Jindeng's words undoubtedly hit the French's most sensitive nerves. The French government has been unable to make the decision to draw large numbers of troops from the local area, which is precisely because it is concerned that Germany will take the opportunity to take action.

Moreover, the French government has now spent a lot of money on the Tokyo War. With huge debts to the French war, such war expenditures are not small for the French government, not to mention that the war is still far away.

"Okay, but the terms of peace talks proposed by the Chinese are too harsh and our government will definitely not accept them. If we can return to the 'Li Bao Agreement', perhaps the French government will be willing to give peace a new opportunity."

Seeing that Brisson was loose, Jin Denggan struck while the iron was hot: "As far as I know, the treaty signed by Mr. Baohai and Mr. Li Hongzhang of the Qing Dynasty were based on the three articles of "the Qing army withdraws to the border, Bi Baosheng is a commercial port, and China and France divide the north and south to protect each other in Tonkin. But from the current situation, neither your country nor the Qing country could expel the Black Flag Army from Tonkin, so that the core basis of the 'Li Bao Agreement' is actually unrealized. So I think that your government still insists on this agreement at present and will not help the conclusion of the contract."

In fact, Li Fengbao had already explained this to Brisson a month ago. Now Jin Deng is just a replay of the old tune. But the same thing, the Qing government, which has a weak international status, said it, and it is completely different from the civil representatives of the British Empire, the world's largest power, today.

Before coming to see Brison, Jindengan had calmly thought about the various internal and external problems that the French government and Brison had to face.

From an external perspective, the attitude of Germany hiding behind the shadows and the increasingly impatient Britain will inevitably affect Brisson's decision to a large extent; and at home, financial pressure and huge casualties have also made him insist on continuing the war's decision to face more and more accusations.

The most important thing is that Brisson's ministers were not sure, or found a way to force the Qing Empire to bow their heads.

All that should be said has been said, and now all Jindengan can do is wait for Brison's reply.

Brisson sighed, "So how can Mr. King think that the sincerity of the French government?"

Jin Denggan suppressed his inner joy and said cautiously: "I am sure to persuade the Qing Empire to withdraw from Saigon first and release some of the poor and officials it seized in Saigon. If your country agrees to withdraw troops from the southeastern coast and Tonkin at the same time or later, I believe peace will come at any time."

Perhaps the French government had already considered this aspect, or perhaps the pressure from Britain played a certain role, after thinking about it for a while, Brisson finally accepted Jindengan's suggestion.

After receiving Brison's promise, Jindengan sent a telegram to Hurd in France: After talking to Brison, the French government agreed to a ceasefire and resume peace talks under certain conditions.

Hurd immediately informed Li Hongzhang and the Zongli Yamen.

Yihuan, who was almost breathless by the huge war costs, was overwhelmed by the huge cost of war. He immediately called to communicate with Li Hongzhang. Like Yihuan, Li Hongzhang, who wished that this war without hope of victory would end soon, quickly sent back his opinion to Yihuan, believing that this premise did not violate the basic principles stipulated by Guangxu.

After receiving a reply from Li Hongzhang, Yihuan immediately drafted three opinions - not to add anything except the "eight articles"; after the draft agreement, France withdrew its troops, and China returned the captured civilians and civilian officials of France; stop the troops first and stop the truce - report to Guangxu.

Yihuan's opinion was quickly approved by the emperor. After all, Zaitian didn't want the war to be dragged half-death. Moreover, as Li Hongzhang said, the compromise reached by Jin Denggan and Brisson did not violate the principles he proposed, nor did it affect the core interests of the empire.

After receiving the Qing court's reply, Hurd immediately called Jin Denggan and asked him to join Li Fengbao to sign a draft agreement in Paris first. At the same time, the Qing Dynasty also issued an order to Vietnam in the name of the Military Affairs Office and the emperor, informing the frontline officers and soldiers - mainly the Black Flag Army - to implement the peace talks.

Since the promise of Jindenggan and the French government was indeed unable to achieve the strategic goal of forcing the Qing Empire to surrender in a short period of time, it was meaningless to continue this battle, compared with huge financial investment and large casualties. Brisson naturally would not delay the issue of "ceasefire".

Just as Kim Denggan sent a telegram to Hurd, the French cabinet also made a temporary ceasefire decision and sent it to the Far East. Just when the British mediation result came out, the "ceasefire" would turn into a withdrawal. However, because the Governor's Office of Jiaozhichi and its management agencies were completely paralyzed, the telegram sent by the French government could only be sent to its colonial institutions in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and then transferred therefrom. In this way, the time was much slower than the telegram sent by Hurd to the Qing court.

Although the government's official telegram is still on the way, as one of the few real power generals of the French Navy, Courbet naturally has his own news channels. Unwilling to fail, Courbet hopes to expand his military advantage in Taiwan before the official ceasefire order arrives, so as to create favorable conditions for the French government in the future negotiations. At the same time as the secret negotiations between China and France, more than 2,000 French troops stationed in Taiwan once again launched an attack on the Qing army position in Yuemeishan between Taipei and Keelung.

Unlike Courbet, who was worried about gains and losses, Liu Mingchuan, who had already been trolling all the time, can be said to have been walking on thin ice for half a year. As the side at a disadvantage in the war, he could only passively defend, and the initiative of the war was completely controlled by the French. Therefore, from beginning to end, Liu Mingchuan did not dare to relax at all.

The Qing army, who was ready for battle, was once again disappointed by the French. But this time, Courbet planned to make a desperate bet. Because he knew that the order for a ceasefire was on the way, maybe tomorrow or even tonight might be sent to his desk, and by then, he would be unable to do anything.

Yuemeishan, the defender Cao Zhizhong's troops fought hard and repelled the French attack twice. But a news that frustrated all the officers and soldiers was also in front of him at this time - the French army took advantage of the water surface and had already used warships to transport reinforcements along the Nuannuan River, preparing to copy its retreat. If his troops could not evacuate in time, they would undoubtedly be surrounded by the French army, and their fate would probably be wiped out!

what to do?

Cao Zhizhong looked at the three head officials around him and said in a deep voice: "The legal person is powerful. This time he attacked with all his strength, the goal must be Taipei. Yuemeishan, the terrain of the deep abyss pit is dangerous and is a barrier of Taipei. If the French army wants to take down Taipei, they must first remove these two places. If we can persist here for one more day, Taipei will be safer for one more day. Therefore, this official decided to stick to the waiting for assistance and never give up Yuemeishan, and the deep abyss pit two positions. But seeking profit and avoiding harm is a common human nature. This time, it is likely that there will be a situation where there is no life. You are all brothers who have been with me for many years. If anyone wants to leave, I will not blame him. If I die in Yuemeishan, those who leave can leave a seed for us. When we visit the grave next Qingming Festival next year, someone will give us a bite of food and drink."

The three men took you to see me, and I looked at you, and they all smiled bitterly. "Sir, my brothers have been following you for a day or two, and they have been fighting with the French for almost half a year. But have they said the word "fear"? Yes, brothers have thought about evading, but this is not because of fear, not because of avoiding war, but because of dissatisfaction! Why can Liu Mingchuan's troops retreat to Taipei? Why do we have to show them the door?"

One person spoke, and the other two were no longer afraid. "Yes, my brothers, I have been following you for twenty years, and have you ever called you tired? But Liu Mingchuan is unfair, brothers, I can't swallow this."

"That's it! Sir, if we want to fight with the French, we can say that we have fought the most. From the first day of the French attacking Keelung, we were on the front line. But what happened? Liu Mingchuan pulled the heavy troops to the tail of Shanghai, and indeed blocked the French attack with his superior forces, but he threw us here. Not only did he have no credit, but now he is even losing his life! Why?"

"Sir, we are a soldier. If we become a soldier, we have to fight. If we lose our lives, we are not afraid. Who will let us eat this bowl of rice? But brothers just can't swallow this. If we have to work hard, we are all a soldier. Let's sell together. I don't say anything and I will keep one more fart. But if we want to die in vain, I will make contributions to his camp. I won't do such a thing!"

After Cao Zhizhong and the other three vented, they said: "I know everyone is uncomfortable, so I didn't force everyone, nor did I force you to stay. Indeed, there are something wrong with Liu Mingchuan doing. There are 13 camps in Taipei and 9 are in the right place in the right place in Shanghai. In addition to Chen Yonglong's battalion of earth soldiers trapped Shiqiuling, we are the only two places left to guard Yuemei Mountain and Shenao Keng. The four camps have to face the enemy's forces that are twice as powerful as the French army in the right place. I can't swallow this."

"But brothers, I want to ask you, are we fighting for Liu Mingchuan? No! We fought for the court, we fought for ourselves! Liu Mingchuan is not authentic, and will come from historical books, and the court will scold them, and the people in the world will praise and criticize them. But at that time, I hope that in history books, in the court, and in the hearts of the people, when we mention us, we will give us a thumbs up: There are no cowards in the Hunan Army, they are worthy of the Qing Dynasty and the emperor!"

After saying this, Cao Zhizhong sighed and then said, "But then, everyone has their own aspirations. I still say the same thing. I won't stop anyone who wants to leave."

After saying this, Cao Zhizhong called a personal soldier and ordered: "Send a letter to Taipei. The French army relied on the benefits of the navy and went up the river and cut off our retreat. I led more than a thousand Hunan troops, and remained unretreated, and sweared to live and persevere with the position."

"Sir, don't you ask for reinforcements?"

Cao Zhizhong waved his hand, "If Liu Mingchuan is interested, I don't need to invite him, reinforcements will arrive. Otherwise, even if you beg, what's the use? Go..."

After hearing this, the personal soldiers gritted their teeth and turned around and left.

Although it was late at night in Taipei, Futai Street Governor's Office, Liu Mingchuan was still discussing military affairs with Sun Kaiyuan, Nie Shicheng and others. The French army suddenly attacked Yuemeishan and buried the position in Shenao's position. Taipei had a clear intention. On the one hand, it was about whether Cao Zhizhong's troops were withdrawing or aiding, and on the other hand, how should Taipei deploy defenses, a complete plan must be made today.

A Fubiao Geshiha lifted the curtain and walked in, quietly walked to Liu Mingchuan and said, "Sir, there is an emergency military situation in Yuemeishan, look..."

Liu Mingchuan frowned and suddenly felt a bad premonition in his heart, and he quickly ordered: "Come on!"

Goshha hurried out, turned his head and walked in with a Qing soldier in ordinary dress.

As soon as the Qing soldier entered the room, he knelt on the ground with a thud and said with a hissing: "Governor, please be kind to me, save my lord!"

Liu Mingchuan immediately signaled to help Goshha up in the future, and asked, "What's going on? Tell me slowly."

The most worried about the military situation in Yuemeishan in the room was Sun Kaihua, who was also a comrade-in-arms in the Hunan Army. He stepped forward and grabbed the visitor's hand and said, "What's the situation in Yuemeishan? Tell me quickly!"
Chapter completed!