Usurping the Qing Dynasty: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 218 Complete defeat! The emperor fled north! Gorgeous performance

That is, when the British and French coalition forces just entered the Qing Dynasty’s waters, around early March, Bashali and others were anxious.

Because on June 9, the scheduled London World Expo was about to open.

It takes about a month to get from Shanghai to London, and after arriving in London, the relevant arrangements also require a certain amount of time.

However, several scientific and technological achievements in the Jiujiang Laboratory have not yet reached a perfect state.

Even though hundreds of engineers and a dozen scientists have been in the laboratory for a full twenty months.

Even if the finished products have exceeded the original expectations by a lot.

But the better it is done, the more you feel that it can be better, and you want to amaze the world more.

Because these things are too important and determine the success or failure of the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone at the London Expo.

After seeing the results, Bashali said: "It's enough, it's really enough, Sir Su Ye, you can't wait any longer, it will be too late if you delay any further."

On March 9, Su Ye decided to seal all the test products.

All products participating in the London World Expo were finally inspected, packaged, and loaded onto the ship.

It took six days to load more than three ships.

There were a total of 700 people and 10 ships, and the remaining 7 were all escort ships.

Su Ye brought hundreds of people to see them off.

"Bang bang bang bang..."

There were bursts of cannon fire.

For Jiujiang, this was undoubtedly an expedition. It was just that they were not participating in a war, but in the World Expo.

But the success or failure of this World Expo also determined whether Su Ye's system could be integrated into the hegemony system of this world, and whether Su Ye could turn the tide and save the center in the next war.

"Sir Su Ye, the World Expo is our last war."

"I will do my best."

"You wait for my triumph."

Then, in the eyes of countless expectant eyes, the fleet left the dock, first went east along the Yangtze River, and entered the sea from the Yangtze River estuary in Shanghai.

Shanghai Consul Mai Huatuo, the future Minister Wade, looked at the fleet.

"This should be the Jiujiang fleet going to the World Expo," said Mai Huatuo.

Wade said, "Yes."

Sir Henry next to him said, "Do you think they will encounter pirates on the way? If so, it would be wonderful."

"Yes, if so, it would be wonderful." Wade sighed.

Sir Henry said: "The war route in the north, and this fleet represents another route for Sino-British relations. This is not only a decisive battle between the British and French coalition forces and the Qing court, but also a decisive battle between the two routes. And if Su Ye's route wins, what does it mean?"

Wade said: "It means that Su Ye has entered the core of the Qing Dynasty and become part of the British Empire's hegemony system. It means that Sir Henry, all your business will be expelled from the Far East."

Sir Henry said: "It also means that Mr. Wade's path to becoming a Chinese envoy is completely broken, and your political future has come to an abrupt end. It means the end of Consul MacHuatuo's political career."

MacHuatuo said: "Even in the future, the political careers of Li Taiguo and Hurd will also end completely."

Sir Henry said: "So, let's start praying that this Jiujiang fleet will encounter pirates in the vast ocean and be completely sunk. Let's start praying that the London World Expo will fail completely."

The next day!

On the outer sea, another powerful fleet appeared, blocking the way of the Jiujiang fleet.

It really is a pirate fleet.

The pirate leader Eugen waved flags.

His fleet came to escort.

Because Prince George was also on the Jiujiang fleet returning to London.

The pirate Eugen was not only escorting and flattering, but more importantly, he wanted to return to London to reap his fruits.

Prince George and Bashali needed to fulfill their promise and win the title of Viscount for Eugen, the illegitimate son.

The addition of Eugen's pirate fleet made the safety factor of the Jiujiang fleet reach an astonishing height.

Basically, no pirate dared to attack this fleet.

……………………

Time went back to May.

The capital, the palace!

The entire Qing court was in complete panic.

At this time, the emperor finally woke up.

Before, he was filled with anger and even forgot to be afraid.

And now fear has reoccupied his body and mind.

Senggelinqin, Ronglu and others vowed to defend the Dagukou Fort, and they were full of confidence.

As a result, the Dagukou Fort fell in just two days.

The next Tianjin did not even last a day, and did not even start fighting, and retreated directly.

Boundless fear enveloped the emperor's heart and the entire palace.

He wanted to run away now.

But the ministers advised him not to run away now.

If the emperor ran away, it would be a devastating blow to the dignity of the imperial power and the morale of tens of thousands of soldiers.

Look at the former Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chongzhen did not run away at the last moment.

It would be better if he didn't say this, but it would be even more frightening if he said it.

So the emperor ordered Gui Liang to go to Tianjin to negotiate with the foreigners and make sure they withdraw their troops.

Gui Liang went to Tianjin again to negotiate with Earl Elgin.

Gui Liang proposed that all the terms of the Tianjin Treaty were basically acceptable, even if Tianjin was a trading port city. Historically, Gui Liang was not so happy about this.

However, Count Elgin proposed that the Qing government should pay 15 million taels of silver in compensation to Britain and 15 million taels of silver to France.

In addition, the envoys from the four countries are going to Beijing, and they are going to bring 3,000 troops to Beijing.

These two conditions for Count Elgin are much more stringent than in history.

And, completely non-negotiable.

Guiliang left Tianjing angrily and returned to the capital to report to the emperor.

After hearing this, the emperor became furious.

What's the difference between this and entering the capital directly?

With such conditions, if you agree, you might as well fight.

At the court meeting, Sushun, Du Han and others had invited the emperor to hunt in the north, but Prince Hui Mianyu, Prince Dun Yifei and others firmly opposed it.

If the emperor went north to hunt while the foreigners were still in Tianjin, wouldn't he be abandoning the world, his people, and his ancestral temples?

The ministers were indignant and said, "How can the emperor leave at this time?"

Therefore, the emperor suspended his thoughts of hunting in the north and ordered Seng Gelinqin, Ronglu and others to gather all their forces to defend Tongzhou.

In this way, the Qing court decided on the strategy of conducting a decisive battle near Tongzhou.

Seng Gelinqin began military deployment in the Tongzhou area.

He personally led 18,000 horse infantry troops, and Boyannamohu led 5,000 new Tianjin troops to garrison the area from Zhangjiawan to Baliqiao, guarding the main road from Tongzhou to Guangqumen, the capital.

Deputy Commander Yildong'a led a Mongolian cavalry of 4,000 men to assist in the defense of Bali Bridge.

Ma Shan led a thousand Mongolian cavalry to defend the southeast of Maju Bridge.

Ronglu, Chengbao, and Leshan commanded 10,000 people to defend Tongzhou City.

Dutong Shengbao led 7,000 troops from the capital camp to garrison the Qihua Gate area as backup.

Historically, the Qing army deployed a total of about 30,000 people in this battle.

In this world, the Qing army deployed nearly 50,000 people.

As the final battle with the foreigners.

After the British and French allied forces captured Tianjin, they began to rest and recuperate, and missionaries took the lead with scouts to conduct a comprehensive investigation of Tongzhou and the Baliqiao area.

At this time, in the capital, the scouts in the Bali Bridge area, in addition to the British and French forces, were also Su Yi's intelligence office.

Under the current circumstances, it was too slow to send people south along the canal to deliver messages, so carrier pigeons could only be used.

The distance of nearly three thousand miles from Beijing to Jiujiang is too far, so relay stations are even needed, which increases the difficulty of communication.

Some secret messages can reach Su Yi, while others cannot.

But in general, Su Yi can still control the battle situation in the north.

After reading the information from the north, he had only one feeling: it was too fast.

The current situation is at least about two and a half months faster than in history.

The rhythm in London must be able to stick.

……………………

After more than a month of sailing, the Jiujiang fleet led by Basxali finally arrived in London.

The first thing after arriving was to take Prince George and the great pirate Jurgen to meet Prince Albert, preparing to fulfill their previous promises.

For others, this is a huge problem.

But for the prince, it was almost a piece of cake.

After hearing the reports from Basxali and Prince George, he immediately agreed to handle the matter.

Just the next day, Queen Victoria immediately made Jurgen an Imperial Viscount.

For a moment, the illegitimate pirate burst into tears and vowed to die for the Queen and the British Empire.

What he struggled for most of his life but could not get, now he got it with someone else's words.

He finally got his wish, fulfilled his mother's last wish, and became a noble of the British Empire.

Next, all the hundreds of people brought by Basxali devoted themselves to the decoration of the London World Expo.

As June 9th drew closer, even the prince couldn't help but feel nervous and excited.

This is his greatest political gesture.

For this event, £1.4 million has been spent, almost twice as much as at the last World's Fair.

There have been a lot of criticisms, whether in parliament or among the people, saying that Prince Albert's hosting of this expo was a waste of money and people.

The British Empire had just experienced the Crimean War, the rebellion in India, and launched a large-scale war against the Qing Dynasty. The treasury was at its most empty moment.

And His Royal Highness, regardless of the hardships of people's livelihood, organized this flashy World Expo, which made the British Empire's finances even worse.

There was a full-scale debate in the newspapers between the supporting and opposing factions.

Not only British newspapers and public opinion, but also public opinion throughout Europe were in fierce debate.

It was debated very extensively.

Waste of people and money is already the most superficial issue.

The deeper issue is whether Britain, or Europe, can still lead the world in science and technology and industrial technology.

Will the U.S. technology industry surpass and replace Europe?

The deepest issue is the political purpose behind Albert's hosting of this World Expo, which is the diplomatic line with the Qing Dynasty.

All in all, it was just a bunch of chaos.

This World Expo was already surrounded by intense controversy when it was announced two years ago. Now that the opening ceremony is approaching, this controversy has reached its peak.

Prince Albert actually wanted to slightly hide the political purpose behind it, but his political opponents were unwilling.

They wrote extensively about Prince Albert's diplomatic line.

The newspapers even used appalling headlines. The master behind this World Expo was not only Prince Albert, but also Su Yi.

Su Ye officially made the headlines of European newspapers.

However, these newspapers didn’t have any good words.

A decadent and backward oriental noble.

A Qing imperial family dragging whips.

A Qing warlord who betrayed the emperor, and so on.

A decadent oriental man who married three concubines.

Moreover, a portrait of Su Ye was specially published in the newspaper.

It was not a photo, but a painting by an artist.

The painting was very ugly, full of malice towards oriental men, with triangular eyes, hooked nose, and pigtail-like braids.

There was also a three-point mustache. In short, Su Ye in the portrait was ugly, old, and pointed.

The subtitle was, can such a person represent technology and civilization?

This article revealed that the reason why Prince Albert held the World Expo was to support this ugly and barbaric oriental man in the Qing Dynasty and to support this man’s Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone.

Prince Albert actually placed his hope of defeating the American science and technology industry on this backward, decadent, and ridiculous oriental man.

Besides, the British Empire is not backward now, right? !

This article immediately caused a huge uproar.

Political opponents took the opportunity to criticize Prince Albert's diplomatic line.

Claiming that this was a ridiculous political experiment.

This Su Ye is a completely backward and decadent representative. The Qing Dynasty is a desert of science, technology, industry, and culture.

Colonizing the Qing Dynasty is the only diplomatic line of the British Empire.

It is completely ridiculous and shameful to pin the hope of science and technology and industry on Su Ye and the Qing Dynasty.

Holding this World Expo for the so-called Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone is doomed to encounter a shameful failure, a shameful waste of the national treasury, and a shameful crime against the people.

As soon as this article was published, it immediately caused an uproar.

The consortium that invested in the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone was not to be outdone, and they came out one after another, saying how open-minded Su Ye was, and that he had extraordinary talent and keenness for science and technology and industry. He was a genius politician and a genius scientist, and how successful the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone was.

They said that investing in the Qing Dynasty, taking advantage of their cheap and astonishingly large labor force, and taking advantage of their huge market, was the best route for the British Empire.

However, their voices were drowned out almost as soon as they came out.

In London and Europe, no one believed that the Qing Dynasty would have enlightened politicians, let alone scientists.

All of this was a shameless lie.

If the Qing Dynasty really participated in this London Expo, it would be doomed to fail.

Many people even shouted to boycott the London Expo.

At this point, the pressure faced by Prince Albert reached its peak, and even the Queen was affected.

But no matter what, the atmosphere of this World Expo was raised to the highest point, attracting the attention of the entire Western world.

I don’t know how many people came from thousands of miles away, or even tens of thousands of miles away, to participate in this London World Expo.

……………………

Finally!

June 9th has arrived!

Under the attention of the public, the London World Expo opened.

And strangely, this opening ceremony was held at night.

All the previous opening ceremonies were definitely held during the day.

After night fell, the entire opening ceremony venue was dark.

Everyone complained non-stop.

At this time, the sound of countdown appeared.

Five, four, three, two, one!

The countdown is over!

Tens of thousands of light bulbs in the entire venue lit up one by one.

Instant!

Like stars.

The lights were bright, piercing the sky.

Tearing open the darkness.

This was the first time in history.

Everyone was completely stunned, whether they were Americans, French, or Russians.

They were all completely shocked by this scene.

The impact caused by the lighting of tens of thousands of light bulbs was unprecedented.

No wonder the prince ordered the bulbs to be extinguished immediately after they were lit in the garden of Buckingham Palace.

Next, no more lights were allowed.

They were busy making more and more light bulbs and more and more generators, just for this moment.

At the same time, all the street lights on the roads around the venue lit up at the same time.

Then, thousands of light bulbs in Buckingham Palace lit up at the same time.

This area was as bright as day.

This scene alone is enough to go down in history.

However, this shock is not over yet.

Amid the cheers of countless people, all the light bulbs in the venue suddenly went out.

The venue fell into darkness again.

Everyone was quiet, because they probably knew that there would be more surprises.

Everyone held their breath and waited quietly.

Countdown again, but this time it was with the sound of the piano.

The countdown ended.

Suddenly, everyone's eyes lit up again.

However, this time it was not a light bulb that lit up, but a curtain.

A huge image.

On the curtain that was more than four meters long and more than 2.25 meters wide, the figures of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert appeared.

On the image, the two seemed to start speaking.

Make an opening statement.

There were no microphones in this era, and only primitive sound amplification methods could be relied on.

Then!

Several lights came on and shone on the high part of the stage.

Everyone saw the real Queen and Prince Albert.

Then, an amazing scene appeared.

Two supreme beings, real people, are reading the opening speech of the World Expo.

And the huge image on the screen is also reading the opening speech.

The real scene and the image are almost identical.

The movements are almost the same, and the scenery is the same.

So, it looks exactly like a synchronized live broadcast.

Even the sound is the same.

In an instant, the brains of thousands of guests at the scene are completely short-circuited.

The impact is really too big.

Even, it is unimaginable.

This is of course not a live broadcast, but it was recorded in advance and then played out.

Prince Albert and Her Majesty the Queen, in the same position, wearing the same clothes, read the same opening speech according to the rhythm of the image.

And the movie at this time is silent, it is the sound of the prince reading on the spot.

Although the image is black and white.

But it is still unprecedented!

In this world, photos are not popular, and movies appear directly.

Can you imagine the impact?

In 1895, the French Lumière brothers invented the movie and filmed the first movie "The Arrival of a Train", which was only fifty seconds long and caused a huge sensation.

But how could this sensation compare to this time?

This movie is clearer, smoother, and more huge.

Moreover, it presents a false illusion of live broadcast.

Everyone watched this scene as if they were watching a myth.

I couldn't hear what the prince said at all, and I couldn't hear a word of the opening speech.

There was only one sentence in my mind: This world has been changed.

Three minutes later!

The opening speeches of the Queen and Prince Albert ended.

The whole venue fell into darkness again.

Then, there was a melodious piano sound.

A female musician played the music score "My Motherland" given by Su Ye.

Accompanied by the melodious piano sound, the curtain lit up again.

A handsome face appeared.

This is Su Ye, who was not wearing the Qing Dynasty's service or a suit, but a straight Zhongshan suit.

There was no braid on his head, but a very elegant hairstyle.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening, I am Su Ye from China..."

A deep voice sounded in the venue, almost completely synchronized with Su Ye on the video.

The movie has no sound, this is a dubbing specially found on the spot, and it was read on the spot.

He was hidden in the darkness, so it felt like the movie had sound, as if Su Ye had spoken.

In the film, Su Ye briefly introduced himself, China, and Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone.

Then, he delivered a congratulatory speech to the World Expo.

In fact, this process was not originally there.

Su Ye's video will not appear at the opening ceremony at all, but will appear at the booth of Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone.

Because his political level is far from enough.

Even if Bashali desperately strives, the entire organizing committee does not want Su Ye's video to appear at the opening ceremony, and his weight is not enough.

However, because of the subsequent public opinion storm.

The extreme vilification of Su Ye and Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone put Prince Albert into an unprecedented passive situation.

So if he wants to clarify, the opening ceremony becomes the best opportunity.

After much hesitation, it was decided to elevate his status and let his image appear at the opening ceremony.

Of course, Su Ye's image only appeared for fifteen seconds.

But it was enough.

It directly broke many rumors in the newspaper, and the ugly portrait was directly crushed.

At least it proved that this was a very handsome and noble man.

Whether it was temperament or image, it was no less than the noble gentleman of the British Empire.

Next, the image showed the image of Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone.

The huge textile factory and the steel plant that rose from the ground.

Advanced laboratories.

Of course, there were also Su Ye's private goods.

The powerful and upright Su Ye New Army.

The image of the military parade of tens of thousands of people, shot from a hot air balloon in the air, shocked everyone on the scene.

Finally...

Tribute to the classics!

The train entered the station!

On the screen, a train roared towards them.

Everyone exclaimed and instinctively tried to avoid it.

"Long live peace, long live friendship, long live cooperation!" Several languages ​​shouted at the same time.

The image ended.

Next, it was the regular performance.

Among the several programs, half were from the British, and the French, Americans, Russians, etc. also had programs.

The key is that China also had a program, which lasted three minutes.

Su Ye sent 500 new army soldiers to participate in this program.

He directly plagiarized the text (and) performance of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games.

For this program, hundreds of new army soldiers trained for more than a year.

Incredibly neat.

Incredibly stunning.

Although the equipment was backward, this program did not require too advanced technology.

It was a gorgeous performance cast by everyone's sweat.

Even in 2008, this program amazed the world, let alone in this era?

Especially hundreds of soldiers, in the retractable box, through ups and downs, performed various fonts and.

Even English, French, Latin, etc. appeared.

All texts and languages ​​interpret the same theme.

The only theme is peace.

Finally, he emerged from the box, waving the flowers in his hands.

The center of the venue became a sea of ​​flowers.

This performance, more than a hundred years in advance, amazed the audience.

Amazed everyone.

Gorgeous, shocking, and profound.

The entire opening ceremony, whether it was Prince Albert or Su Ye, all the performances and all the pictures expounded a theme.

Peace!

Although it was not very appropriate.

However, it was absolutely politically correct.

The program prepared by Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone was so wonderful that it made the finale program seem very boring.

All the programs were performed.

Next, there was an extremely gorgeous fireworks display.

"Bang bang bang bang..."

A small part of the fireworks was also responsible for Bashali and provided by Su Ye.

In the sky.

A fireworks composition: and!

So far, the opening ceremony of the London World Expo has ended.

Although tomorrow's newspaper has not yet come out, everyone has a concept in their minds.

The most successful and gorgeous World Expo in history.

…………………………

This world is hypocritical.

In London, the gorgeous opening ceremony of the World Expo amazed the world.

Under the leadership of the prince, the only theme is peace!

And it was also June 9, the day of the opening ceremony.

Ten thousand British and French troops left Tianjin and headed for Tongzhou.

So far, the final decisive battle between the British and French troops and the Qing court broke out.

As in history, the British and French troops chose to concentrate their firepower to bombard Zhangjiawan to force the Qing army to retreat.

Then, the British and French troops concentrated on attacking Tongzhou City.

This battle was three months earlier than in history.

In history, Tongzhou had almost no resistance and was defeated and fell.

In this world, the Tongzhou garrison doubled, a full 10,000 people, including 4,000 Tianjin New Army.

More than 10,000 British and French troops fought against more than 10,000 Qing garrisons.

Behind Tongzhou is the capital, and there is no way to retreat.

The defender Ronglu showed an extremely firm determination.

Tongzhou did not collapse in one battle.

Ten thousand defenders, especially the four thousand Tianjin New Army, showed a relatively brave will.

On the first day, the defenders held off.

On the second day, the defenders held off.

On the third day...

"Boom boom boom..." Amid the violent explosions.

The gate of Tongzhou was blown down.

The British and French forces poured into Tongzhou like a tide.

At this point, the war situation collapsed.

Ronglu, Chengbao, and Leshan once again led their troops to escape from Tongzhou.

At this point, Tongzhou fell.

……………………

Tongzhou was lost!

The bad news reached the palace.

There was a dead silence.

The last grand court meeting.

Some ministers advised the emperor to lead the army in person to inspire the morale of the soldiers.

The emperor also appeared in the court in military uniform.

"At this time, the foreign army is less than a hundred miles away from the capital!"

"It is also less than a hundred miles away from me!"

"I am in military uniform, and I should fight for the country with tens of thousands of soldiers."

"Why has the situation come to this point today?"

"There is a traitor in the country, there is a traitor in the country!"

"Who is the traitor? Who is the traitor?"

The emperor looked around the whole audience and said sternly: "The traitor is Su Ye, Su Ye is a traitor."

"Whose industries are those in Jiujiang? They are jointly run by the British and Su Ye."

"And which country are the foreign troops less than a hundred miles away from the capital from? They are still British."

"Su Ye created the division between the north and the south, and instructed the country to be empty, so that the foreigners took advantage of the opportunity to enter."

"Su Ye colluded with foreigners and destroyed my ancestors' country. He is indeed the biggest traitor in this dynasty!"

The civil and military officials in the court trembled. They did not expect that at this critical moment, the emperor would publicly convict Su Ye.

But for the emperor, it was a different state of mind.

At this point, we are in such a desperate situation. What consequences can I still fear?

The British and French coalition forces are about to invade, so why should I be afraid of the division between the north and the south?

He just wanted to take the opportunity to convict Su Ye completely. The last time in the court, the emperor just blurted out the words accidentally and swallowed them back halfway.

"If it weren't for Su Ye, a traitor who sold out his country for glory, how could our Qing Dynasty be united? How could the foreigners invade us?"

"Announce it to the world, spread the proclamation to the world!"

"Su Ye's industries in Jiujiang are all illegal industries that collude with foreigners, ruining my feng shui and destroying my country."

"Su Ye is a traitor, and everyone can kill him!"

Then, the emperor wrote a few heavy words on the white paper with ink.

Traitor!

"Come here, carve these four words into a plaque and hang it on the gate of Su Ye's mansion."

"Carve these four words into a stone tablet and erect it at the gate of Su Ye's mansion."

Wang Chenggui took the four words and shouted, "Hey!"

Then he ran out and found the craftsmen in the palace to immediately carve the plaque and stone tablet.

Finally, the emperor came to the gate of Qianqing Palace, drew his sword suddenly, and shouted loudly: "Go tell Senggelinqin that the final decisive battle must be fought well and the foreigners must fight to the death."

"I will stay here and I will not go anywhere."

"I will live and die with tens of thousands of soldiers!"

Bo Yan Nemohu took the emperor's imperial sword with both hands and cried, "Your Majesty, my father and I should die to repay the country's kindness!"

"It's a pity that the traitor Su Ye is in the south. If I die in battle, I won't be able to kill the traitor for the emperor."

The emperor said: "The traitor Su Ye will be punished by heaven!"

"You fight well, I am here, waiting for your triumphant return!"

Bo Yan Nemo Hu kowtowed and bled, and shouted loudly: "Long live the emperor!"

All the civil and military officials in the court shouted long live!

…………………………

Bali Bridge!

The only way from Tongzhou to the capital.

This bridge is eight miles away from Tongzhou and only thirty miles away from the capital.

Senggelinqin deployed more than 40,000 people to the west of Bali Bridge, and the army stretched for several miles.

It seems that the defense line is impenetrable.

After the British and French forces occupied Tongzhou, they rested for a few days.

At this time, the Qing court still did not give up the hope of peace talks, and sent Prince Yi Zaiyuan and Minister of War Mu Yin to negotiate with the foreigners again, trying to stop the foreigners from attacking the capital.

However, at this time, Elgin and Gros had almost closed the door to any negotiations.

The conditions proposed by the Qing court could not impress them at all.

Although they were reluctant to admit it, they faced a huge temptation, that is, to break through the capital of the Qing Dynasty.

In this way, their life resumes would add a brilliant stroke.

You can talk, but wait until we completely break through your capital.

Not only the two ministers, but even the officers and soldiers of the British and French coalition forces were sharpening their knives.

Everyone knew that breaking through the capital meant making a fortune.

Therefore, Elgin and Gros did not even show up in this negotiation.

After the failure of the negotiations, the Qing court was shocked and angry.

On the other hand, the foreigners were like strolling in the garden, not afraid of the large-scale Qing army not far away, and even interested in hunting.

So, someone proposed to Senggelinqin to detain the British negotiators and senior officers as hostages to force the foreigners to withdraw.

It is the so-called capture the king first.

Senggelinqin knew that it was wrong and that it was not good to do so, but in such a desperate situation, he had to grab any life-saving straw.

So he gave the order to take action.

As a result, the British negotiators, including dozens of diplomats, journalists, and officers, were all arrested.

In history, it was Bashali who was arrested, and in this world, Bashali was in London at this time, but the other negotiators still suffered this disaster.

However, in history, the arrest of foreigners occurred before the fall of Tongzhou, while this time it happened after the fall of Tongzhou.

After arresting dozens of British people, the Qing court wanted to take the opportunity to force the British and French coalition forces to go to the negotiation table again.

As a result, the British and French coalition forces were completely enraged.

Because the battle of Tongzhou in this world was a little more intense, the British and French coalition forces suffered some casualties, so the rest time was longer.

However, after the Qing court arrested the negotiators, the British and French coalition forces not only did not negotiate a ceasefire, but directly chose to go to war.

Even if the army had not rested well, even if there were still many troops in Tianjin who had not arrived.

On the Tongzhou battlefield, the British and French coalition forces had only more than 8,000 people at this time.

But the commander still announced the start of the war.

At this point, the Battle of Baliqiao broke out.

At 7 o'clock in the morning, the British and French coalition forces were divided into three routes, east, west and south, and launched an attack on the Qing army's Baliqiao position.

Yaman commanded the east route, Grant on the west route, and Colino on the south route led the French Second Brigade to attack.

The highest commander of the war was Mentoban.

The Qing army was very brave.

Especially the Mongolian cavalry, with an order, like a tide, rushed across Baliqiao without fear of death and rushed directly to the British and French coalition positions.

However, their bows and arrows were much weaker than their ancestors.

They waved spears, swords and fought fiercely with the British and French coalition forces.

But no matter which method was used, they were all backward.

Even in hand-to-hand combat, they were no match for the British and French coalition forces. This group of cavalry even rushed directly to the coalition headquarters, but it was still useless.

After an hour of fierce fighting, this part of the cavalry was completely defeated.

The real fiercest ones were the Tianjin New Army.

They fought a decent blocking battle.

However, although the combat effectiveness of the Tianjin New Army at this time was far superior to that of the Mongolian cavalry, after several consecutive defeats, their blood and courage were even inferior to those of the Mongolian cavalry.

After an hour of fierce fighting, they had just caused real casualties to the British and French forces, but facing the British and French forces that pressed down like a copper wall and iron wall, the Tianjin New Army led by Ronglu and Boyan retreated again.

Then, Shengbao's troops retreated.

Shengbao was injured and fell off his horse.

At this point, the Qing army only had the main force led by Senggelinqin.

The British and French forces divided their troops into two routes, one part continued to attack Baliqiao, and the other part went around to the rear of Senggelinqin's main force, intending to attack from the front and back.

Senggelinqin was still brave, did not retreat, and fought desperately.

His Mongolian cavalry was still very brave and charged continuously.

The British and French forces poured out artillery and bullets.

The Mongolian cavalry fell in droves.

A small number of Mongolian cavalry rushed to the front of the British and French coalition forces and once again engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

Then, they were all annihilated.

Although slightly different, this battle eventually repeated the results of history.

Even more tragic.

The Mongolian cavalry kept charging and charging.

They kept dying and dying.

After the Tianjin New Army retreated, it was almost a one-sided massacre.

Blood and corpses covered the entire ground.

The roar of the cannon shattered the last glory of the entire empire.

As the last pillar of the Qing Dynasty, Seng Gelinqin completely collapsed.

The entire battle lasted half a day!

Six hours later!

The battle is over!

The Qing army fled on a large scale. All the commanders including Seng Gelinqin, Ronglu and Shengbao were defeated and fled.

The ground that stretched for several miles was filled with fleeing Qing troops.

The most humiliating battle in history.

The battle with the most disparity in casualties.

Fully staged.

In this world, the Qing army suffered more than 5,000 casualties, while the British and French allied forces suffered less than 200 casualties.

At this point, the Qing Dynasty's backbone was completely broken.

The Qing army was completely afraid of foreigners and was frightened by the news.

Seeing the foreign army is like seeing heavenly soldiers and generals.

…………………………………………

Inside the palace!

The emperor was still wearing military uniform at this time.

The battlefield was only a few dozen miles away, and the sound of gunfire could be heard clearly.

He knelt in front of the ancestral tablet and closed his eyes.

Bless our ancestors!

Bless our ancestors!

Just like this, time passed by minute by minute.

At this time, as long as he can win this battle, he is really willing to pay any price.

finally……

At noon the gunfire stopped.

The emperor opened his eyes and looked outside with fear and uneasiness.

There should be results.

He became more pious, knelt on the futon, clasped his hands, and recited directly.

Ancestors bless, ancestors bless!

Soon, rapid footsteps sounded outside.

The emperor fell silent.

"Your Majesty..." a voice sounded from outside.

The emperor said: "Over there at Bali Bridge, is there any result?"

"yes!"

The emperor said: "Say it."

The eunuch outside said: "Your Majesty, we are defeated!"

The emperor's body shook slightly and said: "I understand."

Then, he slowly walked towards Qianqing Palace.

……………………

At this time, only most of the officials came to the court.

As soon as the emperor entered the hall, the civil and military officials in the court burst into tears.

At this time, three o'clock in the afternoon.

There were originally dark clouds and thunder, as if it was going to rain heavily, but it didn't come down.

A strong wind blew.

A sandstorm arose throughout the capital.

Normally at this time of year, the sandstorm has passed, but now it is in full swing.

The dust outside is like a ghost crying and a wolf howling.

Dust covered the sky, and the sun shone down, impenetrable, like a cloud of blood mist.

The whole world is chaotic, gray, and like blood.

The emperor felt extremely sad in his heart and said slowly: "I, the Qing Dynasty, have been in control of the world for hundreds of years. I am worthy of heaven and earth and worthy of all people."

"Since I succeeded to the throne, I have been cautious about my career, walking on thin ice."

"Why is there such a defeat today? How unfair is it?"

The ministers continued to cry.

The emperor said hoarsely: "There are national thieves inside, foreign barbarians outside, and the country is in ruins. What can we do?"

Sushun knelt down and kowtowed: "I ask the emperor to hunt for Chengde in the north!"

Du Han knelt down and kowtowed: "I invite the emperor to hunt for Chengde in the north."

Several military ministers knelt down one after another, kowtowed and said: "I invite the emperor to hunt for Chengde in the north."

Prince Hui Mianyu, Prince Dun Yigui and others who had been preventing the emperor from escaping before were speechless and knelt down.

In the Battle of Baliqiao, the main force of the Qing court was used.

In less than half a day, they were already defeated. What was the point of the next war?

If he doesn't run away, will the emperor be caught by foreigners?

The foreign army was only thirty miles away from the capital.

In the end, Prince Hui Mianyu kowtowed and said: "I ask the emperor to hunt for Chengde in the north."

Finally, all the officials knelt down in unison and asked the emperor to hunt in the north.

The emperor breathed a sigh of relief. As long as someone opposed his escape, the situation would be ugly.

Now, the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty have finally reached a consensus.

At this time, the emperor still wanted to be reserved and generous.

What kind of king dies in the country, what kind of emperor guards the country, and so on.

Emperor Chongzhen of the former Ming Dynasty could do it, can't I not do it?

Let the queen and Concubine Yi take the eldest brother to Chengde, and I will stay and guard the capital.

Then the civil and military officials begged hard, asking the emperor to put the country, the country, and the country first, and the eldest brother was still young.

In the end, the emperor had no choice but to hunt north.

Moreover, even in Beishou, matters in the capital must be arranged, and who should be in charge and who should be responsible for negotiating with foreigners must be discussed clearly.

The emperor cleared his throat and planned to make an impassioned speech.

result!

"Boom boom boom..."

From a distance, the sound of shelling came again.

The emperor's body trembled, his face turned pale, and all his impassioned speeches disappeared.

"In this case, I will follow the wishes of all the ministers and hunt for Chengde in the north!"

After saying these words, all the strength in his body seemed to disappear completely.

…………………………

In Sanxi Hall, the emperor held a final small meeting.

"After the Northern Hunting, who will be left to take charge of the overall situation of the capital and be responsible for negotiating with foreigners?" the emperor asked.

Sushun, Du Han, Zaiyuan, Duanhua and others looked at each other in confusion.

I am afraid that this errand will fall on me.

After a while, Du Han said: "Your Majesty, I recommend Prince Gong Yi."

The emperor's eyes narrowed.

Yi?

This person has been kept in cold storage by the emperor for several years.

Yi has always been considered the greatest political threat by the emperor.

But now, this person has become Su Yi.

Sushun especially regarded Yi as his mortal enemy, but he also knew what Du Han was thinking.

Negotiating with foreigners is not easy. If it fails like this this time, the result of the negotiation will definitely be a loss of power and humiliation of the country.

So, let Yi talk.

In the future, I will take the opportunity to criticize him.

So, Sushun said: "Your Majesty, this servant also recommends Yi."

Suddenly, several military ministers unified their will and all recommended Prince Gong Yi.

The emperor said: "Summon Yi into the palace."

…………………………

Within more than half an hour.

Yi knelt in front of the emperor and burst into tears.

He was very excited at this time, and he knew that what he was about to accept was a bad job.

But after being refrigerated for so many years, if he could come back, how could he care about whether it was bad or not?

And after the emperor left, he became the biggest one in the capital.

Of course, these emotions were not obvious. After all, the British and French forces were coming, and he was more worried and sad.

The emperor suddenly asked: "Yi, what do you think of Su Yi?"

Yi was slightly startled. At this time, you are still mentioning Su Yi?

Immediately, Yi said categorically: "Return to your Majesty, Su Yi's rebellious ministers and traitors will be punished by everyone."

The emperor nodded and said: "You must always remember that this person colluded with the foreign barbarians and is actually a traitor to the country. The Qing Dynasty is also responsible for today's disaster."

Prince Gong said: "My dear brother, I understand."

The emperor said: "You stay in the capital to negotiate with the foreigners and establish a bureau. Feel free to go ahead and negotiate."

"As long as we can get the foreign troops to retreat, sometimes we just have to endure it and retreat."

"Foreigners will not occupy the Qing Dynasty, but national traitors like Su Yi are a thorn in their side."

Yi kowtowed and said, "My dear brother, I understand."

Next, the two discussed for a long time.

Prince Gong and Prince Yi then left the palace.

………………………………

After everyone had retreated, the emperor once again came to the ancestral tablet.

There was silence and darkness outside.

At this time, boundless sadness, desolation, and shame hit me.

It seemed as if it was going to completely submerge the emperor.

More than 200 years after the Qing Dynasty entered the country, how could there be an emperor who fled in such haste as he did?

What a shame.

After escaping, how should he face the people of the world?

In fact, Su Yi's disdainful smile seemed to appear in his mind.

Losing power and humiliating the country.

a shame.

Finally, the emperor couldn't bear it any longer.

Just cry out loud.

What started as a reserved cry quickly turned into a howl.

This seems to be an introduction.

Immediately afterwards, the whole palace cried one after another.

Outside the palace, countless carriages, donkey carts, etc., poured into the palace.

Within the palace, countless eunuchs and maids began to move things.

Scolding.

Swearing.

Crying sounds.

It was a mess.

Desolation, helplessness, and fear enveloped the entire palace.

Although there are still decades to go, at least at this moment, there is already a scene of the end of the dynasty.

It's dark the next day!

"Boom, boom, boom..." dozens of miles away, the sound of shelling came again.

The emperor, who had been awake almost all night, left the palace in a hurry with the queen, Concubine Yi, Concubine Lian, Concubine Li, etc., and some officials.

The convoy and horse team stretched for more than ten miles.

The people in the capital watched all this through the windows and through the cracks in the doors.

Even through the window paper and door panels, one can feel their contempt.

In this way, the emperor escaped from the capital.

Flee to Chengde!

………………………………

Note: 12,000 is presented. I still have mixed feelings when writing this scene. I wish our motherland will always be prosperous and strong.

My benefactor who has monthly tickets, could you give me a few? thank you.