At the beginning, the Boxer Rebellion was actually just a local civil society organization in Shandong with some superstitious colors. In Chinese history, there were countless similar civil organizations, and most of them were quickly destroyed, and a few might even make a spark.

The Boxer Rebellion was able to develop from Shandong to Hebei in less than a year, and even enter Beijing, becoming an important force that influenced the entire China in 1900. It was not because the Boxer Rebellion was so powerful, or had excellent leadership and organizers, but because it was promoted by some ministers of the Qing Dynasty, either openly or secretly.

Among the Qing ministers who supported the Boxer Rebellion behind them were local governors, military ministers in Beijing, relatives of the Qing court, and even the substantial ruler of the Qing court. They were either purely hostile to foreigners; or to fight for power and attack political enemies; or to consolidate their own power and status. They needed a force that could fight against foreigners. The so-called magical power of the Boxer Rebellion allowed them to see hope, or blindly believe in what they were willing to believe, but no matter what the reason was, they eventually indulged in the Boxer Rebellion's power to expand and develop to Beijing, and they were instigated to attack embassies of various countries, and advocated declaring war on all countries.

It was only when the Eight-Nation Alliance really came, the ministers who supported the Boxer Rebellion discovered that the so-called magical power of the Boxer Rebellion was simply unreliable, but at this time, the Eight-Nation Alliance was at the foot of Beijing. After the breaking of Beijing, some ministers who supported the Boxer Rebellion died in war or were captured and executed by the Eight-Nation Alliance, but most of them still escaped from Beijing and gradually met with Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu, and arrived in Taiyuan.

Although the Qing court's exile court was temporarily settled in Taiyuan, the ministers who had supported the Boxer Rebellion had never been calm for a moment. Because the situation had developed to this point, there were only two consequences: one was that the Eight-Nation Alliance continued to attack and destroyed Daqing; the other was that the court and foreigners had successfully negotiated peace, but no matter which result, the ministers who had supported the Boxer Rebellion would not have a good ending.

If the Eight-Nation Alliance destroyed Daqing, there was no need. Whether the foreigners directly divided China or supported a new dynasty, the old ministers of the Qing court would definitely not have a good end. If the court and foreigners successfully negotiate peace, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor might be able to save their lives, but the ministers who had supported the Boxer Rebellion at the time would definitely be introduced to be scapegoats.

Moreover, a list of punishments issued by foreigners began to be transferred in Taiyuan, including most of the officials and royal families who fled with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. Foreigners claimed that only those on the list could be negotiated. The reason why the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had not taken action was that they were waiting for the foreigners to formally accept the promise and only pursue the people on the list, rather than the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. After killing these people, they immediately negotiated peace.

If this is still just a rumor, then Li Hongzhang sent a telegram from Shanghai, asking the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to issue judgments and punish princes and ministers who supported the Boxer Rebellion's main battle, and to express the Qing court's determination to admit their mistakes to the foreigners. That's true. Although Li Hongzhang did not name the telegram and wanted to punish those ministers, most people estimated that they must be one of them. But that road is a dead end.

The emergence of this group of overseas Chinese, defeating the Eight-Nation Alliance and conquering Tianjin, made the ministers who had supported the Boxer Rebellion seem to see a life-saving straw, and naturally they must seize it. If this group of overseas Chinese can completely defeat the Eight-Nation Alliance and drive all the foreigners out of China, then their lives will be saved. Therefore, these ministers tried their best to advise Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu. First of all, they praised the overseas Chinese, called them overseas righteous people, cared about China, and the Qing Dynasty was expected to revive, and suggested that the court should immediately recruit the overseas Chinese and entrusted them with important tasks to deal with the Eight-Nation Alliance, and it would be best to drive all the foreigners out of the land of China.

In addition, he was desperately attacking Li Hongzhang, because Li Hongzhang was responsible for peace talks with foreigners, and he also called on the Queen Mother and the Emperor to issue judgments and punish princes and ministers who supported the Boxer Rebellion. Now that he has this group of overseas Chinese, Li Hongzhang naturally does not need him. Then he would not take the opportunity to step on a few steps, and then when will he wait?

Li Hongzhang naturally knew the thoughts of these ministers, and couldn't help feeling a deep sense of powerlessness. It was these people who brought the country to such an uncontrollable level, and now they still did not forget to fight for power and profit. They were striving to protect the Qing Dynasty, but they were desperately pulling their backs.

At this time, Zhang Peilun said: "Father-in-law, everyone, although the court is rushing, Peilun seems that he cannot delay any more. The Empress Dowager has always been smart and well-versed in the truth. This time it was just a fool. The emperor has experienced several major disasters and understands that the current situation will no longer be deceived by evil people. Therefore, as long as we call back and express the interests, the Empress Dowager, the Emperor will naturally understand. Therefore, it is urgent to reply to the court as soon as possible."

Zhou Fu was also relieved. Zhang Peilun had experienced great changes and great hardships. Although he had resigned for many years, his judgment of the current situation was much clearer than that of the past. He had long since lost his enthusiasm for the scholars when he was Qingliu. So he said: "Mr. Zhongtang, Youqiao's words are extremely true. The most urgent thing now is to stabilize the court first. If the court can't help it, he will send someone to contact overseas Chinese first. There may be many changes in it. Therefore, I think it's better to let Youqiao draft the draft and reply to the court."

Li Hongzhang turned to look at Zhang Peilun, and Zhang Peilun hurriedly said, "Pelun is responsible for this matter."

Li Hongzhang also said, "Okay, this matter is for Peilun." After a pause, Li Hongzhang said, "Can the court delay the delay be, but how can the foreigners deal with it? They are still waiting for my reply."

Everyone was helpless for a moment. After a while, Zhou Fu said, "Zhongtang, I think it's better to tell the truth to the foreigners. Let's see how the foreigners answer. It's not too late to make any further decisions. Moreover, even if the foreigners want to increase their troops, it will take at least half a year to deal with them."

Li Hongzhang frowned, thought for a while, then sighed, "I have to do this, so I will go to the British Consulate tomorrow morning."

Li Jingfang, who had not made any noise at this time, said: "Father, we can deal with each other for a while, but we must not be prepared on our side, because both aspects cannot be delayed for too long, and foreigners do not need to do so. Even the people in the court are not successful enough, but they have more than enough failures, and we must also prepare for it."

Li Hongzhang glanced at him and said, "What do you mean is planning to do?"

Li Jingfang said: "Aren't overseas Chinese waiting for foreigners to take the initiative to save them? I wonder if we will send people to Tianjin to contact overseas Chinese first and test his attitude. Isn't this Zhao Weizhong here? But he came to Shanghai alone without taking his family, so he will definitely return to Tianjin. When he returns, we can send people to Tianqiu with him, and then introduce him to contact overseas Chinese. This step cannot allow the court to take the lead."

Li Hongzhang pondered for a while before saying, "So who is the most suitable person to send to Tianjin?"

Li Jingfang immediately said: "My son is willing to go this trip for his father."

Li Hongzhang turned his head to stare at Li Jingfang, his eyes unchanged for a long time, and Li Jingfang was a little weak when he saw him, so he lowered his head and did not dare to look at Li Hongzhang's gaze. Li Hongzhang sighed secretly. In fact, Li Jingfang's proposal was very good. After all, he had Zhao Weizhong, a middleman, so he sent a close confidant around him who had no actual official position to Tianjin to contact overseas Chinese to contact overseas Chinese, and to explore overseas Chinese with a good attitude and explanation to the court. How foreigners plan to deal with overseas Chinese, he is also prepared for it. However, Li Hongzhang also understood that Li Jingfang made this suggestion and volunteered to pass through Tianjin, which was actually his own selfishness.

Li Jingfang is just Li Hongzhang's adopted son, but he was raised by Li Hongzhang. No one knows his son as good as his father. Of course, Li Hongzhang knows his son's character, character, and what he is thinking in his heart.

To be fair, Li Jingfang is not an incompetent person. He has also learned foreign languages ​​and scripts since he was a child. After becoming an adult, he has worked with Li Hongzhang in various major affairs of internal and foreign affairs. Later, he served as counselor to the UK, a US counselor, and a Japanese minister. He has a lot of experience in both Westernization and foreign affairs. He also has a certain understanding of the pattern of the entire world. In this era, Li Jingfang's talents can indeed be considered a leader, much better than most officials in the Qingting.

Of course, Li Jingfang's ability to achieve these achievements has a great relationship with the father Li Hongzhang. Without Li Hongzhang, there would be no Li Jingfang today. But because of Li Hongzhang's existence, Li Jingfang could only act as Li Hongzhang's assistant and did not have much opportunity to display his personal talent.

Li Jingfang didn't want to live under the shadow of his father. During the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Li Jingfang took the initiative to volunteer to Li Hongzhang to supervise the war in the front line, hoping to establish military achievements on the front line and get rid of Li Hongzhang's shackles. However, Zhang Peilun was advised and blocked by Zhang Peilun. As a result, the relationship between the uncle and uncle was once in a row, and a rumor that "Hefei wanted to kill Zhang Rongzhai" was also rumored to "hefei wanted to kill Zhang Rongzhai". What alarmed the court, Duanliang, the censor impeached Zhang Peilun on the grounds of deposing officials and discussing national affairs. As a result, Guangxu issued an order to expel Zhang back to his hometown. After the Sino-Japanese War of 1895, the father and son of the Li family became the target of public criticism, and the public opinion of the whole country was infuriated. Li Hongzhang was accused of being a traitor, and Li Jingfang was also asked about being a Japanese spy because he had served as a Japanese envoy.

In fact, Li Hongzhang did not understand his son's thoughts, but before the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, he served as the governor of Zhili. The Beiyang ministers established the Huai Army and formed the Beiyang Navy. They were called the central government before entering the military plane. This has caused suspicion from the court and controlled the elbows from many parties. If Erjie comes forward, the court will be uneasy day and night, so they can only suppress Erjie. Zhang Peilun understood this and urged Li Hongzhang not to appoint Li Jingfang as a general.
Chapter completed!