Hiroshi Ito and Aritomo Yamaguchi went down separately to prepare their own things, and while they were busy, Mukden was also busy preparing. [Ran^Text^Library] []. [774] [buy]. [com]

Just when Zhang Yi, Tang Shaoyi, and Xu Huaijin were busy, Li Hongzhang arrived!

Zhang Yi received a telegram from Li Hongzhang from the capital, and he had already set off from the capital and rushed to Mukden, which could be reached in three days.

Zhang Yi led all the important people in Fengtian to the outside of Shengjing City to welcome Li Hongzhang's arrival.

Li Hongzhang can be said to be Zhang Yi's great nobleman, since Zhang Yi became a sensation under Nie Shicheng and was recommended to Li Hongzhang by Nie Shicheng.

Li Hongzhang spent too much energy and effort on Zhang Yi, for this young man who dared to rush, dare to break through, dare to do and hide the ravines in his chest, he placed full hopes on him, and regarded him as the banner figure of China's rejuvenation in the future!

In just a few years, Zhang Jianzhi is now surrounded by a lot of talents, full of wings, together with the entire three eastern provinces, now they are full of vitality, a large project, large enterprises have risen here, a year's financial income, now is not inferior to the imperial court, such a speed of development is enough to make the world stunned, even in the eyes of the Western powers, it is also a great achievement!

Li Hongzhang watched the changes in the three eastern provinces, especially Zhang Yi's series of military actions, expelled Tsarist Russia, attacked Japan, and completed a great feat that he and Zhenggong and Xianggong did not dare to imagine. Now he invited himself to personally preside over the negotiations with Tsarist Russia, giving himself a chance to wash away his shame, this is the genius of the world that he has single-handedly held, which makes himself the future leader who wants to lead this nation to Zhongxing! Li Hongzhang stood under Shengjing City and comforted his heart, with a satisfied face.

Zhang Yi also has enough respect and gratitude for Li Hongzhang, without Li Hongzhang's help and care all the way, it is not easy for him to gain a firm foothold in the Qing Dynasty, especially one song and one tail, and one is vigorously cultivated when he is just showing his edge; The first end is that after he entered the mastery of Fengtian, he fully supported his drastic innovation, which enabled him to really start a big fight in the Northeast, and he had enough confidence to compete with Japan and Tsarist Russia.

Moreover, in the past few decades, this dilapidated country, without Li Hongzhang's reluctant support, is now afraid that it will be even more unseemly, the old man has endured humiliation for many years, and talked too much humiliation on his shoulders, and then silently innovated the country, although it is difficult to return to heaven by himself, but after all, without him, this court is afraid that it will be long gone.

Zhang Yi watched Li Hongzhang's carriage gradually come to the door of the post station, and hurriedly led everyone to greet him.

"Old Zhongtang, I haven't seen you for a long time, but I'm fine, Zhang Yi is polite."

Zhang Yi gave a deep salute to Li Hongzhang, Li Hongzhang hurriedly took a few steps forward, supported Zhang Yi with his hand, and said with a smile: "Jianzhi, Jianzhi, hehe, the old man finally didn't see the wrong person, yes, yes, in just a few years, this Fengtian has changed the world, good, good, the future of Chinese rejuvenation is hopeful!" ”

Zhang Yi hurriedly said: "Old Zhongtang, this is not the place to speak, please return to the General's Mansion with me, let's go back, and we will explain it in detail one by one." ”

Everyone surrounded Li Hongzhang and returned to the General's Mansion, and Zhang Yi called Tang Shaoyi, Yang Du, Xu Huaijin and other people around him to meet Li Hongzhang.

Li Hongzhang was polite to everyone and said: "Jianzhi, now that our negotiations with Tsarist Russia are about to begin, I don't know what your opinion is. ”

Zhang Yi said with a smile: "Lord Zhongtang, in fact, not only Tsarist Russia, this negotiation is only afraid that there will be Japanese involved, our 100,000 troops in Fengtian have crossed the Yalu River, and the troops are directly aimed at Pyongyang, the current Japanese Meiji Emperor is afraid that he can no longer sit still, they want to hold Korea, where can they fulfill their wishes?" ”

"Oh, and the Japanese?"

Li Hongzhang's eyes flashed, and he said: "Jianzhi, don't underestimate the Japanese, you can underestimate Tsarist Russia, but Japan must not be underestimated by us, that Ito Bo, I have a deep relationship with him, that task is not simple, I am afraid that it will be difficult to negotiate with him......"

Zhang Yi smiled proudly and said: "Lao Zhongtang, now we are not as good as before, the battle between China and France, although we won in China, but because of the coercion of the great powers, we were undefeated and defeated, now it is different, we have enough confidence, if I want, the army will go south, within a month and a half, you can eat North Korea in one bite, Vladivostok is also in our hands, now it is the two countries begging us to negotiate peace, not us begging them!" Moreover, we have formed an alliance with Germany, and as our backing, the United States will at least remain neutral, and even if they have the support of Britain and France, we will definitely not be afraid of them! ”

Li Hongzhang replied: "Jianzhi, your backbone is strong enough, but any diplomatic negotiations are based on strength, you must understand that although we have the upper hand now, but as far as I know, there are still 780,000 troops in the western part of Tsarist Russia, and there are at least more than 100,000 elite soldiers in Japan, once Japan continues to increase troops, I am afraid that your advantage in Korea will be wiped out, and now, your reliance is not obvious......

Zhang Yi's face changed, and he asked, "Old Zhongtang, do you think Japan will continue to increase its troops?" ”

Li Hongzhang nodded and replied: "Based on my understanding of Emperor Meiji and Ito Hiroshi, even if they want to negotiate, they must be based on the military balance of power in Korea, so it is inevitable to increase the number of troops!" ”

Zhang Yi's face was solemn, nodded, and said: "Even so, Lao Zhongtang doesn't have to worry, at the negotiation table, you just have to maintain a tough attitude and don't soften in the slightest, and I will take on other things outside the negotiation table!" ”

Zhang Yi turned around and said: "Huai Jin, it seems that you need to come forward in person, if you really want to fight again, it is to fight Li Jianshang in person, we must be cautious, so as to win with one blow!" Immediately issued an order, appointing Xu Huaijin as the commander-in-chief of the Korean battlefield, going to North Korea to replace Zhang Yihu, and letting Yihu come back, I need to have a murderous general at the negotiation table to personally help Lao Zhongtang! Xu Huaijin was taken aback and said: "Instructor, if you really want to be sent, then you don't necessarily have to recall Yihu, with our relationship, presumably Yihu will definitely not be jealous of me." Zhang Yi said: "It's not that I'm afraid that he will fight for power with you, but at the negotiation table, a person with a tough personality and murderous spirit must calm the scene, and provide enough confidence and support for Lao Zhongtang, your character is too gentle, and too loyal, not suitable, call a tiger back, just to suppress the arrogance of the powers!" ”