had heard that Yuanqi was strong outside the world, but he didn't expect that he was so strong. According to his ideas, he must have comforted him first. After all, so many people died, and the church and the "Renci Hall" were burned and smashed. He never expected that he would dare to turn the tables. This was too... strong!

Luo Shuya also asked foreigners from various countries in Zizhulin to know more about the situation. The cause should be that the Qing people besieged the Wanghailou Church. The other party said this to put the blame on the dead, and it was obvious that they did not intend to properly resolve the matter.

His face suddenly turned red, "No matter what the cause is, the officials of your country instigated mobs to kill our diplomatic officials and missionaries, burned churches and consulates, rob foreign businesses, and trampled on the flag of the French Empire. This is a serious trampling on France's honor and provoking France's dignity! If we cannot give our country a satisfactory reply, our country will spare no effort to safeguard France's honor and dignity with blood!"

After listening to the translation, Wu Changqing pondered for a while before asking slowly: "How can you satisfy your country?"

This attitude changed a little quickly. Luo Shuya was a little confused and said carefully: "Repair the burned church, nursery church, consulate, grand burial of the murdered consular missionaries, etc., punish the officials related to the case, and arrest all the murderers."

Wu Changqing glanced at him and said, "We agree with all the victims of the burial of the burial of all the murderers. These two points are impossible. If your country is not satisfied, even if the war begins, our country will accompany you at any time!" As he said that, he stood up and left quickly.

After listening to the translation, Luo Shuya's face turned red and white. What does this mean, forcing France to start a war? Or did he not take France seriously at all?

Looking at the Westerners looking at each other in the room, Chonghou felt unspeakable pleasure. He had pinched too much soft persimmon, and now he had a tough time. He glanced at everyone and stood up happily and walked out calmly. It was better to hear it than to see it. Yuan Qi's strength, today I can really understand it. "Even though the war starts, our country will accompany you at any time!" Along the way, he recalled this sentence in his ears, which was so satisfying!

After returning to the purple bamboo forest with a dirt look, Luo Shuya immediately sent a telegram to the country to report the situation in detail.

Li Weihai also quickly reported the situation truthfully to the new minister Weituma, and mentioned at the end that the Qing Dynasty seemed to intend to provoke France, which was very abnormal!

Russian Consul Kong Wen also sent a telegram to the country, "There is a possibility of a war between the Qing and France, or even a war between the East and the West..."

Chonghou wrote the seal letter in detail and sent it to the capital in detail. The current eight hundred miles of rush is to be passed by train.

In Tianjin City, after the martial law was lifted, the atmosphere in the city was loosened. Zhang Guangzao gathered a group of gentry and spread quickly. Not long after, Wu Changqing's negotiations with consulates from Western countries also spread, and the atmosphere in Tianjin City was looser and looser.

The most urgent task is to arrest the murderer. Everyone in Tianjin officials, gentry, merchants and ordinary people knows this in their hearts. No matter who is right or wrong, it is dozens of lives. How can there be no reason to not capture the murderer? If you do not arrest the murderer, you cannot explain to foreigners or to the court. If you want to calm the storm as soon as possible, you must hand over the murderer as soon as possible, otherwise the people of Tianjin may suffer.

The government only limited the murderer to Hunxingzi, which was particularly merciful. For a moment, all the gentry, merchants and gangs in Tianjin took action quickly, either reporting or persuading them to surrender, and some simply sent him directly. The Tianjin County Government Office was very busy, and Hunxingzi in Tianjin suddenly became a rat crossing the street, and everyone shouted to beat him.

Outside the east gate of Tianjin, Yuanqi Shelter.

When it was dark, Song Zigao led a strong man in his early thirties to quickly walk into the back door of the shelter. A young man who had been waiting for a long time led the two to a small side room, lit candles, and sent tea to him before saying, "Wait for a moment..."

Before he finished speaking, Du Mingtang had already walked into the room and waved his hand to turn the young man away. Then he whispered: "What's the matter? I'm so anxious to see me?"

Song Zigao quickly stood up and fisted and said, "Brother Du, you can't stand by. I asked the brothers from the Water and Fire Society for help..."

"Wait." Du Mingtang narrowed his eyes and said coldly: "You can eat things randomly, but you can't talk nonsense."

After hearing this, the strong man quickly bowed and said, "A dozen brothers in our two halls have been arrested and arrested in the county government. I hope Brother Du will help you. The water and fire association will definitely remember the great kindness."

After looking at him, Du Mingtang said, "What are you anxious about? Didn't you say you should kill the white duck? At worst, you can suffer a little."

The man smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Du, there are not so many white ducks in dozens of lives."
Chapter completed!