1850 American Gold Tycoon

"Why don't you keep a reserve team?"

Liang Shaoqiong was puzzled when he saw that Liang Yao was like a gambler and put all his troops into the battle without even leaving a battalion of reserve teams.

"Faced with these British troops, can a regiment or a battalion reserve team turn the tide of the war?" Liang Yao asked rhetorically.

"cannot."

Liang Shaoqiong had to admit that with their current strength facing the British and French coalition forces of nearly 10,000 people, it was really useless to have a reserve force of 1,000 or 800 people.

"The British are smarter than we thought. As long as the casualties in the first wave of attacks are too great, they will not fight us to the death." Liang Yao analyzed calmly.

"Xiangshan, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong Island are not their main targets. For the same reason, we are not their main target in this expedition."

Palmerston's clamor in Parliament that not entering Guangzhou means not entering the Qing Dynasty is just a political slogan. Naturally, the goal of the British and French coalition forces will not be as simple as entering Guangzhou.

Their ultimate goal is to enter the capital and set up an embassy in the city. Justifiably, it extended its economic tentacles along the great rivers to the hinterland of the Qing Dynasty.

To achieve this goal, it is useless to conquer Guangzhou, Xiamen, Ningbo, and even Zhenjiang and Nanjing like the first time.

Only armed visits to Dagukou and even the capital city of the Qing Dynasty made the men of the capital city afraid to go out for a walk and felt personally threatened.

Only then did the central government of the Qing court be willing to sit at the negotiating table and seriously discuss the establishment of an embassy in the capital city of the Qing Dynasty with the special envoys of Britain and France.

Otherwise, even if the British and French forces destroyed the entire south, the Qing rulers would not care.

"The Emperor of the Capital" Liang Shaoqiong is a smart man, and he reacted quickly.

"Exactly." Liang Yao nodded and said to Liang Shaoqiong seriously.

"In these troubled times, this is a golden opportunity for our Liang family."

This risky visit to Xiangshan was not only to push Liang Shaoqiong to protect the interests of the West Coast region in the Far East. Liang Yao's most important goal is to obtain a stable dumping market with a comparative advantage. So that after losing part of the local market in the future, the economic myth of the West Coast region can continue.

If the economic myth of the West Coast region is to continue and thrive, there must be a large enough market to digest the products of the West Coast region.

At this point, Liang Yao and Ying France have the same goals.

The point of disagreement is that Britain hopes that the Chinese market will be dominated by the British Empire, while Liang Yao hopes that the United States will dominate. The British wanted to sell longevity ointments and cotton textiles, while Liang Yao wanted to sell kerosene and arms.

"You mean King Qin?" Liang Shaoqiong asked.

"Yes, King Qin, in the whole world, even in the great Qing Dynasty, you are the only one qualified to be King Qin." Liang Yao said.

Liang Shaoqiong was born in Juren, and his fame limited Liang Shaoqiong's progress in his official career.

If you want to climb to a higher position in a short period of time and form your own political force, it is not enough for you to be just a minister of the Ministry of War or the right minister of the Ministry of War.

The merit of King Qin’s protection is the best way for Liang Shaoqiong to overcome the barriers of fame and fame.

In the late Qing Dynasty, it is not that there were no Han ministers who took the position of high official in the feudal territory with the title of civil servant. It depends on whether Liang Shaoqiong has the courage and ability.

This is why Liang Yaoming knew that the war in Guangdong would be very difficult, but still did not suggest Liang Shaoqiong to transfer the main force of Yue Yong back to Guangdong to fight.

The main force of Guangdong Yong departed from the Jiangnan area to go north to Qinwang, which was more convenient and faster than starting from Guangdong to go north to Qinwang.

"The British and French coalition forces are too powerful. Even if I use all my strength and the main force of the Guangdong Yong, I still can't defeat them." Liang Shaoqiong said matter-of-factly.

"Besides, the brothers in the old camp are all veterans who have been with me for many years. I can't bear to let them die as cannon fodder."

"King Qin, King Qin, protecting the emperor's integrity is the primary goal, and fighting the British and French forces is only secondary." Liang Yao said.

"Those who can achieve great things don't stick to trivial matters. With the financial resources of our Liang family, let alone a few Yueyong old camps in the future, we can even afford twenty or thirty of them and we can afford to support them."

Liang Shaoqiong paced back and forth in the courtyard. He didn't expect Liang Yao to think so long-term.

Going further, he really wants to go further, and King Qin is indeed a shortcut for him to go further.

Even if he wiped out all the Hongyang bandits, in the eyes of the Manchu dignitaries and the Manchu emperor, his unparalleled contribution to suppressing the rebellion was far less important than the merits of King Qin. .

After all, King Qin represented his loyalty to the Manchus, and what the Manchu dignitaries valued most about a Han official was not how capable he was, but his loyalty.

Some of the Manchu dignitaries in the capital must know what Ye Mingchen did in Guangzhou.

But so what? Ye Mingchen is not yet able to secure his position as governor.

The reason why Ye Mingchen can be the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi is not because of Ye Mingchen's ability and qualification for this position, but because Ye Mingchen is good at maneuvering and knows how to show his loyalty to the court. While showing his loyalty, he also pleases the court with some achievements that are not his own.

Loyal and capable, which leader of the Qing Dynasty wouldn't like such subordinates?

Liang Shaoqiong still understands this truth. But before that, he was unwilling to join the ranks of Ye Mingchen and others.

Hong Mingxiang's death deeply touched him. After this war, he suddenly realized that Ye Mingchen and Bai Gui were the ones who understood their lives best.

"I understand. As soon as King Qin's edict arrives, I will immediately mobilize troops to serve King Qin!" Liang Shaoqiong paused, and he finally made up his mind to serve King Qin.

"It will be too late when King Qin's edict arrives." Liang Yao shook his head.

"Guangzhou City fell in less than a day. How long do you think the capital city can hold out? You don't have control of the sea. King Qin's army can only take the land route and must leave in advance."

"What about Xiangshan and you?" Liang Shaoqiong was a little worried about Liang Yao's safety.

The success of the Liang family depends entirely on Liang Yao, and Liang Yao is the backbone of the Liang family. Anything can happen to anyone in the Liang family, but nothing can happen to Liang Yao. If something happens to Liang Yao, the consequences to the Liang family will be disastrous.

"I am the plenipotentiary envoy of the United States. Britain and France will not kill me." Liang Yao smiled calmly and pointed to his head.

"The head on my neck is not that easy to get. Just worry about King Anqin. I will be in charge here in Xiangshan, so there won't be any big trouble.

Furthermore, in the future, if the British and French forces ask for negotiations, do you understand that you must come forward to negotiate? Otherwise, Hong Kong, which was finally won, will be returned to the British.

Remember, the goal of Britain and France sending troops this time is to set up an embassy in the capital city and cede territory to pay compensation. Fight for it if you can, and don't give in easily. Especially on Hong Kong Island, there is no reason to spit out the meat that is eaten into the mouth. "

"The entire court understands foreigners best, and I am the only one who can communicate normally with foreigners. When necessary, I will come forward to talk to the British and French." Liang Shaoqiong sighed and added.

"Even if it means bearing infamy, it will be criticized by thousands of people."

In fact, Liang Shaoqiong does not know much about Western countries and foreigners, but so far, he is the person who knows the most about foreign affairs among the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty. Letting those rotten scholars who are ignorant of what is happening outside the window and only read the books of sages and sages talk to foreigners will only suffer greater losses.

Since the Battle of the Southeast, negotiating and signing contracts with foreigners has been the most despised and despised job.

The three people who originally signed the Jiangning strip all ended well. Qiying fell out of favor, Yilibu died in depression, and Niu Jian, the second-rank governor of Liangjiang, was directly demoted to the seventh-rank river minister Dai Zui meritorious service.

It's damning if anyone is willing to take on such a thankless task.

——————

Seymour was shocked to see the destruction of Victoria Harbor on Hong Kong Island and the Qing flag flying on the island.

After joining forces with the remnants of the British and French allied forces in Guangzhou City.

After discussions, the senior leaders of the British and French coalition forces decided to retake Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong Island is the logistics base for the coalition forces to advance and the strategic fulcrum of the British Empire in the Far East. It cannot be lost so easily.

Victoria Harbor has been destroyed in advance by Liang Yao, and the port's piers are also blocked by sunken ships. It is not suitable to attack Victoria Harbor from the front.

After investigation, the British and French forces decided to land on the beach in the Taikoo Village area where the Qing army had landed.

At the Taikoo Village position, half of the machine gun regiment was standing ready, ready to resist the attack of the British and French forces.

"The Qing army only sent so few people to guard such an important position?"

Grant raised his telescope and looked at the scattered defenders on the Taikoo Village position, feeling very strange.

There were six to seven hundred people responsible for guarding such a large position, and the position was very scattered. A dozen people are responsible for a position that is hundreds of meters long and tens of meters deep.

Even if the British and French coalition forces were to take charge of such a long position, they would still need a company of troops.

In Grant's decades of military career, he had never seen any commander confident enough to dare to set up a position like this.

If any of his subordinates dared to set up defensive positions like this, they would be dismissed on the spot and sent to a military court.

"It may be that our army has arrived. These rats knew that they could not hold Hong Kong Island and were no match for our British army, so they gave up directly." Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies in Hong Kong, Spence, requested to go to war.

"Your Excellency, please allow me to lead the troops to regain Hong Kong Island!"

The commander-in-chief of the three armed forces stationed in Hong Kong lost Hong Kong Island. This was the biggest stain in his career.

Spence now wanted to rush to Hong Kong Island and tear the Qing soldiers on Hong Kong Island into pieces one by one in order to relieve his hatred and wash away the shame of losing Hong Kong Island.

If those colleagues in London knew that the Qing army captured Hong Kong Island during his tenure, I wonder what kind of cold jokes they would make to make fun of him.

"Rat people? They are rats. So what are you if you lose Hong Kong Island? Are my soldiers of the British Empire not even as good as rats?"

Grant was very dissatisfied with Spence who lost Hong Kong Island.

The loss of Hong Kong Island completely disrupted his battle plan, and he had to spend extra time, energy, and even casualties to retake Hong Kong Island.

"Your Excellency! That's not what I meant!" Spence hurriedly explained.

"Stop talking if it's useless. I've heard about Liang Yao. He's extremely cunning and uses strange tactics. It's better to be careful. If we don't protect Hong Kong Island, it's a trap he's prepared for us." Grant interrupted unceremoniously. Spence, he didn't want to continue wasting words with Spence.

"Since you have the intention to regain Hong Kong Island and make meritorious service, I will give you this opportunity. Bring your troops stationed in Hong Kong, and I will give you an infantry regiment of the Madras Regiment to attack immediately to capture Hong Kong Island."

After India became independent, many areas were renamed in order to decolonize and wash away colonial marks, and Madras was one of them.

Madras, later known as Chennai in India, is the largest port city in the Tamil Nadu region of South India and one of the areas where the British East India Company has the most stable rule in India.

It is said that the cause of the conflict in Sanyuanli was that Indian soldiers of the Madras Regiment molested local women and aroused public outrage.

The authenticity of this matter is unknown, but it is irrefutable that the Madras soldiers were willing to serve as pawns of the British and Indian colonial authorities.

From the first drug war to the second drug war, the Madras region was the area that responded most actively.

"Thank you, Your Excellency!" Spence was very excited. He was gearing up to show off his skills.

"I am coming too!"

Out of eagerness to serve, little Meng Tuoban also applied to fight.

Considering that Britain and France are now jointly sending troops, and that Old Meng Toban also wants to train Little Meng Toban and accumulate military merit for Little Meng Toban, Little Meng Toban is still allowed to lead 3 companies to retake Hong Kong Island with the British army. .

Montauban thought that this time the British troops were numerous, with strong soldiers and horses, strong ships and powerful artillery. If they followed the main force of the British army to retake Hong Kong Island, nothing would go wrong.

Montauban understood the importance of Hong Kong Island to the British. No matter how good the British were, they would not let the war to regain Hong Kong Island go.