Ever since the Russian envoy was rebuffed at the opening ceremony of the Prime Minister's Office for Foreign Affairs, he left behind a sentence,"If you don't know what's good for you, just wait to suffer the wrath of the Russian Empire!"”Then, he left.
Although everyone was very happy that day, Li Qing was not happy at all. With the current military strength of the Qing Kingdom in the northeast region, they were no match for the Russian governor of Siberia.
Unless the entire country was mobilized, there was no chance of victory. However, the current Qing Kingdom probably did not even have the strength of half a country. Moreover, with the attitude of the imperial court, how could they be willing to go all out?
The Silver Peace Hall of Prince Gong's Mansion.
"Wangye, you mean to expand the army!”Wen Xiang said in surprise after hearing Li Qing's suggestion. "Back then, we took a lot of risks because of this!”
"Bochuan, opportunities and crises coexist. Now that Russia is aggressive, if we don't expand our army, we definitely won't be a match for Russia. Think about the beautiful land that the kings of the past generations had to overcome difficulties to obtain. If we lose our land because of our inaction, then we will be sinners in history!”Li Qing said excitedly.
"But, wangye, even though that's the case, if wangye expanded the army and aroused the emperor's suspicion, wangye might very well be framed by Sushun's accomplices. Moreover, didn't the British and French ambassadors clearly oppose Russia's illegal invasion of our country that night? I think that Russia, which has just experienced the defeat of the Crimean War, should not openly violate the opinions of the world's first and second strongest countries!”Wen Xiang said earnestly.
"Hahaha, Bochuan, I think you are not young anymore, but why are you still so childish? For the past two hundred years, the Russian Tsar has been tirelessly seeking the northeast of the Qing Dynasty. You can see how persistent they are about this matter. Now that they have finally found an opportunity, they are going to give up just because of a word from the British and French ambassadors. In less than half a year, Russia would definitely take it by force!”Li Qing said with a smile.
Wen Xiang was a little embarrassed by Li Qing's words. "Your Highness, we can't take charge of this matter. After all, this is a big matter. Your Highness, you'd better inform the Emperor in Rehe!”
Li Qing nodded. "Don't worry, this king knows what to do. However, the expansion of the army cannot be delayed. The earlier we recruit, the more training we have, and the higher our chances of winning.”
"Alright then! I'll talk to Baoyun about this later. He's better at recruiting soldiers!”Wen Xiang saw that Li Qing had already made up his mind and could only support him with all his might.
Li Qing smiled. "Baoyun is indeed an expert at recruiting soldiers. The 8,000 young men he recruited last time were rare good soldiers! Right, your words just now reminded me that although we can't rely on the words of the British and French envoys to retreat the enemy, we can use their military strength.”
Thus, Li Qing whispered in Wen Xiang's ear for a long time. After receiving the order, Wen Xiang walked out with a mysterious smile.
......
The next day, Wen Xiang and Bao Yun received Li Qing's orders and rushed to the Prime Minister's Office!
"Your Highness, is there news from the British and French envoys?”As soon as they entered the yamen, Baoyun said anxiously to Li Qing.
"Yes! They had just sent someone to say that the British and French envoys would personally come to the Prime Minister's Office to discuss how to curb the Russian expansion in the Far East!”
"Pei Heng!" As soon as Li Qing finished speaking, he suddenly turned his face and asked Baoyun, causing him to be stunned."Ah! Your humble servant is here."
"Is there a summary of the recruitment?"
"Your Highness, according to my previous experience, this lowly official has already made some preliminary arrangements. In less than seven days, the ten thousand young men that Your Highness ordered will be fully recruited! However, Your Highness, we have people, but we lack firearms. Other than the 2000 firearms that we purchased from the American envoy, we don't have any other sources!”
Li Qing nodded and turned his face." This matter, this king thinks that perhaps we can seek some help from the British and French.”
Baoyun was stunned.”After being stunned for a moment, he suddenly kowtowed."Your Highness, the British and French have just invaded our Qing Dynasty and returned in the end. Are they still willing to help us?”
"Peiheng, you're very wrong. You can ask Bochuan about this!”
Baoyun looked at Wen Xiang. "Brother Bochuan, what exactly is going on?”
"Peiheng, I think you're confused?”Wen Xiang scolded him with a smile and said,"Have you forgotten what happened in front of the Prime Minister's office two days ago?"”
Baoyun patted her head and said,""That's right, how could I forget about this? Based on the situation at that time, it seems that the British and French envoys had a grudge with the Russian envoy.”
Just as the few of them were discussing fervently, the official on duty outside walked in and reported,"Your Highness, the British and French envoys have arrived at the yamen!”
Li Qing smiled and said,"Quickly invite the envoys of the two countries in. No!" This king will personally welcome them." After saying that, they walked towards the yamen's entrance.
"Your Highness, you actually came out personally to welcome us! I'm really honored." The Anglo-French envoy bowed and smiled.
Li Qing cupped his hands and said," It's nothing, it's nothing. For the two envoys to be able to come so late, I also feel a deep sincerity!"”
Thus, both parties entered the meeting hall amidst compliments.
As soon as both parties sat down, the British envoy went straight to the point."I think that the purpose of both sides sitting together is very clear. It's getting late. In order to better cooperate, we have already made a detailed assistance plan.”
The French envoy nodded.
When Li Qing received the list, he was stunned. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief and asked after confirming it again,"Ministers, this king is a little confused. Does your country not have any other requirements for such a large amount of firearms?”
Ge Luo laughed." Your Highness, it's just 15,000 firearms and 100 cannons. Why is Your Highness so shocked?!" But of course, there is no free lunch in this world. Other than hoping that Your Highness can use this batch of firearms to teach the despicable Russians a lesson, we also need Your Highness to agree to a small request of ours!”
Li Qing smiled in his heart after hearing that. As expected, things were not that simple. However, these firearms were indeed what he urgently needed, so Li Qing still asked,"May I know what you need this king's help with?”
"Actually, it's nothing much. It's just that the railway construction rights that Your Highness mentioned last time, our two countries hope..."
......
After the British and French envoys left, Wen Xiang and Baoyun looked at Li Qing in confusion." Your Highness, do you really plan to hand over the railway construction rights in Zhili and Shandong to the British and French countries?”
"Well, according to our country's current situation, whether it's technology or steel, we don't have the ability to build a railway independently. Moreover, the railway technology of Britain and France is already very mature. In addition, the most important point is that only by giving them enough benefits will they increase their support for us in the future war against Russia!”
"But don't they also have a grudge against Russia? Even if we don't agree, are they willing to watch Russia win?”Baoyun asked in confusion.
"You are wrong." Taking this opportunity, Li Qing gave everyone a speech."For the people of Britain, France, and even the entire Omi country, what they want is nothing more than 'profit'. Do you think they are willing to go all out just for the sake of the drug? It wasn't like that. They are just trying to get more benefits from China.
The benefits that could satisfy the greed of the British were firearms and railroads.”
"I understand now. If we don't give them enough benefits, they will likely help Russia for the sake of benefits!”Wen Xiang said seriously.
"Bochuan is right. There are no eternal enemies, only eternal benefits!”Li Qing patted the table and said.
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