I can't die

When the victory report of Changzhou's victory was sent to Zai Chun's table, Zai Chun laughed immediately, and with a swipe of a pen, he issued an imperial decree to the Military Aircraft Department to reward the navy.

The Minister of Military Affairs and the Empress Dowagers of the Two Palaces were taken aback when they heard the sudden imperial decree. Even though they had already learned about Zai Chun's control of the military department, they did not expect such a big matter of sending troops to foreign countries, and they still kept it a secret from them. Watertight.

"Your Majesty, although we have won this battle, there are still internal and external worries in our country. I'm afraid something is wrong." Upon hearing the news, Prince Gong immediately dragged Cixi and Ci'an together to meet Zaichun: "A few days ago, Baba Xia Licai wrote a letter and I want to hold the Tianjin Wanghai Tower accountable, and now that this matter comes out, foreigners will definitely be more demons."

Although the fire in Tianjin City was due to the Qing Dynasty’s emergency public relations, which turned the public’s anger to the Japanese pirates, foreigners have always been the ones who see the needles.Even though they realized that this incident was instigated by the Japanese, they still decided to hold the Qing accountable. The excuse was: "Although they were instigated by others, it is true that the Qing Dynasty people burned my Mercy Hall and attacked the Catholics. The Qing Dynasty must be held accountable for this.”

When Zai Chun heard this, he just thought it was funny, this foreigner is too deceitful; but thinking about it, Prince Gong Yi is called the devil six, and when encountering foreigners, he is usually weaker by three points. The mosque of this matter is the same as in history, the two palaces are hanging down. If the prince discusses politics, it is really uncommon to compromise when encountering this kind of thing.

"What does the emperor think?"

"The servant feels that foreigners have always regarded Japan as a meal on their plate. This time, the Qing Dynasty took the opportunity to attack, and I fear that the foreigners will take advantage of it."

What Prince Gong said was very euphemistic, but Zai Chun could hear the unfinished meaning in his words.

Indeed, in Prince Gong's view, the Qing Dynasty labored hard to attack Changzhou Island, except to inspire the hearts of the people in the country, it was of no use.First, in terms of the distribution of sea areas, the North Island occupied by the United Kingdom was divided between the main island of Japan and the Ryukyu base that the Qing Dynasty wanted to establish. This would cause great difficulties from the perspective of military maintenance.Secondly, the national power of the Qing Dynasty was really consumed by successive years of wars. It is already quite difficult to build a Ryukyu port, and it is even more difficult to build an overseas base.Thirdly, the Japanese pirates are wild and unruly, trying to educate them and make them behave themselves is simply impossible.

In this way, it is really a bad deal.

Hearing Prince Gong's words, Zaichun recalled Zhang Zhidong's repeated reference to the extraordinary firepower of the Japanese during the Changzhou battle in the secret letter before, and couldn't help but say, "Does the emperor know? Now the Japanese thieves even if there is civil strife , the domestic military strength is also advancing rapidly, if you don’t take advantage of this moment to win in one fell swoop, wouldn’t you be raising tigers in the future?”

After all, Zai Chun informed everyone about the situation in Changzhou, Japan described in Zhang Zhidong's secret letter.When everyone heard the words, they were also pensive. They didn't expect that such a small country could build up such a military strength under such internal and external troubles, and they thought of the dead soldiers of the Japanese pirates in Tianjin City.Everyone came up with such a thought: "This country is planning a lot!"

"According to what the emperor said, this country has to be defended." Although Cixi didn't know much about military affairs, she deeply understood the truth that the best chance to eradicate an enemy is when his foundation is not stable.On this point, the empress dowagers of the two palaces, who have been well versed in the principles of palace fighting for many years, have the absolute right to speak: "It's fine if there is a strong Western enemy who often fights in the autumn wind. If one day the neighboring country also rides on our heads, let's talk about it." But it's a joke."

"My son also feels the same way. Even if the territory conquered by Japan is given over to foreigners, the pirates will not be able to stand up."

There was a gleam in Zai Chun's eyes.

"What does the emperor mean?" Prince Gong couldn't help but turn pale, and an unbelievable idea appeared in his head.

"Didn't the foreigner say that they want me to compensate them for the loss of Wanghai Tower? Tell them that we just captured Changzhou in Japan and gave it to them for free. Let them eat dogs themselves."

"Yes..." Prince Gong still wanted to say something more.But Zai Chun waved his hand. "Let's just leave it at that. Uncle Huang can do more work, so please bear with me."

So far, Prince Gong felt as if Zai Chun had dug a big hole for him.Isn't it?No matter who comes forward for this kind of thing, the world will say that they are "cowardly, afraid of foreigners", "can't even keep the results of the battle", and may even be resented by the front-line generals.

But what can I do?Who said that Prince Gong is the head of the Prime Minister's Office, nicknamed Devil Six?

Prince Gong felt as if something was stuffed in his heart, and left the palace.

Back at the prime minister's office, Prince Gong was blocked by the British consul Pacharley. At that moment, Prince Gong held back a smile and welcomed him into the yamen, but he was very uncomfortable.

Every time Pacharley came to the Prime Minister's Office, there was no good thing. This matter came here to question the crime of Wanghai Tower in Tianjin.

"My lord, what should I say? This is the second time I've come here, so I have to give an explanation." Bacharley looked at Prince Gong with a smile, like an eagle fancying delicious food, ready to come up and bite at any time. a mouthful.

"I was about to go to the envoy. The emperor of the Qing Dynasty had already known about this matter, so he said that he would definitely give your country an explanation."

Prince Gong said it politely, but he started to curse inwardly.

"Oh?" Pacharley frowned. He didn't expect the Qing court, who had recently become tough, to be so talkative this time. He originally planned to work harder.

"What does the consul think of Changzhou?"

"Changzhou?"

In the past few days, Bacharley has also heard about the bombardment of Changzhou in Japan by the Daqingshui Army.In fact, this is also one of the reasons why the British decided that the "Wanghai Tower" matter was a stumbling block to the Qing Dynasty.The Japanese shogunate government has always pursued a policy of closing the country. Although it was later forced to compromise because of the British bombardment of the country, it was unwilling in the end.

After Shinsaku Takasugi, the head of the fallen government, was bombarded in Changzhou a few days ago, he was surrounded by the inside and outside of the Qing shogunate, so he was forced to find the British and promised many benefits.For example, after the fall of the curtain is successful and the emperor comes to power, Japan will open its doors, fully release British goods, and decide to completely surrender to the Western powers in order to seek the support of the United Kingdom and try to turn the tide of the war.

"What is your imperial court planning to do to Changzhou?"

"No hurry, let's talk slowly."

Raise the price and lower the price, nothing more.