Chapter 29 Section 29 Effective means of negotiation

On the same day, Li Hongzhang took his own soldiers and rushed to Ningbo by ship to meet with the British land admiral Sir Dee Foley.At that time, Shidi Fuli was cooperating with French officers in Ningbo to train the newly recruited Chang Jie Army for Zuo Zongtang. When Shidi Fuli saw Li Hongzhang, he couldn't help saying: "Master Li, you are not in Qingpu to supervise the battle, what are you doing here?" Hearing what the interpreter said, Li Hongzhang stretched his face on purpose, frowned and said: "Soldiers, Bai Qiwen led the Changsheng Army to privately close the four gates of Songjiang City, ransacked Wu Buyuan's mansion, and rushed to Shanghai. Not only robbed Yang Yinyuan's mansion, but also beat Yang Yinyuan half to death. Now, Bai Qiwen has disappeared with the stolen property. Your soldier is Bai Qiwen's guarantor. Bai Qiwen committed a heinous crime. Looking for someone to ask for, who do you ask this department to look for?"

Li Hongzhang didn't talk about Bai Qiwen's complaints about salary, but only talked about looting Wu's mansion and wounding Yang Fang.Shidi Fuli was shocked and said: "This is impossible! Bai Qiwen is an excellent soldier, he is not a bandit, how could he rob? My lord, you must have made a mistake. Such things as robbery and wounding are only done by you in the Qing Dynasty." Talented people will do it, but Bai Qiwen won't do it!" Li Hongzhang was not in a hurry, he took out Li Hengsong's letter and handed it to Shidi Fuli: "This kind of thing is something that everyone doesn't want to see, but now it happened! This is a letter from Li Canjun, the ever-victorious army, to the headquarters. , Please look at the soldier gate."

Shidi Fuli handed the letter to the translator beside him, and the translator translated it sentence by sentence for him. After the translator finished translating the letter, Shidi Fuli pondered and said: "Lord Li, this matter of Bai Qiwen cannot be decided by me alone. It needs to be handled together after General He Bo returns. We need to conduct a comprehensive investigation on this matter. " After the translator translated the words, he added another sentence: "General He Bo is going back to China for vacation, and he will be back soon." A cloud of anger suddenly rose in Li Hongzhang's chest, but he also knew very well that since the beginning of the establishment of the Ever Victorious Army, China and Britain had made a secret agreement: Although the Ever Victorious Army is a mercenary army of the Qing Dynasty, all matters concerning the Ever Victorious Army must be dealt with by the Chinese Communist Party. Britain and the United Kingdom jointly negotiated and handled it, and neither party could determine the combat direction of the Ever Victorious Army.To put it bluntly, the Ever Victorious Army formed by Xue Huan, Wu Xu, and Yang Fang was actually an army that was in the hands of the British but paid by the Qing Dynasty.

Li Hongzhang sneered and said, "According to what Shi Junmen said, if He Junmen doesn't come back, the affairs of the Changsheng Army will not be able to be handled?" Shidi Fuli spread his hands together: "Master Li, it is a pity that the Ever Victorious Army is an amphibious combat force. If General He Bo of the Navy does not come back, it is really impossible to handle it!" Li Hongzhang stood up and said: "Okay, since the soldiers said so, the Ministry has nothing to say. The Ministry will notify your country now that we have decided to suspend the contract and unilaterally disband the Changsheng Army. As for Bai Qiwen, the Ministry will notify you by letter." The Prime Minister’s Yamen in our country is the one who makes representations to your country. Soldier Men, thank you for your help to the Governor’s Yamen in the past few years, and in the name of individuals, the Ministry welcomes you to visit the Governor’s Yamen in the future!”

Shidi Fuli panicked before the translator could finish the translation. He stood up abruptly and said, "Master Li, you can't do this! You have no right to do this! Ever since the formation of the Ever Victorious Army, it has established a Great military exploits. You disbanded the Ever-Victorious Army with just one sentence. How can I explain to our country when I go back? They will call me a fool and can’t do things! Master Li, I hope you change your mind immediately. As long as you don’t disband the Ever-Victorious Army, Everything else is negotiable!" Li Hongzhang said: "The Disbandment of the Changsheng Army is a matter of last resort for the Shijunmen. As you know, the Shijunmen, we formed the Changsheng Army together to help suppress Changmao and keep Jiangsu safe. Now, the Changsheng Army is not going to Jinling to help suppress the rebellion and cause trouble. Is there any need to keep such an army? Besides, Bai Qiwen's whereabouts are still unknown, and the Changsheng Army has no leader. How can this be possible?"

Seeing that Li Hongzhang's tone softened, Shidi Fuli said hurriedly: "Master Li, I will go with you to see Mr. Mai Huatuo, the consul of our country in Shanghai, and immediately lift Bai Qiwen's military power, and tell all the gates to arrest him. How about appointing someone to take over this army?" Li Hongzhang asked with a smile: "Scholar, Bai Qiwen has been dismissed from his position. Who will you recommend as the new leader of the Ever Victorious Army? What if it is the second Bai Qiwen?" Shidi Fuli said: "Master Li, I would like to recommend my personal staff officer Oren to take over the Ever Victorious Army. Oren is the best soldier our country has trained. He comes from a military family and has experienced many battles. Besides, Oren Lun has been serving as the Chief of Staff of the Ever Victorious Army. As the leader of the Ever Victorious Army, he must be better than Bai Qiwen. Master Li, you can trust me this time!"

Li Hongzhang said: "When Bai Qiwen was recommended to be the leader of the Ever Victorious Army, the soldiers seemed to have said that Bai Qiwen was also from a military family!" Shidi Fuli said dejectedly: "This son of a bitch Bai Qiwen, he lied to me! I only recently learned through the Chinese embassy in the United States that he was not from a military family at all, and his father had no formal education. He's an out-and-out rogue!" Li Hongzhang thought for a while, and said with a smile: "Scholar Army, unfortunately, the headquarters still wants to disband the Ever Victorious Army!"

Upon hearing this, Shidi Fuli yelled: "Master Li, I have talked so much, why do you want to disband this army? Could it be that we can no longer cooperate? Why is this? " Li Hongzhang said: "Scholar Army Gate, there are some things you know better than the Ministry. Since the establishment of the Changsheng Army, the internal management has not allowed the governor's office to intervene. The governor's office has become the big granary and bank of the Changsheng Army. .We don't want to go on like this anymore!" Shidi Fuli said: "There is an agreement between our two countries on this point. The governor's office supplies food, ammunition, and we are responsible for training and fighting against the long hair. Besides, more than half of the officers and soldiers of the Ever Victorious Army are recruited from our country. Come, no matter how you say it, it should be managed by our country. This agreement is kept at the Chinese Consulate in Shanghai, Mr. Mai Huatuo, and it is signed by your minister, the then governor of Jiangsu, Mr. Xue Huan. Of course, our country Mr. Ergin, the minister in your country, also signed it. If Master Li doesn't believe it, I will accompany you to Shanghai to see it right now!"

Li Hongzhang shook his head and said: "Shijunmen, you have misunderstood the meaning of the Ministry. The Ministry is not criticizing the existing agreement. The Ministry is saying that if the Changsheng Army is still managed by your unilateral side, the Ministry will definitely The army is going to be disbanded. Our country employs the Changsheng Army to wipe out Changmao as soon as possible, and the situation of the Changsheng Army has always been unknown to the governor's office! If this continues, what will happen!" Shidi Fuli finally figured out Li Hongzhang's true intention: disbanding the Ever Victorious Army was false, and it was true to fight for the management of the Ever Victorious Army.He calmed down and said calmly: "Lord Li, I understand that you wanted to change the existing agreement. Sir Li, I can't decide what you want to do. I need to report to Consul Mai Huatuo. Then, Mai Huatuo will report to Minister Erjin, and Minister Erjin will inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of our country. It will take more than half a year to complete all the procedures, and this does not include vacations and discussions. Master Li, you should follow my advice and press According to the existing agreement, let's continue to cooperate well, and don't make any troubles. Oren will take over the Ever-Victorious Army, and he will do a good job. I assure you, Oren will not make any mistakes!"

Li Hongzhang got up and said: "Shijunmen, you already know about Bai Qiwen's situation, and the department will leave. I hope Shijunmen will immediately inform the checkpoints in all seas to capture Bai Qiwen as soon as possible!" Shidi Fuli also got up and said: "Lord Li, please don't worry, Bai Qiwen is a scoundrel, he can't run away. Master Li, where are you going now? Are you going back to Qingpu or Shanghai?" "The headquarters will go back to Shanghai directly, and together with the general Li Hengsong, we will handle the disbandment of the Ever Victorious Army. Please rest assured, the officers and soldiers, the headquarters will follow the original agreement and will not treat the thousands of soldiers recruited from your country badly."

Shidi Fuli blurted out: "Master Li, we didn't talk well just now, why did you turn around and you still want to disband the Ever Victorious Army? Master Li, what exactly do you want?" Li Hongzhang said: "Scholars, if the governor's office still treats the Changsheng Army as before, without the right to manage and use human rights, the headquarters must disband this team. Bai Qiwen closed Songjiang City privately to cause trouble, which gave the headquarters a lot. This is a reminder. This department does not want to see such a thing again. Shijunmen, you have experienced the military and political circles for a long time, and you should be able to understand that the governor's yamen has the difficulty of the governor's yamen!" Shidi Fuli hurriedly asked: "Master Li, if Ever Victory Army is jointly managed by you and me from now on, will you agree?" Li Hongzhang thought for a while and replied: "Scholar Army, in this way, isn't it necessary to change the original contract? The battle in Qingpu is intense, and the headquarters does not want to waste too much time on this." Shidi Fuli said loudly: "Master Li, I can complete this change in the shortest time. In fact, the efficiency of our country is still very high. For example, the change of appointment can be completed in about ten days!" Li Hongzhang said with a smile: "Scholar, you and I don't know each other very well, but I know that you are a friend worth keeping. This friend, you have been handed over by the Ministry. Well, the Ministry will give you this face. As long as you are a soldier Junmen agreed to persuade your Ministry of Foreign Affairs to change the contract, and the Ever Victorious Army can not be disbanded for the time being. Shijunmen, it is not too late, we can go back to Shanghai, right?" Shi Difu stood up and said: "Master Li, if I am not mistaken, you will become the most outstanding senior official in the Qing Dynasty. Okay, please rest here for a while, Master Li, and I will report the matter of Chang Jiejun to France." Please tell me, we can go by boat at night. The small boat that Mr. Zuo bought for Chang Jiejun is very fast!" Li Hongzhang and Shidi Fuli returned to Shanghai by small ship that night.On the boat, Li Hongzhang and Shidi Fuli began to discuss the upcoming changes to the treaty while eating snacks. The copy was on the side and recorded. In a letter sent to Luo Jiaosheng on the same day, Li Hongzhang wrote: "Since the opening of the Yangtze River for trade, China's interests have been exploited by foreign barbarians, and there are many disadvantages that cannot be stopped. Britain and France have made great efforts in Jiangsu and Zhejiang to help prevent and suppress. At present, it is of little benefit. You should put down this thief quickly, pay attention to the military administration, and change the bad habits of the hundreds of years. If I can strengthen myself, the other clan will not covet me, otherwise the future troubles will be unimaginable." After the ship arrived in Shanghai, Li Hongzhang first went to the Commercial Yamen to see Xue Huan, while Shidi Fuli rushed to the consulate to meet the consul Mai Huatuo.Shidi Fuli opened the door and walked into the consul's office, he couldn't help being surprised, he found that Bai Qiwen was sitting at the consul's table, talking to Mai Huatuo.When Shidi Fuli saw Bai Qiwen, his eyes were bloodshot immediately, and even ignored Mai Huatuo sitting beside him, he rushed forward and punched Bai Qiwen in the face.Bai Qiwen hastily parried, but his left eye was still slapped, and he bulged up immediately. Shidi Fuli pulled out a small musket from his waist, pointed the muzzle at Bai Qiwen's head and cursed: "You stupid pig, you almost ruined the future of this general! I will send you to a military court !I'll smash your brains out with one shot!" Mai Huatuo stood up and pushed away the barrel of Shidi Fuli's gun with his hand: "General, calm down, general, calm down!" Shidi Fuli withdrew his musket and cursed: "You stupid pig, are you poor and crazy? Do you know that your troubles have made me half shorter in front of Li Hongzhang! You Americans are bad! Thorough!" Bai Qiwen covered his injured left eye with his hand, and said in his mouth: "The officials of the Qing Dynasty are all bastards. If I don't beat him, they will beat me back! They asked me to recruit Xinyong to supplement soldiers. They recruited all, and they dismissed me! They did this not only to look down on me as an American, but also to ignore the British Empire!" Steven's anger subsided a little, and he sat down and said, "Why don't you speak clearly to them? Your nonsense has made our British Empire very passive! Are you a stupid pig?" Bai Qiwen was left speechless by Shidi Foli's question, only panting heavily.Mai Huatuo said at this time: "General, please go inside and talk, I want to tell you the ins and outs of the matter." Steve nodded his head.Mai Huatuo stood up and said to Bai Qiwen: "General Bai, please sit here for a while, I want to talk with General Shidi Fuli inside." Bai Qiwen also nodded.Mai Huatuo walked into the inner room with Shidi Fuli one after the other.After the two sat down, Mai Huatuo said first: "General, you must ask me why Bai Qiwen got here? I will tell the general what happened now." It turned out that after Bai Qiwen returned to Daying, he also felt that something was wrong.After all, Yang Fang was a high-ranking official who was rewarded by the Qing Dynasty, and now he is being beaten by force. After the governor's office finds out, he will definitely not let it go. Maybe he will dare to arrest him and take him to the capital for questioning, because After all, he became a citizen of the Qing Dynasty. The more Bai Qiwen thought about it, the more frightened he became, and decided to escape from the camp and take shelter elsewhere temporarily.He secretly packed his clothes, hid the utensils he had snatched from the Wu Mansion into a box, took fifty soldiers with him, loaded the box, and rushed to the US Consulate in Shanghai.The US Consul in Shanghai has received many gifts from Bai Qiwen on weekdays, and the two are better friends. After seeing the consul, Bai Qiwen briefly explained what he had done, and begged the consul for an idea.After the consul heard this, he immediately realized the seriousness of the matter: "You are so confused about this matter! You have already joined their nationality, and now you have committed such a big crime. According to the law they formulated, you must Beheaded. They want to kill you, but the American legation and consulate in China cannot protect you, you are in trouble!" Bai Qiwen also became anxious when he was told by the consul. He asked, "What should I do? I will be beheaded for doing such a small thing. Isn't it too unfair?" The consul pondered for a while and said: "General Bai, don't worry. Although the United States cannot protect you, the United Kingdom can protect you, because you are the leader of the ever-victorious army they hired. As long as the British speak, everyone will No one dared to do anything to you in the Qing Dynasty! However, Consul Mai and Shidi Fuli are greedy people, and you, General Bai, need to spend a lot of money to manage it. It is human nature to spend money to eliminate disasters. Only in this way, they I am willing to speak for you!" Bai Qiwen naturally agreed one by one, without further ado.The consul immediately asked someone to prepare a car, and brought Tong Shi ① and Bai Qiwen to the British Consulate to meet Mai Huatuo. Mai Huatuo refused to forgive Bai Qiwen at first, but he softened when he saw Bai Qiwen took out a 40,000 taels of silver note from the book protector.In the next few days, Bai Qiwen came to the British consulate every day to inquire about the news of the governor's office, anxious like an ant on a hot pot. Mai Huatuo opened the protective book, took out the bank note that Bai Qiwen handed over from it, handed it to Shidi Fuli with a smile, but said in his mouth: "Please take a look at it, general, this money will cost you and me the rest of our lives." Rest easy. Bai Qiwen was just impulsive, took a few things from Wu Xu, and punched Yang Fang twice. It's no big deal. I have promised Bai Qiwen that he will still be the leader of the Ever Victorious Army." Shidi Fuli took the bank note in his hand, looked at it repeatedly, and said, "We can split the money equally, but Bai Qiwen can't go back to the Changsheng Army right now. If Li Hongzhang knows that we have protected Bai Qiwen, he The Ever Victorious Army must be disbanded! At that time, our losses will be great, and we cannot do business that loses money!" Mai Huatuo asked in surprise, "What about Bai Qiwen?" Shidi Fuli whispered: "You let him stay in the US consulate honestly for a few days. Without us, he will not show up. Li Hongzhang is not Xue Huan. This person is not easy to deal with. The matter of the Changsheng Army must be slowly resolved. manage." Mai Huatuo asked, "How do we do it?" Shidi Fuli said: "Immediately issue the list of wanted Bai Qiwen to all checkpoints. Li Hongzhang is too shrewd, we can't let him see the flaw."