The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 308 Li Hongzhang's Calculation
Zhang Peilun looked at Li Hongzhang expectantly.

"Zhongtang, this Teng Xingfu is indeed a talented person. Can we bring him over?"

"If he can side with us, even if the several provinces in the southeast cannot become independent in the end, with Teng Xingfu standing on our side, the court will not dare to challenge us."

It cannot be said that Zhang Peilun’s suggestion is unreasonable.

If the southeastern provinces eventually become independent, then there is nothing to say. They will not be afraid of the court taking action against them at all.

If the imperial court dared to use force against them, the foreigners would definitely not sit idly by and would intervene militarily again.

But if they still stay in the court in the end, they will have to worry about the court taking revenge on them later.

But if they are supported by Teng Yuzhao, who commands a large army, the imperial court will have to think twice before settling old scores with them.

If Teng Yuzhao's vanguard troops refused to obey orders, the imperial court would be in a very embarrassing position, and might even be overthrown, or at least forced to abdicate.

If this is true, the whole country may be unified.

How could Li Hongzhang not know this? However, he still shook his head firmly at Zhang Peilun's suggestion.

Seeing that Zhang Peilun was a little puzzled, Yang Shixiang, who was worried that Li Hongzhang had actually rejected the proposal for the independence of Guangdong and Guangxi, said to Zhang Peilun with a wry smile.

"Brother Youqiao, I'm afraid this is inappropriate."

Not only was Zhang Peilun blinded by greed, he was also eager for his father-in-law, Li Hongzhang, to become the president as soon as possible. He was so eager for quick success that he lost his mind and did not figure out the key points of the matter. He looked at Yang Shixiang with some confusion.

Seeing Zhang Peilun like this, Yang Shixiang had no choice but to continue explaining.

"Brother Youqiao, Teng Xingfu is no longer the old man from Wuxia. He is no longer the instructor of Beiyang Wubei Academy."

"He is the current most powerful president of the Vanguard Army, the General Manager of the Beiyang Zhili Military Affairs, who dares to compete with the coalition forces of the world's powers. He is a second-rank official of the imperial court. This military official has reached the top of the list and is only one step away from becoming a provincial governor."

Yang Shixiang's meaning was very clear. Teng Yuzao was no longer a teacher at the Beiyang Military Academy. He was now a high-ranking official in the court, and it was almost the same. Or it could be said that he would soon become the highest military official in the court, or at the very least the person with the strongest military power.

How could such a person be easily won over!
In other words, it's not that Teng Yuzao won't be won over, it just depends on how much the cost is.

If Li Hongzhang were the president now, this would still be possible, because Li Hongzhang could come up with chips that were enough to impress the other party.

But now, apart from Li Hongzhang's position as Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, which is barely acceptable to him, Teng Yuzao may not be interested in it. He would disdain any other official positions.

When Yang Shixiang said this, Zhang Peilun had already reacted and his face flushed slightly in embarrassment.

Li Hongzhang coughed lightly and said slowly, "Teng Xingfu is now a pillar of the country. How can he be easily won over by others?"

Li Hongzhang glanced at Yang Shixiang and said, "No matter what, Teng Xingfu is still a Beiyang man. In the vanguard army, almost all officers of his vanguard army are from the Beiyang Military Academy and the military academy. Almost all of them are from the above two places."

"Among all the armies in the country, including Yuan Weiting's Wuwei Army Right Army, the Vanguard Army can be said to be the Beiyang army with the purest bloodline."

Having said that, Li Hongzhang sighed again.

"Since Teng Xingfu recognized the Beiyang Military Academy, it means he admits that he is a Beiyang man. Since he is willing to be a Beiyang man, I, the former governor of Zhili, will lend him a helping hand." Li Hongzhang looked at Zhang Peilun, "Youqiao, I remember that among the entourage who followed me to Guangdong and Guangxi, there were more than a dozen people who were born in the Beiyang Military Academy. There are also some people who were born in the Beiyang Military Academy in the Guangdong and Guangxi armies. Find these people immediately."

"Tell them that if they are willing to serve in the vanguard army, not only will I not stop them, but I will also write a personal letter to Teng Xingfu to recommend them. At the same time, I will contact Zhang Xiangtao to provide all conveniences for their journey north, and give them 100 taels of silver each as travel expenses to help them make the journey."

Li Hongzhang's words made Yang Shixiang and Zhang Peilun's eyes light up, and they secretly exclaimed "brilliant" in their hearts!
This move not only showed goodwill to Teng Yuzhao, but also made the vanguard army have people who were loyal to Li Hongzhang. This made Yang Shixiang a little excited again, and he asked tentatively.

"Zhongtang, then we..."

Li Hongzhang understood that Yang Shixiang still had some evil intentions, and he smiled bitterly in his heart, but remained calm on his face.

"Originally, the country was already in danger, but Teng Xingfu appeared. It seems that the fate of the Qing Dynasty is not over yet!"

Yang Shixiang said hurriedly, "Zhongtang, you also think that the vanguard army will not be able to defeat the coalition forces of the great powers in the end, this..."

Li Hongzhang sighed again, "Rong Zhonghua's call hinted that Teng Xingfu suggested that the court should only fight but not make peace, that is, not to take the initiative to propose peace talks, and wait until the coalition forces can no longer support and propose peace talks. This move is quite wise!"

"The vanguard army has fought more than ten battles, big and small, since Tianjin, and has wiped out at least 50,000 to 60,000 allied troops."

"How many troops can the European and American powers such as Britain, the United States, Germany, France, Austria, and Italy send? Their roots are in Europe, not in the Qing Dynasty."

"As long as Teng Xingfu handles things properly, can preserve himself, and constantly consume the military strength of the great powers, the great powers will soon be unable to support it, and one day, they will propose peace talks."

Yang Shixiang and Zhang Peilun both understood that these great powers would not continue to increase their troops.

"But what about the Japanese and Tsarist Russia?"

Yang Shixiang still did not give up and continued to speak fearlessly.

Li Hongzhang shook his head and said, "These two countries do have the ability and are willing to increase their troops, but their national strength is too weak. If they have the support of the great powers, none of them would have the appetite to swallow up the Qing Dynasty in one go, and they would not be allowed by the great powers. Their economic lifelines are in the hands of the European and American powers."

At this point, there was no need for Li Hongzhang to say more. Yang Shixiang and Zhang Peilun had already understood thoroughly that as long as Teng Yuzao did not make any mistakes and was not completely defeated by the Allied Forces, the foreigners would certainly take the initiative to propose negotiations. At that time, the initiative would be in the hands of the court.

"So, never mention this matter again."

Li Hongzhang no longer paid attention to Yang Shixiang. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke in a haughty manner.

"Since I have been here, no one can represent Beiyang anymore. Not only Yu Lu, but also Rong Zhonghua can't represent Beiyang either. Now, it seems that only Teng Xingfu can truly inherit Beiyang's legacy and develop it."

"At this time, it is not convenient for me to write to the court, but I will write a personal letter to Rong Zhonghua, suggesting that he meet the Queen Mother and give up the position of Governor-General of Zhili."

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Zui Ma has been outside these days and has been writing on his mobile phone. It is very difficult and I hope my book friends can understand.

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(End of this chapter)