Li Hongzhang is very depressed.

In November, French Minister Bao Hai called the Zongli Yamen to inquire about the Qing army's dispatch in Vietnam and expressed concerns. Although the Zongli Yamen replied to pursue and suppress the rebels, Bao Hai obviously did not believe it. Immediately, Emperor Guangxu sent a telegram to Li Hongzhang to Tianjin and Bao Hai for negotiations on the matter in Vietnam.

But the negotiations went very hard.

The official residence of the Beiyang Minister in Tianjin. All of them are Li Hongzhang's loyal confidants, such as Sheng Xuanhuai, Zhou Fu, and Xue Fucheng who has returned. Therefore, there is no need to worry too much about speaking, after all, everyone is a grasshopper on the same rope.

"Is there a reply from the telegram I sent to the emperor before?"

Of course, Li Hongzhang is the only one who can be called an adult here.

"I've returned. But it's like I haven't returned. Qingsun, please show it to them." As he said that, Li Hongzhang took out a telegram from his sleeve and handed it to Sheng Xuanhuai.

Sheng Xuanhuai took it and looked at it. He saw a sentence on it: "If you think this will make the French stop and stabilize Vietnam, you can do it cheaply."

After reading the telegram, Sheng Xuanhuai didn't say a word, but instead handed the telegram to Zhou Fu on the opposite side. Zhou Fu had read it, and also left it to Xue Fuchen and others without saying a word.

After everyone had read the telegram, Li Hongzhang asked, "What do you say?"

Knowing that Li Hongzhang would definitely ask, Sheng Xuanhuai, Zheng Guanying, Xue Fuchen and others all looked at Zhou Fu. As the first general of Li Hongzhang's shogunate, and also Li Hongzhang's confidant and famous official in Beiyang, he was of course the first to speak at this time.

"Literally speaking, the emperor's meaning should be accurate, but behind the lines, it seems that the opposite is true." Zhou Fu's speech was slower, so that he seemed to have thought about it.

"Why do you say that?"

"Sir, please think. If the emperor really agrees, just reply to the word "accurate", but he replied with this sentence, especially in "If the French can stop the French, no one can figure out what the French think. If they can stop the flag, even if they only have a few years of peace, we will pass this level."

Li Hongzhang nodded, turned to Sheng Xuanhuai and others and asked, "What about your opinions?"

Sheng Xuanhuai said: "What my subordinates think is the same as Brother Yushan. The most important thing is to look at the attitude of the French."

Xue Fuchen on the side also said, "Yes. But in the previous agreement, the French had already gained full benefits in our Qing Dynasty. At this time, Isn't it a big deal to do something about Vietnam? From the perspective of my subordinates, the French should aim to Vietnam, not me."

"Oh, is that right? Does Xingsun think so too?"

Sheng Xuanhuai said: "I think the French are eccentric and greedy. Maybe they can't rule out the possibility of being greedy for the sake of the country, but even so, he will probably not be able to digest it in a short while. Moreover, lord has forgotten that in Vietnam, we still have a secret move."

Zhou Fu felt aroused when he heard this, "Is Xingsun saying that?"

Sheng Xuanhuai hurriedly followed up: "Yes, it's Liu Yongfu's Black Flag Army. It was not the first time the French tried to swallow Vietnam, but because of this Black Flag Army, it not only failed, but also lost its troops and generals. According to his subordinates, this Black Flag Army is the nemesis of the French. As long as they are here, even if the French take Vietnam, it will be indigestion. If you want to borrow Vietnam and enter the southwest of our country, it may not be possible in a short time. As long as we can give us a few years, the Beiyang Navy will become an army, and even if we want to fight, we will have some confidence."

"Well, Xingsun is right. In this agreement, the Qing Dynasty and France are bounded by the Red River. The Black Flag Army is located on the east bank of the Red River, guarding the throat of the westward advance. If the French do not destroy the Black Flag Army, it is impossible to invade Yunnan and Guizhou along the Red River. I just hope that the Black Flag Army can delay the situation for a while. Looking back, see what they need and support their arms."

Sheng Xuanhuai immediately nodded in agreement.

"Xingsun, I know you have been dissatisfied with the foreigners' rampantness in my Qing Dynasty, but you must know that the Qing Dynasty is now an old house with holes everywhere. We do our best to repair it, but this foundation must be maintained slowly. And these Western countries are like unreasonable wild men. Once the war begins, if they break into the house, I am afraid that the house that has finally been repaired will collapse in an instant. Did Master Xianfeng forget about the north hunting incident? "

Li Hongzhang's words "Xianfeng Ye's North Sword" refer to the incident of the British and French forces invading Beijing and forcing Emperor Xianfeng to flee to Rehe. That time, Britain and France not only attacked Beijing, robbed and burned the Old Summer Palace, but even Emperor Xianfeng passed away in Rehe. Since then, the Chinese people have become more and more afraid of foreigners. In order to avoid the same thing happening again, they almost reached the point of responding to foreigners. As a result, some so-called "clear-lifted" appeared in the court, and because of the success of this North Korean incident, the power of the "pro-war faction" is very raising its head.

But Sheng Xuanhuai knew that Li Hongzhang did not advocate war, mainly because he was worried that the Huai Army and Beiyang Navy that he had worked hard to save were defeated, and that he would lose power in the court. But he could only think about this in his heart and say that he could never say it. After all, everyone was on the same boat, and Li Hongzhang's loss of power was not good for any of them. So at this time, he could only echo: "What the adults said is that the foundation of the Qing Dynasty was already shaky, and it was not entirely up to the adults to support it. These foreigners' ships are strong and cannons, and there is another one that is easy to mess with."

Li Hongzhang nodded and said, "Well, just understand. Then let's discuss it again, draw a treaty, sort out the French conditions, and sign the contract in the past few days."

After hearing this, the three of them stood up together to agree, and then left the office and went to the office.

Watching the three of them leave, Li Hongzhang subconsciously picked up the telegram and looked at the words above. His originally stretched brows frowned involuntarily. The figure appeared in his mind, the young figure who was lying on the ground crying, seemed helpless, but brought great pressure to himself.

In December 1882, Li Hongzhang was commissioned by the court to sign the Vietnam Agreement with the French Minister Baohai in Tianjin. The agreement stipulates that China and France are divided into north and south regions with the Red River as the boundary, and are protected by China and France respectively; Chinese troops withdrew their troops stationed in North and South Vietnam, and France guaranteed not to invade Chinese territory; and other terms such as land trade between China and France.

The content of the treaty was spread to the capital, and the government and the country were in a big uproar. There were supporters and critics.

The critics naturally criticized Li Hongzhang for losing power and humiliating the country. France did not fire a single shot and shot, and Vietnam was lost. Supporters said that France is known as the second most powerful country in the world, and the defeat of Xianfeng was particularly learned from the past. Now it can make a contract without hurting people's lives and spending money. Vietnam is particularly in it and is still a vassal state of our country, which is really valuable. What's more, the legal person promises not to invade territory, but only seeking trade.

However, compared with supporters, the voices of the denouncers are obviously louder and more powerful.

"The emperor, the Shenzhou earthquake was caused by the treaty of Li Hongzhang's loss of power and humiliation, and God gave warnings. Therefore, this treaty must not be agreed to."

The day before yesterday, there was an earthquake in Shenzhou, Hebei, and tens of thousands of people were affected. Weng Tonghe and Li Hongzhang had always been in disagreement, so naturally they would not miss any opportunity to participate in him. They took the opportunity to connect natural disasters and man-made disasters. Li Hongzhang was a traitor, and the heavens were angry and people were resentful.

Weng Tonghe was not the only one who was dissatisfied with the Sino-French Agreement. Zuo Zongtang also protested angrily, but unlike Weng Tonghe, Zuo Zongtang protested because the treaty was signed by Li Hongzhang. But at this time, the two were on the same front and did not want the treaty to be signed smoothly. At this time, Weng Tonghe impeached Li Hongzhang, and Zuo Zongtang naturally agreed.

This is not the first time these two people mentioned this matter at the military meeting. Not only were they, but Yi, also impeached Li Hongzhang because of this matter. However, Yiwei was able to firmly grasp the foreign affairs rights of the Zongli Yamen. Now the main tasks of the Qing Dynasty are all involved in the Western Affairs, and the Western Affairs is handled by the Zongli Yamen. However, in recent years, Li Hongzhang's Beiyang system has more and more Western affairs, so Yi was very upset and wanted to take the opportunity to add to the wrongdoing and deal with him.

The six ministers of the regent, now three clearly oppose signing with the French. Yihuan does not express his opinion because he has to wait for the little emperor's intention, while Prince Li is a peacemaker and supports Li Hongzhang.

The quarrel between the court in the past two days and the main battle was a big fuss, but the little emperor never had a clear attitude. Today, Weng Tonghe fired another shot, Zuo Zongtang and Yi agreed, and used the Shenzhou earthquake to talk about the matter, which was very stance that he would not give a clear statement today.

Seeing Weng, Zuo and Yi, the other two were like roosters fighting, Zaitian felt a little funny. But today I really have to give them an answer, otherwise I would be obsessed with this matter every day and I would not be able to do other work.

"Since the Sino-French treaty has been drafted, Li Hongzhang, as the plenipotent minister of the court, naturally has the right to sign a contract on behalf of the court. Li Zhongtang's meaning is the court's meaning, which is what I mean."

Nani? Some time ago, I was confidently supporting Liu Yongfu and the French to open the film. For this reason, I specially adjusted the important positions of Guangxi Governor and Yunnan-Guizhou Governor. In just a few days, I made a big turn of 180 degrees. I won’t play anymore?

Your Majesty, isn't this good?

Seeing that the emperor clearly expressed his support for Li Hongzhang and agreed to sign the Sino-French treaty, Zuo Zongtang was very anxious and immediately stepped forward and knelt down: "Your Majesty, no."

Seeing Zuo Zongtang kneeling down, Zaitian hurriedly signaled the eunuch to come forward and help him up, saying, "Don't worry, Zuo Qing's family, listen to me finish my words."

After stopping Zuo Zhongtang, Guangxu said: "I also know that once this agreement is signed, Vietnam will probably fall into the hands of the French. However, if our country does not sign this agreement, can France be preserved? Then France is known as the second strong country in the world, with strong ships and powerful guns. It is said that there are dozens of ironclad ships of more than 5,000 tons alone. Looking at our army, the Beiyang Navy only has two Clippers, with a displacement of only more than 1,000, while the Nanyang Navy does not even have ironclad ships. If so, We cannot follow the French request. As soon as the war begins, what will our country resist? Moreover, the army is dominated by the Huai Army. Although the equipment is constantly updated, the soldiers lack training and have no fighting spirit. How can we ensure that we can defend the country? At that time, not only Vietnam will not be able to save it, but even Guangxi and Yunnan will be lost. If the French ask for military expenses again, wouldn’t it be even worse for me? At this time, just one treaty can eliminate the war and not hurt lives, and save a lot of silver. Why not do it?"

The little emperor said something, and Zuo Zongtang was speechless.

Indeed, the reason why the pro-war faction impeached Li Hongzhang was just to lose power and humiliate the country for this treaty was purely based on righteous indignation. If we really talk about going to war with the French, how many people could guarantee that they could win? Moreover, even if Vietnam can win in a battle? If the French attacked the country, how could the Qing Dynasty resist? What's more, Britain and France colluded with each other, and Russia was eyeing them in the north. The Eastern people were newly defeated. Who can guarantee that they would not take advantage of the situation? If this is true, wouldn't the Qing Dynasty suffer a catastrophe?

What's more, fighting will not only kill people, but also cost money. But now the Ministry of Revenue’s bank bank is clean and able to play football, where can I find money?

Thinking of this, Zuo Zongtang couldn't help but sigh that the state affairs were difficult, and he was sad and burst into tears.

Zaitian couldn't bear it in his heart and sighed inwardly. He knew that this old minister was truly worried about state affairs and was loyal to the Qing Dynasty. If he did not express his true plans, he would be really sorry for this old minister.

Taking out his handkerchief from his sleeve bag, the little emperor signaled the eunuch around him to wipe the tears of the old man. After Zuo Zongtang's mood stabilized, he said, "I am very pleased with my country's affairs. In fact, I have wanted to say something for a long time, but I have never found a chance. Today, I happened to be the eunuch who is my ministers of the stock market. I will not hide it from everyone and tell the thoughts in my heart to all the ministers."

The five auxiliary ministers looked at each other, all of whom were confused and quickly focused on what the emperor was going to say.

"We want to sign this agreement with the French."
Chapter completed!