Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 416 Adding fuel to the fire!

Of course, Li Yi said this, but he didn't intend to take action immediately.

In his vision, the Tang Dynasty should still focus on domestic affairs.

Recovering Liaodong and bringing the grasslands and the Western Regions under the rule are both priorities that come before taking action against Southeast Asia.

As long as the Crimean War was not over, he would not rush to take action.

We are just making a contingency plan right now!

Only by making plans in advance can we ensure that no matter how things change, the Tang Dynasty will not be caught off guard.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhidong immediately clasped his fists in response, then turned around and left.

Li Yi stood in the main hall, looking towards the west with a dim gaze.

Stand up, you old Russian!

The Crimean War has just begun. How can you just admit defeat like that?
Keep hitting me!

The Tang Dynasty supported Tsarist Russia and fought against Britain and France until the last Russian’s blood was shed!

……

Beijing, Russian Embassy.

Minister Nicholas also received bad news from St. Petersburg.

Tsar Nicholas I died suddenly and was succeeded by Alexander II.

"Oh my God, how is this possible?!"

"The Tsar, how could the Tsar suddenly die?"

Nicholas found it hard to accept this bad news, which came too suddenly.

The ambassador Nicholas was completely stunned!

Consul Jogoa on the side spoke up.

"Your Excellency, I know you are very sad right now."

"But you have to cheer up!"

"The new Tsar has given us the task of finding a way to get the Tang Dynasty to mediate peace so as to end the Crimean War as soon as possible."

Due to the outbreak of the Crimean War and the betrayal of the Holy Alliance, Tsarist Russia is now almost isolated and helpless in the European diplomatic arena.

Under the current circumstances, if Tsarist Russia wanted to negotiate peace with Britain and France, it could not even find someone to promote peace.

Although Tsarist Russia has not given up on continuing its diplomatic attempts in Europe.

But it also opened up a new idea, hoping to get the Tang Dynasty to intervene and promote peace.

At this time, the Tang Dynasty, as an Eastern power that defeated the joint invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance and as the absolute overlord of the Far East, was qualified to have a say in the European diplomatic arena.

Even Britain and France have to respect the opinions of the Tang Dynasty!

Although the Tang Dynasty was unable to intervene in the European situation, Western countries such as Britain and France gained control of the Far East, and they all had considerable interests in the Far East.

If there is benefit, then it will be easier to talk!
Nicholas nodded immediately after hearing this.

"Good! Good!"

"Qiao Geya, you must come forward immediately and submit the letter of credence to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Tang Dynasty on my behalf."

"Request a meeting with Minister Guo!"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Geya immediately nodded in agreement and turned to leave.

After Jogoa left, Nicholas covered his face with his hands in pain.

"The great Russian Empire has now fallen to the point where we need an Eastern country to come forward and broker peace for us."

"Oh God, have you stopped caring for the great Tsar and the great Russia?!"

Although Nicholas behaved very respectfully in front of Li Yi, he was an out-and-out white supremacist at heart.

They discriminate against other races in the world very equally!

The respect in front of Li Yi was just pretended, not genuine.

Now this feeling of having to bow to the Eastern countries and the yellow race makes him feel extremely painful.

But he was helpless!

……

Tang Dynasty, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Guo Songtao met with the Russian envoy Nicholas in his office.

"Your Excellency, please have some tea."

"This is the best Yunxi Tieguanyin. You won't find this level of good stuff on the market."

"The tea here is just a tribute bestowed by His Majesty."

After Guo Songtao finished speaking, he signaled the servant beside him to come forward and pour tea for Nicholas.

After pouring the tea, Guo Songtao waved his hand to signal the attendants to leave for the time being.

Nicholas picked up the teacup and took a sip, feeling the clear and slightly sweet tea aroma, but the expression on his face was still a little stiff.

Guo Songtao also picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then spoke.

"I have learned of the news of the Tsar's death."

"Your Excellency, please accept my condolences."

"Your Majesty has written a couplet in his own handwriting. You can take it back when you leave."

Nicholas heard this and said with a wry smile.

"In that case, on behalf of His Majesty the Tsar, I would like to thank His Majesty the Emperor for his concern..."

"If His Majesty the Tsar knew about this, he would surely be very pleased."

After the two men exchanged pleasantries, Guo Songtao continued to ask questions.

"I wonder why the Minister has come to meet with me this time?"

Nicholas heard this, opened his mouth, took a deep breath and said.

"After the new tsar ascended the throne, he thought it was time to end the protracted Crimean War."

"I came to meet with the Minister for this matter."

"I hope that the Tang Dynasty can come forward and meet with the British and French envoys to promote an armistice and peace talks in the Crimean War."

"If the Tang Dynasty can agree to this, then His Majesty the Tsar will definitely reward you handsomely."

Guo Songtao did not agree immediately after hearing this, but said with some difficulty.

"Promoting peace is possible. Our Tang Dynasty is a country of etiquette and is the most peace-loving country."

“War is the ugliest thing in the world, and peace is a beautiful thing that everyone hopes for.”

"If we can do something to promote peace, the Tang Dynasty will do its best."

Although the real intention of the Tang Dynasty was to continue to fan the flames of Crimea, this did not prevent Guo Songtao from saying some empty words to save face.

Well, nice words don’t cost money.

After saying this, Guo Songtao immediately added a "but".

"However, as far as I know, Britain and France are not enthusiastic about peace talks."

"This is not easy to do!"

Nicholas took a deep breath, stood up from his seat, and bowed deeply to Guo Songtao.

"Please ask the Tang Dynasty to come forward to promote peace. Tsarist Russia will definitely reward you handsomely."

Upon hearing this, Guo Songtao pretended to be surprised.

"Hey, hey, what is this for?"

"What is the Minister doing?"

"Sit down first and listen to me slowly."

Guo Songtao spoke and comforted Nicholas to sit down, then continued.

"If you, the Tsarist Russia, want peace talks, unilaterally seeking peace is the most foolish thing to do."

"The more you seek peace, the more likely you are to expose your weakness to Britain and France. Britain and France will not stop while they are ahead, but will strive to "take advantage of your weakness to kill you" and continue to expand their victory."

"By then, even if you, the Russian Empire, can successfully seek peace, the price you will have to pay will be unbearable."

"So, in my opinion, instead of trying to make peace, you should use fighting to promote peace. First, launch a good counterattack, and then go for peace talks."

"Only if you make a name for yourself on the battlefield can Britain and France not underestimate you and dare not ask for too much from you during the peace talks."

When Nicholas heard this, a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

One has to admit that Guo Songtao's words touched the heart of his heart.

Nicholas also believed that striving for peace was undesirable.

Using war to promote peace is the best option for Tsarist Russia at the moment!

However, Nicholas still had some doubts.

"But can Tsarist Russia defeat the British and French coalition forces?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Songtao immediately continued.

"The arms that you Tsarist Russia purchased from our Tang Dynasty should not have been delivered to Crimea yet, right?"

"In my opinion, the reason why you, Tsarist Russia, lost so badly in Sevastopol was simply because Britain and France took advantage of you in terms of weapons."

"When the arms you purchased from the Tang Dynasty arrive at the front and equip the troops, there is still much to be done in the Crimean War!"

"You have to launch a counterattack first before you can negotiate!"

"You have to launch a counterattack first, then the Tang Dynasty will come forward to help you promote peace!"

Nicholas looked thoughtful when he heard this.

Then he nodded vigorously.

"Minister Guo's words make sense. I will report this matter to the Tsar."

Nicholas left, and Guo Songtao also rushed to meet Li Yi.

After listening to Guo Songtao's report, Li Yi had a visibly smile on his face.

If the Aberdeen Cabinet is still in power in the UK, then the idea of Tsarist Russia launching a counterattack and then seeking peace talks will most likely succeed.

However, the cabinet in power in Britain now is the famous Palmerston Cabinet.

Given Palmerston's character, if the British army really suffered losses in Crimea, then, let alone peace talks, the situation in Crimea would probably continue to escalate!
By then, it would no longer be an honorable thing to end the Crimean War.

Thinking of this, Li Yi couldn't help but smile.

But suddenly, Li Yi had an idea in his mind, as if he had grasped something.

By the way, when was the Great Indian Uprising?

If he remembered correctly, it should be next year.

At that time, I can go to India again to support the Indian people's anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggle.

Well, Li Yi is a good man. How could he bear to watch the kind-hearted Indian people being exploited and oppressed by the shameless British people without any bottom line?
In this way, the British will be stuck in the two big quagmires of Crimea and India.

At that time, it will be the best time for the Tang Dynasty to send troops to Southeast Asia and completely bring the entire Southeast Asia under its rule.

……

British Embassy!

In the reception room, British Minister Bruce and French Minister Baldwin were tasting wine together.

This is a bottle of red wine originating from the Bordeaux region of France.

Both the year and quality are excellent.

With a pop, the cork was opened.

The red wine is poured into a decanter.

The air was filled with a faint aroma of fruit wood and wine.

While the wine was decanting, Bruce and Baldmi began to chat.

"I heard that yesterday the Russian envoy Nicholas went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Tang Dynasty and met with Minister Guo."

"What did you say they talked about?"

Bruce spoke first.