My Italian

As the outer port of Rome, the Port of Antium has always been very lively. On the 28th of March, the port of Antium was emptied. Those who are familiar with this scene will immediately know that this is a big man preparing to visit.

Sure enough, it didn't take long for it to be set up, and the Daqing Dragon Flag and the words of friendship between China and Italy were also hung up. Needless to say, the big man from the Qing Kingdom in the Far East just didn't know who this big man was?

More than 20 nautical miles away from the port of Antium, the French cruise ship Ainaster Simon is heading towards the port of Antium. Everyone on the cruise ship knew that there was a big man on board.

That's right, Li Zhongtang, the former governor of Beiyang, who was a leading figure in Westernization in the Qing Dynasty, was on this boat. Li Zhongtang's visit this time sounds simple, but it is actually very complicated.

Simply put, the main purpose of Li Zhongtang's visit this time was to attend the coronation ceremony of Tsar Nicholas II and to visit other powers.

The complication is that Li Zhongtang was forced to help, and could only drag his 74-year-old grade across the ocean for a state visit. For this reason, Zhongtang's family was afraid of something unexpected. In addition to the company of Li Zhongtang's two sons, Li Jingfang and Li Jingshu, they also specially prepared a pair of Nanmu coffins to accompany them.

Speaking of which, Li Zhongtang's situation was the result of the joint efforts of the two parties. That's right, in the intensifying domestic struggle in the Qing Dynasty, the battle between emperors and empresses, being able to squeeze Li Zhongtang abroad in such a tacit understanding is enough to show that both sides are jealous of him.

However, in the final analysis, Li Zhongtang's strength was not enough. The Huai Army, which he relied on, was beaten to pieces during the Sino-Japanese War. If he hadn't invited foreign soldiers, he would have fallen.

However, although Li Zhongtang used Italian reinforcements to avoid being killed on the spot, some things were unavoidable. The Huai Army, which had lost its prestige, was left behind by the imperial court on the front line of the Yalu River outside the customs. The Huai Army was the most familiar to the Japanese, so the Huai Army needed to take more care.

And after losing Li Zhongtang, who was near the Huai Army, there was only one reason left to wait.

This came for no reason. Russia took the opportunity of the coronation ceremony of Tsar Nicholas II on May 26, 1896 to send an invitation to the Qing government, hoping that it could send important officials to participate, and more importantly, to discuss how to restrict Japan. .

True, although with the help of Italy, Japan only gained the Korean peninsula. But with North Korea as a springboard, Japan began to arm and protect the North Koreans who crossed the border and cultivated, and their sinister intentions can be seen at a glance.

That's right, even when it was still a vassal state, the North Korean people had a tendency to cross the border to cultivate. On the one hand, there is a vast and sparsely populated place outside the customs, and on the other hand is the Korean peninsula with a small land and a large number of people. The North Korean people close to the border have long been prone to cross-border reclamation. After the beginning of spring every year, cross the river boundary to choose a remote location to open up wasteland, and wait until autumn to harvest.

Of course, if you encounter officers and soldiers, you will consider yourself unlucky, but at that time, the Qing army had few troops outside the customs, and often searched the border only once a year. In this case, it was really bad luck.

And now the intention of the Japanese is obviously to encroach on the land of Longxing outside the customs, how can Da Qing not be afraid and take more precautions. That's why Li Zhongtang's trip abroad this time came with a different purpose. And this visit to Russia was not a trip to the Black Sea through the Suez Canal, but instead came to Italy, which also has Li Zhongtang's own deep meaning.

"Bo Xing, where did this ship go?"

In the first-class box, Li Zhongtang, who was not in good spirits, asked his eldest son, Li Jingfang.

"Father, this ship is approaching the outer port of the Italian capital, and it will be there in an hour."

Hearing what his son said, Li Zhongtang struggled to stand up.

"Quickly pick up my official uniform and hat, this visit must pay more attention."

Seeing that the old father was about to get up, the two sons came to comfort him. "Father, don't move, I'll get it for you."

The second son, Li Jingshu, hurried to fetch his father's official uniform.

The two helped Li Zhongtang to put on the official uniform quiveringly, while Li Jingshu helped his father hold the official hat and waited.

"Do you know why, do I attach so much importance to Italy?"

Seeing that the ship would arrive in a while, Li Zhongtang also came to test it on the spot.

Facing Li Zhongtang's question, the eldest son Li Jingfang replied, "Father, can you continue to befriend the country for his use?"

"Yes and no."

"Father, do you want to befriend the country and show it to the Russian?"

"Neither."

Neither answered correctly, which made the two respectfully wait for their father's explanation.

Although he already knew that his two sons could not inherit his mantle, who would not want his children and grandchildren to be better than the blue, but he just didn't give up.

After covering up his disappointment, Li Zhongtang explained to the two. "This visit to Italy has the reasons you mentioned, but more importantly, I want to leave some way for Gongting (Nie Shicheng) and Dasan (Wei Rugui) and the others."

Li Zhongtang's answer made the two even more confused. Of course they knew what their father was talking about. At present, most of the Huai Army are deployed on the front line of the Yalu River to watch the Japanese. This visit to the Italians and the generals of the Huai Army such as Wei Rugui and Nie Shicheng What does it matter?

Seeing that the two sons still didn't understand, Li Zhongtang had to break it down and tell them. "This time I went on a visit, and it was impossible for me to go back after I resigned from the posts of Governor of Zhili and Minister of Commerce of Beiyang. The Queen Mother and the Emperor gave me instructions before my trip, and your uncle will be there when I go back. Later, I resigned from the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi and returned to my hometown. Dasan and Gongting have been with me for many years. After I left, I was afraid that they would have a difficult time. Therefore, my visit to Italy this time intends to use the power of the Chinese people to help them. Zhang Muyi or two, it’s better to wait until I return home.”

Well, this Li Zhongtang has said enough. Because he was afraid that when he was not there, the imperial court pulled the Huai army from his own family to his plate.

Don't think that this is unfounded worry, the Huai Army depends on students

Don't think that this is Li Zhongtang's unfounded worry, his family knows his family affairs, and the Huai Army used to rely on the relationship between the students and the history, but now they have added interests as a link.

And in the face of high-ranking officials in the imperial court, how many people can not be won over?

And Li Zhongtang was unwilling to hand over the Huai Army to others, so he hoped that he could use the strength of the Chinese to give himself a little buffer time.

Li Zhongtang's remarks, the two Li sons who dyed their hair had a good taste.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door, and only a voice was heard from outside the door. "Lord Zhongtang, the outer port of Rome has arrived."

When Li Zhongtang and his party walked out, they found that the port was full of people, all waving the flags of China and Italy. If you look closely, you will find that there are very few yellow people in the crowd greeted by the port, and most of them are Italians. From their cheerful expressions, we can see that they welcome Li Zhongtang from the heart.

What's going on~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Italians welcome Li Zhongtang so much.

Speaking of which, Italians are definitely the most favorite Qing in Europe. Because Italy has earned a lot of interests in the Qing country, and there are many profitable people, it has spared no effort to publicize the goodness of the Qing country. Of course, the Italian government is also one of them, so there are basically no reports of accusations against the Qing in Italy, which are all praises. In this case, there should not be too many people who have a favorable impression of the Qing state.

According to statistics, the number of people who came to the port of Antium to welcome Li Zhongtang today reached 30,000. This is the largest number of foreign guests the port has welcomed in the past ten years, which is enough to explain many problems.

Therefore, in order for the people of the two countries to like each other, the most important thing is that interests are the bond.

And after the Ainaster Simon was stable, Li Zhongtang drew a tidal wave of cheers as soon as he appeared, and this Li Zhongtang smiled and waved his hand before getting off the boat.

This time, the Italian government's reception of Li Zhongtang is also of the highest standard, and Foreign Minister Barcona walked over to meet him.

"Hello, Prime Minister Lee, welcome to Rome."

In the sound of a camera, Bacona held Li Zhongtang's hand with a smile.