Because of its disguise, the French gunboats did not realize that there was no one on the Black Flag Army's sailboat at this time. On the contrary, when they saw the sailboat floating towards them, the French thought that the Black Flag Army intended to use the "receiving" tactics to connect with them. So the "big axe" and the "carriage gun" continued to fight back to the turret on the shore, and the "Lightning" assisted the "coast defense". The "Pelican" tried to target the Black Flag Army's sailboats, attempting to use the Hakikas machine guns equipped on two small steamers to destroy the invading enemy.

Hachikas did live up to expectations. The intensive firepower attacked the sailors on the Black Flag Army sailboat opposite him, but the Black Flag Army sailboat did not escape and still rushed towards the French army firmly.

The "Lightning" adjusted the muzzle in time. With just one 160mm naval gun, it blew up the wooden sailboat of the Black Flag Army to pieces.

It was indeed crushed, so even the French gunners were amazed at how it would have such a good effect.

However, the second artillery was not so accurate and did not hit. Because it was close, the "Lightning" had not had time to launch a third artillery bombardment, and the Black Flag Army's sailboat was already in front of us.

Soon, a wooden sailboat that was already full of holes and was about to sink was approaching the Pelican. The French sailors on the steamer were ready immediately. They only waited for the Black Flag Army to appear, and they gave them a headache to let them know the power of the Invincible Armada.

But the Chinese never showed up.

With a loud "boom~!", the "Pelican" approached by one of the sailboats suddenly exploded, and then the cabin entered the water and began to sink.

The soldiers on the other two French ships realized that the Black Flag Army had already placed mines on the sailing ship.

Although Li and Pang were taught that the French army would not compete on the water surface, they would not be too stupid to sit and wait for death. They used wooden poles to fix the few mines below the waterline of the wooden boat, and used the help of the water flow to allow this self-made "floating lightning" to float towards the French ship to achieve the purpose of attack.

The effect is indeed good.

The French ship that was hit immediately turned around and ran away, trying to get out of distance from the sailboat in order to use naval guns to sink the sailboat from a long distance. However, because the two French ships were close to each other, it was very inconvenient to turn around on the narrow river. Although the wooden sailboat was insufficient, it was successful because of the smooth flow of wind. The French ship, which had no time to escape, could only watch the "floating thunder" get closer and closer to it.

At this time, the small steamer equipped with Hachikas seemed to have an advantage over the gunboats equipped with only large caliber artillery. The Haidang used Hachikas' 37mm caliber and high firing rate to hit the mines hidden under the waterline of a wooden sailboat, buying time for its escape.

Although the slower firing speed of "Lightning" sinks a wooden sailboat again, it is still caught up by the last enemy ship. The "Lightning" that has been thundered is seriously damaged. Although it has not sunk, it has lost its power and cannot continue sailing. The sailors on the ship have had to abandon the ship and escape and are rescued by the "Sea Defense".

At this time, the "Big Axe" and "Cargun" were also attacked by the shore defense fortress. Because other ships were attacked by mines, they suffered heavy losses. When they saw the French ships that could not take any advantage, they decided to retreat. In a panic, the "Cargun" was even stranded in the Red River.

While the Tokyo detachment opened fire, the Tokyo Expeditionary Force also fought with the Black Flag Army.

Pang Zhenyun's Wulie Camp suffered nearly half of casualties in the Battle of Huaide, but the airs were still there. After the replenishment of new recruits and the recovery of veterans, the combat power increased instead of decline.

When the French right-wing column was moving towards Danfeng under the Honghe embankment, dense bullets shot from a high point on the embankment. The Black Flag Army guarding here began to fight, and the Battle of Danfeng officially began.

The first wave of firepower volleys of the Black Flag Army, which had been prepared, brought considerable losses to the French army. However, the French army was well-trained and had rich combat experience, so they immediately launched a counterattack. With their number of people and weapons and equipment, they gradually withstood the firepower of the Black Flag Army opposite.

After hurriedly observing the situation on the battlefield, the French army decided to gather the troops of the left and right columns, and then divide them into three left and right combat formations to encircle Danfeng, with the focus on the middle and preparing to attack the front dam.

Immediately, with the support of accompanying artillery, the French army continued to suppress the Black Flag Army's positions with the support of the accompanying artillery, and soon, the vanguard troops swam across the river and attacked the commanding heights on the front of Danfeng - the Dadi.

The Li Tang Camp of the Black Flag Army was stationed here. Faced with the fierce firepower that had never been experienced, the officers and soldiers of the Li Tang Camp were unable to deal with it and retreated step by step. But at this moment when we should have fought for a greater victory in one go, Bo Gai, who suffered from the phobia of the Black Flag Army, made a somewhat dizzy decision - he believed that this was the Black Flag Army's plan to lure the enemy. He ordered the entire army to stop pursuing immediately, and then retreat and rest and then attack.

At this time, the French vanguard was actually only 100 meters away from the village outside Danfeng.

Li Tang, who had a chance to breathe, immediately asked Pang Zhenyun for support, and the only Green cannon among the generals was transferred over.

Even the Qing court did not have much equipment for heavy firepower. The Black Flag Army had previously obtained five squads, two of which were in the hands of the young master. Two were stationed in Shanxi with Liu Yongfu, and one squad was placed here.

After a brief renovation, the Li Tang camp reconstructed the fortifications and prepared to deal with the French army's second attack.

At this time, Major Beijie, the French commander who was surrounded by the right wing of Danfeng, was extremely puzzled by Bohua's order and immediately raised objections, believing that the headquarters should not only not retreat, but also strengthen the frontal forces and continue the attack.

Of course, Bohua would not show cowardice before his own failure. Therefore, after Major Begging's insistence, after a moment of suspension, the French army resumed its attack.

It seemed very different from the style of officers such as Bohua. Major Begged showed a very fierce side. Under his command, the French army stopped shooting and installed bright bayonets on the head of the rifle, preparing to start hand-to-hand combat.

As the trumpets blew the charge, including the Vietnamese mercenary company, the French army on the front of Danfeng picked up the bayonet, rushed through the silted rainwater in the dam, and launched a cruel hand-to-hand battle against the Black Flag Army in the villages outside Danfeng. At this time, the Europeans' strength was reflected. The Black Flag Army, which originally started with hand-to-hand battle, was no match for the tall French army. In just a few minutes, the Black Flag Army stationed there could not resist the French army's offensive and was defeated like a mountain.

Fortunately, Li Tang was prepared. In the castle on the embankment, the Green Cannon, which provided fire cover, showed its power in time. A rain of bullets poured out, and the French army fell in large numbers. Experienced French soldiers immediately lay on the ground to avoid bullets, while the Vietnamese mercenaries who lacked combat experience were slaughtered by intensive firepower.

Li Tang Camp finally stopped the French army's offensive operation that day. The fierce hand-to-hand battle on the river embankment further strengthened the idea of ​​slitting - the Black Flag Army was indeed "tempting the enemy".

At dawn on September 2, the gunboat "Cargun" of the Tokyo detachment that had been stranded the day before, finally escaped with the help of the "Da Axe". However, the ship's boiler suddenly had problems and broke down again in the Red River. The French navy stationed abroad lacked the necessary maintenance base and could only drag it back to Haifang City for maintenance.

At this time, the "Da Axe" who was patrolling alone suddenly discovered that a black flag army with nearly 2,000 people from Shanxi on the shore was marching towards Danfeng. The reinforcements of the Black Flag Army were coming!

Liu Yongfu was assisted by more than a thousand French troops, with the assistance of gunboats, and was worried that Li Tang and Pang Zhenyun could not resist, so he immediately led a large army to support him. However, Liu Yongfu knew that the small Danfeng City could not accommodate so many soldiers. Instead of using the army to fill in French artillery, he was more willing to poke the slid chrysanthemums in his own way!

After discovering reinforcements from the Black Flag Army, the "Big Axe" immediately fired fire on the shore in an attempt to stop it, but how could a gunboat be stopped? Seeing that the blocking was ineffective, the "Big Axe" dragged the "Carl" and immediately reported to Bohua.

At this time, because of Bohua's fear of the Black Flag Army, he believed that the Black Flag Army hiding in the village during the rainy season, the Black Flag Army was extremely risky. In addition to Major Beijie's previous failure in the attack, considering that the rear route might have been encircled by the Black Flag Army, General Bohua immediately ordered the entire army to retreat and give up this battle.

On September 3, all the French troops fighting in Danfeng retreated to the starting point of Balan Village, and the Battle of Danfeng was inexplicably declared over.

Although General Bohua claimed that he had won an unprecedented victory after the war, and proudly demanded that reinforcements be sent to Vietnam to completely clear the Black Flag Army in northern Vietnam, among his peers, no one seemed to agree with Bohua's opinion on this strange battle. Not only that, Bohua also completely angered He Luoheng. Bohua and He Luoheng's lawsuit was fought to the French Navy and Colonial Department. According to the "outstanding" performance of the Battle between Bohua General Waide and Danfeng, the French government ordered Bohua to pack up the bedding but not He Luoheng to report his duties in accordance with Bohua's own conditions, which had Bohua but He Luoheng but he Luoheng, and was temporarily acting commander of the Tokyo Expeditionary Army Colonel Bishuo.

September 18, Tianjin.

In the Beiyang Minister's Office, Li Hongzhang is holding talks with the French Officer Tuoguli.

"Because of the Guangzhou incident, Britain and Germany have sent warships to 'maintain order', and our country believes that it is necessary to dispatch fleets to safeguard our interests."

"Mr. The Guangzhou incident itself was caused by the British killing children on the market, and our country is also negotiating with the British government. This matter has nothing to do with France, and your country's expatriates in Guangzhou have not been affected at all. Considering that our two countries have not reached a consensus on the matter of Vietnam, our country believes that there is no need for your country's warships to enter the waters of Guangzhou."

Tuoguli said arrogantly: "Don't Lord Li still know? Our country has signed a bilateral agreement with Vietnam. In the future, the affairs of Vietnam will be decided by France and have nothing to do with China."

In one sentence, Li Hongzhang choked to death.

In fact, the French made great contributions to the reason why Li Hongzhang was able to receive the news of the surrender of the Vietnamese king so quickly. It was He Luomang who submitted the news to the French Consul in Guangzhou and sent it to Tianjin via a waterline telegram, which made Li Hongzhang the first Qing Dynasty minister to get this news.

And of course, this has also become a bargaining weight for the negotiations between Tuoguli and Li Hongzhang!

At this time, Li Hongzhang had received a telegram from the capital, and the court and the emperor had clearly informed the representative of the negotiations with France. Therefore, when he received another provocation from Tuguli, Li Hongzhang said angrily: "Vietnam has been a vassal state of China for thousands of years. No matter what treaty your country and Vietnam sign unilaterally, we will never accept it."

Tuguli shrugged, took a sip of the cigar, and said, "Mr. Li's insistence is a bit inexplicable. However, our country is peace-loving. Considering the friendship with China, we are willing to negotiate with you. I have a plan here, you can consider it."

As he said that, he threw the plan that had been prepared on the table to Li Hongzhang.

Li Hongzhang took it, took a look, and asked, "What does the meaning of 'establishing the boundary of Sino-French' here mean?"

"We can allow China to extend the southern border line a little further."

Li Hongzhang sneered: "Just 'ext forward a little more'? If it's just like that, then we don't need to talk. Of course, if your country withdraws the army in Tonkin, then we are willing to negotiate."

"No, no, no," Tuguli shook his head and said, "It is absolutely impossible to withdraw troops. We must retain our military presence to eliminate the bandits in Tokyo."

Li Hongzhang also said: "So, with Hanoi as the limit, the Qing Dynasty is responsible for protecting the north of Hanoi, and the bandits are also responsible for clearing out the bandits. We ensure the safety of your country's expatriates and trade; and south of Hanoi is protected by your country. How about? In this way, our country will have some face at least."

Tuguli sneered: "I'm sorry, I don't know that I have to consider your country's face. This is the condition of our country. If your country does not agree, then our country will continue to send troops. At that time, it will not only occupy Hanoi!"

"Mr. Minister, Vietnam has always been protected by China, and the bandits of Tonkin, Huang Chongying and Li Yangcai's troops were wiped out by our country. Now your country is strong and we can raise troops, how can we be willing to do so?"

Tuguli said: "China's protection of Vietnam is just a false reputation. In fact, my French army is stationed in Tonki, which is also beneficial to China. I know that the Japanese have always coveted China's interests. If our army is here, the Japanese cannot use Vietnam to invade your country Guangxi and Yunnan."

Li Hongzhang couldn't help but sneer, "Mr. Minister, this is ridiculous. Thinking about Japan's small country, even if North Korea, which is only a hundred miles away from its country, cannot compete with our country, let alone this thousand miles away?"

Due to the lessons of the "Lee and Bao Treaty", coupled with the clear decree of Li Hongzhang, it was impossible for him to agree to the French conditions. The negotiations between China and France continued until the end of September and could not reach an agreement. Tuguli thought that since Vietnam had signed the "Hui Treaty", it naturally represented France's great victory, so he was naturally pressing forward step by step; while the Qing court believed that Vietnam had no right to sign the treaty at all, and the Qing court naturally had not failed, so of course it would not make any concessions easily.

Li Hongzhang, who was sandwiched in the middle, could only confront Tuoguli, without giving in, and always adhered to the principle of Hanoi as the line.
Chapter completed!