Rebirth of the Northern Giants

Feng Guozhang curled his lips, and said with some disgust: "These foreign women have too much body odor, I can't stand it."

Unlike the two generals who looked relaxed and at ease, Li Hongzhang walked all the way frowning.

He was thinking about how to do his best to obtain the Nerchinsk region. Ye Zhikui did not give him a definite message. He believed it to be true, thinking that the always tough general must take back that piece of land, but Ye Zhikui also understood. When is it time to compromise.

"Wen Jue, after this defeat, the strength of the Russians in the Far East has been greatly weakened. However, the emaciated camels are bigger than horses, and their overall national strength is still far superior to that of China. It seems that this negotiation is not good. It's easy." Li Hongzhang turned around and discussed with Wu Tingfang in a low voice.

Wu Tingfang echoed: "The Generalissimo also has his considerations. Nowadays, the domestic people have too high expectations. Once the military government compromises a little bit, I am afraid that the reputation of the Generalissimo will be greatly affected. If it is not for provoking Britain too early, our country may not be able to survive." gain more benefits."

Li Hongzhang smiled softly, looked left and right, and said quietly: "That's why you haven't figured out the generalissimo's intentions. According to the old man, the generalissimo deliberately provoked the British."

Wu Tingfang asked in bewilderment, "Why did Zhongtang say that?"

"In the Sino-Russian War, the military government took the opportunity to intervene in the north; provoking the British can not only put some pressure on the big powers and unite the hearts of the people, but more importantly, the military government can also justifiably intervene in the southern affairs, killing two birds with one stone. Did the governor have to be pressured to ask the military government for help?"

Li Hongzhang is a man of interests, and he considers affairs from the point of view of gains and losses.

Wu Tingfang's eyes flickered, and he said with some emotion: "The battalion officer in the past, the generalissimo today, young people really can't predict with a normal heart."

Li Hongzhang smiled wryly, and said, "Wen Jue should give more consideration to this negotiation. I don't know where the bottom line of the Russians is."

During the conversation, Robatkin had already led a group of Russians to meet him.

"My Chinese friends, on behalf of the Russian government, I welcome you." Robatkin stepped forward with a smile, and stretched out his hand.

The translator next to me relayed it again.

Li Hongzhang stretched out his hand to touch him a little, and replied with a blank face: "Hunting geese all day long, and finally being pecked by geese. I hope that after this battle, China and Russia can coexist peacefully."

Robatkin smiled coyly, stretched out his hand and said, "Please prepare a banquet for our Chinese friends."

Li Hongzhang replied coldly: "Don't bother me, the old man is already tired. Let's take a rest today. Let's talk directly about peace tomorrow."

Robatkin was a little annoyed that the Chinese were so shameless, but for the sake of the overall situation, he asked someone to lead the Chinese delegation to the hotel to rest.

Watching Li Hongzhang and his party go away slowly, Russian Foreign Minister Robanov turned around and sighed at Robatkin, frowned and said: "It seems that the Chinese are not kind, tonight, first send someone to try Li Hongzhang's Mouth."

Although Robatkin is the Minister of Plenipotentiary Peace Negotiations, he is naturally not as skilled as Robanov in peace talks.

That night, Wade, an official of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, knocked on the door of Li Hongzhang's room, bypassing many eyeliners.

Li Hongzhang was cunning and treacherous, and he knew his intentions after a little guesswork.

After the two of them sat down, Wade didn't hold back, and said bluntly, "Mr. Li, as China's minister of peace negotiations, I don't know what your government's request is."

The foreign devils were really straightforward. Li Hongzhang secretly smiled, and then said solemnly: "Since the previous dynasty, your country has invaded China's territory for no reason and wantonly provoked war between the two countries. The responsibility for this is naturally your country, and China is also responsible for it." I don’t have much request, I just hope to abolish the unequal treaty signed with your country and take back the territory occupied by your country.”

Wade said nonchalantly: "Mr. Li is too whimsical. Part of the territory of the Far East of our country was obtained legally from the Qing emperor. Before your government overthrew the Qing Dynasty, these territories had already become an inalienable part of the empire. , and ask Mr. Li to make some reasonable requests."

Li Hongzhang snorted coldly and retorted, "I don't know what is a reasonable request in the eyes of your government?"

Wade said with a smile: "Of course, the borders before the Sino-Russian war are used as the principle."

Feelings, the Chinese army is fighting for nothing.

Negotiation is to lift high, and then land to counter-offer.

Li Hongzhang said with a sneer: "It seems that China and Russia can't reach an agreement. Your country's request is really unacceptable to our government."

After Li Hongzhang finished speaking, he brought the tea on the table to see off the guests.

Wade said nonchalantly in a low voice: "The negotiation has not yet started, why should Mr. Li speak prematurely? If Mr. Li can tell me the bottom line of your government, our country is willing to give Li Hongzhang this number as a thank you gift."

Wade wrote down 100 million rubles on paper, and then waited for Li Hongzhang's reaction. .

Volume Two, The Wind and Cloud of the Capital, Chapter [-], The Belonging of Nerchinsk

100 million rubles, the Russians seem to be willing to do so. Could it be that I, Li Hongzhang, seem to be taking bribes? He was a little taken aback, and Wade thought he thought it was too little, so he wrote 50 below.

"Mr. Li, this is already the largest amount our government can give you. Please think about it carefully. We use 150 million rubles to buy a piece of news. You don't need to harm the interests of your government. Why not do it?" What about it?" Wade spat out lotus flowers and tried his best to persuade him.

Although Wade spoke nicely, Li Hongzhang knew that once the Russians knew the bottom line of the Chinese government, they would adjust their own bottom line for negotiation, and the Chinese would lose the interests in the end.

With a faint smile, Li Hongzhang picked up the pen on the paper, glanced at Wade, and wrote down 200 million rubles under his surprised expression.

"Mr. Wade, I can give you 350 million rubles. As long as you give this old man a little advice during this negotiation, you can be prosperous and wealthy for a lifetime." Li Hongzhang looked at Wade firmly with a pair of cloudy eyes.

Wade's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and continued to laugh loudly: "Mr. Li is too good at joking. I came here with sincerity. Why would Mr. Li humiliate me?"

Li Hongzhang waved his hand, motioned him to be calm, pointed to the three sums on the paper, and said, "Mr. Wade, I am not joking with you, think about it, 350 million, even if your government If the peace talks can gain a little upper hand, what benefits can you gain? Even this old man will be tempted by this huge sum of money. As long as you pretend to buy this old man, you can get benefits from both sides. Besides, your country’s army has been defeated repeatedly in the Far East. It is impossible to gain benefits from China, but if you can persuade your country to accept some dispensable conditions, wouldn’t it be much easier than this old man.”

The Russian government gave Wade 200 million in activity fees, and he originally wanted to intercept 50, but now Li Hongzhang not only refused to take any money, but returned 200 million, he was moved.

Seeing his shortness of breath and dilated pupils, Li Hongzhang knew that the fish had taken the bait.

He slowly picked up the teacup, blew on it lightly, then took a sip, and continued to sip: "Mr. Wade might as well think about it, if I accept this huge sum of money, in the end your government is still dissatisfied, or You accept this huge sum of money, although your government is not satisfied, but you are satisfied."

Li Hongzhang's voice became beautiful in Wade's ears.

Wade stood up, walked back and forth in the room for a few steps, then gritted his teeth and said, "Mr. Li, let me go back and think about it?"

Li Hongzhang said nonchalantly: "It's okay, but Mr. Wade had better prepare early. I believe that there must be other people in your delegation who are satisfied with this huge sum of money."

Wade's body trembled slightly. He was very clear about the virtues of the other members of the Russian delegation. Rather than letting others earn the money, it would be better to earn it himself.

"Mr. Li, please tell me your plan." After Wade finished speaking, he let out a long breath. Once a person makes a decision, he will feel at ease.

Li Hongzhang nodded in satisfaction, pointed his hand down, and said with a smile: "So, please sit down, Mr. Wade, and then we will talk in detail slowly."

...

Inside the Russian delegation's residence, Foreign Minister Robanov and Army Minister Robatkin sat together silently waiting for Wade's arrival.

"Robanov, do you think Li Hongzhang will be moved by us?" Robatkin obviously had no idea, and asked the experienced foreign minister aloud.

"Don't worry, the Chinese are all greedy people. For their own interests, let alone national interests that have nothing to do with themselves, even if they want to betray their parents, it is possible." Robanov He speaks clearly and logically, and it seems that he has a lot of research on Chinese people.

There was a rush of footsteps outside the door, the two smiled at each other, and Wade came back.

A few minutes later, Wade pushed the door open with a happy face.

"How did Li Hongzhang respond?" Robanov asked impatiently.

Wade returned him a smiling face, and said triumphantly, "Two million rubles, not 200 cabbages, even God would be tempted, let alone Li Hongzhang."

"What did he say, where is the bottom line for the Chinese?" Robatkin sighed in his heart that money is everything.

Wade replied somewhat depressed: "The Chinese demand the abolition of the Beijing Treaty."