It was about to freeze, and then Xu Shichang said: "Zhongtang, everyone, in my opinion, we should first determine the safety of the emperor before making a decision."

Shaochang frowned and said, "How to determine the Emperor's safety?"

Xu Shichang smiled and said, "Of course I sent someone to Tianjin to meet the emperor and listen to the holy wishes in person."

Shaochang snorted and said, "Tianjin is still an old anti-pseudo-rebel, who dares to go?"

Xu Shichang sneered and said, "If you don't dare to go, I'm willing to go." This is exactly the result of his discussion with Tang Shaoyi yesterday. Guangxu only had the title of emperor, but he had no authority. His handwritten letter was just a step for those officials who wanted to surrender. However, not all officials wanted to surrender. There were always a few minds who were just thinking about dying for the city and fulfilling loyalty to the Qing Dynasty. These people would no longer like Guangxu's letters. Therefore, when the ministers gathered to discuss the matter. So the two discussed that if the discussion was deadlocked, then Xu Shichang came forward and went to Tianjin to negotiate the surrender with the East China Government on the grounds of visiting Guangxu. After returning, he said that this was Guangxu's intention. Why did he come back with a Guangxu imperial edict? Who can still verify it?

Although Zhang Zhidong was still a little scholarly, he was a smart person after all. When he heard Xu Shichang volunteering to go to Tianjin, he could basically guess Xu Shichang's intention by 70% or 80%. Of course, this was exactly what he wanted, so he nodded and said, "It is naturally better for the chrysanthemum to go."

Shaochang said: "Wait, I'm not at ease when Xu Shichang goes alone. I'm not sure what he said after he comes back. I don't know if he saw the emperor or if what he brought back is the emperor's words!"

Xu Shichang sneered and said, "Does Lord Shao want to go to Tianjin next to be a witness?"

Shaochang immediately took a step back and waved his hands repeatedly and said, "I didn't say I wanted to go to Tianjin, but you can't go alone."

Xu Shichang laughed and said, "Sir Shao doesn't dare to go, so you might as well designate someone and go with you next time."

As soon as he finished speaking, the others subconsciously took a few steps back, fearing that Shaochang would point to him. In fact, Shaochang was also a little difficult to do at this time. Although he could guess that Xu Shichang took the initiative to volunteer to go to Tianjin because he was not in a good mood, at least he would not have any trouble, because Xu Shichang was a party of Yuan Shikai, and Yuan Shikai always regarded himself as having a good relationship with the East China Government in the Qing Dynasty and was able to speak well with the East China Government. Therefore, he probably wouldn't have any trouble when he went to Tianjin. This is different from Yuan Shikai's party. Didn't Tang Shaoyi, who was the same as Yuan Shikai's party, be released by the East China Government? But he did not have this condition and asked him to designate others to go with Xu Shichang. Isn't this offending?

At this moment, Zaitao stepped forward and said, "I'll accompany Lord Xu for a walk."

Xu Shichang was stunned for a moment. He really didn't expect anyone to go with him, but he must not be afraid at this time. After all, he had just said something loudly and wanted to find someone to accompany him. Now Zaitao came forward. Although he was reluctant, he could never show it on his face and words. Therefore, he smiled and said, "It turns out that Zaitao is willing to go with him, but that's not good. Please let Brother Shaochuan go and inform him first, Zaitao and I are ready to leave now."

Tang Shaoyi immediately understood what Xu Shichang meant, which was to ask himself to inform the East China Government first to see what the East China Government was about Zaitao, so he nodded and said, "Okay, I'll leave immediately."

Seeing Zaitao volunteering, Shaochang and Rongqing were also very happy. On the one hand, they were helping him, and on the other hand, Zaitao was indeed the most suitable candidate. Therefore, they all expressed their agreement.

In fact, Zaitao's idea was not that complicated, and it was completely dominated by family affection. Guangxu and Zaifeng were both his brothers. Although he didn't meet Guangxu much, he was a fellow brother. Zaifeng grew up with him since childhood and had a deep brotherhood. Guangxu and Zaifeng were captured by the People's Army. Zaitao was naturally very worried. Xu Shichang invited someone to visit Guangxu with him in public, but no one dared to respond. Zaitao was also quite angry, so he became hot and took the initiative to accompany Xu Shichang.

After saying this, it came to an end. Everything was waiting for Xu Shichang and Zaitao to make a decision after he went to Tianjin.

Tang Shaoyi first left the city and rushed to the military camp of Sifang Railway Station, where there was a telegram line directly connected to Tianjin. He could inform Tianjin of the situation in Beijing, and wait for Tianjin's reply.

Sure enough, after the telegram was sent, Tianjin quickly sent a call back and forth, expressing that they welcomed Xu Shichang and Zaitao to visit Guangxu in Tianjin, and negotiated to resolve the situation in Beijing. At the same time, they also ensured the personal safety of the two people and arranged for them to meet Guangxu.

After receiving a reply from Tianjin, Tang Shaoyi was relieved. It seemed that the East China Government had the confidence to control Guangxu. In this way, even if he did not help the East China Government to persuade the surrender, he also made a lot of efforts in it. Without any contribution, he would work hard.

So Tang Shaoyi immediately rushed back to Beijing and informed Zhang Zhidong of the attitude of the East China Government. After hearing this, Zhang Zhidong was completely relieved. Even if the East China Government dared to let Guangxu meet Zaitao, it means that they had completed control of Guangxu and could let Guangxu say what they hoped.

The next morning, Tang Shaoyi, Xu Shichang and Zaitao left Beijing, took a train at Sifang Railway Station, and rushed to Tianjin.

Not long after they left, someone reported to Zhang Zhidong that British Minister Zhuerdian and French Minister Pan Sunna came to visit. It turned out that the ministers of various countries had just received the news that the Qing court had sent people to Tianjin. Although the famous talks were to visit Guangxu, everyone knew that they were actually going to negotiate the surrender with the East China government. However, this put the countries aside. The plans of various countries to secondment and interfere, and to fight for their own interests naturally went bankrupt. Therefore, British Minister Zhuerdian and French Minister Pan Sunna were entrusted by the ministers of other countries to visit Zhang Zhidong quickly to understand the situation and see if there is any possibility of recovery.

Zhang Zhidong knew what they were here for when he heard this, but at this time, Zhang Zhidong didn't care about the attitudes of various countries, because once the Qing court surrendered, the East China Government would be in charge of Beijing, and naturally the East China Government would deal with various countries. The East China Government was not the Qing court. They would not be afraid of various countries, and then all countries would probably not be able to jump up.

Despite this, Zhang Zhidong still ordered people to invite the two ministers in. After sitting down, before the servants could bring tea, Zhu Erdian said, "Zhang Zhongtang, I heard that you have sent someone to Tianjin to negotiate with the East China Government."

Zhang Zhidong laughed and said, "Mr. Minister, we did send people to Tianjin, but we did not negotiate with the East China Government, but to see our emperor. As for whether to negotiate or not, it depends entirely on the emperor's intention."

Zhu Erdian frowned and said, "Zhang Zhongtang, please be honest. Negotiating with the East China Government at this time is very unfavorable to your country. Although I have no intention of offending, your emperor is now a prisoner of the East China Government, and it is impossible for him to make a decision that is beneficial to your country. Frankly speaking, before sending someone to Tianjin, you should tell us what you can entrust us to Tianjin to negotiate with the East China Government. This is a good way to your country."

Zhang Zhidong said lightly: "We appreciate your country's kindness, but we can handle our own affairs by China. Moreover, the East China government does not want other forces to participate in the negotiations between us, so I can only express my regret for this."

Zhu Erdian obviously did not expect that Zhang Zhidong's attitude was very different from before. He was no longer timid, so he also said with a tough voice: "You will certainly not interfere with your own affairs, but how can our countries in Beijing be protected? At least we must give us a clear statement, otherwise our countries will consider taking appropriate actions to protect their interests."

Zhang Zhidong said: "If Beijing is still in charge of the Qing Dynasty, then the interests of various countries in Beijing will naturally remain unchanged, and there is no need for any guarantee. But if the East China Government is in charge of the East China Government in the future, then how to protect the interests of various countries in Beijing should be negotiated with the East China Government. I am powerless. What are your ways? Just go to the East China Government. I wish you good luck first."

Pan Sunna couldn't help but say, "You all went to Tianjin, so let's talk about it."

Zhang Zhidong smiled and said, "Don't all countries have their own consulates in Qingdao? You can go to the East China Government to negotiate by yourself. Why do you have to form a group to Tianjin by yourself? Why do you have to go with us?"

The two ministers were also speechless by Zhang Zhidong. In fact, both of them knew that it was impossible for countries to negotiate with the East China Government. Therefore, they wanted to represent the Qing court to negotiate with the East China Government so that they could have some bargaining chips in their hands. But now this road is obviously not feasible, and when it comes to this point, there is nothing to say, so they got up and said goodbye to Zhang Zhidong and rushed back to negotiate countermeasures.
Chapter completed!