Li Weihai, the British consul in Tianjin, circled around the crowd and returned to the office on the second floor.

The United States and Russia now have a close alliance with the Qing State, and even if there are some small losses and casualties, they will not support France in putting pressure on the Qing State, and Belgium and Italy will not be able to put pressure on the Qing State at all, and only Britain can support France, but he feels that it is unlikely that Britain will support France.

France, as a European power and a Catholic protectorate in China, will certainly react very strongly to the Tianjin case, and will inevitably take the opportunity to fight for more rights in China and put forward harsh conditions; Britain, out of order to safeguard its own interests in China and to contain France's influence in China, will not vigorously support France, and most likely will adopt an impartial and neutral attitude.

In addition, it is enough to see from the Tianjin lesson plan that the xenophobic thinking of the Qing people is quite serious, and Britain has huge interests in China, and if it openly supports France, it is very likely to set itself on fire, and it should be suggested to the newly appointed minister Wittoma that a calm attitude must be maintained.

Before Li Weihai finished writing a letter, he received a letter from the new minister, Wei Tuoma, who had a very clear attitude, not only to take responsibility for the Qing State to handle the case impartially, but also to avoid arousing the hatred of Qing officials and the people, and to agree to the compensation proposed by the Qing State, but to rebuild the church must be cautious, and to try to avoid causing confrontation among the Qing people.

In the letter, Wittoma also repeatedly warned not to try to take the lead in the matter of compensation, that Britain is not the main victim country, and that it should put forward its own compensation demand on the basis of France's demand for compensation, and that it should actively support France's reasonable demands, but also curb France's unreasonable demands and excesses.

At the end of the letter, he mentioned in passing that the French chargé d'affaires in China, Rochechouart, had rushed to Tianjin.

Tianjin Mansion Ya, Flower Hall.

There are more than a dozen local gentry sitting, and none of the leaders of the Water and Fire Association have come, although a notice of peace has been posted, but the city of Tianjin is still under martial law, and the streets and alleys are full of sailor officers and soldiers patrolling with guns and live ammunition, Zhang Guangzao sent out a lot of posts, but few dared to come to the prefect's banquet, after all, this banquet looked like a Hongmen banquet, and those who dared to come to the banquet were all asking themselves that it had nothing to do with the lesson plan.

"Wu Zhongtang, the Lord of the Qincha who came to Tianjin, you should have heard of it, right?" Zhang Guangzao looked kind, and said unhurriedly: "Wu Zhongtang was born in business, the right-hand man of the king of Zhennan, and has always been the prime minister's minister of national affairs.

Although Yuan Qi advocated Western learning, advocated constitutionalism, actively developed Western trade, and introduced Western industries, he had never been soft on foreigners, and England, France, Tsarist Russia, Spain, and the Netherlands were all beaten by Yuan Qi all over the place.

In the first battle of Beijing and Tianjin back then, Yuan Qi killed a mountain of foreigners with a sea of blood, not 10,000 but 8,000, and the dozens of foreigners who died in Tianjin were not worth mentioning for Yuan Qi at all, so you can rest assured, Wu Zhongtang or Yuan Qi will definitely not favor foreigners! ”

These words were the truth, and as soon as the words fell, all the gentlemen present exchanged their heads and ears, "Everyone, be quiet." Zhang Guangzao said with a smile: "There is no doubt that Wu Zhongtang will not favor foreigners, but what is the most important point of constitutionalism?" It's the protection of private property! Not only to protect the private property of our Qing people, but also to protect the private property of foreigners, otherwise no foreigners would dare to come to my Qing Dynasty to do business, right?

For what happened two days ago, Wu Zhongtang must be investigated, and for murder, arson and robbery, it must be investigated, otherwise Wu Zhongtang will not be able to explain to the imperial court.

However, as you all know about what happened in the last two days, it was a provocation by the French that provoked public outrage. It happened suddenly, no one organized, there was no premeditation, let alone the mastermind, the murderers and arsons and robbers were all those who were afraid that the world would not be chaotic and take advantage of the fire to rob.

I am calling on you today to send a message to the fathers and villagers in Tianjin to report and expose those black sheep of the mixed stars, and in addition, I also hope that you will raise some money....... Slash the white duck! For the bastards who dare to kill foreigners, we can't just watch them being sent to Xishikou. ”

Cutting the white duck is to buy people to die with money, this is almost an open secret, Zhang Guangzao even said it when he saw the white duck, and everyone was in an uproar, but if you think about it, this is indeed the best way to calm the lesson plan as soon as possible, after all, it is impossible not to catch a few scapegoats for such a big case.

"Time is urgent!" Zhang Guangzao said loudly: "You go back and discuss, this mansion will wait for you here at this time tomorrow, and I hope that the leaders of the Water and Fire Society will also come in person and finalize the list as soon as possible." Speaking of this, his face sank, "The black yarn of this mansion is not guaranteed, and it is difficult for many people to protect their heads!" ”

Sending away a group of gentlemen, Zhang Guangzao immediately sat in a sedan chair and rushed to Qincha Xingyuan, and when he got off the sedan chair outside the gate, he heard someone behind him shouting: "My lord, stay here." With the words, Liu Jie, the magistrate of the county, trotted up and chased after him, and said: "My lord, more than ten people have been identified who caused the murder and arson and robbers, when will they be arrested?" ”

"There's no hurry, just wait and see." Zhang Guangzao said in a low voice: "It's all locked up in this mansion, and no one can get out." ”

The two were talking in a low voice, but Zhang Guangzao caught a glimpse of two four-wheeled carriages galloping towards him, and the coachman he saw was a foreigner, so he hurriedly stopped talking, "The foreigner is here, hurry up and see Lord Qincha." ”

Seeing Zhang Guangzao and Liu Jie coming in, Wu Changqing said with a somewhat unkind face: "When will you start arresting people?" ”

"Lord Huiqincha." Zhang Guangzao hurriedly said: "Tomorrow will start to kill people one after another, but it will take two or three days to catch all the leaders of the Water and Fire Society." ”

"It has to be as soon as possible." Wu Changqing said in a deep voice: "This case is not only the attention of the government and the opposition, but the attention of the world, this is a major diplomatic event, it cannot be delayed, it must be as soon as possible." ”

"Xia Guan understands." Zhang Guangzao hurriedly bowed down and said, paused, he said tentatively: "My lord, the inside and outside of the city have gradually become calm, can martial law be lifted, otherwise, the people's hearts will be difficult to ......." ”

When martial law is lifted, the vigilance of the Water and Fire Society will be reduced, Wu Changqing naturally understood what he meant, and said, "You can ......." ”

Before the words fell, he listened to the report outside, "Lord Yu Qincha, the French Chargé d'Affaires in China, Luo Shua, Bishop Fan Guoliang, the English Consul Li Weihai, and the Russian Consul Kong Qi are asking to see you. ”

After all, he couldn't hold his breath and came to the door, Wu Changqing nodded, "Take them to the living room and let Chonghou bring a translator over." ”

Deliberately changed into a suit, Wu Changqing rushed to the living room, he likes to wear a long shirt, but in the Prime Minister's National Affairs Yamen for many years, he has developed the habit of wearing a suit to meet foreign guests, into the living room, after the two sides politely introduced, Luo Shuya couldn't wait to speak quickly and urgently.

Before he could finish speaking, Wu Changqing stretched out his hand very impolitely to interrupt his words, and said directly: "According to the investigation, the cause of the Tianjin teaching case was that Feng Daye, the consul of your country, led troops to trespass into China's three-port trade yamen, and shot and intimidated our officials.

Feng Daye is not familiar with diplomatic etiquette, arrogant, bold, reckless and stupid, what is your country's intention in sending such a low-quality person to our country as a diplomatic official? I hope that your country will give a clear account to my country and to all countries that have caused casualties and property losses! ”

was interrupted very impolitely, Luo Shuya was full of unhappiness, listened to the translator, saw the other party beat up, put all the responsibility on them, and was speechless in anger, the church was burned, the consulate was smashed, the diplomatic officer was killed, the priest and nun died, and they were even asked to give an explanation!

The British and Russian consuls also looked at Wu Changqing in a daze after listening to the translation, and they were shocked and faintly felt that something was wrong, but this attitude was too strong, and it was not like the attitude of properly solving the problem at all.

Chonghou is indifferent on the surface, but his heart is turbulent, he has long heard that Yuan Qi is strong externally, but he didn't expect it to be so strong, according to his thoughts, it must be appeased first, after all, so many people died, the church and the 'Hall of Mercy' were also burned and the consulate was also smashed, he never expected that he would dare to beat a rake, this is too .... It's strong!

The cause of the incident, Luo Shuya also asked the foreigners of the countries in Zizhulin, how much to know about the situation, the cause should be the Qing people besieging Wanghailou Church, the other party said so, it is to put all the blame on the dead people, obviously did not intend to properly solve this matter.

His face turned red all of a swell, "No matter what the cause, the officials of your country instigated the mob to kill our diplomats and missionaries, burn churches and consulates, rob foreign companies, and trample on the flag of the French Empire, which is a serious trampling on the honor of France and provoking the dignity of France!" If we cannot give our country a satisfactory answer, our country will not hesitate to defend the honor and dignity of France with its blood! ”

After listening to the translation, Wu Changqing pondered for a while, and then asked slowly: "How can we satisfy your country?" ”

This attitude changed a little quickly, Luo Shuya had some doubts in his heart, and said after consideration: "Repair the burned churches, nurseries, and consulates, ceremoniously bury the murdered consular missionaries, etc., punish the officials related to this case, and arrest all the murderers." ”

Wu Changqing glanced at him and said, "Funeral all the victims, arrest all the murderers, we agree on these two points, the other two points are impossible!" If your country is not satisfied, even if there is a war, our country will accompany you at any time! With that, he stood up and walked away quickly.

Listening to the translation, Luo Shuya's face turned red and white, what does this mean, forcing France to start a war? Or did you not take France into account at all?

Looking at the Westerners who looked at each other all over the room, Chonghou couldn't say the happiness in his heart, the soft persimmon pinched too much, this time he ran into a hard stubble, swept everyone, he got up happily and paced out calmly, it is better to see than to hear, Yuanqi's strength, today can be regarded as a real understanding, "Despite the war, my country will accompany you at any time!" Along the way, he recalled this sentence in his ears, so relieved!

Returning to the purple bamboo forest in disgrace, Luo Shuya immediately sent a telegram to China to report the situation in detail.

Li Weihai also hurriedly reported the situation truthfully to the new minister Wei Tuma, and mentioned at the end that the Qing Kingdom seemed to intend to provoke France, which was very abnormal!

The Russian consul Kong Wen also sent a telegram to China, "There is a possibility that war may break out between Qing and France, and it may even be a war between the East and the West......... ”

Chonghou wrote down the fold in detail and sent it to Beijing with an expedited 800 li, and the current 800 li expedited is delivered by train.

In Tianjin, after the lifting of martial law, the atmosphere in the city was relaxed, and the words that Zhang Guangzao gathered a group of gentlemen quickly spread, and it did not take long for Wu Changqing to negotiate with the consuls of Western countries also spread, and the atmosphere in Tianjin City was relaxed again and again.

The top priority at the moment is to arrest the murderer, and everyone in Tianjin, the gentry, the businessmen, and the common people know this in their hearts, no matter who is right and who is wrong, after all, it is dozens of lives, how can there be any reason not to arrest the murderer! If we want to calm down this turmoil as soon as possible, we must hand over the murderer as soon as possible, otherwise the people of Tianjin may suffer.

The government only limited the murderer to the head of the mixed star, which was already extraordinarily gracious, and for a while, all the gentry and businessmen in Tianjin, including the gangs, acted quickly, or reported or persuaded to take the initiative to surrender, and some simply turned it directly.

Outside the East Gate of Tianjin, Yuanqi Detention Center.

When the sky was dark, Song Zigao led a sturdy man in his early thirties into the back door of the shelter quickly, and a young man who had been waiting for a long time led the two to a small side room, lit candles, and served tea before saying, "Wait ..... two." ”

Before he finished speaking, Du Mingtang had already walked into the room quickly, waved his hand and retreated from the young man, and then he said in a low voice: "What's the matter, why are you in a hurry to see me?" ”

Song Zigao hurriedly got up and hugged his fists and said, "Brother Du, can you stand by and watch, it was the junior brother who asked the brothers of the Water and Fire Society to help ........." ”

"Wait." Du Mingtang's eyes narrowed, and he said coldly: "You can eat things indiscriminately, but you can't talk nonsense." ”

Hearing this, the sturdy man hurriedly bowed his hand and said: "There are already more than a dozen brothers in our two halls who have been arrested by people who have been arrested into the county government, and I hope that Brother Du will not hesitate to help, and the water and fire will definitely remember the great kindness." ”

After glancing at him, Du Mingtang said, "What are you anxious about?" It's not that the white duck is chopped, it's a big deal to suffer a little. ”

The man smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Du, there are dozens of lives, how can there be so many white ducks." ”