Chapter 94 Section 94 The entire army of the Beiyang Navy was wiped out

Seeing Japan's attitude, the Zongli Yamen panicked, thinking that the country would be subjugated soon.When Emperor Guangxu got the news, he stomped the dragon's feet loudly, and said in a tearful voice, "This emperor will never succeed! This emperor will never succeed!" At this time, Tian Bei had reached a certain consensus with Japan, acting as a messenger between China and Japan.He came to the Zongli Yamen and sent a message to Prince Gong: "Ito Hirobumi said that if China sincerely wishes for peace, it must appoint a plenipotentiary committee member with proper qualifications. The Japanese government will announce the terms of the armistice when the two countries meet. Otherwise, Japan will The war will continue until China is smashed. Ito Hirobumi also said that the place of peace talks must be in Japan. Before the peace talks, China must first notify Japan of the names and grades of the plenipotentiaries, while Japan does not need to notify China of the names and grades of its own plenipotentiaries in advance. .If China does not agree to these conditions, Japan will reject the peace talks."

Prince Gong immediately brought a group of princes and ministers into the garden to meet the Queen Mother, and relayed what Hirobumi Ito said, asking for instructions on what to do.In order to allow Japan to cease the war, the queen mother decided to accept all the conditions proposed by Japan.The Zongli Yamen then decided to send Zhang Yinhuan, the left servant of the household department, and Shao Youlian, the governor of Hunan, as ministers with full powers to go to Japan to seek peace. Before the departure, the Zongli Yamen notified the names and ranks of Ministers Zhang and Shao to the American Minister Tian Bei in accordance with the request of Hirobumi Ito, and Tian Bei informed the Japanese side.

However, Tian Bei proposed that in order to ensure the success of this peace negotiation, he decided to send the former US Secretary of State Costa to act as an adviser to the Chinese Minister of Plenipotentiary in his personal capacity. I wonder if China will agree. The Zongli Yamen did not dare to refute, and immediately agreed. On the seventh day of the first lunar month in the 21st year of Guangxu (February 1, 1895), representatives of China and Japan met in Hiroshima, Japan.When Zhang Yinhuan and Shao Youlian brought out various entrustment certificates signed by the Prime Minister's Office for the Japanese side to inspect, Mutsu Munemitsu, following Ito Hirobumi's prior instructions, immediately accused Zhang and Shao of having insufficient qualifications as ministers with full powers, and immediately took out the pre-written documents. Good note, read it to the Chinese representative, refuse to negotiate.

The next day, the Japanese sent someone to notify the Chinese representative, asking the Chinese representative to leave immediately on the pretext that Hiroshima was a military base, which was extremely unreasonable.While Zhang Yinhuan and Shao Youlian telegraphed Japan's attitude to China, they reluctantly left Hiroshima to return to China.The efforts of the Queen Mother, Prince Gong and others for several months failed. After Li Hongzhang received the imperial decree to dismiss him and stay in office, he didn't eat or drink for a whole day. He locked himself in the study room of the hotel, and sat there blankly.The subordinates had business to return, but he didn't see him; the staff wanted to talk to him, but he asked the guards outside the door to stop him; even Sheng Xuanhuai and Xiaohong wanted to see him and comfort him, but he didn't see him.Xiaohong was crying in the bedroom anxiously, and Sheng Xuanhuai was walking back and forth outside the study anxiously.

It was already very late at night, and the study in the hotel was pitch black.Xiaohong was terrified, she sent the two maids who were close to her back to her room to sleep, and then went to the door of the study alone. The guard at the gate thought she was going in, so he came over to stop her, but she fell down on her knees, crying and said: "My lord, this servant is here to kneel down for you. The queen mother asked this servant to accompany you, and this servant is here to kneel." I will accompany you. A master can live without a servant, but a servant cannot live without a master."

The guard persuaded in a low voice: "Miss Xiaohong, why are you doing this? You'd better go back to your room and rest. Master Zhongtang has servants guarding for you, so what are you worried about?" Xiaohong knelt upright He spoke, as if he didn't hear what the guards were saying. Two quarters of an hour later, the door of the study finally opened, and Li Hongzhang walked out slowly on crutches.Xiao Hong was already kneeling until her legs were numb, and she couldn't stand up even if she wanted to. Li Hongzhang bent down to help Xiaohong up.Xiaohong's eyes were red and swollen from crying, and she leaned her head on Li Hongzhang's shoulder. The two supported each other and walked slowly towards the bedroom.

After entering the bedroom, Xiao Hong helped Li Hongzhang to sit on the chair, and hurriedly asked someone to fetch water, and then asked the maid to inform the kitchen to prepare meals.Li Hongzhang waved his hand, but still sat silently. Xiaohong's tears flowed out again.While washing Li Hongzhang's feet, she choked up and said, "Master, are you trying to scare the servants to death? You have been silent all day. Is it because you feel sorry for the scholar, or are you reluctant to pull out those few peacock feathers?" ? Could it be that you feel sorry for the cavalry captain who worked so hard to earn for your children and grandchildren? Are you always talking?"

Li Hongzhang raised his hand to caress Xiao Hong's shiny hair, sighed softly, and said slowly, "Hong'er, do you really want to hear what this old man has to say?" Xiaohong nodded hurriedly and said: "Master, this servant is now your only relative. This servant is afraid that you will keep your words silent and your body will be ruined!" Tears suddenly flowed from Li Hongzhang's eyes, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Hong'er, I'm already old, what's the use of purple rein, three-eyed feathers, riding captain, first-class marquis, old man?" I feel sorry for my Qing Dynasty! How many good things did the old man say in front of foreigners, and how many good things did the old man say to a group of princes and ministers, just now such a good situation came into being.

"There are also railways, minerals, and a navy. Armament schools can also train their own sailors. There are only some foreign debts that have not been paid off. What is the purpose of the navy established by the old man? It is to defend this island country, Japan. The Navy’s government has worked so hard to save more than 7 million taels of coastal defense donations. How many people scolded them for this money. These 7 million taels are the lifeblood of my Qing navy! Old man I want to buy more Beiyang Navy warships to the number of 30, and I want to replace all the guns in the hands of the Beiyang Army, but someone refuses to agree! Hong'er, I have something to say, and I have been holding it back for several years. If you don’t say anything else, you’ll be suffocated!”

Xiao Hong looked up at Li Hongzhang and said, "Master, you can say whatever you want, servant girl, listen!" Li Hongzhang said slowly: "Hong'er, close the door and let the girls go to sleep. You help the old man to sit on the bed, and the old man will talk to you slowly." Xiaohong asked in a low voice: "Master, don't you always eat something?" Li Hongzhang waved his hand and said, "If you don't speak out, can the old man eat?" So Xiaohong sent someone in, took the water basin away, and told the girl who brought the water not to come in unless told.

Only then did Xiaohong help Li Hongzhang to sit on the bed, while she sat beside her and beat Li Hongzhang's legs with her hands. Li Hongzhang went on to say: "Because I don't trust the old man, some people stopped discussing the purchase of additional warships, and stopped discussing the replacement of firearms. The old man wanted to buy some artillery shells for the navy, but was rejected, and he was only allowed to buy exercise shells. What has become of the navy? What has become of the navy?" It can only scare people, but can't hit people! That's why we have today's situation!" Xiaohong said quietly: "Master, how do you always know these thoughts of the Queen Mother?" Li Hongzhang smiled wryly and said: "I am not a saint, but after all, I grew up reading the books of saints! I have been in the officialdom for a long time, and I have read countless people. Who can hide their thoughts from my eyes? I just don't say anything." The bigger the Beiyang Navy, the better the equipment in the hands of the Beiyang Army, the more difficult it is for the court to sleep! But some people don’t think about it, I, Li Hongzhang, did this for what? It’s not for my Qing Dynasty, Are you not angry with foreigners? "It's all right now, let's all sleep soundly! The old man begged the ministers of many countries to mediate this matter, but none of them came out. Why? Because of the Battle of Dadonggou, the countries never thought that our Qing Dynasty There will only be so few shells on the warship! The imperial court will go to such an extent to guard against the Han people! Some people think that by doing this, they are playing tricks on the old man, so that the Beiyang navy in the old man’s hands will become a navy in name only. In fact, it was just wrong! They didn’t play tricks on the old man, they made fun of themselves! Even if the Beiyang navy is wiped out, what can it do except take the head off the old man’s neck? The old man’s mentor Zeng Wenzheng was exhausted to death ! Diplomatic officer Zeng Jiegang was so pissed off! Xue Fucheng is also dead, and it's my turn now." At this time, Xiaohong asked in a low voice: "Master, in the Dadonggou naval battle, didn't our Beiyang Navy only lose four ships? Lushun only lost six ships!" Li Hongzhang sighed and said: "The Beiyang Navy currently has seven warships, thirteen mine boats, and six small artillery boats, but apart from a large number of drill bombs, each ship has few shells that can be used in actual combat! Ding Ruchang was ordered by telegram to move all ships to Weihaiwei Port and strictly forbid sailing out of the ocean. This is a fortune that cannot be ruined any more!" Xiaohong said: "Master, what if the Japanese ships chase in?" Li Hongzhang said: "The old man has ordered Weihaiwei to keep a close eye on the fortresses in the south and north. If a Japanese ship is found, we must attack with all our strength and try our best to keep the warships in the harbor. Hong'er, the old man said a lot to you tonight. , some words are said for the first time, and it may be the last time. But I can only say it to you alone, I can’t say it to others, and I dare not say it. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but I have arranged it for you Alright, back way." Xiaohong quickly covered Li Hongzhang's mouth with her hand and said, "Master, you can't think about it. You are just dismissed and retained, and you haven't been charged yet!" Li Hongzhang pushed Xiaohong's hand away, and said with a wry smile: "Hong'er, don't make trouble, listen to the old man and finish what I have to say. The old man is already so old, so what can you do if you don't ask for guilt? Be good." Scapegoat is a science, the old man knows how to do it! But you are still a child, what will you do if the old man is really gone? The old man has already bought a house for you in Jiangxi, and also bought a few acres of Susukida. I will keep you rich and powerful, but I will always let you live comfortably. The old man is from Anhui, and you can’t go there; you are from Fengtian, and you can’t go there either. After much deliberation, the old man can only let you go to Jiangxi. " Before Li Hongzhang could finish speaking, Xiao Hong knelt down in front of Li Hongzhang's feet, and kowtowed repeatedly: "My lord, this servant is just a girl beside you, why do you want to raise this servant into a human being! You always treat this servant like this, and this servant needs How many lifetimes will it take to repay your kindness!" Li Hongzhang said in a hoarse voice: "Hong'er, the old man has already explained to his wife about your affairs, so you can just keep it in your heart. I am old, but I am not old and confused." Li Hongzhang developed a high fever the next day, and Sheng Xuanhuai was so panicked that while he was seeing a doctor, he sent someone to Baoding to deliver a letter, and urgently notified Li Hongzhang's condition to the Zongli Yamen. At that time, the Zongli Yamen was busy begging the ministers of various countries to mediate the war between China and Japan, and ignored Sheng Xuanhuai's report. Li Hongzhang's condition became milder, so he struggled to get up.He couldn't let go of the war between China and Japan, let alone the Beiyang Navy he had worked so hard to build. However, the ships of the Beiyang Navy were not kept in the end.On the day when Japanese Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu refused to negotiate peace with Chinese ministers of plenipotentiary Zhang Yinhuan and Shao Youlian, the Japanese army landed at Chengshantou, fell into Rongcheng County, copied Weihaiwei’s back road, successively broke through Weihaiwei’s southern fort and northern fort, and besieged Beiyang by land and water. fleet.The entire Beiyang navy was wiped out, and the admiral Ding Ruchang committed suicide by taking poison. After the Japanese army occupied Weihaiwei, the fast ships launched Liugong Island, and Xuan also occupied Liugong Island. Li Hongzhang's timidity caused the Beiyang Navy to hide from east to west, and was beaten everywhere passively.If the Beiyang Navy had taken the initiative to meet the enemy from the beginning of the battle, even though the ships were short of live ammunition, with the huge momentum of the Beiyang Navy, the Japanese army would definitely be afraid, let alone be so arrogant.Li Hongzhang had been on the battlefield for a long time and was familiar with military books. When things came to an end, he just forgot the famous military saying "Soldiers are tricky". Tian Bei came to Zongli Yamen again to convey Japan’s thoughts: If the Qing government wanted to negotiate peace, it had to agree to cede land in addition to confirming North Korea’s independence and compensation. Until the Qing Dynasty was smashed. After the princes and ministers of the Qing Dynasty in Beijing learned of Japan's request, they quarreled again. Prince Gong, Sun Yuwen, Xu Yongyi, etc. believed that "if you don't cede the land, you may end up in trouble", but Weng Tonghe, Li Hongzao, etc. advocated that "it is better to pay with money than to cede the land." Emperor Guangxu has long since lost his opinion. Apart from swearing a few words, he has no other words coming out of his mouth.Several princes and several military ministers quarreled for three days without any results, and finally ran into the garden to see the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother immediately said: "A decree is drawn up by the military plane to reward Li Hongzhang's purple reins and the post of captain of the cavalry. The imperial decree will be handed out today without delay. Also, isn't Li Hongzhang sick? Send an imperial doctor to reward him again." He has two ginseng plants. He is in his seventies, can he stand up to your tossing like this?"